Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter universe. It belongs to J.K Rowling.

Chapter 4: Accession of Black Heir

Arcturus Black was sitting in his study in Grimmauld Place. He had called his family meetings for all the Black Family members. His family would be considered big in wizarding standards, but most of them were old. His siblings Lycrois and Regulus were dead.

He knew that there were going to be a huge row over the Black Heir. Cassiopeia, Pollux's sister would never raise a question about the of Lord Black decision. Pollux's youngest sister was dead, her family would never attend any Black Family meetings or function. He still has two more cousins Calidora Longbottom née Black and Charis Crouch née Black will attend the meeting, but it will be just to follow the tradition.

For the next generation, there was his daughter Lucretia Prewett née Black. His son Orion and Walburga would also be in attendance. Pollux's son Cygnus and his daughter and Pollux's grand-daughter Narcissa Malfoy née Black. He was sure she would bring her husband .

Lucius would use his silver tongue to make sure that his son would be the heir after his announcement.

Calidora's daughter and son were out of the British Isles, Charis's children were not involved in the Black family matters unless it concerns them or there was some death or marriage. Last was disowned daughter of Cygnus Andromeda Tonks and her family and most important was her godson.

From the long and heated argument with his son Orion and Walburga his daughter-in-law, he has to go through. He knew what was coming, he would be glad if no wands were drawn. He had to threaten Walburga was he more loyal to his father's side of the family than the husband. Walburga was Pollux's daughter and second cousin to Orion. He had to remind her that Rigel had more legitimate right to be heir then Narcissa's son. He was Black by blood and was the great-grandson of the current Lord Black. He has to accept both Sirus and Andromeda to the Black family to make Rigel heir. He checked the time, it was time for the event which will make or break the family's future.

Arcturus arrivec in the room which was generally used for the announcements regarding the family. It was kept clean by Keature despite his old age. A long table was there were twenty to thirty people can sit and dine. Arcturus was going to sit on the head of the table. Lord and head of the family's position.

To his right will be his wife than his son and his family than his daughter and her family. On left will be the second eldest male's family would sit. Pollux and his family. Rest will sit according to there position or how they are related to the family. There were many missing members. Sirus, Bellatrix and perhaps his favourite cousin's family. Which he knew won't ever sit with them. To his exact opposite will be the place which is generally taken by Heir of the Family.

His wife Melania Black née McMillan came and took her place. Fireplace lit up and through it came his son and his daughter-in-law Orion and Walburga. Orion has asked permission to spend some time away from the family home to try reason with his wife. Next came his daughter. She bowed to her father as a sign of gratitude and respect to her father and mother.

Next came the Polloux's family, which was the largest with his wife Irma followed by Cassiopea. Then came his son Cygnus. Cygnus's wife was not present, he knew why as she was looking after grandchildren. All were bowing their head as they entered to follow the tradition.

Next came the Cygnus's daughter Narcissa and her husband Lucius. The blond was bowed to him as well. Cygnus knew what was going to happen. Arcturus knew Cygnus was someone for whom the family was important. He was angry at his daughter to elope and get married to a muggleborn but never had any ill feelings towards Andromeda and her family. But on the other hand, he was proud of being Black. So he never said anything when Andromeda was struck off from the family.

He had to wait a few minutes to see Calidora will attend or not if not then he will start the meetings. He ordered Kreature to serve refreshments to others. After five minutes has passed he knew he needs to get the agenda of the meeting.

He cleared his throat and suddenly there was silence. All family members were now paying attention to him. Arcturus again cleared his throat and said "Our family is one of the oldest family in Magical Britain. We have been proud and followed our tradition and will carry on the in future."

"But in recent times some of our family members have soiled that name. I am not talking about Cedrella or Alphard. This travesty has been brought down by Pollux your side of the family. "

At the end of his statement, Pollux was angry. He would not let this go without having a jab at his cousin.

"Same could be said about your side also. Heir being blood traitor," said Pollux as he threw the goblet from which he was drinking the pumpkin juice.

There was silence. All family members knew very well that Pollux was always sour about Arcturus being head of the family. He was never able to compete against the Arcturus in terms of power or intelligence to be eligible for being head of the family. On top of that Arctrus's father was the previous head of the family Lord Sirius II.

He knew that now was the chance as his great-grandson has the chance of being the heir and he can show one that to Arcturus.

"Yes you can say that but it was remedied by grandsons" stated Arcturus.

No one missed the mentioned of the word grandsons as in both Sirus and Regulus.

"Regulus served the Dark Lord and was branded like cattle but died fighting him, Sirus who never served him though he did not follow the pureblood tradition. He married a pureblood witch who gave birth to a son who will be the heir" Arcturus said with a calculating look over the other family members looking for small reactions for them.

"Pollux your family not only shamed the name of Black but could have caused us to be oath breaker".

This sentence similar reaction from everyone. All the faces of family members paled at hearing the last sentence.

"Pollux do you remember a debt of Phineas Black and vow to Edward Potter, which your daughter and son-in-law break while attacking the Potter Manor and killing the Felamont and Euphemia Potter. I know your involvement in that attack Lucius, you killed Euphemia and Bellatrix killed Fleamont".

"If anyone got the faintest idea about it, our name would be soiled. Pollux Dorea was also injured in that attack and succumbed to that injury she died later. Charlus Potter your sister Dorea's husband left Britain because Dorea asked him not to act against her blood. She was more of Black than your granddaughter and her husband. We never raise a wand against our blood. Your family seems to have forgotten that. Rodolphus was responsible for Dorea's death and don't get me to your daughter she cursed Sirus multiple times when he refused to join Dark Lord.

So any grand delusion if you have I that will be naming any of your granddaughter's son to be heir it won't happen. If anyhow by certain circumstance my heir or I died, the heir will be passed to the secondary heir who is Sirus. Let you know one thing if Sirus also dies, you know he had made his will and is in Gringotts vault. Guess who will be the future head of the family his godson Harry Potter".

Arcturus has discussed all this with Sirus, who said he had made a will which would allow Rigel or Harry to take all the titles and galleons he had which would be all the Black fortune and headship.

Lucius was furious. Pollux was pissed. Cygnus was calm as ever as he knew some of the things.

Cassiopeia was giving a calculation look to Arcturus. Rest of the family were still in shocked including his wife.

Taking a long breath Arctrus calmed his all anger towards the Pollux.

"Further I am not going to support the Dark Lord when he returns and if anyone of you supports him, then I will not protect you. Voldemort is not dead. He will return. If anyone supports him, their access to all the vaults provided by the Black family will be cut off. Lucius, you can follow your heart, but you will return all the dowry if you would return to your Dark Lord ".

Everyone was still trying to digest all the things that the head of the house has just spoken. Orion was still in shock about his wife's behavior towards his firstborn son.

Walburga was avoiding eye contact with the rest of the family.

Lucretia was just silent as she was the daughter of the house and has no say in dealing with the Black family. She was contemplating what impact will this make on the future.

Cassiopeia had lots of question and will ask her cousin personally. There was no need to make the situation more complicated. But he had noticed Arctrus never mentioned about the Andromeda. She knew what Arcturus was going to do make Sirus's son heir. He had to bring Andromeda back in the family. She was disappointed when Andromeda eloped. Arcturus had revealed lots of secrets today including the death of her sister Dorea. Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted.

"Lord Black you can order to your family that, you can't order me. Don't forget I am also Lord of the house and part of sacred twenty-eight ", said Lucius. He was proud pureblood Lord of Malfoy family. His all plans off having his son as the future as Lord Black was gone. But he will make sure that both the blood-traitor son and half-blood Potter brat will die painfully.

Arcturus was furious he simply flicked his wand with agility he fired a Cruciatus at Lucius. Everyone was shocked. Not able to comprehend what happened. Lucius was growling on the floor. His body was curled. Tears were coming from his eyes. His long hair was all messed up. Witnessing the state of her husband Narcissa first time spoke:

"Lord Black please forgive my husband as the daughter of the house I beg you to show mercy on my husband ".

Arcturus could be heartless bastard a ruthless politician, but he always had respected the daughter. They were the ones who carried and maintained the name of Black even after marriage. He lifted the cure. He looked into the eyes of the Lucius and said:

"You are alive and sain only because you married a daughter of my house."

"Is there anyone who wants to challenge my decision can come forward? " he said looking into eyes of Walburga, where he saw malice and hatred towards himself. Without thinking, he fired another torture curse towards Walburga.

She was caught by surprise and suddenly she was yelling in pain. The way she was screaming, everyone noticed this was painful than what Lucius received. Satisfied by the suffering of Walburga, Arcturus lited the curse.

"Walburga how does it feel when someone who has power abuses it. There were different ways to handle Sirus. Now you know the pain. Sirus told me he was going to leave the country and spend the time out of Britain until the war was over. But you drove him away with your torture. He was a friend of James Potter. Potters were the supporter of muggle-borns, they were never interested in the war. They were liberal in thinking but followed the tradition. Lestrange and Malfoy were the reason James stood against the Dark Lord. Believe me, if not for Dorea, there would have been a blood bath. Potters were never a Light Family. If you know their history well they were butchers. James Potter went toe-to-toe with Dark Lord three times along with Frank Longbottom and their respective wives. It was because only Dumbeldore's pacifist attitude you survived or Potter and Longbottom would have made you pay by the lives."

All the family members were still shocked by the events that took place. It was seldom that the head of the family praised anyone. Potters and Blacks had one thing in common they valued their family above all things.

Arcturus had said all these things because he wanted them to understand that family is above all things.

"I have survived two wars being never participated in them or supporting them. Do you know why Grindelwald never raised wand against us because my father Sirus and uncle Cygnus were clever enough to give the information about certain artefacts and their origin. In return, they asked them to never attack our blood. He agreed unless we cause any harm to his family or descendants. I have ordered you to stay away from the Dark Lord because Dumbeldore and I have reached the same agreement. I have tried to secure the family's future. Lastly, Andromeda will be reinstated into the family. This meeting is concluded. Cassiopeia stay here for tonight I have to discuss some family matters with you. Kreature mad the arrangements for tonight. Rest of you can have dinner or can leave. " said Arcturus standing and went to Lord's study followed by his wife.

As soon as he went to study Pollux threw the goblet and clinching his feast in anger said "He as accepted the blood traitor in the house. She has sullied the name of Black by marring and mudblood. I will not stand this."

Irma was silent for most of the meeting she spoke the first time in the evening " Pollux, Lord Black has sent a message this evening family comes first. Andromeda may have married blood traitor but do you know her daughter is full Metamorphmagus which is a Black family trait and has not seen since Isla Black was disowned. He sees this as family magic and did not want to pass it to the mudblood family. Don't forget is Andromeda is reinstated she has to follow Lord's orders and second thing is that Andromeda is the godmother of Sirus's son without her consent even Lord Black can not get custody".

After listening to this everyone understood the powerplay of their head of the family apart from Pollux, Lucius and Walburga. Cassiopeia could see that and knew this would end badly for them.

Everyone left through floo one by one only Cassiopeia left behind.

She stood up and took her steps towards the Lord's study. She knocked twice on the door. A voice came after that "Cassi come inside".

She entered the room and was noticing various parchments and official letters and drafts. Her cousin asked to sit on the chair. When they were alone Arcturus was less formal to her. He often had discussed and taken advice from her for the family business as well as other political issues.

"Cassi I need to do a few things for me. First I want you to come here and start living here. Secondly, you need to start teaching Andromeda's daughter to the initial stages of her ability you are partial Metamorphmagus. Third, keep eye on those three. One of them is your brother I know but as head of the house of the family, I need you to do this form me.Andromeda and her family will stay here from now on. Help Andromeda to get potion's masters in it and her husband to set up a law firm. If the opportunity is there she can teach at Hogwarts. This will serve us in two ways first we can keep eye on our children. Second, this will show us in a good light in the eye of the public. Try to get Callidora's family in our side we know there is some argument about the next Lord Longbottom. Harfang has a business which can go hand with ours. Last is that teach Andromeda about how to be Regent of house. I am not young and I know Pollux, Lucius and Walburga will try to kill me." said Arcturus rubbing his finger on his temple head. His cousin nodded her head.

Cassiopeia had now whole picture clear. He was investing in the future.

Andromeda was as talented as Bellatrix. They had two main difference in their personalities Andromeda was never enamoured towards power and

followed her heart. Accepting the Tonks family will show other of Black families white side.

Getting Harfang on Black family side will break the House Longbottom further economically. This will secure future Lord new allies. If by chance Harfang became Lord Longbottom with help of Lord Black he will be indebted to them. Ted Tonks will present legal interest of Blacks. Lastly, Andromeda as the teacher could have added benefit of knowledge of future lords.

"Tomorrow Rigel will become official Heir. Andromeda's family will also be welcomed in the Black Family. I want you to accompany myself and Melania to Gringrotts to submit proper documents for reinstatement of both Andromeda and Sirus in the family. Tonks family and Rigel will meet at the Gringotts." said Arcturus.

Cassiopeia nodded and went to her room. Next morning as per the plan they greeted Tonks family along with Rigel Black in the Gringotts. Documents were submitted for reinstatement and to officially declare Rigel as heir. Cassiopeia had faith Rigel will bring the Blacks to his former glory and power.