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VII: Returning Home Part III

Sirius sighed and then promptly frowned when he heard the clock chime 2 p.m.

Have I really been at it for four hours solid? He wondered. And where is Kreacher?

Standing, the wizard stretched and surveyed his work.

Bypassing the legalese in his parents' will said he was disowned and no one could help him. However, since Father was not Lord Black his will would not have been written in stone and the Goblins would have taken it under advisement.

Thank you, Grandfather. Sirius thought relieved.

His Grandfather's will made it written in stone that Sirius would receive his dues. It also told the Goblins he had not received trial notice or the verdict for his grandson and that had it not been his illness he would have pushed for it. It also offered a substantial amount of gold to Goblins for their best solicitor to pursue Sirius' trial.

Sirius laughed darkly.

"Merlin's balls," he muttered, scrubbing his face.

He left the study for a much needed break.

Turning toward the study's door he was surprised at seeing the House crest with Lord Black written beneath it.

Sirius smiled, touched. "Thank you," he said to the House.

He went to the Master suite.

He opened Mother's secretary in the attached sitting room. He smirked after rummaging through the House of Black stationery.

He picked his Mother's best quill. Still in the box. Sirius had bought it for her before everything went badly between them on a Hogsmeade trip for her birthday.

Befitting for Hermione. He thought as he perused it.

It was a peacock quill with an assortment of nibs and three ink colors in navy, emerald and black. All the nibs had a miniature House of Black crest. He raised Grandfather's wand over the lady's quill.

"En Stirps Nobilis et Gens Antiquissima Black mea custodiat!"*

Sirius cast a House protection charm on it. Every Noble and Noble and Most Ancient House had a specific protection spell due their lineage. In the Blacks' case it would summon either the Raven or the Basilisk to protect the owner of the quill.

Sirius picked up the quill and returned to his former bedroom until he found the quill Father gifted him at his Heir Ceremony.

"Reparo!" Sirius casted over the black-and-silver young man's quill and repeated the protection spell.

Since Kreacher is absent...he thought suddenly. He rushed to the study.

"Noble and Most Ancient House of Black," Sirius' voice rang. "Lead me to Thy protective wards. Show me all to protect those in My care as I am Lord of this Estate."

Shadows burst around Sirius mixing with platinum undercurrents and his study became as black as his name. Encircling him completely.

It made Sirius flashback to Azkaban.

He was so cold. He could feel centuries of revenge, rage, cunning and hatred surround him. Trying to suffocate him unto Its will.

Sirius snarled back. "Non ducor, DUCO!"*

A woman appeared before him.

Her eyes were dark and searching his. She wore a medieval lady's handmaiden grey-and-black gown. She was slight and small. Her hair was black and out of its plait on one side.

Sirius frowned at her in confusion. "Who are you?" His eyes widened as realized the grey of her gown was stained in blood. "What happened to you?" He took an intuitive step forward, his arms outstretched before quickly pulling them back.

The young woman curtsied to him. And Sirius felt the heaviness abate from the centuries on his consciousness.

"My name was Séraphine when I lived, Lord Black." Séraphine answered respectfully. "I sacrificed my life to protect then-Lady Ursula, your progenitor Lord Phineas Nigellus Black's wife, from an axe blade meant for her and His Lordship when they were betrayed by their friends." She raised her dark eyes to meet Sirius' grey ones. "I used my magic to incorporate my soul into the protection of all those with Black blood. I am the House of Black."

Straightening she asked, "What is it you desire, Lord Black?"

"You know I must reestablish myself as Lord Black in wizarding society. Not just for myself―but for my Heir." Sirius' eyes narrowed. "He is being hunted and abused by Muggles and Wizardkind alike."

She surveyed him with interest. Sirius felt like he passed a major test.

"I need to know about the Black Family wards...and who can enter or exit at will, Séraphine." Sirius said. He noted her instant surprise to being called by her given name. "For I smell treachery." He flexed his hands. "And I will destroy any who seek to harm my Heir."

The woman beamed at him, delighted at his words at odds with her gentle face. "Revenge and cunning are our specialty, My Lord." She regarded him speculatively. "The wards haven't been updated since your disownment from your father. However, Lord Arcturus," Sirius raised a brow at the admiration of Séraphine's voice took. "Indicated to me you were to be regarded. I see he was wise once again."

"Can anyone enter…?" He did not want to say enter you? It sounded so wrong and rude to refer to her as a House now.

"Only those with Black blood or their children. For example, Narcissa Black and her son can enter but not her husband."

"Ban her and Bellatrix." he hissed. Her eyebrows rose. "May I ask why?"

"Because they would kill my Heir at first chance or sell him out for their gain." Sirius said through gritted teeth. She inclined her head. A cold glow surrounded her. A tablet appeared before Sirius.

"You must write their full names on the tablet, Lord Sirius." Sirius recognized Grandfather's penmanship with a list of names he did not recognize.

He eyed the quill coldly. "Is this a Blood Quill?" He asked coolly.

She nodded. "The traditions are based on my time period, Lord Sirius. For anyone you wish to add...you must sacrifice your noble blood for."

Internally swearing Sirius added names. The blood on his hand being used as ink for the quill. Cutting into his flesh with a sharpness he knew he would never forget.

Bellatrix Elladora Black Lestrange*

Narcissa Druella Black Malfoy*

Draco Lucius Malfoy*

"Can I remove one if I deem them trustworthy?" Sirius asked.

Séraphine nodded. "You would have to list a reason. So I would know if they betray you, then I could reach for their souls and undo them slowly."

Sirius gaped at her. "Can you really do that?"

She smiled benignly. "I can do many things if it involves revenge or cunning, Lord Sirius. Anyone who harms the Lord and His Heir in particular will receive no clemency from my wrath."

It took a moment for Sirius to truly understand her.

Séraphine appeared like her name. Admirable and elegant but burning with vengeance.

"You would have made a fine Lady Black," Sirius said unthinkingly. "I wish we had met in the same lifetime without rank divisions between us."

Her eyes widened. She smiled beautifully up at him. "You honor me, Lord Black." She blushed like a schoolgirl. She looked no older than 19 to him.

Blushing and internally cursing himself, he quickly added a few more names. Are you mad? Did you just hit on a dead woman? Of your own House?! You're nothing like Mother and Father, Good Merlin!

Remus John Lupin.

Andromeda Ursula Black Tonks*.

Nymphadora Andromeda Tonks*.

"I would like to add a House-Elf and a Hippogriff." He said quickly changing the subject.

She stared at him. "Does Kreacher offend you, Lord Sirius?" He could see her apparent disgust. As a servant she would hold him accountable within their ranking. "Would you like to end his life for displeasing you?"

"Certainly not," Sirius said. "I have much use of him still...it's just Dobby the House-Elf protected me and provided for me on behalf of my Heir. And...he has proven himself loyal." Sirius chuckled. "He is too sincere to lie or misuse me or mine. And I have learned much from him regarding my Heir." His eyes softening and fond smile beginning at his lips making him all the more handsome to Séraphine. "Buckbeak is the reason I was able to be ahead of the authorities. I told him he could stay on my island since he is being hunted by that damnable Lucy Malfoy."

Relaxing, Séraphine looked at him curiously. "Indeed? And just who is your Heir?" What she was really asking was his Heir's parentage.

"He is my legal godson since his birth in 1980." Sirius answered easily. "Harry James Potter." His posture both protective and loving as he said that.

Séraphine remained silent. She would judge for herself Lord Sirius' Heir.

Another tablet appeared before them.

This one had decidedly fewer names on it, including Sirius' in Arcturus' penmanship.

Using the Blood Quill Sirius added Dobby the House-Elf, Heir Harry James Potter and Buckbeak the Hippogriff.

To Sirius' shock Harry's name became Heir Apparent Harry James Potter-Black.

"What?" Sirius asked stunned.

"Legally you're adopting him." Séraphine explained. "By laws of magic, wizard or Muggle he would have his name hyphenated. However, that doesn't mean he would have to go by Potter-Black."

Sirius frowned at that. He did not want to usurp James in any way...But this is for Harry's protection.

"Can anyone else access those records?" He asked concerned.

"Nay, except the Goblins." She tilted her head, listening. "Kreacher says he's run into some trouble with your Account Manager."

Sirius stared at her.

"All servants communicate to one another." She gave a delicate shrug. "I more or less know what Kreacher is doing at all times. There has been no one else for me to look after since Lord Arcturus commanded Kreacher's punishment for failing you and Lady Walburga's downward spiral."

"I would like to know what Grandfather said when you're ready to disclose it, Séraphine." He said diplomatically.

Séraphine curtsied to him. "You must return...my magic cannot be within proximity to the living for long periods of time, Lord Sirius."

To her surprise, Lord Sirius bowed deeply to her. "I am much obliged and indebted to you, Mademoiselle Séraphine."

Séraphine blushed and disappeared from Sirius' sight.

He was back in his study. As if nothing happened.

Blinking, he reoriented and looked down at his desk where the children's quills remained. Using his desk quill he wrote on a piece of parchment for the young witch and wizard.

Dear Poinsettia and Prongslet,

As you may have already guessed I am doing well. I hope you'll both accept and early Christmas present? After all, it's in time for classwork and basic runes.

Snuffles.

He smiled. Poinsettia was Gryffindor red and innocuous enough of a nickname she would understand his implications. Prongslet was the name he had given to Harry as an infant.

"Dobby!" Sirius summoned, pleased when he looked at his little friend.

"I have much to tell you, but for now be sure to bring these discreetly to Harry and Hermione, will you?"

Dobby gleefully bounced and suddenly became serious, surprising the wizard.

"Dobby pays his most humblest respects to Her Ladyship House of Black." Dobby said sincerely, bowing to the point where his nose hit the floor. "Dobby promises to protect, keep and assist my Master Harry Potter's Snuffies in any way he can."

The House lit the fire and Sirius saw sparks fly.

An oath had been struck between the House and the House-Elf.

I need a glass of wine.

Kreacher smiled cruelly at Account Manager Jawcracker. "What to do with you, hm?" He asked in his gravelly voice. "I shall have to summon the House Magic upon you, but first...tell me honestly and willingly what you did and I'll be sure to ask her Ladyship to...make it quick for you as we say?"

The disgraced Goblin was bound in chains in one of the deepest caverns of the Goblin Nation.

Director Ragnok, Captain Lockjaw, Potions Master Ragemark, Healer Lacie Thaxton and Lawyer Flameclaw glowered at Jawcracker.

"Your gold and worthwhile personal effects will be awarded to the Black Family Vault in its entirety for your crimes. You will suffer at the claws of a Hungarian Horntail for betraying a sacred vow we Goblins hold. To manage gold and the estate of any client―especially a Noble and Most Ancient House―will have you begging for mercy." Ragnok snarled.

"But you'll find none from the Goblin Nation. So I suggest you beg Black House-Elf Kreacher for it. For as soon as he is done with you then I will feed you to the Horntail!"

The portly Jawcracker wet himself and whimpered.

Kreacher crinkled his nose in disgust.

"I call upon My Lady House of Black," Kreacher said stirringly. "Make this treacherous Goblin disclose his crimes to Our Lord Black and Our House!"

Black-and-silver mist swirled around Jawcracker.

He saw the face of a dark-eyed gentle handmaiden.

Let the truth free you. She crooned tenderly. All will be fine as soon as you confess…

A silver-and-black Basilisk curled around Jawcracker. But he was unaware of it.

She had black Raven wings behind her. Blocking the Goblins from Jawcracker's view.

Tell me...what have you stolen from Our House? Who have you sold Lord Black to? Why and how much were you given?

Jawcracker had no idea he was talking but he told all.

How Lady Narcissa Black Malfoy approached him with her husband shortly after the Malfoy Heir was born. How persuasive they were in saying he would never be caught. They were only taking what was rightfully theirs since Narcissa was not the Black Heir and there were no other Blacks to inherit the fortune be it from death, disownment or imprisonment. It became apparent that Narcissa felt her bribe was enough to entice the Goblin.

She did not know he was actually stealing from her former House. She obviously hoped in the years to come she would drain the Black Vaults with the passage of time and acquire the fortune for her interests.

None would be the wiser to Jawcracker's decisions.

Furthermore, the Goblin had been curious about the Dark objects the House of Black had in its Vault. Legally, he should have reported everything. But he did not. He figured the House of Black was not worth parlaying any further on its behalf and thought it deserved to be disenfranchised from the Goblin Nation. He would be innocent of the proceedings since he could always claim client confidentiality from the previous Lord Arcturus Black. Known for not disclosing anything unless convenient for his House.

He was aware of other proceedings but had chosen to look the other way.

He stared hypnotized by the gentle beauty before him.

She smiled cruelly at him.

"You may keep your mind." Kreacher translated. "But your organs will feed the Horntail. Your limbs will slowly become diseased and you will feel 950 million times the pain based on the amount of galleons you stole from the House of Black. It will be a slow, tortuous death befitting the traitor of Our Esteem."

The House of Black's Basilisk began to slowly peel the skin off with his poisonous fangs. Jawcracker screamed hideously and was taken to another room to endure his betrayal. It would be heard throughout the Bank to serve a reminder. Jawcracker's full crimes would be known to those present but the gist would be clear to all Goblins.

The Goblin Entourage gulped collectively but appreciatively.

"I must return to my Master." Kreacher said calmly. "To fulfill his will. I suspect you will write to us the terms of your assistance based on the betrayal of the Bank in recompense to Lord Sirius?"

"Of course," Ragnok said. "May I have permission from her Ladyship to have my correspondence―and my team's―reach Lord Black?"

The Handmaiden appeared before them with the Raven on her shoulder.

Her unkempt appearance belied her murder. "I require a Blood Oath from your Entourage not to betray Lord Black or His Heir in any way, shape, or form. I will judge your Magic, Blood and Soul. Should I find any deceit I will end you."

She smiled cruelly at them. "You've been warned, Masters Goblin and Mistress Gobliness."

Lacie took the first step. "What do you require, My Lady? I seek justice for the child. He has been abused by Muggles and a Witch. I cannot do anything without Lord Black's sanction." Her obsidian eyes regarded the deceptively gentle Handmaiden. "I will protect that child with my Magic, Blood and Life." She said authoritatively. "My training is that of Healer and offer aid to Lord Black from his extended stay in Azkaban."

Séraphine's dark eyes surveyed the Gobliness and Lacie felt a weight pass upon her than lift. "Accepted Gobliness Lacie Fistbiter Thaxton. Healing would assist Lord Black indeed."

On it went as each Goblin disclosed how their position could best serve the House of Black and Lord Black's interest. They would pledge might, magic and blood if necessary to achieve Lord Black's aims at protecting his Heir. Satisfied, Séraphine turned to the Raven who opened its beak.

She pulled a ceremonial dagger and handed it hilt first to Lacie who immediately cut herself and watched her blood float toward Séraphine who promptly wove it as Lacie passed the dagger to her fellow Goblins. Who repeated the process. Séraphine wove everyone's blood together and wrapped it around her wrist as a bloody bracelet. She would know of their intentions toward her Lord and Heir.

Ragnok bowed low to her. "My Lady," he began. "Please tell Lord Black to never remove his Lordship ring or this spell," he opened his other hand and handed her a small pebble; which she took curiously. "For it will disguise him from the Azkaban magical trace."

Azkaban had paid the Goblins a hefty price to place their magical traces around the Wizarding prison due to Wizards and Witches being unable to practice Goblin magic.

Séraphine smiled sweetly at him. "This I will relate. Come Kreacher." She wrapped her silver-and-black magic around Kreacher and simply...disappeared.

Lacie's mind raced.

"I have an idea." She said showing her warrior's fangs.

References: Please see Ch. VI Returning Home Part II for the names and British courtesy title references. I do plan on mentioning Harry and Hermione since this has a light element of romance between them. However, this is a long and complicated storyline (so I hope you will stick with it since I want to do it justice) and their relationship will be discussed in due time.

Latin Sirius speaks (courtesy of Google Translate Latin to English dictionary.)
Non ducor, duco: I am not led, I lead.
"En Stirps Nobilis et Gens Antiquissima Black mea custodiat!"*: Behold the noble family and oldest clan Black protect my family!" Most of this is written on Black Family Tapestry from the OotP movie and on the Harry Potter Lexicon.