Chapter One: The Letters
Notice: Please read Polaris Regulus Black: The Childhood before this. It can be found on my profile, Ginevra Hope. Thanks!
DISCLAIMER: I am not JK Rowling, therefore I do not own Harry Potter.
~PRB: WtH~
Albus Dumbledore sat in his office at Hogwarts, staring at a letter that Minerva, his Deputy, had given to him.
Polaris Regulus Black,
Second Bedroom on the Right,
Acorn House,
Cornwall.
Acorn House in Cornwall was, he knew, the home of Andromeda and Ted Tonks, whom Arcturus had reinstated into the Black Family.
Albus sighed regretfully. He really had lost all influence on young Polaris. He could still remember the day he had come back from the Dursleys to find that Harry Potter no longer existed.
~PRB: WtH~
Fawkes flamed Dumbledore back into his office. Albus was shocked. Harry Potter didn't exist? James and Lily had fooled them? The Black Sisters had reunited? Was the House of Black on the rise again?
There were so many questions, and so few answers. His prophecy child, Harry/Polaris, was supposed to grow up as an unloved orphan with no idea of the wizarding world – he was supposed to be easy to manipulate! Molly Weasley was meant to become his surrogate mother, after he became best friends with her son, Ronald.
Albus sat down at his desk and sighed heavily. He was stunned. He had to admit, he'd forgotten just how powerful the Black Family had been, and how much weight they still held within the Wizengamot. Sirius Black had been granted a trial by his grandfather, Lord Arcturus Black. Then, he had turned away from the Black Family. Whilst it was best for him to be removed from their influence, it now meant that Polaris had been abandoned to the Dark Sect of society. Who knew what he would grow up learning, what kind of monster he would be? His best hope for Sirius to influence Polaris was, he supposed, as a teacher. Yes, he would alter his plans and Sirius could teach DADA. But there was the jinx… He would rename it. Dark Arts Defence? No, too similar. Defensive Magics? Yes, that would definitely work.
Now, all he had to do was get in touch with Sirius. He might not want to leave Remus, though. But Remus owed him for being allowed into school – werewolves were dangerous, he knew that, everyone did. He just had to fight for their rights in order to consolidate his position as Leader of the Light. Maybe he could reinstate Duelling classes – yes, Remus could teach Duelling, he would be excellent at that. And then, when Polaris arrived in ten years' time, he would owe his skill at duelling to Remus, and maybe his Uncle Sirius. It would be hard, but nothing worth anything was ever easy.
Albus began to relax, the twinkle returning to his eyes, and the benevolent grandfather act resurfacing. It was for the greater good. Everything he ever did was for the greater good.
~PRB: WtH~
Now, Albus sat in his office, wondering just how deep the Black Family had its claws into Polaris. Maybe Severus would know. Yes, he would ask him.
~PRB: WtH~
Severus Snape was in his quarters, brewing a Blood-Replenishing Potion for the Hospital Wing, when he received a Floo call from the Headmaster, requesting that he pay him a visit in his office. He placed his potion in stasis, and marched grimly to the Headmaster's Office, grumbling under his breath all the while. He reached the gargoyles, and muttered, as though it caused him great shame, "Cauldron Cakes." When he entered the office, Black and Lupin were seated inside, and a letter was on the desk. I see, he thought. He has Polaris' Hogwarts letter.
"Ah, Severus, my boy!" Albus exclaimed. "I hope this impromptu meeting was not detrimental to your potion?"
"Not at all, Headmaster," he demurred. "I have placed it in stasis."
"Excellent, excellent. Now, to the point of this meeting." His jovial manner changed in an instant. "What do you know of Polaris Regulus Black?"
Severus raised an eyebrow. "Well, he is the Heir to House Black, the mutt's nephew, Draco Malfoy's closest friend, Nymphadora Tonks' adoptive brother, and my godson."
At this, Black leapt up indignantly. "Your godson? I am his godfather!"
"No, Black," he disagreed, taking pleasure in his enemy's annoyance. "Harry Potter was your godson, but Harry Potter no longer exists. I was Regulus' closest friend, and Marina decided that I was to be godfather, and Bellatrix his godmother."
The three gaped at him. Albus recovered from his shock enough to manage to say, "Well, my boy, why did you not inform us of this sooner?"
"I was not aware that my personal life was any of your business, Headmaster."
"We could've visited him!" Black exclaimed. "We could've watched him grow up!"
"Are the three of you idiots?" Severus scoffed. Lupin made to interrupt, but he talked over him. "The Black Family Wards would have sucked you in, and then expelled you in a desert over the other side of the world!"
Albus sighed. "Severus, there is no need to exaggerate."
"He's not." It appeared painful for Black to say those words. "The Black Wards are brutal. I have been disowned, and therefore am no longer a member of the Black Family, but still can use the name, as can Amelia."
Severus had forgotten that Black had married the Head of the Department for Magical Law Enforcement and Regent of House Bones, Amelia. She had a niece, he believed, the same age as Draco and Polaris.
Albus still looked sceptical but accepted that it would be a bad idea to pay a visit to Polaris. Severus breathed a sigh of relief. Salazar only knew what Andromeda would have done to the man, let alone the Black Wards. On second thoughts, perhaps the meddling old man deserves it…
Lupin spoke up then. "What is Polaris like, Severus?" From what he could tell, the wolf didn't have any ulterior motive. He truly seemed to – care.
"Polaris is a caring and protective boy. If anyone crosses his family, or hurts his friends, he makes life very difficult for them. However, he is Slytherin about it."
Black grimaced, but Lupin looked content. Severus continued. "Polaris is exceptionally smart, and wields great power, which is further boosted by the Black Family Magics. Fortunately for everyone, he has a decent level of control over said magical power, and it only tends to explode out of him when he is seriously angered. He is also an excellent Occlumens, as is Draco."
Albus looked thoughtful, and Lupin looked impressed (as he ought to), but Black pounced on a piece of information like a dog with a bone – which with the biased mutt he was, there was no surprise.
"Draco? How close is Polaris to that Death Eater spawn?"
"Firstly, Draco is nothing like Lucius. He is also my godson, so I know this for fact. And Polaris, Draco and Nymphadora are practically siblings. Polaris and Draco are like twins."
Black groaned. "They've corrupted him!"
Severus rolled his eyes. "On the contrary, he is not corrupted, and is not a blood purist. Neither is Draco."
Albus raised an eyebrow in disbelief and Black snorted derisively. But Lupin nodded in acceptance, and asked, "They are traditionalists, though?"
"Yes," Severus replied, pleased that someone understood, even if it was the wolf. Black remained dubious, and Severus decided he was tired of this interrogation.
"I'm leaving now. Madam Pomfrey requires Blood-Replenishing Potions for the Hospital Wing as soon as possible," he drawled. His robes billowed out behind him as she swept from the Headmaster's Office.
~PRB: WtH~
Polaris Black was sitting at the kitchen table at Acorn House. Nym was sitting opposite, whilst Uncle Ted had left for work and Aunt Andi was at the stove, cooking breakfast.
"Excited, Pole?" Nym asked, with a mischievous grin.
"Don't call me that, Nymphadora," Polaris responded, glaring at her with little heat.
"Alright, alright," she grumbled.
"Children," Aunt Andi sighed. "It's too early for arguing."
"Sorry," Nym responded, not sounding very sorry at all.
"Yes, sorry, Aunt Andi," Polaris added, in a similar fashion to his sister. "But to answer your question, Nym, yes, I'm excited."
"Excited for what, dear?" Aunt Andi teased.
Polaris scowled at her playfully, his eyes dancing with amusement. "My Hogwarts letter, of course! What else?"
"Sorry, dear, I must be suffering from temporary amnesia."
"Or an Obliviate charm," Nym suggested thoughtfully.
Polaris groaned. "You're not even an Auror yet! How much worse can this get?"
Aunt Andi tutted. "Manners, Polaris."
He rolled his eyes. He was forced to act like a perfect traditionalist pureblood Heir, but around close family and friends, he dropped the act entirely, becoming his usual playful, teasing self. Just then, an owl swooped through an open window and dropped a letter in front of Polaris. Nym let out a whoop and clapped excitedly. Aunt Andi grinned and put the kettle down. The letter was addressed to:
Polaris Regulus Black,
Second Bedroom on the Right,
Acorn House,
Cornwall.
Polaris' eyes lit up as he ripped it open. He read the acceptance letter, and the equipment list. Aunt Andi smiled fondly at him, as Nym grinned happily.
"Mum," she asked, "Can I take Polaris to get his equipment tomorrow?"
"Of course, Nymphadora," her mother responded. "Cissy is taking Draco tomorrow as well, and I wish to speak to Uncle Arcturus."
"Didn't Grandfather Arcturus say something about a Family Meeting?" Nym queried.
"Yes," Polaris answered. "He wishes for a Meeting of the whole House before me and Draco leave for Hogwarts."
Nym pulled a face whilst Aunt Andi's back was turned, and her brother had to stifle a laugh.
~PRB: WtH~
A/N: I hope this new story helps to clear some things up with people who were confused by the first story! Thanks for reading, please do review and tell me how you liked it.
Ginevra Hope x