Sirius and Regulus were now both seated in a high chair with two strawberry puddings in front of them untouched while Mrs. Black was talking endlessly over them with the so called lord about her dreams for a better world.
"And the ministry!" she said, "Don't even get me started on the muggle loving inefficient corrupt ministry-"
"Wallburga" said Mr. Black laughing, gently putting a hand on her "Let Lord Voldemort rest for a while; I'm afraid we will be up all night if we talk about the ministry flaws."
"Oh not at all" said Voldemort "In fact, it is so refreshing to see such passion for the pure blood ways. You're two beautiful sons are very lucky to have you. Have they done any magic yet?"
"Oh yes both since they were four" blurted Mrs. Black. Mr. Black eyebrows rose in surprise; generally they told sparingly to others about their sons' accomplishments, people were envious enough of the family already.
"Four! Well what else can we expect from the Blacks, descendants of Orphelius Black who was the student of Merlin himself! Truly, in a sane, rational world families like yours would be leading instead of our muggle loving minister Corpumpolus Odge!"
Mrs. Black cheeks were red and her face was blazing.
Mr. Black said genially "Well what would be your esteemed solution to our problem? Dreams are no use without application."
"But we have started our solution! The knights of Walpurgis! The cream of the crop from our society, all united for a better world, a just cause! And may I say Wallburga-may I call you that? Well, Wallburga, any child from the Blacks would be welcome in our high society. It is our honor and between you and me, the top positions are reserved for only the most pure blooded witches and wizards."
"Oh Orion!" exclaimed Mrs. Black, turning to her husband who despite himself was smiling too. The general air in the room was euphoric, all the guests, pure blood of course, were feeling for once in a very long time important again.
"Let us register them in now" demanded Mrs. Black suddenly.
"Are you sure?" said Voldemort, his eyes glittering. "Only when they're of age will they be able to-"
"Yes, yes I know that" said Mrs. Black impatiently. "But they can have their names down now can't they? Their names have been put in Hogwarts since they were born and how is this any different?"
"Well if you are sure…" said Voldemort silkily.
But Mrs. Black was already dragging Sirius forward. Voldemort whipped out a paper from the air with a quill ready.
"Sirius darling please sign at the bottom."
Sirius took the pen but couldn't resist asking "What is it for mother?"
"Don't question your mother" she snapped.
"It's hard to pull one over our Sirius" said Mr. Black laughing to his brother in law Cygnus. Cygnus who had three daughters and no sons and was always secretly jealous of the Orion, merely pulled his lips upwards.
After Sirius had signed Regulus followed without question, as anything good enough for his brother was good enough for him.
Soon after a strange commotion happened, Cygnus was demanding that his three daughters: Bellatrix, Andromeda, and Narcissa be registered in as well. Malfoy senior was pushing him aside and shouting that his grandson Lucius be registered before them as he was older. Everyone started panicking and summoning their house elves to bring their children to be registered too.
The room was full soon of children of various ages sleepily signing the paper, while still in their pajamas. The guest left soon after with their children, simpering at Lord Voldemort, all happy that they were on par with the Blacks in the quest of pure blood supremacy.
All that was left was Cygnus and Elisa who were both shouting at each other about which of their daughters should be registered. Finally they agreed that Bellatrix and Andromeda should be, while Narcissa would not as Elisa Black was determined she would be a model instead.
Mr. and Mrs. Black avoided Lord Voldemort during this embarrassing scene of their relatives and sat on the sofas instead.
"A fine thing we did tonight."
Startled they turned around to see that Malfoy Senior was still there, sitting in the shadows. He was green in complexion with many warts; he was ill for years. An expert potion master, he was now reaching his 90th year and becoming famously eccentric.
"Yes a fine thing indeed…didn't know you Blacks had it in you, your house usually avoids violence...not us Malfoys, we never mollycoddle our children."
"What do you mean, Brutus?" said Mrs. Black testily.
"I mean that there's a war coming soon and you just signed up your children as their army" giggled Malfoy.
"What?" snapped Mrs. Black.
"Don't listen to him, Wallburga; he's just jealous Alphard got the potion master job at St. Mungo's and not Abraxas" muttered Mr. Black, but loud enough so that Malfoy would hear.
"Jealous am I?" said Malfoy furiously, "Firstly Wallburga, your crackpot brother Alphard is no match for my son, and it is common knowledge that you bribed the St. Mungo's" here Mrs. Black looked pointedly away "and it's just a matter of time before people realize that having a loony potion master isn't the best of decisions, no matter how popular or entertaining he may be!"
"But you think I am trying to frighten you? Well, have it your way but any person in touch with reality will see that war's coming soon" he said firmly.
Lord Voldemort was rolling the parchment now, and bowing to the Blacks he bade them good night. Malfoy senior left as well as Cygnus and Elisa. Finally all was quiet, but Mrs. Black couldn't help shaking off the feeling of anxiety that she was having.