'And you didn't see fit to inform me?' Abraxas shouted. He stood up quickly and knocked over his chair. 'I've heard enough, Black. I hope you and your half-blood brat have had a good time making fools out of the rest of us. Congratulations. You've destroyed my family in the process.' He turned around and barged out of the room.
Narcissa stood up too, her eyes moist. She made some hasty excuses and ran upstairs. Draco gave Sirius an apologetic look before running after her.
'I'd better follow Abraxas and calm him down,' Clytemnestra said, and rose to leave.
'I doubt your brother will be very pleased to see you,' Cassiopeia observed.
The Squib smirked. 'No, I imagine not.' She walked out of the dining room.
After she had left, Sirius turned his attention to the rest of the family.
'Does anyone else want to yell at me?' he asked evenly.
'I think you've done a very good thing,' Andromeda said.
'Thank you,' Sirius replied.
'I must confess I'm a bit startled,' Melania said. 'But you're the head of the family, and Aries is such a sweet boy. I suppose it doesn't matter, so long as you're happy with the situation.'
'I always knew there was something off about the boy,' Druella said haughtily. 'A half-blood, really. How dare he presume to defile the House of Black?'
The witch yelped as a Stinging Hex hit her. Surprisingly, Irma was the one holding the wand.
'If he's Harry Potter, he's got more Black blood running through his veins than either of us has, Druella,' she pointed out. 'And he made Poll's last years very happy. I doubt my late husband would have been pleased to hear the news, but I can hardly blame the boy for that.' She looked over at her grandson. 'Or you, Sirius. It was the Squibs' fault, and...well...under the circumstances, who can blame them? Imagine, Cygnus Black's great-grandson forced to live with Muggles! Pollux would never have stood for that.'
'In any event, I don't believe Aries is actually a half-blood,' Cassiopeia said. 'I have come to the conclusion that Lily Evans was actually a pureblood witch who was kidnapped at birth. How else would little Aries be a Parselmouth?'
Druella turned pale. 'I hadn't considered that. So you mean...?'
'That's right,' Cassiopeia replied smugly. 'Lily Evans was Slytherin's Dark Heiress.'
Remus and Sirius exchanged amused glances, but no one else noticed.
Cassiopeia continued. 'Riddle knew this, of course, and that's why he tried to kill Harry Potter.' She cackled. 'But the half-blood bastard was no match for the boy's Dark power.' She glared at Druella. 'Just think, my dear. He managed to dismantle Riddle's wards without leaving Grimmauld Place. He invented a new and improved version of the Cruciatus Curse. What might he do to you if you get on his bad side?'
Druella giggled nervously. 'I've always been fond of Aries,' she said saccharinely. 'He's such a dear boy. He must take after the Mud-, er, Lily. I was always fond of her.'
Andromeda snorted. 'And just when did you meet her, Mother?'
'Oh, it wasn't a matter of meeting, Andromeda dear,' Druella said with sickening sweetness. Sirius was reminded strongly of Bella. 'I think I saw her from a distance once or twice. But she was such a lovely witch – really just to see her was to love her.'
Sirius rolled his eyes and pushed away from the table. 'I think I'll go check on Narcissa.'
....
'Mum, you can't blame Aries for what happened,' Draco said. 'If it weren't for him, you might have been killed.'
'I know,' Narcissa said with a sigh. 'But if it weren't for him, I should never have lost Lucius or been kidnapped in the first place.'
'You can't think that way, Mum!' Draco insisted. 'Aries is my best friend.'
Narcissa looked at him sadly. 'But how can you be sure of that, dear? If he and Sirius were lying about so much, who knows what else they might have been lying about?'
'I understand, Mum,' Draco said quietly. I really do. I felt the same way when I learned the truth. I'm still confused about a lot of things. But I know I can trust Aries. He's my brother.'
'He's not even your cousin,' Narcissa said.
'He's my second cousin once removed!' Draco retorted hotly. 'Besides, after I learned the truth, we became blood brothers.'
His mother smiled at him and put a hand on his shoulder. 'I'm glad you still have your friend, Draco,' she said. 'I don't really blame Aries. He was only a small child when it all happened.' She sighed. 'I do wish Sirius had told me.'
'He saved my life,' Draco said quietly. 'I don't know why. What am I to him?'
Sirius came into the room without knocking.
'I told you,' he said. 'You're my favourite nephew. I care about you just as much as I care about Aries.'
'Didn't anyone ever tell you that it's polite to knock?' Narcissa asked coldly.
Sirius shrugged. 'It's my house.' He looked down at Draco. 'Do you mind giving me and your mum just a moment, Draco?' he asked.
Draco got up and went, grasping his mother's hand briefly before leaving the room. Sirius shut the door.
'Cissy, I'm sorry,' he said. 'I would have told you, but I had to keep Aries' secret.'
'I understand,' Narcissa replied quietly. 'But I trusted you, Sirius. I told you all my darkest secrets, my fears. I thought we were being completely honest with one another.'
'We were,' Sirius protested.
Narcissa shook her head. 'We weren't. You were keeping a very large secret, one you shared with Aunt Cassie and Aunt Clytemnestra, but not with me.'
'I'm sorry,' Sirius repeated. 'How can I make it up to you?'
Narcissa snorted. 'Make it up to me? What makes you think you can do that?'
'Please, Narcissa,' Sirius said. 'There must be something I can do.'
Narcissa sighed. 'I don't know,' she said at length. 'But at least you can promise never to keep a secret from me again.'
Sirius hesitated. 'I want to promise that,' he said. 'But I can't. What if something comes up, and Aries' or Draco's lives are at stake?'
Surprisingly, Narcissa smiled. 'Thank you, Sirius,' she said.
'For what?' Sirius asked, a quizzical expression on his face.
'For taking me seriously,' she said. 'Lucius would have promised without a moment's hesitation, but I should have known he would do it again, if necessary. You were honest with me, and I appreciate that.'
'I'll always be honest with you,' Sirius said. 'I can promise you that much. If I can't tell you something for some reason, I'll tell you, but I shan't lie to you.'
.....
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