Chapter Text
Juliet
"Did you hear me stupid girl! I said I wanted to buy those macaroons."
The horrid shrill voice sounded so similar to her portrait that Juliet thought she was back in the future, in Grimmauld Place. But no. Instead, she was seated at a small table, in a luxury bakery located in Diagon Alley. Sugar and Spell Craft was an interesting place where pure-blood women came to indulge in sweet treats away from the prying eyes of their husbands. Juliet had become a regular visitor since arriving in this time period and in England. Opting for a small table near the window where she could listen in on conversations as she pretended to read and look through stacks of records. Today, however, was the day that she had been preparing and waiting for over a month for. Walburga Black stood at the counter, her sons by her side, as she screeched at the worker.
The acceleration of the charm had toppled over and when she stepped into the bakery, Juliet cast the charm again, hoping that it would be enough to prompt a scene. As she watched on in both fascination and horror, the guilt of what she had done was starting to sink in. Mainly due to the fact that Sirius and Regulus were present today, which was not what she had originally planned.
"Mrs. Black, please. These macaroons contain real almonds. You are deathly allergic. You've screamed at me multiple times before to not serve you anything with almonds." The shop witch wrung her hands, her eyes darting between Walburga and her two sons. A panic looked crossed her face as she unfortunately found herself face to face with Walburga's rage and madness.
"Do not presume to tell me what I can and cannot eat." Walburga slammed her hand on the glass display case making the girl flinch. "I am a Black. We do not suffer from common ailments."
The shop witch's face paled. "But you specifically said in-"
"Mother," Regulus's soft voice called out to her as he tugged on the bottom of her skirt, "you can't eat those. What are you doing?"
Walburga turned and narrowed in on her son, screeching, "don't you dare lecture me boy! I have had enough of your insistent whining. That is all you and your brother do. Scream and screech in my ear, day after day..." Her face contorted with rage, spit flying from her lips as she towered over little Regulus. The familiar wild look in her eyes that had mirrored in her portrait was already there, burning bright and dangerous. The other customers in the shop were beginning to stare, some backing away from the display of wild fury while others watched with morbid fascination.
Juliet was in that group, unable to look away as Walburga lost it in a fit of rage and random ramblings. It was like a train barreling on full steam ahead, ready to crash.
She wanted to look away. Wanted to get up and leave the scene before whatever madness finally took hold. But, seeing Sirius and Regulus were going to witness what was to come, she stayed. Though, she winced internally as she watched the tragic scene play out in front of her eyes. Her fingers gripped her teacup painfully as Walburga whipped her wand out and vanished the glass in the display case. She snatched the almond macaroons from the tray with her grubby hands, the macaroons already getting squished between her fingers. The worker backed away, her face draining of color, eyes wide with shock and frozen in panic. Sirius was no better, as he watched with horror at his mother's actions while Regulus tried desperately to stop her.
"Mother, please." Regulus tugged at Walburga's sleeve. "Father said-"
"Your father is a weak and pathetic man." Walburga shoved a fistful of squished treats into her mouth, crumbs falling onto her expensive robes. Walburga devoured the macaroons, grabbing more from the tray, forcing them into her overfilling mouth. The telltale signs of madness creeping in at the edges as she continued to ramble.
"Always telling me what to do. What not to eat and what to do with my life. I'll show him. The miserable sod should have been thanking me." More crumbs fell to the floor as the tray was getting emptier and emptier. Walburga's eyes, wild with a fierce determination. "He should have gotten on his knees and worshiped the very ground I walk on for providing him with heirs. I'll show all of them how little control they have over me."
Despite the growing pile of macaroons on the floor, she had swallowed enough. Juliet could smell the distinct scent of almonds growing stronger with each bite. Then, she set her cup down as her hands shook as she pulled out her wand under the table. The time was finally here, and she knew it was coming. But watching it unfold, seeing those two boys witness their mother's descent into madness, made her stomach churn. And yet, Juliet needed it to happen and it was far too late to stop it. Walburga's face flushed red then as her hands flew to her throat. The first signs of anaphylaxis set in. The remaining macaroons fell from her hands and scattered across the floor as she stumbled backward.
"Someone call St. Mungo's!" The worker screamed.
Walburga stumbled and leaned against the counter as she clawed at her throat, gasping for breath. Juliet rushed from her seat with her wand drawn, as Walburga's legs gave out. She caught the woman before she hit the floor, lowering her down with care. The familiar spells she'd practiced flew from her lips, but she knew they wouldn't work. Not with the amount of almonds Walburga had consumed.
"Mother!" Regulus dropped to his knees beside them, tears streaming down his face as he gripped her arm tightly and held on.
Sirius however, stood frozen; his gray eyes wide with shock. The poorboy hadn't moved since Walburga's tirade began. Juliet glanced up at him, but there was nothing she could do for him now at this moment. She turned her attention back to Walburga, casting another breathing charm. The wheezing and gasping sounds grew worse with each passing second. Another charm flew from her wand, but it was no use now. Walburga's throat had closed too much for it to have any effect.
"Move." Sirius pushed past the growing crowd of onlookers, his small hands gripping his mother's sleeve. "Mother, stop being dramatic. Get up."
His voice cracked, betraying the fear beneath his anger. Juliet's chest tightened at the sight of her godfather trying to maintain his composure. Seeing his face with those gray eyes wide with confusion and fear, made her question everything. And yet, she forced herself to turned back to Walburga, as her face started to turn blue. Her eyes rolled back as her body started convulsing as the allergic reaction took hold. Around them, the crowd grew restless as their whispers and soft gasps increased.
"Back up," Juliet snapped at the onlookers, her hands trembling in her lap. "Give her space."
The worker appeared above them, panic still etched on her face. "I've...I've.. called the healers. They should be here any second."
Walburga's breathing grew labored, each gasp more desperate than the last as her body convulsed. The reality of watching someone die while their children looked on made her stomach turn and she fought the urge to vomit. Still, Juliet remembered all the horrible things Walburga would do in the future, which helped her push past the guilt temporarily. Thankfully, in the next instant, the crack of apparition cut through the chaos. A healer in white robes materialized near the door, stepping inside instantly and taking over where Juliet had left off. Her hands shook as she stood and watched the scene as the healer tried in vain to save Walburga's life. Juliet found herself reaching for Sirius and Regulus, pulling them closer as they all looked on in horror at her final moments.
Behind the healer's frantic spell work, a familiar dark figure materialize. Death's hollow eyes met hers for a brief moment before he reached down and drew something silvery from Walburga's body. As the silvery soul was enveloped into Death's blackness, her chest stilled, her final breath escaping in a soft wheeze.
"Time of death, 2:47 PM."
The healer's words cut through the hushed whispers of the crowd. A few soft cries echoed behind her as the shop girl cried softly into her hands. The crowd then turned to the boys and Juliet found herself suddenly protective of them as the group watched them with pity, curiosity, and sadness.
Juliet's grip tightened on their shoulders. "Come on, let's wait outside."
"But Mother..." Regulus tried to pull away.
Juliet held on gently as she guided them through the crowd and out into the fresh air of Diagon Alley. The sunny afternoon felt wrong, almost offensive in its cheerfulness, with shoppers continuing their daily routines as if a woman hadn't just died mere feet away. Sirius shrugged off her hand the moment they cleared the doorway, his face a storm of conflicting emotions. He paced the cobblestones street, hands clenched into fists, occasionally kicking at loose stones with barely contained rage. Regulus stood frozen, tears streaming down his face, looking so small and lost that it made Juliet's heart break. She kept her hand gently on Regulus's shoulder as he tried and failed to not cry. The minutes dragged on, and she felt lost on what to say or even do. Having witnessed death before didn't make it any easier, especially with two grieving children who'd just watched their mother's final horrible moments.
The crack of apparition sounded again as three aurors appeared near the bakery's entrance. They swept past, barely sparing a glance at the two shell-shocked boys.
Another crack split the air. Orion Black materialized, looking far younger than Juliet had ever seen in the portraits at Grimmauld place. He looked so similar to Sirius that it made her choke up, but there were enough differences that set them apart. Where Sirius had worn his hair long, Orion's was much shorter and styled in the manner of the age. His gray eyes were the same, but the way he carried himself and the carefully neutral look on his face, set him worlds apart from her godfather. His eyes landed first on his sons, then darted to Juliet.
"What happened?" His voice carried the weight of command, demanding answers.
Before Juliet could respond, an auror stepped out of the bakery. "Mr. Black, we need you inside to identify..." He paused, glancing at the boys. "To assist with our investigation."
Orion's jaw clenched, a muscle twitching beneath the smooth skin of his cheek. He moved toward his sons but stopped short, as if uncertain how to proceed. His hands twitched at his sides before settling into loose fists. The awkward distance between father and children stretched like a physical barrier, and Juliet could almost feel the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air between them. It was painfully clear that Orion had no idea how to comfort his children in their moment of need, trapped between aristocratic composure and uncertainty.
"I'll stay with them," Juliet offered quietly.
Orion gave a sharp nod before following the auror inside, leaving Juliet alone with two boys whose world had just shattered. She knew that it had to be done, and she reminded herself that it was better this way. Walburga Black needed to die.
Juliet guided the boys to a nearby bench, her heart heavy with the weight of the world pressing on her shoulders. There was no turning back now, and this day would mark the beginning of what was to come. Regulus came to sit beside her, still in shock with tears flowing down his cheeks. Sirius opting to pace restlessly in front of the bench. She conjured a small handkerchief and handed it to Regulus. His small fingers trembled as he used the handkerchief to dab at his face. The sight of him trying to maintain composure, even now, spoke volumes about his upbringing.
"She did it on purpose." Sirius said suddenly as he stopped his pacing. He faced away from them, his eyes fixed on the bakery entrance, his young face twisted with a maturity no child should possess. "Mother knew about the almonds. She always made a fuss about them. Was paranoid about them. She would never willingly eat them. She did it on purpose. To spite father, to..." His voice cracked and faded, the words seeming to catch painfully in his throat. Juliet could see the gears turning in his head as he processed his mother's actions. The calculated cruelty of choosing to die in front of her own children. The way his hands clenched and unclenched at his sides spoke of a fury too large for his small frame to contain.
"Shut up, Sirius." Regulus's soft voice cracked. "Don't talk about her like that."
"You saw her. She wasn't right in the head." Sirius kicked at a rock, sending it skittering across the street with a harsh scraping sound that made Juliet wince. His shoulders hunched forward as if bearing an invisible weight. "She hasn't been right for weeks. Walking around the house muttering to herself, jumping at shadows, screeching about father. Screaming at the house-elves for no reason.... even more than usual."
Juliet's stomach churned. Sirius had noticed the signs then. The increasing paranoia, the wild mood swings, the confusion. The Black family madness had taken hold faster than she'd expected. The bakery door opened then, and Orion emerged with two Aurors. His face was carved from stone, but Juliet caught the slight tremor in his hands as he approached them. The boys straightened automatically, years of conditioning evident in their posture.
"Ma'am." One of the aurors addressed her. "We need to ask you a few questions about what happened. I think it would be best if you come with us to the Ministry."
Juliet glanced at Orion, who gave a slight nod. "Of course. I'll help in any way that I can."
"Father," Regulus spoke up, his voice small. "What's going to happen now?"
Orion's mask cracked slightly as he looked at his youngest son. He opened his mouth, closed it, then simply said, "we're going home."
The ministry interrogation room was a cold and dark place, but nothing she wasn't already familiar with. The auror by the name of Eric Cresswell was leaning back in his chair as a quill was automatically scribbling notes on a piece of paper for him. He looked exhausted, which was something that hadn't changed about aurors no matter the time period.
"So, Miss Taylor." Cresswell sighed, "you were just having tea when this happened?"
Juliet nodded, keeping her posture relaxed despite the uncomfortable wooden chair. "I often go there to read reports and records. I like to get out of the office and my boss Mr. Fawley, doesn't mind. It's usually quiet in the afternoons and the weather was nice today. But, I also enjoy the tea and the pumpkin pasties."
Cresswell shuffled a small stack of papers, "you work in the records office, correct? As administrative assistant?"
"Yes," she replied polity.
"And you tried to help Mrs. Black?"
"Of course. I cast breathing charms, but..." Juliet let her voice trail off, allowing a hint of distress to color her tone which was genuine. "They weren't enough. Her throat was already too swollen."
Cresswell shuffled through his papers. "Several witnesses mentioned you were the first to reach her. That you seemed to know what you were doing."
"All students are taught basic healing charms at Ilvermorny. But my mother was often prone to coughing fits, so I got good at casting them."
"I see." The quill made another note. "What was the cause of your mother's fits? If I may ask?"
"Oh," Juliet replied easily. "My mother smoked cigarettes. She was a squib who picked up the habit when she moved to America. It was what ultimately killed her in the end…"
The auror looked uncomfortable for a moment before he replied weakly, "sorry for your loss."
"Thank you. That is very kind of you to say."
There was an awkward pause, but then he coughed and continued, "and you had no prior interaction with Mrs. Black?"
"No," Juliet met his gaze steadily. "Though I have seen her in the bakery before, but we'd never spoken. She is... sorry was…. intense. Hard to forget her face."
Cresswell nodded, "know what you mean. Black family all look like that. Still, you never spoken to her before today. Or had any interactions with her in the past?"
"No," Juliet replied. "I've only recently moved to England. A little over a month ago now."
The door opened, and another auror stepped in handing Cresswell a folder. He scanned it quickly, his eyebrows rising slightly.
"Well, it seems the preliminary reports from St. Mungo's support the witness statements. Mrs. Black's actions appear to have been..." He paused for a long moment, choosing his words carefully. "Influenced by declining mental health. The Black family has a history of such issues."
His tone was delicate, almost apologetic, as he shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Juliet kept her expression neutral, though her heart raced. Everything was proceeding exactly as planned. The charm she'd cast had worked perfectly, accelerating the madness that ran in the Black family. As long as she played her cards right, then it would just be ruled as a suicide.
"And what brings you to England, Miss Taylor." Cresswell closed the file and slide it on the table.
"A change of pace, but my mother was from England. I never knew my father so I'm researching."
"I see," Cresswell replied slowly. "Is that why you took a job in the records department?"
"Yes. Mr. Fawley is aware of my reasonings and doesn't mind as long as my research doesn't interfere with my work. Ministry records are public knowledge after all."
"True," he conceded to her. "What did you do as a career in America?"
"Oh, I worked for MACUSA. I had a few different jobs, but my last one was in the magical building department. I was a magical architect."
He raised his brow at her in surprise, "and now you are an administrative assistant in the records department….that's quite the shift."
"I needed a change," Juliet shrugged, keeping her posture relaxed. "Some personal issues hit me hard, and England seemed like the right choice. A fresh start. The records department might not be as exciting, but it's peaceful."
Cresswell studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Right then. I think we're done here." He gathered his papers. "Thank you for your assistance, Miss Taylor. You're free to go."
Juliet stood, smoothing down her robes. "Will there be any further investigation?"
"No, I don't believe so. The healer's report is quite clear about the cause." He paused at the door. "Though I must say, it's fortunate you were there. At least someone tried to help. Not many in our society would."
The words hit harder than she expected. Juliet forced a smile and left the interrogation room.
The dark corridors of the Ministry felt endless as she made her way to the lift. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Sirius and Regulus. Specifically to their faces when they watched their mother collapse and the reality set in. She's didn't want them to witness that, and it wasn't part of her plan. The guilt that came with that would linger, but the guilt she had for Walburga was more complex.
The lift rattled to life, golden grilles sliding shut with a clang. As it began to move, Juliet leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. The image of Death appearing in the bakery flashed in her mind. His presence had cemented their path and she knew that going forward, everything was about to change. The future was just as uncertain as it was in her time. Still, she had the knowledge from her past and that would help guide her. The lift slowed to a stop at the Atrium level as Juliet stepped out into the bustling space, weaving between ministry workers heading home for the day. Their casual chatter about dinner plans and weekend activities felt surreal after what she'd witnessed.
She spotted a familiar figure standing near the fountain. Orion Black standing rigid as he spoke with an elderly wizard Juliet recognized as his father, Arcturus. He was just as regal and intimidating as Sirius described him. Tall, same black hair and grey eyes as the rest of the family, but Arcturus's was streaked with hints of silver. Where Orion had a more neutral look on his face, Arcturus's was downright intimidating with his brows furrowed just so, and the hint of a smirk pulled on the corners of his lips. The way he carried himself added to his overall presence of someone you didn't want to cross. Juliet had heard stories about the Black family patriarch's ability to manipulate situations to his advantage, and watching him now, she could see why people treaded carefully around him. His grey eyes, somehow colder, swept the atrium as if cataloging every detail, analyzing every potential piece of information he could use later. Even from this distance, his perfectly tailored robes and aristocratic bearing commanded attention, though Juliet suspected that was exactly what he intended.
She hesitated, unsure whether to walk past them or find another exit. Before she could decide, Arcturus's sharp gaze caught her. He said something to Orion, who turned to look at her.
"Miss Taylor." Arcturus's voice called out to her across the atrium and carried the weight of decades of authority. "A moment of your time, please."
Her body was screaming at her not to get closer, but her feet moved on their own accord. When she was close, Arcturus spoke. "My son tells me you were present during today's... unfortunate incident."
"Yes, sir." Juliet kept her voice steady, though her pulse quickened. "I tried to help, but-"
"Indeed." He cut her off with a wave of his hand. "The aurors have informed me of your assistance. The House of Black owes you a debt for attempting to save my daughter-in-law, regardless of the outcome."
Juliet's chest tightened at his tone. She glanced at Orion, whose face remained impassive, though she noticed the slight tension in his jaw.
"That's not necessary, sir. I only did what anyone would do."
"Nevertheless." Arcturus's eyes, studied her face. "The Black family owes you a debt, and I will not allow that to go unanswered. Mr. Fawley tells me you are here in England researching your family's history. Is that right?"
"Yes sir."
Arcturus's piercing gaze made Juliet's skin crawl. The stories she heard about him didn't do him justice. There was nothing that could have prepared her for the commanding presence of him in front of her. He was a force to be reckoned with and despite all of her knowledge and her deeds in the future, standing before him made her feel small.
"Then perhaps we can be of assistance." Arcturus withdrew a small key from his robes. "Our family maintains extensive genealogical records dating back centuries. You'll find this grants you access to the Black family's archives here at the Ministry."
Juliet accepted the key with steady hands, though her heart raced. This was more than she expected, but it was not entirely surprising. Arcturus was not one to be in anyone's debt for long and the records could prove useful. She knew a handful of old families had provided records for ministry use, but they were only allowed access by a few. Her boss being one of them.
"That's incredibly generous," she said, tucking the key into her pocket.
"Orion can help you when you're ready to begin your research." Arcturus turned to his son. "I trust you can handle that?"
"Of course, father." Orion spoke for the first time since Juliet approached. His voice carried a weight of exhaustion.
"Very well." Arcturus adjusted his robes. "I believe that will suffice in payment for our debt between us. I will take my leave now as I have funeral arrangements to make."
He strode away, leaving Juliet alone with Orion. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words. Orion's shoulders sagged slightly, the perfect pure-blood posture slipping now that his father was gone.
"How are your sons?" Juliet asked softly.
Orion's eyes met hers, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his features before disappearing behind his mask. "As well as can be expected. Regulus hasn't stopped crying. Sirius..." He trailed off, running a hand through his dark hair. "Sirius keeps insisting she did it on purpose."
"Children often try to make sense of things in their own way."
Orion straightened his robes and ignored her words completely. "When you're ready to visit the archives, send an owl." He withdrew a business card from his robes and handed it to her. The thick parchment felt heavy in her hands, embossed with the Black family crest in silver ink.
"Thank you." Juliet slipped the card into her pocket alongside the key. "And I'm truly am sorry about today."
Orion's expression softened for a fraction of a second before his mask slipped back into place. "You have nothing to apologize for. You tried to save her."
The words twisted in Juliet's gut like a knife. She watched him turn and stride toward the fireplaces, his robes billowing behind him. As he disappeared in a flash of green flames, she let out a shaky breath. The atrium had emptied considerably, the evening crowd thinning as ministry workers headed home. Her fingers brushed against the card and key in her pocket. The day's events had yielded unexpected opportunities, but the cost felt heavier than she'd imagined. The image of Sirius and Regulus watching their mother die would haunt her for a long time.
She made her way to the exit, her feet carrying her while her mind was focused on other things. The telephone booth creaked as it carried her up to street level, depositing her in Muggle London. Juliet walked the long way home, thoughts tumbling around in her head at what she had just done. When she climbed the steps leading to her new townhome, she was hit with the sudden urge to cry. It was stupid really, as Walburga Black did not deserve her tears, but Hope Potter had never learned to stop feeling sorry for people in either of her lives.