Chapter 10

A Black Reentry

August 19, 1992

Drifting, he was drifting once more in his wraith form cursing his luck at going against Potter and losing to a child again. Granted Voldemort did not have full access to his own magical abilities due to Quirrell barely being half a wizard let alone a full one. What irked him worse was that Mudblood. No Mudblood had ever been that strong…or rather they were rarely that strong. They at best are usually just average witches and wizards.

Yet, that Mudblood had been powerful. Her spells and curses struck harshly him causing great surprise stopping his thoughts completely. And then there was that black-haired girl. A girl who was not a student at the school. Or rather if she was, she was definitely hiding amongst her peers.

His glowing red eyes narrowed despite the wraith form he was in. Her uniform was Slytherin and the girl also looked idly familiar. He floated through the woods in thought. Who…who did that girl look like. And as quickly as lightning flashed it came to him.

Bella! He thought assertively. The girl looked Bellatrix. Her daughter? No. She wasn't pregnant. Or was she? Was the child his? He wondered. He slept with the woman on occasion to indulge in his carnal pleasures. It was most invigorating especially after a blood-soaked raid. But, she was also married with Rudolphus. Curious. Curious. Curious. He thought. If she was pregnant Bella had obviously hidden it from him. No matter, she was not important in the moment. After all when he returns to power he will just question her then after breaking her out of Azkaban.

What was important was his failure to obtain the elixir. There were rumors that it'd be destroyed yet, Voldemort knew that was not possible and even if it was the Flamels would be able to make another. As he thought about how to go about becoming corporeal again he felt a rush of energy flow through him.

One of his soul containers was active. It was siphoning energy from someone. But, who? Which container? Bella had hers locked away in Gringotts. The Diadem was safely ensconced inside Hogwarts. The Locket was behind several wards and an army of inferi. The ring was hidden inside the Gaunt family home (shed) hidden behind parsle wards that would kill or seriously injure or drain anyone without parsle magic who approached. I.E himself. The diary was held in Abraxas's hands.

Wait. Abraxas was dying so it'd be in his son's Lucius's hands. That was worrying. Lucius was a coward and a fool. At best. If not for his money he wouldn't have made it into his inner circle. These thoughts worried the specter. His anchors to his life could be destroyed or he'd have another version of himself running about.

Hopefully it wasn't the Diary. That version of himself was foolish, arrogant in his knowledge of his heritage. So much so, that he drew too much attention to himself in his school years. Yes, hopefully it was the Diadem inside the Room of Hidden Things. This way, he'd have impressive knowledge already at his disposal and already have planned his rise to power.

HGHG

The young redheaded girl wrote more about her summer to Tom. Tom who was becoming a great confidant and friend. He listened to all her woes about Harry not paying attention to her and didn't belittle her crush on him. Oddly, after learning Harry defeated You-Know-Who Tom became very interested in Harry. Sometimes, scarily so.

It didn't matter though. He was her friend.

August 21, 1992

"Nympha-"

"Ah!" Nymphadora interrupted Arcturus with a shout. She pointed at him warningly. "Do not call me that accursed name." She warned. Arcturus simply snorted at his grand niece and shook his head.

"Child if you interrupt me again you'll think that a stinging hex on your behind is the best thing ever." He retorted with his own warning. The metamorph simply turned her hair a fiery red to show her anger. "Please do not light up like a Phoenix child it's tacky."

"You're tacky." She muttered not as quietly as she believed.

"Nymphadora!"

"What!?" She asked with a whine. Across the room her mother snorted in amusement at the exasperation that was now seeping into Arcturus's face. He then sighed.

"How are things going at work?" He finally asked.

"Pretty cool, I'm being tutored by Mad-Eye now." She said with a grin.

"That psychopath is still working." Cassiopeia said from where she was lounging on the couch.

"Hey he's mildly insane."

"Yes, yes all that." Arcturus interrupted before a full out argument could begin. He looked around the room and took a glance at the male Tonks. His eyes were shifty and glazed again it didn't take much to know that Albus has probably confounded the lad or something or other. He really needed to do something about him. He sighed when he heard Cassiopeia and Nymphadora continue their argument.

"Here brother." Lycoris his sister handed him a glass of wine. He took in what was left of his family. The women. Only women were left, he didn't include Sirius because he was still ignoring his duty to the lad and truly didn't want him back into the family. Well, not until Hermione was old enough to take headship. Jarius didn't truly count because he was heir to the Prewitt fortune.

"Enough!" He bellowed quieting the two bickering women. Nymphadora huffed and Cassiopeia sneered at him. His family would induce the urge of violence within him once more. Maybe, it was a mistake calling what's left of the family here.

"This meeting is important." He told them. "I must inform you all that Melania has taken ill and might not make it past the year." He said this gravely and beside him Lycoris flinched imperceptivity. But, it was enough to be noticed by him. He didn't say anything about it. He wouldn't not until the others had left.

"What but she's so young." Andromeda imparted. It was true that she was young and Macmillan's tended to live into their two hundredth years at the most and at the very least until they were one hundred and fifty.

Black's also had long lives. But Melania's life was short though, no fault of her own. "I know." Arcturus said sorrowfully knowing his wife's death would be on him. "I know that." He broke off sadly. His face was pulled into a grim expression.

"I see." Cassiopeia said.

"I have yet to inform Lucretia but when I do, we must prepare for a proper Black Burial. Hermione will attend this funeral."

"Already planning her funeral brother?" Lycoris asked her tone short. Arcturus's head snapped to his sister.

"Do not take that tone with me sister. I am preparing myself for the inevitable."

"Inevitable. You do not know if her death is inevitable. You have obviously not tried!" She shouted back. The spectators seeing that this argument was going into a territory where they had no business being in left the room.

"I have tried more than enough. You know why she will not survive just as much as I do. And you know why. You forget yourself sister."

"I have not forgotten. None of it."

And it was in that moment that Arcturus knew she was not talking about Melania. "Ilene was dying regardless." Lycoris stood her jaw twitching in fury.

"And so was Melania." She retorted.

"Only one would survive the ritual and Melania was the one that magic felt had the best chance." Lycoris laughed humorously.

"And you got your happiness while mine was stolen away." Lycoris walked out of the room leaving a morose Arcturus behind. He was losing his sister again and just like back then there wasn't anything he could do about it.

HGHG

"…yeah it was like really odd. The two of them were having a silent conversation with each other on top of the one they were having out loud. There even seemed to be a lot of grief and anger between them." Nym reported to Hermione.

Both of them were lying on Hermione's bed in the Granger home, heads propped up against the headboard. About an hour ago Nym appeared telling her about what today's meeting was about. The young black was happy that Nym had told her what the meeting was about despite her not being invited to her but she was not happy about the information given. Melania was dying. Dying from an illness. They're magical. They should be able to stop a simple illness. Bloody hell, they've made a vaccine for Dragon Pox which has taken the lives of more wizards than one could count.

But, they can't treat her grand-aunt. It wasn't flipping fair. She wondered what Grand Uncle Arc was feeling about this. She didn't notice a morose mood from him back at the meeting she attended with the rest of the family. Hermione was also aware of the morose mood Lycoris was in at the party. Specifically, so after she spoke with her for a moment.

"Why don't we talk about something else?" Hermione decided not wanting to deal with those thoughts.

"Okay, anybody at Hoggywarts that you fancy?" Hermione shook her head.

"Not really," she admitted softly.

"Not even your betrotheds."

"Don't go there Nym."

"Fine." Nym huffed out in annoyance. Hermione should be the one annoyed. She was on blackout with the two of them. They were vindictive too.

"Do you have anyone you fancy?" Hermione asked trying to move that kind of conversation away from herself. Out the corner of her eye she saw Nym shoot her a look.

"There's this guy I'm writing still. I'm hoping we can be together like we were when we were both at Hogwarts. But, it's been a while since I've seen him."

"Who?"

"Charlie Weasley. We dated before he graduated and continued on until before I did. We just stopped since he wanted to focus on his dragons and shite."

"Okay anyone one in Great Britain."

"Nope. I'm thinking of riding solo for a while focus on this Black Family stuff and Auror work."

Hermione hummed at this. She idly wondered if she should talk about Ana. Well quid pro quo.

"I've been writing a girl from Legionis."

"Ooh who?" Nym sat up in excitement. Hermione snorted at this.

"You act like it's something special."

"Tell me."

"Her name is Anastasoula."

"Bless you." Hermione punched her arm when she said that.

"She prefers Ana though."

"I understand. A name that sounds like a sneeze." Nym shook her head with a sigh. "Parents."

"Yes, names are oh so terrible Nymphadora." Nym shot her glare before huffing out expletives. "Anyway, like I was saying. We were close, well as close as one could get in barely two months. She was in the group that helped me take down the Nemean Lion. We got a bit closer after that and she ended up kissing me on the cheek before I left. Does that mean anything?" Hermione asked.

"It could." Nym told her. "It could be like that stuff they do in France. What's it called a bise?"

"So what you're saying it means nothing?" Hermione oddly enough felt a bit let down at this. Whatever. She was twelve going on thirteen. It wasn't the time for romance.

"I'm not saying that. It could be something later on. I'd just keep writing her and keep the friendship up."

August 24, 1992

She was bored. Completely and utterly bored. Hermione scowled as she sat up from her bed and placed her book down gently on her nightstand. She didn't expect things to be so boring waiting to go back to Hogwarts. She didn't feel like hitting Diagon Alley, going to the park or any other thing her siblings had planned to do. It didn't' help much that she was alone in the house. Her parents had taken Cray and Jay to the park because they were restless. Or rather, Cray was since the little prat enjoyed making a ruckus and disturbing a reading.

She sighed at this thought. Usually reading would stave away the boredom. Even, reading fictional stories helped with that. But not now, not today. She was restless. "Indra." She called for her familiar. It didn't take long for the bird to react to the call through their bond.

"Yes, friend." Indra greeted. Hermione smiled at her familiar.

"Want to go for a flight?"

"I'd love to. Oh it has been so long since we've flown together." Indra tittered.

Hermione jumped off the bed and began to morph into her thunderbird form. Her body shrunk as black feathers sprouted out around her. The tips of her feather a light blue tone. She teetered on her legs before floating into the mirror. Her thunderbird form was not unlike a black raven in its looks. Save for the blue chest and the tips of her wings she'd look like a very large raven. Not that, Indra looked like one of course. She assumed that her look had something to do with her identity as heir Black. A raven after all was a part of the Black Family Crest.

"Hold on tight." Indra gripped her with her talons and they left the room in flash.

Hermione was suddenly outside in the air above her house. She flapped her wings quickly before she hit the ground. "Hey!" She cawed at her familiar. Her familiar simply laughed at her plight and flapped away. With a huff Hermione followed after her.

The beat of wings filling the silence as the two of them soared above the clouds. As she flew, the young black heir took in the ground. Her eyes focused on the people walking about, the cars rolling along the streets. Indra turned and landed on the roof of a nearby building. Hermione followed and landed as well.

"What did you stop for?" She asked.

"I wanted to." Indra simple said. She hopped away from the edge and Hermione looked down below them. Indra couldn't have stopped for no reason.

She looked among the people in the streets trying to spot what made her stop. And she did. Tracey. Tracey was about in muggle London wearing muggle clothing walking about blending in well. With her was an older woman who could only be her mother. She couldn't help it she followed them. She stayed up above them and used the buildings as covers as she walked them walk through London. The two of them visited confectionary shops.

Tracey looked happy, joyful around her mother. Something, that Hermione longed for, herself. She loved her adoptive parents desperately but she also yearned to know her birth mother who was locked inside Azkaban. It was her deepest desire.

Hermione, turned away from Tracey her thoughts about her birth mother taking over. It wouldn't do well to dwell on her especially while following her friend…or maybe it's her former friend. Her now betrothed.

HGHG

Possessing the muggle was easy. A lot easier with the new power that was being siphoned through him from his soul anchor. Voldemort walked through the London streets back amongst the filth of this world. They were vile destructive creatures that deserved nothing but being fodder beneath his feet. The Mudbloods barely even better. Speaking of Mudbloods…Voldemort wondered where the Mudblood Granger lived.

It wasn't far from London surely. He'd figure it out. And when he does her death will be all too sweet. The Mudblood would pay for ruining his plans.

August 26, 1992

"Order! We now begin the Fifth Session of Wizengamot of the year!" The Minister brings the court into order. Cornelius Fudge plastered a smile on his face and looked at the members. A little less than half of the body was missing. It was something that was unsurprising especially, since it was near the beginning of the school year. Many in the body had children either going to Hogwarts or other renowned schools in Europe.

"We take roll! Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge as Leader of the Body for this session, Chief Warlock Albus Dumbledore, Ministry Representative for Department of Magical Law Enforcement Amelia Bones, as no other Ministry representatives are present we move onto the floor." The Court Scribe intones. The man was relatively youthful if Arcturus could say anything about it. So he had to at least be in his thirties and he certainly didn't look as if he wished to be in the room.

Arcturus sat back in his seat lifting his arm his silver and black Wizengamot robes glinting. He drew some attention to himself being just himself. It had been a while since he sat on his seat and he noted the changes. The most obvious changes was the youth of some of the members that was once in the political alliance with his family.

For instance, Lucius Malfoy had taken his father's seat as Lord. Thelonious was still the head of the Nott family but they were always politically a tad Darker in their Pureblood bigotry than the Blacks so they did not have a good accord. Then there was Crag Crabbe who took the place of his father. And sadly the man seemed to be a bit dimwitted and easily persuaded. Then there was Heron Goyle an okay ally to have. He wasn't the brightest man in fact had average intelligence but he could at times grasp concepts above his knowledge. Or rather, that's how his father Gregory described him before his death a few years earlier.

It was easy to see on the dark side that most of the old guard had died out. Died out for an obvious reason so that their children could take their place. It was an obvious ploy of gaining power for themselves. Power for when their Dark Lord returned. And at the moment Arcturus wondered whether or not most of their parents decided not to back the man anymore which forced their hands.

"Lord Black we welcome you back to the Wizengamot." Arcturus came back into his thoughts as they got out of the A's in the roll. Arcturus stood and gave a slight bow towards his fellow members.

"It is good to be back." He then settled down his eyes taking in the rest of the room. He noticed that Dark families had all blinked. Most likely, the older members of the families ones wondering why he had not told them he was coming to the session while the younger one's looked put out. He then focused on the Neutral and Light families in attendance. The Greengrass's were not here but the Noble Houses of Brown, Urquart, The Most Noble House of Lochrin, and the Noble and Ancient House of Fisher were in attendance. The Light families in attendance included the Most Noble and Ancient House of Longbottom, Noble House of Abbott, Most Noble and Ancient House of Bones and the Noble and Ancient House of De Galis.

There were numerous families not in attendance today. Most likely, because usually the August session does not lend to anything importance. Most of what's happening today would most likely be of talk of the school this year although, the Ministry didn't truly have any jurisdiction there despite what they liked to believe. Only the heirs of the four founders or rather what's left of them could hold power there. And without them that rested in the Board of Governors. Which was also created by the Founders to ensure the safety of the students. Of course, the Ministry can place members on the Board and currently have two. One of which is Lucius Malfoy.

That has gotten lax lately and hopefully with his direction Cassiopeia will be able to maneuver the correct changes that need to take place. That thought would be fine for perusal latter right now he had to wait for his cue.

"We now open the floor to those with statements and proposals. We begin with Lord Arcturus Black." The Court Scribe whose name had escaped Lord Black stated. Arcturus stood from his House seat and made his way down to the floor slowly. His back was straight and eyes flashed with a cold demeanor. It was time to reenter the political stage. When he stood in the center his peers staring down upon him each with curious expressions on their face. It was not odd. Before, his heir placed the ring on her finger he had thought the Black House was dying and sequestered himself away. Now, he was back with a renewed strength.

"I Lord of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black seek recompense with the Most Noble and Ancient House of Longbottom for the crime begotten from a daughter of my house." Whispers erupted around the chamber and the Chief Warlock quieted them down.

Once they quieted Arcturus continued, "It is something that has long since been due. I know there is nothing of monetary value that can replace what you have lost as such, I offer you a chance. A chance to see your son and daughter-in-law walking and talking as if their torture never happened." He could see the rage filling her so he continued on before things got raucous. "I have spoken with Mind Healers in the Americas that belong to their foremost clinic. The Silver Oak Clinic. They have an experimental procedure that could work on them. Of course, it has been tried and tested with a fifty percent success rate, not high but they are the only ones with the knowledge at the moment to do anything about their situation. I will of course, be paying for the procedure myself."

Silence reigned.

"Your answer Madame Longbottom?" Chief Warlock finally asked.

"Is this procedure dangerous?" Augusta asked.

"Yes, it is but it would not take their lives." Arcturus imparted. What would happen, would be no worse than the state they were already in. And that happening was not something that there was a high chance of happening.

"Before I accept I must speak with Regent Longbottom but know that I find your offer generous and substantial."

Arcturus internally smirked knowing that once she researched the actual price of the procedure she'd find it more than generous. But outside he bowed to her at the waist showing deference to her 'kindness' of the matter. He was happy with the knowledge that he wasn't being forced to do this out of some cultural honor. He was doing this for his heir. For the friendship, she found with the heir of the House of Longbottom.

He excused himself from the floor and made himself a seat back in his chair. He took his seat next to Amelia Bones who today was using her family not the ministry seat as showed by the lovely pair of dull orange robes with silver lining she was wearing and next to Hades Cadman a former friend of Arcturus himself who lost his son years ago to a terrible bout of Scrofungulus. The man was lucky to have a wife young enough to be bare him another heir. Sadly, he truly mourned the loss of his son and it created a rift between them.

Mostly, because Arcturus had been vying for his son to marry his niece Bellatrix.

"That was an interesting show you put on." Hades spoke up. Arcturus smirked at the Greece born man before responding.

"It was the right thing to do."

"None of us truly believe you're doing this out of the goodness of your heart." Amelia spoke up. The stern woman was perfect heir to the House of Bones sadly they were patriarchal like his own.

"Yes, well my heir has taken a liking to her grandson." He said grandly but not speaking loud enough to be overheard. He didn't care if the two beside him heard his statement.

"The Malfoy boy? I heard the exact opposite." Amelia imparted. Arcturus face contorted in anger at this. He had heard rumors that the little shite was saying he was his family's heir. But, to have it stated as fact by Regent Bones angered him. He settled down a bit.

"The Malfoy family has spoken out of turn and out of place. He is not my heir despite the Black Blood flowing through his veins. I had expected Narcissa to somewhat temper the foolish arrogance that the Malfoys are known for but it was not to be. No, my heir is someone else and someone better than he could ever be." The words were spoken to the two of them and it would be known by them at least that should he die early his wealth and will would not give Malfoy anything. He was not to be Lord Black.

"Oh, then may I ask who is your heir?" Hades wondered not hardly paying attention to anything that was happening on the floor. Arcturus wasn't either. It seemed to go over what the budget would look like for the departments for the rest of the year. Amelia sneered when she heard the lessoning of what her department would have.

"She is someone unexpectedly a breath of fresh air and I know when I die that I will not have to fear for my house."

"She." Hades asked in a whisper. Amelia on the other hand was mentally going through what her daughter Susan had reported about her year mates. Longbottom was friends with only three females. All Slytherins but apparently, he was closer to the Hermione Granger girl? Granger…Dagworth-Granger. That question popped into her head in fullness. But, how would she be an heir of the Black Family. The Dagworth Family was too distantly related to the Black Family. It was something to think of later.

Instead of continuing this line of conversation, Amelia sighed. "You're lucky your family will be able to continue. Hopefully, there will be some males out there willing to strike their patronymic names and take the Bones name."

"I doubt they won't mind and if it comes down to it Blood Adoption would be fine." Hades imparted.

"What in the Bloody Hell am I looking at?" Arcturus blurted out in a startled whisper. The language surprised both Wizengamot seat members next to him. Well, until they saw who was on the floor. Amelia pursed her lips and Hades snorted.

"That would…be Dolores Umbridge." Amelia told him.

"If there was a reason that I would not want to be a part of the British Ministry for Magic it would be her." Hades imparted. "The woman makes me want to go back to my homeland." He said it showcasing his thick Grecian accent.

"I can see why."

Dolores Umbridge was not an attractive person at all despite the magic that flowed through her veins. She would be the poster child of what happened if you interbred too many times. That used to be the Gaunts until they died out. Regardless, as he stared at the Umbridge woman he felt bile rise within him. It did not help that she chose the brightest pink to wear or the fact that it hugged her thick fat skin showing an unshapely mass of person. Her hair was well styled but he decided to look into her eyes.

A person's eyes told them everything about them. He looked past the wrappings and saw a cruel, sadistic, somewhat intelligent yet foolish woman who had ambition in her eyes. For what, it was unknown. He would have to keep an eye on her and so he decided to listen intently to what she was saying.

And her rhetoric was something to be desired. She walked around the floor speaking pure vitriol to help boost along her ideals that werewolves weren't true witches and wizards and should be ousted from society. She decided to speak to the members fear of having their children turned and wanted to force werewolves from the society by making it difficult to have housing or jobs. Her legislation doesn't take into account the sojourn out of Great Britain that the werewolves would do most likely seeking work in country's with better werewolf laws.

If Arcturus remembered correctly it would be a few Scandinavian Countries, a few Germanic countries, the States are okay regarding werewolves, and Australia better than Britain but not too much. Those places were the first to pop up but France has always been fairly magnanimous towards any race that viewed themselves as magical races and recently has gotten even better once Sebastian Delacour married a veela.

"Is there any willing to speak in opposition to this legislation?" Arcturus heard the Court Scribe ask. He looked around and surprisingly could not find any willing on any of the sides to speak.

Surely, they realized how horrible this would look to the other countries in the ICW, or even the threat to the Statute of Secrecy. He took a gander at Amelia who was glowering at Umbridge and then turned to Dumbledore who was still smiling and had that damned twinkle in his eyes. It didn't take a second to realize that Dumbledore certainly wouldn't mind the legislation to go through. Probably because his pet werewolf Lupine or whatever would be even more beholden to him.

"I am willing." Arcturus spoke up. It was a surprise obviously. He stood from his chair, and made his way to the floor. "I will be blunt the ratification of this legislation which is so aptly named anti-werewolf legislation is foolish. Werewolves as much as we don't like to think of them as were first and foremost witches and wizards. Many of which had no choice in who or more aptly what they became. Plenty, were turned as children and there are a good few of them who are still children." His words created a hush in the Wizengamot.

"I am not saying that a turned werewolf nor a feral werewolf are dangerous because they are. I can count on my hands the number wolves especially, dangerous most of them belonging to Greyback's pack. On the other hand, I don't have enough body parts to count the number of witches and wizards without the lycanthropy curse that are not just as dangerous or even more so dangerous. This legislation will be ousting members of our society for nothing other than vitriol and hate."

"Lord Black, I understand how you might view this as that but it is a reasonable law." Lord Malfoy spoke up. Arcturus looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Reasonable how? The law forces Werewolves to be unable to live in witch and wizard communities forcing them out into the mundane. It makes it harder for them to keep jobs that any other witch or wizard has." Arcturus turned and looked at the other members of the Wizengamot. "Werewolves are certainly not quiet on a full moon and they are also destructive. Witches and Wizards have means to protect themselves but muggles do not. And I am certainly not championing protection of muggles. I could honestly care less if any of them live or die. What I care about is the intrinsic threat this piece of legislation will have on the Statute of Secrecy."

The muttering started then. As they realized that it truly was a threat to the secrecy of their world. "Muggles have these cameras that work similarly to a pensieve and can play back what has happened in the day. It is a device that cannot be obliviated of its knowledge not like a person can be." He pushed on. "It would take seconds if just one sighting of a werewolf to circle around in their news, news that is recorded live and watched by thousands."

"And how would you know of this?" Thelonious Nott spoke.

"It is not a secret that I have welcomed Andromeda back into my family and she has imparted upon me this wisdom. Wisdom that I am now imparting on you. Obliviating a tried and true method will not work on these cameras."

A few of the Lords and Ladies in the chamber paled a bit hearing this. It was frighteningly horrifying thought that, magic would still be seen despite the Obliviator squads work.

"Let us not forget they we are forcing numerous witches and wizards to search for jobs elsewhere. Not all of them will stay here, they will leave to other countries with more favorable laws towards their kind and help bolster their economy." He didn't have to say their own economy would take a hit. It was heavily implied.

"They take up jobs that proper witches and wizards should have." Umbridge speaks in the defense of her law.

"Do you not think that owners of these businesses that hire werewolves would not field those who work under them by how good they are at their actual jobs. Maybe, those so called proper witches and wizards are dunderheads who couldn't find a job anywhere else." A few members snickered at that and Umbridge flushed an unholy color that made Arcturus grimace. "That is all I have to say hopefully you all see the wisdom of my words." He left the floor and returned to his seat.

"Your speaking up on behalf of werewolves everywhere is a shock." Thelonious stated from his seat his voice carrying towards Arcturus.

"It is more a shock that no one else did." Arcturus looked pointedly towards those who were supposedly light. "Regardless, I do not care if a werewolf lives in a cave or in a house. Our society as a whole is more important than my dislike for a group of malcontents." Hades snorted.

"Of course, you'd think of it like that." He said.

"Silence." Dumbledore said quieting the chatter going around after Arcturus's speech. His eyes barely hanging onto the infernal twinkling. "It is time to vote on the ratification of the Anti-Werewolf Legislation. Those for the legislation cast your votes in red. Those against in blue."

The voting apparatus rose up. It settled on a large altar like podium. The voting apparatus were two large jars that took the voting favors directly from those seating on the Wizengamot seat and pushed them into orbs in each jar. The jars then tallied the votes and displayed the count above the jars in the color that matched the voting side. Arcturus of course, voted against the legislation. He flicked his wand out and pointed out the proper apparatus and cast his vote lighting a blue light at the end of the wand.

The jar took the vote and blue orbs began to fill the jars. Unsurprisingly, the tally in the beginning was somewhat equal. And when the legislation seemed it would be pushed through blue came out on top with seventy votes against to sixty-eight votes for the legislation. Those who abstained from voting weren't counted of course.

The session ended relatively quickly after that.

"My Lord Black!" Arcturus paused his departure when the familiar voice of Lucius Malfoy entered his ears. He sighed inaudibly before turning.

"Lord Malfoy." Arcturus gave a slight nod and Lucius bowed not deep but enough to show deference to a Lord at a higher station.

"Is it true that you have garnered betrothals for my heir with the Greengrass and Davis scions." Arcturus expression thunderous. He was never a short man and neither was Lucius. But, he allowed his magic, his much stronger magic to flair out a bit.

"Mind your tongue Lucius. I have garnered betrothals for my heir. You may be married to a daughter of my house but you will never have the prestige of a Black or be a Black. I will always have primacy to your family as said in our contract." Lucius blanched at this but stepped.

Arcturus turned on the spot and left a victorious smirk on his face. He somewhat felt it too soon to bring up the primacy with Lucius but it was high time to get them to heel under his prestige. Especially, with Abraxas's death. The true reason why the Malfoy family had been rising in power.

HGHG

Narcissa sat in her tea room sipping her 'tea' as daintily as possible. The past few years she had a devilish amount 'tea' during tea time. A 'tea' that made her mind fuzzy and allowed her to forget the horrors she faced as Lucius Malfoy's wife. During the worst times of her marriage, she couldn't help but think her older sister had the right of it when she left and married that Mudblood.

Bella was married off to that bloody idiot Rudolphus. Both joined the Dark Lord for reasons Narcissa was still unsure of. Bella had never been horribly politically motivated. Of course, she did enjoy cursing Mudbloods and muggles who didn't? But the atrocities she committed were horrible. She even led an attack Hogsmeade during Hogsmeade weekend while she/Narcissa was still a student and was there.

Her sister killed people. Witches and Wizards. It was surprising. At times, she still remembered the Bella who would play dollies with her or dance with her. Now, now she could only see in her mind eye the insane woman bent on killing and torturing at a madman's whims.

Her husband was barely any better. Narcissa had noticed lately, that he had been scheming. About what, he had never revealed. She just hoped it would not affect her son. Her foolish and prideful son who will realize that now that Arcturus is back to paying attention to Black business and politics that he could not get away with half the stuff Lucius says is alright for him to do. Like boasting to be heir Black. Oh, she'd love for her son to be heir Black and later Lord Black but she didn't believe the magic would accept him nor would she believe that Arcturus made a Malfoy an heir.

"Narcissa!" Her husband bellowed. She sighed heavily into her 'tea.'

"Yes, dear." Narcissa called back annoyance hidden behind a shroud of frostiness.

"You must speak with Lord Black." He ordered imperiously as he entered the study. Narcissa noticed her son slip in and hide behind one of the couches. She didn't call him out knowing this conversation would most likely have an impact on him.

"And what, must I speak with my Lord Black about?" Lucius sneered.

"He has declared primacy." At this Narcissa looked attentive. She sat her 'tea' to the side her mind running a mile a minute. Primacy would give her protection under the House of Black not only that it would make Lucius bound to follow the Lord Black as he is patriarch of the house. It would give Arcturus parentage over the house of Malfoy.

"What did you say to him that caused this?" Lucius sniffed.

"All I said was that I wanted to know how he got a betrothal contract with my heir." Narcissa stiffened when he said this. Her eyes swiveled to where Draco was listening in. She could make him leave, make him not be privy to similar thoughts inside Lucius's mind.

"In other words, you decided to grandly state that Draco was Arcturus's heir despite the fact that he has not decided on one." Narcissa retorted.

"Who else is there!?" He bellowed all of his decorum flew out of the window.

"The French branch of our family the Furieux, the American Black Branch, the Italian Branch the Minaccioso family, the West Indies Branch the Nwa family for starters. Our family, is much larger than you believe." Narcissa intoned.

Of course, she didn't tell him was that the Furieux family attained Chevalier status in France and has no intention of getting involved in anything on British soil until the blood prejudice lessoned somewhat. They didn't want to be involved in their unstable political climate still teetering on the edge of war. Oh, yes they were prideful of their blood and didn't care much for Mudbloods but they certainly didn't shout about it. Then there was the American Branch who were the more recent branch as they were descendants of her Uncle Marius the squib. They hated the main family for how they treated their patriarch. The Minaccioso family were fine and making lucrative amount of money as the mafia family they are. The Nwa family were descendants of the bastard/illegitimate child half-blood Edward Teach who was a dirty pirate.

Of course, if it came down to it Arcturus was bound to have someone more legitimate and more likely to not be contested via blood by the British Ministry. It has been a while since the main family married into one of the Branch families after all.

She couldn't say the same for the Potters. The Potters and their Australian cousins were numerous it is a wonder why the Harry Potter boy wasn't sent to one of them or the Americans. Narcissa will admit the Australians were a closer branch if she remembered her Most Noble and Ancient House training.

"Why have you never told me such things!?" Narcissa laughed at Lucius. Truly the man was arrogant to believe he would have anything of the Blacks.

"You fool. Our marriage, is simply a marriage. While primacy clause still rule you have no control over my actions especially, in conjunction with the Black family matters. Now then leave so I can get back to my tea." She shooed her husband away who turned in a huff.

Draco who was settled behind the couch eye's widened. He wasn't heir Black. His father told him he was heir Black. How could he not be heir. He then blanched hoping none of the older years realized he wasn't. He had made promises. Promises he could not keep. He can't tell father, and he definitely couldn't tell mother. What was he supposed to do now? Keep grandstanding? And then he smirked in realization. He just had to figure out who the heir was and get on their good side. Easy. He was a likeable person after all. And more importantly he is a Malfoy.

(***)

End Note: So here's the new update. Hopefully you all enjoyed it. As I said I won't be updating until I'm back from my road trip so probably not until Saturday or Sunday. Later.