Chapter 8
The day after Yule was a quiet and lazy day. Nelda and Azalea were lounging in front of the fire while it snowed outside. They had piled up pillows and blankets to form something resembling a nest. They were both dressed in a tunic and leather leggings with Azalea donning a deep Forest green tunic and brown leggings and Nelda wearing Turquoise top and black leggings. The two girls had left their hair down, covering the heiress beads that they had put in after getting ready for the day. They were chatting about the previous day, pleased with their haul of presents. It was the first time for Azalea, she had never gotten a Yule present before.
Theo and Thorros had gotten her an expensive dragon leather wand holster spelled to make it impossible to summon her wand from her. August had gotten her an introductory book on runes which sparked a major interest from the girl and Nelda had gotten her a book on how to enhance and alter potions.
Nelda had gotten the same wand holster from the two Nott's. Her Nan had gotten her a rare tome on rare plants and the steps needed to care for them. Azalea had gotten her a leather bound garden journal so she could keep track of her plant's growth.
Both girls had contributed to Aguastas' gift. They had bought her a luxurious acromantula silk jade skirt suit with a soft brown dragon leather handbag with an expansion spell placed on the inside. She had also gotten a gift from Thorros and Theo in the form of a silver Celtic knot hair ornament that was sharpened to a deadly point.
The two girls were starting to nod off cuddling each other when a loud chime rang out throughout the manor. It jolted them both awake. They scrambled up out of their nest and went to find Augusta. It seemed that they had unexpected guests this afternoon.
"Girls go into the green parlor until I let you know it's safe!" Augusta called out from the room she was in.
"Yes Nan!" They coursed back, scrambling to do as she had asked. The green parlour was a soothing room with mint green walls and it had two large fir bookcases that framed the entrance way. Off to the side there was a large window that overlooked the greenhouses that lined the house. In front of the wind sat a soft tan leather couch with a glass table in front of it and two tan leather club chairs that sat on the other side of the table. The floor was covered in a beige plush carpet that was incredibly soft against the skin.
The two girls sat down on the couch and fidgeted. They had no clue on what was happening and felt nervous of being separated from the only adult in the house, though they knew that Augusta was no slouch with a wand. After what felt like hours but was in fact only ten minutes they heard Augusta call out to them.
"Girls come here! Azalea there are people here to meet you!" Her stern voice floated throughout the halls.
The two girls looked at each other in question before Azalea shrugged. She had no clue who would want to meet her. They padded out of the room and made their way to the entrance way. When they rounded the corner they came upon the sight of Augusta standing in a relaxed but ready stance dressed in a soft green skirt suit. There were two other adults who stood across from her. One male and one female.
At the sound of the girls' approach the three adults turned toward them, allowing Azalea and Nelda to study them closer. The man stood at an even 6'. He had black shoulder blade length hair that was getting at the temples, a clean shaven face that was set in a blank mask and mercury colored eyes that swirled with an emotion that Azalea had never seen before. He was wearing a black acromantula silk with the sleeves rolled up to his elbow and black trousers alone with black leather boots. He looked to be in his 50's.
Next to the man stood a statuesque woman of a height of 5'10, with long black curly hair that was pulled back in a half up half down style. She had eyes of liquid silver and skin of ivory. Her high cheekbones matched the man next to her. She was wearing a form fitting black knee length v-neck long sleeve dress that had a lace overlay. She wore gold suede pumps that had gold wiring creeping up the heels. She looked to be in her early 40's, but when you had magic you never really know.
The man took a halted step towards azalea. His eyes took in everything about her as she shyly looked back at him while gripping the hem of Nelda's tunic.
"You look just like your grandmother except for your eyes my dear. Your eyes are your mothers. You are beautiful." The man said softly, his voice dripping with emotion.
"You knew my grandmother?" She asked with her emerald eyes shining. She shifted from her position behind Nelda so she could look at him better.
"Why yes. I would say that I knew her well. She was my younger sister after all." He said with a shadow of a smile on his face.
"Does that mean you're a member of house Black?" She questioned him.
"Yes I am. In fact I am the head of house and the duke of Blackmore. My name is Arcturus Black, your great uncle and the woman next to me is my youngest sister, Cassiopeia Black." He said as he gestured behind him to the woman silently watching them with a soft smile.
"If you don't mind me asking Lord black, what is your purpose at the Longbottom manor today?" Azalea asked out of curiosity. Nobody ever really visited the manor though Theo, Thorros, Daphne and Daphne's mother Kalliope will be coming tomorrow at nine and are staying till supper.
"I got a gringotts letter yesterday. It explained that a black heiress had come. We had been waiting for you. When my nephew and his wife were killed Cassiopeia and I petitioned for you to be put in our care but Dumbledore wouldn't allow anyone to know your location. All he said was that you were safe and loved." He told her.
At the mention of Dumbledore the Longbottoms and Azalea's faces darkened.
"He lied." Nelda snarled out. "Azalea was abused. Her aunt and uncle were Magic hating abusive monsters!"
At that information the two Blacks faces darkened. To hear that their deceased sister's legacy was mistreated was a blow.
"Nelda offered me sanctuary on grounds of being the Potter's longest standing alliance." She shyly told her newfound relatives.
"What are their names?" Cassiopeia said with a cold tone.
"Vernon and Petunia Dursley. Though I think you might be too late, uncle Thorros didn't look too happy with them for some reason." Azalea told the two Black siblings.
Arcturus cocked an eyebrow. The only Thorros he knew was Thorros Nott, a known death eater. How did his heiress come into contact with such a dangerous man? Next to him Cassiopeia was in a similar state.
"Uncle Thorros? May I ask who that is, child?" The elegant woman asked.
"He is my brother's father." She said as if it explained everything. And to her it did
"Brother?" Arcturus inquired.
"Well he's not really my brother but we are distantly related. Theo is the best brother I could ever ask for." She told them.
"And who is Theo, Dear?" Cassiopeia fished. Azalea seemed adverse to speaking surnames.
Augusta took pity on the two Black family members. She found it humorous that Azalea seemed to be playing mind games with the two adults if the mischievous look in her eyes said anything.
"She is talking about the Lord and Heir of the Nott line. Thorros Nott has taken a liking to Azalea and Theo has taken the role of elder brother very seriously." Augusta explained with a slight smirk, noticing the slight pout that crossed Azalea's face before disappearing. It seems that she will have to keep an eye on the mischievous girl.
"The Nott's? How did that happen?" Arcturus questioned the adult.
"They met on the boat ride over the black lake along with the Greengrass heiress they have been inseparable ever since. In fact both of them are coming over tomorrow to see Azalea and Nelda." Augusta supplied.
"I see. Do you mind if we pop over sometime tomorrow to meet the rest of my heiress's friends?" He asked Augusta.
"No, it's fine. They will be here from noon to super tomorrow." Augusta replied.
"Is there a room where Azalea and I could talk privately?" Arcturus questioned
"Yes, Azalea dear, will you lead Arcturus to the blue study please. Call for me if you need anything.
Azalea nodded her consent and grabbed Arcturus by the hand to drag him out of the room. It was about a minute before the two reached the heavy wood door. Azalea pushed open the door to reveal a soft aquamarine colored room with an ornate desk with two leather club chairs in front of it and a single leather office chair behind it.
Arcturus walked over to the front of the desk and leaned against the front while staring at her passively. After a second of his silent appraisal she shifted onto the balls of her feet, ready to flee if she needed to.
Finally Arcturus sighed. "What do you know about heir ships?" He asked the girl.
"Absolutely nothing." Was her immediate reply with a deadpan look on her face.
"You are now the heiress Black. That is a lot of responsibility. Do you know anything about the History of the Black family?" He inquired.
"Nope. Nothing." She said, face still blank.
"Then I will just have to teach you. I will coach you through all the responsibilities that an heiress has. You will need to get the Potter Grimoire for your house's history but I can teach you about us Blacks. Would you mind staying with us in the summer?" Arcturus asked the small girl.
Finally her blank expression cracked and a look of uncertainty slipped through. "You want me to live with you?" She asked. She had never been wanted by an adult before.
"Yes. I would love to have you in my home. I can set up a wing in the manor in the Highlands and if you would like I can have rooms set up permanently for your friends. There is so much I can teach you and your friends if you allow me to." He told the girl while moving closer to her and laying a hand on her shoulder.
Azalea looked into his swirling mercury eyes, searching for any deception but finding none. "What would you have me call you?" She asked shyly.
"You could call me grandpa, little one. Or if that makes you uncomfortable, uncle should suffice." He said with a small but genuine smile on his face.
Azalea beamed up at him with a look of unbridled joy. This man was the first adult to ever tell her that he wants her. She knew Augusta liked her, same with Thorros but they had never asked her to live with them. The closest was Augusta allowing Nelda to offer sanctuary but that was not allies was not the same as family. Until this moment she only had Theo, Nelda, and Daphne who she considered as her family with the two adults being extensions of Nelda and Theo.
"I accept your offer, grandpa." She said softly with her doe like emerald eyes glistening with unshed tears. She took one hesitant step forward and wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face into his stomach. It took a second for him to respond but he wrapped his arms around the small girl, enveloping her in a protective embrace.
Upon releasing herbs reached into his trouser pocket and pulled out an intricately carved ebony wood box. He stood to his full height and had a serious look on his face. He took in her face as he cleared his throat to speak.
"Azalea Potter, as the last eligible heir to the main bloodline of the house of Black, do you willingly take the responsibility as heiress to uphold the integrity and interests of the family?" He asked formally.
"I, Azalea Potter, willingly take responsibility for house Black." She answered, hoping she did it right.
"Then I, Arcturus of house Black, accept you as next in line. You will henceforth be known as Azalea Potter-Balck. I present you with the heiress ring. Know that if you are not of Black blood it will curse you to insanity but if it accepts you as it's bearer it will protect from all surface legilimency." He said as he opened the ornate box to show the inside, which was lined in gold velvet and had a single object sitting in the middle.
The ring was made out of Mithril with a 3/4 carat round enhanced black diamond, with bold chevrons set with smaller black diamonds that flanked the main stone. It also had black diamonds that graced the open double shank. On the inside of the band it had the saying Toujours Pur which had multiple runes surrounding it. The ring screamed elegance and power that took her breath away.
"I accept the position of heiress Black, given to me by Arcturus of house Black and any repercussions that the ring may yield." Azalea breathed out, taking the ring from the box and slipping it onto her left middle finger. There was a flash as the ring adjusted to fit her slender finger. She felt a rush of magic run through her veins before a slight hum settled in her mind. "If you don't mind me asking, what do you plan on teaching me grandpa?" She inquired.
"I will personally be teaching you the history of the Black family along with occlumency and weapon handling. I will also teach you the etiquette of the pureblood enchalon so you can disregard it, after all the Black family is at the top of the pack, the rest must follow in our lead or be left behind. I will also tell you about our living relatives that could have been next in line. Know that you have the most claim to be the Black heir. All of the other candidates come from the branch family while you are descended from my sister Dorea. The Malfoy's would be the only one bothered by the fact that you are heir instead of he. I believe his father always told him that he would be heir to the Blacks but I would rather reinstate Andromeda and have her daughter be heir than have a single Malfoy hold the position. He never liked those uppity gits." He trailed off noticing that he got sidetracked. "Oh and I will teach you at least one foreign language."
"Is there a possibility to add ancient runes and time to brew potions? And maybe defense against the dark arts since we don't have a proficient teacher." She inquired.
"Yes, we can add anything you want to learn. Cassiopeia is a potions mistress so she would take care of that along with defense and I know quite a bit about runes. With a hobby like enchanting you have to." He told
"Enchanting? What's that?" Azalea asked, cocking her head to the side like a puppy.
"Enchanting is adding properties to things like jewelry and clothing such as protections against poison or being able to see through objects. It takes charms and mixes it with runes and the inherent properties of what you are working with." Arcturus lectured.
"Do you think I could learn that?" She asked shyly.
"I'll teach you if you do well in school at the end of next year." He told her with a soft smile. None of his children or grandchildren had ever taken an interest in his preferred field so he was excited to finally have someone to teach his favorite field to.
He got lost in thought about the best way to teach his new found granddaughter. There were so many possibilities. Though it was best to start on runes now, by the end of second year her knowledge between charms and runes would be about even and he can build upon that foundation till she exceeds even himself. He was brought back to reality when he felt a small hand grasp his forearm.
"Would you mind if my friends join in too?" She asked with pleading eyes.
"Yes of course. How many would join you think?" He asked to better grasp how he would teach.
"Well for starters I know Theo and Nelda would. I would have to ask Daphne to see if her parents would let her but she would be interested. I have my eye on two more people I wails like to make friends with so I can have a list of people by Yule next year."she told him with a gleeful look on her face.
"You get that list ready and I will set up your lesson plans. Tell me, what colors would you like in your room back at the manor?" He asked with a smile.
"I like purple a lot. And grey or silver pair wonderfully with it but I'll leave everything up to you grandpa." She said cutely.
"Come, let us head back to the others. I'm sure Cassiopeia would like to talk to you as well before we leave." Arcturus held out his hand for Azalea to hold on to as they made their way back to the others while chatting about her first semester of Hogwarts.
As they entered the room Arcturus took note of Cassiopeia and Augusta chatting in a corner while Nelda sat on a soft tan leather couch reading a book titled Poisonous Plants and Their Uses.
At the sound of the two Nelda whipped her head up and zeroed in on her best friend, checking for anything out of place. When she noticed nothing she relaxed back into the back of the couch but kept her eyes on the pair.
"Miss Cassiopeia grandpa Arcturus said you were a potions mistress. What does that entail?" Azalea asked as Arcturus led the small girl over to his younger sister.
"It means that I am fully licensed to sell any potions that I make along with patenting any new potions that I create. It is also in my capabilities to make changes on any existing potion, little one." She responded with a slight smirk. She always loved potions, maybe she will finally have someone to pass that down too. "Do you like potions dear?" She asked the Potter.
"Yes! I really do, though the teacher at Hogwarts seems scary. I don't think he likes me much. Thankfully Theo was there next to me." She answered the older woman.
"How did your first potion turn out?" Cassiopeia inquired.
"It was textbook perfect. It was so good that professor Snape gave me five points for it!" She exclaimed. "Infact every potion that Theo and I created this year came out perfect. It's really fun!" The joy at her achievement radiated off of her.
"That's wonderful, sweetheart. What about the rest of your classes?" Cassiopeia asked.
"All of the classes are wonderful except for Defense Against The Dark Arts. No one can understand the teacher. Nelda, Theo, Daphne and I have been doing self study though and we are almost done all of the spells on the syllabus. I believe we will be starting second year spells soon." She informed the woman. What she hadn't said was that before break she had found a spell book on fire and lightning spells that she had started to learn. She had Incendio and Flagro Flagello down along with Fulgur, Catena Fulgur and Fulmina. She plans to teach the others as soon as break is over.
"That's wonderful, hopefully we will be able to teach you more defense spells in the summer. The Black's have the most extensive library of any purebloods as well. We have many books on martial magic that will be useful to learn." Cassiopeia informed the small girl.
"Honestly anything would be better that what we have in the library at Hogwarts for martial magic. It seems that that section has been picked through, the only thing left are stunning spells and exploding spells, nothing that would work in closed spaces or in a building." Azalea ranted.
"Perhaps I will bring a book on the subject tomorrow as a late Yule gift." Cassiopeia spoke with a small smile. She. Had just the book in mind. It was her old red book which had all the spells she found useful, not to be mistaken for her little black book of blackmail. There were some dark spells but most of them were grey.
"Would you mind if I taught my friends what I learn from the book?" Azalea asked though she already knew that she would, regardless of the answer she received.
"Yes, I don't see anything wrong with that." Was the adult's answer.
"That's great, thank you Miss Cassiopeia!" Azalea exclaimed in joy.
"Just call me aunt Cia, dear. You are my sister's granddaughter after all." She said with a soft look in her eyes.
"Okay thank you aunt Cia." Azalea chirped before she caught sight of Nelda. She took note of how tense the ther girl was. She knew that Nelda was protective of her, matter of fact all of her friends were. She excused herself from the conversation she was having with her new aunt and made her way over to her friend.
"Nelda, grandpa gave me the Black heir ring. He also wants me to stay during the summer so he can teach me about my responsibilities as the Black heiress. Do you want to join in on the rune and enchanting lessons he is going to give me?" Azalea asked while bounding over to her friend. It was no good to not reassure her that she was fine after all.
"Sure that sounds interesting. Will you be asking Theo and Daphne?" Nelda asked back.
"Yea. I know Theo will join the only one I see not joining us would be Dee, but we can teach her ourselves if her parents don't allow it." Azalea said thoughtfully.
"True it would be tough to get the Greengrass patriarch to allow his heiress to be taught by an outside source." Nelda said. Then a thoughtful look crossed her face. "What about defense, would he be willing to teach that as well to supplement the self study that we are doing?" She inquired.
"Yes. I had asked that myself. He plans on teaching me occlumency, weapon handling, and etiquette that I can then disregard due to the Blacks being superior to the rest of the purebloods. He also said that Ms Cassiopeia could help with potions and defense.
Do you think I should tell Mr Arcturus about Dumbledore?" She Nelda softly while looking at the aforementioned man who had made his way to the other adults.
"I think he will need to know to better protect you. I think if you let him he will move heaven and earth to keep you safe. You should give him a chance to show you what family really is like. The Blacks are known to jealously protect what is theirs. Theo, Dee, and I will be with you every step of the way." Nelda reassured her while placing a hand on her shoulder in support.
"Girls come say goodbye to our guests!" Augusta's voice cut through the room.
"By lord Black, Lady Cassiopeia." Nelda said from next to Azalea, having stood at the sound of her grandmother's voice.
"Bye grandpa Arcturus and lady Cassiopeia!" Azalea chirped. Right before the two Blacks left Azalea was able to pick up a single whisper from Augusta to Arcturus.
"Sirius is innocent. He wasn't the secret keeper, Pettigrew was."
It had caused Arcturus' face to blank in surprise but he showed no other sign of shock and continued on his way out of the manor. It seemed there was much to do.