Chapter 103 - Closure (1/2)

A broad-shouldered man sits in front of a burning fireplace despite the warm weather. And yet there is a chill in the castle air that not even the fire nor the weather can seem to remove. His premature dark, silvering hair is neatly combed back as he raises a glass of fire-whiskey to his lips. Taking a sip, his rugged, handsome features don't change as if frozen with some unknown thought.

A soft knock at the door is heard as the man, Cygnus Black raises his eyes with some displeasure. ”Well, what is it?”

The door is pushed open to reveal a blond-haired woman with blue eyes that are rimmed red as if she had been weeping. One could easily see the resemblance of the woman in her three daughters, Bellatrix, Andromeda, and Narcissa. ”He's here,” Druella Black tremblingly replied causing her black dress to sway.

”Hmph, took him longer than I expected, but he was always a weakling,” Cygnus sneered in conclusion. ”Let him in.”

Holding a white handkerchief tightly in hand, Druella says, ”You must be mad! He will kill you!”

Cold eyes turn onto his wife as Cygnus rises to his feet and coldly says, ”I will not repeat myself.”

Druella clenches the handkerchief even tighter as despair clouds her face. Knowing better than to contradict her husband, she stiffly nods and turns on her heels.

Cygnus glances at his still full cup and downs it one gulp, before setting it on the mantel place. Staring into the fire, Cygnus waits for his son-in-law to arrive. Steps can soon be heard as the figure stops in the doorway. ”Father-in-law,” Rodolphus Lestrange said with a thin smile as his thin, dark features are even gaunter than before.

Without turning to face his son-in-law, Cygnus barks, ”Took you long enough to gather your wits about you, boy.”

”True enough,” Rodolphus murmured taking a step across the threshold.

”Good,” Cygnus barked. ”Well, have it, boy, I have already put my affairs in order and am ready to see if there is a so-called maker. There is no need to further stay your hand if you will. We've all got places to be.”

”I shall, but first, I request an answer.”

”Oh, is it to inquire as to why I slew my besotted daughter or perhaps if I feel guilt over the matter. Well allow me to answer, both questions with a single statement, I do not regret my past actions.”

”That was not my question,” Rodolphus quietly said as his hand tightened around his wand.

”Oh? Well, I must admit I am now intrigued,” Cygnus replied as he turned to face his son-in-law. ”Knowing your weak nature for sure I would have expected you to spout such utter sentimental rot.” Pausing, Cygnus eyes his son-in-law, ”God, you look old. And your appearance, boy, when was the last time you changed your robes?”

”I did not come here to hear lectures on my appearance,” Rodolphus growled.

”Well someone should. And as it appears as no one has, it falls to me to naturally correct that error,” Cygnus smugly exclaimed.

Rodolphus controls himself and does not react to his father-in-law's goading. Taking a breath to steady himself, he asks, ”What do you know of the tale of the Warlock's Hairy Heart?”

”A mere child's tale,” Cygnus scoffed.

”Is it?” Rodolphus interjected.

Cygnus is quiet for a moment, before carefully replying, ”Even the most powerful of wizards cannot live without a beating heart.”

”But what about a portion of their soul?”

Cygnus' eyes grow cold and steely. ”An abomination, yes, but possible.”

”I see,” Rodolphus quietly concluded to himself.

”Why the question?”

”Bellatrix-,” Rodolphus pauses to steady his voice. ”-Was entrusted with an artifact so to speak.”