New Year Gathering

The start of the New Year of 1976 is filled with two announcements from the Prince household. With the death of Euphemia Potter, the Potter household and the Prince household had forged a martial alliance between their two houses with a war betrothal with Rowan Prince and James Potter. And the second was that Georgine Prince formally proclaimed the existence of her son, Rodrigo Prince to the world.

The two news announcements ricocheted through the wizarding world. Many of the purebloods greatly approved of the marital alliance. After the Presentation Ball, there had been some voices of desertion since the only male heir of the Prince household had selected a muggle-born as his escort. With the war betrothal, the loudest voices were quelled as it proved that the Prince household still maintained ancient traditions.

Even the news of Georgine Prince's child came as a pleasant surprise. A child born of wedlock is rarely ever approved of, but with the status of the Prince lineage, many of the pureblood families were already sending invitations to arrange playdates between their youngest daughters and that of Rodrigo Prince. And though Rodrigo Prince did not carry the same prestige as Rowan and Severus Prince, regardless, he was still a descent of Salazar Slytherin and Merlin.

Furthermore, Georgine Prince had yet to select godparents for her son. Apparently, she did not wish to surpass her brother's grandchildren, Rowan and Severus Prince's godparent appointment. The purebloods greatly approved of her humble actions and many had already sent letters inquiring for the position. It would be a heavily contested competition, but rumor had it that the godparent ceremony would take place sometime during the summer holidays.

In addition, the Ministry of Magic began to move openly aligning themselves with the goblins, the trolls, and the hags. With nightly aerial surveillance from the hags, the Ministry of Magic was able to find small groups of giant deserters. The giants were either captured or promptly killed in the attack. With the aid of trolls as infantry, the goblins with the protection of logistics, and the hags as aerial defensives, the Auror's and A.P.D. officers did not suffer any fatalities beyond some injuries. The success of the raids only further increased the conviction of the Ministry of Magic and they proceeded to set up special rotating units until the main Giant group was found.

Yet those were not the only changes in the small Black family summer manor, the Black family gathers. The children had been left behind with the house elf nannies and Molly Weasley, who was still tired all the time. It appeared as though her third pregnancy wasn't going to be as easy this time around as her previous two pregnancies.

Thankfully, Sirius and Regulus had not fought against being left behind. Rather they had (especially Sirius in a usual fashion had) obediently remained behind with their second cousin, Barty Crouch to watch over Lorcan D'Eath. The Hufflepuff had been taken by their Great-Aunt Dorea Potter (nee Black). The family greatly approved of the life debt being taken care of in such a manner, but the child seemed to be waning. The healer had especially warned them to pay attention to the child especially at Hogwarts since the child was still rather heartsick at the loss of his mother.

Thankfully Barty Crouch Jr. and Walburga Black's two boys seemed to have taken the mantle upon themselves without being asked to. The three boys stuck to Lorcan D'Eath like treacle tart. And from what Walburga understood her cousin's boy, Barty Crouch Jr. also happened to be in charge of mentoring the boy at Hogwarts. Barty would be sure to keep a friendly, but firm eye on Lorcan D'Eath to monitor and ensure his continual health.

The rush of soft voices can be heard down the hall from where Walburga is standing. Her dark hair is neatly coiled up, and she is neatly dressed in a violet dress of mourning representing the loss of her cousin/sister-in-law, Lucretia Black, and her husband, Ignatius Prewett. They were also in mourning for their cousin, Bilius Weasley, and Juliet D'Eath, who had given her life to protect her family.

The attack on Fernburgh had been difficult on everyone but especially that of her husband, Orion. Her husband appeared to be stern, but in some manner, he greatly resembled her eldest son, Sirius. They both tended to wholly gift their hearts to whom they loved and cared for. Orion had greatly loved his only sister and her loss had severely struck. And though he pretended to be strong for his father, Arcturus Black, the 3rd, in the privacy of their chambers Orion openly wept over the loss of his sister.

A quiet, sad sigh escaped from Walburga's lips. She too understood her husband's sentiments. Her youngest brother, Cygnus had rather abruptly departed from this world and then, Alphard. Alphard's loss had been the worst of all, but perchance, because she knew that there was something wrong that night with her younger brother, but she had paid her inkling no mind. And though her brother had died a hero, his loss had not hurt any less.

Walburga shakes herself awake and pushes her tender sentiments aside. Now was not the time nor place for them. Her gray eyes study the clock on the mantel counting down the time. She quickly pats down her hair and smoothed her skirt, before starting to pace up and down the hallway again.

A soft pop is heard revealing a lovely, petite house in a French maid uniform with a matching maid cap. The pretty little house elf had a small nose, large brown eyes, a matching set of dimples, and carefully styled Chanel hair. "Mistress," Finny said rather demurely, "a muggle vehicle has crossed the wards, shall I and Kreacher commence to plate dinner?"

"That would be fine, Finny," Walburga instructed, "but do not serve the food until it is time and ensure that is kept warm."

"Of course, Mistress," Finny proudly curtsied, before quickly vanishing away.

Walburga glances down at the dining room but decides not to interrupt her husband, Orion, who is quickly speaking to their cousin, Arthur Weasley, and his father, Septimius Weasley. Although Ronell Weasley had survived the giant attack, he was not present still recuperating from serious injuries at St. Mungos.

Still thinking better of it, Walburga strides down the hallway and stands in the dining room doorway. She spots her elegant blond-haired niece, Narcissa with her hand tucked into her husband's arm, Lucius Malfoy. A proper handsome pureblood with perfectly shiny long blond hair that little Charlie Weasley and Dora Tonks absolutely adored to touch much to Lucius's chagrin at times.

Her father-in-law, Orion's father, Arcturus Black, the 3rd eagerly sips a large glass of brandy. The short, pudgy, arrogant wizard sniffs loudly his gray eyes rimmed red. He'd taken to drinking and weeping in public over the loss of his daughter. It was alarming enough that Orion and Walburga had instructed the house elves to hide and keep away any alcoholic beverages away from him. Their strict measure had only been partly successful as he tended to summon his personal house elf to replenish his dwindling stocks.

In a corner of the room, her father Pollux Black is seated next to his two sisters, Cassiopeia Black and Dorea Potter (nee Black). Walburga's father though once very tall and upright is now much smaller and hunched over. He is very thin with stark white hair and rather waning. His illness has slowly been killing him, but at times he appeared to be much better when in the presence of his grandchildren. He had taken a particular shine to little Dora.

Walburga unknowingly caught the eye of her spinster aunt, Cassiopeia Black. A proud witch with an equally sharp tongue. Though she did have a lovely sheen of silver-colored hair and a pair of sharp grey eyes. And it showed as Cassiopeia openly sneered at her niece to cover for her nerves and gratitude, before turning her head away with a loud hmph.

Dorea Potter's lips twitch apologetically at her niece, Walburga. Walburga nods her head at her aunt in understanding. Her aunt had been waning ever since the death of her husband and son. But ever since the announcement that she would be the godmother of the Prince grandchildren, a little bit of life began to creep into her face. Even more so, with the adoption of Lorcan D'Eath.

Turning aside she catches the eye of her cousin, Bartemius (Barty) Crouch Sr., the son of belated Aunt Charis and Caspar Crouch. A member of the Department of Law Enforcement, her cousin held power within the Ministry of Magic. He had short dark hair neatly parted directly in the middle with a narrow toothbrush mustache. His hand was carefully wrapped around the waist of his wife.

On the other hand, his wife, Bertha is a wispy-looking witch with straw-colored hair much like that of her son. An unusual married pair, but the Crouch couple had remained married all these years. Then again, their marriage had been a love match after all.

Walburga's eyes flicker to the still smooth stomach of Bertha Crouch. The Crouch couple had shown no signs of having any more children until this year. Cousin Barty had happily confirmed just after the new year that his wife was nearly three months with child. Their secondborn would arrive mid to late June. Cousin Barty had already chosen a name for the unborn child, Lycoris Crouch. An old Greek name meaning, "Twilight." Then again, the child would be born in their twilight years. It was a most appropriate and rather fitting name.