Siriana POV
Siriana Black assessed her outfit in the large antique, mirrored vanity, scrutinizing the costume she had meticulously labored over for months.
It was perfect.
She grasped the matching black cloak draped across the chair and slipped the weighted material over her shoulders.
Working at the toggle affixed to the throat, she slid the diamond encrusted clasp into the silver loop and then spun in a circle.
The last months of patience and waiting had finally delivered and Samhain had arrived.
This tide would be different. This Samhain Siriana would prove she was more than a tomboy, and she would start by beating the reigning champ for the best costume at the eagerly anticipated Samhain Ball.
Siriana closed her eyes and envisioned the night as she hoped it would be.
Taking down her cousin Bellatrix, one of their pureblood circles' favored and most renowned witches, would be the icing on the cake, a cherry on top of the sundae, but the true glory would stem from attracting Heir Rodolphus Lestrange’s attention.
She knew her cousin planned to have him ask for her favour this year and she couldn’t wait for people to stare through her when she took the stage, accepted his ring, and waved to the crowd like blushing maiden.
Bellatrix would be crushed, just what she deserved for taunting her for years.
More than a simple case of cousins’ rivalry, Bellatrix had loathed Siriana from the moment she set eyes on her and had never tried to mask her disdain.
The numerous accidents and mishaps Siriana had suffered throughout her childhood were a testament to that.
Taking Bellatrix’ place as her grandfather’s favourite had come at a high price, and the consequence had left her living on the edge, always waiting for what might happen next.
She didn’t harbor any real fondness for Heir Lestrange. Even his good looks and faultless manners weren’t enough to make her cold heart beat.
But she reached the age when she should look for an appropriate suitor. It would serve as a shield from her mother’s nagging and her father’s worried looks.
Even her younger sister, Regina, was happily bonded with her best friend Heir James Potter.
They welcomed their first child fifteen months ago.
Siriana knew that as the future Lady Black, she must secure her position and produce Heirs to The Noble and Most Ancient of Black.
All her cousins, bar the nasty Bellatrix, were happily married and she was aware that many ravenous eyes were set on her birthright.
A soft tapping was accompanied by a muffled voice through the bedroom door stopped her musing:”Pafoo, Pafoo…”, and Siriana smiled.
The intrusion was unexpected, but the voice accompanying the faint knocking was welcome.
It seemed little Harry forced his mother to venture from her room, where she should be preparing herself for the Ball.
No one could refuse the little heartthrob a thing.
She waved her wand and the door opened.
Little Harry padded across the carpet and hugged her knees. Her heart melted at the sight of his toothy smile and she ruffled his silky black locks.
“Pafoo…” He babbled. She knelt and kissed his forehead:’’Yes Pup? Did you miss godmother Padfoot?”
Regina sighed:”Harry, I told you not to call her Padfoot when we are in Grimmauld Place. If mother hears you…”
Siriana kissed Harry again, before she stood up:”It’s alright Regina. Mother is too busy tonight, she won’t pay any attention to my sweet Harry.”
Regina studied her outfit, a secret smile on her lips:”You look gorgeous tonight Siriana. Did someone catch your eye?”
Siriana walked to the four poster bed and slid atop the silky green comforter:’’I plan to have some fun tonight Regi. It had been a while since I did.”
Regina’s eyes flared and her mouth opened and closed:”Siri, but Mother…”
Harry giggled at his mother’s affronted look and she winked at her favourite godson:”Oh, you know me sister. I don’t care about mother’s words. As long as I don’t besmirch our family’s honour she can’t ask me for more.”
“But...” Regina seemed pained and she heard the seed of doubt in her voice.
“Plus, I want to take my revenge on Bellatrix. I had it with her. Did you forget what she did last Litha?” Siriana's winsome smirk faltered as she remembered her humiliation.
Even though she despised many things about her family’s traditions that forced her to mask her true nature, she was a staunch follower of Mother Magic and did enjoy celebrating The Eight Sacred Days.
Her dear cousin shamed her as she cast an ‘Aguamenti’ on the Ritual Fire she held for her family and friends, making her lose the auspicious moment to send her prayers.
Regina sighed, closed her eyes and combed her fingers through her son’s hair:”As you wish sister. I know I can’t persuade you when you are so set in your ways. However, try to enjoy the festivities. Maybe you will find a wizard worthy of your heart.” Regina’s grey eyes, so similar to hers, pleaded silently.
She knew that her sister was worried about her.
Almost all the suitable bachelors were taken and her chances seemed to narrow each passing day.
Siriana cut her with a simple wave of her hand, “Don’t worry. I have someone in mind. He’s not perfect, but he’ll do.” Her lips curved as she imagined Bellatrix’ defeated face.
The unhinged woman chased poor Rodolphus for years until he yielded, hence stealing him would be a fitting punishment.
Regina snorted in feigned admonishment and the two sisters chuckled.
Little Harry looked between the two, before he clapped his small hands and chortled:’’Pafoo...happy…”
｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ
It was nearly impossible for her to mask her excitement.
Within minutes, she would face Bellatrix and her supposed future fiancée and ruin her carefully weaved plans.
“How are you doing Heiress Black?” A familiar voice teased and she span around, smiling impulsively.
“I am well, Heir Potter. Thank you for caring about my welfare.”
A broad smile encompassed James’ face as he winked.
Not caring about protocols, she placed her weight onto her toes, braced her hands on his wide shoulders, and pressed a kiss to his shaved cheek.
In all the time she had spent with her best friend, and his prevailing influence, they never failed to express their fondness of each other.
The sibling-like bond they forged since first year never wavered. She was proud of it and had no such reservations about displaying her adulation.
“So, what are you up to tonight?” James’ hazel eyes twinkled with mischief as he ogled her outfit and she smirked. “Just a little gift for my dear cousin. Watch and learn Prongs, this is how we prank Blacks.”
James shook his head and smothered his amusement, his eyes studying the guests and coming to conclusions.
She stifled burgeoning laughter when Bellatrix and Rodolphus arrived. Saying a hasty ‘Until later’ to her best friend, she ushered him away.
She arched a delicate eyebrow as she took in her cousin’s tight dress that displayed a good amount of cleavage. Bella viewed clothes as means of seduction: the more revealing the better.
She couldn’t rebuke Rodolphus his glazed eyes, however, being a good witch she would save him from her cousin’s clutches.
She plastered a fake smile on her face as she glided toward the guests, exchanging pleasantries and doing her job as the Heiress.
She pretended to hear their words and praises, but her eyes stole furtive glances at the couple.
When she neared them, she took a deep breath as her heels clacked softly against the thick carpet.
“Heir Lestrange, how lovely to see you.”
Rodolphus POV
“Heir Lestrange, how lovely to see you.”
Rodolphus turned around and everything in him froze at the woman in front of him. Gone was the ‘tomboy’ Siriana Black and before him was Heiress Siriana Black, and he admitted to himself that she looked stunning.
Unlike Bellatrix’s more revealing dress, Siriana was the picture of class and elegance and while Bellatrix could make any man’s eye glaze over, including his own, it was Siriana that was currently setting his blood on fire.
“Heiress Black, you look absolutely stunning,” he replied, taking her hand and placing a kiss on her knuckles, lingering longer than appropriate.
“Thank you, Heir Lestrange.”
Rodolphus watched as Siriana opened her mouth to speak when she was cut off by Bellatrix.
“Cousin, how lovely it is to see you. And it looks like you’ve dressed up, how unusual,” Bellatrix said, stepping closer to Rodolphus than was appropriate.
Something flashed in Siriana’s eyes, but he didn’t know her well enough to decipher the look.
“Grandfather has never had an issue with my attire in the past, cousin.”
Bellatrix’s nails digging into his arm had Rodolphus taking notice, curious as to what caused it.
“Regardless, I’m sure any of my outfits would be unusual, after all,” Siriana paused and looked her up and down before continuing, “we clearly have different styles. But that’s understandable, you have much more leeway at these events.”
If Rodolphus had any less control over his expressions his jaw would have dropped at the way that Siriana Black had masterfully insulted Bellatrix while her expression remained completely innocent, as though she had no idea how her words could be interpreted by others.
“I see someone worth speaking to over there, come, Rodolphus,” Bellatrix said turning away and practically dragging him off but not before he noticed the surprise in Siriana’s eyes directed at Bellatrix.
Inside, Rodolphus was fuming.
How dare she drag me and order me about? How dare she act so informal around Heiress Black and imply a much closer relationship than what actually existed!
Rodolphus glanced at Bellatrix before turning away, making sure none of his anger showed in his expression. He allowed himself to be directed to whoever Bellatrix wanted to speak to and partially tuned out the conversation as he started to think.
The way Bellatrix was dressed would make any man drool and want to have her on his arm, he could see some of the looks being thrown her way, but instead of making him feel smug that she was on his arm he felt slight disgust. His father was very much interested in forming a closer relationship with the Black family and Bellatrix’s pursuit of him had seemed like the answer, but it seems that both he and his father had somehow overlooked something important.
Heiress Siriana Black.
Rodolphus was a few years older than Siriana and so he’d only had to rely on stories he’d heard from others, including Bellatrix. He wasn’t sure how long he’d been standing there while Bellatrix was chatting with her friends but once he started listening to the conversation he subtly looked around for his father. Seeing Siriana heading outside gave him a burst of inspiration and he turned to those around him.
“Please excuse me for a moment.”
Bellatrix leaned closer to him and purred out, “Do hurry back.” Before finally releasing his arm and giving him a heated look.
Rodolphus gave a nod to those around him and took the long way to the doors leading to garden where he’d seen Siriana go.
Since when am I thinking of her as Siriana and not Heiress Black?
Subtly glancing around he made sure no one was paying attention to him before making his way into the garden. Taking a moment to search with his magic, he found Siriana and quickly made his way to her.
“Heiress Black?”
She spun around and Rodolphus’s breath caught in his throat. The moonlight shone on her in such a way that it looked like she’d taken the stars from the sky and turned them into a dress.
“Heir Lestrange?”
“Forgive me for seeking you out, I wished to speak to you about something.”
“Oh? What would that be?” She asked, tilting her head to the side.
Rodolphus got his wand out and quickly put up a privacy spell, clearing his throat at the raised eyebrow he got in return.
“I wish to clear up something with you.”
“Oh?”
“It seems that I have been at least misinformed, at worst led astray.”
“About what?”
“You, for starters,” he admitted.
Siriana straightened and her eyes narrowed. “Go on.”
Rodolphus nodded. “There are a number of things however the most pressing is that I was under the impression that the title of Heiress Black would be passed to another tonight.”
He watched Siriana’s reaction to his words but before she could say anything he continued, “It was implied that should Miss Black ask for my favour tonight and I were to accept, I’d be accepting the hand of Heiress Black.”
“What?” Siriana hissed out. He wasn’t sure if it was real or a trick of the light but her eyes seemed to glow and for a split second he felt her angry magic before she controlled it.
“Indeed.”
“What was said and who said it?” Siriana demanded and unlike when Bellatrix ordered him to follow her, Siriana’s demand for information felt different.
Rodolphus stared at the witch in front of him and as much as he wanted to determine why her demand wasn’t infuriating him, she looked ready to hex someone and he was the only available target. Normally he wouldn’t be worried but he wasn’t stupid enough to underestimate anyone in the Black family, especially its Heiress.
“My father was interested in a marriage between our two houses and not too long after we started discussing the option, Miss Bellatrix Black started her pursuit. My brother heard her telling her friends she’d ask for my favour tonight, it was one of them that implied she would be named Heiress and according to Rabastan she laughed and confirmed the comment.”
Rodolphus waited for Siriana to react, giving her time to digest what he’d told her.
“Kreacher!”
A house elf popped in and glared at Rodolphus before turning to Siriana. “What can Kreacher bes doing for Heiress Black?”
“You will find my grandfather and ask him to meet me in his study as a matter of importance, then I want you to pop back here immediately.”
As the house elf popped out Rodolphus turned to Siriana.
“Once Kreacher returns I will have him pop us to my grandfather’s study before sending him for Lord Lestrange. If my cousin is insinuating that she will be Heiress then both Lord Black and Lord Lestrange must be made aware.”
As he stared at the woman in front of him he realised one very important thing. “You’re not who everyone thinks you are.”
He was not expecting the smirk or the mischievous look in her eyes.
“Everyone sees what they want to see, or what I want them to see. They seem to forget that I’m the future Lady Black. As the future Lady Black, it is my duty to produce Heirs to The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. However that’s not my only duty.”
Siriana POV
Siriana stood next to her grandfather as he made his speech. After Siriana and Rodolphus had met her grandfather in his study they’d had to wait for Lord Lestrange and Rabastan to arrive.
What followed was a lengthy discussion which left all of them fuming. Although the implication was made by one of Bellatrix’s friends and not Bellatrix herself, she didn’t deny it and in fact confirmed it. However, the conversation was one that Rabastan happened to overhear, not one any of them were an active part of so technically the Lestrange family were not lied to.
In the end Siriana got her revenge, even if Bellatrix didn’t know it yet.
--Flashback--
Siriana was sitting in her seat staring at the fire while her grandfather and Lord Lestrange were discussing what to do.
Clearing her throat she got everyone’s attention.
“While her actions have impact on you and yours, Lord Lestrange, Bellatrix has not spoken to you about it and therefore has not lied to you directly.” She raised her hand when all three Lestrange men looked like they were about to protest, making them pause and allowing her to continue speaking. “I am not in any way excusing her actions, merely pointing out that she never directly lied to you. However, the lies she said both in that memory and in her discussions with you, were directly about me and my title.”
Turning to her grandfather she could see his eyes narrowed at her, while Bellatrix had once been his favourite, Siriana easily held that title now and he knew her very well. He straightened in his seat as he waited for her to speak.
“Lord Black, as these lies are an attack on me and my position within The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black I ask that you choose her punishment from my suggestions.”
“And what would those suggestions be, Heiress Black?”
“Option one, you sign one of the already written and proposed marriage contracts between her and someone other than Heir Lestrange, preferably someone outside of England. Option two, should Lord Lestrange still be willing, she marry Heir Lestrange and but she then be disowned from the Black family. Option three, should Lord and Heir Lestrange be willing, I will agree to marry Heir Lestrange with the announcement being made tonight.”
--End Flashback--
“Before we continue with the festivities, I would like to ask Lord Lestrange and Heir Lestrange to join me,” her grandfather said, waiting for the two men to join him.
Siriana could see the barely hidden glee in Bellatrix’s eyes as she moved to the front.
Perfect, I now have front row seats to her reaction, Siriana internally cackled.
“It is my great pleasure to announce that a marriage contract has been signed between Heir Rodolphus Lestrange—” Siriana saw the smug look on Bellatrix’s face as she took a step forward, “—and Heiress Siriana Black.”
Everyone started clapping politely as Siriana stepped up to her grandfather, holding her left hand out to him so that he could lead her over to Rodolphus who, upon taking her hand, placed a kiss on her knuckles before placing the Lestrange betrothal ring on her finger. During the discussions in the study, Lord Lestrange had called one of his elves to bring the Lestrange betrothal rings for Rodolphus to choose one for Siriana.
Once the ring was on her finger the two of them turned to face the guests, both relishing in the shock on Bellatrix’s face as she stood there unmoving, her pureblood mask nowhere to be found.
“I would also like to announce that a marriage contract has been signed between Miss Bellatrix Black and Mr Orford Umbridge,” her grandfather announced and Siriana wanted to cackle at the look of horror on Bellatrix’s face.
Turning to Rodolphus she asked, “Shall we go and congratulate my dear cousin?”
“Lets,” he replied, a smirk on his face before leading her to the still stunned witch.
“Congratulations, cousin, I hope you and Mr Umbridge will be very happy together. It’s a shame that you’ll need to leave England, but I’m sure your future daughter-in-law Dolores will keep you up to date with what’s happening,” Siriana said to Bellatrix, relishing in the rage she could see in her cousin’s eyes.
When she saw the wand drop into her hand, Siriana chuckled and she noticed Rodolphus bring up a privacy barrier.
“Oh, did I forget to mention? Should you attack me, Rodolphus and his family, or even Regina and her family you will be stripped of the Black Family Magics and reduced to a squib. This includes getting someone to do the work for you.”
She smirked as the emotions in Bellatrix’s eyes went from rage, to fear, and back to rage.
“And should you be reduced to a squib, the wedding will still happen. Turns out there was a long held contract in the vaults for a member of the Selwyn or Umbridge line and a member of the Black Family. It’s only one step away from being an absolute contract, in favour of the husband of course, and now that it’s been signed you will not be able to attack your husband-to-be either.”
Siriana knew that Bellatrix would not do anything to risk her magic, she wouldn’t survive without it, so she was not worried about Bellatrix retaliating.
“Siriana, they’ll be announcing the Samhain Ball champion shortly, we should return to my father and Lord Black,” Rodolphus said before looking at Bellatrix. “Enjoy the rest of your night, future Mrs Umbridge.” He then took the barrier down and escorted Siriana to her grandfather.
Winning Best Costume was not nearly as enjoyable as destroying Bellatrix, but Siriana enjoyed it just the same.