Chapter 75: Wergild

Ministry of Magic, London, UK.

June 12, 1991

Sirius kept his fists clenched in his lap as he listened to the mad ravings of John Dawlish. They had administered Veritaserum in order to ascertain the full reason as to why he had targeted Lord Malfoy, Lord Black, and his family. Dawlish's words were the ravings of a lunatic. Sirius idly wondered if he had ever sounded like Dawlish when he had been in Azkaban. Dawlish insisted that Lord Malfoy and Lord Black were dark wizards that deserved to die. He insisted that both were in the service of Voldemort and that they had killed untold numbers of good witches and wizards during Voldemort's reign of terror.

Dawlish was fanatic in his belief that Lord Black was a secret servant of Lord Voldemort, despite his very public declaration that House Black would forever be the enemy of Lord Voldemort. He likewise believed that Lord Malfoy had sworn his personal fealty as well as that of his House to Lord Voldemort. It was well known that Voldemort had courted the favor of the late Lord Malfoy.

Sirius had winced at that. He had once believed as Dawlish did, that the Malfoy family were servants of Voldemort. He knew that it had been a persistent belief within the Auror Corps that the Malfoy's were guilty of serving Voldemort. He could only imagine the outrage at the end of the war when the Auror Department could not convict the Malfoy's of a single crime.

Lord Abraxas Malfoy was a dangerous man, but not because he had sworn his service to Voldemort. Sirius understood that now. The man was dangerous and thus Voldemort had wanted to own him. Abraxas was cunning and intelligent enough to keep himself and his family away from Voldemort's clutches. Sirius was grateful for that. He couldn't imagine Narcissa living under the constant threat of Voldemort's violence.

"The fact is that if House Black and House Malfoy didn't hide away the bodies of the deceased, then we could show everyone that they were marked by Voldemort and then my client would be considered a freedom fighter," the attorney hired to defend John Dawlish argued.

"I think you mean vigilante," sneered Trajan Malfoy from his seat beside Sirius. "Should we parade the corpses of Lords Malfoy and Black in the streets of Diagon Alley in order to prove that they never swore themselves to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?"

"If you have nothing to hide then you should have no problem showing that they were innocent," the defender argued.

"It has been proven in this court no less than three times that Lord Abraxas Malfoy and all of his family, including myself, did not bear the Dark Mark that Voldemort's followers were known for," Trajan Malfoy said pleasantly. "Are you saying that you have no faith in the judicious system of our government?"

The defender glared at Trajan. "The Malfoy's have a great deal of money," he argued.

"Yes, they do," Trajan agreed. "Yet your implication that they used it to buy their way out of trouble is disgusting."

"Your honor why would the rumors of the Malfoy's being followers of Voldemort persist if there were not some truth to the claims?" the man argued.

"Because the Auror's do not like to admit when they are wrong," Sirius spoke loudly causing the room to look toward him. He then held up his hands in surrender as he looked to the judge. "My apologies, your honor."

"Though it is not the proper form, this time I would like for you to continue, Regent Black," the judge told him.

Sirius nodded his head. "Very well," he said. "The Malfoy family has a lot of prestige, money, social and political power. There are always going to be some who would be envious of that. Some greedy for it and the advantage of having a Malfoy at their beck and call. Voldemort wanted to possess the Malfoy family's wealth and power. He failed to do so because he could gain no leverage on Lord Malfoy and Lord Abraxas was too smart to enslave his house to a despot."

Sirius paused for a moment to give his audience time to let his words sink in. He then continued in a grave tone of voice. "When I was an Auror, I along with many other Aurors firmly believed that Lord Malfoy was a follower of Voldemort. It was an unshakeable belief when I was part of the Auror Corps. I can imagine how hard it must have been for the Auror's to truly believe that the Malfoy's were innocent of the charge of aiding and abetting Voldemort and his crimes. As for why it is still a rumor in society, well this very body is to blame for that. They allowed the Auror Corp to harass the Malfoy family and bring them back into court to undergo inquiries of crimes they didn't commit."

"And how do you answer the rumors that House Black served Voldemort?" Dawlish's defender demanded.

Sirius wanted to roll his eyes but refrained. "My cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange, swore her fealty to Voldemort and she bears the Dark Mark. She is currently a resident of Azkaban Prison where she shall remain for the remainder of her life. I believe that seeing as one Black was convicted of the crime of serving Voldemort that it would make the rest of society wonder about the rest of us, despite our innocence in the matter."

"Well spoken," the Judge responded cutting off anything that the defender might have to say. "Today we have heard the testimony under Veritaserum of Lord Bertram Crabbe, Heir Victor Crabbe, and Mr. John Dawlish. Each of these men has admitted to their guilt in committing murder, even as they tried to justify it to themselves and all around them. Let me be clear, this was not a case of kill or be killed. These men plotted and chose to commit the crime of murder and those that plot and commit murder have no place in our society," the judge said firmly. "I sentence Victor Crabbe to life in Azkaban Prison. Bertram Crabbe and John Dawlish, I sentence to the Dementor's Kiss to be carried out in ten days' time."

Sirius felt himself relax slightly as the murmurs from the gallery began to drift through the room. He glanced at Trajan Malfoy and gave him the nod that he wished for Trajan to proceed with their plan.

"Your honor," Trajan's voice called out clearly in the room. "House Crabbe owes Wergild to the House of Black," he stated.

Sirius noticed how Albus Dumbledore and Elphias Doge both leaned forward from their seats at this. "Wergild? That's such an old-fashioned practice," Doge protested.

"Yet one that is still legal," Trajan Malfoy smoothly reminded the room.

"Indeed, it is," the Judge agreed. "What does the House of Black demand as Wergild from the House of Crabbe?"

Sirius rose from his seat to address the Judge. "Your Honor, House Black demands the right to raise the new Lord of House Crabbe, Vincent Victor Crabbe as a Ward of our House."

"Your Honor, this is impossible," Doge argued. "How can we be sure that House Black will do no harm to the boy?"

"This is not revenge," Sirius stated firmly. "This is the will of My Lord Leonis Black. It is his desire to see his distant kinsman raised well, with good morals, and in a loving home. His grandsire and his father have foolishly thrown their lives away for a stupid vendetta. It is my Lord's wish that Vincent does not suffer because of their actions."

"The will of a child," Doge huffed.

"It is Lord Black's desire that Vincent be raised in the loving household of his kinswoman, Andromeda Tonks nee Black. Ted and Andromeda have happily agreed with Lord Black's request that they foster Vincent. Hermione and Eleanor are eager to help him settle into their home," Sirius explained to the court.

"This is not the first precedent in history where a wronged house has demanded to foster the child of their enemy as Wergild," the Judge reminded the court. "This court grants your request. Custody of Lord Vincent Crabbe now belongs to Ted and Andromeda Tonks on behalf of House Black until Lord Crabbe comes of age. The court is now adjourned."

Sirius smiled, feeling like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He had thought that his Uncle Cygnus should be the one to address the court and demand Vincent as Wergild, but he had refused. He had reminded Sirius that it would be far better coming from the Black Regent. Cygnus had been correct, an annoying trait of his that Sirius was slowly coming to appreciate.

He turned to Trajan Malfoy. "I don't suppose you have any idea where I shall find the young Lord Crabbe, do you?" he asked.

Trajan shook his head in the negative. "No, but I do think that Arabella Flint née Crabbe might be of service to you," he said and politely motioned toward where Arabella, the daughter of Bertram Crabbe and the sister of Victor Crabbe stood with her husband, Justin Flint the Heir of House Flint.

Sirius bowed his head in gratitude to Trajan. "Thank you for your help," he said to the man who was mourning his older brother.

"I wished to see justice done for Abraxas," Trajan said softly, his voice strong despite its softness. "I shall assist you now with handling the proper procedures of taking custody of the young Lord Crabbe."

Sirius blinked in surprise. He was sure that Trajan Malfoy would prefer to return now to Malfoy Manor where his nephew would be awaiting word of the trial. Narcissa had told him that it had been quite the difficult argument between the Malfoy siblings but in the end, Callista Spinks née Malfoy along with Selene Lovegood née Malfoy had won out and gained Lucius's word that he would not attend the trial. It seemed that both of his sisters feared that he would not be able to control himself if he had to listen to the testimony of his father's killers.

Sirius thought it was best that Lucius had not come. Sirius had longed to kill John Dawlish along with Bertram and Victor Crabbe in retribution after he heard each testify as to how they plotted and planned the assassination of Lord Black and Pollux Black. Hearing that his beloved Grandmother, Lady Melania Black, and his fierce aunt Cassiopeia Black were just collateral had filled him with intense rage. Only his own memories of Azkaban Prison had kept him from doing something truly foolish. Knowing that these men were murderers and that murderers went to Azkaban Prison had calmed Sirius. Let them give John Dawlish and Bertram Crabbe the kiss. Let Victor Crabbe waste away and wither in that horrible place shivering in the cold and fear of the Dementors as they came and stole pieces of his memories and his soul daily. It was a fitting end for such terrible men.

"I appreciate your assistance," Sirius said because it was true. Having Trajan Malfoy with his knowledge of the law and proper procedures would speed along his acquisition of the young Lord Crabbe. He hoped that the boy would not make things terribly difficult for them.

He allowed Trajan to lead him to Sirius's kinswoman, Arabella Flint. He remembered as he looked at the tear-bright eyes of Arabella that she had been a friend of his aunt Cassiopeia. She had often visited his aunt's home. This woman, his mother's cousin, had often been in the company of his firstborn son.

"Cousin," Arabella greeted and then she dipped into a curtsy. "Regent Black," she said then more formally. "I was surprised to hear that you were not in fact, Lord Black. I had thought that you would have used your old connections to gain the title."

Her words were cutting, her tone biting, and it cleared Sirius to be biting in kind. "Tell me cousin Arabella, what shall you say to Lord Black the next time you see him? Shall you tell him how sorry you are that your father and brother murdered his Guardian, his beloved Aunt Cassiopeia?" he asked with a raised eyebrow and he delighted in how swiftly Arabella paled and how she flinched at his words.

"Cassiopeia's death is a tragedy," she said solemnly.

Sirius fought to keep his face neutral. "I almost believe you mean that," he said.

"I do!" she exclaimed.

"It doesn't matter if you do or do not," Sirius said in a matter of fact tone. "Madam, I do not trust you. I am willing to concede that you knew nothing about what your brother and your father planned, but only because they are the sort of men that would have kept their women from knowing anything. They aren't the sort of men to appreciate the sharp mind of a Witch, are they cousin?"

She swallowed then and looked toward the ground. "Vincent would be better off with me," she said then. "Surely you can see that!"

"I am the Regent Black, protector of House Black and an enforcer of the will of Lord Black. It is his will that Lord Vincent Crabbe be seized as Wergild and fostered within House Black by Mrs. Andromeda Tonks and Mr. Ted Tonks," Sirius proclaimed formally. Then he smirked. "Call me a doting father if you will, but I am rarely inclined to deny my sons what they desire."

Her glare was vicious as she stared at Sirius. He was sure she was about to go into a truly spectacular diatribe about how he was not fit to raise her nephew, but her husband put his hand upon her arm then, a clear gesture meant to warn her to stay silent. Sirius then found himself looking into the brown eyes of Justin Flint.

"Regent Black, my wife is understandably upset by the recent revelations of her family's dastardly deeds. She loves her nephew very much and only seeks his protection. I am sure that you, a good and noble man who has also recently suffered such horrible loss, can understand that Arabella is lashing out in defense of one whom she loves and not due to malice," Justin Flint nodded his head in respect for Sirius's recent loss.

He had to give credit where it was due. Justin Flint had a way with words. Sirius allowed his body language to relax slightly, to convey respect toward the man. "I can understand and feel compassion for my cousin," he allowed, and he looked again to Arabella. "I do forgive you, cousin. All of this cannot be easy for you. Your father, brother, and cousin committed shameful acts. I will not allow you to be tarred and feathered with them," he assured her causing some surprise to enter her hazel eyes.

He didn't bother to mention that the only reason he would assure that the ladies of House Black were occasionally seen in Arabella's company was that it would benefit Vincent in the end. It would be hard enough for the boy as he began Hogwarts with this scandal hanging over his head. He was going to need what was left of his family to be considered high society and above reproach.

Arabella glanced at her husband and then looked back at Sirius and this time her eyes looked imploring. "Please, might I be able to visit Vincent?"

Sirius smiled gently at her then. "Dear cousin, we do not mean to part Vincent from all of his family. You were a dear friend to Cassiopeia and I do believe that if you had heard a word about this plot you would not have allowed it to go forward," he didn't believe that, but it did him no harm to allow Justin and Arabella to believe his words. "Perhaps you would have been the voice of reason that kept your father and brother from this path, or perhaps you would have seen that they would not see reason and would have warned the authorities. I know not, but I know your character. You are a good woman and so, of course, I would never seek to keep you from your nephew," he said. "Visitation with Vincent shall, of course, have to go through Andromeda and Ted as they shall be Vincent's guardians."

Arabella nodded at that and took out a silk handkerchief to dab at her eyes. "Of course, thank you, Sirius," she murmured softly.

"Vincent has been staying with us," Justin informed him. "We can bring him to you this afternoon or should we bring him to Mr. and Mrs. Tonks' home?"

"If it is all the same to you, we shall come to you at your leisure," Sirius said. "I believe that Andromeda and Ted wished to speak with you about Vincent. No doubt to reassure you that you are not being shut out of his life as well as to go over any documents concerning him now that he is Lord Crabbe."

"He is betrothed," Arabella said as though only just remembering it.

Sirius had not heard of a betrothal concerning the Crabbe family. He glanced at Justin for confirmation. The man nodded his head.

"It was finalized just a month ago. Hestia Carrow, the younger of the twin daughters of Demetrius Carrow, the Heir Carrow. She is Vincent's betrothed," Justin informed him.

"Vincent has known Flora and Hestia all of his life," Arabella informed him.

Sirius nodded his head in acknowledgment. "Very well," he said. "With your permission I shall escort Andromeda and Ted to your home this afternoon?" he inquired.

"We are residing at the London townhouse for now," Justin told him. "We'll expect you around three," he said.

"That will be perfect," Sirius agreed.

"Mr. Malfoy," Arabella said as she looked at Sirius's silent companion. "Words cannot begin to express how sorry I am for my cousin's dark deeds. I was horrified years ago when he assaulted young Draco Malfoy, and now John has done this," she sniffled into her handkerchief.

Trajan seemed to take pity on the woman and he gently took the hand that did not hold a handkerchief. He patted it with his other hand. "Arabella, you are a kind woman to mourn for my family but do not let your kinsmen's deeds taint you and your children. You played no part in their dark deeds."

She nodded in gratitude and then allowed her husband to lead her away. Sirius watched them go with a grim look. "You don't really forgive her."

"Of course not," Trajan said as he steered Sirius out of the courtroom and down the halls that would lead them toward the elevators that would take them to the lobby of the ministry. "Surely your Auror instincts are not so dull that you didn't pick up the fact that she knew something of what her family had planned?"

Sirius smiled at Trajan as they entered the elevator. He was grateful that they were alone. The voice chimed asking them which destination they wished to go. "Lobby," he replied before turning back to their conversation. "I noticed it, but there is nothing to prove and nothing to be done about it," he reasoned. "I don't like letting her near Vincent, but at the moment I think it could do him more harm for us to deny her visitation with him."

Trajan nodded his agreement. "It will not help you win over the young Lord if you are denying him from seeing his aunt, a woman who has been a firm fixture in his life," he said as they exited the elevator onto the main lobby of the ministry.

Sirius nodded agreement because he had already thought of this. He had done his homework on Vincent Crabbe. He knew that his mother, Phillida Crabbe née Goyle had passed away shortly after giving birth to him. So deep was Victor Crabbe's love for his wife that he never remarried. Since Victor's own mother had died some eleven years before Vincent's birth, this meant that Vincent was mostly cared for by House Elves and by his female relatives, predominantly Arabella Flint née Crabbe and to a lesser extent by Vincent's maternal aunt's Charlotte Goyle and Justine Goyle née Parkinson. Keeping the Flint's and the Goyle's from Vincent was not an option, at least not at this stage. Now it seemed they would likewise have to contend with the Carrow's.

Of all of the families that Vincent could have been tied to, Sirius really wished that it had not been the Carrow's. He had few memories of Hestia Carrow's father, Demetrius, because he was a few years older than Sirius. He did, however, remember Demetrius Carrow's younger siblings, the twins Amycus and Alecto Carrow. They had been in his year group at Hogwart's. They were Slytherin's and absolutely horrible human beings. If Demetrius was cut from the same cloth then he could only imagine just how vile Hestia Carrow would be. As Vincent's betrothed she would wield some influence over the boy.

Also, it had been the hope of Sirius, Cygnus, and Andromeda that they could betroth Vincent to either Hermione or Eleanor in another few years, depending on how well he interacted with both girls. Sirius was grateful that they had not mentioned this to Hermione and Eleanor. Now it would seem that they would need to promote a sibling relationship between Vincent and Andromeda's darling girls.

"Thank you again for all of your assistance, Trajan," Sirius said as he began to bid the man farewell.

"We are allies in this and in much more," Trajan reminded him. "It was my pleasure to assist you. Especially in this," he said solemnly.

Sirius gave him a solemn nod and then watched as the man took a turn to enter the great fireplace at the ministry to floo travel back to Malfoy Manor where he would reveal all to the new Lord Malfoy.

A moment later, Sirius took his own turn in the floo and called out the address of his London townhouse. He stepped out of the flames into the receiving room only to take up more floo powder and again step into the flames. "Break," he stated firmly. A few moments later he stepped through the flames and into the receiving room of Blackmoor.

"Welcome home, Sirius," his wife greeted him.

He smiled at Alicia and let the sight of her warm him. "It's good to be home," he replied.


I must admit this chapter gave me a bit of trouble. I don't really like writing court scenes and I debated long and hard about whether to display the full of the court proceedings against Dawlish and the Crabbe's. Finally after much delay, I went with what felt right and best to me. I hope it isn't a massive disappointment.