3

1971, 1 September.

It was going to be Sirius's first year away from his little brothers. More so, he was more worried than scared, rightfully so, if their mother's temper was anything to go by. He didn't want to come back after so long to see his younger brother more corrupt than ever by their mother.

The platform was quite busy, with all the parents seeing their children off. The noise was loud and continuous. Of course, there were families just like the Blacks who were too strict for their own good and didn't exactly show their emotions. It didn't exactly help the fact that Sirius already thought he was hated. Now his parents looked like they could hardly care that he'd be gone for months.

Sirius was beyond ecstatic that he would be away from his parents. The only nagging they could possibly do were through letters, ones he wouldn't bother to read.

Polaris ignored his mother when she told him to stay at her side, unlike Regulus, who listened to each word. Instead, he decided to do the opposite of what his mother had told him, which was a surprise to her. She would definitely be scolding him once they reached home and away from prying eyes as she painted her image in public.

There stood Sirius with his youngest brother Polaris. They stood a few feet away from their parents and their other brother Regulus. They were supposed to have left, but Polaris decided to run up to Sirius to give him a hug. He was told 'Blacks don't show emotion,' but he could care less at the moment seeing as his brother would be gone for a long time, and he just didn't want Polaris to forget him, as he made friends.

Sirius gave his brother a small smile. Crouching downwards, he looked at Polaris at eye level, "Well, I didn't think you'd miss me, but low and behold, the perfect little pureblood is giving me a hug. Now, what would mother say" Sirius said jokingly.

Polaris rolled his eyes at his brother's antics. He lightly pushed his shoulder with a sad face, "Even if I don't show it much, I do like you, Sirius… sometimes, but do try not to get in as much trouble as you do at home", he drawled out.

"Although… I guess I'll miss you to a certain extent, but I'm also glad you'll be gone if that means mother's screeching reduces by approximately 80%," he added with cheek.

Sirius gasped, "Look at you using maths and all to prove your point. I, for one, don't think I'm the cause of mother's raging and her ear breaking screams…" he looked thoughtful, his gaze drifting away.

"-But I'm glad to be away from them if I am to be honest- besides the point. How dare my little brother think that I, Sirius Orion Black, will be getting in trouble, let alone caught," of course, his brother Sirius had to wink after saying the last part.

Of course, he's glad to be gone. He's what he believes to be the black sheep of the family, ironic seeing as we all are a member of the House of 'Black'. He wasn't sure why he felt left out.

Sirius stood up, putting his hand on Polaris's shoulder, "The trains leaving soon. Take care of Reg for me then? Yeah?", He nodded with a small smile.

Before leaving, he ruffled the head of curls on his brother's head, making it messy.

Polaris then made his way to the remaining family… No wonder he ran off. Mother had a scowl on her face and was most likely ready to give him a long speech to scold him for messing up his hair. He watched as he entered the train with his large trolley along with the other students rushing into the train.

Until next time Sirius…

"Are you going to miss Sirius?" Polaris asked Regulus, already knowing what the response would be as he walked back to the other members of his family. Regulus didn't even bother to answer as his gaze was on the train. Polaris huffed before walking to the right side of his father, who then tried to flatten his hair as they left.

1971, 4 September.

With bored eyes, he watched as his mother threw another one of the new murals against a wall. She was throwing a fit over the fact Sirius had gotten sorted into Gryffindor… shocker. Cousin Narcissa had sent a letter to mother telling her Sirius had not been sorted into Slytherin. He had never seen their mother so angry in years that she felt the need to send a howler.

It's been going on for at least 30 minutes. He was surprised she still had the energy to continue on like this, 'I mean, what's the point? I understand how disappointing it is that Sirius didn't get sorted into Slytherin but was it really necessary to throw a fit like this?'

He wasn't even sure what his true feelings were for Gryffindor… all he had to base his opinions on were the comments made by others. All of which were just negative comments, while the only good ones were from his brother Sirius, which he wasn't sure what to make of yet, seeing as Sirius himself wasn't providing a primary source. He hadn't even been to Hogwarts yet at the time.

He couldn't tell how his father felt about it, you know, the whole Gryffindor thing, although he supposed he was always better than his mother in keeping his emotions in check. While their mother would yell, their father would just give a disappointed look…

That was the difference between them. He was more scared of the disappointing look his father gave than he was of his mother. Even if she was more physical with her punishments, he didn't exactly get in trouble often. However, from just having Sirius Black as his brother, he knew not to get on the bad side of his mother.

He was sitting at the stairs with a book on his lap, watching the scene through the bannister frames… Regulus, yeah, he didn't know where he was, probably hiding away in his room. He could be doing that as well, but he was more fascinated with watching the scene.

"That ungrateful brat! Can you believe him? Orion! Do you not care!? 'Your' son is on his way to becoming a blood traitor, surrounded by filthy mudbloods," Mother yelled to his unmoving father, who looked just about done with her behaviour.

Honestly, he looked fed up. Polaris couldn't blame him. The woman had been ranting in rage for a while and all. 'Blood Traitor' that's going a bit too far… Sure he wasn't sorted into Slytherin, but that doesn't mean Sirius would betray their family and become one of those… would he?

"Walburga, I sincerely do believe that 'our' son shouldn't be considered a Blood Traitor for a little mishap. Merlin woman! At least the boy isn't a squib. You don't need to destroy the house! It's unbecoming of one such as yourself," Father snapped, his frustration showing as his hand ran through his short hair.

Only his mother was capable of angering his father as such. It's like a hobby of hers… just as angering their mother was a hobby of Sirius'. Hmm, maybe Regulus and himself should get on the same boat as them and anger each other to make it a family thing.

He then decided to tone them out.

He was getting quite tired and bored of the yelling. He took his book and walked upstairs to his room. 'I should write Sirius a letter. I'm sure after getting a howler, he'd be upset.'

As he reached his bedroom, he went straight to his desk. He then took out a piece of parchment, and his long quill, then stared at the black sheet… 'hmm, How should I start this?'

He dipped his black feathered quill in the black ink parchment and began while he dragged his feet against the wooden floors, crossing them underneath the desk.

'Dear Sirius Orion Black, scion of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black,

I suppose this is the first letter I am sending you, well, the first letter I've ever sent, so I do hope I'm doing this right.

I would have been more pleased to be writing to you to congratulate you for getting sorted into the house of cunning and ambitious House of Slytherin. However, it seems that won't be the case.

For the pleasantries, I will congratulate you for getting sorted into your current house, the house of the 'brave' and 'reckless'… you should be glad you only received a howler from mother… it wasn't pleasant hearing her go off again. If it weren't for father, mother would have flooed to Hogwarts and demanded you to be allowed to be resorted.

I'm sure you know cousin Narcissa has shared the news with the family by now, with you now wearing red on your school robes.

I've heard from Cousin Bellatrix before that Gryffindors were idiots, which describes you perfectly. I also heard Gryffindor have a problem with running into trouble which also describes you perfectly… it's a wonder how mother didn't foresee your sorting. I at least guessed it would be a possibility. I really can't imagine you wearing green, at least not proudly.

It's only been two days since you've left. I fear for the worst during this week with mother in this state. Who knows how long it will take for her to calm down. Even without being around mother, you seem to still anger her easily. Therefore Reg and I are avoiding even mentioning your name.

Mother thinks you're going to become a blood traitor since you'll be surrounded by so many mudbloods there.

I hope you'll find your forever friends in your second home, people you can trust… I know without a doubt you'll befriend mudbloods. Just maybe keep it on the low? You're not the one having to live with mother at the moment. Reg and I are, so think before you do things.

How's Hogwarts so far? Is it as amazing as cousin Narcissa and Bellatrix described it? Have you made any new friends yet? How are the classes? How is your room? Do you really have to share a room with many other people in the Gryffindor room? How were you sorted?

I remember asking Narcissa one time, and she told me it was a swimming contest. I know she was joking because no way on earth would cousin Bella have done it. Still, then again, Cissy said it so seriously that I'm starting to question the logic of it.

I can't say I miss you all that much. If you were here, mother wouldn't ever stop talking and don't worry, I won't wander into your bedroom anytime soon.

Yours sincerely, your youngest, smartest and trusting brother,

Polaris Rigel Black, scion of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black.

He stared at the page, checking it over carefully. That will do.

"What are you doing?" a voice drawled from behind.

He turned his head to see Regulus leaning up against the door frame giving him a lazy gaze before scanning his clean room and giving a whistle at the cleanness.

"I just wrote a letter to Sirius", Polaris replied as he put his quill away.

Regulus walked over to where he was seated and looked over Polaris's shoulder.

"A letter? Ah, I already sent one yesterday, haven't received one back yet. Is mother still going on a rant about his sorting?" Regulus asked, scanning through the full parchment...

"I'm not too sure, Reg. Before I started writing, she certainly was. Do you think she'll be this bad tomorrow?" he asked, looking over his shoulder to stare at Reg.

He sighed before moving away from his person and walked around the room leisurely, "She better not. I was planning on asking her if I could go to a friend's house".

Polaris scrunched his face, "Why don't you just ask father? that's what I always do".

He rolled his eyes at his brother, "Well, not everyone knows father's timetable off by heart. Meaning I don't bloody know where he is day and night, so I can't exactly find him to ask nor wait for him to come home if I don't know when that will be," he said as he picked up a book from my nightstand and flicked through the pages.

Polaris snorted in amusement, "Well, you have to step up your game if you wish to have what you want", the youngest Black drawled, "Oh, really? I suppose I will have to get to that, don't I?" Regulus responded, his eyes drifting to Polaris.

"Well, then. Won't you tell me his schedule?" Regulus prompted, placing the book back in its place, moving to sit on his brother's neatly laid bed.

"He'd be leaving for the ministry tomorrow morning at 7 am and will be back around 2pm because he'll be having lunch with grandfather Pollux. You should wait for him no earlier or later. You might miss him because he's going to Grandfather Arcturus's manor after he's settled, which should be around 3pm".

Regulus just stared at his brother for a few seconds, collecting his thoughts, before speaking again, "Um... thanks for the rundown. How do you know he's going to Grandfather Arcturus's?".

Polaris pondered the question, "I don't know, I just know- ahh, yes, he usually does at least once every week. I doubt it'll be any different tomorrow. Besides, I'm planning on waiting for father as well once he's back from the ministry to convince him to allow me to come with him to Grandfather Arcturus's. I think Grandfather Pollux will also be there, maybe even one of our cousins".

Anything to be away from mother...

"Well, alright, anyways, I wrote Siri another letter, let's send them together" with that, Regulus dropped the book back where he found it and headed out of the open door, and he ran after him, letter in hand.

⪧⪦⪧⪦ ⪧⪦⪧⪦

Walking past the lounge and glancing in, he saw a glimpse of his father. It didn't surprise him that his father had a bottle of firewhiskey at his side. It usually meant he just had a conversation with his mother, which had Polaris curious as to what was discussed this time, with his mother going on a rage earlier already.

"Father", Polaris greeted as he pushed the door open, sauntering in a curious manner. His father turned to him, their grey eyes meeting. His father blinked before shaking his head and putting the bottle to a side. "Polaris." The man gruffly responded as he sighed in frustration.

He rarely saw the man drink with his own eyes, but he knew it was something he did. Most of the time, it was behind closed doors where he wouldn't see it occur, but perhaps he couldn't be bothered this time.

His father didn't seem too interested in talking. "Are you angry that Sirius got into Gryffindor?" Polaris asked, jumping back in the seat behind him, staring at his father across the coffee table, having sat opposite him.

His father hummed, "Angry? No, perhaps disappointed, but then again, I had no doubt the boy would not be a Slytherin." His father responded, and Polaris nodded, "Yeah! It's quite obvious he wasn't going to end up in Slytherin. I should have made a bet with grandfather. I could be so much richer right about now," Polaris spoke, unbothered as he shrugged his shoulders.

"Which grandfather," his father drawled. The man sounded tired and fed up.

"Both", Polaris said with a grin, which had his father chuckle lightly, before composing himself again.

Silence reigned as Polaris just laid down on the couch, looking up at the chandelier hanging down from the ceiling. He turned his head to where his father was sitting. The man's head rested on the back of the armchair he was sitting on, with his arms crossed.

"Father?" Polaris called out. The man lowered his head to look at Polaris, "Yes, Polaris?" the man responded tiredly.

"I don't think I want to get married… it looks stressful."

1971, 25 November.

Polaris's back was hunched over with his chin rested against his hand as he stared intensely at the chessboard. Dare he say he was starting to sweat.

Every time he played chess against his Grandfather Arcturus, he usually got antsy. His grandfather was amazing and always so concentrated, but he supposed he was more knowledgeable and experienced with chess, unlike Polaris, who had only just picked it up as a hobby 2 years ago.

Polaris was playing Black, while his grandfather was White, which meant that his grandfather got to go first. Arcturus insisted that Polaris go first as usual, but Polaris, being stubborn, declined.

Polaris could help but start to think that he should have gone first as his Grandfather suggested. His grandfather going first felt strange. It was throwing him off his game since Polaris was always making the starting move. Although this is great practice, it improves his strategic thinking whether or not he started it.

After the last exchange, Polaris felt as though his position was a lot more comfortable, and Grandfather Arcturus's position was a bit more difficult than himself. Well, he was hoping...

White: Rook to C1.

He watched as his Grandfather moved his piece. Polaris frowned at this. Since the usual move, in situations such as this would be different, he had expected Grandfather to move his queen in response.

'Is he making a bluff? Trying to make me think I couldn't see something he could?'.

He glanced up at his Grandfather after his grandfather had made his move. He seemed calm. He sat there with a poker face, not letting anything show on his face.

'I need to get better at doing that myself.'

Polaris sighed and moved his gaze back to the chessboard, glancing at every possible move he could take and trying to analyse the outcomes from those possible moves.

"Having trouble there?" Grandfather Arcturus asked smugly. Polaris glanced up to see him smirking at him, so he then proceeded to send his grandfather a small glare.

"You're distracting me, so of course, I'm having trouble," he said, moving his attention back to the board.

"Oh?" Arcturus sounded.

Using his left hand, Polaris started thrumming his fingers on his left lap as he concentrated on deciding on his next move. He lifted his right hand away from my face and hesitantly moved it to the pieces, swaying it back and forth before touching the piece he wished to move.

Black: Castle to A5.

He bit his lip anxiously at the move, unsure if that was the best course of action. He continued to stare at the board. 'Maybe I should have moved the rook to B1?'

"Ah, I knew I would find you two in here," a voice said from the door behind him where the door was, disrupting the silence laid in the room.

Polaris lazily glanced back to see his cousin Bellatrix walking through the door.

"Cousin," Polaris said, inclining his head towards her, showing respect.

Bellatrix wasn't what he'd call his favourite cousin. She was his least favourite cousin, if not even part of the list of favourites. Narcissa was his favourite cousin, always has been, she was the calmest out of her sisters and very caring, well to some extent, Bella on the other hand… well she scared him at times, sometimes he could swear he could see a crazed look in her eyes now adays.

Even so, he rathered Andromeda over Bellatrix, she wasn't as aggressive as Bellatrix, and she was more interesting. It was blatantly obvious Andromeda was Sirius's favourite cousin. Polaris wasn't even sure if Bellatrix or Narcissa was Regulus's favourite.

She smiled, then greeted Arcturus Black, "Lord Black, grandfather Pollux and Uncle Orion have settled at the dining table now. It's a shame your game must come to an end at this moment. However, I assume that you're winning this game, Lord Black," she said, directing their attention back towards the chess board we stopped paying attention to.

How unfortunate that it was time for dinner. He had completely forgotten when grandfather told Bellatrix to call for us when it was time. He just knew we'd be too consumed in the game to even realised that time has passed. Polaris didn't even feel that hungry. He stared at the chess board as their conversation continued. He would rather stay and play chess with his grandfather than have dinner at that moment.

There weren't many people at the Black Manor at the moment. It was merely just a coincidence that we were all here visiting Grandfather Arcturus. Polaris only followed his father here. Polaris's other Grandfather, Pollux, happened to be here as well with his cousin Bellatrix and her husband of one year Rodolphus Lestrange, the next Lord of the House of Lestrange.

Although he was sure them being here had to do with some business.

"Of course, Bellatrix. I wouldn't have it any other way now, would we" he said, sending a wink his way.

"Cousin, I feel most offended you sided with my grandfather thinking he was winning, without even glancing at the chess board. I'll have you know I'm improving, isn't that right, Grandfather," Polaris spoke, raising his chin up and sending a look to his grandfather.

He swore he heard his grandfather let out a laugh. He stared at him, 'maybe I just imagined it'.

"Yes, yes, he's improving bit by bit, definitely better than last time".

Polaris grinned, "Well, of course, I am. I'm pretty good for my age, aren't I? Regulus can't even compare to me, nor would Sirius be even able to distinguish which piece is which".

"Oh, now you just sound cocky", Bellatrix spoke with a hint of amusement.

Polaris was sitting in the dining room, staring at the food that his Grandfather's house-elf had made appear, wondering what Corvus was doing.

'Corvus would have probably sent another letter by now. It's probably just sitting there at home while I have to eat with old people.'

Corvus was currently in France with his uncle and aunt while his cousins were at Hogwarts like my brother Sirius. He was visiting family from his mother's side of the family, seeing as his mother is of French descent from her maternal side herself. Practically Corvus was like 25% French or something.

Polaris has always hated family trees, they were always so confusing to understand, but as a pureblood, it is expected of us to know our family tree to some extent.

"It's for the greater good. I'm sure you wouldn't want Polaris to be raised among those filthy mudbloods," Polaris heard Bellatrix spit out in disgust, which piqued his interest.

'Wait, what? What were they talking about?' Polaris thought as he glanced around the table. He saw Rodolphus nod in agreement at her statement.

"Not in front of the boy", Grandfather Pollux hissed as he covered his face in frustration.

'Not in front of me? She was talking about mudbloods was she not? What's so different about talking about them in front of me now? Is it the war that I read about before? I hadn't known that they were included.'

Polaris bit his lip nervously, wondering if he should ask…

"Are you talking about that war, cousin Bellatrix?" Polaris asked hopefully.

'Maybe I could learn more about it. I remember asking father about it one time about some dark lord I read in the Daily Prophet. After asking, he forbid me from reading it and told me not to ask about it, saying something about me being too young or something.'

Polaris heard his father sigh in annoyance from beside him at his question.

"Yes, you know about it? Then I don't see the problem about not talking about it in front of Polaris".

Grandfather Arcturus glance in his direction, "What do you know about it really?".

'Dang, I was hoping they'd just talk about it among each other, thinking I knew already.'

"Um, well, I know some new dark Lord came into rising just last year. That's about it. I don't really know his aims or beliefs since father stopped me from reading the news articles since it started".

Grandfather Arcturus hummed in response.

"Yes, and I stopped you from reading them for a good reason. He's only just risen to power. There is not enough information about him to be quick to form an opinion on the matter," Orion included.

"We know enough, uncle; don't you see how powe-"

"That's enough, Bellatrix!" Grandfather Arcturus grounded out in anger.

"You can't keep everything from me. Sirius probably knows lots about it since he's at Hogwarts. Regulus probably knows well more than I do as well. I could easily just ask them, could you not tell me anything at all?" Polaris spoke again.

"They are quite right about you being young, what are you know? 6?" Rodolphus asked.

"7," Polaris said way too quickly, dismissing his input.

'I never exactly like you, heir Lestrange, much more so how I don't exactly like cousin Bellatrix.' Polaris thought.

"There isn't much to tell you, Polaris, for now, I suppose you should know this new dark lord fights for blood purity", Grandfather Pollux spoke again.

"Oh, okay," Polaris said slowly, dropping the subject.

'Fights for blood purity? What the heck is that supposed to mean? Fighting for Purebloods? If so, why? What is there to fight for? We aren't exactly discriminated against, were more privileged than the rest of the lesser bloods.'

Thoughts about it filled his mind as the conversation changed topics. He hadn't even realised it had gotten to the topic of Hogwarts.

"I don't understand why that old lunatic is Headmaster", Polaris heard Rodolphus speak.

"Hmm, quite a shame. I suppose the school would be better off without the muggle loving fool. He has always biased against us Slytherins," Orion muttered.

'Ahh, I know who they're talking about. Who else would be labelled 'old lunatic' and 'muggle loving fool'? They're most definitely talking about Dumbledore. Although is he really that bad?'

Grandfather Pollux turned his attention towards his son-in-law, "It's quite shameful that your heir was sorted into Gryffindor, isn't it Orion? How did you and Walburga raise that boy?" he criticised.

"I'm not surprised seeing how loud he was when he was much younger. The boy was always out looking for trouble," Bellatrix interrupted with a drawl.

Polaris watched as Bellatrix turned her attention back to her food when Grandfather Pollux gave her a pointed look.

"I apologise, Uncle Orion. It seems I spoke out of turn" she spoke again. It was quite obvious she forced it out.

His father ignored it, "I suppose it is a shame, but it doesn't mean he will not be able to continue his duties as my heir, isn't that right, father".

"I suppose" Grandfather Arcturus spoke again.