#askursulablack

[ursulaflintblack]

Dramatics? Ursula was now truely furious inside. Of course Phineas had tried to downplay his own obvious fauxpaux and concealed it with anger towards her. One of his favourite strategies. Trying to make her appear weak. Questioning her own judgement. Reducing her to a hysterical and overly emotional woman. Better to cast it at someone else instead of standing up for it and facing the consequences. No, he was unfailing! Of course she could see right through him. Being married to a man like him had taught her a great deal.

He rudely walked past her nearly knocking her over and left her in the whiff of his cologne (he ALWAYS smelled so very good). Ursula could tell he was in a very bad mood now! She closed her eyes for a second and took a deep breath. Her husband was going to be a tough piece of work today. She decided to follow him downstairs, if only to prevent him from making a runner.

He continued to ramble. The usual. That he was so very busy. So much to work. That she should be eternally grateful to him for basically everything she was and had. Typical male airs, staging themselves as the great provider. And who exactly was the one being dramatic?

Now it was her turn not to listen to him anymore. When he had finally reached the door to the dining room on the ground floor and practically teared the door open, he came to an abrupt halt. Ursula nearly walked into him.

What followed was a sad display of pure ignorance. Phineas entered and took his place at the end of the table without a word. Arcturus and Belvina gazed upon him with expecting and excited faces. Even Cygnus started to brabble something sounding like “Dada“ and moved his arms and legs lively in his high chair. Phineas didn’t take any notice of them. Her heart sank. How could he be so cold and detached? He hadn‘t seen his younger children in months and he couldn‘t deign to properly greet them? He could have at least pretended to be pleased to see them. He had never been an affectionate father, but the way he ignored the children now made her sick. She knew he was still angry with her (or himself) but that was by no means an excuse to take it out on his children who had longed to have him home.Ursula would have to have a talk with him. A stern one. But not in front of the children.

She entered the room and took her own seat opposite to her husband. Instantly, she felt Arcturus‘s and Belvina‘s eyes on her and looked in their confused faces. She gave them a reassuring smile and nod. It was credit to their good education that they didn’t speak up. They began to eat in silence. Cygnus was of course very interested in the strange man sitting at the breakfast table and started gesturing towards his father with his newly learned verbal creations. The side effect was a long trace of spit coming out of his mouth and running down his front. No response from Phineas’s side but a disgusted look. Ursula gently pushed down the toddler‘s arms and shushed him calmly.

Arcturus and Belvina tried their best to contain their excitement and looked between their parents to get a hint of when they were allowed to say something to their father. Belvina was beaming at her beloved idol while Arcturus was shifting in his seat.

Then, suddenly, Phineas‘s voice cut through the room, loud and harsh: “Sit properly boy, for Merlin‘s sake, and control that incessant grin, girl!“

Ursula‘s eyes shot to her husband. Stunned. Then to her children.

Arcturus had lowered his eyes, sinking in to his chair, a sad expression creeping on his face.

Belvina looked heartbroken. Her bottom lip was quivering dangerously.

Cygnus got quiet at the loud voice, his eyes wide and big. He must have sensed the tense atmosphere, though, because he started crying vehemently.

At his outburst, Ursula put her cutlery down a bit too loudly. She shot Phineas a glare that was nothing short to ‘Glacius‘. Enough was enough. He had overstepped a line. And she was not going to tolerate that. It was one thing for him to treat her poorly, but not his innocent children. Later, she told herself. In the right moment. Not in front of the children.

Ursula rose from her chair and picked up Cygnus. She gently rocked him and patted his head. He calmed down a bit eventually.

“Children, if you have finished your breakfast, it‘s best for you to go upstairs.“ she said firmly.

Arcturus moved first, his gaze still lowered. Belvina remained seated defiantly. Instead, she looked at her mother and declared in a thin, shaky voice:

“Daddy is mean. I want that he goes back to Hogwarts!“

And then the table started to shake uncontrollably, the dishes and cutlery clattering loudly as it started to float. Uncontrolled magic.

Ursula‘s jaw dropped. She tried to quickly pull out her wand, but still had Cygnus in her arms, when out of the corner of her eye she saw Phineas act-

@phineasnigellusblack

[ursulaflintblack]

@phineasnigellusblack

Dear Phineas,

the ceasing of your writing indicates you are very busy with your work, no doubt, and I don’t wish to interfere. I hope very much that the situation, regarding both our son and your niece, has somehow calmed down in the school.

The reason for my letter is of much sweeter nature, though. Belvina keeps asking about you and your return home and I try my best to assure her that you are working hard to ensure her academic future at Hogwarts. Yesterday she had been unusual quiet and spent the afternoon in her room and when I called her for dinner, I was presented with what you find attached. She insisted that I send it to you. I know your opinion of sentimentality, but her plea and the fact that she misses you so much, nearly broke my heart, so I did.

Do with it what you like, but as a mother, I ask you to remember your daughter, who adores you, more often.

Ursula

*attached to the letter is a drawing*

[ursulaflintblack]

Your husband is soooooo handsome. Very attractive man. At least when he keeps his mouth shut. I‘m still so jealous. We like a man who looks after himself. Would you mind me paying him am couple of visits in his office? Business, y’know.

You are certainly not the only one to have observed that my husband is very attentive to his appearance as befits a gentleman of his standing. If you are a business partner of my husband‘s I suggest you make such inquiries directly to him. If not, I would STRONGLY advise against any other sort of ‘business‘. Especially if the business were of inappropriate nature.

[ursulaflintblack]

While Ursula was talking to her husband, she could tell immediately that he wasn’t listening. (not that was new to her) The way he was standing in the middle of their bedroom, still in his bedclothes, hair disheveled and with tired eyes was a rare sight on it‘s own, for proper appearance meant a great deal to him even in the privacy of his own home. But it was his eyes, roaming around the the room somehow disorientated instead of looking at her, that let her know he was mentally absent.

Phineas gestured erratically with his hands, interrupting her, a scowl on his face. To Ursula‘s great surprise, he actually agreed to having breakfast with his family downstairs, though she had the slight feeling he only did so to make her stop talking. His response had come too quickly.

He muttered something about the Burkes and the usual time for dinner. That was all Ursula needed to know. As the lady of the house, hosting a dinner party was her domain. And of course she excelled in it.

—————————————————————————

Ursula left the bedroom to let Phineas get dressed and, hopefully, wake up completely. She made her way to the nursery to pick up Cygnus who was exceptionally cheerful today and tried to pull at her hair and pearl necklace with his chubby fingers, and called for Belvina and Arcturus to inform them that breakfast was ready in half an hour.

When Ursula and the children were finally gathered in the dining room, the table had already been set by the house elves. Cygnus was placed in a high chair while Arcturus and Belvina took their usual seats. Ursula smiled at her children. “I have a surprise for you this morning. Your father has returned home last night. You were already asleep, but he is going to join us for breakfast now. I‘m sure he will be pleased to see you!“

Belvina‘s doll-like face lit up immediately, her eyes beaming with joy.

Even Arcturus, who was usually very quiet, looked up excitedly and asked: „Father is home? Where is he?“

That was a good question. Ursula got a bad feeling…and a suspicion.

“He is still upstairs getting dressed, I think. I might actually go up myself and inform him everything is ready.“ She stood and smoothed her dress. „Look after the children for a moment!“ she added with a short look in the direction of her personal house elf, Dinky.

—————————————————————————

When Ursula returned to the master bedroom, she was pleased to find her husband dressed and groomed. What did NOT please her, was the fact that he was about to order Scrope to bring his breakfast in his study. She felt frustration rising inside. Why had he have to be such a difficult man? The frustration made way for anger. He was clearly not only trying to avoid her company again. No. He was trying to avoid his children’s company. That was even worse. She took a deep breath and concealed her emotions.

“Leave us!“ she dismissed Scrope with a curt nod. The elf didn’t even dare to take a look at his master at her clipped tone before he bowed and vanished. She looked at her husband expectantly. She waited. Phineas stared back at her, somehow dumbfounded and slightly confused. She narrowed her eyes slightly . Her facade had to have slipped a bit, giving away a hint of her emotions because suddenly he attempted to say something. She took a step forward and hold up a hand. He stopped immediately.

„Spare me that, Phineas! If I remember correctly, you agreed to join me and the children for breakfast downstairs. Well, we are waiting. Arcturus and Belvina are waiting. I told them about your return and of course they are looking forward to seeing you, bless them. I can’t blame them for wanting to see their father in person and not as a mere ghost in the house. But I see you have changed your mind and prefer to hide in your study again.“ She shook her head and shot him a cold glare. „I am a very tolerant wife, Phineas, but when it comes to our children, I won‘t have you neglect them! You know they need a strong paternal figure!“ Ursula felt her composure slip. She turned on her heel, then looked back to him. Suddenly, there was a hint of sadness in her grey eyes before she controlled herself again. „I suggest you go tell them yourself, then. As their mother, I can‘t bear it anymore to see that disappointment in their faces when I‘m telling them you are too busy over and over again!“

@phineasnigellusblack

[ursulaflintblack]

@phineasnigellusblack

Dear Phineas,

the whole affair concerning our son, Phineas, still troubles me deeply. I can only hope nothing more of that has reached your ear. I have asked Arcturus and Belvina if they had witnessed anything alarming about their brother, especially last summer.

Well, Arcturus couldn‘t tell me anything of importance, as you know, he prefers to be for himself and isn’t very close to Phineas, so therefore they hadn’t spend a lot of time together.

I‘m afraid I learned something of relevance from Belvina, though, and accidentally so, for she acted like she shouldn’t have told me. Apparently, she and Phineas had spent quite a lot of time outside playing with that non-magical boy I mentioned in my last letter. I strongly assure you that I was unaware of that circumstance, I had been quite occupied with Cygnus and recovering from his complicated birth. I was most certain that my punishment last time had been sufficient. I recognise my mistake in believing that and will be more aware from now on, especially when the children are outside.

Of course I told Belvina how wrong their actions were and that there will be consequences if it ever happens again. I strictly forbid her to talk to that boy as well.

Except that, I must assume that Phineas is somehow badly influenced by some of his classmates in Hogwarts. I‘m sure your talk with him will reinstall his memory of our family’s beliefs, though.

Ursula

P.S. Aurora, your niece, has been suspiciously quiet. I hope she isn’t plotting anything, just be cautious, dear!

Image source under the cut:

How can we not love this show? Filled with mystery, death, secrets and sensuality in nature and form, in both male and female; we are trappe

[ursulaflintblack]

Do you have a favourite child? Belvina perhaps? Cause she is your only daughter? All your children are beautiful and sweet btw.

Thank you. And yes, of course our children are beautiful given their excellent genes. Perfect pureblood offspring. A mother shouldn’t practice favouritism, they are all precious in their own ways.

Male heirs are very important to my husband, though having Belvina after three sons was most welcome for me.

[ursulaflintblack]

There is a rumor that the Headmaster has a little problem…. eeeeehem, on his behind. Like a serious problem. Is it true? I mean, you of all people should know. For obvious reasons. You know what I mean.

…

I have not the faintest idea what you are referring to. The fact that you claim to know about my husband’s skin condition on the -

*blushes slightly while trying to put it in an appropriate way*

more intimate parts of his body - is highly concerning, though.

I can only hope this is another of those shameful rumors.

I see hardly anything of him during the year, least of all his behind.

[ursulaflintblack]

How is your relationship with the other Blacks??? Like your husband’s side?

I guess any interest in the noble house of Black is justified and shall therefore be granted an answer.

Not so Unfortunately, my father-in-law, Cygnus Black I, had been deceased long before I married his son, so I have never met the man except for his portrait. That also applies to the former Black heir, Sirius I, who passed away when only 8 years old.

Ella Black, my mother-in-law. A proud pureblood witch, very uptight and traditional. She holds me in high regard and I respect her. She strongly favoured and initiated the arrangement between her son and myself back in the day. She lives on the Black summer estate in the south of France.

Elladora Black… my sister-in-law. Our relationship is … strained and doesn’t exceed the expected politeness and hospitality. I always keep an eye on the children and the house elves whenever she pays a visit.

There are cousins and distant relatives abroad I only know about because of the family records.

As for Nerissa Black, her husband and their terror of a daughter, Aurora Andromeda, my husband and I try to avoid THAT branch of the family for good reason. There had always been suspicion that Nerissa was an illegitimate child of Ella anyways. Not many people know about her. They live in France.

We do not speak about my husband’s younger sister and it is strictly forbidden to ever mention her name.