CHAPTER 28: BREAKFAST TRANQUILITY
Harry emerged onto the deck, inhaling deeply as the salty tang of the sea air filled his lungs. Clutching his plate, he settled at the quaint little table, relishing the novelty of dining alfresco. The gentle lapping of the waves against the hull created a soothing soundtrack, a respite from the chaos that often engulfed his life.
With autumn looming, Harry knew these moments of breakfast tranquility would soon be a fleeting memory. The crisp morning air hinted at the chill to come, a reminder to savor the warmth while it lasted.
Recalling the events of the previous night, Harry couldn't help but smile. Proposing to Bellatrix had been a bold move, one that had led to an unforgettable night of passion on the sandy shore. Yet, the aftermath had been less glamorous than anticipated, as they grappled with the unwelcome presence of sand in uncomfortable places. It had taken them both the better part of an hour to rid themselves of the persistent grains.
Today, however, held its own share of excitement. Harry and Bellatrix had agreed to share their joyous news with Narcissa and Andromeda, knowing that one of them would likely appear soon. But for now, Bellatrix still slumbered peacefully, her breakfast awaiting her on the kitchen table under a stasis charm.
As Harry pondered his next steps, he couldn't shake the weight of his mission to remove the soul shard from his younger self. It hung over him like a dark cloud, a constant reminder of the danger lurking in the shadows. Despite his determination, he felt adrift, unsure of where to begin.
Lost in thought, Harry scanned the horizon, searching for a sign of what lay ahead. Little did he know, the answers he sought might be closer than he realized.
Deep in thought, Harry weighed the pros and cons of targeting the remaining Death Eaters who had evaded Azkaban. It was a tempting proposition, a way to strike a blow against the lingering remnants of Voldemort's reign of terror. Yet, he hesitated, unsure if it was the right course of action in the present moment. Dealing with five Death Eaters and two sympathizers since his arrival in this timeline had already taken its toll on him. And if one counted Bellatrix's defection from their cause, the tally rose to six.
Lost in his contemplation, Harry was startled by Bellatrix's voice as she joined him at the table, balancing a bowl of porridge in her hands. She settled opposite him, her presence a welcome interruption to his brooding. A large tray of fruit floated gracefully to the center of the table under her spell.
"You look pensive this morning," she remarked, dipping her spoon into her breakfast.
Harry glanced up, meeting her gaze. "Just thinking about our next move," he admitted, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "How are you feeling?"
Bellatrix shrugged nonchalantly, taking another spoonful of porridge. "A bit queasy when I woke up, but Narcissa's potions sorted me out," she replied casually.
Concern creased Harry's brow. "Do you need to go to St. Mungo's?" he inquired, setting aside his own food.
Bellatrix waved off his concern with a dismissive gesture. "No, Bella will be fine," she reassured him, her confidence unwavering.
Before Harry could delve further into the conversation, the distinctive sound of the Floo Network echoed through the house, drawing both their attention towards the door. Harry's curiosity piqued, wondering who might be calling at this hour.
"Harry, Bella, are you here?" Narcissa's voice floated from the sitting room, drawing their attention.
"We're out here, Cissa," Bellatrix replied, her tone warm.
Narcissa stepped onto the porch, Draco trailing behind her. "Ah, caught you at breakfast," she observed with a smile.
"Good morning, Cissa. Are you hungry?" Harry offered politely.
"No, thank you, Harry," Narcissa declined, her attention shifting to her son. "Say hello, Draco," she prompted gently.
"Hello," Draco greeted nervously, his eyes darting between the adults.
"Hello, Draco," Harry returned warmly, eliciting a shy grin from the toddler.
Narcissa's gaze fell upon Bellatrix's hand, her eyes widening as she spotted the sparkling engagement ring. "What's that on your finger, Bella?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"Bella got proposed to last night after you left," Harry announced proudly, gesturing to the ring with a circular purple diamond nestled within it.
"How wonderful!" Narcissa exclaimed, pulling Bellatrix into a tight embrace, her excitement palpable.
Draco watched the exchange, his confusion evident. "Mummy happy," he observed, seeking confirmation from his mother.
"Yes, Draco, Mum is very happy," Narcissa affirmed, smiling down at her son.
Curiosity getting the better of her, Narcissa examined the ring closely. "What's this symbol inside the diamond?" she asked, noting the intricate engraving.
"It's the Peverell crest," Harry explained, a note of pride in his voice as he shared the significance of the emblem.
"I've seen this mark before, I just can't place it," Narcissa mused, her brow furrowed in concentration.
"Grindelwald used my family's crest in the twenties and thirties," Harry revealed, observing as recognition dawned on Narcissa's features.
"You never did say why that was," Bellatrix interjected, her curiosity piqued.
Harry took a moment to collect his thoughts before explaining, "Well, there's a story called 'The Tale of Three Brothers' that mentions three objects my family created. Grindelwald was obsessed with uniting these objects because he believed they would make him the master of death."
Narcissa scoffed dismissively. "That's just a children's bedtime story," she remarked, a hint of skepticism in her voice.
"Actually, the three objects are real," Harry countered matter-of-factly, causing a ripple of surprise to pass through the group.
"Really? Do you know where they are?" Bellatrix inquired eagerly, her eyes alight with excitement.
"Yeah, but I don't have any need for them," Harry admitted casually, before turning his attention to Draco, offering him a slice of melon from the fruit tray.
"What do we say, Draco?" Narcissa prompted when Draco eagerly accepted the fruit.
"Thank you," Draco replied, his voice filled with genuine gratitude as he popped the fruit into his mouth.
"You're welcome," Harry responded warmly, watching Draco toddle back to his mother's side.
Meanwhile, Narcissa continued to examine Bella's ring, her fingers tracing the intricate craftsmanship with admiration. "Where did you get this? The craftsmanship is superb," she commented, her curiosity piqued once more.
The delicate intertwining of three slender vines formed the band of the ring, weaving around each other before gracefully coiling to cradle the two-carat purple diamond. Nestled within the gem's heart was the ethereal image of the Peverell family crest, a haunting reminder of its storied lineage.
"Cutter's Fine Jewels in Diagon Alley," Harry replied, his gaze lingering on the exquisite craftsmanship of the ring.
"It looks wonderful. Do you have the Peverell family ring?" Narcissa inquired, finally releasing her sister's hand from her inspection.
"I've recently acquired the original capstone and have commissioned a ring to be made around it," Harry disclosed, earning a curious glance from Bellatrix.
"Did you discuss your engagement with Sirius yesterday?" Narcissa continued as she took a seat at the table, her interest piqued.
"Yes, he gave his blessing as Lord Black," Harry confirmed, a sense of relief washing over him at the memory.
"Did he warn you that Uncle Arcturus would want to meet with you?" Narcissa asked, a hint of amusement glinting in her eyes.
"Yes, though I have no idea when he will want to meet," Harry admitted, feeling a twinge of anxiety at the thought of facing Sirius' formidable grandfather.
"Oh, I expect you'll receive a letter the next time he sees the family tapestry," Narcissa remarked cryptically, her words leaving Harry puzzled.
Before he could delve further into the mystery, the Floo flared to life once more, causing Harry to glance up in surprise as Sirius emerged onto the deck, cradling little Harry in his arms.
"Good morning, all," Sirius greeted cheerfully as he set his younger self down on the deck.
"Padfoot, how's it going?" Harry inquired casually, his tone relaxed.
"Good. I came here to offer you and cousin Bellatrix an invitation to dine with my grandfather this Saturday at five," Sirius announced formally, helping himself to a chunk of melon from the fruit tray.
"I told you," Narcissa chimed in, a smug expression gracing her features.
"That was faster than I thought it would be," Harry remarked, eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Yes, well, grandfather saw the family tapestry this morning and woke me up to interrogate me about you and Bella's relationship. Did you ask her yet?" Sirius inquired, his curiosity evident.
"Yes, thankfully, or you would have just shot my proposal all to hell," Harry replied with a chuckle, tossing a piece of melon at Sirius' head in jest.
"Is that any way to treat a lord of your future bride's house?" Sirius demanded dramatically, catching the fruit and flinging it back, narrowly missing Harry's head by a few inches.
"Boys, act like adults. You're setting a bad example for the children," Narcissa admonished sternly, casting a disapproving glance at Draco and young Harry, who had been observing the food fight with keen interest.
"Yes, Cissa," Harry and Sirius chorused obediently, their playful antics momentarily subdued under her watchful gaze.
"So, are you staying for a while or just coming by to deliver the message?" Harry inquired once Sirius had settled into a seat.
"I wanted to let Harry play on the beach. It won't be summer for much longer," Sirius explained with a casual shrug.
"I imagine this place will be pretty miserable around October," Harry mused, considering the changing seasons.
"If it gets too bad here, you can stay in my mom's old place," Sirius offered, extending his hospitality.
"Thanks. Is there anything I need to know about your grandfather?" Harry inquired, eager for any insight into the upcoming meeting.
"Yeah, he hates brownnosers, so don't try to be overly polite," Sirius advised after a moment of thought.
"Great," Harry muttered wryly, sensing trouble ahead. "Who all will be there?" he asked, bracing himself for Sirius's response.
"Everyone in the immediate family, plus my Aunt Cassiopeia," Sirius announced cheerfully, his enjoyment at delivering potentially challenging news evident.
"No! That old bat's still alive?" Bellatrix exclaimed, her concern evident in her voice.
"Ah, she is very much alive," Sirius confirmed, looking positively delighted by the prospect.
"I take it she's intimidating," Harry remarked, surprised at the worried expression on Bellatrix's face.
"She's terrifying. It's rumored, but never proven, that she was an acolyte in the late twenties and early thirties," Narcissa added, her own alarm mirroring Bellatrix's.
"Great, I suppose I'll have to get some dress robes," Harry muttered, feeling a knot of anxiety forming in his stomach at the thought of the upcoming dinner.
"Don't worry, Andy will be the one in the hot seat," Sirius offered, attempting to sound reassuring, though the gleeful look on his face contradicted his words.
"I thought she was disowned," Harry remarked, confusion evident in his tone.
"I brought her and Nymphadora back into the family when I took up my lordship," Sirius explained.
"But not the Mudblood?" Bellatrix interjected.
"I tried, but the Black family magic would not accept him. And I thought Harry made you stop saying that," Sirius reprimanded, his tone firm.
"The punishment didn't seem to deter her very much," Harry admitted with a shake of his head, having long given up on trying to change Bellatrix's vocabulary.
"But your mother was a Muggle-born?" Sirius pressed, his disbelief palpable.
"According to Gringotts, she was a half-blood," Harry clarified with a shrug.
"But how is that possible?" Sirius demanded, knowing full well that Lily's parents were Muggles.
"I've got two theories brewing here," Harry began, his voice steady yet tinged with uncertainty, drawing the attention of all three Blacks. "One, my grandmother had a clandestine affair with a man named Reginald Byrd, concealing it from her husband. Or two, she fell under some sort of enchantment, was manipulated, and had her memories tampered with by this Reginald Byrd character."
The revelation left Sirius visibly taken aback, his expression a mix of surprise and concern. "Can't we track this bloke down and get to the bottom of it?" he inquired, his tone still tinged with disbelief.
Harry sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I wish it were that simple, Sirius," he replied, his voice carrying a note of resignation. "But unfortunately, Reginald Byrd met his end during the chaos of the Death Eater attack on Diagon Alley back in seventy-five."
As Harry recounted the events, his mind drifted to the recent trip he'd made to Gringotts. Just last month, he had taken the initiative to establish his identity there, a process that had led to unexpected revelations about his ancestry.
Longblade, the goblin assigned to assist him, had conducted a thorough lineage tracing using a mixture of Harry's blood and a potion. The concoction, when poured onto enchanted parchment, had unfolded his family tree in intricate detail, revealing generations of wizarding heritage.
Expectedly, he found the connection to the Peverell lineage on his father's side, a fact he was already acquainted with. But it was the revelations on his mother's side that had caught him off guard.
On the maternal side, his lineage led back to a singular magical ancestor: Malantha Gaunt, a woman who had married into the family nearly a century ago. Yet, it was the branch of the tree belonging to Lily's father that truly surprised him.
"Lily's father didn't go by Mark Evans," Harry continued, his brow furrowing as he mulled over the implications. "There's something more to his identity that we've yet to uncover."
According to the findings, his grandfather's name emerged as Reginald Byrd, an unexpected twist that unraveled a bit more of Harry's family tapestry. Reginald hailed from a cadet line of the Byrd family, a prestigious pureblood lineage that had recently met its end in the male line, rendering Harry's connection more of a historical footnote than a tangible inheritance. Though intriguing, this revelation hadn't held much significance in the grand scheme of things for Harry at the time, especially amidst the tumultuous events swirling around him.
"Well, well, technically a pureblood, aren't you?" Narcissa interjected, a glimmer of satisfaction dancing in her eyes at this newfound information.
"Why keep mum about it until now?" Bellatrix demanded, her tone tinged with annoyance.
Harry shrugged nonchalantly. "Honestly, it didn't strike me as particularly pertinent," he admitted.
"It'll certainly grease the wheels for Saturday," Sirius remarked, though his expression hinted at a certain discomfiture that Harry couldn't quite decipher.
"Sounds like I'll be waltzing into the lion's den," Harry remarked wryly, his features contorting into a grimace.
"You've no idea, mate," Sirius chimed in with a smirk, his tone laced with cryptic amusement.
As the conversation unfolded, the distinct whoosh of the Floo network announced the arrival of Andromeda onto the scene. Sirius wasted no time in querying her about her daughter.
"Where's your little one?" he inquired.
"I've left her in Ted's care for the day. He's managed to secure some time off, and frankly, I could do with a breather," Andromeda explained wearily.
Sirius couldn't contain his excitement as he delivered the next piece of news. "Well, Andy, here's a bit of cheer for you: Bella's engaged, and you and Tonks have been cordially invited for a family dinner with Grandfather and Aunt Cassie this Saturday!"
Harry observed with amusement as Andromeda's initial smile swiftly transformed into a look of sheer dread, as though she'd just been informed of an impending catastrophe rather than a family gathering.
"Oh, bugger!" Andromeda exclaimed, her dismay palpable.
"Language, Andy," Narcissa reprimanded gently, nodding towards Draco and Harry, who were engrossed in a game with some of Tonks' action figures scattered nearby.
"Sorry, but I could've sworn the old bat was already six feet under," Andromeda retorted.
"Believe me, I thought the same," Bellatrix chimed in with a grimace of agreement.
Harry, ever the optimist, tried to inject a bit of positivity into the conversation. "She can't be that dreadful, can she?"
Bellatrix smirked knowingly. "Wait till she catches sight of your tattoo. She'll be over the moon about you."
Sirius, curious now, turned to Harry. "What tattoo?"
With a mischievous grin, Harry tugged down the collar of his shirt to reveal the dark black ink of the Peverell crest etched over the left side of his chest.
Recognition dawned on Sirius' face after a moment of scrutiny. "Ah, I've seen that symbol before. Some eccentric Ravenclaw bloke claimed it was the mark of the Deathly Hallows."
"Xeno Lovegood, I presume?" Harry quipped.
"Yeah, that's the one. Brilliant mind, but utterly off his rocker," Sirius replied, only to yelp in surprise when Narcissa promptly hexed him with a stinging jinx to his thigh.
"You will not use such language in front of the children," she scolded sternly.
Meanwhile, Harry's thoughts drifted to the Lovegoods. "I need to keep an eye on them. Luna's mother had a tragic accident back in ninety."
Sirius raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You knew him?"
Harry nodded solemnly. "In passing. But there's more to that family than meets the eye."
"Not particularly well. I was friends with his daughter during my time at school," Harry clarified.
Sirius, always one to seize an opportunity for mischief, interjected with a sly grin. "Right, I suppose I'd best take Harry down to the beach then. And don't you have some robes to pick out?"
Before he could finish his sentence, Harry felt a surge of magic in the air and barely managed to dodge the stinging hex aimed at his leg. The toddlers nearby erupted into giggles at the sight of Harry's close call.
"Looks like I'll be off to get those dress robes," Harry said hastily, before swiftly Disapparating from the scene, leaving Narcissa with no chance for a second attempt at the hex.
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