Author's note: Just to make sure there's no confusion, I will address Sirius Black II as Sirius II, and the Sirius we know, Sirius III, will just be Sirius. Enjoy!

Chapter 87: A Battle of Namesakes

On the day of the Yule Ball, Sirius woke up later than usual. On a normal day, Sirius had to get up at 8:00, which, in Sirius' opinion, was too early. However, on days like this, Sirius was allowed to sleep in until 9:00.

"You're JUST now getting up?" Regulus asked as Sirius entered the dining room.

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Yes, Mr. Get Up At 7:00 Every Morning," Sirius replied.

Regulus grinned. "Were you like this as an adult too?"

"Yep, and that has never changed!" Sirius said happily.

At that moment, Arcturus walked into the room. "Good morning," he greeted them. Even on a day like today, they always had breakfast together, and now that Sirius was awake, they could eat.

"Good morning, Grandfather," Sirius greeted him. "Where's Grandmother?"

"She's in Diagon Alley getting some last-minute gifts," Arcturus explained. Even though the Black Family did not celebrate Christmas, and Yule was a little more formal in their family in particular, they still valued gift-giving. "Now, I have some news for the two of you," he continued, sitting across from them.

"What is it?" they asked together.

Arcturus sighed. "I received an owl this morning from Sirius II," he informed them. Even though Sirius II was Arcturus' father, Arcturus didn't really think of him as a father. He had never been a father in his mind.

Sirius stiffened. He remembered now. In the original timeline, his great-grandfather had been at the Yule Ball in his third year. "Wait, he's going to be there tonight, isn't he?" Sirius asked, already knowing the answer.

"I'm afraid so," Arcturus confirmed. "it wouldn't be so bad if there weren't going to be Squibs there. You know he values blood purity over anything else."

"Couldn't you just tell him he can't come?" Regulus asked. "I mean, you're the patriarch!"

"I could, but I am also respectful, and even if I don't want someone there, I will allow them to be there unless they really cause problems," Arcturus explained. "If I just told him he couldn't come, then other family members who like him would not show up, and then it would turn into a mess."

Sirius and Regulus nodded in understanding.

That evening, everyone arrived at Black Castle for the Yule Ball. Everyone arrived either early or right on time. The last person to arrive was Sirius II.

Sirius Black II was a blood purist through and through. He had at one point been the patriarch after Phineas had died. However, as he got older, and he hadn't been sure if he would survive for much longer, he allowed for one of his sons, Arcturus, to take up the role of patriarch. Sirius II had been hoping that Arcturus would continue their traditions, the purity of their bloodline, but he shouldn't have been surprised that Arcturus was too soft, and had moved the Black Family away from the path it was supposed to be on. At least, that was Sirius II's opinion. He didn't always go to the family gatherings anymore, because he didn't like Arcturus' leadership and the direction he was taking the family. He only came to the events once in a while just to make sure the House of Black was not completely burned to the ground by Arcturus' Muggle-loving beliefs.

As soon as Sirius II arrived, he immediately saw at least one unwelcome face, Marius. He guessed that the woman next to him was his wife, someone he had never met, but he had heard about. Sirius II glared at them.

"So, you decided to grace us with your disgraceful presence, did you?" he asked coldly.

Marius glared at him. "If you had been here last year, you would have seen that we were here then too," he replied sharply.

"Squibs are not welcome in the House of Black," Sirius II said with disdain.

"Yes, they are," a voice cut in. Arcturus headed over to where his father was standing. "They have every right to be here, Father."

Sirius II shook his head. "Arcturus, I knew you were going too soft. What a shame. I really should have made Regulus I the Heir instead of you. If I had known, Regulus I would be patriarch."

"Until he got killed in a duel," Arcturus reminded him. "I would have still become patriarch after that. Honestly, I am glad I am the head of this family, because I can clean up the mess you and Grandfather Phineas created."

Sirius II grew even more angry. "Oh, so first you disowned Walburga just because she had something with black magic, then you allow filthy Squibs to come here?" he asked icily. "You really are steering this family in the wrong direction. Don't you dare tell me that I made a mess of this family! You are the one who's making a mess of this family!" For many people, this would cause tears at the very least, but Arcturus held himself together without difficulty. He was used to his father's cold attitude, and, after being raised by him, he was not as affected by his rude nature as some would be. But that was about to change.

"Hey!" Regulus yelled, glaring at his great-grandfather. "Espéce de merde! Va te faire foutre! Laissez grand-père tranquille! Il n'a rien fait de mal, salaud!"

Sirius continued, "¡Sí, vete a la mierda! ¡Tú hostia puta!"

Everyone was stunned. Sirius and Regulus were not the type to swear, and Merlin knows where they learned to swear in French and Spanish. Sirius II looked murderous. "I am not a dog!" he roared. "You are the dog, Sirius!"

"Then maybe you should be too, since we share the same name," Sirius shot back.

Sirius II's patience, if he even had any to begin with, snapped. He used his walking stick to target Sirius and Regulus, who dodged it with ease.

"Do NOT harm my grandsons!" Arcturus thundered. He would not let harm come to Sirius and Regulus. They had been through enough how it was, especially Sirius. If Arcturus had to fight his father, he would. No one would be harming anyone he cared for under his watch.

"Arcturus, you really need to teach these two brats some manners," Sirius II stated, pointing his walking stick to Sirius and Regulus. "I do not know why you took in these two. They don't belong in our family, especially because they're both Gryffindors." He spat out the last word as if it was a curse.

It was one thing if Sirius II was insulting Arcturus, but it was another if he was insulting Sirius and Regulus. Arcturus felt the Black temper rising, something he rarely ever let show. The last straw was when Sirius II sent a Cruciatus at Sirius, who dodged it just in time. That was it. Arcturus charged forward, ready to do, well, he didn't know what. He just wanted to do something to protect his grandsons.

Melania, seeing what was happening, quickly stopped Arcturus before he could do something he'd regret. The last time she had seen him like this was when he had found out about Sirius and Regulus being abused by Orion and Walburga. "Arcturus, stop," she said frantically. "There are children in the room!" She knew that he was normally very good at keeping his composure, so she knew that Sirius II must have hit a nerve for Arcturus to lose his composure like this.

Alphard stepped forward. "Uncle, let me," he said. Before Arcturus could say anything, Alphard sent a stinging hex and a few other spells at Sirius II. Arcturus went to one corner of the room to calm himself down. Melania was right, there were children in the room. He really needed to calm down, at least enough to not try to seriously harm his father.

Sirius, Regulus, Capella, Lyanna, Severus, and others were surprised by what had just happened. They had never seen Arcturus Black, patriarch of the Black Family, almost harm another family member before. That just showed how far he would go to protect those he cared about. Their shock was replaced with warmth and then came a dawning realization that their grandfather might need help calming down.

All of his grandchildren clustered about him, shuffling their feet in nervousness. "Grandfather?" Lyanna asked hopefully, reaching her arms out for him. Arcturus took in his grandchildren's young and hopeful faces.

"Come here, please," the older man requested in a weary voice. Capella surged forward first, followed by Sirius and Regulus.

"Thank you for defending us," Regulus whispered gently. Arcturus' eyes disappeared behind his lids to enhance the tranquility, the youngest generation of his family brought him.

"You don't have to thank me," he whispered back. "It's my job."

Sirius and Regulus were replaced with Lyanna and Severus. Then Andromeda and Narcissa. The only one missing was Bellatrix, but that was something to dwell on another day.

Ted and Nymphadora were at home as Nymphadora was still too young and ultimately, it was wise that she be left at home for this exact reason.

Then the whole generation decided that they were going to conduct themselves in a group hug. They surrounded him to the best of their ability as he sank to the ground, cocooned in their love for him.

"We love you, Grandfather," Severus stated firmly in his quiet voice.

"And I you all," the patriarch replied truthfully. They broke the hug, as the seven grandchildren smiled to one another, pleased that their goal had been accomplished. As the man gazed at his smiling grandchildren, a thought entered his mind. "Sirius?" he asked.

"Yes?" Sirius asked.

"Please, come here," the older man requested. Sirius confidently walked into his grandfather's embrace. He let out a small squawk in surprise when he felt himself being lifted, his shoulders and knees being supported by surprisingly strong arms. "Let's go," was his cue to return.

The six others smiled softly at the tender moment and their smiles grew as they felt powerful magic envelope them and lifted them off the ground.

Finally, they came back into the room, Arcturus still carrying his precious grandchildren, and upon reaching him, the patriarch said in a tone that meant it would be unwise to disobey, "Father, leave."

Sirius II scoffed. "Oh, kicking me out now, are you? You're the one who lost your temper. Maybe YOU should leave!" The former patriarch eyed the positions of the seven young people. "And manipulating the newest generation of this family, especially my namesake?" There was disgust as he took in Sirius III's relaxed place in his favorite family member's arms. Even if he was an adult in a child's body, he had never felt the warmth of being held by a parent. He loved it.

"We have not been manipulated," Cepella spat, reclining into Arcturus' magic.

"That's another thing," Sirius II's son added. "You are so formal that you were and still are terrible at showing affection to people. People have wondered if you are capable of showing genuine care. I have wondered that my whole life and I am your son. Family members should not have to wonder if they care for each other, especially the young." He peeked glances at the ones he was holding. "That's why Walburga was unfit for this family."

"Additionally, you are not my namesake as I'd rather be named after the innocent child that died of Dragon Pox, who bore our name first," Sirius III cut in. "Besides, Grandfather is my favorite person in the world."

"Okay, everyone," Narcissa said. Arcturus turned on his heel and walked away. When he had put enough distance between them, he let them down.

"You didn't have to say that, Sirius," the man said with endless wonder.

"I'm not really sorry, but you are and aren't supposed to be," Sirius responded.

"Whether or not we like it or not, we all have favorites," Severus stated, not offended. The others nodded.

Melania glared at Sirius II. "You heard him," she said. "Now, leave. You are the one who started all this. We just want to have a nice ball, and you're ruining that for everyone."

Sirius II wanted to argue, but he knew that with Arcturus as patriarch, there were consequences for disobeying an order. He decided right then and there that he was done coming to these gatherings. His son had clearly ruined this family, and he wasn't going to have any part of it. With that, he left Black Castle, for hopefully the last time.

There was a sigh of relief for many of the family members once Sirius II had left. Of course, there were some, like Pollux, Cygnus, and Druella, who were angry, but the majority of the family were relieved that the former patriarch had left.

"Let the ball begin!" Arcturus announced. The ball finally began, and things were much more peaceful.

After the ball, everyone opened gifts. Sirius received a book from Cassiopeia, a dog toy from Regulus, which was amusing to some, and a blanket Melania had knitted, just to name a few. Regulus got a blanket too.

While the Blacks were opening gifts, there was another family opening gifts. The Evans family, who celebrated Christmas, were sitting around, opening presents. Ever since the headmaster and deputy headmistress had visited the Evans home two years ago, Lily and Petunia's parents had become much more strict with Petunia. No longer did she get away with hurting Lily, physically or verbally.

Petunia still didn't like Lily, because she was still jealous that Lily was a witch and not her, but she knew better than to pick on her little sister, or she would be in so much trouble. For Christmas, Petunia would get Lily a gift, not because she wanted to, but because she had to.

"Oh, Petunia!" Lily exclaimed, opening the gift. "This is so beautiful! Thank you!" The present was a necklace with red and gold beads on it. It fit Lily perfectly.

"Well, you are in Griffin House, right?" Petunia asked. "And you said the colors were red and gold."

"It's Gryffindor," Lily corrected her gently.

"Yes, yes, whatever it's called," Petunia said, waving a hand.

"Yes, the colors are red and gold," Lily confirmed. "Oh, thank you, Petunia!" She threw her arms around her older sister, squeezing her tight. Petunia liked hugs from her family, but not from Lily. Oh well, she thought. She'll only hug me for a minute. It could be worse.

Lily then gave Petunia her present. It was a bracelet with snowflakes that looked like they were actually falling. Petunia screamed.

"Did you... did you make this at the F-er, magic school?" she asked.

"Yes, but you like snowflakes, so I thought you'd like it," Lily said, looking disappointed that her sister didn't seem to like her gift.

Mrs. Evans gave Petunia a stern look. Petunia wanted to say more, but instead, she said, "Thank you, Lily." Lily smiled. Petunia may not like the present, but at least she was going to be polite about it.

This was how the Evans family celebrated Christmas now, and while the two sisters were not close like they were as little kids, at least there were no longer fights breaking out everyday. That was good enough for Lily. As long as there was peace, she was happy.

Translations:

French: Espéce de merde! Va te faire foutre! Laissez grand-père tranquille! Il n'a rien fait de mal, salaud!

English: You piece of shit! Fuck off! Leave Grandfather alone! He's done nothing wrong, bastard!

Spanish: Sí, vete a la mierda! ¡Tú hostia puta!

English: Yes, fuck off! You son of a bitch!