Chapter Text
Marvolo gazed thoughtfully out of the window of Slytherin's Castle, slightly swinging his glass of firewhiskey in his hand. Once upon a time, he would have felt self-righteous and made grandiose plans. But that was before he knew the truth about his family.
The son of a muggle and a squib. Even worse than a half-blood. The glass in the man's hand almost cracked. It still pissed him off. Dumbledore would have been amused. Marvolo's lips twisted at the thought of the old man.
He thought the headmaster was all-powerful, even feared him. But it was a long time ago. When he killed his father and his family, something had broken inside him. He has almost done an irreparable thing. He almost ripped his soul apart for immortality. But something stopped him. It was as if someone had pushed his hand while he was holding his old diary to make the first horcrux. And then he really thought.
Why does he need horcruxes? Why does he need immortality? He will not erase the truth. He will only act as the annoying old man expects. Whatever Albus Dumbledore said, he did not consider Tom Riddle to be anything but another Dark Lord. If the old man gave him a chance, if he listened and allowed him to leave the orphanage ahead of time, everything could be different. But nothing can be fixed.
Tom Riddle disappeared from this world. He took the name Marvolo Slytherin and went on a journey. No one would trace Marvolo's path now, he himself did not remember all the places that he visited. From a cute-faced orphan, he turned into a charming man with a hazy past. He thought about coming to Hogwarts, but Dumbledore wouldn't let him teach there. So many words, but action decides everything.
Only Marvolo's inner circle knew the truth. They shared his opinion of Dumbledore.
-It's useless to try, - Abraxas, who always helped him, grimaced. - Even the grave won't fix this old man.
-That's right, - Yaxley snorted. - He only speaks, but in reality? He never gave any of the Slytherins a chance, not even a second thought.
Marvolo learned a lot during his travels, including about himself. It turned out that not only was he a descendant of Slytherin, but of Gryffindor as well. It made sense when you thought about it. Salazar and Godric were best friends for a long time, their descendants could not be affected by the feud of the houses of Hogwarts.
-You're related to the Potters, then, - drawled Malfoy, learning about Marvolo's bloodline.
-Pardon?
-As far as I remember, they are descendants of the Peverells, who, in turn, are descendants of Gryffindor.
Three brothers. The Potters are the descendants of the younger brother, and Marvolo is the middle brother.
-Doesn't matter, - Slytherin said wearily. - Almost all purebloods are related to each other. That doesn't make us family.
Abraxas squinted sympathetically. He knew how much his old friend wanted a family. Perhaps without Dumbledore it would have happened a long time ago. Malfoy could only hope that Marvolo hadn't given up on this idea completely.
-Only the castle remained from Salazar, - sighed Marvolo meanwhile. - From Godric - money. It is a pity that there were no portraits left. They could tell a lot.
-Is it worth it? - Keith Nott asked slowly. - The current Hogwarts is not at all like the old one. Don't you think the founders would be disappointed? In the end, Salazar's fears came true.
The wizards were no longer safe.
Marvolo grimaced, putting down his glass. He hated muggles because of his father, that's true, but he knew full well that purebloods have plenty of reasons to hate muggles. More and more muggles learned about magic. Most of all because of the muggleborns. Of course, they could not hide this from their relatives, but the fact remained a fact. Marvolo knew that he was not the only child who was treated badly because of magic. Maybe the muggles at the orphanage didn't know it was magic, but they knew that Tom Riddle was different from them. Muggles are weak and cowardly creatures. They were afraid of everything they could not understand.
Maybe this was part of the reason why Marvolo abandoned the idea of horcruxes. He didn't want to spend eternity surrounded by people like that. And killing everyone like them is too troublesome, he thought. He would have to kill more than half of the world's population, honestly.
-Basically, all alone, - Yaxley said. - Ravenclaw had only a daughter. Hufflepuff had many children, but now there are no direct descendants left. The descendants of Slytherin left the country, only the Gaunts remained, in the end. Gryffindor has Potters, but you're the first to inherit, so...
Marvolo Slytherin is the only direct descendant of the founders of Hogwarts who remained in Britain. Or was alive. Marvolo knew that the best of Salazar's descendants had moved to America, but he did not know how much of their ancestor's blood remained in them.
-What do you want to do, Marvolo? - Abraxas asked after hesitating.
-...I'm not sure.
What should he do? Marvolo sat down on the sofa and stared into the fire. All his dreams and hopes have long been shattered. Was that how his ancestor felt when he left the place he had helped build? Once Tom Riddle dreamed of becoming a teacher, then a headmaster, then even a Minister, in order to make the life of pureblood wizards better. And now what?
He will not return to Hogwarts. The work in the Ministry has lost its attractiveness for him. The corners of his lips lifted slightly. He can start with small things. A test, so to speak. Even Dumbledore wouldn't dare say anything against it.
-Abraxas, do you have many friends in the Wizengamot? With real power?
-A few come to mind.
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Arcturus handed the signed scroll to Barty.
-That's a good idea, - Black said.
Construction of an orphanage only for magical children. Why didn't they think of this earlier?
-It’s going to take a lot of work, - Crouch mused. - We'll need to track down all the wizards in Britain. Not everyone liked it.
Arcturus snorted. Albus has already commented on this. He didn't think they should be tracking muggleborn children.
-And how do you know that some of them do not live in orphanages and are not abused due to the manifestations of magic and the fact that the muggles do not understand who they are?
Abraxas Malfoy's question clearly caught the headmaster of Hogwarts by surprise. After this question, more people voted for the idea.
-Work for the Ministry is provided for a long time. - Black leaned back in his chair. - Rumor has it that a descendant of Slytherin came up with the idea.
-I heard, - Crouch nodded. - They say his name is Marvolo Slytherin. Do you think this is one of the descendants who left the country?
-Maybe. It is strange that he did not come out officially. Or perhaps he will do it gradually.
-By the way, - Crouch remembered. - Is Walburga expecting a child again?
-Yes, - Arcturus replied indifferently.
Walburga had been unable to get pregnant for a long time and Blacks already began to fear that the family would no longer have a direct heir. Arcturus was the head of the family, so it makes sense that his son should be the next lord. But he had not named Orion as his heir.
Arcturus wasn't sure exactly why. He just thought that Orion lacked something. Maybe some kind of rod inside? Orion is a skilled wizard, especially in protective spells, but he was a little alienated from the rest of the people. He was clearly angry that Arcturus did not appoint him as his successor, but he did not say anything. And with regard to the social life of the family, he preferred to leave everything to Walburg. Arcturus thought his son should have put in more effort.
Could it be his fault? Arcturus loved his children in his own way, but he knew he was not the best father. But this is to be expected, unfortunately.
Pureblood wizards have tried to save themselves for centuries. They had to be related to each other for this. Because muggleborns didn't care about the safety of wizards, telling their muggle loved ones about magic. The witch hunts and the death of many magical children meant nothing to them, obviously.
Because of this, the purebloods had clear goals. To honor traditions, educate heirs and protect their families. They often arranged organized marriages. Of course, in such circumstances, a family where everyone loves each other was a miracle. Arcturus married of convenience, but he fell in love with Melania with all his heart. Unfortunately, he had to think about legacy first. Purebloods taught their children from an early age a variety of things and sometimes this deprived them of a happy childhood. Arcturus raised Orion to be a worthy heir. As a result, Orion did not have much love for others.
Arcturus doubted he even liked Walburga, what to say about love, but Orion knew his duty. He must raise his son Sirius to become the next Lord Black. It is surprising that Walburga became pregnant again, but the spare heir was not superfluous. Arcturus suppressed his annoyance at the thought. He didn't want to think of family members as things, but he had no choice.
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...Orion took the newborn in his arms, feeling a strange thrill. He had never felt anything like that before. Even when his long-awaited heir was born, Orion only held him for a couple of seconds and gave him to his wife. He felt that he had done his duty, nothing more. He thought it was normal.
His parents were not generous with sentimentality. He learned manners sooner than he learned to speak properly. At four, he could tell the Blacks' ancestry for eight generations. Of course, he had fun as a child. Pureblood wizards honor tradition and are often hard on children, but they are not monsters. Orion simply followed his father's example when it came to family and children. He had to raise Sirius worthy of the title of Lord Black. He just let Walburga organize it.
The second pregnancy was a big surprise for them. They didn't plan it at all. Perhaps this is the reason?
Orion looked closely at the baby in his arms. So... tiny. The healer said the baby was weak in health and needed more care than Sirius needed when he was born. Misty eyes opened and stared at Orion. The baby broke into a smile and the man's heart twitched strangely.
The birth of this boy is a big surprise. Orion didn’t know how to deal with a son he hadn’t planned. Everything seemed so... new. As if he didn't have Sirius. But with Sirius, Orion followed his father's example. Sirius was to be raised as the heir to the family. How to raise this child?
-What is his name? - specified the healer, scribbling in parchment.
-Regulus Arcturus Black.
Walburga looked at her husband in surprise. They didn't discuss the name. Orion looked askance at Kreacher, who was waiting for the master to give him the child, but the man was not going to let the child out of his hands.
-Do something useful, elf, - Orion ordered. - You must keep an eye on Sirius.
Orion felt that something had irrevocably changed, and for the first time in his life he did not know what the future holds for him. Strange, but it caused a thrill in his soul...
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Orion frowned as he heard a soft whisper from his younger son's room. They are alone in the house, who was he talking to? The man looked into the room. Regulus sat on the floor with a picture book in his hands.
-Reggie, who were you talking to?
-Aliana, - said the kid. He spoke well for his age, but did not pronounce all the letters. - She called the old man an old tlee stump.
Orion's eyebrows rose. He went up to his son and looked at the book. Hogwarts history in pictures? On the page his son opened was a picture of Albus Dumbledore.
-...I cannot but agree.
Orion surreptitiously glanced around the room, sitting down to his son. There was no one. So who is Aliana?
-What did Aliana want?
Regulus shrugged, moving his book to his father to read to him. Orion smiled a little.
Raising Regulus was... unusual. Refreshingly even. Orion did not have a ready-made model of behavior with him, so he acted as if he was walking on quicksand. He felt like a real father.
Of course, Regulus had to know the same things as Sirius, as a spare heir. But Walburga did not insist on this as in the case of their eldest son. Plus, Regulus was quiet and never bothered them, so she sometimes even forgot about his existence. Orion's cheek twitched involuntarily at the thought. Walburga was not a bad mother, but she paid more attention to the legacy than to their children.
Sirius was a rather spoiled kid and could throw a tantrum if he didn't want to do something. It was then that Walburga set Regulus as an example for him, rejoicing that the youngest son did not argue with parents. The upbringing of children went in a circle among purebloods, from parents to subsequent generations.
Orion pulled Regulus into his lap for comfort. Until the birth of Reggie, he did not think about how those who were not born into such a powerful family as the Blacks live. More precisely, Orion did not think about how they live without organized marriages. Of course, falling in love with someone and marrying him does not mean that their family life will be perfect. In a way, organized marriages simplify things. For example, finding a partner from a pureblood family for procreation.
But Orion didn't want this to happen to Regulus. He is not an heir, so he could not rush to get married. He could find someone he loved. The problem, oddly enough, is Arcturus. Orion frowned as he flipped the page of the book and began to read aloud.
Arcturus was with them not so long ago and for some reason became interested in the youngest grandson. He did not say this directly, but he made it known that he considers Regulus to be his heir. This puzzled Walburga.
-He's talking about himself, right? - Excitedly, she asked her husband later. - That Regulus is just his heir and not the heir of the Lord?
-I don’t know, - Orion admitted honestly.
You can never guess with Arcturus. Why did he pay attention to Reggie and not Sirius? Because they have a common name and similar white eyes? Orion named his son after some of the brightest stars in the firmament. He gave him a "royal" name because he thought his son was special, but not because he became the head of their family. King.
Being Black is almost the same as being royalty. Arcturus can be called king because of his power and aura around him. But Orion did not want such a fate for Regulus. Selfish for a purebred wizard, but he didn't want his little son to spend all his time on their family. Regulus could have had a much more pleasant and great destiny.
Orion didn't like his father's actions at all...
...Orion paused in the doorway.
-Walburga, do we have a friend named Aliana?
-Aliana? I don’t remember one.
A little later, he realized that Regulus often distorted names. Maybe he wanted to say Ariana? The name hit him strangely, as if Orion had already heard it in relation to Dumbledore, but could not remember the details. He wanted to brush it off, but he didn't.
No one could enter their house. There were no ghosts here. Regulus couldn't come up with a friend who spoke of Dumbledore that way. Reggie didn't even know about the old man. So someone was with him after all.
-Master, don't you feel well? - Kreacher asked, noticing the gloomy man tapping on the table. - Kreacher can...
-I'm fine, - Orion waved him off.
He was sometimes annoyed by their elf. The house elf behaved as if he was a member of the Black family, doted in Walburga, but there was nothing special about him.
Orion rubbed his chin. Leave it? Or do something? Aliana or Ariana associated with Albus Dumbledore. It doesn't hurt to check, probably...
...Orion put Reggie's books in place and sat down on his son's bed, straightening the blanket on him.
Ariana Dumbledore. Black studied the past of the headmaster of Hogwarts back in school, that's how he knew the name. But why did the girl come to Regulus of all people? Although... Looks like she's not a ghost in the literal sense of the word. Otherwise Orion would have seen her too.
The Black family has many magical talents and powers. Arcturus has an incredible instinct, he always knows whether people are telling the truth or lying. Is it possible that Reggie also sees more than most people? Then Lord Black guessed about it, since he had already singled out him.
Then it's bad. Orion grimaced. This was not part of his plans for Regulus. The little one cannot stand out, otherwise he will definitely be made heir. For the first time in his life, Orion felt a desire to protect someone. He was adept at defensive magic, but nothing more. He didn't have a father's instinct or his wife's unyielding temperament, but he was Black. The Blacks are not inferior to anyone. Even when it comes to family members.
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Orion mentally rolled his eyes as he listened to the grumbling of his wife and eldest son. That's why he didn't go shopping with them. And they hadn't even left the muggle street yet when Sirius announced he wanted a red sweater. The man's eyes went to Regulus, who was walking silently beside him. The boy's gaze was fixed on the bakery window. Orion squinted, easily penetrating the thoughts of the nearest muggle to find out the cost of the baked goods.
-Stop whining, Sirius Orion Black. This is your 5th birthday, all influential families will be at the party. This is our chance to forge a bond with Lord Slytherin.
Reggie and Orion looked at each other. Walburga has been repeating this since the moment Marvolo Slytherin began to appear in public. Orion understood her feelings like any self-respecting pureblood wizard, but he never liked Abraxas Malfoy, with whom Slytherin was clearly close. And, this Marvolo Slytherin... isn't that Tom Riddle? Regulus took his father's hand, nodding absently, as if reading his thoughts. He, too, was not happy about the prospect of being kind to a crowd of people all evening.
-Regulus, go as you should, - distracted from Sirius Walburga. - Purebloods...
-Maybe then you’ll stop talking about it on muggle street? - Orion interrupted coldly, not letting go of his son's hand.
Walburga caught herself, remembering that they had not cast an charms to repel muggle eyes from them, because they had not put on their robes that day.
-It's all because of you, Sirius, - she hissed. - If only once you didn’t bicker about clothes.
On this she finally calmed down and Orion relaxed again. It seems his patience got shorter and shorter when it came to the way people relate to his youngest son...
...Walburga suppressed an unconscious shiver when she saw the expression on her husband's face.
-Who gave him the lingonberries?
Orion's tone was calm and icy, like fog in a cemetery. Kreacher trembled on the floor, sobbing.
-Kreacher didn't know, master. Kreacher wanted...
-Shut up.
Black's cold eyes pinned Walburga into place. Orion was not at home, but she felt like he knew. It was she who made the children eat the dinner and dessert prepared by the elf, teaching them etiquette and manners. Regulus said nothing to her, but complained to his father of a strange burning sensation in his mouth when he arrived. Walburga did not know that her youngest son was allergic to lingonberries.
-Another such case and your head will be above the stairs.
Kreacher burst into tears, but the words were spoken into the void. Walburga had a bad feeling that this was being said to her. Her husband never showed interest in something and did not hold any grudges, because it was beyond his dignity. Therefore, such a change frightened her. Contrary to what Arcturus thought, his son did not obey anyone. He just let his wife take care of their family. No more than that.
Over the years, Walburga managed to forget why she was once afraid to marry Orion. He did not obey anyone, hid his feelings and was surrounded by people. Such a man could find a party better than her. He could have a young mistress or even a new wife, with whom he could continue the Black family. Walburga forgot about it when they finally had an heir, thinking that Orion was fine with everything.
Orion left his wife and house elf in the kitchen and returned to his younger son's room. Regulus opened his sleepy eyes at his presence.
-Daddy?
-Sleep, little one, - Orion said softly, sitting down in a chair by his bed. - The potion will work soon. When you open your eyes, everything will be fine.