Chapter 5: The Fall of a Hierarchy

September 2nd, 1975

Rigel awoke relatively early, wishing to complete a morning run before his housemates rose.

While his dorm mates weren't downright awful, he did have his reservations.

Among them were Severus Snape, Evan Rosier, August Rookwood, and James Selwyn. While none of them imposed a large threat to him, the only one he was worried about was Rookwood. In Rigel's timeline, he knew Rookwood to be a Death Eater spy in the Department of Mysteries.

Shaking his thoughts of the boys, he ran.

Running the shore of the lake brought about a sense of peace in Rigel. Here, he was away from all the burdens and dangers he faced, if only for a moment.

As he ran, he began to formulate plans for his future.

The first was Dumbeldore; while Rigel trusted him enough with his identity, he did not with the most important information, such as the Horcruxes. Originally, Dumbledore had sent Rigel, Hermione, and Ron on a wild goose chase that was completely unnecessary. Rigel had no doubt that Dumbledore had known of the location of Slytherin's Locket, and perhaps Hufflepuff's Cup as well.

There was also the fact that Dumbledore had hidden the location of the Stone and Wand, the latter of which Voldemort took for himself. If things had happened differently and Voldemort had been the master of the wand, all would have been lost. Rigel was not sufficiently prepared to face him then, and no one else would have scratched the surface of Voldemort's ability and knowledge.

Rigel decided he would not speak to Dumbledore about the existence of the Horcruxes. While he would help with the war in general, he would need someone he trusted with his life to participate in the Horcrux hunt, and the only person that currently fit that description was Sirius.

'I can't lose Sirius to Voldemort's abominations.'

Deciding that was an issue for later, he moved to the next issue; his House.

While Rigel had no doubt that being in Slytherin opened up opportunities for him that Gryffindor would not, he still was saddened by not living with his best mates. They were already that to him, perhaps with the exception of Peter. While Rigel did not expect Peter had turned yet, he did not trust the boy whatsoever.

He would need to decide in the coming months which door he wanted to walk through in Slytherin, and none of them seemed appealing.

Clearing his head once more, he finished his run without his mind wandering off and reached the spot where he had started.

Breathing slightly shallower, Rigel spoke, "Tempus."

The blue letters of '6:24 A.M., September 2nd, 1975, Hogwarts' appeared in front of him, and he grinned. Starting at 5:30, he had run almost an hour at a heavy jog without stopping, a new personal best.

"Why do you find yourself out in the late moonlight at this time, Monsieur Black?"

Rigel almost shuddered at the voice but turned to face Adalene instead.

'To bollocks with it, let's see how far I can take this before I get my arse kicked.'

"I do believe I asked you to call me Rigel, Madame Rosier. I quite enjoy your accent with my name, you see. It gives me an ego boost, without which I'll die, I'm afraid."

Instead of getting angry,she raised a very delicate eyebrow before smirking.

'I don't like that smile.'

"Well, Rigel, would you like to join me on a walk to the Great Hall? I don't believe it is proper for a lady of my standing to be left unattended."

'She's got me now. Damnit, walked right into that one, I did.'

"Nor should a man of my station even think of leaving you alone; I would be honored to, my lady."

Looping her arm through his, they began a slow walk up to the castle.

Switching back to English, Rigel spoke first, "Why were you down here so early, if I may ask?"

If Rigel didn't doubt himself, he would have said that her cheeks turned slightly red, but he reduced it to a trick of the light.

"I saw you running and decided to watch to see how long you could go. I must admit, Monsieur Black, an hour at that pace is quite impressive."

Rigel smirked, "I do it for the attention, you see. I think I'll pass on without all of my fans."

To his surprise, Adalene huffed and smacked him playfully on his arm.

"I am not a fan, Monsieur Black. I merely wanted to see what the new Black does in his free time."

Rigel nudged her.

"Isn't that stalking?"

Adalene scowled.

"Do you want me to stalk you? I can, you know. You'd have no idea. That might be fun, actually…"

"No! Just joking, honest."

She smirked again.

"You know, you do cut quite an impressive figure without a shirt. I'm sure most ladies would love to have you."

Rigel flushed.

"It was all for you, Madame."

Finally, Rigel appeared to have won the battle.

"I am not an easy girl, Monsieur Black."

Rigel did not know what possessed him. He didn't even know her or her family, even.

That did not seem to matter as he got brave once more.

Almost reaching the great hall, he pulled her into an alcove and pressed her back against the wall, and grabbed her chin with his thumb and forefinger.

Leaning into her ear, he spoke, "I thought I told you to call me Rigel, Adalene."

He put much effort into the accent surrounding her name, and it seemed to work.

Her face was flushed and she was breathing heavier. Looking up at him, she slowly leaned forward, and Rigel cheered like a child internally.

"You will have to do better than that, Rigel Black."

Looking around, she was nowhere to be seen, and Rigel was in an alcove by himself.

As he left with an angry trooper, he was pulled by the arm. Pulling his wand out, he lowered it when he saw who the group was. Smiling, he gave Sirius a noogie.

"Ow, ow! Stop that you git!"

Chuckling Rigel let go and allowed himself to be led into the hall and by extension, the Gryffindor table.

"Get him out of here!"

"What is he doing at our table?"

"Oi! Black! Going to be as insane as dear old Bella?"

"SHUT UP!"

The table stopped and looked at Sirius with fear.

"I may be a Gryffindor but am bloody well a Black! Do you lot want to discover what that entails, hmmm?"

No one jeered further; Sirius was about to offer an apology on the table's behalf before Remus spoke up.

"Rigel, what is that smell?"

Rigel's head hit the table.

'He knew. Of course, he does, bloody werewolf.'

"Whaddya mean, mate? I smell like-"

"No, you don't. I can smell it too. Where have you been?"

James' remark did not help Rigel's situation. Sirius perked up and sniffed the air.

"Oi, who have you been- no."

Rigel cringed and once again put his head down.

"Rigel, you can't with her! Actually, how did you manage it in the first place?"

Remus, curious, said, "Who was he with? I don't recognize the smell."

Before Rilgel could protest, Sirius ruined it for him, and any chance he had at redemption was all but gone.

"Adalene Rosier."

James scoffed and Remus' eyes widened.

"Are you bloody kidding me!? How?"

"You must be mistaken, Sirius. Rosier is only the bloody hottest bird in Hogwarts. There's no way our pea-brained friend here managed that."

His face still red, Rigel narrowed his eyes, "If you're so smart, Potter, how about you really get Evans to go on a date with you? Oh yes, Siri has told me all about that. Poor Potter, it must be that Evans realized it was you with a pea brain. Git."

James had shut up, and Sirius and Remus guffawed loudly.

" Alright, fi-"

"Black. Would you care to sit with… your own, housemates, perhaps?"

Rigel looked behind him and caught the sheen of silver-blonde hair.,

'He'd bother me eventually. Might as well get it over with.'

"I suppose. Lead, the way, gentleman."

Accompanying Lucius were Evan Rosier and Rodolphus Lestrange.

Sirius and James begged him with their eyes to stay, but Rigel subtly shook his head. He would be back soon enough.

Once they sat down, Rigel took note of this portion of the Slytherin table.

Among them were Lucius, Evan, Rodolphus, Rabastan, Narcissa, Bellatrix, and Snape. Rigel was thankful to see Regulus sitting further down the table.

'He won't get caught up in any of this if I have anything to say about it.'

Lucius spoke first, the silver practically dripping off his tongue, "So, Black. I must say I find myself quite surprised that you ended up in this house considering your… company yesterday evening and this morning."

Rigel smirked, "Never judge a cave by its entrance, Malfoy. You never know what could be… lurking inside."

At this, Lucius smirked and Snape nodded appreciatively.

"So, are you close with your brother, then? The brave Black."

Rigel nodded, "Definitely, but I would also say that we could not be more different than we are."

Lucius' eyebrow raised.

"What makes you say that?"

"I have a tendency for different magic, I'm afraid. Gave my grandfather quite the surprise in a mock duel."

This time, everyone's eyebrows rose.

Bellatrix scoffed, "As if you would even stand a chance against Grandfather. I'm the best duellist in this school and he'd wipe the floor with me."

"As I did with him. We are in two different quidditch pitches, Bella."

She appeared to be angry.

"I will write Grandfather tonight and tell him of your tall tales. I also wish to duel you in the dueling pit. Once you're crying on the ground, ickle Rigel, you'll thank me for putting you in your place."

Rigel's eyes burned with a cold, silver fury.

"Very well. When I win, you forfeit your right to marry. I will choose. You are of a secondary branch; a daughter of a second son."

Rodolphus looked alarmed, "Bella, maybe it isn't the best idea to-"

SMACK!

"You dare question my ability, Rolphie?"

"No, Bella. I apologize."

Bellatrix turned to the waiting Rigel.

"Yes, I will do it. If I win, you will be taken out of the line of inheritance and it will pass to Regulus after Sirius."

Rigel nodded, "Deal."

(Break)

"You did what!?"

Rigel chuckled, "Oh yes, I and Bella are dueling tonight. I will wipe the floor with her face as a broom."

James shook his head furiously.

"Mate, you will die. Bellatrix is the best duellist in the school for a reason."

Rigel nodded.

"I shall be the reason she is not."

Seeing he couldn't do anything to change his mind, James sighed.

"Just be careful, yeah? We don't need to lose Greymaw this quick, you know."

Rigel grinned.

"You won't. I swear. I'll tell you what, too. Get your invisibility cloak and meet me at the entrance to the dungeons at 8 after dinner with Sirius. You're going to watch it."

James' eyes bugged.

"Sneaking into the Slytherin common room? I like it."

Rigel chuckled.

"Yes, I imagine it will be something for the lot of you to brag about in the coming years."

James nodded, "Imagine what we could do if you always gave us the password…"

"No."

James frowned.

"Why ever not? It's not as if you're actually a Slytherin…"

Sirius was begging James with his eyes to stop; he did not.

"... mean why would anyone want to be part of a bunch of slimy, sniveling, cowards who hide in the dark…"

At this point, Sirius had his head in his hands. Remus and Peter were watching the exchange nervously.

"Do you want to keep going, James? Want to list more reasons why I'm a slimy, sniveling coward? A little cunt who hides in the dark, eh?"

James grinned, evidently not seeing the danger he was in.

"Of course not, because you're not actually one of-"

Rigel waved his hand, casting a wandless silencing charm. Using a trick he learned from Croaker, he let his magic flare slightly, highlighting the silver of his eyes. They seemed to darken a few shades.

"I am one of them, you absolute twit. I know how you feel about my house. Frankly, I don't care. If I have come across as someone like Sirius who does not care about his heritage or inheritance, your eyes are opened. James, I do not want to have to say this ever again, and hope we can move forward, but let me make one thing clear. I am a Son of the Ancient and Noble House of Black, the richest and purest family in Britain. I may not care that much about blood purity, but I am part of my house and I am proud of it. I am proud that I am a Slytherin, the greatest of the Hogwarts four."

James appeared to be terrified, Rigel only making it worse with the hiss that followed.

"Do not underestimate me again, James."

Removing the silencing charm with another wave of his hand, he stalked off.

"I tried to get you to stop, you know. Scary one, that."

James did not hear Sirius, instead watching Rigel with caution and curiosity.

"Are you sure we can trust him, Padfoot? He seems more in tune with them, and I'm not talking about the Slytherins."

Sirius almost laughed.

"No, he's not like them. While I do expect him to do something like marry a pureblood witch, I don't expect him to join up with the likes of Voldemort. If he did do something like that, it would be under the order of my grandfather."

James frowned.

"Why would he do that?"

Sirius sighed.

"If it presented my grandfather with an opportunity to be rid of Voldie, then I imagine he would ask Rigel to. Although, I doubt that will happen if the changes I think will happen come true."

Remus interjected, "What changes do you mean?"

"My grandfather had a discussion with me before I left this year, one I didn't tell Rigel about. He asked me if I still wanted to be the heir."

James' eyes widened, understanding the implication.

"So, would it go to Rigel?"

Sirius nodded.

"It would. I don't have a particular interest in leading the family or doing paperwork. I also don't want to deal with the shitbags in the Wizengamot. Rigel is a perfect heir. While neither he nor I believe in blood purity, he is bigger on family values than I am. I wrote Grandfather this morning asking him to transfer the heirship to Rigel. Grandfather's only stipulation was that I couldn't marry a muggleborn."

James appeared angry.

"So, he's one of them then?"

Sirius' eyes darkened as Rigel's had a moment before.

"Do not insult my grandfather, James. While I may not agree with his views, I am fine following that rule. I may fool around with muggleborns but I never had the intention to marry one."

Seeing James still wasn't understanding, Sirius explained further.

"Look, James, I understand you never followed those views, and I have never told you this, but I did until I was around 10. Yes, I have said mudblood. Do I still think that now? No. The only thing is I still carry around those values to an extent. I would never think of Lily or any other that way now, but I can't bring myself to settle down with one. Grandfather did give me permission to marry a halfblood, but it has to be with his approval."

James digested what Sirius had told him.

He sighed.

"I guess I understand. It's hard to rid yourself of it when you've grown up with it."

Sirius nodded.

"I doubt I'll ever hold any true love for muggleborns unless one of you lot marries one, but I definitely don't hate them either. I suppose I'm indifferent to them. They're magical, so they deserve to be here."

James nodded.

"As long as you never call any of them the m-word, you and I will be right as rain, Padfoot."

Sirius threw his arm around James.

"That's right, Prongs. Now come on, I know a prank perfect for Marlene…"

(Break)

James, with the other three Marauders, meandered into the dungeons under the invisibility cloak. It was a tight fit, but they somehow made it work.

"Glad you all made it. Follow me."

James knew not how Rigel figured they were there, but he somehow did.

"Fatum mea potestas est."

James could not understand Parseltongue, but the door opened, seemingly out of a blank stone wall.

Rigel beckoned them in, the door closing behind them.

James took note of a darkish common room, decorated with green and the glow of the Black Lake.

"It's a bit gloomy in here, isn't it?"

Sirius nodded.

"Might be nice to visit but I wouldn't want to live here for seven years."

The three nodded at Peter's words. Indeed, it was gloomy.

The common room was empty, and they followed Rigel to a large stone trapdoor in the corner of the room.

Opening up to a flight of stone stairs, they descended until they reached the bottom.

It opened into a large, Greek-styled amphitheater. The Marauders took note of how many people were there.

'This has to be at least 200 members of Slytherin. Probably the entire house.'

Rigel subtly motioned for them to stay there.

"You can watch from here. Getting out will be on your own. As soon as the duel is over, leave. If you are found, I will have hell to pay with my house and you lot are as good as dead. No other houses know about this, and the only teachers that know are Dumbledore and Slughorn. I imagine the only reason it's still open is because it has been a tradition for hundreds of years."

With those words given, Rigel entered the center of the arena.

James noticed Slughorn standing next to Rigel, and Bellatrix wasn't far away.

"Hello, hello! It's great to see all of you here tonight, the first Slytherin-sanctioned duel in nearly five years! Tonight, we have Rigel Black facing Bellatrix Black. To make you aware of the stakes, they are as follows; If Mr. Black wins, then Ms. Black forfeits her right to marry of her choosing. It will be Rigel's. If Ms. Black wins, then Mr. Black is taken out of the line of succession. Do both of you understand what is at risk here?"

James saw both of them nod and then took opposite sides of the arena.

Slughorn spoke once more.

"The rules are rather simple. You may use any magic besides the killing curse since this is a duel between an Ancient and Noble House. The Cruciatus and Imperious Curse are permitted. This is technically counted as a blood feud, so Ministry regulations do not apply. Do you both understand?"

Once again, James saw them both give a sharp nod.

The crows began murmuring about the rules; since normal regulations did not apply, there was a large chance of severe injury.

"Take your stances!"

James watched both of them.

Bellatrix took her left arm above her head and pointed her wand straight at Rigel.

Rigel took a stance that James had never seen.

He stood precisely parallel to Bellatrix with his right arm pointed at her and his left folded behind his back. He looked almost like a muggle fencer.

"Three… two… one… BEGIN!"

At the sound, James watched the chaos unfold.

Bellatrix immediately unleashed a volley of bone-splintering curses. Rigel dodged all but the last, redirecting it hissing towards Bellatrix.

The crowd whispered; spell redirection was a skill almost all adult wizards didn't have. Only high-level Aurors and people like Dumbledore and Voldemort possessed such a skill.

Bellatrix's eyes widened and then narrowed.

"So, ickle Rigie knows how to play!"

Rigel smirked.

"Come on, ickle Bella, that was pathetic. Surely you can offer better."

With a shriek, she sent a blood-boiling curse at Rigel followed by a piece of floor she transfigured into a spike.

Rigel dodged the curse and waved his wand, the spike turning into glass which he then sent back at her. While she was busy with his answer, he sent three curses at her, all different; a blood-boiling curse, and bone-splintering curse, and an eye-gouging curse.

Bellatrix had just finished with the glass and yelped, dropping to the floor. The curses Rigel sent hissed by, impacting the stone wall behind her.

Bellatrix calculated Rigel, not knowing his weakness. Seeming to have made a decision, she conjured three wolves and sent a plethora of hexes and curses. Rigel's eyes widened.

"Shit, he didn't know she knew how to conjure."

James nodded, looking on worriedly.

What James saw next, he would never forget.

Rigel's body turned halfway into black smoke, his torso in the air supported by his smoky lower half. He flew through the air, unsupported by a broom, and dismantled Bellatrix's animations while her spells hit the wall he once stood in front of. She stared at him with bulging eyes.

The crowd was completely silent.

"Holy shit."

James agreed with Sirius' statement.

"Ickle Rigie has to pull out secrets? What will Rigie do when he figured out that she hurts his ickle brother?"

Rigel stiffened. His wrist moved so fast James couldn't even see, Bellatrix tried desperately to defend against curses that were moving at near-light speed.

She finally took one to her stomach, flying across the room.

'Bludgeonig hex. She's lucky it wasn't something worse.'

"Imperio!"

James froze with horror.

"No! The duel will be over!"

Sirius frowned, "I wouldn't worry about him, Prongs."

James watched as Rigel seemed to obey Bellatrix's demand to give him her wand.

At the last second, he reeled back.

"As if you could control me, you bitch."

He laughed a cold laugh, one that sent tingles down James' spine.

Her grey eyes filled with fire and a gleam James didn't like.

"I don't care if you beat me, Rigie. Siri can't stand a chance against me-"

"Crucio!"

James watched in horror and fascination. A red, curved beam of light erupted from Rigel's wand. As soon as it impacted Bellatrix, she screamed.

It wasn't of fear, pain, or delight.

It was of absolute agony.

She thrashed, her high cries echoing off of the otherwise silent chamber.

'I like Rigel, but… how can someone good do this?'

James saw the satisfied glint in Rigel's eyes as he watched his cousin convulse.

Rigel stopped once Slughorn put a hand on his arm, which had been around 15 seconds after he started it.

Rigel laughed.

"Say goodbye to Rodolphus, Bella."

With that, he pushed past the Marauders, who hurriedly followed.

James looked back and saw Bellatrix sitting up, convulsions running through her body as she looked where Rigel had disappeared with apprehension.

(Break)

Adalene was once again waiting for Rigel as he finished his run, shirtless.

"That was quite a show you put on last night, Monsieur Black."

"Piss off."

Adalene was obviously surprised, watching the shirtless Black push past her.

She ran to catch up, "I apologize, Monsieur. That was insensitive. I heard her threaten your brother. Once again, I am sorry."

His hard face softened.

"It's fine. Bitch got what she deserved."

"I will admit, you have placed yourself on the top of the Slytherin hierarchy after that. Using the Cruciatus, while cruel, showed the entire house you are not to be trifled with - especially since you managed to use it on Bellatrix. She is- was - the best duellist at Hogwarts, a title that now belongs to you."

Rigel nodded.

"That makes sense. It's not something I particularly care about, but nice nonetheless."

Adalene nodded.

"So, since it is the weekend, what do you plan to do, Monsieur Black?"

He chuckled.

"Well, Mademoiselle Rosier, I had hoped to get you in a broom closet, but you ruined that the last time around so I'll apparently have to come up with a new strategy."

She flushed, her face turning red.

"As I said, you will have to do better than that Monsieur Black."

"It wouldn't be that hard."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Are you calling me easy?"

He chuckled.

"No. I'm saying that if I wrote to my grandfather, we would have a contract by the end of the month."

'He is right. He is a Black, and they get what they want. Does he want me?'

"Would you?"

He snorted.

"No. I'm too young, and I don't even know you. You just so happen to meet me after my morning runs, admiring my chest."

She once again flushed.

"I was not."

As they were inside the castle, and he was still shirtless, he dragged her into a broom cupboard.

"Now that my chest is right here, do you want to say that again?"

Her face was bright red.

"Rigel, let me out of here! If my father hears that I've been inside of a broom-"

He put a finger on her lips and leaned close. She thought he was going to kiss her, however, his lips brushed her ear.

"What he doesn't know won't hurt him."

(Break)

Remus was approaching a broom closet.

'Of course, I get early morning patrol. Who the bloody hell does this at six in the morning!?'

As he approached, the muffled moans he heard got progressively louder. Not loud enough that someone walking by would hear, but due to Remus' condition, he was able to somewhat hear through regular silencing charms.

What he saw next was a sight he would never forget.

Adalene Rosier had her back against a wall, her face bright red. Rigel was on his knees with his head under her skirt.

"Rigel! Rigel! Stop!"

Rigel stopped and looked confused until he noticed the extra light coming from the now-open door.

He jumped to his feet and turned around to Remus' raised eyebrow.

"Anything you want to tell me mate?"

(Break)

Sirius trudged into the Great Hall. He sat down, and as he was putting his food onto a plate, he noticed a very red-faced Rigel being herded into the hall with Remus' arm around him.

Once he sat down, Sirius spoke.

"Is he okay, Mooney? Does he need me to beat up some-"

Remus smirked.

"Oh, he's lovely Sirius. I'm sure he's still reveling in the taste of his morning breakfast."

At this time, James sat down with Peter.

"Breakfast? What did he eat before-"

Sirius stopped. He looked at Rigel's red face, Remus' smirk, and noticed a Polaroid in Remus' front robe pocket.

He snatched it.

Rigel looked at the photo with utter loathing. His hair was severely disheveled, his shirt off, and Sirius saw something that reflected light in lines around his mouth.

Sirius guffawed loudly and passed it to James.

"Something good to eat this morning, brother?"

Rigel groaned and put his head on the table.

"Siri, please don't."

Undeterred by the nickname, he said, "Who was it, then?"

Rigel didn't answer. Remus made a motion, pointing at his nose and then to Rigel.

Sirius took a sniff of the air and his eyes widened astronomically.

"Rigel!"

He groaned again. At this point, James and Sirius were guffawing.

"How the bloody fuck did you end up with your head between Rosier's legs?"

Rigel lifted his head and sent a withering glare to Sirius.

As Rigel was about to speak, an owl landed in front of him. He frowned and untied the letter.

Scanning it, his eyes widened and looked at Sirius questioningly.

Sirius nodded.

Rigel took an ornate ring encrusted with ravens and a purple 'B' out, and slipped it onto his finger.

Sirius smiled.

"All hail the new heir to the Black Fortune, Rigel Black. What, did you expect me to want it, you tosser?