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Grimmauld Place had always seemed a cold place to him, and the feeling of coldness went far beyond the weather. It didn't feel like home; homes were supposed to provide warmth, comfort and solace, yet Sirius always felt suffocated.
That's why he hated the holidays, because then he would have to go back to all that and the very feeling made him sick. Now he was standing at the old piano in the visitors' room, he was annoyed, he could almost swear that if he could he would be spitting fire, only then could he describe his fury. He finished the last sip of firewhiskey still left in his glass and in a fresh burst of anger he threw it against the wall, shattering it to pieces.
His raging eyes, misted with treacherous tears, ended up meeting someone unwanted. His feet moved swiftly to her, he grabbed her arms tightly and shouted at her angrily.
- Are you happy now? - The girl trembled slightly under his grip. - Answer me Venus! Is this what you wanted?
- I had nothing to do with it! - she spat to defend herself. Her own eyes had begun to fill with tears, she was as upset as he was.
- I don't believe you. - He replied exhaustedly. He turned away from her as if their touch burned and began to pace the room as his hands went to his dark hair, tousling it in desperation.
Venus watched him in frustration, she stood in his way and grabbed his arm, making him turn to look at her. It was a battle in grey, their eyes were on each other; one filled with anger and the other with fear.
- I had nothing to do with this, Sirius. - The pleading tone barely provoked anything in him. - I swear, you have to believe me. - He finally broke down, tears starting to stream down his face.
He could hardly bear to look at her at that moment, he wanted to keep shouting at her, to blame her for everything that had just happened and yet he hated to see her cry. He pulled her into his body, wrapping both arms around her in a comforting embrace, his fingers lovingly stroking her golden tresses.
- It was Bella. - She whispered into Sirius's chest.
- What? - He pushed her away as he stared at her in disbelief.
Before Venus could answer his question a scream from the stairs alerted them. Cygnus approached them both, his face contorted in absolute fury and behind him the rest of the family appeared with expressions ranging from panic to annoyance.
- Get away from my daughter! - He bellowed fiercely. He grabbed Venus by the arm and pulled her roughly away from Sirius. - Wasn't it enough that you ruined her, you're still looking for her!
- Father! - She tried to intervene on his behalf. She ended up getting a grim look from her father.
- Shut up! - She gave her mother a pleading look, but Druella looked just as disappointed. - You were my pride, Venus.
- Brother. - Walburga stepped forward, going straight to her first-born son's side. - This whole situation is...unfortunate. But it is not a loss. - Sirius felt a shiver run through his body. - Arcturus and our own father always wished for this union.
Cygnus scoffed at Walburga's attempt to control the situation. His cold gaze focused on his sister's, but of course she would see the whole thing as convenient, her daughter was not an outcast unlike Sirius.
- Oh dear sister, all this would be delightful, if only your dear first-born were not a deviant. - Walburga's brow furrowed slightly, showing how offended she felt at her brother's words.
- Watch your words, brother. - The woman replied with a tense jaw. - Sirius may have rebellious behaviour, but he has a conscience. - She placed her cold hand on his shoulder. - And he will take responsibility for what he has done.
- Mother? - He looked at her with concern. She just gave him one of her usual warning looks, wanting him to shut up.
- Swear to me. - Cygnus challenged her as he approached her and his nephew, with Venus still at his side. - I will not allow my daughter to be seen as a slut in magical society.
Venus was completely embarrassed, she wanted the ground to swallow her right there and then. She looked up slightly and found Sirius' eyes on her, she could feel his anger and disappointment radiating from him.
- He will. - The voice of Orion, the patriarch of the family was heard for the first time. - After all they were always meant to be together. - He took his place beside his wife and with his eyes on his son, he declared. - He will marry her.
- Father, please! - Sirius tried to complain. It was his father's hand that, with a simple signal, silenced him.
- Please, we don't want this. - Venus' voice was heard again. Her greyish gaze fell on the figure of her mother, looking for support, but it was useless, no adult present was there to help them, instead they were condemning them.
- We do this to protect you and the family. - Orion assured in his deep, stern voice. He grabbed Sirius by the arm and pulled him away from Walburga and dragged him to the centre of the room. - Get down on your knees. - The black-haired boy was noticeably confused by his father's request, and at the delay Orion placed his hand on the back of his neck and forced him to do so.
- Then let's get this over with. - Cygnus did the same with his daughter, forcing her to her knees right in front of Sirius. - Take each other by the arm, use your right arm and don't move.
Both teenagers reluctantly and hesitantly did as their parents asked. When their arms were intertwined it was Orion, Sirius' father, who pulled out his wand and pointed it straight at where the two were joined.
- An unbreakable oath. - the man announced. Sirius's eyes widened in surprise and he tried to stand up, but his father brought him back to his knees using force. - We said, don't move, Sirius. - He hissed against his ear in a threatening tone.
Across the room, Druella watched as her youngest daughter was on her knees on the floor, ready to be wrapped in a deadly oath. For a second she hesitated, considering the use of such a spell too excessive a measure. Walburga, for her part, saw this as the only way to keep Sirius in check, she knew him well, his word would not be enough, but the oath would force him to comply, deep down she felt sorry for him, but her son and niece had put the noose around their necks the moment they began their secret affair.
Orion continued with the ritual, placing the tip of his wand over the point where Sirius and Venus' arms joined. Cygnus stood behind his daughter and with his own wand silently threatened them so that neither would attempt to do anything foolish during the process.
- You, Sirius Orion Black, swear to marry Venus Adhara Black once you both finish your studies at Hogwarts to ensure our family's noble legacy. - Orion narrated the vows calmly, waiting for Sirius to respond.
He didn't want to, but none of the people around him were on his side. He wished that one of his friends would show up to save him, that somehow they could sense his desperation and come to his rescue, but it was no use.
- I swear. - He replied defeated. A red line appeared, curling around his arms.
- Now. - Orion fixed his gaze on his niece. - You, Venus Adhara Black, swear to marry Sirius Orion Black once you both finish your studies at Hogwarts to ensure our family's noble legacy. - The blonde hesitated to give her answer, she wanted to run away from there.
She shuddered as she felt her father's wand against the back of her neck, she pressed her lips tightly together, holding back her sobs. More tears slid down her cheeks, and she inhaled deeply in an attempt to calm herself.
- I swear. - She ended up agreeing, her voice cracking. Another bright red ribbon appeared, wrapping itself around her arms once more.
When the light disappeared a stony silence fell over the room. Venus looked up slowly, meeting Sirius's teary eyes in front of her, they were filled with contempt.
- End of the matter. - Orion sentenced. He put away his wand and looked at his brother-in-law. - Let's celebrate with a drink, I keep my best bottle of fire whiskey in my study.
- I follow you. - Cygnus accepted the offer. He glanced sideways at his daughter who was still kneeling motionless in her place. - Good work my dear. - And leaving a kiss on the crown of her head, he left the room.
Walburga cleared her throat, turned in Druella's direction and gave her a faint, almost uncomfortable smile.
- You should stay for dinner. - She offered out of kindness.
- We would be delighted. - Druella replied, returning the gesture.
- Perfect. - Walburga crossed the room, passing just behind the motionless figure of her son. - Kreacher! - she shouted, calling to the elf. - We'll have guests for dinner tonight.
When he finally moved from his spot, Sirius dropped wearily onto the carpet that covered the floor. Venus rested her hands against the carpet and leaned forward, dropping her forehead into her hands, it was a pleading pose, but it made no sense, they had just witnessed that no one would show them mercy. He could hear her crying, he could see her body trembling, he could almost feel sorry for her, but who felt sorry for him?
He was being mean, they were both victims, they had both been forced to take that oath, but it was her sister who gave them away. They had caught her not him, that was enough for him to hold her fully responsible for what had just happened. Their little game had ended badly, and there were the consequences, they were now condemned to do the penance that had been imposed on them.
Because that is what you get if you commit a sin; you are judged, you are forced to your knees and you receive your penance, only then, the stain can disappear a little bit.