the_debt_of_time

"Still married to a blood-traitor, I see."
"Blood-traitor, yes." Dorea laughed, looking down to examine her manicured
fingers. "How clever of you. My brother must be so proud."
Still caught up on the word "aunt" that Walburga put in front of Dorea's name, Mia
quietly observed the two women. She had almost forgotten that Harry's grandmother was
a Black. She had researched it, of course, in preparing for the life debt ritual, needing
something from the Black bloodline in order to call for Sirius. However, she had all but
forgotten the connection after meeting Dorea face-to-face, finding no similarities between
her adoptive mother and the vile witch standing in front of her.
Walburga turned her focus to James. "I'd heard you had a child some time ago."
"Yes, this is my son, James, and my daughter, Mia," Dorea said.
"A daughter too?" Walburga said the word as if it came with great shame. "I'd not
heard." She openly patted Regulus on the head, silently showing off that she had provided
not just one, but two sons to the "Noble and Most Ancient House of Black," thus one-
upping Dorea.
"Well, you know how society is. Once you've got the heir, what more reason is there
to celebrate?" Dorea remarked sardonically.
Walburga inclined her head. "I suppose you're right."
"I was being sarcastic, you overstuffed bint," Dorea said, nose twitching.
James and Mia both goggled, wide-eyed, up at their mother, who was usually so
calm and collected but had just displayed the classic Black temper, grey eyes narrowed at
Walburga.
Sirius, however, beamed up at Dorea Potter as though she were the greatest thing
he had ever seen in his entire life. With a look of awe on his face, he grinned and extended
his hand to her. "Sirius Black, ma'am. An absolute pleasure to meet you."
"Dorea Potter." She smiled down at the boy, ignoring the look of loathing that
crossed Walburga's face as she took Sirius's hand. "And whom do you belong to?" she asked
knowingly.
The sound of Walburga grinding her teeth together was audible as she fumed. "That
is my son."
Dorea gasped in feigned shock. "But he can smile, Walburga. Where on earth could
he have learnt to do that?"