Asterion was perplexed. The barrier protecting the mansion had been personally constructed by Corvinus Black himself and reinforced by every Patriarch of the House of Black over a thousand years. One could say that the environment within the barrier was a world separated from the real world. It was nearly impossible to breach it by force, yet now, two people had managed to pass through without triggering any traps or alarms.
"Could it be an Innate Technique focused on space or specialized in infiltrating locations?" Asterion pondered the possibilities but decided to focus on what was happening at that moment.
"Nidhogg," Asterion muttered, forming a seal with his hands, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.
As he faded into the shadows, he whispered, "Don't kill them too quickly."
-
Meanwhile, outside the mansion, Bellatrix and Sirius, who had just crossed the barrier, felt an overwhelming pressure descending upon them. Under their surprised and shocked gazes, a massive curtain of darkness unfolded in the sky above the mansion. A cold rain began to fall from the sky, drenching them, and each drop seemed to possess a chilling murderous intent.
Sirius felt his legs weaken as he was stared down by six pairs of demonic red eyes through the curtain of darkness. To his horror, two clawed, scaled limbs emerged from the curtain, followed by the most terrifying head he had ever seen in his life.
"I think your nephew thought we were enemies invading," Bellatrix commented cheerfully as she watched the massive oriental dragon emerging from the curtain, which she recognized as the Black House's Innate Technique.
"Why the hell are you excited?" Sirius shouted loudly, desperate in the face of the gigantic cursed spirit.
"Don't be such a crybaby, pup, imagine being killed by a dragon! That's so cool," Bellatrix exclaimed cheerfully, her eyes displaying nothing but admiration. She always followed the law of the jungle: the strongest oppress the weakest. If she were to be killed, it was because she was weak.
Sirius rolled his eyes at Bella's comment, but before he could respond, a childlike yet extremely cold voice reached his ears.
"I really want to know how two beggars managed to breach the barrier. Is it malfunctioning?"
Sirius lifted his head and spotted the entrance of the mansion. Even in the darkness, he could make out a small figure standing at the door, with only red eyes glowing in the distance.
Upon noticing the red eyes, Sirius widened his eyes and looked at Bellatrix, incredulous. "You really forgot to tell me something so important?"
"You didn't ask," Bella replied, displaying an innocent look.
"Wait, Asterion, I am—" Before he could finish the sentence, a crimson bolt struck just a few meters away from him.
"I didn't give you permission to speak my name, beggar insect," Asterion cut him off, his icy voice sending shivers down Sirius's spine. The coldness and indifference in his voice were almost inhuman.
"He was certainly raised by Arcturus, almost like a replica of the man," Bella whispered to Sirius, not being too discreet. Her eyes gleamed with a hint of mad fanaticism.
Throughout her life, she had heard the legendary stories of the bearers of the red eyes. Now, before her stood one of them, and one who was only beginning his own story, his own legend.
And how she yearned to partake in this tale replete with horror, blood, and viscera.
Gripping the edges of her dress, or at least what remained of it after the escape, Bellatrix elegantly bowed while displaying a smile on her lips. "I apologize for the sudden visit, Young Heir Black. I am Bellatrix Lestrange, but I am in the process of divorce. Therefore, I will reclaim the honorable name Black once again, with your noble permission."
She didn't seem like a crazy person at all; on the contrary, she appeared as an elegant lady who had lived for a long time in the nobility of British high society, which was not untrue.
"Interesting, but you don't resemble Cissy in the slightest, Mrs. Lestrange," remarked Asterion, observing the woman covered in a dirty, torn dress with curiosity. Even covered in mud, he could recognize Bellatrix's features: black hair, green eyes, and a twisted smile, nothing like Narcissa.
"Well, the three of us have many differences between us; I suppose my dear mother enjoyed playing outside quite a bit, if you catch my drift," replied Bellatrix, laughing with a dreamy and joyful voice.
Suddenly, a voice emerged from behind Asterion.
"Do not slander our mother, sister. She would reprimand you for speaking something so vulgar and improper."
Looking back, the boy saw Narcissa wearing a silk robe to conceal her body, her pale hair flowing softly with the night breeze.
"Are these two beggars really our family?" Asterion asked, still incredulous.
Narcissa laughed and pointed to the woman, saying, "This is my sister, Bellatrix."
"Yes! It's me, the amazing and wonderful magical girl, Bellatrix!" declared Bellatrix, striking a pose filled with pride and arrogance as she gestured with two fingers.
Asterion almost smiled at her presentation, almost.
"I see you haven't changed at all, sister," Narcissa remarked nostalgically, watching her sister's performance. It seemed like she had gone back to her childhood, seeing the same presentation for the first time.
"Mm-hmm!" Bellatrix nodded eagerly, placing her hands on her hips. She was very pleased with her sister's response.
"This is probably your uncle, Sirius Black," Narcissa said, pointing to the man who looked skeletal, with a face covered in a poorly groomed and dirty beard.
Looking at him, Asterion showed a strange look. "I apologize for almost killing you with a lightning bolt, uncle."
Although he apologized, his tone and facial expression showed no real remorse for his actions.
"Pfft!" Bellatrix couldn't contain her laughter, holding her stomach as she laughed loudly and clearly.
Sirius couldn't help but feel embarrassed. He glared at Bellatrix and limped towards the mansion's entrance. Bella continued to follow him, still laughing and hopping along.
"You two are in a sorry state," Narcissa commented, looking at them with one hand on Asterion's shoulder.
"After escaping, we were pursued by five squads of Aurors, they seemed like dogs unwilling to let go of a bone," Sirius remarked, looking helplessly at his other cousin, Narcissa.
"So, that's why Arcturus was summoned by the Ministry of Magic," murmured Narcissa, with a pensive expression.
"Does that mean Aurors are coming?" Asterion asked as he dispelled the curtain of shadows above the mansion. Nidhogg expressed its displeasure with a loud roar as its six pairs of eyes fell upon Sirius. Nonetheless, it retreated back into the curtain, still discontent.
Sirius smiled bitterly, feeling the angry gaze of the massive cursed spirit upon him. Fortunately, the beast couldn't harm him unless his nephew desired it… He wouldn't do that... or would he...?
Shaking his head, he responded to his nephew's question, "We managed to elude them with Bellatrix using a cursed spirit that could replicate appearance and magical aura. But, it's still possible for them to check the mansion."
"Between you two, take a shower and put on clean clothes. I'll have Kreacher bring something warm for you to eat," Narcissa said, gesturing for them to enter the mansion.
"Bath time at last!" Bellatrix ran inside, shouting excitedly.
Sirius rolled his eyes at Bellatrix's childishness. He turned and thanked his cousin. "Thank you, Narcissa."
"We're family, we help each other out," Narcissa replied, putting her arms around Asterion's neck, responding with a faint smile on her lips.
"Family..." Sirius murmured to himself, hearing Narcissa's words.
----------------------------
Author's Thoughts: The Black Family is almost back together! I think there are three or two chapters until the ball, after the ball there will be a time jump of three years, when Hogwarts officially starts.
I think about 35-40 chapters have already provided a good foundation for the plot, now I just have to fill in the gaps. I really appreciate the support and trust in this journey so far!
Support me to write more and read chapters ahead of all regular readers!
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Next Chapter: Chapter 30 - Black Family Reunion (1), Chapter 31 - Black Family Reunion (2), (Chapter 32 - Black House Masquerade Ball (1), Chapter 33 - Black House Masquerade Ball (2), Chapter 34 - Black House Masquerade Ball (3), Chapter 35 - Three Years (1), Chapter 36 - Three Years (2), Chapter 37 - Hogwarts Express (1), Chapter 38 - Hogwarts Express (2), Chapter 39 - Hogwarts Express (3).
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