Chapter 14: Bureaucracy
"Will that be all, Madame Black?" Auror Kingsley Shackelbolt asked the widow who sat across from him in his office in the Ministry of Magic.
"Yes, Auror Shackelbolt", the veiled woman answered and got ready to get up.
"When should the decision come through?"
"As soon as it has been reviewed by the Head Auror and your Head of House", he answered and followed her example to be respectful of a member of the Ancient and Noble House of Black. She nodded regally and left gracefully and silently as she had come.
"You are being awfully trustful of Walburga", Severus commented as he came into the library where Hermione was reading. Cepheus and Harry were up in the nursery playing under Kreacher's watchful eye.
"She will not deny me. Or Cepheus, for that matter", she answered without lifting her eyes from the book she was browsing. Severus humphed and sat on an armchair next to the settee she was lounging on.
"Last time you saw her, she insulted you and threw you out of Grimmauld Place", he continued sceptically. Hermione finally shut the book with a thump looking right into his eyes.
"Your memory fails you. We were here at the cottage and she left back to Grimmauld Place and she has never denied Cepheus anything. I know her. You might've been Regulus' best friend for many years, but I lived with her during happiness and the grief that met us both", she burst out.
"I know her."
She then went silent and looked down. They were quiet for a while until Severus spoke.
"I'm sorry. I forget how many years it has been, and how intertwined you were with the family. It was only the elder of the sons of Orion that you did not meet."
"Not quite", Hermione whispered making Severus jump in surprise.
"What?!"
Hermione lifted her gaze.
"When Regulus and Orion had both passed away, and Ceph had just turned a year old, I organised to meet with Sirius. I felt it was right that he would know he has a nephew."
Severus opened his mouth to say something, more than likely scathing, but instead he gathered his wits.
"Of course. It is his right", he said instead gritting his teeth. Hermione smiled at him making him feel better about admitting such a thing.
Walburga studied the application and letter in front of her apprehensively. She should not by all rights even consider such a thing.
The Honourable Lady Walburga of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black,
I approach you with an unusual request that might seem presumptuous coming from me as we did not depart on amenable means. Yet you have shown a fondness to Cepheus, your grandson, who is still the heir to the Lordship left behind my much missed father-in-law, your late husband, the Honourable Lord Orion Black.
It is on the behalf of my son and the benefit of our house that I request permission to visit the Prison of Azkaban to meet with the members of our house who reside there. We must not forget our family even in that most dark place.
I am painfully aware that the close bond we once shared has been eternally severed and that you do not consider a part of the House of Black. I accept this verdict, but as long as my son is young and cannot speak for his self, I must be his representative. This is vital with him being the Heir Apparent to the Lordship and with this I would find it beneficial to introduce his existence to the members of our house who are still considered honourable and worthy.
I would so ask you to make the introduction of Cepheus to the Malfoy family as the Lady Narcissa resides in that family, and so I will make his introduction through a trip to Azkaban to the esteemed Bellatrix Lestrange and your son, Sirius Black.
I should not dare address you as I am a taint to the most pure of houses, but the facts remain.
Your humble servant,
Madame Hermione Black.
The application stood:
The Honourable Lady Walburga of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black,
A member of your house has come to the ministry requesting permission to travel to the Prison Island of Azkaban to make goodwill the members of your house who live there. For permission for such a visit approval of the Ministry of Magic and the Head of House is needed.
Sincerely,
Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt
Head of Administration of Azkaban Prison
She pondered over the papers for a long time. Finally…
Continues tomorrow.