Ezekiel left the Ministry of Magic much happier than he had entered at the beginning of his shift. Ezekiel's smile refused to leave his face even when people avoided getting near him much to their confusion. Confusion that only grew larger as he was escorted by Dora, who kept sending murderous glares his way.
"Oh come on, it was fun." Ezekiel chuckled as they walked towards the exit.
"I fucking hate you."
"You thought it was funny too, Dora. Remember when you walked out on me? You can't say you didn't laugh."
"Whatever, let's go."
"You're a sore loser, you know that?"
"Why are you going to the door?" Dora stopped on her tracks as Ezekiel passed over the chimneys. "Aren't you going home?"
"I'll be late, you go first and wait for me." He waved as he left the building. It didn't surprise him when Dora rapidly followed him and started asking questions.
"Where are you going?"
"I've got mail this morning." Ezekiel replied as he checked the storm clouds rolling in. Another beautiful rainy day in London. "Lucius Malfoy is suing Harry."
"WHAT?" Dora shouted ignoring the people around them.
"Would you keep it down?" Ezekiel whispered as he lead her to an alley.
"How the hell is Malfoy of all people suing Harry?" Dora whispered furious. "That hack steals from everyone!"
"Well, apparently not this time. He claims that he bought all the potion formulas from the Potter family. He even said in a document that he has the receipts to prove it."
"And you believe him?"
"It doesn't matter what I believe, Lucius isn't an idiot. If he says he has the documents that means that he actually bought them." Ezekiel ignored the knowing look that Dora gave him. "Or that he has something that looks like a receipt and has something on the judge."
"Yes that sounds more like something he'd do."
"Anyway, I'm off to deal with that. Harry already knows so you don't have to explain it."
"Why the hell would you tell something like that to a kid?"
"It doesn't matter, he'd find out sooner or later, like with the wolf."
"He knows?"
"Nymphadora, don't." Ezekiel replied. "You knew he was there as well as I do. I noticed him and if I did, you did it faster than me. Now spit it out, why didn't you say anything?"
"I wanted to explain to him what was going on once Lupin left."
"Right." Ezekiel deadpanned as he focused on summoning his car. The red beauty almost apparated in front of him before neither of them realized and Ezekiel sat on the driver's seat. "Go to the house, talk to Harry if you want. I need to pay a visit to my uncle."
"Hold up." Dora said as she entered the vehicle. "Someone has to stop you from murdering the head of another House."
"That actually the opposite of what I'm going to do."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll see..." Ezekiel replied as the car began to move.
"Fine, be a git if you want to." Dora sighted. "But while you spend the day feeling good about yourself I found something."
"Really? Do tell..."
"He wasn't lying."
"Who?"
"Remus Lupin, I sent some owls before you arrived to Gringotts."
"How did you managed to get them to help you? You're broke."
"I told them it was for you." Dora replied matter-of-factly. "They're even better investigators than us."
"And how much is this going to cost me?"
"You can afford it." Dora jokingly consoled him. "Still, Remus Lupin went to Hogwarts and was friends with James Potter along with Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew. They were considered a gang it seems."
"Why was he never mentioned? Everyone knew about Sirius and Potter but nobody mentioned Pettigrew until he died." Ezekiel asked annoyed. Speaking of his uncle hadn't been something he liked to do for well over a decade and it wasn't going to change. "Why was Lupin left out?"
"Perhaps because he was bitten? Although I couldn't find anyone who knew about that so it might happened after he graduated. " Dora shrugged. "I mean the goblins even got me his grades. His teachers thought he'd have a promising future in any field he'd choose. He doesn't have detentions or things like that. He seems like a nice guy."
"Well see.." Ezekiel sighted.
The rest of the trip was silent. Dora knew that Ezekiel didn't like to talk about Sirius and she understood why but this was important. How angry Ezekiel became evident as not even speeding all the way to Wiltshire made him smile. Eventually they turned right, into a wide driveway that led off the lane. The high hedge curved with them, running off into the distance beyond the pair of impressive wrought-iron gates barring their way.
"So...are we gonna ring the bell or?" Dora asked before Ezekiel rammed the car against the gates, blowing them off their hinges. "Ezekiel what the hell!" was all she managed to say hanging to her seat in panic.
The car roared all the way to the manor's wooden doors. Ezekiel exit the vehicle with purpose on his step while Dora stumbled on her way out and hit the gravel floor. Her groaning stopped once she heard Ezekiel using the the door knockers in a way that reminded her of a funeral toll. Dora staggered as she tried to reach Ezekiel but by the time she did the door had opened and a small house elf appeared.
"Tell your master that Lord Black has come." Ezekiel coldly said to the terrified creature who could only bow to him.
"What are you doing?" Dora whispered confused.
"Not. A. Word." Ezekiel replied as the elf lead them to Lucius Malfoy study.
Lucius had a pale, pointed face, with pale blond hair and cold grey eyes and like Ezekiel he sported a fine three piece suit. He was sitting behind his desk with with an arrogance that could only belong to the embodiment of wealth and influence in the magical world.
"Ah, Ezekiel." Lucius said with a suave voice. "I was wondering when you'd appear, although I was sure you'd bring your law-wizard."
"Did you?" Ezekiel replied emotionless.
"Legal agreements can't be drafted without them, after all. I sometimes forget that you're disconnected from the magical world has turned you into a little muggle lover."
"I can think of worse things to be." Ezekiel replied. "In that lawsuit that you sent me you said that you bought all the potion formulas from the Potter family. Is it true?"
"Why of course it's true. Would I ever lie?"
"Would you like me to answer that alphabetically or chronologically?"
"Now Ezekiel if you're going to act as a mudblood I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave. I have a meeting with the Minister and quite frankly I only agreed to this to let you keep some dignity."
"Bring the papers to me Lucius while I'm feeling merciful."
"Merciful? How low has the mighty fallen." Lucius scoffed. "That word didn't exist for you before. If only you had stayed with us instead of those..."
"Tread carefully, Lucius." Ezekiel warned him.
Dora had remained silent the hole time and was now looking at both men. One she wanted to punch, the other she needed to control and she couldn't do neither.
"Lord Malfoy." She finally said. "We've reasons to believe that the documents that you claim might be a counterfeit. If you'd like to present us with a copy of them we'll be in our way."
"A copy?" Lucius chuckled. "You didn't brought your law-wizard and instead decided for this dolt?"
"Lord Malfoy, E-Lord Black is the Magical Guardian of Harry Potter" She managed to correct herself. "As such he's his representative in legal matters. It's in his right to verify that document."
"And now she's a law-wizard too!" Malfoy laughed. "You've hit rock bottom, haven't you? Stupid boy, you try to play a game and you don't even know the rules. What do you think would happen? You thought that I'd cower, prostrate myself in front of you shacking in fear and give up? There's nothing you can do to me. I have the documents and the judges dancing at my tune and that was before you got rid of Dumbledore." Lucius rose from his chair pridefully. "You're looking at the most powerful man in England. I'm the only voice that the Minister hears and it's all thanks to you, Ezekiel. While you destroyed whatever good name your family had I rose to new heights. The whole world bowed to your House and now look at you, Lord Black working on a small room in the Ministry begging for pity scraps."
"It's not that small." Ezekiel replied much to Dora's concern.
Ezekiel was furious and Dora knew it even if he didn't show it and that was what filled her with dread. Ezekiel's face was blank and emotionless. His voice was calm and because of those glasses that he always used she couldn't see his eyes. His body language was off too. His face wasn't tense, his posture was relaxed and his breathing was calm. If Ezekiel were a flavor he'd be vanilla and that terrified her to her very core.
"Lucius what's taking so long, we're going to meet the Minister in ten minutes." A woman's cold clear voice sounded outside the room. Dora turned around to see a woman in her early thirties standing at the doorway dressed in a wizard's version of a cocktail dress. She was very pale, with blue eyes, long blonde hair. She possessed the arrogant good looks that were characteristic of Black family. Dora was standing in front of her aunt, Narcissa Malfoy whose beautiful face marred as if she was sniffing dung as soon as she noticed her.
"What are you doing here?" Narcissa asked with disgust.
"They are leaving, dear." Lucius answered without taking his eyes of Ezekiel.
"They?" She asked confused but her voice and color of her face disappeared as she noticed the other people in the room. "Ezekiel?"
"Oh good, you've arrived Narcissa." Ezekiel said without looking at her. "I was just hearing about Lucius new status."
Narcissa turned paler to the point that Dora feared she'd faint. She approached her husband circling around her nephews as if they were poisonous. Ezekiel in turn failed to noticed her completely or if he did he didn't show.
"Lucius, what is happening?" Narcissa asked fearfully. "Why are they here?"
"They're leaving." Lucius replied with scorn. "You've lost the right to be in my presence, Black. In fact, you've lost everything. How a House raise such an imbecile?" Lucius laughed.
"You honestly thought people would forget what you are? I laughed at your pitiful attempts to earn the public. You, the last monster, acting as if you were normal. It was almost sad to see you destroy the power and influence that took generations to build."
"If only because you took over everything." Ezekiel replied calmly.
"I was planning on having you name me your proxy for the Wizengamot when you first arrived. Convince you to hand over everything to me, your beloved uncle." Lucius chuckled. "Only for you to throw everything away all by yourself. Seriously, you didn't even went to Hogwarts. Lost every possible connection you could've ever made, anyone that could've actually done something for you."
"I found people who did." Ezekiel replied.
"You ran to mudbloods and blood-traitors and what did you do? You let them turn you. If you were even half what Orion praised you to be, you'd had killed that blood-traitor harlot and her mudblood filth were they stood."
"Is that who you'd rather deal with Lucius, Orion's heir? Then I shall indulge your request if you're so keen to meet him. Just remember Lucius I tried to be civil, this is all on you..." Ezekiel gave a small vow. "Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Ezekiel Black, Lord of The Ancient and Most Noble House Of Black."
Dora and Narcissa stiffed as Ezekiel's voice smoothed dangerously. Ezekiel stood tall with his hands behind his back, his head held high with his chin jut out. His sunglasses, black as obsidian, reflected the sun as a white slit on their surface as he smiled like a dragon before breathing fire.
"Is that supposed to scare me?" Lucius asked unimpressed.
"It should honor you, after all not everyone can say that their child has been taken in by the House of Black."
"What?" Dora and the Malfoys asked confused.
"Your child, Lucius."
"Have you gone completely mad, you idiot?"
"Perhaps this will refresh your memory, Lord Malfoy." Ezekiel said taking out a folded of paper from his jacket and placing it on the desk. "The contract you and your father signed with Orion Black before your marriage." Watching the color leave his uncle's face, Ezekiel continued. "You promised a child, Lucius. Two, actually. One to the House of Black so the bloodline continues, the other one to House Malfoy. I'm here to claim what's owed."
"You can't have Draco, he's my heir." Lucius replied shocked.
"The contract is very specific, your firstborn is mine." Ezekiel smiled. " I'm afraid you'll have to produce a new one. That's of course if you can have one. Something tells me that having another boy is out of the question for you two..."
"You'll have nothing of the sort! That contract was signed between me and Orion Black, you have no claim on this."
"Your father signed a contract with Lord Black, Lucius." Ezekiel scowled. "Now fulfill your part and bring Draco to me."
"Please, no!" Narcissa begged. "You can't take him, not my son!"
"I can, I am."
"Lucius I beg you, if Draco goes to that house he'll die!"
"Have some pride, Narcissa." Lucius chastised her. "There must be a cancellation clause."
"Of course there is." Ezekiel replied. "It requires the cancellation of your marriage and having Narcissa and Draco back into my House. Of course I'll be expecting a full reimbursement of the bride's dowry plus interests."
Lucius sat on his chair as he heard this. One way or another his House wouldn't survive. Ezekiel for his part was having the time of his life. Honestly being a 'decent' person as Ted and Andi put it was exhausting. Regardless of what he'd done to his uncle's door he did have every intention of setting things peacefully. Honest. Cross his heart. But since things had ended up like that...
"I've got to thank you, Lucius." Ezekiel said. "I haven't seen that expression in a long, long time. Almost forgot how pleasant it was." He chuckled as his uncle stared at him. "Did you really think that you of all people could threaten me? What did you say again 'you try to play a game and you don't even know the rules'... It'd be laughing if you weren't so pathetic. Oh, what the heck, I'll laugh anyway! HA HA HA HA HA HAA!"
"Ezekiel..." Dora said cautiously but he ignored her.
"Oh Lucius, Lucius." Ezekiel tone lost all playfulness and turned into a cold mock. "I have no doubt my grandfather saw potential in you, why else would he give you one of his granddaughters? But to think that you'd consider yourself my superior... Dogs have to know their place."
"You dare call me a dog?"
"Please don't misunderstand, I'm trying to save you some face since my aunt is here." Ezekiel gestured at Narcissa before continuing. "Now I'm willing to concede a bit here, I did loose my influence in this country in pursuit of my goals. It was foolish of me to try to distance myself from the image of my family. My inheritance and rightful place. My goals were unreachable from the very beginning despite my best intentions. Sadly for you Lucius, those goals have now changed. I'm responsible for a child now, you means that anyone who might try to hurt him, to profit from him... I'm sure your wife will be delighted to tell you all about what we do with those people. What I'll do to them."
Narcissa's blank, unfocused gaze as she lost herself in the memory was all Lucius needed.
"And about that part of my education I don't blame you for thinking that way, Pure-bloods still think Muggles are still in the Dark Ages. I imagine even if I showed you how they live, how far they've come, you wouldn't believe it. Regardless of that what you should pay attention is this: Pure-Bloods are surely, royally and undoubtedly fucked."
"You've lost your mind." Lucius replied. "The mudbloods have rotten your brain."
"Lucius." Ezekiel removed his glasses showing a blank, pale, emotionless face. Dora would swear later that the blackest eyes she'd seen stared at Lucius Malfoy like a kid looking at candy in a stained glass window. "If you ever refer to Edward, Andromeda or Nymphadora Tonks in such a manner in my presence I promise you an end so cruel that even Voldemort would weep."
"And you defend them."
"They don't need defending, you inbreed dolt. Unlike us, they've lead a life far more honorable that we pretend we do."
"They are nothing." Lucius scoffed. "Our blood."
"Our blood is poisoned Lucius." Ezekiel continued. "Haven't you noticed how few of us are left? And of those who remain how many can you say that are sane? The Muggles figured it out decades ago, our inbreeding in pursuit of purity has weakened us. We're born ill, our minds clouded and our magic dwindles. The Half-Bloods and Muggle-Borns will inherit everything and I for one can't wait for it to happen."
"You traitor scum."
"This traitor can take everything you have, Lucius. Siriously when did you stopped listening to what I've been saying? I own you Lucius."
"You, a traitor, own ME?"
"Yes, the traitor, me. What do you think will happen if I cancel your marriage? You received quite a sum when you married Narcissa. How much would you have left after I'm done? Of course, people will want to know why such a prestigious marriage ended so abruptly. Lucius you cannot begin to imagine the possibilities, or perhaps you do. How many times have you done this to others? People turned their backs on me in a second, but you? They'll smell the blood and each and every one of them will take their pound of flesh."
"What do you want?" Lucius asked defeated.
"You and your wife screaming in a silent agony until your bodies fail completely." Ezekiel replied honestly. "But since there are laws against that sort of thing I guess I'll have to settle for a bit less. Now." Ezekiel sat on one of the corners of the desk. "Do you own the potion formulas from the House of Potter?"
Lucius look at him with rage before sighting. "No."
"But you are using them, aren't you?"
"Lucius my patience is scarce as it is."
"YES." Lucius shouted. "We use their formulas but the ingredients are diluted! Is that what you wanted to hear?"
"Well you just admitted a serious crime in front of two Aurors. It does bring a smile to my face."
"That's your plan, have me arrested?"
"Oh, please." Ezekiel scoffed. "We both know how fast you can get out of that. No, what I want is...half."
"Half?" Lucius asked confused.
"He wants half of everything we own, Lucius." Narcissa replied.
"There's that brain I've heard so much about." Ezekiel snapped his fingers at her. "You're the only witch that grandmother ever tolerated, that took more than good looks." He turned to Lucius who was staring at him with his mouth open in disbelief. "Yes Lucius, I want half of everything you own. Well, a bit more than half. Just enough for me to have the final say in each and every decision that you ever make. And if along the way I might need a new law or decree I want your undying support. That's pretty much it."
"So you offer me ruin or servitude."
"A hard choice for one such as yourself Lucius, I know."
"I think it'll best if we leave Lord Malfoy to decide, Lord Black" Dora suddenly said as she dragged Ezekiel by the arm as subtly as possible.
Ezekiel decided to play along, noticing how bitterly she had called him by his official title. He waited patiently as she dragged him further from the room before turning to see him.
"What the hell are you playing?" She whispered once she judged they were far enough.
"An old game Grandfather taught me 'Watch the worm squirm.' I was quite good at it when I was younger." Ezekiel said jokingly but Dora's furius gaze changed his tone. "We need this, Dora"
"We?" Dora whispered furious. "There's no 'we' here Ezekiel. This is a power coup. You are taking over the Dark. "
"Do you think I want this?" Ezekiel hissed back. "You heard him Dora, Lucius Malfoy is now the only voice the Minister hears. He has the influence my House had. More thanks to that idiot Fudge filling in the seats in the Wizengamot in a rush for my trial. If he's left unchecked he'll be impossible to deal with. This is something he's been looking for a long time and now he got it on a silver plate. You've heard the stories, he followed Voldemort and profited from the chaos and death as his ancestors did. The Malfoy House wants one thing and that's power. Not even creating their own Family Magic was enough for them. They want to stand above the rest with their heels digging deep into the shoulders of those they consider inferior and that's everyone." Ezekiel raised his hand to stop Dora reply. "Yes, I know it's hypocritical for me to be saying this but in the end it changes nothing. Lucius needs to under a leash before his ego grows too big and he decides to play King of the Hill at the Buckingham Palace. This will give everyone some balance while I investigate the new members of the Wizengamot. Those people aren't members of Old or Noble Houses. Give me a few months and I promise you things will go back to where it was before all this."
"Zeke, this is what you tried to distance yourself from. Remember when we were kids? You said you didn't wanted anything to do with this sort of thing. Now look at you, what are you thinking?"
"Dora, you've got to believe me." Ezekiel pleaded. "I've kept this hidden for a long time as a last resource. I though every angle, ever situation that may come up. Never, ever, in my wildest dreams I imagined that I'd be in this situation. Harry changed everything. It's only a matter of time before Dumbledore regroups and tries to take him away. Legally or otherwise. I can do many things but if they start using the laws, laws that the Queen herself approved I'm fucked."
"I'm sure you can fight back somehow..." Dora replied unsure.
"I'm more tied to her wish than any other people in this country. Her will is my command and those laws that she doesn't even know she approved are considered part of her will. Dumbledore never went against the House of Black at least not openly, he isn't an idiot. He knows those laws better than anyone and it's just a matter of time before he finds a loophole. I need this, Harry needs this and England too."
Dora studied his face for a long time before asking "And what about Dad? How are you going to explain to him that you're doing business with the man that killed his father?"
"I'll..." Ezekiel sighed tired. "I don't know Dora. I didn't think this would go the way it has. It's like every bridge I have to cross is already on fire and I'm soaked in gasoline."
"I believe you." Dora replied reassuringly "This is a clusterfuck, isn't it?"
"Oh, no." Ezekiel replied. "We're way past that point already."
"Lucius has made his decision." Narcissa's voice sounded behind them.
"I'm shaking with anticipation." Ezekiel replied.
Lucius was glued to his chair in defeat. He briefly gave Ezekiel a hate filled look but ultimately he averted his gaze as he reached him.
"Am I to assume you've accepted my terms, Lucius?" Ezekiel asked smiling.
"What choice do I have?"
"Ruin. I thought I've made that clear, Lucius. You'll receive a letter from my Law-Wizard in the next few days regarding the Oath that you'll have to recite. I'll have Gringotts check that's recorded and archived in case something happens of course."
"Are you afraid that I might do something?"
"Do what?" Ezekiel scoffed. "Lucius this isn't an attack, oh no. Not even close. This is a gift, a birthday party. Enjoy it. I assure you, had you chosen to use one of your little tricks, fun wouldn't be anywhere near the menu. Now I believe I've taken far too much of your time. Have fun with the Minister, I'll be in touch."
Turning around Ezekiel left with Dora by his side.
"I think that went well." Ezekiel said once they his car.
"You need to tell Dad about this." Was the only thing Dora said.
"Of course I'm telling Ted, he deserves the chance to bail if he wants to."
"He lost his job defending you, he's not going to bail."
"He keeps getting mail from his old clients, sooner or later he'll want to start his own practice. This might be what he needs to..." Ezekiel suddenly stopped as he grabbed his chest in pain.
"Zeke?" Dora asked concerned. "Ezekiel what is it?"
Ezekiel didn't respond, squirming in his seat before slamming to the backrest screaming in pain.
"Zeke, talk to me!" Dora asked frightened. "Let me drive, I'll take you to a hospital."
"N-No." Ezekiel shook his head. "Home. Take me h-home."
"What? No, you need a doctor!"
"H-Harry." Ezekiel managed to cough out.
"Harry?" Dora asked confused. "What's Harry have to do with this?"
Ezekiel screamed as he grabbed the steering wheel before disappearing with a loud CRACK noise. Dora couldn't do anything other than stare at the seat were her cousin was stunned before quickly jumping to the driver's seat. She needed to find Harry and pray that whatever happened Ezekiel had left someone alive.
I don't own Harry Potter, all characters except OC belong to J. K. Rowling.