The Black account manager was a Goblin named GoldClaw. They were ushered into a well appointed office that screamed influence. Sirius was unsurprised by the financial portfolio his grandfather insisted he take a passing interest in. He was interested but felt he would have time enough for estate management. GoldClaw was furious about the day's purchases, and even went so far as to lecture the Wizard on the issue of prudence. Arcturus took the lecture in stride and moved the subject smoothly to the purpose of their visit. Once Remus's scholarship was in order Arcturus broached the subject of Sirius formalizing his rank in the family.
"My grandson is here to take up the heir ring." Arcturus announced placing a proud hand upon his shoulder. Sirius felt it like the weight of the responsibility he was accepting falling upon his shoulders. But those shoulders were steady and more than ready to take on the mantle of leadership. He didn't think of it in those exact terms. But something about the weight of the moment impressed itself upon him.
The goblin turned a baleful look upon the lad who sat straight and tall beside his grandfather, a determined set to his features that was somewhat offsetting but he felt reassured the lad knew what he was doing. The old and venerable account manager nodded, giving a sharp-toothed grin that made Sirius's hair stand on end, "Very well. Follow me."
GoldClaw stood and marched to the door opening it to allow the wizard and child to precede him. He led the pair down long torchlit hallways made of marble and finally stopped before a large set of double doors. He placed a gnarled hand upon the doors and they opened at his touch soundlessly. The oval shaped room was massive. Tiny Lock boxes with names engraved on little brass plaques lined the circular wall as far up as the eyes could see. "Welcome to the hall of rings." The goblin said. He went and stood in the center of the room where stood a small circular stone table. Upon the table were two items, a silver dagger and a stone bowl. Sirius's gaze was drawn to those two items with curiosity. The runes upon the bowl and stylus were ones he was unfamiliar with. Goblin runes. He was struck by how much of magic was still a mystery to him. He who had lived and breathed it all his life. He followed GoldClaw to the dias and stood next to his grandfather who was looking solemn but calm. The bank manager nodded and said, "This is little more than a formality according to wizarding law. Though it will not change your status if you choose not to undergo it, it does add a certain benefit to that status. There are certain protective magics that come to heirs who take up their rings in this manner. Magic formally recognizes you and becomes an active participant in your protection. The stronger the bond with your family magic the more protections you can be granted. I have seen magic grant any number of boons to worthy heirs. Some boons happen instantaneusly, some take a while to manifest. Some lay dormant for years and then magic decides if it is necessary, to manifest."
Sirius frowned a bit and then asked a question most true eleven year olds wouldn't think to ask. "You speak of magic as if it is a sentient being. As if it has...a conscience and a will of its own. Mr. Ollivander... He said wands choose the wizards. That implies that magic is... alive."
The goblin leered at Sirius and said dryly, "It is." Then nodded to the bowl and directed Sirius to stand opposite his head of house while he summoned the correct box. He placed the old tarnished silver lockbox on the table and instructed Arcturus to open it. Arcturus picked up the blade and ran it along the length of his thumb. He then placed it upon the Black family seal emblazened upon the boxes lid. The metal lid melted away in a flash of gold and Sirius was blinking away stars. There upon a crushed velvet pillow lay a collection of rings. Sirius immediately recognized the heir's ring as he might recognize an old friend. Sirius was at once drawn to it. The ring was blackened silver, a snake coiling around the band, small ruby's embedded in the snake's eyes. It wasn't the most beautiful of artifacts, somewhat creepy even. But Sirius felt the inevitable pull of belonging.
The rest of the ritual passed in a bit of a blur. He had taken up the knife and cut his palm, perhaps a bit deeper than necessary, but he didn't want to look like a wimp. His blood collected in a pool in the bottom of the stone bowl. He remembered his grandfather doing the same, only he just nicked himself and squeezed out a few drops. GoldClaw must have sensed a battle of wills going on below the surface because he quickly started chanting in Goblin tongue and Sirius was swaying a bit on his feet by the time he finally stopped. The heir ring was placed in the bowl, and Sirius watched as it caught fire and the blood was burned away. The ring disappeared in a flash of light that blinded Sirius again. He felt a flash of heat upon his finger and looked down in surprise to see the ring there. It burned like he was being branded and he fell to his knees in pain. His hand going to the ring wanting nothing more than to rip the thing from his finger. "Aaaagh" He yelled and then just as suddenly as the pain had begun it stopped. Sirius swayed on his knees. "I think I'm gonna be sick." He muttered. He watched in horror as his hand began to melt like butter and then he focused on it, like he focused when in his animagus form, and his hand reformed and solidified but old scars and tattoos were present in the skin. It was his hand, not the hand of an eleven year old boy. Panic began to bubble in him. "Oh god. I'm... What's happening?"
He would have fallen to the tiles but for a strong grip on his arm and his grandfather was there helping him to his feet. "Quite the ordeal isn't it?" Arcturus acknowledged. "Wait until you go through the inheritance ritual for the head of house." He quipped. Trying to bring some brevity to the situation.
"I'm turning into a crypt person and you're making jokes?" Sirius accused angrily.
GoldClaw cleared his throat, "Although it is unusual, sometimes when one undergoes the ring bonding ritual, latent familial gifts make themselves known." GoldClaw grinned evilly, "Metamorphmagus must be a family magic." Taking a few deep breaths to clear his head. He looked down at the ring that sat so permanently upon his finger and was a bit uneasy to see that the snake was animated, circling over and over around the ring. His hand still stubbornly refusing to return to it's former state. He looked up at his grandfather who nodded, "The family totem." He explained as if to a child. Sirius glared at him. "It's unsettled. Perhaps because you are. Accept it Sirius. Stop fighting it."
Sirius let the magic in him settle and reached out to the family magic and immediately it was there. Ready to respond. Ready to be rejected. Or accepted. He realized he was fighting his own prejudices. Considering his family magic... It wasn't black or white or any color really. It wasn't the dark force he feared. It was neutral. Progressive... Desiring a worthy candidate to bond with. Was he worthy? He had hated his lineage. Hated his family. Hated the dark arts and all that blood purity nonsense. But realized that magic wasn't dark or light. He nodded and let the prejudice and misconceptions and ill advised old grudges go. It was easy in the end. He knew that he was being changed from the inside out. His world view was being turned upside down.
When they flooed home from the bank shortly after, he felt like a different person. Born again. A phoenix risen from the ashes of one life to embrace something new. It would take a lot of practice but Sirius was excited that he would be able to alter his appearance at will. Perhaps because of his relationship with Tonks, he was able to embrace the gift magic awakened in him with an ease that surprised him.
The bonding ceremony had several immediate impacts besides the most dramatic awakening of his metamorphing magic. He felt an immediate strengthening of his occlumency shields. And he became aware of several animagus forms that were ready to be embraced, though he wasn't sure if he was ready to embrace them. He couldn't shake the loyalty he felt for his Grim form. But he wasn't about to turn his nose up on exploring those forms that suddenly felt open to him. That would be like turning your nose up at a weapon just because it wasn't your preference. He wasn't that stupid. He simply thanked the family magic quietly and felt a contented hum somewhere near his heart.
His eyes moved to the ring and again felt a bit uncomfortable watching the snake move slowly around the band. Pranking was about to take on a whole new meaning. He grinned. He could perhaps date. Create a false persona... The idea took root and would continue to grow. Finally he watched as the snake became inanimate again and he touched it gently with his wand, willing it to become invisible.
That evening during dinner Sirius broached the subject of the World Cup. Regulus fell out of his chair when their grandfather agreed that they could attend. Regulus's joy at being included was infectious and the two boys talked about the coming match long into the night.