LAST TIME
"ENOUGH!" Arcturus swept his hand and the plate and teacup shattered against the wall. He grabbed Melody by her dress and lifted her. "Melody, you are testing my patience."
"I'm doing what Mistress Melania would've wanted. She told me to take care of you. And you're burning bridges with your family. You could've helped Miss Cissa right now."
"I tried to help her," Arcturus growled. "She spat in my face and threatened me. I don't respond to threats, Melody. I make them."
"All you're doing is threatening what's left of your family, Lord Black. And burning what could be saved." Melody snapped her fingers and disappeared, leaving Arcturus alone in the room, fury burning in his veins.
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Harry stared at him with his wide emerald eyes, chewing on the blue head of the spoon in his hand, ignoring the bowl of mashed potatoes in front of him.
"Harry, you've got to eat. You want to grow up to be a strong boy, no?" Arcturus placed his cutlery down and nudged the bowl toward him. "Should I feed you?"
Harry squirmed in his high seat and threw his spoon across the table. Craning his little neck as far as he could, he pushed his tiny hands on the armrest of the highchair, looking around the room.
"Do you want Fawkes, Harry?"
With a flick of his wand, the soft toy appeared in Arcturus's hand. He held it in front of Harry, who grabbed it by its beak and flung it across the room.
Arcturus glanced over his shoulder to see the toy sail through the doorway, into the kitchen, and let out a long breath.
"What do you want, lad? Do you not like potatoes?" Arcturus asked. "Do you want me to feed you something else?"
Harry huffed, folding his arms. "Mumma!"
Arcturus felt a sharp pain twist beneath his ribs, his hand tightening around the spoon. He hesitated, the words dying on his tongue.
"Mumma— Mumma isn't here, Harry," he whispered. "But you have to eat." He scooped up some potatoes in the blue spoon and held it toward him. "Say ahh."
Harry looked disappointedly at the spoonful of food.
"You've got to eat, lad. Come on. Say ah."
"Bloom!" Harry said.
Arcturus blinked before frowning. "Bloom?"
"Bloom." Harry beamed. "Swoosh!"
"What?"
"I think he means broom, Lord Black." Melody's voice replied, and Arcturus looked down to see her standing by their chairs, holding the phoenix toy in her arms. "Broomsticks."
"Ah, the kind of playing Orion liked when…" Arcturus held the spoon high and made a swooshing noise, bringing the spoon toward Harry, who giggled and opened his mouth, eating it. "I'm too old to be doing such things."
Melody gave him a pointed look, and Harry giggled, reaching out toward her with his hand.
With a pop, the phoenix vanished from Melody's hand and appeared in Harry's, who lifted him, thrusting it toward Arcturus.
"What now, lad?"
"Hungy!" He pointed at the Phoenix. "Foo."
Arcturus sighed. "Yes, I know you are hungry—"
"Lord Black, little master wishes for you to feed his phoenix friend." Melody smiled under her hand, stifling a small giggle in a way that reminded Arcturus of Melania. "He wants his friend to eat too."
"His friend is a toy."
"It is little master's friend, Lord Black," Melody chastised. "You should feed it too."
"Foo!" Harry thrust the phoenix toward him and Arcturus sighed, touching the spoon's tip to the bird's beak.
"Happy?"
Harry's lips drew into a pout. "Gra-pa. Bloom!"
"He wants you to feed the broomsticks—"
"I got it, Melody." Arcturus huffed and complied, smiling as Harry giggled and placed the bird carefully by his side before opening his mouth. "Wash the toy after this, won't you?"
Melody bowed. "Of course, Lord Black."
Arcturus made a swooshing noise and hoovered the spoon through the air, before landing it into Harry's mouth, who chewed on it happily, lifting his phoenix for Arcturus.
"Speaking of toys, we still need to get some for Harry."
Harry perked up, his emerald eyes sparkling. Arcturus grinned, poking his tummy, and Harry into a fit of giggles.
"Looks like he wants toys too. What do you want, Harry?"
"Choo-choo! Bloom!"
"You're too young for blooms—" Arcturus winced. "For broomsticks, Harry. I will get you one when you're older."
"Dada bloom."
"No, not even Dada's broom, Harry. You're too young to fly." Arcturus waggled the blue spoon in front of him. "Now, here comes the broom. Say ah!"
"Fly!" Harry swatted the spoon, and a wave of magic burst from his hand, flinging to bowl away, past Arcturus' head, onto the wall. "Fly! Bloom!"
Arcturus glanced helplessly at Melody, who snapped her fingers and popped onto the table, kneeling in front of Harry. "Little master Harry, you could get hurt."
Harry shook his head. "Dada bloom."
"I think James went flying with him on the broom," Arcturus muttered, feeling a twinge of sadness lanced across his chest. "The boy was an excellent flyer, as Dorea always told me. If anyone could've flown with a child, it'd be him."
Melody glanced between Arcturus and Harry for a moment, her ears drooping, before she sat on the table, eye to eye with Harry.
"How about you eat first, little master? Then we'll see about flying." Melody told Harry in a soothing voice. "Even your friend is hungry, no?"
Harry's face fell, and he looked at the phoenix in his arms and nodded. "Magic birdy. Hungy."
"And if you hadn't thrown your food, you and your friend wouldn't be hungry," Arcturus added, gesturing to the food on the wall and floor across the room. "No flinging food at the walls, Harry. Am I understood?"
Harry's face fell and he stretched out his arms, the bowl flying back onto the table, the potatoes hopping back into it. Arcturus stared at them and shared a glance with Melody as Harry beamed, clapping his hands.
"Merlin, we need to teach him not to eat fallen food." Arcturus pulled the bowl away, out of Harry's reach. "Melody, take it away before he decides to start feeding himself."
With a snap of Melody's fingers, the bowl vanished. "You know, Lord Black? Miss Andy has a child—"
"Melody." Arcturus raised a finger, as a bubble of annoyance swelled in him. "I'll think about it. I heard you, but you will do no good by pushing it on me or provoking me in front of Harry. Just do your job." He scowled. "Where's the catalog of clothes I needed for him? And the rest?"
"They're on your desk, Lord Black," Melody said. "With the form you asked me to fill out."
"Good. Now get Harry his potatoes. He's hungry."
"Magic birdy!" Harry reminded.
Arcturus sighed again. "And so is his friend."
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The silver chandelier gleamed in the sunlight spilling through the enchanted windows, the soft music grating on Arcturus' ears as he flipped through a Baffled Quaffle magazine on his lap. A cup of steaming tea sat in front of him, next to an assortment of breads and jams, to which he paid little heed.
"Arcturus," a voice cut through the music, and he glanced up to see Dumbledore standing beside him. "May I?"
He gave the headmaster a nod, pulling a golden watch from his pocket and frowning. "It isn't time for the trial, is it?"
"There's still a few good minutes before the chambers even open. But I like to be early, as you know." He smiled, picking up a slice of bread. He glanced over the jams, and his face fell. "Alas, they don't have raspberry jam today. I'm rather partial to it."
Arcturus snorted. "Cut to the chase, Dumbledore. What do you want to talk about?"
"I wished to ask about your new ward." Dumbledore waved his wand, and a blanket of magic settled over them. "How's Harry settling in?"
"It has barely been a day since he came home. So, I'd say he's adjusting." Arcturus gripped his cane, running his thumb on the handle. "He misses his parents more than anything. He wanted his mother to feed him lunch and his father to take him flying. It… how do I tell him that it won't ever happen?"
Dumbledore hung his head, the wrinkles on his face deepening. "As much as we'd like, there's nothing either of us can do about it. You'll tell him when he's older, but right now, he's too young to understand."
Arcturus nodded, putting the magazine aside, Ludo Bagman's picture on the cover protesting as he was escorted away in chains. Dumbledore noticed the photo and grimaced, pushing the plate of bread away.
"Do you think he's guilty?" Arcturus asked. "Ludo Bagman?"
"I would've ideally said no. But in times like these?" Dumbledore closed his eyes. "After Peter betrayed the Order, one I failed to see despite many interactions with the boy, I can't be sure."
A shard of ice tightened in Arcturus' chest, and he sneered. "The bastard will get what's coming for him today. I am here to make sure of it. I'll only rest when I see his bloody soul being sucked out."
"I've never liked dementors. Horrible creatures by their very nature," Dumbledore commented. "I'd not wish that fate on my worst enemy. Even execution would be far more merciful and humane."
"Then it is a good thing that he doesn't deserve any mercy, isn't it?"
Dumbledore bowed his head. "Even I have a hard time seeing the hope for Peter turning over a new leaf after the actions he committed. Ruthless murder, civil rebellion, and perhaps even the use of Unforgivables is one thing. But he betrayed his friends— ones that treated him as good as his family and caused their deaths, killing one of them with his own wand." He paused, his blue eyes hardening. "Well, he went to kill Harry, an innocent child, which only makes it worse."
"I'm glad that you agree. But even if you didn't, it wouldn't have made any difference. I'll ensure he gets every bit of punishment he deserves."
"Yes, yes," Dumbledore nodded. "Though it was not the subject of Peter I wished to discuss. It was your granddaughter's. I heard you disowned her."
"You've heard correctly." Arcturus raised an eyebrow. "Even if it has been barely fifteen minutes since I gave the papers to the department upstairs."
Dumbledore's lips quirked slightly as he waved his wand, levitating the cherry jam toward himself and spreading it across the bread he had pushed away earlier. He folded the bread neatly and looked back at Arcturus, who huffed.
"I don't want Bellatrix to interfere in anything to do with Harry's inheritance. Her crimes, once proven and confirmed, will be clear, irrefutable grounds for disownment. Harry is now my sole heir as far as I am concerned, and I'd like the world to reflect it too."
Dumbledore inclined his head, putting the bread down on the porcelain plate and dusting his finger. "I am sure that you've your reasons. It is just that Bellatrix is the second granddaughter of yours you've disowned from your house. Not that it is any of my business—"
"It isn't."
"—but I'd like to share a few things I've learned from experience. The most expensive experience I've ever had, Arcturus. And I wouldn't want anyone else to suffer the same if I can help it." Dumbledore folded a leg on top of the other, his eyes brimming with sadness. "You see, Arcturus? Family is difficult. Harder than anything in the world, at times. But when it comes to the time, we truly need them, they'll always be by our side. So, please, do not abandon your family. It will only serve you ill."
"Bellatrix is going to Azkaban for life, regardless of anything I do, Dumbledore." Arcturus looked up, meeting Dumbledore's eyes. "I saw the case. It is ironclad. She was caught red-handed while performing the spell. And the Aurors are out for blood already, so is over half the DMLE. On top of it, Augusta Longbottom will be pushing for the kiss. One, which will likely be granted."
"But if you could, would you have defended her? Save her?"
Arcturus looked away, tapping his cane against the floor. "I fought my cousin during the war. Cassie— Cassiopeia. I personally took half her arm off during a fight against the knights, knowing exactly who she was beneath that mask. I even testified that she worked for Grindelwald after you took him down."
"She never got caught though, did she?" Dumbledore asked, his blue eyes twinkling faintly. "Gellert's closest advisor, his left hand for all intents and purposes, slipped through the world's fingers, never even caught or spotted. If I were a betting man, I'd wager that it wouldn't have been possible without support. Support from someone well connected and someone wealthy."
"What are you trying to say, Dumbledore?"
"I'm telling you to not give up on your family," Dumbledore said. "Fight for the family you have left instead of fighting them, Arcturus."
"I fight for those who I consider family. The girl who tortured two of the most respected members of the wizarding world into insanity under the Cruciatus is not one of them. She's a monster, one who deserves the trial and the punishment she's going to face. Not even Grindelwald's worst men did things like that."
"I'm not talking about Bellatrix, my friend. She too might've deserved a second chance, but her recent actions make it tough to believe." Dumbledore grimaced. "I am telling you to reconsider your decision for Andromeda."
Arcturus glared at the headmaster, who met it with blue eyes as calm as the sea until Arcturus looked away, his heart thumping against his chest.
"You're not the first person to tell me that in the past couple of days, you know. In fact, you're not even the first person to say it today."
"Who said it first?"
"Melody. She's Melania's house elf. She takes care of me now. Though she did learn a lot from her mistress and was ordered explicitly by her to take care of me once she passed." Arcturus barked out a laugh. "Which extends to screaming at me occasionally."
"She sounds like someone you should listen to." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.
"Well, she's all I have left of Melania. Melody was with her since they both were children, and she practically grew up with her. She might've even passed on with her, but Melania said that she would need to be here for me. So, she stayed."
"Melania, from what I knew of her, would not have let you disown Andromeda either," Dumbledore said. "Andromeda didn't commit any crime. She did what she did for love."
"Love, Dumbledore? Really?" Arcturus laid his head against the wall. "The contract she was in with Augusta's boy was not forced upon her. We gave her and the boy six months to date and find out if they really wanted it." Arcturus scowled. "And they both said yes. So, we drew up the contract. Then, two years later, she got pregnant with the child of another man, who was not her intended."
"Love is the power which has one do the most inexplicable acts and perform the most impossible feats, Arcturus." Dumbledore smiled. "And I could wager that Frank knew of it."
Arcturus' head snapped toward him. "And how would you know that?"
"Frank was with Alice through most of his seventh year, while Andromeda was with Ted. There was no fight, no screaming, nor any rumors within the halls. And it was no coincidence that Frank married Alice and Ted married Andromeda. I have it on good authority that Alice signed as a witness to Andromeda's and Ted's wedding."
"What?"
"I'm also told that Narcissa and Bellatrix were both there. Or at least, knew."
"Those girls…" Arcturus' nails dug into his palm. "How could they?"
"They're sisters, Arcturus. And that is a bond none other can sever or take away. Not even you." Dumbledore smiled. "I won't say much. This is between you and your granddaughter now, I'm afraid. But I implore you to at least hear her out. If not for yourself, for Harry. If you make amends with her, he'll have a bigger family. An aunt of sorts, and even a sister in Andromeda's daughter."
"Nymphadora," Arcturus muttered. "I'm told she hates her name."
Dumbledore's eyes sparkled like sapphires, and his smile broadened. "I'm glad, Arcturus."
He stood up as the doors to their left opened, a pair of Aurors standing at its sides with long metal poles.
"Oh, and before I forget, you should visit the post office at Hogsmeade soon. Harry's been getting mail delivered at Hogwarts, which has been piling up into a small hill, which only grows."
"Mail?" Arcturus frowned. "And why is it coming to Hogwarts?"
"He's a celebrity, Arcturus. A person of international interest," Dumbledore replied. "As for the mail coming to Hogwarts? It was a precaution that many members of the Order of the Phoenix took, especially when they went into hiding. If there was one place Lord Voldemort would have hesitated to attack, it was Hogwarts."
Arcturus met the headmaster's eyes and inclined his head slightly.
"I suppose that's true. If there was a place safe from him, it'd be the school," Arcturus muttered. "But I'm also sure that the mail redirection had more than a single purpose. Didn't it?"
"The primary concern was their safety," Dumbledore answered. "The Order of the Phoenix was not a secret well kept. Many, including Lord Voldemort, knew of it and knew people who were a part of it. And you know as well as I do that if someone is in hiding, mail is the easiest way to track them. Or trap them."
"And by getting their mail first, you also got a degree of insight into their communication to ensure none were betraying the Order." Arcturus pointed out.
Dumbledore's face fell, and he sat back down next to Arcturus, letting out a breath, the wrinkles on his face deepening, his eyes brimming with sadness.
"I try to see the best in people, Arcturus. I really do. But I've seen what war does to men. Even the greatest, most loyal men bow down and betray the cause when something or someone they hold close to their heart is threatened." Arcturus grimaced, shifting his cane slightly as Dumbledore stared into the distance. "I wished to ensure that none of them were being threatened or coerced into doing something that they wouldn't normally do," Dumbledore said. "The people of the Order were good men and women. If I knew they were being threatened, I could save them."
"Did you?"
"Several times. More than once, the mail had attached portkeys, cursed objects, or tracking spells." He closed his eyes. "I think that's how the Death Eaters found the Mckinnon family. Their home was burned to the ground with the whole family inside, despite them going to great lengths to hide their manor."
"And if they had the mail diversion set, they wouldn't have been found. Like most others weren't."
"Minerva, Filius, or I could easily reach them and also ensure that the mail they received weren't traps of any sort. Forgive me for my lack of humbleness but Hogwarts houses some of the greatest magical minds and practitioners within its walls." Dumbledore said. "In addition, the Order meetings took place every week, so we easily passed on the genuine mail to them. A few letters are never really a hassle if a friend's safety is ensured."
"So you placed one on Harry too?"
"No, Lily and James had one on themselves," Dumbledore shook his head. "But I am glad they did. I've found a portkey in a few, some tracking charms, and a handful had a few nasty surprises. They'll be dealt with by the DMLE."
Arcturus felt his heart clench.
"Who?" He growled.
"Lucius Malfoy was one amongst them. Few of whom I could track." Dumbledore leaned back. "His letter and gift— a rather expensive set of golden toys, all of which were laced with tracking charms and portkey enchantments."
"The bastard." Arcturus balled his fist. "No better than his father. I wonder what Narcissa sees in him to defend him."
"I've removed them, of course." Dumbledore smiled slightly. "But there's also a lot more mail— most of which has been addressed in goodwill. You should come and claim them. And perhaps hire someone to answer them too on Harry's behalf. A simple thank you can often go a long way for a celebrity such as Harry."
"I don't like that Harry would have to deal with all of this. I remember how much mail I got after the war. And I had done what dozens of others had. Harry? He survived the bloody killing curse and is already being revered by the whole of Britain."
"Unfortunately, there is nothing either of us can do about it except to prepare him for it."
"I suppose," Arcturus murmured. "What about the mail redirecting ward, though? I don't want any danger to come to Harry."
"I would recommend that you do not dismantle the ward," Dumbledore said. "You can decide if it continues coming to Hogwarts until Harry is of age— or at least, till he is eleven. After that, I can tweak the mail ward to allow letters from people he knows to come directly to him if he wishes. Or you can arrange the same with the ministry or some private business."
"I'd rather take my chances with you than the ministry." Arcturus scoffed. "At least I know your intentions."
"It is your call, Arcturus. If not me, then ask Minerva or Filius. Or even Sirius' old friend, Remus Lupin. He is a brilliant boy, and in need of work due to his… unfortunate circumstances."
"No one hires a werewolf easily. I know."
"It is an unfair world." Dumbledore sighed. "Remus is one of the more brilliant students that I've come across during my time as the Headmaster. Had he not been infected, I'm certain the ministry would've hired him the moment he was out of Hogwarts."
"He was a part of your Order too, wasn't he?"
"And a close friend to Sirius and James too." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "I remember Harry rather adorably calling him Mooey." His eyes flicked to the door as a cluster of wizards walked past them, and the twinkle vanished. "And I suppose we should enter too. The trial will start shortly. We can discuss this later."
"Of course." Arcturus blew out a breath. "Thank you, Dumbledore."
"You're most welcome, old friend. You're most welcome."
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The obsidian desks stretched into curved rows, gleaming like the edges of a dark sword in the light of the ancient torches that hung along the walls. A shimmer of magic rose by the lowest rung of tables, a long trench separating it from the raised dais at the center, which was connected to two doors by a strip of stone.
Arcturus' eyes flicked to the side, where hints of frost crept up a pair of dark, bolted doors. A shiver ran up his spine, and he gripped his cane tighter, climbing up stone steps while Dumbledore sat at the lowest rung, picking up a gavel.
He sat on the stone bench, grimacing as the cold surface bit into his skin.
"Evening, Arcturus."
"Edmund," he inclined his head, and the man settled on a seat a few rows down.
The chamber slowly filled up as witches and wizards entered in small clusters, some talking in hushed murmurs while some alone and quiet. A few greeted him out of courtesy before continuing on their way.
"Black." A voice came from behind, sharp and low, and he turned to find dark brown eyes boring into him, brimming with hatred. Arcturus felt his gut twist as he rose, gripping his cane. "Here to defend your hellspawn, are you?"
"Augusta, it's been a while," Arcturus said. "And no, I'm not here to defend Bellatrix. Her actions are inexcusable."
An ugly sneer contorted on her face. "You say those words, yet this is the second time when one of your good-for-nothing spawns ruined my Frank's life. One broke his heart, the other his mind and body. My boy lies in the hospital, while his practically orphaned son cries for him!"
Murmurs swept across the courtroom, but Arcturus ignored them, smothering the flare of annoyance in his chest.
"It is a shame what happened to Frank and Alice, Augusta." Arcturus eyed the finger digging into his chest, feeling the stares at his back. "And I have no sympathy for Bellatrix, neither will I defend her or her friends. They deserve the punishment that is due."
Augusta's face twisted. "But that won't bring Frank back, will it?"
"Neither will you, by screaming at me," Arcturus replied. "The perpetrators of the crimes are on trial, and you can have justice. I won't stand in your way."
"You wouldn't even dare stand in my way, Black." She scowled. "And you couldn't keep a slut on the leash. How would you keep a murderer on it?"
Arcturus felt rage boil inside him, and he clenched his fists. "Mind your words, Augusta. I know you're—"
"Had you minded your spawns, I wouldn't have needed to mind my words, Black!" She took a step closer. "First that slut—"
"Enough!" Arcturus banged his cane on the ground, his voice reverberating through the chamber. "You'll keep that tongue in check, woman. Or I will rip it out."
"How bloody dare—"
"I dare, Augusta. I dare because I am Lord Arcturus Black." He snapped, and Augusta flinched. "Had you said these words a decade ago, I'd have torn you in two. The only reason I'm not doing it right now is because you are suffering from the loss of your family. And I know how it feels too. But don't mistake my restraint for tolerance."
"You didn't lose your family because of me! I lost my family because of you!" Augusta screamed, her voice cracking.
"You lost your family because of Bellatrix, her husband, her brother-in-law, and Crouch Junior, all of whom are going to stand trial today." Arcturus pointed at the platform below. "You can seek justice there. Not to me. For me, they're all as good as dead. I've got nothing to do with Bellatrix."
"And what about that—" Augusta gulped as Arcturus glared. "That girl, Andromeda? Do you still stand by her side as you did then?"
Arcturus paused, feeling his heart drum against his chest, like waves crashing against rocks. "I never took her side then. But maybe I should have."
"Really?" She spat. "You only disowned her because I threatened you with a blood feud. Or you would've let her walk away with it."
"If you had declared a feud, you would've lost." His grip on his cane tightened. "And I'm starting to reconsider my decision about it. I made the wrong decision then by banishing her instead of having you banish your son."
"What nonsense is this?"
"I have come to know that your son was dating Alice— your daughter-in-law, the mother of your grandson, whom you haven't even bothered to mention while you ranted— way before Andromeda turned to someone else. He did what she did too, just first."
"My son would never!"
"Yet he did." Arcturus scowled. "Blame her if you must, but don't pretend your son is innocent."
Her face darkened, her fists trembling. "How dare you? How dare you? My Frank is way better than any of your grandchildren. He was a respected Auror. Yours?" She snorted. "One's a murderer, one is the wife of a murderer, and the third is a whore who spread her legs while she was intended for another."
"Isn't that how you were born?"
Gasps rang around the courtroom, and Augusta's expression turned murderous.
"You are the one to speak, Black. You come from the longest line of dark wizards, muggle hunters, and criminals, and you spit on my family? All the Blacks have ever produced are rotten, no-good witches and wizards. Murderers, torturers, whores. I'll bet that it was Sirius who betrayed—"
An ear-piercing bang rattled through the courtroom as the long obsidian bench between them burst to dust, swept away in the wind.
Augusta flung herself back onto the bench, her vulture hat tumbling to the ground as she scrambled away.
Aurors rushed toward them, but Arcturus stopped them short with a glare before stepping up the stone step. With a flick of his wand, he set the vulture hat ablaze before pointing the wand at Augusta's neck.
"Finish that sentence. I dare you."
Augusta gulped, rage burning in her eyes, amidst an ocean of fear. Her hands trembled and she looked at the Aurors before glancing back at him, her body trembling.
"My apologies. What I said for Sirius was out of line." Augusta breathed, her eyes fixed on the glowing wand tip at her neck.
"Good. Now get out of my sight." Arcturus sheathed his wand. "And never ever utter a word about Sirius or Andromeda again. Or they'll be your last."
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