CHAPTER 44: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE
Harry stepped out of the fireplace, brushing off the remnants of soot from his robes. The familiar warmth of the Black family mansion surrounded him, but the weight of the evening's upcoming dinner pressed heavily on his shoulders. He still found it odd, thinking of her as his wife—it was a title that had taken some getting used to, and even now, it felt both surreal and deeply intimate. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps behind him, and he turned just in time to see Bellatrix emerge from the green flames.
Bellatrix's dark hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, and her emerald green robes flowed gracefully around her, though Harry couldn't help but notice the subtle roundness that had begun to show in her abdomen. It was a change he'd observed in recent weeks, a quiet reminder of the life they were now bound to share. He resisted the urge to comment on it, knowing better than to draw attention to such matters. Instead, he waved his wand gently, and a soft breeze whisked away the last of the ash from her robes.
"All set," Harry murmured, offering her his arm with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Shall we go and join the others for another... delightful family dinner?"
Bellatrix smirked, a familiar glint of mischief in her eyes that made Harry inwardly groan. "Yes, let's go see my treacherous sisters," she replied with a tone that dripped with both amusement and bitterness. Harry knew that look well—it meant that whatever grudges she harbored, they were far from forgotten.
As they made their way down the corridor towards the dining room, Harry's mind raced. He couldn't shake the unease that gnawed at him. "Please," he thought to himself, "don't let this turn into a family duel." The Black family dinners had become an intricate dance of civility and tension, and tonight felt particularly precarious.
When they stepped into the dining room, the atmosphere shifted immediately. Narcissa, Draco, Andromeda, and Tonks were already seated around the long, ornate table. The soft glow of candlelight cast a warm hue over the room, making it appear almost serene—if not for the underlying tension Harry could feel in the air. Three of the four occupants looked up as they entered; Draco, however, seemed far more engrossed in his coloring book, his brow furrowed in concentration.
Narcissa was the first to break the silence, her face lighting up with genuine delight. "Harry, Bella, I am so glad you could make it!" she exclaimed, her voice warm and welcoming, though there was an edge of hopefulness that Harry didn't miss.
"Thank you, Narcissa," Harry replied politely, pulling out a chair for Bellatrix before taking his own seat beside her. "It's good to see you again."
Narcissa's smile widened, and for a brief moment, the tension in the room seemed to dissipate. "You as well, Harry," she said, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "How did things go abroad? I've heard mixed reports."
Harry leaned back slightly in his chair, considering his response. "Not exactly as I expected," he admitted, his tone neutral. "But in the end, everything worked out. Sometimes the path isn't clear until you've walked it."
Narcissa nodded, her expression thoughtful. "That's often the way of things," she mused. "I'm glad you're back safely."
Before the conversation could continue, the door to the dining room swung open, and Sirius walked in, his hand resting gently on the shoulder of little Harry, who toddled beside him with wide, curious eyes. The boy's face brightened when he saw the gathering, and he let out a delighted giggle.
"Look who I found wandering the halls," Sirius announced with a grin, his voice booming with good humor. "Thought I'd better bring him in before he rearranges the place."
Little Harry scampered over to his father, his tiny hands reaching up for Harry to lift him. Harry obliged, scooping the boy into his arms and settling him on his lap. The child's presence brought a sense of peace, and for a moment, the room was filled with soft chuckles and fond smiles.
"Hello, my little troublemaker," Harry whispered to his son, ruffling the boy's hair affectionately. Little Harry responded with a bright laugh, patting his father's cheek.
Bellatrix watched the interaction, her expression softening as she observed her husband and son. She reached out to gently stroke the boy's hair, her stern demeanor momentarily giving way to tenderness. "He's growing fast," she commented, her voice unusually gentle.
"Just like his father," Sirius chimed in, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Though let's hope he doesn't inherit your knack for getting into trouble, Harry."
Harry smirked, shaking his head. "I think that's a given, Sirius. Trouble runs in the family."
As the room settled into a more relaxed atmosphere, the tension that had initially lingered seemed to fade away, replaced by the warmth of shared company. For now, the grudges, the old wounds, and the uncertainties could be set aside. It was a fragile peace, but in the presence of family—however fractured—there was hope that perhaps, just perhaps, it could last.
"I'm surprised to see you two here," Sirius exclaimed, his voice cutting through the hum of the room as he noticed Harry and Bellatrix seated across from Narcissa and Andromeda. The two sisters were both casting cautious glances at Bellatrix, their wariness evident in the way they exchanged looks.
"So am I," Harry muttered under his breath, his tone dry enough that only Bellatrix, sitting beside him, could catch it.
Bellatrix, however, remained composed, her expression smooth and unreadable. "We are family, Sirius. Sometimes these little misunderstandings happen," she said with an air of magnanimity that Harry knew all too well. He could almost see the gears turning in her mind, calculating every word, every gesture.
'Great, calculating Bella came to dinner tonight,' Harry thought with resignation, his hopes for a quiet evening quickly dwindling.
Sirius seemed to pick up on the same undercurrent. For once, he made no attempt to antagonize Bellatrix, his usual fiery retorts held in check. Instead, he took a seat on the other side of Andromeda, offering her a reassuring smile.
"Hello, Auntie Bella," little Harry piped up once Sirius had secured him in a high chair that had been transfigured from one of the dining chairs. His voice was bright, free of the tension that the adults in the room carried.
"Hello, Harry," Bellatrix responded, her voice softening as she addressed the child. The cold edge that usually accompanied her words seemed to melt away. "How have you been?"
"Good! Padfoot took me to the park," little Harry replied enthusiastically, his small face lighting up with the memory.
Bellatrix's lips curved into a genuine smile, and for a moment, the stern mask she often wore lifted. "That sounds like fun," she said warmly, reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair from the boy's forehead.
Sirius, now settled in his seat, cleared his throat to draw the attention of the room. "I have some rather exciting news to announce," he began, a grin spreading across his face that hinted at something big.
"Oh? Do share," Narcissa encouraged, her voice carrying a note of cheerfulness that seemed to brighten the room. She was clearly hoping that whatever Sirius had to say would further ease the lingering tension.
Sirius straightened in his seat, puffing his chest out slightly in a display of pride. "I am now entered into a betrothal contract with Amelia Bones," he announced, his tone filled with satisfaction.
A beat of silence followed, broken by Harry's amused voice. "You got her pregnant, didn't you?" he asked, raising an eyebrow in mock suspicion.
Sirius shot him a glare, though the corners of his mouth twitched in amusement. "No, you berk. We just decided it was time to settle down, and my grandfather wouldn't let up until we did something official," Sirius retorted, his voice tinged with a mix of annoyance and affection for his late grandfather's persistence.
Narcissa beamed, clapping her hands together in delight. "Congratulations, Sirius!" she said warmly, her earlier tension entirely forgotten.
"Yes, that really is wonderful news," Andromeda chimed in, her smile genuine as she reached across the table to give Sirius's hand a squeeze.
Harry leaned back in his chair, his earlier mischief replaced by sincerity. "All kidding aside, congratulations, mate," he said with a nod, his tone conveying the depth of his well-wishes.
"I will not be the flower girl," Tonks interjected flatly, her arms crossed over her chest in a show of defiance.
"Don't worry, Nymphadora," Sirius replied, smirking as he used her full name, much to her irritation. "She already has a flower girl."
Harry grinned, leaning forward slightly as he caught Tonks's eye. "Hope yours is better than ours was," he teased, a playful glint in his eye.
Tonks rolled her eyes dramatically. "Oi, I wore that awful dress—what more did you want?" she protested, her voice lighthearted but edged with the memory of the hideous garment she had once been forced to wear.
Her mother, Andromeda, shot her a warning glare, but the tension was immediately undercut by Sirius's snicker.
"I'm just kidding, Tonks," Harry said, his grin widening. "You did a great job as flower girl, truly. Best we could have asked for."
Tonks narrowed her eyes at him, but there was a trace of a smile on her lips. "I'll hold you to that, Potter."
"So, how have you been?" Andromeda asked, her voice taking on a gentler tone as she turned her attention to Bellatrix. There was a nervousness in her eyes, as though she was treading carefully, unsure of how her sister might respond.
Bellatrix met her gaze, her expression unreadable for a moment before she finally spoke. "I've been... well enough," she said slowly, her voice measured. "Adjusting to... new circumstances."
There was a pause, a moment where it seemed the entire room held its breath, waiting to see how the conversation might unfold. Andromeda nodded, her eyes softening with understanding. "That's good to hear," she said quietly, her tone sincere. "I know... things have been difficult."
Bellatrix's eyes flickered with something Harry couldn't quite place—regret, perhaps, or maybe just the weight of unspoken words. "They have," she admitted, her voice almost too soft to hear. "But we carry on, don't we?"
The room fell into a comfortable silence, the kind that comes not from the absence of words, but from the presence of understanding. It was a small step, a tentative beginning, but in that moment, there was a sense that perhaps, just perhaps, the fragile peace they had found might endure.
"I've been well," Bellatrix finally answered, her voice steady. "Little Harry spent a few days with me while Sirius and Harry were abroad."
"She got me ice cream!" little Harry exclaimed, his eyes lighting up as he remembered the treat.
Tonks pouted, crossing her arms in mock offense. "She never gets me ice cream," she complained, her tone playful.
Bellatrix turned to her niece, her eyes narrowing mischievously. "You spilled my perfume," she retorted, adopting a mockingly innocent tone that made her sound like a little girl defending herself.
Harry chuckled, joining in on the lighthearted banter. "And I buy you ice cream all the time," he added, giving Tonks a teasing glance.
Tonks opened her mouth to argue, but before she could get another word in, the food appeared on the table, cutting the conversation short. Platters of roasted meats, savory pies, and an assortment of vegetables filled the table, the rich aroma filling the room as everyone began to serve themselves.
The clinking of cutlery against plates was the only sound for a few moments, everyone too engrossed in their meals to continue the conversation. After a while, Narcissa broke the silence, turning her attention to Harry. "So, Harry, have you taken your N.E.W.T.s yet?" she asked, her tone polite but curious.
Harry looked up from his plate, a grin spreading across his face as he swallowed a bite of lemon-roasted chicken. "I have," he replied. "The results arrived last week."
"And?" Sirius prompted, leaning forward with interest.
Harry's grin widened as he wiped his mouth with his napkin. "I got eight N.E.W.T.s, and all but two of them were O's," he said, clearly pleased with his achievements.
Bellatrix beamed with pride beside him, her eyes gleaming. "He did exceptionally well," she added, unable to hide the satisfaction in her voice.
"Which two didn't you get an O in?" Sirius asked, curiosity piqued.
Harry shrugged nonchalantly. "I got E's in Herbology and Arithmancy," he admitted.
"That's still quite an accomplishment," Andromeda praised, nodding in approval. "Especially with the number of subjects you took."
Narcissa smiled warmly at Harry, clearly impressed. "What is it you want to do for a career?" she asked between bites of her chicken, her tone genuinely interested.
Harry set down his fork and took a sip of water before answering. "I plan on going into a career in magizoology," he explained, his voice filled with excitement. "I've always liked animals, and it'll give me a chance to travel the world a bit."
Andromeda tilted her head slightly, considering his words. "That's a rather niche career path," she pointed out, though there was no judgment in her tone.
Harry nodded, acknowledging the challenge. "I know," he said, unfazed. "But there are still opportunities in the field, especially if I learn the veterinary side of things. There's always a need for someone who can heal magical creatures."
Tonks, who had been quietly listening, leaned forward, her eyes bright with curiosity. "Would you be able to heal dragons?" she asked, clearly intrigued by the idea.
Harry chuckled softly, remembering the stories he had heard from Charlie Weasley in his timeline. "I don't know," he admitted. "Usually, the dragon preserves have their own specialized healers that take care of the dragons. But it's something I'd love to learn more about."
"Dragons are tricky creatures," Sirius chimed in, his tone light. "You'll need nerves of steel to deal with them."
Harry grinned. "I've had some practice dealing with difficult situations," he replied, his eyes flicking briefly to Bellatrix, who gave him a knowing look.
The conversation flowed more easily now, the earlier tension having all but dissipated. As they continued to eat, the room was filled with the sounds of laughter and lighthearted conversation—a rare moment of peace in a world that often seemed too chaotic. For now, they were just a family, sharing a meal, and in that simplicity, there was something profoundly comforting.
"That's probably for the best," Sirius said with a shudder, recalling the ferocity of dragons. "Nasty creatures, dragons."
Harry couldn't help but chuckle at his godfather's discomfort. "They're just animals, Sirius. Anyway, snakes will be my specialty," he said with a grin, his mind already racing with thoughts of magical serpents and their intricate behaviors.
Bellatrix, who had been quietly observing the interaction, suddenly turned her attention to Andromeda. Her tone was casual, but there was an undercurrent of tension. "So, Andi, I heard you had some problems at home?"
Andromeda's posture stiffened slightly, her face a mask of composure. "Yes," she replied, her voice clipped. "Ted is still quite upset with me."
Bellatrix's smile was sweet, but her words were laced with sharpness. "Yes, I can't say that I blame him."
Sensing the tension, Harry leaned in and whispered to Bellatrix, "Calm yourself, Bella."
Andromeda sighed, the weariness in her voice evident. "I've already apologized to you for that," she said, her eyes meeting her sister's in a silent plea for understanding.
"You did, and I forgive you both," Bellatrix conceded with a slight shrug. "But I'm still annoyed." She punctuated her words by taking a deliberate bite of her asparagus, the gesture both dismissive and final.
Sirius, ever the one to diffuse tension with humor, sighed dramatically. "Ugh, I hope this doesn't last much longer," he muttered, glancing between the two sisters.
Curiosity piqued, Tonks leaned forward. "What are they fighting about?" she asked, her tone light but genuinely inquisitive.
"We are not fighting, Nymphadora," Andromeda replied distractedly, her focus still on Bellatrix, though her voice lacked its usual warmth.
Despite the frosty undertones between Bellatrix and Andromeda, the rest of dinner passed smoothly enough. Both women maintained a veneer of politeness, careful not to let their simmering emotions spill over. Tonks, for her part, seemed satisfied with the surface calm, and refrained from asking any more probing questions.
Harry, observing the situation, silently hoped they would work things out on their own. He had dreaded this dinner, knowing the potential for conflict, but felt a responsibility to be here—not just to support Bellatrix, but to intervene if necessary. The last thing he wanted was for a family dinner to escalate into something far more volatile.
After dinner, Bellatrix and Andromeda excused themselves, their voices low as they left the room to talk privately. Harry, Sirius, and the children remained, enjoying a dessert of rich chocolate gateau. Narcissa, ever the gracious hostess, kept up a light conversation with Harry and Sirius, skillfully steering the topic away from anything that might hint at the tension between her sisters.
Harry followed Narcissa's lead, keeping his responses cheerful and engaging, though his mind was elsewhere. He found himself glancing at the door every few minutes, hoping that Bellatrix and Andromeda would return soon, and that their conversation would have soothed rather than inflamed their tempers.
About twenty minutes later, the two sisters reappeared. They seemed calmer, their earlier tension visibly diminished.
"Everything okay?" Harry asked, his eyes meeting Bellatrix's as she approached.
"Yes, we're good," Bellatrix replied simply, her tone steady but with a hint of finality that told Harry the matter was resolved, at least for now.
'Thank God,' Harry thought with relief as he watched Bellatrix sit down and contentedly tuck into her slice of chocolate gateau. Whatever had transpired between the sisters, it seemed to have brought a measure of peace, however temporary.
Not long after, Bellatrix decided it was time for them to leave. After exchanging farewells with the family, Harry and Bellatrix stepped into the Floo, both feeling a sense of contentment. The night had gone better than expected, and as the familiar green flames engulfed them, Harry couldn't help but feel a wave of gratitude that the evening had ended on a positive note.
As the green flames of the Floo Network enveloped them, Harry held onto Bellatrix's hand, feeling the familiar tug at his navel as they were whisked away from Malfoy Manor and back to Grimmauld Place. The whirlwind journey through the magical passageways gave him a moment to reflect on the evening. Despite the underlying tensions and the potential for conflict, things had gone surprisingly well.
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