Back at Malfoy Manor, Cygnus Black was led into the study of Lord Abraxas Malfoy. The man was carrying a deep frown on his face and looked disturbed. Even so, he did not speak a word until he was seated on a chair directly in front of Abraxas Malfoy.
"Malfoy," he asked with stress in his voice, "what the hell is this? Why would Reinhart Lestrange attack Edmund Bones? What is even happening?"
Abraxas remained silent for a couple of seconds. He was having a little trouble formulating a proper response to Cygnus' question.
"Mr. Black," he said. "The situation is a bit complex and not easy to explain."
Cygnus cut him off before he could say anything further.
"Complex? Not easy to explain?" he questioned. "What do you even mean by this? I am asking the reason why Reinhart and the others attacked Bones Manor. Just give me the reason."
Abraxas felt his temper flaring. Cygnus was like this. Arrogant and entitled. He behaved more like a rich second generation brat.
Just because he had the Black surname, he thought his standing to be above everyone else. And Abraxas could have easily put him in his place.
But not now. He needed that man. And no matter how much of a buffoon Cygnus was, he did have the Black surname behind him. This was a fact and Abraxas needed to make use of that.
"Mr. Black," Abraxas replied in a polite tone, "it is not that I do not want to tell you. It is just that I myself am not fully aware of the matter."
"I was aware that the Dark Lord was planning something big, but I had never thought it would be something like this. And right now, the Lord is very angry and disappointed," he said. "Give me some time and I will have all your answers."
Cygnus nodded thoughtfully. Now that the Dark Lord had been brought into the conversation, he could not be more forceful.
He had met the Dark Lord only once. It had been at the very beginning of the Dark Lord's rise. A gathering he had organized for a few pure bloods, where he had shared his ideals and ideas about the wizarding society. And more importantly, the Dark Lord had given a glimpse of the power he wielded.
It had begun when a wizard had mocked and laughed at the wild ideas of the Dark Lord. With a very small, simple wave of his wand, the Dark Lord had silenced him. Even now, Cygnus had a vivid memory of that little demonstration of power the Dark Lord had shown.
"Mr. Black," Abraxas said. "Why do you not join our ranks? You are fully in synchronization with our ideas and the future we envision for the world. You would then have access to every piece of information that is going on. And you are a fine wizard. This would be a very great help for us. Why remain separate from us?"
The last part was, of course, a lie. He was worse than an average wizard. But Cygnus was too entitled to realize it. Cygnus shook his head in response.
"I have already clarified my stance to you, Lord Malfoy," Cygnus answered. "It is not that I am unwilling to join your ranks, but I cannot join just like that."
"It is true that I will be of great help to your ranks, but what help will I get? I need something tangible… some real benefit apart from promises before I commit myself to your ranks."
Abraxas wanted to scoff at this. The Dark Lord provided no benefits. He only took the benefits and only promised a glorious future in return. If he even mentioned this in front of Lord Voldemort, he would receive nothing but extreme pain in return. Far more capable and able men were serving the dark lord with no tangible benefits.
"I understand your point," he said. "But we will need some time before real benefits could be awarded to you."
"Fine by me," Cygnus responded.
"Now," he continued, "the most important thing that I have come to discuss today. What happens now that Reinhart Lestrange has been killed?"
Abraxas raised his eyebrows in a questioning manner.
"About the marriage proposals that we had decided," Cygnus said.
"What of the proposal?" Abraxas asked, acting confused.
"It is Reinhart who has died, not Rodolphus. He is very much alive. In fact, he will be the next lord of the Lestrange family," he added. "This is a good thing for you and Bellatrix."
"Do not try to act like a fool with me, Lord Malfoy," Cygnus snorted. "You know very well what I am trying to imply. Reinhart Lestrange has been killed invading the house of another influential lord. The name of the Lestrange has been tarnished. And you want me to act like nothing has happened? And my father? He will raise hell if he realizes that I still want to continue with the marriage."
Abraxas shrugged. "In a couple of weeks no one will remember a single thing. Besides, it is you who has been dragging this issue for months. The marriage should have taken place months ago, but you kept delaying it."
"I thought that maybe with time Bellatrix would realize that this is the best option for her. She was being too stubborn, and I thought she needed some time. The same goes for my father."
"Yes," Abraxas commented. "But convincing her now will be even harder."
"Why?" Cygnus questioned.
"Come on, Mr. Black," Abraxas smiled. "Do not act ignorant. Who is not aware of the growing closeness between Lord Olario and the eldest of the Blacks? The way she acted at the gathering with him, and then their spotting in Hogsmeade. Miss Black is also a frequent visitor at Lord Olario's house."
"Besides," Abraxas continued with a grin, "did not Lord Black vote in favour of Antonio Olario?"
Cygnus clenched his hands in anger.
"Lord Black might be thinking of something else," Abraxas added with a smirk. "Mr. Black, you must act quickly. Only after Bellatrix gets married will the marriages of Andromeda and Narcissa take place."
Cygnus nodded.
"I will put an end to all of this," he said. "As soon as things return to normal for the Lestrange family, the marriage will take place. No ifs and buts this time."
Abraxas grinned inwardly. He was simply fuelling the friction within the Black family.
The duo chatted for a couple more hours before Cygnus Black departed.
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