Noble House of Black

Chapter Twelve

Though throughout the final discussion of the upcoming wedding for Lucius and Narcissa, it reminded me of the fact my own wedding would now be looming forward.

Something that had been put off while I still attended Hogwarts.

It made me wonder if Rodolphus was already making plans for us.

Especially since he was aware of what binding vows I wanted to use and how I wanted the place to be set up. We've had years to discuss between us how we wanted our ceremony to go.

Something we took advantage of when we could.

"You seemed distracted there at the end, Darkest Flower," mused Marvolo as we left Malfoy's study behind and headed back to the floo room. "Something on your mind?"

Now, wasn't that just the million-dollar question.

Or should I say the million-galleon question.

"I was thinking upon which binding ceremony I wanted to use for my own upcoming wedding," I answered watching as Marvolo's eyes flashed a brighter crimson as his magic spiked. "With me being finished with Hogwarts and about to take my N.E.W.T.S, it means its more than time."

Something that was more than true considering the marriage contract.

Not that I didn't get why he seemed pissed by that.

He had never hidden his possessiveness and obsession with me from anyone.

Myself included.

"It'd be better if you continued to focus on passing your N.E.W.T.S first," offered Marvolo, smile thin as he retrieved my coat and helped me put it back on. "I'll speak with Rodolphus and your father concerning your wedding."

Now didn't that sound almost terrifying.

He was up to something that was for sure.

"Alright," I sighed out since I knew it would be a losing battle to make this man listen or give up on his current plan of action. "Though I do hope you don't try anything."

That would be my only warning to him.

Because while I knew he was currently stronger than myself, both magically and concerning spells and such, that didn't mean I wouldn't find a way to bring him to his knees.

Though that would be my last option since we currently had a truce between us.

"Of course," chuckled Marvolo before motioning me ahead of himself. "I shall see you again sometime, Darkest Flower."

I could only shoot him one last glance before using the floo to return to my own manor.

It was there that Sirius was awaiting me.

"How did things go on your end?" I questioned even as I walked past him to head upstairs and towards my set of rooms, and more so my personal study.

"James was confused as to why he had ever said what he had," answered Sirius face dark as he settled across from me, "it was only when Mama M checked him over that she noticed compulsions placed upon him."

Euphemia Potter was one of the few I knew who had studied healing magic under both Light and Dark sections. Something that seemed to allow her to use almost forgotten spells that picked up more than other healing spells used now.

Even more so with her mastery in ancient runes and potions.

"What type?" I asked while the reality of what this meant truly hitting me.

Dumbledore had always seemed a bit off to me back when this was a fictional world that I had read about and watched on my TV screen.

But I hadn't expected him to have stooped to this level.

"Loyalty to Gryffindor House, Dumbledore, and the Light Sect," spat out Sirius hands clenched at his sides. "There was also a hatred compulsion placed on him towards the Slytherin House and more specifically Severus Snape."

Now, wasn't that a curious thing to learn.

Especially as he hadn't really picked on or attacked Snape as he had originally.

It meant that Sirius had really stepped up to keep James from attacking Snape as well.

"I'm guessing that Euphemia is working to clear his system," I mused before focusing more so on Sirius in front of me. "Go have her check you over as well, and if she can't, then go to Gringotts."

Mainly since they offered a deep cleansing along with a deeper inheritance test that would check and list everything from titles and vaults you own to any spells or potions placed on you.

This also meant I would reach out to Eris as well to have her do the same for the others.

Dumbledore now ranked higher on my wariness instead of Marvolo.

Mainly as right now, Marvolo wasn't a threat to me in the same sense as Dumbles was.

"We'll have to be careful when planning this," warned Regulus, not surprising me that he had shown up sometime during our conversation. "Especially considering all the portraits and ghost report back to him as charmed to do for all Headmasters of Hogwarts."

Because of that, many didn't do so of their own free will.

There were certain spells and rituals the Founders placed upon Hogwarts that made all loyalty go towards the current Headmasters.

Something that was put in place to help keep future students safe.

And yet, that old fool was using it to ruin them.

But again, Regulus wasn't wrong in cautioning us and how we planned to move forward. Which meant that once we had all had our systems cleared and checked over, we would have to find a way to make it seem like the spells and potions were still in our system.

That was something I knew the perfect person to go to for.

"Reg, go speak with Eris and Barty," I continued making both of my brothers straighten in their seats. "Siri, I need you to find a way to get Remus to get checked over without making him aware of what you're doing so he can't report to Dumbles."

Because even now Remus Lupin idolized and adored Dumbledore.

Something that could see our plans failing.

"Alright," agreed Sirius even as he didn't question as to why I hadn't mentioned Pettigrew. "I'll leave James in his mother's care since I know she won't make a move anytime soon."

No, she was also likely to plan things out and wait for the perfect moment to strike.

There was a reason one didn't make a Slytherin, one who married a Gryffindor and befriended Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw's, their enemy. Especially when they would all work together.

"Then let's meet back up again in three weeks," I finished with before gaining to my feet and heading back toward the floo room. "For now, I need to reach out to a few people."

Mainly that of Rodolphus and Marvolo.

Bella was the one I went to when I wanted action taken immediately.

"Lestrange Manor."

The manor hadn't changed since I had first visited it all those years ago and yet I didn't spare most of it a glance as I waited for the house elf who greeted me to return with Rodolphus.

"You rarely come to see me yourself," mused Rodolphus as he walked down the stairs and towards where I waited. "Something wrong?"

"More than something," I answered before motioning for him to lead me further into the manor and towards his personal study. "Though I won't discuss it in the walkway."

Not when this would take a few hours to explain.