The Future of House Black

By: Ryu Katanna

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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 Nine

"Have you at least found what you needed, Hardwin?" Andromeda asked as they waited for the saleswoman to return with the owner.

"Partially. I was planning to get the one white crow over there and then putting in a special order for at least three black crows when I was distracted by this little one's complaints of hunger." Hardwin replied with a light chuckle and shake of the head as the snake just continued to hiss in contentment and soak in his body heat.

"What is it saying?" Marcus asked when he heard the snake give another hiss.

"Warm. He was too cold. Green Mambas prefer coastal areas with dense, shaded vegetation, and like living in trees from what I remember reading. They are from southeast Africa so even in summer England is cold for him. " Hardwin replied with a slight blush starting to brush his cheeks as Marcus stood so close as he listened to him speak.

"Are snakes so simple in their speech?" Marcus asked with a raised brow as he pressed closer to Hardwin and teased the lines of impropriety with how close they were.

"I have found that most are. This one is still young; barely out of his juvenile stage. He speaks like a child and doesn't know the proper wording for things. Unless they have regular contact with a parselmouth who can teach them or are consistently around humans for years, I have found that most snakes speak with simple descriptions. They are intelligent, and can understand, but they are not very articulate. Given that snakes in general are solitary creatures that only come together in mating season it's not very surprising. This one did not know the word for bird. He called them tender, fleshy squawkers." Hardwin replied with amusement; glancing up until their eyes met briefly before darting back down to the serpent on his arm.

Hardwin didn't notice the smirk teasing at the corner of the man's lips at the shy action, but neither Andromeda nor Marcellus missed it. The Flint Heir's dark brows raised in interest as hazel-green eyes flickered to the pair who had seemed to gravitate closer together as they spoke. He knew his brother well, and Marcus wasn't what one would call a people-person. Far too often those rare few who tried to get close to him would run afoul of the sharp and cruel tongue the twenty-two-year-old possessed.

The children born to the Flint family all learned early in life that appearances can be deceiving, and there were few outside the family worthy of trusting. It was one of the reasons they wore glamours anchored to a ring to hide their true appearance until after marriage. It helped to ward off those who would try to get close to them with ulterior motives. The friendships they formed under this guise were truer, and their relationships were not based on something so shallow as appearance. It also helped since the glamours helped repel those who would try to marry into their family for money. Marcus had always taken this a step further as he presented himself differently to those outside the few he considered friends and family.

Yet, now that Marcellus considered the events since they had entered the Menagerie, he couldn't help feeling intrigued by his brother's behavior. Marcellus had done most of the talking even though the young Lord Black had greeted Marcus directly. Even so, Marcus's gaze hadn't strayed away from Hardwin for long. He was so focused on him that Marcellus knew there had to be something going through his younger brother's mind. Then when Marcus finally did speak it was to cut down the saleswoman for her remarks in the young Lord's defense.

Had Marcus finally found someone who interested him? Watching the subtle glances from Lord Black he thought that interest could be returned. He would have to continue watching them to know for certain, but by the way Marcus was treating the teen, Marcellus felt he already had his answer. He smirked secretively toward the one Hardwin had called cousin as he noticed she was watching them too. Marcellus knew he would be speaking with their parents when he returned home.

"Oh, forgive my manners. Andromeda, this is Heir Marcellus Flint and his brother Scion Marcus Flint. Heir and Scion Flint this is my cousin, Andromeda Tonks nee Black. I attended Hogwarts with Scion Marcus for a few years until he graduated, and we used to play against each other during quidditch matches." Hardwin said as he tried to distract himself from the strange fluttering in his stomach at Marcus's attention.

"Well met. I thank you for defending Hardwin's honor against the woman's insinuations of dishonesty. My cousin has only recently taken his Lordship, and is still learning to handle such situations." Andromeda said as her mouth became slightly pinched in the way that Hardwin knew meant she was displeased.

"He was never instructed?" Marcellus asked incredulously as children from the old families were always taught early how to handle situations in a social setting so their behaviour would not reflect poorly on their House.

"Unfortunately not. The matter is still under investigation. I have yet to speak with Lord Potter, and my former magical guardian is dead, but it is clear there has been some negligence in my education amongst other things." Hardwin said knowing that he had inferred enough with that simple statement that they would understand enough to know the matter was indeed a serious one.

SilverClaw had been the one to inform him about his birthright and what it meant, but he had done as much reading as he could since then. It was a heavy accusation he had just made, but one that was not untrue. Hardwin had a sinking feeling he had revealed too much when he looked up at the Flint brothers. While Marcellus's brows were furrowed, Marcus was scowling.

"It's more than that. I remember your sorting. You were small even for a first-year." He said and Hardwin felt surprised that Marcus had even noticed or remembered that.

They were interrupted before he could respond, however, with the appearance of the shop's owner. The man had seemed displeased to be pulled away from whatever it was he had been doing when he entered, but that displeasure was soon replaced with concern and a bit of fear as he took in the sight of the four of them. They did make an intimidating sight, Hardwin supposed. The two Flint brothers both stood at over six and a half feet tall, and their muscled forms were well defined by the cut and fit of their fitted robes. All four of them were well-dressed in expensive clothing, and their features all denoted the linage from old wizarding families. All of that was only compounded by Hardwin's presence due to his fame after the war as the owner's gaze fell on him; his gaze going immediately toward Hardwin's faded scar where it was hidden by his hair.

"I'm Jacob Stretton, the owner of the Magical Menagerie. Is there a problem gentleman; madam?" The man's voice sounded strained with the question, and Hardwin could see him looking at the right hands of both himself and Heir Flint where their Lord and Heir rings were worn and proudly displayed.

"Yes, it would appear there is a problem Mr. Stretton. Your clerk sold a snake to the House of Flint unseen as a pet without notifying them that the snake is, in fact, venomous. When I informed them of this when they came to pick it up today your employee denied my claim and went on to insinuate that I, the Lord of House Black and a parselmouth, am I liar. When instructed to retrieve you to sort out this… unfortunate situation, she tried to deny us an audience with you. Tell me, just what kind of establishment are you running here?" Hardwin asked with a cold expression that showed his distaste for this situation as well as the condition of the shop as he looked around pointedly at the filthy cages.

Hardwin hated acting like this, but the situation called for it. Narcissa had told him that he had the freedom to express himself as he truly was at home, but when out in the wizarding public he would need to hold himself to a higher standard of behaviour. He was the Head of House Black and any sign of weakness would be used against him. Vultures that the public are, they would fall upon it looking for any chunks they could take out of him.

This was something Hardwin knew very well with his past. As Harry Potter, he had been the public's supposed savior, their whipping boy, their scapegoat, and their most hated messenger. For now, after the events of the war, he was their savior once more but he knew all too well how that could change at the drop of a sickle. It was where that sickle landed that was the problem. Hardwin's past in the public eye could help him if used properly, but it hurt him as well. He would have to appear strong to the public, and not stutter and stumble as he'd been made to do when thrust in front of the cameras when Voldemort had regained a body if he wanted to succeed in his goals.

The color drained from the man's face as his gaze moved down to the green mamba on Hardwin's arm, to the condition of his shop, and then over to the nervous saleswoman. Hardwin glanced over to Andromeda who nodded slightly in approval before shifting his arm up to his neck. He didn't have to say anything, as with a hiss of pleasure at feeling the heat of his neck, the snake moved to rest on his shoulders. This movement didn't go unnoticed by anyone as the attention was drawn back to the hissing snake in question. Hardwin could see Marcus's gaze focus towards his neck and had to bite the inside of his cheek at the intensity of that gaze as he focused on Mr. Stretton when the wizard finally found the strength to speak.

"I'd like to apologize on behalf of myself and Miss Eton to House Flint for the error on our part for the sale of the snake, and to you as well Lord Black. Miss Eton's conduct was unacceptable. I will, of course, refund the money for the snake to House Flint. Unfortunately, I do not currently have one to replace it with. If there is any further business the House Black or House Flint would like to conduct here today then I shall handle it personally at half-price for the inconvenience and ill-conduct of my clerk." Mr. Stretton said with a genuinely apologetic look before looking back over toward Miss Eton with a cutting glare of displeasure.

Hardwin nodded in acceptance on his part while Marcellus and Marcus traded a look before Marcellus nodded to his brother.

"House Flint will accept half of the reimbursement for the snake for the inconvenience but would like to gift the animal to Lord Black for his assistance if he desires to keep it. As a parselmouth, I am sure you are more than able to handle a venomous snake." Marcus said, and Hardwin couldn't help but smile a bit at the gift.

"House Black accepts this gift from House Flint and offers aid in finding a replacement for their young scion. I could do so if you have the time today, but I only have the next hour available. So I could make myself available to you another day if you wish." Hardwin told Marcus and received a nod of acceptance.

"Very well." Mr. Stretton said as he nodded and went to refund half of the payment for the reptile; thankful that things had been settled so easily when they would have been within their rights to call the Aurors for the deceit of the sale of a deadly animal.

"I would also like to purchase the white crow there and to put in a special order for three more black crows. Since it seems I will also be taking home a new pet I will also need twenty of the budgerigars and a dozen double-end Newts. I will also need his terrarium as well as a small one with a water source for the newts and a holding cage for the budgerigars." Hardwin said after having a hissing conversation with the snake to find out what else it ate.

"O-of course, Lord Black. I will get those for you right away. Do you have any preference in colors for the twenty budgerigars?" Mr. Stretton asked a little nervously at the parseltongue, but happy enough to make the sale after what had happened.

"Hm…" Hardwin looked contemplative until Andromeda spoke.

"Where do you plan on keeping them all, Hardwin? Are they just food for the snake or will they be in the aviary?" She asked knowing that it would be pointless to get a variety if they were just food for the snake.

"I was thinking about the enclosed sunroom on the first floor. It's little more than a sitting room right now, but if it's expanded with permanent wizarding space I could add some trees and plants. It would be a good area to house a few snakes that way, and would be a nice place to relax." Hardwin replied and Andromeda nodded as she could see the appeal for him though it wasn't a place she would want to spend her time; not one she would feel comfortable relaxing in at any rate.

She didn't mind snakes, but it would be unnerving to try to relax with so many venomous ones close by. Hardwin could speak to them though so he would be better equipped to care for them than most. Black Manor was meant to be imposing, and it had been decorated to be so. A room of venomous snakes would be intimidating to others, but if Hardwin felt it would be a good place to relax then all the better. She would just have to remind him to have wards to keep Teddy out of that room and to keep the venomous snakes in when her grandson was there. She trusted Hardwin to keep Teddy safe, but she would never trust a snake that could kill with a single bite.

"Then you could speak to Gringotts about having that area renovated into an enclosed arboretum. It is already connected to the greenhouses on that side of the Manor. I would recommend getting a variety of colors and just keeping them in the aviary until the renovations are done." She recommended knowing Gringotts was the best option to offer those services.

"Different colors then. I'll have to go to Gringotts later this week. I already needed to see about hiring a curse-breaker to have a look at things around the Manor to make it safe for Teddy once he starts walking." Hardwin said with a nod to Mr. Stretton, who hurried off to fill his order, before telling Andromeda what else he needed to do.

"Yes, it would be a good idea before you have any little Blacks running around the place as well." She replied teasingly with a glance to the man standing next to him that had Hardwin giving her a playful glare.

"So then you've been betrothed, Lord Black?" Marcellus asked as he glanced at his brother to see displeasure tightening the skin around his eyes.

"Not as of yet, Heir Flint. I have only been discussing the matter with my cousins since I will need to marry within the next two years. My House has dwindled in numbers now with myself being the only male to possess the name." Harwin admitted knowing that he had been left in a difficult position and that they would have some understanding of that.

"Yes. It would be a loss to our world to have seen the last of House Black. Your House is one of the oldest remaining in Britain. What of House Potter? You will not pass that name on as well?" Marcellus asked genuinely curious as he hadn't heard of any other Potter than Hardwin in some time but given he had mentioned a Lord Potter he assumed there were more.

"My cousin, Lord Potter currently has three children. He's still young so he may have more children, and his heir is only a few years younger than I am. Truthfully, I am more a Black than I am a Potter for all that I also possess the name." Hardwin forced a small note of dry humor in his tone to mask the irritation he felt even thinking of that part of his family.

"You have someone in mind for a marriage partner then?" Marcus's voice was deeper with some emotion though Hardwin couldn't discern what it was as he glanced up at the man.

Marcus was stood close enough to Hardwin for him to need to look up as he only came up to the man's chest even with the slight height boost from the heels he wore. It made something in his stomach clench pleasantly. He was used to being short, but Marcus was even taller than Ron by a few inches.

"I've decided to take a marriage contract. I have a few prospects, but nothing has been decided yet. I will be asking my cousin Narcissa to act as my representative in the matter as Andromeda has her hands full enough with caring for her grandson, and it is not proper for me to do so myself when I am not the only one remaining in my family." Hardwin replied knowing that if Marcus did have any interest in his contract that his family would know who to contact.

It may not have been the most subtle move judging by the look Andromeda gave him, but Hardwin found he was a bit attracted to the man. His looks weren't all that appealing but looks weren't everything. Any relationship he built with his spouse couldn't be based on something so shallow if they were to endure potentially over a hundred years together. No, something else drew him towards Marcus. He remembered how he had been during their shared time in Hogwarts, in the rare times they'd interacted in any way, but people changed. Merlin knew he had changed after his experiences during the war.

What Hardwin did know was that he'd found their interactions that day to be pleasant enough. Marcus hadn't been rude or even a little mean to him, and Hardwin knew he had the capacity to be cruel if he had wanted. Yet he hadn't. He had defended him to the saleswoman before Hardwin had even had a chance to rebuke her.

He had liked that Marcus had done that. How he'd focused on him when he spoke, and so Hardwin knew he was truly listening to him. He liked that he hadn't been intimidated or scared when he'd spoken parseltongue but had been interested enough to ask about it instead. He also liked how much bigger than him that Marcus was physically. Hardwin wasn't the most intimidating person to look at with his short height and thin stature, and he would be the first to admit it.

Yes, he did hope Marcus was interested enough to have his family speak with Narcissa.

"You speak of Lady Malfoy?" Marcellus asked mostly for confirmation.

"Yes..." Hardwin replied a bit distractedly as Mr. Stretton had finally gathered everything and was calling him over to the register.

"Saros! Nanna!" Hardwin called the elves once he'd gotten everything paid for and they appeared promptly.

"Master Black be calling for Nanna and Saros?" Nanna asked with a happy smile.

"Yes, Nanna. I need you to take these birds and release them all in the aviary but be sure they cannot get out before you do, or the little ones will fly away on us." Hardwin said as he handed the two birdcages to the little elf; not noticing the looks the elves were getting from everyone except Andromeda for the way they were dressed in their little uniforms.

"Right away, Master!" Nanna replied before popping away back to the Manor.

"Saros, I need you to find a suitable place for the newts that is out of the way until I have some work done at the Manor. I also need you to set up this terrarium in my room. Feed the snake one of the small budgerigar that Nanna is releasing in the aviary. I will tell him not to bite you but be careful as he is hungry and I don't want you to get hurt. Just spell the bird not to fly if it makes it easier for you." He explained to the elf as he always tried to be clear and concise with any orders he gave.

"Saros be careful as Master says when feeding Master's snakey." Saros replied and Hardwin turned to cast a warming charm into the snake terrarium before speaking to the serpent.

$It has been decided that you will be coming home with me. My elf will take you home and feed you a bird. Do not bite my elf. They are not prey and they will not harm you. I will speak to you when I return home.$ He hissed as he maneuvered the snake off of around his neck to put him in the terrarium once he'd gotten an agreement not to bite.

Casting a tempus charm he found that he had just over an hour left before he had to be at St. Mungos for his appointment. He turned his attention back to the others to find the Flint siblings looking from him to where Saros had popped away while Andromeda just waited for him to be ready to leave. Hardwin tried to think of another shop in the alley that sold magical animals but could only think of Eeylops Owl Emporium, Bufo's and S. Sterling. The problem was the Eeylops sold owls pretty much exclusively, Bufo's sold specialized in frogs and toads, and S. Sterling specialized in birds. He made a note to himself to visit S. Sterling once he'd gotten the renovations done, but that didn't help them now with where to find another snake for Marcus and Marcellus's younger brother.

"Well, if you know of another shop that sells snakes then we can go there now, but I don't know of another in Diagon or any of the other wizarding shopping areas." Hardwin admitted only to see that they didn't know either.

"The Magical Menagerie is the only place in Britain. Snakes are not one of the most sought-after pets." Marcellus said and Hardwin paused in thought once they'd left the shop.

"Well, if you're not averse to shopping in the muggle world I do know one place just on the other side of Surrey in Aldershot. I've heard it mentioned somewhere before." Hardwin said thoughtfully as it was a long time ago.

"Not today, I think. It is still two weeks until Mardyn's birthday, and neither Marcus nor I are prepared to transverse such an undertaking today." Marcellus replied though Hardwin could tell he didn't care much for going to the muggle world to find what they needed.

"Perhaps next week?" Marcus suggested without the same distaste his brother had expressed in his tone, and Hardwin nodded.

"Let me know when you're available, and I'll get back to you. I've just moved into the Manor so I still need to settle in, and now I'll be needing to schedule renovations." Hardwin replied with a small glint in his eye as he had already thought of a few ideas for that sunroom and what he would do with it.

"Then we will speak more later. Good day, Lord Black." Marcellus said with a nod before Marcus stepped forward and grasped Hardwin's hand.

"Until then, Lord Black." He said, and Hardwin blushed brightly as his lips grazed softly over his knuckles in parting while his heated gaze bore into green eyes.

"Good day, Heir Flint; Scion Flint." Hardwin replied, a little flustered, as Marcus released his hand and both he and his brother turned and left.

He stared after them for a moment in thought before his attention was drawn away by a familiar chuckle. He turned to see Andromeda watching him with a soft look on her face, and amusement in her eyes. Hardwin straightened with a slight clearing of his throat as his gaze darted away in embarrassment. It was only then he noticed they were being watched, almost blatantly, by various witches and wizards in the Alley.

"Perhaps we should get what we can from the apothecary. There isn't much time before my appointment." Hardwin said as he tried to ignore the eyes on him, and held out his arm to his cousin to escort her as she had taught him was proper in public when with female family who were single; which she was now that she had been widowed.

"I agree, though I believe we should warn Narcissa she may be hearing from Lord Flint in the next few days." There was teasing in her tone though genuine pleasure as well.

"You think so?" Hardwin asked a little unsurely as they walk down the Alley.

"I do, dear. Scion Flint could barely take his eyes off you." She teased again as she watched him try to keep the blush from his cheeks.

"He was different today than I remember from school. It was a good difference though. We've only interacted a couple of times off the quidditch pitch. Even then it was mostly Draco and I with the way things were between us." He admitted and felt a gentle squeeze to his forearm that distracted him from that though.

"If Lord Flint contacts my sister, then we will know he truly is interested. As for Draco, are you prepared to clear the air with him tonight?" Andromeda asked as they came to stand in front of the door to the apothecary.

"I am. It's his father I'm unsure of." Hardwin said as he kept the emotion from his voice and opened the door, waiting for her to enter first before following inside.

"Yes, I had thought as much from your conversation with Narcissa earlier this week. Has he done something that perhaps she doesn't know about that makes you unsure of him?" She asked and Hardwin nodded as he pulled out the list that Kreacher had given him that morning to restock the potions cupboards.

"This isn't the place to speak of it, but yes. It is one thing I hope to avoid in conversation tonight." He admitted before she took the parchment from his hand.

"Then let's get this bit of shopping done, and not speak of it." Andromeda said as she used her wand to spell the list into two parts and handed him one.

Using the part of the list he'd been given, Hardwin grabbed one of the cauldrons they used there as baskets and started making his way around the shop. Andromeda split off from him with her half of the list as they both measured and checked both quality and freshness. They managed to get a good bit of the list before they needed to leave to get to Hardwin's appointment on time. Even so, Hardwin would have to come back another day.

I was just one more thing to add to his week.

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That's it for this chapter. I was surprised to have gotten it done so quickly, but now I can get it out to all of you. The next chapter will pick up at Malfoy Manor for dinner where they will discuss the results of the trip to St. Mungos and more.

~Ryu Katanna

Edited: 11/18/2022