The Last Protection: Harriett Potter's Legacy

Chapter 6: The Gathering of the Blacks

The French countryside estate had become a true refuge, a rare sanctuary for the once-disconnected members of the Black family. In this quiet estate, those Blacks who dared defy tradition, old grudges, and years of distance found themselves gathered, bound by the need for survival and family. Sirius, Andromeda, Narcissa, and even Lucius and Draco had come together, finding comfort and strength in each other's presence, even if their paths had once led them apart.

One evening, as Sirius sat alone in the study, lost in thought, a gentle tap came at the window. An owl waited outside, clutching a letter marked with the familiar Black family crest: a coiled serpent around a silver shield. The elegant yet rigid handwriting on the envelope was unmistakable—Arcturus Black. Heart pounding, Sirius opened the letter, which read:

Sirius,
It is time the House of Black takes care of its own. Your decision to leave England was wise. Dark times call for unity, and it is time that our family—those who still believe in loyalty and strength—come together once more. Expect us soon.
—Arcturus

For a long moment, Sirius sat there, reading and re-reading the words. Arcturus Black, his once-imperious grandfather, had not only acknowledged him but had decided to join him in France. His stern grandfather had not visited the estate in years and was bringing others with him. A thrill of shock and hope filled Sirius as he realized that, for the first time in decades, the Blacks would be under one roof—this time, in the name of unity, rather than cold tradition.

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Within days, two carriages pulled up to the estate gates. Sirius watched from the front door, feeling a strange mix of emotions as familiar figures emerged one by one. Arcturus was first, his tall, still-powerful frame slightly stooped with age but his eyes as sharp as ever. Beside him was Sirius’s father, Orion, who looked far older and wearier than Sirius remembered. And finally, from the second carriage, Regulus disembarked. His younger brother’s face betrayed a mixture of apprehension and determination as he looked up to meet Sirius’s gaze.

At the door, Sirius felt a hand rest on his shoulder—Narcissa. She gave him a small, understanding nod, and beside her was Andromeda, her expression calm but cautious. Lucius, too, had joined them, though he seemed watchful, his hand never far from his wand.

In the large sitting room, Arcturus took his place at the head, his gaze sweeping over his assembled family with a mixture of sternness and pride. He gestured for everyone to sit, and as they settled, his voice, grave but full of conviction, filled the room.

"I know this gathering may feel strange,” he began, his voice carrying a weight that commanded attention, “given the distances and divisions that have stood between us for years. But these are dark times, and our family, once splintered, now faces threats from all sides. It is time for us to stand together, to protect each other, and to forge a future for our children.”

Sirius felt the sincerity in his grandfather’s words and was taken aback. Arcturus had always been a figure of stern authority, the very embodiment of Black tradition, yet here he was, speaking of unity and resilience, not rigid adherence to old ideals. Sirius looked over to his father, Orion, who sat beside Arcturus. His father’s face was lined with regret and exhaustion, as though bearing the weight of all the choices that had led them here.

Orion, after a moment of silence, looked up, his gaze fixed on his sons. "I was wrong to think that rigid adherence to tradition would make us strong,” he said, his voice quiet but steady. “I see now that strength comes from loyalty to each other, not just to an ideal. Your mother…” He paused, his grief evident. “She held her beliefs fiercely, but in her way, she loved her family.”

Sirius felt an unexpected pang of loss at the mention of his mother, Walburga Black. News of her sudden passing had only reached him a few days before, and while he’d thought he had long ago let go of any bond with her, the reality of her death left a hollow ache. She had been a force in his life, a relentless presence that had shaped him—even in opposition. Her death was a reminder that, as fractured as they were, they were still connected.

Arcturus continued, his voice softening but no less resolute. “I have come to believe that it is time to put aside the old grudges and focus on what truly matters: family. Blood alone does not define loyalty; it is our choice to stand together that will keep us strong.”

Narcissa stepped forward, her hand resting lightly on Lucius’s shoulder as she spoke, her words carrying a conviction that surprised even herself. “We may have once followed different paths, but if we wish to survive the coming storm, we must stand united. We need to support each other, for the sake of Draco, Harriett, and all our children. They deserve a better legacy.”

Regulus, Sirius’s younger brother, looked up at this, meeting his gaze with a rare openness. “I once believed in following what I thought was expected of me,” he admitted, his voice soft but steady. “But I’ve come to understand that loyalty means more than just obedience. It’s a choice, and I choose to stand by our family.”

A murmur of agreement passed through the room. For the first time in generations, the House of Black was choosing unity over division, loyalty over grudges. The old wounds still lingered, but the realization that they were stronger together brought an unexpected warmth, an unspoken understanding.

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As night fell, the family gathered around a large dining table, a rare sight that stirred memories of a time when they had been united, however briefly, before. This time, though, the atmosphere was different, infused with a sense of solidarity that felt both new and deeply needed. There were toasts to new beginnings, quiet exchanges of support, and promises to protect one another. Walburga’s absence was palpable, a shadow reminding them of the complexities of family and tradition.

During the meal, Arcturus raised a glass, his gaze sweeping over the faces of his family with a gravity that seemed to solidify the moment. “Tonight, we begin anew,” he declared. “It is time the House of Black takes care of its own.”

The words hung in the air, a vow that each of them felt in their hearts. For Sirius, it was a moment of vindication, a sign that he hadn’t been wrong to seek his own path, to value loyalty and love over rigid tradition. He looked around at his family—Narcissa, Andromeda, even Lucius and his father, Orion—and saw a glimmer of hope. They were no longer bound by grudges; they had chosen to stand together.

Andromeda reached across the table to take Sirius’s hand, her eyes warm with understanding. “We may not agree on everything, Sirius,” she said, a smile breaking through her cautious expression, “but we are here now, together. That’s what matters.”

Sirius squeezed her hand, feeling a renewed sense of purpose and peace. The House of Black, fractured and flawed, had found a new strength in unity, a new kind of family bound by choice rather than duty.

As he watched Harriett and Draco share a laugh at the end of the table, surrounded by family who had chosen to stay, he knew he would do whatever it took to protect them, to ensure they never had to endure the same hardships that had divided his family in the past.

Together, they would forge a future free from the shadows of the past, a legacy of resilience and loyalty that would define the new House of Black.

I hope you like the story so far. If you have any suggestions, feel free to comment.

Love,

The Author