Black Dawn

The dark stone walls and the marble tiles of the atrium gleamed in the flickering torch lights. The soft crash of water from the fountain echoed, interrupted by the click of his cane as he strode past it, and jammed his fingers into the lift button.

"Excuse me, sir." A young man in blood-red robes ran up to him, his wand clutched in his hand. "You cannot—"

"I was invited by your department for some reason I cannot fathom, boy." He scowled. "I take no joy in walking through these Merlin-be-damned halls at this ridiculous hour."

"May I know your name, sir?"

"Lord Arcturus Orion Black."

The auror paled a little and he put his wand away, removing his hat and hanging his head. "Lord Black, I am truly sorry, sir."

Arcturus frowned and glanced around the atrium. The lift dinged open and he stepped in, eyeing the Auror as he quietly backed away without a word.

"Bloody weird kids these days," he muttered. "Now, what do they want from me at this hour?"

"Level two, Department of Magical Law Enforcement," a cool female voice announced before the lift opened and Arcturus stepped out.

The floor was abuzz with activity, excited whispers, and beaming smiles spread across every face.

"Little Harry Potter—"

The words caught his ears and he twisted to see a pair of Aurors talking in hushed, excited tones.

"Mr. Black," a voice breathed and he turned to see a redhead standing next to him, the smile on her face slowly vanishing.

"Amelia. It has been some time since I last saw you."

"It has." Her throat quivered. "Do you know what has happened?"

"I'm assuming one of my blasted grandchildren has gotten themselves caught." A pang went through his chest.

'I hope it is just Sirius having done something stupid. And not someone like Bellatrix who joined that bloody dark lord.'

Amelia's face didn't move and she laid a hand on his arm. "Mr. Black, it is perhaps best if you heard it from Stebbins himself."

She walked him past the crowd of Aurors, the jubilant whispers and the Potter name caught his ears again.

"Amelia, what happened tonight? And what does Harry Potter have to do with it?"

Amelia's eyes lit up for a moment before she sighed. "You'll know."

She knocked on the cabin and a voice told her to enter.

"Sir? I've got Mr. Black for you," Amelia said.

The man in the office stood up, clutching his hat in his hand. "Let him— no. I'll come."

Stebbins walked out of the room and gave Arcturus a somber look, running his hand through his balding silver and black hair.

"What's the matter, Ryland? Did you arrest one of my grandchildren?"

"No, well, yes, I did. But that's another matter. She's going to Azkaban for life. But—"

"Bellatrix?" He asked sharply.

"She was arrested using the Cruciatus on Aurors Longbottom alongside her husband, brother-in-law, and Barty Crouch Junior," Stebbins said, and Arcturus felt a weight drop in his stomach. "She has already admitted to the crime and being a Death Eater. A proud, loyal servant of the Dark Lord."

Arcturus mustered a feeble nod, his fists balling. "I knew that she made some bad choices but—"

"That's not all, Arcturus." Stebbins led him down a corridor. "We both know that I only let her off the muggle-baiting case last year because she was your granddaughter. This time, there's no escaping for her. She has tortured Lord Longbottom and his Lady till their minds broke. Both are currently unresponsive. The Auror Force is out for blood."

"Frank and Alice." Arcturus closed his eyes and drew himself up. "Then I won't even defend her. I fought against people like her, including my own cousin once upon a time. Put her behind bars and let her face justice. In fact, I don't even want to see the girl."

He turned but Stebbins laid a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. "It is not her I called you here for, Arcturus. There's… something you should know instead of reading about it in the papers tomorrow."

"Is it something to do with Dorea's—" He shook his head. "Harry Potter?"

"In parts." Stebbins pushed a white door open and gestured for him to go in.

Arcturus felt dread claw up in his chest as he laid eyes upon the three bodies covered in satin white blankets.

"Who…"

Stebbins pulled away a blanket, revealing Sirius' face and Arcturus' legs gave out under him, his mind turning blank. His breathing rang in his ears and his heart hammered against his ribs.

"Sirius," he rasped. "No. This… this…"

He glanced up at Stebbins, who hung his head. "I am sorry, Arcturus. I truly am."

"How… how did he…?" The words died in Arcturus' throat and he stared up at Stebbins, his eyes blurring with tears.

"He was killed by a killing curse. Albus Dumbledore brought his body alongside James and Lily Potter's."

His head snapped to the other two bodies and his heart crumbled, the air leaving his lungs.

"Dorea and Charlus's son… my nephew. My own grandson. They're all… gone?" He rasped.

"I am sorry, Arcturus. After all you did for me, all I could give you was… bad news. I am feeling terrible but you ought to know it from me rather than the papers."

"Who did this?" Arcturus asked softly. "Who killed them?"

"Peter Pettigrew. He's in custody."

"Take me to him, Ryanland," Arcturus rose to his feet. "I want to see the bastard myself."

"You can't." Stebbins held up his hand. "This is not some common criminal case now, Arcturus. This is one of the highest-profile cases in the country. Pettigrew is an animagus and the chains on him were put by Albus Dumbledore himself in addition to our magic-restraining shackles. Even if I was the head of DMLE, I couldn't allow you there."

"I am going to bring hell down on him if I have my way," Arcturus snarled. "What do you want, Ryanland? Tell me!"

"He is going to be in the worst cells of Azkaban already, Arcturus. Dumbledore was on a warpath against him and I don't think I've ever seen the old man so furious and heart-broken. Not to mention, Pettigrew's already suffering from multiple broken bones and other injuries."

"Oh, that will be the least he'll go through. I will make sure of it." Arcturus glared. "You better tell your Aurors to break him before he even appears in the Wizengamot. I don't care what it takes. Do it."

"I will pass on the message."

"Good. I will personally handle all that comes after." He glanced at Sirius' body, a sharp pain twisting in his chest. "And you, tell me exactly what has happened. Don't miss a word."

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Pale yellow sunlight streamed through the window, falling over the trembling, pale fingers. A pure white quill quivered, dark ink shining over the thick parchment in an untidy scrawl. Broken shards of glass lay scattered over the desk, fearful faces peeking out of the broken frames.

Fingers curled into a fist and the quill between it snapped, the eyes scrunching shut.

Young gray eyes and a mischievous smile rose, laughter echoing in his ears, drowned by Walburga's screams. Rage burned through his veins and he swatted away a picture, Walburga and Orion fleeing from the frame as it shattered.

"Melody!" He dropped the broken quill next to the half-burnt Daily Prophet and a snap echoed through the room.

Brown, tennis ball-shaped eyes stared up at him expectantly. "Lord Black? Would you be liking some breakfast? You haven't eaten—"

"I am not hungry." He threw the letter toward the elf. "Owl it to Albus Dumbledore at Hogwarts. The only thing I hunger for right now, is answers."

Melody looked around the room for a moment, her ears drooping slightly. "Yes, Lord Black."

She took the letter and vanished with a pop.

Arcturus pushed himself to his feet, picking up the cane and running his thumb over its gold handle. His eyes fell upon the photo on the wall, its silver frame gleaming in the pale sunlight. A man knelt on the floor, surrounded by five children that came up to his shoulders, their wide eyes staring at the camera with huge smiles.

His heart clenched and his knuckles whitened against the cane. "What happened to you all? Where did the children go and—"

His voice broke and he turned away. 'And I failed.'

A storm of grief tore away at his heart, biting into his chest. His arm trembled and blood pounded in his ears. He pushed himself away from the memories, the cane clicking against the wooden floorboards. The walls and doors blurred until he stood in front of a blackened oak tree.

The carved symbol of a spear standing amongst the sea of stars shone upon its trunk, taunting Arcturus. His eyes trailed up, onto the vast, blackened branches and he slumped to the ground, feeling a crushing weight in his gut.

"Everything's gone…" His eyes groped for life amongst the ocean of black, landing on a single branch of brown, surrounded by branches of black that streamed from it.

"Arcturus Orion Black… the third," He whispered. "I am the only one. The… last of the Blacks."

His gaze fell upon the floor, where broken branches lay scattered near the roots and he felt a sharp knife twist beneath his ribs.

'And it is all my fault. I led my family to ruin. I let it all slip through between my fingers.'

A raw yell tore out of his throat and he hurled the cane against the tree. It bounced off a shimmer of magic, clattering on the ground.

Melody appeared in the room with a sharp snap, her eyes brimming with concern.

"Lord Black?" Her ears drooped as she saw the blackened branches and trotted toward Arcturus, laying a hand on his shoulder. "You know, Lord Black. Amongst us elves is a saying. Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them."

Arcturus closed his eyes and shook his head. "That's what you said when Melania passed away. But then, I had all of them with me. All my sons… all their children. The whole family. Now look at it." He waved an arm at the blackened oak. "There's no one left. No one but me. And those who are, aren't worthy to bear the name."

"There's still Miss Cissa!" Melody pointed at one branch of Black and gold, extending from her name, connecting it to Lucius Malfoy. "And little master Draco."

"Narcissa is no longer a Black, Melody. She's a Malfoy now." His face twisted. "I'd sooner see my family die out than have the likes of Lucius Malfoy take it. No, Sirius was the last of us. My heir and the last hope I had to see this family live once more. And now, it is all gone. Extinguished."

"Mistress Melania always said that—"

"Melania isn't here, is she?" Arcturus snapped. "None of them are! No one! It is just me! Look at this! Regulus is dead! Andromeda betrayed us! And Bellatrix is a Death Eater! She's set for life in Azkaban, which is no less than she deserves!"

His heart pounded in his chest, the beat drumming in his ears. Magic bubbled at his fingertips and he balled his fist, glaring at Melody, who backed away, tugging at her ears and shifting on her feet.

Fear flashed in the brown eyes and Arcturus felt guilt claw in his chest. The drumming faded, his fist uncurling as he looked away. "Melody… just leave me alone. I know you were Melania's through and through. Yet you chose to stay with me after she passed."

"Mistress Melania asked me to take care of you, Lord Black. And I will." She replied solemnly.

"I need to be alone, Melody. Get out."

She disappeared with a pop and Arcturus took a deep breath. Sirius' face swam in and out of his mind, his mischievous smile and his laughter turning to ashes in his mind.

"AH!" He punched the wall, cracks spreading like spider veins beneath his knuckles. He drew it back and punched it again and again, letting out the storm of emotions with a yell.

Blood smeared across the fractured surface, tracing the growing lines, and he slid to the ground, heaving, feeling the weight crush him. His throat burned, raw and blood dripped down his knuckles onto the wooden floorboards. He closed his eyes, feeling hot tears trickle down his cheeks. His arms and chest ached, his knuckles burning.

"Where did it all go wrong, Arcturus?" He wiped his tears. "Till Melania was here…"

His eyes drifted to her name, connected to his by a branch of black and golden and a pang went through his chest. 'It all went wrong after Melania died. I couldn't reign in my grief and Walburga and the upstart Voldemort took advantage, ripping my family to shreds. '

Arcturus opened his eyes and pushed himself feebly to his feet, brushing his fingers against her name, reliving the memories of her.

'You are a good man, Arcturus Black. A good and a brave man.' Melania's voice whispered in his ears. 'You're a Lord. The Patriarch of the greatest house in Wizarding Britain. The one man who stared near-certain death in the eye and just raised an eyebrow. The Arcturus, I know won't give up. Be that man. Because he is the man I fell in love with. Don't give up.'

He picked up his cane and slowly moved out of the room, into an adjoining bathroom, stumbling in front of the mirror.

A pale, gaunt face stared back at him, dull gray eyes framed by locks of white that fell down his face. Dark circles hung below his eyes, his cheeks sunken and covered with a rough, white stubble. The black silk robe hung loosely off his thin shoulders.

His hands fumbled with the tap and he turned it on, letting water wash away the blood, feeling his knuckles prickle. Red swirled over the white and drained away. He shut the water and pressed a cloth to the back of his hand, hissing slightly as the wound stung.

He looked back up in the mirror and slowly brushed his fingers over his cheek, rubbing the coarse stubble and scowling. 'Melania would've never let me be this. I cannot be this. I am a Black.'

"Don't give up, Arcturus," He whispered, staring into his gray eyes.

A snap echoed through the room and he turned to see Melody standing at the door, a roll of parchment clutched in her hands.

"A phoenix just dropped this, Lord Black."

"How did he reply so fast?" Arcturus plucked the parchment and unfurled it.

"I delivered the letter to Hogsmeade's post office, Lord Black. You best be getting ready for your meeting with Headmaster Dumbledore."

Arcturus' eyes snapped toward her and he scowled. "You read my letter?"

"It is my duty to assist you when you need me the most, Lord Black. That's what Mistress Melanie asked me to do." Melody smiled faintly. "And you better be the Lord you are, Lord Black. Mistress Melanie would never approve of you looking like this. I will lay out your robes."

With a pop, Melody disappeared.

"Blasted elf," Arcturus muttered, his gaze trailing down the bruised knuckles to the glinting golden ring in his hand. "Melania would never rest without getting answers either. She would want to know what happened to her grandson." He took a deep breath and his gray eyes hardened. "Time to be Lord Black, Arcturus."

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Flames flared green in the fireplace, licking his dark, silk robes as he stepped through upon the burgundy carpet, dusting the soot off. A pair of blue eyes looked up at him from behind the desk and a sad smile curved within the long, silver beard.

"Arcturus." Dumbledore stood from his seat. "My condolences for your loss."

Arcturus gave a jerky nod and swept forward, taking a seat across from Dumbledore. Fawkes trilled and for a moment, he felt the weariness in his bones drain away, Melania's beaming face flashing in his mind. Echoes of lost laughter and giggles rang in his ear.

Dumbledore gave his bird a faint smile before looking back at him. "You wished to meet me?"

"I did. I heard you were there. There when—"

His voice broke. The image of Sirius' body covered in the white blanket burned in his mind and he felt a sharp pain beneath his ribs.

"There when your grandson sacrificed himself to save a life." Guilt and sadness brimmed in the crystal blue eyes and Dumbledore hung his head. "A child that loses a parent is an orphan, but there's no word for a parent that loses a child. I am truly sorry, Arcturus. I can barely imagine what you are going through."

Arcturus swallowed the pain and dragged up his voice. "I need to know what happened, Dumbledore. I heard you were there. The Aurors said you brought Sirius'—" He felt a fist curl around his heart. "B-body."

"I made a mistake, Arcturus. One of many in my life." Pain twisted over Dumbledore's face. "I— You know about the Potters, don't you?"

"My nephew. Dorea and Charlus' son." Another sharp pain stabbed at him. "How could I not?"

"It all started when I received Lily's— James' wife's patronus, saying that Voldemort was attacking them."

Arcturus let out a growl at the name, a wave of anger bursting in his veins. 'The man who ruined everything. Him and Walburga. I let them slip through, but they ruined it.'

"Yes, he has taken many lives. So many bright souls… extinguished." Dumbledore sighed. "When I got there, I saw an explosion and rushed inside the cottage. James and Lily were dead, killed by Voldemort. But Harry was still there, sitting in his crib, with nothing but a scar."

"Dorea's grandson," Arcturus murmured. "He's the one they're calling the Boy-Who-Lived. The sole survivor of the Killing Curse. Something that the Aurors got from you, I've been informed."

"Despite your last few years of seclusion it still seems that you still have considerable pull," Dumbledore commented. "But it is true, Arcturus. Dorea and Charlus' grandson did survive the killing curse. I checked."

Arcturus' grip on his cane tightened. "How's that possible?"

"Magic. Old magic. You know how powerful it can be when it comes to protection, don't you?"

Flashes of blue flames and screams rose in his mind and he shook his head. "Even if I wanted to, I could never forget. Had it not been done, Grindelwald would've ruined thousands of lives. The magic you and the Flamels did saved our arses that day."

"They were bad times. One, no better than what Britain had been going through for the past decade."

"This war turned out worse for my family than Grindelwald's," Arcturus muttered.

"I'm truly sorry for your loss, my friend."

"I don't want your apologies, Dumbledore," Arcturus closed his eyes. "I want to know what happened to my grandson."

"When I retrieved Harry from the ruins of his home, I met Sirius outside. I thought he was the secret keeper but he explained that it wasn't him. It was Peter."

"I couldn't pay him a visit." Arcturus' nostrils flared. "But he'll be very sorry for the rest of his very short life. I'll make sure of it."

"He betrayed the trust of his closest friends in the worst possible way," Dumbledore grimaced. "When his day in the Wizengamot comes, I'll ensure that he answers for every one of his crimes."

"Oh, he will," Arcturus snarled. "What I want to know is, how did a cretin like him get the better of Sirius and you?"

Dumbledore let out a heavy breath, "Peter used a special invisibility cloak and sought to do what his master couldn't. He wanted to kill Harry."

Arcturus' heart twisted and his hand whitened against his cane.

"I wasn't vigilant but Sirius was. He pushed Harry and me out of the way and took the curse himself." Dumbledore hung his head. "Your grandson was a hero, Arcturus. A true Black."

The cane clattered out of his hands and Arcturus covered his face. His heart pounded in his ears and he breathed deeply. Dumbledore's phoenix trilled, ruffling its feathers but he paid no heed to it.

A hand clutched his shoulder. "Arcturus, do you hear me? Arcturus?"

His eyes snapped open and he saw Dumbledore's worried face hovering over his. He shrugged the hand off and nodded, summoning his cane back.

"I'm alright. Just…"

"You lost someone you loved, Arcturus. It is natural to mourn. I cried for days after I lost Ariana."

"I didn't just lose someone I loved. I lost everything. My whole family. My heir… my grandson. Everything." Arcturus breathed. "There's no one left. The only reason I wanted to live after Melania died was to see Sirius have a family and take my position as Lord Black. Do what I couldn't."

"Not all is lost."

"What is left, Dumbledore?" Arcturus asked bitterly. "Both my heirs are gone, one forever missing and one dead. My line was the last line of Blacks standing after Grindelwald's war. Now, only I'm left. Dorea's long gone. So is Melania. Tell me, Dumbledore. What do I have left?"

"Arcturus, Sirius died to protect the last of your family." Dumbledore grasped his shoulder. "Your sister's grandson. Sirius' godson. He's still there."

"Really, Dumbledore? He's a child being hailed as a hero. He would have many people better than me to take him in."

"Arcturus, you are his closest family now," Dumbledore whispered. "There's no Potter left and the guardians his parents selected are all dead… or worse."

"Dumbledore," Arcturus took a deep breath. "You do not expect me to take the boy in, do you?"

"Dorea and Charlus took your grandson in when Walburga kicked him from the house."

Rage stirred in his chest and he ground his teeth. "Had Walburga been alive still, I would've strangled the woman myself."

"She… wasn't the most pleasant of people," Dumbledore nodded, moving around his desk to sit back on his chair. "But Charlus and Dorea? They took Sirius in without even batting an eye. They loved him as their own, didn't they?"

"They did."

"Now their grandson is the one without a family. You weren't the only one who lost all they had yesterday night. Harry lost his parents and his godparents too. You are the closest thing he has to a family."

"Dumbledore—"

"It could be a chance, Arcturus. To raise the name of the Black family from the ashes." Dumbledore's eyes flicked to Fawkes. "And a chance for yourself and Harry to have a family. Something to live for."

Arcturus' heart drummed in his chest and he glanced between Dumbledore and the bird.

"If nothing, at least meet him once," He gestured, the door behind Arcturus opening.

McGonagall walked in, Harry held in her arms, squirming until she placed him on the floor and he toddled forward, looking around with wide emerald eyes.

Arcturus' heart melted, and he looked away.

"Magic birdy!" Harry yelled jubilantly and Fawkes immediately disappeared in a ball of flames with an alarmed squawk.

Arcturus blinked as Dumbledore chuckled. "Harry has taken a liking to Fawkes. One, which didn't completely suit him."

Harry walked around the room, giggling and clapping his hands, looking around the perch.

"Your bird's afraid of the boy?"

"I suppose Fawkes did get quite a scare when Harry summoned him off his perch, quite enthusiastically, I might add. And Fawkes is probably wary of him."

Arcturus' lips quivered into a slight smile as he looked at Harry, meeting his wide emerald eyes.

Harry tilted his head. "Gra-pa?"

'He thinks I am Charlus.' He knelt on the floor, his heart clenching. Harry toddled toward him, the little snitches on his red fluttering.

"I— I am Grandpa Arcturus, Harry."

Harry beamed and giggled, waving his hand. "Upsie!"

Arcturus scooped him up in his hands, running his fingers through his curly, jet-black hair.

"So, what do you say, Arcturus?" Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Will you give yourself and Harry a family? A family you both need and deserve?"

"I suppose… I haven't raised a child in decades. And when I had, Melania was there with me." Anxiety knotted in his gut.

"I'll have an elf to help you with things if you need," Dumbledore offered. "It won't ever compensate for a mother, but Harry'll at least have a family. And if you ever need anything, Minerva and I, and anyone you wish, are right here."

Arcturus' mouth dried and he looked down, meeting Harry's eyes and toothless smile as his little hands clutched his robe.

"If I take him in, I'll raise him as my own. A Black and a Potter."

"Give him your name, Arcturus. As of right now, he's the most famous figure in all of wizarding Britain. He'll need to be raised right." Dumbledore leaned forward. "Sirius would've done the same."

Arcturus nodded, smiling slightly at Harry. "I would need a few days, Dumbledore. To prepare my home and…" He felt a sharp sting. "And hold Sirius' funeral. Alongside Lily and James Potter's."

"I understand. Take as long as you need. I'll help wherever I can, Arcturus. I promise."

"Thank you," Arcturus looked down as Harry laid his head against his chest and yawned.

He smiled, a flame of hope igniting in his chest.

'For Sirius. And for Dorea.'

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