Chapter 28: Black Post
P.S. The bird bites.
~Sirius Black~
The raven "Poe" as Sirius liked to call him, held his clawed foot out patiently while Sirius attached the letter with a sigh, "Are you sure this is a good idea?" He looked worried. They were currently in the Trunk together. The Raven rolled its shoulder's in an unmistakable shrug. Sirius sighed and looked into his grandfather's eyes, wondering if legimens would work on the bird, and smirked, he honestly didn't have the guts to try. His grandfather had forgotten more spells and dark ones at that than he had ever known. Or likely would ever know, even if he spent the rest of his life dedicated to the study of magic. He just didn't have those kinds of smarts. Sirius was more an outside-the-box kind of thinker. He smirked. Course now he knew where he got it from.
Turning his attention to the bird perched on the back of a chair the Raven seemed to growl, "Well what are you waiting for?" He spoke. Albeit in a very un-Arcturus voice. Raven's had the ability to mimic speech, and in his grandfather's case, utilize it to its full extent. It was very enviable actually, but so disconcerting.
Poe flapped and hopped upon Sirius's shoulder, and he started for the trunk exit. Both Sirius's, younger and older, said "I have a bad feeling about this."
His grandfather squawked disdainfully, 'It is a good plan. Trust me." Sirius sighed but refrained from repeating his same arguments, for all of thirty seconds.
"Why can't you just send a regular owl?" Sirius growled, "Or send a letter with Mimsy? Or…" Sirius shrugged, "I don't know. You don't have to be so…. Marauder-ish? Not with Dumbledore." The raven pecked his ear hard.
"OW!" His hand jerked to his ear. "He drew his fingers down to look at his hand and saw the bird had drawn blood. "What the fu…" He cut the curse word off as he caught the meaningful glare the raven was giving him. "Fine. But shi… I mean... You're impossible. " He gave up and climbed the ladder up to the dorm. Checking the mirror that none of his dorm mates were there before exiting the trunk. Sirius pinched his ear to stem the blood, growled as he grabbed his wand and cast a quick healing charm that only worked for things like stubbed toes and maybe the broken finger or two.
"Language." The bird squawked and then said, "Everyone talks in front of owls." Explaining himself again wouldn't get him there any faster. "Now take me to the owlery."
"You aren't a blooming owl. Hate to break it to you." Sirius growled but headed down to the common room. It was dinner time, so it was empty. Sirius preferred not to have the Raven noticed.
Leaving the warmth of the castle towards the owlery led Sirius to cast the warming charm on himself, and petulantly ignoring his grandfather. Not that he needed a warming charm, as he looked content. "Feathered menace is what you are. Fate is going to blame me. Yep. Gonna end up warming another Azkaban cell, just cause I couldn't talk you out of this stupid idiotic plan." Sirius grumbled to his grandfather in a furious whisper all the way to the owlery.
"He will figure it out, you know. I mean he really will. He's not an idiot, despite what he likes people to think. And he's an accomplished legilimens. You know that right?" Part of him was desperate to push pause on his grandfather's plan. "Raven's aren't owls. He'll figure it out." He rolled his eyes as Poe was completely ignoring him, just looking around with interest as he started the climb up the long flight of stairs. Sirius smirked at him, "Are you even sure you can fly to the headmaster's office? I mean all the way from the owlery? The flight itself could give you a heart attack. And I bet you have no idea which window is his. You'll just have to fly window to window I guess till you get lucky. By that time you'll freeze to death" Sirius said this last just as he entered the owlery and who the HELL should be standing there with a large eagle owl on his wrist but Lucious Fucking Malfoy. His feet came to a sudden halt.
"My, my. If you are so unsure of your… " His eyes noted the black raven glaring at him with a malevolent stare and lifted a brow, "Birds ability." He blinked a bit and shook his head, "Why not use my owl. I'm sure he can deliver your letter. Without giving himself…" He smirked, "Heart failure."
Sirius scowled, "No thanks. Poe here is a great flyer. I just like giving him the mickey" He kept a neutral expression. No need to tip his hand to this peacock. His eyes going warily to his grandfather perched on his shoulder who was currently digging his claws in a somewhat painful manner. Sirius grinned at the avian animagus and simply hardened the skin around his shoulder. Being a metamorph had its advantages. His attention returned to the blond haughtily, with an expression and mannerism that would make Arcturus giddy with pride. "So, not hungry?" Sirius followed up the question with his own.
'Smooth Padfoot. Are you Hungry? Really?'
Shut it. He took me by surprise.
Well, you need to brush up on the witty comebacks. Fine. The next witty comeback is all yours little marauder.
"Just sending a letter to my father." The blonde future death eater said. Sirius didn't think he was marked yet, but wouldn't be surprised if he was. Lucious turned his back on the Black heir and launched his majestic owl from the wide window. When he turned back he studied the first year for a moment, making Sirius want to punch him in his stuck-up nose. This man hadn't committed any crimes yet, not that Sirius knew about anyway. Sirius tried to remind himself of all those things, but he so wanted to toss him out the owlery window.
"It's fortuitous that we ran into each other. I had wanted to speak to you for a while, but well… I was unsure of the political landscape after your most," He seemed to struggle with his choice of words, "unusual sorting." Malfoy continued.
Sirius had taken to wearing his heir ring in the open lately, as it helped keep the Snakes at bay. No one wanted to incur Arcturus's wrath. After Bellatrix's stunt, and her subsequent punishment, a clear message had been sent. Don't mess with the Black heir. Sirius found Slytherin's reactions this time around to be much more muted regarding his sorting. He didn't blame them. If the punishment was wand confiscation he'd watch his steps carefully too. Sirius was amused how much more well-behaved everyone was after Bella's harsh sentence.
Maybe things were better between him and Slytherin's house because his mother never got around to sending a howler to him the day she learned about his sorting. Even now the vile filth that women spewed in front of the entire school haunted him. He might be able to protect this Sirius from ever having that happen to him, but he still had to live with the memories.
And speaking of vile filth, Sirius let his eyes travel imperiously over the Malfoy heir. "And now you are sure?" Sirius asked him coldly.
"Well, I'm sure that we should not be enemies. We should in fact be.. Allies." He seemed to have backed off the idea of calling the young Gryffindor a friend. That was just a bridge too far.
Sirius straightened a bit, "Allies? With me? Do you think your reputation can take the hit? Or…" He frowned, "Ohhhh." He folded his arms with a smirk. His ring glinted in the torchlight. Lucious's eyes moved to the visible reminder of who in fact, he was talking to.
"Oh?" Lucious asked, somewhat irritated by this pompous little prince standing so confidently before him. The first year wasn't in the least bit intimidated by him. "Oh, what?" He asked, trying to keep his irritation at the boy's comments in check, because of course, he couldn't approach the Black heir in the open, without sending the gossip mill into an uproar, and this opportunity was too good not to try to exploit. Winning Black's favor would be a feat that would take all his cunning to achieve.
Sirius wasn't about to make things easy for the Malfoy heir. He paced towards the window and removed Arcturus from his shoulder, settling him on the window sill, as if about to launch him but getting sidetracked. Poe seemed inclined to stick around and listen. He was right, everyone talked in front of owls, and yes, ravens too. He turned back to Lucious and said, "You want me to put in a good word for you with Lord Black regarding the betrothal contract?"
Lucious nodded, "Yes. I can't deny that is one reason I'd like us to be at least… civil." He gave a patronizing smile.
"Well not to be crass or anything, but why should I? I mean, I might be a Gryffindor, but I was raised Slytherin." He glanced at the Raven and he bobbed his head at him. Taken aback by the abrupt comment Lucious frowned, "I do care for Narcissa. If you think that it matters.' Lucious tried to think of any reason the boy would object to the match.
Sirius raised a brow at the admission, "You say care for her. What does that mean? But no, that isn't what matters. What matters to me, is what matters to the House of Black. Arcturus doesn't think you are good enough for Narcissa. Maybe if you did something to prove that you are… He might be willing to give you a second look."
The raven who had been listening to every word squawked then causing Sirius to startle. "Damn bird. He can talk too. Doesn't make much sense when he does though." He smirked at the look of menace that seemed to come over the creature, ruffling his feathers a bit.
"Dumb bird. Dumb bird. You're a dumb bird." Arcturus squawked causing Sirius to snort and Lucious to smirk.
"Smart bird," Lucious commented. His eyes moved from the Raven to the first year. "Narcissa would be well cared for. She would want for nothing."
Sirius mused, "I'm not sure that money is going to impress my grandfather much."
Lucious's expression darkened, "Well what would impress him? Our bloodline is just as pure as the Blacks." He noted angrily. "What does Lord Black want?"
Sirius shook his head, "Not money. Not your name. Not your magic. Not your blood." He shrugged, "I think he wants to make sure Narcissa is happy." Sirius noted. "But if you really want to know for sure. You will have to ask him yourself. If he asks my opinion on the matter, I will tell him what I think. So I guess you just have to convince me your intentions towards my cousin are honorable before I take up your cause. How do you do that? That's your problem." Sirius spoke with the authority vested in him by his heirship. He could actually feel the magic in his heir ring hummed with satisfaction. He smirked, Magic approved. Hah! Take that Fate.
"I see." The Malfoy heir said, but it was clear that he didn't really. He nodded, "Well please, give my regards to Lord Black. And have a nice evening Mr. Black." With that, the Slytherin turned and made his way out of the owlery, a very confused and disappointed expression on his face. Sirius waited a good minute before turning to Arcturus who was watching him with shrewd beady bird eyes.
"Ready?" He nodded to the window. "I'll wait here for you." Arcturus squawked.
"Go, spend time with your friends. I'll see you soon." With that Arcturus launched himself out the window and Sirius watched him glide down for a bit then flap his wings a few times until he disappeared to the other side of the castle and he lost sight. He shook his head, "Dumb bird."
Dumbledore's office in fact was not difficult to find, and Arcturus had no issues with the flight. He landed on the window sill and took a look inside. The dinner hour was almost over, and he expected he would return soon. He didn't have too long to wait when he saw movement behind the glass. Dumbledore's distorted visage through the old window pane came into view, and Arcturus gave an inward wince at what he was about to do and began pecking on the windowpane. The old man opened the window and looked down in surprise. "A raven? How interesting?" He held the window open for him and he hopped inside at the invitation and held his clawed leg out for the old man to retrieve the letter with Lord Arcturus's personal wax seal.
Dumbledore glanced at the Phoenix perch where Fawkes sat, "Budge up Fawkes." He smiled at the Raven, "Feel free to share Fawkes perch." He offered graciously. Fawkes himself didn't seem too pleased, giving the Raven a skeptical look. Arcturus flew up to share the perch but kept to the very edge. "Fawkes might be gentle, but Phoenixes were smart and protective." He tried to appear as un-intimidating as possible and turned his full attention to the Headmaster.
Phineus Nigelus Black, who was a previous Headmaster of Hogwarts, spoke from his canvas where he sat in the Headmaster's chair, leaned forward to get a look at the letter that was in Dumbledore's hand, "Is that the Black seal?" he asked curiously.
Dumbledore nodded, "Indeed it is Phineus." He ran his wand over the parchment slowly then said, "No charms or curses." He glanced at the Raven. "Interesting choice for a post owl. Not unheard of, and I suppose that Arcturus has always been a man with a flair for the dramatic." Dumbledore noted. Arcturus glanced at the Phoenix and thought, he's one to talk.
Arcturus turned from the Headmaster's gaze and started drinking from Fawkes water dish. Trying to ignore the wizard's attention. Sure for a moment that Dumbledore was seeing through the ruse. But the headmaster's gaze fell on the letter, broke the seal as he went to sit behind his desk, reading the words that Arcturus had written not an hour before.
Albus,
I know it must surprise you to hear from me, of course no more than it surprises me to be writing to you. We have been political and ideological rivals for more years than I can even remember so reaching out to you now feels quite alien.
Be that as it may, I find myself questioning many of my previously held positions and have become more and more alarmed at the direction certain factions of our society are moving in. I am no muggle lover as you know, but I have long held that our two distinct societies are equal, and should therefore be equally protected. Who was it that said, the enemy of your enemy is your friend? Some muggle author I believe? But regardless of the origins of the sentiment, I couldn't find one more fitting. The devil is in the walls, Dumbledore. You must know that. There are members of my own family, I am sad to say, that are leaning towards rebellion. Although to be fair, the example set for them has been atrocious. Not my fault entirely, but I'm willing to take responsibility and hope to correct the course before I become too old to do more than drool into my porridge.
I am sure that you have heard the rumors about Walburga and Orion. I believe there was even a short article in the Prophet, but I had it buried in the middle. Walburga is insane, and my son Orion is undergoing treatment as well. If you must find a motive for my actions, you can lay it all at my grandson's feet. They have brought me nothing but joy in my old age. Having Sirius and Regulus stay with us has been quite enlightening, I can understand how you have lived so long, children give us purpose. I want my grandsons to live long, happy lives, and I'm coming to realize that some things are worth much more attention than the casual glance. And swallowing my pride a bit here has become a necessity.
As loath as I am to admit that I do need your assistance in this matter, I can not deny that we could accomplish more together than apart. There is not much I can give you in assurances that my intentions are good, but I hope that you will grant me an audience to discuss where we can come into an agreement before the October Wizengamot. I would appreciate your discretion in the matter.
Lord Arcturus Black
To say that Albus looked stunned as he read the letter would be an understatement. A major understatement. He sat back and looked up at Phineas Nigellus Black, "Arcturus would like to form an alliance I think?" He finally told the portrait.
"Lord Black is a most distinguished head of house. But I just don't really understand his motive in wanting an alliance with a light wizard. What would it benefit him? He would become...well anathema, a blood traitor in the eyes of the family. They might.." He considered and grinned evilly, " will have him stoned to death! Or worse." Arcturus gave the painting a baleful glare and squawked a bit angrily. Nigellus glanced over to the bird and then pursed his lips and slipped out of the frame abruptly. Arcturus wondered if he'd recognized him. No portrait would want to be caught insulting their head of the house. Or betraying him. He glanced over to Dumbledore, trying to assess his mood.
"Well, I certainly am intrigued." He smiled benignly and then said to the raven, "Lord Black, I consent to meet with you." His blue eyes twinkled with amusement.
Arcturus gave a disgruntled caw and flew to the chair across from the headmaster, transforming back to his impeccably (as usual) dressed self. "What gave me away?" He asked.
"You forget Arcturus, we fought together in the war. The intelligence you were able to gather using your animagus form was invaluable. I was the one that nominated you for your Order of Merlin. In spite of the fact that we couldn't mention what you actually did to deserve it." The old man smiled at him.
Arcturus nodded, "That doesn't mean that I would be foolish enough to act like an owl." Dumbledore chuckled.
"I didn't know for sure, but I suppose you could say it was a lucky guess." Dumbledore smiled again. "Would you care for a drink Arcturus? I have some of Rosemerta's mead. It is very good."
Arcturus nodded, "Please." Soon both men were sitting before Dumbledore's fire sipping the fine Oak Mead and Dumbledore was letting Arcturus think. "I suppose I owe an explanation. But I don't want anyone knowing that you and I talked. It would not be taken well by… Well, everyone." Arcturus noted. "Well Alphard might not be so upset, but everyone else." He shook his head.
Dumbledore nodded, "I have never been known to be forthcoming. You could say I am secretive in nature. I will not share what you don't want me to, Arcturus." The headmaster said, "So please. Speak your mind."
Arcturus nodded, "For the reasons, I mentioned in my letter, and for the sake of our society Albus, I need to change the direction the Black family is going. I don't expect that we will ever be a light family, but to a more… Neutral and sustainable position I must navigate us. This new Dark Lord is a threat that I am not willing to give into. He's not even a pureblood come to find out. Which isn't why I'm against him. He simply cannot be allowed to rise to power. I won't allow it, and if it means making an alliance with you and others I've been shunning my whole life, so be it."
Dumbledore was giving him a strange look and he wanted to divert his gaze but knew that even if Dumbledore tried, he was not the Occlumens that Arcturus was. Arcturus glared at the headmaster who nodded and looked away thoughtfully. "I do have some manners, Arcturus." The headmaster quipped.
"Well, I wouldn't put anything past you, Albus. But I also know you are a wizard of your word and that what I am asking of you aligns with your needs as well."
The two men sat in silence for a moment and finally Dumbledore said, "Lord Black, I would be most relieved if we could work together on this and hopefully other issues. I understand that you may not be able to work openly, but work together we can. In spite of the limitations."
Arcturus and Dumbledore began slowly discussing their mutual goals and what needed to be done before the October session of the Wizengamot. Arcturus didn't know it, and maybe Dumbledore didn't either, but the two wizards were forging the beginnings of what could only be called friendship.
It was late into the night when he left Dumbledore's office, flying out the window the way he came to the nearest apparition point and disapparated home. He paused to check to see if Sirius was waiting up in the Trunk, and he wasn't surprised to find him there, writing in his journal.
"Oh good, Dumbledore didn't turn you into a Newt." Sirius nodded, "And you have all your fingers and toes?" He grinned, "I was right though. Wasn't I. He figured it out?"
Arcturus smirked, "I knew he would." He shrugged, "I wanted to get into his office without anyone knowing I was there. And maybe try to glean something useful on the sly?" He shrugged, "It went well, Sirius." He glared at the boy and said, "You know, it was your idea that I ally with the man."
Sirius shrugged, "Well it was like all the way on the bottom of the list. Or close to the bottom. I expected you to take your time with that one. You're always telling me to be cautious and you just… I don't know…" he huffed in annoyance, " Act like you have some kind of death wish?"
Arcturus studied his grandson and asked, "Why the concern?"
Sirius sighed and tossed his journal beside him. "I just… I know that I'm walking this really fine line." He shook his head, "The more that changes the less I'll be able to predict what will happen. I need to… study the effects of each thing that happens and something like this… It's big." He smirked, "Good. But big."
Arcturus nodded in understanding. Then changed the subject, "So about the Malfoy Ball." He looked a little uncomfortable, "Your grandmother had quite a lot to say about it. She has put her foot down. You won't be allowed to attend."
Sirius blinked, "What? Why?"
Arcturus laughed, "Think about it, Sirius. You are eleven. The Malfoy events are known to be hedonistic at best. Not something that your grandmother wants you exposed to. So you will have to attend the ball as my great-nephew, Padmus Marius McGrimm."
"Marius?" Sirius's eyes widened, "Marius's grandson?" He blinked, "You added him back into the family?" Sirius couldn't quite believe it. "Your brother? The squib?" He shook his head, "I… Really?"
Arcturus smiled a bit and said, "Yes. I met him, you know? He's… not what I expected. Better." He glanced at Sirius. "I am ashamed to admit it, but… I wish I had seen him long ago. So much time wasted. I met his wife and some of his children. Nine of them, though I only met four. And I forget how many grandchildren. He's an archeologist." Sirius detected a note of pride in his voice."
Sirius stared gobsmacked. "Wow. That's… Can I meet him?"
The Black patriarch nodded, "I hope to introduce you soon. Dora and Regulus too."
Arcturus looked up at the clock and said, "You should go back to your dorm, Sirius. It's very late." Arcturus rose and headed towards his own exit. "Are you sure there isn't anything else bothering you?" Arcturus asked as his grandson seemed more pensive than usual.
Sirius looked like he was going to say something then seemed to change his mind and shook his head, "Just being paranoid. But… I'm proud of you grandfather. And… Thank you. For everything." He sighed, suddenly afraid that he wouldn't see the old man again, "I... I love you."
Arcturus stared at him for a long moment then his features softened and he nodded, "I love you too, son."
Sirius lay in bed that night with a warmth in his heart. His grandfather's returned love was worth more than all the galleons in all the vaults in Gringotts. He shook his head in wonder. Lily's words came back to him, the mantra that was so embedded in his brain to live more, laugh more, Love more. "I'm trying Lily."
He fell asleep with a smile. Come what may, Fate could never ever take away his grandfather's words. He decided the memory would fuel his Patronis for years and years.