Chapter Text
1973
For centuries it was widely believed that the Leon family was amongst the earliest recorded covens, decades before the illustrious founders of Hogwarts made name for themselves. There were dark whispers of a secret coven that gathered witches from the farthest corners of the world to create the strongest and purest bloodline of witches and wizards in the forest of Gaul.
Many believed their practices to be the purist form of magic that was able to grow and flourish while men succumb the muggle world into chaos and war. The Leons were seen as the keepers of ancient magic passed through their descendants, each born with a rarity and gift even the most recognized pure blood families have no access to. Their lineage survives witch hunters, persecution, the rise and fall of many dark wizards.
Sophia was constantly aware of the weight her family's name had. Unlike more modern pureblood family, her name was not built on conquests and sworn allegiances that became futile under failed ambitions. Where many pureblood houses trace their lineage to obsession and wars that carried their legacy, it gave her a sense of pride to know the Leon name was a synonym to sacrifice.
That love was the oldest magic that could be wielded. That love rose above hate in the threat of doubt and weakness. When Sophia was a baby, her mother would often tell her stories about the first Leon witch that saved her coven from a cursed fire that meant to wipe out any hidden witches amongst the colony they resided on. From her willingness to protect the ones she loved came the gifts tied to healing, protection and peace.
Sophia carried that legacy with a sense of pride, even laughing when rumors said her family was blessed, untouched. Pure perfection due to it being born from love. But for this exact reason Sophia kept a distance from purebloods in her school. Amelia, her sister being a Slytherin she was far too exposed to their way of thinking. Despite what many said, she didn't think she was better than them. But there was a sense of arrogance certain purebloods carried themselves with that always left a bad taste in her mouth. The constant need to revert a conversation back to alliances and bloodlines seemed far more than just ridiculous to herr.
Sophia was not the kind of person that hid behind polished smiles and crude comments. Her sister always believed her biggest flaw was her willingness to smile too easily. Too care so openly. But how could she not when her mother and father were so open to half bloods and even muggleborns into their homes. Older families liked to think her parents raised them to be too eccentric but she'd have that then move through life with a biased opinion.
At times she knew she was a walking contraction. To be so open to understand halfbloods and muggleborns while avoiding purebloods to the best of her ability. Despite her contrasting opinions at thirteen, it was impossible to always avoid them. Such as that evening when the notorious noble house of Black would be their dinner guests in less than an hour.
"Noble house of Black." Sophia muttered under her breath as she laid out her violet gown across her bed "Probably curse at us for serving them the wrong spoons." Sophia looked over to the gilded clock on her bedside table, her eyes immediately widened
"For fucks sakes!" she quickly spun towards their joint bathroom as she began pounding her fist against the door "Amelia!" like too many mornings her sister did not answer "Amelia! Get the fuck out! If you're thinking about spending another second in there I'll shave your head while you fucking sleep!"
She pressed her head against the door and could hear the faint laughter through the door "You're so dramatic!"
Sophia's fist heavy against the door again "We have guests in the thirty minutes! Get out now!"
"Thirty minutes is more than enough for you!" her sister called out "Besides you don't care how you look so what's the rush?"
"Mum wanted you in the kitchen an hour ago!"
"And yet the world keeps spinning babe!"
Sophia pulled on the doorknob. A lost cause before she kicked the door before storming down the corridor. Her socks slipping on their polished floors enough to startle the passing portraits. Their manor glowed warmly as she passed the enchanted candles floating overhead. She could her the violins playing downstairs as she followed the music. Despite the sweet smell of their deserts she was raging, and making a beeline to their kitchen.
Her mother was dressed as she oversaw to the dinner platters. As Sophia stormed in Gabriele could already tell the twins had another disagreement "What's your sister done now?"
"She..." Sophia crossed her arms "I don't understand why I have to attend this dinner? What's so special that you want Amelia and I there mum?"
"We've been over this." Gabriele barely glanced up from inspecting her silverware "You are part of this family, whether you like the company we keep or not."
"I can understand that, but did it have to be the Blacks?" Sophia huffed "Amelia said they're freaks who practice incest mum!"
"Sophia." Gabriele's tone dropped. The first and final warning of the night for Sophia after a week of protests of being in attendance for the dinner "Besides Walburga Black is an old school friend of mine."
"Friend?" Sophia repeated "If she's an old friend this night would have been perfect for you two to reconnect. On your own."
"It'd be too uncomfortable. We were close but that was years before marriage and overtime we just grew apart." her mother confessed "Having my girls there would take the edge off of me."
"Mum, it's been a while but believe me that family is awful."
"That seems like an unfair statement Soph."
"Not really." Sophia replied "Everyone always talks about weird they are. The whole lot of them keep to themselves like a cult, especially that girl Bellatrix."
"Well, you'll be happy to know it's not their extended family. Just Walburga, her husband and her sons."
"Great, so Amelia and I have to be their company for the night while the grown ups sit and chat about the good old days before your husbands ruined your lives. Isn't it enough that I have to put up with Amy's friends, now I have to entertain two mini versions of your friend and her husband. Mum please..."
Gabriele hid a smile as she raised her wine glass "I'm sure you'll survive one night.
Just then Sophia heard her sister's heels on the floor as she swept into the room. Holding the skirt of her dress up as she carried to velvet boxes in her hands "Quick! Help me pick out a pair!"
When Sophia turned, she could swear her body went still. Because Amelia was wearing her dress. Her dress she spent hours deciding and regretting before finding the perfect one. Her lilac silked gown with silver embroidery at the neckline "You're not...are you actually wearing my...:
"Mum, I need your help. Which pair should I wear?" Amelia blinked innocently, ignoring her sisters glare
"Are you wearing my dress? Why are you wearing my dress Amelia?" Sophia stared at her in disbelief
"Because it's better than mine. Looks better on me anyway." Amelia shrugged with a confident smile
"That doesn't matter!" she argued back "It's mine. Not yours!"
Gabriele looked between them with a clear sign of exhaustion that was comforted by wine "Amelia."
"What mum?" Amelia asked "Sophia has dozens of dresses. She can pick one to match the mess she did with her hair." Amelia remarked as she pointed out the pink highlights in her sisters recently bleached hair.
"That's not the point. I laid out your dress this morning to avoid this exact situation." their mother said
"Well, I changed my mind. Tonight blue doesn't suit me. Lilac is more suited to the jewelry I want to wear. If I wore blue, I'd have to wear gold and I can't find my gold charms now."
Sophia felt a familiar twinge under her ribs. It wasn't just anger, but also humiliation at how carelessly her sister spoke. She hated when Amelia made comparisons between them because despite being twins she always felt like Amelia looked better.
Amelia was the first born, and always made it a point worth mentioning. She entered the room and people noticed her first. Her laugh was the rays on sunlight that peaked into a dark room.
"Amelia, go change. This is such an inconvenience to your sister."
"No, it's fine. Doesn't matter." Sophia groaned "Might as well put a sack over me since I look like such a fuck up, right Ames?" Both Gabriele and Amelia gasped. Before Gabriele could reign Sophia in she was already marching towards her bedroom.
By the time the manor bells were rung, their esteemed guests had arrived. Sophia had given up on caring before the night even started.
Through force she decided on a black and white lace dress that she quickly pulled from her wardrobe. It was simple and elegant enough but not enough to draw too much attention from her sister. The more she thought of her ordeal with Amelia and her dress the more it irritated her, the notes she pressed on the piano a clear indication of that.
Sophia sat in front of her grandfathers piano near the window as it overlooked their estate. Her fingers moved across the keys in regal practice as she let the familiar melodies of her favorite Muggle compositions fill the room. Music was one of few things she never had to share with her sister. A tune seemed to make Amelia breathe easier ever since they were children. As she continued to play she heard the bell rang a final time.
Her hands paused. From the foyer she heard muffled greetings and Gabriele's warm voice welcoming her friend and her family. Sophia breathed in deeply as she stood up from the piano. Trying her best to ignore the stinging pain of her corset as she made her way to the dining hall when her eyes landed on them.
The name, their moniker as heavy as they look. The famous noble house of Black. Walburga was a woman that swept in maroon and black robes, her posture painstakingly rigid as the silver on her neck contrasted against her pale skin. Her husband, Orion Black dressed and tailored to perfection in his dress coat. Behind them stood two boys.
The taller one behind his mother, a replica of Walburga. With dark hair, sharp eyes and pale skin, much like his mother he had a certain charm. Sophia felt compelled to admit he looked handsome, but she quickly noticed the restlessness behind his gray eyes as it flickered to every corner of the room.
As Sophia's eyes gazed on him a bit longer, there seemed to be something strangely familiar about the oldest son. She realized she recognized him from Hogwarts, passing in the corridors maybe? Sirius Black. She'd never spoken to him but according to her sister and her friends he and his friends had a habit of making a nuisance of themselves.
Behind Orion was a younger boy. Smaller, more refined posture with his hands neatly tucked behind his back. His short black hair slicked back as he trialed behind his father. He seemed more at ease at the setting than Sirius.
It was a surprise to Sophia. Few times when her family hosted a gala, many families seemed unnerved by their home. Maybe because of the warmth, the laughter from the portraits or the obvious that their house had many muggle memorabilia.
Gabriele embraced Walburga lightly as the two exchanged welcoming kisses to the side of their cheeks "Walburga, it's been far too long." she said as she extended her hand to Orion Black "Orion, Walburga, you remember my husband Cassian."
Cassian Leon crossed the room with ease and confidence "He's recently been appointed as head of international magical affairs for the Ministry."
"Walburga, Orion, always a pleasure." Cassian shook their hands
"Likewise." Orion replied
"These are our daughters, the twins I wrote you about." Gabriele continued "Amelia and Sophia." While Gabriele was introducing the twins the Black brothers looked back at them. Despite being twins, there was a clear difference between the sisters immediately. Amelia was slightly shorter, the height of her heels forced her to reach Sophia's height. With dark curls that framed around her round cheeks, thick eyebrows and sharp eyes. She looked more polished next to her sister.
Sophia stood next to her, taller, more sun kissed than Amelia who was cladded in makeup. Her pale dyed hair fell loose over her shoulders, their ends streaked with pink highlights Sophia had gotten out of spite that summer.
Amelia's back straightened, while her sister stood next to her crossed arms and clearly more irritable.
"They're twins?" Sirius said suddenly, eyeing Sophia carefully "Funny they don't look like they are."
Amelia laughed brightly "I know, sometimes I can't believe it either. I mean I've got the looks and she's got the-"
"Looks, brains and height. I absorbed them in the womb." Sophia snapped back at Amelia as Cassian hid a grin when he noticed Gabriele and Walburga's restraint glares at their children. Walburga gave Sirius a faint look, completely horrified by his casual teasing of the twins, and so openly at that.
"And your youngest?" Orion asked politely as their families began to move towards the dining hall
"Ah, our youngest Celeste is visiting her cousins in France this month." Cassian replied
"Visiting they call it. She threatened to duel us if we made her miss it." Amelia quipped "She's eight."
"And short tempered." Sophia deadpanned "The blessings of having children who can't control their magic yet. She throws a tantrum and suddenly all the mirrors in the house have cracks in them."
Amelia laughed quietly as they followed their parents. The dining hall glowed in candlelight and constellations drifting over the ceiling as the enchanted violins played. As the adults settled into their chairs, their cups filled themselves with wine. Cassian pulled out Gabriele's chair, offering her his hand "Darling" he said "Don't you think it's more wise to have our girls show the boys the gardens. I doubt matters of ministry affairs and old school tales will interest them."
"Not necessarily." Amelia protested "I didn't even know you had friends, let alone old school friends."
"Amelia, exactly how old do you think we are?" Cassian chuckled "I'm sure the boys won't mind, will they?" he looked back to Orion and Walburga
"Very well." she coldly agreed nodding to her sons
Sophia immediately caught the relief in Sirius and his brothers face "Well, come on before Sophia eyes fall out of her head from rolling eyes as much." Amelia clapped her hands as she lead them outside. The Black brothers trailing behind through as they stepped through the windows into the open evening air.
The gardens stretched endlessly under the sky. With roses blooming along the stone paths and enchanted lanterns floating over the hedges that were trimmed. From the balcony a massive hedge maze stood over the grounds.
"You have a maze?"
"How observant of you." Sophia leaned against the balcony rail
"It's huge!" Sirius gasped
"Yeah, it changes." Amelia explained "The hedge rearranges every few weeks. Our dad helped us make it when we were younger and now we have these little tests in them."
"Your mother allows you to play in it?" Sirius asked looking back at them bewildered at the idea of even allowing children in their grand garden.
"Of course." Sophia nodded "What's the point of having it if we're not allowed near it. In fact, every time Amelia and I survive it and change the landscape, mums gives us dessert privileges. We usually keep the fridges locked after the elves close the kitchen. Mum calls it a privilege because we like breaking into the kitchen after bed."
As Sophia spoke Amelia couldn't help but look at the youngest Black brother. The boy had barely spoken three words since arriving as she turned abruptly to him "Uh, not to rude but what's wrong with your brother? Is he mute?" Sophia bit back a smile "I mean you'd swear his tongue was cut out. Aren't boys your age usually annoyingly talkative?"
The boy looked faintly alarmed by the girls blatant question and insult. Before he could answer Sirius placed a hand on his brothers shoulder "Regulus is just more quiet than me."
"I am not mute." Regulus spoke immediately correcting her "I am following mothers instructions."
"Which are?" Sophia raised her brows
"That children should be seen and not heard." Regulus answered plainly
The twins shared uneasy glances at one another before bursting into a fit of laughter. Sophia had to grip the balcony rail to steady herself "Oh Merlin..." she wheezed between their laughs "Your mothers sounds like a nightmare."
"Terrifying." Amelia added
"It is proper etiquette." Regulus frowned as he looked to Sirius who had to hide his laugh behind a cough "Mother says that-"
"Regulus, you're not a piece of furniture." Sophia spoke, breathing in deep to catch her breath "Proper etiquette is chewing with your mouth closed. What you just described is cruel. Your mum couldn't have meant seen like a..."
"Like a trophy." Amelia nodded
"The ones locked behind glass walls."
While Sirius's mood seemed to lighten, he could see the slight twitch in Regulus' left eye. It was always his tell whenever he got upset. Much like their parents Regulus seemed unimpressed by the twins "You both are extraordinarily rude. You'd think the way mother prepared us for this dinner, they'd have more etiquette."
"What's that supposed to mean trophy boy?" Amelia snarked back at him
"Just that the two of you are different from what we expected." Sirius leaned against the railings, his eyes still lingering back to Sophia "You're not as frigid I suppose."
"Really?" Sophia's eyes narrowed at him
"Well for starters..." Sirius shoved his hands into his pockets lazily "Your family is quite famous. I mean everyone always talks about you. Usually if purebloods rave about the next, we're prepared to meet frigid fucks like the Rosiers or Malfoys."
Sophia gasped dramatically "Amelia, did you hear that? We've been accused of having humility!" Sophia pressed her hands over her heart "Oh my! This is such a devastating insult to our name."
Sirius snorted at her quip "I just mean-"
"We get it." Amelia tilter her head "But you'd know better if you'd actually speak to us."
"What do you mean? We've never met." Regulus replied to which the twins rolled their eyes at the brothers
"Right, we fade into the walls when Sirius and his friends pass us in the halls." Amelia pointed out "Not as much a bother if you're not wearing red robes I'm guessing. Hard to introduce yourself while being trampled in the corridors, isn't it Soph?"
Sirius frowned in confusion "What? You go to Hogwarts?"
Both twins stared at him in disbelief "We're in the same year as you, you git."
"No, you're not. I would've known." Sirius scoffed
"No, you're right. We've been hallucinating wearing those dreadful robes." Amelia sarcastically remarked as she crossed her arms
"But then again, I suppose it's hard to notice other people while you and your friends are busy terrorizing half of the school, isn't it Sirius?" Sophia sharply questioned him, much to his horror
"What my friends and I do is harmless fun." Sirius argued back immediately
"You set fire to a boy in my house's robes before summer." Sophia replied
"He deserved it."
"He's a prefect. One that loves to assign detention."
Sophia's readiness to cause Sirius discomfort was all too amusing for Amelia. For once she wasn't the receiver of her sister's sharp tongue as Regulus seemed as equally amused by the two's back and forth jabs.
"Ever think maybe we didn't know because you didn't leave an impression?"
"I doubt anyone who isn't James Potter could make an impression on you?" Sophia smiled sweetly "Who needs the girls in the stands cheering for him during Quiditch matches when he has his own personal cheerleader?"
Amelia burst out laughing, before placing her hand in front of her mouth. Sirius looked more than mortified "That's low."
"You'll survive."
Regulus, quieter between had to agree with his brother. Despite being a first year and more reserved, even he had to admit as much as he'd heard of the Leons he never heard word of them attending Hogwarts "Sirius is right. If your family is as revered as we've heard how come we never noticed you, or even heard talks of you at Hogwarts?" he asked, equally as inquisitive as his brother
"For one we're not in the same house." Sophia shrugged "I'm in Ravenclaw and Amelia is in Slytherin."
"You're a Ravenclaw?" Sirius seemed visibly surprised
"Well don't make it sound like a disease." Sophia chuckled "It may be hard to believe but just because my sister and I have the same face doesn't mean everything we do is identical."
"I just expected..." Sirius trailed off vaguely "Everyone always expects siblings to be in the same house."
"What, like its hereditary?" Sophia laughed "I think we'd be more stunned if we did end up being in the same house. It's blatantly obvious my sister and I are polar opposites."
“Fair point.” Regulus pointed out “Sirius and I are in different houses as well. I’m in Slytherin.”
“Now see, that’s a surprise.” Amelia replied “I’ve heard endless stories from your cousins about everyone in your family was in the same house.”
“Yeah, guess you can say Sirius broke tradition by being sorted into Gryffindor.” When Regulus replied there was a shift. Subtle, difficult to really catch but none the less there. Sirius's posture stiffened and his brows furrowed as his eyes darted to his brother. Sophia and Amelia quickly caught it.
"Why is it a bad thing?" Amelia asked "It's good to change things now and again."
Regulus hesitated as he glanced to his brother before looking back at the twins "It's not." He said quietly "We just didn't expect it. That's all."
Sophia looked between the brothers. There was a twitch in Sirius's eye before he brushed his hair behind his ear "Come off it Reg." Sirius muttered "Mother and Father pretend like it's some plague I've brought home. Give it a few years and she'll find reason to burn me off the tapestries."
"Tapestries?" Sophia looked between them "Why would you even have something like that?"
Neither of the Black brothers answered them. Not immediately at least. She suddenly knew more than enough of Walburga Black. Enough to know the Black family was more than just the gossip she had heard between her friends. Given her sons rigid expectations of them, it was clear the Black family was a name built on expectations and appearances. If their children believed themselves to be accessories that should prove their right to have their name, Sophia could only imagine how strict Orion and Walburga must be behind closed doors.
Sirius caught Sophia's sympathetic stare at him. One he quickly he wanted to shake off of him. He didn't want to show a thread of weakness behind his arrogance. He immediately smirked "So, Ravenclaw. Does that mean you're painfully clever or arrogant?"
Sophia smirked back at him "Clever enough to know you're not only ignorant but trouble."
"Oh, she so likes you." Amelia muttered under her breath as she heard the chimes of the bells from inside "Dinner's ready. Let's go before mum sends a search party." she turned towards the manor.
Sophia walked beside her in silence, but unfortunately for her Amelia had known her for thirteen years. Which made it easier for her to tell. There wasn’t a single detail she couldn’t decipher from her sisters body language. One being the faint color that lingered over her cheeks. Amelia’s eyes narrowed with wicked delight. It was priceless !
Sophia kept her eyes fixed straight ahead but she could feel Amelia’s stare burn a hole right through her “Don’t.” she warned quietly
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You’re thinking it. And loudly.”
“Sophia Leon, are you flustered?” Amelia gasped softly
“No.”
“You’ve always been a shit liar.”
“I’m warm.”
“And I suppose I should blame the dreadful sleeves on your dress?” Sophia quickly shot her a murderous glare. Luckily the boys were a few paces behind them too busy with their own conversation, oblivious to the twins heated discussion. Amelia leaned closer, linking her arm to her sister “You fancy him, that quick?”
“I do not.” Sophia fired back trying to rip her arm away
“Oh, you so do.”
“He’s arrogant. You said it yourself.”
“Yeah but he’s not ugly. And given your blush you know I’m right.” Sophia wanted to strangle her sister. The worst part aside from Amelia’s teasing, was that she was perhaps right. Sirius Black unsettled her. Not just because recognized him as the unnamed handsome stranger in her year, but because now she had a name to the boy who matched her wit. He was unafraid of arguing back, he answered back and cruelly at that. Sophia enjoyed the challenge especially since the more older pureblood families children seemed to have an endless obsession by impressing the twins to get a good word in for their parents.
Sirius wondered if like Amelia, did he pry, provoke and push back? Given his mothers glares she can only assume as much.
But it wasn’t just that she could tell, much like her Sirius was a boy that hid behind his wit. Behind that veiled sarcasm and composure there was restraint to formality.
Sophia prayed he wouldn’t be trouble if they were to be alike