CHAPTER 4
To say Lord Black was surprised when he received a request to meet from Lord Conte-Chandler would be an understatement. Nevertheless, he agreed to a meering, and that was how he found a young Lord in his study on a Saturday morning.
"What can I do for you?" He asked after the pleasantries were out of the way.
"I would like to propose an alliance between Houses Conte and Chandler with House Black. As with my alliance with House Potter, a sign of good faith would be your heir agreeing to chaperone my sister in a house I cannot be in. Lillian Conte, known as Lily Evans, is in need of a chaperone, and as Lord Potter wishes to pursue her, he cannot chaperone. For my part, I would offer a trade agreement for the length of his duties, and a possible extension should you be happy with it." Harry proposed.
"My heir meaning Sirius, correct?" Orion clarified. It had somehow been spread that Sirius would be passed over. He wanted to double check that this Lord had not done the same.
"Indeed." Harry's eyes glinted with understanding of the man's plight. He and Orion did the paperwork, and a few hours later, they emerged, both satisfied. As Harry stood, he was stopped by Orion's voice. "I have an unmarried niece, Bellatrix. It would be beneficial to us both if you would take her in some way. House Lestrange is trying to force me into a marriage contract that would bind her mind, and I don't like being forced as much as I don't like her mind being bound. Lucius, her chaperone, will be introducing you tonight. I would appreciate it if you would at least see if you would be agreeable to the match."
Harry hesitated. "The Conte family has never been big on marriage contracts..."
"...but the Chandlers are." Orion corrected.
"I will consider it. I do not like that any girl would be forced into a marriage where her mind is bound." He responded at last. "We will be in touch."
Lucius was resting in the common room when he got back from his meeting, and skid a letter into his pocket when Harry emerged from the entrance. He led Harry over to a couch where Bellatrix Black was reading. "Hadrian, Lord of Conte and Chandler, may I introduce you to Bellatrix, daughter of the Ancient and Noble House of Black, sister of my intended."
Harry almost grimaced, sure he would find the same crazed woman who had killed his godfather, and was shocked to meet a beautiful, demure woman. "Scion Malfoy." She protested quietly.
"Pardon me, Bella. I know you dislike your full first name, but it is improper to be informal with a Lord not your intended or close family."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Black." Harry interrupted their argument smoothly.
"The pleasure, Lord Conte-Chandler, is all mine." She said with a soft smile. It darkened when Rodolphus Lestrange made his way over and took a seat improperly close for anyone other than a betrothed or spouse.
"Scion Lestrange, I was not aware Lord Black signed betrothal papers with Miss Black." Lucius said coldly. Lestrange shifted a few inches until he was a proper distance.
"Not yet, Scion Malfoy, but it is almost certain. Unless another offer is made on the Slytherin princess here, Bellatrix Black will be my bride." He said with a smirk. Harry noticed Bella shiver and offered her his arm, ignoring the slimy man.
"Lucius, Scion de la Maison Noble de Malfoy, would you mind if I took Miss Black for a walk to clear her head? She seems quite pale." Harry asked on a whim.
"Of course not, Hadrian, Lord of the Ancient and Noble House of Conte, Lord of the Ancient and Noble House of Chandler, Seigneur Régent de la Maison Antique et Noble de Dubois. Bella will be safe in your presence. It is known that the Conte's are all for propriety as well as courtesy." Lucius smirked. "All I ask is to know when you return, so I may see my soon-to-be-sister's health with my own eyes."
Harry nodded his agreement, and led Bella out of the dungeons, and out to the grounds.
"Thank you, my Lord." Bellatrix said softly. "Lord Lestrange has offered a contract on his son's behalf, and as he has no competitors, it is likely I will be given to him and lose my will. Most Lestrange contracts contain a clause that binds the will of the wife to her husband. Often, she will lose her mind to his." She blushed. "Pardon me, my tongue seems to be rather loose around you."
"Not at all, Miss Black, and please, when we are in private, you may address me as my friend, if I am not too presumptuous. My name is Hadrian." Harry found himself reevaluating the girl on his arm. She had certainly seemed insane to him in the future. Perhaps she had lost her will, and the pain of rebelling in her own mind had caused her to loose her grasp on the remnants of her sanity?
"If I may call you Hadrian, you must call me Bella." She said softly, and turning red at her boldness.
"Bella, then." He agreed. "What do you like about Hogwarts?" He asked her. They spoke for almost two hours about every topic Harry could think of, before he broached the volatile topic.
"Bella, what has Lord Lestrange offered for your contract?" He asked, wanting to know her point of view. He looked her in the eye, and his magic reached for her. Harry nearly gasped. It was rare to be compatible enough for your magic to try and bond you, though Lily and James were one such pair. It wasn't a soul bond, exactly, but the concept was similar.
"He has offered half a million as a bride price, and he knows he will get it back when my vault is transferred to my husband." She said reluctantly. "Also, he has offered a semi-lucrative trade agreement. As I have no other suitor, it is simply when my uncle caves, not if."
Harry's mind was already racing as he led her back to the dorm, just before curfew. "Bella, you are worth much more than that. You are worth ten times that, at least, and he doesn't deserve you."
"Thank you, Hadrian." She whispered softly. He handed her off to Lucius, and went up to his dorm. He didn't know what to do. The Conte family didn't believe in contracts, but the Chandlers were known to use them. His magic had tried to bond Bellatrix to him, though, and he wasn't sure to how she would react if he bought her so Lestrange couldn't.
"You are taken with Bellatrix." Lucius stated when he came up a few moments later.
"She is everything I could hope to find." Harry admitted. "She is fiery, and yet wise. She has a strong magic, I can feel it, and she has the bearing of a proper Lady, were she to become my wife. And yet..." Harry trailed off.
"You don't know her well, and the Conte family is known to marry for love." Lucius finished. "Hadrian, if any part of you can see yourself with my cousin, please save her from Lestrange." He paused and closed his eyes as if pained. "The Lestranges have firmly entrenched themselves with Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord my father is so taken with, and the one I will be forced to join if I wish Narcissa to live. Bella hates the man. Should she marry Rodolphus, she will be locked away in her own mind, and she will become crazy in there. There is no doubt she will be forced to obey Voldemort if that happens."
"Lucius, I don't know what to do. I don't believe in contracts, but if it is the only way to prevent her marriage..." He trailed off, conveying his struggle.
"I understand, Hadrian. Whatever your choice, I will not contest it, and I will not broach this topic again." Lucius said reluctantly.
That night, Harry couldn't sleep. His mind was burdened, and in the morning he decided to write Orion Black.
Lord Black,
I have met your niece, Bellatrix Black, and I find her very agreeable. I would offer five million as a bride price, and a trade agreement between House Chandler's potion farms and the many potions shops you own around the world. I understand not wanting to be forced, and you are correct. Her mind is a beautiful thing. It would not do to be bound by such as Lestrange or others. I will have my account manager draw up a contract to send your way.
Hadrian, Lord of the Ancient and Noble Houses of Conte and Chandler, Seigneur Régent de la Maison Antique et Noble de Dubois
That done, he wrote a letter to Stoneclaw, his account manager, and asked him to write a marriage contract between himself and Lord Black for the girl Bellatrix Black, at the bride price of 5 million galleons and a trade agreement between his potion farms and Lord Black's potion stores. He then turned his attention to the rest of the day, and by the time Lucius rose, he was ready. Harry decided not to tell Lucius about his decision. He would get to know Bella before he told her he was marrying her.
At breakfast, he took a seat beside Bellatrix, and smiled at her. "Good morning, Miss Black." She appeared startled, but smiled at him.
"Lord Conte-Chandler." She greeted. Hermione slid next to Harry at that moment.
"Good morning!" She chirped happily. Harry nodded to Bella as he turned his attention to his sister.
"Good morning. Should I even ask?" He ventured.
"No. I'll tell you. I had a great night last night, and James kissed Lily then too." Harry stood immediately. "Sit down." She told him sternly. "He just went to kiss her cheek goodnight, and she turned into it accidentally. It was sweet, and you are not going to threaten him."
"Fine." He growled. He looked over, and was pleased to see Sirius had been notified of his duties, and was next to Lily.
"Should I be drawing up betrothal papers yet, or is that not yet to come?" He asked, feigning reluctance. She nudged him.
"Relax, but have Stoneclaw draw them up for when James speaks with you." She advised. Harry nodded and kissed her cheek. He nodded towards Regulus, who sat across from him this morning. "Regulus Black, this is my sister, Hermione."
He eyed her with appreciation. "How do you do, Miss Conte?" He inclined his head.
"I am very well this morning, Mr. Black. And you?" She said stiffly, not liking being so formal.
"My sister is very Gryffindor, Regulus. Perhaps a bit less formality, if it is agreeable to you."
His eyes said this was very agreeable. "Of course. Good morning, Hermione."
"Good morning Regulus. How are you?" She said sweetly. He smiled at her.
"Very well, now that I have been made aware of your lovely manner on this beautiful manner." He flirted.
Hermione laughed. "You're an awful flirt!" She winked. "Such a roguish manner for one of the house of snakes.