Chapter 23: Birthday Wishes
Ivy Hall, Bracknell, Bracknell Forest, Berkshire, England
December 22, 1985
Arcturus Black stood at the window looking out on the grounds of Ivy Hall while the ladies finished arranging the many birthday presents to their satisfaction. Soon enough the room would be decorated in torn wrapping paper when their birthday boy finally could tear into his presents. Still, the ladies wished for everything to be just right, just perfect for their little Lion. He knew that Leonis would not care if the presents had been arranged in a nice-looking pyramid, he would only care that he got to open them as soon as possible.
He chuckled as he watched Leonis pelt Antares, better known as Dudley, with a snowball. The children had been outside for a few hours now building snow forts and playing a game of snowball war. He was not sure of the exact rules or of who was winning. With how many times each of the children had pelted the other with snow or pushed each other into the snow, he doubted that they knew who was winning either.
The teams had been split into two with Leonis as the leader of one team and Harry the leader of the second team. Leonis had Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott, and Daphne Greengrass as his teammates while Harry had Dudley Black, Astoria Greengrass, and Blaise Zabini as his teammates.
"How goes the war?" Pollux Black asked as he sidled up beside him. He offered a glass of warmed cider which Arcturus happily accepted.
"Our Lion is winning but that is only because Hadrian is handicapping himself in this battle. He is going too soft on the Heiress Greengrass," Arcturus pointed out; even as they watched Harry hesitate to hit Daphne dead on with a snowball. Instead, Daphne managed to hit Harry.
"Clearly she has no such compunction," Pollux pointed out as he chuckled. "She'll most likely be a Slytherin."
Arcturus could only nod. He had not spent much time with his Heir's cousins, but what little time he had spent near the two Greengrass girls had him suspecting that Daphne Greengrass would be sorted into Slytherin House. He was sure that her sister would go to another house, although which one he was not yet entirely sure.
"I am not sure that we shall see Harry in the Snake House," Pollux said with a slight frown as he watched Blaise and Theo wrestle in the snow. "He has moments where he says something or does something that makes me think that he is truly Slytherin but then he has other tendencies."
"Gryffindor was the House that James sorted into," Arcturus said as he glanced at Pollux, his favorite cousin. "While I do not like the brashness of Gryffindors', there is no dishonor in being sorted into that house."
Pollux took a swallow of his cider. "Would it not be better for him to sort into Slytherin and escape the ghost of his parents?" he asked. "Even now there are murmurs of how much he resembles James. That aunt of his," he was cut off by Arcturus.
"Your sister-in-law, Petunia," Arcturus reminded him of Petunia's marriage into the Black Family. Petunia had been married to Pollux's little brother, Marius, for almost a full five years.
Gray eyes narrowed as they bore into his own. "Yes, my dear sister-in-law has pointed out quite a number of times that Harry has his mother's eyes."
"What of it?" Arcturus asked. "The boy does indeed have Lily Potter's eyes."
"Would Hadrian not be better off without the comparisons to James and Lily Potter?" Pollux asked. "People will expect that because he looks like them that he'll be like them. He'll disappoint himself if he tries to live in their shadow and he'll never reach his full potential that way."
"Would Draco have been better off not knowing you?" Arcturus asked of him.
Pollux looked startled. "What kind of question is that?" he asked. "Of course Draco would have every right to know about me. I am his Great-Grandfather," he said the last with pride, for he was quite fond of his Great-Grandson.
"Yet you would deny Harry the right to know his parents, who are only once removed from him, while you are three times removed from Draco," Arcturus pointed out.
The other man was quiet for a moment before he conceded defeat. "Forgive me, Arcturus," he said at last. "It is not as though I wanted to keep Harry from his parent's memory, but I do see how it can harm him."
"I think that it would do him more harm as well as make him more vulnerable if we did keep him from his parent's memory," was Arcturus' reply. "I can only imagine how hungry he would be for the knowledge of his parents if he was kept in ignorance. He would be so easily exploited by anyone who came up to him and said 'I knew your parents'. What a disaster that could be."
"You pose a very valid point," Pollux said, as he too imagined a young and vulnerable Harry eager to listen to strangers about his parents. "This way we can be sure he learns the truth and cannot be manipulated by those who want to use him."
"Precisely," Arcturus said as he turned his gaze back to the window. The sun was setting on the horizon, he noted distantly. The house-elves were now taking command of their charges and beginning to usher the children back in doors.
Soon enough the children had joined them and were being offered hot cocoa to help warm them. That the children had barely suffered the cold, he had little doubt. He was sure that their elves had done a good job of keeping each of the children supplied with warming charms to protect them from the cold as they played. The elves had already divested the children of their coats, winter boots, scarves, and mittens.
Arcturus watched in amusement as Hadrian sat beside Daphne Greengrass and took her hand and began to caress it gently to help warm it. "Do you see that?" Arcturus asked of Pollux and inclined his head toward where Daphne Greengrass was leaning against Hadrian Potter upon the love seat.
Pollux smirked. "I have noticed that he tends to be quite solicitous to Daphne when she is visiting. He seems to value her and care for her opinion in a way that he has not extended to Astoria."
"She does seem to be one of his favorites," Arcturus mused. He wondered if he was witnessing the famed 'Potter Soulmate' phenomenon in action. It was well known that James Potter had sought out the attention of Lily Evans from the moment he met her, though it would be years before he understood that he loved the girl. James' father, Charlus Potter, had been relentless in his pursuit of Dorea Black from the moment the two had their very first conversation. When thinking on the past actions of Charlus and James Potter, it was not unreasonable to assume that Hadrian was gravitating toward Daphne because a part of him recognized her as his one and only Soulmate. However, it could just be because Hadrian enjoyed Daphne's company. It was really far too early to be able to tell. Hadrian and Daphne were only five years of age after all. Much too young for Arcturus to permit a potential betrothal contract. He would dearly regret signing one for Hadrian if Daphne was not his Soulmate.
Pollux nodded. "Yes, and I have mentioned this to Marius but he refuses to countenance a betrothal contract for Hadrian just yet," he scoffed. "No doubt he is trying to appease his wife," there was a sneer in his voice when he mentioned Marius' wife.
Arcturus glanced across the room to where Petunia Black was sitting with Narcissa Malfoy and Olivia Macmillan. When Marius had first told him of his plan to marry Petunia Dursley, he had thought that Marius had lost the plot. Yet Marius' decision had proven to be the right course of action. They had gained swift custody of Hadrian Potter, Lily's sister was still able to maintain a firm position in his life, and they had even gained Petunia's son Dudley when Marius chose to blood adopt him. Marius' assumption that Petunia was a Squib had proven correct. It did make Arcturus curious about the Evans family. How could it have produced a Squib daughter and a powerful Witch in one generation? Surely there must have been a Witch or Wizard ancestor in their blood line.
"You do not approve of Petunia?" he asked.
Pollux glanced at him and smiled. "I like her well enough. She is a bit too clingy to her son and nephew. It makes things more difficult than they need to be," he explained.
Arcturus had heard Marius make that very same complaint. That complaint had been echoed by many fathers throughout the ages. He was about to make that very point to Pollux when Cassiopeia came into the room and called their attention.
"Dinner is now served," Cassiopeia declared. With that pronouncement the adults arose and the children likewise.
Arcturus watched with amusement as Hadrian offered his arm to escort Daphne Greengrass to dinner. Since Hadrian was Lord Potter, he was the social superior within this small grouping of children. As such it was his honor and privilege to escort the oldest daughter and heiress of House Greengrass. Theodore as Lord Nott was the next in rank to Hadrian and he offered to escort Astoria Greengrass. The girl politely accepted. Leonis and Draco as heirs Black and Malfoy respectively followed Theodore and Astoria. Blaise and Ernest as heirs to the Houses Rosier and Macmillan followed directly behind Leonis and Draco. Then Dudley as an heir of House Black followed them. It did his heart good to see that the children's etiquette lessons were beginning to take root. Hadrian, Theodore, Leonis, Draco, Blaise, and Ernest would someday be Lords of their own Houses. Daphne would one day be Regent of House Greengrass in keeping for male heirs. Astoria and Dudley would be expected to marry well to better enhance their families. That they were already being taught this would ensure that they did not rebel against it later in their teenage years, he hoped.
Dinner was a happy affair with much laughter from the children, who were only occasionally scolded by the adults. The adults spoke of various plans about the future. It was almost the new year and with it would come many responsibilities. This time of blessing and respite could not last. Narcissa, Olivia, Petunia, and Cassiopeia gossiped about various lords and ladies and spoke briefly of the Yule Ball that was being hosted that year by House Malfoy. The Malfoy family long held the distinction of overseeing hosting the Yule Ball while the Black family always hosted celebrations for Samhain. This year was apparently the first year that Narcissa had full charge of hosting the ball. Her two sister's-in-law had assisted her in the years previous.
Once dinner was completed the desert course was brought in, complete with a chocolate cake decorated with a great Lion to represent Leonis. The children were all too happy when Leonis blew out the candles and then the house elves began to serve up slices of birthday cake.
Soon after the children had finished two slices each of birthday cake the adults and children adjourned to the lounge where Leonis was permitted to begin opening his birthday presents. He enlisted the aid of his friends to see the job done more swiftly. The boy took a few moments to thank each one of them and he had saved Arcturus for last. He slowly approached Arcturus holding the card that Arcturus had gifted him for his birthday. Within the card Arcturus had written that Leonis need only ask him what he wanted and Arcturus would get it for him.
Arcturus smiled at the child, his Leonis, his Regulus, the Heart of the Lion and future of House Black. "Do not be afraid," he urged the beloved child. "You need never fear telling me what you wish. Tell me, what would you have me give you for your birthday, Leonis?"
Leonis looked up at him, gray eyes peering at him from the black fringe, weighing him and measuring him. Arcturus had never seen Leonis look at him in such a manner before. "Do you mean what you wrote on this card, Grandfather?" Leonis asked in a tone that held a great vulnerability.
Arcturus nodded his head in the affirmative. "I do indeed my dear child. Just like last year. You just have to name your wish and I will see it fulfilled."
Leonis stared at him in silence for a few moments more before he glanced back toward the couch where Draco and Hadrian were seated side by side. Both boys gave him a smile and a nod of their heads. Leonis nodded then and turned back to Arcturus. "I wanted to ask for it last year but I was afraid to do so. I have wanted this for a long time," he explained.
"Then name it and I will make it so that you no longer need long for it," Arcturus promised. He wondered what it could be that Leonis wished for that he was so afraid of asking for it. Why did Leonis need encouragement from Hadrian and Draco to ask for this?
Then Leonis told him and he knew why the boy had needed a bit more courage. He also feared for the first time that he might disappoint his great-grandson.
"I want my father. I want Sirius Black," he told his great-grandfather in a clear voice that seemed to ring through the suddenly silent room. The only sound to be heard was the crackling of wood in the fireplace as it burned.
He stared at his Great-Grandfather who seemed to be in shock over his declaration. He knew that it might upset the adults around him. Aunt Cassie had never shown any affection toward Sirius Black. Uncle Cygnus seemed to despise him. Uncle Pollux seemed to dismiss him as though he never was a member of the family. Uncle Marius would not speak of him one way or the other. Now Great-Grandfather almost looked wounded at the very mention of him.
He bit his bottom lip for a moment wondering how he could salvage the situation. Clearly further discussion was required. "I want to see my father. I want to know him."
"Children are not permitted entrance to visit prisoners in Azkaban," Marius' voice said from Leo's left. The boy turned his gaze to his Uncle Marius and was swift to note the compassion in his gray eyes as he stared at him.
"Then perhaps he can be brought to me?" he asked hopefully.
"Oh Leonis." Murmured Olivia Macmillan. She arose and came to kneel by his side. She raised a trembling hand to his face and gently trailed her fingers over his cheek. "My darling, you must not think on your father any further," she said to him in a pained voice.
"Why?" Leonis demanded to know. "Why must I not think of him? Why can I not speak of him? Why can I not know him?" With each question he felt his heart clench and his breathing hitched slightly.
"Darling, your father, he," Olivia paused and stared at him for a few long minutes as though she were at a loss for words and only when Leonis prodded her with the beloved term "Mama" did she continue. "He did terrible things, my lion," she whispered. "It is why he is in Azkaban."
"I don't believe he did those things he was accused of," Leonis told her. Then he stared deep into her eyes and said "And I know you don't believe it either."
Olivia looked away, unnerved by his stare. "What I believe does not matter. The courts found him guilty," she declared.
"What courts?" Pollux Black asked then.
Leonis looked toward his Great-Uncle Pollux and noticed that his Uncle Marius and his Great-Grandfather were likewise paying Pollux their full attention.
"What do you mean Pollux?" Arcturus asked, with more than mere curiosity in his voice. Leonis recognized the ring of authority in his tones, the demand that Pollux tell him at once what he meant.
"I am your Proxy in the Wizengamot and have been since nineteen seventy-four," Pollux reminded him. "I have attended every session of the Wizengamot that you have not been able to and I always attend along with you to the ones you can make time for. You have never set in the Wizengamot for a ruling on the case of Sirius Black and neither have I."
Leonis stared at Pollux for a moment and then he looked questioningly to his Uncle Marius who was smiling as though he were the cat who caught the canary.
"Of course, they never gave him a trial. They threw him into prison to rot but never gave him a trial," Marius was murmuring.
Leonis took in the words with growing horror. "My father has been in that awful place all this time without ever being tried?" He trembled with fury. What was wrong with that Ministry of theirs that they had not tried his father for his crimes? Why would they not try him? Why?
Olivia kissed his hair, trying to sooth him even as she too trembled in growing anger. "Dumbledore," she hissed the name. "He was close to the Potter's, had convinced them to go into hiding but not on one of the Potter properties. He convinced them to hide at Godric's Hollow."
"He insinuated before the Wizengamot and the Department of Law Enforcement that Sirius Black had been the secret keeper for James and Lily," Pollux added.
Marius frowned at that. "Was Petunia not the first choice for custody of Harry?"
"Sirius was, being as he was like a brother to James as well as being his second cousin," Olivia said.
"He was also Harry's God-father," Petunia murmured.
Leonis glanced back at Harry who gave him yet another reassuring look. The two boys had spoken often about Leo's desire to meet his father. Leo found it hard to believe that Sirius could betray James, Lily, and Harry. Meanwhile Harry was a kind soul. Thus, he wanted to get to know Sirius too and hopefully give him the benefit of the doubt. If Harry had not likewise been so curious about Sirius Black then Leonis was not sure he would have had the courage to ask for this particular gift for his birthday. As intrigued about his father as he was, Leonis did not want to do something that would hurt Hadrian. If seeing Sirius Black would hurt Harry then Leonis would rather the man stay in Azkaban.
"Dumbledore has done quite a few fishy things when it comes to our Hadrian," Marius murmured thoughtfully. "He urged James and Lily to live with Harry outside of the protection of the blood wards of the Potter Estates. Even under a Fidelius Charm that would have made them vulnerable. They should have stayed on one of the Properties," he explained to the room at large. "Then he was whispering into the ears of Magical Law Enforcement that Sirius Black was the secret keeper just a few hours after the Potter's deaths. He sent Hagrid to collect Harry away from Sirius. He placed Hadrian with Petunia despite knowing that it was unlawful to have done so and that they boy should have been placed with a magical family since he had already done accidental magic."
Petunia frowned then and picked up the story from there. "He was furious when he found out that I had married Marius and he demanded that I return to Vernon," she said with a shiver for she still remembered how frightened she had been of the angry Wizard.
"He clearly did not want Harry to grow up in the bosom of the Black Family," Cassiopeia said as she pursed her lips together.
"I never did like that Dumbledore," Melania spoke up. "He was a Professor when I was in school and he was the Head of Gryffindor House. He always argued for his Lions and shifted the blame onto other houses. Surely his Lions could do no wrong."
Leonis listened to the few murmured agreements from others who remembered their school days at Hogwarts. He frowned as he thought over everything he had heard in the last few minutes. "Wait, so he was never given a trial. Doesn't that mean they are illegally holding him prisoner? And this Dumbledore does not want Harry raised with us?" Leonis asked.
Olivia nodded her head. "Yes, darling," she confirmed. "Dumbledore has tried and failed through both threats and legal means to gain custody of Harry," she explained. "You are right, it does mean they are holding Sirius illegally."
Marius smiled at Arcturus as he said, "This just might work."
Leonis snapped his head up to look at his Great-uncle Marius and his Grandpapa Arcturus. He listened intently as they began to talk strategies of what they must do to get Sirius Black released from Azkaban Prison.
'Soon,' he thought as his gaze caught Harry's and both boys smirked. Soon both Harry and he would get to meet Sirius Black.
'Soon father,' Leonis thought. 'Soon!'
Leonis has now asked for his father and the Black family is begining to plot how to release and take custody of Sirius Black. Next Chapter we will see more on how the Black family goes about obtaining the release of Sirius and exacting revenge on those who wronged him. After all, my Black's must have their revenge. Thanks for reading and reviewing! I hope everyone keeps enjoying this story!
