Sirius sat across from his grandfather's desk, wondering what he wanted to talk about.
"Sirius, I know how you feel about Bellatrix," Arcturus started.
"I cannot stand her," Sirius snarled.
"But remember, this Bellatrix is younger, and she could still change," Arcturus reminded him.
"Bellatrix? Change? Highly doubt it!" Sirius exclaimed.
"I'm not saying that she will, but understand it's a possibility," Arcturus said.
"Well, I'm sorry that I am not about to forgive the woman who wanted me DEAD!" Sirius snarled.
Arcturus realized it was one of those moments where Sirius needed comfort, not a stern talking to. He walked around the desk and knelt in front of Sirius. He put a hand on his shoulder before speaking.
"Sirius, I don't expect you to forgive her. I can only imagine how horrible it feels to have your own cousin trying to kill you," he said kindly. "When I saw the memory of what she did to you, I was angry too. I still am angry that Bellatrix did that in the future. However, the Bellatrix you saw today is much younger, and she still has room to grow. I cannot be sure if she'll come back to the family someday, but if she does, all I ask is that you be civil to her. I don't expect you to like her, but at least be civil. Of course, if she never comes back to us, then I suppose you'll never have to try to be civil to her."
"Alright, I will be civil to her if she ever comes back to us, but ONLY if she can prove she's not the monster she was in the future," Sirius decided.
"I agree with you," Arcturus said. "And don't you worry. If she does come back to us, I won't all of a sudden forgive her. She did betray the family, and that cannot just easily be forgiven. But in the meantime, I want you to be there for Narcissa and Andromeda. They are very upset. They were very close to Bellatrix as children."
"Alright, I'll do my best," Sirius said with a sigh. "I'm sorry for having that outburst."
"It's alright," his grandfather said, standing and giving him a hug.
Wow, Sirius thought. Third hug in the past eight months!
"Now, there's something I have been wanting to do for some time, but it's been very busy for the past several months," Arcturus said, sitting back in his chair. "There's a member of the family who was disowned years ago, and for a very silly reason."
Sirius tried thinking of the people he knew that were disowned. "Who?" he asked. He had a hunch, but he didn't want to be wrong.
"I'll give you a hint," Arcturus said. "He was disowned for not being like everyone else in the family."
Sirius gasped. "Uncle Marius?" he asked.
Arcturus nodded. "Correct," he said. "I am assuming he never got brought into the family in the future?"
"No," Sirius said. "And I would have brought him back in when I was Lord Black, but I was sort of on the run."
"Yes, I am sure you were," Arcturus responded. "Well then, I believe it's time we pay him a visit."
"Really?" Sirius asked, suddenly feeling excited.
"Have I ever been known to say something and then take it back?" his grandfather asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Er, no," Sirius replied. "But I'm just surprised. What if he doesn't want anything to do with the Blacks, since he hasn't been in the family for so long?"
"If that is the case, then that's his choice, of course," Arcturus said. "But hopefully he'll be a part of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black by the end of the day tomorrow. We will be leaving tomorrow morning to go visit him. I believe your Aunt Cassiopeia knows where he lives. I will see if she will meet us here in the morning, and we'll go from there."
"Alright, sounds good," Sirius agreed readily.
"Good. Now, go get some lunch from the Great Hall. I need to floo-call Cassiopeia," Arcturus explained. Sirius nodded and left the headmaster's office.
Arcturus headed to the fireplace and floo-called Cassiopeia.
"Arcturus, what do you want me to research now?" Cassiopeia asked when she noticed him.
"Nothing," Arcturus replied. "I was wondering if you know where your brother lives?"
"What?" Cassiopeia asked, staring at Arcturus like he was insane.
"Marius," he said quickly. Cassiopeia gasped.
"Why?" she asked.
"Sirius and I are going to visit him tomorrow," Arcturus explained.
"Wait, are you finally going to bring him back into the family?" she asked hopefully.
"That's our plan," Arcturus confirmed.
"Very well," Cassiopeia said. "I shall come to Hogwarts tomorrow morning and I will get you and Sirius to Marius. But do not be surprised if he is cold towards you at first."
"I wouldn't expect anything less. It has, after all, been too long," Arcturus said with a sigh. "Thank you, Cassiopeia."
"Of course," Cassiopeia said. "I'll see you in the morning." After he cut off the connection, Cassiopeia shook her head. "After all these years. Well, better late than never, I suppose." With that, she went back to her research.