Black Fortunes

Chapter 6

The lofty manor rose from the surrounding grounds with a gradual pace that still did little to make it seem less like a sore thumb, sticking up three levels from the ground on a flat grassy meadow. It was made of a reddish-black stone that picked up little light, something of a metaphor for a family that had done very little to leave behind a Dark-aligned background despite persuasive efforts.

Harrigan Peverell stared up at the lofty stone griffons guarding the gate, arching an eyebrow at the smug, superior look in the stone faces. Reaching the door he took hold of a gold ring held in a silver lion's mouth and rapped it sharply thrice upon the solid-looking wood door. Hardly did his hand leave the knocker than the door opened, a small house-elf bowing low and squeaking, "Welcome to Potter Manor, Lord wizard. May I be asking for name?"

"Lord Harrigan Peverell," he stated as he entered the elegant hall, removing his sable fur-lined cloak with matching gloves and handing it over.

To say he had been surprised to receive the invitation to have lunch with Lord Potter and his Lady would be an understatement. They may be descendants of his family; however, he had thought Lord Potter rather taken aback with his choice to align with the Dark families in the Wizengamot. Something of a hypocrite since his own family was hardly Light.

"Missy was told to wait for you," the elf squeaked, breaking his thoughts. "Follow me, Lord Peverell."

He followed the elf quietly, amused at her slightly bossy demeanor. She was much more outspoken than house-elves he'd met before. 'Could say that his family is bad wizards' squeaked a voice in his head. He shook his head slightly, annoyed at the little bits and pieces that he was hearing.

They were passing a spacious room that apparently held some occupants by the murmur of voices when one particularly loud one said, "Missy! I was just about to call you but since you are here, pop down into the kitchens and bring us a snack."

Missy answered, "I will be doing so in a moment, young sir. I-"

"Missy! What you are doing is hardly important! It will take you two seconds to do what I ordered."

"I is escorting someone to meet your fa-"

"My father's buddies can wait, Missy!"

This was when Harrigan chose to intrude, to keep what appeared to be the Potter heir by the 'my father' from making the mistake of offending him.

"I am not one of your father's 'buddies' Heir Potter," he said calmly, moving to stand just behind Missy.

There were three young men in the sitting room, one of which was obviously the Potter heir, having inherited the messy hair and need for glasses. Another was striking and definitely related to Orion Black, so he was able to surmise that this was the errant Sirius Orion, eldest of the family. The last was entirely unremarkable aside from a pair of arresting amber eyes.

Heir Potter's eyes traveled to his hand and the Lordship ring and widened before he stuttered, "Sorry, My Lord. I didn't realize you were following Missy. It can wait."

"Tell me, Heir Potter, is your kitchens very far from here?"

"No sir, just a few doors down."

"Then why not fetch your snack with your own two hands?" he continued with a mild bite, "I live on my own in a flat with a single elf and even I do not call him for every whim. Helps me keep a reasonable figure and waistline, as well as exercising a bit of self-reliance and patience."

The Potter heir's face flushed and he said, "We shall do so then, My Lord. Sorry for the near-loss of your guide."

As they were walking away he called, "Black heir, you may find it interesting to actually read your father's missives rather than burn or toss them. He has missed you greatly and times have changed, especially with the death of Lady Black."

Sirius stiffened, turned back to look at Harrigan, and said, "And how would you know anything of my family, my Lord Peverell?"

Harrigan arched an eyebrow, so at least one of the boys had recognized his ring. "I am a political ally and a friend of your father. Why are you punishing him and your younger brother who loves and admires you so?"

"That, my Lord, is none of your business. Good day," Sirius nodded curtly, turned on his heel, and walked away. After a slightly wary look, the Potter heir and their third friend followed.

Harrigan couldn't help but smile a little, pleased with the outcome of the short conversation. He had guessed that Sirius would respond so, or something of that vein. His conversation with Orion on the subject had proved that Sirius was prickly to the point he could be a little rude. However, the whole point of his conversation had been to make the Black heir think, and in that, he had succeeded.

It had been difficult, especially with the formal overtones of the conversation. If just one of the boys had asked his name he could have asked for theirs, but they had stuck with his title, demanding the same from him as a common courtesy. Pureblood etiquette was so rigid in places.

He continued to follow Missy with a small smile, his entire goal for the visit accomplished in one short conversation.

All credits go to J. K. Rowling and Herald_of_Dreams (AO3). This is not my work, it is just a repost of the work by Herald_of_Dreams on AO3 and by Herald-MageAnduli on fanfiction.net.