Disclaimer: I don not own Harry Potter.

Orion Arcturus Black, father of Azkaban prisoner Sirius Black and deceased Death Eater Regulus Black, was only a shadow of his former self. He had once been the most politically powerful man in the world and ruled the Black family with an iron fist. Every since his first born son Sirius had broken away from his unquestioned rule over the Blacks, he had slowly but surely he'd gotten weak in the ruling of his family and started slacking off.

When his second born son Regulus had been killed after stealing a valuable item from the Dark Lord he moved out of his ancestral home and into another manor that was secluded and warded with the Fidelius Charm so only certain people could contact him.

These days Orion Black was a pathetic sight to see. His skin that had always been pale was now a sickly color, his hair greasy from not being washed, and he wore robes soiled with unnamed substances and worn down by overuse. He was as usual starting at pictures of his sons when they were alive and all together and happy. Contrary to popular belief Orion Black did love his family he only ruled with an iron fist to keep everyone in line. He fingered a picture of Sirius and Regulus when they were little. Sirius was playfully scowling at Regulus with his dancing icy blue eyes. Regulus was crying big fat crocodile tears because Walburga wouldn't let him ride Sirius's new broom (if he remembered correctly).

"Maybe if I had been a better father…if I'd been there more…you two would still be here," Orion sighed sadly, tears dropping onto the picture frame.

His fireplace roared to life suddenly, interrupting his remembrance of his sons. Just when he thought his day couldn't get any worse, Lucius bloody Malfoy of all people stepped out of his fireplace. Orion scowled. If it was one thing he hated more than self-righteous light wizards and Albus Dumbledore it was nancy, pansy, pretty boys like Lucius Malfoy. He'd never been fond of the wizard, but when he'd bonded formally with his niece Narcissia his dislike had only increased.

"What the hell do you want? This better not be a social call! You were specifically told to only contact me in case of emergency!" Orion snarled, a mad look in his eyes.

"Believe me, I would never come here willingly," the blond man replied with a sneer looking around at the dusty surroundings.

Orion hadn't found much use for a clean house since he was the only one living in it.

"I assure you I am only here to inform you that there is a Wizengamot meeting has been called to discuss the future of little Harry Potter now that his parents are dead. All Lords and Ladies are required to be in attendance," Lucius said, eyeing the older man warily.

"Then you should have just owled me," Orion growled irately, reluctantly rising from his chair.

"The Ministry of Magic tried to owl you but couldn't get past the wards so they enlisted me to deliver the message." The blond man recounted, lazily tracing his signet ring that classified him as a Lord.

"Why is it so important that I attend this Wizengamot meeting? I know that there have been plenty of meeting where the were not able to contact me so why is this one so important?" Orion asked suspiciously, moving towards his bedroom, an annoyed Lucius right behind him.

" The Ministry is giving the Potter brat a blood test that is supposed to reveal his closest living relatives Of course Dumbledore wants to send him to his muggle relatives but none of the light wizards want their savior growing up as a muggle!" Lucius stated with a wry smile on his face.

"If you ask me-," Lucius started only to be cut off by on exasperated Orion.

"I don't care what you think, you've delivered your message now leave! I'll assume the Wizengamot is in an hour at 9pm as always." Orion said waving his hand at Lucius dismissively.

Lucius unconsciously took a step back at the pure rage he heard in Orion's voice, before trying to regain his composure.

"Well," he sneered, " I can see that my presence is undesired. I'll just be taking my leave now if you don't mind. He swept out of the room holding his robes close, trying to hold on to the last shred of dignity he had.

Orion sneered at the back of the blond Lord's retreating back. 'Good riddance,' he thought hatefully. Turning to look at himself in the mirror he grimaced at his own image. To put it lightly he looked like shit or at least like he was related to that half-blood Snape! He sighed deeply. If he was going to be making a public appearance he needed to look the part of Lord Black.

First he needed a bath. He flicked his wand at the pool sized bathtub's faucet to make the water begin to run and fill up the bathtub. He disrobed and made a mental note to have one of his House Elves burn it later. Stepping into the water gingerly he let out a relaxed sigh. He was reminded why he bathed in the first place and what he had been missing out on while he was mourning. He soaked in the warm water for about ten minutes before he began to wash seriously, not excluding his hair that he scrubbed so hard he was surprised he didn't go bald.

When he finally pulled himself out of his huge bathtub he immediately called for his House Elf.

"Daffy," he said calmly. A well-groomed male house elf popped into existence.

"Yes master," Daffy said in his squeaky high-pitched voice.

"Burn that robe and set out my silk black and silver ceremonial robe." Orion said imperiously, beginning to trim his salt and pepper beard.

Running a thin finger over the bathroom counter he sneered when he found dust there.

"Also get my cleaning staff to start cleaning up again. Just because I'm an old man living with house elves does not mean my house can be filthy. I n fact it should be cleaner than clean." Orion ordered, waving his unoccupied hand in dismissal.

The elf popped away with a squeaky, "Yes master."

When Orion was done trimming his beard he pulled his black waist length hair into a high ponytail held by an onyx ornament. He then exited his bathroom back into his room to find that the robe he had asked Daffy for was lying on his bed looking very sleek and pristine. He pulled out a fresh pair of underwear and black slacks to wear under the robe. He did a quick Tempus to check the time and cursed vividly when it revealed he only had twenty minutes left to get to the Wizengamot meeting. Hurriedly pulling on his clothes he strode out of his room bound fro his fireplace without checking the mirror. He knew he looked good. Arriving in his living room he grabbed a handful of floo powder and steeped in to the fireplace.

"Wizengamot Hall," Orion screamed throwing the floo powder down and disappearing in green flames. It was time to decide Harry Potter's future.