Legacy of Harry Potter- Chapter 112: Tale of Narcissa's Marriage (Patreon)

November 1994
12 Grimmauld Palace

Harry followed by Narcissa arrived near the centre of the hall. Luxurious sofas surrounding a glass table was neatly arranged near the centred. A thick layer of dust had gathered on the sofa and table.
Harry summoned his wand and with a wave from it, a gust of wind blew away the gathered dust. Narcissa's eyes widened at this 'casual' display of power. From an outsider perspective it may seem a very simple use of magic, but the reality was different. Elemental spells were extremely rare and very hard to control. And with the ease, Harry performed the spell, without any chant and wand movement, spoke about his high control over element.
 
Harry sat down on one of the sofas while Narcissa took her seat opposite him.
Narcissa asked in a low whisper, "What you said about Regulus betraying the Dark Lord and Sirius being innocent is true?"
 
Harry smiled amusedly, "If our deal goes well, I might add this information as an added benefit from my side."
"Tell me, Mrs. Malfoy, what can I do for you?" asked Harry with curious a gaze.
Narcissa remained silent for some time probably formulating her response.
"First, let me tell you what I want, then I will offer you the price," said Narcissa.
"I want you to use your status as Lord Black to nullify my marriage with Lucius."
 
Narcissa went silent and looked for Harry's reaction, who had nothing more than a raised eyebrow on his face.
 
"You don't seem surprised, Lord Black," she blurted out.
"After I received your letter and guessed your identity, I had a hunch about what you would want," said Harry.
"But the question is why? You and Lucius Malfoy, appear to be an ideal couple. Pure blood supremacist, muggle hating, arrogant characters… everything matches quite well."
 
Narcissa did not answer immediately, "While what you said about our characters are almost true… that does not mean that we will be an ideal couple."
"Since you are a Lord Black, I don't see a problem in taking you on a small history lesson," continued Narcissa. "The rise of the Dark Lord was an event which took everyone in the world by a storm."
"It was the time when he was not at the peak of his powers… he had just started to build forces. For this he approached all the pure blood families using his claim as a descendant of Slytherin."
"As the Blacks were known blood supremacist, we were among the first families he approached. But my grandfather and Lord Black at that time Arcturus Black, firmly rejected him. He was not as much as a blood supremacist as the other Blacks."
She sighed, "The Dark felt insulted… but my grandfather was too strong… too influential for the Dark Lord to do anything against him. Along with his friendship with your grandfather, Charles Potter, the dark Lord took no action."
 
"But illness took over my grandfather and he died when, I had just graduated Hogwarts. Black Lordship passed to Sirius' father, Orion Black. He along with my father, Pollux Black, my mother Drollea and aunt Walburga were hardcore blood supremacist."
 
Her face remained neutral but her eyes turned sad, "The Dark Lord was slowing reaching the peak of his powers… my family was already planning to submit to him when a news startled the world… Mckinnon family… a pure blood family which had rejected to submit to the dark Lord was wiped. Every member of their family killed…"
 
"Panic set in the Black family… Orion Black hastily submitted to the Dark Lord. Large amount of wealth was donated for his cause but even so the dark Lord had not forgotten his insult."
 
Till now things were what he already new from Voldemort's memories. But the last point of Voldemort, not forgetting his insult was though true, he never showed any grudge towards Orion. The Blacks were his biggest financial backer. Someone had played Orion and he could very well guess, who?
 
Narcissa continued, "Among the Dark Lord's followers, the Malfoy and the Lestrange family were his closest allies. Orion Black in order to strengthen his position, decided to marry three of his nieces in these family."
"But even before the proposal could be placed… Andromeda ran away. Dark Lord's victory was a certainty and me and Bellatrix, did not have courage like Andromeda."
 
Even though Narcissa did not speak many things, how could he not understand? Lucius Malfoy and Rodulphus Lestrange were not qualified to marry princesses of the Black family. Before both the Malfoy and Lestrange elevated themselves to be the Most Noble Family under Voldemort reign of terror, they were far far inferior in status to the Black family. It was clear that the Malfoy and the Lestrange had tricked Orion in believing that Voldemort was angry with the Black family.
 
"This explains your marriage story… but so many years later, why would you want a divorce?" Asked Harry.
 
Narcissa's face changed for first time. A slight tint of pain appeared on her face, "Thought the marriage was forceful, I accepted my fate for my family."
"But for Lucius, I was nothing more than a show piece… his cup of victory… his symbol of status… his way towards the Black inheritance."
 
"He is a complete whoremonger. Other than public places where he has to maintain an image, we have hardly talked… With the pathetic wizard he is, even I can kill him in my sleep… no sign of a competent man."
 
She continued, her face resolute, "Even so, I had no problem in continuing this act. But things have changed recently… what he is going to do will put my life in danger."
 
"I have made enough compromises… but this time, I am not going to make one," said Narcissa. "I want freedom from that man."
 
Harry was curious, "Tell me, Mrs. Malfoy, how is Lucius Malfoy is going to put your life in danger?"