Chapter 10: Understanding

A/N: Today was a double post as I messed up and missed last week. Ch 9 was also posted today so make sure you read that.

Harry's next few days were spent in relative peace. He had developed a micro routine that served well in these moments. Mornings were spent working out and trying to get his body back to the levels he was more used to when he was an Auror. Then after a break, usually a quick jaunt into London, he would spend the afternoon deep in meditation; trying to let his mind repair itself. Progress was minimal, and he often found himself frustrated about the lack of progress. He could almost hear Susan chastising him for his lack of patience, a trait that seemed to carry over into this new life.

Today, however, saw the beginning of the end of the micro-routine. Improvement was necessary, but it couldn't come at the cost of all else. A shorter workout in the morning allowed Harry to work on a letter to Lord Black. The letter was in inquiry to meet and have dinner, with the intention of learning more about the British Wizarding World. The political situation seemed to be as he remembered, with the Dark faction gaining power and influence amidst a growing sentiment of superiority. All things considered, the Gamot was different than when he sat originally, and the Black Family was an influential piece that could be utilized. Today's letter would be Harry's attempt at this utilization; working on the perceived familial bond to learn more about the Gamot. Athena offered a small noise as she took off, circling the room once before leaving through her small portal.

Harry was surprised that Athena returned with a response from Lord Black. The response was positive with an invitation to dinner and a discussion about the Gamot afterwards. He was surprised at the immediacy; believing that pureblood politics would've necessitated a delay in both response and subsequent meeting. Harry shook himself out of the stupor, realizing that he needed to quickly repair if he was to make it to the Black estate on time.

His arrival was met by one of the family elf's. The elf kindly asked Harry to wait in the atrium for one of the family to arrive before disappearing as elves do. Harry pointedly resisted the urge to walk around and stare at the various artifacts on display throughout the room. It wasn't long before he was greeted by Bellatrix. He focused his attention on her for those precious moments where her mask wasn't fully in place, youth showing that she didn't fully understand when it needed to be applied. The primary thing was that she looked exasperated. Her hair, previously controlled, was just beginning to show some of the unruly nature that he was more familiar with. He noticed a large breath before the mask fell into place. She began her greeting before an unseen voice interrupted them.

Harry smiled as he recognized it, "Sisters giving you trouble?"

Bellatrix suppressed a retort before the missile that was Narcissa bounded into the room. Narcissa was yelling something at her older sister, the importance of which was lost on Harry. Bellatrix silenced Narcissa before pointedly looking at Harry. Narcissa questioned her sister before noticing that Harry was standing there. Harry struggled to maintain his composure whilst watching Narcissa fall back into form and courtesy.

Narcissa straightened out her robes and gave a small curtsey, "Lord Peverell, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the home of Lord Black."

Harry let the smile out this time, "And what a warm welcome I have received."

Narcissa's blush spread across her face as she offered a quick excuse before leaving him and Bellatrix. Bellatrix was nice enough to not make a comment before Narcissa left and escorted Harry towards the dining room. The conversation was muted and Harry ignored the slight breach in protocol as Bellatrix seemed to not want to speak. They entered the dining room and were greeted by three people.

Bellatrix spoke up, "Lord Black, may I present Lord Peverell. Present by your invitation." There was a pause before she continued, "Lord Peverell may I introduce Cygnus and Druella Black."

Harry offered a small bow that he noticed neither Cygnus nor Druella returned. He turned to Lord Black, "I thank you for the quick invitation to dinner."

"The honor is mine. Please sit. Bellatrix go make sure your sisters make it to the table on time."

Bellatrix offered a small nod and curtsey before leaving her room. The rest of the occupants sat in a silence that Lord Black seemed to relish in. Harry understood that there was some dynamic occurring that he wasn't privy. The silence was finally broken by Druella.

"Your presence here is surprising Lord Peverell. What is the reason behind your visit?"

Harry smiled, "I find myself needing to learn more about the world I find myself in. The insight to the Gamot would be invaluable."

That answer seemed to switch something in Cygnus, "Lord Black, I am curious as to why you didn't put this off till tomorrow. I have family business that needs discussing with you."

"Then speak. You are amongst family." Arcturus responded.

Cygnus visibly squirmed, "You are entertaining a guest."

Arcturus leaned forward, "And have you forgotten so much that you seek to ostracize who I have invited?"

Cygnus' eyes darted towards Harry, "No my Lord Black…"

Arcturus interrupted, "Good, then do not ignore our guest." He paused for a moment as the trio of sisters entered and took their place, "Besides, if it is something you do not want a guest to hear you should've approached me in private rather than speak in front of an audience to grandstand."

Cygnus bowed his head in apparent submission, "Yes Lord Black."

Harry caught the looks between Andromeda and Narcissa. The time away seemed to do Bellatrix good as her mask was impassive, not giving anything away.

Arcturus wasn't done, and continued to speak. "Lord Peverell is not a guest. He is family." Cygnus and Druella stiffened, "I confirmed with the Goblin's that he has enough Black blood for it to show up on his inheritor test. He will be treated as family."

Cygnus' face grew red, "What? Our family is accounted for."

Arcturus responded, "Several Squib lines have been lost as they have moved away from Britain."

There was a pause before Druella gasped, "You mean the rumors are true?" She turned to Harry, "You're the son of mudbloods?"

Out of the corner of his eye he saw the first cracks in Bellatrix's mask as she stiffened. Harry didn't address Druella, choosing to instead start on the starter that had appeared before them. There were some tense moments before Cygnus seemed to explode.

"Are you just going to ignore my wife?"

Harry pointedly didn't turn to address Cygnus, "I wasn't aware there was something I needed to address."

"She asked you a question."

"Did she?"

"You will not disrespect me in my family home."

Harry finally did turn his head, however, he was now looking at the trio of sisters, "Respect is earned, and you earned what you have when you refused protocol." Harry smiled as he saw Narcissa's eyes widen in surprise. Her attention turning immediately to her parents. As he looked away he noticed a small nod from Andromeda. He could also see the enjoyment from Arcturus. Arcturus interrupted the conversation before it continued, ending the potential arguments from Cygnus and Druella. The rest of dinner was a subdued affair with most of the conversation revolving around the sisters' time at the Black estate. Harry did notice that no one spoke about his spar with Bellatrix.

After dinner both Cygnus and Druella left as soon as courtesy allowed them to. The sisters remained at the Black estate though they were left to their own devices as Arcturus and Harry retreated into the study.

Harry spoke up after receiving a drink, "You seemed to enjoy dinner."

"One of life's few pleasures as you grow older is watching other people argue and fight."

"Even if its your own family?"

Arcturus snorted, "Cygnus and Druella deserve some harshness. Their daughters spend more time with me then they do with their own parents."

Harry smiled, "Somehow I believe that you prefer that."

Arcturus returned the smile but changed the topic, "I don't believe you arrived for the family drama."

Harry chuckled and set down his glass before leaning in. He knew it was going to be a long night when Arcturus called for cigars and began to go over the basics of the Gamot. It seemed that Voldemort's actions had more long-term consequences than even Harry could've predicted.

A/N: Again, my apologies for missing last week, I am a dummy. Next week will be closer to normal length chapter. Tonight I will be posting an update (follow links in Profile - an abbreviated version will be on my profile) with some information on stuff I want to be doing moving forward. I am also accepting one-shot suggestions, follow link in profile to a public post that you can comment on.

Next chapter scheduled for November 6th.

-Snakedoc444