28 The Black Family

After returning back to Britain, Draco was supposed to be grounded. However, just two days after the family's return, they received an invitation to visit the Black family's main house, in order to introduce Draco to his maternal side of the family tree.

Honestly, the blond boy completely forgot about the matter of Blacks still being alive. After all, in the book series, all of them were already dead or locked up in Azkaban. But now, the older generation of the prominent family wanted to meet him - after almost two years have passed since his seventh birthday (in which he didn't remember any of them participating), they remembered the blond boy's existence.

Draco supposed that his repeated appearances in newspapers as well as supposed 'genius' finally managed to interest the Blacks and they thought that the boy's fame may somehow rub off on them too.

On the morning of the visit to the Black Manor, when the Malfoys were about to depart, Draco was anxiously trying to convince the little phoenix, who still didn't have its own name, that it couldn't be brought along.

"No! You can't even fly or use fire for transportation properly! I don't want others to find out about you before you are able to defend yourself or escape from assaulters!" Draco said while kneeling down on a soft white carpet in his room. The bird kept clinging with its claws to the blonde's robes, not letting go no matter what the boy said.

"Chirp chiiirp chirp chirp!" the bird argued – not that Draco understood its language.

When Draco came back with the phoenix in his arms, Lucius and Narcissa were astonished. It was very rare for a phoenix to select a witch or a wizard as their companion. One needed close to a decade, sometimes even longer, to tame the magical bird. Moreover, the phoenix had to be completely sure of its decision. Although torturing, like the poachers tried to do, had worked in several instances, but such birds were magically weaker and didn't have the will to live for long. Phoenixes could choose to die and not experience rebirth after their burning day.

However, Draco's parents were a bit disappointed after finding out that the phoenix, which came back to Britain with them, couldn't even fly. Due to the prolonged torture, the bird's magic was used up on healing and keeping a sane mind, so the phoenix's magic was still recovering. After all, right now, the bird didn't even have enough magical power to properly bond with Draco, so the boy could only continue to guess as to what the little fellow was trying to tell him. Of course, half the reason, as to why the bond was not yet in place, was due to the fact that Draco's magical core couldn't accommodate a familiar's magic yet. It had to grow for at least another year, before they could properly bond.

But, despite the little phoenix being quite useless for the time being, Draco's parents acknowledged the fact that it was only two years old and that, for all of its life, the bird was held captive. It was already good enough that the phoenix's feathers and mind were somewhat healed in the short time after its rescue. Abilities and magical power would also come with time. So, for the time being, Lucius and Narcissa advised Draco to hide the phoenix's existence from the public. They could always let people find that out after the boy and the bird were properly bonded later on.

Draco completely agreed with his, for once reasonable, parents. However, the little bird was unconvinced and refused to part with the blond boy – which led to the current situation.

"I promise that I will be back by evening and we will continue practicing flying. When I am not here, you can play with Missy, but I can't take you along. You are still too weak, what if something happens?" reasoned Draco with an exasperated expression.

The bird finally relented and, with a downtrodden look, it finally let go of the boy's robes. Its crystal blue eyes, which were unlike any bird's Draco has ever seen, refused to look at the blond as he tried to coax the phoenix for a bit longer.

"I will be back before you know it," finally promised Draco before leaving the room. The boy didn't see the fiery bird lifting its head and silently looking at the blonde's back. Finally, the look of determination appeared in its eyes – the phoenix resolved to quickly become stronger so that it could accompany Draco everywhere he went!

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The Malfoy family took a portkey to the Black Manor – portkeying was the favorite method of transportation because it didn't waste time, like going with magical horses would, or make one dirty – which flooing would result in. However, portkeys had to be keyed into the receiving house's wards, so they were a bit more bothersome to set up. The fact that the Black family allowed them to portkey in showed, that they thought highly of the Malfoys' visit.

Draco looked around as soon as he arrived to the Black Manor. They landed in a huge foyer, which was decorated in dark colors, making it seem as though it was evening, rather than morning. Draco disliked this kind of atmosphere, which made living in the house depressing.

'I know that you are a Dark family, however, is there a need to live like vampires?' he thought internally. Although the blonde's mind was wandering, his face didn't show any emotions. His expression also didn't even flicker when a loud 'POP' sounded nearby, indicating a house elf's arrival.

"Greetings to the guests," said the creature. It was dressed in a dark gray uniform with the Black crest sewed in on its breast. The elf matched the house's depressing atmosphere perfectly. "The Masters and Madams are awaiting for yous," it said and, with a clumsy bow, indicated for the guests to come further inside.

It wasn't the first time that Lucius and Narcissa visited the house, so they didn't need directions. Draco quietly followed them as they confidently walked down one of the winding corridors.

"Narcissa! Lucius! It's been a while!" said a loud voice as soon as the Malfoy family entered the living room.

Draco couldn't help but curiously look around. He was very surprised because the book series led him to believe that there were not many Blacks left when Harry went to Hogwarts. However, here, in the Black Manor, were gathered quite a few adults, who were silently scrutinizing the young boy with their eyes – their expressions not giving away any emotions.

Seeing their looks, Draco straightened his back and ceased his inspection of the surroundings. He looked in the direction of where the voice, which greeted his parents, came from. On one of the biggest couches in the room, which looked almost like a throne, sat an old man.

"Arcturus, I hope that your health is in a good condition, as always," said Lucius with a small bow, indicating his respect for the older man.

Beside him Narcissa curtsied. "Patriarch, it's been a while," she said with a light smile. As a married daughter of the Black family, she still acknowledged Arcturus as the family head, to some extent.

"Oh, cease this nonsense! There is no need to be so formal within family," said Arcturus, but his eyes gleamed with satisfaction - seeing that the younger generation still respected him. "This should be your son, Draco?"

Draco stepped forward and bowed deeper than his father – as a young wizard, who wasn't even of school age and didn't have many achievements, he had to show more respect. "Greetings to everyone, my name is Draco Lucius Malfoy. I am very happy to be able to finally meet my relatives from mother's side," he said with a smile. "I apologize for not coming forward to introduce myself before."

Arcturus and other members of the Black family showed smiles and nodded with satisfaction at the boy's manners. It seems that Lucius and Narcissa didn't spoil the boy too much and instilled him with some sense as how to behave in public.

"It's no matter, no matter," said the Black Patriarch whilst lightly waving his hand. "All that matters is that we met while all of us, old people, are still able to move," he said with a chuckle. "Please, sit down. Why are all of you still standing?"

When Malfoys settled down, people around started introducing themselves to Draco.

Beside Arcturus, on another couch, sat Pollux Black, who seemed to be in rather poor health as he constantly coughed and looked worn-out. Beside Pollux, on a sofa, sat three people: Pollux's wife Irma Crabbe and their son Cygnus with his own wife – Druella Rosier. They were Draco's maternal grandparents - Narcissa was their daughter.

On Arcturus' side, on another couch, sat his wife, Melania Macmillan. Unlike the rest of the Blacks, she seemed rather genial – her smile was genuine as she observed Draco. Melania looked like a model grandmother would – Draco wouldn't be surprised if she baked cookies in her spare time.

Besides Melania, on a sofa, sat her daughter Lucretia, whose husband Ignatius Prewett was already dead, and Cassiopeia Black - Pollux's unmarried sister.

Truthfully, looking at all these new faces, Draco had a hard time matching them to their names and places in the family tree. After all, the Black family was known to be intermarried with many other pureblood families. Here, in the room, sat only the direct descendants and their wives. If they decided to invite all of the relatives, there would also be Longbottoms, Crouches, Potter, Lestranges, Rosiers, Macmillans and others. If one counted those, who were blasted off the family tree, there would be even more people.

"We heard about your company, Draco. It is doing rather well, right? Was it your own idea?" asked Pollux, Draco's great-grandfather, when the introductions were finally done with.

Neither of Draco's parents interrupted. They knew that the Blacks wanted to meet their child so their input wouldn't be appreciated at this time.

The blond boy nodded. "Yes, I thought of this idea while studying Finance," he answered lightly. "As for the company – it is doing well. Yesterday I received a message from the manager that the Ministry requested for us to make specialized communication mirrors for their use. Apparently, people started complaining that they can't call the Auror Department in case of emergencies," he finished with a chuckle.

"Oh?" interrupted Cassiopeia. Her expression was pinched since the beginning of the visit. "Then is it also true that you went off to rescue some animals in Egypt like some Gryffindor?" she didn't even let Draco open his mouth before turning to her brother and saying: "Pollux, look at your descendants! I am happy that they don't carry the Black name. What a shame – frolicking with some birds and being found out by the whole European community! The other day I was having lunch with Augusta and couldn't even look her in the eyes, when she asked me about this matter! Shame, shame I tell you!"

Draco didn't even bother to contradict her after hearing the woman's opinion. He was too lazy to argue with people, who would soon die anyway. However, the same couldn't be said for everyone.

Druella, Draco's grandmother, bristled as she knew that it was a jab at her. Cassiopeia always looked down on her because she only gave birth to daughters and one of them even married a muggleborn.

"Hmph. You don't even have children, what would you know about educating them? He wanted to help some phoenixes, so what? It's not like he was actually sorted into Gryffindor! Look how smart he is! In all your life, you only know how to squander money, how about actually earning some?" Druella said arrogantly, her eyes gleaming with mocking delight. Whenever Cassiopeia mentioned her children, Druella always brought up the woman's spinsterhood.

"Alright, alright," intercepted Melania, before both witches could start their usual fight. "It's not the time or place for your argument. We are here to meet the youngest generation – let's not make it a bad memory for the boy."

Draco's good impression of the grandmotherly witch rose up by a few levels. He wished that he was more closely related to her, rather than Druella or Irma, who appeared to be sleeping... The blond looked more closely at his great-grandmother, however, he couldn't see whether she really had her eyes closed, since her face was cast in shadow.

Cassiopeia harrumphed loudly, however she didn't say anything else for the time being.

Druella, seeing that her rival finally shut up, resumed conversation, after a few more glares: "I apologize, Matriarch. It was unseemly of us to display such ugly emotions. Draco, tell us more about what you are currently learning. What spells do you know? I bet you know a lot!" she said fawningly. Draco was the only male descendant in her line and Druella was very proud of him.

Draco heard his mother's quiet sigh. The boy knew that his lack of interactions with the Black family probably stemmed from Narcissa's dislike of her parents. Turning to answer Druella's question, he said, "Last summer I went to France and practiced with my grandfather 'Lumos', 'Expelliarmus' and 'Alohomora' spells. I can cast them all wandlessly."

"Only those three? Ha!" Cassiopeia, again, couldn't help but interrupt. "In my time, we, at least, learned a few heart-stopping or cutting curses. Where is the world going?" she lamented loudly.

Druella once again bristled in her seat, however, seeing her husband's look, she didn't start another argument and ignored the poisonous witch.

"Now, now," said Lucretia. In her time, she probably was very pretty, Draco thought to himself. She seemed to be rather easy-going and her gray eyes sparkled with hidden humor. "It is rather impressive that younger generation can cast spells wandlessly. Even in our time, that was rather rare, don't you think?"

"It's all because of Dumbledore and his lackeys!" finally commented Irma. Apparently, she wasn't asleep. Or, maybe, an interesting topic woke her up. "After he got control of the Wizengamot, the whole country went to dogs! The whole curriculum was corrected and how many classes did he remove?! Children nowadays can't even peacefully learn magic at home!" she said passionately.

Cassiopeia nodded with agreement. "I heard that in Russia they separate mudbloods and proper magical folk, so that they can educate them effectively. In Russia they all know where they belong!"

"Oh, yes! Scandinavia also has similar policies! Even Germany... You know, Durmstrang doesn't let in mudbloods for a reason. While here…" Irma mournfully sighed.

"Ehem, we can talk about politics at a later time," coughed Arcturus. Whenever his family met, they always started dissing Dumbledore, magical education, mudbloods and Wizengamot. After all these years, he was already very tired of the regurgitated conversations. Even Wizengamot and ICW always discussed same topics and, as the head of the Black family, he had to listen to them constantly.

Arcturus felt rather regretful that he didn't even have a proper heir to train. Looking at Draco, the man appeared rather thoughtful. Would the boy be suitable? Right now the child wasn't set in his ways – Arcturus researched the boy before inviting him and found out, that Lucius was rather hands-off with his son's education. If Black family could raise the boy, Lucius should actually be very happy – after all, it would indicate that Draco would stand to inherit the Black Lord's title, as there weren't any direct male heirs left.

The only thing, which made the Black Patriarch wary, was that the child seemed to be rather close with that old fox, Abraxas Malfoy. The man should be happy that Arcturus didn't have any heirs left! Arcturus felt like spitting blood whenever he thought of that cursed man. Abraxas' family got off scot-free after the war, while the Black family had no descendants! The Black Patriarch blamed Orion and Walburga, who couldn't even raise their sons properly. Who even thought of marrying them off to each other? Arcturus felt that he should have been too drunk to use his brains at the time - to actually agree to that union!

The rest of the day was spent going from one topic to another. Draco found out that Black family members usually asked him a question and, after a short answer, they left the boy alone to enthusiastically discuss politics between themselves. Then someone would remember, why they all gathered there, and the round would start again. Aside from avoiding the Black Patriarch's creepy stares, ignoring Cassiopeia's and Druella's constant cat-fights and answering occasional question, Draco was left mostly alone to enjoy the snacks. The boy noticed that his parents also quietly drank their tea and ignored the commotion. They seemed to be used to these gatherings.

No wonder everyone said that the Black family was insane, just look at their conversation topics…

The gathering ended just like that. When Draco finally got home, he was greeted by the little phoenix, which half flew, half hopped to him when it saw the blond boy. It wouldn't be long before the bird could fly, Draco thought with a smile as he hugged the enthusiastic fellow.