The Future of House Black

by The Katanna Twins

The war is finally over. Harry now needs to figure things out. He discovers things hidden from him, and for once makes a decision not guided by the manipulations of another. He's accepted the Lordship. Now it's time to work towards his future. To pull his family away from the brink of extinction. He has decided. Rated T for now...

19. Chapter Nineteen

The Future of House Black

By: Ryu Katanna

Beta:

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 Nineteen

Hardwin called Winky and Kreacher to bring refreshments and a softly padded baby basket to lay Teddy into which he set on the desk while they waited. It was less than twenty minutes later when Narcissa and Andromeda, who was carrying Teddy, entered the study. Hardwin stood from his chair at the desk and held out his arms in a silent request to take Teddy, and Andromeda handed the baby to him. He held onto his godson with a small smile before taking a deep breath and inviting the two women to take a seat. Narcissa moved to sit next to Draco on the settee while Andromeda took the chair near the desk, and Hardwin moved to his seat behind the desk.

"As Andromeda and Draco already know, I found a letter from Sirius before moving from Grimmauld Place. I finally read it last night." Hardwin started before telling them what he had told Draco earlier, and that Sirius's scion ring was sealed in the envelope as well.

"I'm going to take some time to think over my options before I go to Kingsley to see about clearing his name. I would like to see if his name can be cleared without the violation of putting his life on display to anyone. Now we have a way to lay him to rest, at least." Hardwin said quietly as he lulled Teddy to sleep with a slow rocking motion.

"That's good. Just let us know what you decide. I'm sure we can arrange a beautiful service at the Black mausoleum once his name is cleared." Narcissa said softly, and Hardwin shook his head.

"I was thinking of Godric's Hallow with my mum and dad. Sirius... My father rejected his relationship with the Black family. He provided an heir in me, but I don't think he would have wanted to be buried with the relatives he despised." He said with a small sigh as Teddy drifted off.

"I think you are right. He would have preferred to be with the friends he loved. Are you sure, though? As Lord Black, you will one day rest within the Black Mausoleum if you decide to follow tradition." Andromeda said, knowing that Hardwin probably hadn't thought about that.

"I'm alright with that. I know that my spirit will be with them even if my body isn't." Hardwin replied with a small smile as he knew that his parents were already together with Remus and that they would never truly leave him.

"Have you written to Lord Potter yet? If I recall correctly, James and Lily Potter were buried in the area of the Godric's Hallow Cemetary that belongs to the Potter family. You will need your cousin's permission if you want to place your parents together there." Narcissa told him, and Hardwin knew she was probably right.

"I'll write to him today. I sent Siddra out last night so I'll need to wait on her to return or take it to Gringotts myself while I'm in London." Hardwin replied as he stood slowly to place Teddy in the basket.

"You still haven't received your order for the other crows?" Andromeda asked with a raised brow at how long it was taking.

"Not yet. If I haven't gotten a letter saying they're ready in the next few days then I'll stop by the Menagerie to have a word with Mr. Stretton again." Hardwin said even though he truthfully didn't want to deal with the man again if he could help it.

"Using crows in place of owls is unusual here in Britain. He may be having a hard time locating a breeder. Even so, he should have written so you could expect the delay." Andromeda said softly as she picked up one of the small plates and selected a scone from the basket.

"Back to the reason Draco called you both here. I also found this was left for me on the desk. I thought you all might have questions of your own to ask when I wake him." Hardwin said before handing the short letter from Arcturus to Andromeda; who read it before handing it to Narcissa.

"Thank you for having us here for this, Hardwin. I will admit to having a few questions for him." Narcissa said as she handed the parchment to Harwin as he stepped around his desk to stand in front of Arcturus's portrait.

Hardwin took the parchment, and reread the passphrase to be sure he had it correct. He laid the parchment next to the basket that held the sleeping Teddy before approaching the mantle. Letting his magic connect with his Lordship ring, Hardwin held his hand up to the family crest at the base of the frame of the portrait.

"Excita Memoriam Nigris." He incanted as the family magic gathered; pooling into the crest, before spreading out in a wave through the house, and settling back into the ring.

It didn't take long for the four of them to start seeing movement. The man in the portrait shifted as he woke; shoulders pulling back from the slumped position they had been in whilst asleep. Dark-painted lashes flickered to reveal silver-blue eyes closer in shade to Draco's light hue than the darker silver-grey Sirius had inherited. Hardwin felt himself straighten as those eyes moved around the room as Arcturus studied each of their faces in turn before settling on him.

"Hardwin; my grandson and heir. It pleases me to see you. I had worried this day would never come." Arcturus spoke after studying Hardwin for a moment; his lips tilted upward in pleasure and possibly relief though he showed no other sign of emotion.

"Hello, Grandfather Arcturus. You have Andromeda to thank for us being here today. If she hadn't pushed me to claim my inheritance at Gringotts then we may have never known the truth behind my birth." Hardwin replied with a nod to the woman who stood with Narcissa and Draco around him.

"Andromeda... So you have returned to the family. I owe you my gratitude, but what of your parents? Sirius or James should have been the ones to tell you." Arcturus gave Andromed a nod of acknowledgment before frowning as his eyes looked searchingly around the room.

"Much has happened since you left for France to live in seclusion eighteen years ago, and even more since your passing seven years ago. I lost my husband, my daughter, and my son-in-law to the war. Hardwin is my grandson's godfather. I have only returned to House Black for his sake." Andromeda replied stiffly as Arcturus's eyes seemed to dim at the information.

"War? I thought that the war would have ended..." Arcturus said quietly before turning his gaze to Narcissa as she spoke.

"The Dark Lord disappeared after killing Lily and Jame Potter almost seventeen years ago. He attacked Harwin as well, but he survived. He returned four years ago, and with him, so did the war. Hardwin defeated the Dark Lord for good only a few months ago. Hardwin met with both Andromeda and I after receiving the results of his inheritance test and accepting the Lordship ring a Gringotts. Hardwin, Andromeda, and I are all that remains of those born to the House of Black." Narcissa informed him crisply and Hardwin continued as Arcturus's lips pressed together in a show of restraint for the grief those words must have caused as he knew it would be better to lay it out now.

"I don't know how much of what you were informed of before your death so I'll brush over it briefly. My parents were betrayed when I was a year-and-a-half old by their friend Peter Pettigrew. He was the Secret Keeper for the Fidelius my mum and dad were living under. Tom, or Voldemort if you prefer, killed them on Halloween. Sirius... My father went half-mad and took off after Pettigrew." Hardwin started before continuing to explain how he'd been placed with his mum's relatives and brushing through what had happened; only touching on important topics without going into too much detail.

"Bellatrix killed Sirius during an altercation when I was fifteen. Andromeda's daughter Nymphadora, her husband Remus, and Bellatrix all died in the final battle at Hogwarts only a few months ago. Sirius never told me the truth about our relationship. I didn't learn about it until after Andromeda pushed me to visit Gringotts. I did find a letter he had written to me in his desk drawer at Grimmauld afterward that explained some things. I only read last night when I found the letter you left for me on the desk." Hardwin finished knowing he would likely go into more specifics at a later date if it was ever needed.

"I see... It grieves me that our family has fallen so far. A lot of the blame for that also lay with me." Arcturus said looking disappointed and saddened as his shoulders slumped slightly with the weight of what he'd been told.

"House Black has fallen quite far, but lucky for you, Hardwin plans to change things." Andromeda said as she sat back down and refilled her teacup.

"He's brought what's left of us together to try to mend the rift in this family. He is also working on rebuilding the alliance between House Black and House Malfoy though we were on opposite sides of the war. He has also decided to start rebuilding relations with the other families, and I have been approached as his representative for a marriage meeting." Narcissa said a bit teasingly as she tried to lighten the mood from how heavy it had become.

"Oh? From your tone, am I to assume it would be a beneficial match?" Arcturus asked with a raised brow as Andromeda also appeared to be as enthused as her sister.

"A beneficial match indeed. Andromeda and I were discussing an appropriate date for a meeting with Lord Maddox Flint when we were asked to gather here. It seems our Hardwin has managed to draw the eye of his second son." Narcissa said with a bemused smile as Hardwin pursed his lips and shifted uncomfortably.

"I would say he more than drew his eye. The young man couldn't keep his eyes off him when we were in Diagon the other day. Makes me wonder what, exactly, transpired when he met with him yesterday that prompted Lord Flint to request a meeting today." Andromeda said as she joined in on the teasing; watching as a flush came over Hardwin's face.

Hardwin shifted uneasily at the change in topic. He hadn't expected it to be brought up this soon, and he was still unused to being teased the way he was. The last week had led to him spending some time with all of his cousins as they got to know each other as a family without the tensions of the war looming over them. Formality had fallen away behind closed doors, and Hardwin had started getting to know both Narcissa and Draco better. Still, he wasn't used to being teased light-heartedly as he had been by both Andromeda and Narcissa. Green eyes narrowed at the familiar spark in Draco's eyes and the other teen looked at him and smirked knowingly. He suddenly regretted his earlier conversation with him as the teen opened his mouth.

"Oh, I'll tell you what happened. Hardwin had lunch alone with Marcus after their shopping trip in the muggle world yesterday." Draco said as he drew attention from Arcturus's portrait as well as his mother and aunt.

"Alone? Hardwin, you didn't tell me the two of you were alone..." Andromeda started to say in a scolding tone and Hardwin sighed at how far off-topic this family meeting to question Arcturus's portrait had gone.

"Hardwin, you are of marriageable age, and I have been preparing for marriage negotiations at your request. It is improper for you to be alone with a potential suitor. It's one thing while you're attending school and were only the heir, but you are the Lord of House Black now. I know Andromeda and I have been teasing you but-" Narcissa started scolding him as well until Hardwin interrupted her as he threw up his hands in frustration.

"I know! I'm sorry, okay, but nothing really happened. Marcus wanted to treat me to lunch as a thank you, and we were still in public at a muggle restaurant." Hardwin said as he quickly cast a one-way silencing ward around the basket where Teddy was sleeping so he wouldn't be woken.

"Is that all that happened?" Andromeda asked knowing that as much as it may frustrate Hardwin to be taken to task over this, he also appreciated it in his own way because this was them showing they cared.

"We had lunch at a muggle Italian restaurant not too far from the pet store. We talked about a few things while we ate. Afterward, he asked me if we could go out for a meal again. I said that I would like to, but that it wouldn't be proper. Especially when I know I'm to be betrothed once Narcissa chooses an acceptable match. That's when he asked if I would accept if he had Lord Flint approach you for my contract." Hardwin admitted knowing that they wouldn't drop the subject now.

"How did you respond?" Andromeda asked as Hardwin glanced up at Arcturus's portrait who was watching the conversation like one would an interesting quidditch match.

"I told him not to joke about something like that, and asked him if he'd thought it through. He said that mutual interest is more than most marriage contracts start with and that he was serious about it. I told him I would accept a betrothal between us only if Narcissa approved the match. I mean, I asked her to act as my representative for a reason." Hardwin said before looking toward Narcissa as he spoke to her this time.

"I knew when I agreed to a marriage contract that it wouldn't be a love match. I'll admit that I'm attracted to Marcus Flint, and I'm interested in him, but this isn't about how I feel about him right now. Those feeling may fade with time. I trust you to do what's best for our House, and if you don't think that a marriage between us would benefit House Black then I'll accept that."

He knew that Narcissa had grieved the end of the House, the family, that she'd been born into. He also knew that she knew the family charter and the other old Houses much better than he did. Hardwin had a lot to learn. He would need time to learn these things, but it would take time. He didn't have time to hope for love when he would need to be married before he turned twenty. They may be working on mending the rift that the war had torn in their family, but Hardwin already felt he could trust her to do what was best to help rebuild House Black.

"You have a good head on your shoulders, Hardwin, but take some advice from an old man who learned his lesson too late in life. Being the Lord of an Ancient and Noble House isn't easy. As Lord, you are responsible for preserving, improving, and maintaining the image, social status, financial status, and well-being of those of House Black. It can be a heavy responsibility and a lot of pressure. Your actions will reflect upon the family, and their actions will reflect upon you." Arcturus said gravely as the room fell into a heavy silence at his words.

"Sometimes what you, as Lord, believe to be best for our House will not always be what is best for the individuals in the family whose care you are responsible for. That includes yourself as well. Your parents wanted the world for you, Hardwin. Sirius fought tooth a nail against his place in this House because he was unhappy with the pressures, expectations, and views that were pushed on him from the time he was very young. He gave our House an heir in you, but he never wanted you to be forced to live the life that he hated. Your parents made it very clear that you were to have your own choices if you were to accept the Lordship. Something that they believed I would interfere with, and I can't say I blame them. I made a lot of mistakes that I later came to regret as I saw the unhappiness I had caused myself and those dear to me." Arcturus admitted as he looked from Hardwin to Andromeda.

"Is that why you never formally disown me when I ran away?" Andromeda asked quietly, and Hardwin knew that it was a question that she had wanted an answer to after finding out she had not been disowned for her marriage to Ted.

"Yes. I owe you an apology, Andromeda. You disappeared in the night because you didn't feel that you could come to me. That is my failing as a Lord of our House. I had hoped that you would return one day. I never got the chance to tell you, and I knew it would need to be your choice when my letters returned unopened." Arcturus told her only to look at Narcissa as she spoke next.

"Why did you leave for France after Hardwin was born? If you knew you'd made mistakes then why didn't you remain to try to correct them?" She asked, and Hardwin had to admit that he had been curious about that too.

"By the time Hardwin was born I had lost Melania, Orion, Regulus, and Sirius made it clear how he felt. Sirius, as well as James and Lily Potter, only agreed to provide an heir to the Black line on the condition I swore a vow to never interfere with how he was raised once he was born. I was already ill, and I knew I might not have much time left. Just before Regulus's scion ring confirmed his death; I was diagnosed by my healer with an illness that the muggles call cancer." Arcturus told her before his gaze returned to Hardwin with a softer look in his painted eyes.

"Your parents agreed to follow the Black family tradition for the heir to be born within the manor for the strongest connection to the family magics. They let me hold you only once just after you were born when I placed your scion ring on your finger. A beautiful baby with dark hair and the greenest eyes I had ever seen. Even more so than your mother's. I knew I wouldn't see you again once you were whisked away unless I managed to live until your majority. I updated my portrait, sealed the wards to allow only myself and you to open them, and then left for treatment at a muggle hospital in France. I had hoped to live long enough to meet you when you came of age, but I suppose that was not meant to be." Arcturus told him as Hardwin's brows furrowed at the information.

"You made it until the year Hardwin and I first attended Hogwarts. Mother wrote to you, but she didn't receive a response until she was informed of your death in October." Draco said quietly before Hardwin spoke up with a look of confusion.

"Wait... You said you placed my scion ring, but I've never worn a ring until the Lordship ring." Hardwin said as he held up his hands where only the single ring could be seen on his right ring finger.

"It should still be there. Only the owner of the ring and the Lord of the House could remove it. Perhaps Lord Potter did something to hide them?" Arcturus said as he looked at Hardwin's hands with a bit of confusion even as he gained all of their attention.

"Lord Potter? So he knew about Hardwin's birth?" Andromeda asked knowing Hardwin had been wondering about the Lord of House Potter.

"Of course, he knew. James Potter made a comment the night Hardwin was born about meeting with his Lord of House to present their son. I do not know if Lord Potter was informed of the circumstances of Sirius blood adopting Hardwin, but I do know they intended to hide his status as my heir to protect him until he was old enough." Arcturus told them and Hardwin frowned.

"So he knew about my birth. Why do you think Lord Potter is the one who hid my scion ring?" He asked as he thought about the new information he was being presented with.

"Each of the old families have talents that run in our bloodlines. Our family is known for having dark-aligned magical cores, being talented with Dark Arts as well as Defence, and producing metamorphmagi. A talent that I notice Andromeda's grandson inherited. You also showed signs the day you were born though not to the same extent. Potters are descended from the Peverells and were known for having magical cores that are more grey than dark or light. Their talents varied with each generation, but they were best known to be talented in potions creation, transfiguration, and concealment or obscurement spellwork." Arcturus informed them, and the room grew quiet as they were all surprised though Narcissa and Andromeda both had known some of it.

"Wait... Hardwin showed signs of metamorphmagi?" Andromeda asked in surprise as her gaze shifted between Teddy and Hardwin.

"He did. I noticed it with his hair when Sirius handed him to me. It grew a bit longer, changed from straight to curly, and the shade of black darkened. Sirius was quite surprised." Arcturus replied, his tone sounding prideful as he looked at Hardwin.

"I don't... Something like that happened when I was younger. My aunt hated my hair so she cut it very short, but she left the front longer to hide my scar. I hated the way I looked, but it grew back by the next morning. I had thought it was accidental magic. That's the only time something like that has happened though." Hardwin said after a moment as he reached up to where his hair had been left loose to grasp it and inspect it curiously.

"You may have little control of it, or your true appearance has been hidden. If they didn't want anyone to know about your heritage until you were old enough then your parents might have done something to hide it. That talent is known to only run in the Black family, and would have given it away." Narcissa said thoughtfully as Hardwin's brow creased in irritation.

"How much has been a lie? Now even my looks might not be real." He mumble before dropping the strands he'd been looking at to turn and pick up Teddy as he started to wake and fuss.

"Here's his bag. Don't worry about it too much, Hardwin. We'll figure it out. For now, let's just find out what we can, and focus on what we can do. Don't dwell on it too much that you forget what's right in front of you." Andromeda said as she stood to hand him the bag, and Hardwin laid Teddy down on the top of his desk when he noticed the smell coming from the baby's diaper.

"I know. It's just aggravating. I already have a lot I need to do. The more we learn, the more things get added to the list, and I'm left with more questions that I can't ask right now." He said as he changed Teddy's cloth nappy and banished the dirty one to the bin in the nursery.

Andromeda sighed as she watched the teen redress her grandson. They all knew he must be frustrated with the lack of answers as well as how much he had on his plate. It was one of the reasons she hadn't pushed for more help with Teddy. She knew there was a lot that he was dealing with right now, and she was grateful for Hardwin allowing her to call for Winky whenever she needed. At the same time, Andromeda knew it weighed on him that he hadn't been able to spend much time with his godson.

"All clean, Teddy bear." He murmured to his godson as he picked him back up, and noticed Draco watching him intently.

He could see the curiosity in those blue-grey eyes. Hardwin smirked to himself as he grabbed a bottle out of the bag before walking over to the blonde. He could see his cousin's confusion even as Narcissa chuckled at the expression on Hardwin's face. This was the first time that Draco had seen Teddy as Andromeda hadn't wanted to take him to Malfoy Manor until she was more comfortable with the relationship between them.

"Hold out your arms, Draco." Hardwin said as he shifted the infant to adjust his cousin's hold even as Draco looked a bit uncomfortable.

"Like this?" Draco asked as he adjusted his arms the way Hardwin showed him and held the baby close to his chest carefully; trying not to squeeze him.

"Just like that. Shift your leg under your arm if it gets tired. Hold the bottle like this with your other hand. Now let him take the nipple himself. There you go." Hardwin instructed as he handed Draco the warm bottle, and stepped back only when he was sure that he'd be alright.

Draco looked uncomfortable at first, but his expression changed to fascination as Teddy took the bottle and started drinking. Narcissa smiled as she watched he son feeding her great-nephew. She knew that the relationship between the two teens had been tense while they were in school. Draco had spoken to her after her meeting with Hardwin at Grimmauld Place to express his concerns and had been taking an active role in trying to mend the bridge between them. He'd been over to Black Manor a few times during the week to help teach Hardwin some personal grooming charms, and she could see the difference in how the young Lord presented himself, as well as how the two interacted.

She'd been worried at first, but that worry started to ease. Oh, Hardwin was still watching Draco like a hawk as he fed Teddy, but he had still been the one to hand the baby to her son. It was a show of trust. One that Andromeda hadn't shown yet as Narcissa hadn't had the privilege to hold the baby. Narcissa understood as though it still pained her, there was also a lot more history between the sisters.

It would take time for them both to heal, but at least they were talking now.

"I also wanted to talk to you, Andromeda. I would like for you and Teddy to move into the Manor. At least until things are resolved with the Weasleys. I'm concerned for both of your safety after our talk with Shaclebolt last night." Hardwin said as he looked toward Andromeda though he still kept and eye on Teddy.

"No, Hardwin. You need your own space, and you may be getting married soon. I don't want to intrude when you're just getting your life back." Andromeda started to deny him as he knew she would but he pressed on.

"You and Teddy would never be intruders in my home, Andromeda. You are family. The manor is large enough that if I need to be alone there are plenty of other rooms I can go to. I know how much that house must mean to you, and I'm not saying the move would be permanent. Not unless you want it to be. I'm concerned for both of your safety, and would rather you both be safe somewhere they don't know about. Who knows what they will do as long as they don't get a response from me. They will know that doing something to Teddy is the one way that would guarantee a reaction from me. If you don't want to stay in Black Manor with me then I ask that you move into one of the other properties that are more secure. Please." Hardwin pleaded with her, and know that he would continue doing so if it would ensure the two of them would be safe.

"I understand your concerns Hardwin." Andromeda almost sighed as she looked over toward her grandson as she thought.

She knew that he would be worried if she had told him about the frequent floo calls and unexpected visits. She also knew that he was right. They didn't know who among that family was truly friends or foes. That was why her protests had already been so weak. Andromeda knew that Hardwin would do what was best for Teddy. He was the first priority for both of them, and his safety was the one thing she knew they would always agree on. She also had come to care about Hardwin himself. She'd chosen to return to the House of Black for his sake; the scion ring she'd left behind the night she'd felt was back where it belonged on her finger.

Hardwin had never fought with her over custody of Teddy, but she knew he would fight with her over his safety if he believed there was a threat to his godson. Remus and Nymphadora truly had made the right choice when it came to a godfather for their son. Hardwin would fight tooth and nail for that little boy. He would do what was best for him. He had shown that when he agreed to share custody with her holding primary custody and he had every other weekend, and one day during the week. It was why she couldn't bring herself to argue with him even more strongly than she was.

"I also have been thinking that I should be helping you more. I've been so busy with everything that I haven't been there for him like I should be. I don't want to be that kind of godfather to him." Hardwin admitted softly as he watched Narcissa show Draco how to burp Teddy after he'd finished his bottle, and Andromeda sighed in defeat.

"Alright. We'll move in, but we'll see how well it works out. I do love that house. It's where Ted and I lived since we married, and where we raised our daughter. There are a lot of memories there, but it's also a reminder..." Andromeda went quiet, but Hardwin knew what he meant.

He'd felt it when he'd been there as well. It's why he had slept on the sofa. He hadn't been able to bring himself to sleep in the bedroom that had belonged to Remus and Tonks. He could only imagine how Andromeda felt sleeping in the bed she'd shared with her husband. She would always love that house, but it would always be a reminder of everyone she'd lost. He grasped her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze.

Thank you. You can choose one of the suites upstairs. Tell one of the elves what you want from the house, have them shut down the floo, and seal the house. You should also have one of them decorate your room the way you prefer, and you can talk to Winky about changing the Nursery around for Teddy. You know better than I do what will make it more comfortable for him." Hardwin said; smiling when Draco's eye's widened as Teddy's hair changed to match his blond and Arcturus's portrait chuckled.

"By the way, Hardwin. I've found some tutors for you. They can start this week." Narcissa spoke into the comfortable silence the room had fallen into, and Hardwin cursed mentally.

He'd known it was coming sooner or later.

He'd just been hoping for later.

123456

Well, that's it for this chapter. Did not go how I'd planned at all. Oh well. So now we've got a few answers, but those have opened up more questions for Lord Potter. Andromeda and Teddy are finally moving in! I had planned for that to happen when Hardwin moved to the Manor, but it didn't quite go that way. Anyway, I'll get the next one out to you when I can!

Also, I've had some trouble with the images on AO3. Namely, not being able to find the ones I'm looking for to add to the chapter. I won't be posting pictures on AO3 anymore. I will be taking the pictures down shortly, but for those of you who like to see the images I use as a reference to work from, The Katanna Twins now have a page on Facebook. I'm still working on it, but you'll be able to find the images and other information/references there for my stories. You can also find out what I'm working on each week. Warning: Some images will be for future reference so it may give you a spoiler or two.

The link is here: . ?id=100088904995997

~Ryu