Asterion finally understood why France had sent such a sudden invitation to host a Triwizard Tournament. It was likely an excuse to create a coalition against Grindelwald. For this, England was essential, not just because of Dumbledore, but because of himself, recognized as a powerful wizard of special rank after killing Voldemort.
Displaying a malicious smile, Asterion had already thought of numerous ways to blackmail the French government—after all, if they wanted him to work, they had to pay, and pay very well. He was a lion, and France was a succulent steak ready to be devoured at any moment.
Seeing Asterion with a malicious smile, Narcissa rolled her eyes. Her dear cousin looked like a villain, orchestrating nefarious plans with that characteristic villainous grin.
"Stop smiling like that, you look like a villain." Playfully poking his cheek with her index finger, Narcissa chuckled and spoke in a teasing tone.
Asterion realized he wasn't alone and pretended to cough to cover up the embarrassment he was feeling.
"I haven't seen Dorea." Asterion skillfully changed the subject, shifting Narcissa's focus completely.
The woman's lips curved into a smile as she thought of her daughter. "She returned to the Malfoy Manor, but she'll be back for dinner with Draco." Narcissa replied happily and relievedly.
Asterion nodded and felt relieved that Narcissa didn't dwell on the embarrassing scene he had made earlier. As for Dorea, the girl had grown much closer to her mother after the civil war, where she saw all the dark sides while living at the Lestrange Manor, especially after Lucius Malfoy's imprisonment.
Even Draco had begun to draw closer to his mother, as his father languished in Azkaban prison—an outcome Asterion would ensure happened in a very painful manner. He hadn't forgotten the betrayal and pain that man had caused his cousin.
"That's good, I wanted to speak with Draco about his seat in Parliament." Asterion replied, rising from the sofa.
Narcissa nodded and said, "I'll talk to him about it. Now, go visit Arcturus, he's been waiting for your arrival."
Asterion sighed heavily at the mention of his great-grandfather. The man was deteriorating more with each passing day. At this point, Arcturus couldn't even get out of bed without assistance, and it was evident how much he was suffering from his condition.
Asterion had tried to heal his great-grandfather, but it was impossible. Even magical energy had its limits when manipulated by humans. As for using a cursed spirit, Asterion hadn't even considered that suicidal option. The negative energy of a cursed spirit was extremely corrosive; putting it inside someone's body was akin to cancer, slowly killing its host.
Humans weren't cursed spirits made of pure negative magical energy. While a cursed spirit could be virtually immortal as long as it had negative magical energy, humans were made of flesh, blood, and bones. Even with a great amount of magical energy, regeneration was impossible indefinitely.
Reverse Magical Energy also had its limitations. Even Asterion couldn't regenerate a limb if he were to lose one someday, let alone cure something that was killing cells in a person's body.
Giving Narcissa a kiss on the cheek, Asterion ascended the stairs to the upper floor. Upon reaching it, he walked to the door of the bedroom and stopped in front of it. Asterion knocked twice on the door before entering.
As soon as he entered the room, Asterion's gaze fell upon Arcturus lying in bed, calmly holding an old photo album. The elderly patriarch of the Black family looked much thinner than before; even healing potions couldn't strengthen the man's body at this point.
When the patriarch of the Black family saw Asterion entering, he smiled gently despite his extremely pale face. "How was your first parliamentary meeting?"
Sitting in the chair beside the bed, Asterion replied, looking at his great-grandfather. "Educational, to say the least."
Arcturus nodded satisfactorily at his response and spoke with a hoarse and tired voice. "Remember, Asterion. Don't trust those cunning foxes; they can act so well that many should be in Muggle movies."
He spoke each word with great difficulty, almost as if merely speaking brought agonizing pain to him. Which wasn't entirely untrue, as his lungs were beginning to fail.
Asterion didn't need Arcturus's words to know that parliament was a battlefield, where instead of spells, words and lies were used to wage war.
"Any important matters?" Flipping a page of the photo album, Arcturus asked, caressing a photo of his deceased wife.
"We're going to host an International Wizarding Tournament. Grindelwald's acolytes attacked the ministries of magic in several European countries." Asterion summed it up in a few words as he removed his jacket and draped it over his own thighs.
Arcturus stopped caressing the photo of his wife and turned his head so quickly that Asterion wondered if the man was truly ill.
"I don't think hosting a Wizarding Tournament is appropriate in such troubled times," he asked with a serious and exceedingly strong tone, at that moment reverting to the old Arcturus.
Displaying a malicious smile, Asterion replied, "France has requested to host the Triwizard Tournament."
His words caused Arcturus's lips to curl into a scornful smile. "Who would have expected that one day those arrogant French would seek help from us, the barbaric English. Just thinking about it, my day brightened with this news."
At nearly 94 years of age, Arcturus immediately sensed the intentions of the French Ministry of Magic. Asterion chuckled at his great-grandfather's reaction, knowing Arcturus also harbored dislike towards the French, especially after French wizards' involvement in the civil war six months prior.
The tense relationship between England and France had lasted for centuries, intensifying further during the Hundred Years' War. With current French actions, this relationship had become even more strained.
Arcturus's face then became exceptionally serious. He looked at his great-grandson and spoke with a concerned tone. "Be cautious with other countries; we may be isolated if a world war truly breaks out. Use this tournament to secure allies, even if it means sacrificing some interests. Being isolated in a war is dreadful, especially for us on an island; we could be surrounded from all sides."
Even in his final moments, Arcturus wanted to help Asterion. Even if it meant sacrificing his life to aid his great-grandson, he wouldn't hesitate.
"I understand, but I don't believe another magical world war will occur," Asterion replied. He could grasp Arcturus's concerns but didn't think this conflict would escalate into a world war.
"I will talk to other countries, especially the Nordic countries, to cover the North Sea," Asterion said seriously, even though he doubted such a large conflict would break out, he wanted to be prepared just in case.
A cautious man is a living man.
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Next Chapter Second Volume: Chapter 102 - The Black Sisters (1), Chapter 103 - The Black Sisters (2), Chapter 104 - Rose's Past (1), Chapter 105 - Arrival of Country Representatives (1), Chapter 106 - Arrival of Country Representatives (2), Chapter 107 - Arrival of Country Representatives (3), Chapter 108 – Party (1), Chapter 109 – Party (2), Chapter 110 - Back To Hogwarts (1), Chapter 111 - Back To Hogwarts (2), Chapter 112 – New Students (1), Chapter 113 – New Students (2), Chapter 114 – Ophelia (1), Chapter 115 – Ophelia (2), Chapter 116 – Doubts (1), Chapter 117 – Humbug (1), Chapter 118 - Ophelia's Mother (1), Chapter 119 - I Decided to Seduce Daphne (1), Chapter 120 - Arrival of the Twelve Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry (1), Chapter 121 - Arrival of the Twelve Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry (2).
Crossing the barrier that protected the Black Mansion, the Tonks family car approached, and Nymphadora's eyes widened at the enormous building constructed in Victorian Gothic style.
"Fuck, this isn't a mansion, it's a damn palace!" She instinctively cursed out loud, her hair changing to many colors, showing just how shocked she was.
Andromeda, in the back seat with her daughter, gave her a reproachful look and reprimanded her without hesitation. "Nymphadora Tonks, don't use that rude language, especially here."
Nymphadora's hair turned red with embarrassment at hearing her name, but just as she was about to retort, her father Ted's look – he was driving – made her keep her mouth shut.
However, she still murmured in a dissatisfied tone, "Don't call me Nymphadora."
Shaking her head, Andromeda let out a tired sigh and focused on the enormous mansion, her eyes filling with a feeling of nostalgia and reluctance.
The fists resting on her thighs clenched tightly, showing that the woman was not as calm as she appeared on the outside.
Ted looked in the rearview mirror at his wife in the back seat and remained silent. He knew his wife better than anyone; Andromeda was so nervous that she was in the position she always took when she was anxious about something.
Turning his gaze to the mansion, Ted showed a complex look. Being the cause of his wife's expulsion always brought a lot of guilt to the man, especially when he saw his wife looking at the photo album with longing eyes.
Letting out a sigh, Ted focused and skillfully parked the car in front of the mansion. He turned off the car, put on the handbrake, and got out of the car, helping to open the door for his wife while his daughter got out on her own.
"Thank you, Ted." Andromeda said after getting out of the car, giving a sweet smile to her husband and entwining her arm with his.
When the family gathered in front of the door and knocked, the doors opened, revealing an old House Elf.
Andromeda almost immediately recognized the Black House Elf – Kreacher.
"It's good to see you again, Kreacher." Andromeda greeted the elf with a sweet and gentle smile.
"Lord Asterion awaits you in the drawing room." Ignoring Andromeda's greeting, the house elf gave the woman an unpleasant look and spoke in a humble tone.
Andromeda couldn't help but show a bitter expression upon hearing the house elf's tone.
Nymphadora, who heard everything, looked rudely at the mummy-like creature known as Kreacher. When she was impulsively about to draw her wand, she saw her father looking at her with an almost deadly gaze.
Reluctantly putting her wand away, she looked at her father with an angry glare and then back at the house elf, as if promising that this wasn't over.
Entering the mansion, the first thing the Tonks family saw was the enormous statue of the Black House ancestor – Corvinus Black.
For some reason, in front of the statue, Tonks felt as if she was under the gaze of a very stern grandfather, especially since the statue's eyes, made of rubies, seemed almost alive for a moment.
Andromeda picked up the hem of her skirt and curtsied gracefully to the statue.
Ted, recalling the etiquette lessons his wife had made him attend, placed his hand over his chest and bowed slightly forward.
Seeing this, Kreacher showed a satisfied and proud look, and he guided the entire Tonks family more efficiently than before. Without realizing it, they all arrived at a room with sofas and armchairs, a fireplace burning with crackling flames.
The gaze of the entire Tonks family fell upon the young man and woman sitting side by side, each calmly sipping a cup of tea.
"Cissy." Andromeda, seeing her younger sister, couldn't help but smile again.
"Dromeda." Narcissa also smiled at her older sister. She stood up and embraced her.
"What a beautiful reunion, little sisters." Suddenly, the doors of the room were opened, and Bellatrix entered, ignoring the wide-eyed looks of Ted and Tonks.
"Bella." Andromeda was also shocked by her older sister's entrance.
Finally seeing the three Black sisters together for the first time, Asterion couldn't help but think they were completely different from each other.
As if reading Asterion's mind, Bellatrix's lips curved into a malicious smile. "Didn't I tell you, master? My lovely mother probably cheated on my lovely father, look how different we are from each other."
Bellatrix's words made Narcissa's and Andromeda's faces turn very dark. Bellatrix's words were no different from calling them bastards.
"Bella." Narcissa growled her older sister's name. Andromeda, next to her, also looked fiercely at her older sister. The two exchanged glances and confirmed each other's thoughts.
Without any hesitation, they both rushed towards Bellatrix. Seeing this, Bellatrix turned and ran, fleeing without looking back even once.
"Don't run, Bella, and face our wrath." Andromeda shouted loudly with a big smile on her lips.
"I refuse!" Bellatrix sped up even more with her words.
Narcissa remained silent and jumped over the sofa, almost catching Bellatrix by a hair.
Seeing the three grown women running around the room like mischievous children left Asterion speechless, but noticing the smiles on their lips, he realized that all three were having fun after a reunion of decades.
"Please, have a seat." Asterion gestured for Ted and Nymphadora to sit across from him on the sofa.
"Thank you for the invitation, Lord Black." Sitting on the sofa, Ted responded with a smile as well. Seeing his wife enjoying herself like this made him realize how much she missed her family.
"I wanted to surprise Arcturus. Although he hasn't said anything, the man still wants to see the whole family reunited once more." Asterion replied calmly, bringing the cup to his lips and tasting the tea.
Ted nodded and remained silent. An awkward silence hung in the air. He really didn't have much to talk about with someone as powerful and famous as Asterion Black, a Special Grade Wizard.
"Asterion, I joined the Aurors!" Seeing her father's predicament, Tonks spoke with a big smile, her purple hair changing to a very bright gold, apparently very proud of joining the Aurors.
"Congratulations, Nymph." Asterion congratulated her with a very sincere tone. It was truly a great achievement to become an Auror at twenty. Only the best of the best could become an Auror, especially right after graduating from Hogwarts, it was a notable accomplishment.
Tonks lifted her head with pride and received the praise from the powerful Special Grade wizard as if it were natural, as if it were normal to be praised by powerful people.
"Please, avoid talking about Bellatrix when you're outside the mansion." Calmly drinking his tea, Asterion's red eyes fell on Ted and Tonks.
Although it was just a normal look, to Ted and Nymphadora, it felt like a mountain on their shoulders. Both nodded, agreeing with Asterion's words. They could see that Asterion was serious.
While they conversed, the three sisters finally tired of running and sat on the same sofa with a rather inelegant posture.
"You didn't manage to catch me. I'm still the best older sister in the world." Catching her breath, Bellatrix spoke, looking at her two sisters with an extremely proud look.
This made Narcissa's and Andromeda's faces contort for a moment. Best older sister in the world? They couldn't believe her shameless words and snorted coldly.
"Let's go see the old man already, if we wait any longer, he might enter the coffin, literally." Bellatrix was indifferent to her sisters' judging looks and spoke lazily.
--------------------
Support me to write more and read chapters ahead of all regular readers!
P-atreon.com/HPSCB
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
Next Chapter Second Volume: Chapter 103 - The Black Sisters (2), Chapter 104 - Rose's Past (1), Chapter 105 - Arrival of Country Representatives (1), Chapter 106 - Arrival of Country Representatives (2), Chapter 107 - Arrival of Country Representatives (3), Chapter 108 – Party (1), Chapter 109 – Party (2), Chapter 110 - Back To Hogwarts (1), Chapter 111 - Back To Hogwarts (2), Chapter 112 – New Students (1), Chapter 113 – New Students (2), Chapter 114 – Ophelia (1), Chapter 115 – Ophelia (2), Chapter 116 – Doubts (1), Chapter 117 – Humbug (1), Chapter 118 - Ophelia's Mother (1), Chapter 119 - I Decided to Seduce Daphne (1), Chapter 120 - Arrival of the Twelve Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry (1), Chapter 121 - Arrival of the Twelve Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry (2).
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