Bellatrix decided that few things were more boring and stifling than a state funeral-even if it was for her own father. Despite the threat of a rainy afternoon, droves of Ministry officials, employees, and enthusiasts had gathered at the cemetery next to the Ravenbourgh ruins to say goodbye to the remains of the late Minister of Magic.
Bellatrix was seated on the front row, squeezed in between her sisters, Narcissa and Andromeda. All three were stoic. Bellatrix had already dealt with her grief over the death of her father. Narcissa and Andromeda were stoic because neither of them had been very close to their father to begin with. On the other hand, Druella Black was shedding tears quite liberally while her sister-in-law, Walburga, put on a show of comforting her.
Crocodile tears, Bellatrix told herself. Unless, of course, mother is worried about money . In that case, the tears could very well be real.
Davian Prewitt was the chief speaker for the funeral. He had managed to resist formally assuming office until Minister Black was cold and buried, but nearly everyone there already considered him the Minister of Magic. As he droned on about Cygnus Black and the tragedy of his death, Bellatrix scanned the attendees of the funeral. Would the Death Eaters have the guts to show up? Probably not. Despite this, Bellatrix noticed a good number of aurors patrolling the perimeter of the funeral party. They were hoping.
Harry wasn't present. He had apparently decided to follow her advice to stay away. Bellatrix regretted this slightly. It would have been nice to see a friendly face. She scanned the front row, trying to avoid being obvious about it. In addition to her immediate family, her aunt and two cousins mothered by said aunt were present. Regulus Black seemed quite shaken by the death of his uncle so quickly after the death of his own father. Sirius was doing his best to sport an indifferent demeanor, but Bellatrix knew that he too was hurting.
Director Prewitt's family was also on the front row-a bold move in which Prewitt further staked his claim to be the successor of Cygnus Black. Gideon and Fabian Prewitt, famous public nuisances, but all-around decent blokes, sat next to Mrs. Prewitt, who was seated next to her married daughter, Molly Weasley, who was accompanied by her husband and children.
The Weasley clan was famous for its tendency to produce many children. It looked to Bellatrix like the former Miss Prewitt was well onto her way to continuing the tradition. If Bellatrix recalled correctly, Mr. Weasley was a low-ranked employee in the Ministry. That would probably change soon, what with his father-in-law becoming Minister of Magic.
Bellatrix continued her observations, and it helped pass the time. Eventually, the service ended. Many of the mourners remained to express their condolences to Bellatrix's mother and sister-in-law. As was proper, Bellatrix and her two sisters stood in a line near their mother looking very mournful in their dark robes. Sirius and Regulus were fortunate enough to have been returned to Hogwarts by someone going home to Hogsmeade.
As the afternoon slowly changed to evening, the mourners began to thin out. Bellatrix could see only three more people waiting to speak with Druella. It was at this moment that Narcissa opted to speak up and address Bellatrix. The two sisters had not really spoken with each other since the night Bellatrix had informed Narcissa that her romance with Lucius Malfoy was unacceptable.
"You don't want to marry Rodolphus Lestrange, do you?" Narcissa said.
"Of course not," Bellatrix said quietly.
"Why not?" Narcissa asked.
"He's an idiot," Bellatrix retorted, "among other things."
"He's a pureblood, though."
"What a relief," Bellatrix whispered snidely. "That fixes everything."
"Is Harry Ashworth a pureblood?" Narcissa asked.
"I can't say for sure," Bellatrix answered, glancing over to where her mother and aunt stood. Only two people were left waiting to speak with them. "He is very powerful, though."
"Powerful is good," Narcissa admitted. "What about rich?"
Bellatrix smirked. "He's very rich. In fact, you'd be shocked at how rich he is."
"Then why did he need a job at Hogwarts?" Narcissa asked.
"Politics," Bellatrix replied smoothly. "It was a political move."
"I see," Narcissa said, though she didn't. In fact, she was completely confused. "I guess you're planning on marrying him, then."
"That would be correct," Bellatrix said, observing that only one more person was waiting to speak with her mother.
"If that's your plan," Narcissa whispered, "I advise you to not go home or to Grimmauld Place tonight, not even for the family dinner. Get back to Hogwarts."
Bellatrix suddenly felt scared. "What are mother and auntie planning?" she asked.
"Now that father and uncle are dead and the Black fortune is tied up at Gringotts, mother and auntie are concerned about finding good matches for us to marry," Narcissa said quietly. "They reckon that the ten thousand galleons uncle left you is a suitable dowry. Rodolphus Lestrange is invited to dinner tonight. Mother and auntie want to get a marriage contract signed. You know how persuasive they can be."
"I do," Bellatrix breathed.
The last visitor had left. Bellatrix's mother and aunt were now turning their attention to the three girls. Bellatrix stood rooted to the spot, watching as her mother and aunt approached, their mourning faces looking rather imperious. Minister Black was dead, but the Black family would continue-toujours pur.
"Come," Druella said, "dinner has been prepared for us."
"I've got detention," Andromeda declared dispassionately. "I shan't be able to make it."
Druella was annoyed, but she produced a portkey from her pocket. She'd never like Andromeda very much anyway. "Then go."
"I'll go with her," Bellatrix volunteered.
"I think not," Walburga said lazily, holding back a yawn. "This is a very important dinner for you."
Andromeda shrugged at Bellatrix and then activated the portkey, leaving Bellatrix and Narcissa with their mother and aunt. Bellatrix felt rather betrayed, but she pressed on. "Why is this an important dinner for me, Aunt Walburga?" Bellatrix asked with false sweetness.
"You'll see when we get home," Druella said, producing another portkey from her pocket and preparing to activate it.
"If you're not telling me, then it must not be all that important," Bellatrix said. She drew her wand. "I'll just be on my way."
"It's time for you to get married," Walburga interjected.
"Is it?" Bellatrix asked, feigning surprise, though she had already come to the same conclusion. She glanced over at Narcissa. Her younger sister had drifted away from the group and was trying to pretend that she couldn't hear the conversation.
"It is," Walburga said. "I've taken the trouble to negotiate a marriage for you. The state of the Black family assets is in question, but I've been able to come to an agreement with a suitable young wizard-a pureblood. We've allowed you your pursuits, but it is now time for you to settle down and assume your family duties. You must marry a pureblood."
"I'll choose my own suitable wizard, thank you very much," Bellatrix replied primly.
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