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Chapter Text

The Future of House Black

By: Ryu Katanna

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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 One

Green eyes stared down at the parchment in lingering disbelief at the information that had filled itself out only a few days ago. He hadn’t bothered to look at it as he was dealing with the other details of his inheritance but had looked over it after coming back home, and had been trying to process the information since. There was nothing that could have possibly prepared him for this when he had agreed to go to Gringotts to claim his inheritance as he had been instructed to do by Andromeda the week before when she found out he had not done so after turning seventeen due to the war heating up.

The inheritance test had used seven drops of his blood into a potion that had then been poured onto a blank roll of parchment. It was meant to show your magical family tree. Muggle family members wouldn’t show up, but it would show any magical heritage existent in the bloodline through the last five hundred years including any squib ancestry and their family line. Wizards and witches could typically live up to one hundred and fifty to almost two hundred years, and with their child-bearing years lasting well into their fifties and sixties, the test could show anywhere from five to twenty generations. Everything he read from his own family tree left him more questions even as his jaw had clenched so tightly it felt like his teeth would shatter with the realization at just how much he had been lied to after he had read it a second and third time.

Hardwin James Felis Potter-Black
Born: July 31, 1980
Blood-Status: Pureblood

‘Hardwin. My name isn’t even Harry.’ He had thought hysterically upon reading it the first time.

No, it truly was Hardwin. Blood didn’t lie, and so this test didn’t lie. Harry could have been a nickname his parents had called him, he supposed. It seemed more than likely considering Sirius and Remus had both used it too, but it wasn’t just that. His school letters had all come addressed to Harry James Potter. How could they have been so wrong if he had been registered to attend the school since he’d been born? There was only one thing, or person, who came to mind.

Albus Dumbledore and his bloody manipulations. He had been born while his parents were under the Fidelius charm. Few people would have known what his name was, and if Harry was a nickname, then Dumbledore might have thought that was his real name at the time supposing he hadn’t been told otherwise. It was the old man who had given his name to the press when Voldemort fell the first time. It could be that he hadn’t learned his real name until afterward and had just covered it up to not appear to be a liar, or he'd willfully made everyone believe that was what it was for his own purposes. It’s not like Harry would have known with how young he had been when he’d been left on his Aunt’t doorstep. He had thought his name was freak or boy right up until he had started muggle primary school because of his mother's sister and her husband.

Hardwin James Felis Potter. Felis…

That was a star name if he remembered his astronomy classes correctly. The star Felis was directly named after the former constellation where it was located between Antlia and Hydra. Felis was named after the Latin word for cat, because Felis contains a couple of constellations named after cat species, including Leo Major the great lion, Leo Minor the little lion, and Lynx the lynx. Had it been his parent's hope for him to go to Gryffindor or a payment of homage to their own time spent in the house at Hogwarts?

Felis also had the meaning ‘lucky’. Well, that could go both ways for him. Depending on the hour he had either the best luck or completely horrible luck. Bloody hell, he had the worst luck in the world to have been in the situations he had been already in his life. A prophecy hanging over his head since before he’d been born, becoming a target for Voldemort, losing his parents, having to live with the Dursleys, and everything that had happened every year since he had stepped back into the wizarding world. There was also Dumbledore and all of his manipulations of his life as he played him like a chess piece he knew he would one day sacrifice ‘for the greater good’.

At the same time, he also had the most damnable good luck. He’d survived. No matter what he’d had to live through; he had lived through it. Dumbledore and Voldemort were both dead, and he was still here. He still had a life to live. A future that while he didn’t know what to do with yet, he was looking forward to.

Another thought came to mind as he was reminded that Felis was a star name. Regulus is one of the four brightest stars within five degrees of the ecliptic, the others are Spica in Noctua, Antares in Simianus, and Aldebaran in Araneus. The other notable bright stars in Felis were Alphard; a bright giant located in Hydra, and Denebola; a main sequence located in Leo Major.

Had it also been a tribute to Sirius as his godfather? He couldn’t imagine why, if that was the case. Sirius had loathed his family.

His mother, Walburga, the most of all.

Father: James Charlus Potter
Date of Birth: March 27, 1960
Date of Death: October 31, 1981
Blood-Status: Pureblood

Harry took a moment to look over his dad’s side of the family. Interesting, but not surprising with some of the family names considering he’d already known his dad was from an old pureblood line. He wasn’t truly surprised to see that they were descended from the Peverells. The cloak was a family heirloom after all, and Ignatius Peverell had been buried in the cemetery at Godric’s Hallow. He only winced a bit in the knowledge that it meant he had been distantly related to Tom Riddle, but then again, most pureblood lines in Britain were linked in some way.

No, the most surprising thing was that he wasn’t from the main line, but he had living cousins who were. Charlus Potter and Dorea Potter nee Black were his grandparents. Charlus Potter had a cousin, Fleamont Potter. He and his wife Euphemia Potter nee Greengrass had a son a few years younger than James. The son, Henry Potter married a witch named Leanne Potter nee Fitch. They had a child a few years younger than Hardwin. Henry Potter and his wife Leanne as well as their sons Silas, David, and their daughter Dianna all had dates of birth but no date of death. He had blood relations he hadn’t even known about. People he had never heard of before.

It just left him with even more questions. Questions that Hardwin wasn’t sure he would like the answers to though he wanted them.

The real surprise had come again after seeing his mum’s name. He had to pause at the names of her parents as the lines went on. This couldn’t be right. He had been told that his mother was muggle-born, but according to this, she hadn’t been. There were names listed on both sides of her family tree which meant they’d had magic. Names that made his eyebrows climb even as his face paled.

Mother: Lily Jane Ophelia Potter nee Evans
Date of Birth: January 30, 1960
Date of Death: October 31, 1981
Blood-Status: Half-Blood

The first name to draw his attention was his mum’s grandfather on her mother’s side.

Marius Blackmoore (Formerly Black)
Date of Birth: June 24, 1915
Date of Death: April 15, 1972
Blood-Status: Pureblood

Marius… Formerly Black. He had been disowned, but not disinherited, and so the names of his parents were listed as well as their parents. Cygnus Black and Violette Black nee Bulstrode. Phineas Nigellus Black and his wife Ursula Black nee Flint. Bloody hell. His Great Grandfather on his Mum’s side and his grandmother on his father’s side had been brother and sister.

Harry’s mum, dad, and godfather had all been cousins from the Black family. Lily Jane Ophelia and Hardwin James Felis. Things were starting to make more sense there. It hadn’t been a tribute to his godfather at all, but more of a naming tradition taken from the Black family even after Marius’ disownment. He wasn’t very distantly related to the Black family at all. Actually, that meant he did still have closer blood relatives than just the Dursleys and the remaining Potters. He’d been led to believe the only family he had left were Petunia and Dudley.

Andromeda Tonks and Narcissa Malfoy were his second or third cousins. Tonks and Draco Malfoy were his fourth or fifth cousins and even his godson, Teddy. He could feel his head starting to swim even as he looked further to see more surprises.

Hardwin’s great grandmother on his Mum’s mother’s side had been a Prewett. Cassia Prewett had been the older sister of Molly Weasley’s father by more than twenty years. He was related to both of Ron and Ginny’s parents. On one hand, he was happy to know they were family even if a bit distant, but on the other, he could feel his stomach churn. He had kissed his cousin. Dated his cousin.

Ginny had been hinting at getting back together, but Harry had hesitated. It had only been a few months since the war had ended. He had been putting her off as he tried to sort himself out. His mind and emotions had been all over the place as he was pulled in different directions. It hadn’t helped that he had been attending funerals, testifying at Death Eater trials, helping with the clean-up at Hogwarts, and trying to make time to visit Teddy to help Andromeda with his godson. He’s been so busy that he hadn’t even had time to sort himself out and had felt like he was going out of his mind while fending off her advances, and her mother’s insinuations of marriage.

He would have to put a stop to all of that now no matter how he might feel or not feel. There definitely wouldn’t be any wedding happening now that he knew. They may be something like third or fourth cousins, but it was still a closer relation than he was truly comfortable with. Especially since he was related to her through both of her parents and both of his. He was related to Arthur Weasley through his mother Cedrella Weasley nee Black as well as Molly Weasley as she had been born a Prewett.

Bloody hell, he was even related to Neville and Barty Couch Jr. through the Blacks as well.

Meanwhile, his great grandfather on his mum’s father’s side showed him to be a 'muggle-born' as well of squib descent. His mother’s side looked to be a squib line from the Montague and Nott families. They would be distantly related at best with as many generations as the tree showed between them, but not the mother’s side. Three, four, five, six generations back from Harry there was a name that was damning. Corvinus Gaunt.

His ancestor had been the second-born son, a squib, of Corvinus Gaunt. Tom Riddle and he were more closely related than even he had realized. They were both related directly to the Peverells as well as to Salazar Slytherin through the Gaunts line. That knowledge brought with it so many questions as well.

Did this mean that he had been born a parselmouth? Did it mean his ability to speak to snakes had nothing to do with the horcrux? Could it have something to do with all of those things? Did he still have the ability? What if he wasn’t a parselmouth because of the Horcrux, but because of his bloodline? Did he even still count as a half-blood with all of this?

According to the test, he was a pureblood.

His father was very obviously a pureblood and so that side of his heritage didn’t take any thinking about. It was his mother’s side that did. Her parents showed up on the tree as squibs except for his grandfather who had been a muggleborn of the squib lines of Gaunt and Montague. He had muggles in the line, but Lily’s parents showed up as squibs. That made them magical as squibs did have magic; it just wasn’t enough for them to use in any active magic as they had no magical core.

Lily Potter nee Evans had been a squib-born half-blood. Even Petunia and Dudley’s names were listed on the tree in the color indicative of squibs. The line of squibs in Lily’s ancestry was unbroken with each squib having married a muggle or squib-born in his grandfather's case, but given birth to another squib. It did bring another question to mind though.

Was there truly such thing as a muggle-born? Could all the muggle-born have been born of squibs, and their magic just not manifest until enough magic had been bred back into the line to have developed a magical core? What caused the squibs? Was it the inbreeding? He knew that was something prevalent in pureblood lines when the generations were too closely interlinked. The Gaunts had become a great example of that by marrying their own sisters or close cousins. From what Sirius had said, it was something that had happened with the Blacks as well. Sirius’s own parents had been second cousins. Walburga and Orion had both been the great-grandchildren of Phineas Nigellus Black.

Harry shuddered at the thought of how many generations of inbreeding there were in both the Black and Gaunt lines. When he married, he would have to be careful to make sure they were of a distant enough relation. His relationship with Ginny would not be started back up no matter if he still felt anything for her or not. Cassia Prewett was the sister of Ignatius Prewett and Molly’s own father. That meant that Ginny and her brothers were all his great grandmother’s great-nephews and niece. It was a closer relation than Harry was comfortable with.

If the inbreeding was what caused the birth of squibs then he didn’t want to risk a marriage with another so closely linked to him. Magic was something so much a part of him that he didn’t want to knowingly risk having a child be born a squib. Oh, he wouldn’t love that child any less, and would never send them away for not being born with magic, but it would break his heart for his child not to be blessed with that gift. Magic was a part of him and that was something he would want to share with any child he had. He would never want his child to feel like they were lesser because they had been born into a magical household without the ability to use it themselves.

Another surprise was the other line connecting to his name.

Father: Sirius Orion Black; Blood-Adoption (Sanguis Reuocare Potion)
Date of Birth: November 3, 1959
Date of Death: June 18, 1996
Blood Status: Pureblood

It had taken some time for the Gringotts goblin, SilverClaw, to go over what his being blood adopted by his godfather with the Sanguis Reuocare Potion meant. The name of the potion was Latin for Blood Reclaim, and could only be used to adopt a blood relation back into the Family’s main line while the child was still in the whom. That meant that his mother would have had to take the potion while she'd been pregnant with him for it to work. Genetically, it made Sirius his third parent. It was then he had discovered he was the heir to the House of Black.

It was also when he had found out about another of Dumbledore’s manipulations. Sirius’s will had been read the summer after his fifth year. He was supposed to have been there, but Dumbledore had handed them a letter claiming it to be from him. Dumbledore had made himself his representative. The thing was, he hadn’t even known about the will reading. He’d been abandoned at the Dursley’s and no one had told him anything other than that Sirius had left him everything.

It had taken Harry and SilverClaw hours to go through everything after Harry finally heard Sirius's will that had still been on file. Harry was now Lord to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black as the only male of the line. He had claimed his signet ring and been accepted by the family magics. It was his vaults and investments left to him by his parents and Sirius that had taken hours to get through. The Potter account inherited from James and Lily was a branch account from the main family’s vaults controlled by his cousin Henry who was Lord Potter, and had been receiving annual deposits from the main vault. The Black accounts, however, started to stagnate in 1991 when Lord Arcturus Black, Harry’s great-grandfather, had died. The money coming in from those investments hadn’t been as much as it could have been had they been properly maintained. If that had been all then Harry wouldn’t be feeling this way.

He was angry. So angry. Dumbledore had been using his status as Harry’s ‘representative’ to siphon money from his accounts. Luckily, he hadn't gain access to the main Black vaults.

He had only been able to access Sirius's personal vault, the contents of which had been left to Harry in his will. SilverClaw had denied the attempted access to the main Black vault as Sirius had not been, nor was 'Harry Potter', the heir. Dumbledore hadn't been able to take much in the year he’d had to do it to Sirius's vault before he’d died as, SilverClaw being a proper manager of the Black Family accounts, had restricted the amount that had been able to be taken per year without the 'inheriter's' presence. Something that Dumbledore wouldn't have been able to do while keeping hm ignorant to his inheritance from Sirius.

Something that the manager of the Potter accounts had been allowing for years with James Potter's personal vault.

As it stood, the Potter branch account that had belonged to James was less than half of what they had been when his parents died, and that was with an annual transfer of so much from the main Potter vaults once a year from Lord Potter. There was also no way to get it back with the old man dead. He could sue what remained of the Dumbledore family, but he didn’t think Aberforth deserved that just because his brother had been a manipulative ass-hat. Aberforth Dumbledore had a shitty older brother, but the theft hadnt been his doing.

He may have inherited what was left of the main Dumbledore vault, but SilverClaw had told him it had been a pittance. The money Albus Dumbledore had stolen wasn’t there. Aberforth had been looking out for him during the war and had helped with the war effort. He would speak to him at a later time to see if he could help to track where that money had gone as SilverClaw couldn’t go through the Dumbledore accounts without Aberforth’s co-operation.

“Dinner is served, Master.” Kreacher’s voice drew him out of his thoughts as the old elf popped into the room.

“Thank you, Kreacher. I’ll head over to the dining room in a moment. Would you put it under stasis and meet me in the drawing-room? I’d like to ask you something about the Black family.” Harry told him as he stood to leave the study on the ground floor to make his way up the stairs to the Drawing Room in which he knew the family tapestry rested.

“Yes, Master.” Was the simple reply before Kreacher popped out of the room, and Harry wasn’t surprised to find him waiting in the Drawing room when he entered.

“Tell me. How long have you been an elf of the Black family?” Harry asked as stepped up in front of the tapestry and ran his hand over the branches before coming to rest on a scorched mark a bit over and up from where Sirius’s name had been.

“Kreacher has served the Black family for four generations. Since Master Sirius and Mistress Hesper were Lord and Lady Black.” Kreacher replied with a note of longing in his voice as he stared at the wall.

Harry, Hardwin he reminded himself again, knew that Kreacher had not been happy to serve him as Sirius’s heir at first. Kreacher had hated Sirius, and Hardwin couldn’t blame him after he had looked back on his memories of how Sirius had treated the old house-elf. That had changed though, when they had learned Regulus’s story, and Hardwin had given the elf the Black locket that had once belonged to Regulus. Hardwin did his best to treat Kreacher properly, and in return, the old elf had stopped muttering nasty comments so much. He had gained some respect in Kreacher’s eyes, and it was a lot easier for them to live in the house with each other now.

At the same time, he also knew the old elf despaired as the Black line had appeared to die out with a Potter inheriting what remained with no direct male heir having been born. Kreacher was a good elf. He was loyal first and always to the House of Black. If Hardwin hadn’t found out about his heritage, he knew the name easily would have been gone in truth. Andromeda and Narcissa were daughters of House Black, but they wouldn’t carry on the name because of one of the family by-laws laid out by the first Lord Black in the family Charter that he had been studying for two days now.

Sirius may have scorned his family, but he had adopted him with the Sanguis Reuocare Potion, and left behind an heir of the main line in Hardwin. An heir who carried more of the Black blood in his veins than even the Potter bloodline after the adoption. Hardwin; whose name was legally Hardwin James Felis Potter-Black. A child of House of Black. Had Sirius done it to give his family an heir? He could understand if that had been the case. Sirius had hated his family, but the look he’d had when he stared at the tapestry… It had been mournful.

The blood adoption had made him the biological child of Lily, James, and Sirius. It had combined the three lines he was descended from. He would have to be very careful of who he married as he didn’t want to risk too close of a relation to the Black family. It would make it harder as the wizarding world’s population was nowhere near as large as the muggle world. Especially in Great Britain right now with a fair few families who were able to claim some relation to the Black line; though most would be distant at best. As things stood he had been notified by the goblins that the Black family had a few open marriage contracts, and as Lord, it would be his responsibility to meet with the families to see that they were fulfilled, void them, or to renegotiate.

While an arranged marriage wasn’t something he had ever wanted for himself or any children he had, he could understand why the pureblooded families had them. Just looking at the thick dossier he could tell that being the Lord to an old wizarding family was going to be a lot of work, and it was a responsibility that was handed down from the Lord to his heir. It was not fun and games to be the head of a family in the wizarding world. It was a resposibility that heirs were trained for from a young age. Training that he lacked and would need to start on soon.

He would also have more than just himself to think of as he was now partly responsible for what remained of the Black line. Marriage contracts were used to settle terms between families and create alliances in their world. He didn’t want a loveless marriage, but he didn’t know if he would have another choice now. Between the Boy-Who-Lived nonsense and the war he would have no end to options, but he didn’t want some drooling admirer. At least with a marriage contract, both families would benefit.

Hardwin knew that the old elf knew more about the Black family over the different generations than anyone other than another elf on one of the other properties could know. Sure, Hardwin could ask Andromeda or possibly even Narcissa, but their knowledge would be varied about the people from before their time. Hardwin wanted to know more about his grandfather Marius, his grandmother Dorea, and even Sirius’s parents who he now knew were his grandparents as well. He wanted to know more about where and who he had come from.

He had never really felt a famililial connection to anyone other than Sirius and Remus as his dad’s friends. He had never known much about the Potter’s either, or even that Sirius had been his father biologically as well. Dumbledore had manipulated so much of his life before now that those manipulations had continued even after the man was dead. Now that he was free, Hardwin had been left feeling almost bereft, at a loss of direction on what he was supposed to do.

Now, here it was. A connection. A connection to something he had never known before. All these names. The different branches on the tree were a connection to his own blood.

It was a connection to his family he had never known before, but now found himself grasping hold of with both hands.

“Do you remember Cygnus and his wife Violetta? What about their children? I know Walburga was their granddaughter and Dorea was their daughter.” Hardwin asked as he brushed the scorched spot where the name Marius could faintly be seen before moving up and over to Dorea’s name that was linked to Charlus Potter.

“Kreacher was just a young elf then, but he remembers.” Kreacher replied with an almost wistful expression as his eyes traced the tapestry.

“Could you tell me about Marius? I know he was a squib, but not much more.” Hardwin asked as he pulled away to look at the elf.

“Little Marius was beloved by those of House Black. Broke hearts of everyone in the House of Black he did when no letter arrives for school. Cast out into the muggle world he was. Master Arcturus pleads with Master Sirius not to disown little Marius through blood. Mistress Walburga disowned little Marius after Master Orion’s death.” Kreacher replied as he eyed the scorched mark on the wall.

“Arcturus was still Lord Black though, wasn’t he? He didn’t die until 1991. So that would mean Marius’s disinheritance by Walburga wasn’t legal.” Hardwin mused as he flexed his hand that held the Black signet ring and saw Kreacher's eyes widen as he looked at it.

“No, Lord Black.” The elf confirmed as Harwin pointed his wand at the tapestry as felt the rush of magic from the Black signet ring he had accepted at Gringotts.

“Repairo.” He cast the spell with a swish of his wand and had to give a small smile as all the burn marks vanished and the tapestry started reknitting itself.

It seemed that while the Black family probably had disowned members of the family it had been Walburga only who had gone so far as to blast them off the tapestry. None of them had even been disinherited. Disinheriting someone from the family would have erased the name as the connection of the blood was broken, but there would have still been a mark left. Disinheriting someone in a magical family was when the Lord stripped them of their family magic and their very blood connection. Even though Walburga had disowned Sirius, Arcturus never had, nor had he been disinherited. That was why he had inherited everything after Arcturus died. It was why Hardwin, with the blood adoption by Sirius that had given him the Black name, had been able to inherit the Lordship.

Hardwin was happy the tapestry was so easily repaired. He might not like a few of the people on the tapestry, such as Walburga and Bellatrix, but he didn’t think anyone should be blasted off. The tapestry was meant to show all members of the family. It didn’t matter if they were good or bad as people. They were still connected through blood. Good or bad, each name had a story. A history.

History shouldn’t be lost just because you didn’t like it, but should serve as a lesson to future generations.

“How are the names added?” He asked the elf as he pulled back to look at the restored branches.

“Tapestry tastes the blood. Black blood connects to show the branches.” Kreacher answered with a small note of puzzlement in his tone.

“I see. There is something you should know Kreacher. Something I discovered.” Hardwin said as he used a cutting charm to his finger and let the blood well up and pool in his palm before pressing his hand to the tapestry.

“I discovered that I'm not who I believed I was. Not truely.” He said as the tapestry pulled his blood into it and the wall glowed before the branches from Marius as well as Sirius and Dorea’s names started to brighten and shimmer asa new image, one meant to represent him, formed with a ribbon under it and his true name wrote itself out with his date of birth.

The magic settled after that and Hardwin stepped back to let Kreacher see.

“Master Hardwin belongs to little Marius, Missy Dorea, and no-good master… Master Hardwin carries the Black blood and name.” Kreacher mumbled in awe, and Hardwin grew a little concerned as the elf’s eyes misted with tears.

“My father, James Potter, was Dorea Black’s son, and my mother was Marius's grand-daughter. I was blood-adopted by Sirius before I was born with the Sanguis Reuocare potion. The Black line hasn’t ended as we had believed.” Hardwin smiled softly as he told the old elf this.

“Kreacher can continue serving the House of Black.” He said as tears fell, and he looked up at Hardwin.

Hardwin nodded. He had never put much stock into the old bloodlines, but he knew that to Kreacher it meant something that the line wouldn’t end with his hated master Sirius III. The Black elf had been loyal and Hardwin had started to care more for him after he had returned to Grimmauld Place when the war ended. This was something he could give the elf. It was no sacrifice on his part to tell him what was already true.

“I’ll go eat dinner now, Kreacher. Make sure you eat as well. I will need you to deliver a few letters later to Andromeda and Narcissa.” Hardwin told him knowing he would have to get an owl soon to take some of the work off the elf.

It pained him still to think of it, but Kreacher shouldn’t have to be popping everywhere to do an owl’s job. The elf was already old. He had a hard enough time taking care of the house on his own. Hardwin still missed Hedwig dearly. She had been his first friend and been lost to him when they fled Privet Drive. At the same time, Hardwin knew he would need a new owl or two and there wasn’t a good way around it.

“I will see about getting an owl or two soon. I would also like you to stop by Hogwarts and tell Winky I would like to see her tomorrow. I will call you when the letters are ready.” Hardwin said as he stopped in the doorway of the Drawing Room to look back at Kreacher.

“Yes, Master Hardwin. Kreacher will make sure he eats and will wait for Master to call for him.” Kreacher responded before popping out of the room.

Hardwin glanced once more at the tapestry before making his way out of the room. He would eat the dinner Kreacher had prepared for him before writing his letters. There was a lot to be done, but he knew where to start. SilverClaw had given him a lot of information he would have to work through. He had a responsibility now to what was left of the Blacks that he had accepted when he had taken the Lordship and put on the signet ring. He had been lost since the war ended, but now he knew what he could do. He would have a lot to learn, but he would ask Andromeda and Narcissa for help.

He would have to speak more formally depending on the situation. Andromeda and Narcissa had both been brought up to speak properly and have some manner of decorum. He had seen how Narcissa was and met Andromeda enough times by now while visiting Teddy to know that he would have to behave well. For all that he had been in Gryffindor House, the hat had been right. He was meant for Slytherin. He had spent years watching them. Hearing how they spoke. He could do the same.

He would be speaking with and dealing with a fair few of the other pureblood families in the coming years.

Albus Dumbledore had played his games with Hardwin’s life ever since he was a baby. That was over now. The war was over now. Now was the time to rebuild and start over. To learn and form his own opinions. It was time to live his life the way HE wanted.

What better way to do so than with those left of his family.

123456

This was a story idea that can to me suddenly after a dry spell. I’ve been really into rare pairs for a while and now started this. This will be Marcus Flint/Harry. Vague idea where it’s going, but we have a while before then anyway. This is about Harry and how he goes about moving on after the war and discovering who he is and wants to be without having Dumbledore playing with his life like a puppet master.

I know that Harry’s grandparents were Fleamont and Euphemia, but for certain things I have planned, I decided to change a few things. I didn’t want to have him take on two Lordships so he isn’t from the main Potter line. Lord Potter and his family are cousins and will come into the story at a later point.

Until next time,
Ryu

Edited: 11/15/2022

Chapter Text

The Future of House Black

By: Ryu Katanna

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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 Two

Hardwin set the dossier he’d gotten from Gringotts on the coffee table in the drawing-room. He had not looked through it yet as he doubted much of it would make sense without help. He was hoping that Andromeda and Narcissa could help with that when they arrived in another half an hour. He would also have to speak to them both about Andromeda’s supposed disownment. He was hoping the bridge between the two sisters could be mended as he would need them both to help him sort out this mess that his great-granfather Arcturus II had left for him.

“Master Black asked to see Winky. Winky is here.” Kreacher’s voice drew his attention away from his thoughts, and he looked over to see the old elf standing next to another, younger elf, who he recognized as Winky.

“Thank you, Kreacher. Andromeda and Narcissa should be arriving soon. Could you direct them to this room and see that tea and a few snacks are prepared for when they arrive? Our meeting may take quite a while.” Hardwin said and waited as Kreacher nodded before popping away.

He looked back over to Winky once they were alone. She looked a bit better than she had when he had last seen her. She didn’t look to have been drinking any butterbeer today though she did look nervous and sad. Hardwin could understand that. Dobby had died in his arms after saving their lives during the war only a few months ago. He knew that Dobby and Winky had been close as Dobby had taken the little elf under his wing when she had been freed by Crouch Sr. during his fourth year.

“Thank you for coming to see me, Winky. How are you doing?” Hardwin asked as he stepped closer to kneel to her level as he had always done with Dobby.

“Winky bes okay. Working cleaning mess at Hoggywarts. Kreacher tell Winky Master Harry Potter bes wanting to be speaking with Winky?” The little elf fidgeted with her hands as she spoke and Hardwin could tell she was uncertain as to why she had been asked to come.

“Yes, Winky. I know Dobby cared for you very much. I wanted to see how you were doing. Are you happy at Hogwarts?” Hardwin asked as her gaze that had shied away finally moved up towards his own, and he knew to expect a crying fit as she burst into tears.

“Dobby always says what good wizard Harry Potter is. Winky worries. Hoggywarts good. Hoggywarts keep Winky working, but Hoggywarts no Master. Winky not minds so much with Dobby there, but now Dobby gone and no comes back.” Winky cried and Hardwin gently took her hands as he waited for her to calm down a little bit.

“I’m sorry, Winky. It’s my fault that Dobby didn’t come back for you. I’m sure he would have if he could. Dobby was a free elf, but he was loyal and so brave. My friends and I were in great danger, and Dobby saved us. He died saving our lives.” He said and his heart clenched as he remembered holding Dobby as he died when the little elf let go of a sob at the information.

“No one can ever replace Dobby for either of us, and no one ever should. He cared so much about you, Winky. He would want you to be happy. That is why I asked to see you. If you truly are not happy at Hogwarts. If you don’t want to work there then I wanted to offer you another option. So, I will ask; are you happy living and working at Hogwarts?” Hardwin said softly and watched as Winky’s eyes widened and she hiccupped as tears slowed and her attention focused on him.

“Winky no happy at Hoggywarts.” Winky admitted after a moment as she looked sadly toward the floor.

“Then I have another question Winky. I know why your old Master freed you. It was unfair of him, and what happened wasn’t your fault. House Crouch is gone, but Bartemius’s mother was a Black, Charis Crouch nee Black. If what you really want is a Master, then I would offer you this Winky. I am Lord Black now, and it is only me and Kreacher in this big old house. Even still, there will be others who will visit, and one day soon I will have to get married and provide an heir. I could use the help of another good house-elf like you to bring the House of Black back from the ruin it has fallen into.” Hardwin said and smiled gently as Winky stared up at him with wide eyes and knew he had made the right decision when he saw the hope there.

“Harry Potter offerings Winky to serves House Black?” Winky asked hopefully and Hardwin nodded.

“Yes, Winky. If you are not happy at Hogwarts, then I would like to offer for you to becomes an elf of the House of Black. Dobby was a good friend. There is nothing else I could ever do to repay him for what he did for me, but he cared for you. It is your choice Winky. You do not have to stay at Hogwarts if it makes you unhappy not having a master to serve.” Hardwin said knowing that this was the only thing he could do to repay Dobby.

Dobby had been happy as a free elf, but Winky had never been happy with being freed. He had done some reading on House Elves last night before bed. An elf serving in the home of a witch or wizard was healthier than one who was free. Their magic fed off the family magics of the House they served. They could survive being free, but their magic suffered for it and as a result, their bodies were weakened from the added strain of not having the magic of the household to fall back on.

Hardwin knew Hermione may be angry with him when she found out, but he could do nothing else to repay Dobby for his sacrifice. It was Winky’s decision to take it or not. If she didn’t then he would have to ask one of the elves from a different Black property to help Kreacher if there were any left though he would feel bad taking them from their home. The old elf just couldn’t do everything alone. If Winky did accept then she would never be mistreated by Hardwin or anyone else within his household. He would make sure of that.

It took a few minutes as Hardwin gave Winky the time to think about it.

“Winky would likes to be elf of House Black. Dobby always saids Harry Potter bes good wizard. Winky would like to serve wizard Dobby thoughts so good.” Winky admitted shyly, but happiness could be heard in her voice.

“Alright. I’m not sure how to accept you into the family magic just yet. I haven’t been taught how to be Lord of House Black from a young age, but I am hoping my cousins can help with that. They will be arriving shortly, and I will ask them. I will accept you as an elf of the House of Black tonight. Kreacher is Head Elf so he will let you know what duties you have in the house. Harry is a nickname though, Winky. I won’t try to convince you not to call me Master. I know how you would feel about that, but you can call me either Master Hardwin or Master Black. Are you good with sewing, Winky?” Hardwin asked only to smile as he received an enthusiastic nod from the little elf and a bright smile that he had never seen from this particular elf before.

“Alright. Here is what we will do. I will give you money for the materials you need. You will go and talk to Kreacher. Ask him about House Black's colors and our crest. You use the money to buy the materials you need for you to make three uniforms each for you and Kreacher. I may have you make more later for the other elves of House Black once I've had time to look at the other properties and meet with them. The colors must be in the colors for our House. Dresses or a top and skirt for the girls and pants and tops for the boys. Each uniform is to have a vest with the House Crest. I will call for you later to accept you into House Black officially.” Hardwin said as he picked up a pouch of coins from the table.

“There are a hundred galleons in here to get what you need. They don’t have to be anything fancy, but I do want the elves of House Black dressed well. Absolutly no pillowcases or anything else like that. Any extra cloth scraps from your uniforms can be shared between you and Kreacher for your nests.” Hardwin told her gently but firmly as he handed her the pouch just as he heard footsteps coming up the stairs.

“Yes, Master Black. Winky bes doing as Master asks.” Winky replied with a happy smile and a bow before popping out just as there was a knock on the Drawing Room door.

“Come in.” Hardwin called out as he looked over toward the door to see Andromeda entering with Teddy in one arm followed by Narcissa as he stood.

Hardwin winced as both women entered with blank expressions. The only thing hinting at both of their displeasure was the slightly pinched look to the corners of their mouths. Hardwin couldn’t help the small sigh that passed his lips. He didn’t doubt that words had been said after they had seen each other upon stepping out of the floo in the kitchen. Not the best start to this meeting to be sure, but he was determined to defuse the tension.

“Kreacher. Clean the bassinet and bring it down from the attic, please. It will be best for Teddy to have somewhere to sleep while we have this meeting.” Hardwin said as a beautifully carved bassinet in dark wood, lined with soft black silk, appeared over by the windows.

“Thank you both for coming. I felt the need to speak to you both about a few things that I discovered during my trip to Gringotts a couple days ago. I will just let you both look this over as I lay Teddy down.” Hardwin said as he pulled out the results of his inheritance test and duplicated it before handing a copy each to both women and accepting Teddy from Andromeda.

He laid him down in the bassinet before placing a silencing spell that would keep the noise out while allowing them to hear him if he woke. He turned back to see both women standing with frozen expressions as they looked over the parchment. Hardwin couldn’t say he blamed them. He hadn’t believed his eyes either which was why it had taken a few days, and some research on blood-adoptions, before he had written them. That test had raised as many questions, and had exposed so many of the lies they had all been told. Not just their family, but the world.

“Hardwin James Felis Potter-Black?” Andromeda’s tone was aghast as she looked up at him.

“Black blood from all three parents… Grandson of both Great Aunt Dorea, Uncle Marius, and adopted into the main line with the Sanguis Reuocare by cousin Sirius. How is all of this possible?” Narcissa murmured and Hardwin huffed with a small dry chuckle.

“I’ve always had the damnest luck, cousin. The better question would be why the whole world thinks my name is Harry when it’s not? Why did Sirius, my bloody father, tell me anything? Another would be how my mother was a half-blood and yet no one knew? Oh, I have another one. Where the bloody hell are the other Potters? I should have been placed with my father’s cousin as he is Lord Potter when Sirius was deemed unsuitable after my parents' death. I have cousins by blood on both sides, great-grandfather Arcturus was also still alive then, and yet I was placed with a magic hating squib and her muggle husband who hated anything he deemed not normal.” Hardwin muttered viciously as he yanked open the cabinet and pulled out a bottle of Ogden’s Firewhiskey and three glasses; pouring them each two fingers before setting the glasses down in front of the women and taking his own.

He drained his glass before pouring another and putting the bottle away as a tea tray and snacks appeared on the table.

“Muggles?” Narcissa asked aghast as she eyed the glass in his hand and took her own from the table where he’d placed it to sip at the amber liquid.

“Oh, yes. I discovered it during the war, but Dumbledore has been playing games with my life since my mum and dad died. Might even have started before they then. I’ll never know unless I speak with his portrait, but I’m more likely to burn it to ash then get answers.” Hardin admitted as he took a seat.

“What will you do now? I’m assuming you’ve taken the Lordship?” Andromeda asked with a nod toward the ring he wore and casting a glance toward Teddy before taking her seat and picking up her own glass to down it before taking a deep breath and letting it go.

“I have. I’ve had the time to think about all of this for a few days. I was raised by muggles, and I have spent these last years just managing to survive two wizards. One trying to kill me and one who had my death planned out since I was a toddler. SilverClaw and I have gone over my accounts for both the Black Family as well as what was left to me by my parents in their Potter and Black branch vaults. Dumbledore apparently forged paperwork claiming I assigned him as my representative.” Hardwin scowled and saw that both women had the same pinched look to their mouths.

“My mum and dad's vault has been drained by well over half of what should be there. The only reason it isn’t empty is because there have been deposits from the main Potter family vault since Dumbledore died. I’m assuming from my dad’s cousin has had regular deposits set up. I won’t know anything until I can contact Lord Potter. He wasn't able to touch the main Black vaults, but my father's personal vault has also been affected though not nearly as badly. I’m assuming because he only had a year to do so, and the goblin in charge refused him all but minimal access without my physical presence.” Hardwin admitted and Narcissa nodded.

“SilverClaw and his line have been the managers for the Black accounts for centuries. He would have denied access to anyone but the Lord. He also manages all the vaults for the branch accounts. He would not allow too much was being taken out by anyone other than the owner of the account or the Lord of the family. Representative or not.” Narcissa commented, and Andromeda nodded grudgingly in agreement with her estranged sister.

“Is there anything that can be done to recover what was stolen?” She asked, and Hardwin shook his head helplessly.

“SilverClaw can track the withdrawals from my father's vault to the Dumbledore accounts, but he cannot acess the Dumbledore accounts to find were the money went from there. I could sue, but I refuse to do that to Aberforth. He looked out for me during the war. What his brother did is not his fault. I will talk to him later about it, but I doubt there is much to be done. What he managed to steal was knuts compared to the rest of the vault. My parent's account is another matter. There were withdrawals into several different accounts as well as Dumbledore’s. It will take some time for SilverClaw to sort through everything after he's taken over the managment for that account. My mum and dad's account manager is also under investigation and slated for execution under goblin law as SilverClaw said they should have known better. It’s not like I could have signed any paperwork for the old man to act as my representative at less than two years old, and there's no record of my parents having done so either.” Hardwin said before looking up at both of them.

“I’m telling you both about all of this because I need help. Walburga may have claimed you to be disowned, Andromeda, but she was not even the Lady of House Black at the time. Arcturus never disowned you nor were you disinherited. You are also the grandmother to my godson. Narcissa, you made it possible for us to win the war. You didn’t have to lie, but you did, and that saved my life. I’ll never fully trust your husband, but Draco and I may be able to work past our issues given enough time.” Hardwin said as he looked first to Andromeda and then to Narcissa and let out a heavy breath.

“You are both daughters of House Black. You are both family. We share the same blood even if not the same opinions on some things. I… have never known what that means before. SilverClaw explained that as Lord of a Most Ancient and Noble House I have responsibilities to this family. To both of you even though you both married. I wasn’t raised knowing anything about who I am or about our family. I will need help. From both of you.” He said seriously before finishing his drink and setting the glass and the table.

“As of this moment I have no one else I can trust. The payments that had been going out into different accounts have raised some questions that I’m not sure I’m prepared to deal with just yet. Some of those payments… I’m almost positive they were going to my friends. It will take some time for me to find out who was all involved, and to what extent.” Hardwin admitted as his fists clenched at the reminder of the feeling of betrayal he’d had upon first hearing about it.

It was silent for a few moments as Andromeda thoughtfully looked over toward where Teddy lay and Narcissa looked down at the inheritance test she still held in her hand. Hardwin left them to think as he thought over everything himself. He knew that their help wasn’t something he could force. They would both have to come to decisions for themselves. He had already made his when he had put the signet ring for the House of Black on his finger.

He had chosen the family of his blood. He had chosen to take up the mantle for House Black and the responsibilities that came with it. He chose that connection to them where he had scorned anything more to do with the Dursleys. He’d had nothing else to lose, but now he had everything to gain. They were family even though none of them had known it, and he had chosen them. Now they just had to let him know if they would be that for him, or if he would have to learn on his own.

“Nymphadora loved you as Remus loved you. They were all I had left in the world after I lost my Ted to the blighted war. Then I lost them too, but they left behind the most precious gift they could have. They chose you as Teddy's godfather because they loved and trusted you, and I was happy enough to know that you wouldn’t try to take him from me as well. Now I discover that there’s more that we didn’t know. Sirius left behind more than just an heir in you. He left a son of the Black bloodline.” Andromeda said as she looked at him with a small smile and Hardwin smiled back.

“It has been many years since I believed I’d lost the family of my birth. I never wanted to have to choose one or the other. I loved my Ted, and he gave me my Nymphadora, but I’d never forgotten what I believed I’d had to give up to have them. It would be my pleasure to help you build the House of my birth back up again.” She said as she picked up her teacup that was still steaming thanks to the charms on the china.

“I will admit we do not know each other well, but I would like to help you. You are family, cousin. I had despaired to see the family name of my birth fall to ruin. I feared the House of Black to become extinct. Draco will continue on the Malfoy name, but as I am only a daughter of House Black, I couldn’t have provided an heir even if I had wanted to. I had thought it all lost when cousin Sirius was sent to Azkaban all those years ago after Regulus disappeared and we were informed of his death from the family tapestry. Now I find that Sirius did leave an heir to carry on the name who can take up the Lordship. It eases a pain in my heart, Hardwin. You were not raised with the knowledge of the family you should have been, but your words today have shown an understanding I would not have expected. Educating you is one thing we can do. Is there anything pressing to which you need help with?” Narcissa asked after a moment as she set down her empty glass.

“A few things. SilverClaw is taking care of things on the financial side, but it is not his job to educate me on our family or managing the estate. I can learn more of our family history as we go, but SilverClaw did tell me that as Lord of our House I have responsibilities. I just don’t know what all of those responsibilities include. One of them is obvious even to me. Marry and provide an heir so the line and name continues. SilverClaw did tell me that there are a few open-ended marriage contracts I will need to go over.” Hardwin said with a troubled expression.

“Marriage contracts are very important. Marriage is used in our world to strengthen family and political ties. It states in the Black family charter that the Lord must be married before his twentieth birthday if the heir accepts the Lordship before that age. You do not have to take on a contract if you have found a suitable prospective spouse already, but if you haven’t then a marriage contract would be the best option as you are already eighteen.” Narcissa replied and Hardwin nodded in understanding.

“I had thought as much. I will need to be careful that it is not anyone too closely related to me. I have three parents, and all of Black bloodline. It was bad enough with Orion and Walburga as my grandparents through Sirius, but his adoption was joined with my mum and dad who both came from the Black family within two generations. I have a theory that it’s the interbreeding too closely that causes squibs. If you look at my mum’s family you’ll see she came from not just the Blacks, but from squib lines of the Notts, Montagues, Prewetts, and Gaunts.” Harwin said with a small sigh as both women picked up the inheritance test to look and see what he was talking about.

“Now, I’m not sure about the first three, but I do know the Gaunts bred too closely within the bloodline. They were directly descended from Salazar Slytherin. That line eventually joined with the Peverell line, and started marrying their close cousins and even their sisters to keep the line ‘pure’. It resulted in squibs, physical deformities, low magic levels, and madness. I have a theory that it is when two or more squib lines join that we get the offspring that we are calling muggle-borns. Everyone has always said that my mother was muggle-born, but she wasn’t. She was from squib lines that bred with muggles until enough squib lines joined and produced a magical child. My mother was born with magic while her sister was born a squib so It’s not always a sure thing. Just a theory I have at the moment. It will take some more research and testing.” Hardwin said as he picked up the dossier from the table and plucked at the pages.

“How is it you know so much about the Gaunts? That line was thought to be lost fifty years ago.” Andromeda asked with some puzzlement as to how he would know so much about a family thought extinct well before his time.

“It went extinct in the male line, but not the female one. Marvolo Gaunt had two children; a son named Morfin and a daughter named Merope. The Gaunts squandered their fortune well before Marvolo was even born. He and his two children lived in poverty and squalor in a shack on the outskirts of Little Hangleton. Marvolo, now he was a short-tempered man, he was a man who was also very proud of his Slytherin heritage, and arrogant enough to think that the world should bow at his feet because of it. His son, Morfin, was very much like him. Morfin even refused to speak in the human tongue, and both of them treated Merope very poorly.” Harwin told them with a small sigh knowing that there was a lesson to be learned in knowing the story.

It was a story he would be teaching to his own children in the future as a warning. There were many lessons to learn from the story of the ruin that came to the House of Gaunt. The Gaunts had destroyed themselves with the fanatical belief in the keeping ‘purity’ of their bloodline. Hardwin may have Gaunt ancestors, but he was a Black and a Potter. The blood of the Gaunt House flowed in his veins as well, but Hardwin refused to let it affect what was most important. His children would know that history. They would be taught the folly of too much pride and greed.

It was fine, good even, to have pride in where you come from or your accomplishments. It was when that pride become arrogance that it became a problem. The Blacks had also crossed over into arrogance and it showed in the interbreeding with those of their own House. They had married too closely, and it was the children who had suffered for it.

Hardwin was determined it would not happen again.

“Merope lived a very sad existence under that roof. She longed for more as any young woman does. She wanted to be free of her oppressive father and brother, but she longed for the love of the handsome and rich muggle boy in town. Morfin had noticed her looking at the muggle boy. He told their father, and Marvolo flew into a rage. He beat Merope before he and Morfin left to curse the muggle she was infatuated with. They didn’t kill him, but they had cursed him so badly that they were both arrested and sent to Azkaban for muggle-baiting.” Hardwin shook his head lightly as he picked up his teacup before settling into his chair, knowing he had both of their attention.

“Merope, for the first time, was free. The inbreeding in the family had caused her and her brother to be born disfigured as their father was. She was by no means a pretty girl, and she knew this. Now, Merope may have been born with little more magic than a squib, but one thing she could do was brew. She waited and when she got the opportunity she jumped on it. She offered the muggle boy she wanted so dearly a cup of water on a hot day and doused him with a love potion. Merope got what she wanted, and the muggle married and ran away with her. She continued to douse him with the potion regularly until she fell pregnant with his child.” Hardwin said and sighed heavily before he continued.

“So in love she was, that she convinced herself that now that they were married with a child on the way, that he must love her even without the potion. He was so horrified by what had happened when she stopped dousing him and the potion finally wore off that he abandoned her. He returned to his parents in Little Hangleton claiming, rightfully, of bewitchment. Alone and heartbroken, Merope struggled to survive. She could not return to Little Hangleton for she knew her father and brother would kill both her and the child she carried. She sold the only thing of value she had left for ten galleons out of desperation; Salazar Slytherins locket which would have gone for a lot more if she had known its true worth or delt with an honest merchant. Starving and weak, Merope went into labor early on a New Years' eve night. She made it to a muggle orphanage where she gave birth to a son. She lived just long enough to give her son a name. Tom after his muggle father, Marvolo after her father, and Riddle as she had married the muggle.” He leaned forward to refill all of their cups before speaking again.

“Tom Riddle grew up in that muggle orphanage. He took after his father in looks, and his magic was stronger than any other of House Gaunt in generatins. He learned at a young age what he could do with it, and terrorized the other children at the orphanage. They could never prove it was he who had done it, but he instilled fear into the children as well as the caretakers. Soon enough, Tom turned eleven. Albus Dumbledore was the Transfiguration Professor at Hogwarts at that time, and it was he who was sent to deliver Tom’s letter and explain to him that he was a wizard. Tom was disbelieving and untrusting at first, but when he challenged Dumbledore to prove his claims he was both awed and horrified. His wardrobe, holding the too few and mostly stolen possessions of an orphan child, was set on fire.” Hardwin told them and felt sympathy once again for little Tom.

He knew well what it was like to have nothing. That feeling of having nothing of your own in the world and no one who cared. It was a horrid feeling. Even if he had done it to teach a lesson about stealing; Dumbledore had been in the wrong then. Who knew when the tipping point for little Tom had been, but Dumbledore’s actions that day and in years that followed had certainly done nothing to help.

“Dumbledore made Tom take out a small box from the wardrobe once the flames went out. He told him he would have to return the stolen items to the children he had taken them from. Implying that he wouldn’t be welcome at Hogwarts if he didn’t. Once Tom had agreed he went to leave, but not before Tom admitted one more thing. He admitted that he could understand and speak to snakes. He asked Dumbledore if that was normal for someone like him. This shook Dumbledore, and he refused to answer before he left. Dumbledore never managed to hide his distrust of Tom after that.” Hardwin said and had to smile at the scowls on both Andromeda and Narcissa’s expressions though they did not interrupt.

Though he could tell that they disagreed with what Albus Dumbledore had done as well.

“Tom went to Hogwarts where he was sorted into Slytherin House. You both having been in Slytherin would probably know as well as I how a perceived muggle-born would be treated there. It wasn’t until later that his classmates learned that Tom was a parselmouth, and Tom started researching about his family. He found out what it meant to be the heir of Salazar Slytherin. He searched until he found the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets, and it was then he let the monster within the Chamber loose. Only he didn’t so much let it loose as set it on ‘purifying’ the school of the muggle-born. When a muggle-born girl named Myrtle Warren was killed in the girls' bathroom on the second floor the school governors had no choice but to shut the school down. Now, Tom felt no remorse or guilt for causing Myrtle’s death, but he couldn’t abide being sent away from the school. The muggle world was in the middle of World War II at that time, and Tom feared one thing more than anything else.” Hardwin said before smiling grimly as he was interrupted for the first time.

“You are talking about Moaning Myrtle?” Narcissa asked in surprise.

“Yes. Even now she doesn’t know how she died. I didn’t have the heart to tell her. Slytherin’s monster was his familiar. A deadly beast with the most potent venom in the world and a gaze that kills.” Hardwin admitted and Andromeda gasped as she knew what it was.

“A basilisk? There is a basilisk in the school?” Andromeda asked in horror and Hardwin noticed Narcissa’s face pale as she realized it too.

“Not anymore. I killed it in my second year. Anyway, I’m almost done telling you about my distant cousin. So, World War II… right. Tom was afraid of death more than anything else in the world, and who could blame him as he was forced back to London during the Blitz when muggle bombs were being droppe during their war. He framed another student for Myrtle’s death. Rubeus Hagrid had a love for creatures and had been keeping an acromantula in the school. The spider and Hagrid were blamed, and Hagrid was expelled. Tom got what he wanted. To not risk the school closing again he sealed the chamber, but he didn’t stop there as he had learned about his mother's family; the Gaunts. He went to Little Hangleton where he met his Uncle Morfin who had been out of Azkaban for a while by then. Marvolo had died by that time, but Morfin hadn’t changed a bit. At first, Morfin mistook Tom for ‘that muggle’. This was how Tom learned about his father who he looked so much like it was uncanny. Tom confronted his muggle father at the home of his muggle grandparents. In his anger, he killed all three of them before returning to Morfin. Tom was very smart and gifted with a talent in mind magic. He planted a memory in Morfin’s mind and framed his Uncle for the murders of his father and grandparents. Morfin died in Azkaban, and so the Gaunt line ended in the male line.” Hardwin ended his story and wondered if either one of the women had worked out who Tom had become.

From the pale look on their faces, it was a good bet that both of them had.

“Tom Riddle was HIM. Wasn’t he? That’s why you know so much about him.” Andromeda said quietly and Hardwin nodded and stared into his tea.

“Tom Riddle was much like his grandfather. Quick to anger. Arrogant. Yet the madness that ran in the bloodline from the generations of inbreeding between siblings and close cousins had been honed to a knife’s edge. Unlike his grandfather, Tom was talented in magic, very intelligent, and knew how to use his looks and cunning to get what he wanted. He was a half-blood wizard who didn’t know what it meant to care for or love another person, and filled with nothing but hatred. He hated the muggles and considered them beneath him for not having magic, but he hated the wizards and witches as well. He coveted what he believed to be his by right of his birth, and in his eyes, the wizarding world had failed him because he had been left with muggles. All of this twisted him into the man he became. The Dark Lord he became.” Harry said gravely as he set down his teacup.

“Tom Riddle became the Dark Lord known as Voldemort; a name he would use to instill fear. Using the prejudice already so prominent he took out his hatred on the world. Until one night word reached him about a prophecy that would bring an end to the terror he inflicted on the world. He only knew the first few lines of the prophecy, but it was enough for him to narrow his sight on two children. One, a pureblood, while the other was thought to be a half-blood like himself. In this child, he saw himself, and so on a Samhain night he went to kill his distant cousin. I will not bother with the rest of the story as the three of us know how it ends.”

123456

Wow. I did not expect this chapter to go like this at all. Also longer than I intended, and I didn’t get to the rest. He just had to tell Tom’s story. It’s one that should be told and there are many lessons that can be learned from it. It’s a story I can see Harry telling his children when they are old enough to caution them with some real-life lessons.

Until next time,

Ryu

Edited: 11/15/2022

Chapter Text

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 Three

Minutes passed in silence after Hardwin finished. He was just about to speak when they were disturbed by the baby’s crying. Hardwin held up his hand and motioned for Andromeda to stay seated as he stood up himself and walked over to the bassinette. He picked up Teddy to cradle him to his chest as he swayed gently before making his way back over to his chair.

“There’s not a good place to change him in here.” Andromeda stated as she pulled out one of the cloth diapers.

“It’s alright, Andromeda. I’ll have an elf do it this time. Winky!” Hardwin called out knowing that this was not a job Kreacher would care for.

“Master Black calls for Winky?” The little elf asked curiously as she popped into the room.

“Yes, Winky. Would you be a dear and take care of Teddy’s nappy for me? I will talk to Andromeda and Narcissa about what we discussed earlier while you do.” Hardwin said as he took the clean nappy from Andromeda.

“Ofs course, Master. Winky happy to serve House of Black!” Winky almost bounced on her feet as she took the clean nappy before Hardwin placed the baby gently in her arms and she left the room.

“I thought the only elf you had here was Kreacher?” Andromeda asked wonderingly as the pulled out a bottle that was already made and warm due to the stasis spell.

“I did. It’s one of the things I wanted to ask you both. Winky belonged to the House of Crouch. She took care of Heir Crouch for years while his father kept him under imperius. When he escaped during the chaos at the Quidditch World Cup before my fourth year Lord Crouch gave her clothes for something that she couldn’t have helped. It wasn’t her fault, but he freed her anyway. She hasn’t been doing well without a family to serve. She’s been working at Hogwarts but…” Hardwin sighed only to have Narcissa nod in understanding.

“Hogwarts is good, but it’s not the same as having a wizarding House’s family magic to support them.” She responded knowingly.

“Exactly. Dobby got us out of the manor that day, but Bellatrix… She threw a dagger and she got him. Dobby died to get us out. There’s nothing I can do for him now, but he cared about Winky.” Hardwin said softly knowing that this would be delicate ground to walk on with the mention of Bellatrix.

“I apologize, Hardwin. I loved my sister, but she wasn’t always the most… stable. Even before Azkaban. I have a feeling you may be right about us marrying too closely. If ensuring that marriages are more spread out means fewer children affected as Bella was then I’m supportive of it.” Narcissa said quietly as she and Andromeda shared a weighted glance.

Hardwin could see the olive branch for what it was and decided he would take it. If he wanted this to work, if he wanted to pull what remained of this family together, he would have to offer something more of himself. He was surprised to realize how far he was willing to go to do that. The Blacks had been torn apart by this war as many families had. There were so few of them who remained now. They would have to heal the rifts left in their family themselves and to do so meant they would have to learn to be honest with each other. To forgive each other for the past. To find a way to move on together.

He was dealing with Slytherins. He would have to think like one if he wanted to achieve his goal. He would be honest with them and share something of himself. Something that had left its mark like a raw nerve that he tried to ignore. At the same time, it wouldn’t be something that could be used against him other than hurtful words. He would know how far to trust them by their reactions, and how they used that knowledge.

“I will never forgive Bellatrix for what she did. She is the one who killed Sirius. At the same time, she was still a Black. She was still your sister. We all made our own choices during the war. Sirius wasn’t as stable as he could have been either… I’ll never forget the last thing he said to me. We were all fighting, and the last thing he said to me was ‘Nice one, James.’ I… hadn’t realized until then that he might not always have been seeing me when he looked at me.” Hardwin quietly admitted the one thing he had never wanted to admit about his godfather aloud.

“I don’t blame you, Narcissa. For anything. I can understand why you went along with everything. You were trying to protect what was most important. You were protecting your family. Draco will never know how lucky he is to have a mother like you in his life. You lied to Tom’s face even though it would have been bad for you if he discovered your deceit, but you did what you had to do and you got your son out of the war zone.” Hardwin reached out and squeezed her hand gently as he continued.

“Not every mother loves their child that way. Draco and I are both lucky. My mum had the choice to step aside. Snape had pleaded for her life, and Tom gave her the chance to step aside three times. She refused each time, and her sacrifice left a mark that protected me from some of the darkest magic. Your husband made some shitty choices, but you did the best you could to keep your son alive. Someone like that, who can make the hard decisions to protect what’s important, is someone I am grateful I can call family. I know I probably sound like a big sap right now, but that is how I feel.” He said with a small chuckle and for a moment Narcissa didn’t seem to breathe.

Finally, her shoulders relaxed and she smiled at him for the first time and squeezed his hand back.

“Thank you, Hardwin. I will admit I didn’t know your mother well. I do know she must be very proud of the man you’ve become. You have a good heart. It will take you far, but you will need to learn how to guard it as well. You are the Lord of House Black now. There will be those who will try to use you. For many reasons. House Black has fallen low these last years. You will need to be strong to restore the name to what it was meant to be. We can only do so much to help you.” Narcissa replied gently, and like that it was as if an undercurrent of tension that had been there through their last few meetings after the war ended started to fade.

A quiet feeling of understanding replaced the tension, and Hardwin knew they were off to a good start.

“What was it you needed to ask us about your new elf, Hardwin?” Andromeda asked after a moment as Winky came back into the room holding Teddy, and she moved to take him from the elf.

“I have offered Winky a place with the House of Black. She has accepted, but I do not know how to bond her to the family magic.” Hardwin replied and both women nodded in understanding before Narcissa took over while Andromeda shifted to feed Teddy.

“As Lord, you can bond a new elf to the House with the family magic infused in your signet ring during its making. If it is an elf you are getting from another House then you would first have the Lord or Lady state they are releasing the bonded elf onto the House of Black. You will be skipping that step as she is a free elf choosing the bond. So, hold up your hand with the crest of your ring facing her.” Narcissa directed him firmly as Winky waited with wide eyes and a happy smile.

“Now, let your magic flow through your ring. Using her name, state your title, full name, and your acceptance of her and her service into the House of Black. The family magic will do the rest. Fairly easy.” She said as she stepped back and watched as Hardwin let his magic flow into the signet ring, and it recognizing him as the Lord when the family magic flared from within the black diamond.

“Winky, I, Lord Hardwin James Felis Potter-Black take you and your service into the House of Black.” Hardwin stated as he let the magic gather around the Black ring before he felt a rush as his ring sparked with magic before reaching out to envelope the small elf.

The family magic flared before receding. Hardwin looked up from his ring as the magic faded to see Winky crying as she smiled and held herself. He grew concerned for a moment before realizing she wasn’t hurt. In fact, the shadows under her eyes were already fading. He knew that house-elf magic fed from the magic of the House and family they served, but to see the difference was almost startling.

“Oh, thank yous, Master Black. Thanks yous!” Winky cried in what looked like relief.

“As long as you’re happy Winky. Welcome to House Black. Speak to Kreacher now. Tell him you are both to work together to expand the boiler room so that you are both comfortable and have enough space for both of your nests and a place for any treasures you have that are your own. Then I would like for you to continue the project I gave you earlier today. When you are finished, I want both you and Kreacher to clean yourselves up and change into your uniforms. You are both a symbol of the status of House Black. I’ll not have anyone say that the elves of House Black are dirty, not well dressed, or cared for.” Hardwin explained firmly, clearly, and kindly knowing if he left any leeway, they could take interpret the orders for something he hadn’t meant.

“Yes, Master Black!” Winky replied before popping away.

“Uniforms?” Andromeda asked with a raised brow as she burped Teddy.

“I have never understood why those who have house-elves wouldn’t ensure they dressed well. Anyone who sees them would think their masters were too poor to care for them properly. I do not care much about the opinions of others, but I know many do judge based on appearances. The House of Black has almost fallen to ruin. I intend to build it back up. What better way than starting with those who serve us?” Hardwin asked with a raised brow of his own before continuing.

“There is also the fact that if you treat them well the loyalty they reward you with may save your life. Dobby risked everything to save our lives. He was proud to be a free elf, and he was both brave and loyal.” He said with a sad smile as he sat back down to pick up the dossier that had been forgotten some time ago.

“I do believe you are right. Though the more traditional families may not understand until they see the results the changes make for themselves. If this is what you have decided, then I would have House Malfoy follow the same example. In a show of solidarity to the House of my birth.” Narcissa had a thoughtful look as she spoke the words.

She had been there that day to see the heroics of the brave little elf. Not one of them could ever have foreseen something like that happening. It had been something that contradicted everything they had been raised to believe. Narcissa knew that Hardwin was right in this matter though. She had been raised in the most traditional manner, but she had seen the truth of Harwin’s words in action. Perhaps it would be best to make a few changes. The way the house-elves had been treated had been because that was just the way things had always been. Perhaps it was best to look at things with a more open mind and a fresh perspective.

“If that is your wish as Lady Malfoy then House Black would appreciate it. I can send Winky over to Malfoy Manor tomorrow to show you what I have had her do. I’ve given her a bag of coins to purchase the materials herself in our House’s colors. Be sure to warn your husband as to your plans. The elves of House Black will have standing orders on what to do when someone mistreats them. If Winky misbehaves while at Malfoy Manor, which I doubt as she is a good elf, then let me know what she has done. I do not believe in punishing them physically or magically. Nor do I believe in having them harm themselves. House-elves take pride in their work. Every elf I know would hate to take a day or two off more than anything, or to be ordered onto light duty for an extended period.” Hardwin gave the warning with a small smile and an almost mischievous look.

Andromeda let out a laugh as she saw the expression of surprise from Narcissa before her sister nodded. Hardwin knew better than she did how to inspire loyalty in the elves. She had already seen how both of the Black elves behaved. Kreacher, whilst as dour as ever, served Hardwin without any ill comments. He seemed happy to serve the new Lord, actually. Winky looked to be an excitable and happy elf. She’d received her orders with a smile of pleasure before popping out of the room.

“I will speak to Lucius. He will concede to the changes.” Narcissa stated with a wry smirk that had a silent ‘or else’ in her tone.

“Is Teddy back asleep?” Hardwin asked as he looked over at Andromeda who had been quiet.

“Almost. I will lay him back down in a moment. We should get back on track. Marriage contracts and your responsibilities as Lord.” She replied as she rubbed soothingly at the baby’s back.

“Right. I have a few here that were drawn up and negotiated by Arcturus, but they are old. I don’t know much about the families themselves either. I’m lost as to where to start with them.” Hardwin admitted as he pulled a stack of parchment out of the dossier and put it on the table for the women to look through as they wished.

“There is no one you would choose for yourself?” Narcissa asked as she picked up the stack of parchment to look through.

“No. I didn’t have much time to date while in school. I was in a relationship with Ginny Weasley in my sixth year. We broke up as the war became more heated, but I’ve been putting off getting back together as she wants. She isn’t an option for me any longer. Cedrella Black was her grandmother, and my great grandmother is Cassia Prewett who is her great aunt. The relation between us is just too close for my liking.” Hardwin replied with a shake of his head as Andromeda stood and moved to lay a sleeping Teddy back down in the bassinette.

“So you would prefer to marry a witch?” Narcissa asked for confirmation only to receive a startled look from Hardwin.

“I intend to have children so I would need a wife, wouldn’t I?” He asked not understanding why she would phrase it that way.

“There is a potion that allows wizards to bare children, Hardwin. The first step to deciding on a contract is gender preference. That is why contracts are usually filled or made only after or during puberty. The goal of a marriage contract is to ensure the next generation as well as family alliances. If a wizard prefers another wizard, but is married to a witch, then it does little good for the union.” Andromeda told him as she moved back to take her seat and refill their teacups.

“Flint, Nott, Montague, Scamander, Parkinson, Greengrass, Avery, Rosier, and Rowle. Well, we can narrow this down a bit as is. The Rowle, Avery, and Rosier lines have been lost to the war. Either the line has ended or the Lord is in Azkaban and left no heir so those are useless. As is Greengrass. There are two daughters, but Daphne is the heiress. She is already contracted to a second-born wizard from another family to continue the line, and Astoria was contracted to marry Draco two years ago.” Narcissa said as she pulled each one out; setting Greengrass aside while tossing the other three into the fire which crackled with a dull roar from the magic within the parchment.

“Nott, Flint, Scamander, and Montague all have sons but no daughters. Lord Parkinson is in Azkaban, but his heir managed to avoid the war when he left Britain a few years ago. I don’t believe his sister, Scion Pansy, has a contract yet. If it is a wife you want she would be the only option out of these unless you negotiate with another family. They must be pureblooded according to the heritage testing to be in accordance with the Family Charter. It may be… difficult to find someone with time beig so limited if you decide to court another of the families for a contract.” Narcissa said as she pulled out the Parkinson contract so he could look it over, but Hardwin shook his head and motioned toward the Greengrass file for that file to join it.

“I know Scion Pansy. We don’t have a good history. When Tom demanded I be given to him just before the fighting broke out it was Pansy who spoke out for me to be given to him. I know she was scared, but I can’t see a future with someone who gives into fear so easily. I need someone who can keep a cool head under pressure.” Hardwin said and Andromeda nodded in agreement.

“I agree. It will take a lot of work to pull the Black name out of the dirt. You being who you are will certainly help, but it will not be enough. You will need someone strong enough to stand beside you. I heard about what happened from a few of the Order. The Parkinson girl does not have the qualities needed to support the Lord of this House.” She said and Hardwin felt himself relax when she spoke aloud his own thoughts.

“Well, that leaves us with four families whom all have sons. Is that acceptable to you, Hardwin, or will we have to start searching?” Narcissa asked as she set aside the Parkinson contract without argument.

“I’ve never really thought about it. I’ve always known I wanted a family so I thought I would have to marry a woman. I was raised muggle so I didn’t know men could have children. I’ve dated only two girls. They were both disasters in their own ways. I’d never given being with a man any thought. I was more occupied with surviving the war.” Hardwin admitted with a crease to his brows and a thoughtful look on his face.

“Why don’t you give it a few days? Think it over. If it’s something that appeals to you then we can revisit the contracts we have here. If not, then we can start looking. There’s not much time, I’m afraid. If you’re not married by your twentieth birthday then you will forfeit the Lordship according to the family laws.” Andromeda sighed before taking a drink of her tea.

“Owl me when you’ve decided. We can meet to discuss your options. If you do decide to take one of the contracts then Draco may be of help as he was in the same house at Hogwarts with a few of them. The Flints have three sons. Their heir, Marcellus, is contracted, but the second son attended Hogwarts with you. The youngest has yet to attend Hogwarts though he’s due to start within the next few years. I do believe Draco knows the second son as well as the sons of Nott and Montague. Lord Nott is in Azkaban, but he has one heir. He managed to shield him from the Dark Lord’s attentions. Lord and Lady Montague are both in Azkaban. They have two sons as well though only Graham, the heir, would be suitable at this time. Their youngest son is only six years old, I believe. The Scamanders have one grandson though I do not know his name. The Scamanders have mostly been magizoologists or aurors for the last four generations. Something to think about as a magizoologist travels frequently for their work. A marriage might not be suitable when you will have so many responsibilities in Britain. If you marry another heir then you would also need to provide heirs for both lines so that is something else to consider.” Narcissa said as she set the contract down and picked up her teacup.

“Alright. I still have to see about an owl, but I will do that while I’m thinking and then write to you when I’ve decided. Thank you both. What are the other responsibilities I will have to see to?” He asked as he filed away the Greengrass and Parkinson contracts and left the other four out to ponder over later.

“Well, grooming for one. You are Lord of House Black. How you are seen is how others will see our House. I can make you an appointment at Twilfitt and Tattings sometime this week for a new wardrobe. It will do until you have the time to travel. The best shops for apparel are in Paris and Italy.” Narcissa replied contemplatively as her eyes scanned him, and Hardwin shifted uncomfortably under her perusal.

“I agree. I know you haven’t had time, dear, but you do need to take care of this sooner rather than later. If Narcissa could get the appointment for this week then I will go with you. I have no doubt you have several things to pick up. You haven’t been to Diagon Alley since the war ended, have you?” Andromeda asked knowingly and Hardwin grimaced.

“No. I’ve been trying to avoid the press and the public as much as possible.” Hardwin replied with a look of distaste.

“You will need to employ a solicitor. You will need one with your public profile, I’m afraid. The press cannot be allowed to continue writing whatever they please. Any damage to your name is further damage to your House.” Narcissa commented with a downward turn to her lips.

“I know. Dumbledore only made things worse during and after my fourth year. They are printing nothing but good things right now, but I know it’s only a matter of time. I suppose I will have to speak to your husband as well. I don’t doubt he would know the best to speak to.” Hardwin admitted grudgingly.

He would never like Lucius. He hadn’t testified at the man’s trial as he had done for Narcissa and Draco though if he had known about his Lordship then he would have been obligated to at least speak of him positively due to the alliance between their families from Narcissa’s marriage. The Lord Malfoy had still managed to slither his way out of Azkaban though he was to be on house arrest for three years, and then would have to submit to regular testing of his wand with Priori Incantatum for the next ten years. If he used any illegal spells then he was to be taken to Azkaban for a life sentance. Hardwin knew they wouldn’t find anything. Lucius was a Slytherin and far too crafty. He wouldn’t risk his freedom.

Still, he was Narcissa’s husband and Draco’s father. Hardwin could tolerate him if he needed to. He would tolerate Draco as well if it came to that. He honestly hoped it didn’t. They would have to clear the air between them at some point or the future between Houses Malfoy and Black could be rather tense. That wasn’t something Hardwin wanted.

“You will need to work on masking your feelings, dear. Your distaste is leaking through.” Andromeda told him with some amusement, and Hardwin grimaced.

“I apologize, Narcissa. It’s not a reflection on you or your son. Your husband and I just have… history from even before fourth year. It may take some time to get past it, but I am willing to try. I’ll have to speak with Draco too. It’s easier with you because there isn’t much history. We’d only met a few times, even though they weren’t the best, but I’ve had more interaction with them over the years.” Hardwin said with a sigh of frustration as he ran a hand through his hair.

“Hand down, cousin. Grooming and poise. That is a habit you will have to watch. As for what you said about Lucius and Draco, I can understand. You are not the only one who will need time to adjust to the changes that will need to be made. It pleases me that you are willing to try as I am. I do not wish for a bad relationship between the House of my birth and the one I married into.” Narcissa said as she took a drink of her tea.

“What you must understand about the House of Malfoy is that Malfoys are known for having only a single son. It is thought to be a curse placed on the bloodline for the last sixteen generations. Due to this, the heir is doted on and sheltered. Draco idolized his father as Lucius idolized Abraxas. It was through Abraxas’s urging that Lucius took the mark. He came to regret it during the first war, and it was something we never wanted for Draco. I will not deny that Lucius still holds to his beliefs, but… Well, there is a reason the creed of House Malfoy is Family First.” She told him as her gaze flickered and Hardwin sat back in his chair and took a deep breath before he nodded once.

“I can work with that. I really do need to make a list of things that I must do. Is there anything else I need to know about my responsibilities?” He asked as he directed the conversation away from a topic that he would need more time to think about.

“A few. You must protect the family honor. You must have a sense of comportment. Something you are doing well but will need more practice with. You must do your best to build and maintain alliances. These are families connected to House Black through marriage. Something you are already doing by attempting to mend bridges with House Malfoy. You must maintain the family’s finances and comfort of living, and try to improve both where possible. This typically only applies to sons and unmarried daughters of House Black. Once a daughter marries into another House then it is they who become responsible for them. As Andromeda is widowed with no House to provide for her and her grandson orphaned, the responsibility falls to you to care for her and her grandson as the Lord of her House of birth. The last is to respect your spouse. They will be your equal. Your responsibilities will be theirs as well.” Narcissa said and Hardwin took a moment to process everything before standing to get parchment and a quill from the desk in the corner of the room as he muttered.

“List. Yes, need a list.” To the soft laughter of the women in the room.

123456

Well, that’s it for this chapter. Sorry it’s taken a few days when I already had it typed up. Had to go through and do some editing before I was comfortable posting it. It hasn’t helped that I’ve been on a Law & Order: SVU kick and have gotten through five seasons in five days so I hadn’t been able to concentrate on my writing enough to even do the editing. ^_^’

Thank you to everyone who reviewed to tell me how much you’ve liked the story so far. There are a few who have left reviews with nothing but demands. Let me just say that I will be ignoring those. I have my own tastes and opinions when it comes to what I read and write. If you want a SubMarcus/TopHarry then you write one. As it is I will be writing what I want. I don’t take demands. I will take thoughts and opinions on my stories. I will take suggestions even, but demands are a very different issue and will be ignored.

Demands not even three chapters into the story almost made me say screw it and stop writing altogether. My ideas for this story were flowing easily and I was working on chapter four before I’d even posted chapter two. That flow stopped when I received more demands than honest thoughts and opinions.

I would rather just write for myself if that is the case. I only post my writing because I like to share my stories with others. Sometimes it helps the creative process for someone else, and I know I enjoy reading other people's stories.

Sorry for the rant, but this is something that really messed up the flow I was having getting chapters written.

Ryu

Edited: 11/15/2022

Chapter Text

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 Four

It was a few days after his talk with Andromeda and Narcissa that Hardwin found himself lying awake in bed feeling restless. They had spoken more about his responsibilities as Lord before the two women and the baby had departed and Hardwin went down to dinner. Winky and Kreacher had both popped in after he had finished to show him the product of Winky’s task that day. The outfits looked good, and both elves looked a lot more presentable. They both seemed pleased by that comment of praise before Hardwin had dismissed them.

He had sent Winky to Malfoy Manor the next day, but only after speaking with both her and Kreacher. They had both been given orders when it came to their safety as well as the safety of those of their House. Winky and Kreacher had both been told what to do if someone tried to harm them or if they were told to harm themselves. They were also given leeway to both protect themselves and the family in different situations. These orders had been enforced into their bond to the family magic so they could not be changed. This way, no matter who became Lord after him, they would both be protected from being abused.

He had gone to bed some time ago now but found himself too restless for sleep. Hardwin sat up with a grunt of frustration as he ran a hand through his hair to move it out of his face. His mind wouldn’t be quiet enough for sleep with everything he had to think about. This wasn’t anything unusual. He had never slept well in this house. Nor had he ever liked being alone there. There had always been something about Grimmauld Place that he disliked, a feeling heavy in his gut, but he always put it off as paranoia from the war.

He had spent over a week now avoiding his friends. He felt bad, but until SilverClaw finished the audit of his parent's vault, Hardwin didn’t know who he should trust outside of Andromeda and Narcissa. It hurt to think that his friends were involved. How many of them had been paid to be nice to him? To be his friends? Who had he trusted while they had spied on him for Dumbledore? Those were the thoughts that left him feeling uncertain and his paranoia only grew as they swallowed him with the slow passing of the days and nights.

Hardwin cursed the old Headmaster again.

Albus Dumbledore had been so thorough in his manipulations that Hardwin knew he’d likely only just scratched the surface. There was so much he didn’t know or was unsure of. He knew he had to take control of his life now. Hardwin would have to take the time to sort through the events and information he had and form his own opinions.

Maybe he was grasping too tightly to the distraction that accepting the Black Lordship presented. Maybe he was clinging too tightly to the knowledge that he had blood relatives other than the family who had mistreated him growing up. Maybe he was pushing himself too hard to separate the parts of himself that he felt Dumbledore hadn’t intended from the puppet that the old man had created and molded.

He just couldn’t be sure of anything anymore.

Hardwin needed a direction for his life now that the fighting was over. He needed to decide for himself what he wanted now. Something that he knew he had chosen for himself. Something that he knew now that Dumbledore had never intended him to have. Accepting the Black Lordship was a part of that. He knew it was something the old man had intended for him to never know about.

Hardwin hadn’t said anything to either Narcissa or Andromeda when he had spoken to them, but SilverClaw had already discovered something else while going through the mess that Dumbledore had created with his vaults. Young as he was, Hardwin had never given a thought to creating a Will in case he were to die. Yet, SilverClaw had found one on record for him. It was an obvious forgery, but the names listed on that document had been telling as had the date of his forged signature.

He had spent these last few days alone with these thoughts and more. He’d had to examine his interest in both Cho and Ginny as well. Why had he been attracted to them? It hadn’t taken long for Hardwin to figure out why. It was because it was what was expected.

The Dursleys had always been prejudiced. Not just toward magic, either. Vernon had ranted more than once while Hardwin was growing up about queers. Hardwin had tried to block it out, but it was possible for the man’s hatred to have influenced him on a subconscious level. So, he took the time to think through this on his own.

He thought about different blokes he knew. He had always noticed when someone of either sex was attractive, but had he been sexually attracted to a boy before? He’d concluded that, yes, he had. Did that mean he would be fine with a husband instead of a wife? That was the question that he hadn’t been able to answer just yet.

Green eyes moved around the room absently. He didn’t know why he was still sleeping in the room he’d shared with Ron, but it was then he realized he didn’t have to. It wasn’t like he could sleep in the master bedroom anyway. That room was still destroyed from the time Sirius had kept Buckbeak in there. All the same, why had he returned to this room rather than move into another of the larger single rooms?

His skin prickled as he thought of the answer.

It was like he was waiting for the Weasleys and Hermione to show up. They would need the rooms they had slept in before when they arrived. It was a singularly unpleasant feeling that left him feeling like ice was freezing the blood in his veins. Looking around the room, Hardwin suddenly felt sick at the thought of sleeping there. He flipped the covers away and quickly stood from the mattress and put on his glasses.

He only allowed himself a breath once he’d left the room and shut the door firmly behind him. His eyes roamed over the hall as he took in the deterioration from what must have been a lavishly decorated home once. His feet led him as he wandered the halls, walking down and then back up the stairs as he wandered and took everything in for what felt like the first time since he had returned there after the battle ended.

His body felt heavy as he opened doors and wandered from room to room. He had always known this place would need a lot of work if it was to be truly livable, but it was like a veil that had been over his eyes had started to lift. This place was his now. This place with its peeling walls, narrow hallways, and the oppressive feelings on every floor. Soon enough, Hardwin made his way up to the fourth floor.

There were only two doors and a spiral stairwell leading to the attic. Both doors had names on them. The doors were open and the rooms undisturbed since the last time he had been up there. As if they were just waiting for the two occupants to return home to clean up the mess that had been left behind. One room was just a bit smaller than the other, and both rooms contrasted in color and personality. One had belonged to a teen who had made mistakes and went to his death trying to do the right thing. The other belonged to a teen who had left home to escape his parents and been forced to return as an adult.

How Sirius had hated this house.

Hardwin felt like he had a ball of lead pressing down on his chest as his eyes trailed from one door to the other. Ghosts of memories haunted this place and clung to his skin like a slick film that left him feeling chilled to his core; most of them not even his own. Once it had been the home of parents who were too proud of the purity of their blood. That pride had brought nothing but heartache and ruin to their children.

“Toujours Pur.” Hardwin murmured to himself as he read the words on the wall of Regulus’s bedroom.

The Black family had claimed a creed as all Ancient Houses did, had it emblazoned upon their crest and followed it to the ruination of everything that was most important. Walburga had believed so much in those words that she had driven one son to scorn his family as he fled his home. The other she had handed over as a servant to a madman who purported the values she believed in so proudly.

“Always pure.” Harwin murmured to himself as he entered Sirius’s room and sat down on the edge of the bed.

Had it always been about the purity of blood? What about the purity of one’s heart? Or of the mind? How about the purity of belief? Was the family creed all up to interpretation?

Green eyes trailed around the room thoughtfully. Sirius had stayed in this room while he had been forced to remain in this house. It had been mostly untouched since his death a little over two years earlier. Dust had gathered on the table next to the bed and other surfaces. The posters of bikini-clad Muggle girls were faded and brittle with age; their edges fraying as they folded away from the wall where the sticking charms had weakened. Unlike Regulus’s room, Sirius’s room hadn’t been ransacked by Snape during the war, and so most things in the room were as he had left them. There was a desk in the corner of the room which still had an open inkpot and parchment resting beside a mangled quill.

Curious, Hardwin stood and stepped over to the desk. There was nothing written on the parchment resting there, but indents remained where Sirius had pressed too hard with the nib of the quill while writing on another that had been on top. The parchment looked to be newer. It was not yet so faded with time as parchment found in other rooms of the house, and Hardwin realized that it must have only been a few years old.

He trailed his fingers thoughtfully over the corner of the parchment before sitting down in the chair. His attention was pulled to the drawer. Fingers trailed down to the handle. Slowly, Hardwin opened it and shifted through the parchment there. He pulled the stack out to look through them, surprised by what he found. They were letters addressed to Hardwin.

Hardwin; not Harry.

Most looked to be drafts where Sirius had started writing but had stopped partway through. A few were torn from where a quill had been pressed too hard as it scratched through a word or a sentence. Hardwin couldn’t make sense of most of them as the words rambled into random subjects. He set those aside as he shifted through them until he found an envelope. Sealed in deep purple wax with the Black Crest. The envelope was addressed in a shaky but elegant scrawl that he knew from the few letters he had received between the end of his third to fifth years.

Hardwin James Felis Potter-Black.
Heir to the House of Black

Hardwin’s hands shook as he held the envelope. It was slightly heavy as he held it. His heart hammered wildly as he stared at his name. Sirius had never, not once, called him by that name. It had always been Harry.

“Sirius…” The word was choked as Hardwin remembered the last time he had seen the man.

He tried not to think of it. The last words Sirius had said to him still haunted him. He had told Narcissa that he hadn’t thought Sirius was as stable as he could have been, and he hadn’t lied about that. It hadn’t been too bad at the end of his third year, or even the beginning of his fifth year. It wasn’t until he had been trapped in this house…

This house.

Hardwin was startled at the thought. He remembered his thoughts from earlier as he had wandered the house. Thoughts of ghosts that went unseen, but not unheard. How oppressive the house felt. The shadows that moved and seemed darker at times than they should be.

It had been this house. Sirius had been alright until he had been forced to live in this place. Did Hardwin really want to continue living here? The only sentiment he had for this place was that it was where he’d gotten to live with Sirius for three weeks. Three short weeks when they should have had years.

Years that had been stolen from them.

Hardwin felt like he was suffocating as he clenched the envelope in his hands. He forced himself to his feet and stumbled toward the door. Whispers of voices reached his ears as if a switch had been flipped now that he had acknowledged them. An all-consuming feeling of fear and isolation flooded his mind and heart. It was then he knew he had to get out of this house.

He had to get out before he went mad.

It hurt as he wrenched his ankle and almost tumbled down the stairs in his haste. One flight of stairs, and then two. A woman whispering Sirius’s name. Regulus’s name. It was familiar. He’d heard it before. It was always faint. Easily mistaken for something else. Hardwin choked as the air felt heavier still. Like iron filling his lungs.

“Wi-Winky!” He called out as he caught his breath enough to do so in his panic.

“Master Black called for Winky?” The little elf asked as she popped into the hallway.

“Ta-Take me to Andromeda. N-Now!” Hardwin gasped as he reached out for her hand.

Winky looked up at him in wide-eyed concern. Good elf that she was, she followed orders without questions. There was a feeling of pressure and then a pop that echoed before Hardwin fell into a heap on the floor with a heavy thud. Instantly, the suffocating feeling dispersed as he choked on the air he inhaled in shaky deep breaths. The whispers were gone.

“Hardwin?!” Andromeda’s tone was shocked and he drew several quick breaths and looked up at her as she hurriedly entered the room in a dressing gown she was tugging on over her nightdress.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know where else to go.” He replied as he exhaled heavily and drew in another sharp breath.

“Master Black not ables to breathes!” Winky said fretfully, her comment getting Andromeda’s attention, who hurried over to him and ran a diagnostic charm over him.

“I can’t tell what’s wrong. Your heart rate is elevated, and you’ve pulled a tendon in your ankle, but there’s nothing else unusual.” Andromeda said with concern as she shifted the teen to get a look at his face.

“It’s the house. There’s something wrong with it. I’ve always felt restless staying there. A few times I thought I heard something. Voices. Wasn’t until tonight it was like this.” Hardwin replied as he finally felt like he was able to relax his tense muscles.

“Winky, would you go to the kitchen and get us some tea? What do you mean it’s the house?” Andromeda asked the elf before speaking to Hardwin as she helped him up onto the sofa from the floor.

“I mean there’s something not right with it. It’s not so bad with other people there. It’s when I’m alone that I notice anything off. The air feels heavy. The shadows feel darker, and I feel restless. I have always had trouble sleeping there, but now I’m lucky if I can get a few hours a night. I couldn’t sleep again tonight so I was just wandering the house. I ended up in Sirius’s old room. I found a letter address to me.” Hardwin said as he held it up and handed it to her so she could see the writing on the envelope before continuing.

“I started thinking about the last time I saw him. How different he seemed. I thought about how he seemed fine until he was forced to stay there in that house. Even after Azkaban, he was more stable than he was after being left alone in that house. That’s when I noticed it again. I thought I heard whispers. The air in that house is always heavy, but I felt like I would suffocate. Everything seemed darker. I had to get out Andromeda.” Hardin explained as his eyes teared, and he felt a cold chill come over him.

“I don’t think I can go back. Something isn’t right.” He said as he shuddered, and the tears fell.

“Hush. Hush now Hardwin. You’ll stay with me and Teddy. Here. Drink this and let it help settle you.” Andromeda said as she handed him a cup of tea when it appeared in front of them before taking her own.

Hardwin drank slowly as he felt himself calm down. He honestly didn’t know what had come over him. He had never liked Grimmauld Place but had thought he would be fine with living there after the war. It had been where he’d gotten to be with Sirius for the short time they had been allowed together. He had ignored the condition of the house. It would take some work, but it could be restored, or so he’d told himself.

He had ignored the shadows that moved and seemed darker than they should be. It was a trick of the light, he’d told himself. He had ignored the feeling of loneliness that consumed him late into the night. He told himself it was normal after always having someone else around. He’d ignored the feelings that had left him restless and unsettled at night as well as throughout the day. It wasn’t unusual when he’d just fought in a war. It would take time for him to adjust. He had even ignored the whispers. Slight wisps of sound in the stagnant air of an old house. He told himself he had to be mistaken.

He’d made many excuses to himself these months alone there.

He’d thought he could stay there. He’d thought he could have it restored. He’d thought he could make happy memories there. Have a family and raise children there. He’d told himself that it was what Sirius would have wanted. To turn the place his godfather had hated into something good.

Hardwin felt like he must have been crazy.

None of that was what Sirius would have wanted. He had hated that house. Yes, he had willed it to Hardwin, but that wasn’t the only property belonging to the Black Family’s estate that he had inherited. He had other houses to choose from. Sirius wouldn’t have wanted him to stay in Grimmauld. Sirius had been content to let the place rot, and he would have if the Order hadn’t needed it.

Hardwin couldn’t stay there.

“Thank you, Andromeda. I’m sorry for showing up in your living room so late at night like this.” He said as he shifted to get comfortable as he relaxed and soaked in the warmth he could feel in her home.

It was so entirely different from the feeling Grimmauld Place gave off.

“It is alright, Hardwin. If you feel there is something wrong with that house then I would rather you be here with me and Teddy. You may very well be right about it. I had heard Aunt Walburga was mad by the time she passed, and she had remained in that house after… Then cousin Sirius was forced to stay there. I believe you may be right about that place. I didn’t feel right about you living there, but it is your decision where you stay. You are an adult, after all.” Andromeda smiled softly as she gave his hand a gentle squeeze before pulling away to drink from her cup.

“I don’t know what I was thinking. I think I’ve just been so messed up after everything. It was the one place I knew I could go. I thought I could have it fixed up. Try to make it something good after all of the bad.” Hardwin admitted before shaking his head.

“Then I decided to accept the Lordship. I thought; I can do this. I can get married. I can have kids. I could make Grimmauld a place of good memories and try to erase the bad history of that house. Make it a home. I thought about all of that even when I knew in my gut that something isn’t right. That I am uneasy there. I’m still trying to work myself out after being played with by Dumbledore all my life. I just kept thinking that I’m still so strung up from the events of the last few years, and that was the reason. I didn’t want to think it was the house.” Hardwin admitted with a frown.

“There are other properties, Hardwin. You can make one of them a home to be proud of, I’m sure. Sirius may have had the right idea. Leave the house to rot. That place is what the Blacks were. It is the past of House Black. You, Hardwin, are building a future. I know you’ll make it a name to be proud of again.” Andromeda said, and Hardwin could tell she believed that.

He felt a rush of warmth in his chest at her reassurance.

“Yeah. I will.” He stated softly with determination as he finished his tea.

“Well, we should both get to bed. I just laid Teddy back down, but he’ll be up again in a few hours. You can sleep in Remus and Nymphadora’s room if you like. There’s no other bed, I’m afraid. If you’d prefer the couch then…” Andromeda said softly knowing that he might not want to stay in the room.

Unfortunately, it was the only room currently empty in her small home.

“No…” Hardin choked at the thought.

“I’ll sleep here if that’s alright. I don’t think I…” He trailed off as the grief hit him again at the loss of two people he had cared for.

“It’s alright dear. I do understand. Spare pillows and blankets are in that cupboard over there. I’ll leave you to get comfortable. Good night, Hardwin.” Andromeda replied in understanding before she stood and left the room to return to bed.

“Good night, Andromeda.” Hardwin said softly as he watched her leave the room.

He looked around the cozy living room before sighing softly and standing to get a blanket and pillow from the cupboard she had indicated. He got himself adjusted as he laid down and pulled the blanket up as he laid down his glasses on the table. He felt warmer already in her home than he ever had at Grimmauld Place. It felt like a chill was just leaving his bones for the first time that he hadn’t even noticed was there. His eyes drooped with exhaustion that hit him suddenly and he shuffled to lay on his side and get comfortable.

Andromeda had left the envelope on the table, and Hardwin stared at the words in Sirius’s handwriting as he drifted off to sleep.

123456

That’s it for this chapter. I’ve had a few questions asked after the last chapter so I will answer those here.

Q: If they are family, why did Albus touch Potter's main vault?
A: Albus didn’t touch the main Potter family vault. He stole from James and Lily’s vault that was left to Hardwin upon their deaths. Hardwin has no access to the main Potter vaults though there is a deposit going from the main Potter vault to Hardwin’s. More on this will come into the story later.

Q: If Charlus is not older, how harry ended up having the cape?
A: Charlus was not the firstborn of his generation and so James and his son would be of a cadet line. Hardwin would still have fallen under the care of Lord Potter according to the wizarding Lordship's responsibilities. More on this and why Hardwin has the cloak later as well.

Q: Is there a Lordship for Peverell, Slytherin, Gaunt, Montague, and Prewett?
A: Hardwin is of the Peverell, Slytherin, Gaunt, Montague, Nott, and Prewett bloodlines. However, he is not eligible for the Lordship for any of these lines. The Montague and Nott bloodlines both have Graham and Theodore who will take the Lordships. Hardwin would be eligible for the Potter Lordship only if his cousin’s line died out because he is of the Potter male line. He would not have been able to take on the Black Lordship if Sirius hadn’t adopted him, and brought him into the main line as he inherited the Black blood through females (Dorea and Marius’s daughter). The other Lordships were lost when the families died out in the male lines. So while Hardwin carries blood from the Peverell, Gaunt, Prewett, and Slytherin lines he cannot take the title of Lord for those families. Females cannot take the Lordship nor give it to their sons; except in cases like the Greengrass family where their family charter allows for a female to carry the line due to the curse upon their bloodline. The seats in the Wizengamot can be passed down by the women and passed into their husband’s line through their children. In this way, Hardwin has a claim to the Slytherin, Gaunt, and Peverell seats due to being the last of those lines who can claim them. With the deaths of Fabian and Gideon, the Prewett seats would pass from Molly to Bill as firstborn.
In short, it is a mostly patriarchal system of inheritance depending on the family’s Charter; as daughters marry into other families. The wizarding world still follows an archaic system as the world is steeped in tradition.

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. I’ve already started on the next one though work is slow going. Once it’s finished and edited then I will post it. I need to try getting some work done on Magic Will Find A Way but I’m a bit stuck at the moment as ideas for this story keep coming. Let me know what you thought!

Ryu

Edited: 11/15/2022

Chapter Text

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 Five

The sound of a baby crying woke him only a few short hours later. Hardwin sat up groggily as he rubbed at his eyes when the rays of the sun hit him in the face from his new position, and he winced as he moved away from the light. He could hear Andromeda in the other room with Teddy as she tried to calm him, but from the sound of it, the baby wasn’t having it. Putting on his glasses that had been sitting on the coffee table, Hardwin stood and made his way down the hall to find Andromeda swaying with the baby in his nursery.

“Morning. Can I help?” He asked before holding out his arms to take Teddy from her.

“Thank you, Hardwin. He gets like this sometimes. It takes me a while to settle him.” Andromeda admitted as she handed Teddy to his godfather with a sad expression.

“Hey now, Teddy. Are you giving your grandma trouble? That’s not very nice.” Hardwin murmured into the baby’s ear as he pulled him close and swayed gently.

Andromeda smiled softly as she watched the two. She had only met the teenager once during the war when Hardwin had shown up on her doorstep three months ago to see Teddy for the first time after the Battle of Hogwarts. She hadn’t known what to think of the teen then. She had just lost her both daughter and her son-in-law after losing her husband earlier in the year, and she had feared losing her grandson as well. As Teddy’s godfather, Hardwin was within his rights to raise Teddy himself as it was what Remus and Nymphadora had wanted as stated in their wills, but he had corrected her. She was Teddy’s grandmother, and he knew it was best for his godson to stay with her if she wished for it.

He was only seventeen, nearly eighteen at the time, and had just been one of the main players in the war. He wasn’t in the right head-space to be taking care of a baby and he was mature enough to admit that. He was more than willing t take Teddy as Remus and Tonks had wanted, but honestly knew it would be better for Teddy to be raised by Andromeda with how messed up he was. It was then she knew he had a good head on his shoulders. All he wanted was to be involved in his godson’s life as Sirius hadn’t been able to be in his, and maybe share custody with Andromeda remaining the primary caregiver. She could understand his reasoning and his desire, and his assurance that he wouldn’t take her grandson, who was all she’d had left, from her had eased the knot of worry and grief she’d held in her heart. Due to this, they had settled the legal paperwork at shared custody, with Andromeda being the primary caregiver.

Now Andromeda watched as he soothed Teddy who clung to the teen’s ratty nightshirt as his eyes shifted to green to match his godfather's and his hair morphed from an upset red to a calmer blue tinged with black. She had noticed it before, but Hardwin did have a way with Teddy. She could remember the first time he had held her grandson. Hardwin had been nervous at first but had adjusted quickly once the baby had been placed in his arms and he had been shown how to hold him properly. Now he held him like a natural as Teddy quieted in his arms.

‘Yes, he will do just fine when he has children of his own.’ Andromeda thought with a small smile as she watched them.

“Has he eaten yet?” Hardwin asked as he looked up at her.

“Not yet. I’d just gotten him changed. I think we could all do with a spot of breakfast.” Andromeda replied before leading him out of the room and into the kitchen where they were both surprised to see Winky had already taking over and was cooking.

“Food bes almost ready for Master Black and Mistress Andyromedas. Winky bes having little Master Teddy’s bottle ready.” The little elf said as she handed the bottle to Hardwin while her eyes looked him over in concern.

“Thank you, Winky. I’m sorry to have worried you last night. I’m alright now.” Hardwin replied; knowing that he had worried the little elf with the abrubpt and paniced nature of his departure from Grimmauld Place.

“Winky happy Master Black bes okay.” Winky replied after looking him over one more time and nodding before turning back to preparing breakfast.

They moved into the dining room to wait for the elf to serve the meal where Hardwin took a seat. He shifted Teddy in his arms before testing the bottle on his wrist and offering it to the baby when he found it to be the perfect temperature; not that he had doubted Winky's skills. Andromeda sat down across from him, and plates of food appeared shortly after. They ate quietly as Hardwin juggled feeding both Teddy and himself. He did rather well as he crossed one leg over the other to help his arm support Teddy so he could eat with his other hand. They were interrupted towards the end of their meal when Hardwin was burping Teddy by a regal eagle owl that he recognized as belonging to the Malfoy family from when Draco would get packages and letters at school.

“Narcissa has made you an appointment at Twilfitt and Tattings for tomorrow at ten to get your wardrobe sorted. At least until she manages to drag you to France. She’s also gotten you an appointment at St. Mungos to see a healer for a full health evaluation at two.” Andromeda informed him when she saw him motion for her to read it after she showed him the letter was addressed to him.

“A healer? I’m fine though.” Hardwin said with a crease to his brow as he didn’t understand why Narcissa would have done that.

“It’s standard to have a full health report available during contract negotiations. It’s to show proof that you are both healthy and fertile. It’s even more important if you marry a man and decide to be the one to carry a child.” Andromeda informed him as she laid the letter down and reached out for Teddy so they could go into the living room as the dishes disappeared to the kitchen.

“I see. Are you still willing to come with me? I know nothing about fashion.” Hardwin admitted wryly as he handed the baby to her before following to the living room.

“Of course. We can make a day of it. You said you needed an owl as well, didn’t you?” Andromeda asked as she sat down in a chair while Hardwin took the sofa and started folding the blanket he had slept with to tidy up.

“I thought about that, actually. There are crows on the family crest. Owls can carry heavier packages, but crows could do the same job as long as the package is spelled weightless.” Hardwin said as he laid the folded blanket aside with the pillow to be stored away later.

He still didn’t feel ready for another owl after the loss of Hedwig. He may never feel ready fo another, but crows were a different bird that he thought he’d be alright with. He knew he needed something soon. Once he was able to get his affairs in order at the bank after the investigation was concluded then he would need to start making investments and building contacts.

Hardwin would need to have a bird to deliver letters. He knew he may need more than one as well since he might not be able to wait days for the bird to return depending on the distance. It’s why most households had multiple birds meant for family use rather than for an individual. He had noticed this while watching other students at Hogwarts. Mail from home didn’t always come with the same bird, but those from Noble Houses were marked by a small crest of the family by a small clasp on their leg.

“Then we can visit the Magical Menagerie to see what they have available. You could also speak with the owner to see about a special order if they don’t have what you are looking for. Maybe stop for lunch at the Cauldron, and Madam Primpernelle's to see if she has anything that can help make your hair more manageable.” Andromeda suggested with a sharp eye at his messy hair, and Hardwin smiled as he nodded.

“That sounds good. Hopefully we'll be able to find something that will work. I should probably look through the Black properties today then. See if there’s one that I would like to live in. I never want to step foot into Grimmauld Place again, and no matter how much I would enjoy staying with you and Teddy, it’s not a permanent solution. Especially when I will have to marry within less than two years.” He said as he started making a mental list of things he would have to get done.

“I’m more than happy to have you here Hardwin, but you are right. You will need somewhere to make a home for your family when the time comes. What will you do with Grimmauld Place?” She asked as she laid Teddy down in the bassinet next to her chair.

“I’m going to leave it to rot as Sirius had wanted it to before he gave it to the Order. The things that happened there… I think that whatever Dark Arts Walburga and maybe Orion used have left a curse on that house. You told me Walburga was crazy by the time she died, and then Sirius was forced to stay there, and I know there was something wrong that night when I saw him before he died. Then I stayed there. I don’t think that place is safe for anyone to live in.” Hardwin sighed as he sat back against the sofa and his eyes trailed over to the table where the envelope he had found still was.

“Yes, I agree with you. I can help go over the properties if you like. I’ve visited a few of them while growing up. Do you have an idea of what you would like in a house?” Andromeda asked and Hardwin got a thoughtful look as he called for Kreacher.

“Kreacher. Bring me the files from Gringotts, please. Then I would like for you and Winky to pack up the heirlooms left at Grimmauld and take them to the heirloom vault at Gringotts including the family tapestry and any books that remain on the property. Andromeda and I will be looking at other properties today. You and Winky will be joining me in the move so make sure you both havemy things as well as your trinkets and nests ready to relocate. I want Grimmauld Place sealed from all entry afterward.” Hardwin instructed as he sat forward and cleared space on the table between himself and Andromeda to have room for the files.

“Yes, Master Black.” Kreacher answered before popping out of the house and then back again to hand him the folder.

“Thank you, Kreacher.” He said as the old elf popped back out to follow his orders before sorting through the dossier.

“I’m not sure what I’m looking for exactly. Something with enough space to raise a family without us tripping over each other. After living in Grimmauld Place I would like something with plenty of light. A yard for kids to run around and explore. I’ve not given it too much thought before in all honesty.” Hardwin said dryly as he spread out the different documents listing the details of each property.

“Your young yet, Hardwin. You’ve spent so long just trying to live, to survive, that it’s natural you haven’t had the time to think about such things. That you know as much about what you want as you do will still help us to narrow down our choices. Though we should look for one that will have areas for you to entertain. You’ve said your goal is to drag the Black name out of the mud; for that kind of networking you will need it.” Andromeda informed him as she leaned forward to help sort through the pile; placing the smaller cottages and townhouses in a pile to the side.

“Parties. Dancing. I hate it already.” He grumbled as he sorted the pile further by setting aside all properties that were ouside of the United Kingdom while Andromeda laughed lightly at him.

“You are the Lord of an Ancient and Noble House, dear. It is expected in upper society. If you do not entertain nor attend other parties you will leave yourself with far fewer opportunities to network, and the House of Black reputation and buisness opportunities as well as your nd the family reputation will stagnate.” She replied and Hardwin nodded in understanding.

“I know. It doesn’t mean I have to like it. I will always be in the public eye. I know that. It’s not going to change even now that the war is over. I just don’t…” Hardwin scowled as he trailed off from what he was going to say.

“You don’t what, Hardwin?” Andromeda prompted patiently.

“My life has been all a part of Dumbledore’s chessboard. I was raised by my Aunt and her husband. They hated me, and there was never a day they let me forget it. When I found out I had more blood relatives I wasn’t sure what I should do. I feel like I’m clinging to the idea that I have family still alive.” Hardwin admitted quietly as he plucked at the parchment.

“I’ve been lied to all my life. Even my name, as I thought I knew it, was a lie. Dumbledore didn’t intend for me to survive the war. I didn’t say anything when we met a few days ago, but he forged a will in my name. It was in my file at Gringotts. The names on it who would benefit from my death… I’m not sure which of my friends I can truly trust right now. I hate that. I feel frustrated and angry, and I don’t know what to do with those feelings. There is only one thing I want, but I’m so messed up after everything.” He admitted; his hands clenched so tightly that his nails bit sharply into the skin of his palms.

“I think it’s natural for you to feel that way, Hardwin. Anyone would after living through a war just to find out they had been betrayed by those they trusted as you have. You have your whole life ahead of you now. You will have time to figure things out. Just make sure the choices you make are ones you can live with. I know you have less than two years to marry if you want to keep the Lordship, but is an arranged marriage and the Lordship really what you want? I cannot speak for Narcissa, but you will still have Teddy and I regaurdless of what you choose to do.” Andromeda asked softly knowing that this was one thing he would have to decide for himself.

Just as he had decided he would trust Narcissa and herself. He was a public figure who had defeated the most powerful Dark Lord seen in recent history, and so would likely never be able to escape the public eye. He was also a Black. He was of their blood. She was sure her estranged sister would do what was best for her family, and that meant being on good terms with Hardwin wheather Hardwin remain the Lord of the Black family or not. As for herself, Andromeda had already come to care for him after spending at least three afternoons a week with him when he had come to visit Teddy over these last few months. That the teen loved her grandson as he did just endeared him to her more. She’d thought Teddy was all she had left in the world, but now she knew Hardwin was family, and she was on tentative speaking terms with her sister whom she’d thought lost to her so long ago. He had, perhaps unknowingly, become a bridge that could reconnect the two sisters.

“That’s the one thing I want. A family has always been the one thing I’ve always wanted. I trusted my friends. I trusted the Weasleys. I trusted Dumbledore. I need help after learning of the lies I've been told all my life, and so I decided to trust you and Narcissa to help me sort out this mess. You are both my family even if I don’t know either of you that well. I would like to change that, but I can only do so if I let myself trust you both not to betray me like Dumbledora has, and my friends may have done. You are both my family even if we all have our differences.” Hardwin replied before looking down at his hands as he shuffled around the parchment with details of one of the properties.

“As for my needing to marry within the next two years, I think a marriage contract is for the best. I honestly don’t know if I could trust anyone enough to marry them without one in place. At least with a marriage contract then both families will benefit and there is no hidden motive. Sure, I’d like to marry someone for love, but I think it’s fine even if we can only come to care for each other.” He bit his lip before looking up at Andromeda when she reached across the coffee table to squeeze his hand gently.

“Teddy and I are here for you, and Narcissa has said she will help you too. I married my Ted because I fell in love with him. If you’ve decided to take a marriage contract then it’s your decision. I’ve known some arranged marriages where the couples fell in love after they were married, others where they tolerated each other, and I’ve known a few where they hated each other. Just as I've known those who married for love only to grow apat through the years. A marriage is about more than love, and will only work if you’re both willing to work together to get through the hard times as well as enjoying the good. It’s a partnership. Have you given any thought to whether you will be marrying a man or a woman as we discussed a few days ago?” Andromeda asked as she pulled her hand away to shuffle through the parchments and look over the details for each house before handing them to him to look at or putting them aside.

“I think I would be fine with either. I’ve thought about it and realized I’ve been attracted to both. I think I’ll write Draco tomorrow when we get back to set up a meeting. That way I can talk to him about my prospects. I’ve met all three of them while in school, but I can’t say I know much about any of them since we were in different Houses at school. Flint and Montague were both on the quidditch team so I’ve played against them, but haven’t really spoken to them off the pitch. I’ve had a few run-ins with Nott since he is in my year, but he was one of the quieter Slytherins. I don’t even know if any of the three of them would be agreeable to a match.” Hardwin replied as he shuffled through the parchments and set a few more aside to leave only two in front of them that were of interest.

“You know something about them at least. Even if only in passing. If none of them are agreeable to a match then I’m sure Narcissa will help look for other candadites. There is also the Scamander contract unless you’ve decided against it.” Andromeda said as she glanced over the properties remaining before nodding and pushing them toward him or discarding them to the side.

“I’ve decided against it. Narcissa was right. I will need a spouse who can support me socially and politically. Heir Scamander travels to help creatures, and while I will travel as well, I do not plan to do so often outside of Europe unless on a holiday. My presence will be needed in the UK if I’m to do what I want to do. The Black name has been tarnished since before I was born. It will take time and work to fix things. I am a Potter as well and have not once heard from the so-called Lord of my father’s House. Money is transferred from the main Potter vaults into my parent's old account twice a year, but he does not seem to have the desire to fulfill any further obligations towards me as Lord Potter.” Hardwin said a bit bitterly knowing that he would take the position of Lord Black more seriously than his cousin seemed to for his father's family, and be more of a presence in the lives of those he was responsible for than Lord Potter had been for him.

“Perhaps you could try writing to him. That is the only sure way you will get the answers you seek. Well, we are down to two houses. Black Manor is in Oxfordshire. It’s where Arcturus and his wife Melania lived until she died, and Arcturus moved to the cottage near the ocean in the south of France after that. The manor and grounds are bonded to the family magics through blood. The manor will stand as long as there is still a Black who draws breath so its condition hasn’t suffered from the years of abandonment as the other properties have. Black Manor is also where most of the portraits of the family are so you could speak to them to learn more about our family history. The manor and grounds are beautiful. The grounds also include a large expanse of the Wychwood Forest that has been concealed from the muggles. Plenty of room to raise a family without anyone ‘tripping over each other’ as you put it, and the manor also contains the main Black family library which is the most extensive in Britain. Luckily, the one in Grimmauld that the Order ransacked was only Orian and Walburga's personal collection as well as so duplicates of books from Black Manor, and not the main library.” Andromeda told him as she tapped the parchment that contained the details about the property before doing the same with the other as she spoke.

“They are about the same size, but the grounds of Caisleán Black, or Castle Black are less extensive while the castle itself is a bit larger. It is just southwest of Castlewellan Lake in Northern Ireland. Close to a muggle area, but the muggle-repelling wards are in place on all of the properties anyway. It looks to have everything Black Manor does except the library and that it has fifty-six bedrooms while the manor has only twenty-four bedrooms, the Master bedroom suite, and a nursery. The plumbing needs some updating, and you would have to ask Gringotts to evaluate the wards and ensure the structure of the castle is safe. If it’s not, then repairs will be needed as well as some renovations. There hasn’t been any work done on it in almost a hundred years, and it's remained unoccupied since your great-great grandfather Sirius II died in 1952.” Andromeda said as Hardwin looked over the details for each one.

“Black Manor is in the best condition out of the two. I wouldn’t have to make repairs before moving in, and I can wait on any major renovations or redecorating until I marry. My spouse should have their say in our home if anything is to be changed with the decor. I don’t see the sense in renovating twice within the next few years.” Hardwin said as he picked up the parchments with the other properties and filed them away.

“That is sensible. We can go see it this afternoon then.” Andromeda replied as Teddy started to fuss and she turned her attention to him.

“I suppose I should get changed. I can look into Castle Black later. It might make a nice winter home once the work is done.” Hardwin said thoughtfully as he stored the parchment away and glanced down at the sleep pants and Dudley’s old t-shirt that he used to sleep in.

“I’ll leave you to get changed then. You know where the bathroom is if you’d like to get cleaned up as well. I have to pack the nappy bag for Teddy.” Andromeda told him as she stood to pick up Teddy before disappearing down the hall to his room.

Hardwin sighed as he watched her go. There was a lot to be done in the next few weeks. Especially now that he would have to move and get adjusted to a new house. He felt bad for just showing up at Andromeda’s home in the middle of the night as he had, but he was grateful she was willing to help him like this.

His eyes were drawn once more to the envelope resting on the table. Hardwin was curious to know what Sirius had written to him, but he was also scared. He was afraid of whatever secrets that envelope may hold. His heart ached as he read his name in Sirius’s shaky though elegant scrawl. It had been over two years, but the pain of loss still hadn’t faded. The unknown contents of that envelope threatened to rip that raw wound wide open again.

‘Later. I’ll open it later.’ Hardwin thought as he tore his gaze away to get ready for the day.

He put the envelope out of his mind for now. He would open it later though he didn’t know when he would have the heart to do so.

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That’s it for this chapter. A little shorter than the others, but this was a good stopping point. A little stuck on the next chapter, I only have half a paragraph written, but I’m working on it.

Q: When will the Potters show up?
A: At some point. There will be a lot Hardwin will have to get through. His issue with them is just one of them. When that will be I’m still a bit unsure of. I’m thinking before he gets married, but am still not decided.

That’s about it as I didn’t see any other questions in the reviews from the last chapter. Hope you all enjoyed this one. I hope to have the next chapter out to you in the next week or so at the latest, but it depends on how well my ideas are flowing.

~Ryu

Edited: 11/16/2022

Chapter Text

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 Six

Hardwin looked around him with a small smile of approval. Andromeda had been right. The grounds of Black Manor were gorgeous from what he could see as he looked out over them from behind the building. Black Manor itself was an impressive structure as well, standing three floors high, and he knew there would be plenty of space to entertain as well as to raise children who would have a lot of space to play and explore.

The main floor of the manor held two portrait halls to either side of the grand entrance foyer. Already he had seen that the main floor had a music room, a Ladies Tea Room with a connected Morning Room and a Veranda around the outside, and a floo room which was connected to a grand formal dining room that held a long table that could seat up to thirty-two people. There was also a Smoking and Bar room that connected to the first floor of the huge Black library which had stairs leading up to the second floor while the third floor was only accessible from that floor. There was also a large sitting room that held an even more extensive and decorative family tapestry along its walls, a parlor/game room, four half bathrooms, and an enclosed sunroom filled with colorful flowers and greenery located on the east side of the manor.

On the main floor, in the middle back of the manor was also a Ballroom that accounted for a third of the size of the entire main floor. Its black diamond-accented floor-to-ceiling windows and doors, that looked out onto the back of the property, stretched up to the second floor where anyone upstairs could view out unto the ballroom floor. The panes of the windows throughout the building appeared to be made out of crystal rather than glass, but the ones in the ballroom had been made even more decadent, with black diamonds making up the family crest on the doors leading out to an open terrace that took up the length of the back of the manor.

The second floor contained two wings separated by the upper ballroom and upper foyer. The family wing contained the second floor of the library, the master bedroom, a boudoir off the master bedroom, and a large master bathroom. There was also a nursery and four bedrooms, each with its own connected bathrooms, and the only staircase that led to the third floor. A study and eight bedrooms, also with their connected bathrooms made up the guest wing on the west side.

On the third floor, accessible only from the family wing on the east side, was a tower room used for the study of astronomy. A connection the Black family was known for as they named children, mostly the males of the line, after the stars. Also on that floor was another portrait gallery, a conservatory, a half bath, lounge, an aviary, and ten bedrooms. Four of these bedrooms were spacious enough for married couples and all ten of them had connected bathrooms. He guessed these rooms were for married family members who chose to continue living in the main home rather than move out or for when they returned to visit overnight, and Andromeda confirmed this.

There was also a basement level to the manor which contained the kitchens, an informal dining area, living quarters spacious enough for twelve house-elves to have their nests, a pantry, a larder, a potions lab with ingredient cupboards, and several storage rooms that held boxes of decorations used for different events. He had been surprised to find that there were still two house-elves remaining at the property.

Saros was an older elf, though not as old as Kreacher, who had served at the Black Manor his entire life. He had remained at the manor with his son Nanna when Arcturus had departed for France; taking the other two elves who had been there. Saros and Nanna had both appeared happy to know that they would have a Master living in the house once again and that they now had help with the expansive property and grounds with the addition of Kreacher and Winky into the household.

It hadn’t taken long to get the four elves sorted with Winky getting started on making uniforms for Saros and Nanna while Kreacher took over as head elf since he had the most seniority. Hardwin had given them the same orders, reinforced through the family magic within the signet ring, that he had given to Winky and Kreacher. The elves had looked ready to have heart attacks. It was only after explaining about the treatment Winky, Kreacher, and Dobby had experienced that they seemed to understand why he would give them such orders. Hardwin had explained how he wanted them to feel safe, and never have to worry about being forced to tolerate mistreatment.

“So, what do you think Hardwin?” Andromeda asked as she brought Teddy outside to the back terrace where he had been looking over the grounds to where the edge of the Wychwood forest started.

“I think this place is huge and I have no idea how I will live with so much space.” Hardwin replied with a tone of exasperation as he looked back through crystal windows into the ballroom at the back of the manor and leaned against the rail made of thick, polished black marble.

“You will find plenty of use for it, I’m sure. You will not remain alone here forever, after all. Black Manor was the seat of both power and influence since the time our family moved over from France over two thousand years ago. Before the name changed to Black from Noir. It is only in the last two generations that it changed.” Andromeda said as he reached out for Teddy, and she let him take the baby.

“What happened?” Hardwin asked; swaying side to side and pointing at different colored flowers that caught Teddy’s attention as he murmured the colors to him while the babe’s hair slowly shifted color to match the color that interested him.

“I don’t know everything, but I do remember that Walburga wanted to take over the Manor as Lady of the House upon her marriage to Orion before Melania had even passed. Melania never approved of Orion’s marriage to Walburga, but Arcturus had been adamant on the arrangment. It created tensions in the Manor and led to Arcturus giving them Grimmauld Place after their marriage rather than having them continue to live here as was tradition for the heir and his spouse. Melania and Arcturus had an arranged marriage, but it is said that they fell in love after a few years. Their arguments over Orion’s marriage contract to Walburga led to an estrangement between Melania and Arcturus, however.” Andromeda told him with a small sigh and a smile at Teddy’s baby giggles.

“That was when things started to fall apart. Usually, the Lordship is handed down once the heir has married and sired an heir of their own, but Arcturus never passed on the Lordship to Orion when Sirius was born. Melania’s death wasn’t natural and due to the tensions within the family at the time, the suspicion fell upon Walburga. It didn’t help matters when she started claiming disownment of members of the family and blasting them off the tapestry in her home when Arcturus hadn't formally disowned them as Lord Black. I don’t know everything that happened as I left the family around that time, but Narcissa should be able to tell you more of that time if you wish to know.” Andromeda replied with a far-away look in her eyes.

“I hope so. I do want to know as much as I can about our family’s history, and what appened was a part of what led us to things as they are now. I need to know where things went wrong so it cannot happen again. I know more about my heritage from the Blacks than I know about the Potters, but it’s still not a lot.” Hardwin admitted sullenly only to look back at the woman when she reached to take Teddy back as she spoke.

“You have time, Hardwin. You have a lot of big decisions to make now, and some things can wait. Give yourself time to think things over. The war is over. You have time now to learn what you want to learn as well as what you need to learn. To do what you want to do. Don’t take that for granted, but don’t push yourself too hard either.” Andromeda said soothingly as she adjusted the baby in her arms.

“I know. I do. I just… I want to know where it all went wrong. Was it something that could have been prevented or was it unavoidable? I thought it was too much pride and the fanatical belief in blood-purity, but was that all it was?” Hardwin asked; not expecting an answer he knew she likely couldn’t give.

“I think it was a lot of things that brought our family to this point. It’s not something that can be fixed now, in any case. The only thing you can do is build again from the ashes and learn from the mistakes of those who came before us. In the end, the future of our House is what you will make of it, Hardwin. In any case, what do you think of the manor? Is it suitable?” She asked, and Hardwin looked around again for a moment in thought before speaking.

“Yes. I still don’t know what I’ll do with so much space, but I imagine I’ll figure it out. There’s also the fact that the library and most of the family portraits are here. It will make it easier to learn about our family, and who better to learn from than the portraits. If I can stand them anyway.” Hardwin replied with a small mischievous quirk of his lips.

“A few may be a bit… prejudiced. Still, you are the Lord now. They should find it more beneficial to teach you than to leave you ignorant. Especially if you inform them of how far the Black names has fallen. I’m going to take Teddy home to lie him down for a nap. Will you be returning tonight or are you moving into the Manor today?” Andromeda asked as Hardwin looked thoughtful for a moment.

“I think I should get things arranged here. I’ll send Winky to get my things from your place. Thank you for having me last night. I’m going to take some time to look around and explore a bit more as well as get myself set up here. I can come back over tomorrow morning before we leave for Diagon Alley.” Hardwin decided after a moment, and Andromeda nodded in understanding.

“That is fine, dear. If I could ask that one of your elves look after Teddy while we run our errands tomorrow? It is traditional that the young children and babies not to be out and about in public so often. They are more vulnerable to the untrustworthy. It’s an old-fashioned notion, but one I find is in good sense. Especially so soon after the war has ended.” She explained, and it didn’t take him long to think about it.

“I can see the concern. I know I’m a bit paranoid after everything I’ve been through, but I have to agree. I don’t want to take any risks with his safety especially when we don’t know if there are still any Death Eaters or sympathizers who are unaccounted for. I’ll speak to my elves and see who has the most experience with babies. I think it’ll be Winky though.” He replied with a worried look toward Teddy as he thought about what she had said.

She was right that Teddy was the most vulnerable. As he remembered back to his trips to Diagon and Hogsmeade he didn’t remember seeing many children younger than nine or ten running around. If the older families abided by the thinking Andromeda spoke of then he couldn’t blame them. It would be dangerous for a younger child or a baby if a duel broke out. Leaving Teddy at home with a trusted elf would be better and less worrisome this soon after the war.

“Thank you, Hardwin. I will see you in the morning then.” Andromeda said with a nod before turning to enter through the crystal doors to retrieve Teddy’s bag and leave.

Hardwin turned back to look out toward the forest in the distance. It took a few moments, but he felt when his cousin left through the floo when the wards on the property signaled her departure with a pinging of his magic. That was one thing he had noticed when they had arrived at Black Manor. He could feel the magic of the property as he walked through the gates and his blood sang as his magic connected and claimed control of the wards.

Andromeda had been right when she had said the grounds of the property had been spelled with blood. Hardwin could feel it as soon as he had stepped foot past the gates. Like called to like, and his blood sang with the family magic in his veins before settling to a low hum. It had felt right to be there at the manor. Like coming home.

He hadn’t even seen inside the manor before he had known he wanted to live there.

Now, as he stared out over the grounds he felt relaxed for the first time in years. It was such a different feeling from Hogwarts or Grimmauld Place. The heavy feeling that he had felt every time he had stepped into that place was nonexistent here. The manor was well lit from the sunlight coming in the many windows even as the light was refracted in the crystal panes; creating a rainbow of colors that scattered across the ballroom floor. There was no sign of the lingering shadows of Grimmauld Place, but Hardwin would wait for nightfall to get a better feeling for the manor after dark.

“Kreacher.” He called as he turned away from the sight of the grounds and back to the doors to make his way inside.

“Master Black calls for Kreacher?” The old elf asked as he popped into the ballroom after Hardwin had stepped inside.

“Yes, Kreacher. Have you gotten things settled with Winky, Saros, and Nanna for who is responsible for what? I don’t want there to be any fighting over chores. The manor and gounds are plenty big enough for you all to have enough to do without stepping on each other's toes.” Hardwin sad lightly so the elf would know he was teasing.

“Yes, Master Black. Elves of House Black will be on rotation except for the chores we like to be doing most.” Kreacher said proudly when Hardwin smiled.

“Good. Have you and Winky gotten your nests and precious items set up in your new spaces?” He asked as he thought about what he had seen of the house-elf quarters when he had done a walk-through of the basement level.

“We have finished, Master. Is there anything master needs doing?” Kreacher asked and Hardwin took a moment to think before nodding.

“One of you will need to sort through the pantry and the larder. Get rid of anything that is unusable and make a list of everything that either needs to be stocked or replenished. Then have one of the other elves go shopping before dinner. I will also need the potion ingredient cupboards to be sorted and organized. Have a list made of anything I will need to pick up tomorrow ready for me and discard any ingrediants that have gone bad.” Hardwin replied knowing that the old elf would not have any trouble remembering what he’d instructed before continuing.

“I want every room in the manor looked through for any cursed objects and a list made of the objects and which rooms they are in. I want you to do this task personally, Kreacher. We will go over the list later to decide what is to be done with the items. I will look over the library and call you when I’ve decided what is to be done there. Until then, have Saros help mark the cursed books with a spell for them to glow. I’ll have to get a curse-breaker in here, but that will do for now. This manor is where I plan on having a family. I don’t want any children of House Black to be at risk in our home.” Hardwin explained as he thought about Grimmauld Place.

What kind of childhood did Sirius and Regulus have while surrounded by things that would have hurt them badly had they even touched them? They hadn’t been free to play or express themselves from what he could guess. He couldn’t help but feel that the dark objects around them would also have affected them. The multitude of dark magic that had been contained there may have even been a part of the reason for the curse upon that place.

It was not a risk he was willing to take for the sake of the family he hoped to have.

“Kreacher will be getting that done right away, Master Black.” Kreacher replied seriously before popping away again to get started on everything that needed to be done.

Now with those tasks being handled by the house-elves, Hardwin took a moment to think about what he should do. He had some free time on his hands today, but tomorrow would be very busy, and who knew when he would have time like this again. He knew that after things were sorted the next day that he would need to have another meeting with Narcissa and possibly Draco. The health scan he would be having tomorrow afternoon was just the first step toward finding a marriage partner.

Hardwin took a moment to think on that topic again as he made his way out of the ballroom and up the curving stairs to the second floor and turning toward the family wing. The master bedroom was larger here at the manor than it had been at Grimmauld or anywhere else Hardwin had ever stayed. The crystal windows let in and refracted the light of the sun in a rainbow array of colors that seemed to dance across the rich dark brown wooden floor. Soft green rugs were placed in strategic places next to each side of the bed, in front of the settee near the ornate fireplace, and on the floor in front of the cove of windows where two chairs faced out overlooking the grounds. The walls were done in a nice shade of silver/grey that left the room feeling lighter as it contrasted the ebony wood of the furniture in the room. The bed looked like it could fit five adults to sleep comfortably with its plush mattress, forest green silk sheets, black and forest green silk pillowcases on the many pillows, and the thick and soft duvet that was black as night with a scattering of silver/white stars in which he could make out vague shapes of the constellations. The headboard of the bed was a dense ebony wood that had the Black Crest elegantly carved prominently in the center.

A flick of his wand had one of the chairs by the window floating over to rest in front of his old school trunk that had been placed in the room. Hardwin had been living out of the old trunk since the war ended while at Grimmauld Place. He hadn’t even given a thought to unpacking it which should have been the first clue that he didn’t see the place as home. Now, though, he sat down in the chair and opened the trunk to unpack. He let his mind wander as he sorted the contents of his trunk into different piles and banishing anything that wasn’t usable.

Hardwin had never really given any thought to his sexuality, in all honesty. He had been so busy just trying to survive his entire life. He’d been too busy surviving the Dursleys, his years at Hogwarts, Voldemort’s attempt on his life, and the war to consider who and what he might be attracted to.

He had thought Cho Chang to be very pretty in his fourth and fifth year with her long dark hark and asian features. He honestly hadn’t known much about her as a person other than that she liked Quidditch, was a decent Seeker, and was sorted into Ravenclaw. Oh, and that she had shite taste in friends, but after discovering he may have been betrayed by at least one or more of his own friends he didn’t think he had much room to speak when it came to choices in friendships.

His relationship with Cho had ended before it had even begun, in any case. He had made a mistake when he’d thought her interest in him genuine after she had blown him off in his fourth year. She had been dating Cedric at the time he had been killed, and Hardwin had been the one to witness his death. He had been the only one to know the details of what had happened. In the end, he felt more like Cho had used his lingering interest in her to try to glean the details from him about that hellish night that he refused to speak of. It was when he wouldn’t bend on the issue that she had thrown a fit about him meeting a female friend, Hermione, after their date and stormed out in tears.

Bloody hell, the only thought he’d had toward the single kiss they had shared was that it was wet.

Ginny... Well he’d only noticed how pretty she was his sixth year, she liked Quidditch, and was a decent Seeker... Damn, had Hardwin’s standards had been so ridiculously low when it came to what sort of girl to date? Truthfully, Ginny’s family had been almost more important of a factor in Harry choosing to date her than Ginny herself had been. After all, if he’d eventually married Ginny, then he’d be a part of their family for real instead of just being Ron’s best friend.

Hardwin soon came to the conclusion that when it came to his romantic involvements, he had never made any real effort to make a relationship work, and his interest in them had been pretty shallow to begin with. Nor had he been very picky about his options when it’d come to who he had dated. He’d merely settled for the easiest and most convenient person that he found physically attractive at the time. He'd never considered what he really wanted from the relationship or the individual themselves. Neither had he felt any real disappointment or heartache when the ‘relationship’ had ended. If either could be called a relationship at all.

He also hadn’t felt any real passion or attraction towards either of them beyond the superficial. There hadn’t been any real emotional connection on his end. Not like he had seen between other couples like Hermione and Ron or Remus and Tonks. Hardwin didn’t think what he’d felt towards either girl was love. In fact, he was almost certain of it. He hadn’t known Cho well enough, and if he’d loved Ginny then he didn’t think it would have been as easy as it had been to end things when the war really heated up. He hadn’t shared more than a few kisses with Ginny, even.

In all honesty, Hardwin thought that may be the reason he had no real issue with an arranged marriage. He wasn’t worried about being in love with the person he would be married to because it was a form of love he had never experienced before. Maybe he and his future spouse would come to care for each other and maybe not. Hardwin found he didn’t mind either way because, as much as falling in love might be nice, it was a luxury in life that he had never had before anyway. He could be content with his life even if he and his eventual spouse were only on good terms.

There were only a few questions that still needed to be answered before he made another decision. Was he attracted to men enough to consider a marriage with one? To have children with a man instead of a woman to continue the bloodline? If he did marry a man then would he be alright with the idea of carrying children, having his spouse carry them, or of sharing the responsibility? That last question would take some thought and research, but the other two he could figure out a little more easily.

‘There is one way to figure some of this out. Though I’ll have to do something about my clothes first.’ Hardwin thought with a glance down at the worn hand-me-downs before he started getting the things from his trunk put away.

Luckily, he knew enough about the muggle world to know how to navigate the trip he would be taking.

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Well, that’s it for this chapter. Was a bit stuck for a moment, but I still got it done within the week I’d said. I’ve had a few reviewers who had sarcastic comments about the mpreg and Harry being the one to choose to carry. Let me just say that if you don’t like it then don’t bother reading. I have said from the first chapter that that is not what this story is about anyway. It’s about Harry/Hardwin and his journey of self-discovery, moving forward, and building a future along the way. (With Marcus 😉) That’s the reason for the title.

Anyway, thanks to all for the feedback. I didn’t see any questions so I will leave it here.

Ryu

Edited:11/16/2022

Chapter Text

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 Seven

Hardwin sighed tiredly as he stepped out of Valentino onto Old Bond Street in West London with another three bags of clothing. He had already been to the Gucci store down the street, the Prada retailer across from it, and Boggi Milano on Jermyn Street as well as a few others. He was so loaded down with bags from all the stops he had made but he couldn’t shrink anything or have one of the elves come pick them up due to all the muggles in the busy area. There were a few that he would have to return to pick up his orders as well since they were being tailored the muggle way. Shopping for muggle clothing had been both easier and harder than he had thought it would be when he had left the manor over six hours ago with the Black and Gold muggle bank card he’d gotten from Gringotts.

The shopping was made easier by the shop assistants who had taken one look at the labels on the bags he carried and seemed to smell money. It had been harder at first as he’d had to change after the second shop into a new outfit. He’d walked out of Harrod’s without looking back after some snide comments from one sales associate about him being able to afford anything based on what he had been wearing. Honestly, shopping at the designer and more upscale shops had been almost therapeutic. Eight hundred and fifty pounds may be a lot for a single pair of denims he’d gotten at Valentino, but it felt good knowing that he could so easily afford such prices while his bigoted Aunt Petunia could only dream of shopping there.

It was a petty thought, but one that made him feel better after they had treated him as someone who was a worthless waste of space his whole life.

He walked away from the storefront as he looked for a less crowded area, eventually coming across an alley that would work well enough to conceal him, before apparating away and arriving at the front door of the manor. It was a relief to set all of the bags down in the entrance as he shook some feeling back into his arms. His attention was drawn toward the popping sound of Saros’s appearance.

“Supper is being ready to being served, Master Black.” The elf told him and Hardwin smiled gently as his stomach rumbled at the thought of food.

“Thank you, Saros. Could you take these bags and have everything sorted and put away in my room for now? I will be leaving for a few more hours later; after supper.” He said and moved to go to the dining room only to pause when the elf spoke again.

“Saros will be doing so, Master Black. Mail arrives for Master while he is being out.” Saros said and Hardwin nodded in thanks for the message.

“Thank you, Saros. Have it delivered with supper, please.” He replied before continuing through the portrait hall to the formal dining room where he took a seat in the closest chair at the head of the table.

He ate at a steady pace as he looked over to see four letters appear next to his plate. He recognized the handwriting on the three thinner envelopes immediately. Those were from Ron, Hermione, and Ginny without a doubt. Hardwin groaned internally at seeing the hearts drawn around the name Harry Potter on one and knew he didn’t want to deal with them tonight. Just as he hadn’t wanted to deal with the other letters from them that he had been receiving steadily over the last week and a half. This was the second letter he had received from Ron and even the first one had seemed a bit forced. Hermione had sent three before this one, and he’d received more than half a dozen letters from Ginny alone.

He hadn’t read any of them after the second one from them. Both Ginny and Hermione’s letters had been different, but the tones in the letters had been demanding. Hermione’s letters had been thinly veiled demands for him to show himself and spend time with them. She’d tried to get to him at Grimmauld Place a few times in the last week but had been rejected by the wards. Ginny’s letter were full of not-so-subtle hints to outright demands that they pick their relationship back up. That they had a future to start planning for together. Talking about marriage and rambling about waiting o have kids for a few years and such to give her time to have a career in quidditch. She seemed to have planned out his life for him, and he hadn’t liked it even before he’d found out all that he had. Now he was left to wonder if there was something more going on as it hadn’t felt right before all of this either.

He'd stopped reading them, but the letters just kept on coming.

Hardwin had been leery of any contact with anyone he knew outside of the Malfoys, who he’d known had no reason to endear themselves with him since they’d been on the other side of the war, and Andromeda since he’d only met her once. He still didn’t know which of his friends had been involved in Dumbledore’s schemes, but he had a bad feeling about all three of them since they were the closest to him, and so had not replied. Though he just may find out soon enough as he looked over the thicker envelope to see the Gringotts seal. Quickly opening the large envelope, he pulled out several pieces of parchment and read through Gringott’s findings with a sigh of disappointment and a slowly forming scowl. SilverClaw had traced many of the payments going out from his parent’s vault to Dumbledore’s personal vault, but there had been others they had needed to investigate further that had gone elsewhere.

Payments to a muggle bank had started in November of 1981 to an account in the name of Petunia Dursley. Those payments had continued monthly until Hardwin instructed SilverClaw to freeze all payments going out just over a week before. He could only assume that Dumbledore had set up the payments as an incentive for his Aunt to be willing to take him in. Anger gnawed at his gut when he saw the amount that his so-called family had been receiving.

Petunia had gotten three hundred galleons or fifteen hundred pounds a month since he had been left on their doorstep. That meant she had gotten thirty-six hundred galleons, or eighteen thousand muggle pounds, a year while he had stayed with them. That meant that over the last seventeen years she had gotten somewhere around three hundred and six thousand muggle pounds from his parent's vaults. He had always known that his Aunt and her family had seemed to live beyond their means, what with all the presents for Dudley all year round, the expensive clothes, electronics, and vacations the family went on every year.

Meanwhile, Hardwin had never owned any clothing that wasn’t a second-hand rag from Dudley until buying his Hogwarts robes before fist year when he was eleven. He had starved as he’d been forced to survive off of scraps they would ‘graciously’ provide for most of his childhood. He’d never received a present before Hagrid had given him Hedwig for his eleventh birthday, but had been forced to work like a house elf from a young age while his cousin hadn’t had a single chore while growing up. He’d been left with Mrs. Figg and her cats every time the family had gone on vacation. He’d lived in the cupboard under the stairs while Dudley had two bedrooms, for merlin’s sake, and there had been another spare bedroom for guests like Marge when she visited.

All that time Petunia had been using the Potter family money, his family’s money, to fund their lifestyle.

Hardwin tried hard not to grind his teeth as his anger left his cheeks flushed red while he looked over the records that SilverClaw had sent. Memories of growing up in that house with those people flashed through his mind. How many times had they told him that he was a burden? That he should be grateful he had as much as he did? That he had been unwanted by anyone else and so they had been the ones stuck with him. He had endured their hatred, their prejudice, and their abuse for years. He had been made a slave lesser than a house-elf in their home. All the while they were spoiling their son, enjoying luxuries they would never have been able to afford, and growing fat off the money they got only because he had been forced to stay as a prisoner in their home.

Money that had been his by rite of blood and birth.

Any appetite he had left faded away with his anger, and Hardwin roughly pushed the plate away as he continued reading. There were three regular deposits remaining that he had been unsure about. Now, though, he knew as he read the names connected to the vaults. The names of Hermione Granger, Ginerva Prewett, and Molly Prewett were all listed as well as records of how many galleons had been transferred and on which dates.

The deposits into Hermione’s vault had started in August of 1991. This information was damning for his friendship with her since Hermione had been receiving money from his vault before their first year had even started. There had been regular deposits at the beginning of every school year as well as a few random ones during the years as they got older. Looking at the dates, Hardwin connected a few with times Hermione had given him advice that he had followed, or when he had been pushed into dangerous situations. Those smaller deposits had only increased as they had gotten older, and like with his Aunt, the deposits hadn’t stopped until he had frozen them.

Suddenly, Hermione’s insistence to see and speak with him was making more sense as the most recent expected deposit hadn’t been made.

The deposits into the Vault under Molly Prewett had started in June of 1983. Hardwin had been only three years old at the time and had never even met the woman. The first time hadn’t been until 1991 at King’s Cross when he’d had trouble finding Platform 9 ¾. Actually, now that he thought about it, that meeting was an odd one. Why would a pureblood witch, who had older children who had already been to Hogwarts, be taking the muggle entrance while yelling about the platform and muggles loud enough for the muggles to hear?

It didn’t take long for him to make the connection and know that it had been done deliberately.

The deposits into the account of Ginerva Prewett starting at the beginning of her first year in 1992 made sense when he knew about her mother. Ginny had been shy with him when they had first met, but that hadn’t stopped her from watching him and following him around. Her behavior her first couple years at Hogwarts had been like that of a fangirl and hadn’t pattered out until his fifth year. Then she had started dating Dean, he had taken notice of her, and Hermione… Hermione had encouraged it. Pushed him toward the girl.

Bloody hell and Merlin damn them all.

Had that been the plan all along? For him to date and marry Ginny? Was it all about his family money? As his wife, she would have unrestricted access to his vaults without the restrictions that could be placed with a marriage contract.

A marriage contract could have been that could have leaned in her favor and left him with little to no control of his household or assets, but any contract would have needed the signatures of both Lord Potter and Arcturus before Arcturus had died in 1991. Otherwise, it would never have been legally or magically binding. Hardwin didn’t know about his cousin, but from everything he’d learned about his relatives in the Black family lead him to believe that Arcturus would have never agreed to such a thing. He would need to speak with Arcturus’s portrait to confirm the kind of man his great-grandfather had been, but Hardwin couldn’t imagine he would have allowed his heir to be bound by a contract where the House of Black didn’t benefit in the least. The only thing he could think of is if they had planned to coerce Hardwin to sign one after he’d accepted his Lordship.

Especially since Hardwin had never been taught anything about his heritage. He’d literally had a crash course when he’d met SilverClaw at Gringotts. Even then he’d had to do some more research and he would still be playing catch up with Andromeda and Narcissa’s help for some time as he got adjusted to his responsibilities as Lord. He was dependent on the assistance of his cousins right now as he learned what couldn’t be taught from books, and he knew it. The Family Charter, with all of the by-laws members of the family had to follow, wasn’t something completely recorded in a book.

There were secrets carried in each bloodline that were not recorded and only passed down through teachings within the family. It was why the purebloods were so insular and protected their bloodlines so fiercly. They were trying to guard their family magics in the only way that they knew how. Old lines were dying out with every war, and each lost line was the loss of those family magics, talents, teachings, and parts of their culture.

He was only starting to learn about it, but Hardwin could understand and agreed with what the purebloods had been fighting for to a point. He just couldn’t condone the methods that had been used. So many lines had been lost to this most recent war on both sides. In the end, it was just that much more of a loss when it had all come down to what had essentially been a game between Albus Dumbledore and Tom Riddle. They had all just been pieces on the chessboard between the two, and neither wizard had cared for anything more than what they could gain from the fighting.

“Kreacher. Could you please bring me some parchment, ink, and a quill? Thank you.” Hardwin asked as he set the parchments from Gringotts down and picked up the quill that appeared before he made a few notes.

He would ask for some advice first, but Molly, Ginny, Hermione, and Petunia would all rue the day they had accepted that money. There would be a confrontation coming, and it would no doubt leave scars on both sides. Lines would be drawn. Soon Hardwin would find out who else was involved, who had known, and who was innocent of any of it. He would find out who his real friends were, but as of that moment, only two names came to mind that he felt mostly sure of.

He had been played for a fool for years. He would have to be better; do better. The sorting hat had wanted to place him in Slytherin. He had those qualities, and it was time he used them. Severus Snape had referred to him as a pig for slaughter in the memories he’d seen, and Hardwin wouldn’t let himself be made to play the part any longer. It was time he took back the control he had given away to others as he sought their friendship and approval. He should have remembered the lessons that growing up with the Dursley’s had taught him about people, but he had been so desperate for a light in the darkness that he had been willing to grasp the first hand that offered kindness.

It was with that thought that Hardwin cast a tempus before going upstairs to get ready for what he’d planned that night.

123

Hardwin glanced nervously at the door to the Freedom bar on Wardour Street in Soho from where he stood in front of the Starbucks next door. He had stopped at a library in London to use a computer and do some research for tonight’s adventure before he had gone shopping for clothes. Hardwin would be the first to admit that he didn’t know much about computers and so it had taken him a while, but he had found this place. It had been referenced on the web’s search engine as the epicenter of London's gay social scene. What the ‘gay social scene’ was, or how it differed from the straight one was, Hardwin hadn’t a clue.

It wasn’t like he’d gotten out much over the course of his life so far. For all that he had grown up in the muggle world, Hardwin had lived an almost sheltered life when it came to people, places, and events outside of Surrey or within Hogwarts grounds. The only thing he really knew about ‘gays’ was the prejudiced vitriol his Aunt and Uncle had spewed if ever anything had been said on the television or through gossip withing the neighborhood. He’d chosen to ignore anything they’d had to say on principle after he’d turned eleven and found out the truth when he’d been raised with nothing but lies about himself, his parents, and the magical world they belonged to.

If they were wrong and had lied about something so fundamental, then who was to say they had told the truth or were right about anything else?

The place didn’t look like much from the outside. Nothing which screamed ‘This is a gay bar. You will find gay people here.’ The doors were glass, and lights shone from inside large glass windows. The only reason he knew that this was the place he had found on the computer was the dark purple awning above the entry that had the word Freedom written in gold across the fabric. A fluorescent pink light was lit against a green background above the awning, curving to spell the name of the bar so as to be seen even in the dark.

He’d stood there in front of the Starbucks for several moments now just watching as people entered and left those glass doors. The people he had seen coming and going were an eclectic bunch. Men and women dressed fashionably in a wide range of colors and styles. Some dressed normally in jeans with plaid shirts or tees while others he’d noticed dressed a little more… Differently.

He didn’t know how to describe it as he watched a group of three men dressed in brightly colored skirts and tight shimmering tops with high heels saunter on by him. Their hair was longer than he’d ever seen on a man outside of the wizarding world, and they wore heavy make-up around their eyes and bright glossy lips in bold colors. They also wore chunky high heels that clicked sharply along the ground as they walked. It seemed to Hardwin like it would have been uncomfortable or awkward to walk in the heels and short skirts, but they moved fluidly in them with an ease of familiarity. Though some of their movements seemed almost exaggerated they moved with natural rhythm that wasn’t stilted or clumsy.

It seemed a bit odd to Hardwin, but he supposed it would be to him. He’d not seen much of the muggle side of things growing up, but he’d been in the wizarding world for the majority of the time since he was eleven. He could vaguely remember thinking how wizards and witches dressed oddly in their robes. The closed robes even looking like floor-length dresses until he became accustomed to seeing them. It all came down to differences in the cultures and individual preferences, he supposed.

At the same time, he could feel his curiosity growing.

Hardwin steeled his nerves as he pulled away from the wall where he had been leaning as he people watched for the last half-an-hour. He’d been a Gryffindor in school. He had fought in a war. He had faced down the most powerful Dark Lord known in recent memory along with his followers. He could do this. He could walk through that door, order a drink, and figure out his own sexuality once and for all.

Telling himself this helped him to move as he walked over and pulled open the door. It didn’t prepare him for the reality as he walked inside. The area was crowded with people. Some were sitting in the comfortable-looking booths while others milled about talking. There was a crowd around the bar that he could see, and the bartenders flowed around each other, moving from one side to the other as they took orders and prepared drinks. The place was lively; with mixed groups of people smiling and laughing.

It was a scene so different from what he was used to seeing the past few years that he felt his heart lighten with the atmosphere and his curiosity pull him further inside.

Hardwin forced himself to move as it would probably look strange if he lingered in the doorway for too long. He made his way through the different crowds as he walked further into the bar and looked around curiously. Watching as the people here spoke and interacted. Men who held hands, pressing close in the booths together, and even openly kissing one another. Women who did much the same. There was an ease in their affection. A naturalness that he had never felt with either Cho or Ginny.

A freedom.

Hardwin found himself smiling faintly as he approached the bar and waited for someone to take his order. Ordering something fiery, he continued to look around before noticing the stairs that led to the second level. Curious, he took his drink as he wandered to the stairs and went up to find a second bar, but there was a dance floor on this level with two rounded mini-stages with poles through the middle. He found himself blushing as men and women danced closely with their partners. Some had even removed their shirts as they pressed and rubbed against each other; a raw sexual energy coursed thickly through the dance floor.

It was an erotic sight, and Hardwin could feel his body reacting in ways it hadn’t even when he had kissed Ginny as he watched a few of the men.

‘Well, I am definitely attracted to men.’ He thought idly as he moved over to the side of the bar to continue watching people dance.

There were both men and women out on the dance floor as the music blasted and left him with a thumpa thumpa sensation in his chest that pounded with the beat. It was a sight he had seen before during the Yule Ball in his fourth year, but with differences at the same time. Men were dancing and grinding up on other men while women were doing the same with other women. It was far more intimate than anything Hardwin had seen before as people in the wizarding world tended to be a bit more formal and modest in their interactions whilst in public. Here they seemed to be freer and more open with each other. There wasn’t any of the same inhibitions in their expressions of affections, and it actually made Hardwin blush a bit in embarrassed arousal at the sight.

“Well, aren’t you just the cutest thing? What are you doing standing over here all by your lonesome?” A voice drawled in his ear with a male’s deeper bass, but held a feminine tone from next to him, and Hardwin’s attention was drawn away from the dance floor to the person who had approached him when he wasn’t looking.

Hardwin could tell this person was a man only by their voice, but they were dressed and looked like a woman. Like a few of the people he had seen enter the bar earlier, he didn’t know if they should be addressed in a feminine or masculine way as he didn’t want to offend, was dressed in a floor-length ruffled light blue skirt, heeled boots peeking out from under the bottom and with a matching blue sequined halter top. The top shimmered in the light coming off of the dance floor and made blue eyes lined in black and silver shine even brighter. Their make-up was heavier than Hardwin was used to seeing, but it was tastefully done and made the sharper masculine features of their face seem softer and more feminine. The end result gave them a more androgenous look.

“Oh, uh, nothing. Just watching people dance. It looks like they’re having fun.” He replied a bit lamely; feeling a little awkward at having been caught off guard having not thought anyone would really notice him enough to speak to him.

“You should be out there too then. Instead of over here being a wallflower. If you’re here alone then why don’t you come dance with me, sweetie?” Was the response and Hardwin fidgeted nervously as he clenched the glass in his hand.

“I’m sorry. I would, but I really can’t dance.” He replied with a small wince as he remembered his inept stumbling around the floor during the Yule Ball, and that was a different kind of dancing that he’d had instruction in.

“Oh, honey, there’s no need to be nervous. My name is Jasmina, but you can call me Mina. Is this your first time here?” Mina’s tone was gentle and their expression softened as they looked at him.

“Yes, actually. I’m Hardwin, but you can call me Harry if you like.” Hardwin replied as he sipped at his drink and tried to calm his nerves.

“Hardwin, well that’s certainly old English, but I like it. So, are you just exploring, or getting familiar with the pubs in Soho?” Mina asked and Hardwin knew the question wasn’t just about the pubs.

“Exploring, I guess. I grew up pretty sheltered, so…” He trailed off awkwardly only to receive a gentle smile as Mina reached out and grasped his elbow.

“You didn’t get the opportunity to get to know yourself, then. Well, I could help you explore a bit if you’d like to keep this girl company for a while. Just buy me a drink, and we can find us a place to sit down and get to know each other.” Mina said with a smile before taking his arm in a light grasp with both of hers and directing him toward the bar.

“If you’re sure? You probably have better things to do.” Hardwin said feeling a little off center at Mina’s familiarity with him but oddly comforted at the same time.

“Oh, honey. I’m here all the time. It’s not every day I get the opportunity to make a new friend. I’ll take a cosmo.” Mina said as they made their way to the bar, and Hardwin couldn’t help but feel that she meant that.

He’d come here tonight to figure out if he liked men. He hadn’t expected to actually speak to anyone. Mina knew nothing about him, his past, his role in the war, or his name and history in the wizarding community. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe having a muggle friend might be just the thing he needed.

Even if it wasn’t, it was nice to talk to someone he knew was being genuine in a way that he always had to question with almost everyone else in his life.

123456

Well, that’s it for this chapter. I had a really hard time getting this out. I was also a bit distracted with playing the Sims. I’m trying to do generations and build family trees. Lol. The things I do when I’m bored, right?

The stores and even the Freedom bar are real locations in London. I try to reference real places when I can so as to give some visuals. If you’d like to see the places mentioned then you’re free to look them up. This chapter was a pain, and Mina’s character just smacked me out of nowhere. Nothing went how I’d first thought with this chapter, and yes, we may see Mina again in the future. As it is, the next chapter will be skipping to shopping with Andromeda and Hardwin’s health screening. What will be found I have some idea, but it may change a bit depending on what comes when I’m writing it.

I’ll try to get working on the next chapter quickly, but no guarantees. I’m almost done with the next chapter for Magic Will Find a Way, and I really do need to work on that too.

Until next time,

Ryu

Edited: 11/17/2022

Chapter Text

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 Eight

Hardwin stumbled out of the floo into Andromeda’s living room just after nine-thirty the next morning. He could hear the giggles of little Teddy as he managed to right himself only to find Andromeda watching him with a giggling baby in her arms. Rubbing his face tiredly, Hardwin waved away any remaining soot with a soft smile at the baby’s amusement. Once the soot from the floo was gone he straightened the old robe, which he was pretty sure had belonged to Arcturus at one point, over his new muggle clothes that he had worn figuring they were better for this outing than the rags he’d had from the Dursleys. Those he had taken great pleasure in tossing into the fireplace that morning.

“You appear tired, dear. Did you not sleep well?” Andromeda asked with some concern knowing that it had been his first night in the Manor and that he hadn’t been sleeping well before that having been at Grimmauld Place.

“I slept well, Andromeda. I just didn’t get back until early this morning, and I kept myself busy before that yesterday. I went shopping for some new clothes in muggle London after you and Teddy left and then decided to go out to a muggle pub.” Hardwin said as he reached for Teddy to give him a morning cuddle.

“A muggle pub?” Andromeda asked with a raised brow.

“I wanted to be sure I was attracted physically to men. I figured I could find out for sure in the muggle world. I wanted to be sure before I asked Narcissa and her husband to represent me during meetings and negotiations for my marriage contract. I needed to know before I could move forward with a marriage, in any case.” Hardwin replied with a small sigh as the weight of things to be done pressed down on him again.

“There are places in the muggle world that cater more to the gay community. The pub I went to was one of them. I can comfortably say that I am open to marrying a man. I may even prefer it, actually.” Hardwin admitted; bouncing the baby gently as he reached up to wrestle his glasses out of Teddy’s grip.

“I see. I am glad you are now certain. I was going to speak to my sister about looking for a potential bride for you since you had been uncertain. I was concerned for you to take a consort only to find you were unhappy. I understand that divorce is possible for muggles, but this is not so in the wizarding world. Marriage for witches and wizards is not so easily undone. Not when our magic is bonded during the handfasting.” Andromeda told him knowing that he may already know that but wanting to be sure he was informed as she knew his education hadn’t been the best when it came to things outside of school.

“I know. I did a little research after I spoke to you and Narcissa. I hadn’t known about the male carrier potion so I didn’t want to be caught off guard again when in negotiations. We should probably get going if we want to make it to my appointment one time. Winky!” Hardwin called knowing they had to be at Twilfitt and Tattings by ten.

“Master bes calling Winky?” Winky asked, and it was then that he remembered that he’d forgotten to call her the night before to tell her what he would need her to do today.

“Yes, Winky. I need you to take care of Teddy for us today. Andromeda will be with me in Diagon Alley today if there is an emergency.” Hardwin told her just in case so she could use her bond with him to find them quickly.

“Oh, yes Master. Winky being happy to take care of young Master Teddy!” Winky replied seeming delighted to be given the task to care for the baby.

“Thank you, Winky. You have my permission to take him with you to Black Manor if there are other tasks you need to take care of today. I understand there is a lot to be done now that Hardwin has taken up residence there. If you do take him then I just ask that you make sure the nursery has had a good cleaning before you lay him down. His nose is very sensitive like his father’s was.” Andromeda said with a small smile for the sweet-natured elf.

“Winky be making sure the nursery is being very clean for Master Teddy's napping time, Missy Andyromeda. Winky be needing to be taking Young Master to Black Manor today.” Winky admitted knowing Kreacher had given her several tasks to bring the Manor up to par now that the Lord of the family was to be living there.

“Alright, Winky. We should be back sometime this afternoon.” Hardwin said as he turned to take a pinch of floo powder from the bowl on the mantle.

“Actually, make that this evening. I received another letter last night, and Narcissa has asked us to join her and her family for dinner. I would prefer not to take Teddy until we have more of an idea of Lucius and Draco’s states of mind.” Andromeda admitted, and Hardwin knew her reasoning.

“I agree. I know what Narcissa has said, but I would feel more comfortable leaving Teddy with Winky until we get more of an idea of who Lord Malfoy is now that the war is over.” Hardwin nodded in agreement and watched as Andromeda’s shoulders relaxed a bit when her worries weren’t pushed aside.

It was two hours later that Hardwin and Andromeda could be found taking seats at the Leaky Cauldron and placing their lunch orders. Hardwin had changed out of his muggle clothes into wizarding attire before leaving Twilfitt and Tattings. They had spent the last two hours having him measured and fitted for new wizarding wear. Robes, trousers, shirts, tunics, vests, underwear, socks, and even shoes that were appropriate for the season though he dreaded shopping for the winter season later. Everything had been sent back to the manor with Nanna, and the rest would be sent when the tailoring work was finished. 

Andromeda had seemed to have fun with the trip as she looked through and discussed colors, materials, patterns, and different cuts with the seamstress. Hardwin hadn’t had much of an opinion on any of it. He hadn’t the slightest clue when it came to fashion and had been happy to let Andromeda take over. The only thing he had chosen for himself had been three pairs of boots and the style of his underwear. The boots had intrigued him, and he had bought one without a heel and the others with a bit of one. After seeing Mina and others wearing them at the pub the night before he had decided to try them and found that he did like them for the bit of height they added to his short frame. Evidently, Andromeda had apparently agreed as she had thrown eight more pairs in different styles, colors, and heel heights onto his order. 

“So how was your little adventure to a muggle pub last night? Did you at least have fun?” Andromeda asked once they’d gotten settled with a few privacy wards around their table at the Leaky Cauldron.

“I did, actually. I made friends with a muggle. His name is Jasper, but he likes to dress up and go out as a woman and goes by Jasmina then. I was actually very nervous when I first got there, but then I met Jasmina. She’s brilliant, honestly. I bought her a drink and she sat down to talk with me. I think she could tell I was trying to figure myself out, and she made it a lot easier. She managed to get me out on the dance floor for a while by the time the pub closed at three this morning.” He admitted with a laugh that had her raising her brows with a small smile.

“Certainly seems like this Jasmina had a positive effect on you. She must have if she managed to get you to dance. I remember you telling Narcissa and I that you didn’t know how.” Andromeda observed with some amusement and the enthusiasm she was seeing from him.

It was a rare sight.

“Yes, but the way the muggles at the pub danced was different from how we do it. Our dancing is a lot more formal and structured while they were just moving with the music. I think Jasmina could be a good friend even if she is a muggle. I can’t tell her about magic, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun together. Mina has asked me to meet her at Freedom again next weekend. Said she wanted to introduce me to a few friends so I can get to know more people in the community. I told her I’d grown up pretty sheltered so she said she wanted to help me ‘expand my horizon’ a bit.” Hardwin’s tone was light as he spoke with amusement and Andromeda could see some light come into his usually sad or brooding expression.

It was something she was happy to see. She had been a bit worried for him these last few months as the only time she had seen any light in his eyes had been when he was with Teddy. Even then, there was a sadness there when he looked at the baby. She knew it was because her grandson was also a reminder of the people Hardwin had lost; that they had both lost. A reminder of the war and she knew that it must pain him to know the Teddy would never know Nymphadora and Remus. 

“That is good then. Have you given any thought to returning to Hogwarts for your final year? The letters should have been sent out by now if I’m not mistaken.” She said as she changed the subject wondering if Hardwin would be needing to get supplies as well.

“The new school year will be delayed, I believe. There were still some major repairs to be made when I was there two weeks ago. The guardian statues were destroyed and will take some time to replace. Neville and Seamus blew up the bridge during the battle, and I know there was some talk of needing to hire goblins from Gringotts to rebuild the supports up from the ravine. Apparently, they’d already taken some damage during my fourth year from the Horntail that flew into them. The only one of the dorms that didn’t need repairs was the Slytherin dorms, and that’s only because of the way the dungeons were built. There was still some damage from heavy spell-fire there. Even so, I don’t think I’ll be returning when they can open the school again.” Hardwin told her as he took a drink of his butterbeer before setting the bottle back down and continuing at her inquiring expression as she ate.

“I’ll always love Hogwarts, and I’ll miss it, but I don’t think I could go back there for longer than a few hours. As much as I have good memories there I also have far more bad ones. I can’t go back there and pretend like my so-called friends haven’t betrayed me. They would have far more access to me in Gryffindor tower than in a warded Black property. I also don’t want to have to deal with the other students staring and whispering about me. I can’t go back there and not feel like I’m still fighting in a war. Wondering where the next threat is going to come from.” He admitted softly and Andromeda nodded in understanding.

“Then what will you be doing about your NEWTS?” She asked hoping he was going to be taking them; they were important tests for any career he might hope to have in the future and it would reflect poorly on him to have not finished his education.

“I was thinking I would self-study and then have my testing done at the Ministry. Maybe hire a tutor. I have the Black library right at home, and this way I won’t be distracted unless it’s important. I will also have time to sort out the mess that was left for me with the estate and be available to help you with Teddy.” Hardwin replied and Andromeda smiled gently at the last part.

“Your plan seems to be sound. Just make sure you have a schedule that you can keep to for your studies. It will make it easier for you.” Andromeda said as she finished her cottage pie before just sipping on her peachtree fizzing tea as Hardwin was still eating.

That was another thing that concerned her about her young cousin. He was rail-thin, and he picked at his food more than he ate it. She’d sat down to eat with him enough times now that she knew he never finished his plate. Oh, he ate healthy foods, but not near enough to be truly healthy and gain the weight he needed. Andromeda wouldn’t say anything about it right now though. She would wait until after their visit to St. Mungos. That way they would know how much it was affecting his health, and if it was then they could correct it.

Even if she had to visit at mealtimes just to stick him to his chair until he’d eaten enough.

“I will. I don’t want to be an Auror anymore, but that doesn’t mean I won’t finish my education. Truthfully, I don’t know what I want to do for work now. I've just had enough with fighting.” Hardwin admitted as he laid his fork down, his fisherman’s pie only half-eaten though he’d finished the small garden salad it had been served with, and finished the last of his butterbeer and set down the empty bottle.

“I would say you will already have a job on your hands. As Lord Black, you are expected to manage the investments, and you have said you want to restore the Black name. That is going to take a lot of work as things are presently though the fact that it is you who are the Lord will certainly help with the political side of things. It’s not like you will need to worry about making enough money to live on. If you maintain the investments of House Black wisely then I don’t see how you could spend what is currently in the vaults in four lifetimes. I only mentioned your NEWTS because you will need them if you find something you want to do and without them you will be seen as uneducated in upper society.” Andromeda told him softly as she finished her tea and he took out the money to pay their bill from his pouch and laid it in the payment tray on the table where it disappeared.

“You are right. Still, maybe in a few years once things have calmed down I will find something I would like for a career. I know I will be rather busy regardless. There are also the seats on the Wizengamot I hold. I don’t care for politics, but it may be best for me to take them up. If there is one thing we all should have learned from the war it’s that we need to make changes. If we don’t, then we risk someone else taking up Tom’s original cause.” Hardwin said as they both stood and he gave a nod toward Tom before they left the pub.

“You are Lord Black. What you will do is your decision. Now, I believe we should go on to Madam Pimpernell’s next.” Andromeda said and Hardwin grimaced as he thought about the shop she was talking about.

“Actually, could I leave that one to you? I really don’t want to go in there. I know that I will need something to manage my hair, but I figured I could leave that up to you and Narcissa. I can keep it short or have it long if that will help, but I honestly just don’t want to go into that shop.” Hardwin admitted as he thought about the only other time he had been there.

He still regretted going in there with Hermione before their third year when she had wanted to get something to help with her frizzy and tightly curled hair. He had been the only bloke there since Ron had refused to go, and it hadn’t taken him long to figure out why. The shop had been almost garish in the décor and their displays with pink and purple frills and lace. Their products were more geared towards witches and so the shop itself was always full of them. 

It was not somewhere he wanted to go again.

“Of course.” Andromeda replied with a light chuckle at the expression on his face.

“I will go over the options and get what you will need there as well as the Owl Order catalog. That way you can get more when you’ve run out.” She told him and moved to enter the shop before she was stopped as he reached out to touch her arm.

“Before I forget. You will need this.” Hardwin said before reaching into his pocket to pull out a vault key and Gringotts card with the Black Crest on it.

“Hardwin…” Andromeda’s eyes had widened at seeing what he’d held out for her.

“These are yours. The key to your Black trust vault and a payment card connected to it for the muggle world. I’ve already instructed SilverClaw to set up a trust vault for Teddy though he will not have access to it until he turns eleven for school. You may have disowned yourself from the family, but Arcturus never formally disowned or disinherited you. He didn’t acknowledge your marriage, but still had a quarterly stipend being deposited. I’ve had SilverClaw increase it since you are Teddy’s primary caregiver.” He explained as he handed them to her and smiled when she steadied her breath and her posture stiffened.

They both knew that this was important. By giving her this he was acknowledging her and Teddy both as Blacks, and providing the support she was due as part of the bloodline. He knew Andromeda had left it all behind her when she’d married Ted Tonks thinking she would be disowned at the least, and disinherited at most. They had been happy together, but they had struggled for money with no support. 

She had been worried after the war because suddenly she was a widow with a baby to care for after losing her husband, her daughter, and even her son-in-law. It didn't help matters when shed been forced to take a sebaticle from work in order to care for her orphaned grandson. Andromeda thanked Merlin and Morgana that it had been Hardwin who had taken up the Lordship. He loved Teddy and was making sure neither of them would have to worry about money.

“Thank you. Should I meet you at the Menagerie?” She asked and Hardwin nodded with a thoughtful expression.

“That will work since I will be there for a while. I will also need to stop at the apothecary if we have the time. The ingredient cupboards at the manor need stocking. Not much was still good to use in brewing after so long.” Hardwin told her and she nodded knowing that he would need to be able to brew if he was to practice for his potions NEWT.

“I will meet you there then.” She replied before turning to enter Madam Pimpernell’s shop.

Hardwin glanced around to see a few people watching him. Oh, they tried to be subtle about it, but he could still see as several pairs of eyes followed him. He turned away with a sigh and made his way up to the north side of the Alley to the Magical Menagerie across from Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. They were his best option to find what he was looking for since they carried a wide range of animals. Otherwise, he may have to make a trip down Knockturn Alley to one of the less reputable shops.

The door chimed as he entered though he would be surprised if anyone could hear it with all the noise inside the shop. The shop was as cramped as Hardwin remembered from the last time he had been there the summer before his third year. Every inch of the wall was covered by cages, and he had to take shallow breaths so the rancid smell wouldn’t choke him. He felt bad for the creatures he could see as they were not all that well tended to.

“Oh! Mr. Potter, welcome. Can I help you with anything today?” An older woman, the same one he remembered from the last time he’d been there, asked as she shuffled off from the back of the counter.

“Yes. I’ve just taken up my Lordship for the House of Black. It’s come to my attention that I will be needing a few birds for the aviary. I was hoping you would have a few crows available.” Hardwin replied with a benign smile plastered on his face as he knew it wasn’t her fault that she had addressed him incorrectly since his Lordship wasn’t public knowledge yet.

It was just another matter he would have to address later, but until he hired a solicitor, he wouldn’t be informing the Prophet. It was likely the information would get out on its own without him having to say much, and only correcting people when they addressed him incorrectly. The saleswoman paused for only a moment before smiling toward him.

“I’m afraid we only have the one, Lord Black. We have a few ravens, but only the one white crow just over there. I could put in for a special order if you’d like?” She asked as she reached for a quill and parchment that was on the counter.

“Yes, I would. I will need at least three or four of them though I would like to take a look at the white as well to see what kind of temperament the bird has.” Hardwin replied before moving over to the cage where there was a single white crow.

The bird was a short and stocky thing that was only forty to forty-one centimeters in length from the tip of the bill to the end of its tail. It had a short, squared-off tail and a relatively large head with a very distinctive deep and curved pale ivory-colored bill with a darker tip. It watched Hardwin as he approached, and he could tell that this bird was very intelligent as it assessed him. The white coloring left a phantom pain in his chest as he was reminded of Hedwig, but this was no owl and so that fact alone helped.

“You’re a smart one, aren’t you? Would you like to leave here and come home with me?” Hardwin asked and smiled as the crow hopped closer to him in its small cage with a caw.

The sound was sharp to his ears, but Hardwin found he liked it. It was loud, but nowhere near as grating as an owl’s screech could be. Nor was it the soft hoot that Hedwig had made as she comforted him during those long summers locked away in the small bedroom at his relatives. Maybe one day he would be ready to have an owl again, but the crow was a good alternative until he healed from the loss of Hedwig.

“I’ll take him, and I’d like to put in an order for three black crows.” Hardwin told the saleswoman as he made his way back to the counter only to pause as he went to walk past a small terrarium.

$Prey… No prey…$ He heard and looked down the see a small vividly green colored snake looking around the small glass enclosure.

$Are you hungry?$ He asked knowing now that his being a parselmouth had nothing to do with the horcrux since he could still speak and understand parseltongue, and knew of his bloodline from his mother’s side.

$A two-legger who can speak?$ The little snake said as it jerked to look in his direction, and Hardwin saw the saleswoman freeze at the sounds.

$I am one of very few who can. Tell me, how long have you been without prey?$ Hardwin asked knowing that small snakes needed to eat more often until they grew larger.

$Days. I have been hungry for days, but no prey comes.$ Was the response, and Hardwin lips pursed into a small scowl before his eyes caught the sign on the side of the glass that said the snake had been sold and what kind of snake it was; stating it was a North American Smooth Green snake.

Hardwin paused at seeing this. He was no expert on snakes by any means, but he did know what kind of snake this was, and it wasn’t what the sign said. He had seen one just like this at the zoo when he was eleven and had read about them from the information plaque. This snake was distinctive for its elongated coffin-shaped head with the somewhat pronounced brow ridge and medium-sized eyes.

“Excuse me, but is there a reason this snake hasn’t been fed? He is hungry and appears to be underweight.” Hardwin asked as he tried to keep his displeasure out of his voice.

“Ah… yes? His new owners are due to pick him up today, and we didn’t want to upset its stomach.” She replied, and Hardwin bit his tongue when her answer sounded more like a question or a very pathetic excuse.

$You will get prey when you get to your new home. At least you will not have to stay here.$ He told the snake; not hearing as the door chimed and two people came in.

$New home?$ The snake asked and Hardwin smiled as its head perked up at that.

$Yes. Someone will be coming today to take you away from this place. You won’t have to deal with the noise and smells of this place anymore.$ He said before turning away at the snakes pleased hiss; only to freeze as his eyes widened at seeing the two wizards who had come up behind him and were watching him intently.

“What an unusual talent you have, Mr. Potter.” The wizard, who looked to be about ten years older than himself, said without any inflection of emotion.

Hardwin didn’t recognize the one who had spoken to him, but he did recognize the wizard standing beside him. He had played against him on the quidditch pitch and graduated during Hardwin’s fourth year after having to repeat a year. Even then, the man in front of him had been intimidating for his size alone, but he was known to also have a mean streak. Hardwin could remember seeing it on the pitch, but he also remembered him dressing up as a dementor with Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle to scare him in his third year after the incident on the train.

“Useful as well. Good afternoon, Scion Flint. I’m sorry, I don’t believe we all know each other. I am Hardwin Potter-Black; Lord of House Black.” Hardin said with a nod in Marcus Flint’s direction before introducing himself to the older wizard with him.

The man next to Marcus had to be related as they had a distinct family resemblance. They were both tall and broad, standing at over six feet to his five and a half, with black hair though the older man wore his longer in as the ends grazed his collar. Their eyes though were different. While Marcus had dark eyes that drew you into an abyss, the older man’s eyes were light hazel with hints of green that reflected in the the light.

“Well met, Lord Black. I am Heir Marcellus Flint of House Flint and Marcus’s older brother. Has the snake anything interesting to say?” The man introduced himself, and Harwin remembered Narcissa telling him that the House of Flint had three sons when they had been going over his options for the open contracts.

“Not in particular. He was just telling me that he wants prey since he hasn’t eaten in some time.” Hardwin answered and Marcus raised his brow as his gaze shifted between him and the snake.

“We will have to be sure he is fed when we return to the manor then.” Marcellus said as he stepped forward to look at the snake.

“Ah, so you are the ones who have purchased him.” Hardwin replied with a nod before turning back to the terrarium.

$Your new masters have arrived to take you home. What kind of prey would you like most?$ He asked while glancing at Marcus from the corner of his eye to see his reaction.

Most people were repulsed or afraid of the serpent tongue, but that was not what he was seeing from these two. No, neither man showed any sign of discomfort or distaste. Instead, Marcellus Flint watched with no hint of emotion or expression, while Marcus held an intense depth in his eyes that made Hardwin wonder. The slightly older man almost seemed fascinated as he watched Hardwin though he couldn’t be sure as he didn’t know him that well.

$Tender fleshy squawkers.$ Was the response from the snake and Hardwin’s brow furrowed as he tried to decipher what that meant.

It was obvious to him that the snake didn’t know what the word for his different prey was. The snake was still relatively young, and so it made sense that it wouldn’t know the wording. That description could have been anything. The only real hint was in the word squawkers. Rodents didn’t squawk so much as squeak or squeal. It was only after glancing around the room that he understood.

$You would like a bird?$ He asked just to be sure as he pointed to one of the cages containing a few budgerigars; tiny magical budgies that could be bred in many colors.

$Bird… Soft, young, fleshy squawkers… yes. A bird.$ The snake almost cooed in response as its gaze focused on the budgerigar cage intently watching them.

“He seems to prefer young birds.” Hardwin commented idly with a look of interest as he glanced over to see Marcus’s gaze focus on him.

That dark gaze was intense, and Hardwin felt a shiver journey across his skin as his cheeks heated a bit at being the focus of it. Marcus had yet to speak to him, but he still felt an interest in the Slytherin. He had not reacted as many had done before when Hardwin spoke to a snake. The saleswoman was still shying away from his gaze as she seemed to be trying to hide behind the far corner of the counter where there were a few cages she was ducked behind. It certainly gave the man a point in the positives if the Flints were to be the ones who accepted his contract. He wouldn’t have to worry about his spouse shrinking away from him for speaking in parseltongue around him. He wouldn’t have to feel the need to hide that part of his heritage as he’d been pressured to do in the past.

“A bird? I thought it would prefer a rodent?” Marcellus’s question drew him away from where his gaze had been locked with Marcus.

“That’s because his species is wrong. He isn’t a North American Greensnake. If I may?” Hardwin asked as he reached out to open the terrarium and focused back on the snake when Marcellus had nodded his agreement.

$Come to me but don’t bite anyone. I want to show them you are a fearsome predator to be respected.$ He hissed as he opened the lid a bit, but waited to reach in until he had the snakes agreement.

$I will not bite if I am not threatened, speaker. I am hungry, and I am cold. I want to go to this home you have spoken of so I can have bird prey.$ The snake responded, and Hardwin smiled a bit in sympathy before he opened the lid and pulled the sleeve of his robe back to be able to have more skin contact with the snake so that he could share his body heat.

$Wrap yourself around my arm and take my heat.$ Hardwin hissed as he reached in and waited for the serpent to moved up and wrap around his wrist where it gave a contented hiss and moved up his arm.

$Speaker is warm.$ It said as Hardwin slowly moved his arm up and out of the glass walls and turned to the two Flint siblings and held his wrist aloft for them to see the snake more closely.

“Do you see the shape of his head? There is one snake that is known for having that distintive coffin shape, and that is the Mamba. He’s young, but his venom is up there with the Inland Taipan in its potency.” Hardwin explained to the visual surprise of both Marcus and Marcellus.

“You’re saying we’ve bought a venomous snake for our little brother’s birthday, Lord Black?” Marcellus’s question came out as a growl and Hardwin could see as both his and Marcus’s eyes moved away from him to glare at the saleswoman.

“Wait… Your younger brother’s birthday?” Hardwin almost squeaked in disbelief as he remembered Narcissa saying the child was due to start Hogwarts in the next couple of years.

“Yes. It seems there has been some mix-up would it not, madam? We purchased the snake unseen. There is no way we wouldn’t have been told that the snake was venomous if you had known.” Marcellus’s tone was dangerous, and Hardwin couldn’t help but agree with his anger.

If he hadn’t been there today then it was possible a child could have gotten this snake as a pet without them knowing the danger. It was an easy mistake to make if you didn’t know what to look for, but as the one selling the animal, she should have known. If she had fed the snake even once then it would have been obvious as venomous snakes didn’t often feel the need to constrict their prey like their non-venomous cousins. Only a parselmouth like himself would have been able to handle the snake without being bitten without proper measures being taken.

“Of course not, Heir Flint. Lord Black must be mistaken. I was told the snake was nonvenomous, I assure you.” The witch seemed unsure of herself as she made the excuse as none of them noticed the chiming of the door.

“You are saying that Lord Black, who is the only remaining known parselmouth in the British Isles, is mistaken when he tells us the snake is venomous?” Marcus’s voice was a deep baritone that spread tingles down Hardwin’s spine when he spoke for the first time since they had arrived.

“No, but the snake has no venom. I was told he was a North American Green snake!” The woman blustered only for Hardwin to shudder at the sound of the growl in Marcus’s voice when he responded.

“So you are calling Lord Black a liar.” Marcus said with a sneer only for the woman to bluster as she tried to come up with an excuse.

“Is there a problem here, Hardwin?” The question came from behind them and the three men turned to find Andromeda had entered the shop.

“It would seem so, cousin. It would seem the House of Flint purchased a snake unseen for their youngest scion. They were told it was of the non-venomous variety when that is not the truth. This saleswoman has said I am the one in the wrong when I informed them of its true species.” Hardwin said as the older woman came to stand beside him and look down at the snake in question that was curled around his forearm.

“You sold a venomous snake to an Ancient House under false pretenses, and then accuse the Lord of an Ancient and Noble House of lying when this fact is discovered? I do believe we would like to speak to your boss, Miss Etan. You will call for him now so we may settle this issue.” She said firmly, and the woman looked like she would cry as she nodded and disappeared into the back of the shop.

“What a mess.” Hardwin said with a small sigh as he looked down at the snake who was happily soaking in his body heat.

“Even with the aggravation this has caused, we thank you for telling us, Lord Black. Mardyn could have been hurt if you had not been here today.” Marcellus thanked him with a small bow which Marcus mirrored.

“You are welcome. He is too unsafe for you to take home, I take it?” Hardwin asked feeling a little bad for the young snake that had been looking forward to leaving the shop and the poor conditions it had been kept in.

“There is no way to make such a creature safe for a child without the gift to communicate with it that you possess.” Marcus replied as he stepped closer and looked down at the snake that seemed so docile around his arm.

“Hmm…” Hardwin hummed thoughtfully as he stole a glance at Marcus.

It was a glance that did not go unnoticed by Andromeda; the corners of her mouth curling upwards faintly as her gaze sifted between the two.

123456

Well, that is it for this chapter. I decided to stop here or it would end up so much longer, and it was already longer than the last few. The next chapter will pick back up from here though I don’t know how long it will take me to get out to you all.

Honestly, Marcus and Marcellus’s appearance in this chapter had not been in my plans. They just snuck up in there somehow. Lol. This is where I usually answer questions, but I won’t be doing that this time. I’ve had one person ask, and it was a very long list. Most of the answers to those questions will be answered as the story progresses anyway.

Until next time,

Ryu Katanna

Edited:11/18/2022

Chapter Text

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 Nine

“Have you at least found what you needed, Hardwin?” Andromeda asked as they waited for the saleswoman to return with the owner.

“Partially. I was planning to get the one white crow over there and then putting in a special order for at least three black crows when I was distracted by this little one’s complaints of hunger.” Hardwin replied with a light chuckle and shake of the head as the snake just continued to hiss in contentment and soak in his body heat.

“What is it saying?” Marcus asked when he heard the snake give another hiss.

“Warm. He was too cold. Green Mambas prefer coastal areas with dense, shaded vegetation, and like living in trees from what I remember reading. They are from southeast Africa so even in summer England is cold for him. ” Hardwin replied with a slight blush starting to brush his cheeks as Marcus stood so close as he listened to him speak.

“Are snakes so simple in their speech?” Marcus asked with a raised brow as he pressed closer to Hardwin and teased the lines of impropriety with how close they were.

“I have found that most are. This one is still young; barely out of his juvenile stage. He speaks like a child and doesn’t know the proper wording for things. Unless they have regular contact with a parselmouth who can teach them or are consistently around humans for years, I have found that most snakes speak with simple descriptions. They are intelligent, and can understand, but they are not very articulate. Given that snakes in general are solitary creatures that only come together in mating season it’s not very surprising. This one did not know the word for bird. He called them tender, fleshy squawkers.” Hardwin replied with amusement; glancing up until their eyes met briefly before darting back down to the serpent on his arm.

Hardwin didn’t notice the smirk teasing at the corner of the man’s lips at the shy action, but neither Andromeda nor Marcellus missed it. The Flint Heir’s dark brows raised in interest as hazel-green eyes flickered to the pair who had seemed to gravitate closer together as they spoke. He knew his brother well, and Marcus wasn’t what one would call a people-person. Far too often those rare few who tried to get close to him would run afoul of the sharp and cruel tongue the twenty-two-year-old possessed.

The children born to the Flint family all learned early in life that appearances can be deceiving, and there were few outside the family worthy of trusting. It was one of the reasons they wore glamours anchored to a ring to hide their true appearance until after marriage. It helped to ward off those who would try to get close to them with ulterior motives. The friendships they formed under this guise were truer, and their relationships were not based on something so shallow as appearance. It also helped since the glamours helped repel those who would try to marry into their family for money. Marcus had always taken this a step further as he presented himself differently to those outside the few he considered friends and family.

Yet, now that Marcellus considered the events since they had entered the Menagerie, he couldn’t help feeling intrigued by his brother’s behavior. Marcellus had done most of the talking even though the young Lord Black had greeted Marcus directly. Even so, Marcus’s gaze hadn’t strayed away from Hardwin for long. He was so focused on him that Marcellus knew there had to be something going through his younger brother’s mind. Then when Marcus finally did speak it was to cut down the saleswoman for her remarks in the young Lord’s defense.

Had Marcus finally found someone who interested him? Watching the subtle glances from Lord Black he thought that interest could be returned. He would have to continue watching them to know for certain, but by the way Marcus was treating the teen, Marcellus felt he already had his answer. He smirked secretively toward the one Hardwin had called cousin as he noticed she was watching them too. Marcellus knew he would be speaking with their parents when he returned home.

“Oh, forgive my manners. Andromeda, this is Heir Marcellus Flint and his brother Scion Marcus Flint. Heir and Scion Flint this is my cousin, Andromeda Tonks nee Black. I attended Hogwarts with Scion Marcus for a few years until he graduated, and we used to play against each other during quidditch matches.” Hardwin said as he tried to distract himself from the strange fluttering in his stomach at Marcus’s attention.

“Well met. I thank you for defending Hardwin’s honor against the woman’s insinuations of dishonesty. My cousin has only recently taken his Lordship, and is still learning to handle such situations.” Andromeda said as her mouth became slightly pinched in the way that Hardwin knew meant she was displeased.

“He was never instructed?” Marcellus asked incredulously as children from the old families were always taught early how to handle situations in a social setting so their behaviour would not reflect poorly on their House.

“Unfortunately not. The matter is still under investigation. I have yet to speak with Lord Potter, and my former magical guardian is dead, but it is clear there has been some negligence in my education amongst other things.” Hardwin said knowing that he had inferred enough with that simple statement that they would understand enough to know the matter was indeed a serious one.

SilverClaw had been the one to inform him about his birthright and what it meant, but he had done as much reading as he could since then. It was a heavy accusation he had just made, but one that was not untrue. Hardwin had a sinking feeling he had revealed too much when he looked up at the Flint brothers. While Marcellus’s brows were furrowed, Marcus was scowling.

“It’s more than that. I remember your sorting. You were small even for a first-year.” He said and Hardwin felt surprised that Marcus had even noticed or remembered that.

They were interrupted before he could respond, however, with the appearance of the shop’s owner. The man had seemed displeased to be pulled away from whatever it was he had been doing when he entered, but that displeasure was soon replaced with concern and a bit of fear as he took in the sight of the four of them. They did make an intimidating sight, Hardwin supposed. The two Flint brothers both stood at over six and a half feet tall, and their muscled forms were well defined by the cut and fit of their fitted robes. All four of them were well-dressed in expensive clothing, and their features all denoted the linage from old wizarding families. All of that was only compounded by Hardwin’s presence due to his fame after the war as the owner's gaze fell on him; his gaze going immediately toward Hardwin’s faded scar where it was hidden by his hair.

“I’m Jacob Stretton, the owner of the Magical Menagerie. Is there a problem gentleman; madam?” The man’s voice sounded strained with the question, and Hardwin could see him looking at the right hands of both himself and Heir Flint where their Lord and Heir rings were worn and proudly displayed.

“Yes, it would appear there is a problem Mr. Stretton. Your clerk sold a snake to the House of Flint unseen as a pet without notifying them that the snake is, in fact, venomous. When I informed them of this when they came to pick it up today your employee denied my claim and went on to insinuate that I, the Lord of House Black and a parselmouth, am I liar. When instructed to retrieve you to sort out this… unfortunate situation, she tried to deny us an audience with you. Tell me, just what kind of establishment are you running here?” Hardwin asked with a cold expression that showed his distaste for this situation as well as the condition of the shop as he looked around pointedly at the filthy cages.

Hardwin hated acting like this, but the situation called for it. Narcissa had told him that he had the freedom to express himself as he truly was at home, but when out in the wizarding public he would need to hold himself to a higher standard of behaviour. He was the Head of House Black and any sign of weakness would be used against him. Vultures that the public are, they would fall upon it looking for any chunks they could take out of him.

This was something Hardwin knew very well with his past. As Harry Potter, he had been the public’s supposed savior, their whipping boy, their scapegoat, and their most hated messenger. For now, after the events of the war, he was their savior once more but he knew all too well how that could change at the drop of a sickle. It was where that sickle landed that was the problem. Hardwin’s past in the public eye could help him if used properly, but it hurt him as well. He would have to appear strong to the public, and not stutter and stumble as he’d been made to do when thrust in front of the cameras when Voldemort had regained a body if he wanted to succeed in his goals.

The color drained from the man’s face as his gaze moved down to the green mamba on Hardwin’s arm, to the condition of his shop, and then over to the nervous saleswoman. Hardwin glanced over to Andromeda who nodded slightly in approval before shifting his arm up to his neck. He didn’t have to say anything, as with a hiss of pleasure at feeling the heat of his neck, the snake moved to rest on his shoulders. This movement didn’t go unnoticed by anyone as the attention was drawn back to the hissing snake in question. Hardwin could see Marcus’s gaze focus towards his neck and had to bite the inside of his cheek at the intensity of that gaze as he focused on Mr. Stretton when the wizard finally found the strength to speak.

“I’d like to apologize on behalf of myself and Miss Eton to House Flint for the error on our part for the sale of the snake, and to you as well Lord Black. Miss Eton’s conduct was unacceptable. I will, of course, refund the money for the snake to House Flint. Unfortunately, I do not currently have one to replace it with. If there is any further business the House Black or House Flint would like to conduct here today then I shall handle it personally at half-price for the inconvenience and ill-conduct of my clerk.” Mr. Stretton said with a genuinely apologetic look before looking back over toward Miss Eton with a cutting glare of displeasure.

Hardwin nodded in acceptance on his part while Marcellus and Marcus traded a look before Marcellus nodded to his brother.

“House Flint will accept half of the reimbursement for the snake for the inconvenience but would like to gift the animal to Lord Black for his assistance if he desires to keep it. As a parselmouth, I am sure you are more than able to handle a venomous snake.” Marcus said, and Hardwin couldn’t help but smile a bit at the gift.

“House Black accepts this gift from House Flint and offers aid in finding a replacement for their young scion. I could do so if you have the time today, but I only have the next hour available. So I could make myself available to you another day if you wish.” Hardwin told Marcus and received a nod of acceptance.

“Very well.” Mr. Stretton said as he nodded and went to refund half of the payment for the reptile; thankful that things had been settled so easily when they would have been within their rights to call the Aurors for the deceit of the sale of a deadly animal.

“I would also like to purchase the white crow there and to put in a special order for three more black crows. Since it seems I will also be taking home a new pet I will also need twenty of the budgerigars and a dozen double-end Newts. I will also need his terrarium as well as a small one with a water source for the newts and a holding cage for the budgerigars.” Hardwin said after having a hissing conversation with the snake to find out what else it ate.

“O-of course, Lord Black. I will get those for you right away. Do you have any preference in colors for the twenty budgerigars?” Mr. Stretton asked a little nervously at the parseltongue, but happy enough to make the sale after what had happened.

“Hm…” Hardwin looked contemplative until Andromeda spoke.

“Where do you plan on keeping them all, Hardwin? Are they just food for the snake or will they be in the aviary?” She asked knowing that it would be pointless to get a variety if they were just food for the snake.

“I was thinking about the enclosed sunroom on the first floor. It’s little more than a sitting room right now, but if it’s expanded with permanent wizarding space I could add some trees and plants. It would be a good area to house a few snakes that way, and would be a nice place to relax.” Hardwin replied and Andromeda nodded as she could see the appeal for him though it wasn’t a place she would want to spend her time; not one she would feel comfortable relaxing in at any rate.

She didn’t mind snakes, but it would be unnerving to try to relax with so many venomous ones close by. Hardwin could speak to them though so he would be better equipped to care for them than most. Black Manor was meant to be imposing, and it had been decorated to be so. A room of venomous snakes would be intimidating to others, but if Hardwin felt it would be a good place to relax then all the better. She would just have to remind him to have wards to keep Teddy out of that room and to keep the venomous snakes in when her grandson was there. She trusted Hardwin to keep Teddy safe, but she would never trust a snake that could kill with a single bite.

“Then you could speak to Gringotts about having that area renovated into an enclosed arboretum. It is already connected to the greenhouses on that side of the Manor. I would recommend getting a variety of colors and just keeping them in the aviary until the renovations are done.” She recommended knowing Gringotts was the best option to offer those services.

“Different colors then. I’ll have to go to Gringotts later this week. I already needed to see about hiring a curse-breaker to have a look at things around the Manor to make it safe for Teddy once he starts walking.” Hardwin said with a nod to Mr. Stretton, who hurried off to fill his order, before telling Andromeda what else he needed to do.

“Yes, it would be a good idea before you have any little Blacks running around the place as well.” She replied teasingly with a glance to the man standing next to him that had Hardwin giving her a playful glare.

“So then you’ve been betrothed, Lord Black?” Marcellus asked as he glanced at his brother to see displeasure tightening the skin around his eyes.

“Not as of yet, Heir Flint. I have only been discussing the matter with my cousins since I will need to marry within the next two years. My House has dwindled in numbers now with myself being the only male to possess the name.” Harwin admitted knowing that he had been left in a difficult position and that they would have some understanding of that.

“Yes. It would be a loss to our world to have seen the last of House Black. Your House is one of the oldest remaining in Britain. What of House Potter? You will not pass that name on as well?” Marcellus asked genuinely curious as he hadn’t heard of any other Potter than Hardwin in some time but given he had mentioned a Lord Potter he assumed there were more.

“My cousin, Lord Potter currently has three children. He’s still young so he may have more children, and his heir is only a few years younger than I am. Truthfully, I am more a Black than I am a Potter for all that I also possess the name.” Hardwin forced a small note of dry humor in his tone to mask the irritation he felt even thinking of that part of his family.

“You have someone in mind for a marriage partner then?” Marcus’s voice was deeper with some emotion though Hardwin couldn’t discern what it was as he glanced up at the man.

Marcus was stood close enough to Hardwin for him to need to look up as he only came up to the man’s chest even with the slight height boost from the heels he wore. It made something in his stomach clench pleasantly. He was used to being short, but Marcus was even taller than Ron by a few inches.

“I’ve decided to take a marriage contract. I have a few prospects, but nothing has been decided yet. I will be asking my cousin Narcissa to act as my representative in the matter as Andromeda has her hands full enough with caring for her grandson, and it is not proper for me to do so myself when I am not the only one remaining in my family.” Hardwin replied knowing that if Marcus did have any interest in his contract that his family would know who to contact.

It may not have been the most subtle move judging by the look Andromeda gave him, but Hardwin found he was a bit attracted to the man. His looks weren’t all that appealing but looks weren’t everything. Any relationship he built with his spouse couldn’t be based on something so shallow if they were to endure potentially over a hundred years together. No, something else drew him towards Marcus. He remembered how he had been during their shared time in Hogwarts, in the rare times they’d interacted in any way, but people changed. Merlin knew he had changed after his experiences during the war.

What Hardwin did know was that he’d found their interactions that day to be pleasant enough. Marcus hadn’t been rude or even a little mean to him, and Hardwin knew he had the capacity to be cruel if he had wanted. Yet he hadn’t. He had defended him to the saleswoman before Hardwin had even had a chance to rebuke her.

He had liked that Marcus had done that. How he’d focused on him when he spoke, and so Hardwin knew he was truly listening to him. He liked that he hadn’t been intimidated or scared when he’d spoken parseltongue but had been interested enough to ask about it instead. He also liked how much bigger than him that Marcus was physically. Hardwin wasn’t the most intimidating person to look at with his short height and thin stature, and he would be the first to admit it.

Yes, he did hope Marcus was interested enough to have his family speak with Narcissa.

“You speak of Lady Malfoy?” Marcellus asked mostly for confirmation.

“Yes...” Hardwin replied a bit distractedly as Mr. Stretton had finally gathered everything and was calling him over to the register.

“Saros! Nanna!” Hardwin called the elves once he’d gotten everything paid for and they appeared promptly.

“Master Black be calling for Nanna and Saros?” Nanna asked with a happy smile.

“Yes, Nanna. I need you to take these birds and release them all in the aviary but be sure they cannot get out before you do, or the little ones will fly away on us.” Hardwin said as he handed the two birdcages to the little elf; not noticing the looks the elves were getting from everyone except Andromeda for the way they were dressed in their little uniforms.

“Right away, Master!” Nanna replied before popping away back to the Manor.

“Saros, I need you to find a suitable place for the newts that is out of the way until I have some work done at the Manor. I also need you to set up this terrarium in my room. Feed the snake one of the small budgerigar that Nanna is releasing in the aviary. I will tell him not to bite you but be careful as he is hungry and I don’t want you to get hurt. Just spell the bird not to fly if it makes it easier for you.” He explained to the elf as he always tried to be clear and concise with any orders he gave.

“Saros be careful as Master says when feeding Master’s snakey.” Saros replied and Hardwin turned to cast a warming charm into the snake terrarium before speaking to the serpent.

$It has been decided that you will be coming home with me. My elf will take you home and feed you a bird. Do not bite my elf. They are not prey and they will not harm you. I will speak to you when I return home.$ He hissed as he maneuvered the snake off of around his neck to put him in the terrarium once he’d gotten an agreement not to bite.

Casting a tempus charm he found that he had just over an hour left before he had to be at St. Mungos for his appointment. He turned his attention back to the others to find the Flint siblings looking from him to where Saros had popped away while Andromeda just waited for him to be ready to leave. Hardwin tried to think of another shop in the alley that sold magical animals but could only think of Eeylops Owl Emporium, Bufo’s and S. Sterling. The problem was the Eeylops sold owls pretty much exclusively, Bufo’s sold specialized in frogs and toads, and S. Sterling specialized in birds. He made a note to himself to visit S. Sterling once he’d gotten the renovations done, but that didn’t help them now with where to find another snake for Marcus and Marcellus’s younger brother.

“Well, if you know of another shop that sells snakes then we can go there now, but I don’t know of another in Diagon or any of the other wizarding shopping areas.” Hardwin admitted only to see that they didn’t know either.

“The Magical Menagerie is the only place in Britain. Snakes are not one of the most sought-after pets.” Marcellus said and Hardwin paused in thought once they’d left the shop.

“Well, if you’re not averse to shopping in the muggle world I do know one place just on the other side of Surrey in Aldershot. I’ve heard it mentioned somewhere before.” Hardwin said thoughtfully as it was a long time ago.

“Not today, I think. It is still two weeks until Mardyn’s birthday, and neither Marcus nor I are prepared to transverse such an undertaking today.” Marcellus replied though Hardwin could tell he didn’t care much for going to the muggle world to find what they needed.

“Perhaps next week?” Marcus suggested without the same distaste his brother had expressed in his tone, and Hardwin nodded.

“Let me know when you’re available, and I’ll get back to you. I’ve just moved into the Manor so I still need to settle in, and now I’ll be needing to schedule renovations.” Hardwin replied with a small glint in his eye as he had already thought of a few ideas for that sunroom and what he would do with it.

“Then we will speak more later. Good day, Lord Black.” Marcellus said with a nod before Marcus stepped forward and grasped Hardwin’s hand.

“Until then, Lord Black.” He said, and Hardwin blushed brightly as his lips grazed softly over his knuckles in parting while his heated gaze bore into green eyes.

“Good day, Heir Flint; Scion Flint.” Hardwin replied, a little flustered, as Marcus released his hand and both he and his brother turned and left.

He stared after them for a moment in thought before his attention was drawn away by a familiar chuckle. He turned to see Andromeda watching him with a soft look on her face, and amusement in her eyes. Hardwin straightened with a slight clearing of his throat as his gaze darted away in embarrassment. It was only then he noticed they were being watched, almost blatantly, by various witches and wizards in the Alley.

“Perhaps we should get what we can from the apothecary. There isn’t much time before my appointment.” Hardwin said as he tried to ignore the eyes on him, and held out his arm to his cousin to escort her as she had taught him was proper in public when with female family who were single; which she was now that she had been widowed.

“I agree, though I believe we should warn Narcissa she may be hearing from Lord Flint in the next few days.” There was teasing in her tone though genuine pleasure as well.

“You think so?” Hardwin asked a little unsurely as they walk down the Alley.

“I do, dear. Scion Flint could barely take his eyes off you.” She teased again as she watched him try to keep the blush from his cheeks.

“He was different today than I remember from school. It was a good difference though. We’ve only interacted a couple of times off the quidditch pitch. Even then it was mostly Draco and I with the way things were between us.” He admitted and felt a gentle squeeze to his forearm that distracted him from that though.

“If Lord Flint contacts my sister, then we will know he truly is interested. As for Draco, are you prepared to clear the air with him tonight?" Andromeda asked as they came to stand in front of the door to the apothecary.

“I am. It’s his father I’m unsure of.” Hardwin said as he kept the emotion from his voice and opened the door, waiting for her to enter first before following inside.

“Yes, I had thought as much from your conversation with Narcissa earlier this week. Has he done something that perhaps she doesn’t know about that makes you unsure of him?” She asked and Hardwin nodded as he pulled out the list that Kreacher had given him that morning to restock the potions cupboards.

“This isn’t the place to speak of it, but yes. It is one thing I hope to avoid in conversation tonight.” He admitted before she took the parchment from his hand.

“Then let’s get this bit of shopping done, and not speak of it.” Andromeda said as she used her wand to spell the list into two parts and handed him one.

Using the part of the list he’d been given, Hardwin grabbed one of the cauldrons they used there as baskets and started making his way around the shop. Andromeda split off from him with her half of the list as they both measured and checked both quality and freshness. They managed to get a good bit of the list before they needed to leave to get to Hardwin’s appointment on time. Even so, Hardwin would have to come back another day.

I was just one more thing to add to his week.

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That’s it for this chapter. I was surprised to have gotten it done so quickly, but now I can get it out to all of you. The next chapter will pick up at Malfoy Manor for dinner where they will discuss the results of the trip to St. Mungos and more.

~Ryu Katanna

Edited: 11/18/2022

Chapter Text

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 Ten

“We will have to work on your floo travel.” Narcissa's voice greeted him as Hardwin straightened his robes as he stood after tumbling out of the fireplace in the floo room of Malfoy Manor.

“I’ve only gone through floo travel a few times. Most of those were as we were running. Good afternoon, cousin.” Hardwin replied as he greeted her with a small smile as she banished the soot with a wave of her wand before clasping his hand.

“Good afternoon, Hardwin. Welcome to my home.” She greeted him formally, but not stiffly.

Narcissa was greeting him and welcoming him as family. It was an acknowledgment he had not expected without more time. They had not grown up together nor had they known of the blood ties between them for long. Yet she was welcoming him as family, and that was all that mattered to Hardwin. He’d known so little family, and it warmed something in him that she had not rejected or scorned him as he had experienced with the only other family he’d known. Sirius, Nymphadora, and Andromeda were the exceptions before he’d even known of the ties their blood held.

It also meant that this wasn’t a formal meeting between Houses, and so he didn’t have to wear a mask, which was a relief after being in the public eye all day.

“Thank you for inviting us to dinner, Narcissa.” Hardwin replied with a glance around the floo room.

“Is my sister running late?” Narcissa asked when she didn’t come through behind him.

“Andromeda decided to floo to Black Manor first to check on Teddy. She shouldn’t be long.” He replied and got a nod in response.

“Andromeda wrote to me yesterday to tell me about what happened. Are you more comfortable at Black Manor?” Narcissa asked with some concern in her tone though none of it showed on her face.

“I have only spent one night there, but I’ve slept better during that one than I ever have at Grimmauld Place. I haven’t spent enough time there to say for sure though.” Hardwin told her and the tension that he hadn’t even noticed relaxed from her brow.

“I loved the Manor as a child. How the crystal windows scattered light and color in every room. Wychwood Forest is also a magical place to wander at twilight. I had wanted to take Draco to see it when he was little, but Arcturus had locked down the wards by then. I wrote to him, but he refused entrance to everyone.” Narcissa said with a gleam of reminiscence in her eyes and disappointment in the voice.

“Well, you and Draco are both welcome to come to the Manor any time. I have not gone into Wychwood Forest yet. I ended up going into Muggle London to go shopping. I also went to a muggle pub last night.” He said with a small laugh to her expression of horror.

“A muggle pub? What would you possibly need there?” Narcissa asked with disgust that Hardwin brushed away knowing it was how most purebloods would react.

“I went because I felt like I needed to figure myself out. This muggle pub catered more toward homosexuals.” He told her to which she considered.

“I see. Did you find your answer?” She asked inquiringly.

“I did, and it was further confirmed to me today.” Hardwin teased the information just as the floo flared and Andromeda stepped out elegantly.

“Good afternoon, Andromeda. Welcome to my home. I’m glad you accepted my dinner invitation.” Narcissa paused in her conversation to properly greet her sister though he knew this wasn’t the end of the conversation by the glance she gave him.

“Thank you for the invitation, Narcissa. Have I interrupted something?” Andromeda asked as she spelled away the soot from the floo and saw the look given to Hardwin.

“Hardwin was just telling me of his trip to a muggle pub last night and had hinted that he found an answer to his preferences. Something that was further confirmed today though he has not told me of the events that brought about his revelation.” Narcissa replied as she looked at their cousin with a raised eyebrow in expectation.

“Yes, a topic that relates to something else we have to speak with you about. Perhaps we had best greet your husband and son first, and we can discuss it over dinner.” Andromeda suggested with a small smile of amusement toward the teen.

“I agree, but I do want answers, Hardwin. You can not tease me with such things.” Narcissa said seriously before leading them out of the room and down a long opulently decorated hall before entering a double set of doors into an informal dining room.

For all that it was an informal dining room, it was still lavishly decorated with light wood floors and white paneled walls with blue and burnished gold hangings. A gold and crystal chandelier hung from the domed ceiling. A white oak table surrounded by eight chairs sat upon a large decorative rug. Sitting in the gold-gilded white oak chair waiting for them were Lucius and Draco who stood when they entered.

“Good afternoon, Lucius. It’s been a long time.” Andromeda said in greeting to break the suddenly tense silence.

“Good afternoon, Andromeda, and to you as well Lord Black. Welcome to our home.” Lucius said cordially, but Hardwin knew he wasn’t truly relaxed.

He couldn’t blame the man as he wasn’t either. Hardwin would have avoided seeing this man ever again if he could have, but that was no longer possible. They were related through marriage whether they liked it or not. They would have to find some way to interact with each other. They didn’t have to like each other, but they would have to find some way to clear the air between them.

"Lord Malfoy. Please, call me Hardwin. This is a private meeting for family, after all." Hardwin nodded in greeting, and offered to be polite as he really didn't feel like standing on ceremony when they were family, however reluctantly.

"Lucius then." Lucius offered with a nod of his own befor they focused their attention on the others.

“Sister, this is my son. Draco, I’d like you to meet your Aunt Andromeda.” Narcissa said as she started to direct the flow of conversation.

“It’s nice to meet you, Aunt Andromeda.” Draco said as he stepped forward with a little unease from the situation.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Draco. You have your father’s coloring, but I can see your mother in your face.” Andromeda replied with a soft smile at this observation to which Draco returned a small smile of his own before his eyes moved to Hardwin and gave a nod.

“Draco.” Harwin said and the other teens' shoulders relaxed at the usage of his first name.

“Hardwin. You’re looking well.” He replied with a wry smirk as grey eyes flickered over his form, and Hardwin couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped his lips as he smiled.

“Yes, your Aunt Andromeda is a force to be reckoned with. I do believe she had fun this morning while I could only stand there for two hours.” He said which got Draco to laugh at the look of fond exasperation Hardwin gave toward where she stood talking with Lucius and Narcissa.

“Just wait until Mother gets you to go shopping with her in Paris. Two hours is nothing.” He warned and Hardwin sighed as he glanced at Narcissa knowing they were giving the two teens a moment.

“I don’t doubt you. I wanted to apologize to you, Draco. We were both kids in difficult situations. It’s no excuse, but a lot happened in our fifth year that my mind still hasn't recovered from. That was pointed out to me today with my visit to the healer. I should never have used that curse on you in sixth year when I didn’t know what it did. I wouldn’t have had I known.” Hardwin said seriously knowing nothing could make what he’d done right.

“You’re right. We were kids. I don’t know what happened to you in fifth year, but everyone in Slytherin noticed something was different with you. I’m not innocent either in things that happened. Can we just leave that all behind us?” Draco asked with a glance over toward his mother before looking back at Hardwin.

“Can we just leave what we did before and during the war where it is? When Mother told us what you had told her and Aunt Andromeda, she was happy. She’s happy that her family isn’t completely gone. I knew she had a lot of family growing up, but most of them were gone by the time I was born. I didn’t grow up knowing my Aunts or any cousins. I can’t speak for my father, but the Malfoy creed is Family First, and you are family to me and mother through the Blacks. Even though we didn’t know it.” Draco said softly though appearing to be a little uncomfortable with the admission, and it was then Hardwin noticed that they had the attention of the other three who were listening for his response.

“I think we should all start over now. All of us played our parts in a war that wasn’t even ours. We know the truth now. The reputations of both House Malfoy and House Black have been damaged because of two old men who were playing a game before any of us were even born. You are right, Draco. We are family.” Hardwin said before turning to look at Lucius as his posture straightened.

“This war wasn’t ours. It has torn families and our world apart for long enough. Tom and Dumbledore are both dead. I think it’s time our world moved on. What do you think Lucius? I want to move past our prejudices and try to make things better. To repair our families and our world after what they have done to us. Will House Malfoy work with House Black to repair what those men have torn apart for their own power?” He asked the man who was watching him with an assessing gaze.

This was what it came down to. Dumbledore and Voldemort had done much to tear the wizarding world apart. They had caused the deaths of many old wizarding families. Those that remained had been torn apart by their manipulations and the infighting as sides were chosen.

The British Ministry had been corrupted for a long time and was now a shell of what it had once been. What it was supposed to be. Laws had been passed that would need to be reassessed. Hardwin had already been working with Kingsley Shaklebolt, who was the interim Minister of Magic, to make sure that trials were held for all of those who had been arrested. Pressure had been high to just throw them into Azkaban, but Hardwin was determined that no one else would suffer the same injustice as Sirius had. He had spoken out quite loudly to that effect.

Lucius was on house arrest for the moment, but that would only last for three years, and his probation for ten. In truth, that wasn’t a long time in the life of one of their kind. The man had been working in politics since he had left Hogwarts. He had the knowledge, experience, and connections while Hardwin had the freedom of movement and the reputation after defeating the most recent Dark Lord. Hardwin could reach his goals on his own with time, but it would be easier with the help from House Malfoy.

They would both benefit, but they would need to leave the past were it was to work together.

“The House of Malfoy will work with the House of Black to mend what has been broken.” Lucius said with a nod to Hardwin while Narcissa looked pleased as the air was cleared between both sides of her family.

“Come. We should have a seat so dinner can be served. Hardwin teased me with some information when he arrived, and I want answers.” She said as she directed them all to the table where they sat down and Draco chuckled.

“She will get those answers.” He said knowing his mother could be persistent when there was gossip she didn’t know.

“She will get them, but first there was something I want to ask you Narcissa.” Hardwin said as the food appeared on the table.

“What is it?” Narcissa asked him as they started filling their plates.

“Will you act as the representative for the Black family for my marriage contract negotiations?” Hardwin asked her, and she paused briefly in her movements before looking back at him with a smile of pleasure.

“I would love to. If you’re ready to move forward with a contract does that mean you’ve determined your preference?” She asked only to glance curiously at her sister when she started chuckling, and Hardwin blushed with a glare toward Andromeda.

“Yes. I would prefer a husband. Would you stop laughing, Andromeda?!” Hardwin’s cheeks grew darker in embarrassment knowing she was thinking of what happened earlier in the day.

“Did something happen that I’m unaware of?” Narcissa asked a bit mischievously at seeing her cousin embarrassed for the first time.

“Be warned that you may be approached by House Flint for Hardwin’s contract. He had a rather interesting encounter with their young scion earlier this afternoon.” Andromeda replied much to everyone else’s interest when Hardwin almost pouted at the teasing.

“Marcus?” Draco asked with interest as he and Lucius were able to follow the conversation since Narcissa had informed them of the things she had spoken with Hardwin and Andromeda about when she had been called to Grimmauld Place a few days before, and Hardwin sighed before speaking.

“I stopped at the Magical Menagerie today to see about getting a few crows for post at the Manor. While I was there I found a snake complaining that it was hungry and had been for days. As it turns out, Heir Marcellus and Scion Marcus Flint arrived at about that time to pick it up. They had purchased the snake as a pet for their younger brother but hadn’t been informed that the snake was venomous. The saleswoman actually had the audacity to insinuate I was lying. That was about the time that Andromeda arrived.” Hardwin informed them and could see the same looks of surprise and anger he had felt.

“I reprimanded Miss Eton, and instructed her to retrieve Mr. Stretton. The four of us spoke while we waited. You should have seen it, Narcissa. Scion Flint couldn’t keep his eyes off of Hardwin, and Heir Flint noticed it as well, I’m sure.” Andromeda said in amusement knowing that they would understand how obvious Marcus’s interest was in Hardwin that she and Marcellus had noticed it even with their public masks.

“How Miss Eton could think she could win that argument, I will never know. Everyone who was in Hogwarts our second year knows you are a parselmouth.” Draco said knowing that the information would have been spread even outside of the school.

“What did Mr. Stretton do to rectify the oversight of his employee?” Lucius asked having already known Hardwin was a parselmouth from Draco telling him and knowing where it had come from after seeing copy of the results of the heritage test Narcissa had shown them.

“He apologized and offered to refund the cost of the snake to House Flint. Scion Marcus accepted half of the price for the snake under the condition Hardwin accepted it as a gift from House Flint for his assistance. Hardwin’s purchase was also half-price.” Andromeda replied knowing Lucius likely would have pushed for more.

“I am going to have the sunroom at the manor renovated to make it a place suitable for snakes. I have also offered to help House Flint in finding a snake of the non-venomous variety for Scion Mardyn Flint.” Hardwin said as he tried to keep the attention away from his attraction to Marcus.

“You plan to get more?” Draco asked curiously.

“I do. I have always liked snakes. I’ve just had a few bad experiences with them because of Tom. I’m also the last known parselmouth in the UK, and there is a chance any child I have could be as well. I would like to work on removing the stigma Dumbledore and Tom have both given it. The ability wasn’t always seen as the sign of a dark wizard. I think that started first with Dumbledore’s prejudice, and then Tom made it worse since he used it for intimidation.” Hardwin said remembering the memory Dumbledore had shown him.

The man hadn’t been intimidated by the use of parseltongue itself, but by the aggressive behavior of Marvolo and Morfin Gaunt.

“You will need to hire a solicitor quickly. You are going to need to reveal your heritage otherwise the papers may try claiming you are going dark.” Lucius said knowing how quickly the papers would turn on him if he was open about his ability.

“I had planned to ask you about that, actually. I want to know who the best would be to have.” Hardwin said and received a nod in agreement from Lucius.

“You may also get those who work in magizoology on your side. You are in a unique position to help rehabilitate magical serpents.” Narcissa suggested knowing it would be a positive use for his ability.

“I would have to expand the sunroom more than I had planned.” Hardwin replied thoughtfully to her suggestion.

“Or you could have something built on the grounds and make the building a sanctuary. You said earlier today that the sunroom would be a good place to relax. Renovate the sunroom to house your own snakes but have another building for the ones you rehabilitate.” Andromeda suggested and Hardwin nodded in agreement after a moment of thought.

“It would also give me something to do for work, or a hobby at te very least. I will have to research more on magical snake species.” Hardwin replied knowing he was only adding another thing onto his mental list of things he had to do.

“You could contact House Scamander. They may be willing to work with you as well as teach you what you need to know if you explain to them what you are wanting to do.” Lucius suggested knowing that they would be the best to approach with this topic.

“I’ll work on drawing up some plans later before I write to them and to Gringotts with a proposal. I hadn’t planned on starting renovations on the Manor until after I married, but I may have to now.” Hardwin said as his mind raced.

“You can still wait on having any other work done around the Manor until you marry. Just hope that your spouse doesn’t mind being around so many snakes.” Draco said only for Hardwin to blush lightly when Andromeda started chuckling again as she spoke.

“Oh, I don’t think he’ll have any problems if he marries Scion Flint.” She said quietly as she brought the topic back to Hardwin and Marcus's interactions earlier that afternoon.

“You will have to show me that memory, sister. If they are both as attracted to the other as you suggest then I want to know for if House Flint does contact me.” Narcissa said as Hardwin tried to ignore them by turning to Draco to ask his opinion of his other options for marriage contracts.

This, however, backfired on him as Draco told him little about Theodore Nott and Graham Montague before steering the conversation to telling him what he knew about Marcus. Which wasn’t much more than Hardwin already knew about him, in reality. It turns out that Marcus hadn’t acted much differently in the Slytherin common room than he had outside of it.

“He kept most people at a distance so no one knew him well. He only had two people he spent any time with. Those were Adrian Pucey and Cassius Warrington. Though he was also on speaking terms with Terence Higgs.” Draco told him as dinner was ending.

“I think I remember Warrington. Wasn’t he on the quidditch team?” Hardwin asked as he tried to remember, but he hadn’t paid much attention to most of the Slytherins while he was in school aside from those in their year.

“He was a chaser. Heir Higgs was also on the team. He played seeker our first year before being moved to chaser when I joined the team.” Draco said while they finished and everyone stood to follow Lucius into a sitting room for after-dinner drinks while the house-elves cleared away the dishes.

“How did your appointment with the healer go, Hardwin?” Narcissa asked after Lucius had served them all and they found their seats.

“It was both better and worse than I had expected. I want to thank you for making the appointment. If I had waited a few years then they wouldn’t have been able to heal the damage he found as easily.” Hardwin said gratefully as he settled into the chair for this conversation.

“Damage?” Draco asked remembering what Hardwin had said to him about fifth year when he had apologized earlier, and seeing the look of anger on Andromeda's face.

“Yes. Some of it is from the war, but not all. Some things are from before Hogwarts while others were during school.” Hardwin admitted as he pulled out the copy of the health report that was needed for the contract negotiations and handed it to Narcissa.

Narcissa’s expression morphed from curious to increasingly upset as she read through the parchment. Her fists clenched as she looked up in question to Andromeda only to receive a nod in return. She looked over to Hardwin who could see both concern and anger in her eyes.

“May Lucius and Draco see this?” She asked knowing Andromeda already knew everything there since she had been at the appointment.

“Of course.” Hardwin replied knowing it would be easier than him explaining everything.

“You were never vaccinated?” Lucius asked incredulously as he read.

“Apparently not. The healer fixed that today though. I also had an allergy test done though there were none.” Hardwin replied watching while he finished the report and handing it to Draco with an angry flush to his face.

“The malnourishment?” Narcissa asked having seen that he was on both organ renewal potions and bone-strengthening potions which he was prescribed to take for two weeks after a comming procedur to regrow a few bones while he would need nutrient potions for six months to a year.

“Dumbledore. I told you he placed me with my squib Aunt. Yeah, she and her muggle husband didn’t like having a freak in the house. That’s a whole other issue I’ll need to speak to Lucius about later. Dumbledore knew about it but forced me to go back every summer.” Hardwin admitted feeling the rush of hatred again as he thought of it all.

“Freak?! They’re the freaks! You’re going to be on bedrest as they vanish and regrow several bones that were never treated for breaks.” Draco almost shouted as he looked at the report.

“It’ll only be three or four days. It’s not the first time. Lockhart vanished the bones in my arm in our second year, remember?” Hardwin said knowing there was no use being angry over any of it right now as it was getting fixed.

There were other things that he was more upset about.

“Hardwin, this is a lot of damage. It says you need to see a mind healer to repair the damage to your mind’s natural walls. That much damage… that can only be caused by someone repeatedly raping your mind.” Narcissa said, and all four of them looked both horrified and angry.

Hardwin sighed knowing he would have to explain but knowing there was no way to do so without telling them why.

“I can give you a simple explanation without telling you why, or I can tell you why, but I will need a wizard’s oath of secrecy to do so.” Hardwin said with a sigh.

“Let’s hear the simple explanation first.” Andromeda said knowing the topic must be sensitive if he was asking for an oath.

“Dumbledore wanted me to learn occlumency in fifth year. So, Snape was teaching me occlumency while they said it was remedial potions.” Hardwin said knowing that he couldn’t say much more without telling them about the connection he’d had to Tom and why without telling them what the source of the connection had been.

“Why would Dumbledore choose Snape to teach you occlumency? Everyone knows that Snape hated you.” Draco said and Hardwin nodded as he agreed.

“He hated my father since they were in school together, but my mother was his childhood friend. He loved her, and he became Dumbledore's spy to try to save her when Tom decided to go after my family. When she died he honored her life by protecting me. I hate the man for how he treated me, but I admire him at the same time.” Hardwin said seriously only for Narcissa to scoff.

“He honored Lily by raping the mind of her son repeatedly, and so severely, that it hasn’t been able to heal on its own after almost three years!” She exclaimed looking even more upset that he would excuse it.

“The damage wasn’t all from him. There is a reason, but I cannot tell you without the oath.” Hardwin explained knowing that they would understand more if they knew about what Tom had done.

What Tom had made him.

“Then we’ll take the oath. Severus was a friend once. I would like to know.” Lucius decided and Draco, Andromeda, and Narcissa agreed.

“Alright.” Hardwin nodded knowing they would need to know in order to understand.

Severus Snape had had many failings. As a friend, a teacher, and as a human being. Yet that was what he had been in the end. He had been a human being who had done his best to make things right. He had done wrong, but he had done so much more that had saved so many lives.

He didn’t deserve to be remembered for the villain he had needed to portray.

He deserved to be remembered as the brave man he had been.

The bravest man Hardwin had ever known.

123456

I had thought this chapter would be a lot harder to write than it was. It’s only been a day since posting the last one. I’ve said it before, but this is really taking on a life of its own. I hope this chapter helped answer some of your questions. I’ll be starting on the next one tonight!

~Ryu

Edited: 11/18/2022

Chapter Text

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 Eleven

Hardwin sighed once everyone had made the oath. He tried to think of the best way to explain. It was hard because it was a hard subject for him. At the same time, he wanted them to be able to understand the difficult position Snape had been placed in by Dumbledore. To understand why Hardwin would defend the man’s memory even if the man had hated him. To understand the Severus Snape that Hardwin had come to know by the end.

“It will be easier to show you than to try to explain. You can’t understand the ending without knowing how it began, and everything that followed. Do you have a pensive, Lucius?” Hardwin asked knowing that if he didn’t he could have one of the elves retrieve the one he had seen breifly in the study at Black Manor.

“I do. Dippy, bring the pensive from my office.” Lucius replied and called for one of the Malfoy elves who popped into the room with the pensive and set it gently onto the table.

“Thank you, Dippy.” Hardwin said to the elf before it could pop away, and she left with a happy smile toward her Master’s guest.

“Has Narcissa told you about how Voldemort came to be?” Hardwin asked as he stood and pulled his wand.

“She showed us the memory.” Draco replied as they stood to follow him.

“I wanted them to know it the way you told me.” She explained, and Hardwin nodded, thankful because he wouldn’t need to retell it.

“I ended that by telling you that you already knew how the story ended, but it is the details in between that you will need to know now. You know the role Tom played in starting the war, but you don’t know what Dumbledore did that pushed him along that path. You don’t know the Puppet Master as I have come to know him to be. As Severus Snape, more than anyone else, knew him to be.” Hardwin said as he placed the tip of his want to his temple and drew out a strand of memory.

“Snape was a man who had his flaws like all of us do. He made mistakes. Yes, he avoided Azkaban by acting as a spy, but he paid a heavier price. He tried to make up for them. He saved lives at great risk and cost to himself. Even still, he wasn’t trusted by those of who he fought on the same side because of his position.” Hardwin said as silvery strands dropped into the bowl.

Memory after memory after memory.

“Severus Snape died more of a hero in this war than anyone will ever know. Tom killed him thinking he possessed something he did not. Something that had been Draco’s before I won it from him. Snape saved Draco’s life by keeping that secret at the cost of his own. He died in front of me giving me the knowledge I needed to defeat Tom for good and end the war.” Hardwin told them seeing the surprise in Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco’s expressions at that information.

“There is a reason I lived when I should have died. There is a reason I will defend Severus Snape’s memory when I didn’t like the man. Even though the man hated me. Even after what he did to me.” Hardwin said as he twirled the final strand of memory and placed it gently in the pensive.

“Those memories will show you everything. The truths I learned. How I was manipulated. Severus Snape as I came to know him. How I survived. Everything is connected, and there is no other way for me to explain things for you to understand the way I do.” Hardwin said as he stepped back from the pensive.

“This is me trusting you as family. You’ll know more about me than probably anyone else. It makes my skin crawl, in all honesty, but you will also understand why I wanted the oath.” Hardwin said as he gestured toward the pensive before turning away to pick up his firewhiskey and down the rest of the glass before moving to Lucius’s cabinet to refill it and wait.

He watched from the corner of his eye as the four of them vanished into the pensive. He shuddered with a feeling of violation but made himself comfortable for the wait. Luckily, time in a pensive passed more quickly than outside of it. He knew the memories they were seeing now as they had all shaped him to be as he was now.

What he remembered from the night his parents died, and how Tom had asked jis mum thrice to step aside. When Hagrid had taken him from the Dursleys, and his first trip to Diagon Alley when he met Draco. His first class with Snape. The first confrontation with Voldemort over the Philosopher’s Stone, and his talk with Dumbledore in the hospital wing.

Meeting Dobby for the first time. Meeting Lucius in Diagon when he slipped the diary into Ginny’s cauldron. The petrifications. His duel with Draco and everyone finding out he was a parselmouth. The memory of the confrontation with the Horcrux of the diary in the Chamber of Secrets and the events that followed as he slew the Basilisk and was saved by Fawkes. Blowing up his Uncle’s sister, and running away to the Leaky Cauldron where the Weasleys showed up the next day and he learned of Sirius's escape frm Azkaban. The first time he’d met Remus, when Remus had told him he’d known his parents, the first time he’d spoken with Sirius when he learned of Pettigrew’s betrayal, and how Snape had tried to protect them from the transformed werewolf.

After that were the nightmares he had before his fourth year. The night his name had come from the Goblet of Fire. Snape threatening him with Veretiserum. The night of the final task when Cedric died, Voldemort was resurrected, and the confrontation with Barty Crouch Jr shortly after.

Being cut off from information in the summer, and the dementors in Surrey. Being taken to Grimmauld Place for the first time and his reunion with Sirius and Remus. Sirius wanting to tell him what was happening only to be denied as Molly Weasley put him down. Visions of Voldemort. Talking with Sirius in the Drawing-room before leaving and then again at the train station. The first class and detention with Umbridge. More visions of Voldemort, and seeing through Nagini’s eyes as she attacked Arthur Weasley. Speaking to Sirius at Christmas. His first occlumency lesson with Snape, and flashes of his declining mental stability as he yelled at Dumbledore. Snape’s memories in his pensive and then being thrown from the room. His vision of Sirius and the Department of Mysteries. The confrontation with Umbridge as he tried to give Snape the message, and going to the Ministry to save Sirius. Bellatrix killing Sirius and then escaping Remus’s hold to chase after her. Trying to cast crucio on Bellatrix and her escaping as he had another confrontation with Voldemort with Dumbledore, and him trying to possess Hardwin.

Hearing the prophecy for the first time and destroying Dumbledore’s office in a fit of rage and magic.

Dumbledore’s withered arm. Spying on Draco on the train and having his nose broken. Finding the Half-Blood Prince’s potions book. Snippets of spying on Draco during the year. Sometimes alone and once with Snape. Telling his suspicions, and not being believed even as his mental state continued to decline until that day in the bathroom where he had hurt Draco. ‘Lessons’ with Dumbledore, and finding out that Tom made Horcruxes. Discovering there were seven of them, and that there were only five remaining. Going to the cave to retrieve the locket. Dumbledore’s death, and Hardwin’s confrontation with Snape when he found out he was the Half-Blood Prince.

Finding out that the locket was a fake. Discovering the truth of Regulus’s fate, and his final orders to Kreacher. Getting the locket from Umbridge after breaking into the Ministry and then their escape. The story of the Hallows. The fight with Ron as they were all affected by the locket and Ron leaving. Visiting Godric Hollow, his parents' graves, seeing the house, and Nagini’s attack. The appearance of the doe Patronus, finding the Sword of Gryffindor, and almost being drowned by the locket when Ron returned and saves him before destroying it. Speaking the taboo, being captured and taken to Malfoy Manor. Dobby’s last brave act, and his death. Breaking into Gringotts for the cup, and then breaking back out again on the back of a dragon.

Sneaking into Hogwarts. Harry confronting Snape, and him fleeing the castle. Handing of the cup off to Hermione and Ron to destroy when they got the basilisk fang. Talking to the ghost of Rowena Ravenclaw. Being confronted by Draco in the room of requirement, their flight from the room to flames of fiendfyer, and the destruction of the diadem. Snape’s death. Returning to the castle to find Remus and Nymphadora dead. Snape’s memories and the final Horcrux. Telling Neville to kill the snake. Using the stone and walking to his death. Waking to hear Narcissa asking about Draco, and her lying to Voldemort's face. Voldemort’s death, and then snapping the Elder Wand before tossing it into the ravine.

It was a lot of memories to go through, but each one had a purpose. Each one had affected or shaped him in some way. Each memory played a part in the story. Individually they didn’t explain much, but together they explained everything.

Perhaps he could have just told them, but he didn’t want to relive it through the telling. It was one thing to be told about what he had gone through and experienced. It was another to witness it through the memories. To show them his memories was to help them understand.

If they already knew then he wouldn’t have to explain. They would know who he was as a person, and not as the pawn Dumbledore had played on his chess board. They would be able to understand him, and that was something he wanted. Yes, the memories were deeply personal, but in the end, he would have family that knew what he had been through.

That was probably the most Slytherin thing about it.

Using any means to achieve his ends.

123

It took about two hours by the time they reappeared from the pensieve. Evening had set in and the lights had come on in the room, but he could still see the expressions on their faces as they took their seats, and Lucius summoned a bottle from the cabinet before silently pouring them all a drink. Hardwin stood up and pulled the memories from the pensive, returning them to his mind, and then sitting back down to sip at his drink. The quiet in the room continued for several minutes as they all gathered their thoughts before it was broken.

“I was a right prat, wasn’t I?” Draco asked, and Hardwin couldn’t help laughing.

“That’s what I thought at the time. You turned out alright though.” He said through his laughter as the others chuckled.

“Well, I would say we all certainly understand things better now. By Merlin, it was no wonder he was crazy. Horcruxes! He gave that diary to my father for safekeeping before I had even taken the mark. If I had known that’s what it was, I would have blasted the damned thing with fiendfyer. I only gave it to the Weasley girl thinking she would give it to her father and make a little trouble for him in the Ministry.” Lucius said before downing his glass and pouring another.

“It wasn’t just the one, either. Regulus didn’t… Reggie died to get the locket. Why didn’t he tell anyone? I know he and Sirius were on bad terms, but if he had just told him what he had found out… Sirius followed Dumbledore, but he was a Black, his brother. Surely he would have helped.” Narcissa’s voice was choked with emotion, and Hardwin could see that Andromeda wasn’t any better as she reached over to grasp her sister’s hand tightly.

“Aunt Walburga probably made him feel like he couldn’t. Sirius wouldn’t even speak to me until after Regulus died, and I had left the family a few years before.” She said quietly, and Hardwin cleared his throat before speaking.

“I think Regulus wanted to protect the family. Kreacher would have been delirious for days, and Regulus had been ignoring Tom’s calls as he tended to him. He knew he would be marked as a traitor and that was why he didn’t tell anyone. He knew he would die either in the cave or by Tom’s hand but he thought Tom would at least be mortal once Kreacher destroyed the locket. He just didn’t know about the others.” He said quietly not knowing how to comfort either one of them since he hadn’t known Regulus.

“You’re probably right.” Narcissa admitted as she and Andromeda wept a few silent tears for their cousin while patting them away with handkerchiefs they pulled out of their sleeves.

“It had confused me that Sirius had been found guilty when he hadn’t been. Dumbledore was Chief Warlock. He would have known that Sirius didn’t receive a trial. He also would have been able to call for one after your third year, and yet he didn’t. Dumbledore knew he was innocent from the beginning, didn’t he?” Lucius asked and Hardwin nodded as his grip tightened on his glass before he set it down so as not to break it.

“I’m sure he did, but he needed me ignorant. If Sirius had been free then I would have lived with him. I would have been educated. I would have known my name wasn’t even Harry. He also needed access to my vault.” He almost growled as he sat back in his chair to try to relax some of the tension in his body.

“Has SilverClaw been in contact?” Andromeda asked knowing he had been waiting for the results of Gringotts investigation.

“He has. Payments were going out to four accounts other than Dumbledore’s. He’d been making payments to the accounts of Molly Prewett since ‘83, Hermione Granger since August of ‘91, Ginerva Prewett since ’92, and Petunia Dursley since ’81. They only stopped when I froze the Potter branch vault and put its activity under investigation. I’ve had many letters since the most recent payment didn't go through from Hermione and Ginerva though I haven’t read them.” Hardwin told them what he had discovered the night before.

“That’s one way to hide your money from your husband. Have it put under your maiden name. I doubt Arthur even knows about it.” Narcissa said thoughtfully as she slid her handkerchief back into her sleeve now that the flow of tears had stopped for the moment.

“You’re right. For all that the Weasley’s have little money, Arthur Weasley is too proud to accept anything he hasn’t earned. It would also explain why the girl’s account is under her mother’s maiden name. If it had been under Weasley, then Arthur as Lord Weasley would have been notified of its activity.” Lucius said knowing the man well for all that he disgusted him with his lack of motivation to improve his income with so many children to provide for, and the old blood feud that was still active between their Houses after nine generations.

It would have been a dream come true to have had more children with Narcissa, but the curse on his family line prevented it. No matter what they had tried, Narcissa couldn’t get pregnant a second time. Yes, the Weasley and Malfoy families had been feuding for generations, but that wasn’t the reason Lucius hated Arthur. He disliked them as a whole because of the feud between their families, but he hated Arthur because the man had what Lucius never could. He hated him because even though the man had what Lucius could only wish for Arthur had no motivation to support them better. He worked hard every day at a job he loved and was paid a pittance of what he could make at a better job than he may not like as much.

“I’m surprised that Granger would even have accepted the money. She used to be so… uppity about following the rules and listening to the professors.” Draco commented in some confusion.

“I’m not. She idolized Dumbledore before we’d even started school. She used to think everything she read in books was right, and if someone contradicted her then she would argue until you agreed with her just to shut her up. I had thought she’d gotten better over the years, but maybe she just adjusted to make it seem that way.” Hardwin replied knowing what Hermione had been like those first few years.

“What do you plan to do about the theft? If the vault is a Potter Family branch vault then Lord Potter would have been notified of the investigation as well as the results.” Lucius told him and Hardwin held back a groan.

“I didn’t know he would be notified. As for what to do I’m not sure what I can do. Those transactions were technically legal since Dumbledore was my magical guardian, wasn’t he?” Hardwin asked as he picked up his glass to sip at it some more now that he had calmed down.

“No, he wouldn’t have been. Not legally, anyway. Lord Potter would have been, but even if he chose not to take you he would have had no further choice as to where else you would go. You were legally Heir Black. That means that your custody would have fallen to Arcturus, and there is no way he would have appointed Dumbledore or your squib Aunt. Even after he passed in ’91 you should have gone either to Lucius and I or Andromeda as your closest living magical relatives.” Narcissa informed him with a knitted brow as they all wondered how Dumbledore had managed it.

“Arcturus would have known you were the heir. Sirius couldn’t have named you the heir when you were a child if he hadn’t known. Did he know what was happened to Sirius? I can’t see him choosing to stay in France if he had.” Andromeda commented only to receive a shake of the head from her sister.

“He cut all contact. I tried writing to him a few times. The only time he replied was to tell me that the wards around Black Manor were locked down and would only open for the new Lord of the family when the rin accepted him. I was puzzled at the time as Sirius was in Azkaban and Regulus had died. Cassiopeia and Lucretia both wrote to him as well and inquired about his heir. He responded but wouldn’t tell them who it was either.” Narcissa responded with a sigh.

“Wait… Does grandfather Arcturus have a portrait at the Manor?” Hardwin asked having not had time yet to try to awaken any of them.

All of the portraits had been sent into dormancy when Arcturus had locked down the wards years ago, and his portrait wouldn't have activate until after his death. It should be dormant, but there if he;d had on made. Hardwin didn’t even know how to awaken them yet so he could speak to them. Yet another thing to add to his list of things to do.

“He does, but what the portrait knows would depend on what Arcturus knew the last time he updated it. If he didn’t update the portrait after you were named the heir then the portrait wouldn’t know anything.” Narcissa said knowing they may not get their answers there either.

“If you want to know then you may have to write to Lord Potter. He may have a few answers.” Lucius recommended seeing Hardwin’s frustration.

“I had already planned to write him when I had more information. I will need to send the letter through Gringotts though. SilverClaw was able to inform me that he had left Britain before I was born, but he couldn’t tell me where he lives now since the information is confidential.” Hardwin said knowing that it was something he would have to do to get answers.

The deaths of his parents and his survival had both been widely publicized. There were also the deposits from the Potter’s main vault to the branch vault. The man had to have known he had been left orphaned. The question was: why had he been left to the care of non-magicals? It was a useless question that did nothing for him now, but he wanted to know.

“Any answers Lord Potter could give you now would have no bearing on you now, as you are of age, at any rate. For now, the most important thing is to ensure your health and correct any medical issues. Those will continue to affect you if you don’t and could have future consequences on your health.” Andromeda said; pulling the conversation back to what was important.

“Andromeda is right. I can understand that Severus was in a difficult position, but he was needlessly cruel during his so-called lessons.” Narcissa said with a note of displeasure.

She may understand it now, but that didn’t mean she had to like it. Narcissa may not have known Hardwin was family then, but she did now. Severus had done much to protect both her cousin and her son, and she was grateful that he had as they had both made it through the war alive. She just didn’t approve of what he had done to Hardwin when it came to ‘teaching’ him occlumency. Severus hadn’t been teaching the teen at all. No, it was more like he had taken the opportunity to take the anger and hatred he’d felt for James out on his son. Now, due to the damage that had been caused between those 'lessons' and the conection toe the Dark Lord, Hardwin would have to see a mind healer for however long it took to heal.

“It’s possible some of the damage to his mind could have come from the Horcrux as well. We have no way of knowing now. Unfortunately, it may cause an issue during your marriage contract negotiations though the condition is treatable.” Lucius commented while looking over the health report again.

“Normally seeing a mind healer wouldn’t look good, but these are extenuating circumstances due to the war and your role in it. In your case, seeing a mind healer would be a good thing to help you after what you’ve been through. It shows you know you need healing and are willing to accept it.” Narcissa said, waving it off as a concern.

“Truthfully, even if you hadn’t been referred to a mind healer, I would have strongly suggested you see one after what we witnessed in the pensive. You’ve been through more stressful situations in the last few years than many experience in a lifetime. That takes a toll on both body and mind.” Andromeda said, getting nods of agreement from Lucius and Narcissa.

“There’s not much more to go over with your health report. You have confirmation of fertility for the marriage negotiations. We already know how basilisk venom and phoenix tears came to be in your system. The tears neutralized potency of the venom, but didn’t remove it from your blood.” Lucius said as he laid the report down having finished reading through it again.

“I wonder if it gives you an immunity to other snake venoms. I mean, the basilisk’s venom is the strongest there is, and it’s already in your blood.” Draco said as he remembered what Hardwin had said over dinner about a room for venomous snakes and potentially building a space on the grounds for a sanctuary.

“Well the only way I know how to test it has to do with muggle science, and that something I only know the basics of. I will have to see about getting anti-venin made as a safety precaution though.” Hardwin said thoughtfully knowing that some snakes could get testy even with a parselmouth.

“Oh, dear. It’s gotten that late?” Andromeda commented suddenly as she looked out the window to see it was dark before casting a tempus to find it was after eight.

“I apologize for having to cut the conversation here. I have an infant to get home and put into his bed.” She said as she stood, and Hardwin followed after finishing the rest of his drink.

“On that note, I should probably get back to the Manor as well. I have a Green Mamba waiting for me in a cage that is much too small for him.” Hardwin said hoping that the snake would be sleeping with his full belly, but his luck was rarely that good.

Lucius, Draco, and Narcissa all stood as Draco and Lucius said their goodbyes while Narcissa walked them to the floo room.

“Have Kreacher bring me the files with the contracts tomorrow. I have everything else I need with the health report. I will write to you to arrange a marriage meeting where you can meet and sign the contract when I’ve determined the most suitable prospect after meeting with the families to see which ones show interest. Make sure to write to me to let me know when you will be getting your treatment. I would feel better knowing so one of us can come by to check on you during the day.” Narcissa said as he got ready to step into the floo.

“Of course. I’ll let you know once I’ve spoken to the healer for the home visit.” Hardwin said before turning to throw the powder into the fire when she turned to speak to Andromeda.

“Black Manor, Wychwood Forest!” He called out as he stepped into the green flames and closed his eyes so as not to get dizzy.

Spinning through the floo system it didn’t take long before he came to a sudden stop. Harwin tried to step out as he had seen Andromeda do but didn’t manage it as he tilted forward and stumbled. He laughed when he managed to stay on his feet rather than land on his back.

“Winky. How was Teddy today? Did he give you any trouble?” Hardwin asked the elf once she’d popped into the floo room as he waved away the soot from his robes with his wand.

“Master Teddy is beings very good. Winky has no trouble caring for young Master.” Winky replied with a bright smile.

“Did you enjoy taking care of him today?” He asked wanting to make sure it had been a task she enjoyed.

“Oh, yes, Master Black. Winky likes caring for the little ones!” Winky said enthusiastically, and Hardwin could help but smile.

“Then I’ll make sure to call you if I need your help with him in the future, and I’ll let Andromeda know to call you if she needs you as well. She should be here soon to take Teddy home with her. Would you have him ready for her with his bag, please?”

“Yes, Master Black!” Winky chirped before popping away just as the floo flared and Andromeda stepped out.

It didn’t take long for Winky to return with Teddy to hand him and his bag off the Andromeda, and then for him to bid them both a good night. He watched Andromeda depart for her home after telling her to call for Winky at any time if she needed help with Teddy or even just a break before making his way to his room upstairs. He sighed tiredly as he entered and his eyes glanced over the terrarium where the snake was sleeping after its meal to fall onto the bedside table. The potions that he would need to take were resting there lined up neatly next to a glass of what looked like pumpkin juice to wash away the taste with.

He knew that Kreacher had been the one to place them there as Andromeda and the healer had both given the elf strict instructions. Kreacher would be the one to make sure he had his potions on time, and that he took them. The old elf had scolded Hardwin under his breath as he’d taken them from the healer. Hardwin knew that he would be diligent in that duty to ensure his health.

Walking across the room, Hardwin slowly got changed out of his robes into the sleep pants that had been placed there. He left the shirt that went with them there at the foot of the bed as it was a warm summer night. The thick duvet had already been pulled down and so he slipped under the black silk of the sheets after taking the organ strengtheners followed by a vision correction potion that he would have to take before bed for the next three days.

Correcting his eyesight hadn’t been necessary, but Hardwin had decided it was something he wanted. His glasses had been a hindrance during the war. He was actually surprised that Tom nor his Death Eaters had never thought to summon his glasses. His eyesight was complete shite without them. It was a weakness that could have been exploited in the past, but Hardwin was ensuring that no one else would have the opportunity.

Once his potions had been taken, he settled into the pillows and dimmed the lights with a flick of his wand. It had been a very long day, and Hardwin was exhausted. He glanced over to the snake to check on him once more as his mind drifted lazily. Sleep pulled at him with one final thought.

‘I need to find a name for him in the morning.’

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Well, that’s it for his chapter. I have to say that I don’t like how it came out, but I’ve rewritten it at least three times. This was the end result and at least had everything I needed it to have there. I would have had it posted a lot sooner, but I got caught up in playing a new game. Usually, it only takes me two days to finish, but the storyline in Tales of Arise is more extensive than I had anticipated. Almost four days I’ve spent on it so far and I’m still not done.

Anyway, I hope you like seeing a little of Hardwin’s Slytherin side. There will be a bit of a time jump in the next chapter though I don’t know when I will get that posted. I’m running on no sleep in over thirty-two hours so I’m not going to start o it until I’ve gotten a nap in. Oh, the joys of being an insomniac!

Until next time,
Ryu

Edited: 11/18/2022

Chapter Text

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 Twelve

A few days had passed since Hardwin had returned home after having dinner at Malfoy Manor. He had kept himself busy getting settled into and exploring both the manor as well as the grounds since then. He was feeling a little leery of exploring the vast portion of Wychwood forest that was within the wards of the property on his own. He knew that the wards kept out the muggles and provided a large area where magical creatures could live and be safe from the discovery of muggles. The problem was that Hardwin, all too familiar with the creatures that could be found in the depths of the Forbidden Forest, didn’t know what creatures called the Wychwood their home.

The last thing he wanted was to run into an acromantula nest when he was alone.

While exploring the forest had been put on hold, Hardwin had taken advantageof the good weather to wander and explore the grounds. He had ventured around the six greenhouses, the empty stables, the quidditch pitch, the three different beautiful floral gardens, and the orchard as he familiarized himself with everything each area offered. Even with all of that, there was yet more land that could still be put to use as he thought about the best location for him to build the sanctuary he had discussed with his cousins.

The only area of the grounds he was avoiding like the plague was the hedge maze. He could see the layout of the maze from the windows on the second floor, and though it looked beautiful, the sight of it brought up bad memories. That was one area he was determined to have repurposed once he figured out what he could put there to replace it. He couldn’t stand to look at it without seeing Cedric dying or the horror that was the ritual that had been performed that night.

When he wasn’t wandering the grounds, he busied himself either in the study going over paperwork for the family investments or in the library studying everything he could to help him with the position he was in now. He did as much research as he could to learn more about his responsibilities. He knew he would have to ask Narcissa for the names of one or more tutors to improve his etiquette, dancing, finances, politics, and more. There was so much for him to catch up on that he could still feel his anger and resentment at being left ignorant burning in the back of his mind. He knew that there was nothing that could change the past, and so he tried to let those emotions go.

At night, Hardwin often wandered into the vast library looking for information on magical serpents. He’d made notes about their natural environments, dietary needs, common medical problems, and care needs. The only problem was that there hadn’t been very many books on the subject that were helpful. Even Newt Scamander’s book, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, didn’t give him as much information as he would have expected. Oh, it had plenty of information on all kinds of magical animals and beasts, but it didn’t give a lot of detail when it came to habitats and care for the serpents. Most of the other books he had found on the subject told of their best uses in potions.

While that would be helpful for any shed skins, eggs, or venom the snakes were willing to give, it wasn’t the information he needed. Though it also made sense as many magical creatures had only been considered important for what a witch or wizard could use them for until Newt Scamander had written his book. The man had done a lot to promote understanding and conservation, and that had only continued with his son and now grandson. From what Hardwin could find, at least.

Frustrated, Hardwin had decided to send Siddra, the white crow he had purchased, with an order form for books he may not have yet. He’d included a list of all the titles he did own on the subject matter he was looking for to be sure he wouldn’t get any duplicates he didn’t need. While he was at it he’d made a list of subjects to look for in the muggle world. The Black library was expansive, but all the books were from the wizarding world and not the muggle world. His ancestors from the Blacks may have written off the muggles, but Hardwin had grown up in the muggle world. He knew they had a lot of knowledge about mundane subjects that the wizards and witches tended to ignore. He wouldn’t be such a fool as to blindly follow that bias.

The Black library would need major expantion by the time he was done.

His Hogwarts letter inviting him for his final year had also arrived the morning after the dinner with his cousins, and though the school year would be starting a little later, it was apparent that the school board deamed the repairs far enough along for classes to resume. Professor McGonagall, or he guessed it was Headmistress McGonagall now, had replied to the letter he had sent to withdraw his attendance. It was only after he had explained that he would not be neglecting his education but had chosen to self-study and maybe hire a few tutors instead due to accepting his Lordship, that she had accepted his decision. Something he was thankful for as he didn’t feel like alienating the witch. Not when being on good terms with the Headmistress could be beneficial at some point later on.

He had also received a few other letters during this time. The one from Lucius with the names of the two best solicitors in the UK came around lunch time the same day as the letter from the Headmistress. Hardwin had hired Ms. Darcia Deverill, a scion of the Deverill family, after meeting with both of those recommended to him. He had done so just in time, as the prophet ran the story of his trip ito Diagon Alley in a special evening addition. The article had been the first since the battle in which they had attempted to slander him, and it was then that Hardwin had seen why Ms. Deverill had been so highly recommended by Lucius.

She had gone after both the Daily Prophet as well as Miss Eton, who had been the one to give an interview, like a pitbull as she tore them both to shreds. The Daily Prophet had been forced to print both an apology as they retracted the article and were currently facing large fines for slander and defamation. Miss Eton had already been on thin ice with Mr. Stretton and had found herself promptly fired from the Magical Menagerie. She would be lucky to be hired by any shop that wanted his patronage after that.

Now, Hardwin stared down at one of several letters he had received that morning as he ate breakfast. He could recognize Luna’s handwriting any day. He smiled as he read the letter in which she was asking him to give the Quibbler an interview about his acceptance of his title. The Prophet’s article had only mentioned his claiming to be Lord Black briefly before slandering him over his parselmouth ability, and how he was going dark now that he had defeated Voldemort and eliminated the competition.

However, Luna hadn’t believed it for a moment, loyal friend that she was. She said she would like to visit him as well since it had been some time since they had seen each other, and this would be their last chance to do so since she would be returning to school this year while he wasn’t. How she knew he wouldn’t be returning to Hogwarts was something he brushed off as just Luna being Luna. She had some quirks, but she was one of only two of those he’d called friends who he still felt he could trust.

Three of the letters he had received that morning didn’t receive more than a glance before he placed them off to the side for Ms. Deverill to add to her growing file. He had spoken to her at length about the theft, providing copies of the paperwork from Gringotts, and she was now putting together cases against those involved as she also did some digging to see if she could find any other illegal activity. Ms. Deverill had discouraged Hardwin from having any contact with the Weasleys or Granger until the investigation was complete. Once they knew who had been involved then they would meet with the family to serve the paperwork and file a lawsuit. Though they would also need to contact Lord Potter about the theft to see if he would be pursuing a case as Lord of House. It wasn't necessarily needed, but he had the lawful right it was a Potter account and money that had been stolen.

He paused at the next letter as he recognized George’s handwriting. Hardwin had a sinking feeling in his chest as he looked at it. This wasn’t the first time George had written to him since Fred’s death, but it was still painful to be reminded of the loss. He didn’t want to believe that the twins had been part of whatever scheme their mother and sister had been involved in. Hardwin had always had a good relationship with Fred and George.

They had played quidditch together for years. The twins had broken him out of his Aunt’s before his second year with Ron. He knew they had told their mum about what they had seen, but when nothing had been done it had been Fred and George who had sent him food during the summers. They had been a bright spot in dark times with their pranks and laughter. They had helped him more than most where it had mattered. Hardwin had given them the winnings from the Triwizard Tournament because he knew that they would do something to bring that brightness and laughter to others who needed it. It had been the best use he could think of for the money after what had happened.

Hardwin dearly hoped that they hadn’t known about what their mother and sister had been doing. Even if they hadn’t, he didn’t know how things would be between them now. George hadn’t been the same since Fred had died. He was still healing from the loss, and the coming confrontation may spell the end of their friendship. Hardwin would understand if George didn’t take his side. It was his family, after all.

Even still, Hardwin couldn’t bring himself to ignore the letter from George and so he opened it. It didn’t take him long to read through what was written there. From the way it looked, George was just writing to ask him for his input in WWW as the silent partner. This wasn’t the first time Hardwin had received a letter about the shop. No matter how many times he had told them that he didn’t expect anything for the money he had given them, Fred and George had insisted he be a partner in their business even if he wasn’t sharing in the work that was put in. Since then, he had been getting reports like this one from the twins though it had been a while since communication had been cut off when the war really heated up.

Hardwin read through the report with little surprise at the lack of information. The shop had been closed for months now after Fred’s death. George was letting him know that he would be reopening next month and was asking for Hardwin to be there. He knew that it would be hard for George, but he also knew the ones he had been avoiding would probably be there. He decided to speak to Ms. Deverill about the situation with George and the shop. If she cleared him then Hardwin would invite him over so they could talk privately about the situation.

He set the letter aside for the moment as he picked up the last envelope. The writing was unfamiliar, so he cast a few spells to scan it. Hardwin picked it up curiously when it came back clean of anything harmful. Opening it, he pulled out and unfolded the parchment, his gaze falling to the signature before widening.

Marcus Alaric Flint
Scion of House Flint

Hardwin felt the flutter in his stomach return as he read the letter and was reminded once again of his encounter with the man. He had never spoken to Marcus Flint as much as he had the other day at the Menagerie. Truthfully, he knew very little about the man aside from what kind of quidditch player he had been while in school. He could count on one hand the number of times they had ever interacted, and they hadn’t spoken to each other any of those times. Those had been encounters between groups.

Sure, Marcellus and Andromeda had both been there, but it had been different. Neither of them were the same as people now that they had been during those years at school. The situations they were in had changed. They weren’t kids in rival Houses in school anymore. No, they were both young adults just coming out of a war.

Hardwin didn’t know what Marcus or his family had been through during the war, but he was sure it hadn’t been easy for them either. The Flints were one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. Voldemort would have wanted them on his side. Yet, their family had made it through the war without any of them taking the Dark Mark or being brought up on charges for crimes committed during that time. They may have been made to act like supporters, or they might have truly been supporters. The fact was that none of them had been marked, and so in the eye of the public, their name and reputation hadn’t been tarnished. Hardwin didn't even know if they had been in the UK or if they had left, but whatever the case may be, the Flint name remained clean of any accusation.

It was one point that the Flints had in their favor when he had reviewed his options for a marriage contract. The other families, apart from the Scamanders, all had at least one member who had been marked. The trials were still ongoing, but just having the mark was enough to be arrested. Hardwin’s goal was to drag the Black name back into good standing after the war, and he was sure Narcissa understood that better than most.

Another point now in their favor was that Marcus had sparked Hardwin’s interest.

“Tomorrow…” Hardwin murmured thoughtfully as he read.

It seemed that House Flint had decided to accept his offer to help find the youngest son a snake. Marcus was asking to meet with him tomorrow to make the trip into the muggle world if he had time available. Hardwin still had many things to do, but he’d not made many plans just yet, even leaving his home visit from the healer until next week in order to get things done before being bed-bound for a few days. A part of him knew he’d left his week open for the most part in the hopes that his offer would be accepted. That he would get to see Marcus Flint again to assuage a bit of his curiosity about the man.

“Saros. Please make sure one of my muggle outfits are set out for me tomorrow morning. Something tasteful, but not overly formal.” Hardwin said as he wrote his reply agreeing to floo over to Flint Manor to meet with Marcus at the suggested time.

123

Hardwin stumbled out of the floo into the receiving room of Flint Manor the next morning with a small sigh of mixed relief and displeasure. He had practiced traveling through the floo network between his and Andromeda’s homes for a while the day before after receiving the letter from Marcus. He hadn’t wanted to make a fool of himself in front of the man by being launched out of the floo like a cannonball or falling on his face. Yet, even with that practice, Hardwin still hadn’t mastered that particular method of travel. He would still need to work on it more, but at least his exit from the floo network didn’t leave him picking himself up from the floor any longer.

“Good Morning, Lord Black. Welcome to Flint Manor.” A voice drew his attention to the fact that he was not alone, and Hardwin straightened and got rid of the soot from his clothes with a small flick of his wand before slipping it back into the holster on his arm.

He felt a little inadequate standing in front of whom he assumed were Marcus, his parents, and both of his brothers while dressed in muggle clothing. They were all dressed impeccably in robes he knew must have been expensive from the cut and look of the cloth. Meanwhile, Hardwin himself was dressed in designer denims, a green button-down shirt, and a light jacket to fit in with the muggles. His gaze traveled to Marcus to see the man’s eyes trailing down his body before lingering on his legs in the skin-tight denim before moving up to connect with his own green ones.

“Good Morning, Scion Flint. Thank you for welcoming me into your home.” Hardwin straightened stiffly, having not expected to be greeted with the sight of Marcus’s parents, as he spoke the words formally to Marcus and they both gave small tilts of their heads in greeting.

“I would like to introduce you to my father Lord Maddox Flint and my mother Lady Evangeliya Flint. You have already met my brother, Marcellus, but this is my younger brother Mardyn.” Marcus said as he introduced Hardwin to his parents first, as propriety dictated, before moving on to his brothers.

“Lord and Lady Flint, Scion Flint; a pleasure to meet you all. Greetings to you as well, Heir Flint.” Hardwin said as he tilted his head in greeting to them and they returned the gesture before Maddox spoke.

“It is a pleasure to meet the new head of House Black. My sons have spoken well of you for your assistance a few days ago. I wanted to thank you on behalf of my family for your time today as well.” The man said as Hardwin forced himself not to fidget from the stoic hazel-green eyes that he knew were assessing him.

He had always been watched by others over the years he had been in the Wizarding World. Hardwin knew that he would never be comfortable with it, but he also knew that he would never be able to escape it. Not unless he became a hermit, at any rate, and that was something he refused to do. No, it wasn’t that there were five sets of eyes on him at that moment.

Hardwin was interested in Marcus. Even though Andromeda had commented on the possibility of that interest being returned; he couldn’t help his doubts. He had never felt that there was anything attractive about himself. It was one of the things that made him feel so awkward under the man’s gaze. At the same time, Hardwin tried to push away any thoughts of inadequacy or doubt as he knew they were due to the conditioning he had grown up with. He was Lord of House Black now. He had responsibilities, and he refused to let the lies and manipulations of a dead old man and his sycophants win.

“It is my pleasure to help locate a suitable serpent, Lord Flint. Fortunately, I have found a shop in the muggle world that carries a more diverse selection.” Hardwin replied; having looked for a few stores in the muggle world the day before so that he had been able to be sure they wouldn’t be running around blindly.

“Does that mean I can go with them, Father? If they are only going into the muggle world?” A young voice asked pleadingly, and Hardwin’s attention was drawn to the youngest of the Flints standing in the room.

“They will still need to travel through wizarding areas, Mardyn.” Lady Flint said softly, and Hardwin was reminded of what Andromeda had told him about how many of the old families protected their young children.

“I had planned on going through the Leaky Cauldron to get to muggle London and taking the knight bus from there. However, I may have a solution to allow Scion Mardyn to travel with us unseen if you agree to these measures Lord and Lady Flint.” Hardwin suggested upon seeing the disappointment on the child’s face.

“What would you suggest, Lord Black?” Lady Flint asked at seeing the hopeful glance her youngest gave both her and her husband.

“Winky!” Hardwin called only to frown in confusion when Kreacher appeared a few seconds later instead of Winky.

“Kreacher is sorry to be answering Winky’s summons, Master Hardwin. Winky be taking care of young Master Edward and not leaving him alone.” Kreacher said with a low bow, and Hardwin felt some of the tension leave his shoulders with his reasoning.

“Very well. I need you to retrieve my father’s cloak and bring it to me. Then tell Winky to take Teddy to the Manor, and let my cousin know I ordered it. The wards at the Manor are far stronger than those on Andromeda’s home.” He said before the elf popped out, returning quickly with what he had asked for and handing it to Hardwin, and popping back out again.

“An invisibility cloak?” Lord Flint asked with a note of surprise and a raised brow.

“I was thinking, with your permission, Lord and Lady Flint, that Scion Mardyn could use the cloak until we reach the muggle world. It is an heirloom that is bonded to my line. I would still be able to see him while others would not.” Hardwin said as he let the slinky material slide between his fingers with an iridescent shimmer to brush the floor before he used his other hand to spread it out.

He knew that he was stretching the truth a bit, but he couldn’t tell the truth in full. Hermione and Ron might suspect, but only Hardwin knew the truth about the Hallows. He had never told them that his cloak was one of them. Nor had he told them of the change that had occurred after he had walked to his death that night. He would be the last owner of all three items for he would never tell anyone the truth of their existence.

He had snapped the Elder Wand in front of both Ron and Hermione after the battle before throwing it into the ravine, and the stone had been dropped in the Forbidden Forest as he’d walked to his death. The cloak was the only one that Hardwin had kept, and yet both the wand and the stone had appeared next to him the next day when he awoke. He had tried to get rid of them several times before giving up when they would just appear again.

The Elder Wand was now hidden in a holster on his leg. The Cloak had been placed carefully into his wardrobe. The Resurrection Stone had been placed in his nightstand until he could decide what to do with it. Hardwin didn’t believe the hogwash about being the Master of Death. He refused to believe that it was for any other reason than that he carried the Peverell blood that the three items now seemed to be bonded to him as they were.

“It would allow Mardyn to help choose his new pet, Father. As well as help Lord Black to match him with a snake suited to him if he were there with us.” Marcus supplied; his voice bringing Hardwin out of his thoughts about the Hallows.

“Marcus will be able to look after him as well, dear. I’m sure Lord Black can navigate the muggle world well enough that they will be fine during their outing.” Lady Flint said softly to her husband as she looked between the three of them.

“The shop we will be going to is in Farnborough. I’m not familiar with the area, but I could apparate us to Little Whinging from Diagon, and we could take a muggle cab from there to the shop. I know a squib in the area, and can ask to use her telephone to call for one as the muggles do.” Hardwin suggested.

“That sounds like a fine idea.” Lord Flint finally said much to Mardyn’s delight as the boy smiled at his parents.

“Do either of you have any muggle attire?” Hardwin asked now that they had Lord Flint’s approval for Mardyn to join them.

“We don’t go into the muggle world often enough to need them. I was going to transfigure what I’m already wearing.” Marcus answered and Hardwin nodded in agreement.

“Alright.” He said and watched quietly as Marcus transfigured his and Mardyns pants, shirts, and robes before biting his lip and clearing his throat at seeing what he had done.

“Do you mind if I make a few changes? The spellwork is good, but style is a bit out of date to what muggles our age are wearing right now.” Hardwin said knowing they would attract attention with Marcus and Mardyn dressed like they’d stepped out of a wormhole from the fifties.

“You would know better than I.” Marcus admitted as he made a gesture for him to go ahead, and it didn’t take Hardwin long to change their outfits to be similar to what he had seen in the stores he had visited when he went shopping.

“Just the three of us, I take it?” He asked as he stepped back from the detail work and swung his invisibility cloak around Mardyn’s shoulders; the eight-year-old laughing as he disappeared from the neck down when Hardwin closed the clasp.

“Yes. We just wanted to see Marcus off. It was delightful to meet you, Lord Black.” Lady Flint said with a smile as she glanced at her sons.

“Behave for both Lord Black and your brother, Mardyn. Thank you once again for your assistance, Lord Black. I look forward to our interactions in the future.” Lord Flint said stiffly before turning to lead his wife out of the room once he’d received a nod of compliance to his order from Mardyn.

“It was good to see you again, Lord Black. Have fun Mardyn. I will see both you and Marcus tomorrow.” Marcellus said before Mardyn looked at him curiously.

“Do you have a date with Adriana tonight?” He asked curiously, and Hardwin assumed that must be his betrothed as he knew Marcellus had his own marriage contract from Narcissa.

“I do.” Marcellus affirmed before nodding to both Marcus and Hardwin and following his parents out of the room.

“Alright. We will be going into the muggle world so please feel free to call me Hardwin. Muggles tend to be a lot less formal than we do unless the situation calls for it.” Hardwin said as he straightened his jacket and Marcus nodded.

“I would prefer it if you could use my name as well. Mardyn?” He asked his brother who smiled and nodded enthusiastically.

“Please call me Mardyn.” He said as he shuffled around a bit under the cloak.

“Very well. Marcus, could you follow me through the floo with Mardyn? I’ll put up a notice-me-not when I arrive in case the cloak shifts so he's not revealed.” Hardwin explained as he turned to the fireplace and took a pinch of powder from the bowl on the mantel.

“Of course.” Marcus responded as Mardyn stepped closer to his brother and pulled up the hood of the invisibility cloak.

“I’ll see you both in a moment then. The Leaky Cauldron, Diagon Alley!” He said before stepping into the floo in a flash of green fire.

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Well, that’s it for this chapter. I had a harder time with this one than I had thought I would. I almost completely forgot about Hardwin’s trip into the muggle world with Marcus. Mardyn joining them and Hardwin meeting Lord and Lady Flint hadn’t been planned either. Anyway, I’ve got a few ideas for the next chapter. Don’t know how long it will take though. My attention has been drawn to reading Queer As Folk fanfiction at the moment so it depends on how well I can concentrate on this.

Ryu

Edited: 11/18/2022

Chapter Text

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 Thirteen

Hardwin sighed with a bit of relief as he managed to stay on his feet as he stepped out of the floo into the Leaky Cauldron before quickly casting a notice-me-not around the fireplace. He took a moment to banish the soot and tidy himself up before Marcus stepped out a moment later with Mardyn hidden under the cloak. Hardwin could see that he had a tight grip on his older brother’s forearm as the man kept them both on their feet when they stepped out of the flames. He waited for the two of them to step away from the floo before silently dispelling the notice-me-not and leading them out of the pub into muggle London without speaking so they didn’t draw any more attention to them.

“We can use the ally here.” Hardwin said quietly as he glanced around to be sure no muggles were watching before leading them into the secluded area.

Once he was sure they were out of sight, Hardwin turned back to look at the two brothers. He couldn’t help the small smile at seeing Mardyn looking around curiously. The boy acted as refined as most of the pureblood children Hardwin had met over the years, but he could also see the innocence there. It made sense to him now, in a way, after Andromeda had explained why most pure-blooded wizarding families didn’t allow their young children away from the safety of their family estates. They were sheltered in a way because of it. This was possibly the first time Mardyn had been allowed to venture into the world away from the security of the Flint wards. This was also likely the first time he was seeing the muggle world as well.

“I’ll apparate us to a park in Little Whinging. There is a secluded area we warded from muggles during the war. It'll be a short walk from the part to where Mrs. Figg lives.” Hardwin said knowing he would have no other choice since they could not travel on the Knight Bus with Mardyn; nor did he have a muggle telephone to call for one of their cabs to get them to the shop.

“Come, Mardyn. There will be more to see than an ally in muggle London.” Marcus said as he motioned for his brother to take hold of the arm Hardwin was holding out for them.

It was only once they both had a firm grip that Hardwin concentrated on enveloping them in his magic before he fixed his thoughts on the image of their destination. He managed to apparate all three of them with a quiet crack to the warded area hidden by a few trees near the park. He glanced around to be sure the wards hadn’t weakened to allow muggles to see them. It was only once he found they hadn’t that he relaxed.

“You can take off the cloak, Mardyn. Kreacher, I need you to put the cloak away. We won’t be needing it anymore today.” Hardwin said once the elf had appeared and Mardyn handed it over before Kreacher left again with a silent pop.

“Why was this area warded so heavily?” Marcus asked as he glanced over the runes inscribed into the bases of the tree once the elf had left and Hardwin led them out from between the trees to where they could see an empty playground.

“This area, as well as several others across England and Scotland, were warded from muggle detection during the war for safe escape routes for the members of the Order of the Phoenix. I grew up in this area, and so I was always under surveillance once HE returned. This site was used for my watchers to come and go, but it was abandoned by the Order after my seventeenth birthday. It was too dangerous to return here.” Hardwin explained quietly as he looked around before turning away to lead them to Wisteria Walk only to pause with Marcus when Mardyn didn’t follow.

“What is this place?” Mardyn asked as he looked around at the playground equipment curiously.

“This is a playground. Muggles bring their children here to play and have fun. They can socialize with other children who live in the area this way. It also gives their parents a break when they send their children out of the house to play.” Hardwin said as he tried to explain since he knew wizarding families had nothing like this for their children.

Wizarding families differed from muggles in many ways, and this was only one of them. He knew from speaking to his old housemates at Hogwarts that wizarding families based more on the education of their children. They were also a lot more selective about who their children could associate with in their formative years. It was as much of a safety precaution as it was an isolation. In this way, the parents could teach the child the views of their family when it came to the outside world. Hardwin didn’t approve of it, but he could also understand it. Muggles didn’t worry as much about the continuation of their family lines or their teachings and traditions. Most families only had one or two sons, if any sons were born at all, to continue the family line and so it made sense that they would be overly cautious when it came to their safety.

“How do they play on these?” Mardyn asked as he looked around, and Hardwin took a few moments to explain how the swings, slide, merry-go-round, see-saw, and the monkey bars worked before Mardyn turned to look pleadingly at his brother.

“Could we come back here again Marc? I want to try this playground.” He asked, and Hardwin could see that Marcus was having a hard time answering.

He could tell that he didn’t want to tell his brother no, but he also knew that Lord and Lady Flint may not be agreeable to the idea. It didn’t help that Marcus didn’t really know how the muggles played on the equipment. He probably also didn’t want to spend time around the muggles themselves. Hardwin couldn’t bring himself to offer to accompany them to help plead Mardyn’s case either. He really didn’t want to come back to Little Whinging unless he had no other choice when he dealt with his Aunt over the money she had been paid from his vault.

“Why don’t you wait to ask your parents when you return home? I’m sure your brother doesn’t want you to be disappointed if he were to agree only for your parents to be displeased. They may not be comfortable with you spending so much time around the muggles. I’m not saying all muggles are bad, but just like there are both good and bad witches and wizards, there are good and bad muggles. Their first concern is going to be your safety.” Hardwin explained knowing that it would likely be their main concern.

“He is right, Mardyn. The only reason they allowed for you to come with me today was only because Hardwin is familiar with the muggle world, and he offered for you to use his invisibility cloak.” Marcus said with a small crease in his brow, and Hardwin knew he didn’t like disappointing his little brother.

“I understand.” Mardyn replied as he tried to hide his disappointment while Hardwin motioned the direction they needed to go.

“How far is the house where you grew up? Would you show us?” Mardyn asked curiously after being silent for a moment, and Hardwin nodded even as he cringed inside at the thought of going to Privet Drive.

“It’s only a block over from where we need to go.” Hardwin admitted knowing that he didn’t have a good excuse not to show them the house, and he didn’t want to disappoint the eight-year-old again after being denied playing on the muggle playground.

He knew it was likely that his relatives had probably moved back in by now. They had been moved away to a safe house for the duration of the war, but they hadn’t sold the house as they’d had every intention of returning. Someone from the Order must have told them it was safe for them to come back by now. He only hoped he didn’t see them. He was still angry after finding out about the money Petunia had been paid from his vaults, and he really did not want a confrontation with his present company.

The walk didn’t take them long before Hardwin paused at the corner of Privet Drive. He cursed himself for his weakness when it came to kids. It didn’t help that Mardyn was Marcus’s little brother. He admitted to himself that his interest in the wizard was also a part of it.

Hardwin felt a little torn in his decision to have brought them here. He hadn’t planned on ever returning to Little Whinging, but it was the closest he could apparate them to where they were going. He hated the thought of anyone else seeing the house that had been his prison until he came of age. At the same time, he knew the two wizards were curious as they looked around the muggle neighborhood. He could see the wariness in Marcus as well, but he thought that had more to do with the fact that he was around muggles, who he had little to no experience with, and that Maryn was with them.

“This is it.” Hardwin said as he stopped in front of number four with a small crease on his brow as he looked around the front yard.

The lawn was overgrown, and the flowerbeds were choked with weeds. The house looked abandoned as dirt caked on the windows, and the place looked neglected. It was obvious to Hardwin that no one was living here. It didn’t make sense though. The war had been over for months now. His relatives should have returned.

“This is where you grew up?” Marcus asked; his voice devoid of any emotion that would tell Hardwin what he thought.

“It doesn’t look like anyone lives here.” Mardyn commented; a grimace on his face as he looked around.

“It is. Though this makes no sense. My mother’s relatives were moved to a safe house when the war heated up just before I turned seventeen. They should have been back now that the war is over.” Hardin replied before turning away as he noticed one of the neighbors peeking out at them from the house next door.

“Let’s go. Mrs. Figg should be able to tell me what has happened.” Hardwin said as he started walking to take them the next block over to Wisteria Walk.

“Who is Mrs. Figg?” Mardyn asked as they followed.

“Mrs. Figg is a squib. She’s a member of the Order of the Pheonix. Dumbledore had her moved here when I was placed with my relatives to watch me.” Hardwin told them with a hint of disgust in his tone that he couldn’t hide after he’d found out the things he had recently.

“What is the Order of the Pheonix?” Mardyn asked, and Hardwin glanced at Marcus who answered.

“The Order of the Phoenix was a secret organization created by Dumbledore to fight the Dark Lord during the first war.” Marcus said, and Hardwin snorted.

“Not much of a secret though. The Order was gathered again after Tom’s return. A lot of the members died during both wars, and a couple will spend their lives in St. Mungos. You will most likely learn about them in Hogwarts when you attend in a few years. Provided McGonagall replaces Binns.” Hardwin said as he stopped in front of a house where several cats roamed or lay around the yard.

“Is this it?” Marcus asked as they watched what looked to be a kneazle mix spot them before running into the house through a flap on the door.

“Yes. She’ll know we’re here.” Hardwin said before leading them up the path to the door where he knocked just as the door was yanked open to reveal Mrs. Figg.

“Harry! What are you doing here?! It’s not safe. Not safe at all! Come in!” She said as she opened the door and motioned for them to enter quickly before shutting the door and throwing the latch.

“Not safe? What do you mean, Mrs. Figg?” Hardwin asked in confusion as he tried not to breathe too deeply with the smell of the ammonia in the house from all the cats the woman had both inside and outside of her home.

“What do I mean? The war, boy! You shouldn’t be here. What if you were seen!” Mrs. Figg stated as she glanced out of the windows worriedly.

“The war is over, Mrs. Figg. Didn’t anyone tell you?” Hardwin asked incredulously to which she paused.

“It’s over? I haven’t had contact in months! No one has told me anything.” The woman said as she turned away from the window to look more closely at him.

“Who was your contact?” He asked knowing that something must have gone wrong; first with his relatives not returning home and now with Figg thinking they were still at war.

“Remus and Tonks have been keeping me informed since Alastor died.” She informed him, and Hardwin felt a pang in his heart.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Figg. I didn’t know. The war ended a little over three months ago. Remus and Tonks were lost in the battle.” Hardwin informed her as she stumbled a bit at sat down at the news.

“Oh, no. Oh, dear. What about their son? Tonks told me in her last letter that they had just had a little boy.” She asked as she motioned for them to have a seat.

“Teddy is fine. I have shared custody with his grandmother. He’s at home with one of my house-elves right now.” Hardwin said as they sat down.

“That’s right. Remus was so proud when he told me you had accepted to be the godfather to his child. Did we lose anyone else?” She asked with sadness in her voice.

“Yes. Severus Snape and Fred Weasley from the Order, but there were more than fifty others outside of the Order. A lot of those students at the school.” Hardwin replied as he cleared the air around himself and both Flint brothers from the smell of the house with a subtle wave of his wand before slipping it back into his sleeve.

“No one in the Order has contacted you?” He asked with some disbelief when she’d gone silent.

“No one. Thank you, Harry, for telling me. Has the Order been disbanded again then? It’s all over? He’s not coming back?” She asked as the fear started to fade from her expression to be replaced with some sadness.

“It’s over. He’s not coming back this time. We made sure of it. I’ll notify Kingsley that he needs to contact you so he can send someone to fill you in. Where Remus and Tonks also the ones in charge of telling Petunia and Vernon the war was over so they could leave the safe house?” He asked, wanting to find out why his relatives hadn’t returned.

He may not care for them, and he may be angry with Petunia, but he didn’t wish them the harm Tom and his Death Eaters could have done to them if they’d fallen into his hands. No one deserved that.

“No. I’ll need to call them to let them know it’s safe now. I’m sorry. My manners aren’t the best today. I’m Arabella Figg. Would you like some tea?” She said as she finally seemed to notice he had two strangers with him.

“It’s fine, Mrs. Figg. Understandable given that you hadn’t been told about the war. My companions here are Marcus and Mardyn Flint. I actually came to ask if I could use your telephone to call a cab for us. We’re visiting a few muggle shops today, but I’m not familiar enough with the area to apparate us there.” Hardwin explained as Mardyn leaned down to pet one of the cats that had come up to him.

“Of course, Harry. I could call a cab for you if you like? Unless you know the number?” Mrs. Figg offered a bit timidly.

“That would be great, thank you. If you have pen and paper I can get a note to Kingsley. He can send someone to fill you in on what has been happening.” Hardwin told her, accepting the paper and pen when she handed them to him before walking toward the kitchen to make the call for him.

“I apologize for the delay. It seems there are a few things that have been overlooked that I will need to tend to. We should be able to get going once the cab gets here. Kreacher!” Hardwin said as he called for his house-elf and wrote a quick note to Kingsley Shacklebolt who was currently acting as the interim Minister.

“It’s understandable.” Marcus replied quietly Hardwin handed the folded sheet of paper to his elf.

“Take this directly to Kingsley Shacklebolt. Wait for a response and leave it on my desk in the study. I’ll take care of it when I return to the Manor.” He instructed before the elf popped away and he sighed a bit with the thought of how this day was already going wrong.

He had thought that it would be a relatively quick trip into the muggle world to get the snake for the youngest Flint Scion. The Order had been disbanded in May, but now he was having to deal with this breakdown in communication. Shouldn’t Shacklebolt or McGonagall have known to inform Figg? They were the ones who had taken over the leadership of the Order after Moody had died. One of them had to have known that the woman would need to be informed that the war was over. Now it was falling to him to have been the messanger. It was just another reminder to him about their losses. Hardwin couldn’t help but wonder if anything else had fallen through the cracks.

It didn’t help that he knew Marcus was watching. He knew that the Slytherin was only as quiet as he was because he was gathering information as he watched and listened. This was a part of his life that he had thought had ended with the war. He just knew that if anything did proceed between them in the future then he would probably be answering some questions. Which, to be fair, Marcus would be entitled to know if he became a part of Hardwin’s life with all of Andromeda’s and Narcissa’s scheming after the dinner with his cousins a few days previously. He didn’t doubt that they were plotting something after Andromeda had told Narcissa about his interest in the man. Andromeda would be looking out for his best interests in a marriage partner while Narcissa would look out for the best interests of their family name. Hardwin knew that he could trust the decision of his marriage to those two.

“The cab should be here in about ten minutes. Are you sure I can’t get you anything while you wait?” Mrs. Figg asked as she came back into the room, and Hardwin stood with Marcus and Mardyn following.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Figg, but we are quite alright. Someone should contact you within the next day or so to catch you up on current events. I do appreciate you calling the cab for us.” Hardwin said knowing he didn’t want to hang around inside now that the cab was on its way.

He had never liked coming to her house as a child, and he surely didn’t want to linger now. He would give her credit for helping him during his trial before his fifth year by stepping forward as a witness to the presence of the Dementors. He did appreciate her action for that, but knowing the things he does now about Dumbledore, he couldn’t bring himself to trust the woman in the slightest. She had babysat him many times as a child, and the evidence of his mistreatment by his relatives had been poorly hidden. He did not care to ask if she had ever reported it to Dumbledore or not because that was a time in his life he would really just like to forget.

“It was no problem. Thank you for letting me know about what has happened, Harry. I’m happy to see you made it through the war as well as you appear to have. I have been worried for you and the others.” Mrs. Figg admitted quietly before she followed them to the door where Hardwin paused once Mardyn and Marcus had exited.

“You have a pleasant afternoon, Mrs. Figg.” He said in parting before walking out to join them on the sidewalk to wait for their ride.

123

The trip from Mrs. Figg’s to the Reptasia in Farnborough had been mostly quiet apart from occasional questions asked by Mardyn who was seated between Marcus and Hardwin. It had been amusing to Hardwin to see the two of them when the cab had pulled up. It was evident that neither of them had any experience with muggle transportation. Hardwin found it both amusing as well as endearing to watch both of their reactions to these unknown aspects of the muggle world.

Hardwin had made sure that Mardyn was strapped in properly with the seatbelt as the child tried to restrain his excitement and curiosity while looking around the inside of the cab. He’d had to show Marcus how to place the strap over his shoulder as he fastened the lap belt into place with the buckle by having him mimic his motions.

He’d handed the slip of paper to the driver with the address with only a simple greeting as his attention stayed on the young wizarding child quietly asking questions. It hadn’t taken long for the vehicle to start moving, or for him to give a silent nod toward Marcus to confirm that this was what was supposed to happen in a muggle cab. Mardyn’s questions eventually slowed down until he just watched the scenery pass by from the windows. Marcus remained quiet for the most part, and Hardwin figured that he just didn’t want to speak around their muggle driver.

The cab ride only took about thirty minutes. The driver had made the drive with good time, but Hardwin could see that the wait must have irritated Marcus as he could see the man repressing a small sneer. Hardwin couldn’t hold it against him. It was likely that it had never taken him so long to arrive anywhere he went before. Apparition, Floo, portkey, and even the Knight Bus were all much faster methods of travel that muggles just couldn’t compete with. Hardwin didn’t mind the time it took to travel by muggle methods unless he was in a hurry.

“This is the shop.” Hardwin murmured when the cab pulled to the side of the street and came to a stop in front of the shop Hardwin had found when he searched online at the muggle library.

“How do I get out?” Mardyn asked as he tried tugging on the lap belt until Hardwin pressed the release first on his own seatbelt before showing both Marcus and his brother how when he repeated the action with Mardyn’s belt, and they all got out of the cab.

“Here you are.” Hardwin said as he handed over the fare with a generous tip while Marcus and Mardyn looked around the front of the white building behind him.

“You need to be careful with what you say when we go inside. Remember that we’re around muggles.” Marcus warned his brother as Hardwin stepped up beside them and the cab drove away.

“I will be careful. Can we go in now?” Mardyn replied getting a bit impatient now that he was so close to finding the pet snake he had been promised.

“Not just yet. Your brother is right about any references to magic. We’re going to need to be careful. We’ll look around to see what they have first. That way you can tell me which snake you like most, and we can make sure no muggles are close by when I speak to it. Different kinds of snakes will have different needs so you have to make sure that you will be able to provide for those needs properly. It’s easier with magic, but they all have different needs when it comes to the temperature of their environment as well as the moisture in the air, and the food they like to eat. They don’t close until six o’clock so we still have several hours to look.” Hardwin told him as the child’s eyes got bigger with every requirement he listed for their care.

“Is it a lot of work?” Mardyn asked as he glanced at his brother in the hope that Hardwin was joking only for Marcus to give a short nod to confirm that Hardwin knew what he was talking about.

“It can be, but luckily, we have spells that can be used to make it much easier and they can tell me what they would prefer to eat or if they have any demands. That way we can make sure both you and your new pet are happy. So, are you ready?” Hardwin asked with a small smile so as not to discourage Mardyn.

“I’m ready!” Mardyn replied with a small smile and a glint of delight in his eyes.

“Alright. Let’s see what they have.” Hardwin replied as he opened the glass door and held it for Mardyn who hurried inside.

He paused, however, when Marcus didn’t immediately follow his brother. Hardwin froze when he looked up to see that Marcus’s gaze hadn’t followed Mardyn at all but was watching him instead. He waited a moment as he looked up at the other man when he didn’t speak. Hardwin felt that same flutter at being the focus of those dark eyes now that he had felt the last time.

“Is something wrong?” Hardwin asked as he shifted a little nervously as he glanced inside to make sure he didn’t lose Mardyn before looking back at Marcus.

“Not at all.” Marcus answered simply before stepping up next to Hardwin and taking the door from his hold.

“Oh. Thank you.” Hardwin replied when Marcus nudged him through with a surprisingly gentle hand to the small of his back.

“Hm.” Was his only reply as Marcus followed through the door before dropping his hand and stepping away to look around.

Hardwin stood near the door thoughtfully for a moment as he pondered over the gesture. He honestly didn’t know what to think at that moment. He had little to no experience when it came to relationships or what counted as flirting. He didn’t know what to think about his interactions with the former Slytherin. Hardwin knew he was interested, but he felt unsure of what Marcus was thinking. They didn’t know each other well enough for him to have any idea of why the man had been acting the way he had toward him.

The problem was that Hardwin didn’t have the time to figure it out, either. He would be betrothed within the next two months and married within a year and a half. He didn’t know who Narcissa would choose for his spouse. He didn’t even know if he would like them. What Hardwin did know was that he would need to stay true to whoever it was with the fidelity clause included in every Black marriage contract according to the family charter.

Hardwin hesitated to indulge in his interest toward Marcus because of this. Narcissa had said nothing over the last few days about setting up a marriage meeting or which families she intended on speaking to. Hardwin had hoped Lord Flint would have approached her, but his cousin had said nothing to that effect. He may be interested in Marcus, but he would have to go along with whatever match was best for his family when it came down to it. The problem was that nothing was certain until Narcissa gave him the date and time he would be expected for a marriage meeting.

Hardwin felt like lead had settled into his gut to replace the fluttering as he moved further into the shop.

123456

Well, that’s it for this chapter. Sorry that it’s taken so long to get out. I was stuck for a minute and caught up in reading Queer As Folk fanfiction. I binged on it for a while, but I think it’s passed now. ^_^ Anyway, this chapter did not go how I was expecting it to at all. The whole thing with Figg and the Order were not planned, but I guess it’s happening since I thought about deleting it several times, but it just works better for something later.

Some development between Hardwin and Marcus toward the end there. Mardyn kinda took over through most of the chapter though. It’s still early days with Marcus and Hardwin so it works this way. There will be more next chapter though I don’t know how long it will take. I have a few ideas.

Until the next update,
Ryu

Edited: 11/18/2022

Chapter Text

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 Fourteen

Hardwin took a steadying breath as he tried to ignore the way Marcus had made him feel before he started looking around the inside of the shop. The first thing he noticed was that it was a lot cleaner in comparison to what he had seen at the Magical Menagerie. Looking into each of the different display terrariums stacked and lined along the wall he could see that each one had been set up to meet the animal’s needs. This pleased him as he had hated seeing the conditions Dipili had been kept in before he had been gifted to Hardwin.

There were a variety of different animals in the displays though he could hear a couple of voices from the displays a bit further down that Mardyn was peering into. A lot of them were ones that Hardwin had never even heard of before. Looking around, Hardwin read the types of animals contained in various enclosures that were written on the glass with their prices as he avoided the snakes for the moment to give Mardyn a chance to see what his options were.

Wandering the shop he could see they carried several different types of geckos. He had never known there were so many such as Crested, Leopard, African Fat Tails, Elegant, Gargoyle, Giant Ground, Giant Madagascan Day, and Halmahera Giant Geckos. The leopard geckos came in different colors which he guessed must have been what they meant when he read the different names of something called morphs.

Wandering the shop he found a wide range of Bearded Dragons, Skinks, Chameleons, Iguanas, Monitors, Lizards, Tortoises, Turtles, Frogs, and Toads. There were different insects that Hardwin guessed the animals ate. He avoided one display at seeing the Curly Haired, Mexican Red Knee, and Mexican Orange Beauty Tarantulas. Hardwin was also surprised to find that the shop carried rodents like mice, gerbils, and hamsters. He had thought to find mice meant to be fed to the reptiles, but these looked like they were meant to be pets. They even had two little spikey-looking critters labeled as Tenrecs.

“Is there anything I can help you find?” Hardwin heard as a muggle teen who looked to be a couple of years younger than himself came up beside him.

“I am just looking at what you have available while I wait for my friend and his little brother to decide what snake to get. I don’t think you carry what I would be looking for.” Hardwin replied with a bland smile as he glanced over to see Marcus and Mardyn talking quietly while the child stared into one of the snake displays.

“What would you be looking for? We get all kinds of reptiles and exotics in here.” The muggle asked, and Hardwin paused thoughtfully before replying.

“I’m more interested in venomous snakes.” He mused as he thought about how most would be intimidated by a snake whose bite was so toxic, and yet, Dipili was the most mellow snake he had come across since before entering Hogwarts.

“You have experience with venomous snakes?” The teen asked curiously; his brows raised in surprise as he followed Hardwin around a display of glass terrariums and lights.

“I do.” Hardwin replied as he started growing tired of the conversation, and was getting ready to make an excuse to join Marcus.

“One moment!” The teen said before leaving Hardwin to stare after him as he hurried toward the back of the store.

“Everything alright?” Marcus asked when Hardwin shook his head and moved over toward him.

“Fine. Has Mardyn found one he wants?” Hardwin asked as he looked over at the child who was moving between two different enclosures.

“He wants all of them.” Marcus replied with amusement that could be heard in his voice even when Hardwin could see none in his expression.

“I don’t doubt it. Oh, I hope it isn’t that one. Burmese Pythons get rather large. He wouldn’t be able to carry her within the next few years.” Hardwin commented when Mardyn paused in front of one of the displays.

“It’s small right now.” Marcus commented looking over his brother’s shoulder.

“She won’t be that small when she’s fully grown. The first snake I ever spoke to was a Burmese Python at a muggle zoo. They can grow up to twenty-six feet long from what I remember.” Hardwin informed him as Mardyn shifted to looking at a different snake.

“How old were you?” Marcus asked as his gaze moved to Hardwin.

“It was just before I got my Hogwarts letter so I was ten or eleven. I didn’t even know I was speaking in parseltongue. The conversation was mostly one-sided, but then my cousin pushed me so that he could see the snake. My magic acted up, the glass vanished, and the snake got out. My cousin fell into the enclosure, and Dudley ended up trapped inside when the glass reappeared. The muggles were all running around screaming while the snake made its escape.” Hardwin commented with a smile of amusement when he could see Marcus’s lips quirk into a small smirk.

“What other snakes have you spoken to?” Marcus asked as Mardyn paused in front of yet another snake and stared through the glass.

“Not many. There was the cobra in my second year, but to was too agitated by the spell Lockheart used on it to listen to me. There were only two others I had any contact with, but they weren’t good experiences. They were too busy trying to kill me to listen even if I had tried speaking with them.” Hardwin replied quietly as the muggle clerk who had spoken to him earlier came back with an older man who looked to be in his forties.

“You’ll have to tell me about those last two when we have some time.” Marcus said as he eyed the two muggles as they stopped in front of them.

“Hello. My name is Ryan Roberts. I’m the owner of Reptasia. My son tells me one of you has experience with venomous snakes, and are looking to expand your collection?” The man asked as he glanced between Hardwin and Marcus to determine who he was speaking to.

“That would be me. A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Roberts. My name is Hardwin Black.” Hardwin replied politely as he introduced himself.

“Yes, well, it just so happens we might have something you would be interested in. A local collector recently passed on, and his family had no interest in taking over the care of his collection. They were brought in just yesterday, but I hadn’t known at the time that the collection included a few venomous snakes. I’m afraid I’m not well equipped to handle them, and so they are still in the closed buckets I received them.” Mr. Roberts explained to Hardwin’s rising curiosity.

“I am interested. Do you know what kind of snakes they are, and how many did you receive?” Hardwin asked as the man smiled.

“There are three of them. I haven’t seen them so I am not sure of their condition. I would assume they have been as well cared for as the others were. I would have to check the papers to be able to tell you which species. I think one of them was a cobra.” Mr. Roberts said before they were interrupted by a child’s voice.

“Really? Can I see?” Mardyn asked to which Hardwin had to smile.

“If you could give me a moment, I would be interested in seeing them. Until then, perhaps you could check those papers. I would like to know exactly what I will be taking home so I know their dietary and care needs. If you could also bring them out so I can have a look at them?” Hardwin asked to Mr. Roberts visible pleasure.

“Of course. Leon, if you could go retrieve them. Be careful though and do so slowly. We don’t want to aggravate them. I’ll get the papers detailing the collection.” Mr. Roberts said to his son before they both went to do what was needed.

“Alright. Have you found the snake you want, Mardyn?” Hardwin asked as he turned back to the child now that the muggles were distracted.

“I want this one.” Mardyn replied with a nod before he led them over to one of the cases that were labeled as Tiger Carpet Python 100% Het Albino.

$Hello.$ Hardwin hissed quietly at the snake that couldn’t be more than two feet long; earning a gasp of delight from the child crouched down next to him to watch.

$A human that speaks. Does the other one?$ The snake replied as Hardwin drew its attention.

$No, he cannot understand you as I can. Do you enjoy it here?$ Hardwin asked as he wanted to make sure that the snake would be amenable to leaving with Mardyn.

$I do not. Too many humans looking. Their faces pressed close. It is irritating.$ The snake replied, and Hardwin could understand that.

He’d felt that way all the time at Hogwarts.

$Would you like to leave? Have a new territory?$ He asked knowing this may appeal to the snake.

$Territory is too small. Would like bigger.$ The snake, which had a feminine voice, said as it curled closer to the glass.

$The little human here, his name is Mardyn. He is still a nestling, but his nestmates are both older. There is much territory there, and he is looking for a companion.$ Hardwin said, and he could tell she was interested.

$I could hunt? There is no hunting here. The humans give prey. No hunt.$ She said with a tone of dissatisfaction.

$I could tell him to release prey for you to hunt for yourself. You would only need to be his companion. To be with him so he is not lonely. Would you like to be his companion?$ Hardwin asked already knowing she was either smarter than some snakes by the way she spoke, or it was becuse she had been around humans and other snakes since she hatched.

$Yes. I will be the little human’s companion.$ She replied before Hardwin stood back up with a nod.

“She’s agreed, but you have to let her hunt for herself. Just let her prey go in the room with her, and she can hunt. She also may want to wander around your home to explore the territory.” Hardwin told him and received a bright smile from the child that showed off the same crooked teeth his older brother had.

“I can do that. It’s a girl?” Mardyn asked and Hardwin nodded before looking up as Marcus waived to draw his attention to Leon returning with two buckets with secured lids that he set down slowly.

“I’ll just get the last one now. Dad is coming with their information.” Leon said with a nod toward where his father was stepping out from what looked to be an office before leaving to get the last one for them to look at.

“I’ve found them, Mr. Black. The family has it written here that there is a Cape Cobra, a Red Phase Bush Viper, and a White-Lipped Island Pit Viper. Luckily, the previous owner kept files on each of his reptiles. These are the ones with their details.” Mr. Roberts said as he handed three folders to Hardwin.

Opening the first folder, Hardwin found that the man who had kept these snakes was meticulous. There was a picture of the snake with records of weight, length, feeding, temperature levels, humidity levels, and dates the Cape Cobra had shed. Hardwin looked through the three folders to see the pictures to get an idea of the sizes of the snakes. He started with the Cape Cobra before looking at the White-Lipped Island Pit Viper, and then finally the Red Phase Bush Viper. The Cobra had vividly yellow scales which Hardwin had never seen before, the pit viper’s scales had a distinct blue coloring, and the bush viper was a vivid red that almost looked like the shades of the color shifted from one spiked scale to the next between different shades of red and yellow. All three snakes drew the eye with color one wouldn’t expect to see from snake scales.

“They are beautiful animals, but I’m not equipped for the venomous ones. I just want them to go to someone who knows what they’re doing.” Mr. Roberts said as his son approached them with the last one of the covered buckets and set it down gently next to the others.

“Well, I’m willing to take them. How much were you wanting for them?” Hardwin asked as he handed the files to Marcus so he and Mardyn could see the pictures.

“I’m not asking anything. Honestly, you’re taking a problem off my hands. Are you sure you’ll be alright taking them? I don’t want to be responsible for any accidents.” Mr. Roberts said with some concern.

“I’d be glad to do so, Mr. Roberts. Though I will also need to pick up a few Anoles and rodents since all I have at home are birds and newts for my Mamba. We’ll also need the Carpet Python there.” Hardwin replied having seen the three feeding charts before pointing at the glass where the snake he had spoken to was waiting and watching them.

“Of course. Leon, if you could get a few hoppers and Anoles, I’ll get the python.” Mr. Roberts said before shuffling over to the register to pick up a drawstring pouch to put the python in.

“Actually, I was wondering if Mardyn could just hold her. She’s a birthday present for him.” Hardwin said before leaning over to pick up one of the buckets.

“Well Happy Birthday, young man. Just let me open the display.” The man said with a kind smile toward the child.

“I’ll take these.” Marcus said, grasping the handles of the other two buckets when Hardwin reached for one.

“Thank you, Marcus. Just be careful with that one. It’s muffled, but there are some surprisingly imaginative death threats coming from it.” Hardwin whispered as he tried to stifle a laugh, and Marcus snorted.

“Sounds like you are going to have your hands full.” Marcus said as he made an effort not to jostle the snake inside the bucket where he could hear the hissing.

“They’ll settle. Can’t blame any of them if they’re irritable right now. They’ve been in those buckets all night and day by now.” Hardwin replied with a shake of his head as he set the one down in front of the register before turning to look at Mardyn while Mr. Robert handed the boy the python.

“Don’t grip her too tightly, Mardyn. Keep a loose grip around her body so she doesn’t fall and let her wrap her body around your arm or wrist. That's right. Now hold her up close to your body so she’s stable. There you go.” He said as he showed the eight-year-old the best way to carry her.

“Couldn’t I just put her around my neck?” Mardyn asked; his full attention on the snake.

“You could, but it’s not the best way to carry her right now. Plus, she’s a constrictor. That means that she squeezes her prey to kill it before she eats it. The muscles in her body are very strong for that purpose, and you don’t want to have that grip around your throat. When she gets bigger then you could carry her around your shoulders, but you will have to keep her steady with your hand on her tail so she can’t wrap it around your throat. Now measure your steps a bit so you don’t jostle her. The more steady and fluid your movement the less she’ll fear you’re going to drop her.” Hardwin instructed; knowing these things after listening to Dipili’s complaints and learning the hard way over the last couple of days.

“How’s this?” Mardyn asked as he moved slowly and kept his arm as still as he could against his body.

“Very good.” Hardwin replied as Mr. Roberts closed the glass and made his way to the register.

It didn’t take long for the man to have everything totaled once his son returned with the feeder animals which were boxed up before Leon placed them carefully in a bag to make them easier to carry. Hardwin quickly paid before Marcus could offer to do so for Mardyn’s snake. He shook his head toward the man when he pursed his lips. Hardwin gently picked up the bucket, grasping hold of the bag in his other hand, and then tilting his head in thanks toward Mr. Roberts before doing so again toward Leon who held the door as the three of them left.

“Over here.” Hardwin said before leading them between the building Reptasia was in and the one next to it that looked to be flats.

The two buildings were so close together that there was no way for anyone to see them from inside either. A quick look told him the were no muggles around, and so Hardwin cast a few quick spells to repel muggles and hide them from any that passed by. Only once that was done did he call for Saros and Nanna to take the snakes and the feeders home to the Manor before turning to face both Flint brothers.

“You should have let me pay for Mardyn’s snake. You already offered help in finding the right one, and that was before you offered a way for him to join us.” Marcus scolded to which Hardwin only shook his head as he knew the man was displeased with him.

“Lord Black offered help finding the snake on behalf of House Black to House Flint. However, it is Hardwin that bought the snake as a birthday present to Mardyn. Happy Birthday, Mardyn.” Hardwin said a bit mischievously to Marcus before looking at Mardyn; not noticing how the man’s gaze softened as he watched him.

“Thank you, Hardwin!” Mardyn replied happily as he looked up at him before his gaze went back down to his new companion.

“You are very welcome. It is a little past lunchtime. You two should get back home for your meal. I still need to make a trip to the muggle bookshop. I’ll see if I can find a book about Carpet Pythons for you, Mardyn.” Hardwin said after casting a quick Tempus.

“Will you not be stopping for lunch as well?” Marcus asked; his brow creased as he looked down toward the younger wizard who was already too skinny to be missing meals.

“I’ll take time for a snack later.” Hardwin reassured him as his eyes darted away from Marcus’s gaze.

“Hm. I’m going to take Mardyn home so he can show our parents his new pet. Say goodbye, Mardyn.” Marcus said as he wrapped an arm around his brother’s shoulders.

“Goodbye, Hardwin. Thank you for today!” Mardyn said with a wave of his snake-free hand.

“You’re welcome, Mardyn. It was a pleasure to meet you.” Hardwin replied with a small smile toward the boy.

“Wait here for a moment.” Marcus said before apparating away with Mardyn.

“Wha-“ Hardwin started to reply before his eyebrows drew together in confusion as the two were already gone.

‘Wait here? Why?’ Hardwin thought with a huff at what had clearly not been a request.

“What was that about, Marcus?” He asked when the man appeared where he had been standing before, now alone after taking his little brother home.

“Do you like Italian?” Marcus said without answering as he came to stand in front of him.

“I’ve never had it before. What-“ He started to ask again only to freeze when Marcus grasped his hand gently in his own and brought Hardwin’s fingers up until his knuckle grazed his lips softly as he spoke.

“It would please me if you would join me for lunch, Hardwin Potter-Black.” He said softly in that deep voice that sent a shiver through Hardwin’s spine as he felt his face heat.

Hardwin didn’t know how to respond to that. He had never been in this kind of situation. Throw him into the middle of a wizarding battlefield, and Hardwin could respond on pure reflex, but he was lost when you put him in front of Marcus Flint when the man looked at him like this. He knew he was blushing under that dark gaze as the man waited for his answer, and he cursed his pale skin because he knew the man could see how he had affected him. The heat in those eyes almost burned as he took a deep breath.

“Lunch sounds good.” He muttered in embarrassment at having been caught so off guard and tried to regain his composure so he wasn’t a stuttering mess.

“Good. There was an Italian restaurant just down the street.” Marcus replied as he folded Hardwin’s hand into the crook of his arm to escort him there; having seen the place on their way to the reptile shop.

“O-oh. Alright.” Hardwin replied as he let the man lead him back out to the street.

Hardwin didn’t know what to think at that moment as he allowed Marcus to guide him. He could feel the former Slytherin’s body heat radiating out to warm his side. The man was like a furnace, but Hardwin found that he liked it.

He had spent so much of the last few years feeling cold down to his soul. Cold from fear, heartache, grief, and loss. The anger he’d felt had never warmed him either but had only left him feeling hollow once it had passed. Warming charms had done nothing for him after Ron had left Hermione and Hardwin both in that merlin forsaken tent. The betrayals of his friends had just been one more thing after all he had been through.

Eventually, he’d gotten used to it.

Now, feeling the warmth from Marcus’s arm, reminded Hardwin that the war was over. They had won. There had been losses, and he would likely lose more by the time he completely reclaimed his life. He didn’t have to let the years before and during the war drag him down. There would be more to life in the years to come, and this was an example of that. Something so simple as Marcus escorting him to lunch would never have been a possibility before he’d set out to reclaim his life.

Accepting Marcus’s lunch invitation hadn’t been the first step, but it would be the moment Hardwin would remember in years to come as an important one.

123456

Well, that didn’t take me nearly as long to write as I was expecting. I just posted chapter thirteen two days ago after a dry spell that I struggled with for more than two weeks. I really do need to work on some of my other stories, but it’s hard when the words are flowing for this one and I’m a bit stuck on the others.

I hope you all liked this chapter. I truly had no specific plans for it other than the kind of snake Mardyn would be getting. The three snakes Hardwin sent home hadn’t been planned, and Marcus’s lunch invitation wouldn’t be denied no matter how I tried to rework it to cut down on contact between the two. I hadn’t planned for them to have any one-on-one until later, but oh well.

I was going to try adding pictures to the chapters for the posting on Ao3 but couldn’t get it to work so you’ll just have to look everything up yourself if you want to know what anything looks like. Reptasia is a real place, and they do carry the animals I listed here. I found their website, went through all live critters they have for sale, and then also used a shop owned by the breeder I bought my snakes from as a reference.

Yes, I have five snakes myself, and I’ll admit that the ones listed in the story would be a dream come true for me to have at home. If, you know, they weren’t venomous. I’m such a klutz I’d get myself bitten within a day. It’s bad enough when bitten by a five-foot-long royal python when she’s cranky. (My husband’s snake hates me. Utterly hates me.)

Until the next chapter,
Ryu

Edited: 11/18/2022

Chapter Text

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 Fifteen

Dolce Italia Restaurant & Pizzeria had a rather plain exterior with its white paint, a small white sign with green lettering, and two red awnings with simple white letters spelling out Dolce Italia. From the outside, it had looked like any other hole-in-the-wall eatery. It was only once they had stepped inside that Hardwin was reminded of the phrase that appearances can be deceiving.

‘That phrase certainly fits this place. It’s really nice.’ Hardwin thought as they waited to be seated.

The chairs and tables were a dark wood; each covered with grey and white checkered tablecloths. Place settings had already been set at each table with a napkin folded and standing upright in the shape of cones where the plates would be placed. Each table also had a small vase with a flower, which looked to be roses in either white or red, placed in the middle of the table off a bit to the side so that two people could see each other easily. There was also what looked to be a full bar near the two slat swinging doors leading into the kitchen.

“Good afternoon, gentlemen. Do you have a reservation with us today?” A woman who looked to be in her late twenties with shoulder-length black hair asked as she approached them.

“I’m sorry, but we don’t. Will you be able to seat us today?” Hardwin asked with some concern that they would have to find another place if this was a place that was by reservation only.

“Just the two of you today? Let me see…” She said as she looked through the reservation book after Hardwin nodded to confirm that it was just the two of them.

“We do have one table available right now. Right this way, and we can get you seated with some menus.” She said after a moment before pulling out two menus, placing them under her arm, and leading them to a table along the far wall.

They had to shuffle a bit to get there through the crowded dining area, but they were soon seated.

“My name is Paula, and I’ll be your server today. Do you know what you would like to drink, or would you like to look through the menu for a minute?” Paula asked once they were settled into their chairs, and she handed them their menu.

“A moment, if you please.” Marcus replied for them both as he glanced over the menu to see what they offered.

“No problem.” She replied with a smile before leaving them.

“This isn’t your first time eating out in the muggle world.” Hardwin commented quietly at seeing the ease with which Marcus had shown since they enter the restaurant.

“A time or two though not often.” Marcus answered as his eyes scanned the menu, and Hardwin’s eyes widened a bit as he looked at his own.

Looking through the dishes offered by the restaurant he couldn’t help when he started to feel a little apprehensive. He had been honest with Marcus when he’d said he hadn’t had Italian before. He’d never even been out to eat in the muggle world. Oh, his relatives had dined out often enough, but they had never taken him with them.

Hardwin read through the menu and didn’t understand half of it. The names of the dishes were foreign to him. He knew what pizza was, but hadn’t tried it before. Even then, the names of the different kinds they offered left him feeling even more clueless. The only saving grace was that there was a short list of what each dish contained under the name. Though that didn’t help much when he’d never tried it. He also didn’t want to sound like an idiot if he tried to pronounce the names of the dishes.

“Do you have an idea what you would like?” The question drew Hardwin’s attention; looking up to see that Marcus had set the menu aside in favor of watching him.

“I’m unsure. I’m not too picky when it comes to food, but I’ve never had anything like this before.” Hardwin admitted a little uncomfortably as he glanced around at what had been served on the tables nearby.

He had hoped to avoid situations like this until he’d had more time to study etiquette and try different foods. He could imitate the mannerisms he had seen from the Slytherins during school, but that only hid the gaps in his education. It would take time and correction from the tutor Narcissa had mentioned getting for him before it would become more natural to him. He wasn’t finicky with what he ate because of how he’d grown up in his Aunt’s so-called care. He’d never tried very many different foods until he’d gone to Hogwarts. Even then, with the exception of his fourth year when the other schools were visiting, the meals served at the school didn’t explore dishes served in other countries. This left him with a very narrow margin in which to determine what he would like when it came to food he hadn’t tried before.

“I see. Would you like me to order for you then?” Marcus offered as Paula approached their table.

“That may be best. Thank you.” Hardwin replied quietly, feeling disconcerted by the situation.

It didn’t take long for Marcus to order for them. The names of the dishes flowed smoothly from his lips in a way Hardwin knew he would not have been able to manage without mangling them. Watching as Marcus spoke to their server, Hardwin could see every bit of the high-class mannerisms the man had been raised with. It made him feel a little inadequate sitting there with him at the table. Hardwin thought of the mannerisms that he had observed during his dinner with the Malfoys and Andromeda and decided to mimic what he could remember.

He was determined not to make a poor impression for two reasons. The first being for the sake of his family name. The Black name had been tarnished due to the events of the last few decades. If Hardwin was to have any hope of dragging his House back from the ruin it had become then he would need to be able to navigate through upper wizarding society. He was still learning about the Black Family’s legacy, but Hardwin was determined to do his best to restore his House. Not only for the sake of himself and his cousins but any children he may have.

The second reason was that Marcus had piqued his interest since meeting him again. He knew about the open marriage contract between the Houses of Black and Flint, and he knew that he would have to marry. Hardwin would need to marry either way, but he would prefer that he could be cordial with his spouse at the very least. As it was, he wanted to learn more about Marcus. Even if he was not the one Hardwin was partnered with, a friendship between Houses Black and Flint could be advantageous for future business dealings.

“I would be interested to hear about the other two snakes you spoke of earlier now that we have the time.” Marcus said after a few moments of polite small talk after Paula had taken their orders and left them once again.

“Ah, those two.” Hardwin hummed as he remembered what he had said earlier when they were at Reptasia.

“I thought that a parselmouth could tame any snake. Yet it wasn’t the case with the two you were speaking of?” Marcus queried after pausing their conversation briefly when Paula had returned to pour the Gavi Di Gavi, a dry white wine, into their glasses before leaving the bottle to chill and quietly departing from their table.

“It would appear that way to the people who cannot speak parsel, I suppose. A parselmouth does not tame a serpent so much as gain their respect. They are prideful creatures, and to be capable of their language puts the speaker above the other humans in intelligence to a serpent. A parselmouth does not control or tame a serpent, but we can form stronger bonds with them.” Hardwin explained what he had learned about his own ability; sipping his wine before continuing.

“The two snakes I mentioned earlier were bonded familiars. Nagini would never have listened to me even if I had spoken to her. She was too intent on the meal promised to her by her master. The other was a basilisk that dwelled within the Chamber of Secrets until the end of my second year.” Hardwin paused as Marcus interrupted.

“There really was a basilisk? I mean, I heard the rumors at the time, but no one knew for sure what had really happened.” Marcus asked, his eyes a little wider than before in either surprise or horror, Hardwin couldn’t tell which.

“She was Salazar Slytherin’s familiar and should have listened to me as a descendant of his line. The problem was that I did not know that my parselmouth ability was inherited through my bloodline at the time. She was also more than half mad as a result of the broken familiar bond and her centuries-long isolation. I was also too busy running from her before I was forced to kill her that I didn’t even try.” Hardwin admitted a little regretful that it had come to that, but knowing he’d had no choice when he’d been in that position.

“Why were you in that situation in the first place? I remember the rumors that were being spread throughout the school, but I always thought they were tales made up by the students.” Marcus said before they halted the conversation when Paula approached with their antipasti.

“I’m sorry for the wait. I have your Gamberoni All'aglio right here, and I’ll have your main course ready for you shortly.” She said with a smile as she laid a plate in front of each of them.

“Thank you.” Hardwin replied politely before she took her leave of them again.

Looking down at his plate, Hardwin didn’t know what to think of the dish in front of him. He remembered what had been written on the menu about this dish. The Gamberoni All’aglio consisted of fresh king prawns in wine, butter, and garlic. The problem was that Hardwin had never tried prawns before, and so he hadn’t known what to expect. Looking down at what he thought must be some kind of seafood dish, he had no idea how to eat it properly. So, instead of overthinking it too much and stressing about it, he mimicked the movements Marcus made with his utensils as he took a bite.

“It’s good.” Hardwin murmured as he used his napkin to gently pat away any juices around his lips after swallowing.

“As for why I was in that situation… Let’s just say that I was being tested.” Hardwin said before going quiet as he finished his Gamberoni All’aglio and sipped at his wine while he waited for their main course.

“Dumbledore, I presume?” Marcus asked as he remembered how interested the old Headmaster had been in the other man since he had started Hogwarts.

The man’s favoritism toward the lions, Hardwin and his little group in particular, had been no secret amidst the snakes.

“Indeed. I’m still learning the particulars, but the man had his hand in many areas of my life. It may be a while yet before I learn everything; if I ever do. As it stands, I can only work to correct what I am able.” Hardwin admitted as he tried not to grip his wine glass too tightly at the topic before changing it to the safer topic of Mardyn’s new pet.

It wasn’t too long before Paula came to take away their plates and deliver their main course. Marcus had ordered something different for both of them. For Hardwin, he had ordered the Penne Dolce Italia, which was penne noodles with mushrooms and bacon in a tomato and cream sauce. For himself, he had ordered the Spaghetti Mare, which the menu had said to be spaghetti noodles with fresh mixed seafood and tomato sauce. Having not had any real seafood outside of fish and now prawns, Hardwin wasn’t exactly sure what the seafood was though the dish looked to have little shells in it.

It left him feeling a little frustrated with himself as he determined that he would need to learn a lot more even when it came to something so basic as food. He hadn’t been prepared to eat a meal with a scion of another House. Sure, he’d eaten with the Malfoys, but that was also a meal with what was left of the Black family. They knew and understood the deficiencies in his education.

He had known even then that his cousins had been watching and keeping tally in their minds on what would need correcting. Hardwin hadn’t minded it because he was dependent on their help in that area as well as others. Left on his own, Hardwin knew that he would never have been able to set up a betrothal and marriage in time to keep his Lordship. Just as he wouldn’t have known everything he would need to study. He had a lot of catching up to do, he knew. It was this knowledge that left him feeling inadequate now.

“Will you be returning to Hogwarts to complete your schooling this year?” Marcus asked once they both tasted their pasta.

“I have decided not to attend but will be completing my school through tutors. There is far too much that I will need to do, and I can’t do that at Hogwarts.” Hardwin replied knowing that he wouldn’t need to expand further on that answer.

Marcus would already know many of Hardwin’s new responsibilities even better than he himself did. Marcus was the second-born son of a Lord. He had been raised and taught in their ways since he was a child and trained in the responsibilities that came with the Lordship as the spare if anything were to happen to his brother before he had an heir. Hardwin had not, and he was taking on the responsibilities of the Lordship for his House. He was determined not to fail.

“I also didn’t know how well I would be able to concentrate on my studies. The war may be over now, but I have never had a peaceful year at Hogwarts. I don’t feel like dealing with the other students, for various reasons, either. Headmistress McGonagall agrees.” Hardwin finished after he’d sipped some water to rinse his mouth.

“Understandable. I can only imagine how much work you have on your hands when your House has been without a Lord since Lord Arcturus Black’s passing.” Marcus said as he thought of the responsibilities his father dealt with and knew that Hardwin would have his hands full just from the years’ worth of paperwork for whatever investments he had in the Black portfolio.

Hardwin grimaced at the reminder.

“It’s more than I would have expected. Arcturus Black may have passed in ninety-one, but he abdicated the Lordship in nineteen-eighty after naming me heir before moving to France. I’m just thankful I don’t have responsibility for House Potter as well.” Hardwin said darkly as he thought about how much he had wished he could curse his great-grandfather/cousin so many times removed when he’d discovered that information the night before when he’d been going through the paperwork.

Hardwin couldn’t help the small smile that curled his lip at the look on Marcus’s face at that information. The man had been the picture of cool composure since he’d met him again at the Menagerie. Yet now, Hardwin could see the emotion that flashed in those dark eyes as his lips pressed together in a way he knew was meant to suppress an emotion though he couldn’t discern what that emotion was. Perhaps they needed a new topic.

“I think we’ve spoken enough about me and my current situation. What about you? Do you still find the time to play quidditch?” Hardwin asked as he tried for a topic that he knew they had in common that wouldn’t have so much weight.

That was how they spent the rest of their meal with Hardwin learning how the House of Flint had avoided the Blood War. It seemed that Lord Flint was smarter than others in that as soon as he knew Tom had returned he had packed up his family and left the continent. They had managed to avoid the war by traveling and building advantageous business connections in other countries and had only returned to Britain after the news of the end of the war had reached them in South America.

Though Marcus had come from an old and well-off family, he did not like to remain idle and had started investing for himself in quidditch teams around the world. He was currently the owner of five teams located in Japan, America, Brazil, Greece, and Iceland. He also owned a few quidditch stadiums and was currently considering another team. He would travel when he needed to but also had ensured he had people to manage everything and so his presence was rarely needed to keep everything going while he still made a good profit.

While Marcus admitted that was fun, he also told Hardwin that he was thinking about getting his Mastery in Ancient Runes now that his family had returned to the UK. He'd continued to study after graduating, but traveling to avoid Tom's search for his family had kept him from pursuing his passion for the subject. They'd only been back for almost a month, but he was gathering names of Runes Masters to apprentice from.

Their meal didn’t last much longer, and Hardwin found himself thankful that the serving size hadn’t been too large. It had been several months now since he had been able to start eating regular meals, but after his childhood and summers with his relatives, as well as the last year of living out of a tent with minimal food available, Hardwin’s system would take time adjusting to having proper meals. The potions he had been prescribed by the healer were helping to correct the problems, but only time could truly heal the damage that had been caused. Even then, there was only so much that magic could do. It may be able to ease the physical effects of malnutrition, but Hardwin would need to be the one to work passed the mental effects that lingered.

“Thank you for lunch, Marcus. I enjoyed my time with you today." Hardwin said as they left the restaurant once Marcus had paid the bill; denying Hardwin's attempt to do so.

"I did as well. I wanted to thank you for taking so much time out of your day to take Mardyn to get his pet. He was happy to have been able to go himself." Marcus said as he grasped Hardwin's hand, bringing it to the crook of his arm, and they started walking toward an alley to apparate.

"It was no problem. I'll look for a book on carpet pythons at the muggle bookstore and send it to you to give to him. I should be able to find one with plenty of information for him to learn about his new pet." Hardwin said softly as they entered the alley and looked around to make sure they were out of sight.

"I would appreciate that. I want to ask if you would mind having a meal with me again another time. I have enjoyed my time with you." Marcus said as he pulled Hardwin's hand from his arm and brush the skin of his knuckles against his lips.

"I would like that, but..." Hardwin started to say as his heart sped up before a squeezing feeling in his chest stopped him, and green eyes looked up into dark chocolate, feeling the intensity of that gaze.

"I want to say yes. I really do." Hardwin said as a small scowl started forming on Marcus's lips.

"Then what is stopping you? I know that my House is considered dark, but so is House Black. Are you looking for someone from a light family? Of course, that would be the best option to redeem your House in the eyes of the public." Marcus said as his scowl grew deeper and he pulled back from Hardwin.

"No! Marcus, that's not it. Not it at all!" Hardwin said as he reached out to grasp his arm and stop him from turning away.

"Then what is it?" He asked as dark eyes looked back at him, and Hardwin could sense the walls that Marcus had let down around him through the course of their lunch being pushed back up.

"It's not proper for us to be alone like this, for one. Marcus, my cousin is looking for a marriage partner for me right now, and I will likely be betrothed within the next two months. I would like it if we could be friends, but I'm also interested in you. I can't... I can't let myself hope for anything between us." Hardwin admitted only for Marcus to turn back toward him and pull him a bit closer.

"What if I have my father speak to Lady Malfoy?" Marcus asked and Hardwin's eyes widened in surprise.

"What? Marcus don't joke about something like that." He asked in shock at the direction this conversation had suddenly taken.

"I would never joke about this. If I do this properly and seek your contract, would you accept my suit if Lady Malfoy agrees to a match between Houses Black and Flint?" Marcus asked seriously and Hardwin found himself at a loss for words.

This was not how he'd expected this day to go. Hardwin knew he was interested in Marcus, but should he take it that his interest was returned? This would be more than just the two of them dating for a while to see if they could have a relationship. If Lord Flint sought Hardwin's contract for a match with Marcus then there would be no backing out of it once the contract was signed. They would be betrothed to be married before Hardwin's twentieth birthday.

Hardwin had read through the base contract for the members of the Black family. IF Marcus took this step, if they became engaged, then there would be no way to back out of it. They would be it for each other. Hardwin had accepted that it would need to happen, but had Marcus thought this through?

"Marcus... Have you thought this through? The fidelity clauses in Black family contracts are irrevocable. You would never be able to be with anyone else. You may be interested in me now, but that might fade. Sure, we knew of each other during school, but we don't truly know each other that well." Hardwin said quietly as he bit his lip unsurely.

"Mutual interest is more than most marriage contracts start with. Neither one of us know what will happen in the future. I don't know if this attraction with develop into anything more, and I can't promise more than a marriage of convenience that would be beneficial to both of our Houses. What I do know is what I've been looking for in a spouse, and I see some of those qualities in you. So I will ask again. Would you accept a betrothal between us?" Marcus asked, and Hardwin let out a heavy breath as he thought quickly even as he knew his response.

"If you can gain Narcissa's approval of a match between us then... Yes. Yes, I would accept." He said only to be stunned aa a smile flashed across Marcus's face before it was gone again.

"Alright. Then I should return home to have a conversation with my father. I will wait for your owl with the book for Mardyn." Marcus said as he grasped Hardwin's hand again and brought it to his lips to kiss the palm in a silent promise, and Hardwin's eyes softened at the warm feeling that spread through his chest.

"I'll send Siddra once I return to the manor. She's the crow I bought the other day so you can't miss her." He said as Marcus smirked and released his hand.

"Yes, she is distinctive. Be careful around the muggles though I know you're more than able to navigate their world." Marcus said before stepping away from Hardwin and apparating away.

Hardwin stared at the empty space Marcus had left behind. He was surprised at the sense of loss he felt with his departure. Shaking away the feeling the best he could, Hardwin looked down at the hand Marcus had held in his much larger one. The warmth from his skin was already fading, but the memory of the kiss brought a smile to his lips.

"Best get to the bookstore." Hardwin mumbled to himself as he looked around before apparating to the Leaky Cauldron where he would take the Knight bus into London to finish his errands for the day.

123456

At long last, this chapter is finished! I was stuck for so freaking long at the part where they were getting ready to leave the restaurant. This last part surprised me as it was not planned at all. Marcus is a lot bolder than I had planned for.

Hope you all enjoyed it. I'll try to get the next chapter out more quickly than this one was. There is so much that Hardwin needs to do, and the list grows longer with every chapter. I actually got fed up with trying to remember it all and had to go through each chapter to make a new file labeled Hardwin's To Do List. Geez. I feel bad for him right now as it just keeps getting longer. Every time one thing gets cleared from the list three more things get added to it.

I finally figured out how to add images! I'll be going back through the chapters to add the ones I've archived as references for that chapter. Do not doubt that you will be seeing more in future chapters. I find images for visual reference, but I hate to fill the chapter with too much detail so it's easier to just provide you all with the images here as well.

Let me know what you thought,

Ryu

Chapter Text

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 Sixteen

Hardwin cursed himself for his lack of thought when he'd decided on his shopping trip to the muggle bookstore. He'd just returned home after spending almost four hours exploring the selection at Waterstone's in London, which according to the information he had found online, was supposedly the largest bookstore in Europe. Hardwin wasn't sure about that, but the store was certainly huge. There had been so many books, and it had taken him a while to navigate and find what he was looking for. He'd found a lot of informational material, but this just meant he'd wanted to pick up more books than he could carry easily.

He had forgotten from his days in muggle school just how heavy a stack of those books could get without a featherlight charm. He would have to remember to bring a weightless and bottomless bag next time to carry them all as there had been no opportunity to slip away to make carrying more books easier. The store as well as the road outside of it had been really busy. As things stood, he was weighed down by bags in both hands that he almost dropped in relief upon apparating into the manor's entrance.

"Saros. Could you take those and stack them on my desk in the study for now? Thank you." Hardwin said tiredly as he called the elf and tried to rub some feeling back into his arms.

"Saros be doing as Master asks. Master be having mail arrive while he is being out, and Mistress Andromyda be waiting for Master in the sitting room." Saros informed him, and Hardwin paused as he hadn't been expecting her, but guessed she may have come to pick up Teddy.

"Thank you, Saros. Just leave the mail with the books." He said before leaving the entry toward the sitting room.

"Sorry to keep you waiting Andromeda. I just got back. Is something wrong?" Hardwin asked as he paused just inside the doorway at seeing her expression.

"Hardwin, Minister Shacklebolt stopped by my home looking for you. He appeared concerned. Did anything happen whie you were out today?" She asked as she stood from the settee to speak with him as her eyes trailed over him; taking in the muggle clothing he was wearing.

"No... I was helping Marcus and Mardyn Flint in the muggle world today to look for a pet snake as I promised. I stopped at a bookstore afterward before returning home. What did he say?" Hardwin asked with some confusion as he knew he'd written to Shacklebolt concerning Mrs. Figg, but hadn't seen the man in almost two months, not since the last of the funerals for those who'd died during the battle.

"He wouldn't say. All he told me was that he was looking for you and that you hadn't been answering letters from your friends. Of course, I know the reason for that, but I thought it odd that he came to my home personally to look for you. It may be best to speak with him about what you've found. The Order may have been disbanded, but many of its remaining members still care for your well-being. It may also prove beneficial to have the Minister in your corner when you pursue action against those who have wronged you, and the media circus that it is sure to cause." Andromeda said as she looked at the wall thoughtfully.

The sitting room they were in was decorated in a lavish gothic victorian style much like the rest of the manor, but like with the drawing room at Grimmauld Place, the walls were covered with the family tapestry. Hardwin had been surprised the first time he had taken the time to look at it. The family tree in this room was much more extensive than the tapestry at Grimmauld had been, and he had even found his name already displayed. Andromeda had explained that because the manor itself was tied to the family magic, it would display all members without the need to add their blood to update it. As long as you bore the Black name and blood then the magic would know. In a way, the family magic bound to Black Manor was almost sentient after so many generations.

"You are probably right. What did you tell him?" Hardwin asked with a twitch of his hand as he held himself back from running his fingers through his hair out of frustration.

He'd hoped to come home and have some time to breathe before he got back to his list of things he still needed to take care of. Hardwin had been so busy since moving into the manor that he hadn't managed to make time to relax. That didn't look like it would be changing tonight, and Hardwin mentally apologized to Marcus as he may not get to send him the book he'd found for his little brother until much later then he'd planned.

"Only that I knew you have been busy, but that Teddy and I have seen you often. That you are well, if not perhaps a bit stressed. He asked what you have been doing, but I told him he would have to ask you." Andromeda said and Hardwin sighed before looking down at the muggle clothing he'd dressed in that morning.

"Could you floo call him, and invite him here? I will relax the wards to allow him entry, but I should change before meeting with him." He said, and Andromeda nodded at his sensible decision.

A meeting with the Minister, though not one for official business, was not something for a Lord of House to do in muggle attire, and Kingsley was also from House Shacklebolt. It was one thing when going into the muggle world, but now Hardwin would need to navigate the waters of upper wizarding society. It was one of the things that had been being drilled into him over the last week as it had to do with grooming as Narcissa had told him. That was one of the reasons Hardwin had felt so disconcerted that morning when he had met Lord and Lady Flint.

Yes, they had been headed into the muggle world, but he would rather have been dressed properly the first time he met Marcus's parents. Hardwin was only grateful he'd had the foresight to have taken the time to shave and properly style his now shoulder-length, loosly curled, hair before the meeting. He just knew that once Narcissa heard of it that he would be in for a scolding, and as much as he was growing to care for his cousin, she could intimidate the shite out of him at times. She and Andromeda both.

They knew it, too, which to Hardwin just made it worse.

"I'll invite him through and wait with him here until you return." Andromeda said before leaving the room toward the floo room.

Hardwin followed her out and made his way upstairs. He sighed at seeing the three tubs that contain the snakes that he had acquired at the reptile shop. He had planned to let them out one by one and get them settled as soon as he arrived home, but now that would have to wait. He tossed a warming charm at each of the tubs to help warm them up. He could hear the hissed complaints and threats even as muffled as they were.

$Speaker has brought irritating guests.$ Dipili hissed from the branch of his tree in front of the window as he stripped out of his muggle clothes.

$They are not guests, Dipili. They will be living here with us from now on.$ Hardwin hissed back at the green mamba; thankful that the small snake's vocabulary was improving every day as it was making it easier to have a conversation with him.

$Not on my tree!$ Dipili hissed irritably in offense and Hardwin rolled his eyes as he shifted through the pants, shirt, and robes that had been laid out for him to change into and pulled on the pants.

$No, Dipili. You will each have your own space, but you will need to share territory for a little while.$ Hardwin hissed back, silently thankful to whichever elf had anticipated his need for a change of clothes.

$What is a little while?$ Dipili asked and Hardwin sighed while he changed at needing to deal with the snake's questions when he needed to hurry back downstairs, he'd already felt the wards ping with someone coming through the floo, and relax the magic on the wards to allow entry.

$A little while is a length of time. It means it could be for a few days or a couple of weeks. I will give them their own places in the room. They won't be able to come into your space, and you won't be able to go into theirs.$ Hardwin explained as patiently as he could while buttoning his shirt before picking up the heeled boots that had been left next to his bed and moving to the chair in front of Dipili's small tree to put them on.

$Good. I want to come with you.$ Dipili suddenly demanded, and Hardwin paused to stare at the little green snake whose head was now peaking up at him over the leaves.

"I'm only going downstairs. We have other human guests." Hardwin explained hoping that he would change his mind.

There was one thing Hardwin had learned about Dipili. He was stubborn, and it could become annoying very quickly. He also got bored easily, and Hardwin didn't know how, but he had learned that snakes were capable of whining over the last several days. It was both baffling, and annoying as hell.

$So bored...$ Dipili hissed as little eyes stared at him, and Hardwin groaned in aggravation as he stood back up once he'd adjusted his boot.

He regretted ever having taught the little pest that word.

$Fine! You can come with me, but I have to talk to our guests. I can't be talking with you at the same time so you'll need to be quiet.$ Hardwin said before holding out his arm for Dipili the slither into his sleeve, waiting for the snake to make his way to his favorite place at his collar before pulling on his robes, and making sure he looked neat and presentable.

$Warm.$ Dipili hissed in satisfaction, and Hardwin rolled his eyes as he turned to leave the room.

Hardwin walked quickly until he reached the bottom of the stairs. Taking a steadying breath, he evened his pace as he walked down the hall to the sitting room. Already, he could make out the deep baritone of Kingsley's voice speaking to Andromeda. The man must have seen his name on the wall because he was asking Hardwin's cousin questions, and Andromeda responded only to tell him that he would be joining them soon.

"Good afternoon, Minister. I was told you were looking for me. Is everything alright?" Hardwin asked as he stepped into the sitting room to see both of them standing in front of the fireplace.

"Harry, or should I be calling you Hardwin? Or, as I'm guessing, Lord Black?" Kingsley asked as he gestured toward the wall where Hardwin's true name was displayed on the tree near Sirius III with a raised eyebrow.

"It is Lord Black, but you are welcome to call me Hardwin. Please, make yourself comfortable, Kingsley. This meeting may take a while. Kreacher, tea and snacks for our guests, please. Also, I'll need the files from the top drawer of my bedside table." Hardwin said as he remembered that he had forgotten to grab them when he'd come down because Dipili had distracted him.

"Right away, Master Black." Kreacher replied as he popped into the room before popping back out; a tea service and serving platter appeared on the table with the files he'd asked for a few seconds later.

"I've gotten a few letters from Molly expressing concern for your welfare, but you appear to be well enough. I admit, I only grew concerned after speaking with Arabella today, when she told me that you had come to her home in the company of two members of House Flint. I'd just thought you needed some time for yourself before today." Kingsley admitted as Andromeda prepared the tea and handed him a cup.

"There has been a lot going that has happened over these last few weeks. I went to Gringotts to claim my inheritance since things had settled down, but was surprised at what I found. It may be best for you to see for yourself. You may want to know before it goes public." Hardwin said as he picked up the files, handing one to Kingsley for him to look over, and holding onto the other one for the moment.

Hardwin watched Kingley's expressions as he started looking through the information within the file; curiosity changing to surprise before his expression grew dark and closed off as he shifted through the parchment. The file contained everything that he had found out about the truth of his birth, the thefts from his vaults, who had benefited from the theft, the letters he had been receiving from his so-called friends, and the forged will that had been filed with the goblin that had been in charge of the Potter vaults. Pretty much everything that Andromeda and the Malfoys already knew.

Kingsley was a pureblood from House Shacklebolt, one of the sacred twenty-eight, and had been an Auror before recently taking the position of Minister. He would know exactly what he was looking at, and what it meant for all of this information to come out after the war. The Blood War may have been fought against blood prejudice, but the wizarding world's political sphere and the government was still run largely off the influence and support of the old Houses.

The Weasleys were an old House, and also part of the sacred twenty-eight, but the House had been largely disgraced for generations. They had originally been labeled as blood traitors, not for their consorting with muggles or muggle-borns, but because a daughter of House Weasley had been betrothed to the Heir of House Malfoy many generations ago. She'd fallen in love and had an affair with a muggle boy; falling pregnant with the muggle's child. The marriage contract between the two Houses had been broken, and House Weasley had refused to make reparations to House Malfoy. To add insult to injury, House Weasley had refused to return the girl's bride price or to disown the girl for the shame she had caused the family. House Weasley had fallen into disgrace amongst the other Houses because of these actions, and a blood feud between Houses Malfoy and Weasley had been declared.

Hardwin had known none of this until Draco had told him through a letter a few days before. Hardwin had asked what had started the feud, and Draco had written to explain, sending a copy of the Malfoy family records from that time. Now, Hardwin had nothing against a witch falling in love with a muggle, but he would admit that reading how House Weasley had handled the situation repulsed him. He couldn't imagine what the Head of House Weasley at the time was thinking. Even today, House Weasley continued to hold the same position. Draco had told him that his great-great-grandfather had offered to call an end to the blood feud, to write off the exorbitant bride price as a loss, if House Weasley would just disown the girl. The girl as well as those born to her branch of House Weasley were all long dead, but still, House Weasley refused.

Hardwin couldn't understand it. He still didn't know everything, he had a feeling he would learn more when he finally got up the courage to read Sirius's letter, but SilverClaw had been able to tell him that he had been declared the heir of House Black by Arcturus upon his birth before his great-grandfather had left for France. It was something that his parents must have wanted for him, or else there would have been no reason for his mum to have taken that potion. He was determined to rebuild his House from the ruin it had fallen into. To make something of the heritage that had been left to him.

He hadn't known what blood traitor had meant until he'd started looking into it after Draco had sent him the information. It was a derogatory term, but its meaning didn't only have to do with muggle or muggle-borns like he had been told before. It meant that thy were a traitor to their bloodline. To have betrayed the traditions and ways of your forefathers. It was to be considered a disgrace to the magic inherited within your blood, and so carried heavy consequences in their society.

For Arthur to have the option, to not have the label of blood-traitors hanging over their heads, and do nothing. It was something Hardwin couldn't understand. That label was why House Weasley was so poor, and why Arthur wasn't considered Lord Weasley. No respectable or influential family would do business with them, and they would not be promoted nor hold any prominent positions in politics or any career they had. They were still considered one of the old Houses, but their disgrace had seen to the forfeiture of their titles and seats until the House cast away the one who brought the shame upon them.

Cedrella Black had been disowned for marrying Septimus Weasley, but he still didn't know the full reason why as he would need to go through the family records which were in the study upstairs. It's possible, given the views of the Blacks, that it was because they wanted to disassocaite from the woman who had willinging become a part of a House who had be marked as disgraced. He hadn't had the time to investigate the study yet. That had been part of the plan for that evening, and why he'd had the books he'd purchased taken there. He'd wanted to look into the family records to see what he could learn. Yet it looked like that wouldn't be possible tonight.

"This is..." Kingsley sighed before setting the file down to rub the bridge of his nose.

"Yeah." Hardwin said in response knowing he wouldn't have been able to believe it either if not for all of this coming to light, and starting to put the pieces together.

"House Weasley's reputation will not survive this. They have only recently gained some distinction for their part in the war, but this will destroy any standing they've gained as well as any they'd had before." Andromeda said as she sipped at her tea in her chair.

"In all honesty, I do not believe they'll care all that much about that. They've carried the label of blood traitors for generations out of sheer stubborness." Hardwin said knowing that they would have been taught the reason for it as he had learned.

"You're right. They may have gained some standing for their part in the war, but the one they've wronged is the one being praised as one of the central figures, and the one responsible for the Dark Lord's defeat. Do you know who was all involved from House Weasley?"Kingsley asked looking a bit disturbed.

"No. We only know about Molly, and Ginerva for certain. I have my suspicions about Ronald as well, given he was also close to me for years, and his relationship with Hermione. He was too close to me for Dumbledore not to have taken advantage of the fact. Recently, I've found evidence that Arthur was involved. Even if he didn't know what he'd signed, as the Head of House Weasley, the blame will fall on him for the actions of his wife." Hardwin said as he stood and moved to the liquor cabinet to take out a bottle of fire whiskey and three glasses.

"What do you plan to do?" Kingsley asked as Hardwin returned and poured into the three glasses before handing him one; which he drained with a heavy breath before holding up the glass in a silent request for another.

"I'm bringing my House back together, and that includes renewing ties with my cousin Narcissa and House Malfoy. I've hired a solicitor on Lord Malfoy's recommendation. We're still gathering evidence and information, and I'll be writing to Lord Potter with copies of everything involving the theft fro the Potter branch vault. It's possible he may choose to act, but I'm not sure. I can pursue the theft even without him since it continued after I came of age, but I would only be able to demand the return and reparations for the money stolen since my seventeenth birthday. As things stand, depending on what else is found, there is the potential for me to declare a blood feud between House Black and House Weasley." Hardwin replied with a heavy heart as he refilled Kingsley's glass before sitting down to sip at his own.

"A blood feud? Why would you think to go that far?" Kingsley asked in surprise and Hardwin frowned as he clutched the file he'd held back.

"Did you read everything in the file?" Andromeda asked and Kingsley nodded.

"I did, but I still don't understand why you would be contemplating a feud with House Weasley. I understand that Molly and Ginerva have wronged you with the theft, but..." He said and Hardwin shook his head as Andromeda spoke up.

"Do you not find it odd, Minister? Molly Weasley has been receiving money from Hardwin's vault since 1983. We don't know why, but what we do know is that Ginerva Weasley also started receiving money just before starting school. Why would Dumbledore have done that for Ginerva, but not for Ronald when it was Ronald who was close to Hardwin?" Andromeda asked and they could see the moment realization dawned on Kingsley; it didn't take long.

"You think Dumbledore had something specific planned for her." He started and Hardwin's fingers tightened on his glass as he sipped at the whiskey before speaking.

"I don't think; I know. The former manager for my parent's account had the sense to hide this, but the manager of the Black accounts found it." He said as he handed it to both Andromeda and Kingsley.

"This is disgusting." Kingsley said incredulously as he read the terms of the marriage contract between Harry James Potter and Ginerva Molly Weasley that had been signed by Albus Dumbledore, Molly Weasley, and Arthur Weasley in 1983.

It was a contract that no Lord of House would have signed. Per the terms of the contract, Hardwin would have been little more than a puppet within his out home. Ginerva would have had control of everything. She would have been the one in control of any money or titles that Hardwin inherited. The contract called for a single child to be born, but any more than that would have been left to Ginerva to decide. He would have no control of his household at all. It was a gross misuse of a marriage contract; which was supposed to provide a balance of power between two spouses.

"Thank merlin it's not valid without Arcturus's signature." Andromeda said; the corners of her lips pinched in disgust.

"It may not be valid, but it is proof that Arthur had to have known at least part of what Dumbledore planned. Luckily, I still have my old school robes from my sixth year. I found a few hairs that have been sent to my healer to test for potions." Hardwin said and Kingsley looked up at him sharply.

"You think they were attempting line theft?" He asked and Hardwin hummed.

"I think Dumbledore manipulated most of my life, and that he would have done anything to ensure I followed his script. I also know that he knew my relatives treated me poorly, and had been stealing money from my vault to pay them for their so-called care. Do I believe that the Weasley's would resort to line theft? I wouldn't have before a few weeks ago, but now I know about the stolen money they have been receiving as well as that invalid marriage contract." Hardwin explained as he finished his drink and set the glass down on the table next to him.

"Why tell me all this, Hardwin?" Kingsley asked after a moment.

"Forewarning. You're a good man, Kingsley, and I believe you're the one our country needs as Minister now that the war is over. I wanted you to know the truth before I go after House Weasley, and the press gets ahold of it. I did not want to blindside you, and would like to continue having an amicable working relationship with you. Also, you said you've been receiving letters, and I didn't want Molly Weasley to worry you about my mental or physical health. I am seeing healers to recover from everything that happened I've been through, and that includes seeing a mind healer." Hardwin explained knowing Kingsley would need to know that he was getting treatment because if Molly continued to share that she was concerned about Hardwin's mental health then Kingsley could diffuse the situation with the public if he needed to.

"Healers?" Kingsley asked and Hardwin cleared his throat and shifted in his chair before Andromeda answered for him at seeing his discomfort.

"My sister Narcissa scheduled an appointment with a healer for Hardwin as he needed the paperwork for his marriage contract negotiations. I went with him, and they found several issues that are and will be addressed. He is in treatment, but he is stable." She reassured the man and Kingsley smiled with a nod.

"I see. Thank you for the forewarning. If I could ask one more question... Why were you at Arabella's with two members of House Flint?" He asked, and Hardwin knew he was still concerned about that, or maybe it was just curiousity.

"I'm guessing you would have seen the article the Daily Prophet ran a few days ago before they printed a retraction? Well, we had a chance encounter at the Menagerie. Scion Marcus Flint and I were a few years apart in Hogwarts and knew of each other from quidditch matches. He and Heir Marcellus had purchased a snake for their youngest brother as a pet. I have ancestry from the Gaunt family and inherited the parselmouth ability from the bloodline. They did not know they had purchased a venomous snake until I informed them. They gifted the snake to me for my assistance, and in return, I offered to help them find a nonvenomous snake in the muggle world. I needed to ask Mrs. Figg for the use of her telephone to call a cab because we couldn't take the Knight bus since scion Mardyn Flint accompanied scion Marcus and myself to the muggle pet store today." He explained and knew that Kingsley now understood the situation when he nodded and his shoulders seemed to relax a bit.

"I see. The House of Flint has been cleared of any involvement with the Death Eaters, of course. I was only concerned to hear that they had been to Arabella's because it did appear odd." He explained as he stood, and Hardwin nodded as he and Andromeda stood as well.

"Understandably. I don't think any of us will be able to hear or see something we think is odd and not grow suspicious that something more is going on. I know I can't. Thank you for the concern on my behalf, Kingsley. Feel free to contact me here if anything comes up." Hardwin offered and Kingsley nodded.

"Of course. Write to me if you come across anything I'll need to be warned of. I'll inform Minerva so we can sheild those in the order who are innocent in the Order from the scadal this situation may cause." Kinsley said, knowing that the press may start speculating about the rest of the Order since it was Dumbledore who founded it's formation, before nodding toward Hardwin and turning toward the door.

"Just be careful, Kingsley. Dumbledore may have had others in the Order who were involved. We won't know until the investigation is finished. Someone else may have been actively involved or they may have been manipulated by Dumbledore as well." Hardwin warned since he know it could be a possabilty.

""I'll look into it from my end as well. Good evening, Hardwin, Mrs. Tonks." Kingsley paused before replying.

"I'll walk you out. I should get Teddy home for bed. I'll talk to you later, Hardwin." Andromeda as she and Kingsley left the sitting room, and Hardwin nodded as he said good night.

Sighing, he gathered the papers back into the files before taking them with him as he headed to the study. Dipili shifted with his movement, but Hardwin suspected the snake had fallen asleep from the lack of chatter. That was confirmed when he stopped in his room and gently levitated him from around his neck to his favorite tree branch. He sighed upon seeing the tubs. He'd almost forgotten, but he would need to get the three settled before going to the study. Hearing the hissed threat when he went to open the first of the tubs he held back a groan.

'This may take a while.' He thought as he prepared his wand to cast a shield spell in case the snake struck out at him before he could speak to it.

Oh, the joy of dealing with temperamental snakes.

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Well, that's it for chapter sixteen! This was done a lot faster then I'd anticipated, and editing didn't take long either. Kingsley looking for Hardwin hadn't been planned, but when I got to him arriving home after the bookstore, the idea wouldn't go away. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and the additional information. I have started working on the next chapter already, and I'll give you a little spoiler. Sirius's letter will be coming back into the story.

Let me know what you thought,
Ryu

Chapter Text

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 Seventeen

Hardwin blinked tiredly as he left his bedroom and made his way through the halls toward the study at the front of the manor between the family and guest wing. It had taken two hours to speak with, calm down, and get the new snakes settled into their own warded areas of his room. The three new snakes were older than Dipili and had been around humans and other snakes since they were young. They had all been caught in the wild before being brought to the UK; which Hardwin was pretty sure must go against at least a few muggle laws. Their vocabulary was better than Dipili's had been when he first brought him home, but dealing with three irritable snakes that hadn't had a heat source for the better part of two days wasn't easy.

He was determined now more than ever to write to Gringotts and put in a request for renovation services to get the downstairs sunroom set up as he had considered doing. There was no way he would be able to have them all in his room on a permanent basis or even until he was married and discussed the renovations with his spouse as he had planned. They had all been irritable at first though they had settled when he'd spoken to each of them one at a time. Much like Dipili, they had been enthused to meet a human 'intelligent' enough to speak their language. The cobra had been so enthusiastic in airing her complaints and demands that Hardwin had been afraid she'd never shut up and let him get her settled into her space near the doorway to the boudoir.

Hardwin honestly feared for his sanity and knew he may have many sleepless nights if they remained in his bedroom for too long.

Opening the door to the study, Hardwin waved his wand to illuminate the lights on the elaborate chandelier, waving a second time to light the fire in the fireplace. He took a moment to look around the room. He had spent most of his time in the massive library since moving into the manor. This was the first time he'd come into this room since moving into the manor, but he thought it would be more comfortable to work in the study than in the library. Andromeda, Narcissa, and Draco all had a standing invitation to visit the manor whenever they liked. While he didn't think that they would snoop through his paperwork he liked that the study would be more private than the library that anyone in their family could enter. It also wasn't secure enough to leave his paperwork there when he did start receiving guests into his home.

"Saros." He said as he looked around at the bookshelves that lined the room on all four walls; each one of them filled with books and scrolls.

The desk was placed on the far side of the room between the fireplace and the window on the next wall and facing the door. A settee faced the desk from the opposite side of the fireplace, and a chair sat in the other corner with a small table to the side of it. Above the fireplace was a single portrait. Like the others that he had seen in the portrait galleries, and in other rooms of the manor, the older man in the portrait looked to be sleeping.

"How can Saros help, Master Hardwin?" The elf asked after popping into the room.

"Please bring my dossier to me from the library. Also, If you could have Nanna bring Siddra to me. I will need to send her out tonight." He said knowing that Nanna was the one in charge of the aviary; it being one of the young elf's favorite responsibilities to take care of the animals.

"Right away, Master." Saros said before popping away, and Hardwin crossed the room to sit in the chair behind the desk and lay the files he'd shown to Kingsley either down on the dark cherry wood surface.

His eyes widened a bit in surprise as he looked at the surface of the desk for the first time. One of the elves must have placed the letter from Sirius there. He'd been meaning to read it but had been so busy studying the material Narcissa and Lucius had suggested during any of his free time that he'd almost forgotten about it. Yet, there was also what look to be something else laying on the desk underneath it.

Shifting Sirius's letter out of the way, Hardwin's eyebrows raised in surprise as he found another envelope. Using his wand, he checked it briefly for spells, finding preservation spells but nothing harmful. Hardwin read the unfamiliar handwriting on the front. Hardwin James Felis Potter-Black. Flipping the envelope over, Hardwin found it was sealed with royal purple wax and the Black Crest.

"Who sent this, Saros?" He asked when the elf reappeared with the dossier and placed it on the desk next to his arm.

"That letter not being sent, Master Black. It being left here by Master Arcturus before he was leaving. Tells Saros and Nanna to be leaving it where it is. Master be needing anything else from Saros?" Saros said and Hardwin's eyes widened before he nodded to the elf.

"Thank you. No, that'll be all." Hardwin replied, and the elf popped away.

Hardwin felt a bit puzzled as he stared at the envelope. Arcturus had written to him? Why would he do that? Well, he had to have known about him. That much he knew from SilverClaw. It had been Arcturus to name him as his heir and not Sirius.

"Come in." Hardwin said as a light knock drew him out of his thoughts.

"Nanna brings Siddra for Master Hardwin." Nanna said as he opened the door and entered with the white crow perched on his arm.

"Ah, thank you, Nanna."Harwin said as he set the envelope back on the desk and turned to accept the bird from his elf.

"Master Hardwin be looking tired. Can Nanna be getting him some tea?" The little elf asked, and Hardwin paused to look at the letters, books, files, and the dossier sitting on the desk.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea, Nanna." He replied as Nanna smiled when he accepted before popping out of the room.

A hot cup of tea appeared on a saucer less than a minute later as Hardwin turned back to his desk. He set aside the two envelopes and looked through the books until he found the one he'd found on Carpet Pythons. Searching the drawers he found ink, quills, and parchment. He wrote out a quick letter to Marcus before casting a drying spell and placing it on the book. Another few spells had the letter wrapped with the book before it was charmed weightless and shrunk to make it easier for Siddra to carry.

"Take this to Marcus Flint, girl." Hardwin said as he tied the package to her leg and waved his wand toward the window to open it and allow her to fly out.

Siddra cawed as he stroked her white feathers before flapping her wings and flying out of the window. Hardwin left the window open to let in the fresh night air and started looking through the other drawers in the desk. Any personal effects Arcturus may have had in the drawers looked to have been removed as he only found a stack of blank parchment, a few ink pots, quills, envelopes, melting wax, and a letter opener in one of the top drawers while the others were empty. One drawer, however, wouldn't open at all. Hardwin's brow creased in annoyance as he drew his wand and tried a few unlocking spells to no avail. He knew that the drawer must have been warded rather than charmed sealed.

If it had been charmed then he would have been able to deal with it easily enough, but Hardwin didn't know nearly enough about wards. He knew some basic warding from his time on the run during the war, but Hermione had always been the one to take over the more advanced wards. Researching wards and warding was yet another thing he would need to add to his growing list of subjects either for his tutors or for him to study on his own.

'It may be best to write to Narcissa and ask if she's found those tutors for me. I'll need to learn proper etiquette quickly. There's only so much I can do to imitate what I've seen. I enjoyed my lunch with Marcus, but it also stressed me out.' Hardwin thought as he remembered his lunch with the man earlier, and how he'd been stressed about his table manners.

He hadn't wanted to make a bad impression, and that had left him feeling tense during the meal. Hardwin had known he would need to learn etiquette on top of everything else, but he also hadn't expected to dine with anyone outside of the few members of his family until later. Marcus truly had caught him by surprise with his lunch invitation, and it was only Hardwin's intense interest in the man that had him accepting. He only hoped he hadn't messed up, but then again, Marcus had still expressed his interest in a contract between them afterward.

Hardwin still wasn't sure how he felt about that. Happy, but also conflicted? He was happy that he and Marcus were both interested in each other, but he was also conflicted. Had Marcus meant what he'd said? If he had, what if he changed his mind after seeing the marriage contract that his great-grandfather had drawn up for Hardwin before his death? The clauses in that contract were almost archaic in some respects, more so for a wife of House Black than a Consort, but still.

Hardwin tried to put those thoughts out of his mind as he looked back to the desk; his eyes catching sight of the two letters once again. He sighed with resignation and worry as he clasped his hands together in front of his mouth; his elbows resting on the surface of the desk. He knew he would need to read both letters. He'd been putting it off after finding Sirius's letter in the fear of what he'd written. Hardwin didn't know if Sirius had left any answers, but he had so many that needed answers.

Why had Sirius adopted him from within the womb? Who's idea had it been, and why? Had anyone outside of his parents and Arcturus known? Why had Sirius never said anything while he was alive? Why had Sirius never even told him, or called him by, his real name? Had Remus known? What if the letter held no answers? Would Hardwin be left to wonder about it for the rest of his life?

There was one way to get answers if the letter held none. The resurrection stone had returned to him after he had lost it in the Forbidden Forest as he walked to his death. He could use it to summon Sirius as well as Lily and James. The problem was that he didn't want to do that again. He had already summoned them from death to the living world once before.

He'd read the story of the three Peverell brothers, and had taken it for the warning it was. The second brother had been driven mad with longing for the girl he loved. She had been summoned back from death to the world of the living and had suffered because the dead do not belong here once they've passed on. Hardwin had already summoned his loved ones once. He did not wish to cause their spirits to suffer, and so even after the stone had returned to him, Hardwin had resisted any temptation to summon them. They all deserved to rest peacefully, and he knew they would be watching over him.

Picking up both envelopes, Hardwin hoped that they held some answers. Even if Sirius didn't; there was still some hope that the letter from Arcturus would. There was also the hope that Arcturus had left a portrait behind somewhere in the manor. Hardwin had honestly been feeling a bit lost as to what he could do. He knew he would need to improve the image those in the wizarding world had gained of House Black in recent years, but he also wanted to continue any traditions. The problem was that even if he spoke to Narcissa and Andromeda, there were certain things only passed down from one Lord of the House to the heir who would become the next Lord. Hence why Hardwin would need to speak to the portraits; once he'd found out how to awaken them anyway.

Hardwin took a deep breath as his fingers ran over his name written in familiar handwriting across the front of the envelope on top. He wondered what Sirius had written, and why Sirius had never sent it. If he'd meant to send it at all. Surely, Sirius had known how slim the chances were of Hardwin ever finding it in that desk. Then again, he might not have. For all the appearance that Sirius was alright, he knew that the man hadn't been doing as well as he appeared. Not when he was forced to remain in that house.

Taking another deep breath, Hardwin released it slowly as he flipped the envelope over and opened it with the vintage filigree brass letter opener he'd found in the drawer. He set the small blade aside with the letter from Arcturus before slowly sliding the parchment out of the envelope. The letter appeared only a few pages long, but what surprised Hardwin, was the ring that fell out of the envelope.

Tears misted his eyes as Hardwin picked the ring up from where it had fallen on the desk. He recognized this ring. Sirius had worn it when he'd met him in his third year; only then it had looked like a tattoo on his finger. Of course, at the time, Hardwin hadn't known what it was. He did now.

It was a Black family ring; recognizable from the crest on the ring, but it was not the heir ring as Hardwin would have expected before he'd discovered he was the heir and not Sirius. No, this was a ring worn by a scion of the House. He'd seen others wearing rings like it. Marcus wore one for House Flint, and even Narcissa still wore a feminine one for House Black. Each scion ring was made for the child upon their birth into the family and charmed to grow with them as they got older.

It made sense that no one would have been able to take it from Sirius when he was arrested as only the person themselves or the Lord of the family would be able to remove such a ring from the wearer's finger. It would also explain why the ring had looked like a tattoo the first time he had met Sirius. The magic would have activated to keep the ring from being taken; seeping into Sirius's skin when someone else tried to remove it.

Picking up the ring, Hardwin looked to the underside of the band. Just as he thought, there was the inscription. Sirius Orion Black. He fought the tears as he grasped the ring tightly in his hand.

'Sirius knew.' Hardwin thought as the tears spilled over to trail down his cheeks and he pushed back a sob.

He'd done his research after receiving the Lordship ring. He knew there was only one reason for Sirius to have taken this ring off. Scion rings were only removed when the child was disowned, disinherited, or for the ring to act in place of a body for burial rites. There were many ways to die in the magical world, and a few left no body behind for the burial. The rings held two purposes. To act as a mark of the House they were born or belong to, and so the family Lord would know if anything happened to them in which their body was not able to be recovered for burial.

If Sirius had been wearing the ring when he died then the magic within the scion ring would have been drawn to the magic within the Lordship ring. The fact that Sirius had taken off the ring, and left it to Hardwin in this way, meant that he had known the chances of him making it through the war had not been in his favor. Either that or he'd had some other purpose or message behind it that Hardwin couldn't fathom. He'd spent so little time with Sirius in the end that truthfully, though he'd loved the man, he'd barely known him.

Hardwin set the ring down on the desk gently before turning to the folded parchment. He was looking forward to seeing what Sirius had thought so important that he'd written so many drafts; as he'd seen in the man's desk where he'd found the letter. At the same time, he dreaded reading the letter. This would be the last thing he'd ever received from Sirius.

It left him feeling conflicted, but he started reading anyway.

---

Pup,

I must have started this letter a hundred times by now, but it’s still difficult to find the right words. There are so many things that I should have told you, but if you’re reading this then I never got the chance. I'm so sorry, pup. I was never able to be there for you as you grew up, to raise you as I should have, and our time together has been short. Just know that however it happened, as long as you make it through this war and have a happy life, I couldn't be more satisfied.

I don't know if it's just the effects from the years with the dementors, or if the madness known to run in the Black bloodline is taking hold, but I often find my mind slipping more and more. The whispers are growing more frequent, and the shadows in this old house seem darker every day. I'm forgetting things more often lately, but there are things you should know. Things you need to know. Important things that I haven't been able to tell you. It just never seems like we have the time alone to speak. I had hoped to tell you myself, but I can't seem to tell you in person.

Hardwin- Harry, the truth is that you are my godson, but you are also every bit my son as you are James and Lily's. You are the sole heir to the Black family name and fortune, such as it is. I know you're probably confused, but it all started just before your mum found out she was pregnant with you.

You see, my mother disowned me from the family after I ran away to your dad's. My grandfather, who was still Lord Black, never agreed to the disownment, but then I went and publicly denounced my family. He had no choice but to make my brother Regulus the heir of House Black. That was fine by me. Reggie was always the good son. The one our parents were proud of.

We were close as children, but that changed as we got older. I never stopped loving Reggie, but his views mirrored that of our parents. By the time I left home our relationship had become little better than strangers living in the same house. I couldn't recognize my brother in the person he became. At the time, I couldn't accept that my brother had started spouting the same blood-supremacist view of our parents. Now, I think I should have tried harder to get through to him. That is a regret I've carried with me.

Just before your mum became pregnant with you, Reggie disappeared. No one is sure about what happened to him, but the rest of the family learned of his death when his scion and heir rings appeared to my grandfather. I didn't even know that he had gone missing until I had gotten a howler from our mother. I wasn't welcome at his burial, but I waited until the family had left to pay my respects.

My grandfather, Arcturus, must have seen me as he came to me a month later. I hated most of my family, but my grandmother Melania was a bit better than the others when I was young. She still believed in the superiority of purebloods, but not with the same mania as the rest of the family. I believe this to be because of her family's influence as she had been a MacMillan, and House Macmillan has always been known to be a more open-minded family. It was only out of respect for her memory that I decided to listen to what my grandfather had to say.

Still, my grandfather had always been a very proud man. Your mother had just found out that she was pregnant with you when he came to me after Reggie died. I'll tell you pup, my grandfather was a broken man compared to the one I had known. He knew the Black line would end, as I was the only male of the line left with all of my cousins being women, and had come to plead for me to take back the heirship and inherit the responsibilities of our House.

I refused. I didn't want anything to do with my family and thought I would have been happy to see it all end. I was angry and hurt. We were fighting a war, and there were rumors that Reggie had been killed by Voldemort. Yet, despite those rumors, the rest of the family still supported that lunatic's cause.

As far as I was concerned; our House would be better off dead and gone.

It was your dad that talked some sense into me. James knew that while I hated my family that it would have killed something in me to allow the extinction of our history. The Blacks weren't always the way they are now. Your dad knew me better than I knew myself even then. He told me that one day I would regret just watching it all end. He was right.

I was so angry, and I hated my family for what they had done to me, to Reggie, and how they cared for nothing more than their views about blood purity. My parents most of all. At the same time, I knew that House Black wasn't irredeemable. My cousin Andy was an example of that. She chose to leave our family for a love; she knew they would never approve of a muggle-born.

As much as I would regret letting House Black die out; I couldn't bring myself to have anything to do with it. There was another problem in that I had cursed myself sterile while drunk and emotional when I was sixteen. It was a stupid decision, but I was determined to never sire a child at the time. It was something I would come to regret later, but I knew when my grandfather asked me that I wouldn't be able to continue the line even if I had wanted to then.

James was with me for support when I told my grandfather as much.

We were both surprised, however, when he made another suggestion. Your father's mother, Dorea, had been a Black before her marriage. Grandfather Arcturus suggested that Lily take the Sanguis Reuocare potion if she were to become pregnant with a boy. It's a potion that, using my blood, would make the Black blood you inherited from your father more prominent in you by making me a third parent. It's because of this potion that you are just as much a Black as you are a Potter.

Grandfather said that he would then name you as his heir. He vowed that we would be the ones to raise you with no interference from him, but that you would be able to continue the line as he so desperately wanted. In this way, you could change House Black yourself from what it had become. Your dad and I were a bit hesitant to agree, but we explained to Lily the situation, and about my grandfather's request.

Harry, your mother was an amazing woman. She heard your dad and me out, and promptly laughed in our faces after thinking about it for only a few minutes. James and I were baffled until she said that it could be a great thing; for you. She thought about you first from the moment she knew you existed.

Lily knew about the bias in our world, and she knew this war wouldn't change the way things are. Not while the ones making the laws and leading our world are those from old wizarding Houses who follow the traditions and mindset of previous generations. People may become more tolerant, but our world is slow to change even as the muggles continue to grow more advanced. I can't explain it in the same way she said it at the time.

Lily wanted you to have the best, and she knew that those born within old wizarding Houses were provided more opportunities. She didn't want you to struggle in life, but to have every opportunity we could give you. As a Potter, you would have had those opportunities as well, but James was only from a branch of the family. He was from a cousin branch and not the main line so he was provided a stipend, but not much else.

Lily convinced James and I to go through with the blood adoption. We discussed it and determined that we wouldn't tell anyone else that you were the heir. We would tell you when you were old enough to decide for yourself what you wanted to do as we didn't want to put any pressure on you. We wouldn't interfere with whatever you decided; if you wanted to become the Lord of House Black or not. If you wanted to follow tradition or try to change things. In the end, it would always be your choice we cared about.

Lily took the potion, and several months later you were born in Black Manor, which is our ancestral home. Something grandfather insisted on as was the tradition for every child of House Black. Grandfather Arcturus held true to his word. He held you for a while the day you were born before he formally named you his heir, and left for France to live in seclusion after giving an oath to never interfere in how you were raised. He wanted to stay away from the war, to hold the Lordship for as long as he could until you came of age, and we all agreed to keep your true name hidden to protect you.

I regret now that Lily, James, and I agreed for grandfather to give that oath. If he hadn't then he would have been able to take you in after James and Lily died. I know that we all would have preferred for him to have raised you rather than those horrid muggle relatives. We were young, and could never have known what would happen. I don't know why James's cousin didn't see to your welfare as he should have but you deserve to know why my grandfather, your great-grandfather, couldn't step in as Lord Black. I may not have liked him very much, but I remember the way he looked at you the day you were born. I know he would have been there for you if he could have.

Lead House Black into a brighter future by taking your birthright as Lord, or don't. Just know that we will be proud of you no matter what you choose to do. All we've ever wanted for you was to be happy and to have a good life. If you can do that then everything will be worth it.

You should know that Lily and James loved you more than anything else in the world. I don't know how I died, but I want you to know that I love you too, pup. More than anything. I'm so proud of you, and I hope you continue being the strong person I know you to be. We'll be watching over you; always.

Do what makes you happy, and know that you make me proud to have you as my son.

Love you pup,

Sirius Orion Black

---

Hardwin fought a losing battle with the tears that flooded his eyes as he read the letter a second and third time before slowly laying it down on the desk in front of him. He sighed heavily as he wiped at his eyes and cheeks in an attempt to rid them of the moisture. It didn't do much as more tears fell in wet trails to his chin; replacing the ones before. Resting his elbows on his desk, Hardwin folded his fingers together and buried his face against his palms as he released a shuddering breath.

He'd felt numb for a long time now. There had been a lot of losses in the war since Tom's revival four years ago. Remus, Tonks, and Fred were only a few of the more recent ones. Even still, he hadn't shed a tear for any of them Not even during the funerals. Losing Sirius though... That had left a scar on his heart that had left him numb to the losses that would follow. He had grieved and was still grieving those losses as each had been a blow, but he hadn't cried.

Not like this.

Hardwin took a deep breath as he tried to steady himself. He felt like a dam had been broken as the emotions he had been forced to push back over the last several years swamped him. He choked on a sob as he felt like his heart had been ripped apart again. The wounds to his heart still felt fresh, and it was like the feelings from the last few years had festered just under the surface.

Greif was the most prominent at that moment. Not just for the loss of Sirius, but for others like Remus and Tonks, and for the loss of the chance to know any of them better. His time with all of them had been so short, and now there wouldn't be any more chances to know them without the underlying tension of the war. He felt grief not for himself, but also for Teddy, who would never get to know them except for stories told to him by others. He knew how that felt all too well.

"He might understand what his parents died for, but that doesn't make it easier. I'll do what I can, but Andromeda and I can only do so much. There will always be something missing, and he'll feel it every time he sees another kid with their parents. Teddy will never know a childhood like I had, though. Your son will know he's loved. I swear it, Remus." Harry said quietly as he thought about what Remus had said to him when he'd used the resurrection stone and tried to regain control of his emotions.

Taking several slow, deep breaths, Hardwin managed to calm himself down after a few minutes. Wiping the tears away with the cuff of his robes, he dried his face before refolding the letter and gently slipping it back into the envelope. He moved to place it in the top-middle drawer of the desk before the envelope left by Arcturus caught the edge of his gaze. He slipped Sirius's letter into the drawer before picking it up and using the letter opener to break the wax seal.

Hardwin was admittedly curious as to what his great-grandfather had written. Hardwin knew now why Arcturus hadn't come for him. He'd made an oath not to interfere with his parents and how they wanted him to be raised. He couldn't hold any anger toward Arcturus when that oath had been part of the agreement with his parents to make Hardwin his heir. Even so, Hardwin's existence must have meant something to the man if he had wanted an heir to his line.

Pulling the parchment out of the envelope, Hardwin was surprised to find a single sheet of parchment with only one paragraph written there.

---

To my great-grandson and heir,

If you're reading this then my hopes for the future have borne fruit and you've accepted your birthright. No doubt you have questions. When you are ready for answers; awaken my portrait above the mantle. Just hold the Lordship ring over the crest and encant: Excita Memoriam Nigris. This will call upon the magic of our family, and awaken all of the portraits in the manor.

Arcturus Black

---

It was short, but it held the promise of answers. Hardwin had been looking for information to awaken the portraits in the library. The problem had been that the password to awaken the portraits varied from family to family when it came to the portraits of the Lords and Ladies of old Houses. Hardwin had almost resigned himself to the fact that he may need to look through the family records. Luckily, he wouldn't need to do that anymore.

Hardwin looked up at the portrait above the mantle. He had known when he'd entered the room that it was a portrait of one of the previous Lords of House Black. He just hadn't realized that it was Arcturus. He looked at the man who only appeared to be in his forties or early fifties, and knew that Arcturus had been ninety when he had died. That was still relatively young for a wizard, and Hardin was left to wonder why he had died in ninety-one.

He was tempted, sorely tempted, to awaken the portraits now to speak with him. There was so much he wanted to know, and even more, he knew he would need to learn about his family. At the same time, he knew it would be best if he waited until after breakfast. He knew that his eyes must still be puffy from crying and the tear tracks would be unwanted. He wanted to be at his best for the conversation he knew would come.

Hardwin cast a quick tempus to see that it was even later than he had expected. It was past the time he usually tried to get to sleep. Trying to stretch the kinks out of his shoulders, he left the letter on the desk and stood from his chair. A yawn caught him by surprise as he doused the fire in the fireplace before making his way toward the door with a final glance toward Arcturus's portrait.

'I hope the snakes are asleep. I'll need to come up with names for them soon, and write to Gringotts.' Hardwin thought as he made his way through the quiet halls to his room.

123456

This took me longer than I thought it would. I was trying to get it done so I could post it for yule. A little late, but at least you all will have it before New Year. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Hardwin has finally read the letter from Sirius, but there are still more questions he needs answers for. Hopefully, Arcturus can help with that.

Wishing you all belted Yuletide blessings, happy holidays, and a Happy New Year!

Ryu

Chapter Text

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 Eighteen

Hardwin cursed silently to himself as he ate breakfast the next morning. He'd returned to his room the night before feeling drained by the long day and the conflicting emotions he'd been trying to avoid. All he'd wanted to do was sleep, but he'd been forced to remain awake to listen to complaints from a certain cobra who was then joined by both vipers. All because Dipili was near the window and would get more of the sun than they would when the sun came up in the morning.

He'd been forced to move all four of them to the conservatory on the third floor where the ceiling and two of the walls were glass. Hardwin would need to get more plants into the room today to keep the snakes satisfied with the space. He hadn't wanted to wake Saros, who was the one who took care of the grounds, when it could wait. It had been one of the first things he'd had to do when he'd sat down to eat breakfast though, and so now the elf had the task of finding the best plants to use. Luckily, because it was for the snakes whose care he was responsible for, Nanna had been quick to volunteer to help.

Hardwin had been exhausted by the time he'd made it to bed, but at least his room would now be blissfully quiet.

He'd woken later than usual to Winky insisting that it was time to start the day and Kreature scowling in disapproval of his tardiness in making it down to breakfast at the appointed time. He'd taken the time to shower, and be properly dressed and groomed before leaving the room. He hadn't left his room in the morning without doing so after Draco had been sent to the Manor by Narcissa several days before, and it was slowly becoming a habit.

Hardwin had gotten a crash course in proper grooming from his cousin. He'd spent several hours with Draco that day as the older teen used the hair growth potion Andromeda had bought to grow out and style Hardwin's hair. If anyone would have doubted his Black blood before, they surely wouldn't now. The untameable mess curled loosely and fell to just below his shoulder blades. The resemblance to Sirius had been almost painful to see, and Hardwin had asked Draco if there was a way to pin his hair back a bit to change the style if he wanted to. His cousin, seeing the pain in his expression, taught him a few spells he could use to braid his hair or pull it back into different styles.

"Seems you're starting the day rather late. Have a busy day yesterday, did you, cousin?" As if thinking about the other teen had summoned him, Draco's question drew his attention away from his thoughts as he entered the informal dining room near the kitchens.

"Good morning, Draco. I'll have you know that awake I was until early this morning dealing with three new snakes. They weren't satisfied with where I had them, and wouldn't let me sleep until I moved all of them into the conservatory on the third floor." Hardwin grumbled grumpily as he set down his fork to look at the blonde who was looking at him from the stairs with a familiar smirk.

"Hmm, and here I thought you were unable to sleep because out of anticipation." Draco replied as he came to sit at the table, and poured himself some tea from the pot that was there, a cup appearing in front of him when he sat down.

"What are you going on about, Draco? I have a lot I need to do today before I go out later tonight." Hardwin replied as he picked up his own tea which was growing cool.

"Mother received a letter this morning from Lord Flint to open negotiations for a marriage contract between you and his son Marcus. I guessed that you were with him yesterday to help look for a snake for his younger brother as you'd promised since Aunt Andromeda firecalled us when she was looking for you. So what happened?" Draco asked curiously, and Hardwin mentally cursed at how sharp the blonde could be sometimes.

"Nothing much. I met his family yesterday morning before taking Marcus and his brother Mardyn to look for a snake in the muggle world. Marcus decided to treat me to lunch as a thank you after taking his brother home." Hardwin replied as his empty plate vanished and he silently wondered to himself why he'd given his cousins an open invitation to come to the manor whenever they liked.

At the same time, he didn't truly regret it. He liked that Andromeda with Teddy, Narcissa, and Draco had started stopping by like this. This manor was a big place to live by himself. He appreciated the company.

"Naughty, naughty, cousin. It's improper to be alone with a potential suitor at our age." Draco teased and Hardwin had to try very hard not to roll his eyes.

"Yes, well, we were in public the entire time. What does Narcissa think of the match?" Hardwin asked as he set down his now empty cup.

"Mother is over the moon. She's been waiting to see if Lord Flint would send a request for negotiations since Aunt Andromeda spoke to her about when you met them at the Menagerie the other day. I do believe she put off writing to a few of the other old families to see if Lord Flint would be interested in matching you with Marcus. She was talking about firecalling Aunt Andromeda when she left the dining room after breakfast. I thought to come and warn you before the two of them drag you out to get an acceptable outfit for a marriage meeting." Draco said with a chuckle at the grimace in Hardwin's expression at the thought of shopping with the two women.

He had a feeling Narcissa would either be as bad or worse than her sister when it came to his wardrobe. He'd started caring for his appearance, but he didn't think he would ever reach the same level as those two. Just shopping with Andromeda had been tiring enough with how much she had made him try on. Hardwin had vaguely had hopes of not worrying about another trip for a while more yet, but if Draco was warning him then he knew to be a bit wary.

"You didn't come to warn me so much as you're he to tease me." Hardwin grumbled and stood when he could see that Draco had finished his tea.

I'll admit that was part of my reason for visiting, but I also wanted to see how you felt about it. I mean, I've always known my marriage would be chosen for me. You didn't." Draco answered as he stood to walk with Hardwin who led him up two flights of stairs toward his study.

"Honestly, I'm alright with it. I've thought about it a lot since I found out that I have less than two years to get married or I forfeit the Black Lordship. After everything, I trust your mother to select a good match for me, better than I do myself. Especially since I keep learning more about how much of my life Dumbledore tried to decide for me. At least with Narcissa, she'll take my opinions into consideration." Hardwin replied as he opened the door to the study and Draco followed him inside.

"I've heard a bit about that. Aunt Andromeda firecalled Mother last night after she heard about the marriage contract Dumbledore tried to draw up between you and the Weasley bint. When are you going to do something about them? From what I heard, they've been firecalling her looking for you several times a day. The broodmother even started flooing into Aunt Andromeda's home without notice. She had to block the floo after the harpy started screeching and demanding to know where you were, and woke up the baby." Draco sneered at how uncouth the woman was.

"Andromeda didn't tell me about that." Hardwin frowned as Draco sat down on the settee.

"I don't think she wanted to bother you with it since we know you already have a lot going on." Draco said and Hardwin shook his head.

"I may be busy right now, but that doesn't mean I don't want to know when my family is being harassed. Perhaps I should ask her to move in here with me, at least until this is over. She could lock down the house to keep them off the property. I would never take Teddy from her, but I should also be helping her more with him than I have been. We have shared custody, but I've been so busy that I haven't taken him for more than a few hours." Hardwin admitted; having thought about it before, and feeling like he should be doing more.

"Now you're talking like a proper Lord of House. She might feel like she's intruding on you though when you'll be getting the manor ready for when you're married though." Draco warned as Hardwin lit the fireplace before crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back against the desk as he spoke to him.

"I don't want any of you to feel like you're intruding, Draco. I didn't know I had a family for the longest time, but I do now. There are rooms upstairs for the extended family if any of you would like to stay the night or even for a while. I'm not really used to being alone as much as I have been recently either; so I do enjoy it when one of you stops by. If Andromeda truly doesn't wish to stay with me then I can see about opening one of the other properties for her and Teddy. I just want to know they're both safe, and away from the line of fire." Hardwin explained and Draco smiled.

"You should probably speak with her about it, and I'll let mother know what you said about the rooms upstairs. I might come to spend a few days looking through the library, but I don't think mother will stay overnight while my father is unable to leave Malfoy Manor." Draco replied before getting back to his original topic.

"Back to Flint. Are you alright with the thought of marrying him? It's one thing to say you're alright with having a marriage contract, but how do you feel now that you know he's a prospective marriage partner?" Draco asked knowing that his mother wanted to be sure before she set a meeting with Lord and Lady Flint.

"I already knew he was a possibility. I'm... I'm actually alright with it. I am interested in him, and he expressed an interest in my contract yesterday. My only problem is that I don't know how closely related we might be." Hardwin admitted with a wince as he thought about the inbreeding in the family that he was determined wouldn't continue.

"I know our great-great-great-grandmother was a Flint, but I think she was from a different branch of the Flint line. I had to learn the family trees for both sides of my bloodline as a child, but I wasn't too concerned about how close the relationships were. Mother was speaking to father about what you said about marrying too closely. I don't think she would approve of the match if that was an issue when she knows your opinion on the subject." Draco said as he tried to remember how closely they were related to the Flints.

"I could always ask the portraits or see what I can find in the family records, I suppose. What about your marriage partner? I think Narcissa said you were set to Marry Daphne Greendgrass's younger sister? When will the wedding be?" Hardwin asked and Draco nodded.

"I'll be marrying Astoria Greengrass. Astoria is two years younger than we are, and will be in her sixth year at Hogwarts this year. The date for our marriage will likely be in early summer after she graduates. There hasn't been a marriage between the Greengrass and Malfoy or Black lines for at least seven generations so I think the relation is distant enough." Draco said and Hardwin nodded thoughtfully as he knew now that he would need to be married before his cousin was.

"How do you feel about her?" Hardwin asked and Draco looked thoughtful.

"We get along well enough though I can't say I know her very well. We've had a few conversations, but we haven't spent much time together, and when we do it's always with a chaperone. Her family has maintained neutrality through every war the wizarding world has had in the last several hundred years. While they do believe in keeping their bloodline pure they don't look down on families that don't. They are a lot like the MacMillan and Fawley families in that respect. They're also one of the few Houses that are Matriarical which is why her older sister is the heiress." Draco told him and Hardwin filed the information away as he moved around his desk and sat down in the chair.

"What about House Flint? Marcus said that they were considered dark, but that Lord Flint didn't side with Tom during this war or the one that was going on when we were born. He said his father kept them moving outside Europe to avoid the conflict when Tom regained a body." Hardwin asked as he remembered what Marcus had told him.

"Yes, House Flint is considered to be dark, but that is because they have advocated to bring back the old ways and to loosen the restrictions on dark magic for several generations now. While Lord Maddox Flint has maintained that political stance, House Flint hasn't supported or condoned the actions of any Dark Lord in at least the last three hundred years. Lord Flint also doesn't support the pureblood supremacy the Dark Lord advocated, and considered him and his followers to be extremists. In fact, while House Flint is a well-respected pureblood House and one of the sacred twenty-eight, they have been known to marry second or third-generation purebloods." Draco told him knowing that, while this was information he would be learning from a tutor later, it was better he know now that Lord Flint was seeking his contract for Marcus.

"The old ways? What are the old ways?" Hardwin asked curiously as he'd never heard of it before.

"The old ways are our traditions; our culture. It's mostly the old families that practice the Sabbats anymore, and when we do, it has to be in secret because practicing has been outlawed. Even information about them has been banned here in Britain. The Sabbats such as Samhain, Yule, and Ostara which celebrate magic have been taken from us while the muggle holidays of Halloween, Christmas, and Easter are forced on us. So many of the old Houses followed the Dark Lord because he promised to restore the old ways, and we would be free to celebrate Magic again rather than some muggle religion." Draco explained and Hardwn's brows pinched as he processed what he was being told.

"So wizarding traditions that celebrate magic are being suppressed just to make the muggle-borns more comfortable? Is that only here in Britain, or is it true in other countries?" Hardwin asked knowing he would need to look in the library; the Blacks had never cared for supposed legality and so he know he would find some information.

"Yes, and it's only here in Britain. It's also why the older families, especially the 'dark' families, have a problem with the muggle-borns. Not only has our culture been suppressed to make them more comfortable in our world, but there is also the risk to the Statute of Secrecy because of the muggle relatives who know about the Wizarding World. No security measures are being used to keep the parents from exposing our world. We are just supposed to trust them not to expose our world." Draco explained because he knew his cousin needed all of the facts to understand the problems he would encounter when he took his seat in the Wizenmont.

"That's not good. Surely there is a department in the Ministry that monitors risks of exposure. What about the obliviators?" Hardwin asked as he thought about his own relatives.

"No, and that's the problem. The obliviators are only sent to manage any exposure after it has already happened rather than to prevent it. Other countries have taken their own measures to limit the contact between the wizarding and muggle worlds and to monitor any risks. They have more laws in place to protect the Statute. The British Ministry used to, but that has changed within the last hundred years and it's become more about managing exposure rather than preventing it." Draco explained and Hardwin had to force himself not to run his fingers through his hair out of habit while he thought.

"That's not good. I was raised in the muggle world, and while not all muggles are bad, it would still be dangerous for us if our word was exposed. Muggles may not have magic, but they have developed weapons that even magic would have a hard time countering. There is also their technology. It's getting more advanced every year. The muggles have something called the internet, and information from just one person can be sent all over the world." Hardwin said as he remembered the computer Dudley had in his bedroom.

"I'm unfamiliar with what the internet means, but if one muggle can do that with it then it would be bad for us." Draco replied looking a bit unsettled, and Hardwin sighed as he looked down at his desk where his gaze focuses on the letter from Arcturus and the ring that lay next to it.

"There's no use in worrying about that right now. I can't take my wizengamont seat until after I marry, anyway. I'll just need to gather information in the meantime so I can bring it to their attention then. I could use your help with something else." Hardwin said; picking up the sheet of parchment and the ring as he stood.

"What is it?" Draco asked curiously as he tried to shake off the thoughts about this 'muggle internet' that had been spiraling in his mind.

"I found a letter from Sirius before I moved out of Grimmauld Place, and I finally read it last night. It had a lot of answers that I needed, but this was also inside it." Hardwin replied as he held up the scion ring for Draco to see; earning a gasp from his cousin who stood to get a closer look.

"That's... Do you know what it means?" Draco asked as he looked at the ring in Hardwin's hand, but made no move to touch it.

"I know it's the ring that marked him as a scion of House Black, and that they are traditionally given to the children from old Houses the day they are born. I also know that usually the rings are only taken off when a child is disowned or disinherited and that the ring will return to the Lord of the House if the body isn't recovered after death. I don't know what it means that he left it to me like this though. All I can think of is that he knew... He knew he might not make it through the war." Hardwin admitted as his fingers curled over the ring as another wave of grief hit him.

"Scion rings are given at birth to denote their belonging to the family. From the time that the child is born, the rings bonds with their magic and the essence of their soul. The only other time one of these rings is removed before death, other than the reasons you already know, is when it is left to someone they trusted more than any other. This person becomes a Keeper which means he's entrusted you as the keeper of his essence. He must have left this ring to you so that you would have a way to clear his name, to bury him, or to give you closure if he were to die." Draco told him, and Hardwin looked at him in confusion.

"What do you mean by that? How would the ring clear his name after he's already gone?" He asked in both surprise and confusion.

"Sirius's name was disgraced by the charges he was sent to Azkaban for. He was innocent, but the public doesn't know that. By leaving the ring to you he left you a way to clear his name. It was bonded to his magic since the day he was born. That ring is a physical manifestation of everything he was and all of the memories and experiences that shaped him. That's why the rings can be used in place of a body for burial. The ring is literally a part of the one who wore it." Draco explained, and Hardwin's breath caught in his throat.

"So what do I do?" Hardwin asked after a moment as his grip tightened around the ring to ensure he wouldn't drop it.

"You will need to go to the Minister and the Head of the DMLE to request a retrial to clear his name. If you weren't already Lord Black then you would have needed the Lord of House, but since that's you then it's not a problem. The ring can be placed into a special pensieve to view the memories. The problem is that it can and will put Sirius's whole life on display unless you can guide them to the relevent memories. The ring would be able to show any event he experianced in his lifetime; both good and bad. " Draco explained in a heavy voice as he tried to impart to his cousin how serious he was about what the ring would show.

"Everything? Why would anyone want that? Just to clear his name after he's already gone, I could be exposing everything that made him who he was for public scrutiny! It feels more like a violation!" Hardwin exclaimed and Draco nodded because it was.

"It is, and that is why the ring is only ever entrusted to someone the wearer trusts with everything they were. That's also why it would be a closed trial with only you as the Keeper and his Lord of House, the Minister, the Head of the DMLE, and the Chief Warlock. They would be required to make a vow not to speak of anything they might witness other than the memories pertaining to the crimes he was charged with. It would restore his honor if his name were to be cleared, and the public could no longer consider him to be a blight upon the House of Black. This is also why I think he would have wanted you to clear his name. I don't think he wanted his name to be a stain to your House if you accepted your birthright." Draco explained and Hardwin looked at the ring in his hand as he thought about what he was being told.

Nodding to himself, he picked up a quill from the desk and transfigured it onto a small box. Placing the ring safely inside, Hardwin tucked it away in the drawer of his desk with the letter. He looked back at Draco as he shut the drawer to see the other teen nod as he knew it was probably something Hardwin wanted to think on when he had some time alone. Steel blue eyes then turned their gaze toward the sheet of parchment Hardwin had picked up at the same time as the ring.

"Is that the letter he wrote you?" He asked and Hardwin shook his head.

"No. That one I put away. This one is from Arcturus Black." Harwin said as he stepped back around the desk.

"Arcturus? Your great-grandfather?" Draco asked with mild surprise.

"Yes. Sirius explained in his letter that Arcturus came to him after Regulus's funeral. He asked him to accept the title of heir again, but Sirius wanted nothing to do with it. Apparently, my mum was already pregnant with me, and it was eventually decided that Sirius would blood-adopt me into the main line as a Black while I was still in the womb so that I could be named the heir. Part of their agreement for my being named the heir was that Arcturus had to vow never to interfere with how I was raised." Hardwin explained and Draco almost lost his composure as his jaw dropped a bit.

"That's why he didn't step in as the Lord of House and take you in or assign your care to mother or Aunt Andromeda even though he named you his heir. It would have gone against the vow he made to your parents." Draco stated as they finally had an answer to something they had all been wondering about.

"Exactly. Though I think they would have prefered him to raise me rather than mum's sister. I found this waiting for me on the desk here in the study." Hardwin said as he handed the parchment to Draco for him to read.

"So you're going to wake the portraits." Draco said knowing that Hardwin had been frustrated at not finding the password before.

"I am. Should I call Andromeda and Narcissa? I would like for you three to be here. We all have questions, and I'm sure there are a few I wouldn't even think to ask." Hardwin said, and he saw Draco straighten before he nodded.

"Of course. I'll call mother. Aunt Andromeda might already be with her to help her with planning for the meeting with Lord and Lady Flint." He said before taking a pinch of floo powder from the small bowl on the mantle and throwing it into the fire as he kneeled down into the flames.

Hardwin waited as Draco made the call home. He looked up at the still portrait as he let his mind wander. So much had changed in only a few short weeks. He was more than grateful that he had Andromeda, Draco, Narcissa, and even Lucius to help him. While distant, they were still his cousins, and the support of a family had been something he'd never thought he would have. Now, he was about to talk to his great-grandfather, even if it was only the remnants of his magic and memories bound in a portrait. If Dumbledore had had his way then he never would have known about his heritage or the birthright his parents had wanted for him.

That just made Hardwin even more determined to learn what he needed and to take back everything that had or would have been stolen from him.

123456

Well, this chapter almost seemed to write itself! I'd thought it would take me longer to write. I mean, I just posted the last one two days ago! Hope you liked it. Next chapter, Arcturus's portrait, as well as the others in the manor will be woken.

Ryu

Chapter Text

The Future of House Black

By: Ryu Katanna

Beta:

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter Nineteen

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He'd known it was coming sooner or later.

He'd just been hoping for later.

123456

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

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

The link is here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088904995997

~Ryu

Chapter Text

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

Three weeks passed quickly after Andromeda and Teddy had moved in with Hardwin at Black Manor. The move had been made easy with the help of the house elves, and Andromeda had settled into a suite on the third floor while Teddy slept in the nursery on the second. Hardwin had noticed that Andromeda was starting to look more rested as the days passed. If that was because she wasn't surrounded by memories of the family she'd lost, or because she was now able to sleep through the night with Winky becoming the official nanny elf, Hardwin didn't know or ask.

He just appreciated both of their presence in the Manor.

They had fallen into an easy routine after the first few days. Monday through Thursday the two of them would have breakfast together in the informal dining room. Andromeda would then head up to the Nursery to take over Teddy's care from Winky, and Hardwin would head to the floo room to greet whichever tutor was arriving that morning. He studied proper wizarding etiquette, dance, penmanship, and table manners in the mornings until lunch when Draco would arrive to eat with Hardwin and Andromeda. After lunch, the two teens would greet one of three tutors every two hours to study for their N.E.W.T.S. until supper time.

Draco would leave to dine with his parents, and Hardwin would spend an hour after supper with Teddy and Andromeda before going to his study. There he would take care of any correspondence and learn estate management from Arcturus; the portrait helping him sort through the investments and properties that had remained stagnant for seven years. Arcturus may have made many mistakes in life when it came to their family, but one thing both Andromeda and Narcissa had told him, the man had a keen mind for business and politics. Hardwin was finding it a lot easier to sort through everything with the help of his great-grandfather's portrait.

Hardwin could tell that the man must have been a hard taskmaster in life. Arcturus still gave off the feel of pure-blood aristocracy, but it was obvious that the deaths of Melania, Orion, and Regulus, as well as Sirius's hatred for the family, and facing the fact that it had been his decisions that had almost led to the end of the family line, had left their marks on the man. His portrait still held himself with pride, but that was tempered but the mistakes he'd acknowledged. He was firm with Hardwin while teaching him, but also didn't argue with him when the teen made the final decision about the investments. He was already starting to see a return after the first week of sorting the investments with Arcturus's help; much to SilverClaw's pleasure.

Fridays Hardwin would floo to Malfoy Manor after breakfast where he learned how to ride and care for the Abraxians that Lucius took pride in. He would eat lunch with them before spending an hour or two learning about politics from Lucius for when he took his seat on the Wizengmont. Hardwin would return from Malfoy Manor and spend time alone with Teddy to give Andromeda some time to herself until supper. After supper, Hardwin would go up to the conservatory to read and spend time with Depili as well as the other three who had been named Malina, Adamani, and Larimar.

Saturday nights Hardwin would meet with Mina at Freedom, but his day was spent in the library as he researched anything and everything he could about his family line. Hardwin researched not only the Black and Potter lines, but also his relations to the Gaunt, Montague, Prewett, and Peverell lines. He wanted to understand his history better. Unsurprisingly, he found a lot of information there though he concentrated more on the Black, Potter, Peverell, and Gaunt lines. Hardwin truly wanted to know if there were any other descendants of the Gaunt line, but couldn't find that he could trace that were still living.

He also worked to sort the Dark Arts and other books banned by the Ministry when he needed a distraction. Those books were then relocated to an empty storage room which he was making into a library similar to the restricted section at Hogwarts. He planned to put the room under a fidelius that would only be shared with those within the family over seventeen. That way they would be kept safe if the Ministry ever decided to raid the Manor, and any children of House Black would have to wait the access them until they were of age. He also planned to put a portrait over the entryway to further protect it with a guardian who would keep anyone underage out even if they knew the secret.

Sunday mornings he would spend with Teddy and Andromeda until the afternoon. Then Hardwin would head upstairs to continue the two projects he was working on. The main one being his proposal for Lord Scamander. He was almost done, but he wanted to have all of the information for a cooperative rehabilitation and sanctuary between Houses Black and Scamander. Hardwin already had two plans from a goblin architect for a magical serpentarium to be built on the grounds at Black Manor, and a separate plan that he was working on to replace the hedge maze.

He'd also exchanged several floo calls with Lucius as they discussed any laws and regulations that were in place for Magical Britain that would or could impact his plans. Luckily, Hardwin was exempt from needing certain permits when it came to serpents because he was a parselmouth though he could still be sentenced to serve a few years in Azkaban if he was found to be breeding a basilisk. It wasn't something Hardwin was worried about as he had no plans on ever doing so though he would apply for a permit to house one in case it was ever needed.

Lucius had looked ready to faint when he'd told him about it.

Hardwin hadn't noticed how quickly the time passed, and the students had soon returned to Hogwarts. He hadn't had the opportunity to see Luna before she returned to school, but he'd managed to give her a written interview that Xenophilius would be publishing once all the contracts were signed with his solicitor within the week. He'd regretted the lost opportunity to talk with her and Nevile, but he had been writing to both of them at least twice a week. He'd explained what he'd discovered over the summer. Neville and Luna had both assured him that understood. Neville especially because he would soon be Lord of House Longbottom, and carry responsibilities for his House. Luna had commented several times about the wrackspurts infesting his brain finally being known.

He'd also received another letter from George. He had been setting the frequent letters from Ron, Ginny, Hermione, and Molly into the folder for his solicitor unopened but he hadn't been able to bring himself to do the same with George's. George had set the date for the reopening of the shop for the end of September. Until then he was still filling owl orders, but restocking the shop was proving to take some time without Fred.

George had expressed his concern for Hardwin's 'disappearance' from their lives but had also said that he understood if Hardwin wanted time to himself after everything. That it was long past due for Hardwin to be able to live his life. He only asked that he write to him to let the redhead know he was still alive. That had prompted Hardwin to respond to him, and write that he was alright. That he'd learned a few things recently, and he just needed time to sort himself out. George had responded with only a few words saying 'Thanks. Let me know if you can make it for the reopening or not when you're ready.'

Hardwin shook his head to get his mind back onto what he was doing as he sat down in his study to look through the letters that had arrived that day. He wasn't surprised to see letters from Ron, Ginny, and Hermione as he sorted through them. They had continued writing to him though he hadn't read a single one in weeks; just putting them into the file that sent copies to his solicitor. He knew they had expected to corner him upon returning to school. Instead, they had been left to discover that he wouldn't be returning to Hogwarts when they couldn't find him on the train or at the feast the night before.

They had apparently gone to Headmistress McGonagall who had already known but refused to tell them anything; she'd been informed by Kingsley about what Hardwin had learned and was dealing with. She'd written to Hardwin after that offering her support, and also offering to meet with Aberforth to inform him personally. She'd worked more closely with him than most during the war, and felt it would be better coming from her before he got the details from Hardwin.

Hardwin had agreed and thanked her for her support before writing that he would set up a meeting between Aberforth, himself, their solicitors, and account managers at Gringotts if he was agreeable. Needless to say, Aberforth had been angry with his brother and had agreed to the meeting set for the beginning of October. Aberforth had also written to Gringotts for an audit on the Dumbledore vaults and had them frozen in the meantime. He had refused to have anything to do with them before, but by freezing the account he had stopped all outgoing transactions his brother may have set up.

"Is something wrong, Hardwin?" Arcturus asked as the teen paused on the next letter.

"The writing is unfamiliar, but it's properly addressed." Hardwin replied as he looked at it.

Hardwin Potter-Black
Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black
Scion of the Noble House of Potter
Black Manor, Wychwood Forest

"Well open it to see who it's from." Arcturus prompted knowing that the elves would have checked it for any curses or hexes even as Hardwin checked for himself.

Flipping the letter over, Hardwin paused again as he reached for his letter opener. The letter was sealed with wax displaying a House seal. The letter P in a triangle. He looked up at the portrait even as he moved to break the seal and open the letter.

"I think it's from Lord Potter." He told Arcturus and set down the opener.

"A response at last? You only wrote to him three weeks ago." Arcturus drawled scathingly at how long it had taken; a proper Lord would have responded more quickly.

"He's in America. Perhaps that's why it took so long. It doesn't look like it was sent by the goblins. That poor bird must be exhausted." Hardwin said as he looked at the return address included under the signature and then looked back at the envelope to see that there wasn't anything else other than his name and location.

If it had come through the goblins then it would have 'Care of Gringotts, Goblin Nation' stamped on the envelope by one of the goblin clerks. Hardwin knew this because he'd needed to take his letter to Gringotts and watched as they did it when they took the letter and payment. However, the return letter didn't have that same stamp. Which meant it hadn't been sent through the goblins, but owled directly.

"Nanna!" Hardwin called for his elf who was in charge of taking care of the animals.

"Yes, Master Black?" Nanna asked as he appeared; concerned about the tone in his Master's voice.

"Is the owl that delivered this letter still here?" Hardwin ask as he showed Nanna the envelope.

"Yes, Master Black. Nanna tells owlsies to rest in Aviarys. It collapses when it arrives. Very tired it is." Nanna informed him and Hardwin almost cringed in sympathy for the poor bird.

"Make sure it is well taken care of and rests for a few days. Give it plenty of water, fresh rats, and some treats. I doubt it'll be able to hunt for itself for at least a few days. If the owl is not looking any better in three days, or its condition gets worse in those three days, I want you to take it to Hagrid at Hogwarts. Give him this letter if you do; if it is not needed then just dispose of it later." Hardwin instructed as he laid the letter from Lord Potter down, pulled out a sheet of parchment, and wrote a short letter to Hagrid explaining the situation in case the bird was in really poor condition and his help was needed.

"Nanna bes doing as Master tells him." Nanna replied with a nod as Hardwin put the letter in an envelope and sealed it before handing it to the elf so he wouldn't forget.

"Has Andromeda returned? Please tell her that I've requested her presence and that I've received the letter we've been waiting for." Hardwin requested when Nanna nodded before turning back to the letter he'd laid down on the desk, and Nanna popped out of the room to do as he'd been instructed.

"The letter doesn't look to be very long. I wonder what Lord Potter has to say. It certainly took him long enough to respond." Arcturus said curiously as Hardwin picked it up.

"A single sheet of parchment... Hopefully, we'll get a few answers from it." Hardwin said as he unfolded it and started reading; a crease knitting his brow the more he read.

"Is something wrong?" Arcturus asked as Andromeda entered the study and Hardwin guessed she must have only been in the nursery down the hall to have arrived so quickly.

"I'm not sure what to think. Lord Potter says he is relieved to hear from me and has requested a meeting at his home in America." Hardwin informed him as he handed the letter to Andromeda.

"Well that's good isn't it?" She asked before pausing as she read to look up at him.

"Read a bit further. He's asked for a meeting that was set for four days ago. The letter wasn't sent through Gringotts. We have an owl in the aviary who has made a very long trip across the ocean." He told her with a small frown.

"Oh dear. Is Nanna taking care of it?" Andromeda asked before skimming through the rest of the letter.

"He is; with instructions to take it to Hagrid if it gets worse or doesn't get better in a few days." Hardwin reassured her before turning to the portrait of his grandfather as he spoke again.

"What will you do? If the meeting was set for four days ago then Lord Potter likely thinks you've wasted his time." Arcturus said with a small scowl knowing that Hardwin would have been able to make the meeting time if it had arrived on time.

"Well, if he won't or can't come to Britain to meet with me then I'll just have to go to America. The only problem is that I've never traveled internationally. MACUSA may have different laws when it comes to visitors from other countries, and who knows how long it'll take to arrange a meeting. Andromeda, do you think you could write to my tutors and cancel my lessons until I return? I'll also need you to take over things here until I return if there's a need. Grandfather knows everything I've been working on though there shouldn't be much since I've been so busy with my tutors." Hardwin said knowing that he would need her to do so if there was anything pressing since he was not married.

Usually, if the Lord of the House was unreachable, which he would be so far away, then the Lady or Lord Consort would be the one to take over correspondence and the business side of things until the Lord's return. Since Hardwin was still unmarried and had no heir of an appropriate age then a scion of the house who is trusted could do so if it was needed. Even if it was to reply that he would be unreachable and would be in contact upon his return so that meetings and such could be rescheduled. It was because of this reason that holidays were planned so far ahead of time.

"Of course, Hardwin. You should speak to Lucius before you go to the international port-key office at the Ministry. He's traveled a lot for both business and pleasure so I'm sure he could tell you anything you need to know about MACUSA's policies. I don't know much as it's been some years since I've traveled outside the country. I can have Kreacher pack a bag for you while you meet with him." Andromeda offered, and Hardwin frowned thoughtfully.

"Please make sure he packs the file I have set aside for Lord Poter as well. Oh, we have a cabin in America if I remember correctly. Could you include the property documents?" Hardwin asked as he tidied his appearance to go the Malfoy Manor.

"Of course. I'll handle things here just fine until you return; don't worry." Andromeda replied with bemusement as she watched Hardwin fuss with his hair and robes.

"How about we take a holiday when things settle down? It'll be a while with everything going on, but Teddy may be old enough to have some fun as well by then. He's already starting to roll over and sit up a bit." Hardwin said with a small smile as he thought about his godson.

"Oh, yes. He should start trying to crawl within the next month or so. Perhaps next summer we can make a trip, but we'll see. Narcissa still wants you to go to Paris with her and Draco to get you both winter wardrobe in a few weeks, but that's more of a day trip." Andromeda replied, chuckling at the look of horror she received.

"I suppose there's no way out of it?" He asked with a grimace that caused her to laugh.

"I'm afraid not. Now, you go speak with Lucius and call for Kreacher before you leave for the Ministry. I'll make sure he's packed everything you'll need." Andromeda said as she prompted him to go, and turned to look at Arcturus's portrait as Hardwin quickly stepped out of the room.

"I do hope he takes some time to explore and enjoy this little trip. He hasn't taken much of a break for himself after ending the war, has he?" Arcturus asked with a pensive expression as he looked toward the doorway where Hardwin had left.

"No, he hasn't. Truthfully, I'm getting a bit worried. I'm not saying it's a bad thing that he's so dedicated, but the healers gave him a list of things he needs to do so he can properly recover from what he's been through. Part of that includes seeing a mind healer and bedrest for a few days as they vanish and regrow bones, but he keeps putting it off.

"I see. He does appear to be the type to hate to remain idle. A good thing for a Lord, but not for his health. He has asked you to take over things here. Perhaps you should schedule the appointments while he is away?" Arcturus suggested, and Andromeda smirked a bit.

"Yes, perhaps I should." She replied before calling for Kreacher to pack a bag for Hardwin and gathering the documents he needed from the files.

123

Hardwin stopped to look in on Teddy where he was sleeping in the nursery before heading to the floo room. Throwing the powder into the flame he called his destination. He stepped into the floo room at Malfoy Manor to be greeted by a familiar little elf. She was dressed proudly in a clean dress in the Malfoy colors and the family crest on a sash across her waist.

"Good evening, Mipsy. Please tell Lucius I have arrived and am requesting to speak to him." He said before the little elf nodded vigorously and popped away; returning quickly.

"Master bes in the blue sitting room, and tells Mipsy Lord Black is beings welcome to be joining them." Mipsy told him, and Hardwin nodded.

"Thank you, Mipsy." He said before leaving; always making an effort to be more gentle with the Malfoy elves.

Lucius had been improving in Hardwin's estimation of him over the weeks as Hardwin got to know him. One thing that he noticed was that Lucius was trying to be kinder to his elves, at least in front of him, but the man did have a temper. The Malfoy elves were now properly dressed, and Narcissa was making strides to gain their loyalty. She'd taken his words to heart from the day he'd spoken with her about the issue, and had started to request them to carry out whichever task she needed instead of demanding. Orders were still orders, but the elves loved feeling like their tasks were appreciated. Draco, seeing the eagerness with which the elves had started serving his mother, was also making the effort to be kinder in his treatment of them. The elves were still a bit jumpy with the changes, but Hardwin was noticing the improvement in how they presented themselves when he visited.

"Hardwin, please come in. Is something wrong? Andy just left not long ago." Narcissa said with worried tension in her eyes as he entered the sitting room; looking to see they had guests and cursing mentally that he'd forgotten about it.

"Andy and Teddy are just fine, Cissa. I just need to speak to Lucius. This arrived for me tonight." Hardwin said as he handed the letter from Lord Potter to him before turning to face their guests.

"Good evening, Lord and Lady Flint. I apologize for interrupting your meeting." He said with an internal cringe that he'd forgotten about the meeting Narcissa had arranged tonight on his behalf.

"Not at all, Lord Black." Lord Flint said as Lucius raised a brow as he read.

"This arrived only today? Did the goblins delay the delivery by more than a week? The meeting was set days ago." He asked a bit incredulously; seeing the proposed meeting was four days before.

"No. This arrived via a very exhausted owl from America." Hardwin's expression fell flat as he said it, still irritated on behalf of the poor owl.

"Who sends post across the ocean requesting a meeting less than a month in advance?" Narcissa asked as she stood to take the letter from her husband.

"Lord Potter, apparently. What do you plan to do?" Lucius asked; knowing that Hardwin wouldn't have come over without notice if he didn't need something.

"I don't know if the delayed delivery was deliberate, but I won't let that stop me. He's asked me to meet him in America, and so I'll go there and request another meeting. I've never traveled outside of the country though. Andy suggested I ask you since MACUSA may have different laws or policies for visitors that I would be unaware of." Hardwin explained, knowing their conversation had the full attention of Lord and Lady Flint.

"You plan to leave tonight?" Narcissa asked as she handed the letter back and he folded it to put it in the pocket of his robes.

"Yes. Normally I would wait, but if the late delivery was deliberate then I don't want to initiate contact again only to have the same problem. If it wasn't then I don't want him to think I'm playing games with him to waste his time." Hardwin replied knowing that Narcissa would understand how important it was for him to know what had happened to give Dumbledore so much control over his life.

"You would need to get the Minister's signature to have the paperwork expedited. Otherwise, it can take a day or two. You'll also need to apply for a wand permit, and register it with MACUSA. Have you already applied for your Ministry Identification card and registered with the Beast Division?" Lucius asked knowing that he would need one for the project he had been working on before proposing the idea to Lord Scamander.

"I received the approval through the Beast Division yesterday as a consultant specializing in serpents. I just need to submit to the fingerprinting and have my photo taken." Hardwin replied knowing Lucius wouldn't have asked without a reason.

"Very good. Be sure to get that done before you leave. It will provide a secondary form of identification. Just do not forget that things are done a bit differently over there. The social structure in America differs from the UK as well. American wizards often consider the old Houses and Lordships to be an outdated system. This is mainly because their country was founded on different precepts. Don't forget that Rapparport's Law may have been repealed, but you should still be careful if you go into muggle areas. There may still be muggle descendants of scowlers who remain." Lucius warned even though he knew Hardwin was already very careful whenever he went into muggle areas.

He had been surprised to learn about Hardwin's views about muggles from Draco and had asked Hardwin about it one day. Hardwin had explained that while he had no love for muggles he also didn't hate them either. He understood more than most about the need for the Statute of Secrecy having grown up with his squib aunt and her muggle husband. To an extent, Hardwin even agreed with Rappaport's Law, in that muggles and magicals shouldn't mix. He'd explained his theory about where he thought muggle-borns may come from, but Lucius agreed that it would need thorough testing before Hardwin made that theory public. Hardwin had also told Lucius why he believed muggles could become dangerous with their advances in technology, and that one thing he wanted to do was to have magicals properly informed so that they could strive to remain hidden.

"How long do you think you'll be away? We are almost finished with our negotiations over the terms of the contract, and we'll need you here to sign it. You and your intended will also need to decide on a date for the bonding with the time constraint being what it is. Bonding ceremonies are usually planned for a few years once the contract is signed. A party will also need to be planned for the betrothal announcement. We don't have that much time." Narcissa informed him and Hardwin felt his stomach clench pleasantly at the knowledge that the marriage negotiations had been going well.

"At least a week, but two at the absolute most. It depends on Lord Potter. I was thinking I would look into a few investments while I'm there as well. We have a cabin in the mountains of North Carolina. I think I'll check on its condition and see if it needs anything done to make it livable. If things go well with Lord Potter then I may need to travel to the states again at some point. It does have a floo connection though. Ask Andy for the address if you need to contact me." Hardwin said though he honestly didn't know what to think of what was going through the mind of his dad's second cousin at the moment.

"As for the betrothal party... Do you think you, Andy, and Lady Flint could begin the preparations? That is if you're agreeable to assisting my cousin; Lady Flint. Andy has control over my schedule at the moment so I'm sure you could find an appropriate date for the signing at Gringotts and the party." Hardwin said; receiving nods of pleased agreement from both women.

"I'd be delighted to help, Lord Black. Usually, the Lord's family would be in charge of any preparations with minimal input from the intended's family as a show of the wealth and status they will be marrying into. I had not thought I would get to assist when Marcus asked his father to pursue the contract with House Black." Lady Evangeliya Flint smiled at the offer.

"Traditionally that is correct. However, I believe that the wealth and status of both myself and my House are not in question. The speed with which we will need to proceed through the negotiations, betrothal, and bonding is also unusual. While I agree with most of our traditions I also know that a few are either outdated or are almost rendered obsolete in these modern times. This is one of them." Hardwin replied knowing that while he agreed with some traditions that there were others he honestly felt were anachronistic.

They deserved to know this about him before they signed their son into a permanent bond with someone whose views they either disagreed with or abhorred.

"You are Marcus's parents. If you would like to provide input in any of the planning then I believe it is your rite to do so. I feel it is better to show respect toward the parents of my intended and the place you will have in our lives; rather than putting on a display of wealth and status you already know about." He explained; relaxing a bit when Lady Flint smiled and Lord Flint tilted his head in an approving gesture.

"If you plan to be gone for that long then you may like to see about writing to the Headmaster of Ilvermorny to request a visit. It's said that Morrigan Stewart, the witch who founded the school, was also a descendant of Salazar Slytherin." Lord Flint commented as he guided the conversation back to the trip Hardwin would be taking; catching the teen's attention with the information he provided.

"Stewart? I have found a Stewart connected to the Gaunt line, but her name wasn't Morrigan. Isolt Stewart nee Sayre was the only child of Rionach Sayre nee Gaunt. Perhaps she changed her name..." Hardwin said as he started thinking about what he'd been able to find, but there hadn't been much information.

"She may have. The school was founded just over three hundred years ago. If she lived in the early sixteen-hundreds then they may be the same." Maddox said as he watched the teen's mind spin curiously; gaining a better understanding of him after interacting with him twice than the trash the papers had reported over the years.

"If I'm remembering correctly... Isolt was born in the early sixteen-hundreds and died in the early seventeen-hundreds. Thank you for the suggestion, Lord Flint. It might be worth looking into. I haven't been able to find much about that branch of the Gaunts or what happened to them." Hardwin admitted, mentally making a note to look into it while he was there.

"Lady Malfoy told us that you were doing extensive research on your bloodline. Most young men your age would only care about their direct line; if they bother at all beyond what they are made to learn. If you don't mind my asking, is there a deeper reason you are interested, or is it only curiosity about your lineage?" Evangeliya asked as she thought about her children.

Merlin knew she'd had trouble getting her two older boys to sit down to learn about their family line before they attended Hogwarts though her youngest had been doing well so far.

"I'm doing it for a few reasons. I'm mainly tracking which families I'm more closely related to that have a direct connection to me. My House has gone so far as to marry cousins as we know from my grandparents, Orion and Walburga Black, to keep the line pure. All three of my parents were also related to varying degrees within the Black bloodline. My mother was also distantly related to House Gaunt who went so far as intermarrying siblings. Still, that bloodline has proved to be strong enough for me to have inherited the talent for parseltongue, which presumably skipped my mother." He explained his reasoning before continuing as he knew he had their attention.

"So far I've been lucky to have no ill effects from the inbreeding. I've been evaluated by a healer and have been found to be fertile. I am also not displaying symptoms of the madness a few in both the Black and Gaunt lines have been known for. The only medical problems I have are from the life I've lived, but that doesn't mean that the healer won't find anything as I get older. I want to stop my family from marrying close relations for the continued prosperity of House Black, so I need to track my bloodlines for the future. I will also be doing the same with my spouse, and any prospective marriage candidate of any children we are blessed with." Hardwin informed them as he knew Lord and Lady Flint deserved to know that much and had probably already seen the results of his health scan and heritage test since both had been needed for these negotiations.

It had not been finalized yet as the contract hadn't been signed, but Hardwin knew that they would likely be his in-laws within the next two years, and Marcus his intended within the month. He'd already discussed the distance of his blood relation to Marcus with Arcturus and was pretty sure that the relation between the two families was distant enough. Ursula Flint, who had married Phineas Nigellus Black, had been a second or third cousin to the main line at the time. That was the reason the meeting between Narcissa and Lord and Lady Flint had taken almost a week to be set for that day.

His cousin had been happy when he had easily agreed with her approval and decision to start negotiating the marriage contract. Narcissa believed that Hardwin might be able to be happy, or at least content, with Marcus given how he'd admitted to feeling anything for the young man because it would be something to build on. Hardwin honestly just believed she and Andromeda were having fun getting to play matchmakers. He'd seen some of the girls at school exchange the same conspiring looks. That, or they were looking forward to planning the bonding ceremony as he'd told them he wanted no part in the planning. It was likely a bit of both.

"Understandable for you to be concerned. House Flint does much the same thing when it comes to marriage prospects though we've only considered going as far back as four generations. I must admit that when my son came to me and asked for me to write to Lady Malfoy and begin negotiations, I was quite surprised. Marcus rarely shows any interest in people, but I think I'm starting to understand why you've caught his eye. Shall we set a date for a meeting to go over the contract between our families for the end of the month? That should give you enough time to catch up on things you've missed after you return." Maddox inquired, and Hardwin felt his cheeks flush at the subtle praise.

"Of course, Lord Flint. If you would like to settle on a date with Narcissa, I'm sure she'll let Andromeda know to put it on my schedule. It was a pleasure meeting you and Lady Flint again, but I must be going if I want to make it to the Ministry before the Minister leaves his office.

"Will you be able to make it in time?" Narcissa asked as it was almost nine.

"I have it on good authority that Kingsley has been staying late for the last week. He keeps getting interrupted at work by you-know-who looking for me or expressing concern that I've been unreachable. That's another matter I'll need to address when I return. I believe my solicitor should have enough rope for them to hang themselves with soon enough. A good thing too. The wards at Andy's family home have been attacked twice in the last week. I'm adding every knut I've had the pay the ward master from Gringotts to repair them to the total." Hardwin told her with a small smirk of pleasure as he thought about how a certain redhead was digging the hole deeper, and also satisfied that he had Teddy and Andromeda safely living in his home that the woman knew nothing about.

"Yes, I imagine you will." Narcissa replied even as Hardwin saw the look of pleasure in Lucius's expression.

"That woman certainly knows cause tension with all the right people, and to dig the pit she'll fall into even deeper." Lucius said as he stepped over to pour himself a glass of elf-made wine and he offered one to Lord and Lady Flint in celebration.

"If it makes you that happy, Lucius, just wait. I'm pretty sure the written interview I gave Heiress Lovegood will be published within the week while I'm away. Reading about my true name and heritage will push them even harder to find me, I'm sure. Greedy little things that they are. Well, now that I've given you some good gossip, I'll be on my way. Have a pleasant evening, and thank you for the information." He said with a tilt of the head goodbye before he turned and left for the floo room.

He had a long night ahead of him.

123456

Four chapters posted in a month. I'm on a bit of a roll, am I not? Might be a bit longer for the next chapter. I'm not as familiar with Wizarding America so I have a bit more research to do for some ideas though I've made it about halfway through the initial draft. I know a lot of you have been waiting to know what is going on with Lord Potter, and it's coming. I know what I have planned, but I'll still need to look through my notes to be sure I remember everything. I take notes on most key points for a story before I've even started writing so it's been a while. Doesn't help that I have at least thirty or more different files with notes and references for the wizarding world, creatures, historical events, and such.

Anyway, let me know your thoughts!

~Ryu

Our Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088904995997

Chapter Text

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-One

Hardwin stared at the man in front of him in quickly budding irritation.

He'd gone straight to the Ministry after leaving Malfoy Manor. The building had been quiet as it was the end of the day though a few witches and wizards could still be seen around the atrium. Those remaining were likely only the Aurors who were working or those employees who were working late, who either nodded to him or gawked, he didn't pay attention to the latter while returning nods to the former. Kingsley's secretary appeared to have already left so it had been no trouble approaching the door to the man's office once security let him pass.

Luckily for Hardwin, Kingsley had agreed to help easily once he'd explained what he needed and why. They'd been in contact over the last few weeks as they kept each other updated on their situations as he gathered evidence against certain Weasleys and Granger, and Molly's daily harassment of both Kingsley and his secretary. The woman had even tried to report him missing to the Aurors, but Kingsley had easily defused the situation with his assurance to the Auror office that the two of them had been in contact every few days. Honestly, Kingsley was ready to have her banned from the Ministry building all-together.

Hardwin's paperwork for his travel to America had been expedited with the Miniter's help, and he'd received his Ministry Identification as his registration with the Beast Division was completed. Kingsley had only raised a brow when he'd mentioned it, and Hardwin had briefly explained his plans to establish a serpentarium on his property for the care and rehabilitation of magical serpents and his plan for redeeming parseltongue to the public. Kingsley had merely shaken his head in bemusement.

Hardwin was going against all the things the wizarding public expected of him after the war, but Kingsley firmly believed the teen had a right to live as he wished. That he deserved it after everything he had done and had been through. What he was still going through; after recent revelations. Sure, there may be some unrest among the public, but Kingsley was determined to stand beside the teen's choices for himself so long as he didn't take the wrong path. Something Kingley didn't feel he would with Hardwin knowing where it led.

Hardwin had fought too long and too hard against that darkness to fall to it now that he finally had the freedom to live his life.

Kingsley had seen him off at the international port-key office shortly after all of the paperwork had been finished. Hardwin had arrived in MACUSA's international port-key office after a nauseating trip, almost falling on his arse in an embarrassing display, as he tried to breathe without being sick. Needless to say, he'd been more than happy to turn in the frayed rope port-key with his paperwork and identification to the clerk.

There was a five-hour time difference, so while it was almost midnight back home, it was just after seven when he'd arrived at the Woolworth building MACUSA used as the location of their Ministry offices. He'd had no trouble with the clerk at the port-key office, and was now getting his holly and phoenix feather wand registered with the Federal Wand Permit Officer. He'd presented his wand and identification, but was now being questioned about what had qualified him to act as a consultant who specialized in magical serpents. The man had spoken with condescension and looked rather suspicious as he asked; taking in Hardwin's young age and the lack of a record for his N.E.W.T.S. on his documentation. He obviously thought Hardwin's British Ministry Identification had been forged.

"I don't know how things are done in MACUSA, Mr. Edwards, but the Ministry for Magic of Great Britain has a long-standing law. That law states that a parselmouth may hold any position dealing with serpent-based creatures. As a parselmouth, I am able to communicate with them as well as influence their will to a certain extent." Hardwin explained as he struggled to keep the growl from his tone; growing tired as he was usually in bed by this time.

"Ah... parseltongue. An exceedingly rare talent, and no doubt a useful one if used correctly. I see... Very well..." Mr. Edwards almost babbled as he rapidly backed down before turning to finish filling out the paperwork for Hardwin's wand permit.

Hardwin could feel himself biting his tongue as he just wished to get this done. He still needed to check on the cabin he owned in North Carolina to see if it was livable. If it wasn't then he would need to stay at a hotel until he could correct it. He'd been here for almost an hour now and just wanted to sleep before he would need to write to Lord Potter and find an owl post office in the morning. If it took this long to acquire a single permit then he was glad he had kept his other wand hidden where it was strapped to his calf.

That was one wand he was determined to leave no official record of anywhere. He would have left the merlin-be-damned thing at the Manor, but he knew that wouldn't work. He'd literally snapped it in half in front of his former friends and thrown it away before. When it had appeared with the other two objects; he had tried to hide it somewhere. While that had worked for his cloak and the stone, the wand was another matter. It would appear near him while he slept no matter where he'd put it.

"Here you are Mr. Potter-Black. This permit will remain valid for the rest of this year only. If you decide to return to America or extend your visit, for any reason after the thirty-first of December then you will need to return for another to be issued to you." The man said hurriedly as he handed Hardwin back his identification with the completed permit.

"Thank you. I'll remember that." Hardwin replied, keeping his face blank of the irritation he felt, as he accepted the documents back before turning to leave.

He left the office, making his way through the building and into the elevator, before stepping out into the atrium. Hardwin paused as he took in the sight. It was so different from the Ministry building back home. The walls seemed to stretch up into the abyss from the floor where he stood; stairs leading down to what looked to be the building entrance. It was already after seven in the afternoon in the states, but there still looked to be a fair bit of activity in the building.

Hardwin walked toward the stairs now that his business was done in the building; stopping at a nearby bench that was occupied to enlarge the shrunken folder to be sure he had the apparition coordinates for the cabin correct. Once he'd reviewed the information and was sure that he'd be able to apparate to it, Hardwin shrunk the folder. He turned to the old witch that was sitting on the bench next to where a house-elf was polishing a wand.

"Excuse me, ma'am. I was wondering if you could tell me where I can find information for the wizarding shopping districts?" Hardwin asked softly and she smiled toward him kindly.

"First time in the states, dear?" She asked as the older wizard seated next to her looked up from his book at the sound of Hardwin's voice.

"Yes ma'am. I've just gotten my wand permit sorted, but I made the trip a bit last-minute. I'm afraid I didn't have much time to look into where the best places to shop or visit were." Hardwin replied softly with a sheepish smile at his lack of fore-thought.

"The closest shopping district would be Landfara Way though there are a few others in other parts of the country. Some shops are a bit more spread out with the exception of places like Ebbingdales Wonders; it's a bit like the no-maj mall or a department store. There are plenty of listing in The Wizard's Voice as well. There are usually apparition coordinates posted at the different centers for popular locations. You should be able to get a pamphlet with them listed at the center." The wizard told him, and Hardwin gave him a small smile as he nodded.

"Thank you, sir. I'll look into it." He replied before turning back to the witch as she spoke.

"I hope you've packed some no-maj clothes for your trip, dear. Some of those shops in the middle of no-maj areas don't have apparition centers." She said and Hardwin paused as he glanced down at his robes.

He hadn't thought about that. Lucius had said that things were different there. In Britain, the shops were hidden from muggles and usually never found in muggle areas. They had apparition points that were discreet and spelled away from muggle notice, but they could also apparate anywhere as long as it was out of sight from muggles. He guessed apparition centers were like apparition points, but from the sound of it, he would have to travel the muggle way to certain shops.

"One of my elves packed my bag, but I can transfigure something temporary if I need to. I'm guessing apparition centers are like apparition points back home... Is there a center in the building here, or a place to use the floo?" Hardwin asked as he felt like he was getting a headache.

"Just go down the stairs toward the exit and take a right. You'll find the travel center, and have the option for either." The wizard directed him as the witch accepted the polished wand from the house elf.

"Thank you both." Hardwin said politely before turning to take the stairs down.

He moved to the right at the base of the stairs to find a room full of what looked like stalls along one wall while fireplaces lined the other. He could see a few witches and wizards coming and going. Taking a steadying breath, he followed their example. Stepping into an empty stall as the door swung open, he shut it behind him and took note of the coordinates for different places that were posted, taking on of the pamphlets near it, before concentrating on his destination and apparating to the cabin. Hardwin looked up with a sigh of relief when he recognized the cabin from the picture and discription that had been in the property file.

Looking at the cabin, it looked like the first floor had been made with stone and mortar while the upper floor had been built with wood. A balcony ran along the front of the house, and the cabin almost looked to have been partially built against the side of the mountain. He approached the ward line and reached out toward the wards with his magic. Hardwin felt a pull as they connected, and could feel the hum of the wards as they allowed him entrance easily.

"Woah..." He murmured as he stepped inside the cabin and looked around.

The cabin looked to have been perfectly preserved. He almost jumped out of his skin as he drew his wand when a pop sounded. He turned to find a house-elf, dressed in a ragged pillowcase that had been washed so many times it had turned a dirty grey, fidgetting nervously. She, he thought the elf was a she anyway, stared up at him. Hardwin took a breath as he smiled. Now knowing why the cabin had been so well looked after.

"Hello. My name is Hardwin Potter-Black. I am the current Lord of House Black. What is your name, and are you the only elf here?" He asked as he lowered his wand and quickly had it back in its holster on his arm.

"My name beings Portia, Master Black. I bes the only house-elf here."

"Well, you've certainly done very well taking care of the house all by yourself. Thank you, Portia." Hardwin said gently; receiving a squeak of shock as she started crying.

"Hey, now. No reason to cry. Come on, then. We need to have a talk so I can give you a few orders I've been giving to all of the elves of House Black. Then you can show me around and help me get settled in." He said as he motioned for her to follow him.

123

Sleep-clouded green eyes opened as the morning light hit them as it came in through the balcony doors. Hardwin let out a grunt as he stretched; limbs feeling heavy under the fluffy comforter. He didn't want to move, but there was so much he had to do today. He grunted as he pushed himself up and slid off of the soft and comfortable mattress. Looking around groggily for a moment he took in the sight of the master bedroom as the light of dawn lit the room.

The floor was done in a plush white carpet. and the walls were logs that were void of pictures and paintings. The bed, done up in tasteful and neutral tans stood, centered against one wall with lamps sitting on nightstands on each side, across from a very large fireplace. The fireplace was as wide as the bed itself and was stone that had been beautifully carved to look like trees with birds in the leaves and flowers at the base of the trunks. The wall to his left had two doors; one leading into the rest of the cabin and the other to the ensuite bathroom. To his right were glass-pained doors that led to the balcony that ran along the front of the cabin. To one side of the doors stood the wardrobe next to the fireplace, and a chair with an ottoman was set in the corner in front of two windows on the other side closer to the bed.

Hardwin stood, making his way over to the doors, and felt his breath catch as he looked outside. Grabbing the blanket draped across the back of the chair he opened the doors and stepped out onto the balcony. The rising sun lit the peaks of the mountain; casting shadows into the valleys. Mist clouded around, and seemed to flow through, the valleys like smoke. It was a beautiful sight. It was almost comparable to the mountains around Hogwarts, but this view was unmarred with memories of pain, fear, and death.

Hardwin stood there for a while just watching the sunrise when a popping drew his attention away from his thoughts. He turned to see Portia, the little elf that had been here alone since the last time a member of the Black family had stayed here. Which had apparently been his Great-Aunt Lucretia before her marriage. Portia was a nervous little thing, but that was something only time and being treated decently would fix.

"Good morning, Portia." He greeted her with a soft smile.

"Breakfast is being ready, Master Black." She informed him, and Hardwin nodded before glancing back to the mountain view.

"I'll be down in a minute. You go ahead to Gringotts and withdraw two hundred dragots from the Black vaults. Take that and get enough fabric for at least three outfits for yourself as we discussed last night. Then I need you to go to whichever wizarding shop would have them and buy a crow, food for it to eat, and a stand for it to rest on. I'll need one for my post. Put whatever dragots are left in my money pouch when you return and set the stand for the crow up next to the window in the office. There will be a letter for the crow to deliver on the desk when you return. Send the letter out, and then you may get started on making your outfits after lunch. Any extra fabric is yours to either make another outfit if there is enough fabric, or you can use the scraps for your nest if you wish." He listed the orders in a gentle tone; thanking Merlin that she knew how to sew.

"Yes, Master. Portia bes goings now." She replied with a bow before popping away.

Knowing it probably wouldn't take her very long to run the errands, Hardwin took one last glance at the view before going back into his room. He quickly got dressed in comfortable robes and went down the stairs to the dining room. Breakfast, he found, was quite enjoyable as he ate the belgium waffles with fruit and a honey glaze. Once finished with breakfast, he spelled the dishes to the kitchen sink and headed back upstairs to the office, and sat down at the desk.

'That is one ugly chair.' He thought as he looked at the red-striped chair in front of the window next to the desk.

It truly was ghastly and was the only thing in the room that didn't match the rest of the furniture and decor. He'd noticed it the night before when he'd looked through the cabin. He hadn't liked the look of it then in the lamplight and found it to be even worse in the light of day. He shot an evanesco at the chair and vanished it to make room for the stand that he had told Portia to get for the crow before turning to the desk and writing the letter.

"Now let's see how he responds this time. Shouldn't take too long since they're not as far away." He mumbled as he finished the letter, including the floo address for the cabin at the bottom, and casting a drying spell for the ink before addressing the envelope.

Henry Potter
Lord of the Noble House of Potter
Potter Isle, Lake Huron

Sealing the envelope, Hardwin let out a heavy breath. Now he would have to wait, but what should he do with his time while he waited? He'd already looked around the cabin and had Portia give him a tour. There were two bedrooms with ensuites, the kitchen, dining room, a game room, a smaller sitting room, and a small library on the first floor. At least he thought the library was small, but considering he was becoming used to the one at the manor, it might actually be a good size. The second floor of the cabin had two bedrooms other than the one he had claimed with attached bathrooms, the office he was sitting in, and another sitting room that was larger than the one downstairs. From what Hardwin was able to tell, Portia kept her nest in the boiler room since there weren't living quarters in the cabin for elves.

Deciding that he might as well do something productive Hardwin left the office and made his way back downstairs to the library. It was nowhere near the size of the one at the manor, but there may still be a book about Ilvermorny. There wasn't much in the way of information on the founders of Hogwarts, but times had been much different over a thousand years ago than they were now. Magical knowledge back then had rarely been recorded but taught orally from one generation to the next.

Recording information through the written word had only become more of a regular practice in the late fifteen hundreds; though most old wizarding families did keep a Grimoire before that. Even then, books had been too expensive to be made readily available to everyone. Only the older wizarding families had been able to afford them. It hadn't been until the mid to late seventeen hundreds that books had become more affordable, as well as available, within the magical population. At least as far as Hardwin had been able to discern from the years some of the books at the manor had been recorded, and from the materials used for the books.

He was hoping that would mean that he would be able to find a better source of information on Morrigan Stewart than he would have been able to for, say, the Hogwarts founders. A rumor wasn't much to go on, but he had to admit that Lord Flint had sparked his curiosity. Could Morrigan and Isolt be the same person, or was the surname only a coincidence? Hardwin couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't. He'd been doing so much research to trace back the Gaunt and Potter lines to find when they had crossed with the Peverell lines that he felt he needed to be sure.

He hadn't lied to Lord and Lady Flint. There were a few reasons he was tracing the lines he'd been descended from, and the explanation he'd given to Lady Flint was one of them. Another reason was out of genuine curiosity. He wanted to know where he'd come from. After growing up an unwanted orphan, Hardwin wanted to know more about those he held blood ties with. He wanted to know not just for himself, but for any children or grandchildren he may have in the future.

There was a good chance that any child he had might be born a parselmouth like Hardwin. While he didn't have anything against his ability, and many would envy it, that didn't change the fact that it was considered a trait of dark witches and wizards. At least in England. There would always be people who feared or even hated him for something he'd had no control over, and that was true for more than just being a parselmouth. As an impressionable twelve-year-old, he'd been made to feel evil and disgusting just because he could speak to snakes.

That was not something he wanted for his child or children; if he had more than just the one boy he needed to have an heir for his House. It was for this reason that Hardwin was making no attempt to hide that he was a parselmouth, and was going to the lengths he was to use it for something good like the serpentarium to provide sanctuary and to rehabilitate hurt or displaced creatures. It was also why he had sought a position as a consultant for serpent-based creatures with the Ministry. He wanted to remove the negative stigma that had become attached to parselmouths in the UK.

By researching the Gaunt line, Hardwin was hoping to find others through history who had contributed positively to the wizarding world. He wanted any child he had to know that their family history wasn't all bad, and that no matter what family gifts they inherited, it didn't dictate who they were as an individual. He wanted them to be proud of their heritage, but to also know that too much pride can lead you down the wrong path. Like the Gaunts, the Blacks, and Tom Riddle had all done in different ways.

They'd been blinded by their own sense of superiority. The Gaunt name was no more though the gift the family had coveted had been carried on in him. The House of Black had almost completely fallen to ruin, and may take more than just his lifetime to restore it. Tom had split his soul through murder and lost any humanity he may have possessed. All out of pride, and the arrogance that resulted from it. There was a fine line between having pride in your family name and being arrogant because of it.

This was why Lord Flint had caught his attention with the rumor. If Morrigan and Isolt were, in fact, the same person then their relation to her would be something to be proud of. She'd founded a school that was known for being inclusive to all, and she had been known not to have supported views on blood purism. Bloody hell, one of Ilvermorny's founders was known to have been a muggle, which he'd learned when he'd read some information on the other ten wizarding schools during his fourth year.

The last reason he was researching his ancestry was one that he was determined never to speak of openly. He wanted to see if he could find more information on the Peverells from whom the story of the Hallows originated from. He needed to know why he couldn't get rid of them now. He'd dropped the stone in the Forbidden Forest, and snapped the bloody wand in half before throwing it away!

How was it that the wand and stone kept appearing next to him as he slept when he tried to get rid of them, and why couldn't he lose or destroy them? The only thing he hadn't tried by this point was basilisk venom and fiendfire. Oh, he'd been sorely tempted, but fiendfire was too dangerous. Basilisk venom was an option still but, knowing his luck, not even that would work.

So that left him with no choice other than research. Hardwin doubted he would find anything after so much time had passed, but felt he needed to try. He didn't know if he believed that the Hallows had been a gift from Death or not. Truthfully, it didn't matter. What mattered was that the three objects had seemingly bonded to him. What did that mean for him? Whatever it was; he didn't bloody well want it.

"Ah." He murmured as he paused in front of the titles he'd been looking over before taking a book off of the shelf.

"Ilvermorny and its Origins." Hardwin murmured as he read the title and moved over to sit down in the chair closest to him, putting his feet up on the ottoman comfortably, and started reading.

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"Lunch beings ready, Master." Portia's timid voice drew Hardwin out of his reading a few hours later.

"Thank you, Portia. I'll be along in a moment." He replied, looking up from the book before conjuring a bookmark, and marking his place as he closed it.

Hardwin set the book on the stand next to the chair thoughtfully as he stood and left the room. He hadn't finished reading, but the book had been informative. He was almost certain that Morrigan Stewart was Isolt Stewart nee Sayre. The information on the Ilvermorny founder might not be completely accurate, but he would bet it was more so than anything Hogwarts: A History had to say about the founders of Hogwarts.

The information was vague, but the book did say that Morrigan had traveled to America from Ireland on the Mayflower. Ilvermorny had been later founded by Morrigan and her muggle husband James as well as their two adopted sons; Chadwick and Webster Boot. Ilvermorny had started with Morrigan and James teaching Chadwick and Webster in their small cottage. That cottage later grew to become the castle it was today as they started to welcome children from across the country.

There was a story told about the family; though the details were vague as well. Hardwin hadn't expected any of the information to be entirely accurate. The truth often became muddled as stories such as theirs were retold to the next generation. It was for this reason that he believed that those stories should be recorded by those that had lived them. Despite this, Morrigan's story felt all too familiar in some ways with how it had been recorded.

Morrigan had been a young witch from Ireland who had fled her homeland seeking safety from a dark witch. She had arrived in America disguised as a man on the Mayflower before disappearing into the untamed wilds to escape persecution from the muggles. There, she had saved the life of a Pukwudgie named William from a hidebehind. Supposedly, she had befriended William after that, until one day she stumbled upon Webster and Chadwick Boot. They and their parents had been attacked, and Morrigan had saved the two children seemingly at the cost of her friendship with William.

The story went on to tell of how she had nursed the two children back to health and met a muggle man named James Stewart. They later married and raised the two boys as their own. This is where the story truly piqued Hardwin's interest. Supposedly, when the time came for the boys to receive their wands, Morrigan had a dream which led her down to a river where a Horned Serpent had been waiting for her. The serpent had willingly offered her a part of one of its horns which she used for the wand cores of her adopted children.

There was a reason this stood out to Hardwin. In all of his experience with serpents, he knew them to be incredibly proud and vain creatures. He knew that there would have had to be something about Morrigan for the serpent to offer such a thing willingly. She would have needed to have some kind of bond with the serpent. A parselmouth would have easily been able to forge such a bond as serpents were naturally drawn to them.

The story had gone on to tell of how the school had started to grow around the time that Morrigan had given birth to twin daughters. This growth in reputation had drawn the attention of witches and wizards from across the sea, and it had come to the attention of the dark witch Morrigan had fled from her homeland because of. It had come to a confrontation as the dark witch came to Ilvermorny in the night. Chadwick, Webster, and Morrigan had confronted her, but Morrigan's wand had refused to respond to her. They had been pushed back to the nursery where James had been protecting their daughters when Morrigan had called William's name in despair or desperation.

This call had been answered as the pukwudgie appeared, and shot the dark witch with an arrow through the heart. So corrupted by dark magic, the witch's body became ash and dispersed. This was the part that sent a chill through Hardwin. He'd seen something like that happen before when he'd defeated Voldemort for the final time.

The book had gone on to tell more about the school, and about the pukwudgies that continued to guard and keep the grounds to this day. Hardwin hadn't been as interested in that information until reading about the pukwudgie named William who cared for Morrigan's gravesite. It had been over three hundred years, so there was no guarantee that he was the same pukwudgie from the story. Still, the possibility was there. Hardwin couldn't imagine that it would be a coincidence that this William both answered to the same name and refused to let anyone else care for Morrigan's crypt or the statue that stood in front of the castle.

Though he supposed it was possible for the old pukwudgie to be a descendant of the original William. Even if he was, Hardwin might be able to learn something about the woman known as Morrigan. He was fairly certain that she had been born Isolt Sayre, but there was no way to confirm that unless he learned more. Isolt had borne two daughters named Martha and Rionach Stewart. The book hadn't given the names of the twins mentioned in the story. If he could find those names, and learn more about Morrigan, then it should be enough for him to confirm their distant relation.

Hardwin thought about this as he ate before returning to the library to do some research on the creatures the four houses of Ilvermorny had been named for. He would need to know more about horned serpents as well as pukwudgies. He wanted to speak to the one known as William, but he also didn't want to risk offending him. Hardwin didn't know anything about pukwudgies as they were native to this continent and he'd never encountered one before.

'More research...' He thought tiredly as he returned to the library.

He felt like he'd spent most of his time after the war with one book or another in front of him. Even so, it was what he needed to do. There was so much that had been kept from him or decided for him. This was HIS life, and he was determined that he would be the one living it with his own free will. Never again would he let someone else dictate his thoughts or actions. He would speak to Lord Potter as well, but it would be Hardwin's decision what happened after.

He refused to be a beaten down puppet for anyone; not anymore.

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Well, that took me longer than the last several chapters. More of a filler chapter than anything, but it was needed for some things happening in the future. I hope you liked it, anyway. I'll be starting on the next chapter shortly, but I'm unsure how long it'll take.

For those of you who have never read anything about the origins of Ilvermorny or its founders; I'm sharing a video on our Facebook page. I have watched it repeatedly for the last few days and was the best source of information on the school that I've found. If you would rather read about it then I think the story is also available on Pottermore. Even so, I liked the way the story was told in the video.

Until next time!
~Ryu

Our Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088904995997

Chapter Text

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.

123456

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

Chapter Text

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-Three

Hardwin took a deep breath of the crisp night mountain air as he settled onto the lounge near the pool at the back of the cabin. He felt dinner had been better that night thanks to the unexpected, but certainly not unwelcome, company. Portia had outdone herself with a delicious American-style meal and a sweet dessert. Hardwin had taken great pleasure as everyone complimented her after the meal; the little elf smiling in delight as she cried at the praise.

Hardwin had decided to take some time to enjoy the night air instead of heading back into his office to read through more of the files he still had left from Gringotts. He knew that Draco would come to pester him about taking a break from work if he did so by the look the blonde had given him when he'd made to do just that. It was something that Draco, Andromeda, and Narcissa had all commented on a few times over the last month. Lucius had merely shaken his head in sympathy when Hardwin had mentioned it.

The Malfoy Lord had explained that he understood where Hardwin was coming from. He'd been young when he'd inherited the Malfoy Lordship from his father and knew how much work was involved as you started adjusting to the workload of managing such a large estate. Even then, he'd already been married with a child on the way. Narcissa, as Lady Malfoy, had been able to take some of the burden off of Lucius to make it manageable by tending to their social obligations.

It only made Hardwin's situation more difficult as he didn't have the training from a young age he should have had to manage his responsibilities, was not yet married, and that Arcturus had died while Hardwin was still so young. Almost seven years was a long time for any estate to be left stagnant; much less one as large as the Black's. Hardwin was not only trying to play catch-up when it came to his missing and halted education, but he also needed to go through old investments and find new ones to reinvigorate the House of Black's financial portfolio. Sure, he would be married soon enough, and then Marcus could choose to help him manage the estate and their public profiles. Until then, Hardwin was on his own with only Arcturus's portrait to help in the limited capacity he could.

Hardwin sighed as he leaned back on the lounge and took a sip from the glass of elf-made wine he had brought out with him. He honestly tried to relax, but it didn't come easily. In truth, he didn't know if he remembered how to do so. He'd kept himself busy since the war ended as he became restless when he didn't have anything to focus on.

These last few years had been hell on earth. There had been few moments that he'd thought he'd been happy. At least until his friendships had been cast into doubt with his visit to Gringotts. His friendships with Ron and Hermione had been the one thing that had kept him going at times during the war. The betrayal of the people he had trusted so deeply had hurt him more than anything Voldemort had done to him since he'd been brought back into the wizarding world. To find that he'd been lied to and stolen from for years had left behind open wounds he still didn't know how to deal with.

He acknowledged, even if only to himself, that it may be why he hadn't confronted them yet. He had continued gathering evidence, and ignored or avoided almost everyone outside of his cousins as he let those who had betrayed him continue to dig the hole he would bury them in even deeper. Gave them time to spend the stolen money, and start showing their true faces publicly. It was less they would easily be able to pay back when he sued them for everything he was able. The betrayal had wounded him, and he would do everything he could to ruin them in return.

"You look tense for someone taking a break from work." Hardwin heard as he turned to find Marcus coming out from inside the cabin to sit on the lounger next to him; a bottle of wine and another glass appearing on the small table between them.

"I can never seem to get my mind to settle enough. That's why I just find something to focus on with work or studying, but Draco is here. If I try to do that he'll hover like a worried and irritating mother." Hardwin chuckled as Marcus reached for the bottle to pour himself a glass.

"He's hovering anyway." Marcus said with a smirk and a gesture toward where Draco and Marcellus were watching them through the window of the downstairs game room.

"Yes, but at least he's not out here where I can hear him mumbling under his breath about how stubborn I am. I figure if I stay out here long enough and look like I'm relaxing then he'll consider it a win. That way I can review a few potential investments tomorrow before he starts clucking at me again." Hardwin admitted and Marcus chuckled as he shifted to stretch out on the lounger.

"Is it just that you like to keep yourself busy, or is there another reason for how much you work?" He asked; sipping leisurely at his glass.

"That's a part of it. My family estate has been stagnant since my great-grandfather's passing almost seven years ago, and so I'm catching up on getting that mess fixed while correcting the lapse in my education. The last few years have also been... I don't think I've felt relaxed or had fun since before Sirius, my father, died a couple of years ago. Even before then, I always had someone trying to kill me in the background. The few moments I can remember were... with Them. Now it just makes me think about them, and then I get angry all over again." Hardwin admitted as he set down the glass so he wouldn't risk breaking it at the admission; the glass starting to crack in his grip.

"Yes... My parents told me about what Lord and Lady Malfoy knew about that. I can't say I understand, but I know how I would feel in your position. Were the whole family a part of Dumbledore's schemes?" Marcus asked as he shifted to look at his betrothed.

"Not as far as we can tell. I can't see how the three oldest Weasleys- Bill, Charlie, and Percy- could have possibly benefitted when I barely interacted with them. I also don't feel that Fred and George, the twins, were a part of it. They spent so long, and worked too hard, to get their business started on their own before I became a silent partner by giving them the reward money from the Tri-Wizard Tournament. I was closest to the two youngest and Hermione Granger. I do know that both girls were involved along with Mrs. Weasley. I'm just unsure how involved Mr. Weasley and Ronald were." Hardwin told him as the tension in his shoulders grew as he thought of them.

Marcus must have noticed because Hardwin could feel those dark eyes watching him as he drained the rest of his wine before sitting up to refill the glass in an attempt to stay calm.

"Move over a bit." Marcus said as he stood and moved closer to Hardwin.

Curious and a bit confused at the sudden demand, Hardwin shifted until he was seated on the edge of the lounger, and Marcus moved around to the other side before sitting down behind him and stretching out next to him.

"Lean against me and make yourself comfortable. You're supposed to be relaxing, but our conversation is having the opposite effect." Marcus said as he wrapped his arm around Hardwin's waist and tugged him closer gently.

"Marcus, what?" Hardwin asked in confusion as he wasn't used to having anyone be so physically demonstrative as Marcus had been since he'd arrived.

"I want to hold you. If you don't want that then say so now, and I'll go back to where I was." Marcus said seriously as he stopped the pressure against Hardwin's side; not wanting to push his betrothed past any boundary that he might set.

"No! No, it isn't that I don't... I'm not used to being touched like you've been doing today. I'm just not sure what you want, and it's confusing me a bit." Hardwin admitted honestly as he didn't want them to misunderstand each other.

"Have you ever been with anyone before?" Marcus asked looking a little more relaxed now that he knew he wasn't being rejected.

"I've only dated two girls. One of them only lasted through one date, and the other didn't last very long before the war heated up and I went on the run. We never did anything more than kiss a few times so I'm feeling a little out of my depth here." He admitted with a grimace as he was reminded of the disastrous date with Cho and his short relationship with Ginerva.

Hardwin let out a squeak in surprise as Marcus leaned up, gently took his wine glass, and set it down within reach, before pulling him closer on the lounger. He tensed a bit at first as his betrothed maneuvered them until his chest was pressed firmly to Marcus's side with his chin resting against the man's shoulder as he looked up at him. Hardwin shifted to get comfortable in the new position but made no move to pull away. Marcus waited while Hardwin slowly adjusted and settled against him before he spoke. His left hand stroked along Hardwin's spine soothingly while he grasped the hand resting unsurely on his chest with the right.

"Is this alright for you?" Marcus asked quietly.

This position could be considered stretching the lines of propriety before they were married but could be acceptable in the privacy of one's home. Their chaperones were also watching them, and would doubtlessly step in if they pushed the line too far. Something Marcus wouldn't do knowing that his betrothed was so inexperienced. They didn't know much about each other aside from their few interactions, but Maddox had seen Hardwin's medical scan. He'd warned Marcus that Hardwin likely did not have an easy childhood from what he'd seen from the results.

He would need to take things slow so Hardwin could adjust to the change.

"Yes. Though if Draco or your brother come out here in a snit then I'm blaming you." Hardwin said quietly as he shifted to rest his head on Marcus's chest and tried to ignore the fluttering feeling in his stomach at how close he was being pressed against the other man.

"That would be fine. I'll take the blame." Marcus conceded with a chuckle and feeling as Hardwin started to settle into the new position before speaking quietly.

"You'll need to tell me if I'm doing something you dislike. I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable or pressured, but I meant what I said before. Marriages have started with a lot less than what we already feel. My parents had only met twice before their marriage, and they have grown fond of each other over the years. I would like to try to have that, or even more, with you." Marcus told him as his fingers twined with Hardwin's; his hand easily able to cover the smaller one with the difference in size.

"I can try. My mum and dad were in love before they married, but I've never felt that way for someone. I love my parents, but I don't know much about them except what my father and their friend Remus told me. So I can't look at or remember them and say; that's what I want for us. The best example that I've seen for an arranged marriage is 'Cissa and Lucius. 'Cissa would have killed him years ago if they didn't at least feel something for each other." Hardwin said with a light laugh at the truth of that statement.

Narcissa had been born a Black, after all. Something Hardwin was learning after speaking with other portraits at the manor was that those born to the House of Black all had some form or level of the Black Madness. Bellatrix had been a more extreme case which had likely only been exacerbated by Azkaban and the Cruciatus curse Tom had punished his followers with. It was more easily hidden in others of the family, but Sirius nor Hardwin himself had been spared.

Something Arcurus had pointed out after Hardwin had told him about things that had happened over the years.

Sirius had been impulsive, and often cruel without even realizing it. An example of this had been the pranks he liked to pull, and how he'd set up Severus to be attacked by Moony when they were fifteen. Something that could have led to Severus being turned or killed, and Remus being executed. The madness had also been exposed in his anger. Like the time he'd cursed himself infertile in a drunken fit just to spite his parents.

Hardwin wasn't thoughtlessly cruel, but his impulsivity had led him into trouble and dangerous situations more often than not. He also had the same problem with his anger though he wasn't as quick to snap. Arcturus had pointed this out when he'd told him about going after Bellatrix when she'd killed Sirius. He'd been driven to torture in his desire to cause her even a fraction of the pain she had made him feel at his father's death. Hardwin knew that his great-grandfather was right.

He'd felt the burn of that anger often over the last several years but had always blamed it on his and Tom's connection. Yet, he could still feel it now after Tom and the Horcrux were gone. This time fixated on his former friends and Dumbledore. It was something that he knew would need to be addressed with a mind healer before it started affecting him in other ways.

Honestly, Hardwin wanted to blame the madness on the inbreeding, but it seemed more like a family trait inherent to his line that had only been made worse.

"We have time. As long as we're willing to try then we can hope for a deeper relationship in the future. Will you tell me what you were thinking about at our contract signing? You seemed upset over the clause about heirs. Did you only want one child?" Marcus asked softly as the tension he'd felt in Hardwin's frame all day finally started to drain out of him as he started to relax into his warmth.

"No, it wasn't that. I don't like that two children will be mandatory. It's just the pregnancy part that I'm unsure of. I researched the potion after I was told about it, and I'm willing to be the carrier for our first. I know that you want to study for a Runes Mastery, and that could be dangerous enough even without being pregnant if the sequence turns explosive. I'm just not sure about a second or more if pregnancy doesn't agree with me. I don't want that to fall on you if you don't want it either." Hardwin explained as he idly played with the ring on Marcus's middle finger, shifting the white gold band to catch the light as Marcus hummed thoughtfully.

"You've given this more thought than I have. You are right that it could be dangerous for me to carry while studying for my Mastery. If pregnancy doesn't agree with you after the first then I do not mind being the carrier for our second after I've completed my Mastery. As for more than two children... If you want to try, and we are blessed with more then I would have no objections regardless of which of us chooses to carry them." Marcus told him quietly as he rubbed slow circles into Hardwin's back to soothe the tense muscles.

They lay there for a few minutes in comfortable silence. Hardwin took a deep breath before letting it go slowly as he shifted against Marcus's side to gaze toward the sky. The moon was not yet full but provided a low light that allowed the stars to shine brightly in the clear sky. His gaze trailed first toward the dog star, as it always did.

Most nights it was with a yearning and sorrow as he wished his father was still there. Tonight, though, he was feeling a bit differently. Yes, he still missed Sirius dearly. Wished that he had been there to tell him everything he needed to know instead of the few things he'd written in that letter. He always would. That was not the most prominent feeling at that moment, however.

No, Hardwin felt comfort and contentment more than anything else right then. He was comfortable being held close to Marcus's side. His betrothed radiated warmth, and he fit against him without it feeling awkward. Hardwin couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so content to just... Be.

"Thank you..." Hardwin murmured softly as he gave Marcus's fingers a gentle squeeze.

"Whatever for?" Marcus asked curiously when Hardwin broke the silence between them.

"I... I've spent so long waiting for the next threat and dealing with everything thrown at me. I stopped hoping I would ever be free of that anxiety. Even after you've been assuring me that marriage with me is what you want I've not been able to stop feeling like you'll change your mind. I knew I was attracted to you that day at the menagerie. It only grew stronger after our trip into the muggle world, but I didn't want to hope you'd feel the same when I'd already resigned myself to an arranged marriage. Now we're betrothed, and you want to try for us to be happy together. I can't remember the last time I felt this content with my life as I am right now. So thank you, Marcus." Hardwin explained as he shifted to look up at Marcus as he spoke before leaning up and shyly kissing the man softly on the cheek in thanks.

"My desire to hold you was purely selfish, but it pleases me that you are content in my arms. I've told you that I can't promise we'll always be happy, but even contentment is better than coldness or indifference." Marcus replied quietly as he turned until his lips brushed Hardwin's forehead to return the kiss.

"We'll figure it out. What would you like to do while you're here? My letter to Lord Potter should be delivered soon so I don't want to be away from the cabin for too long before I meet with him. I provided the floo address so the call should come in the next two days; if he's prompt." Hardwin said as he curled closer with a yawn.

"It's been some years since I've seen you in the air. We could go flying. How far do the wards against muggles go?" Marcus asked since he wasn't able to feel them as Hardwin and even Draco could.

"Half-way down the mountain from the peak, but I don't have my firebolt anymore. It was lost during the war." Hardwin admitted as he thought about how it had been lost during their flight from Privet Drive while under attack from Tom and the Death Eaters.

"When was the last time you flew?" Marcus asked in surprise at hearing he no longer had a broom when he could remember how often he'd seen the younger with one in his hands and the joy on his face when he was in the air.

"The last time? ...The day of the Battle of Hogwarts. Vincent Crabbe cast fiendfire in the Room of Requirement. We were lucky to find brooms and make it out though not as quickly as we could have since we were flying double. Ronald managed to grab Goyle, and I grabbed Draco. We tried to get Crabbe too, but he fell into the flames." Hardwin explained as he took comfort from Marcus when his hold around him tightened.

"Why would he even attempt that spell? Crabbe was always rather dim, but he knew better than to cast spells he hadn't been instructed in." Marcus said as he thought about the boy he'd shared a common room with for a few years.

"He had been instructed. The Carrows had been placed at Hogwarts to 'teach' the students last year. Sadistic bastards that they were, they thought it was fun to torture the students outside of Slytherin House. The treatment only caused further resentment toward the Slytherins who were taught dark spells and instructed to use them on the other Houses. They would have been cursed themselves if they had refused. Crabbe learned the spell from them, but he wasn't capable of controlling it." Hardwin told him knowing that Marcus and his family had left the country before he'd started his fifth year, and so most of what the man knew about what happened during the war was secondhand.

"I see. What about before then?" Marcus asked and Hardwin needed to think about that one.

"For Quidditch in sixth year. I was the Captain." Hardwin replied after a moment though his tone didn't sound very enthused about that time.

"You can't enjoy the game properly as a Captain. Too busy filling your role while also coordinating the team. We can pick up a broom for you tomorrow. I would like to fly with you again. I remember watching you a few years ago. You, Hardwin Potter-Black, were born for the air." Marcus said with a small smile as his lips brushed across Hardwin's brow as he as he spoke, and felt the younger man falling into a light doze.

"I'm not sure about that. I used to love it. I always felt free on a broom." He said as he felt a bit sad that he hadn't felt any real joy when flying in a few years, but couldn't pinpoint when the feeling had faded.

"Perhaps it's time we reclaim that feeling for you. It's getting late now. We should go in before you fall asleep." Marcus chuckled as Hardwin tried to smother another yawn into his chest.

"It is getting cooler out." Hardwin hummed but didn't agree to go inside which made Marcus smirk in amusement.

"Come on, up." He said as he pulled Hardwin to sit up with him.

Marcus managed to get them both on their feet. He was pleased when Hardwin stayed close, and allowed him to walk him into the cabin. He guided him to the stairs leading to the second floor under the gazes of their chaperones. He ignored the amusement he could see on his brother's face and the narrowed eyes of the young Malfoy. He turned to his betrothed and brought his left wrist to his lips to brush a light kiss over the black opal as he moved to nudge him up the stairs.

"Go on to bed. You're almost asleep on your feet. I'll see you in the morning." He instructed as he stepped away once he was sure Hardwin was steady enough on his feet that he wouldn't fall.

"Mmm. Good night everyone." Hardwin hummed as he grasped the rail and steadied himself as he departed up the stairs drowsily.

"I'll ensure he makes it to bed. Good night." Draco said as he followed his cousin with smooth strides.

"Did you have something you wanted to say, Marcel?" Marcus asked with a soft grunt; watching as Draco and Hardwin both disappeared upstairs before glancing at his brother whom he could feel watching him.

"Not at all, brother. Not at all." Marcellus chuckled when Marcus caught him watching him before settling back into his chair.

"I'll retire for the evening as well. Good night, brother." Marcus stated before turning toward the hall that led to the bedrooms they'd been given for their stay.

Marcellus watched as his brother left the room. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself as he sipped at the glass of wine he had been drinking as he and the Malfoy heir had watched the newly betrothed couple through the window. He would admit that he'd had his doubts about his brother's desired match. He'd been amused by Marcus's behavior the day he'd met Lord Black at the menagerie but had convinced himself it had been nothing more than attraction. A probable fling, but nothing more.

At least until he had returned home from a date with Adriana to find his younger brother in their father's study discussing a marriage contract to the young Lord. He and their father had both tried to caution Marcus on rushing into a betrothal and marriage, but his little brother would hear none of it. He'd looked at them with an expression of single-minded determination that was all too familiar, and their father had merely sighed before agreeing to write to Lady Malfoy.

Marcus had always been strong-willed and stubborn. When he found something he wanted he did whatever it took to get it. If marriage to the young Lord was what he wanted then Marcellus nor their father would deter him. If Maddox had refused to write Lady Malfoy to start negotiations, and Hardwin had been betrothed to someone else, then there would have been no peace to be found in Flint Manor. Marcus could hold a grudge and he had never made a secret of it when he did.

'My brother certainly has found an interesting one.' Marcellus thought as he remembered Hardwin's warning about mistreating his house elves.

'I hope you don't come to regret your choice, Marcus.' He thought as his eyes followed the path his brother had taken, drained his wine glass, and went to bed.

123

Hardwin took a deep breath as he relaxed on his new broom. Marcus had managed to convince him to go shopping the day before to get one. It had turned into a whole day shopping and sightseeing trip with them, Draco, and Marcellus. As much as the trip had cut into the time he should have been working, Hardwin found he couldn't regret it. He'd had fun, and he'd forgotten what it felt like to fly just for the sake of flying. No quidditch, and no danger of being attacked while he flew. Just the freedom to let go and breathe without the constraints of his responsibilities.

"Feeling better?" Marcus asked as he come to a stop in the air beside him.

"I am. Though I do need to get some work done. I haven't touched any of it since you all arrived." Hardwin replied with a sigh as he looked up to see the position of the sun, and knew that it was almost noon.

He and Marcus had been flying around the mountaintop for over three hours now. It had been a nice break, but Hardwin knew he needed to get back to his office if he wanted to build connections and the investment portfolio while he was in the States. Still, he was also enjoying having the others there with him. He didn't feel so alone with them there.

"I can help you sort through potential investments later if you would like. For now, we should go back for lunch. I can see Marcel waiving at us to land." Marcus said as he gestured below them where Hardwin could see Marcus's brother waiting on them as he waived for them to come down.

"Alright. I would appreciate the help. I have a stack of potentials from Gringotts to get through and then I'll need to arrange meetings with them over the next week that I'm here. Hopefully, I'll hear from my cousin soon. I also need to write the headmaster or mistress of Ilvermorny to see if they will permit me to visit the grounds. I... had not expected to have company though I do like having you all here." Hardwin listed off in an effort to explain what he had planned to do during the two weeks he was there as they started to descend slowly.

He didn't want his intended to feel like he was ignoring him in favor of work. It was just that he had been playing catch up on everything since he'd taken the Lordship. Hardwin would try to make time for him to spend with Marcus, but he knew it would be a while before the estate and family matters would settle down. He'd hoped to have taken care of things before he'd become engaged so he would have the time to devote to his partner, but there were some things he just couldn't rush. The betrothal had also happened a lot more quickly than he'd anticipated, but he understood the reasons for it. Hardwin just didn't like the thought of not treating Marcus like he and their time together wasn't important and so he'd pushed off getting back to his work as much as he could.

Their time together was important. Very much so. They would be married and bonded for life in a matter of months. He hadn't lied to the man the other night. Hardwin did want to make a relationship with him work, but to do that he knew that he would need to make time away from his responsibilities toward his House. At the same time, he couldn't afford to neglect those responsibilities.

"I may not be the heir, but I was born to an Ancient House, and have watched my father while growing up. I understand you have constraints on your time. That is why I offered to help. Then we can have an hour or two to spend together later." Marcus replied as he took his hand once they had landed and dismounted their brooms.

"Thank you. I appreciate it." Hardwin said as he gently squeezed Marcus's hand and walked with him toward the cabin where Marcellus was waiting.

"You have a witch waiting for you in your office, Hardwin. A Lady Leanne Potter. Draco was opening the floo for her when I came to get your attention." Marcellus informed them once they were a few feet from him.

"Thank you, Marcellus. I'll change and be there in a few moments." Hardwin said as his eyebrows raised in surprise and curiosity.

He had been expecting a response from Lord Potter. It was quite irregular to have Lady Potte reply in place of her husband. Why had Lady Potter taken up her husband's correspondence? Was he out of the country, tied up with the responsibilities of Magical Congress, or incapacitated? Those would be the only 'acceptable' reasons to have not replied to another Lord personally.

Or, knowing Hardwin's form of luck, was this all just some game to his cousin?

"Would you like me there with you?" Marcus asked knowing that Hardwin would already be considering how he wanted to greet his guest.

"I am unsure. Lady Potter came alone?" Hardwin asked; looking back over to Marcellus as the three of them entered the cabin.

"Yes." Marcellus replied simply.

"Then I think it would be best I greet her with just Draco in the room for the moment. She does not know me and may be a bit wary. Best not to alarm her with four unknown men in the room." Hardwin replied with a gentle squeeze to Marcus's hand as he looked up at him.

He knew Marcus understood from the wry smirk. Hardwin didn't want to intimidate the woman unless the situation called for it. Draco and Hardwin himself could be intimidating enough on their own just by the way they conducted themselves and the strength of their magic, but Marcus and Marcellus could be even more so with their stature. A witch like Narcissa or Andromeda wouldn't be intimidated in such a situation, but Hardwin didn't know anything about Lady Potter. It would be better not to strain the meeting when Hardwin wanted answers.

"We'll wait in the downstairs sitting room then." Marcus replied as he raised Hardwin's left wrist to his lips to brush over the black opal fused into his skin.

Hardwin felt something warm in his chest. Marcus had been doing this since the day they had signed the contract. Small gestures of affection or possession. He wasn't used to it yet but he had started to look forward to the arm at his waist holding him at the other man's side, a brush of lips against his brow or wrist, and the heat of the man when they were next to each other. Marcus had given Hardwin no room to doubt what he wanted, and that was Hardwin.

"I'll direct the meeting to the upstairs sitting room then. You'll hear everything and can come if there's trouble. I'm not expecting any though." Hardwin said before raising on his toes to brush a kiss to Marcus's jaw, since he couldn't reach his cheek, and turning to hurry up the stairs.

He didn't intend to intimidate the witch, but certain standards had been drilled into him over the last weeks. This would be his first meeting with Leanne Potter. It wouldn't be acceptable for the Lord of House Black to meet the Lady of another House in casual robes for flying. This would be a formal meeting and so formal, or at least 'proper', wizarding robes would be needed.

'Deep breaths, Hardwin. Hopefully, she can give us some answers.'

123456

This chapter has taken me forever to finish. I had most of it written two days after posting the last one, but have only finished it now. My right eye was scratched by a dry contact so I had to take them out for two weeks while it healed. I caught a bad cold and a case of pink eye from my dad only three days after I was finally able to put them back in so I've had to leave them out for another week while that cleared up. I'm essentially blind without them so this month has been a trip.

I hope you enjoyed the bonding time with Hardwin and Marcus in this chapter. Next chapter we will finally be getting to what a lot of you have been waiting for with the appearance of Lady Potter. It may take me a while to write as it has been planned since the first few chapters and I want to get it written properly. Hopefully, nothing else happens to delay it!

~Ryu

Chapter Text

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-Four

"I welcome you to Cabin Black, Lady Potter. My name is Hardwin Potter-Black. You may call me Hardwin." Hardwin introduced himself with a steady voice after changing to more formal robes and fixing his hair before stepping into his office to see Draco had remained in the room; his attention focused on the unfamiliar woman who stood near the fire fidgeting with her hands.

Lady Leanne Potter gasped as her electric blue eyes widened when her gaze settled upon him. She appeared to be in her middle to late twenties though he knew she was older seeing as, according to his heritage test, her oldest son was only four years younger than both Draco and himself. Such was a benefit of being born with magic in their blood; their aging was much slower than muggles after reaching their majority at seventeen. Her long strawberry blonde hair was pulled back into a french braid that reached her lower back with a few tendrils falling out to frame delicate features. A small smile turned the corners of her mouth upwards as she looked him over even as Hardwin's posture stiffened and any emotion was pulled behind a blank mask before he had entered the room.

"You look well. Thank Merlin for that. Henry has been worried about you for a long time. Please, call me Leanne." Leanne sighed with relief and a hand pressed over her heart as tears misted in her eyes that had yet to look away from him.

Hardwin paused in shock that he refused to let show while Draco's shoulders stiffened at her words as he watched his cousin. Lord Potter had been worried? Hardwin had to suppress the feelings that statement caused before he snapped at her. It was hard for him to believe. Almost impossible.

If he had been so worried for Hardwin then why had he never been there while he had lived through hell? The man had failed in his responsibilities as his Lord of House when it came to him as far as Hardwin was concerned. His great-grandfather Arcturus had been unable to do anything due to his agreement with Hardwin's parents. Lord Potter, however, wouldn't have had the same restraints placed on him by Lily and James if the worse were to happen. The entire situation only made him all the more determined to do the best he could as the Lord of House Black.

"Pardon?" Hardwin raged internally with incredulity over what she'd just said even as he tried to keep those emotions from his expression as he tried to gather himself at how she had just dumped those statements on him.

"I'm sorry. I can't tell you much of anything other than how worried Henry has been for you. He has been trying to contact you for years, but the owls have always returned with the letters unopened. We didn't know who your guardians were to attempt to write to them directly. It should be my husband who is here right now to tell you everything. He wanted to be here." Leanne assured as she stepped forward; looking like she wanted to reach out to him to assure herself that he was real.

"Why don't we sit down? This is a conversation better had over tea. Or perhaps coffee, if you would prefer?" Draco asked as he interjected upon seeing how close Hardwin was to lashing out at the woman.

He knew his cousin's tells well after years of an antagonistic relationship while they were in school and their more recent times spent in each other's company. This was not the time for Hardwin to vent any anger he felt toward the Potters, and Draco knew he was close. Hardwin may have gotten better about it but he was still a hot-head under the veneer of decorum the family had been drilling into him. Hardwin was trying but hadn't grown up with the lessons and instruction on decorum and deportment that Draco, Marcus, and other purebloods in Britain had. Lessons that had been drilled into them from the time they could walk and talk. Hardwin was receiving those lessons now, but it would take time to adjust his behavior and habits rather than just reacting.

His cousin was under a lot of pressure without the lessons most purebloods learned early to help him cope though their family were doing their best to assist him with the skills he would need to navigate his responsibilities. Hardwin had been pushing himself to learn quickly and to train himself out of poor habits. It was one of the reasons Draco pestered him about taking breaks. If he continued to press on in the manner he had been then it was only a matter of time before the pressure would become too much. Hardwin would snap, and that wasn't something he needed. Not now. He had all of the responsibilities of the Black Lordship weighing on him as the only male who could continue the line and restore it in the eyes of the wizarding public.

The House of Black's reputation had already taken so much damage over the last several decades. Draco knew that Hardwin was determined to revive and restore his House, but to do that in upper society he would need to be strong, learn fast, and build a positive reputation among the other old families. All it would take is one public display of that temper to ruin everything Hardwin was working towards. The Black name had been tarred with a dark reputation for the madness that ran in the bloodline. If Hardwin snapped in an emotional display then he would be further marked by that reputation even when he wasn't insane as Bellatrix had been.

Public opinion could work for or against him thanks to Hardwin's actions during the war, but the previous perception of the Blacks could and would pull him down if he wasn't mindful. Draco, himself, was in much the same situation. The Malfoy name had taken a lot of damage as well, and it would fall to Draco and one day his heir, to repair it after the actions of his father and grandfather. The only reason Draco had the chance to do so after being marked during the war was because of Hardwin.

If Hardwin had not spoken up for Draco and Narcissa at their trials then things would be a lot worse for House Malfoy. Hardwin could have chosen to remain silent on the things they had done to help him, but he hadn't, and for that, Draco would always be grateful. It was why he would do what he could now to support his cousin. Even if all he could do right now was to nag Hardwin to take some time for himself or to help him retain his composure when he needed to.

"Oh. A coffee, please, and thank you." Leanne replied as she was distracted by the young blond who had introduced himself as Heir Draco Malfoy, a cousin of Hardwin's from the Black side of his family when he had admitted her through the floo.

"Portia. Some coffee for Lady Potter and tea for Hardwin and myself." Draco called to the elf and spoke gently though not thanking her as Hardwin would have done.

He was still getting used to the changes in how he was expected to treat house-elves after his mother had started to make changes within their home. He could see his mother's point when she spoke of the loyalty Hardwin's treatment of house elves had inspired in the little creatures and how that loyalty had made a difference during the war. It was still sometimes odd to see them dressed well with the Malfoy family crest, but he was adjusting the more he saw how Hardwin treated both the Black and Malfoy elves when either of them visited each other's homes. It had taken longer for his father to fall in line, but Narcissa's brow-beating of her husband had been effective. His father still had his moments but had always bent to his wife's will for the most part.

"Right away, Master Draco." Portia replied with a short nod as she popped away with her orders.

Draco motioned toward the two chairs in front of the fireplace with his wand and moved them closer to the desk. He invited Leanne to be seated in one while he took the other and Hardwin moved around his desk to seat himself in his chair. Hardwin shuffled the paperwork around for a moment to make room just as the serving tray appeared on the desk between them. He laid the files into a drawer as he took the opportunity to calm down.

This meeting was not something he should go into feeling emotional. Sure, he was frustrated and angry with Lord Potter for his failure as his Lord of House, but there was nothing to be done about it now. Taking his feelings out on Lady Potter would do nothing to get the information he wanted. It would only serve to alienate that side of his bloodline when he didn't yet know if any 'familial relationship' with them could be salvaged. Hardwin had been slowly putting together the pieces of the steps his parents had made for his protection both before and after he was born, but he knew that Lord Potter should have more answers.

"I must admit myself at a loss. You said that Lord Potter has been worried and that he wanted to be here today? That he's tried contacting me before?" Hardwin asked feeling a bit confused and conflicted about why it was Lady Potter seated before him now and not Lord Potter if that was the case.

"Yes. He has been worried for you for a long time. He's tried writing to you all these years, but all of his letters have come back unopened. Henry suspected a mail ward had been placed on you under your assumed name, but he didn't dare try addressing any letters to you under your true name. Your parents had warned him of the danger you could be placed in if anyone knew you were set to inherit the title from such an old bloodline. He's also been trying for years to get an international portkey to the United Kingdom to go look for you, but his application has been denied every time. Henry even tried entering the country the no-mag way several years ago, but he was denied that way as well." She explained and Hardwin almost gaped as he tried to comprehend what she was telling him.

"Did they ever give a reason for why he was refused access to our country?" Draco asked as he thought about what could have caused a Lord of an Ancient House to be unable to obtain travel permissions to his own country.

"Not at all. We have tried inquiring but have been turned away no matter who makes the inquiry. We even tried for me to get a portkey into Britain after Henry and I married so that I could look for you in his place, but I was denied as well. It's been troubling. Henry was raised here in America by a distant relative on his mother's side since he was young, but he's always retained his British citizenship. He's been managing the estate as best as he's been able with the help of Gringotts, but there's only so much he's been able to do when most of the Potter assets and properties are established in the United Kingdom." Leanne explained with a troubled knit to her brow and Hardwin shot Draco a look at the mention of Gringotts.

"I would like to apologize on his behalf for not coming personally today. You see, Henry is Potion's Master. He was experimenting with a new potion when he received your first letter. He was thrilled when he told us about it over dinner." She murmured and it was then that Hardwin noticed the shadows under her eyes.

Her make-up was flawless, but the skin was slightly darker under her eyes. The expression in them was tired, and he could tell that she must have been worrying about something for a while now. Hardwin's mind shifted to what she had just told them about his cousin experimenting with a potion.

"The reply didn't come through Gringotts as would have been expected... Your owl arrived days after the suggested meeting date in the letter and it is currently recuperating in my aviary under the care of one of my elves. Did Lord Potter not send it himself?" Hardwin asked, still unable to believe that a man who carried the responsibilities of a Lord of House would have made such an error.

Not unless he was completely inept or purposefully trying to test his patience.

"No, I'm afraid the late delivery is my fault. Henry placed the letter in the basket for outgoing letters before returning to his brewing. Something went wrong, and he was badly injured in the resulting explosion. He has been in St. Augustine's since that day in a healing coma though he's expected to wake sometime this week." Her voice was heavy as she spoke and Hardwin let out a harsh breath as his irritation over the matter with the owl and late response fled from him.

That certainly explained a few things. If Lord Potter had been incapacitated then Lady Potter would have been left to deal with House matters in his absence. From the look of things, she likely didn't know that the letter should have been sent through the care of Gringotts. He couldn't fault her for the mistake as she had probably been stressed enough.

It had been a few weeks and Lord Potter was still in a healing coma. That spoke a great deal as to how badly he must have been injured. Magic was capable of great things, but it had limitations as well.

"I received your letter stating that you were in the country just this morning. You had written that you wouldn't be able to stay for long, and I was worried that you would have left before he woke. I didn't want you to feel that we were purposely ignoring you or playing some game so I came as soon as I was able." Leanne explained softly, and Hardwin settled a bit more as he started to understand what had happened and how it pieced together with the other information he had been discovering over the last few months.

"I see. Thank you for the explanation I hope he makes a swift recovery." Hardwin said as he handed her the coffee from the tray before taking his tea; thinking about everything he had been told.

The anger he had felt toward the Potter Lord started to cool after learning of how they had been unable to even enter the country. Hardwin doubted Leanne was lying about what she had told him. A lie would be too easy to disprove once he looked into the matter. He was unsure of how but didn't doubt that he knew who was responsible. Hardwin wouldn't have been in the perfect condition to be molded and used in the war if he'd had family who cared for him.

"Thank you. I know that you must have come because you have questions for him. I don't know everything as Henry and I met after you were born, but I will answer what I can." Leanne offered, relaxing when she noticed how the young man's face had softened from how rigidly he had held himself since entering the room.

"You have already answered a few of them with your explanation. I can't say I know how the Lord and Lady of an Ancient House were denied passage into the United Kingdom, but I do have an idea of the reason why. I will need to look into it to find out how he did it." Hardwin muttered as he glanced toward Draco; the blonde's scowl growing darker as he came to the same conclusion he had.

"He? You mean to say that someone was purposefully interfering?" Leanne's brows drew together at the insinuation.

Hardwin looked at Draco who looked back at him before raising a brow. He knew that the decision was being left to him on how much to tell her. This was Hardwin's business, but it was also a family matter that involved the Potters. If he confided this to Lady Potter now then he would be acknowledging the Potters as family just as he had when he had told the Malfoys. There was also the fact that he would need their cooperation.

His mind went to the file that he had asked Andromeda to prepare before he left. Hardwin had been unsure of how his meeting with Lord Potter would go, but he had been prepared to tell him what he would need to know if the man hadn't been purposefully neglecting his responsibility toward Hardwin as a scion of House Potter. While it was Lady Potter in front of him, she had told him enough to know that it didn't appear to have been willful negligence. There had been more going on that they hadn't known about, and they had been unable to do anything. They had tried, and that was enough for Hardwin.

"You should also include Marcus, Hardwin. As your intended, he has a right to know as it will involve him as well. In that same vein, it may be best to have House Flint informed. Things will be made public with the plans you have, and it would be better that they are not blindsided by the information. My parents have told Lord and Lady Flint some of it, but they have likely also started putting the pieces together themselves after seeing your medical report during the marriage negotiations." Draco said as he set down his teacup when Hardwin started reaching for a drawer in his desk.

Hardwin froze for a moment as he looked up at his cousin before slowly nodding. Draco was right. He and Marcus would be married soon enough, and there was no way to back out of it now that the contract had been signed by all parties with the blood quills. The agreement between the Houses of Black and Flint was already binding. This was a matter that would involve Marcus as well since they would be bonded, and Hardwin knew he would need to trust his intended. They had agreed to try for a real relationship and not just a marriage of convenience.

"Draco is right. There is much that you and your husband will need to know. Unfortunately, I am unable to remain in the States for long, and so we may be gone by the time he recovers. I would like to inform you of my suspicions, but I believe it may be best to wait. My intended and his family will also need to be informed so it may be best to gather everyone in one meeting." Hardwin asked and received a slow nod from Leanne.

"I understand. Waiting would be best. I know Henry would rather hear it for himself than have me try to explain to him after the fact." Leanne replied, her back straightening as she heard the serious undercurrent to his tone, and knew that what they learned at the proposed meeting wouldn't be good news.

"Thank you for understanding. I would like to speak more with you and your husband when he is available. In the meanwhile, I will look into the matter of why you have been denied passage into Britain and see if I can do anything to correct it."

123

Hardwin stared down at the ripples as he lightly swayed his legs back and forth through the hot water from where he sat on the flagstones that surrounded the magically created 'hot tub' behind the cabin; his trousers pulled up to the knee so they wouldn't get wet. It was growing later in the evening, but Hardwin couldn't bring himself to mind the passing of time as he lost himself to his thoughts. The last few months had been hectic as he tried to learn the truth about himself. The questions about his past had lingered in the back of his mind since the day he had discovered his life until that visit to Gringotts had been almost completely made up of lies. He now knew the answers to many of the questions he'd had, and now he needed to wait to speak with the one who held the answers that he was still missing.

"Are you alright?" The question startled him, and Hardwin jumped, almost falling into the hot water until two strong arms wrapped around his waist, pulling him against a broad chest and saving him from falling from his perch.

"Marcus... Thank you." Hardwin mumbled as he leaned back against his intended once he was sure he was no longer at risk of falling in.

He was starting to grow accustomed to Marcus's touch. Whereas before he would jump or shift uncomfortably at the closeness, Hardwin was now starting to adjust to it. He could feel the possessiveness from his intended every time he wrapped his arm around him and pulled him close to his side but found he didn't mind it so much. Rather, he found it a bit comforting to feel like he was wanted. The Marcus he remembered from school had an abrasive personality, but that wasn't the man he had been getting to know out of the public eye.

"I'm just thinking." Hardwin answered a bit belatedly as he let the warmth from Marcus soothe him in the cool night air.

"You've been staring at the water for the last hour. Marcel told me to leave you be, but I couldn't take it anymore. Are you still thinking about the meeting with Lady Potter earlier? Or did the Minister say something when you flooed him?" Marcus asked as he shifted to sit next to Hardwin on the stone while keeping the younger man in his arms.

"A little of both, I guess. Kingsley is looking into Lady Potter's claims. I will need to contact him when we return to Britain. Mostly, I'm just trying to put the pieces together. There is still so much I don't know about my own past that it bothers me. I also didn't know how resentful I felt over Lord Potter's absence from my life until Lady Potter started speaking when she was here. It took me by surprise, honestly." Hardwin admitted as Marcus's fingers brushed his side soothingly.

"I can't say that I know how you must feel. I only know how I would feel based on what I know of the situation." Marcus told him as Hardwin was pressed further into his intended; the words almost a whisper in his ear.

"I'm just feeling unsettled. I have spent these last few months picking up the pieces of my life, but I feel like I can't continue moving forward until I know the truth. I'm just unsure if the answers will make a difference. I mean, Dumbledore is dead. Nothing I do now will change the past and Dumbledore can't be punished for what he's done. I'm unsure of many of the friendships I built because of the situation with people I had thought I could trust." Hardwin sighed before Marcus hummed.

"Maybe not, but I can understand why you would want answers. Nothing we do can change what happened in the past. Even a time-turner does not have the power to take us back that far, but everything we do now will define the future. A future we will share. You will have me as your ally, no matter what you find. I can't promise we will always agree, but I will never betray you as they have." The words were murmured into Hardwin's ear, causing a fluttering feeling in his stomach.

Hardwin looked up into Marcus's dark eyes and couldn't suppress the small smile that curved the corners of his mouth. It had been a long afternoon by the time Leanne Potter had left with promises to contact him through Gringotts when her husband woke, and Hardwin had finished his floo call with Kingsley to look into the problem keeping them out of Britain. Leanne had thanked him for having the owl, named Archie, tended to. She had asked that he be sent to the Pottery; House Potter's ancestral estate in the small village of Stinchcombe. The cabin had been quiet after she left as they gave him some time to process what he'd been told before Hardwin had returned to his office to floo call both Kingsley and Andromeda.

"I know you must have questions about what is going on. I can't promise to answer everything, but you can ask. If I can't tell you then I'll say so." Hardwin said softly as he didn't know how to respond to Marcus's pronouncement of their future.

Hardwin's future had always been in question and he was still adjusting to not having a constant threat to his life following him like a shadow. As much as he wanted to look forward to the future they could build together, he didn't know how. Hardwin was busy dealing with the past and present right now. The concept of a future, one with Marcus, was there but wasn't what he was focused on.

"Lord and Lady Malfoy have informed my parents about a few things, but I can wait until Lord Potter recovers when you've said you want to tell us. There is a lot we have to learn about each other, but I'm not in a rush. We have the rest of our lives. We can take our time. I think we've already addressed the most important thing when it comes to us. The relationship we would like to have in our marriage. We can learn more about each other as we go. I can wait for the details during the meeting you're planning between our Houses. I do not want to cause you pain by prying into your past." Marcus's words were quiet for as deep as his voice was.

The breath of the words caressed Hardwin's ear before the man moved to brush his lips in a comforting kiss to his temple before he pulled away. The air between them was comfortably quiet for several moments as the two of them watched the warm water lap around Hardwin's legs while they thought. Finally, Hardwin was the first to move as he tilted his chin up to look at Marcus.

"Thank you... For being understanding. The only ones who know are my cousins and Lord Malfoy, and even then I needed an oath of secrecy before they could know everything. I couldn't tell them and I resorted to just showing them the memories. It's hard for me to talk about, and you would need to take the same oath as there is information that can never become public, but I promise I will tell you everything one day." Hardwin promised and Marcus chuckled before tilting his head in a small nod.

"When you're ready." He agreed before leaning down and sealing the promise with a kiss on Hardwin's lips.

Hardwin took in a sharp breath at the warmth of Marcus's lips on his. It had been unexpected, but he gradually started to relax when the man didn't pull away. No, Hardwin felt the arms around him pull him closer as he leaned further into the kiss to return it. The kiss was gentle, but he could feel that Marcus was holding back. Hardwin's hand raised to caress Marcus's jaw as he shifted to deepen the kiss before pulling away quickly with a gasp of shock as they were both soaked in icy cold water.

"What the hell?" Hardwin mumbled as he felt Marcus's chest rumble with a growl of irritation, and he followed the direction of those dark eyes toward the cabin door to find Marcellus standing in the open doorway with his wand in hand and a raised brow.

"Thought you two could do with some cooling off. Why don't you both come inside? It's a bit too chilly to be out here in wet clothes like that." Marcellus said and Hardwin's eyes narrowed as Marcus let go of him to sneer at his brother.

"Whose fault it that, Marcel?" Marcus's voice made Hardwin shiver at the dark undertone as much as the cool night air and cold water soaking his clothes did.

Emerald eyes trailed down to the warm water around his legs before lighting with mischief. He didn't want his intended to fight with his brother. Marcellus and Draco were there as their chaperones so that they could keep them from any act of impropriety that would shame their Houses before their marriage. Sure, it was old-fashioned, but that was the wizarding world for you.

Marcus went to step closer to his brother to give him a tongue-lashing before pausing to look back at his intended as Hardwin grasped his hand with both of his. It was then that he felt a tug as Hadrian braced his feet against the stone. He threw himself into the warm water as he pulled Marcus backward into the water with him. Hadrian surfaced laughing as Marcus came up beside him almost spluttering.

At least, he was laughing until those dark eyes narrowed on him.

"Marcus, it was a joke! Ahh!" Hardwin squeaked as he was grabbed around the waist while trying to back away.

Marcus said nothing in reply as Hardwin wiggled to escape his intended's grip as large hands lifted him up and out of the water. Hardwin looked down to see a toothy grin on Marcus's face as he held him up easily. He took a split second to enjoy the feeling his intended's strength elicited before he was tossed back into the water. He surfaced to a pleasant sound that made his insides quiver in pleasure even as he spluttered and coughed out the water that had flooded his mouth and nose when he went under.

Marcus was laughing.

Hardwin huffed even as he smiled and moved to the edge of the pool. A chuckle drew his attention back toward the door to see it was Marcellus who was chuckling as he shook his head at their antics. Draco was just behind him now, one blonde brow raised as he looked at the two of them in disbelief. Harwin jumped as he felt the hands return to his waist before he was lifted again.

"Marcus! No! I'm sorry, okay! Not again!" He shouted as he was tossed back in once more and came up coughing only to feel those hands grasp his waist again.

"It seems my intended has a mischievous side to him. Hmm... What am I to do?" Marcus drawled into his ear as he pulled him up from the water to press Hardin's back to his chest.

"I come by it honestly. Both my dad and my father were pranksters. You should just learn to enjoy it." Hardwin laughed as he grasped Marcus's arm with one hand and playfully splashed water over his shoulder into his face with the other.

"He's right. Mother did say cousin Sirius loved his pranks. Luckily, I don't believe Hardwin is as bad as what she told me his parents did during their Hogwarts years." Draco chimed in as he shook his head and huffed.

"I see. I suppose I should be more careful from now on." Marcus said as he moved them both over to the edge of the water before lifting Hardwin up to set him gently on the stone ledge.

"I couldn't resist. I saw an opportunity, and we were already wet. At least we're warmer now." Hardwin chuckled as he shifted to pull his legs out and turned to get down from the ledge before turning to see Marcus lift himself out and over the ledge to stand beside him.

"Not for long if we keep standing here like this." Marcus replied as he pulled out his wand and moved to cast a drying charm on Hardwin who quickly stopped him with a hand over his.

"Please don't! Drying charms do not agree with me. I won't be able to tame my hair for days if you use one on me." Hardwin grumbled as he fingered the wet locks and tried to shift them into some sort of order.

"He does have some Potter in him." Draco reminded the brothers; Marcellus shook his head when Marcus raised a brow at the statement.

"A characteristic the House Potter was known for was that their hair was untameable. I had thought Hardwin had escaped that particular curse on the line. His hair has been well groomed every time I have seen him." Marcellus told Marcus as his brother cast a drying charm on himself.

"No, I remember how messy his hair was during Hogwarts. I simply thought he didn't care for his appearance." Marcus said before calling Portia for a towel that he draped over Hardwin's shoulders when she returned with it.

"Draco and Narcissa's influence." Hardwin explained simply as he accepted the towel and used it to pat his hair dry from the excess water.

"There's nothing to be done for it when it's short, and without products. He's learned well enough now to know what works. Hardwin didn't even own a comb when I started with him." Draco grumbled and Hardwin just chuckled as he smiled at the blonde.

"My hair was the least of my problems until now, Draco. According to Grandfather Arcturus, it's not even in its natural state at the moment. Though he said the shifting wasn't as strong as it is with Teddy." Hardwin said as he moved on from drying his hair to try getting some of the water out of his clothes so he wouldn't be trailing water across the floors on the way to his room.

"Wait. Natural state? Shifting? What does that mean, and who is Teddy?" Marcus asked as Hardwin finished drying himself as best he could before moving to follow Draco and Marcellus who had turned to lead them back into the cabin.

"Teddy is my godson, and also the grandson of my cousin Andromeda. They both live with me in the manor now after Mrs. Weasley started harassing them when I stopped any contact with them. Teddy and his mother both inherited the metamorphmagi ability that was thought dormant for a long time. According to my great-grandfather, I also displayed an aptitude for it when I was born. Apparently, the color and texture of my hair shifted though it wasn't as strong as e've been seeing Teddy doing. He thinks Lord Potter did something to help my parents hide it." Hardwin explained as he picked up his shoes and socks which were still dry as he'd taken them off before sitting down earlier.

"I see. I didn't know you had a godson. Who were his parents?"Marcus asked as they entered the cabin, reaching out to grasp Hardwin's hand upon seeing the flash of grief on his face.

"Do you remember Professor Lupin?" Hardwin asked after he ducked into the downstairs bathroom to strip out of his wet clothes before using a drying charm on them, redressing, and stepping back out in now dry clothes.

"He was the one who was suspected of being a werewolf, wasn't he?" Marcus asked as he thought back to that year.

"His name was Remus, and he was both a werewolf as well as one of my parent's best friends. He is Teddy's father. He married Nymphadora Tonks during the war." Hardwin said as the two of them moved to the sofa room within sight of Draco and Marcellus who were playing at the billiard table.

"Nymphadora Tonks... I remember her. Clumsy Hufflepuff. Graduated the year before you came to Hogwarts." Marcus said thoughtfully, and Hardwin chuffed a laugh.

"Yeah. She was Andromeda's daughter. She hated her first name and would get mad at anyone who called her by it. Andromeda never let that stop her though. Tonks and Remus named me godfather to Teddy when he was born... They both died in the Battle of Hogwarts. Teddy was only a month old." Hardwin told him as they sat down before turning to call for Portia.

"Portia. Some tea to help warm us up, please. Thank you." He spoke softly to the elf before turning his attention back to Marcus as he spoke.

"So his grandmother has custody of him while you help out?" He asked and Hardwin shook his head as the tea appeared on the table.

"Andromeda and I have shared custody, but she's the primary caregiver. Andromeda is a daughter of House Black who married a muggleborn and left the family, but grandfather Arcturus never disowned her. As she was widowed during the war, and her late husband had no family to care for her as would be the case if she had married into another House, the responsibility for her wellbeing and safety falls to me as Lord to House Black. I asked her to move into the manor as I didn't want either one of them at risk during the current situation with the Weasleys and Granger. The wards at Black Manor are much stronger than her home." He explained because Marcus needed to understand that his godson came as part of the package since Hardwin would be helping Andromeda raise him.

"Understandable. Well then you'll need to tell me about him. He will be a part of our lives, after all." Marcus knew that had been the right thing to say as Hardwin's eyes softened and he relaxed easily into his side as he started telling him all about his godson whom he obviously adored.

123456

Ugh. This took me so long to get down. I must have re-wrote this chapter at least six times, and I'm still not feeling completely satisfied with it. I've had a block with my Harry Potter fics while new plot bunnies are gnawing at my brain. The problem is I can't make any of them work, but they won't go away either. My random starts and plots not yet worked on files keep on growing. I may need to just get them all down and then post them somewhere for adoption.

Anyway, still no Lord Potter, but the potion accident certainly explains some of the mix-up with the owl. I have had the situation with Henry Potter worked out since the beginning chapters. His wife... not so much. Leanne was rather annoying for me to write in all honesty. I focused so much on Lord Potter's character that I blindsided myself by not filling out the information in my notes for his wife or three children.

I hope this chapter provided a few answers, in any case. Hardwin has slowly started to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Sooner or later he should have enough to be satisfied in order to do what needs to be done to move on with his life. At the same time, he's getting more comfortable in his role as Lord Black and with Marcus as they get to know each other. The kiss between the two kind of snuck up on me, but at the same time, not completely unexpected.

I mean, their attraction toward each other has already been established. It's not exactly a typical arranged marriage the way Draco and Astoria's. Still, this unexpected trip to the United States has been good for something. Hardwin got a bit of a break and the two are growing closer. Only a bit more of their time in the US to go before they'll be returning to Britain.

~Ryu

Chapter Text

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-Five

"Was there anything else you had planned to do whilst away for this trip now that you have met with Lady Potter?" Marcellus asked the next morning as the four of them sat down in the dining room of the Black Cabin for breakfast.

"Well, I am almost finished with sorting through the investment proposals thanks to Marcus helping me last night, and I've already written a letter to the Headmaster or mistress of Illvermorny. I doubt I'll be able to visit the grounds of the school on such short notice so I'll need to arrange another trip here for that. I suppose we can schedule for a return portkey within the next few days unless one of you has something else you need or would like to do while we are here." Hardwin said thoughtfully between bites of his eggs.

"Ilvermorny? Why would you want to visit the North American School of Magic?" Marcus asked as he cut into his breakfast sausage.

"I have been doing some research into my bloodline. My mother was from squib lines of Houses Black, Montague, Nott, Prewitt, and Gaunt. House Gaunt is where my parseltongue comes from. Your father suggested I look into the school while I am here as he informed me of the rumor that Morrigan Stewart was a descendant of Slytherin as well." Hardwin said as he spread a bit of strawberry jam onto a warm crumpet.

"Yes, I had heard of that rumor as well. Is there something you are hoping to find there?" Marcellus asked curiously and Hardwin shook his head.

"Nothing in particular. It has been almost three hundred years since Morrigan Stewart's death, but I'm curious to see if I can find any information to confirm a connection between her and House Gaunt. If she was a very distant relative then I would appreciate seeing the school she created. Britain's view of parselmouths has been blackened over the years whereas in other parts of the world, such as India, it is a talent that is worshiped. I would like to change that if I can." Hardwin admitted and Draco nodded.

"I understand what you mean. Any child or descendant you have could inherit the ability from you. If one of the founders of Illvermorny was a parselmouth then it would do a lot to show that not every descendant with the blood of Salazar Slytherin was dark. I mean, she was married to a muggle, wasn't she?" Draco asked as he tried to remember what he had read about Illvermorny when he had been curious about the other wizarding schools several years ago.

"Yes. I haven't found the name Morrigan Stewart while mapping my ancestry but there is an Isolt Stewart nee Sayre from a cousin branch of House Gaunt around the right time period. Her husband isn't listed so there is a good chance he was a muggle. They had twin daughters, Rionach and Martha Stewart. Now, Rionach's line ends with her, but Martha was a squib. She went on to have three children, but each of those lines ended within three generations." Hardwin said as he thought back to what he remembered finding from both his ancestry test as well as the limited information he had been able to find about that branch of the family.

"Is there a line from House Gaunt still active?" Marcus asked curiously and Hardwin grimaced.

"Other than my mother's squib sister and her son, no, I haven't been able to find any others from the line still living. I have been looking into squib lines, but most of the squibs I could find in that particular family tree died shortly after their eleventh birthday." Hardwin explained darkly with a frown at the turn this conversation was taking.

"Didn't the main line of House Gaunt end some time ago?" Marcellus mused only to look up from his plate as Draco flinched and dropped the knife he had been using to butter his crumpet onto his plate with a loud clatter, drawing the attention of everyone.

Hardwin did sigh then as he shook his head while Draco looked at him in silent apology and question.

"The last Lord of House Gaunt was Morfin Gaunt. Morfin died childless in Azkaban sometime in the late nineteen-forties or fifties. What many didn't know was that his father, Marvolo, had a daughter. Merope Riddle nee Gaunt died in childbirth on the thirty-first of December in nineteen twenty-six. She gave birth to a son she named Tom Marvolo Riddle after his father who was a muggle. He had no children and died in the Battle of Hogwarts a few months ago. His death ended the Blood War." Hardwin told them as he put down his fork of eggs; his appetite gone though at least he had almost finished.

He knew they would put together to whom he was referring. There had only been one death that had the ability to end that bloody war. A thought that was quickly proven correct when both Marcus and Marcellus's movements froze as they looked at him; their eyes widening. Draco grimaced as his eyes flickered down to his covered forearm before turning away and setting down his silverware. The room grew quiet and Hardwin grabbed his napkin to wipe his mouth gently before sighing.

"Anyway... I cannot send the letter until the crow returns from the Potters. If it doesn't return before we leave then I will just tell Portia to send it out when it does. Otherwise, my business in this country is finished unless there is anything else you all would like to do." Hardwin said as he tried to move on from the subject of Tom and the war.

It had been such a good morning, too.

"I have already finished with what my father asked of me." Draco said as he laid his napkin down before sipping at the milk in his glass.

"I only have a dinner meeting with an associate set for this evening. I can leave as early as later tonight once it has concluded." Marcellus replied as he set down his silverware.

"I'm ready to return to Britain whenever you are. I came to spend some time with you and to get our contract signed." Marcus said simply as he finished his breakfast, and Hardwin felt warmth in his chest that his intended had come because he'd wanted to spend time with him when he hadn't needed to; the contract signing could have waited until his return.

"Alright. I'll finish organizing things here and we can schedule our return portkey at the Ministry. I need to get back to see what Kingsley has uncovered." He said before excusing himself and standing to make his way upstairs to the office in order to make arrangments for his investment proposals to be sent to Gringotts and notifying the American branch to forward correspondence home to Black Manor, arranging for their travel back to Britain, and to make Portia's orders easy to carry out once the crow had returned by having the letters ready to be sent out.

123

They'd had to wait two days while the paperwork and approvals were processed but Hardwin, Draco, Marcus, and Marcellus had taken an international portkey back home to Britain after a floo call with Leanne to let her know they were leaving. They had just finished eating lunch, but with the time difference, it was nearly time for supper when they arrived in the United Kingdom. Hardwin had again had trouble with the portkey, but luckily, Marcus must have noticed as his arm quickly wrapped around his waist and kept him from falling and making a fool of himself. Hardwin's cheeks warmed in embarrassment as he peeked up at Marcus from under his lashes to see the man smirking down at him.

"Portkey's do not agree with you, I take it?" He asked as Draco and Marcellus moved out of the arrival room before Marcus pulled Harwin gently to follow them and make room for the next scheduled portkey arrival.

"I have always hated them. I'm fine with apparating, and I have almost mastered floo travel by this point. I don't think I will ever feel comfortable using a portkey after my fourth year at Hogwarts." Hardwin admitted quietly and Marcus gently squeezed his side at the admission.

He didn't know the details of what Hardwin had gone through, but he did know that it was what had led to the Dark Lord's revival and his family's flight from the Isles. He gave Hardwin a moment to pull himself together as they left the relative privacy of the room to step into the international portkey office at a sedate pace. Marcus's arm shifted from its place around his waist for Hardwin to take his arm now that they weren't alone with only the members of their family to see them. Hardwin grasped the larger man's arm gently after taking a second to adjust his cloak and check that his hair hadn't come out of the clasp that held the half-plait out of his eyes. They stepped into the office and followed Draco and Marcellus to the desk where they turned in the porkey and each of them waited to have their wands checked as this was the Ministry building. Those arriving here needed to have their wands checked just like anyone else who came through one of the other entrances.

"Ah! Lord Black! Welcome back to Britain. I hope you enjoyed your trip to the United States!" The witch chirped from behind the desk as he gently set his holly wand in front of her.

Hardwin almost winced as her voice raised in excitement when she focused on him with a look that made his skin crawl before he was able to smooth his expression completely. Green eyes flickered to where a copy of the quibbler rested at the corner of her desk to see the article printed on the front page. The lettering was in large bold print over a picture that Andromeda had taken two weeks ago and had sent to Luna for the article. Hardwin stood in his study in Black Manor before the mantle where Arcturus's portrait was hung. The Crest of House Black could be seen proudly displayed at the base of the portrait where he was speaking to his great-grandfather before turning to look at the viewer and pausing to give a small nod before the image looped back to where he had been speaking with the portrait. He remembered that Andromeda had been telling him that Narcissa would be coming for tea.

Harry Potter's True Name: The Secret His Parents Kept to Protect the Heir of House Black! By: Luna Lovegood

Hardwin Potter-Black reveals the truth of his parentage! Lord to Most Ancient and Noble the House of Black and scion of the Ancient House of Potter!

'Damn. I forgot that the article would be published soon. I guess that was today.' Hardwin thought as he straightened with a subtle breath before speaking in an even tone.

"It was a pleasant trip, yes." He replied before raising a brow as the witch just stared at him; her eyes flickering over his face instead of checking his wand so they could move on.

"I understand that Lord Black is well known, but he isn't here to be on display. Do you think you could do your job so we may continue with our business sometime today?" Marcus's deep voice startled the witch out of her admiring of Hardwin, and he couldn't help the small smile that curled the corner of his mouth before he squeezed his betrothed's arm gently in appreciation.

"O-Oh... Yes. Yes, of course." The witch stumbled as she finally picked up his wand to put it on the scale.

Hardwin glanced over to see Draco subtly rolling his eyes as he turned away to speak quietly with Marcellus who had been watching the whole scene with a raised brow. It wasn't surprising, really. He had always received one of a few reactions from other witches and wizards in the UK. It had been rather refreshing to walk around Landfara Way as he shopped in New York with the others and not have people staring at or watching him overly much. Hardwin's shoulders relaxed a bit at the feeling of Marcus gently brushing his fingers and glanced up at the taller man. Their gazes connected, and Hardwin felt the tips of his ears heat at the look in his dark eyes before turning back to the witch as his wand was handed back to him over the counter.

"All done! Here you are, Lord Black. I have a note here that Minister Shacklebolt requesting for you to go to his office upon your return from your trip." She said as her finger brushed a piece of parchment that Hardwin knew must have been one of the missives that were spelled to fly to specified departments like little birds.

"Very well. Good day, ma'am." Hardwin said as he took his wand back and gave her a short nod before he and Marcus turned away to follow Marcellus and Draco, who had been watching and waiting, out of the International Transportation Department.

"I suppose we'll part here. You shouldn't keep the Minister waiting. When do you think you'll be done with your business? I'll notify Aunt Andromeda we've returned." Draco said as they reached the hall and started moving toward the lifts.

"I may be a while. I'm unsure how long this meeting will take to get through whatever information the Minister has uncovered. I had thought to make a stop at Weasley Wizarding Wheezes to speak with George, but... I think I need to wait until I have a bit more information. I truly don't want him to feel he's being put into the middle of the situation." Hardwin admitted as they entered the empty lift.

"Do you think he was involved?" Marcus asked and Hardwin shook his head as the lift doors closed and his grip on the man's arm tightened a bit to keep himself steady on his feet as the lift lurched.

"I don't believe so. The twins... They worked so hard to get the funds for their shop before I gave the start-up money. I don't believe they would have needed to do so if they were being paid from my vault like their mother, sister, and Granger were." Hardwin admitted as the lift jerked to a stop and he stepped out with the other three into the atrium.

"I'll let Aunt Andromeda know you may be a while then." Draco said as the conversation ended when eyes everywhere turned to look at them; many staring at Hardwin as a flurry of whispers started all around the atrium.

"Our time at the Black Cabin was enjoyable, Lord Black. I suppose we will be seeing you very soon." Marcellus said with a glance toward his brother who hadn't moved away from his intended.

"I'm pleased you enjoyed yourself, Heir Flint. Thank you, Draco. I will see you both later." Harwin replied before the two of them both stepped away and then turned his attention toward Marcus.

"I will write to you soon. I do not plan to wait another three weeks to see you again." Marcus warned and Hardwin had to suppress the urge to smile as the man grasped his hand and pulled his knuckles to his lips to brush a kiss across the skin right there with everyone watching.

"You're going to have them talking even more than the article Luna wrote... I wouldn't be surprised if this ends up in the paper tomorrow." Hardwin mumbled in embarrassment as he glanced around to see several witches and wizards watching them and the whispering growing louder.

"I do not care. The announcement of our engagement will be made public soon enough. Let them talk. It will not change anything." Marcus replied as he pulled Hardwin's hand away from his lips and brushed his thumb over the betrothal band on his thin wrist hidden under the cuff of his robes.

"You are right, of course. I will wait for your owl." Hardwin said with a small smile and a nod of acknowledgment of the possessive gesture before he stepped back and Marcus released him with a nod of his own before turning away to join Draco and Marcellus to leave the Ministry through the floo system.

Hardwin watched them go for a few seconds before releasing a sharp breath and turning on his heel with the next as he headed toward the lifts to take him to Kingsley's office. He ignored the crawling feeling on his skin from all of the eyes watching him as he entered the floor for Level One. The trip didn't take long and Hardwin stepped out of the lift into the hall and headed toward the Minister's office. He passed the wizard in red auror robes standing near the door with an exchange of nods, and a murmured "The Minister is expecting you, Lord Black.", only to pause in surprise at the familiar face that greeted him in the secretary's office.

"Mr. Weasley..." He said as his gaze met the blue eyes and freckled face of Percy Weasley as he shut the door behind him.

"Ah... Lord Black. Yes, the Minister did say you would be stopping by within the week." Percy said softly as he set down the parchment he had been reviewing and the room went quiet for a moment as he seemed to be gathering his strength with a deep breath.

"I'm sorry. For the wrongs my family has committed. Truly. I... I honestly had no idea what was happening until I spoke to the Minister a few weeks ago. Even then, I know he hasn't told me everything. I consented to questioning under veritesurm to clear myself of any involvement, and have been avoiding my family since so as not to interfere with the investigation. It isn't right... What my mother and sister have been doing." Percy seemed to stumble and ramble before Hardwin held up his hand to stop him; green eyes softening and his shoulders relaxed as he gave Percy a small smile.

He had been gone for over a week, but he did remember what Kingsley had told him before he'd left. After Hardwin had informed Kingsley of the theft and his other suspicions the man had started his own investigation through the auror office as both theft and possible attempted line theft were serious matters. Kingsley was determined to stamp out the corruption within the Ministry and their legal system. Arthur and Percy, as Ministry employees, had both been suspended with pay while the Aurors 'quietly' investigated if they had any involvement in the collusion with Dumbledore due to the known involvement of their wife/mother and daughter/sister. Arthur had questioned the suspension but had done nothing to aid the investigation to clear his name while Percy had done everything he could to return to work as quickly as possible.

Gringotts had done something similar with both Bill and Fleur. They were both Gringotts employees, and the goblins disliked that they had two of their workers coming under suspicion of involvement in theft. Bill and Fleur had both been suspended as the Goblins combed through their account looking for any connection to the matter. Hardwin had to assume that they had found something off though he couldn't say what that was. The only reason he knew anything was off was because the couple were still suspended from work weeks later. If Bill was involved then Hardwin didn't think Fluer knew about it. Hardwin and Fluer had got on well after they had survived the Twiwizard, and he didn't think the French witch would have stayed silent if she had known that the family she had married into was stealing money from him.

It was a shame that Fluer had been caught up in all of this if her husband was involved.

"I'm sorry, too. It's not your fault, but you've been pulled into this mess. You didn't deserve to be suspended or under investigation because of the actions of a couple of members of your family. Your relationship with them was already strained. I told Kingsley so, but he wanted to clear any doubts of your integrity." Hardwin said softly and Percy sighed as he nodded.

"Thank you. I actually appreciate that my name can be cleared of this mess. At least this way I've been cleared of any suspicions, and when the papers get ahold of it I don't need to worry about my job. Please, don't apologize to me though. You're the one who has been wronged by my family." Percy sighed as he fidgeted by straightening the files on his desk.

"Not all of them. I only know about your mother and sister. I don't think your older brothers had anything to do with it. Nor the twins. They worked too hard for their dreams. If they had been benefiting from my vaults then they wouldn't have needed to work quite so hard." Hardwin said and Percy gave him a sad smile.

"I notice you didn't say anything about Ron. You think he...?" He trailed off and Hardwin bit his lip before catching himself and releasing it with a heavy breath.

"Honestly, I can't rule him out. Who better to watch me than the one I thought of as my best friend? I know that Granger was involved as well, and they are dating. Then there are a few other things that have happened over the years... I can't help but feel that he at least knew or suspected something even if he wasn't directly involved." Hadwin admitted and Percy's expression became pinched as he spoke.

"I can understand why you would feel that way. What about my father?" Percy asked and Hardwin shook his head.

"I'm not sure how much Mr. Weasley knew or knows now. The only reason I have cause to doubt him is some paperwork that was found in my files at Gringotts that have his signature." Hardwin admitted and Percy looked alarmed as his brows raised and he gasped.

"He... He signed something that was filed at Gringotts into your accounts? No... No, don't tell me any more. I will find out eventually either way. I don't want to be any more involved." He sighed in disgust as he waved his hand before rubbing at his eyes.

"That's fine. I just felt you deserved to know. You are innocent in this situation, but it is affecting you as well." Hardwin admitted, feeling a bit bad for the Weasley's who hadn't been involved but yet were being affected.

This investigation would impact their lives as well as their careers until they were cleared of any involvement. Percy had been suspended until he had volunteered to take the truth potion to clear any doubts from himself and then take an oath of secrecy until the investigation had been concluded. Bill and Fleur had been suspended from work at Gringotts for weeks now, and Hardwin doubted the goblins were paying them as the Ministry had done for Arthur and Percy. Then there would be what the public would be saying about their family as a whole when the information was made public and Hardwin's solicitor cleared everything to proceed with a lawsuit and take those involved to trial.

He detested being a public figure because the public opinions could swing in either direction. Right now things were positive so soon after Voldemort's defeat, and he didn't doubt there would be an uproar with the information currently being released. The old Houses would be incensed if Lucius and Narcissa's reactions were anything to go by.

"Is Kingsley in his office, or will I need to wait for him to return from somewhere else?" Hardwin asked after the room grew quiet between them.

"Oh, yes, he's in his office! Just a moment." Percy replied as he moved around the desk to knock on the door; opening it when he heard a muffled response from inside.

"Lord Black is here to see you, Minister." Percy said as Kingsley looked up from where he was scowling at some forms on his desk.

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley. Please send him in." He said with a nod as Percy opened the door wide to let Hardwin through before closing the door behind him and leaving the two of them alone in the office.

"Good afternoon, Kingsley." Hardwin said as the Minister motioned for him to take a seat in the chair on the other side of the desk.

"Good afternoon, Hardwin. Did you enjoy your time across the pond?" Kingsley asked as he sorted the forms into a file and set it aside before opening the drawer of his desk and pulling out a separate file.

"It was... productive. I did enjoy the ability to wander Landfara Way without my every move being watched." Hardwin admitted and Kingsley nodded as he knew how much the younger wizard disliked the attention he got when out in public.

"Yes, well, I've looked into the matter you brought to my attention regarding House Potter though it took quite a bit of digging. They made sure these were deeply buried. Here's what I've found." Kingsley said as he held up the file for Hardwin to take so he could see it for himself.

"Let me guess, it has HIS fingerprints all over it." Hardwin said; knowing that Kingsley would know exactly who he meant.

"His and four others. I don't know how they managed to push this through. It's not the least bit legal. How they thought they could exile a Lord and his family without a full trial by the Wizengamont for a crime deserving of it, I can't understand. Even then, exile hasn't been used since before we started using Azkaban as a prison in seventeen-eighteen. Exile was only used for the worst of crimes when the death penalty wasn't applicable as a punishment." Kingsley said as he watched Hardwin look through the file; his green eyes flickering over the pages as he read through them.

"Bagnold, Fudge, Dodge, and Diggle... Are any of them still alive after the war? I haven't heard anything about Fudge since he was ousted as the Minister a couple of years ago." Hardwin said as he looked at the five signatures that included Albus Dumbledore's on the forms as well as the dates.

Forms exhiling Lord Henry Potter and his immediate family from the United Kingdom. Forms illegally signing 'Harry James Potter' into Albus Dumbledore's magical guardianship. Forms stripping House Potter of their Wizengamont seats and giving the Dumbledore family the right to preside over those seats to use the votes due to their exile. Forms giving Dumbledore access to "Harry Potter's" Gringotts vault to 'provide for the minor child', signed by the now deceased goblin who had managed the account and executed by goblin law, and other forms giving Dumbledore rights to decide the child's housing.

There were even forms where Dumbledore had tried to claim the Black seats and access to the vaults after Sirius's incarceration, though that one had been denied due to the fact that Arcturus was still Lord Black. He had apparently tried again after Hardwin's great-grandfather's death, and been denied again as Hardwin was the heir and not Sirius. The attempt had failed as Sirius was not the one with rights to them, and SilverClaw guarded his position as the Black account manager by denying all but the rightful heir access. It had been the one thing that had saved the Black seats as they could not 'strip' the heir of rights when they didn't know who the heir was. Most of the forms were dated November 5th, 1981, and renewed in 1990 after Fudge had become Minister. All were signed by Albus Dumbledore, Lord Dedalus Diggle, and Lord Elphias Doge as members of the Wizengamont while some of them held Millicent Bagnold's signature and others were signed by Cornelius Fudge.

Not a single one of them was either ethical or legal.

"Former Minister Bagnold has been confirmed to be one of the casualties during the last year. Doge and Diggle were the only two members of the Order other than Flecther who didn't show up for the Battle of Hogwarts though they both survived the war. Fudge... We will need to look for him. I think he might have left Britain after the fiasco a few years ago. I have already filled out the paperwork to issue arrest warrants for all three of them." Kingsley explained as he gestured to a file on his desk.

"What about Lord Potter and his family? What will it take to rescind the exile?" Hardwin asked as he closed the file and handed it back to the Minister with a small scowl.

"As the paperwork is not legal I can remove House Potter from the list banning them from obtaining an international port key. I will need to inform Head Auror Robards of the situation, and when they return to Britain then the spells placed on their names that alerted the auror office of their attempts to enter the country can be removed. The Auror department as well as a few other departments are still in shambles due to being so short staffed so it may take a few days. I've been too busy weeding through each department for un-marked Death Eater sympathizers to worry about recruitment." Kingsley said as he thought about the current situation with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

After two wars Britain's Auror force was smaller than ever. It didn't help that the years between had seen fewer and fewer Aurors passing the training to actually become Aurors. What had remained of the auror forces after the last year were now down to only a handful once Kingsley had weeded through the entire department.

"Have you considered sending a request to recruit assistance from the nearby countries for the next few years? At least until things are more stable. Maybe offer a few benefits if they decide to relocate on a permanent basis?" Hardwin suggested and Kingsley looked thoughtful as he nodded slowly.

"Yes... We shouldn't accept just anyone, but it is an idea to help bolster our forces in the auror department until we have more applicants from Hogwarts graduates. You've given me something to think about. Are you sure I can't convince you to come work for the Ministry as an auror?" Kingsley smirked playfully at Harwin who huffed and shook his head.

"I already work for the Ministry. I'm just a consultant for the RCMC, but it still counts. I'll always be here to go over ideas with you, Kingsley, but I can't be an auror. I've been fighting for years, and I don't want it to be the rest of my life. I also have more than just myself to think about now." Hardwin admitted knowing he just might have folded to the pressure to join the auror forces if he didn't.

"You mean Teddy and your responsibilities as Lord of your House." Kingsley said slowly and Hardwin nodded.

"Remus and Tonks named me as Teddy's godfather because they wanted me to take care of him if they were gone. Andromeda and I are all he has left. I can't continue to risk my life when there are better and safer, options available. Then there is the fact that I am the last of the Black males. My great-grandfather wanted the line to continue. He came to an agreement with all three of my parents just so the line wouldn't end. Sirius said in his letter that it was my decision what I wanted to do, and I made my choice when I accepted the Lordship. If something happens to me while chasing down dark wizards then Andromeda and Teddy will be the ones to suffer for it. It's not a risk I can take." Hardwin said and he could see Kingsley understood from the way his posture straightened.

Kingsley was a scion of House Shacklebolt. His uncle was the Lord but hadn't had any children until five years ago. As such, Kingsley had been taught as his Uncle's heir for most of his life until his cousin had been born. He understood familial responsibilities and duty.

'Thank you, Narcissa for the lessons on the other old families.' Hardwin thought as Kingsley spoke.

"So you plan to marry and produce and heir." He stated and Hardwin nodded before smiling softly.

"It's about more than just an heir. I have my cousins now, but the one thing I have always wanted was a family. I'm lucky to have found a betrothed who wants more than just a marriage of convenience." Hardwin said and Kingsley's eyebrows rose in surprise.

"I know you had Lady Malfoy arranging your betrothal, but you have signed a contract already? Who are you contracted to marry?" He asked and Hardwin nodded before explaining.

"According to my family charter I must be bonded before I turn twenty or I will be rejected by the family magic as Lord Black so we have been rushing the usual process a bit. The contract was completed and signed only a few days ago. It has yet to be announced, nor has the date been set, but I will be bonded to scion Marcus Flint within two years. We still need to discuss a date, but it will probably be next spring or summer as I cannot take my seat on the wizengamot until I've bonded." Harwin told him and Kingsley's brows knit as he leaned forward on his desk.

"One of Lord Flint's sons, or is he from a cousin branch?" He asked as he tried to remember the names of members of House Flint who were of age to be married.

"Marcus is Lord Flint's second son. We were a few years apart in Hogwarts so we were already familiar with each other through our positions on our quidditch teams." Hardwin told him and Kingsley looked thoughtful for a moment.

"He was with you at Arabella's... Does he treat you well?" Kingsley asked; that being the only thing he was concerned about.

He couldn't say he and Hardwin were close. They had been allies and fought together during the war, but had never spoken much. Even so, Kingsley knew that Hardwin had given up and lost a lot to the war since he was too young to remember. They got along well enough and Hardwin could make his own decisions when it came to his life, as was his right. Hardwin had said he wanted a family, and Kingsley couldn't begrudge him that desire. He only wanted to know if Hardwin was satisfied with his marriage partner because, Merlin knew, the young man deserved happiness in his life.

An arranged marriage wasn't unusual in their world. In fact, it was very much the norm for the old wizarding families in order to continue and preserve bloodlines. Most families waited until the children indicated a gender preference before arranging the betrothal. It was the best way to ensure a productive coupling rather than leave the marriage doomed to failure from the start.

"Very well. We are still getting to know one another, but our betrothal was something we both decided we wanted." Hardwin assured him and Kingsley smiled as he nodded.

"That is good then. I wish you find happiness in your coming bonding, Hardwin."

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Well, that is it for this chapter. I do apologize that it has taken so long. I had a block for a while and then my last pair of contacts ripped so I was blind for about two months. I had to wait to get a new script for both glasses and contacts, but it did take a while. I did get this typed up during that, but there were a lot of errors that needed correcting and other paragraphs that needed a complete rewrite.

Anyway, let me know what you thought. The interaction between Hardwin and Percy completely caught me by surprise. I had meant for Hardwin to meet with Kingsley before leaving the Ministry and having a conversation with George, but then another idea hit me for that scene and it needed to be pushed back just a bit. That scene will be coming within the next few chapters though!

~Ryu

Chapter Text

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-Six

Hardwin sighed in frustration as he sank back into the pillows of his bed in Black Manor. Being stuck in bed had not been how he planned to spend the first week after returning home, but Andromeda had put her foot down as soon as he had started to move toward his office upon his return to the manor after greeting both herself and Teddy. She had rearranged his schedule during the time he had been away and ensured he would have a few days set aside for the healing he had been putting off for a while now. Hardwin had known it was needed, but being bed bound for even a day was not something he desired.

He had too much to do and it was making him restless.

Andromeda had been busy while he was away and had found both a healer and mind healer she and Narcissa had approved of. Hardwin had been made to sit down the night he returned to go over the contracts that would have them hired as the primary healers for House Black meaning they would be the healers on call for everyone in his household and not just himself. He had approved of the secrecy contracts and both healers after reviewing their work history and reports of their reputations. In the end, he had folded to pressure from Andromeda and agreed that getting the treatment he needed was overdue.

The morning after his return, Andromeda had summoned the healer to his rooms. Benjamin Abbott, the Heir to the Ancient House of Abbott, was taller than Hardwin at 6'1" with blue eyes and dirty blonde hair. Hardwin had been able to see the resemblance to his sister, Hannah, who was younger than her brother by twelve years. Healer Abbott had been chosen by Andromeda who had made his acquaintance in her time as a mediwitch working for Saint Mungos before she had taken a leave to help Remus and Tonks with Teddy after he was born.

Andromeda had only chosen to retire after Hardwin taken up the mantle of Lord Black. She'd had to work through the years after she'd married her Ted in order to have enough income between them to care for their daughter and home. Due to her 'disowning' from House Black that had been cleared up which gave her access to her trust vault within the family accounts, the shared custody of Teddy with Hardwin which had entitled her to support payments, Hardwin's duty and responsibilities to both herself and her grandson due to his positions as the Lord of House Black and Teddy's godfather, and now moving into the Manor had eased the financial pressures and responsibilities. It had been because of this that Andromeda had chosen to retire completely in order to raise her grandson without worry, and to help her cousin and head of House.

Upon performing another examination as he prepared the potions Hardwin would need to take to regrow his bones after he banished the damaged ones, Healer Abbot had made adjustments to the procedure to make it easier on Hardwin's body and magic. Rather than only two or three days spent on healing, Hardwin would be enduring a week bed bound and two weeks of very light activity as the small bones in his hands would be delicate until fully regrown and strengthened with several doses of the potions. He wouldn't be taking the bone strengthening potions until after all of the bones to be regrown had done so. It would be pointless to do so before then as he would just be making the weaker bones in his lower body stronger when they would be banished and regrown.

Harry mentally cursed his Aunt and her family as well as Dumbledore, Voldemort, and the Death Eaters for this last week. Vernon's heavy handed punishments, Petunia's hitting him with whatever object was close to hand, Dudley and his friends ganging up on him to beat him black and blue, growing up in a cupboard with little food, and the limited food supply while on the run during the war had taken its toll on his body. Broken bones that had healed improperly, fractures, sprains and dislocations that hadn't been properly treated had been left alone for his magic to mend as best it could. It didn't help that his magic had also been keeping him in relative health with the malnutrition.

It was currently the morning of day six, Hardwin was looking forward to leaving the bed. The only problem was that he wouldn't be able to do so on his own as the bones in his ankles and knees were new and still delicate. He would need help going anywhere, and would be levitated to whichever room he wished to go to. Healer Abbott had wanted him to remain on bed rest for the entire process, but had recognized the signs of a difficult patient with the way Hardwin had fidgeted under the constraints on his movements over the first few days when he had worked on the damaged bones in his hand, arms, and shoulders. He couldn't blame the healer for his exasperation, Hardwin just wasn't used to remaining idle.

"Kreacher!" Hardwin called for the elf once he had finished the breakfast that had been brought to him that morning.

"Master Black calls for Kreacher?" The old elf answered as he popped into his master's bedchamber and Hardwin smiled at seeing him.

"Healer Abbot has determined that I am allowed to leave my bed today, but I'm not to walk on my own. Would you please help me up to the conservatory? I have some work I need to get done, but I would like to visit with the nest for a while." Hardwin told him as he carefully pushed away the duvet cover and sheets from his legs with his still tender hands.

"Mistress Andromyda has banned Master from working until he is fully healed. Kreacher will take Master Black to visit his snake pit, but he not be bringing Master his work. Mistress Andromyda also says Master be having an appointment with the mind healer today." Kreacher said firmly and Hardwin held back a groan.

Kreacher was fussing. This was the one downside to his household treating their elves more like servants than slaves as most of the wizarding world did. They were not afraid to speak up even against the Lord when they thought the ones in their charge were being foolish. They didn't refuse orders outright but Kreacher had made it a point to tell Saros, Nanna, and Winky that sometimes their Master was too pigheaded to know what was best for his health and so they needed to do it for him. The situation with his health as well as the diet and meal plan drawn up by Healer Abbott, which had been given to the elves, certainly didn't help.

It made him feel both frustration as well as fondness for them, but even so, Hardwin preferred that confidence to the fear and uncertainty he had seen in Dobby when he'd first met him. He also knew that Kreatcher was right in a way. He could be a bit stubborn when it came to his own needs. It was one of the reasons he didn't argue with the elves too much. They were only fulfilling their responsibilities of taking care of the family and household they served.

"Could you at least bring me the paperwork for the sanctuary and the sunroom renovations, some blank parchemnt, and a dicta-quill? I'll use the quill, but I would like to review the plans before contacting Gringotts to start on the work." Hardwin explained and bargained knowing that if he pushed then Kreacher would go to Andromeda who would be up to express her disappointment in his disregard for his own wellbeing... again.

"And Master's appointment?" Kreatcher pressed with a scowl and Hardwin had to think about that one.

He wanted to go to the conservatory were his snakes were, but it was on the third floor where only the family had access. He truly was dreading the appointment with the mind healer, but it was necessary. Best to go down the stairs rather than up if he didn't want to ask for help being moved to meet with the mind healer later. Hardwin sighed as he conceded.

"Very well. If you have Nanna move the nest down to the sunroom for the day then I will also meet with the healer there for the appointment. I may be the better option anyway so that I can see what I will be working with for the renovation." He replied with some relief as Kreacher nodded in approval.

"Kreacher be informing Mistress Andromyda before telling Nanna to be moving the snakes, and assisting Master Black to the sunroom." He said before popping back out of the room.

Hardwin withheld another groan as he shuffled his legs over the side of the bed and reached for the black silk dressing robe that had appeared next to him as Kreacher left the room. It would usually be considered improper to leave his room in his night wear, but it could be excused as he was still healing and he was only supposed to be meeting his healer and possibly any of his cousins who had access to the manor at any time. Hardwin shifted on the bed as he slowly pulled on his robe; finishing just as Kreacher returned.

Neither of them spoke as Kreacher popped Harwin into the plush chair in the sunroom and had him positioned so his legs were stretched out across the ottoman. A silky, plush, green throw blanket appeared over his legs to keep away the chill even as Hardwin felt the warming spell in the air of the room. Two files, one for the serpentarium plans and another for the notes on the sunroom renovation, appeared on his lap even as a small round end-table appeared next to his chair with fresh parchment and a dicta-quill already waiting to be used on top.

$Speaker! Our speaker is back!$ Larimar's hissing voice, followed by three others exclaiming upon his absence, had Hardwin looking up as Nanna appeared in the room with four snakes hovering in the air at a safe distance from the little elf.

"Thank you, Kreacher, and you as well Nanna for bringing them down here and taking care of them while I've been away. I know they can be a bit difficult." Hardwin said softly as he reached out to take the yellow cape cobra from the air and guide her to drape across his legs near his knees before reaching next for the white-lipped island pit viper.

$Hello, Malina. Larimar. Please be careful. I'm still healing right now.$ He hissed to the two as he settled Larimar across the back of his chair and reached for the Red Phase Bush Viper and settled the small male onto the potted bush next to the arm of the chair.

$The speaker is hurt?!$ Adamandi hissed in alarm as Hardwin settled him before taking Dipili, the Green Mamba, and settling him over his shoulders where he knew the serpent preferred to be when he spent time with them.

$I am alright. They are old hurts that healed wrong. They had to hurt again so they could be healed the right way.$ Hardwin hissed his explanation softly; trying to make the words more simple so they could all understand what he meant.

They were non-magical so their natural understanding of language was more limited than that of a magical snake, but with regular interaction and conversation, Hardwin had found that their understanding and vocabulary had started to expand as they learned. Malina and Larimar were a bit better at understanding than Dipili and Adamandi as they were both older and had been kept by humans longer. They had all been born in the wild before being taken from their territory, but Dipili and Adamandi were the youngest while Larimar and Malina were both fully grown.

$Who would dare to hurt the Speaker? Our Speaker must tell us. His Malina will bite them. They will die like all prey; wriggling!$ Malina's hissing was vicious as her hood flared open and her 1.5 meter long body curled protective over his knees as she slid half-way up the side of his thigh to scent his hands as if she could determine who had attacked him that way.

Larimar responded in kind as his blue and white, 24 inches long, scaled body slid across the back of the chair before moving so his head was curled around the side of Hardwin's into his peripheral vision and moving down to the armrest of the chair. His fangs were exposed as he opened his mouth in a threatening pose. Adamandi curled his small and sharp scaled body into the bush as if ready to strike and Dipili moved to guard the other side of Hardwin than where Larimar was currently poised.

$Worry not, my nestmates. I will never see my mother's clutchmate, her mate, or offspring again but they will suffer for what they have done. They will not have the opportunity to hurt me again.$ Harwin hissed soothingly to the only female as he brushed his hand down her yellow scales to calm her as well as the three males.

Hardwin hadn't lied to them. He had not done anything to demand reparations for the stolen money yet. Hardwin had been letting Gringotts gather evidence while he mostly handed anything found to his solicitor, but the theft by Petunia was being handled by the Goblins as wizarding solicitors didn't handle affairs with muggles. The goblins, however, had no qualms about going after anyone involved in theft from their bank.

It wouldn't take long at all to go after Petunia for the theft of funds. She had supposedly received that money for his care, but that hadn't been what it had been used for. There was also the fact that his parents hadn't set a stipend for his care as he was supposed to have been raised by well-off family, namely his father, after their deaths. There had been no need for it and so the funds had been illegally withdrawn. Hardwin had provided memories to the Goblins to prove where the money had gone; which was anywhere other than his care; made even more evident by the paperwork displaying his medical history. The Goblins would be going after Petunia for the money, and Hardwin didn't feel one ounce of sympathy. He'd already had to answer to them for the theft and breakout during the war.

He'd been lucky that they had settled for confiscating the vaults of House LeStrange in compensation as it had been Bellatrix who had stored an abomination within their bank in the first place. Hardwin had been cleared of his part in the break-in, but Hermione and Ron wouldn't be so lucky if they ever wandered into Gringotts. The only reason the goblins had settled with the LeStrange vaults for his part in the debacle was because the LeStrange line was effectively defunct with the only heir in Azkaban for life, that Hardwin was the Lord of Bellatrix's House of birth which gave him rights to accounts in her name after her death so long as she wasn't disowned, as well as the holder of one of the largest and oldest accounts that were still active. If there had been anyone from House LeStrange who could have inherited the title the Hardwin wouldn't have been able to claim the accounts, but he was effectively the closest relation not serving a lifetime sentence in Azkaban. Narcissa or Andromeda could have had a claim to Bellatrix's personal vault, but neither woman had seen the point in contesting the goblins' decision after learning about the horcrux their sister had stored within the bank. To do so meant they would have had to take some of the responsibility for the fact.

Hardwin had no intentions of ever seeing the Dursleys again, but he would be keeping an eye on them; hopefully with the help of Headmistress McGonagall keeping an eye of the book at Hogwarts if their name popped up once he met with her to explain the circumstances. There was still a chance that if Dudley ever had a child in the future that the child or further down the line would be magical. If that happened there was the risk that the child would be abused, and Hardwin didn't want to leave another child to that kind of treatment if he could help it.

It had been proven through his mother's birth that squibs could birth magical children, and Dudley was a squib. Hardwin had started making plans to prove that muggleborns came from squib lines. It would be a slow process as it wasn't even close to being his main focal point with his other projects, but he had still discussed it with Lucius at one time. He was already writing up notes for a bill to have 'muggle-born' and squib lines monitored for cases of abuse that he would present in the future whether or not he could prove his theory.

$What is opportunity, Speaker?$ Dipili asked as his green head rose to bump gently at his jaw to get his attention after a silent moment of disconcerted hissing that they could not avenge their Speaker's hurts.

$Opportunity... is a chance at something. When you hunt you have an opportunity to eat and fill your belly if you bite the prey, but if you miss you would need to keep hunting until you get another opportunity to bite the prey.$ Hardwin explained to the ever curious mamba who was always asking questions to better understand.

$Dipili would never miss!$ Dipili defended himself, and Hardwin chuckled as he reached up to brush the green scales.

$I did not mean that you would. I only used such a thing as an example. I know you are all very good hunters. Now, I have a witch coming in a while to help with my healing. I wanted to ask you all what you would like in your territory. I will be having a special place made for our nest to live and grow. A territory where I can come and spend time with you and you can all hunt and roam as much as you want.$ Hardwin explained and smiled indulgently as all four of them gave hissing exclamations as they started making demands.

Hardwin reviewed his plans for the renovation with some input from them as he sorted through his notes of the temporal climate, vegetation, and terrain of their natural environments. From there he started detailing what places he would like for rest areas when he came to spend time with them. It was a space for his nest to live as much as it would be a place for him to go to decompress. Spending time with the snakes had become a way for him to have some time to himself away from all of his responsibilities.

Once he was done with the plans for the renovations, he wrote to Gringotts, sealed the envelope and set it aside to be sent later that day. Once that was done he moved on to his proposal of a serpentarium to be sent to Lord Newton Scamander. Hardwin hoped to forge a co-operation between the two Houses. Lord Scamander as well as his heir worked in Magizoology, and Hardwin knew they must come across many magical creatures in their line of work. Taking on the care and rehabilitation of serpents would ease some strain on House Scamander, and Hardwin was in the unique position to gather information directly from the creatures themselves that could help to further the research and understanding of the magical serpents.

The serpentarium would be a sanctuary that Hardwin wanted to work on together with House Scamander if it was possible. He could speak to the creatures, but it was Lord and Heir Scamander who would have much more experience tending to those they encountered. It wouldn't be Hardwin's main line of work, but he did feel some passion toward the idea. Serpents were vilified by many of the magicals in Britain. He truly did want to change the awful reputation of both the creatures as well as parselmouths.

The work order for the building was only half finished as Hardwin wasn't too sure of the details of what would be needed to bring everything together. Even so, he finished the outline of his plans for the sanctuary before writing a letter to Lord Scamander. He hoped to agree to a working partnership, but he would need to feel the wizard out on his opinion of Dumbledore as well. He had heard from Lucius that Lord Scamander had fought against Grindelwald in cooperation with Dumbledore many years ago. He didn't know what the relationship between the two had been by the time of Dumbledore's death, but the last thing he needed was for them to come to an agreement only for it to be threatened once the information on the crimes Dumbledore had committed came to light and create problems.

To prevent that, Hardwin would need to be up front with Lord Scamander to an extent.

'Now I just need to draw up the plans for future funding and the idea about classes for care and further understanding. Actually... I'm surprised Lord Scamander hasn't done something similar. I mean, he wrote his book and it's known that he rehabilitates creatures. Why hasn't he put together classes to promote further understanding than the Care of Magical Creatures classes at Hogwarts offers?' Hardwin was drawn out of his thoughts by the soft pop of one of the elves.

"Healer beings here to see Master Black." Saros informed him and Hardwin nodded as he glanced at the snakes lazing around him.

He didn't want to disturb them and he was feeling comfortable where he was. A novelty after the last several days of regrowing bones.

"Show her to the room, Saros. I will have the appointment here." Hardwin replied as he adjusted his dressing robe and the blanket around him to appear as proper as he could in his current state.

If it had been anyone other than his cousins or the healers then he would have had Kreature retrieve a change of clothing. As it was, he was still recovering from the previous procedures he had undergone by Healer Abbott. Therefore it was acceptable for him to be dressed so casually in his own home. Still, it disconcerted him a bit knowing he would be greeting the Lady of House Higgs while dressed so, even if she was his healer. He'd grown accustomed to the way he was expected to present himself by that point, and so couldn't help but ensure at least his hair was presentable before the knock on the door came a few moments later.

"Enter." Hardwin called, thankful he'd finished adjusting his hair so it didn't look too disheveled.

"Good afternoon, Lord Black. I am Lady Esadora Higgs. I understand I will be the primary Mind Healer for the House of Black. I am honored by the opportunity, and am pleased to make your acquaintance." The woman said after she had entered the room and stood before him.

Harwin couldn't help but pause to observe her at the feeling of familiarity that struck him even as he spoke. Lady Higgs appeared taller than he was at 5'8" and dressed in crisp healer robes, the baby blue color and crest displaying her occupation as a mind healer. Her auburn hair was pulled back away from her face by an intricately detailed white gold clasp, allowing her dark chocolate brown eyes to gaze softly at him unhindered. She had to have been around Andromeda and Narcissa's age. Perhaps a schoolmate during their time at Hogwarts?

It was her eyes that continued to draw his gaze as well as the puzzling feeling of familiarity.

"Good afternoon, Healer Higgs. I apologize for not standing to greet you properly. Healer Abbott has restricted me from moving too much until his treatments have concluded. Please, do not mind the snakes and have a seat. They are no danger to you." Hardwin greeted her with a tilt of his head and a motion to the chair opposite of his own.

$Do not mind her. This is one of the healers who will be helping me.$ Harry hissed softly to the nest, keeping Healer Higgs in the peripheral of his sight to observe her reaction to the language.

He found himself feeling a bit pleased as, though she paused to look at him with a small twitch and widened eyes, she did not react quite as violently as he had seen others do. Despite her slight reaction, Hardwin could see the subtle curiosity in her gaze as she seated herself. He was also pleased not to see any sign of fear though she stayed back from striking distance of Melina or Adamani who were closest to her chair.

"I must be honest, Healer Higgs. I am a bit… leary of mind healing due to my experiences with the way legilimency has been used against me. Could you explain to me what, exactly, our appointments will consist of?" Hardwen asked and noted the softening around Lady Higgs eyes as she tilted her head in acknowledgment of his concerns.

"Of course, Lord Black. I have read the pertinent notes on your file from the Healer you saw at St. Mungos as well as the results of Healer Abbotts more recent scans. I would first like to assure you that, while I am skilled with Occlumency, Legilimency is not truly a requirement in my field of expertise. As such, while I have studied it through books as most pureblood children, I have never attempted using it. A Mind Healer is much like a muggle psychiatrist, and so are concentrated on the treatment of mental illnesses and injuries. The damage of the walls to your mind would be one such injury. My concentration during our appointments will be to assist you in repairing those walls. I will also act as a type of confidant. You are free to speak to me of your experiences and any issues that you are having mentally coping with or working through. You have the assurance of confidentiality and my silence of anything spoken of within our appointments as provided by the magically binding oaths I have taken both upon becoming a healer as well as when Madame Tonks and Lady Malfoy hired me after your signed approval." Healer Higgs replied softly but with no sign of hesitance as she explained the role of her profession.

"I understand. Thank you for explaining that to me. There is still much I am learning after recent revelations. I am working to correct and further my education, but there are only so many hours in a day." Hardwin admittedly with a slight tone of self-reproach for the fact that he had not taken his education more seriously before those revelations had come to light.

"Yes, I can imagine so. You have had a heavy burden placed on you with the war, and now an even heavier duty and responsibility as Lord to your House. Such things can stress the mind as well as the body. Be assured, Lord Black, I intend to be of assistance to you not just within my role as your Mind Healer if you need it." Healer Higgs assured with a small smile curving the corners of her lips as his look of inquiry at the last statement.

"Ah, I presume you didn't know. I do believe congratulations are in order, Lord Black, as I have been informed of your betrothal to my nephew." She said, and Hardwin paused as his eyes were drawn back to hers.

'Huh, that explains why her eyes seemed so familiar.' He thought, for indeed, the deep chocolate eyes that Marcus shared with his mother were inherited by Lady Flint's sister as well.

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It has been a long time since my last update. It has been hard to write anything for a while now. For those of my readers who have not seen our facebook page, then I do apologize for the long absence. My life has spiraled since the beginning of January this year.

My husband was severely injured when he was hit by a car while walking home. He spent just over two weeks in ICU on life support before we lost him. He had just turned 36 in November, and now I'm a widow at 35. I have spent the last months since trying to cope, reorder my life, get moved out and sell our house, etc. On top of that there have been a few family issues that have come to a head as a result of everything that happened.

Writing has always been a release for me, but I have had difficulty since January. My husband wasn't one to write fanfiction himself, but he did love reading them and so a few of my stories were written for him. He was the one I discussed plot points with and bounced ideas off of when Mouko was too busy with work. He was truly my biggest supporter when it came to my writing and in life for many years.

Anyway, with that explanation done, I have already started on the next chapter. I know this one was mostly filler, but it was needed as I will be introducing more characters such as Marcus's extended family. I am working on a few existing stories as well as some new ideas as well, but everything is slow due to changes in my reality. I will try to update when I can as I finish chapters.

Please do check out our facebook page for reference pictures and updates outside of chapter posts at:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088904995997

~Ryu

Chapter Text

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-Seven

‘I can’t believe I missed this…’ Hardwin thought, losing his composer as he gaped down at the lineage test he had been studying under the guidance of Arcturus’s portrait as he learned the family history of the last few generations.

“Kreacher!” He called as he grasped the parchment and pushed himself to his feet from his desk while Arcturus paused in what he was saying and raised a brow at the interruption from his frame.

“Master Black calls for Kreacher?” The old elf asked as he popped into the room.

“Yes, Kreacher. I need you to let Andromeda know I need her to meet me in the sitting room immediately. Thank you.” Hardwin replied a bit distractedly before looking up at his great-grandfather’s portrait.

“I apologize, grandfather, but there is an important matter I must look into.” He said before leaving the room as Kreacher popped back out to do as he was bid.

Hardwin moved quickly down the stairs and then down the long hall before turning into the sitting room and looking at the family tapestry that covered the walls displaying the names of every family member born to House Black since the Dark Ages. Hardwin hadn’t bothered looking at it too closely since he had taken residence in Black Manor. Truthfully, neither he nor Andromeda spent much of their time in the room. They preferred the music room or conservatory on the third floor when they spent time together with Teddy. The sitting room was more for display when receiving important guests such as the Minister or the Lords and Ladies of other families. Most of the Manor wasn’t set up with small children in mind if the very breakable and valuable vases and other decor were any indication.

Andromeda had explained that children in most of the more traditional families often spent the majority of their time in the nursery until they had grown out of the toddler years. In fact, some households didn’t move their children into a bedroom of their own until either their first display of accidental magic or until they had received their school letter. Hardwin didn’t agree with the idea, but he was coming to understand part of the mindset. After his trips to Malfoy Manor as well as living in Black Manor, Hardwin knew that both Manors were fairly large. The majority of rooms were also set up to display the family’s wealth and status. It just wasn’t safe for a small child to be left to wander unsupervised.

Andromeda had also said that many heads of their Houses depended on a nanny elf to assist with the little ones; the older generations having often left the raising of the children to the elves until they were old enough to begin learning from tutors on how to conduct themselves properly in front of guests. Hardwin had been adamant that he did not want that for Teddy or any child he had. At least, he had been at first. It had taken a few weeks of his very hectic schedule to understand that many Lords and Ladies just couldn’t devote all of their time to childcare and the home as Mrs. Weasley had been able to do.

It would be impossible with the amount of work that went into maintaining their estates, providing for extended family, and making appearances in the right social circles to keep their reputation and influence. Hardwin only managed an hour or two of quality time a day with Teddy due to his regular schedule, and he hadn’t started half of his responsibilities as he worked to both catch up with and complete his education as both a NEWTS student and as a Lord to such an old family. It didn’t help that not only did he need to supplement and finish his education as he took over his responsibilities, but he also needed to review and repair the properties and the investments that had been left to stagnate since his Great-Grandfather Arcturus had departed into seclusion in the Villa in France before he passed. Then there would be repairing the family’s image and reputation that had been so damaged during the last two wars.

Hardwin could only imagine how busy the Lords before him had been as the Blacks were much more numerous in previous generations while Hardwin had only a few extended family members to consider.

Even Andromeda didn’t spend all of her time tending to Teddy as she had before; though she spent far more time with the babe than Hardwin was able. As Hardwin was yet to be married, Andromeda had started taking over many of the responsibilities of the Lady of the House as a daughter of House Black to assist him. She had started attending tea parties and other social gatherings with the Ladies and scions of other Houses while Hardwin was unable to do any public appearance with his schedule being the way it was. Narcissa had been a great help to her sister and cousin as she fulfilled her responsibilities as Lady Malfoy and assisted her sister with making and renewing connections. The social obligations Andromeda had taken on already restricted a good bit of her time with Teddy, but that time would only be further limited soon enough as his cousin had asked to take over as his proxy for the Black seats on the Wizengamot until Hardwin had completed his education or Marcus wished to do so after they married.

Hardwin was distressed that Teddy’s time with them both had become limited due to his responsibilities, but he hoped to give both of them more time with the babe after he completed his education and cleared those lessons from his daily schedule. As it was now, Hardwin had a bassinet he’d had Winky set up in his study so he could spend time with Teddy while he worked after his lessons while Andromeda was out of the house.

“Is something wrong, Hardwin?” Andromeda asked as she entered the sitting room to find her cousin scanning the walls as he looked over the tapestry.

“Yes. I can’t believe we missed it before, but look.” He said as he turned toward her and held out the parchment.

“Your heritage test?” She asked as she realized what it was at a glance.

“Look at Bellatrix’s branch.” Hardwin said as he continued to look over the names before finally coming to his great-grandfather Pollux.

“Oh, Merlin…” Andromeda felt faint as she read what Hardwin had found before slowly lowering herself into a chair when her legs felt weak from the shock.

“Found it… Cadmus… Bellatrix… It’s true. Delphini Riddle, born March eighth of this year to Bellatix LeStrange nee Black and Tom Riddle. There’s no connection to her husband so he didn’t blood-adopt the child either.” Hardwin mumbled to himself as his hand brushed over the name of the baby girl who was less than a year old.

Silence permeated the room for several moments after that as both Hardwin and Andromeda lost themselves in their thoughts at this new discovery.

“Do you think Narcissa knows?” Hardwin asked quietly as he stepped back from the wall though his gaze did not leave the name of the child.

“I would believe so given the time they spent in Malfoy Manor while Riddle was occupying it. We would need to speak to her to learn more. What do you plan to do now that you know, Hardwin?” Andromeda asked and Hardwin closed his eyes as he steadied himself with the new information as he thought about it.

According to the old laws when pertaining to families this child would legally fall under his care. Bellatrix had been a LeStrange at the time of the child's conception and birth, but her husband hadn’t blood-adopted the babe. Given that, the child would be considered a bastard child as she had been born out of wedlock between the parents. While the muggle world had loosened its views on children born outside of marriage, the wizarding world had not. Especially when it came to old and traditional family lines. It likely never would as bloodlines were considered so important, and that was something unlikely to change due to a lot of those family’s carrier magical gifts specific to those lines.

As Delphini had been born a bastard child, responsibility for the child would fall to the families of her biological father and the birth family of the mother. Tom Riddle had ensured the deaths and incarceration of his immediate family. Morfin Gaunt wouldn’t have been suitable to raise a child even had he still lived and been freed before dying in Azkaban. Tom’s death now meant that the Gaunt family line had ended with the exception of his daughter and very distant cousins, Hardwin and the Potters. Legally, the Potters could also claim the child though they would be under no obligation to do so. Then there was House Black of which Hardwin was the current Lord. Legally, Hardwin had more right to take the child into his care as he was related to the child by both parents and so his relation to Delphini was also closer. His relation to the babe was closer than the Potters as Lord Potter and his children were related through the Peverell line while Hardwin was related through both the more recent Black and Gaunt lines.

Usually, this wouldn’t have been an issue. The problem came not from the legalities of taking the child in, but from the stigma of her birth. The child would be hated by many purely for being born out of wedlock, and even more so if her parentage became known. Hardwin had also been a victim of Bellatrix’s sadism and Tom’s attempts on his life that had resulted in the deaths of people important to him; his parents only being three of them.

‘Even so, none of that is the girl’s fault. I can’t hold her parentage against her. She didn’t choose to be born to them.’ Hardwin thought before he turned to look at Andromeda.

“Could you fire-call
Narcissa and ask her and Draco to come over? I know he just left after our lessons, but I’m calling a family meeting. I need to speak to them immediately before I decide on anything.” Hardwin said before turning to look back at the name and image of the infant girl on the wall of their ancestral home.

“Of course. She is also my niece… I would like to know.” Andromeda replied quietly before standing and leaving the room.

Hardwin lost himself to his thoughts for several moments as he waited for his cousins to return. Draco may have been born a Malfoy, but his mother had been a daughter of House Black. While his children wouldn’t be recorded on the wall with the rest of the Black’s, Draco’s name and image were there. He was a Black as well as a Malfoy, and a part of the family. This was a family matter and he needed what was left of his House gathered to discuss this matter. Especially since Hardwin suspected that Narcissa had known about the babe and said nothing to him. Ideally, Lucius would accompany his wife to this meeting, but that was currently not an option with his house arrest.

“Hardwin? What’s wrong?” Draco asked as he hurried into the room to stand next to his cousin at seeing the expression on his face as he stared at the wall.

His Aunt Andromeda hadn’t told them why they were needed. Only that Lord Black had called a family meeting. It was normal for Lords of House to do so when they needed the family gathered, but while Hardwin had asked them over to discuss things before, he hadn’t called a meeting like this. By summoning them like this he had declared that he was acting as Lord Black. If they had declined to attend then it would be grounds for disownment if the reason wasn’t a good one.

Though Draco doubted Hardwin would do such a thing without very good reasons since he hadn’t even disowned Bellatrix after her death for what she’d done.

“What do either of you know of Delphini Riddle?” Hardwin asked as they heard Narcissa take in a sharp breath at the name while Draco followed Hardwin’s gaze to the wall in confusion before he choked at what he saw and turned to look at his mother.

“Aunt Bella had a child?” Draco asked with confusion which relaxed Hardwin a bit with the understanding that he hadn’t withheld the knowledge though Narcissa apparently had.

“Yes. We couldn’t say anything. Lucius and I were sworn to secrecy. I’ve been hoping you would learn of her as much as I have been dreading it.” Narcissa replied softly as she moved to take a seat on the sofa with her sister.

“What do you mean?” Hardwin asked as he turned away from the wall to look at the two women even as Draco stayed standing next to him.

“I had thought House Black ended with Sirius’s death with no other male to carry the line. I know that my niece will be hated for the sins of her parents if her existence becomes known, but she is still my niece. I just want her safe, but with no Lord of House Black to claim her, the only thing I could do to protect her was for Lucius and I to make an oath to keep her existence secret from those who did not already know. Lucius and I wanted to tell you when I learned you had taken the mantle as Lord Black, but our oath has bound us until now.” Narcissa said quietly, and the remaining tension at the perceived deception melted from his shoulders though the weight of the knowledge remained.

“Where is she?” Hardwin asked as Draco pursed his lips in concern for this newly discovered family member.

“My sister… Bellatrix had no care for the child other than the prestige and connection she obtained to the Dark Lord as the mother of his child. The Dark Lord grew uninterested upon learning he had a daughter instead of a son, an heir, though he did provide a substantial amount to Euphemia Rowle to take her in. I have not dared to visit after Bella’s death. I didn’t want to risk drawing attention to her existence. My niece does not deserve to suffer for the sins of her parents which she had no part in.” Narcissa said and Hardwin nodded in understanding at the reasoning.

“Why House Rowle? I know several of the family were loyal to Tom, but why not entrust her to a Rosier? That was your mother’s family, wasn’t it?” Hardwin asked and received a nod from Narcissa even as Draco was the one to answer.

“House Rosier’s line has ended unless there is a distant cousin who can qualify for the Lordship that we don’t know about. Grandmother Druella was the only daughter born in the last three generations. Evan Rosier was the only heir to the family before he was killed by Mad-Eye Moody during the first war. Felix Rosier could have inherited the title but was ruled out when he was found to be infertile. Both he and his father were sentenced to Azkaban for their crimes when the war ended. I would assume that they were not entrusted with her care because they were active Death Eaters.” Draco explained and Hardwin hummed in understanding before Narcissa spoke.

“It is as my son says. House Rowle is also at its end. Thorfinn Rowle, the last male of the line, was loyal to the Dark Lord and was marked. He was killed in the battle at Hogwarts. Euphemia Rowle is his sister. The only other members are two female cousins who are of age. I cannot say if they were loyal or not, but Euphemia was thought to be. Enough to be entrusted with Delphini’s care.” She told them and Hardwin took a steadying breath at the information.

“If you haven’t seen her since the end of the war then you wouldn’t know what her living conditions are like either… What do you intend to do, Hardwin? You are Lord Black so this is your decision. Will you leave her to scion Rowle, or claim her as a member of House Black and make accommodations for her?” Andromeda asked and Hardwin’s eyes slid closed as he sighed before sitting down in one of the chairs across from his cousins while Draco claimed the seat next to him.

He thought for several minutes before his eyes opened.

“We need to find out what her living conditions are since the deaths of Bellatrix and Tom. I won’t risk another child growing up like I did, or like her father did. I will also need to ask the goblins if either Tom or Bellatrix left wills with instructions for their daughter’s care. I doubt Tom did, with as assured in his immortality as he was, but it would be best to check anyway. If they didn’t then I won’t need to contest them which would take time and draw attention to her parentage. If Euphemia Rowle genuinely cares for her, and she is well provided for, then I will not remove her from the caretaker chosen by her parents. There would be conditions though. First, she would need to clear an investigation into the truth of her thoughts on Tom’s ideology that sent our world into war. I will not have those values taking root in his child. If she learns of everything as an adult and can think for herself, then fine, but I will not risk her being molded in the image of her parents to continue their madness. Second, House Black will have consistent contact with Delphini to ensure she is being raised well. She may have been born out of wedlock, but as the Lord of her mother’s House I will take her in under the Black banner whether she is raised with our House or not.” Hardwin said with a finality that echoed with a resolve they hadn’t expected.

“And if she isn’t, or Rowle disagrees with those stipulations?” Draco asked, having some idea what Hardwin would do given what he had learned about his cousin recently and through their time in school together.

“Then I will do what I must to have her removed from House Rowle’s care, and she will be raised within House Black as my ward. I will not leave her to be mistreated or abused. I do not believe she should bear the weight of her parents' sins. Narcissa, will you take either Draco or Andromeda with you to visit? Observe the conditions she is being raised in since the deaths of her parents. I would like to see the memories in the pensive after to assess what my next steps should be.” Hardwin said knowing that if this Euphemia Rowle had been loyal to Tom then he would not be able to go himself and set off alarms with the witch.

“Do you not trust me to assess if my niece is being raised well or not?” Narcissa asked stiffly and Hardwin’s nails bit into his skin as he spoke.

“No, Cissa. It’s not that. Of course not. There are just some things that someone raised in an abusive home would notice more easily whereas another may overlook it. I just want to ensure for myself that is not the case.” He assured softly and watched as the tension from the perceived slight fled from her posture.

“Very well. I will take Draco with me. It would be less suspicious than my sister whom I have only recently reconnected with. We will let you know once we have returned from the visit. Was there anything else that you needed to discuss with us? We left Lucius in the middle of dinner.” Narcissa said and Harry nodded.

“Yes. I know that she will be notified of your arrival beforehand. She may try to make the child’s living conditions look better than they are. Draco, I will lend you my invisibility cloak for the visit. Make an excuse to use the loo or something and use the cloak to investigate the house, but be careful and be quick so you don’t cause suspicion.” Harry said before calling Kreature to bring his invisibility cloak from where he kept it and handing it to Draco as the elf popped away once more.

“Feel free to let your husband know the reason for the abrupt meeting, and that I apologize for the interruption of your evening. He would be welcome in the future once his house arrest has been lifted.” Hardwin said knowing that Lucius should have been there for a family meeting by all rights as Narcissa’s husband, but would be bound to the Malfoy property for some time.

Unless he managed to get out of his house arrest early.

He had pushed down a lot of the
bad feelings toward the man as he tried to put their past behind them and focus on the future. Lucius was his cousin's husband and he didn’t want to make Narcissa feel as if she had to take sides at any point. He knew she wouldn’t go against her husband unless it was for her son, and he would never expect her to. There was only so much he could do to accommodate Lord Malfoy while he was on house arrest though; since some things needed to take place within the Black Manor. In this case, it had been the ability to prove Delphini’s name had been on the wall where the births of family members were recorded. In the near future, it would be the party to announce his and Marcus’s betrothal and then their marriage.

“Of course, cousin. I will arrange a visit as promptly as I am able.” Narcissa replied with a small nod and upturn of her lips at the consideration for her husband.

She knew how much Hardwin had tried to move past the things Lucius had done and include him within the family since he had taken the mantle.

Narcissa had worried about the history between the two. She worried that her loyalties to the family of her birth and the family of her bonded would be split until she had no choice but to choose. Hardwin knew she would choose her husband as was her duty no matter the reasons. He and Lucius had both been working to get along. They didn’t always agree. There might always be some measure of conflict between the two Lords, but Narcissa knew Hardwin and Lucius had and would continue to try for both herself and Draco.

She truly did appreciate their efforts.

“I will join you shortly, Mother. There is something else I need to discuss with Hardwin while I am here.” Draco said as she stood and turned to move back to the floo room, only pausing to respond to her son.

“Don’t be too late, Draco. Your father will be expecting you in his study.” She said before leaving the room with Andromeda following behind, to give the two some privacy if it was needed, and to talk with her sister before she left.

“What did you need to talk to me about, Draco?” Hardwin asked as he sat back down and called for an elf to deliver tea.

“Have you heard anything about what is happening at Hogwarts?” Draco asked as he also sat back down and accepted a cup.

“Not since I spoke with the Headmistress though that wasn’t about anything going on at the school. I have received a few letters from Neville and Luna, but they haven’t written about anything out of the norm. Why?” Hardwin asked and knew something must have happened for Draco to bring up the subject.

“I received a letter from Blaise, Heir Zabini, when I returned home from lessons today. Granger and the two Weasleys have been causing a ruckus over your absence at the school. From what Blaise has said, at first it wasn’t too bad. They were acting like they were worried, but some rumors have started since the article about your inheritance was released. Rumors about you going dark, and how you’ve pushed away your ‘friends’ who have been trying to keep you on the ‘correct’ path.” Draco replied with a sneer at the thought of it.

“Hmm. I think I’ll leave them to it, and see how far they’re willing to go. I’ll notify my solicitor. If the rumors can be traced back to them then we can add slander toward the Lord of a Noble and Ancient House. She’s already compiling all the evidence that comes in, but Granger and the Weasleys will need to wait for the moment. I have enough on my plate, and any rumors they manage to spread can be disproved when they are taken to court. Their list of offenses is long enough as it is, and is only continuing to grow.” Hardwin said knowing that the case against them would have an even greater impact if he gave them more time to continue digging the hole he would bury them in.

“What about the rest of the Weasleys? Have you managed to rule out any of the rest of the family from being involved?” Draco asked and Hardwin sighed.

“Percy and his father were suspended from their jobs in the Ministry pending an investigation. Minister Shacklbolt is coming down hard on any corruption within the Ministry. Percy cleared himself of involvement after answering their questioning voluntarily under veritaserum. His father hasn’t even tried protesting the suspension with Kingsley though I hear Mrs. Weasley has been raising a fuss and giving him quite the headache. Meanwhile, Grigotts has managed to clear George and Fred from suspicion. George submitted to questioning from the Goblins when the vaults for the shop were frozen. He has written to me to apologize for his family and to assure me that both he and Fred have always cared for me for me and not what I could do for them. He has refused to speak to any of his family who haven’t been cleared yet. However, Bill and his wife Fluer are still being investigated. The goblins have suspended them both from their work with the bank and frozen their vaults until they can find the truth of the matter. They must have found something there, but given I have not been informed, it doesn’t appear to have anything to do with my accounts.” Hardwin said as he sipped his tea and Draco hummed thoughtfully before Hardwin continued.

“Other than Granger, Mrs. Weasley, and her daughter, I can’t be sure any of the others were uninvolved except George and Percy. Mr. Weasley, while it doesn’t appear had anything to do with it on the surface, did sign the invalid marriage contract. I don’t think Charlie had anything to do with it as he makes a good wage as a dragon handler, and didn’t even return to help with the war. The one I’m most unsure of is Ron. There’s nothing connecting him to the theft, but I can’t rule him out either. According to Miss Deverill, his letters have become increasingly hostile.” Hardwin sighed as he thought of the mess of his former friendships.

“Well, will you continue speaking to those who have been cleared? I know you were friends with them, but it can’t be easy after everything.” Draco asked and Hardwin nodded slowly.

“Percy and I have never been close, but he has apologized to me directly for the actions of the others when I ran into him at the Ministry after we returned from our trip abroad. I don’t want to cut ties with George if he doesn’t know anything about it. He’s asked to meet with him to speak more in person, and I’m thinking about it. My time has been limited with everything else, and he says he understands. Did Heir Zabini mention anything else?” Hardwin asked and Draco nodded as he set down his empty teacup.

“Yes, a divide has started within Gryffindor. He said that it wasn’t obvious at first, but it's getting worse as the rumors about you spread. He doesn’t know what happened, but Granger and the two Weasleys are not on speaking terms with most of their house. Heir Longbottom and the weasel have been given detention for an incident in the corridors that resulted in spellfire being exchanged. I thought I would let you know in case those you still consider your true friends are keeping what is going on from you.” Draco told him and Hardwin nodded thoughtfully.

“Thank you for telling me. I will write to Neville and Luna to ask them to tell me. They may not have said anything out of consideration for me, but I would rather be informed if it’s something that may come back to bite me later. Was there anything else you wanted to speak to me about before our lessons tomorrow?” Hardwin asked as he set down the teacup he had been drinking from when it was empty.

“One more thing. Father is going to try getting cleared to visit the homes of extended family. He wanted me to tell you so that you knew what was happening should the Minister come asking questions. Father would like to be here for your engagement announcement and the bonding. He would also like to help you revive the Black stables, but can only do that if he is able to be here.” Draco said and Hardwin remembers Lucius saying something about reviving the empty stables here at the Manor that were currently empty; Arcturus having sold off the animals when he had vacated and sealed the Manor after Hardwin was born.

“I will speak to Kingsley on Lucius’s behalf. Even if only to allow him the freedom to visit Black Manor. There is a lot to be done, and I would appreciate his knowledge and assistance.” He said and Draco nodded before turning to leave the room.

“I will see you for lessons tomorrow morning.” He said before leaving the room when Hardwin hummed in agreement.

Hardwin held back a sigh as he relaxed back into his chair and his gaze returned to the names of the wall. He stared at the name of the little girl. The daughter of Bellatrix LeStrange nee Black and Tom Riddle, the self-styled Dark Lord Voldemort, who had reigned terror over several generations of witches and wizards. He couldn’t believe they’d had a child. A child they had all but discarded after she was born. Delphini Riddle.

He already had so much going on since he had found out the truth of his birth. Since claiming his heritage as his parents had agreed he would when he was old enough. Hardwin already had a godson. A baby boy who he already felt he didn’t spend enough time with. Now, it looked like there would be another he would be responsible for. The child of those who had caused him so much pain. The child of both the man who killed his mum and dad, and the woman who had killed his father. Her own cousin.

Hardwin knew, deep in his bones and in his magic, that he would need to take the little girl in. As long as there were doubts as to the Rowle witch’s beliefs. A doubt that the girl would be raised in safety, treated and provided for as any child should, then Hardwin would have no choice. He would take the girl in as was his right as one of her most immediate blood relations.

Oh, he didn’t doubt that Narcissa would have loved to take in her niece. To have a little girl to spoil and
dress up. The problem was that House Malfoy’s reputation had been so damaged due to the war that there would be no way for her to do so. Once Delphini’s parentage was discovered, and it would be, there would be a public outcry.

No. Hardwin would need to be the one to take her in. He refused to let the girl be punished for the sins of her parents. He refused to let their fear make an innocent baby into a villain for sins that shouldn’t be hers to bear no matter what those closed-minded simpletons would think or believe. The best way to do that was to have the wider public believe that their ‘savior’ was only raising the child and ensuring she wouldn’t become a danger.

Utter shite.

Hardwin sighed as he felt a headache coming on. He would need to arrange a meeting with the goblins to find out if either Bellatrix or Tom had left a will dictating who they wished to look after their child. If they did then he would need to contest it. He would also need to inform Kingsley. He would need support from the Minister to control the hysterics of the public.

Hardwin would also need to speak to Marcus. His betrothed would need to know if Delphini was to be raised within their household after they were bonded. He hoped the man would be understanding of his reasons, if not supportive. He couldn’t blame him if he wasn’t. Hardwin was already raising Teddy with Andromeda. It wouldn’t be easy for Marcus to live with and possibly have a hand in raising two young children who weren’t theirs. Teddy would be one thing, but the daughter of the defeated Dark Lord?

Hardwin sighed as he pushed himself out of his chair to return to his study. He would need to write to Gringotts, Kingsley, Marcus, and Lord Flint to set up meetings. He was so tired, but he was determined to ensure that everything would be ready by the time Narcissa and Draco returned from visiting Euphemia Rowle’s home. Called for Kreacher as he walked through the hall.

“Tell Winky not to bring Teddy to my study tonight, and bring me a bottle of firewhiskey and a glass, please. It’s going to be a long week.” Harry told the elf as he rubbed his temple and moved back to his study.

He refused to have Teddy in the room when he knew he would be drinking more than a single glass.

“Right away, Master Black.” Kreacher replied before he popped away to do as he was bid once more.

‘Please don’t let this be the one thing Marcus can’t accept.’ Hardwin thought as he moved up the stairs.

There was no backing out of their betrothal, but Hardwin didn’t want to force the man to accept what he planned to do. It wouldn’t be any way for them to live. He didn’t want to cause problems in his marriage before it had even taken place, but he couldn’t abandon the girl to be raised in uncertain circumstances. He also didn’t want Marcus to resent the girl’s presence in what would soon be their home.

He only hoped his betrothed would be understanding of his reasoning.

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That’s it for this chapter! I’ve had a few people ask me if I would include Delphini in this story. Well, here’s your answer. I know it’s been a while since I updated, and I meant to do so earlier. I’ve just had a lot going on.

After my husband passed last year I couldn’t bring myself to stay at the house we had just bought a couple of years ago. So one of my brothers is buying it, and I moved in with my mom and youngest brother. We just moved again after buying another property with some acreage and enough space for all of us to have our own space. I’m currently remodeling a tiny home on the land about half an acre from the house for me to live in but still have family close. So yeah, not much time to focus on writing between moving and remodeling but everything else I’ve been up to.

I wanted to thank you all for your condolences, well wishes and patience in what has been the worst time of my life. I do appreciate it. I have started on the next chapter, but when it will be finished… Who can say? Hopefully things will start settling down once the remodel is finished and I’m moved in and settled with less distractions.

~Ryu