Squib 15 More letters

"Respected Grandfather, I regret to report that as Heir I have canceled Bellatrix's Betrothal to Rastaban Lestrange. Please allow me to explain.

I was in the corridors of the second dungeons when I heard a noise, which I investigated. Rodolphus was holding the arms of Rastaban behind him, fighting (and losing) to hold him back from Bella. She was on the floor against the wall: black eye, bleeding lip, torn dress, broken arm. Her beautiful brown curls were matted with blood, half over her face. I froze everyone, and then silenced Rad and Bella, who were screaming curses. Roddy told me this has been the state of things since we returned from the holiday. Their fathers signed a traditional Betrothal, so she was now Rad's property. Under the vows, she couldn't even fight back, because a man has the right to 'discipline' his family.

A Black woman is a Princess. She deserves to be desired, courted, cherished! Under no circumstances should she be treated worse than a back-alley streetwalker! She's the same age I am, only 13, and Rad is 16! I said the Official Words, that I, as Heir to the Family and the oldest Black male at the school, Revoked any and all Contracts including Betrothal and Marriage, between the Black and the Lestrange Families. I called Forfeit all Penalty Clauses against the Lestranges for bad faith. They are clearly an inferior blood line and we should have nothing to bind us to them.

Then I floated all three of them up the stairs to the Hospital Wing. Roddy was hurt, but not too badly. I think we owe him some nice gift or favor for services rendered to the Family. I do not suggest betrothing him to Bella, since I don't want any of ours anywhere Rad can reach. I'm afraid, with my hands full of Roddy and Bella, I had some trouble dragging Rad behind us, and he was somewhat banged up on the stairs. Face down. Six flights. I am surprised that I saw no one the entire trip. Even the pictures were blank.

The Intern treated Bella first, and put her to bed. He healed Roddy quite quickly. He called the Aurors, who took Rad directly to the DMLE holding cells. They said he was fine for now and would receive any care he needed there, after being interrogated. I gave Roddy back his wand when the Intern said he could go. I enclose both Bella and Rads'. Bella will want hers when she gets out of the Hospital. Rad may want his when he gets out of prison, but I thought you might like to compare the 24 hour Priori list I am enclosing to Bella's medical file, before calling the Aurors. I should mention that Rad (but not Rod) has a strange new cattle brand on his arm. His robe accidentally ripped and lost the sleeve when I tried to bind his broken arms before moving him. Since they seemed sore, I gave up and left them loose. I didn't even try to bind his broken legs. I'm not sure when they broke. I need to take a muggle first aid course so I know how to do it right.

I have a few suggestions, if you are not too angry to hear them? Bella is now in the Potion Damage Ward at St. Mungos. It seems one of the things Rad was doing was forcing potions on her to drive her insane. She will require some delicate care! I think she should not come back to Hogwarts. The Intern suggested she be taken somewhere quiet to recover, and then be enrolled in a new school under a new name. Perhaps Beau Batons or one of those warm tropical Islands? I hear Trinidad is very friendly to witches. So she won't be alone, perhaps Cissi could go with her? Andi seems to be fine. Her young man seems to be everything we could hope for, and treats her well.

I am well, and have developed a personal interest in the McKinnon girl, Marlene. We are both young, but she seems to be the best candidate I have found so far. Your grandson and Heir, Sirius Orion Black"

"Orion, I just received the most amazing message from your son Sirius. You are right. This boy is deeper than we ever dreamed. That brash clown act covers some of the most Slytherin thoughts I have ever seen. I enclose a copy for your reference.

My brother Alphard, on the basis of this letter, has officially named Sirius his Heir. His letter to Sirius assumes it will be read by others, so he has congratulated him on annoying the family so extensively.

Meanwhile I have spoken with my sister Cassiopeia, who live in France in a secluded chateau near Beau Batons. She has agreed to accept Magical and physical Guardianship of both girls, and will enroll them in the Fall term. I have set up a drawing account in addition to her family allowance for their expenses.

I have written to Cygnus that I expect both girls to go to her as soon as possible; Cissi now and Bella as soon as the Healers say she may travel. They are officially 'improving their French' before school starts in the Fall. Andi will join them for the Summer break. Their mother is also invited, in case she thinks Cissi is too young to be so far away. Cygnus will not be happy, but I have invoked my status as Head of Family to do this. I have tipped Cassi off that I want all of them to have thorough medical exams with the Goblins. Bella should be all right, just getting out of the Hospital, but there are some weird interpretations of Marriage Contracts going on. I cannot conceive of treating my sweet Melania the way Rad treated Bella!

The only reason I am not insisting you also send young Reggie is that it occurs to me that you may want him in Hogwarts with Sirius. With Andi there, he has protection in two Houses.

Note Sirius' comment about Andi's young man. HOW has he figured that out? We thought we had that young man well hidden! You know Cygnus has not managed to get his family to sign a Contract yet. I think we had better talk to Herman Bulstrode for some tips to make it more attractive. Cygnus may be asking too much. Your Father, Pollux"

"My dear Sirius, I have read your letter carefully, researched what you sent me, and come to a few conclusions. I support your breaking of the Betrothal Contract. Amusingly, the way you phrased it broke every Contract and Alliance between the Black and the Lestrange Families. I really did not realize how many ways we were becoming entangled with them until they broke! You did us many favors that night! We thought we were encouraging a minor but promising family. We didn't realize how they were dragging us down with questionable business dealings, or that they disrespected us so!

Be sure to leave your Uncle Alphard's letter out where gossips may read it. Destroy this one, publicly and angrily if possible. If any can see you reading, start getting angry now.

Speaking of favors, we are looking into what we can do for young Rod. He has been much in his twin's shadow, and may grow now that Rad has been removed from Hogwarts. Keep an eye on him for now, and let me know if you see something suitable. I am considering an apprentice sponsorship, but I don't know where his interests are. Meanwhile, his family may be a bit upset with him, so make sure he doesn't need anything. If they tell him to not go home, bring him here. Blacks value children more than the Lestrange appear to!

Bella is recovering rapidly, and will be dismissed from the hospital next week. She will not be going back to her parent's house, nor to Hogwarts. My sister Cassiopeia has a secluded Chateau in France and has agreed Bella may recover there. Little Cissi and their mother are already there. Officially the girls are 'improving their French' for the Summer, which is true, but they will be enrolled at Beau Batons in the Fall.

Andi will be joining them, but only for the Summer. She may stay at Hogwarts with you as long as she wants. We are baffled how you identified her young man – we thought we had that relationship well hidden! We are still negotiating their Betrothal. Do not tell her we know! She's just contrary enough to run away! We want her to think we would never accept him. I am perfectly willing to meet them at Gretna Green and hand the papers to the Smith.

Any thoughts about your brother, Reggie? He starts school this Fall, and we are of two minds where to send him. He could go to Beau Batons with the girls, or he could go to Hogwarts with you and Andi. He is not much like you, not able to submerge himself like a wolf in sheeps' wool. He is more of an obedient traditionalist, what we thought a Slytherin was like until we realized what a schemer you are. Perhaps he could make a good Ravenclaw?

I have increased your allowance to permit you to begin formal Courtship of this girl who has caught your eye. Let me know how that works out, and when or if I should begin formal negotiations with her family. I also refilled your Trust Vault. Grandfather Pollux"

Theodore Edward Tonks, Esq., Barrister, looked at his 10 AM appointment. A dapper older man, elegant in a slightly Edwardian suit, laid a cane and hat on the stand as he seated himself. The man was actually wearing spats! His white hair was trimmed short, and he wore both a pencil mustache and a small goatee. He carried a case of papers, which he did not hand to Ted. They eyed each other for a few moments, and then the man introduced his reason for making the appointment.

"My name is Pollux Black. My granddaughter Andromeda and your son Ted, Jr., attend the same prestigious school, Aberdeen Academy, and are showing quite a bit of interest in each other. We are a very traditional family, and I understand that my son-in-law Cygnus had a representative approach you about making a traditional Betrothal and marriage Contract. I have a copy of that offer, and I can see why no one in their right mind would sign it!"

Ted, who had stiffened the moment he heard the man's name, visibly relaxed. This was going to be better than he feared. "So, why are you here?"

"I am the legal head of the Family, so I can make Contracts as well as her father can. I also am fairly sure those two are planning to elope the moment they graduate. Since both our families are rich and well connected, a Betrothal Contract could sort out many of the possible legal tangles before they happen. I have thoroughly researched your family and am aware that both you and your wife are what we call Pure Blood Squibs, which means among other things that young Ted is Heir to several fortunes being held for his Majority.

"The foul Contract Cygnus offered you would have required you relinquish all inheritances to his family as the Bride Price. Bride Prices are traditional and indicate respect, but that is ridiculous! There were a number of other ridiculous requirements. Cygnus believed you did not know who you really are, or your legal rights. I feel otherwise. Am I correct?"

Ted, still silent, nodded slowly.

"Excellent. I believe, as the Senior members of our Families, we need to discuss our childrens future. As I said, I believe they plan to elope at graduation next year, to be married at a place called Gretna Green. This is quite traditional and I have no objection. I suggest we arrange to be there to celebrate with the children.

You might want to make plans with your son. Invite Andi for dinner. Arrange an flat near the school you intend Ted to attend. Perhaps a nice honeymoon? But of all things, I beg you, do not breathe a word to Andi that we know about and approve of young Ted! She is a headstrong girl, and likely to kick up her heels and run even if it affects her own chance of happiness! I prefer to meet them at the forge and simply hand the papers to the Smith to stamp.

Now, considering there ARE legal complications in the merger of two Pure Blood families, I have drawn up a suggested Contract for you to consider. This Contract treats the two Families as equals, each retaining rights to their original property and earnings, but also establishes joint funds for the new family AND sets up plans for any children they have, including traditional school trust funds. Young Ted has Inheritances that need to be considered. Our Andi will also have income as well as a Black cottage in her Dower.

You will find some Clauses that are new to Black Contracts that the Goblins suggested (you won't find any like them in what Cygnus offered). They are intended for the protection of the children, after some other experience we have had, and we expect them to become standardized. Comments are welcome, but there will be some version in any final Contract.

Note that I have NOT signed this. You may edit and change, and make your own suggestions, until we reach agreement, but I do suggest we hurry. Oh, and this is in no way charmed or spelled."

"May my wife look this over, and perhaps our Banker?"

"Of course! Get all the good advice you can, but I do not suggest asking Cygnus' representative. Here is a little book about Contracts in our World, which may differ somewhat from what you are used to. It includes many common clauses as samples. A Gringott's Banker may suggest some others, depending on exactly what they are holding for young Ted." He handed over copies of the exact books that the parent's group had given them. Ted did not say anything.

"I will make another appointment with your Clerk for about a week from now, and give him my contact information. That should give you time to get started. I thank you for your consideration!" With that, the little man gathered his belongings and took himself out, stopping only a moment to make the appointment.