Lawyers, Lost Names, and Old Pride
Lucien folded his hands thoughtfully.
"Phineas," he asked calmly, "do you know a good lawyer?"
Phineas Nigellus Black opened his mouth—
Then closed it.
"…No," he admitted stiffly.
Lucien blinked. "That's… unexpected."
Phineas looked away, clearly embarrassed.
Lucien continued, "How is Narcissa's relationship with the Andromeda tonks?"
Phineas stiffened.
"…Quite good," he said carefully.
Then he narrowed his eyes. "Don't tell me—"
"Hire Ted Tonks," Lucien said simply.
Silence.
Phineas frowned deeply. "You—"
Lucien tilted his head. "He's Andromeda's husband. And he's a good lawyer. Correct?"
Phineas looked ready to explode.
Dumbledore cleared his throat gently.
"Andromeda left the Black family for love, Lucien. She married Ted Tonks. Her name was removed from the registry."
Lucien turned to Phineas.
Phineas refused to meet his eyes.
Lucien studied him for a moment… then smiled faintly.
"…I'm impressed."
Phineas blinked. "…You are?"
"You stood by your beliefs," Lucien replied. "Even when it cost you family."
Phineas flushed crimson and looked sharply away.
"Tch."
A Question No One Wanted to Ask
Lucien spoke again, calmly but firmly.
"What exactly did the Black family lose by cutting Andromeda off?"
Phineas grimaced.
"The family is already declining," Lucien continued evenly.
"No male heir. Two young women still in school. One man in Azkaban."
Phineas sighed heavily.
"…Go on."
Lucien nodded.
"Hire Ted Tonks," he said again.
"Publicly, it looks like Andromeda—though removed—still cares for her niece. She asks her husband to help."
Dumbledore listened intently.
"If the trial succeeds," Lucien added, "Ted and Andromeda gain recognition. Public goodwill."
He paused.
"You then reinstate Andromeda Black publicly. As a gesture of unity."
Lucien met Phineas's eyes again.
"No backlash. Only stability."
The portrait was quiet for a long moment.
Then Phineas sighed.
"…You're an infuriatingly clever boy."
Lucien bowed his head slightly. "Thank you."
Leaving Ripples Behind
Dumbledore smiled softly, eyes thoughtful.
Lucien rose from his chair.
"I'll leave it to you," he said politely.
As he turned to go, Phineas spoke again—gruffly.
"…You would have made a terrifying Black."
Lucien paused at the door, glanced back, and smiled.
"I prefer Hufflepuff."
The door closed behind him.
And for the first time in many years, Phineas Nigellus Black felt something unfamiliar stir in his chest.
Hope.