Minister Arcturus Black hated his job, but becoming the Minister of Magic was a necessary evil. It had been a close election but he'd edged out the current minister and claimed the title. He couldn't have done it without the Potter Alliance. And of course Albus Dumbledore, the manipulative old bastard, played his part to perfection, pulling the Wizengamut's strings until everything was as he wanted.
His first act as Minister had been to conduct a massive audit of all departments. He hated waste and inefficiency, but above all his nemesis was incompetence. Each department head and their deputies were interviewed and their work product scrutinized. The shakeup was traumatizing for all involved. He'd had to fire a handful of administrators and demoted a handful more making more enemies than friends, but felt that those who received promotions were all hard working, honest and above all COMPETENT.
The day he canned MacNair was satisfying and dangerous. It had come to a duel. Unfortunately for Macnair, he barely had to lift his wand before he was blasted unconscious by not just him but the contingent of Aurors who insisted on accompanying him. The incident had led to a host of resignations, firings, and arrests.
The Howler screams filled the ministry for days. The Howler's stopped as soon as each Howler sent received a Howler in return. The booming voice of their terrifying Minister filling their humble abodes, berating them for incivility but addressing each concern regardless, with the explicit threat that if they sent him a Howler again he would have them charged, arrested, tried, and convicted to hard labor for a year! When he followed through on his threat on the first idiot repeat offenders, the Howlers miraculously stopped. Amazing what a little accountability would do. Finally, things were starting to level out and he'd cut the fat and found better quality witches and wizards to take on the challenges of a Ministry preparing for war.
Voldemort's cause had been wounded the night of the Malfoy Yule Ball. The Daily Prophet had published the prophecy that outed him as a Darklord half blood pretender in waiting, destined to fail. No one wanted to be associated with the losing side of any argument. That isn't to say the danger was past. No. Voldemort had been wounded but Arcturus wasn't blind to the fact that his opponent was at least as accomplished a wizard as he was.
Identifying and weeding out the dark pretenders supporters in the Ministry was tricky and little progress had been made. He sighed and rubbed at the headache developing behind his eyes.
Not for the first time he wondered how it had come to this. Oh right. His grandson from the future. He still remembered how the day after the ball a letter had been delivered by Kreacher the house elf. He wasn't sure how Kreacher knew to deliver the letter. Kreacher himself had been tight lipped on the matter, muttering something about nasty blood traitors and delivering letters like a common owl.
The letter had been a long rambling affair and yet he was grateful for it. There had also been a letter for Sirius and a letter for his grandmother which he had delivered right away. Better to be prepared than to be left blind. He could still remember the feelings that letter invoked as he read each precious word.
Dear Grandfather,
If you are reading this it means I have passed on. Passed on. Such an accurate turn of phrase. I probably did something to piss off Fate. She's been giving me warnings. Dreams. I know I've been walking a tight line. I approve of every change, but there is always a price. We earn an ally, only to gain an enemy. As long as balance is achieved it should be considered a win.
The world isn't split into light wizards and dark wizards. There is good and bad in all of us. It's our choices that matter. I learned that from you. This is surprising as the first time around it was Uncle Alphard who told me that. If you still aren't talking to your brother, shame on you. You need him. He's reckless, probably should have been a Gryffindor, and doesn't ever agree with you but, you still need him. Marius too. Did you know that he fought in the war? They called him Mad Marius.
We have had many conversations about Time travel, in a generic sense. And my younger self is committed to our cause and knows generally what is going on. He has less information than you do, however. I have altered his memories of some things. Not because I do not trust him, but to protect him and our family, and our friends. I have allowed him to keep the one memory of our friend James Potter's death, but have blunted the imagery. He might even believe the memory was a dream. I don't want to be a cause of pain or mental anguish for my younger self. Possession, even of oneself, is a hardship. I think occlumency lessons might help? Though magic boosted my shields it didn't teach me more control. That can only come with practice. It wouldn't hurt for the marauders to learn this skill. I happen to know that Severus has the capacity to become a master legimens. Remus has some natural defenses due to his nature.
It might be time to turn to the Ladies of the Houses to solve problems we Lords have bungled so badly. Something Lily said during a political discussion in the common room got me to thinking about it more.
There are days I regret taking up the ring, thinking you should have foisted that responsibility upon Andy! Imagine how that bit of news would have sent the Howlers flying! She will be a powerful Witch someday. I can only imagine how much more so with the support of her family. Your decision to give her Grimmauld Place and custody of mother was a stroke of genius! I can only imagine how that choice will change things.
Wiccan magic is not to be underestimated. You should put a bug in grandmother's ear about getting a Coven established. The time of the wizards will wane, witches will rise again! (I'm joking. That wasn't a real prophecy. Or was it?)
As my magical guardian, it is up to you to train young Siri. That part of your oath I hold you to. I release you from the oath of your silence. I trust that you will tell only those that must know, and only what you feel is necessary. I trust you.
I would ask that you get grandmother, Andy, and other smart and able witches and wizards to train up our youth. Hogwarts education is not enough! The greatest regret the Marauders had, was not learning everything our elders had to teach us before they left. I think you've seen how much Siri and I, as well as Regi, have grown since you've taken us under your wing. Might I suggest that you continue private tutorship of the marauders, using the trunks. in some other instructors. Once or twice a week lessons would be fantastic. Although the secret of the Trunks must be guarded so perhaps work with Dumbledore to enhance the curriculum. Trust me, you are going to need this generation to win the war.
Hogwarts rarely touches on the following subjects that I deem necessary to at least have a basic understanding of: Wards; Healing; Home Economics; Blood Magic; Ritual Magic; Family Magic; Strategy; Small Unit Tactics; Animagus Training, Occlumency; Runes in Defensive Applications; Spell Construction; Healing; Politics; Debate; Dueling; Journalism; Etiquette. As you can see it is difficult to say that Hogwarts provides the best education in the world, when we limit ourselves to barely a handful of subjects. For example, why aren't there any guest lecturers? Why don't we go on field trips; why don't we learn about art and culture. Are all these subjects meant to be taught at home? If so, what about the Muggleborn? If these few months that I have been with you changes anything I hope it is the quality of our education. Nothing else will keep our people safer than an intelligent, well trained next generation. Finally, a good friend once told me that I needed to see this opportunity of a second-hand life, as a blessing. To laugh more, To live More. Love more. I leave you with the same advice. Time is short. It simply flies by. When you look back at what you have accomplished after it's all said and done, well trust me, you don't want to know what it feels like to end up with very little to show for your life. And, not many people get a second chance like me.
I am starting to ramble, but everytime I think I've said everything that could possibly be said, I have another thought. But my eyes caught on the words, I trust you. So I trust you to take care of us and do what you think is best. I really hope that I come back before too long, but if I miss you… I just want to tell you how much I appreciate everything you've done for me. For our world. I'm proud of you, and I'm so glad I got a chance to know you.
Your loving grandson Sirius Orion Black
By the way, I have some New Motto Suggestions:
Vexilla Regis Prodeunt Inferni (Forth go the banners of the King of Hell. As referenced by Dante's inferno. Of course, it might be more accurate to call us the Servants of the Dead. Or instead of King of Hell, Grim. I admit an announcement such as this would cause a bit of a stir.
Other suggestions might be Praesidium Innocens via ex Sum Mortalitis (Servants of the Dead shield the innocent),
Viva Plurus, Risa Plurus, Amor Plurus - Live More, Laugh More, Love More.
Take care grandfather, hope to see you soon, Where there is Love there is Life.
He had read the letter several times and hoped indeed that he would see his grandson in the future someday. In the meantime, he had an oath to fulfill and a lot of things to finish before he left earth.
New resolve took hold as he once again took out the now dogeared piece of parchment Sirius had passed him at the end of their lesson so long ago, He spread the parchment out and was surprised at how much looked a lot less ludicrous since the last time he'd read it. He had crossed off much of it by this time. Anything is possible, he thought to himself.
He felt both lighter and heavier after his wife's inclusion in the secret. Honestly, with Dorea now informed and brought up to date on his plans, things were going much smoother. She was meeting with the women of the house of Black, one by one, as well as allies in the Potter alliance searching for coven members. She was grooming Lily to join as well. Dorea was a follower of the old religion, which meant she had to walk carefully. Of course, as Minister he planned to address the prejudices and perhaps help pass more common sense laws. It would have to be framed as an assault on pureblood traditions rather than an assault on Witches rights.
The Ministry under his leadership wouldn't dare to make accusations without proof and the punishment was a simple fine and oath to renounce the old ways of blood magic rites if found guilty, except those as used by the family magics. Lady Marchbanks had ranted during the last Wizengamot that she believed the laws were sexist. A way to keep women from accessing their full power. Few males could be part of a coven, so it was simple jealousy.
Arcturus was well on his way towards changing things however. Taking his own advice given to his godson in the afterlife. His mind traveled back to that memory for a bit. He was a coward. He could admit it. It wasn't death that scared him. It wasn't losing a fight. Going up against impossible odds. No. He was scared of winning. Having all the power and spending it selflessly would be a clear challenge.
The rise of Voldemort and his ridiculous Death Eaters, were starting to send ripples of panic through the wizarding world. He smirked. That little bit of divine intervention sure put a wand in the cauldron for Voldemort's plans. He'd lost quite a bit of support when the knowledge of his less than pure blood status became common knowledge. The prophet had published the full prophecy on the front page.
With Dumbledore's help he was able to put together Tom Riddle's whole sorry story. Another Prophet article had been written by Dumbledore himself, laying bare the facts that comprised an ambitious and dangerous dark wizards rise and hopefully fall.
He would have been proud of the article if it hadn't prompted a rash of violence across Britain. He felt a pang of regret that the price had been high. He worried for Sirius and Regulus most of all. They were all targets now. But at least Riddle couldn't act out in the open anymore, and he was sure his financial support was being strangled. Many pure blood families were being pressured to present a unified front against the terrorist. It was a start.
Arcturus sat back thinking about his godson's animagus form. Sirius had become the youngest ever Animagus having mastered his second form the summer after his first year. He had no difficulty with changing into Padfoot and he still remembered the raging arguments the teens had that summer over what his second Marauder name should be. There were actual tears, and a duel involved to settle the dispute. They finally settled on Stripes and everyone seemed happy, except for Sirius who wanted to be called Venom. Able to transform into a black and red striped coral snake and a big black dangerous dog. No Grim, he corrected himself. To compare that form to a dog would be like calling a Hippogriff a bird! He admitted to a certain amount of familial pride remembering that an actual Phoenix had presented itself.
He looked down at the book sitting in the center of his desk still with a hint of embarrassment. He examined it with a critical eye. It was bound in the finest leather, and once again his eyes traced the words scrawled in gold. 'Lost Souls Inn' by Arcturus Black. He grinned. Sirius and the rest of the teens had begged him to publish the story that he'd written in his Animagus Journal and so reluctantly he had bowed to their demands. The book had been a success and one of the contributing factors in turning his reputation around. He opened the cover and looked at the first page and saw the dedication he had written.
To Marius, my brother and my grandsons Sirius and Regulus. Where there is Love there is Life.
Arcturus picked up his quill and quickly inscribed the tome. Marius, I thought you might enjoy reading this. I have cherished these years getting to know you and your lovely family. To me, you will always be my big brother. Love, A
A knock at the door drew his attention and his secretary popped her head in, "Minister, Hogsmead is under attack!"
Lord Arcturus nodded, "Thank you. Please keep me informed. He pulled a small silver mirror from pocket and tapped it with his wand, speaking clearly, "Sirius Black."