Sisterly Struggles

"Let it be so." Lord Gold intoned and then took a bite at the proverbial apple. "The goblins wish to have the right to ask for asylum under your domain at any time. In return, Gringotts will gladly shelter and protect any agent of the House of Polairix at any time."

Catching onto how to negotiate with goblins, Harry then responded. "Let it be so."

This formal bargaining continued until they were soon nitpicking over tiny details that were mostly insignificant, but were still necessary for the alliance to be complete. As soon as Harry and Lord Gold formally ended the session, a parchment with the whole agreement appeared on the table before them. Quills and ink soon joined and the alliance was signed.

Lord Gold shook Harry's hand. "A pleasure, Lord Polairix. Gringotts will leave it to you to decide when this shall become public knowledge."

"We'll have to see how events come to pass." Harry said vaguely, unsure himself as to when he would reveal his identity and new connections.

The Head of Gringotts nodded understandingly. "Have a nice day."

Harry nodded and he and Bellatrix soon found themselves walking hand-in-hand down one of the banks' hall toward the main entrance. They could then Apparate from the street outside. Several of the goblins they passed gave very respectful nods to the cloaked and hooded couple.

"You did marvelously." Bellatrix breathed proudly to Harry. "You're a natural at diplomacy. I doubt that anyone else could have gotten so much out of them."

"Only because you helped me beforehand." Harry said, squeezing her hand lightly.

She shook her head in disagreement. "You have a natural way of getting along with non-humans. I could tell that those goblins were very impressed with your manners. That skill will come in handy with the Ice People. They're not exactly human and they are rather conscious of it."

"Really?" Harry asked, curious about the Ice People. He was about to ask more when he was interrupted by a goblin who had apparently been doing everything in his power to catch them before they left the bank.

"Lord Polairix," panted the goblin, "some business of a personal nature has arisen. Could you come with me for a few moments."

"Of course." Harry answered, in a slightly confused voice.

The goblin led he and Bellatrix to a nearby office. When they entered, much to Harry and Bellatrix's surprise, they found a very dejected looking Narcissa Malfoy slumped in one of the chairs. From the look of her face, she had been in some sort of fight.

Bellatrix's grip on Harry's tightened as she laid eyes on her sister. Harry wasn't sure how to interpret that. Undoubtedly, she was surprised. But what did she think of her sister? They both sat down at the goblin's invitation next to Narcissa who seemed to be trying to ascertain Harry and Bellatrix's identity.

"I don't know if you're aware, sir," the goblin began nervously, "but you are the Head of House Black due to the circumstances of last June."

Harry nodded slowly. He wasn't quite sure what that had to do with Narcissa Malfoy though. He knew that she had formerly been a Black, but she was married now. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Bellatrix's head slump. She was the reason he was the Head of House Black after all. He gave her hand a comforting squeeze.

The goblin elected to continue on. "Your position lays several responsibilities at your feet, one of which comes into play today."

"I see." Harry said as he glanced at Narcissa and then back to the goblin. "Which one is that?"

"The pre-nuptial agreement between Lucius Malfoy and his wife, Narcissa, dictate that the only way she can get out of the marriage is if the Head of House Black or the Head of House Malfoy has the marriage contact canceled. If House Black cancels the contract, Narcissa loses her emancipation and becomes a ward of you. She wants out of the marriage due to the fact that her husband has become . . . rather abusive." The goblin explained.

Harry looked at Narcissa thoughtfully. "I'm not sure that I understand what you mean by 'ward.'"

"In essence, she becomes your daughter. You manage her affairs, see that she is taught what she needs to know, and anything else you see fit to do for a period of at least three years. Her emancipation is returned at your discretion after that period of time."

Harry looked at Bellatrix who still had her head bowed. What did she think of this whole thing? It was her sister, she would of course have some sort of opinion. Finally, he responded. "Is there a place where my wife and I could discuss this?"

"Of course." The goblin gestured to a room just off his office. "Be my guest."

"Milady?" Harry asked, not wanting to reveal her identity. He stood up and she followed him into the small room and shut the door. Harry lowered his hood so that they could have a face to face discussion. After a moment she lowered hers as well. "What do you think?"

Bellatrix shrugged indifferently, not really meeting his eyes. "You're the Head of House Black, not me."

"You're my wife. She is your sister."

...

Join my P@treon.

And Enjoy 60+ advanced chapters from my novels along with exclusive content.

Free members get 2 chapters free.

Join Right Now

Link: p*atreon.com/0LordSilvere0 (Remove the *)