POV Narcissa Malfoy and Andromeda Tonks
The women had to admit that they wouldn't raise a hand to these cheerful, boisterous creatures now, but how their attitudes would change as age took its toll, as beauty began to fade... it was unpleasant to think about, and the women weren't sure they wouldn't be tempted to use the life-giving potion. Again, as if sensing their mood, Hoshino gave the women a strange look that made them feel ashamed, something that hadn't happened in many, many years. And again, that shaking of the head... "Who does he think he is?" — Narcissa's mind raced with irritation, unwilling to return to her childhood and adolescence when her father had shaken his head in the same way at his daughters' pranks.
— Mrs. Malfoy, Mrs. Tonks, I'm asking you to keep what you've learned to yourselves, — the boy continued, giving them a leering look and grinning. — Even the greatest of secrets. I have no desire to waste my time burying another 'accidental' thief, or having long, pointless negotiations with an 'important person'. I'm not going to trade these babies, no matter what the money is, and I'm not going to change my mind. Period. — Another slanted look, but a different one, cold and piercing. — As an intelligent woman, you must realize that such an answer will not be accepted by many people, and you also realize what it can lead to.
Narcissa nodded, as did Andromeda, both of them understanding the thinking of the local elite, for they were both elite themselves. Andromeda, although she had committed a deed that was reprehensible to high society, had not stopped being black, and she had been raised in the right way. So both sisters were well aware of how stubborn and obstinate those who were used to having everything at the snap of a finger could be.
And they also knew how to communicate with those who do not go to dialog. However, knowing the character of the guy who perfectly characterizes Sorting Hat's almost instantaneous decision suggests blood and noise...lots of both. Narcissa Malfoy, as a reasonable person and one who knows how to use her head, realized that it was not in the best interests of the Malfoy family or her current overlord upon whom her family's fate now depended.
Andromeda, on the other hand, simply recognized the boy's right to his secrets, and she had no desire to sabotage him just because the opportunity presented itself. That is, if one forgets the simple fact that the Hoshinos are bound by tight ropes of obligation to the Malfoys, and she had no desire to harm her sister, even during the worst years of the war with the Unnamed.
— As for the reason for my invitation... — the resulting awkward silence was broken by the Japanese themselves, who continued to play with the fakes. — It is as follows: Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, head of the Malfoy family, has been involved in a criminal conspiracy with several other heads of pureblood families to plan and execute an operation to kidnap my ward, Hermione Jean Granger. — A brief pause as Narcissa tried to process what she had heard. She had expected many things, but certainly not an outright betrayal.
— For now, he and the others are in my custody. The evidence is even abundant. — Another short pause. The Japanese seemed to be hanging on every word. — And at the moment it depends only on me how serious the crime of your husband, Narcissa, was, and also whether I recognize his actions as representative of the whole family, that is, all members of the family will be accused of treason, or whether I decide that he acted only in his personal interests. — Pause.
— That is the reason. Now, honorable Lady Malfoy, convince me that the Malfoy family had nothing to do with your husband's antics. — The woman could feel her jaw ache, could hear her own teeth grinding with suppressed rage. — Unless, of course, that was the case, hmm?
— Mr. Hoshino, please show some discretion. — Andromeda, who had never had any illusions about Lucius, spoke up and was therefore not as shocked as her sister. — You shouldn't make any rash decisions.
— Mrs. Tonks, — Hoshino smiled broadly, seemingly unaffected by the gravity of the situation. — Today is the fourth day Lucius and his cronies have been in my pit, what rush are you talking about?
The woman lowered her eyes, admitting her slight defeat. Or rather, she pretended to, for she had originally spoken only to divert the attention of prosecutor, jury and judge all at once. Narcissa took a moment to collect herself, to get her thoughts back in order.
— Hoshino-san, — Narcissa glanced gratefully at her sister and blue-eyed at the boy. — I'm willing to do anything to prove my innocence and that of the children. Lucius hasn't been home in weeks, and when he has, he's barely spoken to us, just a few neutral phrases at most. I'm prepared to take any oath or vow to prove my words. — Inside Narcissa, everything literally shrank in fear for her family, from which Lucius had been erased only a minute ago. The woman was ready for anything, literally, but that didn't mean she wasn't afraid of this — anything. Anger and rage faded into concern for the future of Draco, Rachel and the unborn children.
Once Narcissa had stopped speaking, they literally froze, waiting for the boy's reaction. Outwardly, the Japanese man remained the same, nothing in him betraying either thoughtfulness or aggression — still the same easy smile, calm, good-natured look, except that both women noticed a change in his eyes.
The pupils of his eyes had become beastly, turning the image of a good-natured teenager into a lurking monster, sending shivers down their spines. Had his pupils been smaller and his eyes a different color, Narcissa could have sworn that the Lord before her was an reincarnated Lord, for goodness sake!
— I believe you, Lady Malfoy. — He smiled again, but now the vague threat was gone, his breathing was easier, the goosebumps gone. But there was a lurking suspicion in the woman's mind: in serious matters nowadays, no one takes one's word for anything, they always need proof, contracts, oaths or whatever.
— Don't worry, my lady, — the man's voice became much softer, more caring. — In your position, stress is not good for you. And I really believe you, Narcissa, so calm down soon so we can start solving the problem.
— Have you thought of anything, Mr. Hoshino? — The basic knowledge of Occlumency is learned by all children of pureblood clans, self-control is extremely important for a wizard, and without the ability to put thoughts and feelings in order, one cannot succeed at even the "basic" level of any of the magical sciences.
— Of course — even a slightly offended type, or just a cleverly portrayed one. — You and I, Ladyship, Draco and Rachel will perform a ritual to summon the Malfoy family's protective spirit, which will decide Lucius' fate.
— I have to admit, — the woman licked her suddenly dry lips. — I've never even thought of such an idea... — and the woman wasn't lying, it had become uncommon to perform such rituals in the last few generations, and she hadn't even heard of anyone from Twenty-Eight doing it in the last hundred years. — But I must report that neither Draco nor I have any such experience. We don't even know the ritual itself. — As a Lady of the Kindred, she was ashamed of her ignorance, but it was better to report it earlier so that they could decide on the spot and discuss the details.
— Don't worry, I have a man who performed such a ritual a few weeks ago, and it went very well.
— Why don't you do it yourself? — Andromeda didn't even try to hide her suspicion.
— Because all the local rituals have their own peculiarities, which I haven't fully familiarized myself with. — Hoshino grinned, his whole expression as if he was telling a teenage girl some simple truths. — I might be able to do it, but it's not a good idea to mix clan magic with other people's rituals, and it's a hassle. — A careless shrug.
— Can I have his name? — Narcissa, who was extremely interested in the identity of the specialist whose ritual no one had discovered, looked up.
— Her name, if it matters to you. It's a woman. By the way, I'm thinking of putting your blood son in her hands.
— Nott?
— Nott. — The Japanese nodded and returned to the fairy game. — My people were able to verify through their own channels that no one but the Nott were performing powerful rituals during this time. They registered theirs as a — periodic ancestral ritual. We know the results of that, don't we? — The woman nodded, but Hoshino didn't even look at her as he continued. — We don't know anything about the details of the ritual, but judging by the strength of the curse, there were no casualties.
It was also recorded at the Ministry, but the report from the Department of Mysteries was "lost" in the rivers of other papers, and no one even asked Lord Nott why the Ancestor's Ritual was so dark that even the mansion's defenses were penetrated. By the way, he was also actively involved in my station and is now in the pit as well.
— Mr. Hoshino, I ask you to hand over Lord Nott to the Malfoy family as the injured party. — The woman grinned wickedly. — We have a right to revenge.
— Yes, you do. — The boy nodded in agreement. — But this Lord has had time to trample on more than one callus, and the aforementioned woman has had her turn before you, so I'm afraid you're out of luck. Again. — The boy grinned and glared at her. Narcissa was forced to swallow the filthy insult. — By the way, would you like to meet her?
— Is this woman here? — The lady did not think it necessary to hide her surprise, after all, she had to deviate from the accepted framework of behavior more than once today.
— Yes, a long time ago. So, shall we invite her to join us? — Narcissa and Andromeda looked at each other and then the blonde nodded in agreement.
A strip of paper covered with hieroglyphs appeared in the man's hand without any visible effect. The Japanese man ran his finger over it, and the talisman instantly transformed into a bizarre bird that resembled an ordinary sparrow. After whispering something to the bird, the guy let it go, and his smile was somehow malicious.
Then, under the pretext of being concerned about her health, he insisted on using one of his seals on her, Narcissa, which he placed right on top of her clothes on her stomach. The woman immediately felt as if she were enveloped in a soft, caring warmth, but only in the targeted area of her body. Not knowing what all this was for, the woman waited with great interest as well as determination for the one with whom she was to have a serious argument about Nott.
The woman was not about to let go of the culprit who had caused the cascade of changes. A few minutes passed almost in silence, but then one of the doors slid open and a small girl, no, a young woman with a good figure and a mane of coal-black curls stepped out onto the porch. Her characteristic blue eyes shone with amusement and a slight madness, not evil as they had been in recent years, but as they had been many years ago when she was a child. Narcissa felt herself being pulled aside, and as her consciousness faded, she heard the rustle of clothing nearby and hands holding her back. Darkness swept over the woman's consciousness...