--An Extra Chapter for Sunday. Safe and fun weekend to everyone.--
Corvus returned to England with the portkey given by the faculty, landing in the Ministry of Magic with the usual stomach lurching twist. After registering his return and reaching the apparition point he apparated straight to Grimmauld Place. In his room he set Umbra back on his perch, placed Viridith in his terrarium, and took a moment to breathe in the familiar air of the ancestral home. Then, with a smirk tugging at his lips, he called for Kreacher and asked if Lord Black was available to receive him. The elf popped back a moment later with a nod, before vanishing again to his work.
Corvus decided to amuse himself. A harmless prank, really. He shifted into his Shadow Raven form and slipped out the window, circling until he perched on the sill of Arcturus's study. Inside, the old man was bent over parchment, quill scratching steadily. Corvus knocked the glass with his beak.
Arcturus lifted his head, frowning at the door first, as though expecting Corvus to reach the study already. When no one appeared, he sighed and turned to the window. Opening it just slightly, he peered at the raven perched there. "What a fine creature you are," he said softly. "Though I see no parchment tied to your feet, my dear. Perhaps you've flown in by mistake?"
Before he could muse further, the raven leapt from the sill into the room. Midair, feathers dissolved into flesh and cloth, and Corvus landed lightly on his feet, smirking. "Grandfather," he said, bowing with exaggerated politeness.
The look on Arcturus's face was worth every second of preparation. Shock gave way to indignation, and in a heartbeat his wand was in hand. "You brat!" he barked, unleashing a volley of stinging hexes. "How dare you frighten me like that!"
Corvus ducked and weaved, laughter spilling between yelps as several hexes found their mark. "Apologies! Truly, ow! My mistake ah, that one stung!" His grin betrayed how little remorse he felt.
At last, both collapsed into chairs. Corvus still rubbing the sore spots, Arcturus smugly twirling his wand as though he had won the exchange. "Any other surprises for this old man, Corvus?" he asked, tone half warning, half amusement.
"Yes, Grandfather," Corvus said, still catching his breath. "One more. Though perhaps I should have led with this one. I suspect you'd have dared hex me so enthusiastically."
"Oh?" Arcturus chuckled, arching a brow. "Go on, then. Impress me."
Corvus stood, glancing around for space. Finding the open stretch near the door suitable, he walked there with deliberate slowness, shifted into his second Animagus form. Where once stood a boy now loomed a monster of a tiger, fur white as snow, stripes stark as ink. The beast's head rose nearly level with Arcturus's own. Its turquoise silver eyes fixed on him with predatory intent.
Arcturus straightened immediately, his voice losing some of its thunder. "Corvus… you know we are family, as lord and heir we can, from time to time make the occasional joke. No need to be sensitive or hold grudges over it," he said, edging a step backward despite himself.
The tiger prowled forward, ears lowered, each step deliberate. When it stopped at Arcturus's side, the size difference became undeniable, the great head looming dangerously close. Then, with a ripple, the beast vanished, and Corvus stood once more in human form, smirk firmly in place. "This," he said, "is my second form. Which, I intend to register. After all, the law requires Animagi to register their form. Singular. Not… forms."
Arcturus coughed, clearly to mask his embarrassment at having actually feared the enormous feine. "They would, if they knew people could have more than one form," he muttered dryly. "Which, I daresay, they do not."
Corvus chuckled, bowing slightly. "Then let us keep it that way, Grandfather."
--
They sat in silence for a moment while Arcturus called Kreacher and asked for tea. When the cups were poured and steam rose between them, the older Black finally spoke. His tone was calm, but each word felt important.
"The country is uneasy," Arcturus said. "The Ministry is using your return to brag, acting as if it proves Hogwarts is improving under their control. But the truth is simpler. Our side is getting stronger. The traditionalist families are speaking out more. House Greengrass has joined openly with House Black. And many neutral families are shifting too. They may just be chasing opportunity, but it still changes the balance. And when the balance tips, the Ministry will either bow or break. I will not allow it to break, I will see them bow."
Corvus sipped his tea before answering. He told his grandfather about his life at Durmstrang, the long hours of study, the mastery classes, and his teaching duties. He explained Veiled Casting, his new way of hiding one spell disguised to look like another and shared Vinda Rosier's advice, to keep it secret within the family instead of making it public. Arcturus looked pleased, tapping his fingers on the chair.
Then Corvus set his cup down and leaned in. "There are things I need your help with, Grandfather. First, we must put a Fidelius Charm on Grimmauld Place. Nothing else will be safe enough. Kreacher can be the Secret Keeper here, I doubt ony other living being to reach his loyality, though we'll need more elves as well." He nodded toward the elf who popped when his name was called and straightened proudly. "Second, we need land out of sight and muggle influence. We will built a mansion worthy of House Black, a true stronghold for our legacy. And third…" He paused. "Third, we must look to the Muggle world. Their markets are huge. The illegal drug trade in Europe alone is worth tens of billions in their currencies. With a few Imperius spells and subtle influence, we could control parts of their operations and with it, their profit. Even ten percent could become hundreds of millions in galleons if converted. You must speak with Master Tornhook to make sure this money can be moved into our vaults. The goblins will take their cut of course. The rest will be the base of our future power."
Arcturus's eyes narrowed. "You would use their corruption against them," he said slowly. "Turn their vice into our strength."
Corvus did not back down. "Grindelwald's mistakem" Arcturus' gaze locked to him as he said the name. "was fighting his own kind directly. He tried to crush Aurors instead of winning over governments. He provoked the ICW until they had no choice but to act. We will not repeat his errors. We will use wealth and patience. We will influence governments office by office, department by department. We will guide them, replace them, until we control the very heart of the ICW. Then we will hold the seats that decide the laws of the wizarding world. And when the time is right, when you, Professor Rosier, and the others who remain from Grindelwald's circle agree, we will free him and those who are still locked away."
Corvus's turquoise silver eyes burned with determination. His voice dropped, but every word was heavy. "That is why we cannot waste time, Grandfather. There is work to do, and we must start now. Every day we delay is lost. The world will not wait for us. We must make it ours. We must make it bend and we will start with Wizarding Britain."
--
After carefully laying out his short, mid, and long term plans, Corvus leaned back and added a final note with quiet conviction. "We will need loyal subordinates Grandfather. Their loyality should be ironclad, unquestionable, uncorruptable. We need to make them take oaths, unbreakable ones with carefully though wordings." Arcturus nodded, deep in thought. Corvus decided to change to tune of dialgue, "Also I have registered for the Under Eighteen Continental Dueling Tournament, Organized by ICW." he said, his voice steady but purposeful. "Professor Rosier herself arranged the paperwork. It will be held in Spain this July. My name must carry weight, Grandfather, it must stand as more than words and academic excellence."
Arcturus's eyes gleamed, pride sparking in his sharp features. He nodded once, his voice firm. "You will not only compete, Corvus. You will triumph. You will bring honor and strength to this house and silence those who whisper against us."
With matters settled for the moment, Corvus shifted the conversation. "Grandfather, tell me about Grimmauld Place, its history, its foundations, and the portraits of our ancestors. Who still hangs in these halls?"
Arcturus, at ease with the question, leaned back in his chair. He began talking about the rich history of House Black. The conversation reached to the portraits, Arcturus started listing them, one by one. Patriarchs and Matriarchs long gone, cousins who once held office or title, men and women of note. Each name carried a story, each portrait tied to a duty. Corvus listened with careful patience, waiting until Arcturus inevitably came to Phineas Nigellus Black, the former Headmaster of Hogwarts. When the name was spoken, Corvus asked gently, "I heard, Grandfather, former headmasters portraits reside in the office of Hogwarts headmaster, d you know the reason for that?"
Arcturus paused mid thought. "One hangs here, in the corridor, as you know." His voice faltered, realization dawning across his face. "The other hangs in the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts."
Corvus leaned forward. "Does that mean, then, that Great Grandfather Phineas can tavel between two frames, I do not like the idea of Dumbledore having a potential way to peek in to be honest."
The older man stiffened, his expression darkening with every word. Suspicion coiled beneath his composure. "By the old magic," he muttered, his voice low and dangerous. "I had not considered this." He broke off sharply and barked for Kreacher.
The elf appeared instantly, bowing low. Arcturus's tone was clipped, brimming with steel. "Bring me the portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black. At once."
Moments later, the frame was dragged into the room. The canvas was empty. Corvus slipped silently behind the portrait, out of sight, and gave a small nod. Arcturus tapped his wand against the gilded edge. "Grandfather," he called.
The portrait shimmered, and the painted figure of the former Headmaster appeared, stately in his robes. "Arcturus," Phineas said, with polite curiosity. "What reason brings you to summon me in, to the Lord's study no less?"
Arcturus's voice cut like a blade. "Grandfather, I assume there is another portrait of you in Hogwarts' headmaster's office. May I ask the reason for a magical protrait there?"
Phineas's painted lips curved faintly, almost defensively. "It is tradition. Every Headmaster's portrait remains to guide the one sitting as the headmaster of the institute. It is not only duty, it is compulsion."
Arcturus's jaw tightened. "Answer plainly Grandfather, has the current Headmaster ever asked you to reveal what occurs here, can you confirm if he did before or could you even refuse?"
Phineas hesitated. His mouth worked soundlessly before he shut it tight. "I wish not to answer that, Arcturus."
The elder Black's voice rose, sharp as a whip. "Then you cannot refuse. Tell me this, Grandfather, have you ever carried words from this house to Dumbledore?"
Phineas's eyes flickered. The hesitation was damning in itself. Finally, he spoke in a low, reluctant tone: "As I said, Arcturus, the portraits of former Headmasters are compelled to aid the present one. I could not resist even had I wished it."
Arcturus drew in a long, deep breath, fury shaking in his hand. "So you have spied for him," he said icily. "On your own bloodline."
Phineas said nothing further, his silence an admission in itself.
"Enough," Arcturus snapped, and with a sharp flick of his wand, he froze the frame with a stasis charm. "Kreacher! Take this cursed frame to the attic. Seal it in an empty trunk. Let it never see the light of day again."
The elf seized the portrait eagerly and vanished with a crack.
For a moment, the study vibrated with Arcturus's fury. "Albus," he growled through clenched teeth. "You twisted, crooked schemer. To sink so low as to twist even the memory of our blood into spies…"
Corvus, calm amidst the storm, poured another glass and slid it toward his grandfather. "We need to cast the fidelius as soon as possible, additionally will need eyes, ears, and loyal voices on the Hogwarts Board of Governors. Consult your allies, Grandfather. If Dumbledore dares reach into this house, then we must extend our reach into his."
Arcturus accepted the glass, his hand still trembling, and gave a sharp nod. "Yes. He will learn. The Blacks are not prey to be watched. He will regret this insult, and soon."