Fabian was taken by surprise when Lord Black demanded to meet his aunt Muriel.

And about Severus.

Everything was strange on that night.

From Arcturus and Regulus visiting a half-blood at the dead of the night, to him watching Regulus Black hugging Severus like his life depended on it.

He knew only a little about the situation with Severus, the ministry and the guardianship, but even that was mind-blowing.

Why these knuckleheads had to turn the guardianship into a political battle? First it was about who was richer, then about blood relation and now a full custody battle with Dumbledore and Abraxas making it more ridiculous.

The fact that neither of them thought about Severus himself was the most problematic in his opinion. Why this young traumatized orphan had to go through this…why neither Bones or Longbottoms were approved for the task.

And now, throwing a Black in the mix?

He was deep in thought when he accompanied Lord Arcturus to meet with Lady Muriel, just when the first rays of sun were showing themselves. They had left Regulus and Severus hugging on the bed, with strict instructions for the Black elf and a nurse who knew the family well.

The Prewatt Manor was one of the oldest pureblood residences in the UK. It was well kept, but wasn't as ground and magnificent as other such manors, like Black's or Malfoys. They were not as rich as those two houses, but they were somewhere in the middle ground. Certainly not like Weasley's or Sylwans.

With only him as the heir, Muriel and Fabian didn't have to worry about funds for a long time, and anyway, Fabian wanted to join Aurors.

Gideon too, but he couldn't now, could he? he had to find a low level one for now. He couldn't go galivanting with giants and run after criminals when he was recently married. It would be frowned upon to not try for an heir at first and leave his young bride to join Aurors. Edgar himself didn't become an auror right after Hogwarts, he worked in his father's shop in Diagon until he died and he had to rake up the mantle and raise his sister himself.

That aside, He didn't even know what they were going to discuss! And the pleasantries and false niceness was buggering his mind.

"May I be excused?"

Muriel didn't even raise her head from her cup "no. you will go to Weasley residence at once, and inform both your sister and her husband they are needed here. Young William needs to be here too"

Arcturus only stared "you knew even before I started?" he seemed to be taken by surprise, as if he didn't know his aunt that much.

Muriel knew what Fabian and Gideon wanted even before them themselves. She was as cunning as a Slytherin, as intelligent as a Ravenclaw, and as blunt as a Gryffindor, while she had never gone to Hogwarts and was homeschooled as it was the custom in those days.

She once said she was old enough to be Dumbledore's mother and Fabian never dared to ask her age. She could be as scary as McGonagall in a mood if she wanted, and Fabian liked his life.

Muriel huffed "I knew even before those two lads started playing with a child's life and Grindelwald"

Wait what? Lads? She was calling Abraxas and Albus- so many names – Dumbledore lads?

"Then go and get your brother and his intended along with Lord Bones"

Was there a family reunion he wasn't aware of? What did it have to do with Severus!

"Now boy!"

It was half an hour later when they were all sitting in the main dining room when Muriel started. Her voice firm and strong, like she was born to be a Lady.

"Edgar, Gideon and Amelia need to be bonded today. The celebrations can take place later. Gideon has to abdicate his rights to Prewatt seats and heirship"

Then she turned to Molly, and her husband "William has to take Prewatt name and placed in care of Fabian as his heir, of course you can both relocate here, or another residence near here instead of that rabbit hole you live."

"Fabian?"

He realized she was saying his name "yes my lady?"

"you will be Lord Prewatt from this day."

There was nothing he understood about the situation.

"huh?"

Arctrurs Snorted.

"pardon, I think all of you know what is going on?"

Apparently he wasn't the only one confused. Only Edgar had a vague idea.

"its because of heir prince"

Oh. Severus?

"correct. With you and Longbottoms out of the picture, it has turned into a powerplay between Dumbledore and this so called Dark lord who is represented by Malfoy. Now with Gridlwald Escape, neither of them will back down and it could well form a division…"

"and a civil war" Muriel completed.

"the only one who can apply and shut both of their mouthes is me. I have raised my brother, and then his children, the problem is that I am still the Lady of the house and neither you or Gideon have an heir"

He could understand a little bit, certainly not how a custody battle could start a civil war.

"Gideon has to abdicate, he can not be your heir if married to Amelia, and Edgar has still no heir – not any child even-but her. If we want you to become Lord Prewatt, you need an heir, but the only one available is your sister's son"

Well, Fabian was in deep shit now, but for Severus? The young child who was not important for anyone?

Not his parents for certain if what the papers said was true. Not for his headmaster or his blood family – Malfoy was the nearest thing he had. Even Lord Arcturus whose grandson he had saved. They were all talking about him, never considering his wishes.

They were all afraid of the civil war, the Gridllwald escape and Dumbldore's and Malfoy's fight. No one seemed to be interested in Severus welfare and happiness, they had even started talking about him as heir Prince, and debated if it was better he was a part of dark, light or neutral side of the wizingamot.

No one but him.

Amelia and Gideon were giddy with the news of their bonding. Edgar was deep in thought about what Lord Black and Aunt Muriel were talking about. Molly and Arthur were happy to be moving into a bigger house, debating which of the properties could be better for them.

He told himself wasn't disgusted with them and their selfishness, but he was in fact.

He sighed. The grown up world was a fucked up one, and Fabian had years to prepare for it.

What could Severus do? A 12 years old left on his own…

An owl flied toward lord Bones and held his leg for him. Who could it be from, he wondered.

Edgar read the note and paled. "Fleamont Potter applied for the seats now"