Dinner at 12 Grimmauld Place Ⅲ

Finished contemplating, Walburga finally sets her teacup down and Orion takes his cue to begin the betrothal negotiations. "I suppose that the two of you must know why you are here?" At his side are two enchanted parchments that would record their final decision, before being relayed to the goblins for the marriage contracts to be housed at Gringotts.

"Indeed," Bogdan triumphantly said, "to negotiate for the hand in marriage of my only daughter."

Orion nods his head and coolly says, "That being the case, we wish to establish a marriage contract as of now, however, the official betrothal will not place until the summer before the start of our second son's sixth year. We wish to ensure that the match is proper and that there will be no hesitation nor on the other side."

"Very well," Bogdan slowly nods his head in understanding. The Black's wished to provide an out for themselves if need be, which was a sensible option as his parents had done much the same for him.

"Then let us speak of terms," Bogdan said as the wives of both men remained silent as was tradition when the negotiation for the bride began.

"The first condition is that the bride will remain virginal until their wedding night," Orion proposed. "Since there is a year age difference between the two of them, their wedding will not take place until the summer following my second son's graduation, Regulus Black. I do not wish for a scandal to occur while he still attends Hogwarts."

Bogdan is a bit mystified by the condition. What did it matter if she became pregnant or not while at Hogwarts? The girl would leave of course to bear the child and become a proper wife. Still, he was not about to protest the stated terms.

"Agreed," Bogdan replied. "In exchange for the long courting period, we will also require payment for the year following the official betrothal. Our daughter will no longer be ours and she will require feeding and other such items to maintain her privileged lifestyle."

It was unspoken during negotiations, but they both understood that was is being referred to is the Bride Price. The groom is paying the bride's family to recompense the family for raising the bride. Or at least that was the fancy way of saying it, it is more commonly thought as purchasing the bride for said monetary value.

"10,000 galleons will be given to cover all and any cost," Orion generously said.

"100,000," Bogdan shamelessly countered.

"30,000."

"80,000."

"60,000, and not a galleon more."

"Agreed," Bogdan calmly answered hiding his happiness inside. He only thought to be able to wrangle thirty thousand from the Black's, but he had gained more than double that amount. The girl had been a worthy investment after all.

"And now for the wedding and engagement costs," Orion explained. "Naturally, the Black's will host all the engagement and wedding costs. The official betrothal and wedding ceremony will take place at one of the Black properties."

"Agreed," Bogdan said with a great deal of satisfaction. He had been prepared to fight to pay for the least amount that he could, but now, he would not even have to pay a single knut! The Blacks were worth having as in-laws.

"And now the subject of heirs," Orion steadily said. "We except an heir within the first ten years of their marriage be it male or female. If the firstborn is female, we will allow for two more attempts for a male heir. If there is no male heir convinced, there will be no other consequence as Regulus is our second born, and his elder brother is the family heir."

"I do not necessarily object," Bogdan slowly said. "We have a certificate of fertility for our daughter from a healer proving that she can indeed bear children. However, what if it is your son is the one with difficulties be it physical or has other inclinations?"

"Thankfully, our second born is not inclined in that manner," Orion replied without any trace of embarrassment. "And even if he were, he would still see to it that his duty is fulfilled. Our son too has a certificate of fertility to prove that he is not sterile."

"Agreed then," Bogdan instantly said. "What of a place of residence?"

"The Black Family castle will be given to Regulus upon turning of age," Orion explained. "My cousin, Cyrus, had only daughters. The youngest daughter is now a Malfoy, the eldest daughter is deceased, and the second-born daughter has no desire to claim the property. Neither did his widow protest as she now resides in a residence near her second-born and willingly returned the residence to the mainline."

"Agreed," Bogdan said in satisfaction.

"Now, what of the dowry?" Orion carefully asked.

"Bethanie is my only daughter," Bogdan truthfully murmured.

The money for the dowry came from his mother's dowry when she had married into the family. It had been a rather large sum, and though most had been already used up, a sizeable portion remained to be used to pay for the dowry of future daughters without touching any of the Fawley personal family funds.

"200,000 galleons in a vault in addition to family jewelry equivalent to the same amount bringing her full dowry to an estimated worth of 400,000 galleons," Bogdan proudly answered as it was not a small dowry at all.

Orion nods his head in approval of the dowry. It was a sizable amount. It was certainly not the largest that he had heard, but still a rather suitable dowry for a daughter of a pureblood family that belongs to one of the sacred twenty-eight families.

"Agreed," Orion said. "In that case, shall we seal the terms?"

"Yes," Bogdan said in agreement as the two men each signed the two golden like parchment before the contracts vanished away to be recorded by the goblins at Gringotts with a copy to be kept in each of the family's vaults.

"Dinner then," Orion said as he helped his wife to his feet and Bogdan did the same.

Without any other word, the couples returned to the dining room, where the children were already seated and waiting for them. Each parent nods at their respective children as Bethanie shyly smiles, and Regulus grins foolishly at her. Sirius on the other hand merely rolls his eyes and impatiently says, "Let's eat, I'm starving."

The Black couple sighs, but thankfully the food begins to be served almost immediately. The rest of the evening is rather pleasant as the adult's converse except for the teasing comments of Sirius towards Bethanie and Regulus. The rather youthful couple flushed in embarrassment, while the two younger brothers of Bethanie exchanged glances.

In silent conversation, Esmond and Spurgeon vow to never be sorted into Gryffindor. And secondly, they were glad that they did not have a brother like Sirius that was loud and boisterous. It was quite the relief for the two younger boys when they finally returned home. Still, they were going to be in-laws in the future, and therefore they would be back several more times for visits during the rest of the summer to their complete and utter despair.