Chapter 61 - Christmas Eve Aftermath (1/2)

Following the Christmas party upon his immediate return home, Orion Black sent a rather pointed, urgent letter to his cousin, Cygnus Black.

”Dear cousin,

Cygnus, you must urgently separate that misguided daughter of yours, Bellatrix from Lord Voldemort. I know you find him darling, but he is a bloody muggle-born wizard himself! Luckily, I never endeavored to acquaint myself with that nauseating fellow as his true muggle name is Tom Marvolo Riddle.

Abraxas Malfoy has already brought it to all our attention during the Christmas party of that charlatan's true intentions. I urgently advise you to distance yourself as quickly as possible from that man! Nothing good will come of it, mark my words!

Sincerely,

Orion Black.

P.s. I suggest that you separate Narcissa immediately lest anything foul occurs.”

Cygnus rises to his feet as his rugged, handsome features twist with fury. His hair is slightly sprinkled with early silver dangles at his rapid pace as he narrows his icy gray eyes that blaze with a frostbitten chill. Despite the late hour, Cygnus storms through the stone castle into his youngest daughter's quarters. The portraits on the stone walls shiver and fade away at the wrath of Cygnus. Still rather tall, a strong man with broad arms that still showed his prowess as a Quidditch beater.

In her grand poster bed, Narcissa Black wakes up with a fright as her blue eyes blink in confusion at the loud entrance of her father as the door slams roughly against the stone wall. ”Father, what is it?” Narcissa anxiously stammered.

”Did you know about this?!” Cygnus roared as he waved the written letter in his hand.

”What father?” Narcissa said in confusion.

”Read it!” Cygnus bellowed as he shoved the letter in front of her nose.

Narcissa's eyes dart back in forth as she reads the letter from her father's cousin, Orion Black. Narcissa pales as guilt and shame cross her face as Cygnus now incited says, ”Did you know about this and you did not speak of this a word to your mother and me?”

”It just recently came to my attention, I didn't know if father or mother would believe me,” Narcissa hastily replied.

Cygnus coldly studies his youngest daughter and says, ”Oh, and was it, Lucius Malfoy, who told you?”

Narcissa eyes flash as she lied, ”Yes, father.”

”Very well, but does your sister, Bellatrix know?” Cygnus said as his voice lowered to a dangerous level.

”I-, I don't know,” Narcissa replied as she recalled, Lucius's rude words about her sister.

Seeing Narcissa pause in her speech, Cygnus abruptly strikes Narcissa with his hand causing a red, violent bruise to form on her cheek. Slammed painfully into the bed board, Narcissa holds her enflamed cheek as she warily eyes her father. ”I said, tell me the truth,” Cygnus dangerously said.

”I don't know father, but Lucius-,” Narcissa quickly bit her lips as she stopped.

”Lucius, what?” Cygnus perilously said as he drew near to Narcissa's quivering form.

”Lucius said, that despite all this time, Bellatrix still has no child,” Narcissa tremblingly said. ”Lucius said it was no wonder given her lack of interest in Lestrange and how Bellatrix fawned over L-. How Bellatrix fawned over Tom Riddle like a lovesick puppy. Lucius said that even if we told Bellatrix the truth of the matter that Bellatrix would not hear a word said against Tom Riddle as he could do no wrong in her eyes.”

Cygnus wrenches the letter off the bed as he icily says, ”Bellatrix, will immediately desist or she will see herself stricken off the family tree. I will not have another Andromeda in the family!”

”But-,” Narcissa said.

”But what?!” Cygnus bellowed causing Narcissa to flinch.

”But Lestrange is a loyal follower of Tom Riddle as well as is his younger brother, Rabastan Lestrange,” Narcissa quietly replied.