Toujours Fort
The state where Château Noir stood was a strong indication of how rich and powerful the Black Family was. Surrounded by a beautiful garden — purple, black and pink roses all around; the magic of the Blacks emanating from them — and in the middle of all this beauty was the château itself.
A grand palace-like structure that would make a Malfoy cry in jealousy. The 16th-century French architecture showcases the family's pride in their heritage. The cream-coloured walls contrast with the light purple of the mansard roofs.
The whole place screamed aristocracy and Hedwyn was more than impressed. The difference between Château Noir and Gwynt Keep was a testament to the two families' different heritage. While the Black family's ancestral home was undeniably French, the Peverell's keep was proudly Anglo-Saxon.
A house-elf ‘popped' in front of them, taking Hedwyn's attention from the Black State.
“Welcome to Château Noir, Masters. I is Tippy and I is taking you to Lord and Lady Black.”
Regulus linked his arm with Hedwyn's while they followed the elf. Heir Black had a smile on his face, reminiscing of the times he would visit his grandparents every weekend. It has been a while since the last time he came to the Black ancestral home — thanks to Walburga and Orion, both disgustingly recluse, even from their own family.
Inside the château, they passed through beautiful halls — embroidered with gold and silver. The interior walls of the palace were varied from room to room; some purple, some light blue, others black. All came together in a show of colour and good taste — a tribute to Renaissance-era France.
“It's a beautiful home,” Hedwyn says while looking at his boyfriend, a smile like Regulus' on his face.
“Yeah, it is,” Regulus says softly. His grey-coloured eyes shone like precious stones. “I missed this place so much, Harry. Grimmauld never felt as a home to me as the Château.”
Seeing how happy Regulus was to be here, Harry could not help but ask “Would you like to live here one day? It's your heritage after all.”
Regulus seemed momentarily shocked by the question, his eyebrows lifting slightly and his eyes widening for a second.
“Harry, I-I don't know. We never talked about this, so I just assumed we would live in Gwynt Keep after we married.”
Hedwyn's brows furrowed before he spoke. “But is that something you'd want? I can see how this place makes you happy, Regulus. If you wish to live here you just have to tell me.”
Regulus' face was controlled, but Hedwyn could see in his eyes that the words touched him. “I thought you would want me to live in your ancestral home. Honestly, though, —” he said quietly as if forcing the words to come out. “— I always dreamt of living here. My favourite childhood memories are the ones I have from being at the Château.”
Harry smiled sweetly at him. “Then I guess this is another thing to discuss before the marriage.”
Regulus smiled brightly at him and nodded. Starting to imagine how their lives in Château Noir would be distracted Regulus, to the point he didn't realise they were close to their destination.
“We is here,” The house-elf said, bringing Regulus back to the present. The doors to the White Drawing Room — where Lord and Lady Black would be waiting open, revealing the old couple standing in the middle of the room. “Lord Hedwyn Aelius Peverell and Heir Regulus Arcturus Black,” The elf announced.
“Grandfather, grandmother, is a pleasure to be invited to our ancestral home once more,” Regulus says after entering the room. He thought as appropriate to start things more formally, even if he was dealing with family, because Lord Black is not happy with not being told about the courting with Harry.
Hedwyn approaches with a respectful demeanour, offering a courteous bow to his hosts. "It is an honour to be invited into your esteemed household, and I express my gratitude to you, Lord and Lady Black. Thank you for your gracious hospitality."
As the couple stands before them, Lord Arcturus approaches them with an expressionless face, his eyes betraying no emotion. He is the first to step forward, his imposing presence casting a shadow over the scene. “My heir, Lord Peverell, is my greatest honour to have you both in my home. My wife and I have been most interested in speaking with you.”
Lady Melania Black walks towards them and stops by her husband's side. “Grandson, Lord Peverell, is a pleasure,” her words are courteous but short. Maybe Lord Black wouldn't be their biggest problem, Harry thinks.
Without saying another word, Lord Black turns around and walks towards the chair in the room. All others follow him.
“I believe we have much to discuss, Regulus,” Arcturus says after everyone is sat down. “Your grandmother and I were most disappointed in you, keeping your relationship with Lord Peverell a secret for so long.”
Lady Black nods as her husband speaks, sipping on the tea Tippy has brought for them. For an untrained eye, Melania Black doesn't look displeased, but her eyes tell another story.
“Regulus —,” Lady Black starts and Regulus winces slightly “— may we have an answer to your... wariness in doing as you should have and informing us of your courting with Lord Peverell?”
On the sofa, sitting next to Hedwyn, Regulus tenses. The cold tone from his grandmother is like a knife to his chest — the disappointment clear in her eyes. Never having his grandparents speak and act to him in this manner leaves Regulus unable to come up with something to say.
Feeling his boyfriend's distress, Hedwyn puts his hand on top of Regulus'. He then turns to Lord and Lady Black, “I am afraid this is my fault,” Regulus' eyebrows shoot up at Harry's words. “I have taken a lot of Regulus' time, with our projects and plans, as well as me just wanting to spend more time with him. Not that this is an acceptable excuse, of course. But I hope that you can understand a bit of the reasons why we haven't met beforehand. You have my sincere apologies.”
Arcturus and Melania looked at each other without saying anything, then turned back to the men in front of them. Lord Black's face still told nothing about what he might be thinking, but Lady Black lifts the corner of her mouth momentarily — in a quasi-smile.
Hedwyn saw in the corner of his eyes Regulus' shoulders relaxing. He was quite confused, to say the least. The body language of the Blacks being more than foreign to him.
Melania then faced Hedwyn, making the man unconsciously straighten his shoulders. “Although you taking the blame for both of your actions or inactions, in this case, we are not foolish enough to fall for that, young lord.”
Hedwyn blushed after being caught so early and smiles awkwardly at Lady Black. “Of course, Lady Black. I wouldn't presume that was going to be the end of it. Think of it more as a contextualising, more than an excuse.”
Lady Melania Black only hums at him, continuing to drink her tea. He's fairly good a getting out of difficult situations, Melania thinks.
“We will consider that, Lord Peverell. However, I think we have more... pressing issues to discuss,” Lord Black says.
“Yes, grandfather,” Regulus bows his head slightly as he says. “We would like to enlighten you on the progress of our courting.”
Nodding at them, as for Regulus to continue, Lord Black keeps his eyes on his grandson.
“Well, as you can see we are in the third stage of our courting,” Regulus shows the silver bracelet with black diamonds around it, on his right wrist.
“The third? In such short time?” Lady Black interrupts Regulus. “Isn't it quite early for the gift giving stage, grandson?”
Regulus' cheeks show a small blush, but otherwise he still appears confident. Harry smiles at that; Regulus not showing any reluctance about the fast-paced courting process warms his heart.
“Not at all, grandmother. I, for once, believe that if you find the right person, spaced courting can be a detriment to the relationship. And let's not forget that Hedwyn and I are already at the age where most purebloods marry — if betrothed, of course.”
Lord Arcturus Black nods and hums at his grandson. “You are correct in that. Your grandmother and I married at your age, so it's not uncommon.”
Lady Black looked contemplative but nodded nonetheless. “Indeed. Just a year out of Hogwarts, if I remember correctly.”
“Unfortunately, Hedwyn and I didn't have the pleasure of a betrothal contract like you, so we are taking things faster than they otherwise would be.”
Hedwyn smiled at Regulus and intertwined their fingers. “I didn't study at Hogwarts, as you probably know. So Regulus and I didn't meet until later in life. However, I can't say it's a significant issue, as we are doing the courting process.”
“Yes, I can see it,” Lady Black says. “Apart from that, we are pleased with the seriousness you are both dealing with this.”
“It is a serious matter for us. We understand the expectations as lord and heir of great houses, and the responsibility that comes with it,” Hedwyn says and Lord and Lady Black nod at him.
Melania then looks at both men and smiles at them. “Well, we saw the bracelet, which is a beautiful piece, if I may say. Now, Regulus, what have you gifted you intended?”
While unconsciously caressing the bracelet Hedwyn gave him, Regulus speaks, “I gifted Hedwyn the necklace Cepheus Lepus Black gave Caden Aidan Yaxley.”
On Hedwyn's neck hung the courting gift, a silver necklace, embroidered with small diamonds and with a purple sapphire as the centrepiece. Much like the bracelet that Regulus now wore, the necklace was a family heirloom. Both men exchanging heirlooms as to a their first courting gifts were a sign of the couple's desire to intertwine their families — a sign any dignified pureblood would understand.
“Oh, yes. I remember seeing it in the Vault. A beautiful piece indeed,” Lord Black said while looking very pleased with Regulus' choice. “Yours is a very elegant choice, Lord Peverell. If I remember correctly the Peverells had a preference for black diamonds.”
“You're correct, Lord Black,” Hedwyn said while nodding eagerly at Lord Black. The pride in his family's history is present in his body language. “The Peverells have the biggest collection of pieces with black diamonds in the world. Not many exist, of course, since this specific type of diamond is quite rare.”
“Is a beautiful bracelet, Lord Peverell. It looks almost alluring on Regulus' wrist,” Lady Black says, her voice full of respect for Hedwyn's choice. She would want nothing below what she deemed deserving for her grandson. Thankfully, Lord Peverell had the taste worthy of a Black.
“Thank you, Lady Black. Regulus deserves nothing but the best I can give him,” Hedwyn said with his posture straight and shoulders aligned. Regulus laughed softly at his boyfriend's declaration of affection. Both Lord and Lady Black did look pleased, having now a new level of respect for the man who seemed so dedicated to their grandson.
“There has been much talk about your project of building a village. I've heard many of our colleagues in the Wizengamot speaking about, Lord Peverell. It's the news of the moment, I fear,” Arcturus said.
“Oh, yes,” Hedwyn grinned while speaking. “Regulus and I are building a new magical village, away from Muggle influence — where our own can be ourselves without the fear of breaking the Statute of Secrecy.”
“It's an honourable ideal. Only having Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley and the other alleys adjacent to it as places for wixen to live is a disgrace to this country. Other countries have much stronger magical communities, while Britain stays scattered,” Lord Black shakes his head in dissatisfaction. The Blacks once lived much closer to other wizarding families, but in recent centuries those people who were once neighbours have grown away from each other, with the expansion of Muggle towns and cities.
“Indeed, grandfather,” Regulus' tone dripped with disdain for the current situation of their country. “We have been at the mercy of Muggles for too long. We catn build new houses because of Muggles, we can't do magic outside of particular places because of Muggles. Our country has been completely overtaken by Muggles while the Ministry does nothing to stop it.”
Lord Black had a small smile on his face while his grandson spoke. “You're speaking like a true Black, Regulus,” Regulus' eyes shone with the compliment. “I'm thankful that the family mantle will be given to you. Not that I don't like your brother, it's not that at all. But Sirius has never had the same responsibility for his place in this family like you.”
Regulus bowed his head to his grandfather, in a sign of gratitude for the encouraging words. “Thank you, grandfather. I'll bring our family to our former glory again,” He then looked at Harry and smiled at his boyfriend. “Hedwyn and I, together, will leave our mark in this country.”
Lord Black's smile was more pronounced now with his grandson's words. “I have no doubt you will, Regulus. I have no doubt.”
They spoke more about how things have been in the passing months, with Hedwyn's work in the Wizengamot and Regulus' plans to become a Runes Master. Regulus asked how things have been at the château, with his Aunt Lucrecia and Uncle Cygnus, Great-uncle Pollux and Great-aunts Cassiopeia and Dorea coming for the Yule celebrations. As well as his cousins Narcissa and Bellatrix, who was a promise of an an uncomfortable atmosphere with her present — due to her being in thrall with the Dark Lord especially. His parents would come too, to Hedwyn and Regulus' displeasure, but his grandparents wouldn't allow Orion and Walburga to be cast aside from the family gathering.
Lady Black talked a lot about the new member of the family Castor Chalus Potter, whom the four would be meeting in a few days — according to Dorea. The baby's arrival was a reason for celebration for the Potters and Blacks alike. Both families knew how much Dorea and Charlus wanted a child and the news of Dorea's pregnancy had revitalised the families — who both had been without a new addition for a while.
As the meeting was coming to a close, Lord Black thought it necessary to alert his grandson of the Dark Lord's anger towards him. “I heard Bellatrix speaking about it with her husband and brother-in-law when they came here with Cygnus and Druella. She said the Dark Lord has been looking for you and that he had ‘a lot to discuss with the Black traitor’. I do not know what you've done, Regulus, but be careful nonetheless.”
Regulus looked thoughtful but nodded nonetheless. Hedwyn was the one to speak, “Don't worry, Lord and Lady Black, I won't allow any harm to come to Regulus. If the Dark Lord wishes suffering upon your grandchild he will need to go through me first,” Harry linked his arm with Regulus'. “Your grandson is the most important person in my life, and I won't let him go without putting up a fight.”
Arcturus and Melania looked very pleased with Hedwyn's stance towards their grandson. The young lord's fondness for Regulus was obvious, not only in his words but in the way he looked at Regulus as well.
After saying their goodbyes — promising to see them when Dorea was to deliver the baby —, the men went to the floo, deciding it was better to go home that way home, instead of walking all the apparition point.
Arcturus and Melania went back to the White Drawing Room and talked more about the two men, and how happy they were with the pair. “A great addition to the family,” Lord Black said while his wife nodded in agreement.