Since I have had a few reviews pointing out that I got birth dates of some of the characters wrong, I would like to take a moment to remind readers (again) that his is Alternate Universe story (AU). So, just because someone had a certain birth year or birth month in the novels, doesn't mean that they shall have the same birth month or birth year in Renewal. There have been several characters that were younger than Harry Potter in the novels that are now the same age as him in the Renewal Alternate Universe. To name a few: Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood, Astoria Greengrass, Romilda Vane, and Colin Creevey. Also, just because certain events happened in the novels, does not mean that they will happen in the Renewal Alternate Universe. Please don't expect things to be just as they were in the books, because they won't be. If you have already made it this far reading this story then you know that things are already very different.

Thank you and now on with the story...


Chapter 48: Oath Breaker

Chelsea, London, England

February 27, 1987

Cygnus Black III, proud son of Pollux Black and Irma Crabbe curled into the pillows of his lush bed. Sweat poured from his body and he clawed at the sheets of his bed as pain flared through him. He bit the sheets the muffle his cries of agony as it felt like fire lanced through him, burning him.

When at long last the pain potion began to take effect, Cygnus was wrung out and exhausted from his ordeal. He whimpered into the pillows and slowly felt his body easing, the strained and tensed muscles relaxing. He sobbed softly and hated himself for the weakness. One would think that he would be used to these moments of intense pain by now. The attacks had been a constant in his life ever since that dark day in 1978 when he had betrayed his blood kin in the most horrible of ways. The day that he had murdered his kinsman, Orion Black, in cold blood and had become an Oath breaker.

Cygnus had been on his way to meet Orion in Diagon Alley when the Death Eaters had attacked. He was a sympathizer of the Dark Lord. Voldemort was a great man who had the right ideas when it came to Muggles, Muggle-borns, and the safety of their world from the threat that Muggleborns posed to their society. Cygnus was surprised by the fact that his own father, Pollux Black, and his cousin Arcturus Lord Black did not agree with him. Why did they not understand that Voldemort had the correct strategy? For a long time, they had tried the peaceful route and more and more the Muggleborn's endangered them. It was time to take a more vengeful route. Punish them for the danger they put their society in. Black's understood revenge so why would his father and cousin not understand this?

He had often argued with Orion over their elder's lack of support for Voldemort but Orion had sided with his father Lord Black. He had insisted that Black's should only bow to another Black. Orion insisted that Voldemort asked for too much from them.

"He wishes for our service," Cygnus had argued.

"You hear service, but I hear slavery," Orion had said in a gentle tone that had set Cygnus on edge. "I will not be a slave," Orion had added.

"You are Lord Black's slave," Cygnus had sneered at him.

Orion had looked at him with saddened blue eyes. "I am a loyal son of my father," he had said simply in response and Cygnus heard the implications all too clearly. Cygnus was not a loyal son to Pollux Black. He was far more inclined to side with his Crabbe kin than his own father.

Orion had always been a pain in his side. If Orion had been born a girl then Cygnus could have attempted to court him and marry him, thus cementing himself as the next power in the House of Black. He would rule the house through Orion. Instead, Orion had been born a boy, a proper male heir and it had been Cygnus' sister, Walburga, who had chosen to take him and marry him. His sister hoped to rule the House of Black through Orion one day. Orion was weaker of will than his sister, or so she thought. There were times though when Orion held to a standard and refused to be shaken. It enraged Walburga as much as it did Cygnus. Yet he also admired Orion for it. It made him burn and want so desperately to take Orion, shake him, make him submit in every way.

It enraged Cygnus that he wanted Orion Black to such a degree that he had never wanted any other. He had taken his wife, Druella Rosier because she was the great beauty of her age. He had taken her for a trophy, to prove that he could have her and make her submit to him. He had expected to glory in it, but he bored of her almost overnight. She was nothing next to his true obsession. She had been a momentary distraction, but nothing more.

He closed blue-grey eyes and felt his body shake with the aftershock of the pain. 'Orion,' he thought and his fingers flexed, gripping the sheets as he thought again of Orion Black. His mind easily conjuring the image of a smiling Orion, blue eyes alight with laughter at one of Alphard's jokes. Cygnus had hated it when Alphard was anywhere near Orion. He hated the way his older brother looked at Orion like he wanted to devour him and would if Orion would only consent.

'Did they?' Cygnus asked himself and not for the first time. He had spent many years wondering if Orion had allowed Alphard to lay claim to him. Alphard was older than Orion by two years and he had always acted as an older guardian to Orion in their youth. Orion had admired him and Cygnus had hated it. 'I should have been the firstborn son of Pollux Black,' he thought once again. 'I should have been born first. I should have been the one to protect Orion. Then he would have wanted me.'

That Orion was miserable with Walburga was a truth that Cygnus could not ignore. His sister was a stern woman and she wanted to rule the House of Black through Orion one day. She was controlling of her husband and of her two children. She made Orion miserable and her sons as well. He knew that, but to remain close to Orion, he needed to stay on Walburga's good side. It was easy enough to do, so long as he always sided with her and played to her vanity. All the while he wished that he could rid Orion of the torment of her.

As the years passed his hatred for Orion began to eclipse the love, but the desire remained. It never lessened and only deepened with the passing of years. He hated Orion for having children with Walburga. He felt betrayed when he had first beheld Sirius. The baby had Orion's blue eyes and he was torn between wanting to hold the child and cherish it forever and taking the child and bashing his head against the wall. It was a full two months before he could bring himself to hold his nephew. He felt the same when he had first seen Regulus. The child was delicate in Orion's arms and Cygnus had hated him and adored him immediately.

Cygnus was not sure that he really knew how to love without hating as well. He loved his daughters by Druella but he also hated all three of the girls. Bellatrix was perhaps his favorite since she was his oldest. She had done everything he had ever wanted of her and yet it was not enough to make him love her without also hating her. She had his blue eyes and his curly raven hair. She was poised and elegant. The shape of her eyes was exactly like Druella's and he hated it. It didn't matter that it gave her a mysterious sort of elegance that made her even more alluring, more beautiful. He hated any sign within her that she was also Druella's child.

Andromeda looked so very much like Bellatrix but her hair was a luxurious brown. Andromeda deserved his love. She had been protective of Narcissa and had tried to shield the younger girl from the problems within their family. She had a firm sense of right and wrong, which he knew she had not received from himself or Druella, so it must have come from his own father. She was a good girl and yet he hated her, he hated her far more than he loved her. The small part of him that did love her had caused him to remain away from her. He would not attempt reconciliation with her so that he could see her daughter. He would not taint Nymphadora Tonks with his presence. He was a poison to those that he loved and he knew it now, had realized it back in 1978. He couldn't let himself meet his granddaughter and grow to love her. If he loved her deeply then he would destroy her.

Narcissa he had hated because she looked far more like her beautiful mother. Narcissa had the pale looks and blonde hair of the Rosier's but her eyes were the silver-gray of the Black family proving her to be of his lineage. She was an impossibly beautiful creature and his heart ached at times when he looked at her. She had married well and had given him a grandson that he rarely permitted himself to see. He had adored Draco the moment he had been presented with him and had feared to harm him ever since.

'I destroy all that I love, don't I, Orion?' he thought bitterly as he slowly felt his body completely relax, the pain relief potions forcing his body to rest.

In 1978, he had not just witnessed the death of Orion Black at the hands of Death Eaters, like he had informed the others within the family. Oh no, he had not simply witnessed his death. Cygnus had taken the opportunity presented by the chaos within Diagon Alley to murder Orion.

He had become forsworn, an Oath breaker.

He had broken his sacred Oaths that he had sworn in his own youth to protect the Heir of House Black. He had murdered Orion. He had destroyed his beautiful Orion. He had held him as the light left his perfect blue eyes. He had thought that if Orion no longer lived than the longing would disappear. He would no longer be obsessed with Orion Black. He would no longer burn to possess him, to touch him, to bask in his presence. He would no longer burn with jealousy that Walburga had the right to touch him. He would no longer wonder if Orion had allowed Alphard to possess him. He would finally be free of him.

He was not free of him. He still burned for Orion. He still longed for him. He still desperately needed him. Furthermore, his magic was punishing him for his broken oath, for his terrible sin. Every morning his magic rushed through him, lashing out and burning through his whole being. Every day it grew worse and his ability to hide his condition was failing. He could not really control his magic any longer. He had his personal House-Elf follow him everywhere concealed and while Cygnus pretended to perform magic, it was really his house-elf who performed the magic.

The ruse had worked for years, but the pain was growing more intense, his magic increasing his punishment. He had sought out healers in various countries, the best that money had to offer and each of them had told him the same thing. He was suffering the curse of a broken oath and that only through repentance to the living person could he be cured. Living. Orion was not alive. Only in his dreams did Orion still live.

He would die by this curse.

It was fitting really. He still wanted to be with Orion and this Curse would eventually take him into death's embrace. Would he be able to embrace Orion then at long last?

Orion. There was a new Orion in the family now. The thought of it made him growl in anger. Sirius, Orion's eldest boy, had proven his virility twice. First by siring Leonis, the Heir Black, and now there was this discovery of a second child by a Muggle woman. That the child of a filthy Muggle was named after his precious Orion was too much for Cygnus to bear. He had yet to behold the child and he already hated him.

First Lord Black wanted him to acknowledge two disgusting little Muggle-born girls that were proven descendants of their House, but now he must also acknowledge the child of a Muggle. It was despicable. The girls were descendants of Black's who had been disowned. It had been done with good reason so, therefore, these awful little Muggle-borns should not be acknowledged as far as he was concerned. That the little boy was the son of a filthy Muggle beast, just proved to Cygnus that the boy likewise should not be acknowledged.

He had argued these very points first to Lord Black and then to his own father. His father had made it crystal clear to him that if he wished to inherit anything from Pollux Black then he would keep his opinions to himself and he would obey the will of Lord Black. This had forced Cygnus into acquiescence. His mother, Irma Black nee Crabbe, was still furious with him for his compliance. She was currently not speaking to him, but he knew it was only a matter of time before she would come around again. She would read about Meliora Burke in the society columns and then be enraged once more. That Meliora was his father's mistress was well known in society. It was, as the saying goes, an "old Scandal". Meliora was well liked in society. She was kind and charming and this placed her in better standing with high society than the surly Irma. Pollux had long ago made it known that if anyone snubbed Meliora, then Pollux would likewise snub them. It was implied that Lord Black would likewise snub them since the cousins were as close as brothers. It had ensured that Meliora would have a place in society. Orion had liked Meliora and in truth so too did Cygnus, though he rarely showed it.

Druella did not care what was happening within the House of Black. So long as she could keep up her string of lovers on the continent then she would remain content. She was currently in Romania with her niece, Claire Zabini. He was sure Claire had married yet again, but he didn't keep up with the gossip about the girl enough to know her new surname. Druella and Claire were so frighteningly alike that it was still amazing to think that Claire was merely Druella's niece and not her daughter. Though, it would not surprise him to learn one day that Claire really was Druella's child. Very little surprised him when it came to Druella and her escapades. So long as she was discreet enough that the gossip didn't interfere with Cygnus's life and reputation, he didn't care. She knew he'd cut off her access to the Vaults if she caused a scandal.

Orion Remus Black. It was such an awful name. He wondered if the child looked like the Muggle-beast that had borne him. He secretly hoped so even as he doubted it. Magic would win out, he was sure. The child probably resembled his sire. Sirius, handsome Sirius who had his father's blue eyes and his father's charm, but none of his father's gentility.

He didn't want to swear oaths to protect Orion Remus Black. What good were oaths rendered from the reluctant? Could his magic really hold him to such a reluctant oath? He knew the truth already. Yes. His magic would hold him to his vows and punish him without mercy if he broke the vows. Could he force himself to swear an oath of protection to yet another Orion? He didn't think he could bear to do it. The thought broke his heart.

'I'm sorry,' he thought. 'Orion, please, I am sorry,' he thought as he felt the all too familiar yearning rising within him. He wanted to hear Orion laugh, to see his smile once more. He would be happy to debate with Orion about whether Voldemort would reward him for good service or simply treat him like a slave. He would be happy to do whatever Orion liked. He'd be Orion's willing slave if only he could see him again.

He knew it would not be today. Yet another day and his magic had yet to eat him alive. He sighed and slowly he arose. He stood on trembling legs and made his way to his bathroom where his House-Elf had already drawn his bath. Charms had kept the water warm for him. He eased his body into the tub and swiftly washed his sweat soaked body before leaning back and allowing himself a chance to soak in the warm water.

It was late afternoon when he arrived by Floo travel at the Chateau Noir. He felt the tingle of magic wash over him as his own personal House-Elf removed the soot from his clothing. He gripped his cane tightly as he approached the House-Elf who had come into the receiving room upon his arrival. "I am here to see Lady Black," he said.

"Welcome Master Cygnus," the House-Elf greeted. "Lady Black is outside on the back veranda."

Cygnus nodded. "I know the way," he said dismissing the Elf's company. He had not always liked House-Elves. Once he had been just as nasty to them as his sister Walburga, but no longer. His ailment had given him a greater appreciation for House-Elves and their capabilities.

He strolled through the house, moving past the signs of opulence toward the back of the house. When at last he stood outside upon the veranda he took a brief look around at the scene before him. Children, playing.

He swiftly recognized the Heir Black as well as his own pale haired grandson, Draco. With Draco were his other golden-haired companions, the little Lord Nott and Dane Spungen. He still wondered at Narcissa's eagerness to take on yet another Ward. He knew very little of this Dane Spungen, aside from the essentials. The boy was the youngest son of Marcus Spungen and Syndra Malfoy. He also knew that Marcus was not particularly fond of his younger son. If his own father disliked him then how could Narcissa think the boy a fit companion for his grandson?

The child he didn't recognize was the raven-haired boy who was playing with them. He frowned as he moved to the edge of the veranda and watched as the children played on the lawn. Then he heard it, his grandson's voice calling out that sacred name.

"Orion, catch!" Draco had proclaimed and the unknown raven-haired boy had turned his attention toward Draco.

'This then is Sirius's second child,' he thought as he let his eyes roam over the face of the child. The child had the stamp of Sirius in his features. He looked so strikingly like Sirius that it made his breath catch. Even the boy's eyes were the startling beautiful blue eyes that Melania Macmillan had passed to Orion, who had then passed them to Sirius and now Sirius had passed them to this child.

'Orion,' he thought and he wondered if this child was like Sirius or if he was more like his grandfather.

"Cygnus, it is good to see you," Melania Black greeted him forcing him to pay attention to her.

He considered her blue eyes and he smiled slightly. "It is good to see you as well, Melania. I do hope that Arcturus has been paying you enough attention. I know what a workaholic he can be," he said. It was common for him to tease Melania and Arcturus in this manner.

She smiled brightly. "He has been working hard lately due to the new family treasures," she said referring to the children that he would be soon forced to swear an oath of protection. "I see you have noticed one of the treasures," she said with a smile.

"If you mean Leonis," he began with a smirk. "then I assure you, we have met."

She giggled then. "No. Try again," she insisted.

Cygnus pretended to ponder the children playing below. "Well, the palest of the golden-haired darlings is my own grandson," he said with some pride in his tone. "The other two are pseudo-grandsons since Narcissa is so determined to raise them. I will not face her wrath by neglecting them and making them feel somehow unloved."

Melania smiled at that, mirth dancing in blue eyes. The sight of it made him ache. Orion had been so very much like his mother. "It is good of you to consider all of Narcissa's wards as grandson's, Cygnus. Still, I was, in fact, referring to my newly found Grandson," she said with pride.

He smiled at her. "Ah, well I have not yet been introduced to the child, though I have heard good things about him."

"Not from Irma, I am sure," she replied, her tone souring slightly. At his inquiring look, she explained. "Your mother was here just yesterday while I was watching Orion. She asked him outright if he was a Werewolf's get and then she proceeded to ask if he bayed at the full moon."

Cygnus blinked at that but could not say he was surprised. His mother had made it plain to him that she would not be welcoming the newly found Orion into the family, no matter what Pollux said about it. She was determined to defy his father. He would not assist her in social suicide. Maybe this would be the final straw and his father would rid himself of Irma so that he could, at last, marry Meliora. His mother really was delusional if she thought that Pollux held her in any real regard. If he once had, she had whittled away at the regard for too many years.

A mischievous smirk curved his lips. "With permission, I would happily take the children to mother's home on a full-moon night and assist them in serenading her with baying to the moon."

"Magnificent!" a small voice came from behind him.

Cygnus turned slowly and looked down to find himself staring at the source of so much talk. He took in the details of that angelic face and the light in the bright blue eyes as the boy stared up at him.

"Would you really take me to do that to that woman?" the little Orion asked. "She was really awful and hateful. She made me cry," the last was admitted softly and despairingly.

Cygnus felt something clench in his gut at this. It was as if he were staring at his Orion all over again. His Orion, somehow reborn. His Orion. His.

He had to swallow hard before he bent his knee to the child to be closer to his level. His hands shook for a moment and he hid them in the long sleeves of his finely tailored wizarding robes. "If that would bring you some peace, then I would be all too happy to do so," he promised Orion. "She's a very unkind woman to have said those things to you and to have treated you that way."

"I don't think that would be a good idea," Melania said hesitantly. "I don't think we should insight Irma. She's not likely to find it funny."

Cygnus knew that his mother wouldn't find it funny, but he also knew that she would not have the power to do anything about it. "My mother needs to gain a sense of humor," Cygnus insisted.

Orion's blue eyes widened. "Oh! I am so sorry," he said as he moved closer to Cygnus. "Sir, I didn't realize that I was saying something mean about your mother," he said and he worried his lower lip in a manner that reminded him achingly of his Orion.

Cygnus reached for the child then and placed a hand upon his shoulder. "No, do not apologize. You did not say anything mean," he said to reassure the child. "My mother, Irma, she was mean to you. She was the bad one. You only told me that she had been mean. You didn't say anything bad about her."

The child held his gaze for a moment and then he smiled brightly at him. "Thank you, Sir."

"Cygnus," he found himself saying without hesitation. "I am Cygnus Black," he introduced himself.

"He is Draco's grandfather, his mother's father," Melania explained to Orion.

"Oh! 'Cissa is wonderful!" the boy exclaimed. "She's so very nice and told me that I am welcome whenever I wish to come over. That I can just Floo over or use a Portkey."

Cygnus felt a moment of warmth rush through him toward his youngest daughter. She was opening her home to Orion. When just earlier he had been thinking she was a fool for allowing Dane Spungen near her son, now he felt like praising her for such kindness because it had been extended to Orion.

"My 'Cissa is a very kind woman, but she can be stern," he warned Orion.

"That's what Draco says," Orion said with a smile. He then turned his gaze back to his Great-Grandmother, "I was sent up here to ask when we might have snacks," he admitted with a slight blush.

"You lost the bet then?" Melania asked with a laugh.

The boy just nodded, continuing to blush. It was enchanting and reminded him of the boy's grandfather.

"In another half an hour," Melania said simply.

"Alright," Orion said and then he headed for the stairs that would take him back onto the lawn. He paused and turned back to Cygnus. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Sir," he said.

Cygnus smiled. "If I can convince Melania to allow us to serenade my mother, I'll let you know," he teased the boy. He was rewarded with a cheerful laugh and a bright smile before the boy was racing back down the stairs, hand holding the stone rail.

He watched the boy begin to play with the other children for a few moments before he spoke again. "I am glad that I met him," he said as his eyes raked over the child at play. "It will be easy to swear the Oath now," he said.

Melania smiled at him. "I had hoped that you would like him once you met him," she said happily.

"Yes," he said simply as he watched the grandson of his beloved Orion. This new Orion was a blessing. It was as if his Orion had come back to him, though much younger. Cygnus would protect him, he'd give the last of himself and his magic up for the task. No one would harm the child. His mother had better learn to watch her tongue, or it would not be Pollux Black she would have to fear.

'Orion has returned to me,' he thought and felt happiness flood through him before he finally turned his eyes away and joined Melania for a cup of tea.


Thank you dear readers for your support! Next Chapter: Flying - in which Severus and Sirius bond over a precious little boy.