The first thing Gilderoy thought as he knocked and entered the study was that he was meeting a 90's mob boss.
Lord Black was sitting on a plush wooden chair in a relaxed manner as he smoked from a long pipe.
Arcturus Black gestured to the seat on the other side of his desk, where Gilderoy sat, waiting for him to speak.
"A few weeks ago, Lord Lestrange and Lord Malfoy had secretly met with my son Orion and arranged a betrothal and marriage between their heirs and my granddaughters."
Arcturus paused as he puffed his pipe. "If not for my informant, I wouldn't even have known that they had already made contracts without informing me."
The informant must be that ugly house elf who disapparated me outside the study. The one and only—Kreacher.
"Tell me, Mr. Lockhart. What do you really think of them today?"
Gilderoy spoke directly without hesitation. "I think they are bigoted fools who are hell-bent on destroying their own kind for some stupid, nonsensical ideology."
"Well said, young man."
"I want to tell you a story," Arcturus said.
"Many decades ago, the wizarding world saw muggles as worthless beings who didn't have magic, much like the ones you saw today. We saw the muggle side of MACUSA launch a bomb on Japan. In addition to muggle deaths, even our own kind died in the blast."
"Most noble houses in Britain are still somehow unaware of the incident and the power muggles possess. They have no idea that the ICW implemented more regulations and laws on the Statute of Secrecy."
Arcturus placed the now empty pipe down on the ashtray, folding his hands together as he leaned forward. "What do you think of the so-called Dark Lord?"
Gilderoy answered without hesitation. "He only wants power and has a deep hatred for muggles."
"Also, he seems to be gathering the support of pureblood families, using their hatred for his own agenda."
"Exactly." Arcturus thumped his hand on the desk. "You are quite perceptive, Mr. Lockhart."
"I also saw you getting handsy with my granddaughters, young man."
Gilderoy was slightly intimidated by Lord Black's posture, but then he looked at his face, which shifted from stoic to a calculated smile, as though he was planning something.
"Duel with me, Mr. Lockhart."
He stood up, placing a hand on Gilderoy's shoulder, and snapped his fingers. Suddenly, both of them were teleported into another room.
Gilderoy looked shocked and fascinated by this magic.
"I might share it with you if you satisfy me."
Both bowed to each other. Gilderoy started by casting the first spell.
The duel went on, both of them on equal footing for some time, much to Arcturus's surprise. Even when Arcturus increased his casting speed and power to the maximum, Gilderoy did not seem tired at all, and blocking the spells seemed far too easy for him.
Gilderoy noticed the same aggressive style and footwork Bellatrix used.
"So it must have been her grandfather who taught her to duel. "
The duel had gone on longer than necessary, and he decided to end it, casting at his full power.
Even though Arcturus was experienced, no experience could help him against raw power, and he crumpled to the ground, stunned.
Gilderoy waved his hand over Arcturus, lifting the stun.
Kreacher popped in suddenly, attempting to cast something at Gilderoy with his finger, but Arcturus nodded at him to stop. Then he held Gilderoy's shoulder again and snapped his fingers, returning them to the study.
"Call me Arcturus." Arcturus paused and smirked. "You can call me grandfather too."
"I'm sorry?" Gilderoy looked dumbfounded at Arcturus's smirking face.
"I plan to betroth both my granddaughters to you. What do you think?"
"It will be my honour, Lord Black."
Arcturus asked the question that had been lingering in his mind. "How are you this strong, Gilderoy? You weren't like this when you dueled Bella."
"It's my secret, my lord."
"Hmm. Fine. You can keep your secrets. You know why I wanted to duel with you. I wanted to see if you were strong enough to protect them. I see you are."
Gilderoy said, "Sir, I already have someone as my partner."
"Oh? And does this person deny you from having other wives?"
"No, sir."
"Then what is the issue?"
Gilderoy said, "What about what Narcissa and Bellatrix think? I don't want to force them. They should speak their mind too."
"Oh!" Arcturus looked strangely pleased at the question, then smirked again as he glanced toward the door. "Why don't you ask them yourself?"
Arcturus gestured with his fingers, and the door suddenly opened.
To Gilderoy's surprise, Narcissa and Bellatrix stumbled in.
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Goal::100 Powerstones
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