HP: Harry From The Ancient House Of Black [ Chapter 61 ]

"Relieved."

…

Fleur brought her coy smile back in full force. "I am no fool Aries Black. Potter? Malfoy? Greengrass? And zen your friends from your school. All powerful. All connected. You seek the life zat I want."

"I'm no Light wizard Fleur." She had walked up to him, letting her fingers trail across his back. "And my goals are not what one would consider good."

"Of course not. The paz to greatness is not for ze weak. But for ze strong. And ze strong must make sacrifices, non?" Aries caught her hand before it touched his cheek again.

"I'm not interested in some harem." It was not illegal per se in Magical Britain, but definitely frowned upon.

"Daphne suits my needs here, without her my goals become harder to attain. I will not lose that to someone who is already bound to me." Fleur flinched away from him.

"You are not my slave, but you are indebted to me. My plans will not be bent or bowed to the desires of one person. You have much to offer me, but bond or no bond I can cast you aside and let you see my ascent to power from afar. If you wish to have a taste of that then you will do as I ask, though what I ask of you will not be difficult or cruel by any means." Aries gave her a coy smile of his own.

"And perhaps while I do not wish for a harem, what happens behind closed doors is something no one needs to know right? There is my offer. Make your choice Fleur."

Fleur answered with a smile. "What would you 'ave me do Aries?"

"I want a meeting with your father." Aries commanded. "I have an offer that I believe he will not refuse."

The months leading up to the fourth and final task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament were passing by in a blur for Aries and his friends.

Daphne's preparation for her final examinations had begun to take up large amounts of her time, forcing her to stay in the library or her common room late into the night.

While Aries would have much rather spent his newfound free time in a broom cupboard with the Slytherin, it allowed for much more profitable ventures.

He had managed to befriend a few influential seventh-years who had the potential to make their way up into the hierarchy of the Ministry of Magic.

More importantly though, Aries had finally tackled a project he had intended on completing since his mentor's first lesson at Hogwarts so many months ago: The Patronus Charm.

His initial lack of success had frustrated Aries to no end. The Patronus Charm seemed to be one of the few spells that did not give him a sense of déjà vu.

Often when he cast a spell for the first it did not feel like the first time, but he had no familiar sensation with this charm.

Perhaps the most difficult part had been choosing the correct memory. Professor von Reich had eased his frustrations stating that even the greatest of wizards had difficulty choosing a memory that could fuel the immense power a corporeal Patronus produced.

After a couple weeks he had managed the shield like version of the spell, but the corporeal still eluded him. He could tell it was some four-legged creature though its actual form was too blurry to confirm.

The last Hogsmeade weekend of the year looked to be a disappointment for Aries Black. Daphne had come down with some sort of cold and had taken the opportunity to study for her exams in the Slytherin dungeons.

Draco had finally managed to convince Arianna to join him for the weekend, though it might have been more out of annoyance than anything.

This left Aries without any plans, until at least he received a letter from his aunt. She, and a few guests, would be coming to the Hogsmeade weekend to visit him. It was a surprise, considering that the families of the champions were invited to view the last task of the tournament, but it was a welcome surprise indeed.

They had agreed to meet in the same room at The Three Broomsticks they had months ago with Sirius and Remus, and he had a slight sense of apprehension as he made his way down the hall and entered the room.

Cassiopeia was talking to a tall, slim and very pale woman. Her hair was much lighter than was common of the Black family, but she still had the arrogant good looks that never failed among their family.

Next to her, sitting stiffly, with a look of mild annoyance, was a man with a pointed face that was framed by long blonde hair.

A walking stick with the head of snake, that Aries knew hid his wand, lay across his lap.

"Aunt Narcissa!" Narcissa Malfoy gave him a warm smile, something that would have been much of a surprise to many that dealt with the woman. "It's wonderful to see you."

"I hope you've been behaving Aries." She hugged him tightly. "No doubt Draco has been getting up to all sorts of trouble. You've been a good influence I hope?"

"Of course!" Aries gave her a sly smile, which caused Narcissa to roll her eyes. The Black Heir turned to Lucius Malfoy, the father of his best friend and the older brother of his deceased mother. "Lucius."

"Aries." There was a tightness between them that had existed since the day they met ten years ago.

Aries was well aware that up until Lucius' reunion with his sister that they had believed Draco to be the Heir Apparent of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black.

Aries' existence had undoubtedly ruined many of Lord Malfoy's plans and it kept them from being as close as he was to Narcissa. "How are you finding Hogwarts?"

"It meets expectations, though I find the curriculum to be lacking."