A/N: If you have any requests of my writing please leave a review and let me know. I am always open to constructive criticism

Chapter 4

The week had gone by quickly and soon enough Saturday evening was upon Marcus. He sat in the Great Hall enjoying his evening meal with Bella and Sirius. They had all been buzzing with curiosity as to why there was a party this early in the term. Typically, pure-blood gatherings like this usually only happened over the Yule break. Their curiosity didn't dissipate as they all went back to their rooms to change for the evening. Marcus donned his finest robes of Acromantula silk. Black with a silver trim the young man looked of aristocracy. He went down and joined his group in the common room. Sirius was wearing robes of Slytherin colors and Bella wore an elegant violet dress. Marcus couldn't help but noticed that it was a perfect match for the young witch's eyes. Lucius was next to join them with Narcissa clinging to his arm. From what Sirius had told him, a marriage contract had been penned last year. Lastly, Sirius' younger brother, Regulus, joined them. Marcus hadn't talked to Regulus much but he planned to change that tonight. He might as well take his father's advice and cozy up to the Blacks. Marcus surveyed the group and led them all to the massive doors to the grounds of Hogwarts. They were met by Professor Dumbledore who escorted them to Hogsmeade and where Marcus found his father waiting.

"Marcus! It's so good to see you!" The elder Kirke embrace his son and Marcus grew flustered and began to squirm. Marcus heard the voice from his father's left and saw an older blonde gentleman. It most certainly had to be Lord Malfoy. "Ah at the age where it's unbecoming to be seen embracing your own father. I know it all too well. Lucius has been that way since last year." The man said with a chuckle. Even in the darkness Marcus could see that Lucius had turned red with embarrassment. Marcus suppressed a laugh and spoke to his father.

"It's good to see you too father. How are we all going to get to the Black Estate?" Marcus asked. His father waved the elder Malfoy over and began to explain to the youths. "Lord Malfoy and I will be side apparating you all there. Tweak will be keeping the others company until one of us returns. Now, Marcus, you and Miss Black will be coming with me and Lord Malfoy will be taking his son and the other Miss Black."

Bella and Narcissa both took a step towards the adults and bowed. Bella looked up at Marcus's father and nodded. "Thank you, Lord Kirke, but please, call me Bellatrix.

Narcissa chimed in as well. "And call me Narcissa."

Aurelius Kirke nodded at the two ladies. "But of course, my apologies."

After a short few minutes, the teens were inside 12 Grimmauld Place, The home of the House of Black. As Marcus went around it was clear he was the newcomer to this group. Everyone seemed to have known each other for ears. Even his father had known most of the parents from his time at Hogwarts. Trying to push his unease out of his mind, Marcus made his way over to Lucius and Narcissa.

"Lucius, Narcissa I do hope you two are enjoying the evening." he said trying to spark a conversation. Lucius seemed to want to be alone with Narcissa and Marcus shot him an apologetic look but Narcissa seemed happy to make Marcus feel at home. Narcissa was clearly quite the gossiper for it seemed she knew everything about anyone who was going to Hogwarts. He tried his best to keep up with the conversation but quickly found himself lost. He was about to excuse himself when he felt a hand grab his collar and begin to drag him.

"Merlin will you let me go!" Marcus protested. He turned his head to see that it was Bella. The girl stuck her tongue out at him. "Oh, very mature Bella." Bella snickered to herself and continued to pull him.

"You and I are going to have a little chat in private really quick!" She kept dragging him to a door a flung the door open and shoved him.

"You know you could have just asked, right?"

"Well it's more fun this way. So, you are going to answer my question. Where in the world did you learn the Cruciatus Curse at your age?" Bella seemed like she was angry and confused at the same time.

Marcus just shook his head and laughed. "Where do you think? My father taught me of course!" Bella seemed to take this in before locking eyes with him. "Will you teach me?"

Marcus wasn't sure if he would want to put that into Bella's arsenal. He had heard all about her mean streak from Sirius. Before he could answer her the door flew open and revealed Sirius smirking mischievously.

"Off for a bit of a snog before dinner eh Marcus?" Sirius barely had time to duck before Bella threw a hex his way. "Oh, relax I was only joking. Besides, dinner is ready." The three teens went to the dining hall and took their seats. Marcus sat to his father's right. As they were about to start dinner, they all heard footsteps enter the dining hall. Lord Black glared at the three who entered. Marcus's jaw hit the table when he saw Rodolphus and Rabastan walk in.

"Lord Lestrange, how nice of you and your sons to finally join us. Some would say tardiness is unbecoming." There was a slight edge to the Black patriarch's voice.

"My deepest apologies Lord Black, I just had to take care of some matters at home." Lord Lestrange and his sons grabbed the three empty seats at the end of the table. Lord Black's gaze lingered on the man for a moment longer before switching to Marcus's father. "Aurelius, I wanted to wait until tonight to give you the good news. It appears there is now an open Wizengamot seat. To claim it all you must do is attend the next meeting and make your claim."

Marcus didn't think he had ever seen his father so excited. "Excellent Orion, I will begin my preparations at once! Astoria will be so pleased to hear this. This is excellent news isn't it Marcus?" Marcus never really cared for politics but knew it was important to keep up appearances.

"Yes, Father this is fine news. I look forward to claiming the seat as my own one day." Marcus said as seriously as he possibly could. Lord Black smirked as if knowing the boy didn't truly care.

The dinner continued and Marcus looked over at the other teens who seemed just as bored as he was. None of them cared for this political talk. Sure, they would one day, but now they were all too young. Marcus was jolted from his thoughts by a question Lord Black asked his father.

"Aurelius forgive my ignorance but isn't Marcus around the age you should be finalizing his marriage contract?" Marcus tried not to choke on his drink and managed to avoid drawing too much attention to himself. He composed himself to listen to his father's answer. This was something he actually was curious about.

"I was planning on it but the decision was made to wait until we returned to England to look for possible candidates. I had hoped maybe you would have some daughters Orion but clearly Cygnus was blessed in that area." Aurelius laughed along with Orion and Cygnus. Marcus looked to Bella to see who the man was before she subtly hinted that it was her father. Aurelius continued before Marcus could get any more information. "Tell me Cygnus, Bellatrix wouldn't happen to still be unattached, would she?" Before Cygnus could answer, Lord Lestrange cut in.

"Actually, Lord Kirke, there already exists a contract between Bellatrix and my son Rodolphus." Marcus could barely contain his annoyance. Not at the fact the Bella was betrothed, just the fact that it was to the supreme git Rodolphus. Marcus shifted his eyes over to his father who seemed to be taking it all in. Aurelius turned towards Cygnus and Orion.

"Pity. I would have thought the House of Black would find better suitors for their family." There was a slight gleam in his eye. Rodolphus leapt to his family's defense at the insult.

"I will not allow you to insult my family to our very faces!" The boy puffed out his chest and deepened his voice as much as he could. Marcus couldn't contain himself and burst into laughter. "Oh please! If I wiped the floor with you what chance do you have against my Father!" Marcus could barely get it out with how much he was laughing. Aurelius looked between the two boys confused until Bella piped up to offer some clarity.

"Marcus didn't tell you Lord Kirke? Him and Rodolphus had a duel last weekend. Rather one-sided I might add."

"How long did it take?" Marcus's father asked

"Just under two minutes. Even then Rodolphus couldn't take his defeat with grace. Sent a nasty Cutting hex at Marcus's back after the duel." Upon that revelation Lord Kirke's eyes darkened severely and his gaze settled on Rodolphus.

"No honor in defeat. Is this how the House of Lestrange conducts itself Corvus?" The elder Lestrange couldn't offer any words before Rodolphus erupted into another outburst.

"That's not fair! He used the Cruciatus Curse on me!" Rodolphus voice shook as he pointed at Marcus. Now it was Lord Lestrange's turn to have his outburst.

"YOU DID WHAT TO MY SON? WHERE DOES A BOY YOUR AGE EVEN LEARN MAGIC LIKE THAT? HOW DA-" Before Lord Lestrange could continue Aurelius cleared his throat.

"I taught it to him of course. I always aim for my son to be well versed in all areas of magic. Especially the Dark Arts." Marcus chimed in once his father finished.

"Then again maybe if you learned some decent wand work Rodolphus then you would have stood a chance." When Marcus could barely finish his sentence before Lord Black and Cygnus erupted into fits of laughter. Lord Black tried his best to speak to Marcus's father in between bursts of laughter.

"Merlin's beard Aurelius he certainly didn't get that sharp tongue from you! Must be his mother!" Lord Black turned to his brother and continued "And I must say Cygnus you did choose rather poorly for Bellatrix. I certainly think she would do well for herself with young Kirke here." Cygnus looked to be pondering it over before he looked towards Lord Lestrange.

"My brother is right Corvus. I'm afraid I'm going to have to nullify the marriage contract between our families. At this point a union between two Ancient and Noble Houses would prove more beneficial. Aurelius would you like to join me in my study and we can take care of this right now?"

Lord Lestrange was fuming. This was a golden opportunity that had been lost. He stood up, knocking his chair over and stared incredulously at Marcus's father. "This will not be the last you hear of me Aurelius! Mark my words!" With that the Lestranges stormed out and Aurelius and Cygnus stood to leave for the study. Before they could take a step Marcus interjected.

"Wait! Don't you think we should at least ask Bella what she thinks about all this? She's right here after all." Marcus pleaded with the two men. Cygnus turned to his daughter.

"Well Bellatrix? What is it you think of this? Would you rather continue your engagement with the Lestrange or start anew with Kirke?" Bellatrix seemed to be taking it all in, still rather confused. She snapped to and spoke.

"Marcus comes from good stock. He is rather adept with a wand and at least I can tolerate to be around him. Granted, we have only known each other for a short time I at least know we would have a secure future considering he will have a seat on the Wizengamot. However, I do have one request." She turned to Marcus's father. "Lord Kirke, I only ask that you will tutor me in the Dark Arts as you have with Marcus. I fully plan to be able keep your son in his place. As for where we would live, we could certainly rebuild Ravenhall and live there with Lucius and Narcissa once they are married as well. The vaults of the Malfoy, Kirke and Black families can most certainly afford it many times over." Aurelius chuckled and nodded in agreement. Cygnus brought the contract out to the table and they both sealed it with a drop of blood before Lord Black did the same. Lord Kirke walked over to Bellatrix and conjured a ring onto her finger. A silver band with diamonds and a jet-black gemstone with the image of a raven on the back of a wolf to symbolize the joining of the two houses.

Everyone sat back down as there was only one thing left to be done to bless the engagement. Marcus and his father sat across from Bellatrix and Cygnus as they all raised their glasses in the air. Marcus and Aurelius speaking the Black family motto and Cygnus and Bellatrix would answer with Kirke family motto.

The four of them clinked their glasses together as Marcus and his father spoke.

"Toujurs Pur!"

Bellatrix and her father responded.

"Omnis puritas!"