What If Series: The Black Prince

by Miss Mysteria

Chapter Eight

Sirius let out a long sigh as he sank slowly into the Heir Black seat next to his grandfather.

This was important, probably the most important moment of Lorcan's childhood. This was the moment that would set how they should play out the rest of their years; what advice they should give Lorcan and Neville as they went off to Hogwarts, what friends they should and shouldn't make. How careful his son should be around Dumbledore and old Order members. He hoped that he wouldn't have to advise Lorcan against going to Mcgonagall for help as she had always been there for him and his friends throughout their years at Hogwarts, and he had seen many of students from other Houses (in the last years of his schooling he saw no Slytherin's) going into her office for help or advice. It would mean a different experience at Hogwarts if he couldn't talk to her, or Flitwick, or Pomfrey. But, Sirius reminded himself, Lorcan would not have the same experience he did. He already had his best friend in the form of Neville Longbottom, so he wouldn't be on the search for more. He wasn't dead-set on renouncing his family and becoming a Gryffindor just to make a statement that he was different than his last name suggested. He might not even be in Gryffindor; in fact, he and Remus had already decided that their boy would probably be in Slytherin or Ravenclaw. Yes, he was brave and kind, like any Lion or Badger, but he was more so sneaky and intelligent, like a Snake or an Eagle. The result of spending a night every month in the presence of Slytherin's and the elders of Slytherin's and Ravenclaw's to look up to, clearly.

At the echoing gong that signalled the beginning of the session, Sirius brought his attention back to the Chamber.

The Wizengamot Chamber, however pretentious it was, Sirius had to see that it was an incredible piece of architecture. A domed circular room deep under the Ministry of Magic meant to prove die a hint of King Arthur's famous round table. There were five tiers of rows; the upper tier was the public gallery, open to all, and was a first come first served arrangement. There were no chairs, simply just standing room which was meant to dissuade people from wanting to come, but as it was the public right to know what was going on in their world of politics and law, they had to be allowed entrance. The fourth tier was reserved for press, Ministry officials, family and retainers of the Wizengamot members with a bench provided for sitting. All camera's had to have no flash and be spelled silent, which meant that all photos taken in the Wizengamot Chamber would be still like muggle photos, as the flash was what gave them their movement. The third tier, with its chairs of silver upholstery was for the newest members of the Wizengamot and Order of Merlin recipients. The second tier was reserved for the Ancient and Noble Houses, each House having one grand seat painted in peacock blue and covered with upholstery that had the crest and colour of their Houses and next to it on the left was each Houses Heir seat, which was slightly smaller and less grand than the Head of House seat, but other than that it was no different. Each of the Houses were ordered by status and separated by a few metres of space and a shield that made sure once the Head of the House was seated, no harmful spells could be thrown. The final small lowest tier was on the floor, and held by the Chief Warlock's gold seat on the right alongside the scribe and the Wizengamot clerk who both had no voting rights. There were five similarly plain Ministry seats sat on the left, including the Minister and the Minister's Undersecretary.

As soon as the gong sounded, silence fell over the Chamber and Albus Dumbledore stood, dressed in his peacock-blue Chief Warlock robes and raised his arms, as though he was welcoming them all to another year at Hogwarts. Sirius hid a smile as he spotted disapproving frowns on many of the older Lord's and Lady's faces. Perhaps they thought he was trying to belittle them. He would not be surprised if some conversations afterwards included the phrase "Albus would do well to remember that his House does not have a seat in this Chamber".

Dumbledore cleared his throat and allowed his arms to drop to his sides slowly. "Seal the doors!" he ordered as he took his place once again on his seat. The Auror in charge of security moved quickly to the massive doors that held the only entrance and exit out of the Chamber, other than the side-Chamber that now held the Heir's waiting to be introduced.

"Seal the doors!" the Auror yelled and an even bigger hush fell over the Chamber, all tiers becoming silent as the loud thud of the doors closing resounded.

"The May Session of the Wizengamot is called to order!" Dumbledore intoned, his voice carrying over the crowds. He looked around, eyes seeming to skip over certain people, mostly the Dark family's, including Sirius', and then he spoke again. "Today marks the date of eight Heir's to Ancient and Noble House's taking their rightful place among us, we will introduce each one and they will come forward, announce themselves to us, before being sworn in by magic and becoming tied to the Wizengamot."

There was silence, anticipation building among everyone in the Chamber, before Dumbledore spoke again, "Dullard, you may begin."

The clerk of the Wizengamot, Albert Dullard, rose out of his seat, long, thin fingers holding a piece of parchment that held the names of all eight Heirs. The man's brown eyes scanned the list, as the names had been banned from any eyes before the session. When he had read it, eyes going slightly wide and flickering over to the Black and Potter seats on opposite sides of the Chamber before returning to the parchment, he cleared his throat and brought out his wand, pressing the tip to a golden button on his left. Another gong sounded, and he spoke out, his voice echoing into the silent Chamber.

"The Chamber of The Wizengamot calls Susan Bones, Heir Apparent to House Bones."

Most eyes either travelled down to look at the doors that held the entrance to the side-Chamber where Susan Bones would come out or to a slightly nervous looking Amelia Bones in her seta. The fact that Amelia Bones was nervous spoke volumes as she was known, as Head Auror now that Moody had retired and as rumoured new Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement once Bartemius Crouch retired to advisory standard of the job as was custom, she was known for level-headedness. This was important for every House gaining a new Heir, as it would be the first impression of the new generation.

After a few seconds of silence, the doors to the side-Chamber opened, and out walked Susan Bones. She was short, had flaming red hair and blue eyes. She wore dark blue robes and smart shoes donned with the crest of her House. Sirius felt for the girl as she walked out, clearly nervous. He himself had had to walk out when he had been introduced, having never been introduced as a child as his father, Orion Black, had been Arcturus' Heir until he had died. It was nerve-wracking, seeing all the eyes upon you. And he had done it as an adult.

Susan walked to the sigil in the middle of the floor and clasped her shaking hands over her stomach. She took a deep breath and held her head higher, straightening her shoulders. She waited for a moment, before Dullard nodded to her, giving her permission to speak. "I am Susan Bones, Heir to the A-Ancient and Noble House of Bones, requesting admittance to the House of the W-Wizengamot."

Dullard, eyes speaking sympathy his words could not, spoke, "Will you, Susan Bones, seek to aid the House of the Wizengamot with pride, fortitude and quickness?"

"I w-will."

"Will you, Susan Bones," Dullard raised his wand, flourishing it gently so that two cords of light came down from it and latched onto Susan's Heir ring; one dark blue, the colour of her House, and one light blue, the colour of the Wizengamot, "seek to represent the House of the Wizengamot and the Ancient and Noble House of Bones with dignity, respect and honour?"

"I will."

"Finally, do you, Susan Bones, accept responsibility as Heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Bones, accepting the title and duties that come with it?"

"I d-do." she nodded, voice shaking as the two cords turned into sparks of light blue and dark blue, mixing together to become one and falling to the ground. There was a smattering of applause, before Dumbledore held up his hand. He stood, smiled at the girl, causing her to smile back with blush on her cheeks.

"Welcome to the Wizengamot, Heir Susan Bones of the Ancient and Noble House of Bones. Please take your seat." He gestured with an aged hand towards where Amelia Bones was smiling brightly with pride and relief and Susan immediately began walking quickly towards her Aunt. The girl, having walked up all the stairs, collapsed into the seat and let out a long sigh. It was unprofessional for her to have practically ran up the stairs and to present herself in such a way, but some Houses didn't install that into their children. The Black family did, however, and Sirius straightened in his seat, Arcturus doing the same alongside him. This was it.

Dullard cleared his throat again. He pressed the tip of his wand to the golden button, and spoke out into the silence. Sirius' stomach began to squirm.

"The Chamber of The Wizengamot calls Lorcan Black, Heir Apparent to House P-Potter, Third in Line Heir Apparent to House Black."

There was a rush of whispers and mutterings. The calling of a new Heir Potter could only mean one thing, that Gringotts and the House magic itself had pronounced Harry Potter as dead, latching itself to the closest relative. Sirius both relished Dumbledore's pale face and feared it, for the curiosity that was burning in his blue eyes was not calming.

They waited in the Chamber for around one minute in silence, the occasional whisper sounding, before the doors creaked open to reveal his son. It was obvious that he was a Black, if anyone could have any doubts. He was tall for his age, long and thin, graceful. He had the pale complexion and jet-black hair. There were obvious differences, however. The boy had a slight curl to his hair, giving it almost a lift, but not enough to make it untidy or unkempt, and most startling of all was his bright green eyes, so opposing to the grey of the Black's.

Lorcan moved to the sigil on the floor, clasped his hands behind his back and all the while looked as calm as anything. There was a tense silence, someone coughed awkwardly, before Dullard snapped himself out of it and cleared his throat nervously. Sirius couldn't help but smirk at his son's raised eyebrow. Yes, defiantly a Slytherin or Ravenclaw.

Dullard gestured to him to begin as was custom.

"I am Lorcan Black, Heir to the Most Noble and Ancient House of Potter, Third in Line for the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black, requesting admittance to the House of the Wizengamot." There was no stutter in his voice, no tremble. He was acting the part of the perfect pureblood. So far, Sirius couldnt have been prouder and if he also wasn't playing the part of a pureblood Heir, he would be beaming and waving to his son like a proud parent watching their child play Quidditch. Sirius eyed Arcturus out of the corner of hsi eyes to see the man staring straight down at his great-grandson, pride in his eyes but the rest of him like statue, waiting.

He looked back down in time for Dullard to begin his oath.

"Will you, Lorcan Black, seek to aid the House of the Wizengamot with pride, fortitude and quickness?"

"I will." Lorcan's smooth answer contrasted with Susan's nervous one and in her seat she flushed, but no one was looking at her, all eyes were locked onto the Black and Potter Heir taking his oath.

"Will you, Lorcan Black," Dullard seemed to have gained his confidence again and raised his wand smoothly, flourishing once again so that four cords of light came down from it and latched onto Lorcan's Heir ring's. Two were the normal, expected light blue, and the other two were red and silver, the colours of the Black and Potter Houses, "seek to represent the House of the Wizengamot and the Ancient and Noble Houses of Black and Potter with dignity, respect and honour?"

"I will."

"Finally, do you, Lorcan Black, accept responsibility as Heir to the Most Noble and Ancient House of Potter and Third in Line to the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black, accepting the title and duties that come with it?"

"I do." The two cords turned into sparks of light blue interspersed with the red and silver, becoming one before falling to the ground. There was no applause for Lorcan Black, unsurprisingly people were still shocked. They wanted to know how the Black's had kept a child quiet all these years and how he was related closely enough to the Potter's for the family magic to claim him? Dumbledore cleared his throat and Sirius watched as the man seemed to struggle with himself to smile, which came out more of a grimace.

"Welcome to the Wizengamot, Heir Lorcan Black of the Most Noble and Ancient House of," there was a pause, unmistakeable to Sirius and Arcturus, but to anyone else nothing out of the ordinary, "Potter, and Third in Line to the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black. Please take your seat."

Lorcan inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, keeping his mask on outside as he nodded in thanks twice, to both the clerk and the Warlock, and turned towards the stairs. It took more concentration than he would have thought to walk gracefully along the Chamber's floor and up the stairs, but he managed it. He was very grateful now for the hours of walking lessons and lessons on how to hold himself. It would have been beyond embarrassing to trip or run. He strode up the stairs towards the seats that belonged to the Most Noble and Ancient members. He nodded in thanks to individual members who nodded to him in welcome, they were mostly Lord Nott, who he recognised as he looked like his son, and Lady Zabini. Dark family's, no doubt only doing so as his last name was Black and his grandfather was watching. As he passed Augusta, she smiled slightly at him and inclined her head and he sent her a small smile back.

As he walked down the row, silence in the hall with his footsteps echoing on the marble floor, he tried to prepare himself to sit in the Heir Potter Seat for the first time. The last person who had sat there had been his biological father, James Potter, and the person before had been his biological grandfather, and now it would be his turn. He would sit in that seat and represent the Most Noble and Ancient House of Potter like his ancestors had - it felt like a massive responsibility to put on seven year old.

When he eventually reached the seat, Joe Follen stood and shook his hand before gesturing for him to sit first. Lorcan smiled gratefully at the sign of respect, before slowly lowering himself into the throne-like chair that sat below the Most Noble and Ancient House of Potter's Coat of Arms. Follen sat down next to him and the transparent shield went back up immediately. It was surprisingly comfortable, the seat, and at the way that his dad had described sitting in the Heir Black seat was the "most bloody uncomfortable experience of my life", he swallowed a grin a the idea that his ancestors had thought to put a cushioning charm on the char.

He let out a deep sigh as the clerk finally moved onto the next Heir and glanced towards his dad and grandfather. He realised that they were watching him, proudly. His grandfather gave him an approving nod and Sirius winked at him before both moving their attention to the front as Neville's name was called. Lorcan watched as Neville came out, the same way that he had and looked on with happiness at how his friend carried himself; he was confident and in every way was the Heir to the Most Noble and Ancient House of Longbottom. Neville's went much more smoothly than his own, and in what felt like no time at all, Neville was sat a few seats over from him in the Longbottom Heir seat, shooting him a grin.

He felt a tap on his shoulder just as Malfoy's name was called (he was delighted to see that there was still a pink tint on his cheeks), and turned to face the man next to him. He had met Joe Follen before; his dad had set up a meeting with him to let him know what was going on. He didn't know that he was Harry Potter, of course, but he did know that his mother was Lily Potter, and had been told the story that his dad, grandfather, Moony and grandmother had spun.

Follen grinned, "You did really well, by the way. I knew you were nervous about it."

Lorcan nodded, eyes still tracking Malfoy as he finished his oath, "Yeah, I was. But not as bad as some of the others. Its all over now, though."

"Don't be too sure about that. I'm not sure if your dad has told you or not, but Lord Black is going to announce an official alliance between House Black and Longbottom. House Potter and Longbottom already have one because James Potter and Frank Longbottom made one, they were the old Lord's of the Houses a few years ago, but that announcement is sure to cause some stir."

Lorcan grinned at that. An alliance meant that Augusta and Arcturus were accepting Neville's and Lorcan's friendship and extending it to their Houses; not that he didn't already know that they did accept it, but it would announce it to the world that they did, which was big. He frowned and asked, "Do the Houses of Black and Potter have an alliance?"

Follen's grin widened, and Lorcan was reminded of why James Potter no doubt chose the man. He seemed to enjoy making mischief, "Not at present. But they will today. You need a cause or a reason to create an alliance, and due to yourself and Heir Longbottom retaining a friendship, that is reason to create an alliance between House Black and Longbottom and now that the Third in Line to House Black is also the Heir to House Potter, there is reason to create an alliance there also. But, it doesn't mean that it won't cause a massive stir, even if a few probably expect it."

By the time that Lorcan was nodding, agreeing with his notion, Malfoy, Macmillan, Nott and Greengrass had been through their oaths and were sat in their seats, all four having gone smoothly and quickly. Zabini was just finishing his final question as Lorcan turned back to Follen, "Lord Black will go first won't he?"

Follen nodded, eyes following Zabini as he walked up to his Heir seat, "If Lord Abbot hasn't requested that he has notices, then yes."

Someone at the bottom, most likely the Clerk, sounded another gong not unlike the ones that had been heard in the side-Chamber and yelled out over the slight applause for Zabini, "That is end of the Heir introduction. Next order of business! House Notices Pertaining to the Wizengamot." The man's eyes moved up to Arcturus, who was preparing to get out of his seat. "The floor is ceded to Lord Black."

Heads turned to watched Arcturus get out of his seat and clasp his hands behind his back. "I have only a few notices and in the effect of time, I shall keep them brief. I am pleased to congratulate the new Heir's and welcome them into the Wizengamot."

He waited as a "hear, hear" rose out of the Dark Family's and Neutral's who supported the Black's.

"Especially, I welcome Heir Lorcan Black to the Potter Seat and wish him the best with his future endeavours." Lorcan nodded in thanks as some people who hadn't put it together, realised that Lorcan Black was the great-grandson of the formidable Arcturus Black. They looked at the boy in a new light; respect and only a slight bit of fear. "My first order of business is to announce that the House of Black has gained an alliance with the House of Longbottom. We now stand together."

Rush of chatter followed this message, some were in shock that the Longbottom's would side with the Black's, whose family had tortured the last Lord of their House, most however were accepting this due to the change that had gone about the House of Black in the past few years. Albus Dumbledore fell into the first section, his mouth hanging open.

Augusta Longbottom stood and repeated, "The House of Longbottom recognises this notice and reiterates that the Houses of Longbottom and Black now stand together." She sat once again and allowed Arcturus to continue.

"My second order is to announce the formation of an alliance between the Houses of Black and Potter. We now stand together."

There was still some talk this time around, but no one was especially surprised as Follen stood and confirmed the alliance. Arcturus nodded once to Follen, then to Augusta, before continuing.

"My last notice is one of only a formality." Silence fell. Formality notices were not used much due to the danger of such things. They were a warning to others in the Chamber and the Wizarding World as a whole. "Due to the newly formed, but nevertheless strong, alliances between the Houses of Black, Potter and Longbottom, Heir's Lorcan Black and Neville Longbottom are under the House of Black's protection and have been sworn in and accepted as sons of House Black. Anyone who wishes or commits unchangeable harm upon them have declared themselves enemies of House Black, and therefore Potter and Longbottom." There was a stunned silence. No one had declared a formality in decades, not at least so publicly. Sirius had known of his grandfather's wish to announce it, so had Augusta, but had made him change the statement from "commits harm" to "commits unchangeable harm" as he knew all too well the types of trouble boys their age could get into.

Dullard cleared his throat nervously in the resounding quiet, "Thank you, Lord Black. You may take your seat." Arcturus nodded and lowered himself into his seat.

Next on the agenda were announcements from other Houses; House of Burke was announcing the death of Julian Burke, the last Lord and there was a two minutes silence in respect for the man; House of Cedar were announcing the birth of a new Heir; the House of Goldstein were announcing an alliance with the House of Macmillan (smart, due to the fact that both sons would be going to Hogwarts at the same time and were both light families, but the Smith Heir would be introduced in the next session due to being not quite seven just yet).

And then, finally it was the Potter notices. Dullard the Clerk invited Follen to step forward, and he did.

"I know we all want to get home, so I'll try be fast." A few laughs sounded and Follen grinned. "First notice is that the House of Potter recognises the introduction of a new Heir, Lorcan Black. Welcome, Heir Potter." Lorcan inclined his head. But before Follen could continue, Dumbledore's voice called out.

"One moment, Mister Follen," Dumbledore declared, "Surely there is a concern that this will ultimately lead ot the extinction of the House of Potter?"

Follen narrowed his eyes, but not so much that people could tell other than Lorcan, who was right next to him, "I am afraid I do not understand your enquiry, Chief Warlock."

"What I mean to say is, once Lorcan Black takes up the mantle of Lord Potter, and once...well, once the current Lord Black steps down as well as his Heir after he too becomes Lord Black, Lorcan Black would then become Lord Black-Potter."

"Ah, I see. On his fifteenth birthday, Heir Potter will become Lord Potter, he will take this seat as it is rightfully his. Once Lord Black, and his Heir, Sirius Black, have either passed on or stepped down, Lorcan Black would become Lord Black-Potter. He has agreed at this time that the lines will have different Heirs on the assumption that they are accepted by blood and magic. The Black line is paternal, so if Lorcan Black were to have a boy and a girl, the boy would have the last name of Black, and the girl of Potter, due to it being non-permitted House."

Dumbledore seemed to sag, but nevertheless bit out a "Very well" and Dullard gestured for Follen to continue.

"The second is to reiterate that the Houses of Potter and Black now stand together in their alliance." The air around Follen grew solemn, "Unfortunately, this notice must be made. The House of Potter announces the death of Harry James Potter, may he rest in peace."

"May he rest in peace." was murmured by the entire Chamber, something that made Lorcan uneasy, but he ignored it and bowed his head, repeating the phrase. His head snapped back up, however, when Dumbledore spoke up.

"Sorry to interrupt once again, Mister Follen, however I must ask where you received your death notice from?" some people in the back of the Chamber, in the public stand mostly, were outraged at the suggestion that the House of Potter would lie about Harry Potter's death. Dullard banged a gavel next to him and brought back quiet, or close to it.

Follen smiled, though he did show more teeth than necessary. Lorcan in that moment decided that he rather liked Follen. "Gringotts sent a notice through to myself and Heir Sirius Black, due to his stance as Godfather. The family magic, having recognised Lorcan Black as the new Heir has also clearly agreed that Harry Potter is no longer with us. If you wish to dispute this, Chief Warlock, then you may go to Gringotts and request a death certificate and proof that a member of House Potter has died?"

There were some laughs at the idea of Dumbledore, or anyone, doing such a thing, as it would be seen as rude and an insult to House Potter. Dumbledore, abashed, merely shook his head and gestured for Follen to continue.

"My final notice, although I have already mentioned it, is to announce that on his fifteenth birthday, Heir Potter will take up the mantle of Lord Potter, however wishes at present time for myself to continue as proxy until such a time that he is ready to commit to such a role. That is all, thank you."

Dullard rose from his seat, "That was the final notice for today's session. Thank you all, see you in a few months."

Dumbledore stood, "Open the doors!" and the phrase was repeated by the Auror in charge once again and the doors were opened creakily. Almost at once the Chamber burst into noise, several glances and pointing being thrown Lorcan's way. He shrugged it off, deciding that now he was out in the open, he may as well get used to it very quickly.

He met eyes with his dad, said goodbye to Follen and walked over to the Black seat.

Sirius smiled at him. "Ready to go, Lorcan?"

He smiled back.