The Last Protection: Harriett Potter's Legacy

Chapter 8: Unbreakable Vows

The days following Harriett’s official acceptance into the House of Black passed with a quiet sense of purpose. Each family member felt the weight of what they had pledged and the unity they had chosen. For the first time, Sirius saw a side of his family that he had long thought buried—a side capable of loyalty and love, stronger than the old prejudices and rivalries that had once torn them apart.

One evening, Arcturus summoned Sirius to his study. Sirius entered to find his grandfather seated behind a large oak desk, his face illuminated by the flickering glow of a single candle. Arcturus looked older than Sirius remembered—his hair fully gray, his hands lined and weathered—but his gaze was as sharp and unyielding as ever.

“Sirius,” Arcturus began, his tone somber but determined, “Harriett is safe here with us, but there are threats beyond these walls. She carries a heavy legacy—one that will make her a target in ways she can’t yet understand. We have to be prepared.”

Sirius nodded, his eyes narrowing. “What are you suggesting?”

Arcturus reached into a drawer and pulled out an ancient, yellowed parchment, decorated with elaborate script and runic symbols. “This is an Unbreakable Vow,” he explained. “It is an old and powerful enchantment, one that binds its signatories by magic itself. If we are truly committed to Harriett’s safety, I believe it’s time we each take this vow. We would swear to protect her, to stand by her through anything. And if any of us break our promise… we forfeit our lives.”

Sirius felt a jolt of shock. The Unbreakable Vow was a rare and dangerous spell, its power matched only by the severity of its consequences. The enormity of what Arcturus was proposing filled him with a fierce sense of pride and resolve.

He met his grandfather’s gaze, his voice steady. “I’ll do it. If that’s what it takes to keep her safe, then I’ll swear.”

Arcturus nodded, his expression softening with approval. “Good. Gather the family. This is a vow that must be taken together. Every member of the Black family who stands with us must swear it.”

---

That night, the entire Black family gathered in the estate’s grand hall. A solemn silence fell over the room as Arcturus explained the vow, his voice carrying the weight of the family’s history and their newfound unity.

Narcissa stepped forward first, her wand held steady, her voice clear. “For Harriett, I will make this vow. I promise to stand by her, to protect her, and to guide her with loyalty and love.”

Lucius stepped forward, his face serious as he placed his wand over his heart. “I swear to protect her as if she were my own.”

Regulus followed, his eyes dark with determination. “I vow to be her shield, to stand with her against any who would harm her.”

One by one, each family member raised their wand and swore the vow, their words joining in a powerful chorus. Even young Draco, too young to fully understand the vow’s gravity, stood by his mother’s side, his small hand clutching her wand as he echoed her words.

Finally, it was Sirius’s turn. He looked around at the family he had thought he’d lost, feeling an overwhelming surge of pride and hope. “For Harriett,” he said, his voice steady, “I vow to protect her, to keep her safe, and to ensure she never faces this world alone.”

Arcturus raised his own wand, his voice resonating with authority. “Then it is done. By blood, by bond, and by oath, we swear to protect her. The House of Black stands united once more.”

As the last words of the vow were spoken, a thick ribbon of crimson light encircled each family member’s wrist, sealing the bond. The light pulsed, then faded, but a warmth lingered—a reminder of the promise they had made, the lives they had bound together.

---

In the days that followed, the weight of the vow settled in each family member’s heart, binding them not only to Harriett but to one another. Narcissa spent hours with Harriett, cradling her, introducing her to Draco, speaking of their family in a way softened by affection. Andromeda took it upon herself to learn more about the ancient magic surrounding their family, poring over texts and tomes, seeking knowledge that might one day protect her niece.

Lucius, though often reserved, became almost obsessive about the estate’s security. He reviewed every ward, every defensive spell, sparing no effort to ensure that the Black family’s sanctuary was impenetrable. His actions spoke of a loyalty he rarely expressed in words, a commitment to the family’s future and to Harriett’s safety.

One evening, as Sirius sat by the fire with Harriett asleep in his arms, Regulus approached, his face thoughtful.

“I never thought I’d see the day when we’d be bound by something like this,” Regulus murmured, watching Harriett with a soft expression.

Sirius nodded, gazing down at the child who had brought his family back together. “Neither did I,” he replied, his voice filled with emotion. “But I think this vow means more than just protecting her. It’s about us, too. We’re finally standing together, as a family.”

Regulus gave a small smile. “It’s strange. I spent so many years trying to live up to the family’s expectations. Now, for the first time, I feel like I actually belong.”

Sirius looked at him, his eyes warm. “We all do. This time, we’re not bound by duty or pride. We’re here because we chose to be.”

As the night deepened, they sat together in silence, the warmth of the fire and the quiet weight of their vow filling the room. The House of Black had been fractured, scattered by old loyalties and bitter feuds, but now, they were bound by something stronger—a love that transcended bloodlines, a loyalty chosen and earned.

And as Sirius gazed down at Harriett, he knew that no matter what darkness lay ahead, they would face it together. The House of Black was reborn, stronger and more united than ever, and they would protect their own—whatever the cost.