Paid In Blood - Revised

Chapter 22

A few things had changed in the weeks following the second task.

For one, Daphne had followed through with her promise to give her sister private lessons. Their time together had proven worthwhile, if Astoria's recent performance in class was any indication. Astoria had also managed to keep her temper in check, and her animosity towards Jason had all but disappeared. Instead, they tended to completely ignore each other unless forced to interact, and whenever they did, they were both overly cordial to one another.

The two of them essentially acted as if they were complete strangers at a society event - a standard that had been set by Jason, which Astoria seemed happy to follow. When Harry asked Jason about their new dynamic, he simply responded that he had enough crazy people to deal with in his own house, so he wasn't going to take any chances with her anymore.

Hermione Granger had recovered well enough from the trauma of Ron and Neville's deaths to leave the hospital wing. She had returned to classes with renewed vigour, though she largely kept to herself.

Ginny Weasley was still visibly despondent, but the twins had recovered some of their spark and were back to pranking. The difference was that the pranks now had a malicious feel, designed to humiliate their victims instead of providing amusement, and they almost exclusively targeted Slytherins. There had even been one incident involving a couple Slytherin firsties that had Daphne on the verge of unleashing Kael on the duo, though she managed to restrain herself. There were rumours that Malfoy, still desperate to create a power base for himself, had attempted to recruit the twins as the first members of his new 'inner circle', but there was no evidence he'd been successful.

The absence of Malfoy combined with the increased hostility of the Gryffindors had resulted in Slytherin House being more united than ever before, both in and out of the common room. The house had rallied around the new Lord Slytherin and his friends, who had the full support of the Triumvirate. Though he would never outwardly admit it, even Professor Snape felt some pride at the way his house had coalesced and was presenting itself to the world.

It was early in March when the boy responsible for most of the changes received an unexpected letter from his godfather.

Dear member of the Black Family,

I, Sirius Orion Black, Lord of the Black Family, invite your person to a get-together taking place at the Black Ancestral Home, Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place, a week from next Sunday.

In this meeting, we shall discuss the addition of new members to the House of Black, the continuation of our noble line, and the continuation of Lord Arcturus Black's great plan to revitalise the family blood.

I expect your presence on the aforementioned date.

With my most cordial salutations,

Lord Sirius Orion Black

Hey pup,

Forget about all the jargon if you want and consider yourself invited to a party here at Grimmauld. Don't expect it to be very fun, because I was forced to invite Draco Malfoy and his mother, who happens to be my cousin. I have to ask you to be on your best behaviour with him, but I am sure he doesn't need help embarrassing himself.

I would appreciate it if you could make it. Unfortunately, the invitation is for family members only, and that means you can't bring your lovely Ms. Greengrass. Please extend her my apologies. If you are wondering why you're invited, that's because you have Black blood, no matter how diluted, and you're my godson... I also named you my heir until I have a child, so that's that.

We'll sort out the details later, just come prepared to meet family.

Cheers,

Your Dogfather