Blacks Bow to No One
Sirius Black was curious about the note which he had been given Thursday during Defense. He was told his friends could come, but it would make little difference.
So, at 7:00, Sirius Black arrived to the Defense classroom and knocked on the door. He had James with him.
"Come in," the voice came through the door. Sirius and James both entered together. "Ah, Mr. Black and Mr. Potter. Welcome back."
"You asked to see me?" Sirius said.
"Yes. You have a personal situation and I'm butting in," Garrick Septimus replied.
Curious, Sirius asked, "What personal situation are you talking about?"
Professor Septimus sighed and replied, "Your relationship with your family."
Sirius' face immediately became stoic. "This isn't something that I want to talk about." James looked worriedly at his friend.
"Yes, I know. But my answer is: I don't care. I'm the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor and you, Mr. Black, are a tool for me to defeat the Dark Arts. And because you are the only one who can do what needs to be done, you're going to be coached, by me, into using your family connections to help bring down Voldemort." His professor's face was entirely serious.
Sirius and James both looked at their Defense professor with wide eyes. "How?" was all Sirius could ask.
Professor Septimus grinned. "You, my boy, are going to out-Slytherin your Slytherin family. When we're done, all support that Voldemort has from the Black family will disappear. And, considering that his major financial backers include families with wives from the Black family, this might make a huge difference."
Sirius and James looked at each other and back. "What do I do?"
"First: You need to learn to control your responses. From what I've learned, you have no ability to keep your calm when dealing with your family. This is what makes you, currently, unable to do anything about the Dark fool. You need to learn control. And then we're going to make certain you know what arguments to use against your family that they cannot ignore. And then we're going to script you a way to ensure your family pulls all support from the Dark fool. Questions?"
"Where do I start?"
Arcturus Black had just finished speaking to Albus Dumbledore regarding his Grandfather's actions as Headmaster. He did appreciate that the information was kept private and the damage was repaired without it becoming public knowledge.
He was taken aback that the Headmaster had taken the steps to ensure that the Headmaster's Portrait no longer held any allegiance higher than the current Headmaster. It was not well known that portraits of Black family members always had extra runes installed to ensure family loyalty above all else.
While Arcturus wanted to protest, Dumbledore had cause and the authority to act as he had, and so he did not.
Finally, when the meeting was done, the Headmaster informed him that his Grandson, who was currently second in line to inherit behind his son Orion, had need to speak to him. Dumbledore had graciously provided a room free of any portraits and had performed the necessary scans in front of him to ensure that the meeting would be private. After introducing the House Elf that could serve him, Dumbledore had retreated.
Soon, after he had been served tea, a knock came at the door. "Enter!" he called out.
He saw the door open and his grandson, Sirius, entered. Instead of the rebellious stance that the boy often wore when dealing with the family, Arcturus noted that Sirius did not – by expression or bearing – seem to show defiance toward him whatsoever.
Stopping midway between the door and the table Sirius Spoke. "Good Day to you, Grandfather Arcturus. I, Sirius Orion Black, currently Heir Apparent for the current generation of the Black family and second Heir after my father Orion, have need to consult my Paterfamilias regarding threats to the Black Family. May I approach and proceed?"
Arcturus was a bit surprised that Sirius did not act like the Gryffindor fool that the family took him for. "Please come and sit and speak to me of these threats you speak of."
Sirius nodded respectfully and sat across the table from him.
"First of all, Grandfather, how are you and Grandmother?" Sirius asked with some decorum.
"We are well, though your Grandmother Melania has been feeling less so as of late."
With genuine seeming sorrow Sirius replied, "Please pass on my best wishes to her. She was always one of my favorites." Melania McMillan had been a breath of fresh air compared to the other family members. She hadn't been raised with a stick up her arse.
"I will pass on your good wishes. And how are you, Grandson?" Arcturus asked.
"I am well. My studies progress, I hold a position near the top of my year academically, and I believe I am making good progress."
"Good. Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, you mentioned threats. What threats do you speak of?"
"First, I would speak of the family's seeming mindless following of this Dark wizard who styles himself Lord Voldemort, self-claimed Heir of Slytherin. I have issues with and with the family aligning with him."
"What issues do you have with him? You know that we Blacks do not agree with the loss of our rights to perform magic as we see fit. This Voldemort seems to be the only path toward reclaiming what is our right."
Sirius scoffed. "Voldemort is not a path toward reclaiming what is our right: Voldemort is a fool's dream born out of teenage angst. He is using us and the other Pureblood families for his own goals, not ours."
Arcturus was curious. "What do you know of Voldemort then?"
"Lord Voldemort." Sirius pulled his wand and placed letters of fire in the air. He started with I Am Lord Voldemort and rearranged them to read: Tom Marvolo Riddle.
"Born 31 December 1926 or 1 January 1927. His mother, Merope Gaunt of the Slytherin Gaunts – a family with a long history of inbreeding to keep their line 'pure' – dies giving him birth. She had only strength to give his name: Tom Marvolo Riddle, to honor his father, Tom Riddle, and her own father, Marvolo, who was in prison at time for attacking Ministry workers with his son. She used a love potion on Tom Riddle, local Muggle, whom she fancied. Thinking he now loved her, she stopped the potion and he fled, leaving her pregnant and destitute.
"1938. Tom Marvolo Riddle is retrieved from the Muggle Orphanage he grew up in and is sorted into Slytherin. Treated with disdain because he is a Mudblood, his hatred for all Muggles is now expanded to a hatred for Muggles and Purebloods. But the Blood of Salazar Slytherin flows through him and he is sufficiently cunning to hide this fact.
"1943, at the age of 17, the Muggle Riddle as well as the Gaunts all suddenly die. Morfin was blamed and died in prison. Somehow, Tom Marvolo Riddle was seen later wearing the Gaunt family ring.
"1943 also saw the death of a Hogwarts student. Tom Marvolo Riddle accused Rubeus Hagrid – playing to the bias against half-breeds – and Hagrid's wand was snapped, but the Ministry did not even try the case because there was no evidence. Even now Hagrid is not allowed a wand due to that travesty. The Liar got a special award for the school, which I refuse to polish during detention.
"Voldemort does not truly care about Purebloods. He shares no power. Those who follow him are slaves to his will. Those that refuse to follow him he calls Blood Traitors and calls for them to be killed. But this would destroy the magical world – we already lost too many houses during the Grindelwald war.
"1975. Walburga Black and her weak-willed husband Orion make plans for their sons to align behind this false Pureblood. A visit by Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black and Narcissa Malfoy nee Black is used to try to convince the wayward son that the family's power would be increased by following this creature. I refuse: I bow to my Paterfamilias by necessity and the rest not at all. Blacks are NOT followers – we are leaders.
"Do you have any other questions, Grandfather?"
Arcturus took a good, long look at his eldest grandson. As Paterfamilias he rarely got involved with what the different branches of his family did. But Sirius made a very good argument for him to get involved – if only to prevent the destruction of the Black family from this false Pureblood.
"You have given me much to think about, Grandson. I will take it under consideration as I decide a future path."
Sirius nodded respectfully. "There is a request I would make of you, Grandfather."
"And what is that?"
"I need permission to travel to Geneva to register my Animagus form there – I do not want the information sieve that is the Ministry in Britain to put me on the public roles as I would avoid losing this advantage." Sirius had a small smirk as he reported this.
"Animagus form? When did you become an Animagus?" Arcturus asked.
"I've been working on it for over a year. I achieved a stable form with three of my friends just this past month. We are all planning on registering at the ICW and we've convinced the Headmaster to allow us to register on the Restricted list in Britain … in case we decide to work for the Ministry after Hogwarts." Sirius had the Black Grin fully evident when he spoke of this.
The Black Grin was one tinged with the inherent madness that the Black family seemed to carry forward. Some Blacks went quite odd – Cygnus'oldest had this in full (he felt lucky to have gotten her married off) – but most who had this used it as a tool. It seemed his Grandson fell into this last category.
"Show me."
Sirius stood before him and then changed into a very large Grim-like dog. If he was at a distance, he could have easily mistook it for a Grim.
"Very appropriate. I can imagine an enemy of the family seeing your form and succumbing to the superstition regarding seeing the Grim."
Sirius casually changed back and grinned at his Grandfather. "I always am up for a good prank."
Arcturus gave a tight grin. "I will allow it." Arcturus paused and then asked. "What do you currently think of the Black family politics?"
Sirius sat back down and paused, looking as though he was giving the question due deference. "I believe we waste our heritage by concentrating on being pure of blood rather than pure of magic."
Arcturus was taken aback a moment by that. "Explain."
"1970. Andromeda Black refuses to marry Lucius Malfoy and thus was disowned when she married her Muggleborn sweetheart. Recent tests at Gringotts showed that this 'Muggleborn' has four squib grandparents and comes from a magical family thought extinct, the Richardson family. Andromeda Tonks nee Black and Theodore Tonks of the Richardson family had a daughter. Her name is Nymphadora Andromeda Tonks. She is a Metamorphmagus, a trait of the Black family not seen in 300 years. And now lost because we disowned her.
"1971. Sirius Orion Black arrives to Hogwarts. Upon being given a choice, I considered this: What does everyone know about the Blacks? We are cunning and the epitome of Slytherin. What can be done to defy expectations? Be sorted into the House of the Brave – the House of Cannon-Fodder. And thereby I am underestimated by my own family as 'Not Cunning.' I am underestimated by those aligned Dark as 'Not Black Enough.', I am underestimated by those aligned Light as 'Not a Dark Wizard' because I'm not a Slytherin.
"Magicals should live far beyond what the Muggles expect to and yet, only you, Arcturus Black II, seemed destined to live beyond 75 or 80, a common Muggle age. Why? Like any Black, I am certain that you learned magic beyond what the Ministry finds acceptable. But unlike the other Blacks, I know of no particular time you used this magic without cause or without necessity.
"I have received the blast of the Cruciatus more than once when displeasing my mother in one respect or another. I have even done so to shield my brother, Regulus, by drawing attention to me rather than a momentary failure on his part which allowed him to correct it himself without receiving punishment. I don't believe that you used such methods against your children.
"Dark magic taints the soul of those that do not have the fortitude of self that is required. Knowing that I still have to mature much, I have eschewed it entirely and will continue to do so unless necessity requires it to protect my own. Only for this purpose can I avoid the taint that it leaves – I know my limitations. Bellatrix went mad exposed to such things. Andromeda left, and Narcissa was protected by her older sisters – she is likely the least affected and might live longer than the rest.
"In the name of being pure, you allowed your crazy cousin's request to permit a marriage between my father and my mother – second cousins and far too closely related for my peace of mind. Any pureblood who breeds magical creatures knows how often mundane culls are born when interbreeding is allowed to go too far. Two Pegasii too closely related that breed have a good change of having a muggle horse as a foal. So why do Purebloods allow children too closely related to marry? Perhaps why we have squibs.
"Cedrella married a Weasley – a family that has been shunned due to their poor financial choices. She was disowned as a result. But, Weasleys and Blacks have not bred for at least two centuries. And Arthur married a Prewitt – one that wasn't descended from a Black or Weasley. Already, I have heard, they have two very strong, pureblood children and a third is about to come. Boys all of them. What pureblood family wouldn't kill for three strong male children who are in position to inherit as needed. And the Prewitt Twins are already considered powerhouses. Their sister Molly, a housewife, is no slouch either.
"Severus Snape, whose mother from the Prince family was disowned for marrying a Muggle, is, possibly, one of the strongest magic users in our year. His intelligence is second only to Lily Evans, a girl considered a Muggleborn for most of her Hogwarts education. My best friend, James Potter, definitely felt threatened by the boys friendship with the girl because he fancied her the first time he saw her – until they discovered Lily, who everyone thought was a Muggleborn, was born of squibs from the Prince family and the Dumbledore family. They are too closely related to breed and so James finally settled down. But it doesn't change the fact that the 'Half-blood' was considered almost unconsciously on James' part as a true threat. I find it strange that this girl is widely known as the magically strongest and most intelligent female in our year. Yet the purebloods disdain her as a mudblood?
"Albus Dumbledore, whose mother was a Muggleborn, is acknowledged as perhaps the strongest wizard of the last century. Only Riddle, whose father was a Muggle, might be as powerful – even if he himself is mad from delving too far into Dark magic to be considered remotely sane. My Defense professor is a half-blood – and I believe he's as strong even if he doesn't show it regularly. Flitwick, a goblin-mix, was a dueling champion for years. Rubeus Hagrid is as old as Riddle – and he doesn't look a day over forty. His Giantish heritage has served him in good stead." Sirius chuckled. "Bella could have married him if she truly desired a magically strong husband." Sirius' face became more solemn again.
"So, no, I don't believe our current politics strengthens us. I believe it leaves us open to manipulation and to allowing others to keep the Black family down. It causes us to disown those who achieve magically stronger children by making their own choices. I do not intend to offend – but an honest answer was required."
Arcturus looked long and hard at his Grandson. For absolutely the boy's entire life, his daughter-in-law (first cousin-once-removed) had insisted that he was unworthy of being the true heir and should be pushed aside for the younger, whom she thought more controllable. His eldest grandson had long perfected the image of uncaring of tradition and disdainful as regards the family values.
And yet, this fifteen year old boy had a far better grasp of the Black family, its relations, its limitations, and its mistakes than even he, as the current Head of the family held. It was obvious that someone was attempting to destroy the Black family by manipulating it into discarding the best parts of itself. Ignoring money, politics, and the attitude of blood supremacy and calculating "Toujours Pur" as based upon magic only and not blood … he suddenly had to admit his grandson was the Black family's best hope for survival into the future.
"I am not offended, Grandson. I am not offended in the least. It is good that the current Heir to the Black Family has such a thorough and keen understanding of the problems that face us and a vision of what is needed to bring us back from self-destruction. Inform you parents that you shall not be available during Yule break. Instead of 12 Grimmauld, you shall come to my residence and we shall consult as to how to correct the issues that you have brought up."
Sirius stood and bowed the correct amount for an heir bowing to a beloved head. "I would request that I be allowed to bring Regulus. It is time that he start learning the true image of our family – and the proper needs for the future."
Arcturus considered this. "I worry because it seems that elements conspire to replace you for him as he is more malleable in being manipulated for goals poorly thought out."
Sirius gave once more the Black Grin. "Regulus is my brother. I have suffered to keep him safe but it is now time for him to face the truth unshielded. I will not worry. Regulus, like me, is a Black. And a true Black bows to no one. He will learn. I will coach him so that a visit to our parents during Yule will not place him in danger of falling under further manipulation."
Arcturus gave an approving nod. "Bring him then. I look forward to your visit."
"Thank you, Grandfather. I look forward to it as well. I would ask that you suffer one more consultation before you leave Hogwarts today."
"And with whom would you have me speak?" Arcturus asked with curiosity.
"Garrick Septimus, who is my Defense Professor. Unlike the past Professors procured for the position, this one seems to have a proper knowledge of Defense and can actually teach. He did mention that he wanted to speak to you of matters that might concern you."
Arcturus nodded. "Go and get this Professor of yours and we shall speak to him."
Sirius nodded and then went to get Garrick Septimus. Very soon, they returned.
Garrick looked over and saw that Sirius was sitting next to and a bit behind Arcturus. He nodded in approval. "Thank you, Paterfamilias Black, for seeing me."
Arcturus nodded. "You are welcome. Would you like some refreshment before we begin?"
"Only of you have need of it. I had some earlier."
"Will this be a long conversation?" Arturus asked.
Gary considered it. "No. Not likely, but it won't be obscenely short either."
"Then let me call the House Elf the Headmaster assigned." Gary nodded. "Floxy!"
Once again, tea was had. Arcturus noted curiously that the elf seemed more solicitous of the Professor, but no inordinately so. When things had complete, Arcturus asked, "Professor Septimus. What do you need of the Black family?"
"Well, I personally need nothing. But I have information which might be of value to you."
"And what do you want for this information?"
Gary chuckled. "Nothing. I just trust that you will consider this information as you make your future plans."
"And what is this information?" Arcturus asked finally.
"I will explain. But first." Gary pulled the bag that he was carrying off of his shoulder and placed it on the table. He carefully withdrew the item he had placed in the bag and et it on the table.
"Before we go on: What do you know of Herpo the Foul?" Garrick Septimus asked the Black Family head.
After a recount of history and exactly what made Herpo the Foul so reviled, Gary explained how Tom Riddle had recreated the magic which made the man so evil. And that he had gone even further down the path.
At one point, Gary had checked the mental shields that Sirius had, with Arcturus' permission, to ensure this couldn't casually be read. Sirius long study as an animagus had served him well and his shields were very good.
When all was said and done, Arcturus looked at the Defense Professor and asked, "Why have you told me this information instead of, say, the DMLE or the Department of Mysteries?"
Gary chuckled. "At different times in history, one family or another has held dominance in society. Sometimes financial, such as the Malfoys of the 1600s, sometimes magical, such as the Peverells in the 12th Century, and sometimes political, like the Smiths in the 19th Century. The closest I could find in the current society is the Blacks. Due to the sheer number of families that interrelate to yours, yours is the closest there is right now as the most highly ascendant. While Dumbledore outshines currently, that will not last past the death of Albus Dumbledore as it is personal power and not familial. I am working on getting him involved as well.
"But as regards families with power: If things don't change, the Black family will fall and the next family will arise. I would rather that it not be the faux family which claims the name Slytherin while actually being the Muggle family Riddle. Given the power of the current Potter Heir, and given his close relationship to one of the Black Heirs," Gary pointed to Sirius, "Potter might be acceptable as the newly ascendant family. Even the Blacks did not disown a daughter for marrying a Potter – they already are known as quite powerful. And if the current Potter Heir marries the girl he intends, I would bet their children might have the power to eclipse Merlin himself – and even now her attention actually turns toward him.
"With the sheer virility of the Weasley family with Molly Prewitt as the bearer of the next generation, Weasley will be highly placed regardless of their current financial status. The sheer number of children they will have will guarantee it. I would bet good money that it will be at least seven by the time they finish. And none will be squibs. Put in an early bet with the goblins: The seventh will be the first Weasley daughter in centuries.
"But, perhaps, if the proper steps are taken, Black need not fall into obscurity. But the only one who can do anything is you. So I leave what I know with you. This is your world, more than almost any other single person's, and I would see what you can do to save it."
Arcturus looked at the Defense professor. Once again, he was taken aback by astuteness from a direction unanticipated. "And what is this to you? I don't know what your place is in this conflict."
Gary gave a small grin. "For this, I would request for you and you alone to hear what I have to say. You may tell Sirius – after I am gone or in one year, whichever is soonest. By then the information's source won't matter."
Arcturus was curious enough. "Sirius? Remember. Yule. Bring your brother."
Sirius nodded and said goodbye to his grandfather.
When they were alone Arcturus said, "We are alone. What information is for me alone?"
Gary replied, "Let me conjure a Pensieve – and your questions will be anwered.
Sirius and the Marauders were waiting near the front gates when they saw Arcturus Black making his way to a carriage that was being held by Rubeus Hagrid.
Sirius couldn't decipher the expression on Arcturus' face. He took a chance. "Grandfather!" Arcturus fell out of the distraction he was in and saw his grandson and his friends. Arcturus walked over. "Grandfather. These are my friends James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, and Remus Lupin. Guys? This is my Grandfather and Head of the Black family, Arcturus Black II."
The four teenagers politely greeted the group. Sirius finally asked, "How was the meeting? You look distracted."
Arcturus considered that and replied, "Yes. I would have to say that is accurate. But I was … informative. I see things a bit clearer now than I have in the past. It makes it easier to do as I need to with your support."
Sirius decided to take that at face value for the moment. "Very well. Why don't I and my friends escort you to the edge of the wards so you can apparate. I'd rather not see anyone take advantage of you being out there alone. I remember all the stories."
Arcturus considered that and smiled. "Very well. I will accept that. Come with me."
The four Marauders cheerfully followed the older man to the front doors. And there was Hagrid. "Thank you, Mr. Hagrid. My grandson and his friends will accompany me to the Ward's edge and then return with the carriage."
Hagrid nodded. "S'allright. They're good boys an' I'll trust them to do it quicklike."
Arcturus nodded. The other three Marauders entered the carriage first – Sirius would come last as he would be first out. As he was about to enter the carriage Arcturus stopped. "Mr. Hagrid."
"Sir?" Hagrid asked curiously.
"Write an appeal to the Wizengamot to reclaim the right to carry a wand based on the fact that, although you were accused of that girl's death, you were never charged because there was absolutely no evidence to support your guilt. Get the Headmaster to agree in writing to ensuring you receive the education necessary to pass at least one OWL within a year of reclaiming a wand – I suggest Care of Magical Creatures. And then send that to me. I will ensure it is given proper consideration."
Hagrid was taken aback. "Of course, Mr. Black! An' thank ye!"
Arcturus nodded. "Let it not be said that all Slytherins are evil bastards. You were treated poorly by Riddle as Head Boy and I apologize for that." Arcturus finished entering and Sirius cheerfully waved and then entered the carriage himself.
Hagrid could only watch after the retreating carriage in astonishment.