Black Family Reunion Ⅲ

Raising his eyes, Pollux studies Ted Tonks, who in his mellow voice as instructed by his wife said, "Greetings grandfather. It is a pleasure to finally meet you with my wife and child. I apologize for the elopement and the lack of invitation to the wedding ceremony. I did not understand the importance of the situation and should have gone through the proper means. Pureblood or not, I apologize in failing to conform to the Black family traditions. I shall do my best to ensure that Dora, my daughter is properly raised to uphold the Black family name."

Satisfied at the formal apology, Pollux nods his head and pokes the little girl's tummy with one finger causing Dora to burst out into loud giggles. Gesturing to his granddaughter, Andromeda to take her daughter, Andromeda hurriedly moves forward to do so.

She knew the significance of her grandfather accepting her husband and child into the family. Not only would they be reinstated on the Black Family tapestry but full rights as well. Her dowry vaults would be returned to her for her personal use which would greatly aid them in paying for Dora's future education and allow them to give Dora a proper Dowry for one day to marry with. That and for the usage of any other children that they might one day have.

Dora pouts as she returns to her mother's arms, but quickly forgives her like only little children can. She babbles to her mother about the nice old white-haired man, while Andromeda says, "Thank you grandfather for your mercy in forgiving this wayward granddaughter. I will be eternally grateful for your magnanimous actions this day."

Pollux waves his hand as if to say, "Enough flattery."

Seeing that Pollux is tired of the brown nosing, Druella bows and says, "It is a pleasure to see you again, father-in-law. Might you escort me to the dining room?"

Pollux sniffs as he climbs onto his own feet and Druella carefully takes him by the arm to support his weight and aid him to get to the dining room. It was more of a formal invitation to aid Pollux than Druella needing the escort. She was a widow at this point and despite being young enough to remarry, she had no desire to do so.

Andromeda and Ted follow her mother into the dining room, where other family members have already begun to be seated. Her great-uncle, Arcturus was escorting, his cousin formally a Black, but now, Dorea Potter. The pale faced witch looked much better as of late with even a touch of color to her face. Though there were still batches of blue running veins, they were no longer as prominent as before. Her gray eyes crinkle as she smiles at Andromeda.

Dorea Potter, her aunt had always been kind to Andromeda as had her belated uncle, Charlus Potter. Dorea nods to her brother, Pollux and takes a seat next to him as Arcturus seats himself on Pollux's other side. Dorea glances around and says, "I take it that Walburga did not invite any of the French branches of the Black's?"

"Of course not," Arcturus sniffed. "They are most decidedly FRENCH."

Dorea hides a smile and says, "Yes, well, but they are still Black's. Cousin Callidora married Harfang Longbottom and their son and daughter still reside in France. I would wager they would not mind becoming acquainted with us. And I know that that the widowed, Augusta Longbottom would be thrilled to have her son, Frank Longbottom meet more of his cousins."

"Maybe next time," Arcturus sniffed making no promises.

Dorea glances around and nods to Bartemius Crouch Sr. and his wife, Bertha Crouch, a wispy looking witch. Bartemius's dark short hair is neatly parted almost unnaturally straight with a ridiculous narrow toothbrush moustache that resembled his father, Caspar before him. Bartemius had taken after the Crouch side of things rather than after his mother, Charis.

Poor Aunt Charis had died during the New Year of 1973. A terrible event, but Charis had been sick for so long. It only made sense and was a mercy really when the poor thing finally passed away.

Dorea hides a smile at seeing a straw haired youth with freckles, Bartemius Jr. happily rushing over to sit next to Regulus and Sirius. From their animated conversation, none of them knew that they were second generation cousins. Apparently, they were rather thrilled to find that was indeed the case.

However, neither of Caspar Black's two daughters were present as both young women had died in childbirth. Their husbands had long ago remarried and as for the two children produced, they had no ties to the Black family. And nor were they on speaking terms given their ill life choices. For even the Blacks had a bottom line when it came to such ill spoken atrocities.

A shuffle causes her to glance up as Dorea fondly smiles at her elder sister, Cassiopeia. Silver hair in a tight bun, and sharp gray eyes despite her age, Cassiopeia sniffs and drily comments, "At least the food will be good," as she takes her seat.

Dorea chuckles and says, "I'm sure it will be good."

"It better be given the farce we are partaking in," Cassiopeia huffed.

Turning to stare around her younger sister, Dorea, but rather at her older brother, Pollux, Cassiopeia loudly says, "Why Pollux, I am positively shocked you accepted that muggleborn wizard husband of your granddaughter, Andromeda!"

Pollux stiffly says, "It is about time we took a step into the modern age, Cassiopeia. And besides, the child is a metamorphmagus."

"I knew that your heart couldn't have changed at all," Cassiopeia smirked. "It's always about profit is it not older brother?"

Pollux glares at his younger sister and pointedly turns his back on her to speak to his cousin, Arcturus. Not hiding her sneer, Cassiopeia says, "How modern we are and yet Marius is missing!"

Dorea gently pats Cassiopeia on her hand as she knew who close Cassiopeia and their squib brother, Marius were. "One step at a time, sister," Dorea firmly said. "The Blacks have finally accepted a muggleborn spouse and a half-blood child, a miracle which we never thought we'd see in this lifetime. In time, I am sure that Marius and his children too will be accepted back into the fold."

"That is if we live ever live to see it," Cassiopeia grumbled. "Marius is old, little sister. And I fear he does not have many years left. I'd like to see him return to the ancestral home just once before he and I depart from this world."

"Yes, I know," Dorea tiredly said. "But I fear that it won't be you who does not see such a day, but I."

Cassiopeia worriedly eyes her younger sister, who looked much older than she did. "You still wish to join your husband and son, Dorea?"

Dorea weakly smiles and murmurs, "I have seen much joy in this world and my last days are considerably brighter than I ever thought they ever could be. But I am tired and wish to rest and reunite with them again."

Cassiopeia's face tightens with pain as she softly says, "Will you leave me alone too, Dorea?"

Dorea merely pats Cassiopeia on the hand and whispers, "Not yet."

Satisfied by the response, Cassiopeia squeezes her younger sister's hand underneath the table. They were still Blacks and were not prone to public affection much like the rest of the pureblood families. There were always exceptions, but those families were always privately sneered at.