The group sat in silence as James and Bellatrix contemplated everything they had just been told. They were informed of what the terms of the contract were, why it was created and what their next steps would be, should it be signed.

Without a word, Bellatrix signed the contract with the blood quill. It was an easy choice for her. She had seen the cracks in the pureblood supremacy. She had noticed that those who don't come from families that support the agenda are far more relaxed and free. While she wouldn't gain complete freedom, it would be far more than she would ever get otherwise.

Everyone looked at James who was in deep thought as he looked at the table. In a short time, James had to actually get to know Bellatrix Black, he had grown to like the witty witch. She was fun to be around and if her dueling skills were anything to go by, she was intelligent. Combined with her striking beauty and anyone would be lucky to be with her. For such a wounder to be wasted on such a swine like Redolphes would be a shame. And the thought of her being brought down to their level was worse. James looked up to Bellatrix and saw while she kept her face emotionless, emotionless, her eyes were silently pleading for him to help her. James gave her a reassuring SMILE. Bellatrix gave a small smile back and James signed the contract with the blood quill. "I'm looking forward to getting to know you better Trixie." He spoke up.

"I'm sure you are," Bellatrix responded with a grin and a wink.

"You two are going to be insufferable." Andromeda groaned.

The now engaged couple beamed at Andromeda in response. "You know it!" James happily proclaimed.

Fleamont drew his wand and made two copies of the contract. He gave one to Arcturus to keep, one to Mipsy to hand in at the department of magical bonds and contracts at the ministry. And the last he would place in the family archive.

Soon.

Everyone was now arriving for the funeral they were greeted by Fleamont, Euphemia, James, and Bellatrix greeted them. They were surprised to hear about the engagement, but most happily congratulated them regardless.

Arcturus was astonished at the number of prominent families attending; Bones, Longbottom, Greengrass, Scamander, Moody, McKinnon, Abbott, Delacour, Goldstein and Diggory. Along with many important individuals; Minerva McGonagall, Filius Flitwick, Horace Slughorn, as well as Aurors and healers alike. If someone told Arcturus that everyone who fought against Grindelwald and his forces and survived was here, he'd believe them.

Soon they were all lead into a nearby forest and past a set of wards where a large ash tree stood in a clearing. In front of it was was a pile of branches from the tree with a non-magical photo of Charles, Dora and their son, Bradley Arcturus Potter. He was two years old then. No bodies were found in the ruins of their homes so the photo would take their place. And rows of seats for those who are attending.

Once everyone had sat down, Fleamont spoke from in front of the pile of branches. "Today we are here mourn the loss of Baron Charles Hardwin Potter, Baroness Dora Arianna Potter née Black and their son, Bradley Arcturus Potter. But to me, they were my hot-headed little brother Charlie, my compassionate sister in law Dora and my quidditch loving nephew Brad." Fleamont stopped to wipe the tears from his eyes. "I always knew Charlie would be different from the moment he cast his first spell. Incarcerous. The same spell our mother used to make him sit still during lessons." A short wave of laughter greeted him in response. "He was fighting three fourth-year Gryffindors who were jinxing this first year Slytherin girl he had made friends with on the express. Those of us who weren't being stupid and blaming him for the points we lost were teasing him about having a girlfriend." Fleamont gave a watery chuckle. "I think he got the last laugh when he proposed to her.

I was in my sixth year when he came to Hogwarts so I don't know much of what he did will he was there, but the only time I've ever seen him scared was when Dora was pregnant. He was pacing so much I had to use our mother's old trick and tie to a chair." A few more laughs came from the crowd.

"Dora was one of the kindest and patient people I've ever met. Charlie asked her out four times in ten minutes and proposed seven times a few years later. Apparently, my brother was at his most romantic after hitting his head and with short term memory." Once more people laughed. "While Charlie was panicking during her pregnancy, she would just sit there, hands on her stomach, and just hum to herself. Without a care in the world."

"And then there was Bradley. He knew what he wanted to do the second he saw a broom. And after taking him to his first quidditch game, there was no stopping him. He wanted to be a seeker and win the world. Before they moved to America I went to every one of his games at Hogwarts. He was well on his way to achieving his dreams." By this point, Fleamont was a mess. He was sniffing and rubbing his eyes constantly. "Thank you." croaked.

As Fleamont went to sit down, Arcturus stood up to say some words. "Dora was a Black unlike any other I've met apart from Andromeda. She wanted more from life than a respectable marriage. She wanted to be a healer. And whenever someone told her no, she always had an answer. When she was told a lady in her position should not be working, she questioned why her grades at Hogwarts mattered then. When told that she wasn't allowed to be a healer, she said that she didn't trust anyone else to look after her family. Our family sent a few friends to help bring her back in line. She got herself a Gryffindor attack dog to scare them off."

Arcturus took a shaky breath before continuing. "Family was the most important thing to Dora. She said 'Black's act so proud of their family, but never seem to truly care about them.' It caught me off guard when I heard it, but I found myself unable to argue against it. So when the time came for me to be Lord Black, I decided to do things differently. I allowed my siblings to choose their own spouses and relaxed my hold on the house." Arcturus dried his eyes with his handkerchief.

"When Charlus came to me to ask for Dora's hand in marriage, he slammed the contract onto my desk and sat down without a word. I took my time before I started to read, excepting him to buckle, but he just looked right back at. Eventually, I read through it. There wasn't much to it, but it was one of the more generous contracts I've seen. At the end it Fleamont's signature as head of house Potter, Charles' as goom and Dora's as the wife. Next to where I needed to sign there was a note. It said 'We're going to get married one way or another.'" Arcturus looked down as he shook his head at the memory. He had a small smile and tears running down his face. After taking a moment to compose himself, he continued his story. "I challenged him to a duel for her hand. It's only now when I look back, do I realize how hard he was trying not to smile. Soon enough, I was bested in five spells and signing the contract." A few people laughed at that.

"I used to see a lot of Bradley when he was younger. Dora always invited me over when we had time to catch up. They asked me to help teach him before he left for Hogwarts, and to be his godfather. I guess Charlus respected me more than he ever let on." Arcturus wasn't much better than Fleamont was as he slowly made his way back to his seat.

James wiped his eyes and made his way to the front to say a few words. "Bradley was more like an older brother than a cousin. When I first arrived at Hogwarts he showed me around and showed me a few secret passageways. He's the one who taught me to play quidditch. Not just the basics, like position and what does what. We spent hours on the weekends ..." At this moment James completely broke down. Sirius stood up to support his friend and Bellatrix soon followed.

Sirius placed his hand on James' shoulder, while Bellatrix held his hand on his other side.

"When I was first sorted into Gryffindor I wasn't exactly welcomed, but Bradley always stuck up for me. And I'll always remember that." Sirius mentioned.

Bellatrix and Sirius lead James back to his seat and the service continued.

Soon.

Once everyone had said their piece, The Potters (and Bellatrix, who was gently lead by James.)

"Wands!" Fleamont called. The three Potters drew wands that were the same wood as the tree. "Incnedio on three! One! Two! Three!"

"Incnedio." The four chorused and the pile of wood was set alight.

As the flames enveloped the photo, Fleamont turned to face the audience. "If you will please follow us back to the manner where refreshments will be waiting."

When they returned to the manner they all briefly talked to Fleamont and Euphemia, before they began to spread out into groups.

Arcturus watched one group more than the others. Bellatrix and Andromeda were with James and his friends, but that wasn't what was so interesting. What had caught the lord's attention was the glances the muggle-born that James had picked up before the others had arrived was giving Andromeda. He even caught his lips twitch upwards.

Andromeda herself had her back to him so she couldn't read her facial expressions. Bellatrix was eying one of James' friends suspiciously, while looked back to her nervously. Arcturus decided to leave them be while he discussed moving Bellatrix's personal effects in with Fleamont.

Meanwhile.

James Potter, Bellatrix Black, Sirius Black, Andromeda Black, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew and Edward Tonks had all grouped up.

"S-so there's no way out of the contract?" Pettigrew asked as he looked at Bellatrix as if she was about to pounce on him.

James sighed and rolled his eyes. He had already answered this four times. "Yes Peter, this contract was written up by my dad and Arcturus Black. Those two could write a book on underhand tactics. And then they'd sell it under someone else's name." The group laughed at James' comment, with Blacks in the group agreeing that their head of house would actually do that.

"So that means I can finally seduce Evans!" Sirius cheered. Everyone but Bellatrix laughed in response.

"Yeah right, you're worse than James!" Edward laughed. "The only one that has a chance is Remus."

"I was actually going to try being mature this year to get her. Or least get caught less." James chuckled.

"Does this mean we're finally allowed to go after her group?" Peter asked giddily. Bellatrix raised an eyebrow at that.

James hummed as he looked behind to the other group around their age. The group consisted of; the bones siblings, Marlene McKinnon, Cyrus Greengrass, and Samantha Carrington. "We'll still leave Sam alone since she's with Cyrus."

"Why's that so important?" Bellatrix asked.

"We'll go to him when we need potion ingredients fast and cheap. Although me and Andi are the only ones here who can brew something other than slime." James answered. "In return, we leave him alone."

"It was thanks to him we were able to Mclaggin's skin keep changing different colours for a week," Remus added.

Bellatrix smiled. "I remember that."

And so they chatted away until it was time to leave.

Latter.

Bellatrix was in the bed she was given at Potter manor. She was surprised to have been given her own room instead of immediately sharing a bed with James. Tomorrow she would undergo a ritual that would help her shrug off compulsions, including the imperious. After that, she would learn the family's traditions and then their greatest secret.

Bellatrix was broken out of her musings by a knock at the door. "Come in." She responded as she sat up.

James walked in with a smile. "Hey."

"Hi."

There was an awkward silence filled the room.

James finally spoke up. "I want to talk. About us."

"About us how?" Bellatrix asked.

"Well we both know we're gonna end up married as soon as I leave Hogwarts." James began as he moved to sit at the foot of the bed. "And I want to give US a chance you know? I'd rather we weren't one fake, stuffy couples if you know what I mean."

"I do." She answered.

"So I thought it might be best if we forget about the contract and actually try dating. You know, act like were just any old couple?"

Bellatrix smiled and moved to sit next to James. "I'd like that. Actually having a husband that I care for would be nice."

"Well, the ritual tomorrow will take some time to prepare. So how about we spend some time in the ally? Have some ice cream and get to know each other? What do you say?" James asked with a hopeful smile.

"Sounds fun." Bellatrix answered.

"Great."

They both slowly leaned towards each other and shared their first kiss. The first of many.

I'm going to do 2 more chapters before the time skip. The next will focus on James and Bellatrix's first week together and others reactions. Then next will show the wedding and snippets of Harry's early life.

Also, I've decided on who Harry will be paired with, but I'm not gonna tell you yet. :)