The Widow's Web

by Screaming Fae

The Black Family holds more secrets and surprises than anyone could ever imagine; this web of purity that dates so far back, with such elegant lines of purity in our blood. Even though the strings that break are disposed of, our secrets are still ours to hide. - A collection of oneshots/drabbles, relating to each member of the Black Family, starting with the earliest recorded.

9. Arcturus I - Fear the Ripper

ix.

Arcturus Black I

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When I was a child, Aunt Phoebe bitterly told me I was very similar to her youngest sister, Alexis-Walkin.

I was confused at first. Most of the Black family looked exquisitely alike, with dark hair and eyes. Everyone except Aunt Phoebe, of course.

When I was a little older, I asked Father about Alexis. He didn't say much to start with, but eventually he told me that she had been an interesting little girl. It was then that I realised that Alexis hadn't grown to be much older.

Though Father didn't tell me much else about Alexis, I discovered a journal that belonged to my father in my late teens, and quickly learned the truth about Alexis and her untimely death.

Perhaps as my time went on, I did become a little crazy. I sought out to destroy the hearts of the majority of the women around me, but none of them were enough. Even ruining the life of my sister didn't satisfy my craving for imminent destruction. But by the time I was fifty-three, women no longer flocked to me for my good looks and charm, and I was forced to entertain common prostitutes.

It was during 1888 that I committed my first, real murder. I didn't care for using my wand to remove the life of the whore I had previously bedded. I preferred to feel the life leaving their wretched bodies with my hands and weapons.

For months I found pleasure in murdering prostitutes and posting bodily parts and organs to the Muggle police service.

By the winter of 1888, I was known across England as Jack the Ripper.