Chapter 323: Dinner at the Black House
In the dining room at Grimmauld Place, a dark green cloth covered the long table, candles burned evenly in their silver holders, the flames steady.
Tonight's spread was as lavish as ever.
Kreacher's cooking never slipped.
Four of them sat at the table.
Orion at the head, Walburga to his left, Regulus across from him, Sirius beside Regulus.
Orion sat as he sat on any other evening, upper body straight, shoulders loose, an evening edition of the Daily Prophet laid out at his right hand.
He cut a piece of steak, chewed it a few times, swallowed, took a sip of tea, the rhythm no different from any night.
Regulus held himself the same as always, back straight, knife and fork in hand, cutting what needed cutting.
Father and son ate much alike, little talk, little feeling shown, which was simply how the house ran.