Chapter 1
March 1978
“This can‘t be true.“ the young woman whispered.She was clearly troubled by the information she had just received.
Walburga Black was one the verge of tears. Her hands were balled into tight little fists in her lap. The blood drawn from her nails digging into her skin, was the only thing keeping her from fainting.
She never in any of her years had expected this.
“Wally maybe you should rest. I am sure that Orion will handle everything.“ Lucretia replied good heartedly.
“You want me to rest, while my son is facing a Death Trap and fearing for his life?“ She asked incredulously. She was barely restraining herself from killing Lucretia.
Lucretia Black Prewett was mad if she thought that she would rest while her own blood was facing god knows what horrors.
It was unfortunate enough that Lucretia had been present when her second born had run trough the door to inform his parents that not only was he associated with the uprising Dark Lord (with questionable heritage) but also that her first born, the apple of her eye was facing an assaisination attempt.
Lucretia raised her hands and shook her head half in surrender and half to ward Walburga off, “Maybe I should look after Regulus?“
“Orion has locked him in his room. The wards won’t allow anyone going in or out of the Room.“ she huffed angrily.
Though they both sat in silence for several minutes, Walburga felt those familiar grey eyes on her every so often, tracing her profile surreptitiously. Walburga turned her head sharply, too tired for more than a glare.
“Wally you need to prepare yourself for everything.“ Lucretia’s voice cut like a razor blade trough her thoughts.
It simply couldn’t be. Walburga would not, could not accept this. (She was of course right to mention it, as attack after attack was happening and family after family was facing losses)
There was a loud banging on the front door of the residence and the worry marking her face, told her that she was going to get the answers she was hoping to.
Hurried footsteps echoed trough the floor and a middle-aged wizard shoved past them unceremoniously, a tall, dark-haired wizard in his arms.
Walburga stopped as her steely gaze remained firmly trained upon Sirius and her husband Orion.
Her face was lined with worry and, strands of her hair was falling from the composed hairstyle and embracing her face.
“Orion What-“, she hat totally forgotten about Lucretia’s presence. Orion didn’t utter a word to neither of them as he placed the limp body of his son on the sofa.
At the sight of her eldest son, the son she thought forever lost and never to be seen again laid lifeless in the middle of the room.
The child that had made her taste motherhood. Her brightest star was now reduced to a ghost like state. Her heart clenched at this painfully.
“You will give explanation to me later!“ she hissed as she cast a stern look at the disheveled form of her husband before turning to fuss over her first born and banishing him and Lucretia out of the room.
Black magic was impetuous, explosive, potent, dangerous or at least Walburga‘s magic was like this at the moment. A lioness in the need to protect her cub , would hurt everyone daring to go between mother and son.
Her hands immediately seeking to assure herself that her son is alright.
He looked so young, so fragile, deathly pale—nearly broken.
How close had he been to death tonight?
Her brightest star, the most beautiful child to ever grace the face of the world looked nearly broken.
“Kreacher bring me my Potion supply. Immediately“ she demanded, angrily as she hovered above him out of fear that may be he would disappear again.
The little elf hurried to do what his mistress said.
There was a defeating silence as she applied the potions to her son. Once she was sure he was in a good state, she caressed his face as she was once again reminded that the young boy’s face-elegant features perfected by generations of careful breeding, the face which had once been Orion’s a quarter century ago - looked more worn out than he should have at his mere age of nineteen.
With one last glance, after she was sure that Sirius was in a good state, she wielded her wand to cast the final sticking charm to ensure he would sleep and stay where he was.
After all he was her son. (She knew to well if let to his own devices Sirius would try to escape, not that he would be able to)
A few hours later:
Sirius woke up with the downing feeling that something was entirely wrong. For once he felt rested and the last time he remembered that was the case, was in his Hogwarts days.
His eyes were still sleepy but once his brain catched up with his surrounding and looked around, a look of dawning horror at the realization of where he was currently, graced his aristocratic face.
He started to stand up under the heavy warm blankets , but he wasn’t able to move.
The familiarity of the situation reminded him of his childhood days, when his mother’s wand would force him to lay still due to a sticking charm (her signature spell was used against her whit the permanent Muggle posters gracing his childhood room)
Sirius blinked at her, his pale grey eyes ringed with long black lashes, so like her own, but full of confusion. „Mother?“
Dark circles were gracing his handsome face as he looked upon the woman who had brought him into this world.
They stood there, the silence heavily embracing the two as they looked at each other to see the difference in each other that had come with their Separation.
Her heart clenched as she realized that the joy and carefree nature had been banished from his eyes. They were heavy, graced by the damage of the war.
Silently she walked towards him, the click of her heels was the only sound penetrating the silence. She didn’t dear look at him, least she give him the impression of longing and heartbreak.
Silently she brought the soup near him, she knew that it was his favorite soup.
„What -What is this?“ Sirius asked breaking the silence. His voice shaking with bewilderment.
„Your favorite. Fairy tear soup.“ her voice was stoic. She feared that if she would look at him again, she would break apart.
Sirius still looked at her, brows frown in confusion. „You think I will eat that?“ he said, tearing away his eyes from his mother to look at the soup in her hands as if it was poison. (It happened just once , when Sirius mistakenly took Orion’s soup laced with poison)
You need to eat. Get your strength back.“
„Or would you prefer to eat by the hands of Lady Potter.“
She bit out the last sentence, fighting to keep the anger that thoughts of her eldest son had a habit of igniting at bay. This wasn't the place for hysterics. That vile woman had dared take her first born from her, she would never let that happen again.
Silence, still. Always silence.
„Where were the people that you chose over your family. Over your blood and magic when you were nearly dying.“ her voice was shaking towards the end. She chose to not look at her firstborn. Out of fear that he would realize how his actions had crumbled the proud woman, the matriarch of the noble and ancient house of Black, into grief and misery.
Walburga wondered if she was simply speaking the thoughts that had remained locked inside of her for the past three years, or if she was attempting to rile up a response from the boy who could rarely stand to be even slightly criticised without flying into a rage of defiance.
She gripped the bowl of soup tightly for support as images of the limp ashen body of her firstborn flashed trough her memory. With shaking hands she put it back on the trail.
„I didn’t think any of you cared. Why do you act know as if It matters to you what happens to me? You were fine for years when you acted as if i ceased to exist.“ He seethed bitterly, aware of the anger flooding into his voice with every word he spoke to his mother.
„You are my child Sirius Orion. You are my Blood my flesh. How do you think You survived till this day? Who do you think convinced your Headmaster to not expel you from Hogwarts? Who was it that helped you go through your application in the ministry? Your father tried three times to help you apply to the Auror corps and each time Alastor Moody refused. Wasn’t he in your dear Order?“ she said angrily, nostrils flaring as she finally gave in to the overwhelming urge to turn her head to look at her son.
„Now I am your Blood and Flesh? Was I your blood, when you didn’t even bat an eye when I left? When you disowned me, personally branded my name from the family tree?“he asked, emphasising his words with his haughty accent, a mockery of the very world in which he'd been raised.
„You think- you really think that I don’t care. That I am happy about you leaving the family?“ she repeated, the audacity of her son's words ringing through her head.
She would never forget that day. The day he relieved his family of the burden of ever having to see him again.
She forcefully grabbed his face. Her nails digging into his unblemished cheeks. „You will always be my son. You will always be a Black. You- You will always be my brightest star.“
Emotion choked the last sentence out of her throat. Walburga couldn't help but raise her voice as she felt the weight of the day's events press down on her, the enormity of the near loss of her firstborn hitting her like a smack in the face sharper than the gusts of Arctic wind stinging her cheeks.
The long due confrontation between mother and son caused a turmoil of emotions both their Magic was trying to break out.
She could particularly feel the taste of their magic.Black magic. Moving around the mother and son. Chaotic and dangerous. Ready to strike. Ready to protect.
(It was the first time that he saw his mother show this much emotions. It was as if she truly loved him… As if he cared. Except. He. Did.)
„Then why did nobody try to bring me back. If you missed me this much?“Sirius choked out weakly, before a coughing fit overtook him. His body was still exhausted and needed rest.
„Did you really think I didn’t try? But you turned your back on the family. On your blood and on your birthright as heir of this noble house. What should I do? When my son decides to become Dumbledores puppet and declare everyone just how awful this family, your family is“Walburga snapped, her fiercely cold eyes glistening with what appeared to be dangerously close to the appearance of tears.
A riot of emotions she couldn’t hope to untangle made appearance on Sirius‘s face.
Confusion was the easiest to identify.
Followed by shame as a taint of red made his way on his cheeks.
„You need to rest Sirius Orion. After you are by strength and health we will talk about your future and place in this family.“
Sirius stared up at her, eyes widening fearfully. He shook his head. „I am disowned. I…I left the family.“
His beautiful face growing paler by the second as he realized just what was happening. Sirius Orion Black would be reinstated into the family.
„Sleep my little Star. Mama will take care of everything and do not worry the people who dared to shed a drop of your noble blood will regret it.“ Her grin is dark, razor-edged, crimson and Sirius is once again reminded of who this woman is.
His already pale face goes ashen as the realizes that this time he won’t be able to escape the clutches of his family.
He doesn’t even see his mother is casting once again a spell on him.
Before he realized the urge to relief himself of the burden that was his heavy thought had proven to be very taxing and the need to rest overtook his ill body. With one last kiss on his raven black curls, Walburga decides it’s time to take an active role on the political scene.
You will explain what happened to Sirius Orion!“ Her icy voice should have withered him and and pushed him to talk. She marched in with such an arrogance only done by a Black.
He remains impassive, it’s always been a game between the two. Prey and Predator. Lord and Lady. Wife and Husband.
Orion looks up, his wife is wearing a dark violet gown, which hugs her figure perfectly. Orion doesn’t complain as his eyes roam her figure.
Her appearance has captured the attention of many, whether it was the boys in class when they'd gone to school at Hogwarts, other Heirs of Great Houses, various cousins near-and-far, or even foreign dignitaries at ministry galas.
She has the trademark Black look, which is all sharp features and demanding the attention of everyone in the room. And Walburga knew how strikingly beautiful she was.
Orion defended the honor of his cousin like a staunch protector. One time the arrogant Tom Riddle had dared to ask Walburga to a Rendezvous and had ended on a prolonged stay in the Hospital Wing. He had just been lucky that it had been right before his graduation, one of the lucky reasons he hadn’t been expelled. (Not that Dumbledore didn‘t try)
It had always been like that, Walburga‘s beauty and allure would enthrall someone and Orion would make sure that they would regret it deeply.
Walburga let go of the grip on her magic letting it roam freely and Orion froze. Alright it was going to be one of that days.
She seats herself adjacent to him. Her eyes never leaving his. After piercing him with her familiar grey eyes for another moment, a tea tray is silently summoned on the table.
Nobody uttered a word, both content enough to survey the others next move.
„Did you take care of the problem my Lord.“ Walburga asks as she pours him tea. Fuck, Walburga only addresses him with my Lord when she is very pleased or at the verge of killing him. (The last time this happened, Sirius Orion was conceived as Walburga wanted to show just how pleased she was when Orion managed to embarrass Dumbledore in the international press and that had ended with his wife practically ripping his clothes of and a ten days isolation in their bedchamber’s. The other time he had needed to stay at Mungo‘s for two days, which not only reminded him to never cross his wife again but also gave a good blackmail material for Lucretia.)
He just hoped that this time, he wouldn’t need to go to the Hospital or he would have enough time to take a bezoar. Kreacher certainly would not led him a helping hand just to remain in his wife’s good graces. (He was at least smarter than Orion in that aspect.)
For some reason Walburga must have read his thoughts as his fearsome look brought a twitch of amusement at the corners of her full crimson lips.
Orion let’s out a sigh, „Yes Darling. The Filth daring to touch our Brightest Star isn’t with the living anymore. I made sure to remind everyone what happens when they cross a Black. And yet none will be able to make as accountable.“ The Black Family murders are legendary amongst the aurors. And they would be reminded of that again.
The way he overwhelmed the table just by simply being tall, and male, with a deep voice that made his words echo in the small room is a feat that only Orion and Sirius manage to achieve. The most handsome and powerful of the Blacks.
The Black’s were considered royalty among commoners. To slight one of them was suicide, more so now that the Heir was back in the embrace of his family.
„I am sure of your capabilities Orion. The important thing is that our Brightest Star is home. We will make sure that he won’t face something like this ever again. None of our children.“ she drawled the words in the same nonchalant manner most of the pure-bloods did, when they didn't want feelings to show
But subtle as it was, Orion saw how affected Walburga was by his actions.
Her blood sings with rage as such thought swirl her mind. Orion can particularly taste her magic, ready to strike and be let out.
There was a reason the Black‘s were a dynasty told from generation to generation. Every one would be eager to have them on their side. To have a Black was a weapon on itself.
A low chuckled emerged from his throat, Orion wasn’t fooled as he saw the tail signs on his wife’s posture.
„Tomorrow my Darling the world will wake up to a message that will remind them exactly what happens with traitors that dare to cross our path. It will be a fearsome day and a splendid day for as especially as tomorrow will be the day you will take your rightful place beside me as matriarch of this family.“he said and Walburga tried to calm herself so she wouldn’t look like a deer caught in the headlights.
She tried to surpress a moan as with each word Orion’s magic laid thicker in the room. It was so dark and alluring that Walburga couldn’t suppress a shiver going down her spine.
And judging my the glinting knowing look in her Husband’s eyes and another up and down scan he realized exactly what he was doing to her.
A single eyebrow rose on that aristocratic face, amusement clear.
Orion‘s smirk turned just a little more predatory as his gaze intensified on her, but he still maintained that same air of nonchalance that he’d used when lying to their fathers that no he had not caused Cadmus Rosier‘s death after he had dared to corner his cousin and tried to force himself upon her. At a young age Orion’s hands had already been tainted by blood and that with his calculative cunning strike had managed to not only get Walburga Elladora Black as his Wife (she was his birthright young Orion Black had possessively screamed at his Lord Father.) but go unscathed out of the whole affair. (All to the chagrin of Alastor Moody and Albus Dumbledore.)
„Are you well Walburga? You seem a little flushed.“ Orion’s voice was cold and unyielding and she shivered from the onslaught of emotions his magic and his voice provided.
Orion smirked internally. His actions were not only a reminder to Walburga with whom she was dealing but also a tactic to which Walburga wasn’t immune.
Even if he found her magic just as alluring, he was able to resist but the feel of his magic was something she was still not immune to. His poor witch.
It had the same affect on her as it did one the first day. Orion hated to use it against his wife, but well he was a Slytherin to the core.
And with every layer of magic Orion let out, Walburga couldn’t help but fidget.
„This Time Sirius Orion will not be able to escape from his birthright. And Dumbledore won’t be able to manipulate our son.“ The promise of the threat brought a smile on Orion’s face, a smile filled with power and cruelness making Walburga’s heart beat faster.
It made her forget that she had been angry at him.
Slowly Orion stood up from his chair and made his way towards his wife. Before she could hurry out of the room as she stood up, he took a step forward, and she a step back. Her back collided with the cold hard stone of the wall behind her, and she had to suppress a shiver. She didn’t like where this was going.
Nobody commanded power as much as he did, such Power radiating off of him. No wonder Dumbledore and Riddle hadn’t dared to cross him directly.
She tried to compose herself and shriveled her nose up. „Orion stop this instance!“
But her Husband just raised a mocking brow at her. „I don’t know what you are talking about Wal.“ and Walburga knew at this moment that it was too late to stop her Husband.
His features were ever so chiseled that he was akin to a Greek Adonis. His steel grey eyes had a look of affection as he looked at her. The eyes that never failed to make the other girls swoon. Walburga was not an exception from that. But with his perfection, inevitably comes an incredibly intimidating aura that had frightened others to approach him. But what made others fear, had made Walburga Black captivated by him.
Even if Walburga inherited the Black trademark tall figure, Orion still looked down on her.
„You promise that they will pay?“ she asked as she looked up to him and flatters with her eyes. She was a Black they were vindictive to an absurd degree
Walburga shivered when his beard tickled the shell of her ear, his voice dropping to a rumbling growl. „They won’t know what’s coming for them and once they realize it will be too late.“
Walburga can‘t stop the blush creeping on her cheeks and Orion casts her a knowing look. (The only man to ever make Walburga Black blush.)
(Other’s might be troubled by such conversations, but for Blacks this was their foreplay)
It’s one of these days, Orion thinks as his slender fingers work and his mouth places soft kisses on his wife‘s slender neck.
“Who do you think triggered this?“ Moody asks the old Wizard.
The atrium is littered with bodys which are merely recognizable. Hushed voice‘s and murmurs can be heard, but Albus can’t bring his eyes to stray from the bodies.
And yet both men know that whoever caused to catch the wrath of the Black‘s will pay immensely. This bodies are just the promise of the beginning.
Of course the Auror‘s won’t be able to find who is behind this.
But Albus Dumbledore knows that it’s no other than Orion Black.
He is a shade of what Tom Riddle could have become. Powerful, intelligent, ambitious.
People cowered at the mere sound of his name. Nobody dared to cross him as he tore his foes apart without a shred of mercy. It is rumoured that Voldemort himself was fearful of this man who had so effortlessly destroyed Dark Wizard after Dark Wizard.
If there ever were Wizarding royalty, the Black family was it. Twisted, tormenting and downright terrifying. Brutal, lethal, unyielding, cruel, silver tongued and viciously merciless, they were willing to do whatever it took to stay on top of the food chain or to protect their own.
And this was a reminder that they had returned to take their rightful place.
Albus needed to call an Order meeting immediately.
Every Black knew how important the Family was, how being part of it was a privilege and a duty. How it meant never being alone.
His disownment didn’t stop his longing after his family. Sometimes in the dead of the night, he remembers the time before they were torn apart.
When The Family was the most important thing in the world.
Sirius tried to tune out the granting voice of his inner turmoil. But that night Sirius laid awake, mulling over things in his head.
All those old goodbyes ripped open again. Sirius, he’d condemned and blocked off where he couldn’t be hurt by his memory, only to be confronted with the memories of a family who had thought themselves invincible.
1970 had been the last year of celebration and happiness in the family. Before the heir and spare had been separated by a house, before Andromeda had chosen Love for a Muggleborn over Loyalty to her family and before Bellatrix their once so proud role model had branded herself with the mark of a madman.
As heir to their house it should have been his duty to protect and defend his family. Do something when people had hissed at him and tried to prevent his interaction with his family.
But Sirius had been young and so naive. When they had given him an ultimatum to choose a side, Sirius had done that by abandoning his birthright and turning his back to The Family.
As if his family wasn’t a side. But he had been young and was desperate to be liked and to belong. As they grew older the situation had become so hostile that the only thing they were able to do was throw each other glances, show their signet black rings or meet in the shadows of the hallway. Because Sirius wanted to belong.
And for what? What good had that brought him? His mothers voice was whispering in his head.
He is caught between his blood and morals, cousins and friends and his bloods sings with longing to take his rightful place.
Sometimes when he is all alone, when Remus is undercover with the packs and he can’t drink his sorrow away, there is always a little voice in the back of his mind; „Was it all worth it Sirius?“
And Sirius doesn’t know the answer to that. Because no matter what he did or achieved people always scoffed and just saw the Black in him. Despite everything he had done, not even the Order trusted him or welcomed him really. So was it worth it?
The next time Sirius wakes up the sheets are twisted around him and his body is covered in sweat.
But that isn’t what catches his attention. It’s the man whose shadow is enveloping him.
He would recognize the silhouette in an instant, as surely as he would his own shadow.
Orion Black sits in the middle of the room, in the Black chair where since his childhood days no one else is allowed to sit in. A brandy at his hands, his eyes never leave Sirius. Like a predator watching his prey, he slowly brings the brandy to his lips without breaking the silence between father and son.
Sirius wished that his heart hadn’t just curled up in his stomach to die. Orion Black had always evoked different emotions in Sirius.
Love. Respect and Reverence and fear.
But as the image of his bloodied Lord Father , who so lazily without any bother of the world had killed enemy after enemy,is still present in his mind, Sirius decides that fear is the feeling he feels at the moment.
And he can’t stop himself become ashen from fear.
Silence breaks lesser men, his father had told him, so long ago. Never speak first.
(He doesn’t realize that in the presence of his father he is yet again the young boy who so desperately wants to make him proud.)
„What do you want.“ he mutters when the silence becomes to heavy and his father doesn’t make any indication of breaking it.
Orion raises a single eyebrow, the only reaction Sirius can decipher from his father’s blank face. Time and Circumstance had clearly done nothing to quell its owner’s natural impatience, Orion thinks.
„That’s all you have to say after I found you in that filthy state?“ Orion asks softly but Sirius can still hear the underlying strength.
„I wouldn’t now what else to say to you? If you expect me to congratulate you, for the way you killed them, than I need to disappoint you because that won’t happen.“ his entire being practically glowed with defiance and irritation.
Something flashed in his father’s dark grey eyes before they narrowed, roaming his features with a familiarity that caused a smirk on his father’s face.
Sirius swallowed thickly. Death is close , he reminds himself. Death is sitting in his armchair.
„Well I shouldn’t expect anything else from you! I had thought that your near death experience would smolder your ungrateful attitude but apparently I am mistaken.“ Orion was seething with rage and in contrary to his wife, it was not easy to get the controlled Orion Black to loose his composure. He was all cold calculated fury.
„You didn’t need to save me! The Order would have arrived. They would have helped me.“ his eyes flashed angrily as he looked at his father.
„You mean the same Order that doesn’t even trust you? From what I know you aren’t even a member of importance. Wasn’t it Alastor Moody that prevented your application at the Auror corps? Isn’t he in your precious Order?“
Sirius glared in response to his father’s dry, icy words.
Sirius wanted to deny his father’s accusation, tell him that it’s far from the truth but the acid taste of reality intervenes, and Sirius is reminded of the way Moody would scoff „Well wouldn’t you know Black.“ or remind him that „You will always be a Black.“
And sometimes when wands are drawn , he can hear his Black blood sing with vengeance.
And in this moments, he wants to say, yes it’s impossible to vanish the Black in him.
And as he thinks futher , the questions threaten to regain territory in his mind.
As Orion looks at his heir, he realizes how young Sirius looks, so heartbreakingly fragile, and Orion thinks, wretchedly, of how young they are and that they shouldn’t be involved at all in a war. They were children executing the orders of man that sat comfortably behind wards while children‘s blood were spilled. Noble blood was spilled as they fought the war of filth .
Their souls shouldn’t be marked by war, they should be allowed to be just young and innocent.
„But my friends trust me! Tomorrow I will be gone to the Potter’s and won’t be a bother to you anymore. You can act like nothing changed and act like the spineless cowards you are!“ Sirius said, venom dripping from his voice.
„I will not stand beside and do nothing , as Family tree after Family tree is obliterated. As young and old are killed because the have a different heritage than us or because they oppose their views.“ Sirius fists were clenched by his side. And just for a moment he forgot that he was in the presence of Orion Black , as he stood up threateningly.
There was glint in Orion's eye that told Sirius he was treading on thin ice.
Orion has simultaneous desires to smack the pride out of him and to applaud his strength of spirit.
Sirius felt himself tremble with fear. His father was unpredictable and he didn’t know what his reaction to his outburst would be, as he had never dared to act so foolishly before , well not to his father. His mother was a different matter.
However, he just decided he will die a Black, so this time he will go out in glory and say everything his heart desires.
His father’s face remains impassive. He takes another gulp of his drink.
Sirius was seething with rage about Orion’s behavior. It was frustrating, maddening even in a way he could not begin to explain.
Sirius thought that it was like looking in a mirror, one that could reflect his own soul, the small parts of his brain he had decided to forget, without realizing it quite completely. It hurt, just as much as it felt therapeutic.
He had always admired his father and it was like as if he saw who he could have become.
„Sit down Sirius.“ Orion says harshly. His voice cutting the last shred of defiance left in him.
He swallows thickly before he obeys to his father‘s firm voice.
„You will not be a member of this Order anymore. Your Grandfather’s will be briefed about the matters. We will take things in our own hands. It’s time that you take your place as heir and we as the royal family take the reigns of power again from those that pull the threads of the Wizarding World.“
Sirius had a strange look on his face—horror, fascination, admiration, rage all collided in his features. „Did I need to die, Regulus and Bellatrix branded and Narcissa and Andromeda thrown away for you lot to finally take action?“
Orion’s jaw clenched impatiently. „You will not forget with whom you speak boy.“
„And Regulus was never branded.“ he says finally . At least his younger son had been smart enough to avoid that.
„I will call a Family council and you will be beside me as my heir.“ Though masked as a request, the weight of Orion’s voice suggested that this was an order best obeyed.
For several tense, silent moments, the father and son stared at one another, until Sirius finally spoke. „You really want me back and You will finally take action?“ he asks but his voice betrays him and he sounds more like a timid little boy besides his father.
His heart ache with the prospect of finally taking his rightful place. His father puts his brandy on the table and stands up. Sirius is already the tallest of his friends. Remus is the closest to his height and yet Orion towers over him as his shadow engulfed Sirius.
Sirius can’t stop himself to stand up and take a step back. For each step Orion took towards him, Sirius took one backwards away from him.
„Why wouldn’t I Sirius? When YOU are just like ME?“ Sirius glared in response to his father’s dry, icy words. He remembered the same word uttered, when he had found Sirius embracing Narcissa in a fierce hug and begging her to not marry Malfoy.
He had thought that his father would be angered, but he had just looked at him as if he had been reminded of something else. Stroked his cheek and kissed his head before saying,“ You are me Sirius. But Narcissa isn‘t the Queen you search.“
He had never felt such humiliation and embarrassment before. Was it because Orion had seen the darkest part of his soul, his sinful desires that showed that he was no better than the others? He didn’t know, but when the night had come Sirius had silently left to make his way towards the Potters.
Sirius stiffened under his father’s heavy gaze. Shifting so slightly, yet enough for Orion to detect it.
Orion’s face hardened threateningly as he took another step towards Sirius, who automatically backed up again, only to find himself pressed against the walls at the room. Trapped there like prey, his father’s quietly furious gaze bearing down upon him. Orion reached out a hand and grasped his son by the chin, firmly jerking his head up to look at him.
„ I will say this just once Sirius Orion. You will do well to listen. You will take your place in this family or believe me I will take matters in my own hands and when I do nobody will be left before me. I will close the doors and slaughter everyone who dares to take what is mine. You are my blood and flesh and you will do well to remember that. Or you won’t be prepared for what the consequences will be.“
Orion’s grip on his son’s jaw tightened. Sirius grimaced in discomfort and yet his eyes still flashed with anger. His poor son thinking he holds the power here.
Sirius stares, too shocked and appalled to respond. And then he feels a tear start to slide down his cheek, his posture, he notes, is as drooping at his confession. This is neither the warrior he had raised nor the relaxed and sauntering heir, so careless of the attention showered upon him, secure in his arrogance and capabilities. This is a Sirius that Orion has scarcely seen, and who never appears for long. Good, he realized he has no other option.
And then finally he lifted his chin with a combination of pride and humility that only someone of the House of Black could manage.
„I understand father.“ he finally says, voice trembling with the statement and hugging his arms tighter to his chest. As if it would provide a semblance of comfort.
„Was it so hard Sirius to surrender to your nature? When I know for certain how meekly your magic clungs to the light.“Orion’s voice was dangerously silky smooth. „Tell me did you finally accepted your nature.“ his voice is laced with amusement.
Sirius refuses to answer him. His lower lip is trembling. Orion doesn’t know if he appears so timid because of his sickness or Orion’s domineering presence. He hopes for the latter.
His little dragon so full with potential and defiance.
Before him was a lost and wounded boy in dire need of proper guidance. Guidance which Orion had now firmly decided he was going to provide. He stroked his cheeks softly. The boy who was his mirror. He wouldn’t allow for anyone to use him for their gain. Sirius was a Black and everyone including him would be reminded of that. He caressed his midnight black hair before kissing his head.
„I love you Son. Don’t forget that.“ he said softly. And Sirius’s scowl softened. His tense shoulders slumped, he sighed deeply. As if something within had finally settled after a long search.
And with that he left his son to his thoughts. He still needed to plan a lot of things even if just killing everyone daring to cross his path would be easier.
Maybe before that he could once again visit his wife. She must have rested till now.