Chapter 6
The moon hung high over Peverell Manor, casting silver light through the tall windows of Harrison’s study. The room was silent save for the scratch of quill on parchment as Harrison worked with steady precision. The parchment before him was no ordinary document—it was a marriage contract, crafted with the utmost care and steeped in ancient magic. Every word had been chosen with purpose, every clause a step toward securing the alliance he envisioned.
Harrison paused, his emerald eyes scanning the text as the flickering candlelight illuminated the elegant script. The Black family was a dynasty, but even dynasties could be influenced, their legacies intertwined with those of others. The Peverells had a long history of forging such unions, binding powerful families to their own and cementing their place in history.
This was no impulsive decision. Harrison had seen the potential in Orion Black from the moment they’d locked eyes in the Wizengamot. Orion was intelligent, composed, and respected—a man of influence whose loyalty to his family ran deep. But Harrison had also seen something else: cracks beneath the surface, a restlessness that mirrored his own ambitions.
He’s the key, Harrison thought, a faint smile tugging at his lips. With him by my side, the Peverell name will rise to heights unseen in centuries.
He dipped his quill into the inkpot, adding the final touches to the contract. The terms were generous but firm, crafted to appeal to Arcturus Black’s sense of tradition and legacy while leaving no doubt about Harrison’s intent.
Marriage Contract
Between:
Harrison Peverell, heir to the House of Peverell, and Orion Black, heir to the House of Black.
Terms of Union:
1. The union shall be one of mutual respect and shared ambition, binding the Peverell and Black families in alliance.
2. Both parties shall retain their respective family rights, titles, and properties, with combined influence to be leveraged for mutual benefit.
3. Any heirs born of this union shall carry the Peverell name, ensuring the continuation of its legacy while honoring the Black family’s contributions.
4. The union shall be formalized through a magical ceremony, overseen by representatives of both families, within one month of this contract’s acceptance.
Dowry and Provisions:
The House of Peverell shall provide a dowry of rare magical artifacts and properties, valued at no less than 5,000 Galleons.
The House of Black shall reciprocate with an equivalent contribution, to be determined by Lord Arcturus Black.
Harrison leaned back, satisfied with the document. It was bold, yes, but boldness was a Peverell hallmark. If Arcturus valued legacy as much as he claimed, he would see the merit in uniting their families. And Orion—well, Orion would have no choice but to consider the opportunity.
“Binks,” Harrison called, his voice cutting through the quiet.
The house-elf appeared with a soft pop, his wide eyes gleaming with reverence. “Yes, Master Harrison! How can Binks serve?”
Harrison folded the parchment with care, sealing it with emerald-green wax embossed with the Peverell crest. He handed it to the elf, his gaze steady.
“Deliver this to Lord Arcturus Black,” Harrison instructed. “Personally. Ensure no one else handles it, and return immediately once it is in his hands.”
Binks bowed deeply, clutching the parchment with both hands. “Yes, Master Harrison! Binks will deliver it right away!”
With another pop, the elf disappeared, leaving Harrison alone in the flickering light of the study. He rose from his chair, moving to the window that overlooked the grounds. The moonlit gardens stretched out before him, a testament to his family’s enduring legacy.
As he stared into the night, his thoughts turned to Orion. The man was a puzzle, one that Harrison found increasingly intriguing. Beneath Orion’s composed exterior was a complexity that mirrored Harrison’s own. They were both men bound by legacy and ambition, yet yearning for something more—something greater.
At Black Manor
The crack of Apparition echoed softly through the entrance hall of Black Manor as Binks appeared, clutching the sealed parchment. The house-elf stood upright, his expression one of determination as he approached the grand drawing room where the Blacks often gathered.
Arcturus Black sat in his high-backed chair, a glass of brandy in hand. Across from him, Walburga was engaged in quiet conversation with Orion, though her sharp tone betrayed her ever-watchful suspicion.
The house-elf’s sudden appearance drew their attention.
“Lord Arcturus Black,” Binks said, bowing low as he held out the parchment. “Master Harrison Peverell sends this for you. He asks that you receive it personally.”
Arcturus raised an eyebrow, setting down his glass as he gestured for the elf to approach. He took the parchment, his fingers brushing the emerald wax seal.
“You may go,” Arcturus said, his tone dismissive.
Binks bowed once more before disappearing with a faint pop.
Arcturus inspected the seal briefly before breaking it, unfolding the parchment with deliberate care. His eyes scanned the elegant script, his expression remaining impassive even as he reached the end.
“Interesting,” he murmured, folding the parchment once more.
Walburga leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. “What does it say, Father?”
Arcturus ignored her, his sharp gaze turning to Orion. “It concerns you, Orion.”
Orion straightened, his expression calm but guarded. “Me?”
“Yes,” Arcturus said, handing him the parchment. “It appears Lord Peverell has drafted a marriage contract. For himself—and you.”
The room fell into a tense silence as Orion unfolded the parchment, his silver-gray eyes narrowing slightly as he read. His face betrayed nothing, but his grip on the parchment tightened ever so slightly.
Walburga’s sharp intake of breath broke the silence. “A marriage contract? Between him and Orion?” She scoffed, her tone dripping with disdain. “What nerve.”
Arcturus raised a hand, silencing her. “Enough, Walburga. This is not a matter to dismiss so easily.”
Orion finished reading, his gaze lingering on the elegant signature at the bottom of the parchment. He closed the document with a measured exhale, his thoughts a whirlwind of questions and calculations.
“Father,” he said finally, his tone careful. “What are your thoughts on this?”
Arcturus leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes gleaming. “It’s bold. Ambitious. And undeniably clever. Harrison Peverell is not a man to be underestimated. He understands the power of alliances, and he’s clearly set his sights on ours.”
Walburga scoffed again but said nothing more, her expression tight with barely concealed irritation.
“And you?” Arcturus continued, his gaze fixed on Orion. “What do you think?”
Orion hesitated, his mind racing. The idea was unorthodox, yes, but it was also undeniably strategic. Harrison was intelligent, resourceful, and commanding—qualities that Orion respected, even admired. Yet, the implications of such a union were vast, and the decision was not one to take lightly.
“I think,” Orion said slowly, “that Lord Peverell is playing a long game. And if we don’t tread carefully, we may find ourselves as pieces on his board.”
Arcturus smirked, raising his glass. “Perhaps. But sometimes, the right piece can change the game entirely.”
As the night stretched on, Orion found himself staring at the parchment, his mind torn between caution and intrigue. Harrison Peverell was bold, yes—but perhaps boldness was exactly what the Black family needed.
Chapter 10: A Decision Made
Orion Black sat in his private study within Black Manor, the marriage contract from Harrison Peverell resting on the desk before him. The emerald wax seal lay broken, its edges jagged from where he had carefully opened it, yet its presence seemed to radiate power even in its inert state. The elegantly worded document had occupied his thoughts all evening, the audacity of Harrison’s proposal both infuriating and fascinating.
The room was quiet, save for the faint crackle of the fireplace casting shadows against the dark wood paneling. A glass of aged firewhisky sat untouched at Orion’s side, its amber liquid catching the light. His father, Arcturus Black, stood by the window, gazing out at the moonlit gardens with his hands clasped behind his back.
Finally, Orion broke the silence. “Father, I’ve considered the contract. I’m willing to marry him.” His voice was steady, but there was a flicker of hesitation in his tone. “But what of Sirius and Regulus? They are my priority in all of this. What place would they have in this arrangement?”
Arcturus turned slowly, his sharp gray eyes narrowing slightly as he regarded his son. There was a weight to his presence, a commanding authority that demanded attention. After a moment of silence, he stepped forward, his boots clicking softly against the polished floor as he approached Orion’s desk.
“Sirius and Regulus are your sons, Orion,” Arcturus said, his voice low and measured. “That will not change. But Harrison Peverell is not a fool. He understands that a union with you does not simply mean marrying into the Black family—it means taking on all that comes with it, including your children.”
Orion’s lips pressed into a thin line as he considered his father’s words. “But will he truly accept them? Sirius is rebellious, defiant, and far too bold for his own good. Regulus is more reserved, but he has his own ambitions, his own path. They are both...complicated.”
A faint smirk tugged at the corners of Arcturus’s mouth. “Complications are nothing new to a man like Harrison. In fact, I believe he will thrive in such an environment. He’s already proven his ability to navigate the intricacies of family dynamics. You saw how he conducted himself at dinner. He was unshaken, even under Bellatrix’s scrutiny and Walburga’s hostility.”
Orion leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting to the flickering fire. “And you truly believe he would take my children under his care?”
“I do,” Arcturus said firmly. “Harrison Peverell is a man who understands legacy. He knows that uniting with you means more than a political alliance—it means embracing your family as his own. He would see Sirius and Regulus not as burdens, but as assets to be cultivated.”
Orion’s jaw tightened, his thoughts swirling as he processed his father’s words. The idea of marrying Harrison had initially struck him as preposterous, a bold move from a man who seemed to thrive on risk. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized the potential advantages. Harrison was intelligent, resourceful, and ambitious—qualities Orion respected deeply.
“I must admit,” Orion said quietly, “Harrison intrigues me. He’s bold, perhaps even reckless, but there’s a clarity to his vision that I can’t ignore. He doesn’t simply react to the world around him—he shapes it.”
Arcturus nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Exactly. And that is why he is the perfect match for you, Orion. The Black family needs someone like Harrison to challenge us, to push us toward greater heights. Together, the two of you could create something extraordinary.”
Orion turned his gaze back to the contract, his fingers brushing against the parchment. The terms were clear, the benefits undeniable. Yet, there was a part of him that hesitated—not out of fear, but out of concern for his sons.
“What of Sirius and Regulus?” he asked again, his voice softer this time. “How will they react to this? Sirius, especially—he despises authority and would likely see this as another form of control.”
Arcturus sighed, his expression hardening slightly. “Sirius will need to learn to adapt. He’s young and brash, but he will come to understand the importance of this union in time. Regulus, I suspect, will be more accepting. He is pragmatic and far more attuned to the needs of the family.”
Orion exhaled slowly, the weight of the decision settling over him. He knew his father was right—Sirius and Regulus would need to adjust