It was odd to Albus to witness that Sirius had not protested when they arrived at a sea cavern.
The sea cave had meaning to Sirius. It was the place the reanimated corpses had taken the life of Regulus Black.
Sirius had taken the scratch on his wrist and the blood to open the gate as an offering to access the cave with relative ease.
Albus learned that being a prisoner in Azkaban had gifted Sirius with a wisdom that made him eerily dignified as submissive. Anyone else would be out of his mind and demanding answers.
"You're unusually quiet," said Albus.
Sirius just tilted his head to the side and raised an eyebrow. "What, you want me to clap at your performance?"
"Always so brave and quite stupid, the hat didn't sort wrong," added Albus.
Sirius threw a dirty look and said, "That's all well and fine, but I have better things to do than have tea at this lovely setting. Do you mind?"
Albus laughed, then he brought his wand out and said, " Crucio! "
Dark shadow magic that rose as a shield and swallowed the magic. Sirius just laughed and said. "Oh Albus, try again,"
Albus Dumbledore had encountered malicious magic before. He was after all over a hundred years old, but this was the first time he encountered a spell that could envelop the unforgivable.
Sirius's face began bubbling. It shifted into another face. Albus took a step back and said, "What is this?"
Then the figure sobered up and Arcturus Black, faced Albus Dumbledore, he said,
"Surprise,"
"Polyjuice only lasts one hour, the session in the Wizengamot lasted four and you drank water," said Albus.
Arcturus smiled and said, "I found a twelve-hour acting Polyjuice,"
"But, Sirius?" said Albus.
"Oh, Sirius must be having a good time right now," said Arcturus.
"You knew I was coming?" asked Albus.
"Yes, we did, all of us." Said Arcturus.
"All of us?" asked Albus.
Arcturus smiled. Then Albus turned his head and noticed the Inferi were rising from the lake. Then he turned to Arcturus. A cloak of invisibility shimmered behind him. The faces of young Harry Potter and Hermione Granger appeared. Trailing Harry, Sirius, and Amelia popped in with the help of Kreacher and Dobby.
"You fucked with the wrong ones, Albus," said Arcturus.
The Inferi were closing on the party, but Sirius waved his wand and the Fiendfyre created a serpent that burned anyone outside the ring of flame.
"You are a dark wizard," said Albus.
"Why do you think Thomas Riddle wanted to integrate into the Black family?" asked Sirius.
"But, you Albus, you were the darkest of them all. We lost the favour of the voice of the gods, because my father began listening to you." Said Arcturus.
"I just want to know, why did you kill my family?" asked Harry.
"Voldemort killed them, Harry," said Albus, who began lashing at the countless reanimated bodies of victims of war with flames.
"No! Riddle was the gun, and you were the sniper. Why the fuck did you have my parents killed?" asked Harry.
"It was greed, Harry. It is so obvious. you killed the Potters because of the Cloak of Invisibility - you lying thief," said Hermione, shaking her head.
"Riddle wanted to be the darkest wizard, and he seduced Bella and branded Regulus, but Arcturus still refused Riddle and you. You just wanted the Deathly Hallows, and you messed with my family and the Potters. Oh, and by the way, there was a war in the middle? Tell me, that's not it. Is it?" asked Harry.
"It was all for the greater good. It was his philosophy, according to the letter," added Amelia Bones.
Albus noticed his reflexes were failing, then he turned to Arcturus and asked, "Poison, you poisoned me?"
"That was my idea," said Sirius.
Everybody turned to Sirius. Sirius lowered his gaze, feeling self-conscious about the sudden silence. Smiled and said, "Did you ever hear the story of the scorpion and the frog?"
Sirius laughed and continued, "Albus, your demise was sealed the moment you took my body double from the Wizengamot, and double the poison when you got distracted by the apparition of the rescue party. I hope you enjoy the afterlife," said Sirius.
Albus was paralysed as his body temperature had lowered. The inferi caught the scent of poison and walked away, leaving him alone.
"Not even in death does the man stop repelling others," said Arcturus drolly.
"Fawkes!" mumbled Dumbledore. Suddenly, there was a flash of light and Fawkes appeared shining brightly. Sirius immediately closed the Fiendfyre enchantment.
Sirius spoke to Fawkes, "It's okay Fawkes. Albus is in agony and you can end his suffering. We won't tell anyone, the voice of the Gods said that you wanted your freedom, so go ahead."
Fawkes sang a powerful song of righteousness as Albus was overcome by the poison and became petrified. Fawkes landed on Albus' chest and continued to sing as a massive ball of flames formed, resembling a miniature star. The group had to close their eyes because of the brightness of the flames, as Dumbledore was consumed by them.
Sirius exclaimed, "Wow, no more Dumbledore!"
Hermione responded, "We need to gather the ashes that belong to the Phoenix."
Dobby quickly snapped his fingers and collected the ashes along with the small Phoenix bird that was chirping delicately at his new family.
Sirius then turned to Kreacher and said, "Let's bury this place Kreacher,"
"Thank you, Master Sirius," said Kreacher.
"I, uh, I don't need the explanations, but I would love them anyway," said Amelia.
Arcturus conjured a white rose and left it at the base of the water. The group vacated the cave, except for Sirius and Kreacher who remained.
After a prayer to the heavens for the rest of the souls along with his brother that perished in the conflict, Sirius summoned the Fiendfyre and continued to cast until the rock turned molten.
Sirius activated the port key on his ring and both he and Kreacher reappeared in Black Castle.
Amelia decided to hold back her urge to rant and instead, hugged Sirius, offering him warmth. The family planned to meet again in the morning. For the time being, Sirius wanted to forget his troubles and find peace, and Amelia was there to support him. As he drifted to oblivion, tears streamed down his face. He had lost his brother, who had made the ultimate sacrifice, just as he had sacrificed his freedom. The Blacks were a lucky family, considering their tendency to suffer violent deaths. It was time for them to start a new family tradition.