82 82) Lord Voldemort has morals?

Narcissa's gaze remained fixed on the pages of her books, yet her thoughts wandered far beyond the confines of the written words.

As she immersed herself in the study material, Narcissa couldn't shake the persistent curiosity about Severus and pondered on the unfolding events. Narcissa's intuition led her to believe that, at that very moment, Severus and her family might be engaged in a crucial meeting. The thought lingered in her mind as she continued to feign concentration on her books.

Narcissa's intuition led her to believe that, at that very moment, Severus and her family might be engaged in a crucial meeting. The thought lingered in her mind as she continued to feign concentration on her books.

The certainty in Narcissa's mind grew stronger, reinforced by the detailed letter her family had sent. They had wanted to meet him and be acquainted with him. 'Acquainted' would be a light word here.

She had informed Severus about the impending meeting. Severus had assured her not to be concerned. His words conveyed a confidence that he would handle the upcoming meeting with her family. Something which Narcissa found incredibly stupid or brave. It was hard to select between the two.

Narcissa's thoughts drifted back to the meeting from the previous night, replaying the conversations and decisions made repeatedly. Damn! Couldn't her life be easy for once.

Flashback starts....

Under the veil of midnight, Narcissa quietly entered Severus's room, the quiet darkness providing a clandestine backdrop for their discussion.

"Narcissa!" Severus spoke, surprised to see her in the dimly lit room.

"Thank God you're awake," Narcissa said in gratitude. A hint of relief evident in her voice. She really wanted him awake to discuss it. Thankfully he wasn't away yet.

"What's the matter?" Severus asked curiously, his gaze fixed on Narcissa as he inquired about the purpose of her late-night visit.

Narcissa sauntered over to the bed, gracefully taking a seat beside Severus, the silence between them pregnant with the unspoken purpose of her nocturnal visit.

Severus, with a playful tone, teased, "Are you worried about me?" A subtle smile played on his lips, inviting Narcissa to share her thoughts on the matter. He knew what she wanted. He knew for sure.

"I am worried about you," Narcissa confessed with genuine concern, her words carrying a weight that transcended the lightheartedness of their earlier exchange. Her eyes were serious and she was in no mood to play with him on this.

Severus's countenance shifted to calm as he gazed at the beautiful blonde beside him. The sincerity in Narcissa's concern left him genuinely touched, a subtle amazement lingering in his expression at the fact that she had ventured to his bedroom late at night to discuss their family meeting.

"I am no fool, and neither are your family members," Severus remarked with a frown. The Black's won't attempt anything nefarious till now. Not till there were certain factors in play.

Severus, with a gentle touch, slowly took Narcissa's hand, intertwining their fingers. In that moment, he couldn't help but be captivated by her extraordinary beauty. She was really like her adult self. The same sense of worrying on certain people.

Narcissa breathed slowly in acceptance. She acknowledged Severus's capabilities in her own silent way. Despite her trust in him, a trace of nervousness lingered beneath the surface, her family was no slouch when it came to magic either.

Gently, Severus lifted Narcissa's chin, seeking to meet her eyes. In that shared gaze, he conveyed a silent reassurance, wanting her to see that he was indeed okay and capable of navigating the challenges ahead.

Flashback ends.....

Narcissa's cheeks turned red as she thought of the moments later. They had shared their first kiss then. A memory which she was going to cherish for eternity. Her toes curled, her stomach fluttered when it happened. It was everything which those sappy love stories told. Something which amazed her to no end.

She remembered the way his lips guided hers. The way he pulled her to bed with him. She had eagerly pursued his every movement.

She remembered the way he was above her. The way he kissed her, his kisses had awoken a deep desire inside her body. A need to have it. She was practically ready to fuck him then and there. She was so wet for him to have her then. However they had controlled themselves. Something which was necessary.

She remembered his dark eyes reassuring her. The way they flickered as he assured her. She just hoped that he would be okay.

She had indeed found her Prince in him.

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Severus softly observed the three wizards before him, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he acknowledged their punctuality. The meeting was set in motion, and he was prepared for the negotiations that lay ahead. They had wanted the meeting. However he had urged for a place familiar to him. He didn't trust them to jump on him. He wasn't ready to take chances.

His elf Gary had brought him here. The elf had immediately hurried away after completing his task. A habit ingrained in him by now.

"Lord Black," Severus greeted first, directing his acknowledgment to Orion Black. The man, with his distinctive signet ring and familiar visage. Extremely familiar to both Sirius and Regulus Blacks. Brothers whom he knew all too well.

"Mr. Black," Severus addressed his future father-in-law, noting the calm exterior that barely concealed a hint of nervousness. The resemblance between him and Orion was unmistakable, their features rich with the distinct Black lineage.

A fleeting thought of envy crossed Severus's mind as he couldn't help but acknowledge the undeniable allure of the Black bloodline. 'Motherfuckers were really blessed in looks', he thought bitterly.

Severus's gaze met the scrutinizing eyes of the middle-aged man accompanying the Blacks. A peculiar intensity in the man's inspection prompted an unspoken curiosity, leaving Severus intrigued and slightly on guard. This man was different, Severus realized. He couldn't help but be curious about him.

"This is Mr. Marvolo Riddle," Orion introduced politely, a subtle undertone of trepidation evident in his voice. The fear was too slight to even spot, but Severus was no slouch.

A wave of fear enveloped Severus as he realized that the man before him, Mr. Marvolo Riddle. This was him. The darkest wizard in the history of the magical world. The one who had killed him. The one who had been his master all his life.

The man, the myth, the legend. All were small to describe him.

"Lord Voldemort," Severus greeted politely. His shocked eyes certainly gave away what he felt. The situation had suddenly changed for him.

The man's eyes widened, and a moment later, he erupted into laughter—a laughter that carried an unsettling quality, causing unease to ripple through both the Blacks, Orion and Cygnus, present in the room.

"Well deduced, Lord Prince," Voldemort praised with a smirk. His handsome face twisted into a display of joy and amusement as he appraised Severus with a certain level of interest. An interest which made Severus terrified inwardly.

"How did you manage to deduce my identity, Lord Prince?" Voldemort inquired. The question hung in the air, his amusement evident in the glint of his eyes.

"Perhaps on a later note, Mr. Marvolo," Severus replied, his response laced with a subtle reservation. His eyes discreetly shifted towards both Orion and Cygnus Black. He gauged their reactions, they seemed to be reserved too.

Voldemort nodded in acknowledgment, and with a silent agreement, everyone took their respective seats, preparing for the discussions that were bound to shape the course of their futures.

"So, you love Miss Black and wish to marry her?" Voldemort asked with a smile, his inquiry carrying a subtle undertone of intrigue as he delved into the dynamics between Severus and Narcissa. He wanted to know the latter. It was instrumental for him to know it.

"I do. However, there are certain complications in the whole thing," Severus admitted, a note of honesty underlying his acknowledgment. It was time he burst the bubble.

"Complications?" Voldemort inquired with a frown, his expression demanding further clarification on the intricacies of Severus's situation, his curiosity piqued by the mention of complications in the proposed marriage. This shouldn't happen. Perhaps it was the fault of Cygnus daughter. He was irritated hearing about complications.

Severus slowly began to unfold the details of his marriage contract with Francesca and the intricate situation between them, weaving a narrative that bore the semblance of truth. His expertise in making the story believable was evident as he navigated the complexities with a practiced finesse. He knew backhand how to make Voldemort listen by now. He told of his love for Narcissa, his contract with Francesca and how Francesca demanded that he impregnated Apolline. He also started to unravel the latter's situations to both of them.

By the time he finished, Voldemort was curious. Orion was pensive while Cygnus' eyes were bloodshot in anger. His body seemed to be shaking lightly but he was trying to be as much calm as he could.

"A surprising situation," Voldemort mused with a thoughtful frown, the revelation of complications prompting a shift in his plans. The dynamics of the situation appeared to have introduced an unexpected element that would need careful consideration by him. He hadn't expected such things in his task.

"What is Narcissa's role in all this?" Orion asked calmly, his impassive demeanor accentuated by blank eyes that revealed his use of Occlumency. The controlled exterior hinted at a desire to extract the truth from Severus. Those gray eyes were stern and unyielding as they looked at Severus.

"She will be Lady Prince," Severus replied with calm assurance, his words carrying a sense of resolution as he outlined Narcissa's role. His voice was unyielding, more rigid than Orion's.

"What of the Veela?" Cygnus asked, his voice breaking the silence for the first time during the discussion. The question hung in the air for Severus.

"I will not allow my daughter's name to be besmirched by your mistress," Cygnus proclaimed vehemently, preempting any response from Severus. His eyes bore a steely gaze, a threat underscoring his words. The tension in the room heightened with this declaration.

"I concur with Cygnus. It's a bad idea. Bringing a child into this world merely for your lust and convenience," Voldemort stated stoically, his words cutting through the air with a certain coldness as he expressed his disapproval of the proposed arrangement.

Severus felt a surge of astonishment within. Was he hallucinating, or did Voldemort genuinely possess some semblance of morals? The notion seemed wild, perhaps even otherworldly. But even then, this was the first time he was seeing and listening the man in a moral light. Something which was impossible.

"I have given my word to Francesca, and I must uphold it. However, I've been pondering on an idea—a compromise that could benefit all of us," Severus stated with a frown. He was currently navigating the delicate balance of the conversation with careful consideration. He couldn't slip here.

"A compromise?" Orion asked dryly. His tone reflected skepticism as he sought further clarification on the proposed resolution that Severus had in mind. This meeting was getting much interesting with each passing moment. Though his cousin was really getting jiffy.

"I am the lord of four houses: the German-English family Dawn, the French family Whitlock, the Russian family Romanov, and the Italian family Prince," Severus explained deliberately. This revelation was a calculated move, a subtle bait thrown at Voldemort. It was necessary to aim at positioning himself as someone valuable in the unfolding negotiations. This was going to be his wild card here.

Surprise flickered across Voldemort's and the others' faces at the unexpected revelation. The newfound knowledge added a layer of complexity to the negotiations, catching them off guard with information they hadn't anticipated.

Severus calculated his next move. It could potentially align him closely with Voldemort, turning a potential adversary into an unexpected ally. They would probably become best mates. This was a part which he had carefully hidden from everyone. One which he had decided to reveal to Voldemort only in his future quest. However it seemed the time has come sooner than he expected.

Probably, due to Golden Trio. The three stupids screwed up his plans most of the times.

Severus raised his hand and flicked it. The environment around them underwent a sudden transformation. The once dark and empty room expanded, its walls now brightly painted. Pristine furniture adorned the space, and a warm fire crackled in the floo, altering the atmosphere to a more welcoming setting.

Ornate chandeliers adorned the ceiling, casting a warm and elegant glow. Murals and paintings of snakes adorned the walls. The room now exuded an air of opulence and a certain serpentine grace.

Voldemort's curiosity was piqued by the intricate magic that surrounded them, especially the murals and paintings depicting various snakes. While other families may have incorporated snakes to signify their connection to Slytherin, this place surpassed them all. The detailed descriptions and symbolism dwarfed even the Blacks' displays, leaving Voldemort intrigued by the unique and powerful magic at play.

"What is this place?" Voldemort asked curiously, his eyes wandering around with a strange sense of familiarity. His gaze then shifted to Severus, a subtle connection forming. "This feels like home, like Hogwarts," he remarked in a way of some excited child. He was far too busy acknowledging the uncanny resonance he sensed within the space. A resonance that seemed to thrum inside him.

"This is Dawn Manor, a second manor to be precise. The main manor is currently unavailable to me until I reach the age of seventeen," Severus explained. Despite being granted adult status due to the Triwizard Tournament, entry to the main manor remained restricted.

"Why does this feels like home, like Hogwarts? The feeling's so strange." Voldemort asked curiously. He was acting out of character. However this place was having a strange effect on him. An effect which he never experienced in his life.

Cygnus and Orion were weirded by the behaviour of their Lord. They had never seen him in such a situation like this.

Severus took a deep breath. It was time to reveal a significant piece of information, something that had been concealed until this moment.

"It is because of your lineage, Mr Voldemort. The Dawn family has descended directly from Herpo the Foul, who was also the uncle of Salazar Slytherin. Or in other words your own ancestor."

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