At midnight, a man stepped into Grimmauld Place No 12. This man had shoulder-length black hair with some gray, which were dirty. They have been such for some while, 13 years to be exact. His body, severely malnourished, and his skin lost all its color. All these were the effects of him being wrongly imprisoned in Azkaban.
Sirius Orion Black.
His life changed 13 years ago when James and Lilly's potter died at the hands of Voldemort. The worst part was that they were betrayed by one of their best friend or at least a person who they called a friend, Peter Pettigrew.
Sirius was supposed to be the secret keeper of Potters when they went in hiding but he thought himself to be ever so clever. In his mind, he was too obvious a choice and so he suggested making Peter Secret keeper while everyone would think he was thus outsmarting the Dark Lord. This was his second biggest mistake in life. The cost of this mistake was the death of his real family, his Brother James and his only girl best friend, Lily.
Sitting on the couch in the Parlor of what used to be his home once upon a time before he was thrown out for being sorted in Gryffindor and making friends with blood traitors by his mother. Then he remembered the aftermath of an attack that led to his imprisonment.
He cursed himself for his foolhardiness as in a moment of rage he committed the biggest mistake of his life. He ran after Peter to kill him for revenge and didn't think about his godson Harry. These actions of his led to him being framed for the murder of Peter and 12 muggles. As a result of that, he was thrown in Azkaban without a trial and the traitor was hailed a martyr. But the worst was his godson lived among the worst of the muggles and didn't know anything about his parents or love.
His freedom was only because of luck as a year ago he saw that traitor Peter, who he knew was alive in a paper clipping of Daily Prophet in the hand of fellow order member, Arthur Weasley's son Ron who was at Hogwarts. The mere thought of how close the traitor was to Harry disturbed him to the nth degree. He had to do something to protect his godson, his magic himself was calling to.
So he escaped and with help of his old friend proved his innocence to his Godson and caught the Traitor, which leads to him being freed and the person originally responsible for crimes he was waiting to be kissed by dementors.
He was now a free man back in his home and now he will do one thing he failed to do all those years ago he would start fixing his mistake but to do that he had to, first of all, get his affairs in order cause in past 13 years House Black was lost and now he was only real member remaining aside from his cousins who were a subject that he was going to look into afterward.
He made it to the kitchen and sat on a table yelling "KREACHER!" and within a second with a pop sound a house-elf appeared growling "What does filthy master require Kreacher for?"
He remembered how much he hated that bloody elf "Go and prepare master bedroom it should be done until I come back from the shower, now bugger off!" annoyingly he said. With a sigh, he stood up and went to shower washing off 13 years of dirt and filth. After being clean which to him felt otherworldly, he went to the room and plopped on his bed making a mental note that he needs to go to Gringotts tomorrow morning, he groaned "Great! Finance, I hate it!" but the irritation lasted only for a second as he reveled in the comfort of bedding and lost himself in drowsiness sleeping with content for the first time in 13 years
Next Morning
It was 9 when he was standing in Diagon alley in midst of a suspicious stare from people in front of the Bank. Sighing he said "Let's get it over with" entering the bank lobby. He walked to the nearest teller who was free and asked "I would like to meet my Account manager"
Goblin looked up from the parchment he was working on and asked "State your name wizard" with a slight tone of annoyance, at this Sirius replied "Sirius Orion Black" with equal annoyance. Goblin rang a bell and a smaller goblin appeared beside Sirius who gestured to him "Follow me, I will take you to Master Bloodtooth", Sirius nodded following the goblin. The smaller goblin took him to a part of the bank that he somewhat remembered from back when his father used to bring him along to learn about finance. He hated it back then but now he was kicking himself for not paying any attention back then
They passed several doors with names of houses on the door and reached one with House Black written on it, the goblin escorting him left without a word. Sirius braced himself and entered the office, he observed it was a large circular room with a mahogany wood table behind which sat an old goblin who was embroiled in his work and didn't notice him enter.
He reached the table and cleared his throat, older goblin looked up in annoyed expression which changed to amused "So prodigal son returns, Welcome Heir Apparent Black I am Bloodtooth, please take a seat" Sirius in shock sat inquiring "Thank you Master Booldtooth, but I am not Heir Apparent that was my late younger brother Regulus Black "
The master goblin nodded "I was correct then you don't know. It was your grandfather Arcturus Black who made you Heir as a condition to make your father Lord Black on his death bed and as such you were not cast out of the family nor was your cousin one Mrs. Andromeda Tonks nee Black." Sirius hearing all this in shock "Woah….grandfather did my parents good. So I can take the lordship?"
Bloodtooth nodded conjuring and offer and small black ring box which had a silver band with a dark blue gemstone that had a Thestral inlay in it. He picked up and sliding it on his ring finger. As he did a bright white light shined and then changed into teal at this a parchment appeared on the desk. Bloodtooth took the parchment to scan it
The light faded Sirius recovered from the additional magic surging and knowledge of all properties. Master Goblin started seeing Lord Black recovered "It appeared there seems to be a Marriage contract that was activated as activation conditions were met" Sirius mentally cursed the day as it was getting crazier every moment.
Not wanting to delve into the conditions asked the next obvious question "who is it between?" Bloodtooth replied "It is between House Black and House Potter" hearing this Sirius paled he was about to say something but was interrupted by Bloodtooth who continued "Let me finish first. This contract was made by Arcturus Black and Charlus Potter. It was made in 1981, it was to marry the heir of House Potter to Oldest and youngest daughter of House Black. Child of Eldest's daughter would continue Line of Potter and Youngest would continue the line of the Black name. They should be engaged by the time heir is 15th and married when he is 17 or off age, this is a magically binding contract. If not fulfilled all participant will l forfeit their life and Magic"
Sirius was seating in the chair as he was sinking what he just learned as he thought about everything and gasped. Bloodtooth seeing his expressions gave a toothy smile and said "Yes Lord Black, Heir Potter is to marry one Bellatrix Lestrange about whom we need to talk anyway and one Ms. Nymphadora Tonks Black. In truth, it was made at the request of your Grandfather as he wanted to save his granddaughters from your mother's machinations and Lord Potter agreed as he was in life debt of the Arcturus Black. The thing is life debt can be redeemed with the marriage contract and that way it doesn't need to be authorized by the Lord of the house"
"Your mother was adamant on making your younger brother Regulus heir but was dismayed when he died in 1979 and shortly after that your father died but just before he named you next Heir Apparent. She was bitter seeing that you were named Heir apparent of the House Black. It was then that she made contracts to marry off your cousins to other Pureblood families namely Nott, Lestrange, and Malfoy. But your cousin Andromeda eloped leaving with Ted Tonks. Causing your mother to banish her from home but in her rush to marry off your 2 remaining cousins she forgot to kick her out both in magic and blood."
"Seeing his House going into a war for wrong causes and in fear it would extinct he demanded the contract to be made between his house and House Potter to save its house. He and Lord Potter were brothers in all but blood just like you and James Potter."
"So the chronologically it all sets like this:
1979: Your Brother died in March of that year and your father later in November. Making your Mother Lady Black in Control of the House.
1980, July 31th: Harry James Potter is born to James Charlus Potter and Lilly Marie Potter nee Evans, Grandson of Lord Charlus Fleamont Potter and Dorea Potter nee Black.
1980 Nov 2nd: Wlaburga arranged the marriage of Bellatrix and Narcissa to Rudolphus Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy. This union was against Bellatrix and Narcissa's wishes. Andromeda is banished from the house but only in name. Both contracts were types of slave contracts. While Bellatrix's was forceful Narcissa's was subtle"
1981 January 17th: Arcturus was worried about the state of his House reached out to his friend and brother-in-law to make a marriage contract as repayment of life debt.
1981 October 31th: Voldemort attacks the Potters at Potter's Cottage in Godric's Hollow."
Once again Sirius was wrong and ashamed as the only head of the house can draft the contract, so he was ashamed of his mother. Nothing could redeem his mother, in his mind was pure evil, and hearing all this proved him right. He remembered all the black children were rebels in their ways. He was the oldest and most outspoken one, Bellatrix was stubborn but cunning while her twin Andi was stealthy which she should be when she ran off to marry a muggle-born wizard, Narcissa was the youngest hence a little timid but used that fact to manipulate elders to get her way. Remembering all that brought a smile to the new Lord's face. Shaking his head Sirius brought his attention back to the present as asked "Is there a clause in the contract that Head of House can annul the marriage if deemed necessary?" receiving a nod from Master goblin.
Relief was a small word for what he felt as he saw the affirmative answer to his question. He can annul the marriage of Bellatrix without any other thought lifting his left hand he announced "I Lord Sirius Orion Black, Head of Most Ancient and Noble House Black, hereby declare marriage between Bellatrix Dorea Black and Rudolphus Lestrange annulled, so mote it be" as he finished another parchment appeared burning to ash.
"Well with that out of the way, let's talk about finances" Bloodtooth excitedly said and so for the next hour & a half, they talked about finances. By the time Sirius got out, it was 11, walking out of the bank he knew what to do. First, he would visit his cousin Andromeda and then meet with his friend Remus. He made his way to Eeylops Owls Emporium to buy a brown Tawny owl and sent it to Remus telling him to meet at leaky cauldron for lunch at 2.
He apparated back to No 12. Stepping into the Fireplace he threw green powder saying "Tonks House!" doing so he was engulfed in green flames. Feeling a swirling sensation behind his naval, the next thing he knew he was thrown out of a fireplace tumbling and fell face-first on the red Persian rug, "Ouch!" he groaned loudly.
Andromeda Tonks was in the kitchen cooking as she liked to cook for her daughter who was her only family as her husband was killed by a death eater in the last war. She heard a loud noise from the living room acting on instinct she ran out her wand at ready only to find a man lying face-first on the floor.
She knew the voice of her cousin as he groaned "I hate Floo travel" this she made her chuckle "still can't travel properly Siri, same since forever" Sirius now back on his feet replied, "An old dog can't learn new tricks, so how are you, Andi?" She answered "Very well Siri' her smile flattered as her eyes tearing as she bear-hugged "I never believed you did all those things I need…" before she could complete Sirius stopped her "I know Andi, you don't need to explain" he guided her to couch and both sat side by side.
"So Siri, how is life as a free man?" she asked with a mischievous grin. Sirius answered "well I have been free for only the last 12 hours and so not much to tell besides what I came here for" with a smile. She suddenly became serious "I am sorry Siri couldn't find Harry after you were sent to Azkaban, I couldn't find him I am sorry" with teary eyes, Sirius reached around placing an arm on her shoulder and reassured her "Again not your fault Andi. You tried your best, that's all I can ask from you and I am here to talk about him"
Andromeda gave confused look, Sirius seeing this continued "Well as it turns out there is a marriage contract between our House and House Potter made by our Grandfather Arcturus Black and Charlus Potter. it is to marry Heir of House Potter to Eldest & Youngest oldest daughter of House Black or as we know them Bellatrix and Nymphadora" hearing name of her daughter she was about to protest but Sirius cut her "before you say anything, the contract is binding they have to be engaged by 15 and married when he is of age if not done they will forfeit magic and life"
At this Andromeda sat for a minute in shock before sighing "I-I don't know what to say, Siri, the part of Nymphadora is easy it won't take much to convince her but what about Bella? I don't think she is sane enough to understand all this, let alone marry Harry who is Arch enemy of her master, and OH God!, what about Harry? how is he going to handle all this?"
Sirius nodded "You see Andi, Bella is not insane all these years she didn't have any control over what she was doing the cause of bloody marriage contract my father made that bound her will and views to that of her husband. In essence, she was her husband's slave. She is innocent Andi and I am going to prove it to Wizengamot when the first summer session is held"
This revelation struck Andi like a Knight Bus but instead of crying for her sister she resolved herself to save her and make sure she is home with them, her family "So I take it you annulled her marriage as you are Lord of House Black" Sirius nodded with a smile "I just came from Gringotts to inform you and now I have to meet an old friend at Leaky Cauldron for lunch"
Andromeda said "Very well I will talk to Nymphadora today when she comes back from her job and next time you come, you are not leaving without lunch" smiling. Standing up as he was ready to leave, Sirius walked up to the fireplace but turned around with a mischievous smirk "OH! Before I forget one more thing I had to do" she gave confused.
Sirius in loud voice said "Andi You are Still a Black you were never cast out of the family officially only out of the home and not House Black" Andromeda was shocked, happy but shocked seeing this Sirius said "Welcome back to family Andi" and floo'ed to Leaky Cauldron.
At Leaky Cauldron, Sirius made a similar entrance to one he made at Tonks Residence. Luckily no one was around him he got up on his feet and cast "Scourgify" he cleaned the soot off his and entered the bar where he spotted his friend who was in a run-down suit sitting and waiting for him. Sirius went to the table asking "How are you Moony?" Remus stood up and hugging him "Well better than you Padfoot"
Sirius chuckled "Well courtesy of Azkaban". Remus chuckled and asked "So what is it that you want to talk about?", sighing Sirius launched into an explanation as he ended he waited for Remus's reaction which he thought would be one of shock instead Remus was laughing like no tomorrow.
"That's it finally the other side won I lost my friend," Sirius said in mock hurt expression, Remus still laughing said "Oh, come on Padfoot you are losing your touch mate! Imagine our godson is going to marry two wives and we thought James had his hands full with Lily…" Suddenly he stopped laughing turning serious "But James loved Lily, Harry doesn't love them, he will not have a chance to find love" Sirius smiled "well that is where you are wrong mate"
Remus gave confused look, he continued " You see this also struck me. So I thought it would be better to give him time until Christmas before telling him about all this. That's the least we can do and hope he finds someone" Remus nodded "I suppose you are right but he doesn't like it when people hide things from him, I hope he will forgive us for this" Sirius nodded sighing "I hope that to mate"