A/N - I had no idea what I was going to write for this one until I went and looked at the Black family tree. Phineas Nigellus' son, Phineas was disowned because he supported muggle rights and this sort of came to me. It's a bit confusing since they have the same name, but 'Phineas' refers to Phineas Nigellus and 'young Phineas' refers to his son. Also there is no birthdate listed for young Phineas, so I arbitrarily decided on 1880, since Sirius was born in 1877 and Arcturus in 1884, so he would 18 in this story and have just finished Hogwarts. Family tree info was taken from the HP Lexicon and HP Wiki. Hope you like it!
Summer 1898
"Despicable," Phineas said, throwing the newspaper down on the table.
"What is Father?" Cygnus spoke up. Phineas glared at him for speaking out of turn and the boy looked back down at his dinner, seemingly properly cowed. Phineas decided to let it go this time.
"These muggle lovers," Phineas said with disgust. "Thinking the Statute of Secrecy needs to be altered after all this time. Do they want to go back to the old ways when we were continually persecuted? Ridiculous."
"I don't know Father, what they are asking for seems reasonable to me," young Phineas replied. Phineas turned his malevolent gaze on the eldest of his children still living at home. Sirius had married the year before.
"Oh you do, do you?" Phineas asked, sneer on his face. Young Phineas seemed either not to notice or didn't care to heed his father's warning tone.
"Muggle-born families simply want to be able to tell the rest of their relatives if they have a child that is a witch or wizard," young Phineas said. "I am sure that it is difficult for parents to have to keep such a secret from the child's grandparents. I do not see why this is a problem." Phineas had tightened his jaw once his son uttered the word 'muggle-born'. The vein in his temple was starting to throb.
"Mudbloods are unnatural and have no place in our world as it is," he hissed. "To change the laws and make it easier for them is preposterous." Young Phineas glanced at his mother who had a warning look on her face, but did not back down.
"Must you use such a word in front of mother and Belvina, Father?" young Phineas said with a small shake of his head. Phineas stared at his namesake. He had been too soft on the boy, letting Ursula coddle him as a child due to his sickly nature. Sirius and Arcturus never spoke to their father in such a manner, nor did they ever hold anything but Phineas' own beliefs about mudbloods and blood traitors. His own sister had disgraced the family by married a muggle and Merlin knew that Phineas would not let his son do the same. He pounded his fist down on the table. Belvina jumped.
"I have had just about enough of your insolence boy," he roared, as he stood. "You will hold your tongue this instant or face the consequences." Young Phineas blinked at his father and then deliberately set down his fork.
"I believe I am a bit too old for you to take me over your knee, Father," young Phineas said calmly.
"Phineas," his mother said in warning. Her husband turned his glare on her and she looked back down at the table. Arcturus had remained silent throughout the exchange, focusing on his dinner, while Cygnus' eyes had been darting back and forth between his father and older brother.
Phineas turned back to his son and leaned forward, his hands braced on the table. He stopped mere inches from his son's face.
"You will respect your elders, my son," he said slowly and warningly. "And you will remember what the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black stands for before you speak again." Young Phineas did not break eye contact with his father as he pulled his napkin from his lap and rose himself. Bracing himself similarly against the table, he moved even closer to his father before speaking.
"My opinions and beliefs will not be ruled by my name, Father," the boy said quietly. "Your prejudices are out of date and wrong." The silence in the room was complete. Cygnus' mouth gaped open and even Arcturus had stopped eating and looked up at his brother. Belvina's shoulders were shaking and Ursula had begun to twist her napkin round her fingers.
Then Phineas raised his arm and back-handed his son across the face. The signet ring Phineas wore opened a gash across his son's cheekbone, immediately drawing blood. Young Phineas looked at his father in shock for a moment then stood and smiled slyly, rubbing his jaw.
"Always the bully, Father," young Phineas said mockingly. "It's no wonder you're so unpopular at school." Phineas pulled his wand and pointed it at his son, his face bright red. Young Phineas pulled his own wand and the two stood toe-to-toe.
"Stop, please," Ursula said, pulling her husband's sleeve. Phineas shoved her, pushing her backwards and causing her to stumble over her chair.
"Mother," young Phineas called, sheathing his wand and rushing to his mother's aid. He helped his mother from the floor. Belvina was instantly at her mother's side, the tears running down his sister's face. Young Phineas gave her an apologetic look and then turned back to his father. Phineas still had his wand pointed at his son and the color had not drained any from his face.
"This is your last chance to take back what you said," Phineas said.
"I won't," young Phineas said calmly. Phineas stared at his namesake for a few more seconds before turning to the family tapestry that hung on the dining room wall. One blast from his wand and Phineas the younger's name disappeared from it.
"Get. Out." he ground out through gritted teeth to the young man before him. Ursula choked back a sob and Belvina sat down in the chair behind her, her face in her hands.
"I'm sorry it has come to this Father," young Phineas said, straightening his shoulders and standing tall.
"You are no son of mine," Phineas spat. "Do not address me as such."
"Very well," young Phineas said. He smiled at his mother and his sister and patted Cygnus on the shoulder as he left the room. Phineas followed him to the front door and just before his son left, Phineas grabbed his hand, forcing the boy's palm against the wood of the door. Phineas muttered a spell and a golden light came out to surround young Phineas' hand. The light swirled and then slowly changed to black, young Phineas crying out as the wood grew hot beneath his hand. Phineas released him from his grip.
"The wards no longer recognize you," Phineas snapped. "I would not advise you to attempt to reenter this house." Young Phineas' jaw hardened.
"Someday I hope that you come to regret this decision," young Phineas said.
"Do not hold your breath waiting for it," Phineas retorted. "Toujours Pur."
"Don't worry Phineas," young Phineas sneered on the name. "I have no intention of that." With that, he turned and disappeared, disapparating with a small pop.
Phineas stood and stared at the spot where his second eldest son had just stood. His jaw worked for a moment before he turned and slammed the door shut behind him. Stalking back into the dining room he was not surprised to find that it was empty save the house elf that was clearing away the dinner plates.
Phineas stood in front of the tapestry, staring at the smoking hole he had just created. His fingers rose of their own accord and traced over a similar hole that once carried the name of his sister Isla. Unbidden, he hung his head and pulled in a breath. And then, he pulled himself up to his full height, face a hardened mask once more.
