25

1976, 28 June- Monday

Sometimes it was rather overwhelming. Though it shouldn't be right? what was there to be overwhelmed about. It was just what came with the price of being born a Black. He had a responsibility to uphold, making the House of Black proud, though he rather is like his uncle, Alphard. The idea of travelling the world enticed him. The random and fun adventures his uncle speaks about sound so alluring, something he hoped he can do one day.

It had only been a week since he began his summer holiday, and his mother was already planning a meal. With the several strands of pearls that decorated his mother's neck, it was a means to display the ludicrous wealth.

A day when the home starts to smell more like smoke than anything else, not to mention the horrendous quantity of perfume that lingers in the air for a long time. It was obvious the women were attempting to impress each other.

He peered into his reflection with a bored expression on his face, inspecting what his mother had laid out for him to wear. It was exactly the same thing he'd seen his mother make for his brother Regulus. Over a grey dress shirt and black trousers, a typical black velvet dress robe is worn. Under the collar of his shirt, he wore a black tie.

He tugged at the tie, it felt as though at any moment he would be chocked to death by none other than the tie itself, perhaps if he annoyed Regulus enough his brother would use his wand to tighten it. He doubted Regulus would be annoyed to that extent though he had no doubt his cousin Bellatrix would do so to teach him a lesson. Though he was unsure if she would be in attendance and he was hoping she wouldn't be.

He tugged at it again, before taking it off relaxing his shoulders as he did, frowning at himself in the mirror.

He knew his mother wouldn't have him go downstairs without it on and just with that thought there was one knock on his door giving him no chance to answer as the door swung open revealing his mother who was already dressed expensively.

"You didn't knock, mother…," he found himself huffing, there was something called privacy. She could have at least knocked more than once and allowed him time to answer, he didn't like the idea of his mother seeing him dressing up, it was embarrassing even if she had done it when he was younger.

She huffed dismissing his words, "I told you to be ready. Why isn't your tie on?" she snapped in annoyance before taking it from his grasp. He raised his chin as she began to tie it.

"It was tight mother. Is it compulsory if I wear it? I doubt Si- Could you just have it a bit more loose, please?"

She ignored his words as he suck in a breath- it was tighter. Did she ever listen to him?

"You have to be presentable today, there will be an important guest and I will not have my son looking other than presentable and proper. Do I make myself clear? Though unfortunately for you there won't be many children your age attending, I'm not too sure if any will be present, but you will have you're cousin Narcissa to speak to rather than sulking in the hallways, sauntering about before hiding within your chambers."

"Father said something about an important guest as well, who is it?" Polaris asked as his mother began to fix his hair.

She didn't answer immediately.

"Someone I want you to be polite to. Don't embarrass me Polaris." That was all she said before leaving.

He merely stared at the now-closed door once again tugging at his tie as he muttered under his breath, "What rubbish."

⪧⪦⪧⪦⪧⪦⪧⪦

"You seem bothered." Regulus found himself commenting, staring right at their cousin Narcissa who thinned her lips, humming in response continuing looking onwards, her hands delicately laid on her lap.

"Is there something wrong?" Regulus spoke again, in a more hushed tone though Polaris could still hear him, being the nosy little brother and little cousin he was he leaned over to make sure he didn't miss anything. Looking straight at his cousin now, he noticed how his brother was right about her seeming bothered.

"Is it Lucius, or something? If you want you can get uncle Alphard to turn that 'luscious' hair of his to crisp." Polaris spoke up, and he saw the twitch in her lips and she sighed, looking at him, "Polaris" she said in a scolding tone and he shrugged.

"What? He's more obsessed with his hair than even bothering to see if you're okay." Polaris responded.

She sighed again, looking around before setting her eyes on Regulus and then Polaris. Her eyes lingered on Polaris a little longer as if she was contemplating something, whatever it was she was reluctant to speak.

"Alright. Bella sent me a letter earlier, she told me Rodulphus and herself wouldn't be attending the dinner today, something to do with the dark lord giving them a task." She finally spoke and Polaris found himself understanding why she was reluctant to speak, it was because he was here.

"She serves that dark lord?" Polaris found himself questioning, he knew his cousin was proud but to serve someone like some servant, was it not too low of a path for Bellatrix to take?

"What about her doing a task for the dark lord," Regulus spoke, as both brother and cousin ignored him, he was not at all surprised by it, though he was finding it stupid that his cousin had a master.

"Have you not read the daily prophet lately?" Narcissa responded in a hushed tone and a look of realisation dawned on Regulus, "No…" he murmured, then Narssica nodded. All the while Polaris frowned in confusion at their lack of words. What was the point in nosing about and not getting to hear anything?

The daily prophet? He found himself thinking of when he was reading it on the train, thinking of all the possible news they could have been talking about. The only one that stood out to him was some attack in Helford.

"Yes." Narcissa simply replied, a frown on her face.

"You're talking about the attack in Helford aren't you?" Polaris spoke again, drawing both their attention.

Narcissa nodded, "Yes, we are. I suppose it's no use for you to be ignorant, you should know what's going on in the House of Black. Yes, Bellatrix has joined the ranks of the so-called death eaters… Lucius actually has as well." His cousin told him and he nodded appreciatively, "Thank you for keeping me entailed, unlike Regulus over here who seems to know it all." Polaris announced, staring at Regulus who rolled his eyes.

"It's not like it concerns you, you're eleven. I hardly doubt you'd understand." Regulus snarked.

"He's twelve Regulus, he'll understand enough. I doubt he's not unaware of the dark lord's doings." Narcissa spoke up.

"You would think it would be my cousin to forget my age, but my own brother, how lovely," Polaris muttered, staring at Regulus before turning his gaze to his cousin.

"The attack on Helford, it said a muggle family had been attacked. I didn't exactly read too much into it… but I am assuming you believe Bellatrix and her husband to be the culprits since you mentioned her getting a task from the dark lord." Polaris spoke.

"It wasn't just an attack, it was murder. The whole family were killed. Three children who were all under the age of ten, the mother and father." Regulus input in a hushed tone, leaving Polaris confused.

"The mother was pregnant," Narcissa added mournfully thinking of the child she had lost not too long ago.

"Wait so what's the actual deal with the dark lord guy… does he just have his little minions kill random muggle families for fun? I'm guessing he attacks half-bloods too, at least ones that don't follow his beliefs? so what is he just the washed-out version of Grindlewald?" Polaris spoke again.

"Polaris" Regulus muttered in annoyance, leaving Polaris consumed by what wrong had come from his mouth. He was merely asking questions.

"He claims to be making the wizarding world a better place," Narcissa told him.

"Right… the wizarding world. Why attack muggles in the muggle world? I really don't see the sense in that, I thought their whole thing was not wanting muggle-borns and half-bloods to coexist with purebloods?" Polaris spoke again. He really didn't see the point, why bother to get you're hands dirty, why recruit purebloods and willing half-bloods of noble and ancient houses. If they really wanted to get rid of filth get someone to do it like the vampires or something.

Again his questions were pushed aside as Regulus spoke looking toward Narcissa, "You don't really think Bella did it do you? Do you think her capable of taking lives so easily? We're talking about children here, you're talking about killing someone barely younger than Polaris."

"I know it was her. When Lord Abraxas ca and greeted my father, I heard him congratulating him on Bella's achievement. I think this was Bella and rudy's way of proving their loyalty to him." Narcissa spoke.

"Bloody madness… Mother wishes for me to join their ranks in a few years, would I have to do stuff like that." Regulus whispered in horror. Polaris found himself baffled, looking at his brother. Right… he was the heir now… he found himself wondering if their mother had wanted that for Sirius too.

"Oh, Regulus. I would hope not, the dark lord would kill you if you don't obey him…"

"Why are you saying it like he has to join them? Regulus just don't! it's so stupid, does mother wish to have you killed or something. What does father have to say about this?" Polaris snapped, noting liking the idea of losing his brother.

"Polaris, just stop! When the time comes I will have to, I don't have a choice can't you see it!?" Regulus snapped at him, his hands slamming on the table as he stood in frustration then proceeded to leave.

Polaris turned to Narcissa with a clenched jaw and a frown settled on his face, "I don't want to lose him."

"I know." Narissa said in a gentle tone, "You won't, I promise. Sometimes to survive in this family we have to do things we don't want to, it's the reason why Sirius left. Sometimes I wish I cared enough to try to have things changed." She continued in a sad tone.

"That's the special guest today, isn't it? Mother mentioned who I am to be proper in his presence." Polaris spoke again, Narcissa sent him a glance before nodding.

"You should truly listen to your mother. He is not a man to be messed with Polaris and try not to make eye contact with him, be discrete." She told him, he didn't answer her merely looking away, over to the flames of the fireplace before glancing back at her.

"I just don't get it… What's so special about the dark lord? Why are people following him blindly? Why is no one questioning him? Does he even have a legitimate ideology?"

"That's a good question, something the other Houses should think about. Though I think if you were to ask about his ideology, you will receive, something among the lines of the muggle-borns being a threat to the pureblood way of life. Therefore needed to be controlled or exiled or killed, depending on the extremism of one's views."

"Narcissa, come," Lucius called out, using his hand to motion for her to come to him, as he looked away from the man he was speaking to.

She sighed in annoyance, before putting on her pureblood mask, smiling toward the two men leaving Polaris by himself. He sat there sinking into his chair, not bothering to get up to do anything like socialise. He really saw no sense in being ordered to kill for the sake of another, someone who demands it, claiming it was for a greater good. What benefit did it actually bring?

Though… the thought of what Narcissa had spoken of rang in his head. Mugglborns are a threat. He watched as they left through the double doors of the lounge, leaving him alone- or so he thought.

"Polaris Rigel Black. Who taught you to sit like that." He heard a familiar voice hiss. Instinctively he sat probably, with his back straight as he turned his head to see his mother stod there behind on his right. "Sorry mother, it won't happen again. No one saw me." He simply said and she scowled.

"What has gotten into you. How dare you tell me no one saw you. I do not care if an owl didn't see you, behave properly. What has gotten into you lately" she snapped, "Get up!" she shouted and he did, with her proceeding to grab his arm tight, dragging him along with her before realising him expecting him to follow. It would do no good for others to see, it would be obvious he had done something to her distaste.

He followed her staring at her side, wishing a grim would rip her head off. She was so annoying, nagging him about not sitting properly, not even a warning, she was ready to kill him right there and then. She was bloody mad. Then again he shouldn't have made a mistake like that.

Before he knew it, they stood before a bunch of old men, then again it depends on what you considered old, seeing as Lucius was there at Narcissa's side. His father was there too. "Just sit down, alright?" she told him in a hushed tone, and he nodded looking around the large room, finding the fireplace where he saw Regulus.

He walked towards him, though he said nothing to him, he stood there, turning towards the flames, feeling the heat. He noticed how the room grew silent a new set of steps entered the room, it even grabbed his brother's attention though Polaris lack any interest in knowing who it was. Though he still looked, and he just knew it was the special guest that was talked about.

He watched with a lack of emotion as he watched as the man receive bows and curtsied, greeting the supposed saviour. The man was tall, with dark wavy thick hair and piercing blue eyes that could.

His father stood in the middle, the man of the home, approving of the celebration, despite the fact that his mother was the man of the house most of the time. Though it was as bad years before slowly but surely she seemed to just have way more control over their father who just seemed to stop caring especially with Sirius.

Looking over at his mother, he could see the displeasure in her eyes; she was good at disguising it, though he could see through it after being around her for so long; his father, on the other hand, was more difficult to read. His mother approached him, and the two of them exchanged greetings and spoke with the man.

"It is a great honour to be able to welcome you into our home." His father spoke, though the man showed disinterest as his eyes drifted to the fireplace both Black boys were at. "I see your oldest has yet to return." The man drawled as he saw how his mother's jaw was tense, just as his father's whole figure did so.

"Regulus is our oldest. We have only two sons, my Lord, our youngest being Polaris." That was what he heard his father respond with, completely rejecting Sirius as their son. "Regulus has just finished his fourth year at Hogwarts." Their mother spoke turning her pointed gaze at Regulus beckoning him to come which he did.

He watched them talk, all the while he inspected the man, seeing nothing special about the man. Was he truly that powerful to have such prideful people at his beck and call?

He had his gaze turned to the flames.

It slightly bothered him that his cousin was a supposed murderer. To have easily killed due to a request, Bellatrix was not a woman to push around, nor order around so to have his cousin's loyalty was something he couldn't understand.

"Polaris. A fine name that is."

He didn't tense or jump at the sudden voice, though his heart jumped at it. He turned to see the man standing right there at his left, looking towards the flames as he had just been doing.

"It's decent enough. Nothing special, sir…" Polaris responded, glancing around, "Is there a need to look around? Are you looking for an escape?" the man spoke, halting Polaris and making him turn his gaze back to the man, "I apologise if you feel insulted… I was just seeing if my brother was still here." Polaris forced out refraining from showing his annoyance.

"Polaris… the only star in the night sky that appears to remain stationary."

Polaris had no idea what the man was trying to get at.

"I've heard of you." Was all Polaris told the man who turned to him with interest, a look in his eyes that Polaris couldn't understand? He remembered his cousin's words of not looking into the man's eyes, though he couldn't feel any probing, so no Legilimency.

"Though I was never told your name. Names are rather important, especially in our world." Polaris told him, and the man smiled.

"Marvolo Gaunt."

Gaunt. He had thought the last of the family was dead, then again there wasn't much news of the deranged family. The man before him didn't look as deformed as some would describe a Gaunt. Though a house directly related to Slytherin himself, perhaps that was why he had many followers because of his heritage.

"How powerful are you." Polaris dared to ask, staring right in his eyes, unmoving. He saw the smirk at it sent sivers, every fibre in his body telling him to run. Though he didn't he stood there o the amusement of the man.

"It depends on what you mean by that." Was the simple reply, looking away Polaris set his gaze back on the flames knowing the man was right. His question was specific enough. Power can be measured in numerous ways. He could feel the man's gaze and it unnerved him- made him uncomfortable.

He couldn't think of any reason for why the man was talking to him, staring at him as if he wanted something from him. He hated it.

"Why are you even speaking to me? I'm truly nothing special. I'm sure you'll be more interested in speaking to one of the Lords here,"

"I sensed you the moment I entered this house."

That made Polaris frown, he turned to the man again who had an unreadable look on his face, "If you truly think you're self to be nothing but special you're delusional, you may be young but that by no means you are given the benefit of the doubt to be foolish. You should not underestimate yourself, Mr Black."

Polaris said nothing at all, not knowing how to respond to that. Still staring at the flames wanting the man to leave him be.

"You're wand." The man's voice sounded again.

Polaris found himself turning to the man again, as his wand shifted in the sleeve of his robe, "Does it feel any different?" the man asked, leaving Polaris baffled, though he took it out and held it, turning to the man with a questioning look, "It feels like it's humming." Polaris told the man, seeing as it did feel different, but why? Because of the man?

"That proves to me you are more than special. Tell me how much do you know of Legilimency?"

The question struck Polaris as odd, "I… I know what it is, I'm more proficient at Occulency than Legilimency seeing as I can't perform it. Legilemcny is known to be extremely hard, while others claim it to be impossible to learn let alone master. If it were easy every wizard and witch would at least be able to perform the basics, seeing as how useful it is." Polaris responded hesitantly, his grip on his wand tightening as he heard a faint hiss, from the man. Though it wasn't Marvolo.

It came from his robes.

"I have a feeling that you won't have much trouble learning it, though the question is will you like to learn?"

"The thought of being taught is enticing… though I would rather not, seeing as I don't think money is what you would like in return for your services," Polaris responded carefully, a slight frown on his face.

The man laughed, "Yes… I did hear you got into Slytherin, though I was under the impression from what I was told that you would be a Ravenclaw. Though you are mistaken if you think I wish for something in return for I give you my word that you will not need to pay me for anything. I'm merely doing this from the kindes of my heart."

He didn't need to be a Ravenclaw to see the strangeness of it all. The man was offering to teach him Legilmens, for nothing in return. The man had gone out of his way to talk to him, calling him more than special, it was creepy and he hated feeling ignorant to what the man actually wanted because he had to want something from him but what?

"I'll allow you to think of my offer, I shall pass it on to your parents. I'm sure we will be meeting again soon."

He watched the man walk away, before looking to his wand frowning as the humming stopped as he got further and further away before leaving towards the door.

"What did he say to you?" Regulus hissed at him, a worried look on his face, Polaris looked up at him, shrugging his shoulders, only looking back to his wand in thought.

He didn't trust the man one bit. Though the idea of learning from someone powerful did interest him…