You're a Regent, Harry.
Cygnus was resting in his room at St Mungos. He had been hit by two curses, thankfully Andromeda had prevented the curses from continuing their work on her father. Now he was being kept on bed rest as his organs were healed. Harry was at his bedside, along with Bellatrix and Narcissa. Andromeda led her mother out of the room when she noticed the look on her fathers face. He wants to speak with them alone. She thought as she closed the door behind them,
"Bellatrix, I'm sorry we ended up spoiling your wedding with my attempted murder.." He smiled weakly to his daughter, his hand shakily going to hers. "You seem to have found a good man..." He looked over to his new son in law, "Treat her better than Rodolphus would have..."
Harry nodded, his arm going around Bellatrix's waist, "I will sir. The both of them, Bellatrix and Narcissa." He squeezed Bellatrix gently, "I am a very lucky man to have them..."
Cygnus looked to Narcissa, "Your mother is still fighting the betrothal. She's trying to find another wizard to attempt to claim your hand. If something happens before the wedding, I've begun the process of moving your inheritance into the trust vault so that you will still get your share in case Orion manages to cast you from the family. You as well Bellatrix.." He said looking to the newly minted Lady Slytherin, "As for Andromeda it's tricky...unless she is brought back into the family I can't give her an inheritance."
"She will always have a place with us." Harry promised, "If she can't be a Black, then when she's ready she can be a Fawkes." The promise seemed to make Cygnus happy.
"Thank you, Harry." Cygnus smiled weakly, "If you don't mind I would like some rest now.." He closed his eyes, Harry used this as a chance to lead Bellatrix and Narcissa out of the room.
"I will find Andi and mother." Narcissa said, leaning up to kiss Harry, "The two of you can go and enjoy the rest of your wedding day...or at least try to.." She departed, allowing Harry and Bellatrix to apparate back to Pounds House.
Scene Break
Harry and Bellatrix found themselves back at Pounds House and blessedly alone. Walburga was still at St Mungos with Narcissa, Druella, Regulus, and Andromeda, the Aurors had taken the dead, the dying, and the stunned off of the property, and Albus and the other professors had taken Hagrid and Sirius back to Hogwarts. It was quiet.
"We're married.." Harry said quietly as he drew Bellatrix against him. He pressed a kiss into her hair, taking a moment to breathe in her scent. She turned and kissed him softly.
"It's our wedding day, which means tonight is our wedding night.." She smiled as the kiss broke. "I'm going upstairs to take a very long and very hot bath...you are welcome to come with me.." She teased him, only to find herself scooped into his arms.
Harry carried her upstairs to the master bedroom, and then beyond that door to their bathroom. Setting her down, Harry began to fill the claw-footed tub with hot water as Bellatrix eagerly undressed.
The water was tepid when they finally rose from the bath. It had been nice to merely sit in the tub in a comfortable silence together. Now they began to dry each other, an activity that led swiftly into kissing one another, and finally going to their bed for their first time together as man and wife.
Apolline had not gone to St Mungos with the others. She did not know the Black family, barring the sisters and Walburga. She had instead elected to stay in the guest room she had been given to try and make sense of things.
He saved me from becoming the toy of those men. I could have fought one off, maybe two, but there were too many for me to get away from. I wish I understood why he feels so...familiar... Apolline sighed and moved from her desk to lay on the bed. It was a good question, why did she feel like she already knew him? Life debts are stupid..She huffed Saving my life should not equal being connected as we are...but he went into that Chamber, and I saw it as if I was there...
Then there were the dreams she'd been having. Images of two little blonde girls calling him Papa. Unbidden a smile formed on her lips as she remembered them. The youngest one couldn't have been more than nine in the dream where the eldest was a teenager, nearly a woman herself.
Fleur and Gabrielle Fawkes were the joy of her life. They were raised in England as well as in France, Harry, and Apolline believing that it was important for them to know both sides of their heritage. Fleur, the eldest, was a seventh-year student at Beauxbatons in France, it was the only school that regularly saw Veela students.
Apolline had never taken a job outside of the home. She was content to be his wife and to oversee domestic affairs. She was the one who met with and directed the workers in the orchard, as well as the vineyard that Harry had installed for her.
He kept his job at Hogwarts as a Professor, eventually becoming the Headmaster. While she never bore him a son, he considered every student that passed through those doors his child. She helped him spearhead a program that in time would lead to British students with Veela parentage being able to study at Hogwarts free from the bullying that came from being considered a 'creature'.
Apolline fell asleep, dreaming of those blonde daughters calling Harry their father,
Scene Break
The reading of Lord Blacks will was held on Monday. Harry had received a letter advising him to be there. All the Blacks were to be in attendance as well. Walburga had came to pick up Sirius from Hogwarts. Harry and Narcissa left via his floo and were met at Gringotts by Bellatrix and Andromeda.
"I was given a letter stating that I needed to be here.." Andromeda explained as she met them, "I'm not sure why though. Mother and Aunt Walburga have been giving me dirty looks ever since they arrived." Bellatrix for her part kissed Harry in greeting.
She led Harry and Narcissa to the meeting room. Seated at the long table were witches and wizards looking bored, anxious, or in the case of Orion, as neutral as possible. Harry looked out at the group, he didn't recognize half of the Blacks seated along the table. They must have all been dead by the time I learned about magic. He thought as he took a spot between Bellatrix and Narcissa.
The doors opened and a Goblin came into the room flanked by his guards. He sat down at the head of the table and began to look over his papers. Finally one of the Black witches cleared her throat as if to hurry him along. The Goblin looked up over his glasses and spoke swiftly to the guards.
"The next outburst from anyone present will result in their expulsion and forfeiture of any inheritance." One of the guards said, "Master Ironclaw has spoken." The assorted Blacks began to straighten up in their chairs. Goblins were very serious when it came to matters like this. If expulsion was threatened then it would happen.
"We are gathered to hear the Last Will and Testament of Arcturus Regulus Black, Lord of House Black. Your attendance signifies that you will respect the outcome of this Will and will not attempt to circumvent it in any way." Ironclaw said as he took out what Harry recognized as a recording crystal.
The crystal lit up and the voice of Arcturus filled the room, "I, Arcturus Regulus Black, being of sound mind and body do hereby make my Last Will and Testament. Witnessed by my personal Account Manager Master Ironclaw..." The first inheritances were to the members Harry hadn't recognized. He let his mind drift, perking up when he heard the name, Dorea Potter.
Dorea Potter was my dad's aunt. She was the reason I was made the Heir after Sirius changed his will...Now Harry had a chance to actually see her. She was roughly the same age as Walburga, if possibly a few years older. She had the same curling hair, though hers was steel gray now, but her eyes were the same warm brown as his fathers. He wanted to speak to her, but he didn't know what to say. What if I asked her about joining the Alliance..
The voice of Arcturus continued speaking, finally Harry heard his own name, "Harry Fawkes, you are the only person I know that I can trust to guide my family and House into the future. Thus, I have removed Orion from his place as my Heir. In his stead, I name Sirius Black as my Heir, to become the Lord Black when he reaches his majority. I name you, Harry, as the Regent of House Black. Teach Sirius and prepare him for the dangers to come." The fact that Orion had been removed caused a great amount of murmuring from the group. Orion, Harry noticed, looked as if he was slowly turning a shade of purple that he only remembered Vernon Dursley turning once, that was when he thought I'd punctured his tire when he ran over the toy soldiers I found in the garden...
"Orion Black, as of this moment, you are only a Black in name. Until the day that Sirius becomes Lord Black, Harry Fawkes will be the one to lead my House. Harry, should you need it, you have the ability to cast anyone you choose from the family." The voice of Arcturus cut through the noise in the room. "My final act as Head of the Black family is to admit Andromeda No-Name back into the family, should she wish it." Harry looked over to Andromeda and saw a shocked expression on her face.
"This concludes the reading the Last Will and Testament of Arcturus Regulus Black," Ironclaw said as he rose from his seat. The moment the Goblin left Orion was up and his wand was pointed at Harry.
"You miserable interloper! You are no Black." He spat at Harry. Harry for his part looked from the older wizard to Walburga.
"Walburga, would it bother you terribly if the man I believe responsible for your attempted murder was cast from the family?" Harry's voice was calm, almost bored. He knew that should Orion attempt anything, he would have at least three wands on him.
Walburga looked at Orion. She needed to know the truth, "I want a magical oath that you were not responsible for the death of James Carver, or the attack at the Peverell-Lestrange Wedding. Do that Orion, or I will give Lord Peverell my blessing to cast you from the House." She watched as her husband turned his wand towards her.
"You cow, I will do nothing of the sort!" Orion shouted. For a moment everyone was silent. Then Harry used his wand to knock Orion into the wall.
"As Regent of House Black, I agree with Walburga. Swear your oath or be removed." With not only Harry, but Bellatrix, Andromeda, Narcissa, and Walburga holding their wands on him, Orion had no good option. Instead, he chose to storm out of the room.
"Well, that's a non-verbal, 'I arranged the death of someone and tried to do it again', if ever I've heard it. As Regent, I remove Orion Black from Black family. Orion No-Name is now no longer welcome in any property owned by the Black family. This I say, so mote it be." Harry's wand glowed as Orion was struck from the family name.
The family began to clear. Harry made his way over to the Potters. Up close it was even more clear that Dorea and Walburga were nearly the same age, "Lady Potter, may I have a word before you leave?" She looked at him curiously, as if trying to place why he looked so familiar.
"Yes, Regent Black, what can I do for you?" Dorea tried to place why the man in front of her felt so familiar. He looks like Fleamont's boy James..perhaps that's why..he's a bit thinner featured than is normal for Potters though...
"It's Harry, ma'am. Harry Fawkes...I teach Dueling at Hogwarts. I was wondering if I could speak with the Potter family about the possibility of joining the Alliance I had formed with House Black." He said, watching an amused twinkle touch her warm eyes.
"You are a bold young man, definitely not a politician. I'm sure my sister despises that about you.." Dorea chuckled softly, "Walburga never had the patience for people who didn't play the game."
"She doesn't like a lot about me. Particularly how I came to be engaged to Narcissa. I interrupted a betrothal she had arranged between the Malfoys and the Blacks." Harry said, earning another smirk from the woman before him.
"My my, you are an interesting one, Lord Fawkes.." She said, "I believe you may be receiving a letter from Charlus later this week."
"It's Peverell ma'am. I am the Head of House Peverell, and Slytherin as of a few weeks ago." Harry said, watching the amusement turn to genuine interest.
"Peverell? That is an old family. Now I'm sure you'll be receiving that letter, if only so that we can hear how such an Ancient House found its Headship after so long..not to mention Slytherin. I'm sure that sticks a bit in the old girls craw. I tell you what, I'll arrange a meeting myself. You tell me the story of how you became the Lord of those Houses, and I'll tell you embarrassing stories about Walburga from when she was a child."