The Last Heir: The Noble House of Black

Prologue

In honor of the last installment of the Harry Potter books, I offer a little fandom of my own.

In the darkness of the night, a quiet whimper was heard and the pitiful shrill of a baby just born into the world. The cool air of winter crept into the edges of the window and brought cold that not even a fire could stay from the castle walls.

"Kern, is it a boy?” A redheaded witch shut her eyes biting her lip; it had to be a boy it had to be. He deserved a son. The house elf stared at the tiny child barely hearing his mistress's words, so cute...frail...so —“KERN! Is it a boy?" The house elf barely twitched at the sharp words not wanting to startle the newborn.

"Yes Mistress, Kern obeys very well...yes Mistress, the child is male." He said with the right touch of nervousness surely to please his strong Mistress. She covered her mouth and laughed, and fell back onto her bed a catlike smirk spreading across her features.

“Wonderful,” She whispered, “Absolutely wonderful.” The witch glanced at the bloodied sheets and her clothes, and gave Kern a look of menace. Kern quickly snapped his fingers the soiled clothing and sheets changing themselves in a matter of seconds

“Mistress may I prepare you for sleep. If it pleases my Mistress, I will take the preci-loud little child to his room. If it pleases you Mistress...I will take him away so you may rest Mistress.”

Kern spoke with his head down, not looking at the child. He had had the privilege to care for the wonderful children of the noble family and was proud of his Mistress. He did not tell his Mistress this, which would only anger her. No his Mistress would just want Kern to be a quiet obedient house-elf as he usually was and not put his nose where it doesn’t belong. He had served his family for many years and even had cared for his strong Mistress. His mistress didn't need Kern for much...not like the baby small, defenseless...warm...adorable.

"I don’t need your help. Take it to the next room. “The red haired witch smirked, "Kern don't rock him. Leave him put him in the crib. He has after all such a great purpose. Now go."

"Yes Mistress.” Kern's ears perked up as soon as he closed his Mistress's door. The tiny breaths of the infant brought a wretched smile to his ugly face. He softly cooed at the baby running a finger over the bridge of his tiny nose, and cheeks.

The luscious tapestries and other odd knick-knacks reached out and touched the infant as Kern made his way down the corridor and up the stairs. Many of the portraits were crowding together urging in hushed whispers for Kern to show them the infant.

“Madams, Sirs! Sush-ish, the baby will wake.” The odd little house elf scuttled up the last flight of stairs, he paused only at one particular portrait and bowed. The painting was intricate even for a painting; the wine glass and jewels on the table behind the wizard seemed to glow and reflect the light as if you could reach out and grab a handful. A wizard, with flowing robes, sharp grey eyes and flowing black hair glanced at the house elf and smirked.

"A fitting heir to us.” The portrait chuckled and looked over its golden frame at the child, "Fitting for the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black."