Arcturus Black wasn't a very expressive man. In fact to many people Arcturus seemed completely cold and indifferent all the time. There were very few people however who could read the moods of Arcturus and all of them would tell you that at this precise moment Arcturus was extremely pleased. They would know this because they were trained to observe people and spot the smallest of subtle signs in a person's behaviour, a common skill amongst the upper echelons of Wizarding society.

Lord Black was a particularly hard man to read but the truly experienced would notice the way the corner of his lips seemed to twitch every now and then as if threatening to burst into a grin, they would also notice how he hummed a classical tune under his breath as the fingers on his left hand seemed to compose an invisible orchestra and those who truly knew Arcturus, a scant few members of his family, would notice that Arcturus was sipping his favourite celebration Cognac.

Well known for his taste for muggle beverages, Arcturus' mood could easily be gauged by his choice of drink. He was also well known for being a rather kind hearted old man, not something that one could guess from his general demeanour but then again the Ancient and Noble House of Black were not known for their kindness, indeed they were more commonly known for their affinity for Dark magic, vast wealth, Aristocratic looks and self serving nature. So it's no surprise that amongst such a bunch a man who valued family would be seen as kind hearted.

The reason Arcturus was so happy was three-fold, it had been reported that Lord Voldemort had been killed barely a week ago and since then the entire Wizarding world had been celebrating and Arcturus was no different. However his reasons for celebrating were slightly different, though he was glad the Dark Lord was dead he was happier about the fact that his death had caused his daughter-in-law Walburga to have a rather serious heart attack which had killed her.

Now this doesn't sound like the kind of thing that would please a kind hearted family man but Walburga was truly a nasty piece of work; a complete bigot, no manners and Arcturus was certain that she'd poisoned his son. He had also just received news that Walburgas little protégé and niece Bellatrix had been arrested along with Lucius Malfoy her nephew-in-law. Both of these people had irked Arcturus greatly, Bellatrix had clearly inherited the Black family instability and unfortunately she seemed to have inherited her sisters share as well making her completely loony. Lucius bothered Arcturus less, he could respect the fact that the man was very cunning sometimes, but the rest of the time the Malfoy Lord seemed to expect people to do whatever he told them to just because he was rich. The Black Lord was fully aware that Lucius would have killed him if he had thought he could get away with it but Arcturus had been Lord Black for forty years and was more cunning than most.

As he hummed to himself Arcturus began to compose a list of arrangements that would have to be made, he'd have to ask Mel to deal with arranging Walburgas funeral as one son was dead and the other imprisoned. This made Arcturus frown slightly, he had always thought that Sirius had been a bit more sensible than his cousins and brother, a little rash and outspoken but still a devious individual with an unstoppable focus Arcturus found admirable. When he was younger the boy had been quite the trickster and had managed to repeatedly prank members of the Black family, a truly amazing accomplishment as most were unreasonably paranoid. Walburga of course had hated the boy and made his life a misery so much that he had run away to stop with his cousin and best friend James Potter. Arcturus hadn't let this bother him; though Walburga was unaware of his whereabouts Arcturus knew that the boy had been well cared for by Charles and Louise Potter. Both were Black family descendants and had contacted Arcturus who gave his approval and made sure that they were reimbursed for their efforts.

Walburgas brother Alphard who had been much more reasonable than his two siblings had liked the boy also and so he had easily been manipulated into thinking that it was a good idea to leave the boy a good amount of gold in his will when his health began to deteriorate. This was how Arcturus ruled the Black family, for the most part he allowed his children, grandchildren and cousins to govern their own lives, in doing so letting many Black family traditions fall by the wayside but he had subtly guided them on occasion. His ability to subtly manipulate people was nigh unparalleled and this was how he ruled the family, making introductions and subtle suggestions to guide them the way he wanted. He was the one who had guided Narcissa to Lucius Malfoy, something which at the time had seemed a good idea; the boy had been the Heir to the Malfoy fortune, a devious character and strong wizard, a good addition to the family. Of course then he had fallen in with Voldemorts cronies, though Arcturus had to admit the man had by all accounts succeeded in getting himself right into the inner circle of death eaters and been one of Voldemorts best lieutenants.

Then of course he had succeeded in introducing his younger cousin Marius to another squib from a respectable family and then encouraged the relationship subtly. Of course back then his own father had been the Lord Black and had demanded that Marius take his wifes name so that the squibs wouldn't be associated with the Black family. But still the boy had married another Pureblood and there was a high chance that they would be able to produce magical offspring. Although squibs dotted the lines of Pureblood houses Arcturus had done some research and found that many of them still had magical children so long as they married another witch or wizard or even another squib. Magic always came back to squib lines, and much faster if squibs married squibs.

Arcturus made a note to himself to write to Marius, it had been some time since he had seen the man and last he had heard the man was some kind of healer in the muggle world where he had hidden himself after Lord Voldemorts rise to power.

Thinking of Marius invariably brought his mind back to Regulus. His brother had been barely four years younger than him but Arcturus had been so focused on family duties that he had all but ignored his brother until it was discovered that he was a squib. For whatever reason his mother had hidden the fact until his eleventh birthday but when his Hogwarts letter didn't arrive it was clear what had happened. His father had flown into an unholy rage and threatened to disown Regulus something which made the young boy break down into hysterics. That was the first time he had ever manipulated someone and the one he was most proud of. He had convinced his father to allow Regulus to pursue the career in law he wanted but in the Muggle world under an assumed name. He had managed to keep his brother just on the fringe of the family so much so that one year after his graduation they had attended a ball in Paris together where he met Beatrice Bones another squib who had been hidden from the Wizarding world in Britain but allowed to functions abroad where people were more liberal. Arcturus had then negotiated a marriage contract with old man Bones before bringing the finished contract to his father. It was this action which made his Father formally recognise him the Heir Apparent to the Black family.

A small knock brought him out of his reverie and he took a sip of his drink before calling out.

"Enter" He intoned formally.

Melania entered the room and smiled at him. He smiled back, even after all these years his wife could still make his heart beat just that little bit faster and warm him all the way through.

"These came from the Ministry." Melania said giving him a couple of letters. "They're from Sirius and Bellatrix." She added hesitantly.

His previous good mood soured and moved to throw the letter in the fire but Melania grabbed his arm.

"Please Archie, just read them." She asked pleadingly. "This family has been torn to pieces by this war, at least see what they have to say for themselves." He hesitated and she added "I heard a lot of people were put under the imperius to do his bidding."

Arcturus snorted. "Neither Bellatrix or Sirius could be held under the Imperius Mel. Besides, Sirius was the secret keeper for the Potters and nothing can force someone to tell that secret but their own free will!"

His voice had risen steadily as he said this until he shouted the last words. Seeing tears start to form in the eyes of his wife who so desperately wanted all of her family back he sighed.

"I'll give them a look." He conceded grudgingly.

Ripping the seal from the first letter he noticed that it was written in the chicken scratch scrawl that Bellatrix called handwriting. Her letter was short and to the point.

Lord Black, I have been imprisoned by these fools for serving the will of my honoured master Lord Voldemort. I'm sure you've heard of all the great work we accomplished in his name and can see how important such work is. They say my master is gone but I do not believe this! His mark is still on my arm feint but there. I must find him and help him return to power! You must use your power to get me out of this cursed place! Bellatrix.

He let out a deep breath. Though he had known logically that Bellatrix must have gone willingly to Lord Voldemort, reading this letter was still a shock, to see how warped her mind was. How subservient she was to this Dark Lord.

"I don't think Bellatrix can be helped Mel." He said gravely. "She is entirely unrepentant and appears quite happy serving this Dark Lord like some kind of common slave."

The disgust in his voice made Melania flinch. Though a kind man Arcturus was proud and would not submit to anyone else's will in a thousand years and could not abide fools who were led by others and followed blindly. He considered throwing aside Sirius' letter also but something made him pause. Once again breaking the ministry seal he unfolded the parchment and began to read, and immediately his eyebrows rose to his hairline in shock.

Honoured Grandfather, Lord Black, I write to you in desperate need. No doubt you have heard that I supposedly betrayed the secret of the potters and I am some kind of death eater, but I can assure you this is far from the truth! I would never follow that snake faced idiot! I am amazed to say that I have been rather effectively framed and by the most unlikely of suspects! Peter Pettigrew. I know what you're thinking, Pettigrew how could that poor boy frame anyone? He hasn't got the spine for it, but that's exactly the problem! I was the secret keeper for the Potters for a while, everyone knew this. But when it became clear that the Order of the Phoenix (A secret order run by Dumbledore, we all fought in it) had a leak in it. Lily decided to recast the charm and only tell the essential people about the new charm; me, Lupin Dumbledore and Peter. I suggested, quite cleverly I thought, that we should change the secret keeper also. My first choice was Dumbledore but he was already secret keeper for another location (which of course I cannot disclose) or Lupin but he was on a mission and we hadn't heard from him. So I convinced Lily to use Peter instead, I figured no one would guess him out of all of us! So she recast it with Peter as secret Keeper. It wasn't me! Peter betrayed them and now he's disappeared to god knows where! I beg you grandfather please help me! I do not bear the mark and I am NOT guilty of any crime. I didn't even receive a trial! I know you could influence me straight out of jail but that would just make me look guiltier. Just please try to swing me a trial! Old Barty is head of DMLE, I'm sure he'd listen to you if you ask for a trial. Please I'll take veritaserum, submit to a legilimens anything! I implore you grandfather, I am innocent. Even if you won't do this would you please make sure Harry Potter is okay? I barely saw him before I was arrested; please make sure he goes somewhere appropriate! He's my godson and I have a responsibility to him. Please!

You innocent grandson, Sirius Orion Black.

Astounded Arcturus sat back to think. He mentally reviewed the facts that Sirius had presented and this made much more sense to him than what he'd been told by the ministry.

Letting an evil grin come across his face he addressed his wife.

"Well then, it looks like we have work to do. Mel gather the family immediately. We have matters to discuss."