At the dinner table, Sirius and Bellatrix, properly cleaned and well-dressed, could be seen devouring a steaming soup of meats and vegetables with great haste, as if they hadn't eaten in a long time.
"I've missed edible food so much," exclaimed Sirius between spoonfuls of soup, his previously pallid face finally gaining some color, not as pale as before.
"Well, I ate very well in Azkaban. The joy balls were great for a lively conversation; I painted many of their nails, they were definitely in need." added Bellatrix with a happy smile, while savoring her meal with joy.
Asterion looked perplexed at his new cousin. Joy balls? Was she referring to the dementors? Could they talk? More importantly, how the hell did she paint their nails? Curiously, he wondered what nail polish color she used; if it was pink, he would laugh a lot when he saw a Dementor with pink-painted nails.
He had many questions in mind, but he remained silent, showing a strange look to Bellatrix. In the short time he had known her, he could tell that the title of Witch of Insanity was appropriate; the woman was definitely crazy, too emotional and unpredictable like a hurricane, no one could guess what was going on in her head.
Still, he couldn't help but find it amusing to be around her. She could even make him smile with her strange and crazy phrases from time to time.
"You ate well, unlike me. The food they gave me, not even pigs would eat," murmured Sirius bitterly, recalling his time in Azkaban. He would never forget what he went through in that place, enduring all that hell just to one day seek revenge.
Hearing his uncle's grumble, his father's brother, Asterion spoke coldly, "Everyone must bear the consequences of their actions. You chose to kill and were imprisoned."
As for whether Sirius was innocent or not, it no longer mattered. The man had failed and been imprisoned; there was no turning back.
A crash echoed as Sirius slammed his fist against the table, growling with anger. "I didn't kill anyone! It was Peter, not me! That filthy, dirty, disgusting rat. When I find him..." Each word escaped through tightly clenched teeth and eyes filled with hatred.
"Careful not to damage the table, you can't afford to pay for it," Asterion retorted sarcastically. He didn't care about all of Sirius's hatred and anger; the man chose to trust the wrong person and paid the appropriate price. As he had said earlier, when fate gives something, it also takes away.
"Has anyone ever told you that you're a heartless boy," Sirius remarked, observing his nephew, who remained indifferent to his outburst of anger, before slumping weakly into his chair and staring at the ceiling with a lost look.
Faced with the disheartened and sad man in the chair, Asterion showed no pity. He spoke coldly, uncaring of his feelings, "My pity, my disdain, or my words of comfort are irrelevant to your life. Instead of wanting someone to pat your head and tell you everything is okay, you should be seeking to become calmer and colder to seek revenge. You're no longer a child, uncle."
Sirius couldn't help but feel stunned; he looked at his nephew, and the figure of Regulus seemed to merge with the boy.
"You're definitely his son; you're alike in that aspect, so realistic and pragmatic," Sirius commented with a bitter smile, unable to believe that a child seemed more mature than him.
Asterion remained silent; he would be lying if he said he didn't want to meet his father. But he couldn't, the man was dead, and they could never meet.
Narcissa shook her head and silently held Asterion's hand under the table, comforting him.
Bellatrix merely watched the whole scene with a gleaming gaze. Suddenly, she stood up abruptly and walked over to Asterion with quick steps.
Kneeling beside his chair, she lifted her face and gazed at Asterion with an admiring look.
"My master, I, Bellatrix Lestrange (not for much longer), wish to serve you eternally and aid in your future world domination!"
Bellatrix's words caused a silence in the hall; everyone, including Asterion, looked at the kneeling woman with surprise.
'How the hell did we go from a topic related to revenge to a pledge of loyalty?' Asterion thought, lamenting Bellatrix's unpredictable behavior.
"I do not desire world domination, Bellatrix," Asterion said, unable to believe that those words were escaping his mouth at this moment.
"I understand, Master must want to remain discreet before his coronation," Asterion's words translated into a completely different meaning in Bellatrix's mind.
Asterion merely put his hand to his face, covering his helpless expression. He changed his mind; being with Bellatrix was exhausting, the woman simply had no logic or reason.
Looking at the still kneeling woman, he let out a resigned sigh and spoke with a cold tone. "As I said before, I do not intend to dominate the world, and furthermore, do not call me master; I am not your master."
"Very well, master, I shall act in the shadows like a demon awaiting your sinister and dark malevolent orders." As if she could guess what he was thinking, Bellatrix, more like a nun speaking to God, spoke with devotion and determination to serve the lord.
"As I said..." Before finishing, he stopped speaking; he saw the fanaticism in the woman's eyes. No matter how much he tried to convince her otherwise, she always thought it was his plan.
Asterion sought help from Narcissa and Sirius, but both merely turned their faces away, unwilling to get involved.
"This is going to be exhausting," he muttered, his tone filled with bitterness.
Everyone was so absorbed in watching the spectacle of Asterion and Bellatrix that they didn't even notice the dining hall doors opening, revealing Arcturus with a cold and unyielding expression.
First, his gaze fell upon Bellatrix kneeling at Asterion's feet, then his focus shifted to the skeletal man, whom he presumed to be his incorrigible grandson. A trace of guilt passed through his gaze, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.
Clearing his throat to draw everyone's attention, he spoke, "What an interesting sight, my favorite great-grandson, my elegant great-niece, my incompetent grandson, and my lovely great-niece, all gathered around a table. I must say, it's quite an unusual sight to behold. "What nefarious plan are you currently orchestrating?"?"
Almost instantly, everyone turned their heads and looked at Arcturus with surprise on their faces.
"According to the Master, he must remain discreet before initiating his world domination," said Bellatrix, rising as she spoke with a proud tone, the tips of her fingers resting on her chest, striking a very elegant pose.
Arcturus chuckled softly and spoke with a relieved tone. "You haven't changed, Bellatrix, as unpredictable as ever."
Bellatrix simply smiled and embraced the man affectionately.
"I missed you, Arc," she said, her face nestled against his chest, her gaze like that of a girl wanting to be pampered by her grandfather.
"I missed you too, child," Arcturus replied, gently stroking her hair in a comforting tone. No matter how much society abhorred his great-niece, to him, she would always be that little girl running around the house with a joyful expression.
Afterward, they separated, and Bellatrix returned to her cheerful and commanding demeanor.
"Would you like a hug too, Sirius?" Looking at her grandson, Arcturus asked calmly.
"I'd rather spend another ten years in Azkaban, you arrogant old man," Sirius retorted sarcastically, scoffing.
"I see you're still as uncouth and uncultured as ever," Arcturus replied coldly.
"I'm not as hypocritical as you," Sirius countered without showing weakness.
"What an emotional reunion, after ten years, grandfather and grandson meet again," Bellatrix wiped the tears from her eyes as she looked at the two with an emotional gaze.
Asterion and Narcissa grimaced upon hearing this; an emotional reunion? It seemed more like an exchange of sarcasm and insults.
------------------------
Author's Thoughts: Did you like it? I personally laughed a lot writing this chapter, I don't know if I made Bellatrix crazy enough, should I add more craziness?
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Next Chapter: Chapter 31 - Black Family Reunion (2), (Chapter 32 - Black House Masquerade Ball (1), Chapter 33 - Black House Masquerade Ball (2), Chapter 34 - Black House Masquerade Ball (3), Chapter 35 - Three Years (1), Chapter 36 - Three Years (2), Chapter 37 - Hogwarts Express (1), Chapter 38 - Hogwarts Express (2), Chapter 39 - Hogwarts Express (3) Chapter 40 - Hogwarts Express (4). Chapter 41 - Hogwarts Express (5).
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Everyone stayed awake until the next day, waiting for the Aurors to arrive, but they never came, which surprised everyone, given that it was an obvious place to hide after an escape given the political complications they would have when searching the Black Manor.
"That's strange, they should have arrived long ago," Narcissa spoke, stroking Asterion's hair, his head resting on her lap. Her fingers gently traced the silky dark strands that easily slipped between her fingers.
"Maybe they focused on the other prisoners?" Asterion replied, enjoying the strokes on his head, his voice slightly sleepy. He hadn't slept much last night, so he was almost drifting off to sleep with her touch.
Everyone fell silent.
"Why release all the prisoners, to create more chaos?" Narcissa asked Bellatrix in a slightly lower voice, apparently afraid of disturbing Asterion, who was almost asleep.
"I didn't release anyone besides the little puppy, it was Rodolphus who did it. He seemed particularly keen on killing me, although I don't understand why." Reclining on the sofa in a carefree manner, Bella spoke, staring at the ceiling as she counted how many imaginary stabs she had delivered to the sheep. Her eyes narrowed with a malicious and sadistic look, as if recalling something interesting.
Sirius rolled his eyes at Bella's comment; she obviously knew the reason but pretended to be unjustly treated.
Arcturus frowned; he looked at Bellatrix with a deep gaze, showing clear dissatisfaction. Both his great-nieces' marriages were troubled, and he wondered if he had made a mistake in choosing their spouses.
"By the way, I'm surprised that my master is the son of Regulus; my first thought upon learning of his divine existence was to think he was Sirius's son," Bella spoke at that moment, subtly changing the subject. She felt she would be reprimanded by Arcturus if she continued to mention her ex-husband.
Everyone deliberately ignored Bellatrix calling Asterion "master" and revering him as a god.
"Me too," Narcissa agreed with her sister's words.
"Hmm," Arcturus merely nodded in agreement as he took a sip of his tea.
"Why?" Asterion looked confusedly at everyone.
Bella laughed loudly and spoke with a malicious smile on her lips. "Sirius is a sexual libertine; as long as there's a pussy, I dare say he wouldn't hesitate to stick his dick in without a second thought."
Sirius, who had been silently quiet, didn't expect to be insulted at this moment; he felt like a dagger had struck his heart, causing unknown emotional damage.
"I lost count of how many times I had to go to Hogwarts to deal with his sexual scandals," Arcturus looked at Sirius with disappointment and shook his head.
*Ouch!*
Another imaginary arrow pierced Sirius's heart.
"Remember, Asty, don't learn anything from him; this man is scum who only thinks with his lower head. This kind of man doesn't live for long," Narcissa warned Asterion sternly, who nodded in agreement with her words.
*Ouch!*
"Someone who can't control their own desires is no different from an animal that only follows instinct," Asterion spoke, delivering another emotional blow to Sirius.
Sirius was now lying on the sofa, defeated and powerless, with a bitter and painful smile on his face.
"I was young and didn't know what I was doing," Sirius spoke in his defense, but everyone, except Asterion, turned their gazes to him, a look of disdain and contempt.
"You were chased out half-naked by Lord Shafiq when he found you in bed with his wife," Narcissa replied coldly, her gaze not hiding the antipathy she felt at the moment.
'What else could he say?'
Sirius simply lay on the sofa, wishing to find a hole to bury himself in with the shame he felt at the moment. What did his nephew think of him now?
Bellatrix just laughed at her cousin's misery, not hiding the pleasure she felt in seeing him suffer.
-
Fifteen days later, with less than two weeks until the Masquerade Ball, Asterion entered the living room to find Arcturus, Narcissa, Bellatrix, and Sirius gazing at painted portraits of five girls around the same age, between 9 and 10 years old.
"What's going on?" Asterion asked, confused.
"Your potential future wives," Narcissa replied, not taking her eyes off the papers containing all the information about the girls.
Asterion looked surprised at the five portraits, two redheads, one blonde, and two brunettes.
"This is so outdated; let the boy choose who he'll share his life with on his own," Sirius said, taking a large gulp of wine from the glass he held. He seemed pleased with the taste of the wine.
"To be like you, single at thirty-one," Narcissa retorted sarcastically.
Ouch!
Sirius placed his hand on his chest and said with a sad tone. "That was cruel, Cissy." Then, he took another sip of wine at eight in the morning.
She just scoffed and looked at Asterion with a gentle gaze and asked.
"Any preference, Asty?"
He pondered for a moment and said. "Maybe someone like Cissy. Elegant, cold and strong, I don't want a pretty vase for decoration." Sitting on the sofa, he crossed his legs one over the other and continued speaking. "Instead of illusory love, I prefer companionship."
Almost everyone looked strangely at the almost ten-year-old boy. They couldn't believe they heard such words from someone so young. Wasn't it normal for someone his age to think about love that way?
Narcissa felt mixed feelings about his words. She was glad that he wanted someone like her, but at the same time, sad for his pragmatic view of life.
But the entire silent atmosphere was shattered by Bellatrix's words.
Stroking her chin, Bellatrix wore a pensive look and thought aloud. "I think I meet all the requirements, should I marry my master?"
"You're thirty-nine, Bella," Narcissa spoke, looking coldly at her sister with a slightly hostile gaze.
"Age is just a number, the prison just an exotic room." Offended, Bella retorted, rising from the sofa.
"That doesn't change the fact that you're old," mocked Narcissa.
"You meant to say I'm a mature woman," said Bellatrix, her tone dangerously sharp; she hated when people mentioned her age.
"Enough of this childish argument! You're not children," Arcturus intervened at this point, his voice strong and grave, calming the two.
Narcissa and Bellatrix exchanged cold glances and sat back down.
Bellatrix muttered loud enough for everyone to hear her murmur. "Cissy, the possessive, is back." Remembering how Narcissa used to be as a child, the girl wouldn't let anyone play with her dolls.
Especially her, not that Narcissa was wrong, all of Bellatrix's dolls met a tragic end, all of them being decapitated, dismembered, and buried...
Narcissa glared at her sister with a deadly cold look but remained silent due to Arcturus' presence.
"According to your preferences, you have two options, Daphne Greengrass, a young witch of Semi-Grade 2, or Susan Bones, a Grade 3 witch, both powerful for their age and likely to reach Grade 1, especially Miss Greengrass, who has the potential for Semi-Special Grade. In addition to them, Pansy Parkinson is also suitable, although her talent is slightly lower than the other two."
"Politically, Susan Bones is the niece of Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. On the other hand, Daphne Greengrass is the heir to the prestigious Greengrass family, controlling a good portion of Britain's magical resources."
"According to the report I received about their personalities, Susan is more timid and reserved, while Daphne, on the other hand, bears a resemblance to Narcissa."
Arcturus finished speaking and looked at Asterion, waiting for him to respond.
Asterion couldn't help but think about Susan. She wasn't his type; her red hair might attract him, but that was about it. As for political power by marrying her, it wasn't much to begin with. The Bones family was only strong because of Amelia Bones; once she left her position, the Bones family wouldn't be as important as it was now. Besides, with Amelia's personality, it would be difficult to gain any privilege; she was known to be impartial and cold. There was no way she could help with anything if he married her niece.
On the other hand, Daphne was the heiress to the Greengrass family, both politically and economically. She was indeed the better choice. Combine that with what Arcturus described, and he had a future wife.
But Asterion looked at Arcturus and asked, "Which of the five girls would be most beneficial for House Black to marry?"
This question brought a smile to the old patriarch's face. There was nothing that made him happier than seeing Asterion prioritize the family over his own interests. That was how the family would continue to stay strong, with family interests always coming first.
"Parkinson and Greengrass. Both control strategic materials, House Parkinson with alchemical items and House Greengrass with potion ingredients."
Everyone in the room looked at Asterion, awaiting his response. To Sirius, his nephew might be experiencing life before marriage, but seeing how he conducted himself, he knew the boy was a true pure-blood, unlike himself.
Asterion pondered, weighing the pros and cons, but with a touch of selfishness on his part, he finally spoke up: "Daphne Greengrass should be more suitable."
Narcissa wore a displeased expression on her face, although it didn't show, she followed the pure-blood ideology. The Greengrass family, on the other hand, was quite liberal with their marriages, regardless of whether they were half-blood or Muggle-born.
However, as it was Asterion's choice, she remained silent.
"I still think I'm more suitable..." Bellatrix muttered in the background, but everyone ignored her.
----------------------------
Author's Thoughts: I admit that I like Daphne, maybe because I read so much fanfic. I'll explain why the Aurors didn't come to search Black Manor later. The ball will start in the next chapter and after the ball, a time jump of three years and Hogwarts.
I hope you liked the chapter, a little longer than normal, I'll try to bring longer chapters
Support me to write more and read chapters ahead of all regular readers!
The Patreon will be updated daily, except on Saturdays and Sundays, when I do not write.
P-atreon.com/HPSCB
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
Next Chapter: Chapter 33 - Black House Masquerade Ball (2), Chapter 34 - Black House Masquerade Ball (3), Chapter 35 - Three Years (1), Chapter 36 - Three Years (2), Chapter 37 - Hogwarts Express (1), Chapter 38 - Hogwarts Express (2), Chapter 39 - Hogwarts Express (3) Chapter 40 - Hogwarts Express (4) Chapter 41 - Hogwarts Express (5), Chapter 42 - Hogwarts (1), Chapter 43 - Hogwarts (2), Chapter 44 - Hogwarts (3).
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