1

1964, 25 March.

Cries of a newborn filled the room, calming the residents of the room on one cold night in March.

Orion Black held now a calm small figure of his third child with the utmost care as he observed the small child that had started to soften his heart. He was relaxed and happy, he had thought his child had been stillborn, but when his son's cries filled the room, relief took over the sorrow. 'perfect,' he thought as he watched the newborn wiggle in his grip.

Tiny toes peek from his blanket that covered the child, dangling in the light breeze. His head was a crazy mass of black curls, which wasn't unnormal for wizarding children. Orion was still unable to believe how tiny new humans were, how vulnerable, how awe-inspiring even after having two others already.

His looks were, of course, one of a Black, with his dark curly fuss of hair on his head and his sharp looks, one of a pureblood, of course.

Only time could tell if this child would Inherit Orion's grey eyes or Walburga's dark brown eyes. Just as Sirius Black had his grey eyes and Regulus had his mother's. He was quite curious as to what colour eyes this child would develop over time. Moreover, he was glad overall he would be able to see the child grow.

He gently caressed his cheek with a small smile, a rare smile. The child looked just like him, with little similarity to his mother.

"What will be his name" came the sharp voice of Walburga, filling the silence of the room. She sat on the bed, tired. She had given birth to another son, another heir for the house of Black, but deep down, after providing two heirs, she had hoped she would give birth to a girl. A perfect pureblood, with her hair and eyes, interested in sewing, painting and dressing up in fancy clothing. She would be dressed in the finest of robes made of the most expensive silks.

Her voice pulled Orion out of his gaze and no longer smiling, but a thoughtful look took over.

He looked towards his wife, then back towards the small figure which was now peacefully smiling.

"Polaris Rigel Black", he stated proudly.

"… North star, a strong name. He'll surely guide the House of Black in honour," Walburga said with pride. Orion didn't say anything in reply. He was just glad his son was alive and well.

Polaris was born on the 25th day of the month of March as the third child of Orion and Walburga Black. The fifth and last member of their family, Walburga, was not letting herself go through so much pain again, nor did she even plan for Polaris.

Born 4 years younger than Sirius and 3 years younger than Regulus. Regulus couldn't be happier he was able to be a big brother, while Sirius wasn't too sure of the thought of another little brother, already fed up with little Regelus following him around.

1970, 2nd April.

Polaris walked down the halls of the third floor, his right hand touching the wall as he continued forward through the endless hall filled with countless frames, each of them conjuring the emotions of his ancestors and frames holding priceless memories. He counted them, a hobby he had taken comfort in over his 6 years of life.

He was bored. The house was quiet, just like usual. His footsteps echoed around the empty hallway. Surprisingly he couldn't hear his eldest brother Sirius arguing with his mother. Something seemed to be a daily routine.

If he had to guess what each member of his family was up to, he would say Sirius was moping around in his room either because he wasn't allowed to go to a friend's house or his mother had reprimanded him for doing something stupid. His eldest brother, Sirius, was an interesting case, with him being 11.

Sometimes he didn't understand him. There were moments where he would have outbursts… which Polaris just started calling the 'The Furious Oddity'. He always did things he wasn't supposed to do, which was just silly. Was it to get in trouble? Or perhaps to prove a point? Whatever it was, Polaris wasn't sure because it never made sense to him.

Sirius was always doing the opposite of what their mother and father told them. Sometimes they were just silly- just the other day, mother told him to sit down, but he was already seated, so he stood up! It made Polaris laugh into the palm of his hand, which made Sirius grin even more than he was. Polaris made sure to stop when his mother's heated gaze met his.

When she made eyes like that… it was scary.

He just knew his father would be in his study doing paperwork like he was always doing. If he had to guess, he'd say his father found it calming just as he found counting the frames of the house calming. At times he found himself getting bored quickly with everyone 'busy'.

Sirius never liked spending time with him, only sometimes when he felt like it. He didn't like that he was similar to Regulus, but Polaris didn't really understand in this department. What was wrong with being like Regulus? What was it that Regulus did that Sirius didn't like? He was their older brother. Shouldn't he just like them, for them? Instead of getting annoyed at everything…

His mother was most definitely reading in the lounge while Regulus wouldn't be too far from her.

To be honest, Regulus was his favourite brother, but he wouldn't say it out loud. Sirius would get upset if he knew and probably ignore him, like that time he had told his mother he had broken her favourite vase.

He didn't really think it was much of a big deal because his mother could just use her wand to fix it. He got in trouble, grounded to his room for the day. It wasn't a bad punishment, so Polaris wasn't sure why his brother ignored him for two days after it, then after he pretended nothing had happened.

It was frustrating… his brother just ignored what had happened. Polaris just wanted to know what he had done to have his older brother ignore him but instead got the cold shoulder. This type of behaviour was why Polaris favoured his other brother, Regulus.

Regulus was nice, way nicer than Sirus and his mean pranks. Regulus liked reading with him, talking about everything and anything. There are some moments when Regulus would rather be alone, which Polaris understood because he expressed it in words because Polaris listens, well, tries to. Sirius doesn't listen.

Polaris wouldn't want to bump into his mother. She'd most likely ask him what he was doing and then see him doing absolutely nothing. She'd given him something to do… no, thank you.

He had only finished reading an interesting book he had found in the library last week; he rather rests his brain at the moment. The book was about 200 pages long. He would have finished the book sooner than a week if he had read it more frequently throughout the week.

Polaris walked slowly along the corridor, finally coming to a halt at his eldest brothers' room. His bedroom door was slightly opened, opened enough to peek through, which in my opinion, is an invitation to walk in. Sirius wouldn't agree. He slowly opened it, curious as to was his older brother was doing.

He walked in silently only to see his brother hanging off the side of his bed in a relaxed manner holding an unfamiliar book in his view.

Sirius is reading? Well, that's rare... the youngest black took quiet steps towards his inattentive brother and tilted his small head, trying to read the cover of the novel that Sirius, the book which he was reading that was upside down from Polaris's perspective, 'Peter pan' it read.

Peter Pan? Polaris hasn't exactly heard of that before. Well, of course, he hadn't. His mother has always been careful to keep… muggle things away from her youngest, as well as her other children, but it seems Sirius was still able to get a hold of such things.

"What genre book is that" Polaris calmly asked Sirius.

Instead of a response, Sirius fell off the side of the bed in fright, and he ended up quickly pushing the book under his bed. When he saw it was only his younger brother, he sighed in relief and then scowled at him. That wasn't exactly subtle…

The youngest Black tilted his head while Sirius got up only to look down at him, "Now Pol, what have I told you when you approach me?" he asked with slight annoyance.

"To announce myself in your presence so you don't get scared?" Polaris replied, well, more so guessed.

Sirius's face flushed a light shade of pink, "I don't get scared, Pol! I just merely want to be prepared" prepared for what? Oh well, whatever allows Sirius to sleep at night.

"Siri, what was that you were reading?" He asked, curiosity taking the best of him. Sirius stood awkwardly under his youngest brother's gaze that screamed innocence.

Sirius coughed into his fist uncertainly, "If I tell you, you're not allowed to say anything to anyone, not mother, not father, not even Reg. Merlin knows he's a snitch. You have to promise," Sirius said as he brought his right pinkie towards him.

That rubbish again… a pinkie promise. Sirius is always making him 'pinkie promise' anytime he knows he's done something wrong. I don't understand where he got this 'pinkie promise' from. He's the only one he knew who did it.

He remembers the first time he started this gesture; He was baffled. He'll always remember the explanation he gave since it was the most interesting thing, He heard come from his brother's mouth.

'You can't tell mother… pinkie promise' Sirius held his pinkie towards his little brother.

Polaris stared at it unmoving, 'huh? What's that, and what does it get to do with a promise' Polaris had asked his brother.

Sirius held a thoughtful look on his face. 'Well, a pinkie promise is an act of intertwining our pinkie fingers together. It signifies a promise that can't, that shouldn't be broken… it's like a symbol of trust between the participants, I suppose,' Sirius answered.

Polaris recited the words in his head, reminiscing the conversation Sirius and himself had last year when Sirius had broken his mother's favourite… expensive vase.

Back to reality, he stared at his brother's pinkie for a few seconds, then looked up to see Siri's hopeful gaze, another promise? What's so bad about him knowing about the book? Why can't Sirius just not do things that could get him in trouble?

He sighed and reached for his pinkie with mine, "I promise," He droned out.

Siri grinned with relief.

"Why did I need to promise?" Polaris asked, his curious gaze staring unmoving at Sirus.

"Well, that's because if mother found out, she'd have a riot, you know how crazy that woman gets", he replied nonchalantly. As he sat down, Polaris sat down with him.

"You shouldn't say things like that about mother. She's not crazy… she's just mother", Polaris replied unsurely. Sirus really shouldn't be saying bad things about mother, and not father either.

Siri rolled his eyes out at him before taking the novel out of its 'hiding' place and placing it in his small hands.

Polaris stared at it, "What's so special about it?" he asked out.

Siri sighed again. Moving closer to his brother, he whispered, "Well, first of all, it's a muggle book".

The small pair of eyes widen at that. Great...

He looked up at him with a disappointed look. Narrowing his eyes at him, wondering why he would hand him this?

"People like us shouldn't read such filth… It's beneath us, yet you're going against what is right," He scolded his eldest brother. His mother has often mentioned how muggle things were filthy and that they shouldn't involve themselves with such.

Sirius frowned with great annoyance, "Filth?! Tell me, Pol, what's so filthy about a book!? It's like any other book we read. There's no difference! We're no better than them. We're the same. We just have magic!" Siri yelled in frustration.

He was standing in front of him, as he had already placed the muggle book on the bed beside Siri.

"Yes, it is! Mother said anything muggle is filth, and there is a difference. How can you compare us to people so inferior? We have magic, and they don't. Their stupid literature might corrupt you."

Sirius was raging with anger, "She's wrong! She's always telling us rubbish! She's always telling you rubbish too. Besides, you're too young to understand," Siri shouted at him.

"No! Mother said it's filth, so it is. You shouldn't be reading something like that. It might corrupt you. Even father wouldn't want you to associate with such stuff… maybe if it were educational, but nonetheless, they're all useless," he said stubbornly.

'Why was Sirius always against mother?'.

Siri rolled his eyes at me, "You're becoming a mini-Regulus now, and I'm getting tired of it! Always doing and saying everything mother tells you," Siri said in disgust. It made him uncomfortable.

'Why did he dislike mother so much? She just wants the best for us, right?' Polaris thought.

He stood awkwardly under my brother's gaze. Finally, he looked at him again, "Where did you get it?" he asked instead of continuing our argument and dismissing the fact that it was a muggle book. He didn't want his brother to ignore him again. He didn't like it very much.

He sat beside him once again, 'Siri is always doing something stupid, isn't he? He's going to end up on the wrong path if he continues this way…' he thought.

Siri smiled slightly, "A muggle gave it to me", Sirius said, puffing his chest with excitement.

He frowned at his mention of a muggle, "A… muggle? Where did you meet a muggle?" He awkwardly questioned. Polaris had never met a muggle before, so how had Sirius? Was it because he was older? Has Regulus met a muggle before?

Before letting his brother respond, he continued, "Are they as horrible as mother says they are? Are they as dirty? Were they mean… well, I suppose they aren't all mean if one gave you a book."

Siri smiled at his younger brother. Sirius was glad his brother was curious about the muggles. Maybe this was his chance to change his six-year-old brother's opinions.

"Well, no, they aren't all horrible, dirty or mean. Think about it like this, they're just like us but without magic. It doesn't make them inferior; it just makes them different, not filth," Siri told his brother, only to follow up with, "Oh, and I may have snuck out one time when I was at a friend's house to see the muggles myself" he added sheepishly.

Polaris decided to ignore the last part, 'of course, he did... he was Sirius Orion Black, why wouldn't he' he thought dryly.

"Okay, if they didn't hurt you and gave you a book… then- then um, they might not be all that bad", He replied uncertainly.

"But! They're still filth, and we're better than them because we have magic," he added firmly.

'How do people live without magic?' Siri sighed again, 'why does he always do that?'

"Siri?"

"Hm?"

"Since muggles don't have magic, do they have house-elves?" He asked. He knew they didn't, but he just needed to make sure.

"Well, no…" Siri responded with. Polaris tilted his head in fascination, "They must be really boring people", he commented. He couldn't imagine living without magic or even living without knowing it was something so surreal. Muggles believe magic to be make-believe when it was truly something more than that.

'Magic is something mere filth wouldn't be able to comprehend', he thought silently.

Siri snorted. "Do you want to read the book?" Sirius asked after a few seconds, holding the book out to him, "It's really good. It even has magic! I promised my muggle friend I'd read it; he was really surprised when I said I hadn't even heard of it," Siri added excitedly.

Polaris scrunched his face, unable to hide his disgust and got up from his brother's bed, shaking his head, "No, I'm going now", he said as he headed out of the large room. This was what his mother meant when she had told him to not follow the example Sirius lays out.

"Okay, um, well, close the door on your way out", he said, disappointed. Sirius got into a comfortable position and started flicking through the pages once again.

Polaris walked out of his room, unsure what to think of his brother reading a muggle book. It bothered him Sirius wasn't doing such things- and he met a muggle, of all things! Obviously, against the wishes of their parents.

'I'll definitely keep the promise. I didn't want Mother to get angry at Siri again. I don't exactly like the shouting…' he thought as he left the room.

Sirius smiled at his brother, retreating figure.

Polaris was back in the long hallway once again and decided he would recount the pictures on the first floor, having nothing better to do. Dinner would be soon, so he didn't exactly feel like roaming through the library at this very moment.

He walked down the stairs and proceeded to trail his small hand against the wall as he walked and counted the collections of frames, walking past each painting that held sceneries and ancestors.

Forty-nine, fifty-

"Are you counting the frames again?" an amused, deep voice asked from behind, bringing a childish grin to Polaris's face.

His head turned around, and then Polaris's proceeded to barrel into his father's legs, "Father!" he said happily. Orion chuckled lightly as he ruffled the curls of hair on his youngest's head affectionately.

"I counted the ones on the second floor as well!" Polaris said enthusiastically as he released Orion's legs, "There's still only 158, of course", He said nonchalantly, as his hand waved towards the frames beside them, where they were stood.

Orion raised his brow in amusement as Polaris' hand slipped into his large ones and began walking through the hall. He would never understand why his son found counting painting interesting whilst he was bored.

Polaris swung their attached hands back and forth.

"Oh?" Father said, and Polaris nodded his head, "Oh, I didn't only count; I was with Sirius too!" He said excitedly. Orion smiled.

"And what did you do with Sirius?" Father asked curiously. He found himself once again tilting his head, 'we didn't really do anything. All we did was talk about that muggle book,' he thought.

"Um… nothing", Polaris mumbled, "I'm hungry. I haven't eaten yet", He added straight after, trying to change the subject. He didn't want Sirius to get in trouble.

With that, Orion was sure Sirius did something once again and had asked Polaris not to say anything. He didn't bother prying. What he didn't know wouldn't hurt.

"Hmm, I'm hungry too. I suppose we'll have dinner now, have anything in mind to eat?" his father asked gently as he headed towards the dining room.

Polaris shrugged his shoulders, not sure of what they could eat. "Don't shrug your shoulders, Polaris", his father reprimanded him, "and why is that Polaris?" Orion continued.

"Because words are more powerful than actions. Sorry, I won't do it again. I forgot."

You may persuade someone to believe something just by using words. It is how we learn and communicate. Actions can hurt us physically and compel us to go through a situation, but words have the power to take control of our bodies.

"Forgetting isn't an option for a scion of the House of Black," Orion lightly commented, his tone not scolding but calm. Polaris nodded his head understandingly, "Easily forgetting is a fault that could be the downfall of a person", Polaris said as Orion nodded at his son's interpretation.

Parents weren't supposed to have favourites, were they? That was rubbish. There would always be a favourite, and Polaris was his favourite, with Regulus close behind. Then, of course, there was Sirius, his eldest, who he, of course, loved. He was his first child, his heir. He wasn't sure why Polaris was his favourite. Was it because he was the youngest? Or rather because he enjoyed spending time with the boy.

When around Sirus, the boy was stiff and tense, rarely making conversation, uninterested in whatever Orion had to say, thinking it all 'bullocks' was what his son would say. He didn't blame him. The fault lay with himself, but mostly Walburga. That woman seemed to take this too far at times, though there are times Sirius really needed the discipline. The boy was opinionated, never knowing when that 'opinion' wasn't needed.

His eldest would be going to Hogwarts later in the year, his first year. Blacks have always been Slytherins, but Orion knew that would no longer be the case once Sirius was sorted.

The boy was unpredictable yet predictable in a way. He has been expressing different opinions on the other Houses other than Slytherin, 'The other houses are just as good, aren't they?' Walburga had none of it, hating his questioning.

There was Regulus, the second eldest of the three. The much more reserved son. He kept his opinions to himself unless prompted by another. He was an observer watching the world around him. At the time, they held no curiosity, just uncertainness, which Orion found himself blaming Walburga for and himself, of course, for not holding her back with her strictness… his son Regulus was more of a follower than a leader. While in Sirius' case, it was as though he had been born to be seen and to be heard.

The youngest, the last child Walburga and himself will be having. Three was enough, large enough, three heirs. Polaris was similar to Regulus in some ways, though he did not see him as much of a follower, nor did he see him as a leader. Perhaps the boy was a mix of both. He had his opinions, ones he was not shy to share. They were different to Srius' who were brash and unwanted. At the same time, Polaris'would has the room to think deeply and light up that childish curiosity the older Blacks would have thought dimmed as they grew up from their childhood.

He knew when to speak and when not to. He knew when to do something and when not to, just as Regulus did, while Sirius didn't. There were moments where he would find Polaris playing 'peacemaker' between his siblings, not taking either side. He listened to both of their thoughts and sides on what had happened to have had them fight.

Even after hearing their side, he still took no side. Instead, he interpreted what he heard from both sides, explaining it in a way he understood it, which calmed both of them down. Polaris knew his brother. He knew Regulus was uncertain in himself, which caused some misunderstandings with Sirus, who was more straightforward. He explained what Regus had said in a way Sirius would understand and explained what Sirius had said to Regulus in a way he would understand.

There was no doubt Walburga preferred her two youngest to her oldest. Still, there were her moments where she showed favouritism towards their oldest, for merely being the oldest and the heir, hoping he would change his behaviour.

The woman took pride in Polaris with his quickness to understand things and remember them. They had started Sirius and Regulus, further education at the age of seven, a jump from what they had been learning since their infancy to much more complex things that would be further taught at Hogwarts.

Polaris should have started at seven as well, but Walburga had gone behind his back and started him off when he was at the mere age of four. He remembered how angered he was at her deception.

He was proud to have seen how well Polaris was taking it all in, on top of the other lessons he was receiving, which involved maths, his languages, English, etc. He was glad that the other subjects weren't taking a toll on him. Instead, it challenged him, only making him more curious.

His eldest, Sirius Orion Black, was adventurous, no doubt about it. Determined, he wasn't one to back down, always standing up to himself and Walburga. His determination was a positive thing, but it also had its faults. One day, his 'determination' and 'adventurousness' would be his downfall of him, just like the boy's ignorance. Sirius was incorrigible in ways.

His second eldest, Regulus Arcturus Black, was observant and perceptive. It produces insights when we assess for patterns, styles, and results. Regulus saw results, yet his uncertainty in them was a fault that needed to be fixed, one that would be as he grew up. His hesitancy and lack of determination could one day cause his downfall if he does not fix it.

His youngest, Polaris Rigel Black, was a diligent worker, ready to learn. An inquisitive young boy who still had time to grow. The boy was still young. Orion wasn't surprised by the little show of arrogance he had at some points. He was sure he picked it up from his cousin Bellatrix and his mother, who showered him with compliments whenever he made her proud, showing him off pridefully to the other purebloods.

He loved them all and only hoped for the best for them. It was for them to decide which path they would take, for each of them had their own different crossroads to choose from.

All one could do was to guide them, but who was to say his guide was what they needed to thrive.