Chapter 64: Calamity

Estelle's, Charring Cross Road, London, England

May 28, 1991

Sirius Black had been enjoying a calm afternoon at his home in Chelsea, spending time with his wife, his daughter, his godson Harry and his cousin Dudley. It had been a peaceful day full of family fun until Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt had floo called him and told that Estelle's Restaurant had been the sight of an explosion curse. Sirius had told Alicia that something bad had happened at Estelle's and he'd explain later and then he had gone through the floo to the Auror Department in the Ministry.

Now Sirius kept pace with Auror Shacklebolt as they moved through the crowd of Aurors and Unspeakables that had gathered at Estelle's Restaurant so swiftly after the explosion. "The Unspeakables determined that it was magically done, but of course the Muggles will be told that it was a Muggle bomb," Kingsley was telling Sirius as he led him forward. Sirius nodded, understanding the need for the coverup. Muggles weren't supposed to know about Wizards. They were not supposed to know about magic.

He felt dread seize him as he realized that Kingsley wasn't leading him toward the injured but instead toward the row of bodies that had been laid out and covered with Estelle's cream-colored linen tablecloths. Despite the dread, he didn't hesitate, never let his feet falter as he walked to the row of the dead. He was a scion of House Black. They didn't falter before death.

"Raise them," Kingsley ordered the few Auror's standing guard over the fallen.

Sirius watched as they flicked their wands and the tablecloths gently rose into the air, exposing the bodies to his view. The first few Sirius glanced over, not recognizing them, but he froze when his eyes landed on the fourth body. Abraxas Malfoy. Part of the left side of his torso was missing, as though he had been hit hard by an exploding hex of some kind. He sucked in his breath when he let his eyes look upon the body lying beside him. Cassiopeia Black, his oldest son's Guardian lay pale and elegantly reposed, even in death. A slashing hex had slit her throat.

'Nearly instant death,' he thought, letting his mind fall back on his Auror training from so many years ago. Cassiopeia would have lasted only a few seconds after the hex had pierced her flesh. He was grateful that it was a swift death. His Great-Aunt had not liked him much, but she had loved Regulus and she adored Leonis. "How will I be able to tell Leonis about this?" he whispered the words aloud and felt Kingsley move closer, but the man didn't touch him, which was good. Both he and Kingsley were protégés of Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody. They held a kinship due to having shared the same mentor, it made the both of them family in a sense. He felt as though Shacklebolt would watch his back, at least for now.

He took a deep breath to center himself and then he let his eyes move on, taking in Pollux Black beside his sister. The sight of his favorite Grandfather lying still in death, body riddled with various injuries brought tears stinging to his eyes. He brought his fist to his mouth when he caught sight of his Grandmother, Melania Macmillan Black. Half of her beautiful face had been burnt by a dark fire hex. One eye remained open, the same shade of blue as his own, glazed in death. Slowly his fist lowered to his side once more as he took in the sight of his Grandfather, Arcturus Black, Lord Black. Like Lord Malfoy, an exploding hex had been used and it had pushed a large hole through Lord Black, taking his heart.

"I'm so sorry, Sirius," Kingsley said gently, his deep voice attempting to offer him comfort.

"Thank you," he whispered, whispered because if he didn't he would scream.

"I know I should have alerted Cygnus Black first, but I've known you for years," Kingsley trailed off.

Sirius nodded at that. Kingsley had done the right thing. He was Pollux's political protégé and political heir. He was once the Heir of House Black. Once he had rejoined the family fold, he had been groomed by his Grandfather's to be the Black Regent for his son.

His son.

His little boy was now Lord Black. How was he going to tell Leonis that his beloved Grandpa Arcturus and Grandpa Pollux were both dead? How was he going to tell his child that Aunt Cassie was gone, and he'd never see her again?

"Sirius?" the voice of Narcissa dragged him from his thoughts and he turned just in time to see his beautiful cousin moving toward him with Lucius Malfoy and Severus Prince right on her heels.

"Cissa, don't," Sirius began, and he moved to intercept her, but it was too late. He saw the moment her gaze locked on the dead. He saw the moment that she took in the sight of their dead loved ones.

"No," she whimpered with a shake of her head, blond curls swaying. "No, no," she said again as tears welled in her eyes and then with a blink they spilled over.

Sirius came to stand before her, physically using his body to block her view of their dead. He noted that Lucius and Severus hovered beside her, clearly torn between their need to examine the dead and see how Lord Malfoy had died and their need to comfort Narcissa. Sirius solved the problem by taking her into his arms and cradling her head against his chest, hiding her from the rest of the onlookers. "Go, I shall stay with her," he promised as he met the eyes of a grieving Lucius Malfoy.

The new Lord Malfoy stared deep into his eyes and then at last nodded. Severus paused a moment longer to run a hand down Narcissa's back and then he too was gone, following his Ardenvraar.

"Why?" Narcissa whimpered. "Were they the targets? What happened here Sirius?"

"I think so," Sirius said thinking about what he had seen. Of the few dead, his family had certainly taken the worst of it. Either that was because they had fought hard to protect others, which was possible, or they had been the real targets all along. "From what Auror Shacklebolt told me, there were seven assailants. They used the ruse of being customers to get into the building and as they were being led to a seating area they attacked, killing the host guiding them to a table first. Then at some point, our family became involved. Whether they were the original targets or not, I don't know, but I think so."

"Who did this?" She asked, raising her head to look at him.

"The Auror's are still investigating," he promised. He drew her into a tighter embrace and pressed his cheek against hers. "'Cissa, I am going to order the family to close ranks," he whispered into her ear. "I want you to bring your boys to Blackmoor. They'll be safe there. I extend the invitation to the Malfoy family as well, your sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and especially their children will have shelter and safety at Blackmoor."

A soft sob escaped her throat and she trembled in his arms, fighting against the need to give in and cry out her broken heart. "On behalf of House Malfoy, as Lady Malfoy, I accept the offer. Even if the adults will not go, I will make sure that the children go to Blackmoor. I'll place them in Andromeda's care if I must."

He squeezed her tight. "I want you at Blackmoor, so find a way to convince your stubborn men," he told her, blue eyes hard with his determination. "Consider this an order from the Black Regent," he whispered.

"Your first order," she said in a voice choked with tears. Then she slowly pulled back from his embrace and her gray eyes met his blue-eyed gaze. They simply stared for a few moments and then a camera flashed. Narcissa averted her gaze away, looking demure and oh so vulnerable, even while Sirius turned the full force of his glare toward the flashing camera. He glared at the woman in green and her companion who had taken their photograph.

He recognized the woman as Rita Skeeter, a reporter for the Daily Prophet. Ms. Skeeter was a sensationalist reporter, the sort that created wild and sensational stories to get more readers. Very little of what was printed by Skeeter was accurate. Twice his family had been forced to put restrictions on the Daily Prophet because the acidic Witch had written stories about Harry, making up sensational lies about his Godson in order to entrance readers.

"Mr. Black," Skeeter called out to him and shot a look full of her annoyed aggravation at the two Auror's who kept her from approaching him. "Just a few questions. Were you in Estelle's when the calamity ensued?"

"No," he answered simply.

She pouted in disappointment at that. Then she looked at Narcissa. "Lady Malfoy, were you in Estelle's at the time of the attack? It is well known that you favor the restaurant."

"She was not," Sirius answered for his cousin as she continued to regain her composure.

"I wasn't asking you, Mr. Black," Skeeter said in that acidly sweet way of hers that on normal days made him feel dirty just being in her presence. Today he wanted to rip her tongue out.

Before he could respond, Narcissa placed her hand on his arm and squeezed. "I'll go home and prepare," she promised him.

Sirius inclined his head and gave her a fond smile. "We'll find a way through this," he promised her. They had to. Their Grandfather's had raised them to be strong, to stand together, to be Black's.

She nodded and then she leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek before pulling away. He watched as she moved away from him, closer to the dead bodies. He watched as she placed a soft kiss upon Cassiopeia's head, saying a farewell to her beloved aunt and mentor.

When Narcissa arose, Sirius realized that she had assumed a new mantle. Leader over Cassiopeia's protégés. Cassiopeia's little darlings would be out for blood. Perhaps not at first, but later, after they had taken the time to make sure their families were safe, then his aunt's protégé's would want to avenge Cassiopeia.

Sirius noted that Skeeter was still focusing on Narcissa, and he wondered if his cousin had planned that. To take Skeeter's attention off him, leaving him free to maneuver. He took out his wand and conjured his Patronus.

The lion burst from his wand and began to prowl around the area before coming to stand before him, ready and willing for Sirius to declare his wishes. Once upon a time, his Patronus had been a Grim, a representation of his animagus form. Some time ago it had changed to a Lion. He thought it was because of Leonis, his little lion.

"Go to Alicia Black, Cygnus Black, Marius Black, Andromeda Tonks, Callidora Longbottom, and Cedrella Weasley and tell them the new Regent of House Black is ordering every Black to close ranks," he told the lion.

The animal swiftly ran away, moving through the crowd of Auror's. Sirius watched it go and then turned back toward Kingsley. "Were the Burke's here?" he asked.

"Edwina Burke is here with her little girl and with her mother-in-law," Kingsley said. "They are over there with the survivors being looked over to be transported to Saint Mungo's," he pointed toward the back of the building and Sirius realized that he meant the Wixen courtyard where the outdoor floo must still be working.

"Thank you," he said and then he made his way there.

"Sirius!" eleven-year-old Estelle Burke exclaimed as soon as she saw him. She leaped up from her mother's arms and raced toward him.

Sirius knelt to her level and opened his arms for her as she flung herself into his arms. The sobs came almost immediately, and he found himself doing his best to try to soothe her. "I know little star, I know," he said calling her by the nickname that his Grandpa Pollux had given her when she was born.

"Grandpa's gone!" she wailed and clutched at him, her body curling into him.

Sirius felt the tears sting his eyes again as he held her tight. "I know," he said trying to keep his tone gentle when really, he wished to go, to hunt those who did this and then to destroy them. He wanted to take them apart piece by piece, slowly, painfully, bit by bit. He couldn't though, not now, not yet. He was the Black Regent, he knew his duty.

He let his gaze move to Edwina and Meliora. Edwina had a scratch along the side of her face, but that would easily heal and likely wouldn't leave a scar. Meliora didn't look like she had a scratch on her, despite the blood he could see on her hands. It took him a moment to realize that the blood must have been his Grandfather's. She was shaking and looked to be in shock. Edwina had her arms around her and was rocking the woman, trying to help her even while she was shooting glances toward Estelle.

"Were you in the building today, little Star?" Sirius asked Estelle.

"Yes," Estelle said. "I was in the back office working on the homework Grandma gave me," she told him. "I didn't know anything was wrong until the building began to shake."

He nodded at that and slowly released his hold on Estelle and arose. She made a sound of protest and Sirius put an arm around her to guide her back to her mother and grandmother. "Edwina," he greeted gently. "Grandma Meliora," he said to his Grandfather's beloved mistress, Meliora Burke.

"Sirius," Edwina greeted him with a small sigh of relief. "She saw Pollux dead and rushed to him. She kept touching him, trying to stop the bleeding. I couldn't stop her. The Auror's did when they came to secure the area."

Sirius gently touched Meliora's face and she looked up at him with haunted eyes. "Meliora," he called gently.

She blinked at him, almost uncomprehending. "They killed him," she moaned as though in immense pain. "They killed my Pollux," she sounded like she was in so much pain that Sirius feared for a moment that she had been wounded too and that her wounds had gone unnoticed, but he knew that was not the case. There were too many healers here for them to have been left unattended for so long. She was wounded though; a wound of the heart and soul and Sirius knew that she would never be the same again.

"I'll make them pay," he promised because he would, and it was the only promise that he could make her.

Meliora turned her face into Edwina's shoulder and cried. Sirius looked away. There was nothing more he could do here. Then he glanced at Estelle and realized that there was one final thing he could do. "Edwina, you'll be going to the hospital and so will Meliora. Estelle is physically fine, so I will take her with me. She needs to be with family right now and they won't let her stay with you at the hospital."

Edwina looked relieved. "Thank you, Sirius," she said. "Pencast isn't due back from Germany for another two weeks," she said referring to her husband, Pencast Burke Lord Burke.

He nodded and watched as Estelle gave her mother a tight hug and a quick kiss and then gently kissed Meliora's cheek. Meliora barely stirred. "Come on little star," he said to Estelle, offering her his hand.

The Heir Burke took his hand and squeezed it tight as he began to lead her back up to the front where the dead bodies were once more covered. He paused briefly when he noticed that Albus Dumbledore was talking with Kingsley Shacklebolt. He was suddenly torn between getting Estelle out of there and staying to watch over the dead.

He stayed that way for a moment, caught in limbo, balancing in indecision and then he looked toward the dead bodies, to the one that he knew to be Arcturus Black hidden beneath the tablecloth. He could almost hear his Grandfather call him a fool. Of course, the decision was obvious. There were young children with Black blood who needed him right now. The living needed his comfort and his protection.

"Ah Sirius," Dumbledore said as Sirius began to move forward with Estelle.

"Chief Dumbledore," he said acknowledging him by his title of Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot.

"I am so terribly sorry for your loss," Dumbledore said.

"Thank you," Sirius said graciously but didn't offer anything further. He didn't want to talk to Dumbledore. He wanted to get Estelle to Blackmoor, to safety. He needed to order the Black House Elves to prepare the Manor for guests. He needed to go to his oldest son and tell him the bad news. He needed to call Remus and tell him and have him bring Orion to Blackmoor. He needed to see the children of his House safe under one roof because if someone had been so willing to harm the strongest of his House then what could they do to the weakest?

"If there is anything that I can do to help you, you need only ask it," Dumbledore murmured.

"Again, I thank you," Sirius said and made to move away.

"My dear boy, I do hope that we can talk soon," Dumbledore said gently. "I fear you being lost to darkness," he added.

Sirius's head snapped toward Dumbledore to truly take in the whole of the Headmaster's expression. The blue eyes were sad, but still calculating, still cunning, still so damned untrustworthy. How had he ever trusted those eyes before? By Merlin, he had been a terribly naïve and foolish child!

"Sirius isn't dark!" Estelle chose to speak up, clearly outraged at the very thought.

Dumbledore glanced at Estelle as though trying to figure out just who she was and why she would be standing there with Sirius.

"Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, this is Estelle Burke the Heir Burke," he said meaningfully. "Estelle my dear, this is Albus Dumbledore Headmaster of Hogwarts School, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot."

She hummed at that. "Cousin Araminta once told me that Warlock was an ancient term for 'Betrayer'" she said slowly. Then she gave the Headmaster of Hogwarts a pointed look. "You aren't a betrayer, are you Headmaster?"

Sirius's lips twitched into a small smirk at her question, but he swiftly smoothed out his features as he took in Dumbledore's startled surprise.

"Your cousin Araminta must be terribly learned of the ancient ways," Dumbledore said to Estelle. "You'll find that some words no longer mean the same thing that they did in ancient times," he said simply.

Sirius didn't fail to notice that Dumbledore didn't answer his little cousin's question.

"She was very learned, yes," Estelle said of Araminta, the late Lady Burke. Araminta Burke had died just a few years previous and Estelle's father, Pencast Burke, had become Lord Burke with Araminta's passing.

Dumbledore smiled politely at Estelle and then looked once more at Sirius. "I do hope you can spare me sometime in the next few days Sirius," he said. "I feel that we have a great deal to discuss."

"I am afraid that will not be possible," Sirius said as politely as he could.

Dumbledore frowned at that. "And why is that?"

"Four members of my family lay dead, there," he said pointing toward where the fallen were still guarded by several Aurors. "House Black shall be engaged in honoring the dead and the rites of mourning," he said pointedly.

Dumbledore gave him a sad smile. "Of course, my dear boy," he said. "Forgive me. I do often forget how the old families do things, and since you spent so much of your youth disavowing their practices, I confess I didn't consider that you would continue them."

"We all make mistake's Headmaster," Sirius said tightly, new anger at Dumbledore's jibe about his youthful follies were accelerant on the rage he was already trying to suppress. He turned his gaze to his charge and found himself able to give Estelle a gentle smile despite his rage. "Come, little cousin," he said. "I promised your mother I would watch over you and take you away from this chaos."

Estelle gave him a sad little smile. "Goodbye Headmaster Warlock," Estelle said briefly to Dumbledore.

"Good day to you Heir Burke," Dumbledore said to the girl. His eyes though were on Sirius, accessing him as Sirius led Estelle away.

Blackmoor, Essex, England

It had been four hours since he had stood at Estelle's and seen the damage done to his family. Four hours since he had given the order to close ranks. His family had reacted beautifully to the order and through his grief, he was bursting with pride for each and every one of them.

He had arrived at Blackmoor with Estelle to find Alicia already there with Hannah, Harry, and Dudley. His beautiful wife had taken charge of the House Elves and ordered them to clean air out the guest rooms and thoroughly clean them, making them ready for the family. From Harry's account, the Elves had been thrilled to comply, happy that the whole family would spend time at Blackmoor again. The last time the whole family had been gathered at Blackmoor was for his wedding nearly four years ago.

Telling the kids about what had happened had been difficult. Hannah had burst into tears and Dudley had parked himself beside her, acting as her protector after that. Even four hours later the boy was still beside his daughter as though his presence could protect the girl. Harry had shed a few tears but then had attempted to regain some composure. Harry had been close to Pollux Black and would mourn his loss. Pollux had acted as Harry's Regent for many years until Sirius had taken over the task as Regent and Proxy in the Wizengamot for the Potter Seat.

"He was my grandfather," Harry had said quietly to Sirius, green eyes pleading for him to understand. "I mean, I know that he wasn't really my grandfather. But he was my Great-Uncle and he acted like my Grandfather. He let me call him Grandpa instead of Uncle," Harry had sniffled, and Sirius hadn't been able to stop himself from enveloping his godson into a hug.

"I know Harry," he had said, his own voice thick with suppressed grief. "He loved you and Dudley very much you know," he said then because he knew the boy needed to hear it, the reminder that he was loved just as much as Harry had loved Pollux.

Harry had nodded and then looked stricken. "Poor Draco," he had said before Sirius could ask him what was wrong. "Pollux really was his Great-Grandpa. He lost his Great-Grandpa and his Grandfather all in the same day," Harry had sadly lamented.

"He'll be here soon," Sirius had told Harry.

Cygnus had arrived with Marius and Petunia. Petunia had immediately conferred with Alicia and then rushed to check on Harry and Dudley. Sirius had the unpleasant task of telling his Uncle and his Great-Uncle that their father and brother had been murdered.

Callidora Longbottom had arrived next with all three of her great-grandsons, Neville Longbottom, Michael Corner, and Stephen Cornfoot. She was followed by her sister, Cedrella Weasley. Cedrella, in turn, had two of her grandchildren with her, Percy Weasley and Ginevra Weasley. Percy was solicitous to his grandmother, making sure she was content beside her sister before he allowed himself to seek out Neville, Michael, and Stephen. Ginevra sought out Estelle offering the girl her companionship and comfort.

Narcissa had arrived shortly after Cedrella. She was escorted by her sister-in-law, the widowed Mrs. Selene Lovegood. Together they had Draco Malfoy, Dane Malfoy, Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott, Aleksei Spinks, and Luna Lovegood. Leonis had arrived just after them. He was accompanied by Andromeda, Ted, Nymphadora, and Hermione.

Sirius hadn't wanted to tell his son the way that he had. His telling Leonis had been more ceremonial, more dramatic. It wasn't how he had wanted to do it. He had wanted to take his son aside, tell him alone away from the prying eyes of the others, even though those others were family and they loved Leonis. He had wanted to hold his son and be his shelter in this emotional storm, but he knew his duty as the Black Regent.

Leonis had stared at him with silver-gray eyes as Sirius had come to him and then knelt before him, palms up and head bowed. "Father," Leonis's voice sounded frightened and Sirius had wanted to reach out and pull him into a protective embrace.

"Lord Black," Sirius said, causing everyone to go still around them. He stared into his son's tear-bright eyes watching grief fill those gray orbs. Leonis took a deep breath, and then another attempting to hold back his grief.

"Regent Black," Leonis managed to say formally to Sirius's relief, acknowledging Sirius by his new role within the family. Then his son crumpled, a sob breaking free from his throat and that was all it took for Sirius to pull him into his arms and hold him tight.

It was as if Leonis allowing himself this moment of grief unleashed the torrent in the other children. Draco began to sob as well and Narcissa pulled Draco and Theo close to her as the young Lord Nott likewise allowed himself to cry. Everywhere Sirius glanced members of his family were comforting each other, comforting the children, allowing themselves to release their grief.

Sirius had closed his eyes allowing his tears to silently fall. He buried his head in his son's black curls and let himself be his son's anchor.

That was hours ago and now he stood in the doorway of the room his son would share with Orion. Remus had promised to bring Orion to Blackmoor in the morning. Sirius knew he'd feel better once his youngest son resided under the protections of Blackmoor. Leonis was sleeping now, had cried himself to sleep an hour ago. Leonis's personal House-Elf, Kryn, kept watch over the slumbering Lord of House Black.

Slowly he pulled the door closed and left Kryn to watch over his son. He made his way down the hall and paused in the open doorway of the room that Draco and Theodore were sharing. Narcissa's voice was a beautiful croon as she sang softly to the now sleeping boys. She paused when she noticed him and then slowly arose from the seat she had taken at the foot of Draco's bed. Two House-Elves were seated together on a window seat and Sirius was sure that these would be the personal House-Elves of Draco and Theo. He supposed he shouldn't be surprised to see that each child that had a personal House-Elf would be found that night and, in the days to come with their Elf not far from them.

Narcissa exited the room and softly closed the door behind her. She stared at Sirius for a moment and then nodded and turned away going toward the grand staircase that would lead down the to the main floor and its various rooms and parlors. Sirius followed her, to the staircase and then escorted her down, letting her lean on his strength and allow himself to take in the comfort of her presence.

They entered the great lounge to find the other adult family members present. He escorted Narcissa to a seat beside her sister-in-law and then he went to stand before the lit hearth. At this time of year, the hearths were rarely lit except for the use of the floo. He wondered who had used the floo but didn't care to ask anyone yet.

"I used the floo to contact Aunt Hesper, Aunt Violetta, and my mother," Callidora informed Sirius.

He winced at that but nodded. The Great Three, as Hesper Black nee Gamp, Violetta Black nee Bulstrode, and Lysandra Black nee Yaxley liked to be called, needed to be told about the tragedy in the family. Hesper Black and Violetta Black were both his Great-Great Grandmothers. He knew that Hesper Black nee Gamp would be devastated at the loss of her last remaining child, her first-born, her beloved Arcturus. Violetta Black nee Bulstrode would demand vengeance for the deaths of her oldest son, Pollux, and for her oldest daughter, Cassiopeia.

"Where is Eleanor?" he asked Andromeda. It had taken him some time to notice that the girl was missing, but he had finally noticed it.

"She is vacationing with her family," his cousin informed him. "She is due back in a few days."

He didn't like the news, but he nodded at that. They would have to wait for now but if he got a hint that Eleanor was in danger within the next few days then he was going to order Andromeda to interrupt the Branstone's vacation.

"Remus will bring Orion tomorrow morning," he told them. Then he looked at Narcissa. "Will Lord Malfoy be joining us at Blackmoor?" he asked.

She shook her head in the negative. "No," she said softly. "The Malfoy family magics fell upon him the moment father died," she said referring to Abraxas Malfoy. "The family magics will settle faster if he remains at the manor," she said.

"He's being guarded there by my sister Callista and her husband Lord Spinks. His Arden is also with him," Selene Lovegood said, and she squeezed Narcissa's hand.

"Our enemies will know we have come to Blackmoor," Cedrella said then. "It is strategically sound if we believe Blackmoor to be superior. They may be of the belief that it isn't."

Sirius nodded at that. "The wards here are the strongest of any of the properties. The children need to be safe."

His Uncle, Cygnus Black III, nodded at that from his seat near the fireplace. "It was a sound decision," he praised Sirius. "I contacted my mother, but she refuses to leave her home in London," he said with a sigh. "It's just as well, she's a harridan and is especially awful to the children," he stated.

Sirius couldn't agree more. He hated his Great-Grandmother, Irma Black nee Crabbe. He wanted nothing to do with the woman and didn't want her near his grieving kids. Besides, with the enmity that existed for so many years between Pollux and Irma, it was likely that she had chosen to stay in London because she was inappropriately happy at her husband's death.

"Is there any clue as to why this happened?" Alicia asked gently from her seat beside Callidora.

"No clue as to the why," Sirius said. "It could have been any reason. Our family has enough detractors who hate us because of what we are or because of our place in society. Some think we are supporters of that monster, even though Lord Black publicly swore himself and his house to be the enemy of Voldemort."

"Then we must discover who before we can discover why," Cygnus said simply.

The others nodded grimly.

"We can plot more tomorrow," Callidora said decisively. "The children will be up in the morning and they'll need us. We should retire for the night. Try to sleep if we can.

Sirius suppressed a dark chuckle. Sleep? How could he sleep? There was too much to think about. Memories of his family battered, and dead flashed before his tired eyes. Memories of Leonis's sobs and then the sobs of all the other children of his House seemed to echo in his ears.

He felt the hand on his arm and it jolted him from his sad memories. He met the compassionate gaze of his uncle and that was strange in and of itself. Cygnus rarely showed his emotions. His father had once told Sirius that Cygnus felt things very deeply and tried to bury it all deep and keep a lid on it. Sirius supposed that this latest tragedy had weakened the lock on that lid and some of his emotions were slipping out. He had watched the man try to comfort Draco earlier after all and Nymphadora had hovered near him taking comfort from him and offering it in her turn.

"Come, Sirius," Cygnus said gently. "Vengeance can wait. Rome wasn't built in a day. After some sleep, we'll all be a little bit sharper."

Sirius grinned despite himself at the old saying. His father used to say 'Rome wasn't built in a day' to him when he was a child. It was a reminder that Sirius shouldn't get ahead of himself. That he needed to remember to take care of himself.

"Thank you," he murmured as he let Cygnus lead him from the lounge.


This is an updated version of this chapter, a repost. I had several small errors when I posted it that my addled brain simply did not catch. I thank you wonderful reviewers (you should know who you are) who caught my inaccuracies and helped me to correct them here. Also, I have been meaning to post an updated Black Family Tree to AO3. It has more accurate information. I do apologize for some of the inaccuracies that are found on the Tree that is still up. I do hope to post the new tree sometime in the next day or two. As for my updates, I have decided that I must just obey the Muses so whichever I can write on next, I shall. Thank you wonderful reviewers for taking the time to review my story!