A/N: Yes, I'm back. Sorry for the big update delay. Time got away from me again and it just got so hectic. Don't anyone ever tell you freshman year of college is easy 'cause it ain't. Anyways, this was a history chapter. The next one is probably going to be a history chapter, too. I'm just taking care of loose ends. It'll make sense eventually. Don't worry, kiddies. I've got it under control. Hahaha.

Disclaimer: This hasn't changed. No. No. No. And no.

A Bell's Duty

Katie was not looking forward to this particular visit. In fact, she never really looked forward to any visits with her grandmother. Imogene Bell was as ruthless as she was cold and Katie had decided by her ninth birthday that her guardian grandmother was without a heart.

Imogene had a long and removed history in the Bell chronicles. Born and bred into the wealth of purebloods, she had been raised with the narrow-minded belief that Muggles and half-bloods were not up to Magic par and thus disassociated herself with any of the sort. She had tried to impress the same train of thought upon her rebellious son, Robert, Katie's father, but he married a Muggle against Imogene's will in his early twenties and was thusly, cast out of Imogene's life. She had branded him an exile in aloof shame.

The two would never have crossed paths again if Robert and his young wife hadn't died in the War against Voldemort. Within a week after the Bells' untimely demise, eight-year-old Katie had been sent away to her future home: Bell Manor.

It turned out to be more of a nightmare than a dream come true. Imogene resented Katie as much as she resented her mother. Having disowned Robert for marrying Emma, Imogene never truly forgave Katie for being the constant reminder of her failed relationship with her deceased son. Consequently, Imogene had raised her granddaughter without emotion or tenderness, simply cultivating proper and improper behavior in the Bell Heir.

As soon as Katie had been able to support herself, she had left Imogene without a second glance. And now the heir to the Bell fortune had to return to tell her grandmother the wonderful news: she was getting married. To a Flint.

Katie took another deep breath and reached for the doorbell. She noticed the fine tremor of her hand and frowned. She straightened her slender shoulders and rang the bell in a flustered rush, afraid of losing her nerve if she paused to think again.

The huge door leading to the entrance of the Manor swung open immediately. A timid looking house elf she recognized as Stebby smiled toothily at her and stepped aside to let her in. She walked in and was swamped by memories of her unhappy childhood. Hogwarts had been a refuge for her, the only place she ever appreciated. Thank Godric for that much.

Stebby scurried towards the direction of her grandmother's study.

Katie followed reluctantly, knowing the way well enough by herself.

The halls fell silent as the pittering of tiny feet stopped abruptly. Katie turned the corner and saw Stebby's enormous eyes staring up at her. He pushed open a huge oak paneled door and stepped to the side, holding out a frail arm and bowing furiously as she walked by.

The study was dimly lit and smelled of musty, old scrolls and leather. A rusty fire in the corner illuminated the dark corners of the room.

Katie froze when her gaze met the blue steel ones of her grandmother's. Imogene looked as refined and pure as she did the day Katie had stepped into Bell Manor, only now creased lines and dark circles, thinning white hair and a permanent frown, had been etched into her features. She looked old, worn, and tired.

Just like Katie.

"Hello, Grandmother," Katie said, ironing out the tremor in her voice.

"Katherine," Imogene nodded curtly and motioned for Katie to sit down across from her beside the fire.

"I won't be staying long. I came to tell you something important," Katie said firmly as she clasped her hands together.

"Manners, Katherine. A lady always has time for tea," Imogene said curtly.

Katie hesitated but finally sat down stiffly in front of her grandmother. Imogene snapped her elegant fingers and a pair of house elves carrying an enormous silver tray with a fine china tea set scurried into the room. They placed it on the table beside Imogene's elbow and disappeared.

Imogene took her time pouring the tea and handed Katie her cup and saucer.

"Now, what was so important?" Imogene asked, a gray brow arching neatly upwards in question.

"I'm getting married, and I would like for you to be there," Katie said as calmly as possible.

The clink of china on metal was the only sound made as Imogene set her tea down and looked up at her granddaughter. Even in surprise she retained her magnanimous dignity and ladylike appearance.

"Oh?" Imogene cleared her throat.

"Yes…" Katie paused.

"To?"

"Marcus Flint."

That merited Imogene's infamous pebbly stare.

Katie sat in silence, waiting for her grandmother's reaction.

"I forbid it," Imogene finally snapped.

"You're not my guardian anymore. It's my life," Katie supplied smoothly. She had expected worse.

"Out of respect for me, for this family, you will do no such thing," Imogene said harshly.

"I didn't come with the intention to upset you, but it doesn't change my--"

"Didn't come with the intention?" Imogene bit angrily.

"Please. He's changed. He's not--"

"Don't you remember what he did to your first husband?" Imogene snapped; she hadn't like Oliver much either.

"It wasn't his fault."

"Wasn't his fault? I thought that would be enough to show you the colors of his character but apparently not. Don't you know history, you foolish girl?" Imogene was on the verge of shouting. Her composure was rapidly cracking.

Katie hadn't expected such a severe reaction to develop.

"You can't blame what happened to Ollie on him! It was war, Imogene. People die," Katie argued.

"Do you know who killed your father?" Imogene inhaled sharply.

Katie paused.

"Cassius Flint. The father of the trash you are going to marry!" Imogene hissed.

There was a snap as Imogene motioned her wand towards the bookshelf behind Katie. A heavy, leather-bound book flew across the air into her grandmother's hands. It fell open and dust rose in a thin cloud as pages spun by rapidly, pushed by invisible fingers. The muted sound of paper over paper stopped as the flipping ceased.

"Look at that picture. That's your father and your fiancé's father. They played on the same professional team before the war started. Cassius betrayed your father's loyalties after I told him Flints couldn't be trusted and look where it got him. Dead. Him and your precious Muggle-born mother. Dead. That man is the reason you came to me. Can you see that, you foolish girl?" Imogene explained in growing annoyance.

Katie didn't even flinch.

She was amazed at her own sense of calm, her own serene grasp on things, especially when Imogene looked ready to explode. The truth was… she just didn't care anymore. She didn't care about Flint's history. She didn't care about whose father did what anymore. She didn't want the old ties, the old feuds.

It had done nothing but bring her grandmother loneliness and grief.

Katie didn't want it.

"It doesn't matter," Katie said.

Imogene stared in shock at her granddaughter, seemingly unable to grasp this concept.

"What do you mean it doesn't matter? You don't care." She snapped angrily. "I should've known better. Your father never listened and your mother… I don't even need to start with--"

"I told you because I want you to come to the wedding. I can understand if you don't. But this doesn't change anything. I'm marrying him with or without your consent," Katie said. She got to her feet and heard Imogene's sharp intake of breath.

"Katherine Bell… Don't you dare turn your back on me. You're making the same mistake your father made."

Katie swallowed, turned around, and walked out to the shouting of her livid benefactor.

Her duty as a Bell was over.