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...

22. Chapter Twenty-Two

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 Twenty-Two

Hardwin sighed as he shifted restlessly in his chair and placed the file he had been reading into the pile for rejected investment proposals. He had a feeling that the goblins at the American branch of Gringotts were testing him. He'd gone to Gringotts just before dinner two days before to get information for prospective investments, and been handed a stack of files with information on various start-ups and a few that were looking for investors in the country. The pile of rejected proposals had continued to grow over the last two days while the potentials he was interested in only held two files. He still had several files to read through, but after the last eight, he wasn't feeling very enthusiastic.

The two proposals he was interested in had their flaws, but he thought that if the two parties were interested in working together then it could be a profitable venture. The Soulton siblings all held Masteries in their fields and were looking for people to invest in the development of new spells and potions. The sister had just finished a Mastery in Charms while her two brothers held Masteries in Potions and Transfiguration. The problem for Hardwin was that he found their proposed ideas to be unimaginative. It would be a money pit of an investment if there was no profit to be made as a result.

Then there was Mrs. Abigail Dupree. She was a widow and mother of three young children looking for an investor to open a shop geared toward children and their parents. Her ideas were fresh and creative when it came to nutrient and medicinal gummies for young children as an easy way to get them to take their potions. She had also proposed ideas for new wizarding toys that promote early learning for children from toddler age to their teens. The problem was that she had no start-up funds and that she didn't have the know-how to create what she'd proposed since she'd married right out of Ilvermorny and become a stay-at-home mother.

Hardwin cursed as he banged his knee on the underside of the desk when he jumped at feeling the wards around the cabin flex to admit someone through. There were very few who could access the wards on a Black property which was a very short list of people now. Hardwin knew it couldn't be Andromeda as she'd been left in charge of things back home, and he'd just spoken to her through the floo that morning. That left either Narcissa or Draco. As Narcissa's son, Draco would be permitted access by the family wards though that would not apply to any children he had. It was for that reason that Hardwin had needed to add Teddy to the wards at the Manor.

The wards flexed again as two more people were admitted through, and Hardwin rubbed his knee to sooth the pain before pushing back from the desk to stand. He hadn't been expecting anyone as he'd told his family that he could be away for at least two weeks; this being his third day in the US. Leaving the office, Hardwin made his way through the large sitting room and down the stairs into the game room where he could hear the door being opened. Coming to a stop at the base of the stairs, his brow furrowed as he looked at the three who entered before smoothing his expression and approaching them.

"Good afternoon Heir Flint; Marcus. Draco?" Hardwin greeted the other two first before turning to his cousin with a silent question as to what was going on.

"Hello, cousin. Oh, don't look at me like that. This was all mother and Aunt Andromeda's idea. They seemed to be under the impression that you wouldn't take this time to relax without some interference." Draco replied with a small huff as he walked over to a chair near the fireplace and sat down while adjusting his robes.

"So they sent all of you?" Hardwin asked in confusion as Marcus stepped up next to him to take his hand and brushed a kiss across his knuckles in greeting.

"Your cousins seemed under the impression that you would spend all of your time working if left on your own." Marcellus answered with a quirk to his lips; watching Hardwin's face flush at his brother's attention as he was pulled closer to the man and his arm tucked securely into Marcus's hold at his side.

"You do look tired. Have you taken any time for yourself?" Marcus said quietly as he tilted Hardwin's face up so he could see the tired tension around his eyes.

"I have spent some time reading. I was just going through potential investments when you all arrived." Hardwin replied as his cheeks flushed at the attention; he'd not seen Marcus in the last few weeks.

"Was it just some pleasure reading, or was it research?" Draco asked with a knowing smirk as he drew Hardwin's attention and a small scowl.

"Please, have a seat. Portia. Drinks for our guests, please." He requested softly as he ignored Draco's question and let Marcus guide him to the sofa.

"Will Master's guests be wanting anythings special?" Portia asked; the little elf had started to grow more comfortable after the last few days of Hardwin's gentle treatment.

"Is everyone alright with tea?" Hardwin asked before she popped away when the others nodded and he sat down on the sofa next to Marcus.

He shifted to get comfortable as Marcus wrapped his arm around his waist and drew him close to his side once they were seated. Hardwin wasn't sure what to think as he'd never had prolonged physical contact like this with anyone before. Truthfully, he liked the attention he was receiving from Marcus, but he also wasn't very comfortable with it. He had nothing to compare it to, but he felt he would get used to it if given time. At least he hoped he would.

The contract hadn't been signed yet but that was more of a formality at this point. The negotiations were well underway, and he already was starting to think of Marcus as his intended. They would be married within two years with how well the negotiations had seemed to be going. It would take time, and they would have their differences, but Hardwin did want his marriage to be a peaceful if not happy one. So he would allow the physical closeness if that's what Marcus wanted. It wasn't worth an argument when he didn't dislike it. The contact and the attention from the man left a pleasant feeling in his chest. Even if they did argue in the future; it would never be with an audience like they had right then. He would not disrespect Marcus in that way.

Perhaps he just needed time to get used to the changes. Everything was happening so fast; after all.

"Now tell me the real reason you're all here. I have no doubt what you've told me is part of it, but that's not everything. I spoke with Andromeda only a few hours ago, and she said nothing for me to expect company." Hardwin said as his green eyes focused on Draco after their drinks appeared on the table in front of them and tried to ignore the heat of the hand on his side.

"Since our lessons are on hold until you return, Father wanted me to look in on a few investments in the states since you were here. Mother and Aunt Andromeda are worried about you taking time to rest. Aunt Andromeda said you haven't taken a break for yourself except for the one night a week you go to that muggle pub. So mother decided to speak to Lord and Lady Flint to propose for your intended to join you in the hopes that you would take some time for the both of you to get to know each other better. Heir Flint and I are here to act as chaperones. Make sure neither of you are sneaking into each other's rooms at night and such." Draco replied teasingly as he sat back in his chair and sipped at his tea.

"Please, call me Marcellus. There is no need for formality when we will all be family soon enough." Marcellus said with a light nod to both Draco and Hardwin.

"I take it the negotiations for the contract have been going well then?" Hardwin replied with a nod of his own in silent permission for the use of his name before looking up at Marcus beside him for the answer.

"More than well. They are finished and only wait for our signatures." Marcus replied; his voice rumbling in his chest and sending a pleasant vibration through Hardwin's side.

"Have Lord Flint and Narcissa already signed it?" Hardwin asked curiously knowing his and Marcus's signatures were not the only ones needed for the contract to be valid.

"They made a trip to Gringotts yesterday for their part of the signing, with Lady Flint and Aunt Andromeda to sign as their witnesses. They have had it sent to the Gringotts branch here. Marcellus and I will act as the witnesses when you and Marcus sign to make the betrothal official. Mother has arranged our appointment for a few hours from now, and Aunt Andromeda has sent the betrothal bands that you chose with us." Draco replied with a small smirk at Hardwin's look of surprise.

"I'm a bit surprised. The negotiations went a lot more quickly than I thought they would. I thought they wouldn't be ready for us to sign them until I returned." He admitted; glancing at Marcus as the man's fingers stroked and rubbed his side soothingly where his hand rested.

"The negotiations didn't take as long as they usually do because there was already a preliminary contract between our Houses that had been created by our grandfather and your great-grandfather. They only needed to make a few changes they felt would better suit the both of you once they agreed to use it." Marcellus told him as he grasped the handle of his teacup and lifted it from the table.

"Aunt Andromeda and Lord Flint agreed for Marcus and Marcellus to stay here at the cabin with us until we return home. They've set a date for the party to announce your engagement in three weeks, and a tentative date for the bonding six months after that. Mother said they didn't want to put it off too long to satisfy the Black Family Charter. If you and Marcus decide on a later date then that's fine, but you'll need to let Mother know soon so they can make adjustments." Draco informed him and Hardwin's brows raised at the time frame.

"Six months? That's more than a year sooner than the deadline dictated by the charter." Hardwin stated in surprise at how quickly things were moving.

"Lady Malfoy is worried about the stability of House Black, and of any attempted interference. Our Father agreed after our parents were informed about the injustices done against you by Houses Weasley, Dumbledore, and others. You are the last male of one of the oldest lines in wizarding Britain. If something were to happen to you then House Black will be truly lost. The more quickly you and Marcus marry and the sooner you both could attempt for an heir to stabilize the position of your House. Six months from the date of the announcement is a very short betrothal, but any sooner than that could cause a scandal while waiting longer has risks as well. It will also take at least that long to plan your bonding." Marcellus explained and Hardwin slowly took a deep breath as he thought about was he was told.

He knew they were right. House Black had already been thought to be extinct until he discovered the truth behind his birth. He knew Narcissa, especially, had been relieved to learn Sirius had ensured an heir in Hardwin. He'd grown up under difficult circumstances, but he'd managed to claim his birthright after the end of a long and bloody war. Things were settling down now that it was over, but Hardwin could still have his life put at risk if there were any rogue followers still on the loose. He'd also found that his so-called friends and allies were fewer than he'd thought after discovering their betrayal.

Hardwin had decided to accept the responsibility for the House of Black when he'd put on the Lordship ring. He was the only one who could ensure the name continued, and his marriage was a part of that. Marriage was only the first step, and a child or children would follow. Hardwin had known that.

He just hadn't thought it would come to pass so quickly.

"Are you alright, Hardwin?" Marcus asked quietly into his ear as he was pulled closer to a broad chest.

"I'm fine. Really. I'm just adjusting to the knowledge that we'll be officially betrothed tonight and bonded in less than a year. It's just a lot to take in." Hardwin admitted as his stomach clenched pleasantly at feeling the man's breath on his ear.

"You weren't raised with these expectations like the rest of us were. We've always known our marriages would be arranged or decided for us. Children of House Flint are allowed to choose our potential partners, but our marriage still needs to be approved by the Lord who arranges the match. We're fortunate in that way, I suppose. Most are just told who they will marry, and then are left to make the best of it." Marcus said as Hardwin looked over to see Draco and Marcellus having a quiet conversation of their own.

"You're sure that I'm the one you want, Marcus? You only have until we sign the contract and place the betrothal bands to back out. I'm working hard to set things right with my House, but everything is a mess. We're also going to be under a lot of pressure to have kids given the state of things. I wouldn't blame you if you don't-" Hardwin started to say to give him another chance to back out before he was cut off as Marcus drew his wand to cast a privacy charm around them, slipping it back into its holster and then grasping Hardwin's chin in his fingers, gently turning him to look at him.

"I have already told you. You are the one I want. I have never been interested in someone like I am you. We will have a lot to discuss when it comes to us and our lives together, but I will be signing that contract today." Marcus said as he looked into Hardwin's green eyes without flinching.

"I just want you to be sure about it, Marcus. I chose to give any choice I had in a marriage partner to Narcissa. I am attracted to you, but I can't promise our marriage will be an easy one. You'll probably become frustrated with me more often than not. I have a lot of issues though I'm working on them. I just want you to know so that you can back out before it's too late to do so." Hardwin admitted quietly as he leaned against Marcus stiffly due to the angle he was being held.

"I told you before that I can't promise we will love each other but that doesn't mean we can't try for love between us, Hardwin. We will argue. I do not doubt it, but we can argue until we agree if we need to. It was my choice to approach my father about who I wanted as a partner. I know my own mind, and I want you for myself. The thought of walking away from this is nowhere in my mind. Thinking about doing so, and knowing you would then marry another... I suppose I am already feeling a bit possessive of you." Marcus stated as he brushed Hardwin's side gently with the thumb of the hand at his waist.

"You are?" Hardwin asked in surprise before he thought about the way Marcus had been acting with him since they had arrived.

"Hm. I do not think you realize just how much the short time we have spent together has been on my mind. The more I learn of you; the more fascinated I become. The thought of you marrying someone else. Laying with them and having a child with them... It's abhorrent to me. I'm quite happy with the fidelity clause you mentioned in the Black contract after Father informed me of its parameters." Marcus mused and Hardwin shifted against his side to speak to him more comfortably as he finally let go of his chin though the grip around his waist tightened.

"The betrothal bands are what will enforce it once we place them. I won't try to change your mind again. It seems you know what you want. Can I ask why our signing is being rushed? I have nothing against it, but I had thought it would wait until I returned." Hardwin explained not wanting his intended to think he was trying to put it off.

"Father and Lady Malfoy decided we shouldn't risk Lord potter attempting to interfere. While you are Lord Black, you are also still a scion of House Potter. He could try to interfere because Lady Malfoy is only acting as your representative. He could try to argue that he should have had a voice in the negotiations for your betrothal if he disagrees with our match being in your best interest. However, if the contract is already signed then his disapproval would not matter since it is magically binding." Marcus explained and Hardwin nodded with a small sigh as he drew his wand to take down the privacy charm before looking over at Draco and Marcellus.

"I see. Well, I suppose you should all choose your rooms for while we're here. You would probably like to freshen up before we go to Gringotts. There are two rooms available downstairs, and two more upstairs near mine." He said as he brought his hands to his side to squeeze Marcus's gently before he stood up.

"If your room is upstairs then it is best that Marcus and I take the ones on this floor." Marcellus replied with a nod as he, Marcus, and Draco stood upas well.

"Porsha! Please prepare the bedrooms downstairs for Marcus and Marcellus, and then do the same for whichever room Draco chooses upstairs. Thank you. I'll show you where they are." Hardwin instructed Porsha before turning back to the three wizards as she popped in and then back out again after receiving her instructions.

"I'll go ahead upstairs. Which room is yours?" Draco asked as he turned toward the stairs.

"Mine is the only one that has doors leading to the balcony at the front of the cabin." Hardwin told him before leading Marcus and Marcellus toward the downstairs bedrooms as Draco tilted his head to acknowledge what he'd said before climbing the stairs.

"The dining room is over here, and the kitchen is on the other side. The bedrooms are here." Hardwin said as he motioned to the two doors that were open for them to look into.

"I have only one house-elf here, but feel free to call for her if you need anything. I only ask that you treat her well. Portia is still easily intimidated, but the elves at the Manor are not. All elves of House Black are given standing orders on how they are to respond to different forms of threats. In the lightest case, they are to refuse to serve the one treating them harshly and to report it to me. If they are physically or magically threatened then they are to respond in kind to restrain the one threatening them and then report it to me." Hardwin informed them knowing that they would need to know now that the betrothal would be official.

"We would not abuse your property." Marcus replied with a tone of surprise and rising indignation while Marcus's posture stiffened as he looked between his brother and his intended.

"I am not saying that I suspect you will mistreat her or one of my other elves. I just wish to warn you as you will both soon be family, and Marcus will be living with us in less than a year after we've bonded, which means you and your family will be welcome in our home. Mistreating my elves or the animals in my homes is the fastest way to make me angry. Or get yourself killed if it's a serpent. Any found in the Manor are likely to be highly venomous. They are instructed to never bite a child, but they will bite an adult that proves to be a threat to the safety of themselves or those living in the Manor. I would rather that not happen." Hardwin replied because these were things that Marcus needed to know even more than Marcellus.

"We understand, Hardwin. I ave known from seeing you at Hogwarts that you have been fiercely protective of those you care about. The elves and the animals are a part of your household. It makes sense that they would be told to defend themselves and those belonging to the home." Marcus said as he glanced at his brother, and Hardwin knew he was explaining it more for Marcellus's sake.

"I apologize for presuming offense and thank you for the warning. We will be sure to explain it to our parents and brother before they visit in the future." Marcellus said as his posture relaxed at the look from his brother and his explanation, and Hardwin nodded before stepping away.

"I'll leave you both to get settled in, and will see you in an hour so we can make our appointment at Gringotts on time." He replied with a glance toward Marcus before turning and heading for the stairs.

He would need to see if Draco had chosen a room before he went to his own to get ready.

123

Hardwin winced as the lines of his full name were cut into his hand over the old scar from the last time he'd held a blood quill. Blood dribbled to the surface; itching as the healing that should have been immediate was slowed as the skin attempted to knit itself back together. Hardwin pulled out the clean cloth handkerchief that was kept in his pocket to stop the blood flow. This had been the one part of signing the contract he'd been dreading.

"Why is it not healing properly?" Marcus almost growled from his seat next to him as he took Hardwin's wrist gently.

"Over-exposure to a blood quill could cause it." Marcellus murmured as his brother moved Hardwin's hand away to inspect the injury, and they could see a bit of the scar that had not been reopened.

"Here, Hardwin. I made sure to bring this for you." Draco said softly as he pulled a vile from his robes that Hardwin recognized as essence of murtlap and opened it before handing it to his cousin.

"Thank you, Draco." Hardwin said as he accepted the vile and tried to tug his wrist from Marcus's grasp only to find, that while the man's hold was gentle, it was also firm.

"How were you over-exposed to a blood quill?" Marcus almost growled as he let go of his intended's wrist, took the vile from Hardwin's hand, and poured it onto the ruined handkerchief before applying it gently to the wound.

"I'll explain later. Let's just finish this up before it gets too late." Hardwin replied with a glance at the look of annoyance on the goblin contract manager's face at the delay the fuss was causing.

The four of them had already been there for more than an hour as Marcus and Hardwin had read through the contracts and discussed the clauses that had been negotiated and added to between Narcissa and Lord Flint. The base contract they had worked from that had been drawn up between Arcturus and Marcus's grandfather had been very standard and so all that had been needed was a few alterations to suit Hardwin and Marcus. Most of the alterations from the original that they had been working from had to do with their educational pursuits, solidarity before the media because of Hardwin's public profile, the assets Marcus would be bringing into the marriage, and the 'bride price' to be paid to House Flint for Marcus to join House Black.

Hardwin and Marcus had agreed to everything after a short discussion. Hardwin had balked a bit when the contract called for them to try for at least two children; one of which must be a boy. Hardwin knew that he would need an heir, and he did wish to have a big family after the way he grew up, but he also didn't want to push that desire on Marcus if it was something his intended didn't want. He mainly didn't like the thought that the minimum number of children they would need to have would be dictated to them. It had led to the promise of a longer discussion between Marcus and himself later, but Marcus had told him he agreed to the stipulation in the contract as two was standard for most contracts.

Finally, they had come to the signatures. Lord Flint and Narcissa had both signed it already, but because Hardwin and Marcus were over seventeen they needed to sign it as well for it to be binding. Marcellus and Draco were also needed to sign as their witnesses.

"I'll be fine. Here, Marcus. Draco, did Andromeda give you the bands?" Hardwin asked as he handed Marcus the blood quill after spelling it clean, taking his hand back to tie the ruined handkerchief around it, and turned to his cousin.

"They're right here." Draco replied, pulling a shrunken lacquered jewelry case out of his pocket and restoring it to its full size, as Marcus quickly scrawled his signature and spelled the quill clean before handing it to his brother.

"Thank you, Draco." Hardwin said as he accepted the thin case; feeling as Marcus wrapped his arm around his waist and leaned closer to look as Hardwin opened it.

The case opened to reveal what looked to be two large pendants resting side by side in the black and royal purple silk lining. Identical in design, each one was intricately made. Two snakes were woven together along their bodies until one could not tell which was which as the pattern ended with both snakes eating a tail in their mouths as they tangled around a black opal. The double ouroboros made with such detail that anyone looking could tell they were made by a master of their craft.

Marcellus had finished signing as a witness by this time and handed everything to Draco. The blond almost sneered as the blood appeared on his hand as he wrote his name; easily spelling away the blood as the wound healed quickly. The goblin mumbled insults under his breath as he snatched the contract away to be filed after it glowed with light signally it had become binding.

"Exchange your bands now, and our business is concluded." IronTooth almost snarled with annoyance that had been expressed during the whole meeting.

Hardwin nodded as he picked up one of the pendants while being careful not to touch the gem at the center. Marcus held out his left arm; the sleeve drawn back to expose bared skin. Hardwin placed the pendant against the pulse point on the inside of his wrist; the black opal flaring with magic at the contact with skin. Marcus took his arm from Hardwin's waist and repeated the action with the remaining pendant against his intended's left wrist. The magic imbued in both opals flared once more as the magic connected, and the snakes shifted around them as their coils thinned to stretch and become a band that wrapped their wrists with the opal remaining at the center over their pulse points. Hardwin felt when the magic settled as the magic pulsed with Marcus's heartbeat before both silver and black metal bands and the gems seemed to fuse with their skin; now impossible to remove.

"That will take some time to get used to." Hardwin murmured as he stared, transfixed, feeling the beating of Marcus's heart alongside his own on his wrist.

"It will." Marcus greed as he shifted to pull his sleeve back down and button the cuff when the goblin pointedly stood.

"Thank you, Manager IronTooth, for your time today." Hardwin said as he snapped out of it, and stood to bow while keeping eye contact.

"Yes. Congratulations on your betrothal, Lord Black and Scion Flint. Gobrick will show you out." IronTooth grumbled as he nodded at the wizards and left the room; Gobrick appeared at the door quickly afterward to make sure they made it back to the lobby and didn't linger.

"Let's get back to the cabin. It's almost time for dinner, and I know Portia is excited to be cooking for more than just myself after being alone for so long." Hardwin said as he gave Marcus a small smile as the man held out his arm for him to take.

He was still a bit unsure of the almost constant contact Marcus had been keeping with him when they were in the same room, but he felt he would get used to it. Today had been a surprise, but it was a pleasant one. At least now he wouldn't be alone in the cabin while he waited to hear back from Lord Potter. He'd been feeling a bit stir-crazy the last few days, and he was happy to have some company.

Hardwin left Gringotts with a small smile. He didn't know how his meeting with Lord Potter would go, or everything that he would have to deal with when they returned to Britain. What he did know was that he wouldn't be dealing with it all alone. The list of the select few that he could call family would be growing in the next few months. He was betrothed now, and while it had happened a lot faster than he had thought, he couldn't say he was unhappy with how things were going.

He was still unsure of their future, but Hardwin was looking forward to seeing where things would lead.

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That's it for this chapter. It took me longer to get it posted than I had expected. So I am sorry for that. I'll have more pics posted on our facebook page once I get this posteed. I've already started on the next chapter, but I might rewrite it. At part of it anyway.

The Potters will be entering the stage soon though! I've had their part in the story planned out since the early chapters. Mouko and I have actually had a bit of fun talking about the different comments that have been left about them. Many of you have had different things to say about Lord Potter's absence. Well, you'll be finding your answers soon.

Not in the next chapter, but soon!

Let us know what you thought,

~Ryu