Warning: Will contain slash, incest, mature themes, and violence.

Main pairing is Tom Riddle / Harry Potter

Criticism is welcome.

Trail of Ashes

Chapter 6

Cygnus stood in front of the fireplace, seemingly ignoring the young boy that stood a few feet away. The office that Aurelius had loaned him was nice, everything was a beautiful Rosewood that made Cygnus wonders if perhaps this had been Lucius' office before his passing, though he had always assumed that Aurelius would use his father's office for himself after becoming head of the Malfoy family. It seemed he had misjudged him, the gesture of leaving his father's office was that of a sentimental man, not the cold faced pure-blood he was accustomed to working with. Filing away the observation for later consideration, Cygnus finally turned to study his grandson. Aethonan Cepheus Malfoy, he was very much already on his way to becoming a powerful pure-blood. Though the boy was only seven, he had been very still since entering the office and announcing his presence. He had waited for Cygnus to acknowledge him with more patience than most grown men. He had the Malfoy coloring, platinum blond with blue grey eyes, yet the Head of the Black family could see his own genes flowing through faintly. His features were a mix of his father's sharp features and his mother's softer round face. He would most likely lose some of this as he hit puberty and his face grew more masculine, but the sight of his daughter in the Malfoy twins always softened him.

Cygnus was a fair man when it came to raising his children, he had given them all a chance to prove themselves worthy of the Black name. Some had fared better than others, but no matter what his other children had done none had dislodged Carina from the spot as his favorite child. Not even Pollux had ever measured up to Carina in the eyes of Cygnus, though his heir had done well for himself he had not advanced the Black name. Yes, he had upheld it, but that was not good enough for the ambitious Lord Black. They were a powerful family, and if Cygnus had his way they would only continue to grow exponentially in power. There were many times he had wished Carina had been born male, for she had never managed to disappoint her father. She had been a bright and cunning child and she had grown into a cunning and intelligent adult. She had ensnared the Malfoy family before she had even graduated Hogwarts. It wasn't Aurelius who she had initially impressed, it had been Lucius. It had been Cygnus' proudest moment when the Malfoy had approached him with the match between his daughter and Aurelius. She was one of the most well known and admired pure-blood witches of her age, only a few were more known and they were much older and scholarly than Carina. Her powerful work in Transfiguration and Potions had impressed her teachers, and eventually she had acquired her Potions Mastery before becoming one of few women to ever join the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers. Her work in medical potions was famed, and her name brought a lot of power to both the Black and Malfoy name.

He had little love for Pollux's children, Walburga was a harpy in the making and Alphard had shown no signs of magical power at the age of three. Carina's sons had both shown signs of magic in the cradle and had already proven to be bright boys. Marius, was his only hope among his own children having shown signs of magical power and cunning. However, the boy had little interest in politics and was much more interested in wards and runes. A scholar, while not a disappointing choice of career was not the one the Head of the Black family should choose.

Which is why Cygnus had found a new heir, or at least he hoped. Aethonan was everything a Black should be at his age, and with a little guidance he would grow into a powerful young man. The boy had changed since his ordeal, the happy go lucky four year old who had been more spoiled than acceptable was gone, and in his place a cautious and thoughtful child remained. Cygnus always knew that Carina could never disappoint him, not even in this.

-0-0-0-

"Do you know why I have asked to stay at the manor this week Aethonan?"

Cygnus' deep voiced surprised the young Malfoy, as he had been unnervingly silent since the boy had entered the room and presented himself as requested. Aethonan had fears as to why Cygnus might be here but none that were founded or practical enough that he would voice them.

"No, sir." He made sure not to show any sign that he was nervous or uncomfortable though he was pretty sure that he was not completely successful.

Cygnus raised an eyebrow in doubt, but did not question him. "I am here because it has become apparent to me that Pollux is not doing as I have taught him. I am searching for a replacement, someone who will take what I have to teach and use it for the good of the Black family. I need an heir, Aethonan, I need a powerful and ambitious heir."

His entire body was still, and though he tried he knew some of his surprise had shown on his face. He did not understand, his mother had told him that Pollux was the heir and that he should not worry about it. That Aurelius would not agree to give up his son to the Black family, and yet both of them must have known what Cygnus was doing, right? Neither had warned him of this possibility when they had informed the twins of Cygnus' stay.

"I-i am not sure I completely understand, sir." His voice shook only slightly but even that made him cringe. His palms were slightly sweaty and all he wanted was to hide. Everything he had ever wanted was handed to him in the Malfoy family, but he had never guessed that he would find himself in such a strange position.

"You do understand, I can tell young Aethonan. However, I have obviously shocked you and I can see you are nervous. Take a seat," he motioned towards the leather chair that sat before the giant Rosewood desk, "and I will explain more for you."

Slowly Aethonan nodded before jerkily moving towards the chair. He sat a little heavier than he had been recently taught was correct but his grandfather did not seem to care or notice. Cygnus walked around the desk and sat in the grand chair that matched the swirling designs of the desk.

"Now, I am sure you are aware that officially Pollux has been my heir since his birth in 1906, as is pure-blood tradition. However, what your tutors most likely left out was that Black tradition varies slightly when it comes to who becomes the Head after the last has passed on or retired." Cygnus looked over to Aethonan to make sure he was following. Folding his hands and placing them in his lap he seemed to relax back into his chair. The young Malfoy felt it might have been an intentional motion to seem less intimidating.

"You may be surprised to learn that I was not the first born male, in fact I am the third son of my father Phineas."

Cygnus was correct when he said this was surprising, Aethonan had never heard this mentioned in any of his classes on the Black family. Yes they mention their were currently three branches of the Black line, but only that Cygnus' line was the main one, while the others benefited from their name and standing they did not have the power that Cygnus' children did.

"But sir, how did you become the heir if you weren't firstborn?" Frowning, the blond haired boy found himself drawn into the conversation, curious to how the Black family decided who bore the title Heir and eventually Lord Black.

Smiling Cygnus continued, "My brother, Sirius was named heir to my father on the date of his birth and remained so until it became apparent that he was not fit to lead our family. You must understand something about the Black family Aethonan, we do not simply carry on the power our ancestors bestowed us, we expand it. Every male in the Black line can become heir simply by impressing the current Head enough he names them heir. We seek to advance our power and influence and our family doesn't let tradition stop this by limiting who can lead. We would be a much weaker family if not for this tradition, as my brother Sirius was not a politician or ambitious man and he still prefers Quidditch and Charms to anything worth advancing our family. His sons have not been anything special either, the only one worth anything in that line is currently Lucretia and she is only a 17 year old girl. Orion, is only three but he shows minimal promise as well, he worships his cousin Walburga too much."

Thinking on this new information Aethonan could now make much more sense of the family and the strangeness of his cousins. He could also see why Carina and Walburga were both such strange females in pure-blood society. Walburga was not comparable to his mother but he now saw that both of them had realized that if they had been born male whether first born or not, their cunning would have made them likely candidates for Lord Black. While this had only made Carina seek power elsewhere it had made Walburga jealous and bitter towards her brother and controlling of her cousin, Orion.

Aethonan was only seven in body, but truly he was much older in mind. Harry had been eight at the time of his death, but he had learned to understand and watch people for his own safety both physically and mentally. He was very good at reading people's intentions and once he had enough information on their personalities it was easy to predict them. This new world was so different and yet the same in so many ways. He was loved and belonged and yet he found it was the abilities that he had formed to survive as the unloved Harry were much the same that he would need as Aethonan.

What Cygnus was suggesting though baffled Aethonan, for even if he could see Lord Black's logic he did not have the confidence in himself to see what his grandfather saw. "I'm sorry, sir, I'm not quite sure that I'm the best candidate for the Black family… I am currently learning things my brother learned ages ago while I was in that coma…" He didn't mention that he was also relearning things that he should have known from before the coma as well. "And I am not very good at leading people, or taking control like Abraxas, and my tutors have told me my magic is not as strong as my brothers which they thought was weird since twins usually match each other in strength."

Cygnus raised a hand, stopping the growing lists of reasons of why Aethonan couldn't be the heir to such an ancient and noble family. "You have been in a coma for two years Aethonan, and yet you show almost no developmental issues at all. You are just as bright as your brother if not brighter, since he learned the things he did over a two year period. Yet you are catching up to him at a very fast pace, and as for leading people, you calmly took control of the situation with Walburga and gained the liking of several of your cousins. They will respect and follow you if you continue to show that you are calm, level-headed, and cunning. And your tutors are fools, if they believe Abraxas more powerful than you. Not only can I tell that your magic is continuing to recover and grow at a fast pace, but you also bare the signs of Black family magic. I can see you are a metamorphmagus, Aethonan."

He couldn't hold in his gasp, and the slight step back he took in reaction to Cygnus' sudden announcement. Only his immediate family was aware of his abilities. Not even his tutors knew, for if he had any accidents they quickly forgot after visiting Carina or Aurelius. He had shown no signs in front of Cygnus so he had no guesses as to how the man had found him out so easily.

Smiling Cygnus merely shook his head and sighed, "Your mother and father were fools to think they could hide it from me. As all Black children were tested in the days of my grandfather for special magics and power; we were taught to recognize the signs. They do not teach such things any longer, for they are too dark not to be noticed by the ministry but those rituals have stuck with me. I can easily spot another wizard's potential power, and those abilities they try to hide are easily spotted by my eyes."

"You can see another wizard's magic?" The idea that such a thing was possible worried the young Malfoy. It seemed like an invasion of privacy to the young wizard, who did not like the idea of another person simply being able to 'see' these things about him.

"Not quite, though there are those who have magic sight that allows them to read auras and such. No, I simply can see the way your magic interacts with others and with mine, and it allows me a very accurate read on your abilities and power levels. Of course as my heir I would teach you to hide this from others, as many older wizards and their heirs are taught to see this way." Cygnus leaned forward and studied his young grandson. "I will not force the title upon you, young Malfoy, for you are not my firstborn nor even in my direct line anymore. However, I would highly suggest you take some time to think upon what I am offering you. You would not only have access to the power and knowledge of both the Malfoy and Black families, but as an heir to my family you would be given advantages that not even most heirs have. The Blacks are a powerful and well respected family, and there is much you could do with that power and influence."

Waving his hands, Cygnus dismissed Aethonan. He immediately bolted as fast as politeness allowed. He wasn't sure what he was going to do, but he was glad Cygnus was going to give him time to think about it.

-0-0-0-

He was sitting on the couch in his room at three in the morning when his brother barged into his room concerned. "Why aren't you in bed with me!? You've been acting funny all day since Cygnus arrived and now you are sitting in your room in the dark by yourself! What's wrong? Did something bad happen? Are you okay?" Aethonan sagged with relief at the interruption of his thoughts.

Turning to his twin he sighed deeply, "Cygnus has asked me to be his heir."

Abraxas' eyes widened, "What?!" Jumping onto the couch next to his tired twin, the Malfoy heir grabbed onto his brother, "But, Pollux is already the Black heir and you aren't even a Black! You are a Malfoy! That doesn't make any sense, brother!" His voice was hurried and rising in volume with his anxiety.

"Shhh, not so loud 'Brax. I guess as his grandsons we are still considered part of the Black family, and he doesn't think Pollux is doing a good job as heir. He wants to train me I suppose to do better, thinks I have potential I suppose…." Looking at his twin, his blue orbs flashed green before settling into a dark grey color that showed his sense of loss at the situation. "I don't know if I should… What would Mother and Father think? And would Grandfather Cygnus take me to the Black manor? I don't know what to do, brother…" Running his hands through his hair that was quickly becoming an unrecognizable mop, Aethonan began to curl up into the couch as if he could disappear into the blue and silver furniture.

"C'mon Ceph, don't be like that! If Cygnus asked you directly to be his heir then Father must have been informed as his son, and I highly doubt he didn't share this information with Mother. Which means they likely want you to make this decision on your own, or Mother would be here to comfort you. I know Mother wouldn't let Cygnus take you away from her, not when you have only come home recently." Abraxas wrapped his arms around his brother and leaned his head against Aethonan's. "Being Black heir would be hard, you'd have to learn about Black traditions more in depth and learn about finances!" Disgust filled the young Malfoy heir's voice at the word finances. "But you would also have an easier time finding a political job, and people would respect and listen to you more than just the second son of the Malfoys."

Leaning back to look at his brother, the black eyes had turned green once more. The gaze Aethonan gave his brother was a searching one, "You think its a good idea? To accept and become the Black heir…." His tone unsure, he hadn't really thought Abraxas would like the idea of him also being an heir to a separate house.

"I think that its your choice, but that the good will be better than the bad. Plus then we will be equals in everything! And one day we will be Minister of Magic, and make all the rules and no one will ever hurt you again!"

Laughing at the hopeful and silly dreams of his brother he hugged Abraxas back tightly, as they both discussed what they would do with all their future political power. They fell asleep on the couch dreaming of laws where everyone was required to eat dessert before dinner, and where Quidditch was an official class at Hogwarts.

AN - So there's that. Family stuff will be sorted soon and we will meet a couple more characters, then its off to Hogwarts and all that jazz. Woop. Then a bit more action and intrigue and all the fun stuff that comes with learning magic. :)

Thank you so much for all the lovely reviews, I do read all of them though I don't always reply. I'm trying not to answer any questions about things that will be coming up or happening, because I do have so much of the story already planned out it pains me to keep it to myself sometimes. Thank you for the support, even if you don't feel the need to review, I do appreciate every notice I get.

Year: 1932