It was the second time in weeks that Bellatrix had been summoned to the study of Lord Arcturus Black, and she had a very good idea of what the reason might be.
"Grandfather," she greeted as soon as she stepped inside.
"Bellatrix," Arcturus sighed, a small smile, tired and weary smile, appearing on his face. "Have a seat."
Bellatrix nodded and took her chair. A vast amount of parchment was spread across the table and Arcturus was busy going through them and scribbling something on other parchments.
"What are you doing, Grandfather?" she questioned, as her eyes tried to take into account what those parchments contained.
"Going through the accounts of the Black family," Arcturus replied. "Income generated, expenses, debts we owe to other families, what enterprise is making us profit and what is making loss. It never ends."
"Orion is next in line to take up the Lordship, and in fact, he is quite eager to grab the power," he continued. "But he only wants the privileges and the power that come with being the Head of the House. He has no interest in the responsibilities."
"I have tried to instill a sense of duty in him, to make him understand what is expected of him, but he refuses to be serious. He runs from hard work. Ideally, he should have taken up these responsibilities many years ago, yet here I am, still clearing up his messes. He cannot even manage to maintain an accurate account of our monthly income."
Bellatrix simply nodded. Thanks to the growing closeness between them, the usually stoic and stiff Arcturus had begun to share these family matters with her. Other than nodding her head or offering an occasional opinion, there was not much she could do. Not that Arcturus expected her to solve his problems. Maybe because of the growing closeness, he felt good about sharing things with her.
"If this was not enough," he added. "Walburga has him wrapped around her fingers. He could look beyond things, she asks him to look."
Bellatix could again only nod her head. Arcturus took a moment to organize the parchments into a neat stack before giving his full attention to his granddaughter.
"Bellatrix," he said, his eyes narrowing. "Did you read the newspaper today?"
"Yes," Bellatrix replied.
"And?" Arcturus questioned.
"I was not aware that Lord Olario was planning something like this," she admitted. "I knew something was happening regarding Aurora Sinistra, that she was struck with some problem and that he wanted to save her, but I had not imagined it would be a move of this magnitude."
"Bellatrix," Arcturus sighed. "It is almost certain, at least to my old but experienced eyes, that the betrothal contract is nothing but an act, but I see no reason why Aurora would not want it to become a reality."
"Considering she has been Lord Olario's sole friend since Hogwarts and he was willing to go to such lengths for her, she has a significant chance of turning this arrangement into a permanent one. Lord Olario is a great man. Not only is he magically very powerful, he is a wonderful human being. I do not see why Miss. Aurora would not fall for him, especially when he is going to this length to protect her."
Bellatrix's face fell as she heard her grandfather.
"Look," he continued. "I do not want to sound and come across like a nagging, selfish grandfather."
"It is true that I wish to see Antonio Olario as my grandson-in-law. And I would not deny that I have my own selfish interest in this. I see in him a way, a chance to secure a future for the Black family. That when the inevitable comes, there is someone like Anotnio Olario to shoulder the fall of the Black Family. But it is equally true that I would not force you to do anything you do not want. You are free to do as you wish."
"But your father is not like me," he continued, his expression growing grim. "Unlike me, he has no qualms about forcing you to marry someone he thinks will benefit him. Today, after reading this news, he will be very, very happy. Your time is running out, Bellatrix. You have stalled your father until now by claiming that you loved him, that you will marry no one except him and thay there was something developing between the two of you, but this news of Olario's engagement changes everything. Even if he knows that this contract is likely an act, he will not take this argument. He will force you."
"Furthermore, the day after tomorrow, Rodolphus Lestrange will be formally inducted into the Wizengamot. This signifies that the Lestrange family is back in the Wizarding society, is returning to normalcy and will begin re-engaging with society," he said. "Your father is not going to sit idle. He is going to immediately push for a betrothal between the two of you. He has no more reasons to wait any more. He will get very impatient."
Bellatrix did not say anything immediately. Honestly, she had no idea how she should react to this news.
"Look, Bellatrix," Arcturus sighed. "Whether you like it or not, you cannot stall this indefinitely. If not Rodolphus, or if not Antonio Olario, you will have to select someone sooner or later. Even without your father's pressure, you would have to get married eventually."
"And I would be very pleased, and you would be very happy for the rest of your life if that someone were Lord Olario himself," he added. "So, I suggest that you try to make things clear with him. Try and talk to him."
Bellatrix could only nod her head.
"By the way," Arcturus said suddenly, his tone shifting. "In case you were unaware, under magical law, a wizard can legally have multiple wives, provided that all parties are willing."
"Grandfather!" Bellatrix almost snapped, redness creeping across her face. "Why would I ever do something like that?"
Arcturus shrugged with a faint smile. "I am just saying."
Bellatrix did not say another word. She stood up from her seat and almost stormed out of the study.
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