CHAPTER 29: THE BLACK FAMILY GATHERING
As Harry reappeared outside the bustling streets of Diagon Alley, he couldn't help but chuckle at his narrow escape from Narcissa's hex. The sound of laughter from the toddlers still echoed in his mind, lightening his mood as he made his way towards Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.
Entering the shop, Harry was greeted by the familiar sight of bolts of colorful fabrics and the soft rustle of robes being fitted. Madam Malkin herself bustled over with a warm smile.
"Harry Potter! What a pleasant surprise," she exclaimed, her measuring tape already in hand. "Here for some new dress robes, I presume?"
Harry nodded, returning her smile. "Yes, please. I've got a rather important dinner coming up, and I want to make a good impression."
Madam Malkin nodded knowingly. "Of course, dear. Let's find you something just right."
As Harry was led to a fitting room, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation mingled with nerves. The upcoming dinner with Bella's family promised to be an interesting affair, to say the least. But for now, he pushed aside his worries, focusing instead on finding the perfect ensemble to suit the occasion.
Harry stepped cautiously out of the fireplace, the emerald flames flickering behind him as he entered a spacious sitting room. Bellatrix followed closely behind, her gaze sweeping over the familiar surroundings with a hint of nostalgia.
"It's been ages since I've set foot in this place," Bellatrix remarked, her voice tinged with a mix of fondness and melancholy.
A gruff voice interrupted their reverie, drawing their attention to the doorway where a man stood, his presence commanding yet tinged with warmth.
"Hello, Uncle," Bellatrix greeted, her smile genuine as she acknowledged the newcomer.
"Hello, Bella. You're looking lovely this evening," the man, Arcturus, replied politely, his gaze sweeping over Bellatrix with a hint of paternal pride.
Harry turned to face the man properly, noting the resemblance to Sirius in his features. Arcturus had the same sharp cheekbones and piercing grey eyes, though age had etched lines of wisdom onto his face. His hair, cropped short and streaked with grey, added to his distinguished appearance.
"You must be Mr. Peverell?" Arcturus addressed Harry, extending his hand in greeting.
"Yes, sir. Harry Peverell, but please, call me Harry," Harry replied, accepting the handshake with a firm grip.
"Arcturus Black. You can call me Arcturus," the man replied cordially before releasing Harry's hand.
Harry couldn't help but wonder about Sirius' whereabouts. "Has Sirius not arrived yet?" he inquired, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Arcturus chuckled, a hint of exasperation evident in his tone. "The boy is never on time for anything. Come along, everyone else is waiting in the dining room," he said, gesturing for Harry and Bellatrix to follow as he led the way down the hallway.
As they stepped into the welcoming embrace of the kitchen, Harry couldn't help but marvel at the stark contrast between this place and Grimmauld Place. Here, everything exuded an air of lightness and warmth that was utterly refreshing. The honey-colored wood paneling lining the hallways, the soft white carpet underfoot, and the cheerful landscape paintings adorning the walls all contributed to the inviting atmosphere.
Upon entering the dining room, Harry found himself momentarily awestruck by the elegant surroundings. Large bay windows flooded the room with golden evening sunlight, casting a warm glow over the light-colored hardwood floors. A brass chandelier hung gracefully from the vaulted ceiling, illuminating the long, rectangular table below. The same honey-colored wood paneling adorned the walls, imparting a sense of coziness to the space.
"This place is a far cry from Grimmauld Place," Harry remarked, his voice filled with genuine appreciation as they settled into their seats.
"I've always loathed that dreary old house, especially when Walburga took over. This one was a gift from my wife's family," Arcturus explained, gesturing towards the seats to his left.
Harry courteously pulled out a chair for Bellatrix before taking his own seat. The table, while long and rectangular, was far from crowded, leaving ample space for conversation and comfort.
Across from him and Bellatrix sat Narcissa, radiating an air of composed elegance. Draco, perched in a wooden highchair, gazed around with wide-eyed curiosity, his formal dress robes hinting at an impending mess from his inevitable food adventures.
Next to Draco sat Tonks, looking decidedly out of her element in her overly formal attire, her posture rigid and uncomfortable. She shot Harry a pleading look as he took his seat, silently begging for rescue from the stifling atmosphere.
Andromeda occupied the seat beside Tonks, her own formal robes betraying her nervous demeanor as she glanced anxiously around the table, her gaze occasionally drifting to her left with a hint of apprehension.
Sitting beside Andromeda was a tall, slender elderly woman with a regal bearing. Her white hair was meticulously arranged in a tight bun atop her head, accentuating her sharp features and piercing light grey eyes. Like the other Blacks, she possessed the characteristic high cheekbones and dignified air, appearing to be of similar age to Arcturus.
"So, you're Peverell?" the woman inquired, her tone neutral yet carrying a hint of scrutiny as her gaze bore into Harry.
"Yes, ma'am. Harry Peverell," Harry replied respectfully, inclining his head in acknowledgment.
"Cassiopeia Black, but you can call me Cassie," she introduced herself, her eyes never wavering from Harry's face.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Cassie," Harry responded politely, though he couldn't shake the feeling of being under intense scrutiny.
"You bear a striking resemblance to my late brother-in-law," Cassiopeia remarked thoughtfully, her gaze assessing.
"Intriguing. And who might that be?" Harry inquired, genuinely curious about the familial connection.
"Charlus Potter," Cassiopeia replied, her tone tinged with reminiscence.
"We're distant cousins of sorts, though I must confess I've lost track of the family tree over the years. As far as I know, I'm the last of the Peverells, aside from young Harry Potter," Harry admitted, his voice carrying a note of wistfulness.
Cassiopeia's eyes met his, her gaze penetrating. "And what of your parents?" she pressed, her curiosity evident.
"They were killed when I was just over a year old," Harry replied solemnly, his tone tinged with sadness at the memories of his parents.
"I see. And what do you do for a living?" Cassiopeia inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"I'm a problem solver. For the right price, I can tackle just about any challenge you throw my way," Harry responded confidently, though Bellatrix couldn't help but snort at his answer.
Before Cassiopeia could delve further into the matter, Sirius strode into the room with little Harry cradled in his arms.
"Always fashionably late, I see," Arcturus remarked gruffly as Sirius settled into his seat at the opposite end of the table.
"Harry was being a bit of a handful," Sirius defended himself, earning a playful eye-roll from Bellatrix.
"Now that we're all assembled, let's begin dinner," Arcturus declared, and with a flick of his wand, a sumptuous spread materialized on the table, courtesy of an attentive house-elf.
As everyone dug into the meal, the conversation remained light, with occasional requests to pass the potatoes or gentle scoldings from Narcissa aimed at Draco for his messy eating habits.
The food was exquisite, the flavors melding together harmoniously. Harry found himself particularly impressed by the beef Wellington, savoring each bite with relish. Yet, amidst the feast and jovial atmosphere, he couldn't help but notice Tonks' uncharacteristic subdued demeanor. He wondered briefly what Andromeda might have said or done to prompt such behavior from her usually spirited cousin.
After the dessert plates had vanished, and a comfortable silence settled over the table, Arcturus cleared his throat, signaling the start of a more serious discussion.
"It's been a long time coming," he began, his voice carrying a weight of solemnity. "Firstly, we welcome Andromeda and her daughter Nymphadora back into the fold of the Black family."
Andromeda offered a grateful nod, her expression reflecting a mixture of relief and apprehension.
"I did not wish her to be disowned, but unfortunately, Orion was the one to make that decision," Arcturus continued, his tone tinged with regret.
"She did abandon her duties to the House of Black and married a Mudblood," Cassiopeia interjected, her voice laced with indignation.
"Nevertheless, the House of Black is dwindling, and we cannot afford to cast aside family members. If we're not careful, we'll suffer the fate of so many other ancient lines in recent years," Arcturus argued wearily, his gaze sweeping over the assembled family.
"I understand your concerns, cousin. With Regulus's passing, we're left with only one male in the direct line. But the girl has brought shame upon the family," Cassiopeia persisted stubbornly.
"It can't possibly be worse than the disgrace Regulus brought upon us by aligning himself with that half-blood lunatic," Arcturus snapped, a hint of bitterness creeping into his voice, causing Bellatrix to shrink slightly in her chair.
"Actually, Regulus died while trying to destroy Tom Riddle," Harry interjected calmly, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.
"What? Who is Tom Riddle?" Arcturus asked, his attention diverted from the familial debate.
"Tom Riddle is Voldemort's real name," Harry explained simply, watching as comprehension dawned on Arcturus' face.
"And Regulus was trying to destroy him?" Arcturus asked skeptically, his brow furrowing in disbelief.
"Kreacher," Harry called out, prompting the loyal house-elf to appear with a soft 'pop'.
"Yes, Master Harry?" Kreacher inquired eagerly, his large eyes fixed on Harry.
"Please show Arcturus the locket," Harry instructed, gesturing toward the precious artifact.
With a quick nod, Kreacher retrieved Slytherin's locket from the folds of his pure white tea towel, tied like a toga around his thin frame, and presented it to Arcturus with a small bow.
Arcturus accepted the locket, his expression grave as he scrutinized the ancient relic. His fingers traced over the cool metal before his gaze fell upon the blackened hole at the back of it, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"What is this?" Arcturus asked, his tone tinged with bewilderment.
"This is a Founder's relic, the locket of Salazar Slytherin," Harry explained, noting Cassiopeia's understanding of the significance while the others looked perplexed.
"At one time, it was an heirloom of the Gaunt family until Merope Gaunt sold it to Caractacus Burke. Voldemort later tracked it down and turned it into a Horcrux," Harry elaborated, knowing that only Cassiopeia seemed to grasp the gravity of his words.
"And what role did Regulus play in this?" Cassiopeia inquired, her interest piqued.
"He discovered the truth about the locket and attempted to steal it. Unfortunately, he perished in the process. With his dying breath, he ordered Kreacher to destroy it," Harry revealed, a sense of relief washing over him as he finally shared the truth about Regulus with the family.
"What's a Horcrux, Cass?" Arcturus asked, his confusion evident in his furrowed brow.
"We'll discuss that later. It's not a topic suitable for young ears," Cassiopeia replied firmly, deflecting the inquiry for the time being.
"Right, we'll set that aside for now. Moving on, we have Bellatrix's engagement, which, after seeing the tapestry a few days ago, is quite reassuring," Arcturus continued, turning his attention to Bellatrix, whose cheeks flushed pink under his gaze.
"What's on the tapestry?" Harry interjected, his curiosity piqued by the mention of the family artifact.
"You didn't know?" Sirius exclaimed, his surprise evident in his tone.
"Know what?" Harry asked, growing increasingly perplexed.
"I'm pregnant, Harry," Bellatrix announced softly, her voice carrying a mix of emotions.
"Oh," Harry responded, leaning back in his chair as he absorbed this unexpected revelation. Suddenly, everything clicked into place—the morning sickness Bellatrix had been experiencing, the potions she'd been discreetly taking, even the subtle hints dropped by Narcissa—all made perfect sense.
The realization that he was going to be a father filled Harry with a whirlwind of emotions, ranging from joy to apprehension.
"I've seen that look before," Arcturus remarked with a chuckle, recognizing the tumult of emotions flickering across Harry's features.
Harry reached out, taking Bellatrix's hand in his and giving it a reassuring squeeze. A soft smile spread across his face as he met her gaze, finding solace and relief mirrored in her eyes.
Arcturus handed Kreacher the locket back with a nonchalant flick of his wrist, signaling his dismissal, before refocusing his attention on Harry. "We need to pin down a wedding date. It's best to settle it before Bellatrix starts showing."
"I fancy October," Bellatrix chimed in, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"How about Samhain?" Harry suggested, a hint of eagerness in his voice.
"Truly, that would be splendid!" Bellatrix exclaimed, her smile widening.
"We can certainly work with that. Did Sirius discuss her dowry with you?" Arcturus inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"No, we didn't delve into those matters, and honestly, it's not a concern of mine," Harry confessed with a casual shrug.
"It's customary for the bride's dowry to be transferred to her husband's vaults upon marriage," Arcturus elucidated.
"Then let it be so, though we're hardly lacking in funds," Harry remarked with a dismissive wave of his hand.
"Very well. Then there's the matter of the marriage agreement, which in your case will resemble more of an accelerated betrothal contract, including clauses about infidelity and other nuances," Arcturus continued, his tone businesslike.
"Alright, I suppose Andy can handle that," Harry nodded, turning to Andromeda who affirmed with a subtle nod.
"Yes, I must say, I was impressed by your performance during Bellatrix's trial," Arcturus commended, directing his gaze towards Andromeda with approval.
"Thank you, Uncle," Andromeda replied, a sense of pride evident in her voice at the acknowledgment.
The next hour dragged on in a mind-numbingly tedious fashion as Arcturus and Andromeda delved into composing the betrothal agreement. Bellatrix, visibly bored, folded her arms on the table and rested her head, prompting Harry to wonder if she had actually dozed off. Just as he was contemplating this, Cassiopeia's voice cut through the monotony.
"What is that?!" Cassiopeia exclaimed suddenly, her gaze fixed on Bellatrix's ring as though she had witnessed a spectral apparition.
"Hmm?" Bellatrix murmured, rousing from her half-slumber.
"That symbol on your ring?" Cassiopeia persisted, her eyes still locked on the ring as if under a spell.
"That's the Peverell crest," Harry interjected, breaking his own reverie.
"Gellert was always fixated on that symbol," Cassiopeia mused softly, lost in thought.
"He was in search of the Hallows," Harry added absentmindedly.
"Yes, he possessed the wand, but the others remained elusive to him," Cassiopeia continued, more to herself than to the others.
"We're ready to discuss the terms now," Andromeda interjected, redirecting the focus to the matter at hand.
Harry was pulled back into the realm of boredom as Andromeda began to elucidate the intricacies of the betrothal contract.
"Alright, let's get to it. Firstly, the infidelity clause, which applies equally to both parties. If either of you strays, you'll be afflicted with a dreadful case of boils... on your..."
Harry's attention drifted throughout Andromeda's explanation of each clause, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of the upcoming wedding and life with Bellatrix. "...you will be allowed use of the Black Villa in France anytime you wish, and finally, the amount of fifty thousand galleons will be transferred to the Peverell vaults on the day of your wedding," Andromeda concluded.
"Sounds fine to me," Harry responded, his mind only catching snippets of Andromeda's reading, nothing raising any red flags.
"Excellent. We'll have the goblins draft the official contract and arrange for the signing at Gringotts next week," Arcturus declared, his stern gaze falling upon Sirius, who had his head resting on the table, earning a disapproving scowl.
"That works for us," Harry confirmed, glancing at Bellatrix, who nodded in agreement.
"Marvelous. I believe that concludes our business for the evening," Arcturus announced, glancing at Cassiopeia, who affirmed with a nod.
"We'll take our leave then," Harry said, rising from his seat.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Harry," Arcturus remarked, extending his hand for a firm shake.
"And you are indeed a most intriguing wizard," Cassiopeia added, offering her hand in turn.
Harry gently took Cassiopeia's hand and pressed a respectful kiss to her knuckles. "It was truly a pleasure meeting you as well," he expressed genuinely, his eyes meeting hers with sincerity.
After bidding farewell to the rest of the family, Harry ushered Bellatrix through the Floo network back to their home, eager to leave the formalities behind and relish in the quiet comfort of their own sanctuary.
Emerging from the fireplace into the cozy familiarity of their living room, Harry and Bellatrix shared a moment of quiet relief. The weight of the evening's formalities lifted as they found themselves enveloped in the warm embrace of their home.
Bellatrix let out a contented sigh as she removed her cloak, hanging it neatly on a nearby hook. "That went surprisingly well, don't you think?" she remarked, turning to face Harry with a small smile.
Harry nodded in agreement, a sense of satisfaction settling over him. "It did. And your family, they're... interesting," he remarked, reflecting on the diverse personalities he had encountered.
Bellatrix chuckled softly, moving closer to Harry. "That's one way to put it," she agreed, her hand finding his as they shared a moment of quiet connection.
As they stood together in the comfort of their home, surrounded by the flickering light of the fireplace, Harry couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for the woman by his side and the life they were building together. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, he knew that with Bellatrix at his side, they could weather any storm.
"That was utterly exhausting," Harry exclaimed as soon as they stepped into the house, a sense of relief evident in his voice.
"Indeed, I thought it would never come to an end," Bellatrix agreed, her tone weary as she kicked off her boots and sank onto the couch.
Harry followed suit, shedding his own boots before settling beside her. "Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?" he asked, genuine curiosity coloring his voice.
Bellatrix glanced at him, her expression tinged with apprehension. "I was afraid you'd be angry," she admitted quietly.
"I'm not angry, though I do feel rather foolish. The signs were all there," Harry admitted ruefully, a hint of self-deprecation in his tone.
"Cissa was hoping you'd piece it together on your own," Bellatrix revealed, a playful grin touching her lips.
"Clearly, I fumbled that one," Harry chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.
"Where shall we have the wedding?" Bellatrix interjected, changing the subject.
"I was considering the beach, but it'll be far too cold and windy by then," Harry mused.
"Not to mention the risk of freezing," Bellatrix added, nodding in agreement.
"I'll look into it. I'd rather not risk hypothermia during our vows," Harry said thoughtfully, already beginning to plan.
"So, an outdoor wedding?" Bellatrix inquired, a hint of excitement in her voice.
"Yes, if possible. I'd love for us to exchange vows amidst nature's beauty," Harry affirmed.
"Then it's settled. Let's head to bed," Bellatrix declared, rising from the couch and reaching out to take his hand, a comforting warmth in her touch.
"I could definitely use some sleep," Harry agreed, rising from the couch and following Bellatrix up the stairs, the weariness evident in his movements.
As they ascended, Bellatrix glanced back at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Bella didn't mention anything about sleeping," she teased playfully, her voice carrying down the hallway.
Harry chuckled, feeling a surge of anticipation mingled with fatigue. "Well then, I suppose we'll just have to see where the night takes us," he responded, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his lips as he quickened his pace to catch up with her.
Harry and Bellatrix found themselves seated in a conference room, flanked by Longblade on their left. Across from them sat Andromeda, Sirius, and the Black account manager, Shattertooth.
"We have drawn up the contract as specified by Solicitor Tonks," Shattertooth announced, sliding a copy of the document to both Harry and Sirius for review. Though written in dense legalese, Harry managed to grasp the essence of it.
After Sirius scrutinized the contract, he nodded to his account goblin, who promptly laid a scroll on the table and unfurled it. With a flourish, the goblin produced a blood quill from his pocket and handed it to Sirius.
Sirius signed on the dotted line, and as the contract shimmered with a bright blue hue, he slid it across the table to Harry. Harry accepted the quill, feeling the familiar sting on the back of his hand as he added his signature below Sirius's. Once again, the contract flashed blue.
Bellatrix followed suit, signing beneath Harry's signature, and then Andromeda added her name as a witness, signing on the line to the right. The contract glowed with a brilliant golden light before rolling itself up.
"The contract will be stored in the Black family vault. If there is nothing else, then that concludes our business for today," Shattertooth declared.
"Alright, let's grab some lunch," Sirius announced, rising from his seat and heading towards the door.
"And where are we headed?" Andromeda inquired as they exited the bank.
"To the sandwich place down the alley. The waitress there is quite charming," Sirius replied with a grin, leading the way as they ventured out into the bustling streets of Diagon Alley.
"That must be the place we dined at before the Longbottom incident," Bellatrix remarked, a hint of bitterness coloring her tone.
"The 'Happy Hippogriff'?" Harry confirmed with Sirius, who nodded in agreement.
"Your grandfather wasn't as dreadful as you portrayed him to be," Harry remarked as they strolled down the alley, memories of their encounter with Arcturus lingering in his mind.
"That's because he fancied you. Aunt Cassie seemed rather taken with you too, which is highly unusual. That old bat despises nearly everyone," Andromeda added as they settled into seats outside the restaurant.
"She did seem oddly intrigued by you two when you departed," Sirius noted as the waitress approached, her eyes lighting up upon seeing him.
"Mr. Black, delightful to see you again," the waitress greeted with a flirtatious lilt in her voice, causing Sirius to flash her a charming smile that made her blush.
"Christy, my dear, I'll have the usual," Sirius replied smoothly, his confidence evident.
Turning her attention to Harry, the waitress asked, "And what can I get for you, sir?"
"I'll have the BLT," Bellatrix interjected, her gaze narrowing slightly at the waitress, who hastily jotted it down.
"I'll have the French dip and two Cokes, please," Harry ordered politely.
"And I'll have the French dip and a Coke as well," Andromeda added.
With their orders taken, the waitress hurried off, leaving Sirius to bask in his self-assured demeanor. "I do believe she fancies me," he remarked smugly.
"Remember, she works for tips," Harry reminded him with a chuckle.
"And aren't you seeing Amelia Bones?" Bellatrix interjected, peering over Sirius's shoulder with a quirked eyebrow.
"Yeah, why?" Sirius asked, genuine curiosity coloring his tone.
"Because Amelia would have your head if she caught you flirting around with our waitress," Andromeda replied, her tone laced with a hint of warning.
Before Sirius could respond, their food arrived, and the waitress seemed noticeably more reserved, perhaps sensing the tension emanating from Bellatrix's intense gaze.
"Bella, be nice," Harry chided gently after the waitress scurried away.
"Bella is being perfectly civil," Bellatrix retorted as she took a bite of her sandwich, her eyes still fixed on the waitress.
"She's not wrong," Andromeda chimed in, dipping her sandwich into the au jus.
"So, now that the contract is signed, have you decided on a wedding venue?" Andromeda inquired, steering the conversation to a different topic.
"Not yet. We're still searching for a location warm enough for an outdoor ceremony," Harry replied, contemplating their options.
"There's always the vacation home in France," Andromeda suggested, offering an alternative.
Harry nodded absently, tuning out the conversation as he focused on enjoying his sandwich. Despite the lingering uncertainties, he couldn't shake the overwhelming sense of contentment that enveloped him. The prospect of marrying Bellatrix in less than two months filled him with a profound sense of joy, making him realize that his journey through time was indeed the best thing that had ever happened to him.
Lost in the savory flavors of his sandwich, Harry couldn't help but reflect on how his life had taken unexpected turns since that fateful journey through time. Despite the challenges and uncertainties that still lay ahead, there was an undeniable sense of fulfillment in knowing that he was on the verge of marrying the woman he loved.
As he savored each bite, Harry stole glances at Bellatrix, marveling at the way her eyes sparkled with excitement whenever the topic of their wedding arose. She was radiant, and Harry couldn't shake the feeling that their future together held endless possibilities.
Bellatrix caught his gaze and offered him a warm smile, a silent reassurance that they were in this together. And in that moment, surrounded by the comforting presence of family and the tantalizing aroma of freshly-made sandwiches, Harry knew that no matter where their journey led them, they would face it with unwavering determination and boundless love.
As they finished their meal and made their way back home, Harry felt a sense of gratitude wash over him. Despite the uncertainties of the future, he knew one thing for certain: he was exactly where he was meant to be, with the woman he was meant to spend eternity with. And as they walked hand in hand, the weight of the world felt a little lighter, knowing that they had each other to lean on every step of the way.
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