"She practically lived off of Beethoven."
Guinevere had no desire to leave the comfort of her blanket, afraid of the goosebumps that the cold morning brought. It was precisely eight o'clock in the morning, when Guinevere was woken up by the sound of an owl tapping on the window she had enchanted. The shrill sound of its pecking echoed across the room, forcing Guinevere into a conscious state.
She groaned, burying her head into her pillow, trying to drown out the sound of the owl's tapping.
Hesitantly, Guinevere irritatedly lifted her gaze and looked out the window, recognising the owl Grant had used last time. Bidding goodbye to the warmth her bed provided, she dragged herself away from the four poster bed and slumped to the window.
Taking the letter from the owl, she grumpily pushed it away as it tried to get in. "Not today," she sighed inwardly.
Her mood immediately changed as soon as she finished reading the letter. Grant hadn't been writing at all since the holidays. Guinevere had begun worrying about her younger sibling, as he promised he would write. He mentioned in the letter that he would be stopping by later and that he sends his deepest apologies for missing the festivities.
Guinevere hurriedly headed to the loo, excited to get ready and see her brother. It would've seemed so silly to see her all stirred and thrilled just for the reason that her brother would be visiting her. In all honesty, it has been hard for her, not seeing her family. Although Guinevere despised the thought of seeing her parents again, she would be lying if she said she didn't miss the simpler times.
As soon as she was showered and dressed, Guinevere left the confinement of her own room and headed downstairs.
After a couple weeks or so, of the place being filled with chatter and laughter, Grimmauld Place had never felt so quiet. There were no silly arguments between Ron and Harry regarding chess, the twins and their pranks, and Hermione and Ginny's girl talks with her.
Upon entering the kitchen, her eyes immediately flew to the table's occupants, Remus and Sirius. Guinevere was not surprised to see them, however, both men decided against it.
"What?" she asked, eyeing their shocked faces confusedly.
Remus avoided her gaze and started picking on his food while Sirius asked, "Something wrong?"
Guinevere scoffed and shook her head unbelievably, confused as to why her cousin would imply such.
"S'nothing," he chuckled, "Just surprised to see you up early. I guess you've finally decided to wake up before the afternoon."
"Right you are," she admitted, rolling her eyes as she took a seat across Remus.
Ever since the strange encounter they had with a boggart, their arguments had dropped a big ratio. Not that they would consider themselves as friends, but let's just say that they've decided to cut some slack for each other. But that didn't mean Guinevere would pass on the opportunity to mess with him.
They were merely acquaintances.
Breaking the silence, Guinevere spoke up. "Grant's coming by,"
Sirius looked up, "Oh? Brilliant!" Then returned to eating his food.
Guinevere nodded, helping herself to some sausages. "And I'd appreciate it if you help keep him occupied."
————
Grant arrived at Grimmauld Place a little after lunch time, and Guinevere was glad to see that his usual scowl was absent. Declining Sirius's offer to a late lunch, they resorted to a conversation in the sitting room, but the lack of interesting topics quickly made it dull. He then suggested to see the whole place, curious as to where the infamous Black galas were held.
Sirius didn't appear to be too keen on the idea, but agreed nonetheless. Hesitantly, he led them to a room Guinevere had never been in since she was young.
"Mind you, no one's been here for a very long time," Sirius warned them, a hand resting on the dusty doorknob. "So cover your noses."
He pushed the door open, and a cloud of dust immediately greeted them. Guinevere got a whiff and coughed a little.
They walked into the ballroom, their eyes scanning the whole room. It was nothing like what Guinevere remembered. Recalling the way the room would always catch her breath because of its beauty. It was big, beautiful, and crowded with elegantly dressed people. Now, all the room did was make her feel small. It looked even bigger now that it wasn't occupied, bigger but dull.
It was merely an old, dusty room. Aged furniture painted mostly in gold and black colors. Huge and long dusty curtains that spread across the room's tapestry. The ceiling stretched about a couple hundred feet above them.
A great chandelier hung high above them, unlit and coated with webs. It merely looked like a lump of glass suspended in the middle of a storm of dust.
"Might I say I expected— better." Grant voiced out, scrunching his nose in distaste. Sirius chuckled dryly, lifting his wand and muttering a few spells, as he prompted them to help.
Guinevere quickly raised hers to help, the others following soon after.
It didn't exactly make the biggest difference but it was better now. They could make out a crystal chandelier that spiraled down from the ceiling. It was just like the charmed one in Hogwarts, except this looked better. A sight for sore eyes, they'd say.
Sirius then looked up, then pointed his wand at the chandelier, muttering a spell that lit it up.
The room was suddenly bathed in a soft glow, that made the room acquire some of its former glory. Every fine detail was now present, and it looked like an actual ballroom.
"Spoke too soon." Grant murmured, as he separated from the group. His hands running through the walls that were intricately designed. Apart from Grant, Remus looked all too amused, clearly his first time entering the room.
Sirius appeared bored, having seen the room too many times for his liking from his youth.
Guinevere looked around, catching sight of a big object that was placed right below the chandelier. She walked closer, and realized that it was a piano. The piano sat in the middle of the room, it seemed as though it would collapse at any given moment.
Slowly pulling the lid open, she carefully steadied it to refrain it from falling and pressed a key. After seeing that it was still played nicely, she pressed a few more, recalling the notes Grace taught her.
Guinevere was quite surprised that the piano was still somewhat sturdy.
Sirius noticed Guinevere hovering over the piano, as she effortlessly played a few keys. The older man blinked repeatedly as if trying to drown out memory before quickly saying, "Regulus used to play— do you?"
The witch flinched at the sound of Sirius's voice, as though forgetting there were other people in the room. Quickly lifting her hand away from the piano, she then brought it up to her neck and scratched it awkwardly.
"I do," she answered quietly, "I'm hardly as good as Regulus was though."
Remus's eyes shifted from Sirius to Guinevere. He knew Sirius still had a hard time talking about his brother. As much as concerned he was for his old friend, he couldn't help but watch Guinevere intently. He looked at her with curiosity —not exactly as subtle as he thought— as she pretended not to feel his eyes on her.
"No need for false modesty, sister." Grant replied as a smirk grew in his face. "Why don't you play us a tune?"
"I think not," Guinevere answered, walking a few steps away from the instrument. "Don't be silly." She can feel her fingers longing to play but she'd rather not embarrass herself.
Grant scoffed, "It's been so long since you've played,"
"Exactly, it's been too long," Guinevere said, still not budging. "Get over it, Grant."
"I'm sure Grace would've wanted you to."
The witch stared at her brother unbelievably, as if giving him a look that said 'Really? Bringing our dead sister into this?'
Grant eagerly nodded and turned to Sirius, then Remus. Remus tried to shrug and look unbothered, but failed miserably. He looked expectant and was actually waiting for her to play.
"Give it a go, Gigi!" Sirius insisted, "I'll stop calling you that nickname you hate, if you do."
It took a couple more convincing before the witch finally agreed, dragging herself to the stool that perched beside the piano. "Alright, alright!" Guinevere sighed in defeat.
Straightening her posture, she took a deep breath and looked at the piano before her. Guinevere chuckled lightly and shook her head, turning to Grant and shooting him a glare. Collecting herself mentally, she began playing the piano. Her fingers moved smoothly above the piano keys, her eyes focused on her movements with perfect concentration. One could take a single look and see just how passionate she was in playing.
"Für elise," an impressed Sirius said.
Grant nodded and tucked his hands in his pockets, "She practically lived off of Beethoven."
Both men chuckled at this, oblivious to the other Marauder who seemed to have had his eyes trained on the girl playing.
Glancing sideways to the taller man, Grant began. "A fan, I s'pose?"
Remus looked at him briefly and smiled awkwardly as he nodded in agreement. "Me too, not as much as my sister though." Grant chuckled, looking over to Guinevere with pride.
Remus nodded again, as though he was not paying attention to the boy beside him. This didn't appear to faze Grant, at all. Perhaps he didn't notice how intent Remus was watching his sister.
"Personally, I prefer Adelaide." he shared, "And what, may I ask, would you prefer?"
As though it came as a surprise to the younger man, Remus nodded once more. Grant's brows furrowed, confused as Remus nodded to something that wasn't even a yes or no question. Noticing the focused look on his face, Grant turned to what he was looking at, who, as it turns out. The confused look on his face immediately turned into a frown.
Guinevere.
Guinevere felt her fingers grow tired, as she repeatedly switched keys. Although no matter how much her hands ached to stop, it would seem that she cannot help but continue. As if it sparked something in her, drawing her closer and closer.
Pressing the last key, Guinevere let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Smiling to herself, she then laughed in disbelief before turning to the people with her. Biting her lip to stifle her chuckles, her eyes narrowed as she proudly said to them,
"I did it."
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A/N
y'all sorry for the long wait oml :<
i h8 school sm, LIKE WITH A PASSION.
katie xx
(im running out of gifs lmfao)