[Hello Readers. With this chapter, my book will cross 15k words and eligible to listed in the rankings. I would request you all to please send the power stones and help the book rise in its ranking.]
(Next Morning)
12 Grimmauld Place
Bellatrix woke up with a slight headache, rubbing her eyes. After departing from the gathering, she had indulged in a few drinks, and the throbbing in her head was the result of her hangover. Even so, she forced herself to get out of bed and prepare for the day.
By the time Bellatrix descended the stairs into the dining hall of Grimmauld Place, her family was already seated around the dining table.
As she approached, she sensed another headache brewing.
Sitting at the head of the table was none other than Arcturus Black. On his right sat Orion Black and his wife, Walburga Black. On his left were Cygnus Black and Druella Black. Seated next to their parents were Andromeda Black and Narcissa Black. Her cousins, Sirius Black and Regulus Black, who should have been seated next to Walburga and Orion, had already left for Hogwarts.
"Good morning, Grandfather," Bellatrix greeted Arcturus politely as she pulled out a chair next to Narcissa.
She had just served herself a few pieces of toast when Cygnus spoke, his voice stern.
"Bellatrix," he asked, "what happened yesterday?"
Bellatrix remained silent for a few seconds before sighing, "I assume you already know the answer. Why the need to force it out of my mouth?"
Cygnus did not react much as he countered, "Then let me rephrase my question."
"Who is this Antonio Olario? What is your relation with him?" He questioned. "And most importantly, how did you even allow him to humiliate Rodolphus?"
Bellatrix remained quiet. She knew that whatever reply she gave, the situation was about to worsen. Even so, she was in no mood to back down.
"Father," she said in a slightly irritated voice, "I did not allow Lord Olario to insult Rodolphus."
"It was Rodolphus who was asking for it. He, on his own initiative, constantly disrespected Lord Olario and ultimately challenged him. Challenged him not for an honourable duel but asked to cross wands with him. It was he who not only insulted Lord Olario but also slighted my respect."
"I would rather say that Lord Olario showed a lot of mercy as he let off Rodolphus with a simple punishment."
Cygnus's patience wore thin as he slammed both palms on the dining table.
"Who is this Olario?" he almost shouted. "Who the hell is he to treat Rodolphus in this manner?"
Before Bellatrix could respond, Walburga chimed in with a mocking tone, "A small lord of a small magical family. Ah! And I have also heard that he brews wine."
"The rumours say that Olario was a very respected guest of Bellatrix Black and that she accompanied him the whole time he was in the gathering," she smirked. "And that they met for the first time only days back in an inn… Olario's inn."
"This Olario must be quite a man to charm our dear Bellatrix like this," she added.
Bellatrix clenched her fists in anger, while Cygnus also thinned his lips. He did not enjoy a good relationship with Walburga, but he couldn't refute her words.
"Even if he is a small lord of a small magical family," Arcturus interjected, silencing everyone at the table, "he put the entire gathering to shame. No one… no one had the knowledge or even an idea how to undo his spell."
He looked towards his family with a disappointed gaze, "Even with the Black family magic supporting you all, no one would be able to stand up to him."
"That does not change the fact that he is of a lowly status," Walburga rebuked.
"And yet, another person of even lower status, who is not even a pureblood, can put you all on your toes merely by his presence," Arcturus cut in. "Do I need to mention his name? Albus Dumbledore."
"You hate him so much, Walburga. Why did you not never showed some guts to disrespect and challenge the authority of Albus Dumbledore?"
Cygnus frowned as he retorted, "Why are you taking his side, Father? Rodolphus is going to be Bellatrix's husband. How can he be humiliated like this?"
"No man would be able to witness his future wife bringing a man to a gathering and then paying all her attention only to him. Whatever Rodolphus did, he had a strong reason for it."
It was Bellatrix who lost her patience as she slammed her palm on the table, her magic flaring momentarily. "I am not going to marry that buffoon."
"Especially after what happened the other day. With his behaviour, how could I expect him to respect my dignity? Just because I invited someone to my gathering, does he think that I turned into a slut? A whore?"
"Bellatrix, mind your language," Druella remarked angrily at the crass language, but Bellatrix did not stop.
"Rodolphus Lestrange is nothing more than a pathetic loser whose only accomplishment in life is that he was born into the Lestrange family."
"He is an adult who has the IQ of a three-year-old. Even twenty Rodolphus Lestrange would not be able to match up to Lord Olario."
"Bellatrix!" Cygnus shouted. "Keep your words in check. I do not want to hear a single more word about this Olario. And Rodolphus will be your husband."
Bellatrix snorted, "He can only dream of that. First, ask him to grow strong enough to face a few of my spells."
Cygnus was about to yell even more when Arcturus raised his hand. "Sit down, Cygnus."
Cygnus let out a snort but complied with his father's wishes.
"I do not want to meddle in your affairs, Cygnus," Lord Black said. "But Rodolphus is not an ideal partner for Bellatrix."
"Father," Cygnus protested.
"Say whatever you want, Cygnus," Arcturus added. "But this is the truth."
Walburga was about to offer a few of her 'opinions,' but a single narrowed gaze from Arcturus shut her up.
The tense atmosphere at the table was broken by Andromeda as she stood up and pushed her chair back, the sound of wood dragging against the floor echoing in the hall.
"I am done," she announced as she turned to leave.
She was about to climb the stairs when she turned her neck, "And it was quite a sight to witness."
"The noble Lestrange heir being pinned to the ground by a single spell, and then the wriggling he did on the ground, truly showcased the might of the Lestrange family."
"If any of you need a copy of the memory to witness the scene, you can ask me," the mocking words of Andromeda echoed in the hall even after she had left.
From the very beginning, Andromeda had been a woman of few words, but every word she spoke carried worth gold in weight.
Meanwhile, Walburga clenched her fist in anger. She knew that most of the mockery was directed towards her, and she could do nothing. Andromeda was not a woman anyone would want to mess with.
#
#
#
[Checkout my P@treon at p@treon.com/theimaginarywriter for advanced chapetrs. Replace @ with a.]
[Add the story to your collection and send some power stones. Rate, Review and comment your thoughts about the book.]