18. Back in Black!

*One Month Later*

"Why do you think we were called?" A woman with black hair and sharp features asked the man walking beside her.

"I don't know, but I hope it's nothing too serious." The man spoke, adjusting his coat.

They were about to reach the counter when they heard someone call their surname, "Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Tonks. Welcome to Gringotts, please follow me." A goblin said and walked towards a corridor.

The husband-wife looked at each other and followed the goblin, as they were always known for their short temper. They were led to the gates of the room when the goblin turned around and spoke. "Well, Mr. And Mrs. Tonks, we have called you here because our client wants to speak to you urgently. He had asked you to sign a contract of secrecy till the end of the discussion, and in return would compensate you with 1000 galleons. The contract also reassures your safety so you do not need to worry about that. Do you agree?" The goblin asked.

"Who asked for us?" Andromeda Tonks asked, trying to get more information.

"Client has denied telling information before the contract for their safety." The goblin informed them.

"You called us to meet someone who gives us a contract and refuses to give any more details? Then inform them we deny their 'invitation'" She spoke and turned around.

"Let me assure you, Mrs. Tonks, the goblin nation is acting as an intermediary for this contract, and your acceptance would prove to be way more advantageous than just a thousand galleons." The goblin spoke and held out the contract. "I implore you to at least have a look. The client is someone of immense importance and I hope you don't make hasty decisions."

Ted and Andromeda frowned hearing the last line, which was clearly a warning. Andromeda still felt cautious about the whole situation, while Ted glanced at the contract and read all terms. He found the contract had indeed been designed to be favorable to them, which he showed to his wife.

"This all is too fishy" Andromeda spoke.

"Not accepting this might offend the one behind this" Ted spoke to her. Their refusal might come at a steep cost. Andromeda gritted her teeth and nodded to him.

They both signed the contract, which the goblin accepted and said, "Thank you for agreeing. I must warn you that King Ragnuk the VIII would also be present in the meeting, so be mindful of your words." He gave a warning. Ted and Andromeda nodded, and the goblin continued, "One final question. Please state your true views on Albus Dumbledore." The goblin spoke and waited for their answer.

The duo was surprised by the sudden question, which had cemented the fact that whoever called them belonged to either the gray or the dark faction, and they were leaning towards the latter.

After some time Andromeda spoke, "He's too powerful." She paused and continued, "And is more than enough skilled to maintain the positions and power he currently has." She gave an answer that would be considered 'gray' by most.

Ted hesitated but nodded to his wife's words. The Goblin grinned and gestured them inside. They went inside the room and saw a goblin in regal robes, which they realized to be the Goblin King, and they bowed to him. Ragnuk nodded to them, and they moved their gaze away and were surprised to see a child about 12 looking at them with a curious gaze. Both of them definitely were not expecting someone of his age.

"Not expecting someone so young?" The boy asked with a grin as if he pulled off a successful prank. They both nodded and the boy gestured for them to sit down. He then turned towards the goblin who bought them and spoke, "Thank you Gornuk, please take a seat."

"It was no trouble, Heir Black." Gornuk bowed and said. Both again had a mild shock, but it made sense as to why the boy would call for them. Both of them were smart, with Ted being a successful lawyer even while being a muggle-born, and Andromeda being raised by the Blacks, so they came to a realization that he had contacted them knowing well his other option was Malfoy.

"It seems you have more or less realized my situation." The boy said to them, and their heart skipped a beat when they looked into his eyes. They... were not eyes someone his age should have. Kids their age were curious and attracted to every other thing, yet his eyes were sharp, determined, and focused. They were not dealing with a normal kid.

"You must have already realized, but let me introduce myself. I am Ryan Black, Heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. A pleasure to meet you." The boy, Ryan, introduced himself.

Andromeda took the lead and spoke, "A pleasure to meet you, Heir Black. I am Andromeda Tonks, and this is my husband, Ted Tonks."

Ted bowed to Ryan who nodded and said, "Well, I would not waste your time with unnecessary talk." Ryan waited for a second and continued. "I have a proposal for the both of you."

They both nodded for Ryan to continue, and he spoke, "I want you, Mrs. Tonks, to be my magical guardian, and in return, I would bring back all of your family to House Black and you will have my support in all fields."

"You really didn't mince your words," Ted spoke and Andromeda hit him under the table for muttering.

"We haven't met before, so all small talk would be insincere and just a formality," Ryan explained.

"What are your views on blood purity?" Andromeda asked, deciding to be blunt as well.

Ryan grinned and said, "Right to the point. Well, as for the answer to your question, I consider it idiocy."

Both were surprised to hear that and Andromeda pushed for more, "Why?" She asked.

"The wizarding world is a small one." Ryan spoke and continued, "Due to this, the same blood keeps on mixing from child to child, which is killing off the power of their bloodlines. Just look at your daughter, the inclusion of new blood had caused her to develop an ability said lost to House Black."

Both of them were stunned by the answer, but Andromeda frowned and asked. "What are your plans for my daughter?"

"None," Ryan replied.

"None?" She questioned with a raised brow.

"Yes, none," Ryan spoke. "My priority for this meeting was to get a magical guardian, and you were a much better option than a death eater and a manipulative Santa Claus"

Ted chuckled hearing Ryan call Dumbledore Santa. "What is your problem with Dumbledore?" Andromeda asked.

"I don't trust him," Ryan spoke.

"And you trust us?" She asked.

"Trust is built with time," Ryan spoke, telling them he was taking the risk with them.

Andromeda thought for a while and asked, "Why should we accept your offer?"

"It's more advantageous to you than to me," Ryan said with a tone as if stating an absolute fact. He and Andromeda stared at each other for a while after that. Meanwhile, Ragnuk looked at the situation with an amused grin. He considered Ryan a novice at making deals, but he saw his potential.

"What would you do if we deny?" Andromeda asked.

"Except for being disappointed? Nothing." Ryan spoke. "This deal is the best-case scenario for me as well as you, but it's not the only way for me to avoid getting an unfavorable guardian." He explained calmly. "Take your time before coming to a decision"

Ted and Andromeda looked at each other and whispered, unaware of Ryan's more than enhanced hearing. After a few minutes, Andromeda turned to him and said, "I want my daughter to gain all advantages of being in a main family." There were various advantages for the children of the main family over the branch families, especially in the case of rituals.

"I accept," Ryan responded instantly. "Do we finalize the deal?" He asked and the couple nodded. He turned towards Ragnuk, who nodded and formulated a contract. He handed it to Ryan, who took a glimpse and signed it, then handed it to the couple, who read it multiple times before finally signing the contract.

Ryan immediately spoke, "I, Ryan Black, with sound mind, body, and soul, announce Andromeda Tonks'd return to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, and her family to be part of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, so mote it be." Immediately Andromeda felt her family magic, which she had lost long ago, return to her, making her tear up. Getting banished from her family was one of the biggest grievances in her life. While she would do it again in a heartbeat for her husband and daughter, it was still very hard for her.

Ted held his wife's hand and showed support with a happy smile. Ryan walked towards them and spoke "Well, now that you're part of the family again, feel free to call me Ryan. Heir Black makes me suffocate." He said and waved his hands.

"Ah, I forgot." Ryan spoke and bought out a piece of paper on which, 'No. 12 Grimmauld Palace' was written, making Andromeda suddenly remember it and groan.

"A fidelus" Ryan chuckled hearing it and nodded.

"Well, the floo network would be open for you so visit whenever you wish. The house is still going through reconstruction, but it is much better than before." He spoke.

"Kreacher didn't keep the place clean?" She asked. "I thought my aunt's portrait would grill him for not doing his job properly."

"Your aunt's portrait?" Ryan tilted his head and asked.

"Yeah, she made sure to have one. You couldn't have missed it" Andromeda said and described her aunt.

"Ah, the banshee!" Ryan said, realizing who she was talking about. "I told the elf to put a silencing charm and throw her in an unused room" He explained. Andromeda laughed, liking the new Heir Black more and more.

"Well, I have taken a considerable amount of your time King Ragnuk, thank you for this" Ryan said to Ragnuk and gave a courtesy bow.

"Ah, think nothing of it, Heir Black. I look forward to our next meeting" Ragnuk said and shook Ryan's hand, then walked to his quarters, while Gornuk led them outside.

"Ryan, why don't you come over for dinner?" Andromeda invited him, hoping to know more about him.

Ryan thought for a second and said, "Sure, I have some things to settle right now, so I'll show up in the evening if you both don't mind."

"No, it's fine by us." She looked at Ted, then replied.

They reached the Floo and portkey region of Gingotts, and Ryan turned towards them. "Then I'll see you in the evening. Thank you for everything Gornuk" Ryan said, and Gornuk bowed to him, after which he disappeared with the portkey.

Ted and Andromeda also flooed back to their house to make preparations and discuss their thoughts.