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Chapter 6: Revelations That Bring Hope

Back in Time

Chapter 6: Revelations That Bring Hope

Harry was finishing a cup of tea that a house elf had brought him when Melania re-entered the room with the gentle knock, followed closely by the man Harry assumed was her husband, Arcturus Black. The man was tall, probably an inch or two taller than Orion, he had black hair, with only a few greys in it, and his eyes were just like Orion's, though they were sharp with age, experience and knowledge. And they looked at him with a mix of concern and suspicion.

Harry smiled at them both, and Melania smiled back lovingly, whilst Arcturus almost seemed to smirk.

"How are you feeling, Harry?" Melania asked sweetly.

"I'm okay, thank you. How are you?" Harry said.

"I'm well, thank you. Harry, I would like you to meet my husband, Lord Arcturus Black. Arcturus, this is soon to be Lord Hadrian Peverell," Melania said, smiling between the two men.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Black," Harry said, smiling at the man.

"The pleasure is mine, Heir Peverell. I hope you are feeling better after what happened. My family and I were rather worried when we found you," Arcturus said.

"I am feeling a lot better, thank you. Your wife is a wonderful healer," Harry said, grinning at Melania.

"Do you really think my daughter might be able to conceive?" Arcturus said, eyebrow raised, and although his voice wasn't wavering Harry could sense a slight vulnerability in him, in his eyes.

"I… I mean I'm not sure. But I feel like with matters as fragile as fertility it is always worth getting a second opinion. Especially if you don't find out through your usual family healer. I have known many a healer to tell a woman that she is unable to have children, even if there is still a slight chance of her being able to conceive. And it always good to find out what precisely the issue is, in many cases there may be something to heal it, sometimes completely, sometimes enough for the woman to be able to conceive. Or someone may be able to find a cure for you if you pay them enough. In any case, though, it is good for her to get checked again, by your family healer, and to see what is going on, and if there is even a slight chance of her being able to have babies. Especially when she so clearly wants a family," Harry said seriously.

"I was unaware that healers were doing that," Arcturus said, still with a raised eyebrow.

"Not all of them do, but if they see that there is an issue that means chances of conception aren't high then some will tell the patient that they are barren because it is the easy way out. And, as I said, with something as precious as fertility it is always best to get a second opinion. Especially if you want children," Harry said.

Arcturus nodded, "Are you fertile?"

And his wife looked at his aghast, but Harry just smiled cheekily at him, "And how is that any of your business, sir?"

Arcturus chuckled, "I like you. I hear my wife and daughter have adopted you, so welcome to the family. Feel free to stay however long you need to recover, and even after you are recovered if you need to. Are you prepared to take over your family seats on the Wizengamot? If you aren't I can always give you some lessons so that you know what to expect," Arcturus said.

"I like you, too, sir," Harry beamed, "You may call me Hadrian, or Harry. Thank you for allowing me into your home, though I am sorry about appearing there when injured, and about Orion just bringing me here without asking first. And I would very much appreciate some lessons from you,"

"Then you may call me Arcturus, Hadrian,"

Arcturus was cut off by Orion rushing into the room with a pile of books in his arms, looking both stressed and shocked.

"Is this all true?" Orion said desperately as he dropped the books on Harry's bed and looked at him with wide eyes.

"Orion, calm yourself this instant," Arcturus said sternly, looking at his son with questioning eyes.

"Erm, well, the proof is in the books, Orion," Harry said nervously.

"B-but, how? How did nobody notice before that it was damaging us? Magic? How?" Orion said, clearly rather bewildered.

"Clearly some people did," Harry smirked slightly.

Orion just nodded in shock, unsure of what to say or do.

"Orion, son, what is going on?" Arcturus said, concern in his eyes.

"I can't marry Walburga, father," Orion said boldly, looking at the man with determined eyes, straightening his body.

"What? Why?" Arcturus said, "We have talked about this, Orion-"

"I know, father. And I have said that I don't want to marry her. But now I am saying that I can't. For the sake of magic, and our line," Orion said determinedly.

"Explain," Arcturus said, raising an eyebrow and looking rather displeased at being cut off.

"There is plenty of evidence in these books, and more, that shows the effects of having children with people you are closely related to, especially if that kind of intermarrying keeps happening within the family. There is proof that it leads to the family magics dying out, the children's magic becoming weaker with each generation, less children being born, more squibs being born in each generation, fertility issues, deformities, and other problems such as what people refer to as the Black madness. If we want to keep the line strong and magical, healthy even, then I can't marry Walburga,

"There is also evidence that suggests Muggleborns are actually descendants from squibs, though I feel like I will have to look into that a bit more myself. But it makes sense, right? Magic can't just appear from nothing. Hadrian, will you help me with that?" Orion said.

"Of course," Harry nodded.

"Good," Orion nodded, "So, father, I can't marry Walburga. You can either find someone more suitable for me to marry, or allow me to choose for myself," Orion said as if he was giving his father an ultimatum.

And Harry supposed he was, although his heart hurt at the thought of Orion potentially marrying someone else. He looked down at his lap, biting his lip slightly as he tried not to intrude on this family moment, not noticing two looks that were being sent his way.

"I will have to see those books myself before I make any decisions, son," Arcturus said, "But we shall see,"

Orion nodded, "Understood,"

"You said there were more books than the ones on the bed. Where did you get them from?" Arcturus said.

"The library in the Welsh wizarding district, father," Orion said.

Arcturus nodded, "It looks like I have some reading to do, then. Hadrian, do join us for meals if you are feeling up for it. It isn't right for a member of our family to be cooped up in their bedroom all the time. I am sure Orion, Melania, and/or Lucretia will be more than happy to give you a tour whilst I am doing my own research," Arcturus gathered the books into his own arms.

"Thank you, Arcturus," Harry said, a small smile on his face as he looked up at the man.

The man nodded at them all and left the room.

Orion practically flopped onto the bed, "Thank you, Hadrian. I mean, it was shocking, but I hope it is just what I need to get out of this farce of a betrothal,"

"You're welcome," Harry said gently.

Orion grinned at him, and Harry almost thought he could see… something in his eyes, but he pushed the thought away. He couldn't think about it. Any of it.

"So, how are you feeling, Hadrian?" Orion asked kindly.

"I'm okay, thank you. And yourself?" Harry said.

"I'm okay, though still in a little shock," Orion said, "You really know how to make people think, and how to create change. Honestly, I think you will be wonderful on the Wizengamot,"

"Thank you," Harry tried to hide his blush, "Maybe with your dad's help I will be able to actually understand what is going on,"

"Orion can help you, too, if you would like him to?" Melania said with a smile on her face as she took a seat on the edge of the bed also, though more delicately than her son did, "He has been training for it since he was eight, and he has attended some sessions with his father in preparation for him taking over as Lord Black,"

"That would be wonderful," Harry said, "Though only if you would like to, of course, Orion,"

"Of course. Anything," Orion nodded.

"So, Harry, are you feeling up for a tour?" Melania said, almost gleefully.

"That would be great, thank you," Harry said, nodding, a bright smile on his face.

"Wonderful," Melania beamed as the three of them stood and made their way out of the room.

As they led him around the Manor he couldn't help but feel almost at home. It was grand, yes. But much of it felt rather homely, comforting even. Though he thought that perhaps a lot of that was the people he was with. Especially as Orion occasionally brushed his side, sending both warmth and shivers through his body, and flutters through his heart and stomach.

He could also see a winters frost in the garden and it was, by far, one of the most beautiful sights he had ever seen. And had he had appropriate attire he was sure he would have asked to go outside and be part of the beauty that was nature.

The library was huge. He was sure Hermione would be jealous if she was there with him. But he knew that if he was given the opportunity then he would be using it a lot, if only to learn more about things he needed/wanted to know about magic and the world he was now part of.

And he did join the family for dinner, sitting opposite Orion and enjoying the small talk they made around him. He felt comfortable. And he wasn't sure he should feel so at home with them. He knew that it was possible that he wouldn't be welcome all the time, that him and Orion wouldn't end up together, that he wouldn't be considered almost family for long.

But he would take what he could get for as long as he could get it. Yes, it would hurt when it came to an end, but he needed… something. Someone. A family.

"So, Orion, I have been reading those books all afternoon, and I have to say that I find them rather fascinating. I would like to join you and Hadrian in your research into these topics if you both agree," Arcturus said as dessert popped onto the table.

"Of course, father," Orion said, nodding eagerly.

Harry nodded, too, when Arcturus looked to him for confirmation.

"Wonderful. I have also decided to speak with Pollux in the morning about not creating a contract for the two of you. And showing him what we have found. Hopefully he won't take it too badly, he was rather set on the whole thing. A lot more than I was. You, Orion, may choose who you want to marry, so long as they are suitable," Arcturus said, smirking when Orion looked at him in shock.

"R-really?" Orion breathed.

"Of course. I realise that it is a rather harsh custom that is perhaps past it's usefulness, especially if what we are going to be researching appears to be true. No point in keeping the lines apparently 'pure' through marriage contracts, when we will be needing new blood to truly thrive," Arcturus said.

"Thank you, father," Orion whispered, turning his head to look at Harry with thankfulness, and perhaps something else in his eyes that Harry really tried not to think about, even as he struggled to contain his blush and emotions.

And yet, despite the fact that he really wanted to fight it, so he wouldn't get too hurt if everything came crashing down around him, he couldn't help but allow himself to feel the slightest bit of hope.

Hiya, how are you all?

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. What's going to happen next? I wonder... Let me know what you are thinking will happen, or if there is anything you would like to see in the story. If you want to, of course. 

Anywho, I posted an essay/petition where I (un)officially explain why I think I should be cast as my favourite character, Severus Snape, in the new HBO series, despite the fact that I am a woman. It would mean a lot if you went and read it, but no pressure. It isn't going to lead to anything, unless, by some miracle, it goes viral, but it was fun to write. It is on my AO3, Maraudering_Paige. Feel free to go and check it out.

Also, I am working on some Spotify playlists for my fanfics, so if you can think of any songs you think work with the stories as they are so far, or where you think they are going, or songs that give you the vibes you get from the stories, then please do let me know and I will give them a listen, then potentially add them to the playlists. I will let you know as soon as they are ready, though it may take a few weeks because life.

I have a Facebook group called Maraudering_Paige which you are all welcome to join if you would like to and are able to. It is where we can talk about Harry Potter, fanfics, life, share memes and more. It is also where I have somewhat of an update schedule for my fics and will be keeping you up to date on what I am working on, in regards to fanfics, original works, and more things. So if you are interested in joining then I am more than happy to accept you all.

I also now have a TikTok and an Instagram for my fanfic writing escapades. The username is maraudering_paige on both of them so feel free to follow me, and we shall see how often and what kinds of content I can post when I can. But it is another way for me to keep you all up to date if you don't have Facebook and such, and for me to spread the word about other things I am working on and things I want to do and such. So yeah, feel free to join me on those if you are able.

If there are any other platforms you think I should join you all on then let me know and I will have a think.

I hope you are having an amazing day!

Kind regards,

Paige xx