Rise of House Black

When looking to discipline an heir one might look to a family’s grimoire for assistance. Though this is possibly different for each family, Disciplinary Curses are a very hard subject to cover due to the very nature of these curses. Many of these curses were only to be used in the privacy of the home due to families closely guarding these spells but there were a few that made rounds in the societal circles such as the recta positione which would cause an heir to sit straight in a chair and not be able to slouch for at least an hour if not longer depending on the intent behind the spell. But there were some spells that were categorized as disciplinary that some claim were only there to punish the child for the parents mistakes. Not that these spells could be proven as most of the time the spells would leave no lasting harm to the child beyond making them try to fit a mold of the perfect heir for their family. While disciplinary curses are in a grey area of spell use, anything that causes lasting harm to a child is met with at least 2 years in Azkaban if caught.

----Excerpt from Discipline, Destruction and Determination by Micha Strongbark----

Friday morning came very quickly for Hadrian as he woke up earlier than normal. He knew they would have a long day ahead. There was the trip to Castle Black to pick out an heirloom that he would be able to use to train his magic with like his brothers had their heirlooms then the meeting with more family and learning their traditions. As Hadrian worked on getting dressed for that meeting he became nervous not sure if they would accept him as he was or try to change him to better fit their family. He had both of the houses' names within his own. Orion had only added Black to the end and for most others he was only introduced with the initials to protect his future.

Hadrian shook his head slightly as he looked at himself. “Nothing changes, Orion is not taking away my status as Heir Black, I am still a Son of House Black. Just because I have more family does not mean that I will have to do more than meet with them and learn my family history, and their traditions which is just knowledge,” Hadrian told himself as he got ready. It was still a little difficult to think that he might one day leave his family that looked after him and gave him a home but Hadrian knew that he needed to learn everything he could so that he could be better prepared for that moment if he did get taken away from his family. Maybe knowing more about the Potters would help that and give him more tools to use when the time came.

After he finished dressing Hadrian grabbed his cloak and draped it over his forearm. Pleased with what he saw in the mirror, a nicely pressed sapphire blue button down shirt and black slacks with dress shoes. It would seem casual to the onlookers but it was just dressed up enough for the informal meeting they would have with the Lord and Lady Potter later. Hadrian then made his way down to the dining room and found that Orion was already there. A simple nod was his acknowledgement from his father as he took his seat to have a light breakfast.

As the two sat there they were eventually joined by Regulus and Sirius. Sirius looked very excited as he seemed to be unable to contain his composure as he thought about the fact that he would be having James over for the weekend.

“Calm down Sirius, if this is what Heir Potter does to you maybe we need not keep him all weekend,” Orion said lightly in a teasing tone as he watched Sirius’ face go shocked.

“Father, No I am just excited to explore with Heir Potter, we were planning on going to Diagon Alley to meet with a few of his other acquaintances and see how we all meld and possibly become good friends before Hogwarts,” Sirius explained. Orion nodded once then thought about his reply.

“I see, well then in that case get all your excited nerves out now so that you will be the perfect representation of House Black when you meet other heirs of other houses,” Orion said then smiled softly at his son. He would never deny him making friends especially when he was going off with another Noble Heir to meet some of his friends possibly. He just did not want Sirius to break the known appearance of House Black.

Regulus smiled at his brother then asked. “Can I join you after my lessons with the staff?” Orion watched as Sirius thought about it. “I will keep us near the ice cream parlor around the time you are done, and you can join us, maybe you can make a few friends as well Regulus,” Sirius said smiling.

“Good, I will see you there,” Regulus said as he smiled. He was 7 and knew he could floo to Diagon Alley as long as there was at least one other member of House Black there to escort him in case of trouble.

“Very well, I will expect you three home by dinner time or Kreature will come and get you from your friends and there will be consequences for being late to dinner,” Orion said letting them know they would be allowed to be out all day as long as they were home safely. “Kreature will be listening for you both just in case of trouble,” He said as he saw the elf nod and bow to him. He would keep his heirs and Heir Potter safe for him while he was tending to the youngest black heir.

“Yes father” said his two older sons as they began to eat their own breakfast.

Hadrian was quiet Orion noticed as he ate, Orion could only think that he had a lot still on his mind about what he had learned the night before. He knew that telling Hadrian would put a little strain on the boy’s mind about when he might be whisked away but he thought it was better to tell the young man now then let him be caught off guard.

Breakfast passed in a more subdued manner once the rules for the day were set out for the eldest two Heirs. They were allowed in Diagon Alley but were to stay away from Knockturn even if others went down that alley way. They were also allowed to go down the side alleys of Crescent, Starfall, and Eclipse. These were the alley ways that had various other shops that children might find interesting. He did believe that there were more menageries in Starfall and Eclipse alleyways than anywhere else, if his sons found a familiar that would be a blessing for each of them.

Not long after breakfast, Regulus and Sirius were off to their own activities. Orion watched as Hadrian carefully put on his cloak and stood ready to leave. Orion didn’t say much as he grabbed a pinch of floo and called out for Castle Black. Their day was just starting now as he made sure that he had enough floo to get them to Potter Manor once they were done at Castle Black.

It was a very chilled morning in Castle Black when the two arrived. But as they dusted themselves off Orion noticed that Hadrian had a small smile on his lips. Orion was glad he was looking forward to this trip through the vault since the last time he had been disappointed by not being able to pick something. Magic seemed to have a plan and Orion knew that Hadrian knew the rules to the Heirloom Vault and would only take the one item that sang to his magic. He took a moment to open the vault. As he went to follow one of the castle elves popped in.

“We be sorry to disturb you Lord Black but we be having a problem in the elf quarters,” said the house elf.

Orion took a moment and nodded, “Give me a moment to inform my heir I will be a moment and to keep looking for his heirloom,” he said and saw the elf nod and pop away.

“Hadrian, I have to take care of something for the elves of Castle Black, find your one item and then come back out, the vault will seal itself back once you exit,” Orion said as he saw Hadrian looking back at him.

“Yes father, I understand, and Only one item as per tradition,” Hadrian said with a smile.

Orion nodded and stepped back to head to the Elf Quarters. It was over by the main hall which was a bit of a walk.

As Orion left to deal with the trouble in the Elf Quarters he did not notice that the wards that were holding Arcturus were weaker than the last time he had visited.

As Hadrian looked at the treasures that laid before him he felt drawn towards the back. He carefully made his way with his hands held together and before him so that he didn’t brush against something. He could feel something calling to him as he walked. He passed countless ancient artifacts that anyone would love to have as their heirloom but Hadrian just walked not wanting pieces of armor or a weapon. He didn't know why he didn’t feel drawn to a weapon but he did not mind it either. As he made his way to the back he saw that it was a collection of jewelry and spheres on chains. He looked over various ones until he caught on one that had a golden chain that had a ring around a sphere that seemed to have a moving mist of purple, magenta and navy blue swirling in it with what looked like stars. Small little galaxy contained in the sphere it looked like. He smiled as he carefully picked it up and felt his magic sigh under his skin as he touched it. Once he picked the item up he turned around and began his way out. He didn’t know if Orion was back but he would wait for him outside the vault like he had last time.

As he stepped out and began to make his way towards the bench when he noticed a shadow looming over him. Hadrian turned to see Arcturus standing there with a wand in hand pointed at him.

“Finally I can clear the stain against the Black family away,” the venomus voice said as they threw up a silencing charm around the corridor.

Hadrian felt fear as he watched the old man stalk closer to him. He tried to keep as much distance between them but as he was a child he found himself cornered with a wand raised against him.

“You running around like you are a proper heir with those ridiculous green eyes is preposterous, Why Orion even allows it I don’t know, you should have been brought into line as a babe after those green eyes opened to the world,” Arcturus spat out as he stalked closer to Hadrian. Hadrian watched as the old man sneered at him like he was all that was wrong in the world.

“Now it is time to discipline you,” Arcturus said, then called out “ad griseo” while pointing the wand at his eyes. Hadrian screamed the pain was horrific as he felt like they were bleeding. He felt the spell grab his eyes and take his vision as it worked trying to correct what Arcturus thought was so horribly wrong. He felt his legs give out as he listened to Arcturus.

“Shut up boy it will be less painful if you would just not fight it, it only hurts those that fight,”

“This is less than a Crucio so stop crying like a babe, It is all you deserve for not taking the black eyes like you should have.”

“You should not be so weak to a little pain, this will teach you to be able to keep your pain in from your future enemies,”

“Maybe I should keep you here and toughen you up, if you are this weak then what good are you to the House of Black?”

“Why are you fighting so much to keep these ugly eyes? If you don’t let the magic work I will blind you instead and let you learn how to manage without sight I would rather you be blind and milky eyed then green,”

“Finally that horrible green is gone, toughen up boy, we have much more to go through,”

“Domare capillos”

“Your hair looks too much like a lesser noble house! You should not look like any other house! I will not allow it! If you are an heir of House Black you will look the part!” Arcturus venomously spat as he twisted his wand to force the young man’s hair to become waves and lengthen.

Hadrian blinked away the blurring in his eyes as he felt his hair being pulled by the spell. He felt like his hair was being ripped from his very skull as it was magically tamed into the black waves. He felt numb as he sat there looking at his grandfather who hated him for some reason.

“There now you are a proper heir, you will thank me one day boy,” Arcturus said with a haughty air about him right before he was disarmed and thrown into the wall by a very angry Orion.

“HOW Dare you! How dare you raise a wand against an Heir of House Black! I should have you thrown in Azkaban!” Orion said his tone going from livid to cold ice that could burn you as he placed himself between his father and Hadrian.

“I think you have had run of this Castle for far to long Arcturus, you will henceforth be banished to the Black Flat where you will not have access to the wards and be unable to call for a house elf to take you elsewhere, You will be isolated but taken care of, no wand, no friends to social call nothing you care about will be there, you will have to keep house and cook for yourself without magic, you have gone to far Arcturus, you will never see any of my heirs again. No one will know you are at the Black Flat. You have one hour to pack a bag of clothes and items you wish to take, but know this any heirlooms will not leave this castle, no books will let you claim them, you will have nothing but time to reflect on your actions, and you will feel what you did to my heir every day, dolorem levant “ Orion stated as he used a spell that would make Arcturus understand the pain and horror he put Hadrian through.

Once he did that an elf popped his father to his room and Orion pulled his son to him and held him in his arms protectively.

“I am so sorry Hadrian,” He said, kneeling before the boy. He saw the tear streaks on his face and pulled the young boy into his arms. He did not hug his children often outside of Grimmauld but this was an exception.

His father had mutilated the poor boy. He did not run a hand over Hadrian’s hair because he knew Hadrian would still be very tender from the spell. Orion worried that he would not be able to fix what had been done due to the venom that his father probably put into the intent.

“Why?” He heard Hadrian ask. “Why did he do this?” it was filled with pain and sorrow these few words he spoke.

“I don’t know dear one, but we will try to get these reversed,” Orion said as he scrutinized Hadrian trying to see all that was changed. As Orion was taking time to look Hadrian over, the young boy could feel the darker magic fighting against him as he just wanted to be himself again. With such a strong desire flooding the young boy the gray eyes began to bleed back to their natural emerald green. Orion was shocked that as much as his father hated the green eyes this spell should have been near permanent and required a trip to St. Mungo’s to reverse.

He watched as Hadrian’s eyes filled back in the beautiful green eyes that he was sure came from his mother. He carefully laid a kiss on the young boy’s forehead.

“Looks like you have one of the most beautiful gifts from the Black family line Hadrian, it will become something we need to work on eventually but I will let you know now that your eyes are just fine and their lovely green they always should be,” Orion said as he saw Hadrian’s eyes go wide.

“How? Why did it hurt so much then?” Hadrian asked.

“Because you were not letting the change happen, you were not willing to change your eyes so your ability was fighting it but it did get overpowered so your eyes went gray temporarily, so that the pain would stop, your hair will probably need to be cut to reverse the spell, and you will have to will it to grow back but we can work with that after we talk with Lucretia first to see if she knows the counterspell to this particularly bad hair curse,” Orion said as he then looked at Hadrian who nodded.

“I found this in the vault,” Hadrian said showing the small orb in the golden chain. Orion smiled and nodded. “It’s a puzzle orb you have to figure out a puzzle or riddle to get the reward,” he said. “There will be multiple puzzles even if it only looks like a small orb,” Orion said as he helped Hadrian stand.

Hadrian smiled regardless of the tear tracks on his excited face. "I can't wait to start working on it," he said as he moved closer to Orion.

"Well you might have to wait until you get home to start working on the puzzle orb, we still have to get you to Potter Manor,” Orion carefully reminded Hadrian who looked up.

“But how will I explain not looking like I should?” Hadrian asked as he looked at Orion worry in his eyes that his other family would get upset that he didn’t have any of the features he had displayed before.

“If they ask I will explain that it was a spell mishap that will not repeat itself, I will smooth the waters if I need to for you to have a wonderful time learning about your other family line,” Orion said smiling softly to Hadrian.

“Thank you father,” Hadrian said as they walked to the floo room. He was excited once more for the fact that he was about to learn more about himself. He couldn’t wait to learn what traditions that the Potters took part in and the ideals of the family line itself. He knew he might not get as much of an in depth look at this family as he had with House Black but hopefully he could learn enough that he would not insult the family in the future when he returned eventually.

The two men of House Black carefully stepped into the fireplace and called out Potter Manor so that they could meet with Fleamont Potter. It was going to be a busy afternoon for the Potter Patriarch trying to settle Hadrian and teach him everything he could without leaving important things out that the future heir would need to know about their family and how important they would be going forward.

Once they arrived Fleamont looked at Hadrian eyes narrowing for a moment as he looked to Orion for explanation.

“There was a spell mishap while we were doing another errand, I will be working with one of the Ladies of House Black to see what can be done to reverse it but for now, I will leave Hadrian in your care Lord Potter,” Orion stated as he bowed to Lord Potter in apology. He knew that Fleamont would notice that the boy’s normally wild hair was very much mimicking the black waves now and explaining it how he did was the best way to keep the attacker hidden so that he could deal with them.

“Of course Lord Black, Heir Black will always be safe here, and welcome as he is of this house as well,” Fleamont stated as he smiled softly to Hadrian.

“Thank you for your acceptance Lord Potter,” Hadrian said as he stepped forward and bowed but found himself swept up into a hug.

“Family does not stand on etiquette, A hug is just fine when it is just ourselves gathered, if the other heirs of House Black or my own son are around tradition would not allow me this privilege,” Fleamont explained.

Hadrian smiled as he hugged Fleamont back, it was like the mask for the public could be shelved when they were at home in Grimmauld so that suited Hadrian just as well.

Orion watched the hug and nodded. “I will leave you to your afternoon then,” Orion stated as he received a smile from Hadrian.

“Have a good lunch with Aunt Lucretia,” Hadrian said as Orion nodded then used the floo to go visit Lucretia.