When the Roses Bloom Again by TheBlack'sResurgence

Chapter 94

In Bloom

It had been some time since Arcturus had been in the Wizengamot chambers. Although the war had ended close to two months prior, Lord Parkinson had continued to remain as his proxy.

The Lord Black had been making up for lost time with his wife and sons for the most part but had also frequented the continent to assist with the much-needed relief work in the wake of Grindelwald's occupation.

Many others had done the same, the thought of simply returning home whilst the work was ongoing not sitting right with most.

Today, however, he found himself as an honoured guest of wizarding Britain where he and several others were to receive a commendation for their part in the war.

For Arcturus, shaking hands with the Minister whilst being presented with a small piece of metal seemed ridiculous when such an insignificant trinket represented such upheaval, violence, and loss.

Nevertheless, he was proud to be recognised along with those that had become his brothers in a way that none who had not experienced war could understand.

Seated to his left on a dais that had been built for the ceremony was Charlus, and next to him Harry who was doing all he could to not draw any attention to himself.

Arcturus shook his head.

Not a pair of eyes had left the man since he had arrived.

Next to Harry was Petr Sokolov whose expression was guarded as his eyes swept across the public gallery, and the area filled with members of the press.

On Arcturus's right was Yaxley and Gilbert, the latter unable to look more out of place if he tried.

Arcturus imagined the only time he had visited one of the chambers in the depth of the Ministry was when he had been on trial for one of his many misdemeanours over the years.

The men sat in silence, waiting for the Minister to begin the ceremony.

It was surreal being here, and Arcturus was still adjusting to civilian life.

With Melania and his children to keep him grounded, he was not suffering the lingering effects of spending so long in mortal peril, but that didn't mean everything had gone smoothly.

He tried to not focus on his woes, but it was not easy to do so when one in particular occupied his mind so often, something that as much as he wished to, he couldn't simply ignore.

Flashback

Lord Parkinson had been thorough in his overseeing of the Black family affairs in Arcturus's absence. The man had made some intelligent investments on his behalf and ensured the financials had been kept up to date.

He had even gone as far as to document the main talking points and required votes of each Wizengamot session, something Arcturus was grateful for.

Parkinson would be rightly compensated for his invaluable assistance.

Pushing the stack of parchment he had been poring over aside, Arcturus rubbed his eyes and checked the clock in his study.