Alexandra stopped glancing at the walls and reported her attention to the persons near her. That it was Draco Malfoy who had spoken should come to the surprise of no one, but Alexandra noticed his father was whispering angrily in his son's ear and it was clear the Lord had not enjoyed the outburst of his Heir. Draco's mother had been watching the manor's hall at the same time with a non-feigned sadness, and for a single second the perfect visage turned into something infinitely more dangerous and vicious. And then it was gone, like it had never existed, but a wince of pain from the Malfoy Heir translated the displeasure of someone having Black Blood in her veins.
Steps resonated not far away and an old man in grey-black robes descended from the black stairs. His face showing an expression of deep tiredness.
"Ah, Lady Malfoy, Lord Malfoy." The newcomer said once he reached the bottom of the stairs, bowing and kissing Lady Malfoy's hand. "A pleasure to see you again."
"Likewise, Lord Burke." Said the blonde wizard with a curtsy nod and a silky voice that was the epitome of courtesy.
Politician to the nails and toes, thought Alexandra.
"If only the Wizengamot shared your opinion." Chuckled the man. Narrowing his eyes and throwing a look towards the group as a whole, the man added in a far less cordial tone. "And I see everyone we were waiting for has arrived. All the young imps and Dumbledore's pet Death Eater."
Professor Snape, who was on the left, winced and took a face one might describe as particularly murderous, but except a tightening of his face, nothing more happened.
"Come." Said Burke. "She awaits us." The words seem more to address to Malfoy than Snape. The three adults and three children mounted the stairs, following Burke. After about fifty stair-steps, they abandoned the climb and engaged in a corridor, which was as decrepit as the entrance hall or the stairs, bearing fissures and large cracks. There was also a nasty odour in the air, a bit similar to the one the mountain troll she had killed had smelled inside Hogwarts.
Finally they reached an opened door.
"The imps will wait here until we have finished." Said Burke in a voice which sounded a bit too satisfied for Alexandra's taste.
None of the Hogwarts students had any choice in the matter, apparently. After a nod of approval from Professor Snape, they had to pass the door and enter what looked to be a small dining room, with two small tables and the glasses, plates and implements for a formal dinner. The floor and the walls were as empty as the rest of the residence. Behind them, the door closed and was locked in a noise which was sinister, much like everything she had seen since their arrival.
They were not the first to arrive, that much was evident. Neville Longbottom, Golden Boy of Gryffindor and Boy-Who-Lived, was sitting at one of the chairs surrounding the right table. If Alexandra didn't know better, she would have sworn the boy was sulking. It was not hard to guess why. There was no sign of Leo Black. Evidently being the Black Heir dispensed you from being classed with the other non-adults.
At the other table, sat three boys, who had all black-hair and looked to be enough tall and large to be fourth or fifth-years at Hogwarts. Alexandra had never seen them at school though, but the black hair and the features left little doubt these teenagers had a familial relationship or another with the Black and Burke families. Leaning on the opposite wall between the two tables, was a girl wearing a red-coloured uniform with fur. She looked completely bored and was the complete opposite of the other boys. The unknown girl had the height of a third-year, but was way more athletic and muscled than anyone Alexandra had seen at Hogwarts, save the Quidditch players. Brown haired, black eyes. An impression of solidity and confidence emanated from her, and she was sometimes taking a quick look at the table Draco Malfoy had sat upon, showing a disgusted look.
The sides were not long in being decided. Draco Malfoy-whose second name was not 'subtlety'- rushed to the table where the three other 'Black-Burke boys' were sitting, and an animated discussion began. 'Blood traitors', 'purity of the blood' and 'inheritance' were repeating a lot. Percival Weasley chose to sit on a chair next to Longbottom, although the red-haired boy remained curiously silent.
Personally, Alexandra did not intend to be drawn in the conflicts with these families, and so chose to lean on the left wall, at mid-way between the Malfoy and Longbottom table. Draco Malfoy, too predictable for his own good, took this opportunity to sneer at her, and the three other boys followed suit. No need to ask if they believed in blood-purity then.
Minutes passed, and soon even the conversation between the Malfoy second-year and his 'cousins' ended, leaving an uneasy silence. Alexandra casted a quick Tempus to know the hour, and to her stupefaction there was only two minutes before noon. They had just stayed about half an hour in that room! Alexandra had never been invited to a formal 'familial meeting' before so she didn't know the norm, but as far as she was concerned, the Black family ones were really underwhelming.
Far away, a clock stroke midday, the twelve massive strikes shaking magically the whole manor. The only thing noticeable which happened in their current location was that the door they had come smoked of the same aura of darkness Alexandra had seen on the exterior of the manor.
A quarter of an hour passed, and sure enough, the first grumblings from Draco Malfoy were heard "Wait until my father hears of this..." The rest of his table members looked exasperated.
At least you don't have to cope with him all the school year, thought Alexandra.
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T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/Makimafic
If you guys wanna check it out.