Chapter 10: Blood Verification
"Kreacher." Lucius spoke first, his voice deep and pleasant, nodding slightly to Kreacher who was bowing and saluting, his tone peaceful, "Thank you for guarding this old house."
"It is not hard! For the House of Black, Kreacher is willing to do anything!" Kreacher was so excited that his voice trembled, and he hurriedly turned to him, introducing eagerly, "Master Edward! This is Lucius and Narcissa, and Master Draco!"
The portraits in the entrance hall instantly became active, Walburga Black's portrait leaned out, rarely devoid of her usual sharpness, her tone carrying a bit of urgency: "Narcissa, you've finally arrived! Hurry and help us confirm this child's bloodline!"
Narcissa smiled gently at the portrait, then walked towards him with light steps. Her gaze fell on his face, looking at the brows and eyes that looked so much like Regulus, a complex pity appearing in her eyes, she raised her hand to gently brush the stray hair on his forehead, her voice as gentle as the spring wind: "You must be Regulus's child, right? You look just like him. I am Narcissa, by seniority, you should call me Aunt."
She paused, then carefully examined the robe on him, the smile in her eyes deepening: "This piece of clothing suits you very well, Regulus also liked to wear this one back then. Are you used to living here? Kreacher sometimes gets confused, if you lack anything, or if you are not used to the food, you must tell Aunt, the Malfoy family will always be your backing."
He looked at the genuine concern in her eyes, a faint ripple passing through his light gray eyes, and he nodded slightly, his voice still flat but with a bit more politeness: "Thank you, Aunt, I am living very well."
"Alright, let's proceed with the bloodline verification first, don't let the children stand." Lucius stepped forward, interrupting the conversation with an easy tone, his gaze towards him carrying a bit of scrutiny, but no malice, "The process is very simple, you and Narcissa each drip a drop of blood on the candle wick, if the bloodlines are from the same source, the candles will ignite a golden flame."
Kreacher hurriedly handed over two small silver daggers, the handles of the daggers engraved with the crest of the House of Black, glowing with a warm luster. He took the dagger, and without hesitation, drew it across his fingertip, a drop of bright red blood seeped out, and he raised his hand to drip the blood on the wick of one of the candles. Narcissa followed suit, dripping the blood from her fingertip onto the other candle.
The moment the two drops of blood fell on the candle wicks, the originally dim candles suddenly lit up with a soft golden light. Two slender golden flames rose up, slowly intertwining in the air, and finally turned into a small silver thorn emblem, hovering in mid-air and flickering for a few seconds before slowly dissipating into the air as if completing their mission.
"It is the bloodline of the House of Black! It cannot be wrong! It is exactly the same as the bloodline mark of Regulus!" The portrait of the white-bearded ancestor shouted excitedly, and the other portraits in the entrance hall cheered along, even Walburga Black's face showed a rare expression of satisfaction.
Kreacher was even more excited to the point of tears, covering his mouth and crying with shaking shoulders: "Great! Great! Master Edward! You are a true Black! Master Regulus's spirit in heaven can finally rest in peace!"
Lucius watched the dissipating golden light, a genuine smile appearing on his face, nodding slightly towards him, his tone sincere: "Congratulations on officially returning to the House of Black. Professor Dumbledore asked me to give you a message, he said he is very happy to help you find your family, and hopes you can adapt to the life in the wizarding world as soon as possible, and everything goes smoothly."
Hearing Dumbledore's name, he thought of the gentle old man with the white beard, the coldness in his eyes faded a little, and he nodded slightly: "Thank you for his blessings, and please convey my gratitude for me. If not for him, I would not have found this place, nor would I have today."
"It is only right." Lucius chuckled, his tone becoming a bit more intimate, "If you have any needs in the future, just let Kreacher contact the Malfoy family, we are relatives, no need to be formal."
Just then, Draco finally couldn't hold back and walked quickly from behind Lucius. He stopped, stared at him for a few seconds, then somewhat awkwardly raised his chin and extended his hand: "Hello, I am Draco Malfoy. By seniority, are you my cousin?"
He looked at Draco's extended hand, paused, raised his hand and shook it lightly, the temperature of the boy's palm clearly transmitted the moment their fingertips touched. He withdrew his hand, silently reciting the name that had accompanied him for more than a decade - Edward, then his tone was calm, and he stated the surname belonging to the House of Black word by word, as if declaring a brand new beginning: "Edward Black."
Edward Black was his identity in the wizarding world, a child of the House of Black; while Edward was the secret hidden in his heart, the only light when he was struggling in the Muggle world.
The corners of Draco's mouth curled up quietly, the arrogance in his eyes faded a little, and there was more of the liveliness of a peer: "Do you know about Quidditch? That is the best sport in the wizarding world! I am the Seeker for our family's private team, and I fly very fast! After you are familiar with the wizarding world, do you want to play with me? I can teach you!"
Edward looked at the excitement in his eyes, shook his head, his tone honest: "Sorry, I don't quite understand what Quidditch is. After I understand it clearly, I will play with you."
"OK!" Draco agreed readily, not feeling disappointed at all, but instead leaned closer, and suggested excitedly, "Then do you want to go to Diagon Alley next week? The supplies for Hogwarts need to be bought in advance, I can take you to browse, I know which shop has the best broomsticks!"
Edward pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "No, I have just returned to the wizarding world, there are still many things that need to be understood. I want to stay in the library to read more books during this time, so as not to know nothing when school starts and make a fool of myself."
He paused and added: "After going to Hogwarts, we can go together."
Although Draco was a bit regretful, he still nodded and said seriously: "Okay! Then see you at Hogwarts! I will introduce you to my friends then!"
"The masters are chatting very well." Kreacher came up at the right time, bowing to Lucius and Narcissa, his tone eager, "It's almost noon now, why not stay for lunch? Kreacher will go and prepare now!"
Narcissa looked at Lucius, and seeing him nod slightly, she smiled and replied: "Then it will be trouble for you, Kreacher."
Lunch was set in the dining room of the old house, the long table covered with a dark-patterned tablecloth, filled with fragrant pies, golden pumpkin juice, and exquisite honey cakes. The dining posture of the Malfoy family could be called elegant - Lucius held a silver fork, moving slowly, every bite just right; Narcissa sipped pumpkin juice with small sips, a faint smile always on the corners of her mouth, not even a crumb of cake would fall; although Draco was young, he learned his parents' appearance, straightened his back, and gently wiped the corners of his mouth with a napkin, a picture of pure-blood noble elegance.