Noble House of Black

Chapter Five

Time Skip - Fourth Year

The first few years of Hogwarts all but flew by as most of our time was taken up with classes, socializing, and learning magic now opened to us.

Between all of it I continued to write to Rodolphus on top of keeping an eye upon Walburga, who seemed to continue to slip further into the Black Madness as the years went by, while keeping Regulus away from home.

He had ended up happily in Slytherin, with Sirius actually cheering for him.

That had been a moment I wouldn't forget, as it meant things were changing.

"You look lovely," offered Eris as she waltzed into my bedroom while I got ready for another gala being held before we were to head off to Hogwarts for our fourth year. "If you weren't already taken, something tells me those out there would be wanting to snap you up."

"That has more to do with my title of Heiress Black," I shot back with a teasing smile even as I finished the last touches to my makeup. "How many were surprised at the announcement that I was to be the next Lord Black?"

"Not many," answered Eris while easily shifting from amused to serious while settling on the edge of my bed. "Each one who showed even a small amount of disgust have been taken note of and will be watched."

She knew that I wouldn't allow anyone to ruin this chance or my future plans.

Which reminded me.

"I'm in need of your help," I began even as I finally placed the diamond tiara upon my head before gliding to where she was now standing by the bed. "It seems Walburga has finally become too ill and needs proper medicine to help her regain her sanity."

Eris only grinned while reaching into a hidden pocket to pull out a small vial that she then handed over to me. If there was one family who was known for their poisons and ways of making a death look like an accident or look natural, it would be the Zabini House.

It was a good thing that she was a close friend.

Because I'd hate to have her as an enemy.

"Shall I get to work then?" mused Eris causing me to nod before turning as a knock was heard before Sirius was pushing open the door and stepping in. "If you'll excuse me then."

She didn't wait a response even as I shifted to hand back the hidden vial.

I would do it myself, but appearances had to be kept, and I could not be suspected in the least once Walburga finally died since everyone knew of our strained ties.

Not that I wasn't aware of how to lie if they chose to use a truth serum upon me.

Mainly since looking into my memories was against the law due to my age.

"You look radiant, sister dearest," offered Sirius before bowing and holding out his hand that I easily accepted with a small smile. "Tonight, is sure to be amazing, don't you agree?"

His relationship with Regulus and Father had begun to heal over as I kept Walburga out of the picture and away from both of the boys. Something that was made easier once I had gained Kreacher's loyalty fully causing the house elf to easily do my bidding.

Kreacher was also the one who would likely be helping Eris fully deal with Walburga.

Nobody ever suspected a house elf who were bound to one's family.

~ Later that Night ~

The gala went off without a hitch as I made sure to speak with each of those around my age along with the current Lords to each House in attendance.

Father was all but puffed up in pride even as he kept a close eye on Sirius and Regulus as well while speaking with those who stopped to talk to him about different things.

Rodolphus had stuck close to my side, many were already aware of our engagement, and had even agreed to wait until I turned seventeen for us to marry. This would allow me to finish Hogwarts and have a higher standing in our society before becoming Lady Lestrange.

Something I had been glad for and had worked to make happen.

"Mother, are you alright?" I asked after stopping by her room, she had sent for me after all, and taking note of her pale and trembling form. "You don't seem to be faring well."

"You wretched child," gurgled Walburga from where she lay sprawled on the ground near her vanity while still wearing her best gown from the gala. "I know you've done this."

"Nonsense," I waved off while gliding forward even as I glanced over her form and taking note of the trembles becoming worse. "You've been severely ill. I'll call for Father immediately along with the Medi-wizard on call to our family."

It was minutes later as Walburga was declared dead, from a normal heart attack, that I returned to my rooms while Father begun to make the necessary arrangements for her funeral that I let a small smile slip onto my face.

I had warned her that if she continued to torment Regulus and Sirius that I would put an end to it. Not that the foolish harpy had listened, having seen me as nothing more than a useless daughter needing to be married off and forgotten.

Shame that she couldn't have figured it out sooner as she might have been able to warn someone or put up a larger fight. Not that I wouldn't have taken that into account since I wouldn't allow anything to stop me from getting what I wanted.

And I wanted the woman dead for the pain she has caused our family.

"That was a rather nicely put together show," mused a voice from near my vanity causing me to stiffen before twisting to take in the man before me. "You remind me of myself, truly fascinating."

Tom Riddle, known to those in growing circles as Lord Voldemort.

"I'm glad I could amuse you," I offered in return while walking right past him to sit at the vanity he stood directly in front of. "You must be the one that many have begun to speak of, Lord Voldemort I am to presume?"

"Please," chuckled Voldemort as he placed his hands upon my shoulders while his crimson eyes met my own silver ones, "call me, Marvolo."

This was a dangerous game that I was now playing a part of.

Though I was curious as to how he had known that it was me that had been behind Walburga's death, mainly since I knew my mind was fully protected from invasion.

But then I realized that Eris' wouldn't be.

Not to the same degree anyway as Riddle was a master in getting past mind shields.

Something my Heiress ring kept from being possible, which she didn't have.

"If you're looking to make a case for us to follow you," I began even as I reached up to begin taking my hair down from the up-do it had been placed in, "then you must speak to my father who is the current Lord Black."

"Ah," tutted Marvolo while taking over taking my hair down causing the tension to rise further in the room, "but your father isn't the one who shall be both Lord Black and Lady Lestrange. Nor is he the one who has the ears of all the current Heirs to each House."