unshakeable & everlasting
Some families declared their privilege verbally. Loud demands at restaurants or stored as to whether the proprietor or other customers knew who they or their father or grandfather or uncle were. Other families, perhaps more subtle, if not just as common, used their possessions to signal virtue. Beautifully woven cloaks, golden cauldrons and crest embossed bags. Quite obvious to those truly blessed, but at least such pretentious served a practical purpose. Some other families took it upon themselves to hold sumptuous feast and luxurious balls; a who’s who of society doyennes and their illustrious names. A floo-book of favours sought and owed. These families, however truly powerless they were, were for the most part welcomed with a smile and sneers only behind their backs — a hot meal and generous pour after all did much to appease one’s pride.
The families with the oldest names and richest legacies (Gringotts and otherwise), with potion and spell patents nestled in the attics and great-grandfathers in fairy tales and schoolbooks, of course did none of these. These families, in which history itself could trace its roots in lore told offhandedly to children at bedtime. These families in which Magic was so interwoven, held their entitlement in their very being. Their eyes and their hair and their smiles that marked them as different and better did more than any words or clothes or parties ever could. A single look to bend the world to their whims.
—
Excerpt from The Sacred 28, Chapter 3: the Black family
“The Black family is the oldest surviving magical family of the British Isles. Known for their piercing silver-grey eyes, equally as mercurial moods and untameable black curls, large and just as captivating as those who wear them, the Black family is steeped in Wixen history and culture, easily recognisable in word and deed. If not all, then certainly most of our best revered positions have been held at least once by a Black. Though Merlin was perhaps his most well known councillor, it was Canopus Black who guided the education of the young king. Alnair Black, another notable outshone by his accomplishments, was mentor to Salazar Slytherin and the great-uncle of Godric Gryffindor. In more recent history, Phineas Nigellus Black served as Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry, and indeed may be fondly remembered by my more experienced readers. Perhaps, the only thing more striking than their appearance, is their long held tradition of naming their children for the stars. Certainly, like the stars, the House of Black is an unshakeable and everlasting element of Wixen society.”