Blood Feud (3)

7 Advanced chapters on Patreon: Fiction Haven

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Harry was walking to Lily's quarter with Lily, Bella, and Fleur when he was stopped by a group of people. There were students and adults mixed into the group. Harry quirked a curious eyebrow at them and they immediately knelt before him. They swore their eternal allegiance to him in unison. Harry immediately figured out what happened.

"You are heard loud and clear. Now, don't stand in my way."

Harry walked past them, followed by his lovers. No one stopped him but a shaking blonde-haired fourth-year.

"Can I…talk to you privately?" Daphne asked nervously.

"That is a bold move, I give you that. But sure. Let's go," Harry shrugged.

Daphne led him to an empty classroom. She locked the door and cast a silencing charm on the room. Harry quirked an eyebrow curiously. He was sure Lily and the others would think Daphne was giving some good time. He would have thought that would be the case if not for the haunted look on Daphne's face.

"This is not much, but please, help me…" Daphne gave Harry a pouch. "It is directly connected to my mother's vault in Gringotts. It's a separate possession from Greengrass, so it is not bound by Blood Feud. I know the Malfoy didn't declare Blood Feud against your house, but they are acting as the Lestrange aide, aren't they? Please, eliminate them. Save my family, Harry!"

Harry remained silent and Daphne immediately got on her knees.

"If this is not enough, I will do everything you want. I will forever become your slave. Anything you want—I will do it as long as you save my family. Please!"

Harry frowned and Daphne began to cry. She didn't expect Harry to accept her request, but seeing him do that made her chest hurt.

"Whom do you think I am to you?"

Her heart sank to the bottom of her stomach.

"Yeah. Right. I am sorry Lord Peverell. I will never bother you again."

She turned around with tears running down her face. She didn't care about being seen by other students and ruining her reputation as the Ice Queen. At this moment, she only wanted to cry herself to sleep. She had thought too highly of herself and it hurt.

"Oy, why are you running?" Harry put his hand on Daphne's shoulder, causing her to stiffen. "The Daphne I knew wouldn't even cry if you cut her limbs. Why are you being so vulnerable right now?" Harry turned her around and pulled her into an embrace. "It doesn't suit you," he whispered. "Malfoy, right? I will eradicate that family for free. I am your friend. Remember that."

Harry was torn between laughing and comforting when Daphne cried like a kid. Had it been any other time, he would have mocked the hell out of her. In the end, Daphne cried herself to sleep. Unlike her initial plan, though, she had a smile. She was sure Harry would succeed.

"Ah, the girls will definitely think I am having a good time with Daphne."

Harry's lovers were not the only ones thinking that was the case. House Slytherin went abuzz when he returned the sleeping Daphne to the tower.

Harry and Bella met with the estranged Black members a day before the feud. It was a pair of mother and son. Harry didn't care about her son, but Bella told him he couldn't separate a mother from her son. He could attest to that, so he didn't contest the claim.

"You have three choices, Narcissa. One, return to House Black. Two, plead your allegiance to my House. Three, die. I am not here to negotiate. I am warning you."

"…"

Bella looked at Harry with a hidden grimace. She knew how Narcissa's mind worked. Despite being the calmest and wittiest, her younger sister was compulsive. She didn't like being looked down. When her pride was hurt, she would do things she would never do under normal circumstances. Harry had pushed Narcissa's button and Bella could see it.

"And what makes you think I will easily abandon my husband in this feud? What makes you think you would win this feud, Lord Peverell?"

"I am strong, way more than you can imagine."

"…"

There was no turning back. The meeting was a lost cause. Bella would lose her youngest sister and she couldn't do anything about it. She had done her best, but her sister wouldn't budge. It had been a…bumpy but overall good ride.

"Are you aware you are going to go against five families, each of whom will have more than one aide in the upcoming feud?"

"Do you think you are beautiful?"

"…"

"Huh?" Bella couldn't help blurting out, missing Harry's sarcasm. She was not the only one as Draco, who sat by his mother's side, also thought Harry was flirting, which was very uncomfortable.

"The way I look at it, you are looking down on your opponent too much, Lord Peverell. No matter how powerful you are, your arrogance will cost you your life in the end," Narcissa intoned after getting rid of the funny feeling that assaulted her just then.

"That is a sound advice. I shall remember that."

"Most of all, you don't guarantee anything if I leave my husband or even plead allegiance to you."

"You will keep your life and won't be impoverished. I will take good care of you…and your son too."

The way Harry worded that made Narcissa's stomach twist in a weird but not unpleasant way. She immediately ignored the feeling, though.

"Then, what will happen to me and my son if you lose the feud?"

For the first time since the start of their meeting, Harry's look of apathy was replaced by coldness. He leaned back on his chair, put his elbow on the armrest and put his jaw on his knuckle. His soul-sucking blue eyes stared directly into Narcissa's darker blue ones, making her heart skip a beat.

"Normally, I would say it would be your problem. But since you are a family, the Black, the Potter, and my retainers will take care of you…and your son," Harry intoned. Then, his power flared, forcing everyone but Bella to lower their heads with sheer Magic power. "Although I doubt the day I lose to Death Eaters will come."

"I— I accept!"

"Good girl."

"…"

Harry retracted his power and watched as Bella handed over the divorce paper for Narcissa to sign. Narcissa didn't even ask how Bella could have it, knowing well her relations in the Ministry. When everything was done, Harry stood up and asked Narcissa to follow them. The document would be delivered to Lucius by a House-elf. However, it was redundant since the Ministry had already removed Narcissa from House Malfoy before Lucius signed the document.

"Mother, are you mental? How could we leave Father behind? Have you forgotten what he has done for us!?" Draco whispered angrily as they arrived at Grimmauld Place. "How could you choose your husband over this bloody twit?"

"Well, apparently, Draco, this bloody twit is strong enough to kill the Dark Lord. Your father can't even lift a finger before the Dark Lord's presence. How do you think he will fare against this bloody twit?" Narcissa retorted. "Listen, dear, I will never forget things your father has done for you and me…as little as it is. However, sometimes you have to abandon the ship before it sinks."

"Mother… You are mental. I— I can't! I won't accept this!"

"Draco!"

Harry merely quirked an eyebrow as he watched Draco run for the Floo Network. Narcissa was trying to stop him, but the doughnut didn't listen. He was gone in an instant, returning to the Malfoy Mansion. Harry immediately disconnected the network to the place, preventing Narcissa from going there and Draco from going back.

"My son! What are you doing?" Narcissa shouted.

"You can chase after him, but not from here. I will put the place under a Fidelius Charm soon, so it won't be accessible from anywhere," Harry nonchalantly stated. "You may chase after your son, but finding the Secret Keeper will be on your luck. Your survival is not in my interest. I would have ignored you if Bella hadn't begged me to save you."

Bella had only said she would be sad if one of her sisters died. She wouldn't, honestly, but Narcissa didn't need to know that. Myriads of emotions flashed across Narcissa's face. She bit her trembling lip and looked at Bella pleadingly. Bella shook her head faintly. That made her turn to Harry whose expression was colder than the Arctic.

"Please, if my son somehow gets himself into this feud, don't kill him!" Narcissa begged tearfully, hugging Harry's leg like a worthless peasant.

Harry was as amused as much as he pitied the pretty blonde woman. Narcissa wasn't a bad person if you ignored her obsession towards blood purity. However, Harry didn't want to accept such a conceited person. She had to open her eyes for him to treat her kindly.

"I will try."

"Please…"

Harry pried Narcissa gently from his leg and bade farewell to Bella. He Disapparated to meet with the people who would help him in the upcoming feud.