CHAPTER 6: Housekeeping
The air shimmered before the two figures appeared at Delphi's luxurious flat in London. She walked to the window and double-checked the secrecy charms had held their integrity, they did. Then again, she did have a fidelus covering the building so that helped with the whole secrecy thing. Truthfully, she could have taken the Underground to get off on Green Park and been at her flat in less than a half-hour, but portkeys were just so ever useful at cutting away inane time-wasting. Not that Delphi didn't like to take walks, but she was about to embark on a new journey that probably shouldn't start with Bella–Zelda waking up to the smell of piss and screeching that was the Tube.
Delphi's flat was behind the Ritz Carlton just down the street from Piccadilly Circus. She almost chose not to live in the city, but she figured it would be easier to do errands and such, and anonymity was far easier to achieve in a metropolis than a sleepy hamlet.
One of the more notable things about Delphi's flat, is that it was in Muggle London. She knew most of the Magical World, at least in Britain lived for the most part in a series of villages like Ottery St. Catchpole or Hogsmeade in Scotland if not in their private manors speckled around the island. She knew that Godric's Hollow was another popular location for witches and wizards to settle down. Delphi preferred living in the mundane world, that way her power always seemed like a gift rather than a terrible legacy.
As Delphi gently placed Zelda in bed, a thought came to her. Well, two thoughts: firstly, was that she should probably postpone her conversation with Dumbledore. She had a bigger priority now. Delphi gently stroked the hair of the sleeping child. There was a part of the time-traveler that just couldn't reconcile the gothic madness of Bellatrix with the peaceful face of Zelda. Delphi would be lying if she said the little toddler now in her care was filling up a place in her heart at a rate that was approaching exponential.
Delphi decided to write up a to-do list, in no particular order.
1. Get Zelda's clothes. Pettigrew's suit needs to go A.S.A.P.
2. Go to St. Mungo's to check on Granger and Lovegood.
3. Reschedule meeting with Dumbledore.
4. Did kids like toys and shit? Probably should get on that huh?
5. Gringotts and the Black inheritance. Check other inheritances too, maybe Peverells Actually, that had to happen first thing in the morning.
6. Make a better list, and maybe buy some stocks. This should probably be higher too.
7. Deal with Dumbledore…
Delphi windlessly cast a silencing charm on the doorframe so that no sound would enter and wake Zelda. Though Delphi actually assumed that Zelda would probably sleep soundly through the night as the ritual would have taken a toll on her. She took a breath and then said, "Kreacher."
A soft pop revealed the presence of the Black Family House Elf. "Who are you? Not another filthy blood-traitor, I hope. Mistress Walpurga would be so disappointed in Kreacher."
"Jump three times in place then spin around and say 'I love muggle-borns more than purebloods." The elf's face filled with shock, confusion, and rapidly shifted to rage as he complied with Delphi's test order. But as the Black Family Magics bound him, he served.
Delphi quickly continued to speak, heading off any retort the spirited old elf would have. "The blood-traitor bit really depends on your definition, Kreacher. And as for how I have command over you, Sirius Black is dead. Bellatrix Black Lestrange is also gone, unfortunately," Delphi stopped to silence the house-elf just before he broke down in sobs. She let him have a minute to mourn his mistress. It was oddly cathartic to see somebody who so obviously loved Bellatrix react to her 'death'. Granted, the status of Bellatrix Lestrange really didn't matter to her being able to order the house-elf around, just Sirius'.
"However, as her daughter, I am laying my claim upon you. Kreacher, you belong to me now," Delphi said with a dramatic smirk.
"Her…Mistress Bella had a child?" Kreacher asked with awe.
"I swear it to you, I am the daughter of Bellatrix Lestrange. And as such, I am also of House Black." Delphi confirmed. She tilted her head as Zelda murmured in her sleep. Delphi then did something that nearly stopped Kreacher's heart.
From her endless pocket she withdrew the locket of Slytherin along with the decoy Regulus and Kreacher placed in the cave. "I figured you'd like your locket back," Delphi said as she gently handed the trembling elf Regulus' decoy locket along with the message his deceased favourite master placed inside.
"Mistress? How?" Kreacher looked for all the world like a fish as he tried to form words.
"Before I tell you, I command that anything discussed by myself or others in my presence not be communicated whatsoever to parties not present for said conversation unless I specifically give you permission. Am I clear?"
"Perfectly, Mistress. Kreacher will keep your secrets, and others!" the old house-elf smiled for what might be the first time in well over a decade.
"Very good. Nothing I tell you goes further than myself or those I allow to know, yes?" Delphi reiterates.
"Absolutely Mistress!" Kreacher chirped. Delphi could swear the house-elf lost a decade of age just by changing his posture from sulking to energetic and ready to serve.
"Bellatrix may have been my mother, but my father is slightly more complicated. His name was Tom Riddle. Though the Magical World here and abroad knew him as the Dark Lord Voldemort."
Kreacher trembled with fear for a moment before Delphi squatted down to his level gave him a wry grin, "No need to fear my father, I killed him tonight. He had others, more of these," she said as she swung Slytherin's locket gently in front of him. "I destroyed those that weren't done in by other people. And I killed him last night in front of witnesses. You have nothing to fear from the man who cost you your master Regulus. And so long as you do my bidding, you haven't got anything to fear from me either." Delphi decided to firm, with a touch of underlying cruelty. She wasn't a total pushover, and Kreacher absolutely responsible for his previous master's death to a degree.
"It is a pleasure to serve a proper pureblood once more." Kreacher bowed low.
"Full disclosure, Lord Voldemort," Kreacher flinched, "My father, was a half-blood who grew up in an orphanage, cast aside by the Magical world, loathing muggles. So technically I'm a half-blood. Grandad on father's side was a rich muggle."
Kreacher gaped at her, but Delphi said, "However, I think that my raw power makes up for any perceived weakness in my breeding, wouldn't you say?" Delphi sneered as she allowed some of her power to leak over the bond she now shared with Kreacher; giving him a flicker of her real power, and he trembled. "So, can I expect absolute loyalty from you, Kreacher?" He nodded frantically. "Good. In the room over there is a child. Her name is Zelda. She's my daughter, and her safety is paramount. If ever comes a time you are forced to choose between her safety, her life, or literally anybody else including mine? You will choose Zelda every single time, do you comprehend that standing order? I'd rather you let the world burn than have her harmed, and you will help me. Never compromise Zelda's safety."
"Yes. Miss Zelda's health matters most," Kreacher squeaked. It's not the first time he was given such an order.
"That said, my orders supersede little Zelda's. If she tells you to do something like take her outside my protections, or something else that might jeopardize her wellbeing, you will check with me first. Use your common sense, basically. Otherwise follow her orders. Oh, you are not to follow the orders of anyone other than myself and Zelda, without first consulting me. I'm aware that Sirius' chosen heir may have pull over you. But I will fix that in short order. In the meantime, you will not let him know you serve another other than him. Same goes for Narcissa or Draco."
"It will be done Mistress!" Kreacher replied.
"You will not return…" Delphi paused, "Actually, I have an idea. Can you tell if Narcissa is alone right now?"
"Yes, she is, Mistress." Kreacher replied.
"Bring her to me," Delphi commanded.
And so it was done. Narcissa appeared at Kreacher's side, completely bewildered. "Hey auntie!" Delphi chirped as she fired a stunner at point blank range into the Lady Malfoy. Delphi deftly caught her aunt before she sagged to the floor, and looked down at Kreacher. "Incarcerous," Delphi muttered. Instead of the chains that she had conjured earlier In the night to bind Bellatrix, Narcissa was bound with a much kinder pair of steel handcuffs with a chain connecting them to her similarly bound feet. Delphi levitated her aunt, removing the woman's wand and the three separate knives she carried on her person. A quick scanning charm didn't detect any other items.
"Put her on an unoccupied bed and change out her clothes for some of my own sleepwear. She'll be unconscious for the rest of the night. You will take no orders from her, you will not allow her to leave the room. Once you have placed her there and arranged her sleeping accommodations, you will not acknowledge her presence unless I ask you to, and you will not enter her room again unless she is in mortal peril; then you may save her. But my other orders still apply once that hypothetical situation is ramified."
Delphi continued once Kreacher returned from putting Narcissa in the guest room. Delphi waved her hand at the door, locking it beyond any but the strongest unlocking charm, and making the lock itself impervious to tampering. "You will go shopping for Zelda's clothes in Diagon Alley, the auto-fitting ones from Madam Malkin's should suffice. I'm sure you've experience with such things when looking after the black sisters. After that is done, you will return and wait for new orders," Delphi paused, "Oh, a few more things. Firstly, before you return from Diagon Alley, get yourself something to wear fitting of the House of Black; I would not have you looking like a peasant if I can help it. Secondly, call me Delphi. Here's some money," she handed him one of her prepared bags of galleons. This one held 250 galleons, certainly more than enough for the tasks she assigned of him.
Delphi produced two letters and a business card. "This card goes to Albus Dumbledore. Tell him he can owl me tomorrow at the location given on the card, but tonight is for sleeping. Give this letter to Mr. Harry Potter, no need to speak to him. And give this letter to one of the tellers in Gringotts along with this," she pulled out a second small pouch of coin, "For their accommodating my business at such an inconvenient hour. You will show the Gringotts's employees the utmost respect, am I understood?"
"Yes, Mistress Delphi!" Kreacher grinned wildly. He'd been waiting for a worthy master for so long. He disappeared with a quiet pop and Delphi was once again alone in her flat with Zelda.
Delphi wandered into Zelda's room to look at her new charge. Delphi smiled sadly as she stroked the girl's wavy black tresses, and before she could help herself, she burst into silent tears, the emotions of the night catching up with her finally.
Kreacher returned after Delphi had recovered herself nearly half an hour after he departed. She had changed into her normal sleepwear, men's boxers and a too large muggle t-shirt.
Her house-elf was carrying several bags bursting with clothes. "Your business is done, and the letters have been delivered," Kreacher proclaimed proudly. Kreacher himself was dressed in a suit tailored for him, and it looked far better than the rags he had been wearing before.
Delphi grinned at him, "You're looking good, put the clothes away then I think I shall retire for the night."
"Thank you Mistress," Kreacher said as he did her bidding once more.
Once Kreacher was out of the room, Delphi went to lay on her bed next to where she placed Zelda when they arrived in Delphi's home. It did not take long after she got under the covers to fall into the realm of dreams.
Then she woke up. It was just after dawn. In the night, Zelda had curled up into her arms, using her as a pillow now. This was new. Delphi lightly stroked the girl's hair and took a deep breath. Doing the right thing…or even what Delphi considered the right thing was not something she had done much in her life. Taking in a child, even if it was the girl who used to be her mum…for all of an evening.
Delphi walked into the kitchen and put on a pot of water. Another similarity to adult Potter she gleaned from her foray into his unprotected thoughts back in her native timeline was that they were both adept cooks. Having been raised as a slave in all but name, household chores were something she reluctantly exceled at. Though with cooking Delphi could allow a sliver of pride to slip in with her resentment. So pasta for breakfast it was. Shit. What will Zelda like to eat?
Delphi shrugged. If Zelda didn't like it, they could go to any of the many good restaurants inside of a ten-minute walk. She pulled out a pan and some bacon, set to low heat. She then grated parmesan onto a cutting board. It was then that Kreacher made his presence known, "Mistress! Allow Kreacher to do such menial tasks!" the old house-elf was nearly scandalized at the sight of his Mistress doing something as mundane as preparing her own meal.
Delphi shrugged, "Wash your hands thoroughly the muggle way with soap, then continue to manually grate this parmesan cheese for me, Kreacher," she replied. "I do appreciate the help, but there will be times I insist on cooking. It's simply a hobby born from necessity. No different than reading or taking a walk. In the future, if you see me doing a task around my home you deem to be beneath my status, trust that I have a reason for doing it. That reason will likely never be that I lack faith in your capabilities, is that clear?" Delphi's words were firm, but her tone was far kinder than she had addressed him the night before.
"Very well, Mistress. Kreacher does not understand, but Kreacher will obey," the house-elf said grudgingly. Once the bacon was done, she removed it to a paper towel covered plate to soak up the oil and set it aside.
The water pot began to boil and Delphi put a spoonful of salt in the water, causing it to billow out in a cloud before it was dissolved. Once the fettuccine pasta was in the boiling water, Delphi got out the butter and placed it on the board next to the cheese. She then turned to Kreacher and said, "Stir occasionally and in five minutes knock on the door to alert me it's time for me to start tasting it to test for completion."
"Yes Mistress," Kreacher nodded.
Delphi chose that moment to introduce herself to Zelda. Opening the door, she chuckled as the girl on the bead was obviously missing her body pillow. "Zelda? Zelda? It's time to wake up," Delphi said softly as she nudged the small child's shoulder. Delphi wasn't exactly sure how old Zelda was, but based on appearances she'd say between two and four. Young enough that she wouldn't have to concoct an elaborate story for the girl right away.
Zelda groaned in annoyance at being woken so abruptly before opening her eyes to the woman smiling down at her. "Huh?"
Delphi laughed as she sat down and brushed Zelda's hair clear of her line of sight. "Hi there, it's time to wake up sleepy head," Delphi's tone wasn't overly childish. No crooning or anything, but it was almost unnaturally soft for her. She'd probably get used to speaking to the girl within the week.
Zelda tilted her head, not completely awake yet and reached out her arms. She wanted to be carried, the lazy little thing. Delphi shrugged and picked up the toddler and held her firmly to her chest. Zelda murmured contentedly, no doubt seeking to use Delphi as a mobile sleeping location. Delphi chuckled as the toddler snuffled into her neck. "I love you, little Zelda," Delphi said slowly and clearly.
"Hi," Zelda replied with a shyness that very much surprised Delphini. "Where is mummy?" Zelda asked with wide eyes.
Delphi considered exactly how to answer, and replied, "I'm going to be looking after you now. Is that okay?"
Zelda tilted her head, slightly confused, but said, "Are you my new mummy?"
"If you want me to be, then yes. But if you don't want to call me 'mum' yet, you can call me Delphi," the young woman replied. Delphi chose this moment to shift her appearance from the 'teenager' who killed Lord Voldemort to the blonde and blue haired woman in her twenties she normally was. Zelda's eyes grew to the size of saucers at the unexpected change.
Zelda let out a small laugh and clapped her hands. But suddenly her merriment seemed to dim a little and she asked much more shyly, "Do it again?"
Delphi knew exactly the kind of parenting that taught Zelda's response. The shit kind. So, Delphi spent the next couple minutes changing her hair and eye color, eventually landing on something that looked much like the older version of the disguise she used in the Department of Mysteries. "Hi!" Delphi's smile split her face as the toddler played with her longer black hair.
A knock came from the door. The pasta was almost ready. "Thanks, Kreacher," Delphi said loudly enough for him to hear her. "Are you hungry?" Delphi asked the toddler. She considered for a moment before nodding quietly. "Have you ever had pasta before?" Zelda looked confused, so Delphi took that as a maybe. "C'mon, let's go wash hands and then sit down, yeah?"
Delphi carried Zelda out into the dining room and sat her at the table after casually transfiguring one of the chairs, so it was more suitable for someone small like Zelda. "This is Kreacher, our house-elf." Kreacher immediately recognized Zelda as the child Bellatrix Black once was, and before he could exclaim it, Delphi headed him off with a calm but sharp-eyed warning, "This is Zelda, and she is to be referred to as such." Delphi quickly motioned Kreacher back into the kitchen once Zelda was in her seat.
"Bellatrix Black Lestrange doesn't exist in this house. This was the only way I could save my mother, by making her my…daughter of sorts. I used arcane magic to do it, and you will never compromise her identity. If you so much as insinuate that Bellatrix and Zelda are the same person, I will order you to kill yourself do you understand me," Delphi whisper-yelled at him as she took a solo strand of fettucine to test the texture…perfectly al dente.
She moved the pasta to a strainer in the sink and turned to look at Kreacher as the steam rose around her head, making the glare of red from her eyes even more intimidating. "I gave you an order Kreacher, do you understand it?"
"Y-Yes, Mistress," Kreacher responded. He was still wrapping his head around the fact that Mistress Bella was alive!
"Her security is paramount, but I should make clear that I'm not asking you to love her any less than you did when she was Bellatrix, okay?," Delphi relented, her eyes returning to their normal colour.
"Kreacher understands, Mistress Delphi."
"Good. Get plates out for myself and Zelda. Yourself if you want some, don't feel obligated to accept or refuse," Delphi said as she put a little piece of butter, the bacon, and the pasta into a mixing bowl along with half the grated cheese. She mixed until most of the cheese had melted, put in another piece of butter and a dash of cream to loosen the pasta up a little. Zelda was watching her make their food with much interest. Kreacher had an 'I could probably do better,' expression on, but Delphi didn't notice.
As it turns out, Zelda loved the pasta, and Delphi couldn't help but be extremely proud of herself. Even Kreacher grudgingly admitted it was good; he still didn't approve of his mistress doing the cooking on principle.
Later that morning, Delphi and Zelda found themselves inside of Gringotts's Bank. "I believe you received my letter in the early morning?"
"Yes. You've requested a blood adoption."
"I have. I understand that's within my rights as the current Head of House Black," Delphi responded genially.
"You are correct, witch. Follow me," the goblin said as he lead her back into one of their many antechambers. "You understand her physical appearance is likely to change, as well as her magical aptitudes and potentially abilities?"
"I understand. I trust the papers I filed with you via my house-elf were sufficient?" Delphi asked.
"Unusual, but very much in order, yes," the goblin replied neutrally. "After you removed Riddle's horcrux from the Lestrange vaults, we decided to give you the benefit of the doubt for that service to us."
"Thank you master goblin," Delphi replied with a grin.
The room they were in held an impressive ritual circle. A circle that Delphi knew was made for specifically this kind of procedure. She knew that she had to 'blood adopt' Zelda. It just wouldn't be good if young Zelda grew up looking like Bellatrix Lestrange's doppelgänger.
"Very well, you stand there, and you," he gestured to Zelda, "stand in this part of the circle," the goblin
"It's alright Zelda, I wouldn't let anyone hurt you," Delphi crouched down to the little girls' level and gave her a quick hug before ushering her a few steps in front of her so they were standing on the proper places for the quick ritual.
"The parent must shed blood, oh good, you've already taken care of that," the goblin said as he noticed Delphi gently drawing a line of red across her palm with her trench knife. "And place it there," and this will be over in short order," the goblin was pleased he didn't have to explain the nuances to this witch. She clearly knew what she was doing.
When Delphi placed her bloody hand on the allotted rune in the larger ritual circle, the whole thing glowed, and read beads of light flowed from Delphi to Zelda.
Zelda squealed joyfully as the crimson beads of light entered her. Delphi raised an eyebrow, apparently it was ticklish. Delphi could already see changes occurring in Zelda. She grew a couple inches, though her proportions stayed the same, so she wasn't aging, just getting a little taller for her young age. The light flared thrice before the whole ritual circle went dark again.
"That concludes the adoption. If you would be swift in filling out the requisite forms here and here, our business for today will likely be concluded," the goblin said.
"Zelda, are you feeling alright?" Delphi asked as the small girl looked in wonderment at her continuously changing hair.
Zelda had changed, physically. And the goblin wasn't joking about abilities being transferred. It would seem that Delphi had accidentally made her new daughter Zelda a metamorphagus. Delphi looked on in fascination as Zelda's 'base' form revealed itself. Zelda's once pure black hair was now streaked with crimson in much the same way her own blonde was streaked with blue. Most of Zelda's facial features were the same, maybe her nose was a little longer, but the thing that really surprised Delphi were her eyes. Zelda's new eyes really did confirm beyond the shadow of a doubt that she really did inherit some of her DNA makeup from Harry Potter. Because Zelda's eyes were now a slightly darker shade of Lily Evans' eyes.
"Which surname?" Delphi muttered to herself as she went to pick up her new daughter. Because that was their official, legal, relationship now. And magical or DNA testing would confirm it; Delphi was the mother of Zelda, not the other way around anymore.
Delphi thought for a moment at the choosing of surnames as different possibilities were laid out in front of her. She could choose Riddle, nope. It was a silly name with terrible associations. Black? Maybe. Slytherin was out because Delphi just didn't like the associated puns, also it had serious negative implications for Zelda, and that wasn't a burden she wanted her now daughter to carry. Gaunt was out, for multiple reasons that didn't need mentioning. She could probably claim the names Pettigrew or Potter at a stretch, but why would she court trouble like that?
Peverell. It was a name she had a right to, it was obscure, and not many other than those who studied the Deathly Hallows knew about it. She also had a right to use it. She was the heir of the second brother, Cadmus Peverell. Ignotus Peverell's line had a right to the cloak, but the Stone of Resurrection, and the very name Peverell was Delphini's by right of any real law of inheritance. "Our surname will be Peverell. And as my daughter, her name will be Zelda Venator Peverell. It keeps with the Black family constellation theme, if indirectly. I believe it still follows the pure-blood standard closely enough. We can revisit it when she's older if she has strong opinions about it," Delphi said with a shrug. She filled out the forms and sealed them with a drop of blood from her hand.
"I would also like to have Sirius Black's will read today," Delphi said with a slight grin. "I believe with Sirius Black's death, you've been notified that his will is now available?"
"It is. Did you kill him? I'm required to ask," the goblin asked with an eyebrow raised.
"No. But I saw him fall through the Veil of Death propelled by a spell fired from Lord Voldemort's wand. I believe the Potter Heir will be written into it. If you could confirm that, I could have him and any others in his will mentioned post-haste," Delphi said with a kind smile. She adjusted the toddler in her arms and Zelda burrowed her face into Delphi's hair, which wasn't in it's normal bun and instead falling down her chest and past her shoulders.
"Wait a few minutes." The goblin departed the room and the mother and daughter were left alone.
"Zelda, hey, don't fall asleep again silly, it's still the morning," Delphi cajoled her daughter.
"Are you my mummy now?" Zelda asked. Delphi's eyes lit up with excitement. The little girl was far keener than she'd initially believed.
"Yes. I am officially your mummy now," Delphi said with a small kiss to the red/black haired toddler.
"Will you hit me like old mummy and daddy?" Zelda asked quietly. Delphi found herself repressing a surge of murderous intent towards Bellatrix's parents for the abuse they'd apparently already heaped on their child. It was a shame they were decades dead. Delphi would have loved to get her hands on them.
"Never. I will never hurt you my darling." Delphi set the girl down so she could look into Zelda's eyes as she said this. She raised a hand and stroked the teary-eyed toddler's cheek. "Your old mummy and daddy were bad people. And it's not your fault that they hurt you. Never your fault they hurt you. And if anybody hurts you from now on, tell me right away, or call Kreacher and we'll stop them, do you understand, my darling 'Belle," Delphi said slowly.
Zelda nodded, but her head tilted in confusion, "Whas 'belle'?"
"It means beauty. Which you are. You're a little beauty, Zelda," Delphi said as she tickled the girl, eliciting peals of laughter as she swept her giggling daughter back into her arms.
The goblin returned to the room with little fanfare. "Harry Potter, Narcissa Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, Andromeda Tonks, Ted Tonks, Nymphadora Tonks, Hermione Granger, and Remus Lupin are mentioned in the will."
"I could arrange for my house-elf to bring them all within minutes, if that would serve you. Granger was badly injured during the assault on the Department of Mysteries, so she will be absent. She'll know to come into the bank once she's fit to." Delphi shrugged.
"You are not in the will," the goblin said pointedly.
"I'm sure you've double-checked, but as things stand, I'm the Head of House Black. It's a patriarchal line at the moment, but since I was born with male genitalia, I am in the eyes of the Black Charter, a man; as much as I loath to use such a standard. My mother was Bellatrix Black Lestrange, and as her child I'm the next in line for the mantle over such parties as her sisters or their respective children. Though I believe Andromeda was disinherited. Anyway, as Head of the house, I'm allowed to be at the will reading of one of my own. So, may I bring the mentioned parties forward?"
"Everything you've said is true. But your daughter doesn't have such an excuse for being in the room when the will is read. I'm going to have to ask you to part with her for a few minutes," the goblin stopped as he saw the hate in Delphi's eyes.
"Let me tell you this once. Zelda goes where I say she goes, and right now, she's with me. Any attempt to part her from me will result in a catastrophic loss of goblin lives. Zelda stays with me, and we can pretend this conversation is purely academic. So, what will it be master goblin?" Delphi's tone was far kinder than the dark look in her eyes would suggest. She flared her power in a similar way to what she did when Kreacher questioned her. The goblin gulped as her shadow filled the room and injected fear into his soul. "So, may I send off my house-elf to retrieve the relevant parties? I'll let you clear this room for elf-based magic."
The goblin didn't take kindly to being threatened, but he could sense the murderous intent wane as she retracted her power back into her body like a cat retracting its claws. He knew she was only acting such as she perceived a threat to her young, and as much as it pained him, he admitted that while the goblins of Gringotts's may eventually overwhelm somebody of her power, the casualties she could inflict on them before her fall would amount to a genocide. Not worth keeping the psycho's daughter in a waiting room for five minutes. Not worth it at all.
The goblin snapped his fingers and a shimmer was seen around the perimeter. "You may summon your elf. Apologies for my earlier presumption. It did not carry malevolent intent."
"Not at all," Delphi said as she waved her free hand casually. "I lost my temper, the fault is mine." Not-surprisingly, the goblin wasn't reassured. "Kreacher."
"Yes, Mistress Delphi!" Kreacher bowed as he appeared with a pop.
"Bring Narcissa here, and then inform Andromeda and Nymphadora Tonks their presence is required for the will reading of Sirius Black. Tell Nymphadora it's a family matter and that if she attempts to bring any Order members with her, Gringotts Bank will not take kindly to it. Also, bring Harry Potter here as well, and Remus Lupin last." Kreacher nodded and departed with a pop.
Less than five minutes later the room was full of confused beneficiaries of Sirius' will.
"Why is my mother in chains!" Draco yelled at anybody who would listen. He quickly found that Delphi didn't appreciate his loudness as evidenced by Zelda flinching, and he was now in chains himself.
"Mind your tone Draco. There's a child in the room." Things got quieter after that.
"Who are you?" Andromeda asked. Delphi took a short moment to really look at her elder aunt. Unlike Narcissa, who was weirdly a natural blonde, Andromeda's inky hair was in an elegant braid. She really did look like Bellatrix.
"Bellatrix's daughter. My name is Delphi, and this is my daughter Zelda," Delphi replied matter-of-factly, ignoring the surprised noise coming from those not in the know.
"You killed Voldemort," Harry said calmly. He didn't look good. He lost his best friend and godfather in the same night. He also got hit with a killing curse, and somehow survived again, so that was interesting.
"Yes I did. I'll discuss everything to do with that once Lovegood and Granger recover enough to hold conversation. For now, let's get this reading moving along shall we?" Delphi said calmly.
"Very well, my name is Cutknife. Mr. Black has left a few letters for individuals with personal sentiment, their contents are not our business. But I will distribute those now." Cutknife handed out a letter to Andromeda, Narcissa, Lupin, and Harry. "Now that's taken care of, the will of Sirius Orion Black reads thus: To Hermione Granger, I leave my library. I'm sure you'll get a kick out of the Black family tomes; God knows I never cared for them."
Harry chuckled at that. Lupin grinned as well, knowing Granger's life-long love with academia. "To Remus Lupin I leave 10,000 galleons. Get yourself a better wardrobe my friend, you deserve to treat yourself better. I know you've had trouble making ends meet, and with this, you'll have to accept my charity this time because I'm dead. So there."
Lupin smiled sadly and nodded. It was totally something Sirius would do in death. Even then he looked out for his friends.
"To Andromeda Tonks, I hereby reinstate you and your family to the Black Family. Thinks went to hell once you were gone and I think you and your daughter shouldn't be left out your deserved inheritance because our fathers were arseholes. To Nymphadora, I leave my old Auror robes along with my wand-holsters and a few books on dark magic I separated from Hermione's library. Good luck kid, and welcome to the family."
"To Narcissa, I hereby annul your marriage to Lucius Abraxas Malfoy. It is my right as Head of our House to do that, since dear Luci violated the prenuptial agreement regarding fidelity. His taking the Dark Mark violates it since the soul magic involved definitely counts as him pledging himself to somebody other than you. Cissi, you always deserved better than that peacock, and honestly, you need to get your son away from Voldemort before he's another casualty, and here's a legal way for you to do that. Here's 5,000 galleons to help you start off without the Malfoy fortune. Good luck cousin; choose well. Draco gets a small share of that as well to help himself so long as he doesn't use it to be a ponce."
Draco looked insulted but reigned it in because free cash. Narcissa Black, who hadn't spoken yet had tears in her eyes and it looked like her emotions were all over the place. "And finally, to my godson Harry Potter, I leave everything else I have to give. I name you my heir, and I'm so proud of you. I know James and Lily are too. Don't mourn me too much, I know you have a tendency to brood. You get that from Lily actually. Take care of Buckbeak and don't trust Kreacher. Goodbye my son." Cutknife the goblin waited a few moments for Harry Potter to collect himself after that emotional farewell.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Potter. Since you do not have direct Black blood within two generations, it was not Sirius Black's place to name you his heir in regard to the Headship of the Black Family while other Blacks live. Likewise, any property owned by the Black Family, and not Sirius Black personally were not within his rights to bequeath. Everything else stands though. I will give you all five minutes, after which I will have to ask you all to depart, since this is not the only will reading today. Several Purebloods with inheritances died last night. The relevant sums have been moved from Sirius Black's vault to where he decreed it should go."
Harry looked confused, and a little upset, but before he could think about it too hard Delphi spoke up, "You can stay at your Order Headquarters, Potter. I have elsewhere I prefer to live, and while it is in the Black Family name, you can do what you like with it so long as it stays in the Black Family name."
"You're the head of the Black Family?" Nymphadora Tonks asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I am. Bellatrix was the eldest of the three Black sisters, and since Sirius is dead, Headship reverts to her, but she's gone. So that leaves me as her sole heir. If I were dead, it'd go to Narcissa since middle child Andromeda was formally disinherited for eloping with your father," Delphi explained calmly. "Welcome back to the fold, Narcissa. And Draco, I did promise I'd show you some memories did I not, before the fighting started last night."
"What are you talking about?" Narcissa asked, eyes wide.
"Draco was there, with the other students. I secured his safety, don't worry yourself too much, Auntie," Delphi said with a sneer. "Are you ready?" Draco flinched, but nodded, too scared to try anything. Delphi stunned him, then placed a hand on her youngest cousin's temple where a soft glow emerged, then died out. "Done and done."
"What did you do," Narcissa was very afraid of the woman who had so effortlessly kidnapped her from Malfoy Manor.
"Injected roughly an hour of last night's events into his head from the perspective of Luna Lovegood," Delphi replied as she re-adjusted her hold on Zelda.
"Xeno's kid? The girl who lost an arm?" Nymphadora asked with a grimace.
"Yes," Delphi grinned. "I wanted him to understand what it meant to side with the Death Eaters, and now he'll not retread his father's mistake without a twinge of phantom pain. Quite clever if I say so myself," Delphi finished with a smile.
"You're definitely her daughter," Andromeda concluded as she regarded the younger woman standing before her.
"Thank you Auntie," Delphi said with a nearly blinding smile.
"It wasn't a complement," Andromeda muttered, but even that didn't dim Delphi's smile.
"Kreacher can get you all back to your previous locations if you want him to. Or I suppose you could leave on your own. You however are now homeless as I doubt the Malfoy Manor would allow you back in now your marriage with Lucius is voided."
Narcissa flinched at that, but Draco spoke up, "I could let her in. It won't be a problem."
"No. She stays with me for the moment. At least until I purge Malfoy Manor of all Death Eater scum," Delphi looked him in the eye as she said it. "Your father got lucky last night when he crossed my path. It won't happen a second time. Besides, I think your friend Parkinson will probably be in here today. You know, what with her father going so green in the face. Cutknife probably has her in a waiting room here already."
Narcissa put a calming hand on Draco's shoulder as he was about to unwisely retort. "I'll go with you, but could you take the chains off first?"
"Not until I have a certain discussion with you. That will happen back at my place. Now. I'm going to spend the rest of the day with my daughter, so I'll see you all later. Oh, here's a place where you can owl me."
"Thanks," Harry said just as Delphi, Zelda, and Narcissa were leaving the room.
"Pardon?" Delphi half-turned to face the young Potter.
"For saving Ginny, Luna, and the rest of us last night. Ginny told us how you saved us from Voldemort, and that he was your father too. It was brave. To face your father like that," Harry said with genuine feeling in his voice.
For the first time that day, Delphi was truly taken aback, and it showed briefly on her face. "I–Thank you, Harry. He was my responsibility, family and all." Delphi shrugged emptily before turning and summoning Kreacher to take herself, Narcissa, and Zelda back to her flat. Perhaps I really have underestimated Potter after all, he seems nothing like his arrogant adult self.