Chương 25: Chapter 22
Dear member of the Black Family,
I, Sirius Orion Black, Lord of the Black Family, invite your person to a get-together taking place at the Black Ancestral Home, Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place, a week from next Sunday.
In this meeting, we shall discuss the addition of new members to the House of Black, the continuation of our noble line, and the continuation of Lord Arcturus Black's great plan to revitalize the family blood.
I expect your presence on the mentioned date.
With my most cordial salutations,
Lord Sirius Orion Black
Hey pup,
Forget about all the jargon if you want and consider yourself invited for a party here at Grimmauld. Don't expect it to be very fun, because I was forced to invite Draco Malfoy and his mother, my cousin. I have to ask you to be on your best behaviour with him but I am sure he doesn't need help embarrassing himself.
I would appreciate it if you could make it. Unfortunately, the invitation is for family members only, and that means you can't bring your lovely Ms. Greengrass. Please extend her my apologies. If you are wondering why you're invited, that's because you have Black blood, no matter how diluted, and you're my godson... I also named you my heir until I have a child, so that's that.
We'll sort out the details later, and come prepared to meet family.
Cheers,
Your dogfather
—————————————
"Well, this is certainly new..." Harry mumbled as he read the letter, sat at the Slytherin table in an early March morning.
"What?" asked Daphne and he showed her the letter. "Well, apologies accepted. I don't mind," she replied, giving him the letter back.
"Lucky me, I will have to endure being on the same room as two Malfoys..." Harry complained.
"Any reason why the formal letter sounds colder than normal?" Millie asked Harry, who just raised an eyebrow.
"Care to develop your question?"
"Oh, yeah, I forgot... you don't know about this stuff," Millie replied, "The formal invitations are usually bland and a bit cold, but this one is even colder. And what's this "Arcturus Black's great plan?"
"I have no idea. All I know is Arcturus was Sirius's grandfather," Harry replied, "And maybe it's a normal thing for the Black family."
"Hey, Scarhead, tell your mutt I'm not interested in associating myself with inferior people and blood traitors," Malfoy said, approaching the table.
"Tell him yourself, Lord Malfoy," Harry replied sarcastically and promptly, glaring at the blonde. "I can only assume Lord Black extended you an invitation to the family gathering and I'm not your owl to send your message. You have hands to write a letter, have you not? Or did you squander the famed Malfoy fortune and need to peddle for favours among your peers and betters?" Harry asked coldly. "I'll let you know that I will be attending the meeting, not as Lord Potter or Lord Slytherin, but as heir of the Black Family. Hopefully, Lord Black will find himself a father soon, and I'll have one less concern on my shoulders..."
"WHAT?" Malfoy shouted in shock, "I am the Black heir."
"Not according to Lord Black, you're not," Harry replied, "Now, if you don't mind, we're trying to have breakfast here and you're disturbing our peace." Malfoy stomped away, complaining about something. According with Jason Hallys, the usual "My father shall hear about this!" had been replaced by "My mother will act upon this," and that line had been used a lot over the past weeks."
"Bloody Malfoy," Blaise complained, drinking some juice.
"Hey, hold on," Tracey interjected, reading the letter from Sirius. "He speaks about meeting new family members...maybe he's going to marry."
"Wishful thinking, Tracey, wishful thinking," Harry replied, and they all laughed. With the end of the breakfast, the nine walked to Transfiguration, which they shared with the Gryffindors.
In the weeks following the second task, a few things had changed. Astoria started to take private lessons with her sister, and her grades were steadily improving. Her temper against Jason was kept in check, and soon her animosity towards the younger boy almost disappeared. They gave each other the cold shoulder, but both seemed happy with the arrangement and interacted with each other only when required, and always as politely as they could. Jason had started it, and Astoria followed, much to everyone's surprise. When Harry asked Jason the reason for his behaviour, he just replied that he wasn't taking any chances with her anymore. He had enough crazy people to deal with in his own house. That had been a few weeks before.
Speaking of which, Hermione Granger had recovered from her shock after seeing Ron and Neville dying, and had already returned to classes with renewed vigour. Much like her, the surviving Weasleys also recovered some of their spark, but while Ginny was still scared, the twins were already pranking again. Only this time, their pranks tended to humiliate instead of amuse, and were targeted almost only at Slytherin. There were rumours that Malfoy was trying to recruit them to his inner circle, but there was no concrete evidence of such a thing. Daphne had to control herself not to unleash Kael against the two menaces after they pranked a couple of Slytherin firsties. That was also another thing that had changed. More than ever, Slytherin house was protective of their own, and not only outside of the common room.
The group arrived at the classroom and promptly sat at their places, as the loud Gryffindors joined them. They all ignored the glares as they continued to wait for McGonagall, specifically the glare Granger directed Harry while passing by him and sitting at the front of the room.
"Good morning, class," McGonagall said as she entered the room, coming from the outside, looking tired. "I'm sorry I am late, there have been a few issues that required my attention," she told them, starting to take the lead of the class. As before, Granger raised her hand to answer every question, McGonagall favoured the dorks as Snape favoured the snakes, and the Slytherins were among the first to finish the class work. When class ended, Granger rudely passed by Daphne, hitting her on the shoulder as she was passing.
"Watch where you're going, Greengrass," she sneered, walking away from Daphne.
"What the hell was that?" asked Tracey, surprised by what she saw. Daphne shrugged and ignored it, packing her things for Runes before lunch.
The class was calm and quite productive, and in no time they were leaving for lunch.
"We have Arithmancy in the afternoon, and after that it's our free periods. I am going to practice with my sister," Daphne told Harry at lunch, and Harry nodded.
"You're doing a good job with her," Harry told her, and she smiled.
"Thanks, I had a good teacher," Daphne replied, and Harry frowned.
"No, it's more like you are a good teacher, you had an amazing one," he replied, and Daphne laughed, as did he.
"And modest, too," she added, "What are you going to do?"
"I don't know...maybe I'll pick up a book or something," he added.
It wasn't long before Arithmancy had come and gone. Theo and Tracey went to have a date on the grounds, Millie and Blaise went to the library, and Pansy, Greg, and Vince had homework to finish.
"Dobby!" Harry called, and the house-elf popped at his side, walking with his master as both had done so many times before.
"Master?"
"After careful consideration and a lot of deliberations with Daphne, I decided to forego the plan for the third task and deal with my cousin as soon as possible."
"What do you need of me, then?" Dobby asked.
"Meat," Harry replied, and Dobby nodded, "Take me to the Chamber and then find some." Dobby nodded and popped Harry into the Chamber. The moment the two of them arrived in the Chamber they were subjected to a loud hissing sound, echoing around the stone walls of the cave.
"What the bloody hell?" Harry asked loudly.
"~~My pet! You're back!~~" Scylla hissed the moment she heard him, slithering over to Harry. Over the past few months, thank to continuous feeding, Scylla had grown several more feet and had become thicker than a recently born cat. "~~Did you like my singing?~~"
"That was singing?" Harry thought to himself, having understood only a few words of the "song".
"~~Let me sing you the rest.~~"
"~~Stretched under the sun
coiled under the earth
you better beware
don't you dare
to threaten me or I will be
the last thing you'll see.~~"
"~~It's a pretty song. Where did you learn it?~~"
"~~I made it all by myself,~~" Scylla replied proudly. Harry chuckled, seeing the basilisk child's happiness.
~Flashback~
As Scylla slithered away, Harry's eyes steeled themselves, as did his demeanour. He drew his wand from his holster and told himself a basilisk was far too dangerous, even if it was Scylla...only for his face to change back to a grin, realizing he had just been given one hell of an opportunity. He was not about to squander it.
"~~Hey, Scylla!~~" Harry called, waving his wand, transfiguring a rabbit from a rock, "~~You need to learn to hunt too.~~"
Scylla hissed and attacked the rabbit, who ran away, leading to a chase through the Chamber. Harry grinned at the scene and stood at his place, trying not to laugh too hard as the rabbit evaded the frustrated basilisk.
~End of Flashback~
"~~Nicely done,~~" Harry told her, "~~However, I came down here because I need your help.~~"
"~~Of course you do,~~" Scylla replied, "~~As I knew you would.~~"
"~~Yes, you're a very smart one, aren't you?~~" he asked, caressing her head.
"~~What do you need from me, my pet?~~"
"~~Remember what I told you about my cousin, the evil man that wants to kill me and who I need to kill?~~" Scylla nodded. "~~He made several rituals to create magical artefacts called Horcruxes. These are very difficult to destroy, and only Fiendfyre or basilisk venom can do it.~~"
"~~Hehe, and you have a source of venom right here,~~" Scylla gloated as Harry waved to be followed, guiding the child basilisk to the dorm chamber. "~~How much venom do you need, my pet?~~"
"~~Relax, Scylla~~," Harry told her, opening the Horcrux chest and showing them all to Scylla, "~~These are all but one of the Horcruxes. The last one is more complicated to get and it's with it that I need your help.~~"
"~~You don't want my help to destroy these?~~" Scylla asked, and Harry could swear she pouted, if snakes could pout.
"~~Not yet, Scylla. A Horcrux is an object that holds a little piece of someone's soul. It's a very foul magic and should not be attempted. We could destroy them right now, but we don't know if my cousin could feel their destruction and run away. No, I want to catch him unaware.~~"
"~~Oh, I understand,~~" Scylla replied, perking up, "~~Then what do you need from me?~~"
"~~The last Horcrux is a snake. Her name is Nagini and she's a big and dangerous snake.~~"
"~~Not more than me!~~"
"~~I want your help to kill it.~~"
"~~I'll do it, my pet,~~" Scylla replied promptly, "~~I will protect you.~~"
"~~Thank you, Scylla. All you have to do is to bite her, and I think that will be enough. If not, you'll have to wrestle her and coiled around her. Do you think you can do it?~~" Scylla glared at Harry.
"~~What kind of question is that, my pet?~~"
"~~Right, of course you can,~~" Harry chuckled, "~~How about I tell you of my plan?~~" To that, Scylla nodded. "~~In a few weeks, giving you time to prepare, I will take you to the place where I know he is. I will give you an enchanted object for you to contact me as soon as you kill the snake, and as soon as you do it, me, my mate, and Dobby will go in to deal with him and his servant.~~"
"~~Don't worry, my pet. I will not fail,~~" Scylla comforted Harry as he frowned.
"~~Oh, I don't doubt it, Scylla. I only realized one thing...~~"
"~~What?~~"
"~~The call of the roosters is deadly to basilisks...~~" Harry frowned, and Scylla perked, "~~I will probably have to deafen you to make sure those damned things don't hurt you.~~"
"~~Why can't you send your elf to kill all the roosters in the place?~~" Scylla asked. For her, it was a far easier plan.
"~~Because the muggles could buy more, because my cousin would be suspicious, and because that wouldn't solve the problem forever... no, we need you to be big, strong, and nearly invincible.~~" Scylla had no problems with that logic. "~~So, first things first. You need to practice your fighting, hunting, and stealth. I need to find a way to make you invincible to the call of the roosters.~~"
"~~Done,~~" Scylla replied happily, "~~I'm going to the forest to practice with Sereth and Narissa.~~"
"~~Who?~~" Harry asked, confused.
"~~Didn't I tell you about them, my pet?~~" Scylla asked, and Harry shook his head, crossing his arms. "~~There's a path to the forest in the caves and it goes into a small nest. There I found Sereth, who is a large python, but not as large or as venomous as me, and Narissa, who is a viper. When they saw me, they called me king of the snakes and served me almost as well as you do. They are my friends and they will help me when I tell them what my pet needs my help with.~~"
"~~Well, if your friends can help you, go ahead. But be safe, will you?~~"
"~~Don't worry, my pet,~~" Scylla replied promptly, almost chuckling, raising to Harry's height and licking his face with its forked tongue. "~~I need to protect you, don't I?~~"
Harry laughed as Scylla started to slither away back to the main cave, chanting her song.
"~~Stretched under the sun
coiled under the earth
you better beware
don't you dare
to threaten me or I will be
the last thing you'll see.~~"
"It IS a catchy tune..." Harry whispered to himself, amused.
~BREAK~
"Stretched under the sun
coiled under the earth
you better beware
don't you dare
to threaten me or I will be
the last thing you'll see."
"Enough, already," Daphne complained of Harry's repetitive singing, and gave him a soft elbow in his ribs.
"I can't get it out of my head," Harry replied, not joking. The others laughed.
"Where did you even hear that?" asked Tracey, and Harry shrugged. It wouldn't do to come clean just yet.
"I don't know, it just popped into my head," Harry replied with a sigh, as Tracey started to mumble the song.
"Tracey!" Millie spoke, shocked, and Tracey blushed.
"It's true, it gets stuck in the head," she replied and Theo snorted.
"So, how is Astoria doing?" Harry asked.
"Better every day," Daphne replied with a smile. "This group was the best idea we ever had, and to use it to help our grades was even better."
"True." Greg added, "My grades raised from A to EE in only a few months."
"Mine too," Vince replied, and Blaise nodded.
"You know the most awesome thing in my eyes?" he asked, "We're mostly snakes in the group, true, but we have members of all houses, and we're all sociable and I would even dare say friendly with each other. That's the real win there."
"What the Sorting Hat has been trying to preach every year since who knows when?" Theo asked and Blaise nodded. "Well, I blame The Lord Slytherin," he added with a smirk.
"I felt the capitalized letters in what you just said," Harry grumbled, and Theo laughed. The two had become close and were almost good mates.
"Mon Dieu!" a gasp was heard from the Beauxbatons delegation, and everyone turned to the door, where they saw a beaten and bloodied Jason Hallys make his way to the Slytherin table. Harry rose from his seat, as did Daphne and all the founding members of the Black Wands ran to the bloodied boy, followed by the remaining members and some of the more curious snakes.
Before Harry could say anything, Jason looked to him with pained eyes and fell on the ground.
"Jason," Harry called, making the boy float before hitting the floor with his face. When they saw him, they felt sickened. He had open wounds, some of which were still bleeding. He had a bleeding ear, a busted lip, two black eyes, not to mention a number of spell marks on his robes.
"Sorry..." Jason whispered before falling unconscious.
"Daph?" Harry asked, and Daphne shook her head. "Madam Pomfrey, get her..."
"I'm here, Mr. Potter," the matron replied, having reached the patient in moments, waving her wand.
"Who did this?" Harry asked, and Madam Pomfrey shook her head.
"It's impossible to tell."
"What happened?" the grandfatherly voice of Albus Dumbledore asked, and everyone turned towards him, seeing the horrified looks of the staff: the frown from Dumbledore, the disgusted scowl from Snape, the horrified look from Flitwick, and the shocked look from McGonagall.
"That's what I want to know, as well," Harry replied in a cold tone, seeing Madam Pomfrey floating Jason to the infirmary. "I want to know what happened, who did it, and I want the perpetrator punished."
"Rest assured, Mr. Potter, actions such as this will not be left unpunished."
"You better do something, Headmaster...or I will," Harry warned coldly, and the staff gasped. Snape only raised an eyebrow.
"Are you threatening the headmaster, Mr. Potter?" McGonagall glared at Harry, and he turned to her with a cold mask, hiding flames of anger and fury behind his eyes, ready to be unleashed and burn everything in his path.
"You, of all people, should agree with me," he replied coldly to the Scot woman, making her gasp. "That boy is one of your lions, and yet, instead of being concerned for his wellbeing and finding who did that to him and why, you're concerned that I am demanding justice? No, you shut up and you listen!" Harry roared as McGonagall was about to speak, "I am Lord Potter and Lord Slytherin and I CAN demand an investigation into what happened. I want to know exactly the who and why that was done to one of my own."
"Mr. Hallys is a Gryffindor, Mr. Potter," Professor Sinistra spoke, earning a glare from said boy.
"So what? He's also a muggleborn and my friend. Does anyone here have a problem with that?" Harry asked, and no one dared to open his mouth. Dumbledore said nothing, but any who paid attention could see the proud look he gave the young man before him.
"Jason Hallys is one of my own," Harry made it known, roaring to the entire hall, heard by everyone. "One of ours. One of the Black Wands," he said, his eyes glowing with green flames. "You mess with one of mine, you mess with me."
"And with me," Daphne added at once, understand where Harry was going.
"And me," Theo added.
"And me," Tracey replied with a nod.
"And me," Millie nodded.
"Me as well," Blaise stepped forward, crossing his arms.
"And us," Pansy said for her, Greg, and Vince, who crossed their arms and looked menacing, much more than they ever did.
"And I!" Justin Smith said, rising from his seat at the Ravenclaw table.
One by one, all of the members of the group rose and made themselves known. However, the surprises wouldn't end there.
"I vill stand with you as vell," Viktor Krum announced, and with him, all of the Durmstrang students nodded.
"Oui, and moi." More than half of the Beauxbatons students nodded.
"Get those answers, Headmaster," Harry replied, seeing everyone who stood with him. "Or else we will, and we will demand reparations." With that, Harry left the Great Hall, followed by most of the Black Wands. No order had been spoken but all knew where they were going.
To the hospital wing.
Dumbledore stood his ground, suddenly very concerned.
"Headmaster, what's wrong?" Snape asked.
"I'm worried, Severus," Dumbledore replied, "Very worried."
"Why, if I may I ask?" the Potions Professor asked, noticing they had the attention of the remaining heads of house.
"Today, I saw Harry Potter become all Tom Riddle ever was," Dumbledore replied, and they all gasped. "As well as becoming everything he ever wanted to be and all he never managed to become..." Dumbledore added, "And I don't know if I should feel proud or terrified."
"Then here is my suggestion," Flitwick started, "You don't feel any of them, because you'll investigate this horrible attack on one of our students before the students start to do it on their own. Then you worry yourself with Harry Potter."
"You are correct, of course, Filius," Dumbledore added. "Minerva, I want you to speak with all your house, and particularly with the first years. Try to find out if Mr. Hallys had enemies."
"Most of the house, no doubt," Snape scoffed.
"What was that, Severus?" asked Dumbledore.
"I said, probably most of the house. It wasn't a secret that Mr. Hallys and some Slytherin students are friendly with each other. We all know about the rivalry. My guess would be that a Gryffindor didn't like a first year socializing with the enemy."
"And here you are, blaming my lions, Severus. Why couldn't it have been one of your snakes?" McGonagall defended herself and her house.
"Because Harry Potter was friendly with that first year student," Severus added quickly, "And none in my house would be fool enough to go against Harry Potter, Lord of Slytherin, not after all we've seen him do."
That shut McGonagall up.
"Let's find out what happened," Dumbledore replied, secretly agreeing with Snape.
A couple of hours later, a few things had been learned. Jason was well liked by the first years, disliked by the older years, particularly the Weasley twins and the fourth year students. He was the target of several pranks by the twins, intending to humiliate him, and never once he had risen to the bait for a confrontation. Wanting to confront the twins, McGonagall waited for nearly an hour, but they never showed up.
~BREAK~
When Jason Hallys woke up in the middle of the night, the first thing he saw were two green and two blue orbs in the darkness. Then the four orbs moved, and the boy screamed in fear, only to be blinded by a bright light and find himself under the fuss of the matron of the hospital wing.
"Everything is fine, Mr. Hallys," Madam Pomfrey spoke, reassuring the boy, who slowly recovered his sight. "I told them not to leave those snakes here, but they wouldn't listen..."
Jason looked at where he had seen the bright orbs and saw two massive snakes, one of which he had seen glimpses of before...he believed it was called Zael, the one Harry could summon. And the other was the one that protected Daphne from Weaselette during the ball...Kael, he believed.
"What... what happened?" he asked, feeling his entire body hurting.
"You were assaulted and made your way to the Great Hall..."
"Oh, yes, I remember..." the boy replied, blanching, "Am I in trouble?"
"I don't know, are you?" Madam Pomfrey asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh man, Captain Hallys is going to be pissed..." the boy grumbled, surprising Madam Pomfrey.
"Mr. Hallys, I need to summon the headmaster and your head of house. You seem to be well enough to answer questions." The boy only nodded, looking sullen. Madam Pomfrey looked at him in surprise, and saw the boy sigh, falling on his back. In less than five minutes, Dumbledore, McGonagall, and the remaining heads of house were at the hospital wing.
"Ah, Mr. Hallys, glad to see you're awake," Dumbledore said with a grandfatherly smile, as the two snakes took protective stances around Jason, much to everyone's surprise.
"Mr. Potter and Ms. Greengrass gave orders for the snakes to protect Mr. Hallys from everyone but me," Madam Pomfrey said when she realized what was happening.
"It seems that your friends care about you, Mr. Hallys," Flitwick said, and Jason only nodded embarrassedly.
"So, um...am I in trouble?" asked Jason after a moment. All heads of house looked at each other and at the boy.
"You tell us, young man," McGonagall replied, and Jason looked at her, surprised.
"You don't like me very much, do you?" he asked, and the heads of house were surprised, most of all McGonagall.
"What... What nonsense is that?" she defended herself, "I have nothing against you..."
"Well, you're not exactly the most trusting of people to bring our problems, least of all after Harry was resorted..." Jason complained with a snort, and McGonagall gaped. Flitwick and Sprout raised an eyebrow but Snape had to hold back a laugh.
"Well, young man, care to tell us what happened? Or should we start? For you see, we believe we know what happened. The Weasley twins pranked you again, things got out of hand, and they cast other spells on you because they wanted you to stop associating yourself with Mr. Potter and his group." Jason nodded. "Then something happened, you were injured and they ran away and have not been found yet..."
"Not found?! Oh, crap... how long has it been?" Jason asked at once, paling in concern, shocking the adults.
"A few hours..."
"Get someone to the Gryffindor tower, fifth floor, one of the abandoned rooms," Jason nearly ordered, surprising everyone, "NOW, damn it."
Surprised, the headmaster did it at once, sending one house-elf. Seconds later, the house elf returned with the bodies of the Weasley twins, both stunned, one with a broken knee and a twisted arm, and the other with a broken elbow. The adults looked in shock to the twins and to Jason, who looked embarrassed and concerned...
"How much trouble am I in?"
"Maybe start from the beginning..." Flitwick said, surprised. "You, hum... caused this?" Jason nodded. "How?"
"Grandfather is SAS... retired, of course, and he started to teach me when I was six." Severus Snape raised an eyebrow. He was the only one.
"What's that?" Sprout asked.
"Muggle army, special forces..." Jason replied sheepishly, "He was injured back in the eighties and honourably discharged...and since he had been a lousy father, his own words, he decided to try and be a proper grandfather. After my dad died, he did his best to help my mum with me and... well, he demands good grades, regular physical training to be fit and in shape, proper social conduct, and good behaviour. He always told me that I should never start a fight unprovoked, but I should always finish it...but I should try to avoid fights all together."
"A sensible upbringing..." Dumbledore replied, not knowing what to say.
"It's harsh, but I know the old man loves me in his own way..." Jason glared at the headmaster. "I was going to the military academy when I received the Hogwarts letter."
"That doesn't explain what happened," McGonagall said, crossing her arms.
"Yes, would you agree to submit a memory of the event for our review?" asked Dumbledore, and Jason frowned.
"A memory? How does that work?" he asked, and Dumbledore smiled, explaining the young boy the process. Jason quickly agreed to.
~BREAK~
The following day, the Hogwarts Great Hall went silent after Dumbledore's announcement, and everyone turned to the little boy at the end of the Gryffindor table, sat with a few of his peers, all looking in awe at him.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot Jason knew martial arts, but this is bloody ridiculous..." Harry thought to himself as he, too, looked to the boy.
"The staff decided that Mr. and Mr. Weasley will not be expelled, despite of a vicious attack on a first year. Instead, they shall be kept under close observance, have all privileges revoked, and all their personal effects not related with school and schoolwork shall be confiscated. Mr. Hallys, while technically the victim, shall also be punished with detention with Mr. Filch until the end of the term, for a violent conduct." Many flinched when they heard Dumbledore's words, and many felt bad about the brat. "Mr. Hallys is also forbidden from engaging in any sort of physical fighting."
"The brat should teach a few Aurors." Moody grunted offhandedly.
"Oh, come on, the kid only defended himself. Without a wand and against two wizards several years older," Harry rose from his seat.
"He viciously attacked Fred and George," Granger rose, arguing against Harry's reasoning.
"Who attacked him first," a Ravenclaw added.
"Who also needed to be taken down a few pegs," a Hufflepuff declared, "The twins deserved it."
"Yeah!" many cheered.
"Regardless, the rules say no fighting, and Mr. Hallys is going to be punished," Dumbledore intervened. "Now that the matter is settled, let us indulge in our lunch and get back to our classes."
As lunch began, most conversations centered around Jason and the twins, and many found the sentence unfair for the boy. Almost no one was sympathetic towards the twins, who were still in the hospital wing. Malfoy mocked the twins, as the brat had used inferior muggle methods to beat the two blood traitors, implying they were inferior to muggles. Granger was livid, Weaselette glared at the firstie, and said firstie was eating slowly, answering the questions put to him by his awed year mates.
"Bloody brat," Theo complained, stabbing some meat and attracting the attention of everyone around him, "Made us all worried about him..."
"Yeah, and he was the one who did the worse," Tracey grumbled, amused. Harry snickered, which gradually evolved into a full laugh, shared by Daphne and the rest of them, one by one. In the end, Harry raised his cup when he noticed Jason looking at him, surprised, and nodded in appreciation. Jason nodded nervously back.
Astoria stabbed her lunch, glaring at the boy. When she thought she was doing better, he always pulled a surprise, proving to be much better than her. Still, she had been shocked and terrified when she saw him the first time...
"He is cute for a firstie, though," one of Astoria's friends shared, making the younger Greengrass almost choke on her food. "Give him a few years and he may become a handsome boy."
Dumbledore looked around the hall and noticed how many students were the focus of the attention of the others. He recognized many of them as being the ones in Harry Potter's little group, the Black Wands, if he remembered correctly. His attention went to Harry Potter, who was laughing among his friends, and he wondered what the future held for the young man... and if it was Light or Dark.
~BREAK~
Harry exited the floo at number 12, Grimmauld Place, alone, dressed in formal robes.
"Lord Potter-Slytherin, Kreacher welcomes you to the House of Black," the elf said with a bow. "Master said you'd be early, and that I was to inform him of your arrival at once."
"Thank you, Kreacher," Harry nodded, and Kreacher popped away.
"Who's there?" Harry heard a familiar screeching voice and walked to the entrance hall, where he found the portrait.
"Madam Black," Harry extended a greeting, and the painting frowned.
"You..." she acknowledged him, "You're my son's godson...and you have diluted Black blood in your veins..."
"That I am, Madam Black. Harry Potter-Slytherin."
"I heard about that..." the painting replied again, surprising Harry as she hadn't complained or found it outrageous. "My son told me and I could barely believe it. I welcome you to the noble House of Black, Lord Slytherin."
"Thank you, Madam Black," Harry replied, finding it strangely odd that the woman was so polite.
"Ah, Harry," the voice of Sirius made itself heard. "Are you bothering my mother?" he asked with a chuckle.
"Not at all, I hope. We were only doing the introductions," Harry replied, "You failed to do it last time I was here."
"Ah, well, my bad. Harry, meet my mother. Mother, my godson, Lord Potter, Lord Slytherin, and the vanquisher of the wanker you worshiped," he replied offhandedly.
"Who happened to be a distant cousin," Harry added, not missing the frown from the painting.
"Now come with me, Harry. There are two new additions to the House of Black and I want you to meet them before the others arrive."
"Who are the others?" asked Harry.
"The Malfoys and the Tonks. My cousins' families," Sirius replied, walking along the hallway. Harry looked one last time to the portrait and saw Lady Black with a vacant look, although she had a smirk on her lips.
Odd.
"Madam Black, it was a pleasure."
"Lord Slytherin."
Harry followed Sirius into the sitting room and to his surprise, he found a pretty, tanned, black-haired woman, dressed in a fine, regal, black dress with long sleeves. She had blue eyes and was sitting in a chair to the left of an empty one, in front a tea table set with tea and biscuits. In front of her, dressed in black robes, was none other than Remus Lupin.
Harry raised an eyebrow when he entered, and Remus sighed.
"Don't ask," Remus said.
"Nonsense, Moony," Sirius added, "Remus here has been a good friend for so many years that I decided to adopt him into the family." Remus blushed, and Harry wanted to laugh. "And this beautiful lady is Señorita Isabella Vincenta Olivera." The woman seemed somewhat embarrassed, and nodded as her hand was taken by Harry, who kissed it. "She's Spanish, and a descendant of a branch of the Black family long thought extinct."
"A pleasure, señor..."
"The pleasure is mine, miss...er...señorita?"
"Either is fine," she replied in an almost accent-free English.
"Isabella, this is my godson, the one I told you about," the woman widened her eyes.
"Harry Potter?" she asked.
"If Lord Black told you about me, he may have exaggerated a few things. If you read books, you read only fiction," Harry replied.
"I heard a lot, and many things were hard to believe... Lord Potter, Lord Slytherin, a champion for a dangerous tournament, and all this at fourteen," she replied.
"Believe me, if it had to happen, I would've rather had it be a few years from now," he replied.
"Lord Black surely does keep an interesting family."
"Believe me, Isabella, some of the most interesting are yet to arrive," Sirius replied, and Remus looked uncomfortable.
"I have no idea who the Tonks's are, but how are the Malfoys interesting?" Harry asked.
"Doesn't the brat put his foot in his mouth every few words?" Sirius asked.
"Point taken."
"So, before you arrived, Isabella was telling us of her schooling back in Spain and her dueling days on the Spanish national circuit," said Sirius as Isabella nodded, which made Harry quite interested in what she had to say.
Apparently, Isabella was an accomplished duelist. In the short time they had known each other she and Sirius had engaged in several practice duels, which more often than had resulted in a draw.
"All because of a teacher I had, Señor Tavariz. He suggested I try out my skills in the leagues, and I liked it... so I continued. It's not enough to make a living out of it, but it's a hobby I can match with my work."
"What do you do?" Harry asked.
"I am a policía... your Auror, I believe."
"Nymphadora is also in the training program for the Auror corps," Sirius said. "That's Nymphadora Tonks, my cousin Andromeda and her husband Ted's daughter." Harry nodded. Of course he knew that, but there were appearances to be maintained.
"Master, the Tonks family has arrived," Kreacher said as he popped into the room.
"Lovely," Sirius replied, rising from his seat. "I'll be returning shortly."
"Is there something that should be known about the Tonks?" Isabella asked.
"Andromeda Tonks was disowned by Lord Orion Black for marrying a muggleborn, but it backfired on him when they had a daughter with a thought to be lost magical talent."
"Really?" Harry asked.
"Yes, I'll let you see for yourselves...what else? Ted is a lawyer, Andromeda is a healer, and like Sirius said, Dora is in the training program for the Auror Corps."
A loud crash was heard in the other room, and the painting screeched before suddenly going silent, only to be replaced by Sirius's laugher. Moments later, the familiar faces of Ted Tonks, Andromeda Tonks, and their daughter, Nymphadora "You-Better-Call-Me-Tonks" showed up.
"Let it be said that Dora has a talent for shutting up my mother," Sirius laughed as he entered. Isabella noticed the hair of the girl change from pink to red before going back to pink.
"Metamorphmagus?" Isabella asked, surprised.
"Uhm, yes... I'm Tonks," she introduced herself before grinning, "Are you the Spanish Auror?"
"Uhm, yes. Isabella Vincenta Olivera..." she replied awkwardly.
"This is so cool," Tonks shrieked, her hair changing colours in quick sequence. "What's it like there? What's your catch rate? What kind of problems do you have to deal with on a daily basis? How many raids have you been on?" The questions were fired one after another, and Andromeda sighed in exasperation.
"Harry, meet Andromeda Tonks and Theodore Tonks. That overexcited firecracker is Nymphadora..."
"Oi, what did I tell you about that name?" Tonks replied in anger. "Blimey, Harry Potter. Wotcher, Harry. I haven't seen you since the end of your first year. Call me Tonks."
"Hey, Tonks," he replied promptly, "Nice to meet you. You too, Mr. and Mrs. Tonks."
"Hello, Harry. Last time I saw you were such a small thing..." Andromeda replied, and Ted smiled.
"Andy, Ted, you've already met Isabella," Sirius spoke, and both of them acknowledged her.
"Indeed, it's lovely to see you again, Isabella. How are you adapting to Britain and the Black family in general?"
"Britain is colder than I thought and I am a bit overwhelmed, actually," Isabella replied, and Andromeda laughed.
"I understand the feeling, believe me," Ted replied.
"Yes, Lord Black..."
"Sirius," Sirius insisted, "We're all family."
"Of course... Sirius." Isabella smiled. "Sirius told me you were once in the same place as I am..."
"Well, not quite, as I only met the old man Arcturus, my lovely wife, and Sirius..." Ted replied, and Harry perked up.
"I don't mean to intrude, but care to explain?" Harry asked.
"Well, Harry, you see, Ted here is more than a mere muggleborn," Sirius added, patting Ted's back. "He's the son of two squib descendants from the Black family, who met in a mere coincidence..."
"Or so we were all told..." Ted added.
"True, and my grandfather Arcturus' great plan was to monitor the squibs of the family and check them for the birth of a magical child, to renew the blood ties and our family strength," Sirius said with a smile.
"He was great man with a great vision. Unfortunately, Voldemort happened, and the old man eventually died... and my father didn't share my grandfather's visions, but I do, and I will make sure my grandfather's plan is fulfilled. We will fill the ranks of the family with those of Black blood who are both worthy and willing to join, and make this family great once again."
Harry nodded and appreciated the idea, as did all others.
"Ingenious...and quite revolutionary," Harry spoke, "I like it."
"Ted was the first, Isabella is only the second, but there will be more," Sirius replied. "Now, if only the Malfoys showed up."
"Master, the Malfoys have arrived," Kreacher announced.
"Speak of the devil," Sirius replied, and most laughed, "I'll be right back."
For Harry, one thing was certain - it was turning out to be a very interesting get-together. He looked around, paying attention to the conversation, and almost laughed when he saw the looks shared between Tonks and Remus. Some things never change…
Sirius quickly came back grinning while followed by an annoyed Draco Malfoy and his exasperated mother.
"Cousin, Lord Malfoy, you've already met the Tonks and Remus Lupin. The beautiful lady is Señorita Isabella Vincenta Olivera, a Spanish descendant of a Black branch long thought extinct." Narcissa raised an eyebrow in surprise, but her son looked bored.
"A pleasure..." Isabella said.
"I had no idea the Blacks still lived in Spain," Narcissa said.
"They don't," Isabella added, "The family died out centuries ago, merging with others and falling into oblivion."
"I see," Narcissa replied, "I trust the rest of the...family has welcomed you?"
"With open arms, yes. Lord Black has tried to make it as homely as possible."
"Yes, Lord Black has his moments," Narcissa replied, turning to her sister. "Andy..."
"Cissy," Andromeda replied equally cold.
"Wow, I've seen more cheer in a graveyard," Sirius replied, and all turned to him. "Sit down, all of you, I have some things to say."
They all did, although some did it unwillingly, and turned their attention to the Lord Black. Only one noticed the painting of Walburga Black entering a frame in the room, and he wouldn't tell anyone, as he was the one who suggested it in the first place.
"Once, a long time ago, my grandfather Arcturus decided to search for the magical descendants of squibs from the Black family. In his search, he found one, our own Ted Tonks." Narcissa and Draco looked shocked at the older man, who nodded.
"I don't know much about their time together, but I know that grandfather required Andy's help, as she was the one closer in age...and the fact they fell in love was only a boon," Sirius said, and Ted smiled as he held his wife's hand, who leaned into his shoulder.
"So, after a long time waiting, welcome to the Black family, Ted. Use the name Black with pride, for it is now yours by rights of blood and marriage."
"Thank you, Lord Black."
"Andy, you were brought back into the family the moment I took the mantle of the Lord Black, so no speech for you." Andromeda nodded with a huge smile.
"Nymphadora, and I swear I will curse you first," Sirius told the Auror student. "As the daughter of two Blacks, you are a Black yourself. Use the name Black with pride, for it is now yours by rights of blood." Although annoyed, the Metamorphmagus nodded and looked proudly to her parents.
"Now, Remus Lupin is not related to the Blacks of any recent generation, nor is he the descendant of squibs, but he's family to me and I am the Lord Black, so from this moment forward, Remus Lupin, he who has another name and a furry problem, is from this moment forward, a member of the Black family. So I say it, so it is. Use the name Black with pride, my brother, for it is now yours by rights of brotherhood." Remus nodded in thanks, although sheepishly, and Harry couldn't miss the grin from Tonks.
"Isabella Vincenta Olivera, you are the second Black descendant to be found, and we welcome you to our midst, should it be your desire."
"It is, Lord Black," the woman replied.
"Then, from this moment forward, you may call yourself a Black. Use the name Black with pride, for it is now yours by rights of blood."
"Thank you, Lord Black," she said, almost spilling the emotion in her voice.
"Now, Lord Malfoy," Malfoy perked up, "being related to Narcissa Malfoy, née Black, you are entitled to use the name Black. Use the name Black with pride, for it is now yours by rights of blood." Malfoy smirked smugly.
"Lord Potter-Slytherin,"
"How may I be of service, Lord Black?" Harry asked promptly.
"Being related to the Black family by blood, you are entitled to use the name Black. However, for bonds of magic and brotherhood, you are also entitled to the name Black." Harry nodded. "Use the name Black with pride, for it is now yours by rights of blood and brotherhood. Also, let it be known that since the Black line is patriarchal, and therefore Dora Black Tonks is excluded as a possibility, until I have a child of my own, I name you my heir."
"WHAT?" Malfoy stood. "Why him? I have the better claim!"
"And I am the Lord Black and what I say is done. Do you have a problem with that, Lord Malfoy?" Sirius demanded coldly. In that short moment, by throwing a tantrum, Malfoy proved to be the lesser choice, and all agreed with the Lord Black.
Malfoy sat grumbling.
"Be sure of one thing, Draco Malfoy, you are only here because of your mother, Sirius replied, and while Narcissa understood the underlined words, her son did not. "As I was saying, Lord Potter-Slytherin, heir of Black..."
"Would it be possible to ask you to hurry up and have a child?" Harry asked, and almost all laughed.
"I'll put it on the list, after finding the perfect woman for the job," Sirius replied with a grin. "Now, let's feast."
In the frame, the painting of Walburga Black smirked, admiring Sirius's demeanour. For a small moment, she believed she was seeing her own uncle Arcturus instead of her son. How could they have been so blind? How wrong they had been...
The feast was well underway, and Lord Black made sure everything was well liked by everyone. Sirius sat at the head, with Harry on his right and Remus on his left. Being a guest, Isabella sat next to Harry, and at her side sat Andromeda, followed by her husband. The seat in front of Sirius, reserved for the Lady Black, was empty, and on the side of Remus sat Narcissa, Draco, and Tonks. They ate, drank, and had their fun into the afternoon, when they returned to the parlour.
"Any ideas for the third task, Harry?" asked Ted.
"My only idea is winning the damn thing. My whole house believes I can do it, and now I want to prove them right," Harry replied.
"Draco told me you were resorted to Slytherin back in November," Narcissa said.
"And I have to say that in little more than a week, Slytherin became more my home than Gryffindor ever was," Harry said with a smile. "It helps when we have supportive and equally minded people."
"Indeed," Narcissa replied, "Draco also told me that you were the one who started the movement to banish him from the house..."
"Considering he brought a young basilisk into the house, he was lucky I didn't do anything more serious to him."
"You punched me..." Malfoy whined outraged.
"Yes, and I could've done something far worse, but I just decided to throw you to the rest of the house," Harry replied defiantly. "I'd wager Zael missed you."
Malfoy blanched and shut up at once.
"Zael?" Ted asked and Harry drew his wand, summoning the snake.
"That's Zael," he replied, as the snake hissed, coiling itself near Harry, surprising everyone. Draco nearly wet himself. "You may have seen her little brother Kael in the paper after the whole debacle at the Yule Ball, protecting my girlfriend."
"Yes, we did..." Andromeda replied, surprised and in awe with the snake.
"What kind of spell was that?" asked Isabella, wrapping her hair behind her ear, a movement seen by Narcissa, who found it familiar, although she didn't know from where.
"The family kind, and not the Black one," Harry replied.
"Good answer," Ted replied as Sirius chuckled.
"Harry is a little well of surprises," Sirius added. "Much more than his mother or father ever were. Believe me, I know."
"You two remind me of each other," Isabella spoke, looking at the Lord Black and the Black heir, who looked back at her, both surprised. "I don't know why, but you two remind me of each other."
"Charming looks?" asked Sirius, "Because he has none."
"Maybe the wits... which I clearly have all of them."
"Oh, you certainly aren't serious."
"No, I'm Harry. You're Sirius," Harry replied, and Sirius laughed, as did Isabella and the Tonks. Draco found it a bad joke and scowled, and Narcissa gasped, recognizing the laughter she hadn't heard in years...
"Merlin...it can't be..." she whispered.
"Dora, didn't you have an appointment?" Andromeda asked suddenly, and Tonks rose from her seat, blushing.
"You're right... I'm sorry but I have an appointment in Diagon Alley," Tonks said, addressing the group. "It was lovely to meet you but I really must go."
"Feel free to return at any time Dora," Sirius spoke as she left by floo. "Say, Remus, didn't you have that thing?"
"Thing? What thing?" Remus asked, paling after a moment. "Oh..." Sirius snorted.
"Dumbass," Sirius mumbled, as he laughed at his friend's awkwardness.
"Yes, actually, I do have that thing..."
"Floo closes at midnight," Sirius warned, as Remus said his farewells.
"Who do those two think they're fooling?" Andromeda asked.
"The extra DADA lessons I would have bought, but the dueling tutoring? Bah."
"Regrettably, it is also nearly my curfew hour," Harry said, checking the time. "It pains me to say this but I must be off."
"As does Draco," Narcissa replied hastily, "Maybe you can leave together. How are you going back?" Harry hesitated and looked to an outraged Malfoy.
"Sure. Why not?" Harry replied, as Dobby popped next to him and he unsummoned Zael. "We leave by House-Elf Express. Dobby, take Draco here back to Hogwarts, please."
"Yes, Master," Dobby replied promptly, and grabbed Malfoy by the arm, popping away, leaving a shocked Narcissa behind. Dobby popped back in moments later.
"All done, Master."
"In that case, I bid you farewell. Lord Black, ladies and gentlemen." Ted raised his cup and Harry put his hand on Dobby's shoulder. "Chamber of Secrets, Dobby," and he was off.
In the Chamber of Secrets, moments later, Harry turned to Dobby.
"Where did you send Malfoy?"
"Into the lake," Dobby grinned, and Harry laughed.
Back in Number 12 Grimmauld Place, Narcissa recovered from her shock only to notice Andromeda glaring at her.
"She knows," Andromeda said simply, and a surprised Sirius turned to Narcissa, as did Ted. Isabella became suddenly nervous.
"Narcissa?" Sirius asked coldly, "What do you know?"
"I..." she hesitated, deciding not to say a word.
"She recognized the laughter," Andromeda replied, and Narcissa looked at her oldest sister in surprise. Isabella looked even more nervous.
"Shit..." Sirius replied, turning to Isabella. "It's not your fault. You did a good job."
"I..."
"Shh...it's fine," Sirius told her softly and she nodded.
"B-Bella?" Narcissa asked in shock and pure disbelief. "They-They said you were dead...that Sirius killed you..."
"Leave them to me. I'll take care of it," Andromeda said, looking to Sirius and her husband. Ted looked to Sirius and nodded.
"Mother!" Sirius called.
"Yes, Lord Black?" Walburga asked from a frame.
"You can stay if you want," Sirius told her, as Narcissa looked in surprise to her aunt's painting, unexpectedly submissive to her son. "Ted, a drink?"
"I think that's for the best," he replied, looking at his wife. "Don't be too harsh on her. She did a good job."
"It's not Bella I'm angry at," Andromeda replied, and Ted nodded, leaving the room with Sirius.
"What the hell is going on here?" demanded Narcissa, rising from her seat only to fall back on it after being slapped by Andromeda.
"Merlin, I've wanted to do that since you were fifteen," Andromeda said, and Narcissa looked wide eyed at her sister. "Bella, you did a good job."
"Thank you," Bella replied, looking down.
"What did I tell you about looking down, you stupid girl?" Andromeda demanded, and Bella looked up "You're a Black, not a weakling Lestrange anymore. A Black doesn't look down for anyone." Bella gulped and Narcissa felt scared. "I guess you want some answers, don't you?" The youngest sister only nodded.
"Then listen closely... Grandfather Arcturus approached me with an idea when I was eleven, before I went to Hogwarts. I was to help him train a descendant of squibs with Black blood. That's how I met Ted. Ted was supposed to be a muggleborn, and to keep a low profile he made sure he was sorted into Hufflepuff. Time passed, I taught Ted, and we fell in love. Grandfather was pleased and gave us his blessing. Then the Dark Lord revealed himself, and Grandfather planned accordingly. Realizing the Dark Lord would divide our family, he decided to gamble our family's future on both sides, Light and Dark. The family was Dark so there was no need to be concerned with that one. But there was need of someone more on the Light side, someone to make more alliances and take an active stance..."
"Sirius?!" Narcissa asked, shocked, disbelief clear in her face.
"Sirius was bound for Slytherin. There was absolutely no doubt in that. He was cunning, he was smart and charismatic...and that's why grandfather chose Sirius for the role of the Light Black." Andromeda snorted as Bella frowned, looking sad. "Sirius embraced his duty after a lot of complaining. I remember how he complained, how he argued, but grandfather was unyielding... and Sirius never actually said no.
In the end, Sirius did as grandfather asked of him, and although grandfather helped him plan his role, some plans were his own...like the Sorting. He told me he barely convinced the hat to put him in Gryffindor... and in that moment, with that single event, the entire country believed Sirius to be Light, and a pariah in his own family. Dumbledore did, our own family did, you did, Bella did... With that single decision, Sirius did more for Grandfather's plan than we all did or could ever do together," Andromeda told her sister, and Narcissa saw how Bella clenched her hands in her dress.
"It wasn't fair," Bella complained in a hiss.
"Life isn't fair, Isabella," Andromeda replied, and Bella hissed.
"Sirius deserved better."
"Yes, he did," Andromeda replied solemnly. "Now, things evolved, and Sirius truly bonded with his little group of friends. It was a true friendship, and it helped that Potter was against all things Dark. It helped Sirius to step away from the Dark of his legacy, and the fact they were as close as brothers helped all the more. Then all that grandfather predicted happened. He died, the family rallied to the Dark, and were nearly all wiped out..." Andromeda spoke, filling a glass with liquor.
"There were times when Sirius wanted to give up, there were times he felt himself lost. I know this because he came to me and Ted when he needed to talk. Every time he faced Bellatrix in battle, for example, who he still cared about as family. When Regulus died... Even when auntie died in those few months before the end of the war."
"He did?" Walburga asked, and Andromeda looked at the painting.
"He cried, too... He got to our house, drunk and in grief, and he told us he had only one rule to fit in within the Light... to wonder, "what would his mother do," and do the opposite. And it worked."
Walburga had no idea if she should be pleased or not, but she felt proud and touched. She ignored the prickling sensation in her eyes. "He also told me something that if you repeat outside of this room, I will deny it vehemently...he told me he loved you." Andromeda chuckled, and Walburga was unable to hold back her tears. "Granted, he was piss drunk and he doesn't remember ever saying that...
Moving on, Sirius went to Azkaban. I tried to help him, but I had no proof and no way to get him out. As far as everyone was concerned, he was guilty. Eventually he escaped and I was livid, because apparently he could have escaped anytime," she chuckled. "Then he went to Hogwarts, proved his innocence to Harry, Pettigrew escaped and so did he, thankfully. Finally, this year Harry managed to prove him innocent, and Sirius has been rebuilding our family ever since, doing what grandfather would have done, and wanted to do."
"And... Bella?" Narcissa asked. Andromeda waved to her younger sister.
"I don't know. I was in Azkaban, and then I was in Diagon Alley, wanting answers to the questions plaguing me since Christmas, when Sirius visited me in secret and told me few bits of the truth. When he told me, I... I don't know. I felt anger, rage against him, against grandfather...but I also admired him, what he had done, what he had achieved. I needed to know everything. I wanted to know everything. I wanted to know why Sirius had done it, why he accepted. I found myself in Diagon Alley, with no idea how I got there and I just wanted to come home. I wanted to come here, and I wanted to confront Sirius. I wanted answers...luckily, he was alone. I demanded the answers and..." Bella sobbed, not caring to hide it from her sisters. "We cursed him, we renounced him, we hated him, and he stood always true. We was the truest Black of us all..."
"But...but the paper said you fought him. That there was a body..." Narcissa added, and Andromeda snorted.
"Blood golem. Besides, who would doubt the word of the Lord Black? Especially when a dangerous fugitive was killed by his hand, solving a lot of problems for the DMLE? Sirius called me, and I took Bella away while he prepared the blood golem."
"And we did fight," Bella replied, "I remember fighting Sirius but...I didn't want to hurt him. I wanted to leave, I wanted to go away and die. Somehow, Sirius broke a Compulsion on me and gave me another chance. Andy and Ted helped, of course. They took me to Spain and tortured me as they laughed, watching me living as a muggle for weeks...
They forced me to do a muggle procedure to permanently change my face, helped me to get physically and mentally better. I had to relearn Occlumency, and work on my anger management. I did everything the Lord Black ordered me to... Create a new personality, a new character, a new back story, and a new language...all for this. To be a part of the family again and have a second chance at living."
"Are you forsaking the Dark Lord?" Narcissa asked, and Bella shook her head.
"I'm putting my family first this time, like I should have done before. If the Dark Lord returns, I will serve him IF the Lord Black orders me to, but I won't jump in, even if I still bear his mark."
"What about you, Auntie Walburga?" Narcissa asked, turning to the painting. "You hated Sirius."
"I saw and heard everything between my son and Bellatrix," the painting replied. "I could not believe the accusations I heard from Bellatrix, but when I heard the confirmation from Sirius's own lips... I couldn't believe the boy deceived us all. That of all of us, he was the truest Black and the truest Slytherin," she answered, looking proud. "I am proud of my son."
"Now you know everything," Andromeda replied, sitting on her chair. "Leaving only one more thing to settle."
"And what's that?" Narcissa asked, scared of her eldest sister's cold demeanour. She could be more terrifying than her aunt Walburga and mad Bellatrix combined.
"How worthwhile is it for our new family to let you keep those memories?" Andromeda replied coldly, and Narcissa gulped in fear.
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