Sirius Black was on the way to meet his Aunt Cassie. He shook his head, she was not someone he would have willingly contacted earlier when he believed Dumbledore blindly, but circumstances had changed, and he was now Lord Black. He was glad for the navigation runes he had built in when he enchanted the bike to fly, it allowed him to let his mind to wander while the bike essentially drove itself using the coordinates he entered, and the anti-crash charms help to keep it in track. He let his mind wander through everything that happened in last 48 hours. His acceptance of the ring and lordship had put an overload of information in his head, he had long denied the magic and shrewd nature the title or rather the family magic and heritage granted him, his need to be recognized different from his parents lead to him denying his family heritage and magic. His grandfather had made the heir apparent when he was 7, the first magical influx age. Thinking back that alone was one of the reasons which drove his parents and other relatives over the edge as they waited for his grandfather to die and take control of House Black. It never really happened and even him running away did not give them the satisfaction as apparent his grandfather did not disown him. His mother would be disappointed. He laughed at the thought of his mother's reaction to his accession. He checked the bike navigation panel and saw that it would take him 5 more minutes to reach Chateau Noir, his aunt's official residence.
He passed through the wards easily. If it was anyone else, they would have been fried to death just by the external wards alone. The Blacks were nasty and hell hounds when it comes to wards and safety.
He parked the bike and walked to the large door. He could feel the ward layers testing him. He knew his aunt was crazy, but this was paranoia and special level of mad. Shaking his head, he was about to knock when the door opened, and an elf bided him inside. He followed the elf to the large sitting room furnished tastefully in rich beige and earthy tones, unlike Grimmuald Place there were no obvious Slytherin colors, while he liked the green and silver, his parents went to great lengths to prove their Slytherin house loyalty, the house had green couches for crying out loud, he didn't have to go there, as Lord Black he could use the Country House in Devon near the Potter Manor as his official residence.
Chateau Noir always held a special place in his heart. His grandfather and grandmother stayed here essentially, and all his good childhood memories were here. His parents were very hard to deal with and they were his escape till he met the Potters, but then Mum P was a true bred Black. She was his grandfather's sister and his absolute favorite. Thinking about the Potters' brought Hermione to his mind. He still didn't understand what it was about her, his magic was alive near her. He felt his existence was around her. He really had to get his head and feelings around her before he upsets Prongs. Best friend or not, James would kill him, period.
He looked around and saw his Aunt seat on the couch with a tea service ready. 'Well she was expecting me. That would make things easy. She knows everything that happens in the ministry. Well actually the wizarding world.'
He walked up to her and greeted 'Well met Aunt Cassiopeia. Hope you have been well.'
She replied 'Well met Lord Black. I have been well and hale. It is my pleasure to know that you have come to your senses and taken the mantle my brother entrusted to you. Come and sit with me and partake in some refreshments.'
He nodded and sat opposite to her.
She continued 'I know of everything that happened and lad it warms my heart to know that half-blood filth has been wiped from the world and you have taken your head out of Dumbledore's arse..'
Sirius felt his temper rising and then realized what she said was essentially true he and his friends denied everything related to the family legacies entrusted on them by Lady Magic and followed Dumbledore and if it had not been Mia, they would be dead or in prison. He poured himself some tea and took a sip and kept the china back.
'Aunt Cassie, I know I have made mistake and I deeply regret it. In these 48 hours, I have learnt a very hard lesson, but now I vow to you and grandfather that I won't let the House of Black down. All through my childhood I tried to stand apart from the family, but I took the wrong path for it. I realize now what I should have done. I will redeem this house and will bring it to the glory it deserves.' He said with passion and he felt the family magics stirring around him, it was happy and acceptance of his words.
'Sirius, my lad, I never once blame you for staying away. Our family has been misguided and lost for a long time. My brother was a great Patriarch, but he had limitations placed on him, unlike him you have a clean slate as you are indeed the white sheep of the Black family. Anything you do will redeem the family. Your oath in the Wizenamgot and your friendship with Potter and Longbottom will give you a better chance than my brother.' She said, she reached over and took his hand. He was quite surprised; the Black were not big on showing affection to their children. His aunt continued, 'Lad, I will not influence you in anyway but follow your heart, it has always been right, and you will reach your goal.'
His throat felt tight and just nodded. He drank his tea and continued, 'you would have known all that happened, but what concerns me is that Dumbledore is adamant to prove that Voldemort was vanquished by Harry. He had sent Hagrid to retrieve Harry, assuming his parents were dead.'
'So, the codger is trying to enforce the prophecy.'
'What prophecy?'
'From what I heard a prophecy was apparently given by Cassandra Trelawney's niece about a child born in the seventh month. From what I hear it was fake, but you know, if we want we can make any prophecy self-fulfilling, it human nature more than fate. That is what Dumbledore is trying.' She thought for a while and asked, 'you are the child's godfather, you had full authority on the child should merlin forbid his parents die right or his aunt Miss Potter.'
Sirius nodded. She looked pensive' but I don't think giving you the child was his plan.'
'No aunt, I don't think so, from what I understood he was planning to drop the baby off with Lily's muggle sister'. He felt furious just thinking about it. The memory of golem on the doorstep filled in with fury. He controlled his breathing. He said, 'James is not happy at the turn of events and he decided to take up the lordship just, so he can keep his family save from Dumbledore, which he was advised not to, I never attempted as I was under the believe I was cast out and my heirship was cancelled.'
His aunt bristled at that comment, she spit out 'you were never cast out nor was there a time when you were not the Heir Apparent. Your so-called parents never had any authority in the family. No matter what your mother did she will never be able to blast anyone from the family until and unless your grandfather decided it. For Merlin sake, Andromeda was not disowned nor were you. Our next generation of Black expect you and Andromeda lost their way, you fought back at every step while Andy eloped, which was a good decision for her own safety.' at this point his aunt was ranting.
'Anyways no point raking but the past. I rather talk about the future and what it holds for House Black. I believe you will create an alliance with Potter and Longbottom, 'she asked.
He nodded to that, he wanted to ask her about the totem. He knew she was aware of what happened in the wizenamgot, but she was adamant on discussing other matter before that.
He said 'Essentially we will create a new front other than dark and light. The neutrals till now did not have much leadership or resources and they tend to vote in the direction of the dark faction to avoid problems but somehow the so-called light faction are not all unicorns and rainbow and have not done any favors to the public, rather the entire light faction is making things easy for the dark to rise beyond control. I feel Dumbledore in his position as Chief Warlock as passed laws that restrict the power of the Noble and Ancient House. I remember the recent marriage law which essentially makes the female chattel to the husband, whatever the blood status might be. Another one being, a wife cannot inherit the estate of the husband rather the it is held in trust for the heir if any to be of age. These laws are simply horrendous and is not valid in the current conditions where we were fighting a war. I will be working to repel it. All the houses that lost their Lord or male members have the wealth in trust and widows and kids are living on a small stipend unless the person who died has ironclad will.'
His aunt nodded and said 'that one law alone smells so foul. Do you know that the ministry or rather the court who executes the estate has authority over the estate and your headmaster has had unprecedented authority over various estate of war orphans?'
Sirius raised his eyebrows to that statement. She smirked and continued 'I see no reason to repeal it, rather amending it would do the trick. One, if the spouse of the concerned person is in a healthy mental condition she should be allowed to inherit the estate with the clause that she has complete authority over all transactions, but should she remarry the estate shall be treated separately from current spouse's holdings. If incase, the person who inherit the estate is underage, the person handling the trust should be the goblins and a solicitor or steward. Incase of any situation where in there is no will present the entire estate would be frozen until a person can claim the title or estate with legitimate proof like the inheritance test with the goblin.'
Sirius could see the logic behind it. Repelling the law could lead to many people being cheated or misused. If it was amended they could try to make it foolproof and make things better for the families who lost members to the war. He needed to discuss the law with James. When it was passed himself , James and Frank protested against it in the Order meeting but as usual Dumbledore blamed the dark faction but he could see Dumbledore's hand in it and they had gone to the goblin to make a new will and filed it with them such that should anything happen Lily, Alice and the kids would be safe.
Seeing his acceptance, she continued, 'I would also suggest and audit from the Goblin's side to ensure that there has been no misappropriation of fund till date, and that the trust has been functioning for the benefit of the concerned parties.'
'Other than that, you need to get a copy of the new laws passed in the recent period I have a feeling, a good portion of it needs to be repealed or amended to make it useful for public,' she said. He nodded and the plan forming in his head.
Sirius took the chance to say what was concerning him, 'Aunt Cassie, you already know the reason I am here. You would have heard what happened today, with the totem and James' sister.'
She quirked one eyebrow at him and asked 'What about it. She is your soulmate, the Black Matriarch, quite powerful one I say. When Dorea lost her, she was devastated but your grandfather's friend a seer assured her that it was the right course for the future. If she was not lost in time, this timeline would have ended in suffering for her house and ours. The lady Cara insisted that the Potter give up the search and spread the rumor that their daughter was magically unstable and was undergoing treatment. As much I hate the male dominance in this society, it was a blessing. No one was concerned of the daughter of House Potter including Dumbledore. His focus was on the Potters' son and now grandson.'
Sirius was shocked at how easily his aunt explained everything. 'Really, soulmate… Black Matriarch.. what the blood hell is what happening. How will he explain this to James. Then again she is mine or rather we belong with each other.' He felt a sense of happiness fill him. Just the thought of her with him made his magic sing in ecstasy.
Cassiopeia continued 'A family totem would present itself to the important family members. The Lord and his Lady and the heir or heiress at the time of need. When the raven flew to her, she was already chosen as the Matriarch. She would have more power than any female member in the family and is above all males other than you. You must bring her here. I have some item in a vault box that can only opened by the Black Matriarch. She would be one after a long time. The last Matriarch was the wife of Lord Cygnus Black I whose wife Phoebe Black nee' Greengrass. From what was written about her, she was a force to reckon with just by herself, they both were the perfect couple.You have a great task ahead of you and your mate dear. No pressure.
He quirked an eyebrow at her. He could feel the pressure ahead of him. The bloody hard task of putting the House of Black back up to the respectable figurehead it was. By Merlin, what crimes did he do to have weird relatives like Bella and Cissa for family. Well his first step was disowning them.
He took a deep breath and continued, 'Well Aunt could you loan me some more information that might be useful to me during the coming days.'
She smirked as she called her elf and advise it to fetch the set off parchment on her table in the study along with the dairy. The elf popped out and returned with the item she asked for. It was a bunch of papers outlining facts about every other person in the ministry and others holding important information. As he leafed through the material he was really surprised, it was gallons worth blackmail material and totally useful to bring things their way. The information about the Dumbledore family and other relevant details will be useful to bring down the old wizard.
He sat there for few more hours to discuss general house matter regarding the estate as such. His duties included handling the business and other properties maintenance. It was tedious, and he was ready to wreck his head when she recommended appointing a Steward to engage in dealing with the business and property related to the house.
She said 'Your friend the werewolf would be ideal as he is unemployed and highly qualified. Other than just the position would give him a better position in our world.
It was something he had thought about, it would protect Remus from Dumbledore and he would have better prospects with the Black name attached to him.
He will discuss it with James and both could convince him or make Lily do it.
He checked his watch, it was 3 hours already since he arrived, he needed to get back before night and be ready for whatever would the next day would bring.
He stood up and kissed his aunt's hand and bid her farewell and exited the property and entered the co-ordinates of Potter Manor and revived the engine. He was soon on his way home.