As the birthday dinner began under the candlelit chandelier, members of the Black family began to take their seats. Perseus, making his way to his chair near the crackling fireplace, was attempting to ward off Bellatrix's pinching curses - her version of birthday kisses - as he sat down. Looking on, Arcturus only shook his head in amusement, letting a thick billow of smoke cover his smile

For the first several years of Perseus's upbringing, Bellatrix had taken efforts to neglect the child at every turn - even ensuring her seat at the dinner table was furthest from his own. During his formative years, however, the boy gradually displayed the promising potential the family had hoped for and acquired the Slytherin character they had fostered. Not escaping Bellatrix's curiosity, it seemed that she had moved one seat closer to him as each year passed. They now sat side by side, almost inseparable.

"Alright now, that's enough!" Arcturus raised his voice over the chatter and horseplay as he clung his fork against his half empty champagne glass. "We'll let Perseus open his presents after we eat. For now, I have a special announcement to make."

Eyeing Perseus as the prattle ceased, he gave a quick nod of approval.

"Perseus! It's time you throw away that toy wand of yours. Tomorrow, we're taking a trip to Ollivander's!"

Perseus dropped his toy and jaw simultaneously, his face betraying the anticipation he was already relishing in as the rest of the family shared a quick applause.

"So soon?" Walburga murmured as she poured her champagne glass to the brim.

"Sooner the better," Arcturus beamed.

"First thing in the morning?" Cyrus's voice swelled with excitement.

"Promise," Arcturus gave his heir a wink as he began to cut into his dinner.

"Finally," Bellatrix sighed in disgust. "He would have had one years ago if it were up to me."

"Yes…well, he would possess a great many things twas it up to you, my dear. Thankfully it is not," Arcturus quipped.

"Perhaps," Bellatrix gave a childish grin.

"Of course…" Arcturus dashed his cigar a moment later as he massaged his forehead, "Lets get it over with. What did you get him this time? Surely you've already bypassed us all as always."

"My own house elf!" Perseus blurted out at once, unable to wait for his uncle's reaction.

"A what?!" Arcturus slammed his fist to the table as his face flushed red. "We already have three!"

"None of the little rodents know how to tend to our boy properly, uncle," Bellatrix rolled her eyes as she cut into her venison. "He needs his own."

"Here, here!" Pollux raised his glass.

Arcturus darted his eyes over to his brother, glaring at him as if the man had just attempted to curse him. All throughout Perseus's childhood, Arcturus had preached the need to protect the boy from the spoils of pureblood upbringing. While he certainly had failed on most accounts, often noting his own hypocrisy, the rest of the Black family ignored the advice entirely - Bellatrix being by far the worst offender.

Just as Arcturus turned back to Bellatrix, however, Gellert entered the dining room. In an instant, everyone scrambled to their feet to stand in honor.

"No need, no need…" Gellert waived the family off.

"Apologies for my late arrival," he announced as he set a book as thick as an encyclopedia beside his plate. "Just finishing up some light reading."

"Not a a problem at all! Just in time for dinner!" Arcturus exclaimed.

"Your hospitality is most gracious," Gellert nodded as he sat down.

"As is your presence, my lord."

Ignoring Arcturus's pleasantries with a smile, Gellert immediately broached the first topic of conversation.

"Yes… Now, I couldn't help but overhear that Perseus here received an early birthday present."

"Just a trifling family matter," Arcturus waived his hand. "Nothing that can't be addressed at a later date."

"Of course. But I must confess that your niece is not the only culprit here."

"Oh? Well that's marvelous news! I was not aware that you had something for Perseus."

"I didn't," Gellert replied. "However, Perseus was most admirable in our little discussion today and I felt the need to reward him for his patience and intellect. He and his new familiar are getting along…surprisingly well."

Arcturus shot his eyes wide open after a moment's pause.

"Ah yes! The diamondback! That's magnificent!" Arcturus beamed at Perseus. "You've always had a liking for…"

Trailing off, Arcturus squinted his eyes as if he had just spotted a roach on the table.

"But wait… the aquarium. You were supposed to open the aquarium first. I assume that its still in its box, of course?"

"Sampson doesn't belong in an aquarium, Arty!" Perseus seemed astonished.

"Well…this one does Perseus," Arcturus held up a finger. "As soon as we are done with dinner you and I are going to transfer it from the box to its aquarium immediately."

Perseus, frowning as if he had been denied dessert, looked over at an inquisitive Gellert.

"Sampson…. very clever name Perseus!" Pollux gave the boy a wink.

"Oh…but Perseus did not name his familiar," Gellert cut in. "Apparently, that was the name given to him at birth."

Pollux, Walburga, and Bellatrix looked on in bewilderment as Arcturus lifted his head from his plate, spotting the book Gellert had placed beside him. It was titled, "The Hidden History and Talents of Parsel Magic."

"Impossible…" Arcturus whispered under his breath.

"At birth?" Pollux looked as though Gellert had gone as mad as Cassiopeia. "Whatever do you mean….by birth?"

"Perseus… why don't you go get Sampson and show everyone what a spectacular familiar your uncle got you," Gellert requested with a thinly veiled innocence.

Nodding his head with a mischievous glint in his eyes, Perseus bolted from his seat without a moment's hesitation and left the dining room.

"Now…" Gellert turned his attention to the members of the Black family. "We have far more to discuss than I had previously anticipated. Perseus…is far from an ordinary child."