The Contract
Chapter 38
Harry's daily schedule was…massively overwhelming, and any other eleven-year-old would have raised complaint after complaint about it. Harry didn't seem to mind, if anything he thrived under the strict – or what others would see as strict – settings. In the morning he'd get up, have breakfast, tend to the animals as his care of magical creatures class, and then begin a chapter of the magical creatures, then write down what he'd learned. Then he would do his exercises, as expected by his healer.
This was just the beginning of his day, he'd have a break, something to eat, then he'd have art, music and elocution lessons. Another break, then he'd attend classes with his tutors, ranging from Ancient Runes to Transfiguration to law classes and learning how to understand the portfolio and the running of his estate. As much as Corvus would like to spend his entire day with Harry – and he actually meant that he was such a easy going young man regardless of what you put in front of him – he had other duties he had to attend to, and not just the wizengamot either.
His busy day where his education came into it, ceased at exactly six thirty, in time for dinner and then the rest of the evening was his own, only if he didn't get 'homework' so to speak from his tutors. If that was the case, he'd complete his homework after dinner before getting to settle down for the evening.
His only 'free' day was Sunday, except when he visited Sirius of course, where he could do as he pleased, the majority of that was reading whatever he liked. Except in the afternoon, where he went riding with Corvus, just small rides using the calmer mares due to Harry's delicate body at the moment. When he was less likely to break bones from a fall or put his progress back, they'd take longer rides around Lestrange manor and its surrounding beauty.
"Are you looking forward to your holiday in France?" Corvus asked, his gaze straight ahead, as his horse trotted along. Harry was right next to him, keeping up quite well, and managing to sit appropriately. The moment he'd returned home after visiting Sirius, Corvus had suggested a ride after taking his potions of course, it would help clear his mind and give him an opportunity to talk if he desired to.
"Definitely," Harry said, his tone eager and filled with glee, "I've never been anywhere except for Hogwarts before." the Dursley's and Lestrange Manor don't count do they? Unless, you included the outing at the Zoo…which had ended disastrously, as with anything that involved the Dursleys and his accidental magic.
"That will change," Corvus stated, how could one be worldly if they had not experienced the world and all its cultures? It was quite disgusting how many times the Dursley's had been on holiday and left Harry with that squib woman. Using his money no doubt to live their extravagant lifestyle.
Harry remained silent at that, his grasp on his reigns tight, enjoying the scenery, the calmness and serenity.
"How did your meeting go?" Corvus questioned, giving a quick glance at the peaceful faced youngster at his side. He almost regretted the question when his face screwed up a little. Evidently, it hadn't gone all that well, he'd receive a full detailed report from Antonio regardless of what Harry revealed, and Harry knew this.
"I feel…a little bad," Harry confessed, his tone wry, and it was most definitely against his better judgement. "When I told him about Dumbledore being Chief Warlock for a while…he crumbled, he was devastated and he left very quickly…he was crying." He'd made his own godfather cry, breakdown really.
"Many people revere the ground Dumbledore walks on, Black just happens to be one of them." Corvus said easily, "It was always going to be heart-breaking for him when he realized he was expendable in the old man's plans. He makes them all feel important, the most important thing to him, but as always fails to deliver when it matters."
"For someone who has been betrayed so much…he seems…deluded, he refuses to believe someone could walk away, like Lupin." Harry explained, "It's almost as though he's incapable of thinking a bad thoughts about anyone."
"All Black will have right now are his memories," Corvus carefully explained, "His emotions…are still pretty much inaccessible to him. Except for sporadic bursts of extreme emotions, or emotions he's succeeded in keeping under lock and key from the Dementors." Such as seeing his godson again, it might make him a little obsessive until he gains control of his emotions, which he would safely confined to St. Mungo's getting the help he needed. It would take weeks if not months for him to adapt to full emotions again, even then years later it might take him off-guard.
"Like how easy it was for Rodolphus to get so angry…" Harry mused, he supposed he hadn't seen it that way. Yes, he knew the effects the dementors had on people, but he hadn't thought about it too much from the emotional standpoint for a bit, with Rabastan and Rodolphus recovering.
"Yes," Corvus agreed pensively, his son had kept a tight grip on his rage and anger, refusing to let it go, and it had made him easily irate to begin with. Thankfully, though, with time his other emotions had been drawn out, and he begun to stabilise, mostly thanks to the potions that had been put into the hot chocolate for them every visit. "Given time, Sirius will calm down, it's a good sign that he didn't react violently or say something he would most likely regret when the news truly sank in. Blacks are known to be extremely impulsive and violent when provoked."
Harry bit his lip, "Did you ever try to get Rodolphus out of the contract or did you assume it was unbreakable?" it felt cheeky just saying something like that, considering who Corvus was and how thorough he was. He hadn't really had a chance to look it over himself yet, he'd received Corvus' copy last Sunday just before bed, but it had taken the goblins a week to find it in the Black vaults so that had only been sent out this morning.
"Of course I tried," Corvus informed him, seeing his son struggling to control his wife…it had been utterly ridiculous and disheartening. She was bringing shame and embarrassment upon the Lestrange name…and not to forget not doing her duty and having an heir. It didn't help that his son nor Bellatrix could stay in a room long before wanting to kill one another. The only one who could get Bellatrix to behave was Tom…and even he didn't know half the things she'd gotten up to. Anything she did do had amused him…in the state he'd been in. "But as you know, marriages are not made to be broken here." the Muggle world allowed it, it was very simply really, but unfortunately…with magic being involved it wasn't easily dispelled.
Which was why one must be careful of whom they married, especially if they had a traditional pureblood marriage that included magical binding vows. He wished he had done things differently, but unfortunately, he did not have the gift of sight.
"When you and Dorea made that contract…did you ever intent do use it?" Harry queried, urging his pony on a bit, and grasping an apple from the tree, it was lush and green, no sign of any insect activity, no surprise, the wards preventing anything from getting to the fruit and vegetables they grew. Including snails and other critters that were quite naturally drawn to the food.
"We would have liked to," Corvus mused, "Unfortunately, Dorea and Charles and my wife and I only had wizards, and none are carriers." Which made such a union unsuitable, plus, Charles did not approve of arranged marriages and probably wouldn't have allowed his son to be married to someone he didn't love.
Harry glanced at Corvus, "Carriers?" carriers of what? His task of collecting apples forgotten for the moment.
Corvus glanced over at the enquiring soon-to-be-teen, "A carrier is someone with the ability to carry a child within their body. It's not rare per se, but it's becoming more and more so, only simply because of the dying bloodlines, those with creature blood seem to have inherited the ability to be carriers. A simple test is carried out when the child is born to determine if they have the ability or not."
"Creature blood?" Harry asked, now that sounded disturbing.
"Indeed, from Naga's to goblins, there are many with creature blood in their veins. Sometimes it's obvious other times it's impossible to detect unless they elect to allow it to become known." Corvus educated Harry, "Not a lot of people choose to reveal it, the magical world is not as prejudice as we used to be, but those with creature blood are often thought of as 'impure' or tainted in some way." Despite the fact record showed that those with creature blood are special, gifted, or extremely magically powerful.
"Oh," Harry murmured, he hadn't known that, it was kind of neat. He snorted just imagining his uncle's reaction to knowing wizards could get pregnant. In his book, it would be just another mountain of 'proof' that they were all abnormal. Seeing Corvus' enquiring yet amused look, he explained his reactions, "Just imaging Vernon's look if he knew…he's very against anything slightly out of the norm. Even goths and the like are deemed abnormal."
Corvus grimaced, he'd never met the Dursley's, and if he ever did it would be to send a flash of green light in their direction to end their lives. He wouldn't care to hear their excuses or belief's, although the reality was they deserved so much worse for their actions towards a child, a magical child at that. They were paying for their actions…but not as much in the way as he would have liked. Having him attacked in prison was just…lacklustre really. He'd rather someone continuously tortured him for the rest of his miserable days on this earth. It didn't surprise him that they were so prejudice even against their own people.
"Ready to return?" Corvus suggested, noticing Harry shivering a little.
"After I get some more of these," Harry commented, reaching up to pluck more of the apples from the branches they sat heavily upon. "I've not had apple cinnamon pie in a long time…" when he was able to sneak a piece anyway, hard to do when Petunia had demanded 'perfection' at all times. He'd found ways though. It certainly hadn't been enough for a growing boy, but it did quieten the grumbling stomach for a few minutes.
Corvus' face twisted in seething rage as he listened to Harry speak those words. Once again faced with the knowledge that Harry had been cooking for that ungrateful family for years, so much so that at such a tender age he'd been able to cook and bake for them. Never being allowed any for himself. "I'm sure the House-elves will make one if you ask when you bring the apples in." he said calmly, his rage carefully hidden again.
Then to Corvus' surprise, Harry agreed, made no mention of making it himself.
Once his allotted pickings were safely ensconced in his pocket, the two urged the horses back in the direction of the stables. Allowing them to run a little faster and give them the exercise they were probably dying for, although they are for some time allowed out to graze in the pastures during those times they have a good run then too.
Fifteen minutes later, they were safely back in their stable, the old hay had been replaced with new. Harry sneakily gave his pony yet another sugar cube, Corvus did not have many of those at hand, they weren't exactly the most health of options, he preferred giving them fruit with a grazing of sugar on them such as mango and apples. The water was also changed, out of sheer habit on Corvus' part.
After a nice pat down, the two wizards left the stables, leaving them to their rest.
"Come, let's get those apples to the House-elves," Corvus said, slowly beginning to make their way towards the manor itself.
"Do you think I was tested to see if I was a carrier?" Harry asked absently, as he trailed his hand along the bushes as they made their way nearer the manor. There was so much he didn't know about this world, and about himself. He didn't like the thought of not knowing something else too.
"It's impossible to say, it just depends on whether your mother had a home birth due to the danger or whether she went to St. Mungo's. If she did go to St. Mungo's she may have not have asked for the testing due to her upbringing…but your father is a pureblood…he may have followed our ways." Corvus informed him simply, "It's a question you'd need to ask St. Mungo's, if you ask for your entire medical history, you'll have your answer." He would need to go there to physically retrieve it of course, they didn't send them out via owl, too many could be intercepted, they didn't have the resources that Gringotts had to safeguard such documents.
"What's involved in the testing? How long does it take?" Harry asked as they walked up the steps and into the manor.
"A droplet of blood will reveal everything they need to know, and a simple spell, takes no more than a few moments." Corvus informed him, patting him on the back as he made his way towards the kitchen, Corvus meanwhile made for his office, he had a lot of correspondence today that he needed to get through. He could have done it while Harry was away, but found himself entirely too anxious about how it would go.
Apparently Black had not brought up his living situation or adopting him, otherwise Harry wouldn't have been as calm. Although he had been a little subdued presumably due to Black's reactions to Dumbledore. It was to be expected, Black had revered the old fool, leaving behind his family having been entirely manipulated into believing the Blacks were as dark and evil as they came.
Corvus sighed as he sat down, before Harry had arrived, he'd been grateful for the correspondence, it took his mind off his bleak circumstances. These days though…it was a bother but one he couldn't neglect. A lot of it was invoices for a lot of food that he purchased monthly for the animals under his care. He sent off Gringotts checks with Loki for the goblins to take the funds from his account and place it directly into his supplies vaults. Most of the time using direct debit, due to the fact it was a reoccurring order those he didn't think he'd have long term he only had Gringotts take out.
Then there was the actual missives from co-workers and acquaintances, some of which he replied to, others did not require it.
Then of course, his contact and his source of most of his information. Humming softly, as he read through the information he'd been given, apparently Remus Lupin was not dead, he lived in London, in a small flat, and had twenty-nine jobs in the past ten years. Being inevitably fired from them due to 'persistent unexplained absences' so Dumbledore hadn't done away with him, that was unfortunate.
A knock on his partially open door, had Corvus calling out, "Come in," there was only one person it could be after all.
"I know how to do it!" Harry said, almost jumping on the spot, a big gleeful grin on his face. His arms loaded with four books, the contracts and parchment.
Corvus' lips twitched, had he underestimated the boy yet again? Or had he jumped the wand? "Oh?" he acknowledged Harry's statement.
Harry nodded eagerly, placing everything on the table, making sure not to mess up any of Corvus' documents. "It's really, very simple," he told Corvus, "But I can't find anything that will tell me if I can do it now or if I have to wait until I'm fifteen." Which was another four years away…it was way too long.
Corvus remained seated, "Bring a chair over," he told Harry in bemusement. He shouldn't be moving around so quickly especially with such a heavy load.
"See…the contract is for a Black…if she was disinherited and disowned…made so she wasn't a Black anymore in name or blood…she wouldn't be Bellatrix Black anymore…her name would be removed from the Black tapestry and from the contract since she wouldn't exist!" Harry gushed, barely sitting down before he began explaining everything to Corvus. "I'm the Black heir, I'll be Lord Black when I'm fifteen! I'll be able to disown and disinherit her completely!"
"That's a…rather drastic move there," Corvus admitted, shifting uncomfortably, mostly due to the nature of the spell and what it would do, "You must understand they also lose a substantial part of their magic and their looks can also change, taking away the more…prevalent family characteristics." And it was extremely taboo, only done under the most horrid of regards. Family meant everything, to toss them out usually meant they had done something so bad that even the family couldn't tolerate it any longer.
"But it would free Rodolphus from having to remain married to her," Harry pointed out, "I think he can without having to remove her from the Black family too, but I think magic itself is taking their confinement into consideration. They're locked up and they can't have a baby, but they were supposed to have had an heir at this point. You could use that to try and see if a divorce is possible." Sounding subdued now, there was no guarantee that would work…but his way would. Even her vaults would be removed from her, she'd be nameless, penniless and banished existence.
"That's very true," Corvus answered, giving a nod, "However, Bellatrix was very much admired by Tom…I mean the Dark Lord," giving him a look that suggested he must never call Voldemort Tom. "He can be extremely…unpleasant when upset." And that was a master of an understatement, he should get his mastery in the understatement in the owl post any second now.
"It's not like she'll die," Harry hmphed.
Corvus' lips twitched, barely withholding a smirk of amusement, "It's entirely possible she could, the shock of it in her state…could be catastrophic." And he wouldn't shed a tear, quite frankly, but if word got out what Harry had done…especially by the light side – half-blood's and Mudbloods – he'd be judged harshly, it would colour their perception of him forever. Everyone on the dark side knew Bellatrix, were wary of her, did not like dealing with her…even at Death Eater meetings. It would get out, that sort of spell left traces, and when her features changed it would be more than obvious something had been done. Admittedly he could keep his Black Lordship a secret…but not forever. It would be impossible with his political aspirations.
"Oh," Harry's mouth formed an 'O' of shock, "Well, the book didn't say that," he admitted, and yes, he'd read up on it.
"No, it doesn't often take a lifetime imprisonment into consideration," Corvus informed Harry dryly.
Harry sniggered, pressing his hand against his mouth, green eyes gleaming with merriment.
"Leave the book with me," Corvus decided, "I'll read it over…but Harry…do you understand the consequences of you using that spell when the world finds out about you being Lord Black and with the knowledge of what you did, and it will become known…even in prison, there would be no way to keep it quiet." He cautioned him, not sure if he was actually trying to talk him out of it or not…he'd wanted Bellatrix out of the family for years, and this was his chance.
Harry nodded seriously, "Yeah, I know, but its not illegal," he replied, how everyone reacted was down to them. He honestly didn't care about anyone else…except those he cared about. Like Corvus and Rodolphus, and he was going to help them however he could. They wanted Rodolphus divorced from Bellatrix so he might have a family in future. He could do that for them, so why the hell would he not? For the sake of strangers? People he didn't know? Who would judge everything he did anyway?
"That's very true," Corvus agreed, "But it doesn't make it any easier when you have everyone judging you." It was way too much for an eleven-year-old to have to put up with.
"But I'll be fifteen before the public knows," Harry said bluntly, "Nobody who knows would let it slip." Not many actually knew, Rabastan, Rodolphus, Voldemort and Corvus…not even Draco knew although Lucius and Narcissa probably knew. So it wasn't as if he would need to face judgement yet. "The only downside is that maybe everyone will think it's Sirius that did it, he was in line to be the next Lord Black before he was cut off by Orion." Or so he'd been told anyway.
"That's true, but one enquiry by the reporters they'll realise he isn't Lord Black, not even Heir Black…he was lucky that Orion didn't completely write him off." Corvus agreed wholeheartedly, sometimes forgetting he was talking to an eleven-year-old child, he was so mature sometimes that it caught him off-guard.
"Speaking of that…you said in the last lesson I'm responsible for every Black…does that mean I should be giving them a stipend?" Harry asked, handing over the books, he'd been aware that Corvus would want to see them, this was why he'd brought them. He'd also underlined possible ways for the contract to be reversed and Bellatrix's name when he hit the jackpot an hour ago.
"There are only Black females left, when they are married they are no longer considered Black's or the Lord Black's problem. They leave with their trust vault, but touch nothing else, they either work to get money, or live off a stipend from their husband. As for Sirius, he won't need a stipend, and if he makes his money pay for itself, he'll never need anyone's help again. There are no other Black's out there." There was nobody left from the Potter and Black family Harry would be in need of protecting or caring for until he had children of his own.
And wasn't it a damn shame that they wouldn't be Lestrange's?
He couldn't have been more wrong.
Here we are the next chapter of the contract thanks to those who wish to help the NHS get PPE! You're all wonderful thank you! ;) Yeah, only 2 and a half K words short of what you'd normally get for The Contract :D so not bad for a days work :D you all wanted to see this so that's what I've done...I think the next time we'll have another skip in time either that or a few more convo's with Rab/Rod and Sirius before we do another skip towards summer and his holiday in France ;) any suggestions on possible places to visit would be welcoming! R&R please! Take care guys and STAY SAFE!
