A/N: Tada! Read the author's note below.
The next day brought the group of four adults and one baby to the Nero estate which boasted a large, lavish manor surrounded by sprawling, extravagant gardens before it turned into ten acres of farmland and the small township located at the beginnings of their property. Every bit from the moment they hit the townline, Harry could see the history of the blacks. The buildings were a mix of the common architecture of the time period and the standard Black decorations which boasted heavy use on gothic themes: almost all of the buildings minus some obviously newer ones were works of masonry that had overlaid tracery and cavernous spaces. It all looked as dramatic as the family that had designed it.
Harry watched through the window of the car Reborn was driving, the little town was small, probably only a few hundred actually living in it but the streets were clean and well-kept, none of the people looked sick, or unkempt, or even poor. Everyone had a healthy glow to their skin that Harry knew only came from eating healthily and plentiful - something that she was happy to see. Happy citizens in the township meant those in charge cared for their people and looked after them as well.
It always indicated that the ruling party cared for their citizens and it was an aspect that she fully and wholeheartedly approved. This branch of the Black family was one she found herself approving of, even if it was only at first glance and for the moment. She would reserve the rest of her impressions of this branch until she happened to meet the actual members of the family. It wouldn't do for the town to be simply camouflaged and for the family to be bat-shit insane like the main branch of Black's. Harry rubbed at her head, soothing away an oncoming headache. She was really hoping this branch would prove her wrong like how the American branch or the Brazillian branch.
By the time the party rolled up to the large wrought-iron gates - Harry was eager to meet everyone and get a good grasp on the situation. There were two men standing guard on the inside of the gates, and Harry was quick to notice the matching suits and the not-so-concealed guns in holsters at their sides. Reborn rolled down the window and extended the letter of invitation that Harry had received from the current de-facto leader of Nero's. The first man was quick to accept the letter, taking a moment to read it before saying something in rapid Italian to through his headset before handing the letter back and then clearing them through.
She could feel the guard's curiosity as Reborn pulled the car through the gates and further up the driveway. The witch could feel her eyebrows raising at the sheer and excessive amount of decorations that aesthetically decorated the drive up. There were hand-carved marble statues intermixed with exotic trees that offered a sweet smell of blossoms with the gentle breeze that blew through its branches. Between the brick driveway which offered a smooth drive up the path, to the pathway that led to what appeared to be an extravagant maze and garden. Harry could already tell that the Nero's had embraced the ideals of 'big is better and 'everything has to be one hundred percent more expensive or we have shamed our ancestors'.
By the time they had pulled up to the front entrance of the mansion, there was a group of thirty or so people waiting along with the steps. At the forefront was an older man, grey with age but still standing tall and proud even if he was relying on a cane. Beside him, there were three young men and two young women. Harry immediately noticed the family resemblance as well as the typical Black grey-colored eyes as well as the sharp cheekbones and jawline. They all had a noble aspect to them that Harry could have easily identified each one as a Black without a struggle. The Black genes were strong, dominant genes - Harry could never mistake it for anything else. By the time the car stopped, Skull was the first to exit the vehicle and he immediately bounced over to the passenger door to assist Harry in stepping out. Reborn exited assisting Luna who had removed Teddy from his car seat.
"Good afternoon," the older gentleman greeted them, dipping his head in a polite nod. Harry smiled gently, she could already find herself liking the man just from his demeanor alone.
"Good afternoon, I am Harry, I am delighted to make your acquaintance, Mister Nero." The Sky introduced herself before gesturing at Reborn, who stood protectively on her left. "This is Reborn, my Sun." She then gestured to Skull and Luna standing on her right. "This is Skull my Cloud and Luna, my Mist. She is currently holding my son, Teddy."
"We are delighted to receive you on this day. I am Mercurio Nero and these are my children, my eldest Alessandro and his wife, Guila." He gestured to the man immediately to his right, who was the second tallest and boasted a purple tie, next to him was a young woman with dark brown hair dressed in an elegant pale-yellow dress who was happily showing off her baby bump. Harry was quick to notice that each of the people standing on the steps had some article of clothing being a specific color: she could pick out multiple red ties, a handful of purple ties, and the other young woman standing in the front had a svelte black suit with a green necktie. She could count four blue ties and two more purple ties thrown in the lot as well. An interesting mix of flames, she could see. "My second oldest, Alonza, and her husband, Ludo." The green-wearing female nodded once while her husband who wore one of the blue ties simply smiled softly. "And my youngest, Martinus." He stepped forward, a cocky grin on his face as he bowed, proudly showing off his red tie.
"It's wonderful to meet you all." Harry simply smiled.
"Would you care to come in and enjoy some drinks with us while we get to know one another?"
"That would be delightful, thank you," Harry answered, smiling as Reborn escorted her up the stairs behind the group.
The interior of the manor matched the extravagance that decorated the outside - white marble tiles on the floor inlaid with what appeared to be gold added to the expensive feel as they entered. The foray opened to a large center hall that boasted two spiral staircases leading to the second floor of the three-story building. From what Harry had seen as they pulled up, the house had two wings that further lengthened the building and she could only imagine the drama associated with the house.
Mercurio led them down the hallway to a sitting room already prepared with a tea cart and a maid who stood at attention as they entered. Harry took a seat at the offered sofa, Luna immediately sat to her left, bouncing the baby on her lap. Skull took up a position behind the sofa, protecting their backs while Reborn stood to the right of Harry, easily being able to take the proffered cup of tea and with a gentle and quick flare of flames, test it for poisons or drugs before allowing it to pass to the others.
Mercurio sat directly across from the Sky with his oldest son sitting next to him while Alonza and her husband sat off to the right and his youngest sat in a single chair off to the left. Behind them, they had two guards standing loosely at attention, focused on external information via their earpieces rather than what was happening in the room.
"Shall we start?" Mercurio asked once everyone had been served a cuppa and as the maid stepped back to stand at the tea cart, ready to refill as needed but out of the way of the conversation.
Harry smiled demurely, straightening up in her seat before she locked eyes with him and loosened up the control of her orange-colored magic, allowing it to spread across the room to coat every single inch of the room and its occupants in her magic. Unknown to the rest of the party, Harry's magic spread to the very ward stones located deep in the heart of the estate, binding all of those who called the Nero family to its will. "I, Hariel Lillian Potter, Lady of the Ancient and Noble House of Black, welcome all of those who call themselves Nero into the family. The branch of Nero is welcomed to the House of Black, so I have sworn, so mote it be." There was a flash of orange before her magic withdrew back into herself and Harry merely smiled at their dumbstruck expression.
"Welcome to the House of Black, Nero Famiglia; you are among family now and may call upon the aid of any who shares the oath of the Black." Her eyes cut to the pregnant figure of Alessandro's wife, Guila, who reached over to hold onto her husband's arm once she realized that the Head's attention was upon her. "Those that carry the next generation of Black's are always taken care of, if you require anything for the child, bill it to the family account."
Guila sharply glanced over at her husband and the Branch Head before she cut her eyes back over to the patiently waiting Head and bobbed her head, "Thank you, Lady Potter, I appreciate your consideration for my child."
Harry merely smiled, pausing in replying to take another sip of her tea. "The Black's take care of their own."
Mercurio cleared his throat, still somewhat Sky-drunk but maintaining a better handle on his flames than the others. "When do you believe that you will be taking over the famiglia? When should we expect to relocate, or what exactly are your plans?"
Harry blinked lightly in surprise, brow creasing in confusion. "Whyever would I expect you to relocate? This is your home. I would never ask you to leave your home. And for that matter, you, Mercurio know better than I, what this Branch needs. So worry not, I won't be taking over. I'll still leave you as the Branch Head, while I manage the Family as a whole. There are four other branches besides the main one that I have to keep tabs on."
"Four?" Alessandrio asked, raising a thick eyebrow.
"Yes, there is the American branch, on the West Coast; one in France, they specialize in wines of all things; a branch in Japan, notorious Ward breakers I believe; and finally, one in Russia. And the less said about that branch, the better." She rubbed at her forehead at the thought of them, they always induced a headache in her at the mere mention of them. "However, I try not to interfere with the other Branches too much, I want you to have autonomy over the Branch, I have no desire to micromanage how the Branch is run. Simply, once a year, you'll receive an invitation to a Black family get-together, everyone is invited, to meet and mingle and know who will answer a call to aid. But other than that, there are no expectations at all."
"What does that mean exactly," Alonza leaned forward in her eyes, eyes sharp with interest in the Sky and her suit crinkled in the movement, drawing attention to the firm muscles that were showcased. "to call to aid? Can you describe that?"
Harry smiled at the Storm, who certainly seemed a bit brash. "Part of the oath of every member of the Blacks, and certainly the oath I swore when I became the Head, was to answer the call of a Black in need. Whether it's a life-threatening situation, one involving an arrest or imprisonment, financial assistance, or even, as one memorable incident occurred, assistance with homework. Shortly, there will be a package arriving today - one with a piece of jewelry available for everyone. You can wear it however you wish: an earring, bracelet, necklace, anklet, etc - however, you must never take it off. It is a lifeline, it allows me to answer a call to aid and appear to you when you need it most. I know most of the Main Branch wears them as ear piercings, albeit one that can be hidden in the upper part of the ear." She gestured to Teddy who gurgled happily in Luna's arms, "Teddy had his ear pierced just so he could have a lifeline, although I will admit that he has plenty more protections and enchantments on it. I may have gone a bit overboard. Anyone with the intention of harming him will get repelled once they get within five feet of him and it alerts me to possible danger, along with other protections in place."
"Oh, goodness me," Guila murmured, eyes sparking yellow as she glanced down to her own belly in question.
Harry smiled over at her, "When your child is born, they will receive their own as well and I would be more than happy to assist in the protection provided to them."
"Thank you," Guila said, resting a hand comfortably on her belly before reaching out to hold hands with her husband.
Reborn claimed attention again by moving to hover over the Sky and taking away her empty teacup to hand it over to the maid for a refill. His sharp gaze was focused and intent on every little action the maid made, eyes keen to witness the slightest possible threat towards his Sky. To the maid's credit, she barely batted an eye, Harry noticed, being a maid of the Blacks, regardless of it being a branch or the main family, required one to be of sterner stuff. The Sun immediately tested the tea once more with his flames before he allowed it anywhere near his Sky.
Harry accepted the teacup with a wry smile, turning towards Mercurio only to be interrupted by a loud shriek from Teddy who suddenly began wiggling as much as possible. Luna appeared only momentarily startled by the sudden explosion of movement and sound from the normally docile baby before turning pale eyes to the Sky. Harry accepted the unspoken request and turned to Mercurio. "Do you mind if Luna takes Teddy for a walk?"
"Alonza, Ludo, will you escort them through the gardens? I think that young master Teddy would enjoy that view more thoroughly than our boring talks." He commented, with a pleased smile on his face.
Alonza jumped up, eyes bright and flashing green momentarily with an interested glance to the Sky before she strode towards the door with purpose. Harry had a feeling that the woman was trying desperately to show off how reliable she was - and she couldn't contain the small smile growing on her face. Harry could easily see herself bonding with the Nero branch very much so. Luna stood up, balancing Teddy in her arms and after one exchange between Sky and Cloud, Skull followed suit behind the Mist leaving Reborn to attend and protect their Sky.
Harry smiled demurely towards Mercurio before asking, "Perhaps we should begin our discussion with me clarifying a matter so that we may all be on the same page, no?" She took a quiet sip of her tea, noting the sudden fixation on her at her words. "What is the Nero famiglia in need of? What do you need me to do to assist you better? How can the House of Black sponsor its branch family?"
Mercurio took a moment to consider the question, "The Nero's are almost exclusively self-sufficient. We own multiple companies and have numerous trade deals. We own our own trade ships as well to bring commerce in as well as sell it. In that regard, we need nothing. However," the Don paused in his words, "the one thing we have been lacking is a Sky of the blood. Do not mistake me, the Nero's are powerful; we have strength behind our flames, but yet, politically, we do not hold as much weight as we could if we showed a visible front with a Sky leading the charge. Our reputation for our ruthlessness has done us many favors in keeping the scum away from us but we are not as powerful as we could be if we had a Sky to present to the rest of the Famiglias." The older man paused again to take a sip of tea to soothe a dry throat, before he continued, "The Vongola family will be hosting a party soon - and I hope that you and your Guardians will be able to attend as the Donna of the Nero."
"Even though you will remain in charge?" Harry asked.
"Si, yes. The other Famiglia's will tremble under the might of a Sky-led Nero family, it offers us more protections and a higher standing in society."
Harry glanced over at Reborn, raising an eyebrow in a silent question of his opinion. "Timoteo is a young Don, and one I know personally. Your arrival, backed by the power of the Nero, aided by myself, you will show a strong front. However, you will need to look and play the part."
Harry groaned in dismay, "This means a shopping trip right?"
Reborn smirked, "Of course it does. We can see if maybe Alonza or Guila can assist us in finding the right dress to make the right statement."
Harry slumped down into her seat, a pout forming on her lips. She had an awful feeling that she would not like the shopping trip. Not at all.
Luna browsed through the gardens, happy as a clam while the baby in her arms let out a deep sigh of relief being out in nature. They had walked for several minutes through the maze of plants until they had reached a peaceful little grove with two benches, gently pruned flowers and butterflies fleeting about here and there. Luna had settled on the wonderfully carved marble bench, ignoring the slight chill that crept up through the stone into her body, choosing instead
He was such a sweet child and she couldn't wait until Teddy would grow up. He would be a stunning example of patience and tranquility and harmony. He would also be one of the most protected children in the world and would have the backing of some of the most terrifying people in the world, wrapped around his finger. He would craft legends and the world would tremble at his feet and in fear of his mother. She smiled mysteriously, sometimes she enjoyed knowing the future - especially those she loved and when she knew they had happiness ahead of them.
The Seer turned her attention towards the Lightning next to her, before smiling vacantly as a hundred scenes passed through her mind. "Would you like to hold him?"
Alonza paused from where she had been looking at one particular butterfly which kept landing on the baby's face and hands before darting over to look at the Mist. "Are you sure? The Sky won't mind?"
Skull grinned over at the Lightning, "If Harry minded at all, she wouldn't have allowed you to be anywhere near her kid. Teddy is a Prince among thieves." He chuckled to himself at the thought before turning back to the ever-calm Ludo, discussing motorcycles and restoration versus new products.
Alonza hesitantly sat down beside Luna, gingerly cradling her arms to allow Luna to place the baby in her hold. She stayed still as a statue, unconsciously holding her breath in fear of disrupting the baby who so happily cuddled into her arms. There was something so precious and fragile about the infant, and it sparked a deep desire to protect within her.
Luna smiled thoughtfully at the starstruck Lightning. She would be an intense Guardian, one who would strive to protect against all odds, to shield and one who could hold her one weight against the world. Though, only time would tell if she remained as hard as a diamond or if she would shatter like glass.
There was a gift waiting for the group when they arrived back at the condo. Mysteriously wrapped, presented neatly on their dining table with a perfectly tied bow and a neatly hand-written card. Reborn immediately hurled the entire group out of the condo and into the one next to his, which he owned but hadn't informed them of such. They spent the next twenty minutes waiting until the Sun had swept through the apartment, noted every single speck of dust distrubed and had investigated the present thoroughly before allowing the party to reenter the room.
Harry raised an eyebrow at the ripped wrapping paper and the man responsible for the mess, merely glanced away like a guilty dog, not making eye contact. The witch rolled her eyes at the excessive display before she gingerly opened the flaps of the box and noted with delight some extravagant cylinders that could only contain one thing - tea! She eagerly picked them up, cracking open the lid and taking a brief smell. Her eyes fluttered close in delight and Harry couldn't help but sigh happily at the gift. "Does it say who it is from?" She asked, pulling out the four separate containers.
"There was a note," Reborn replied before jerking his head in the direction of the card that had been hidden under the explosion of wrapping paper.
Harry was eager to pick it up, turning over the black side of the plain white but thick card to read the wonderfully penned inscription which read:
It was a delight to make your acquaintance; I hope to have a
chance to visit with you soon. Would you care to
join me at the local Tea Gardens in
Vienna? Respectfully,
Fon
The light blush on her cheeks turned into a full-faced flush as she glanced over at Reborn before asking softly, "How do I reply back?"
"I can relay a message to him," Reborn answered, watching her expressions with a blank face.
"Can you arrange a time with him that would work best for us both? I would like you to be there too."
Reborn smiled at her, reaching a hand out to ruffle her hair, "As if you could get rid of me that easily, my Tesorina1."
Harry smiled up at him, before glancing over to the flamboyant performer as Skull draped an arm around her shoulders and began teasing her. Luna walked by, one hand running across her back as she seemingly floated past and Harry knew that Luna was giving her her blessing to go. The witch felt so blessed to have all of her family supporting her - they were new, still getting to know one another and get used to being in each other's presence but Harry felt delighted at the thought of her family, still small, still good, only growing from here. It used to be just herself, alone, disconnected, but now she had people she could trust and rely on and she couldn't be happier with the direction life had taken her - and she sent a silent thank you in the air to both Magic and Death for giving her this brief look into what happiness was supposed to be; she would grasp it with both hands, never let go and not let anyone take it away from her ever again.
They could try and pry it out of her cold dead hands as she dragged them down to hell with her.
A/N: I'm ALIVE!
Almost. Actually, I'm still recovering from surgery but inspiration and some actual free time is awesome!
Also, life kinda hates me? In February I was diagnosed with breast cancer and then subsequently had surgery about two weeks later to remove it and then kinda been dealing with everything with that. So writing has been both an escape this last week and a distraction when I've desperately needed it.
So we have met the Nero's and have gotten introduced to some new characters.
1) Tesorina - little treasure
I have all of the content figured out for the next chapter, just have to get it started. Stay safe my loves!