Harry Potter: Instant Kill

The trip back home on the Express didn't take too long, or at least it didn't for me since Daphne's thighs were a nice pillow for me, allowing me to sleep for the entire journey. When the train arrived, she also played the role of alarm clock and shook me awake: "Erik, time to wake up. We have arrived."

Waiting to greet me was Walburga who was chatting with Lord Malfoy, "So you are saying Arcturus has fallen Ill, Aunt Walburga?" Lucius said while finally revealing his claim to the black fortune. "Yes, he has caught a nasty case of Dragon pox. Kreacher has been taking care of him since the disease is highly contagious."

Saying goodbye to Daphne whose mother was in a hurry to get home since they were taking a trip out of the country for the holiday, I started walking over and waiting for a pause in the conversation before butting in, I said "It appears I neglected to study enough of the black family history as I never knew how you were related to them, Lord Malfoy."

"Ah, well it is not too far back in fact. I am related by my mother, she was Arcturus' daughter making him my Grandfather." Lucius said while trying to hide a spike of hatred in his eyes when he mentioned the elder Black.

"Lucretia was such a nice woman, it is sad she passed so young. If I am not mistaken it was when Grindelwald attacked London." Walburga said while reminiscing about the childhood Lucretia and her had shared. "Yes, it was an unfortunate day. I was still a child when it happened so it hit me hard shortly afterwards that the duel between that man and Dumbledore happened."

Lucius seemed to quietly slip into his memories after he finished, he didn't come back to his senses until his son arrived. Shortly after a quick goodbye to both Malfoy's Walburga took my arm and apparated us back to Grimmauld Place.

Entering inside, I was greeted by Kreacher who bowed low before saying, "Welcome home my Lord, dinner has been prepared and is on the dining table ready for you. I have also made a bath for you should you want it."

"Thank you, Kreacher I will eat first before bathing. How have the preparations been going on the war front?" I asked the elf while handing him my luggage and coat. "All is well, sir. The old allies have been contacted and agreed to support you and have agreed to take care of the wolf problem for a fee."

"What is the fee the goblins are stating?" I asked while anticipating the little gold-diggers to overcharge. "This fee seems to be reasonable, they are asking for 100 galleons per werewolf hunted. They have made no other requests and provided a contract for immediate signing."

"That is a reasonable fee however we are not hunting every werewolf but a specific pack. Increase the gold per kill to 1000 but state that proof of connection to Greybacks pack is required." I said while scanning over the contract provided for any hidden clauses that Kreacher may have missed.

"Yes, My lord," Kreacher said before disappearing to complete the task. Sitting at the table with Walburga was a lively affair as I told her what had happened during the year while receiving updates on what happened in the wizengamot meetings.

"The lords of the dark faction are trying to stop a law that allows Muggle-borns to own certain large amounts of land, this is because of several successful people buying or attempting to buy ancestral lands of fallen houses," 

Walburga spoke in between bites while maintaining proper etiquette at the table, "The grey faction is of course staying neutral meaning that the vote is going nowhere for the time being. I have been staying neutral as you tasked but have been approached by the leaders of both sides, Malfoy and Dumbledore, to seek our support. As of today, they have offered nothing substantial with Malfoy's latest offer being made before you arrived."

"So you are saying at this current time we hold enough influence that whatever we vote for the other houses of the grey faction shall also vote for?" I asked after finishing my meal, "Yes that is correct. Due to the amount of money most of the Grey faction owes the Black family and you." Walburga clarified while finishing the last of the food from her plate.

It was at this point that Kreacher appeared beside me while holding a fresh contract, "My lord, the Goblins have agreed to your terms and shall begin the hunt immediately once you have signed." Of course, I have been taught to never trust the Goblins fully so I took my time reading over the contract they provided finding nothing bad.

"Good job, Kreacher. Any news on the other topic I asked of them?" I asked while indicating the possible Horcrux at Gringotts, "I have passed along your letter, My lord. They said they would look into the matter and compensate you should your information be correct." The rest of the evening was spent getting an update on Arcturus' health and planning how I would tame the largest snake I had ever seen.