Chapter 509 - Dinner at 12 Grimmauld Place Ⅲ (1/2)
Finished contemplating, Walburga finally sets her teacup down and Orion takes his cue to begin the betrothal negotiations. ”I suppose that the two of you must know why you are here?” At his side are two enchanted parchments that would record their final decision, before being relayed to the goblins for the marriage contracts to be housed at Gringotts.
”Indeed,” Bogdan triumphantly said, ”to negotiate for the hand in marriage of my only daughter.”
Orion nods his head and coolly says, ”That being the case, we wish to establish a marriage contract as of now, however, the official betrothal will not place until the summer before the start of our second son's sixth year. We wish to ensure that the match is proper and that there will be no hesitation nor on the other side.”
”Very well,” Bogdan slowly nods his head in understanding. The Black's wished to provide an out for themselves if need be, which was a sensible option as his parents had done much the same for him.
”Then let us speak of terms,” Bogdan said as the wives of both men remained silent as was tradition when the negotiation for the bride began.
”The first condition is that the bride will remain v.i.r.g.i.nal until their wedding night,” Orion proposed. ”Since there is a year age difference between the two of them, their wedding will not take place until the summer following my second son's graduation, Regulus Black. I do not wish for a scandal to occur while he still attends Hogwarts.”
Bogdan is a bit mystified by the condition. What did it matter if she became pregnant or not while at Hogwarts? The girl would leave of course to bear the child and become a proper wife. Still, he was not about to protest the stated terms.
”Agreed,” Bogdan replied. ”In exchange for the long courting period, we will also require payment for the year following the official betrothal. Our daughter will no longer be ours and she will require feeding and other such items to maintain her privileged lifestyle.”
It was unspoken during negotiations, but they both understood that was is being referred to is the Bride Price. The groom is paying the bride's family to recompense the family for raising the bride. Or at least that was the fancy way of saying it, it is more commonly thought as purchasing the bride for said monetary value.
”10,000 galleons will be given to cover all and any cost,” Orion generously said.
”100,000,” Bogdan shamelessly countered.
”30,000.”
”80,000.”
”60,000, and not a galleon more.”
”Agreed,” Bogdan calmly answered hiding his happiness inside. He only thought to be able to wrangle thirty thousand from the Black's, but he had gained more than double that amount. The girl had been a worthy investment after all.
”And now for the wedding and engagement costs,” Orion explained. ”Naturally, the Black's will host all the engagement and wedding costs. The official betrothal and wedding ceremony will take place at one of the Black properties.”
”Agreed,” Bogdan said with a great deal of satisfaction. He had been prepared to fight to pay for the least amount that he could, but now, he would not even have to pay a single knut! The Blacks were worth having as in-laws.