A/N First, I do not own Harry Potter. JK Rowling would be the person to thank!

Second - This story has become Canon Divergent in several unintentional ways. In Canon Charlus Potter is married to Dorea Potter nee Black, who is Arcturus's cousin. In my story, Dorea is married to Arcturus while he was apparently married to a Milicent or something. . The whole Black line in this fic is truncated for my sanity. Because for Merlin's sake, really? I simply do not want to go back through this and fix all the family tree errors. So please don't burn me for it. LOL. For those of you who are interested in who married who, and all the correct inbreeding blood statuses, I refer you to Harry Potter Wiki's and fandoms and the like but none of that really matters to the plot here in my story, so I'm not really too anxious to go back through and fix it. Oh and Bellatrix is the middle child, not the youngest, Narcissa is the youngest. So yeah, I'm not going to fix it at this time, but I am aware of the divergencies.

I find it disgusting that Sirius's father and mother were first cousins, but there you go. I'm not sure how much I want to deal with the whole inbreeding issues the wizarding world is experiencing during this time, but I will be touching on the subject in future chapters.

I did try and get the names of the past wizarding ministers correct, and I copied pasted the Malfoy crest details straight from the Harry Potter fandom site. I just found that site recently and had to kick myself for not going there ages ago when I first started writing this.

I have been blown away by the positive reviews and how many people like my story. I appreciate reviews and the favorite or follow button fuels my magical keep writing button. And yes I am past the editing stage of this fiction so updates will be slower. I hope to post at least a chapter a week.

As to this chapter specifically, I felt Arcturus needed to shine just a bit more. We get to watch the seeds that sirius has planted grow. I can't wait to write the Masquerade Ball chapter. Hope you like it!

Chapter 22 Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

Arcturus sat staring into the fire long after Sirius floo'ed back to Hogwarts. He couldn't help but feel a little proud that his grandson would more than likely become a Snake animagus within the year. He shook his head a bit in wonder.

He thought back to his grandson's words about his purpose. That he had actually had what sounded like a full-blown conversation with the entity known as Death surprised him more than the fact that his grandson had traveled back in time to change things for the better. He had a list in front of him that his grandson had handed him. It was a simple To-Do list. He laughed as he realized there really was nothing -simple- about it. He had already set the ball rolling on some of those items. but some of them just seemed impossible? No that wasn't the word, Ludicrous! Like his grandson was pranking him!

His steel-gray eyes read over it once more

Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth Good Luck!

1. Reform Black Family - Towards a more Neutral Position
2. Stop Lestrange Alliance
3. Hinder or reform Malfoy Alliance
4. Support Andromeda - WHOLEHEARTEDLY
5. Make a political alliance with Charlus Potter
6. Mentor Regulus - Un-Indoctrinate him.
7. Give Kreacher to Regulus - Un-Indoctrinate him too
8. Intervene on behalf of Bellatrix
9. Train Sirius in Family Magic, politics, occlumency and animagus
10. investigate Riddle
11. Keep Walburga out of the picture
12. Help Orion find his way back into the family
13. Make it more difficult for the Blood purist faction to gain power
14. Stop the Anti Werewolf Legislation
15. Stop the Anti Muggle Legislation
16. Become Minister of Magic
17. Reform Hogwarts (Get on Board of Governors)
18. Secretly buy ruling shares of Daily Prophet
19. Start an Anti-Dark Lord Campaign - Ally with Dumbledore
20. Toujours Pur ("always pure") Change that Motto. Or at least explain it better!

He smirked at how Sirius had thrown become Minister of Magic nonchalantly as number 16. He rolled his eyes. Become Minister of Magic? Hah!

Others on the list, he couldn't divine the importance. Why would it matter where the house-elf Kreacher went? As far as he could tell the house-elf was quite attached to Walburga. It would kill him to be taken from his cousins and daughter-in-law's side. He shook his head and wasn't sure if his grandson had thought that particular request through.

He had visited Orion and Walburga, both housed in the long-term care ward. They still didn't have a prognosis for his son's recovery, and Walburga had to be kept sedated and silenced most of the time. She was well on the way to being declared incompetent by reason of insanity and he was facilitating her return to Grimmauld place under constant nursing care. Kreacher wouldn't be enough to handle the woman's violent nature regardless. Perhaps not putting a house-elf and all its powers in the care of his insane daughter-in-law was such a great idea, after all, thinking of all the things she could get her elf to do for her. Just thinking of it caused him to call for the elf.

"Kreacher!" Pop! A few seconds later an old, angry-looking elf apparated before him and bowed low almost touching his snout-like nose to the floor.

"Master Lord Black calls for Kreacher? How may Kreacher serve Lord of the Most Ancient and noble house of Black?" And then in a mutter as if he couldn't help himself said, "Master calls Kreacher from mistresses side. What if Mistress needs Kreacher? What will Kreacher tell his Mistress?" Arcturus was torn. Part of him was downright disgusted by the way the elf was acting. Sirius was right. Walburga's influence on the elf was unhealthy and if he let the situation deteriorate further the elf would become a liability.

"Kreacher. I know you serve Lady Walburga. However, Lady Walburga is being cared for by many Healers and St. Mungo's elves. I have been told that Regulus has been quite lonely since Sirius went to Hogwarts and am making you Regulus's personal house-elf." Almost expecting what actually happened didn't make it any less unpleasant.

The house-elf threw himself upon the floor and began wailing and banging his head over and over again, pounding the floor with his fists, "Nooooo! Mistress needs Kreacher! Kreacher must serve mistress! Won't! Won't! Won't" Arcturus grimaced. The note did say Un-indoctrinate him.

"Stand up elf!" Immediately as if stuck with a branding iron Kreacher stood. He was pulling on his ears in agitation and his big eyes were filled with tears.

"Your mistress has broken the laws of Magical Britain and has brought shame on the House of Black. I shall be disinheriting her. She will no longer lay claim to the name of Black. She is an outcast. She has brought great harm to our family and you are no longer to consider her your mistress." Kreacher looked up at Arcturus with an expression of horror and awe. Before the elf could protest he said, "As you have served the House of Black faithfully, I want to keep you as a Black elf. As you and Regulus have formed a bond, I believe that it would be beneficial for both of you, if you bond with young Master Regulus. Do you understand Kreacher?" The elf nodded looking unsure how he should feel. He did care for Regulus. Kreacher, if he didn't want to take clothes, had no choice but to obey. "Now you know where elf quarters are. I expect my elves to keep themselves clean and in uniform. Be sure to ask Mimsy for guidance. We will perform the bonding in the morning Kreacher.

The elf nodded and then looked up sorrowfully, "Can I still visits mistress?" Kreacher croaked.

"Not without mine or Lady Dorea Black's presence. If she calls for you, you can not go to her. She is no longer a Black." Watching the elf struggle with his loyalties. With that the elf apparated to the attic and Arcturus gave the matter no more of his consideration.

He shook his head. Looking over the list he saw that he had a lot of work to do if he was going to accomplish even half of what was on this list. His grandson wasn't taking any half measures. He didn't want to just change his own fate, he wanted to change Wizarding culture. The culture that would allow a monster like Voldemort to gain power in the first place he realized. He wondered if he was going to run up against Fate or Destiny's plans.

He had been putting off some of it, just because it would be unpleasant. He glanced at the grandfather clock and saw that it was just turning 9. Too late for a fire call, but not too late for a message. He drew a piece of Black stationery from a drawer and picked up his Raven's quill. The feather was from his own animagus form. He'd spelled the quill to be self-inking and self-correcting. He hated writing things twice. Within moments he had crafted his note and looked down at what he had written.

Pollux,

I think it is time we have a meeting. If he is available, please bring Cygnus with you as what I have to discuss involves him as well. Please present yourselves at Black Manor tomorrow at three.

Lord Arcturus Black

Satisfied that it was sufficiently worded, he called for his house-elf. "Mimsy!"

A second later Mimsy arrived with a pop "Master calls Mimsy?" She asked. Arcturus sealed the parchment with wax and let it dry.

"Yes. Take this letter to my brother Pollux with my compliments." He handed her the letter and she nodded,

"Mimsy will do that. Would Master like Mimsy to wait for a reply?" Like all house-elves of her kind, she thrived when kept busy and felt useful. And kindness he found made them happy. This made him think about Sirius's request for Kreacher to be reassigned. He remembered when how the elf was rather unpleasant and espoused the same blood purity nonsense as his cousin. If you had any doubts that inbreeding was a problem among wizards, you only had to look at Walburga. She was barely holding onto reality. Raving would be the best word to describe her, and if Sirius was right, Bellatrix had the same affliction. He still wasn't sure how best to handle that problem in the long term. He had received several angry owls from Druella about Bella's magic suspension. The letters had barely bordered on this side of civilized. He shook his head. Sirius was right. He had allowed the family to go too long without proper guidance.

Mimsy left to deliver the invitation and while he waited for her return he looked down at the list. "Impossible." He sighed. "Of all the people his grandson wanted him to make an alliance with he would point him to Charlus. AND Dumbledore!" He frowned. He wasn't sure he could stomach it. The man's eyes literally twinkled with all that Greater Good BS. He shook his head. The man was not to be trusted. Of course, he trusted him more than Pollux, or Cygnus for that matter. He shook his head. "Rock. Meet hard place." He muttered.

He knew he would do it. He wouldn't like it. But he had taken a magical vow and fully intended to keep his magic thank you very much! And the note didn't say how much of an alliance he would have to make. Maybe nothing more than, a truce would be required. He scowled a bit but then shook his head. He actually admired Charlus, and he had to admit that his sister Thea was extremely happy.

He had gone to their wedding and she had literally floated down the aisle and he'd never seen a Black bride look so happy or a couple so obviously in love. The marriage was considered scandalous, but since Charlus was a pure-blood there wasn't much more than just token resistance to the match.

Charlus Potter had returned from Grindelwald's war a hero. He had single-handedly saved thousands of lives, taking trained hit wizards behind German lines. He was an extremely powerful wizard and inspired others to stand up against the Dark forces threatening to sweep the European Continent.

If Dumbledore had dawdled even a day longer to duel Grindelwald, Charlus would have instead, of that Arcturus had no doubt. For normal wizards that might be enough, but Charlus had taken on not just his Wizengamot seat, but had joined the Auror department and quickly rose through the ranks. Now he was the head of the Auror Department. He looked down at the list of things to do and wondered why his godson didn't say support Charlus in a bid for the minister.

He sighed and shook his head, The current Minister, Eugenia Jenkins had dealt competently with the pure-blood riots during the Squib Rights marches but he deemed her inadequate to the challenge of a rising dark lord. Purebloods everywhere hated Jenkins and wouldn't hesitate to vote in someone like Arcturus. Though currently, he'd be opposed by the more liberal wing of the ruling class. Unless Charlus backed him. His acute Slytherin senses kicked in. An alliance between the darkest of wizarding families, the lightest of wizarding families, add in a pinch of twinkle toes and you had as formidable a trio as you could hope for.

He considered Sirius's recommendation and couldn't help agreeing that he would make a much more formidable adversary to Riddle, than Jenkins. And he could unite the factions more easily than Charlus could. He had the power to change the faction from within, and from without. He felt anger at the realization that the wizarding world didn't really have anyone more suited to the task than himself at the moment.

Charlus would make an excellent ally if they could somehow… negotiate a truce? He gave a start as he actually realized he was considering the idea. He had always shunned the public attention that came with politicking. He was too blunt by half to endear himself to the populace. He'd have to reform his reputation. Which caused him to remember an overlooked detail. The list was in the order of importance. First on the list was to reform the family. He would not be able to do any of the rest until he had made significant progress and much of the list that followed seemed to be instructions on how to do that.

He glanced at the daily prophet that rested on the corner of his desk and frowned, scanning the title of the article he had read earlier.

More Mysterious Disappearances and Ministry in Chaos

Having read through the article earlier he had surmised that people were scared. Most of the disappearances mentioned were of prominent Muggle-borns but some of the disappearances were wizards that openly opposed this Lord Voldemort. He shook his head. Speculation about this Dark Lord was beginning to take on a more urgent tone. Arcturus picked up another piece of correspondence on his desk and read it.

To Lord Arcturus Black, of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black

It is my honor to invite you and your guests to Malfoy Manor on the night of October 31st for our annual masquerade ball. The theme for our evening of frivolity is Magical Menagerie. Should you wish to attend this invitation shall serve as a portkey to the party and shall activate anytime after seven and before midnight.

Sincerely Lord Abraxas Malfoy, of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Malfoy

Beneath Abraxas, had penned in a flowery script that looked far too effeminate for Arcturuses taste, an eye-opening postscript.

I hope you can attend Arcturus. Besides missing seeing out and about in society, there is someone who will be here that I want to introduce you to. He has expressed a desire to meet you as well as your heir, and I am but his humble servant and yours. Lucious shall be in attendance as well, and I believe he has something important to ask you, and thought perhaps during the festivities you both could have an opportunity to talk. Cygnus tells me you have been avoiding him of late? There have been some rumors of late that I would like to have put to bed. Lucious tells me you have grounded Bellatrix from doing magic? I confess to being quite curious about how that came to be? We should really have lunch soon. You have been much too reclusive old friend. I look forward to your owl.

Your friend

Ab

Arcturus scoffed at the man's familial use of his name and the last. Humble is not a word you could ever use to describe that self-important peacock, noting the starched white vellum, and the fanciful Malfoy Family Crest embossed upon the page. The family crest paid homage to Salazar Slytherin, bearing the colors black, green, and silver, as well as images of several serpentine creatures. The Latin words Sanctimonia Vincet Semper appeared inscribed on a silver banner, meaning Purity Will Always Conquer.

He sighed once more looking at his To-Do list and grinned, "Wonder if Sirius would like to go?" He asked aloud and only the ticking of the grandfather clock answered him. "That's what I thought."

Sirius the elder would be jumping at the chance to use his metamorph abilities and to throw down the gauntlet… Oh, he could guarantee the lad would go. His teenaged grandson though? He shook his head, "The kid could be bribed." he muttered to himself. But he was unsure what the price would be. Knowing him he'd only go if his friends could go too. He saw a battle of wills in the future, and you didn't have to be a seer to see it coming.

Mimsy returned a short time later with his answer. "They will be here tomorrow at three Master. They tried to question Mimsy why, but Mimsy did not know and wouldn't tell them if she did." She smiled at him and he nodded.

"Thank you Mimsy. I won't need you anymore tonight." When she was gone he sighed and stood up extinguishing the lights with a wave of his hand and headed off to bed with a lot on his mind.