The Future of House Black
By: Ryu Katanna
Beta:
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter Sixteen
Hardwin cursed himself for his lack of thought when he'd decided on his shopping trip to the muggle bookstore. He'd just returned home after spending almost four hours exploring the selection at Waterstone's in London, which according to the information he had found online, was supposedly the largest bookstore in Europe. Hardwin wasn't sure about that, but the store was certainly huge. There had been so many books, and it had taken him a while to navigate and find what he was looking for. He'd found a lot of informational material, but this just meant he'd wanted to pick up more books than he could carry easily.
He had forgotten from his days in muggle school just how heavy a stack of those books could get without a featherlight charm. He would have to remember to bring a weightless and bottomless bag next time to carry them all as there had been no opportunity to slip away to make carrying more books easier. The store as well as the road outside of it had been really busy. As things stood, he was weighed down by bags in both hands that he almost dropped in relief upon apparating into the manor's entrance.
"Saros. Could you take those and stack them on my desk in the study for now? Thank you." Hardwin said tiredly as he called the elf and tried to rub some feeling back into his arms.
"Saros be doing as Master asks. Master be having mail arrive while he is being out, and Mistress Andromyda be waiting for Master in the sitting room." Saros informed him, and Hardwin paused as he hadn't been expecting her, but guessed she may have come to pick up Teddy.
"Thank you, Saros. Just leave the mail with the books." He said before leaving the entry toward the sitting room.
"Sorry to keep you waiting Andromeda. I just got back. Is something wrong?" Hardwin asked as he paused just inside the doorway at seeing her expression.
"Hardwin, Minister Shacklebolt stopped by my home looking for you. He appeared concerned. Did anything happen whie you were out today?" She asked as she stood from the settee to speak with him as her eyes trailed over him; taking in the muggle clothing he was wearing.
"No... I was helping Marcus and Mardyn Flint in the muggle world today to look for a pet snake as I promised. I stopped at a bookstore afterward before returning home. What did he say?" Hardwin asked with some confusion as he knew he'd written to Shacklebolt concerning Mrs. Figg, but hadn't seen the man in almost two months, not since the last of the funerals for those who'd died during the battle.
"He wouldn't say. All he told me was that he was looking for you and that you hadn't been answering letters from your friends. Of course, I know the reason for that, but I thought it odd that he came to my home personally to look for you. It may be best to speak with him about what you've found. The Order may have been disbanded, but many of its remaining members still care for your well-being. It may also prove beneficial to have the Minister in your corner when you pursue action against those who have wronged you, and the media circus that it is sure to cause." Andromeda said as she looked at the wall thoughtfully.
The sitting room they were in was decorated in a lavish gothic victorian style much like the rest of the manor, but like with the drawing room at Grimmauld Place, the walls were covered with the family tapestry. Hardwin had been surprised the first time he had taken the time to look at it. The family tree in this room was much more extensive than the tapestry at Grimmauld had been, and he had even found his name already displayed. Andromeda had explained that because the manor itself was tied to the family magic, it would display all members without the need to add their blood to update it. As long as you bore the Black name and blood then the magic would know. In a way, the family magic bound to Black Manor was almost sentient after so many generations.
"You are probably right. What did you tell him?" Hardwin asked with a twitch of his hand as he held himself back from running his fingers through his hair out of frustration.
He'd hoped to come home and have some time to breathe before he got back to his list of things he still needed to take care of. Hardwin had been so busy since moving into the manor that he hadn't managed to make time to relax. That didn't look like it would be changing tonight, and Hardwin mentally apologized to Marcus as he may not get to send him the book he'd found for his little brother until much later then he'd planned.
"Only that I knew you have been busy, but that Teddy and I have seen you often. That you are well, if not perhaps a bit stressed. He asked what you have been doing, but I told him he would have to ask you." Andromeda said and Hardwin sighed before looking down at the muggle clothing he'd dressed in that morning.
"Could you floo call him, and invite him here? I will relax the wards to allow him entry, but I should change before meeting with him." He said, and Andromeda nodded at his sensible decision.
A meeting with the Minister, though not one for official business, was not something for a Lord of House to do in muggle attire, and Kingsley was also from House Shacklebolt. It was one thing when going into the muggle world, but now Hardwin would need to navigate the waters of upper wizarding society. It was one of the things that had been being drilled into him over the last week as it had to do with grooming as Narcissa had told him. That was one of the reasons Hardwin had felt so disconcerted that morning when he had met Lord and Lady Flint.
Yes, they had been headed into the muggle world, but he would rather have been dressed properly the first time he met Marcus's parents. Hardwin was only grateful he'd had the foresight to have taken the time to shave and properly style his now shoulder-length, loosly curled, hair before the meeting. He just knew that once Narcissa heard of it that he would be in for a scolding, and as much as he was growing to care for his cousin, she could intimidate the shite out of him at times. She and Andromeda both.
They knew it, too, which to Hardwin just made it worse.
"I'll invite him through and wait with him here until you return." Andromeda said before leaving the room toward the floo room.
Hardwin followed her out and made his way upstairs. He sighed at seeing the three tubs that contain the snakes that he had acquired at the reptile shop. He had planned to let them out one by one and get them settled as soon as he arrived home, but now that would have to wait. He tossed a warming charm at each of the tubs to help warm them up. He could hear the hissed complaints and threats even as muffled as they were.
$Speaker has brought irritating guests.$ Dipili hissed from the branch of his tree in front of the window as he stripped out of his muggle clothes.
$They are not guests, Dipili. They will be living here with us from now on.$ Hardwin hissed back at the green mamba; thankful that the small snake's vocabulary was improving every day as it was making it easier to have a conversation with him.
$Not on my tree!$ Dipili hissed irritably in offense and Hardwin rolled his eyes as he shifted through the pants, shirt, and robes that had been laid out for him to change into and pulled on the pants.
$No, Dipili. You will each have your own space, but you will need to share territory for a little while.$ Hardwin hissed back, silently thankful to whichever elf had anticipated his need for a change of clothes.
$What is a little while?$ Dipili asked and Hardwin sighed while he changed at needing to deal with the snake's questions when he needed to hurry back downstairs, he'd already felt the wards ping with someone coming through the floo, and relax the magic on the wards to allow entry.
$A little while is a length of time. It means it could be for a few days or a couple of weeks. I will give them their own places in the room. They won't be able to come into your space, and you won't be able to go into theirs.$ Hardwin explained as patiently as he could while buttoning his shirt before picking up the heeled boots that had been left next to his bed and moving to the chair in front of Dipili's small tree to put them on.
$Good. I want to come with you.$ Dipili suddenly demanded, and Hardwin paused to stare at the little green snake whose head was now peaking up at him over the leaves.
"I'm only going downstairs. We have other human guests." Hardwin explained hoping that he would change his mind.
There was one thing Hardwin had learned about Dipili. He was stubborn, and it could become annoying very quickly. He also got bored easily, and Hardwin didn't know how, but he had learned that snakes were capable of whining over the last several days. It was both baffling, and annoying as hell.
$So bored...$ Dipili hissed as little eyes stared at him, and Hardwin groaned in aggravation as he stood back up once he'd adjusted his boot.
He regretted ever having taught the little pest that word.
$Fine! You can come with me, but I have to talk to our guests. I can't be talking with you at the same time so you'll need to be quiet.$ Hardwin said before holding out his arm for Dipili the slither into his sleeve, waiting for the snake to make his way to his favorite place at his collar before pulling on his robes, and making sure he looked neat and presentable.
$Warm.$ Dipili hissed in satisfaction, and Hardwin rolled his eyes as he turned to leave the room.
Hardwin walked quickly until he reached the bottom of the stairs. Taking a steadying breath, he evened his pace as he walked down the hall to the sitting room. Already, he could make out the deep baritone of Kingsley's voice speaking to Andromeda. The man must have seen his name on the wall because he was asking Hardwin's cousin questions, and Andromeda responded only to tell him that he would be joining them soon.
"Good afternoon, Minister. I was told you were looking for me. Is everything alright?" Hardwin asked as he stepped into the sitting room to see both of them standing in front of the fireplace.
"Harry, or should I be calling you Hardwin? Or, as I'm guessing, Lord Black?" Kingsley asked as he gestured toward the wall where Hardwin's true name was displayed on the tree near Sirius III with a raised eyebrow.
"It is Lord Black, but you are welcome to call me Hardwin. Please, make yourself comfortable, Kingsley. This meeting may take a while. Kreacher, tea and snacks for our guests, please. Also, I'll need the files from the top drawer of my bedside table." Hardwin said as he remembered that he had forgotten to grab them when he'd come down because Dipili had distracted him.
"Right away, Master Black." Kreacher replied as he popped into the room before popping back out; a tea service and serving platter appeared on the table with the files he'd asked for a few seconds later.
"I've gotten a few letters from Molly expressing concern for your welfare, but you appear to be well enough. I admit, I only grew concerned after speaking with Arabella today, when she told me that you had come to her home in the company of two members of House Flint. I'd just thought you needed some time for yourself before today." Kingsley admitted as Andromeda prepared the tea and handed him a cup.
"There has been a lot going that has happened over these last few weeks. I went to Gringotts to claim my inheritance since things had settled down, but was surprised at what I found. It may be best for you to see for yourself. You may want to know before it goes public." Hardwin said as he picked up the files, handing one to Kingsley for him to look over, and holding onto the other one for the moment.
Hardwin watched Kingley's expressions as he started looking through the information within the file; curiosity changing to surprise before his expression grew dark and closed off as he shifted through the parchment. The file contained everything that he had found out about the truth of his birth, the thefts from his vaults, who had benefited from the theft, the letters he had been receiving from his so-called friends, and the forged will that had been filed with the goblin that had been in charge of the Potter vaults. Pretty much everything that Andromeda and the Malfoys already knew.
Kingsley was a pureblood from House Shacklebolt, one of the sacred twenty-eight, and had been an Auror before recently taking the position of Minister. He would know exactly what he was looking at, and what it meant for all of this information to come out after the war. The Blood War may have been fought against blood prejudice, but the wizarding world's political sphere and the government was still run largely off the influence and support of the old Houses.
The Weasleys were an old House, and also part of the sacred twenty-eight, but the House had been largely disgraced for generations. They had originally been labeled as blood traitors, not for their consorting with muggles or muggle-borns, but because a daughter of House Weasley had been betrothed to the Heir of House Malfoy many generations ago. She'd fallen in love and had an affair with a muggle boy; falling pregnant with the muggle's child. The marriage contract between the two Houses had been broken, and House Weasley had refused to make reparations to House Malfoy. To add insult to injury, House Weasley had refused to return the girl's bride price or to disown the girl for the shame she had caused the family. House Weasley had fallen into disgrace amongst the other Houses because of these actions, and a blood feud between Houses Malfoy and Weasley had been declared.
Hardwin had known none of this until Draco had told him through a letter a few days before. Hardwin had asked what had started the feud, and Draco had written to explain, sending a copy of the Malfoy family records from that time. Now, Hardwin had nothing against a witch falling in love with a muggle, but he would admit that reading how House Weasley had handled the situation repulsed him. He couldn't imagine what the Head of House Weasley at the time was thinking. Even today, House Weasley continued to hold the same position. Draco had told him that his great-great-grandfather had offered to call an end to the blood feud, to write off the exorbitant bride price as a loss, if House Weasley would just disown the girl. The girl as well as those born to her branch of House Weasley were all long dead, but still, House Weasley refused.
Hardwin couldn't understand it. He still didn't know everything, he had a feeling he would learn more when he finally got up the courage to read Sirius's letter, but SilverClaw had been able to tell him that he had been declared the heir of House Black by Arcturus upon his birth before his great-grandfather had left for France. It was something that his parents must have wanted for him, or else there would have been no reason for his mum to have taken that potion. He was determined to rebuild his House from the ruin it had fallen into. To make something of the heritage that had been left to him.
He hadn't known what blood traitor had meant until he'd started looking into it after Draco had sent him the information. It was a derogatory term, but its meaning didn't only have to do with muggle or muggle-borns like he had been told before. It meant that thy were a traitor to their bloodline. To have betrayed the traditions and ways of your forefathers. It was to be considered a disgrace to the magic inherited within your blood, and so carried heavy consequences in their society.
For Arthur to have the option, to not have the label of blood-traitors hanging over their heads, and do nothing. It was something Hardwin couldn't understand. That label was why House Weasley was so poor, and why Arthur wasn't considered Lord Weasley. No respectable or influential family would do business with them, and they would not be promoted nor hold any prominent positions in politics or any career they had. They were still considered one of the old Houses, but their disgrace had seen to the forfeiture of their titles and seats until the House cast away the one who brought the shame upon them.
Cedrella Black had been disowned for marrying Septimus Weasley, but he still didn't know the full reason why as he would need to go through the family records which were in the study upstairs. It's possible, given the views of the Blacks, that it was because they wanted to disassocaite from the woman who had willinging become a part of a House who had be marked as disgraced. He hadn't had the time to investigate the study yet. That had been part of the plan for that evening, and why he'd had the books he'd purchased taken there. He'd wanted to look into the family records to see what he could learn. Yet it looked like that wouldn't be possible tonight.
"This is..." Kingsley sighed before setting the file down to rub the bridge of his nose.
"Yeah." Hardwin said in response knowing he wouldn't have been able to believe it either if not for all of this coming to light, and starting to put the pieces together.
"House Weasley's reputation will not survive this. They have only recently gained some distinction for their part in the war, but this will destroy any standing they've gained as well as any they'd had before." Andromeda said as she sipped at her tea in her chair.
"In all honesty, I do not believe they'll care all that much about that. They've carried the label of blood traitors for generations out of sheer stubborness." Hardwin said knowing that they would have been taught the reason for it as he had learned.
"You're right. They may have gained some standing for their part in the war, but the one they've wronged is the one being praised as one of the central figures, and the one responsible for the Dark Lord's defeat. Do you know who was all involved from House Weasley?"Kingsley asked looking a bit disturbed.
"No. We only know about Molly, and Ginerva for certain. I have my suspicions about Ronald as well, given he was also close to me for years, and his relationship with Hermione. He was too close to me for Dumbledore not to have taken advantage of the fact. Recently, I've found evidence that Arthur was involved. Even if he didn't know what he'd signed, as the Head of House Weasley, the blame will fall on him for the actions of his wife." Hardwin said as he stood and moved to the liquor cabinet to take out a bottle of fire whiskey and three glasses.
"What do you plan to do?" Kingsley asked as Hardwin returned and poured into the three glasses before handing him one; which he drained with a heavy breath before holding up the glass in a silent request for another.
"I'm bringing my House back together, and that includes renewing ties with my cousin Narcissa and House Malfoy. I've hired a solicitor on Lord Malfoy's recommendation. We're still gathering evidence and information, and I'll be writing to Lord Potter with copies of everything involving the theft fro the Potter branch vault. It's possible he may choose to act, but I'm not sure. I can pursue the theft even without him since it continued after I came of age, but I would only be able to demand the return and reparations for the money stolen since my seventeenth birthday. As things stand, depending on what else is found, there is the potential for me to declare a blood feud between House Black and House Weasley." Hardwin replied with a heavy heart as he refilled Kingsley's glass before sitting down to sip at his own.
"A blood feud? Why would you think to go that far?" Kingsley asked in surprise and Hardwin frowned as he clutched the file he'd held back.
"Did you read everything in the file?" Andromeda asked and Kingsley nodded.
"I did, but I still don't understand why you would be contemplating a feud with House Weasley. I understand that Molly and Ginerva have wronged you with the theft, but..." He said and Hardwin shook his head as Andromeda spoke up.
"Do you not find it odd, Minister? Molly Weasley has been receiving money from Hardwin's vault since 1983. We don't know why, but what we do know is that Ginerva Weasley also started receiving money just before starting school. Why would Dumbledore have done that for Ginerva, but not for Ronald when it was Ronald who was close to Hardwin?" Andromeda asked and they could see the moment realization dawned on Kingsley; it didn't take long.
"You think Dumbledore had something specific planned for her." He started and Hardwin's fingers tightened on his glass as he sipped at the whiskey before speaking.
"I don't think; I know. The former manager for my parent's account had the sense to hide this, but the manager of the Black accounts found it." He said as he handed it to both Andromeda and Kingsley.
"This is disgusting." Kingsley said incredulously as he read the terms of the marriage contract between Harry James Potter and Ginerva Molly Weasley that had been signed by Albus Dumbledore, Molly Weasley, and Arthur Weasley in 1983.
It was a contract that no Lord of House would have signed. Per the terms of the contract, Hardwin would have been little more than a puppet within his out home. Ginerva would have had control of everything. She would have been the one in control of any money or titles that Hardwin inherited. The contract called for a single child to be born, but any more than that would have been left to Ginerva to decide. He would have no control of his household at all. It was a gross misuse of a marriage contract; which was supposed to provide a balance of power between two spouses.
"Thank merlin it's not valid without Arcturus's signature." Andromeda said; the corners of her lips pinched in disgust.
"It may not be valid, but it is proof that Arthur had to have known at least part of what Dumbledore planned. Luckily, I still have my old school robes from my sixth year. I found a few hairs that have been sent to my healer to test for potions." Hardwin said and Kingsley looked up at him sharply.
"You think they were attempting line theft?" He asked and Hardwin hummed.
"I think Dumbledore manipulated most of my life, and that he would have done anything to ensure I followed his script. I also know that he knew my relatives treated me poorly, and had been stealing money from my vault to pay them for their so-called care. Do I believe that the Weasley's would resort to line theft? I wouldn't have before a few weeks ago, but now I know about the stolen money they have been receiving as well as that invalid marriage contract." Hardwin explained as he finished his drink and set the glass down on the table next to him.
"Why tell me all this, Hardwin?" Kingsley asked after a moment.
"Forewarning. You're a good man, Kingsley, and I believe you're the one our country needs as Minister now that the war is over. I wanted you to know the truth before I go after House Weasley, and the press gets ahold of it. I did not want to blindside you, and would like to continue having an amicable working relationship with you. Also, you said you've been receiving letters, and I didn't want Molly Weasley to worry you about my mental or physical health. I am seeing healers to recover from everything that happened I've been through, and that includes seeing a mind healer." Hardwin explained knowing Kingsley would need to know that he was getting treatment because if Molly continued to share that she was concerned about Hardwin's mental health then Kingsley could diffuse the situation with the public if he needed to.
"Healers?" Kingsley asked and Hardwin cleared his throat and shifted in his chair before Andromeda answered for him at seeing his discomfort.
"My sister Narcissa scheduled an appointment with a healer for Hardwin as he needed the paperwork for his marriage contract negotiations. I went with him, and they found several issues that are and will be addressed. He is in treatment, but he is stable." She reassured the man and Kingsley smiled with a nod.
"I see. Thank you for the forewarning. If I could ask one more question... Why were you at Arabella's with two members of House Flint?" He asked, and Hardwin knew he was still concerned about that, or maybe it was just curiousity.
"I'm guessing you would have seen the article the Daily Prophet ran a few days ago before they printed a retraction? Well, we had a chance encounter at the Menagerie. Scion Marcus Flint and I were a few years apart in Hogwarts and knew of each other from quidditch matches. He and Heir Marcellus had purchased a snake for their youngest brother as a pet. I have ancestry from the Gaunt family and inherited the parselmouth ability from the bloodline. They did not know they had purchased a venomous snake until I informed them. They gifted the snake to me for my assistance, and in return, I offered to help them find a nonvenomous snake in the muggle world. I needed to ask Mrs. Figg for the use of her telephone to call a cab because we couldn't take the Knight bus since scion Mardyn Flint accompanied scion Marcus and myself to the muggle pet store today." He explained and knew that Kingsley now understood the situation when he nodded and his shoulders seemed to relax a bit.
"I see. The House of Flint has been cleared of any involvement with the Death Eaters, of course. I was only concerned to hear that they had been to Arabella's because it did appear odd." He explained as he stood, and Hardwin nodded as he and Andromeda stood as well.
"Understandably. I don't think any of us will be able to hear or see something we think is odd and not grow suspicious that something more is going on. I know I can't. Thank you for the concern on my behalf, Kingsley. Feel free to contact me here if anything comes up." Hardwin offered and Kingsley nodded.
"Of course. Write to me if you come across anything I'll need to be warned of. I'll inform Minerva so we can sheild those in the order who are innocent in the Order from the scadal this situation may cause." Kinsley said, knowing that the press may start speculating about the rest of the Order since it was Dumbledore who founded it's formation, before nodding toward Hardwin and turning toward the door.
"Just be careful, Kingsley. Dumbledore may have had others in the Order who were involved. We won't know until the investigation is finished. Someone else may have been actively involved or they may have been manipulated by Dumbledore as well." Hardwin warned since he know it could be a possabilty.
""I'll look into it from my end as well. Good evening, Hardwin, Mrs. Tonks." Kingsley paused before replying.
"I'll walk you out. I should get Teddy home for bed. I'll talk to you later, Hardwin." Andromeda as she and Kingsley left the sitting room, and Hardwin nodded as he said good night.
Sighing, he gathered the papers back into the files before taking them with him as he headed to the study. Dipili shifted with his movement, but Hardwin suspected the snake had fallen asleep from the lack of chatter. That was confirmed when he stopped in his room and gently levitated him from around his neck to his favorite tree branch. He sighed upon seeing the tubs. He'd almost forgotten, but he would need to get the three settled before going to the study. Hearing the hissed threat when he went to open the first of the tubs he held back a groan.
'This may take a while.' He thought as he prepared his wand to cast a shield spell in case the snake struck out at him before he could speak to it.
Oh, the joy of dealing with temperamental snakes.
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Well, that's it for chapter sixteen! This was done a lot faster then I'd anticipated, and editing didn't take long either. Kingsley looking for Hardwin hadn't been planned, but when I got to him arriving home after the bookstore, the idea wouldn't go away. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and the additional information. I have started working on the next chapter already, and I'll give you a little spoiler. Sirius's letter will be coming back into the story.
Let me know what you thought,
Ryu