AN: Well it's been far, far too long since I touched this. A warning, I partially rewrote and update Chapter 1 and the new version was put up at the same time as this chapter so you might want to reread that first. This chapter was much longer but I decided to break up what the Blacks are doing rather than have all the actions in one.

Inumiru - The rewrite actually has a couple of more Blacks involved in the "calling". The rest are dead or not blood related in this story so unfortunately that means Dorea and Charlus aren't going to be involved here.

jamnaz79 - Little Cassi will not be a Metamorphmagus. That talent will be all Dora's.

harryfan160889 - James is going to be...complicated.

ehanda - Her first child will be a Black, the second will be whatever her husband's name is and after that it's up to the parents. That's because there are no Houses involved in this story that are above Blacks in the House hierarchy.

A Brand New Day Part 1

1st November, 1981

The press were parasites. Corpse eating bugs and vermin whose only abilities were to transform into vultures in order to pick clean a still living carcass. Such were the thoughts of Lord Black when he Floo'd into the Ministry of Magic's atrium.

That morning the Daily Prophet had screamed out to all to read that the Dark Lord had fallen. Arcturus very nearly suffered his first bout of accidental magic in almost seventy years when he saw the information of his grandson's honourable death plastered all over the front page. However the act of burning the paper into ash was very deliberate once he he got to the speculation that his great-granddaughter was the one to take down the jumped-up mongrel Riddle. The article about baby Cassi was filled with news over her taking the Killing Curse and the scum had even given her a ridiculous title to go with the claim.

Arcturus had no doubt over the 'sources' of the Prophet's information and had cursed the name Dumbledore all the way from the kitchen table to the Floo.

As such it was a complete force of nature that descended on the chaos within the Ministry. Lord Black's grey hair hung loose to his shoulders, his storm filled eyes burned with fury, and people quickly moved out of his long strides. He was an elder lion out for one more hunt and no one wanted to be the one brought down by the sheer power clinging to his large frame.

He might have kept out of the public life during the blasted war but he was still feared enough to cause silence with every heavy step.

The guard on duty took one look at Arcturus' harsh features and didn't even bother asking for a wand. The whelp only cringed down in his chair and waved him through the so-called security. The Black never even gave the coward a glance and the Hit-Wizard had never been more grateful to be ignored.

Arcturus looked neither left nor right as he moved through the bowels of the Ministry. The Black Family Magics burned through his body as it had no done in years and the older generations, those who truly shaped and changed the Wizarding World, knew the signs of a Waking House. Whispers and warnings rippled ahead of Arcturus and he ignored them all.

When he finally came to his destination the security Aurors protecting the Minister took one look at the approaching storm and scattered, desperate for reinforcements before being willing to take on the legendary man.

Lord Black sneered at them all.

"Bagnold!" Arcturus roared as he slammed the door to the Minister's office open. The woman jumped, her instinct to reach for a wand derailed by the sheer surprise of seeing who exactly had stormed into her office. "Now that my family stopped a madman your campaign promised to defeat, what the hell are you going to do about the Dark Lord's followers?"

Arcturus' power radiated off him as he leaned over her desk, fingertips digging into the wood to support his body. It took the former Ravenclaw a moment to get her bearings, blink her blue eyes and then she was rising to meet his Alpha challenge.

"Watch yourself, Black." She snarled. "My people are still investigating everything that happened last night."

Milicent Bagnold, Minister for Magic, was a strong woman who had not long taken the position. Young and barely out of Hogwarts her sharp mind, family name, cold personality and the fact that she was even more of a hard arse than Harold Minchum, had seen her quickly rise to the position she currently held. However it also meant that she had not had the pleasure of dealing with the magical and political powerhouse that was Arcturus Black.

The man in question took hold of the paper the Minister had been ready and lifted it up to reveal the headline they both knew was there;

HE'S GONE!

"Then do tell me what this it about." He sneered back in a dangerously velvet voice. "Because, according to this rag, it was my family who paid the ultimate price for freeing this country from that bastard's clutches. So, Minister, if you're still 'investigating', how it is that the paper got practically every. Single. Detail Correct?"

The two powerful figures held each other's eyes in a stand-off. Arcturus heard a clash of boots approaching but refused to turn away from his prey while Bagnold took the excuse. She blinked first to address the panicked Aurors staring at the scene.

"Get back to your stations!" She ordered, not even waiting on them to move before turning her attention to her wide-eyed receptionist. "Hold everything, Sandra. I don't want Lord Black and I to be disturbed. Now close the bloody door!"

Everyone scrambled to follower the Minister's orders. Arcturus merely stood tall and waited, the slight narrowing of eyes the only sign of his contempt at someone he considered out of her depth.

As soon as the door was closed and Bagnold felt the familiar feel of her office's privacy wards go into effect, she waved him into a chair and sat back down. He took his time to sit in another show of dominance and she had to fight against squirming beneath his glare.

"Albus Dumbledore." She finally admitted, hoping to turn House Black's fury onto someone else. "Somehow Dumbledore and a group of his vigilantes got there before the Aurors."

"His Order of the Phoenix." Arcturus growled with obvious disgust. He remembered everything Sirius and the Firebrand had told him about the Order and wasn't impressed. "Sirius told me all about them."

"And on that note, you have my deepest condolences, Lord Black." The Minister offered with legitimate sincerity. While her age might have meant she hadn't come across Lord Black before, it also meant she hadn't been caught up in the fury of High Society over the scandal between James Potter, Sirius Black and Muggle-born Lily Evans. The gossip had been on everyone's lips and there would be those who felt the two dead members of the love triangle got what they deserved. "Alastor Moody tells me that Sirius was a good man and I heard surprising things about Ms. Evans."

"Thank you. The Lady Lily had become my grandson's betrothed." Arcturus said causing Bagnold's eyes to widen. He was under no illusions that that little titbit would be leaked eventually. "Sirius admitted that even in his Hogwarts years he held a candle to her and it was only for Lord Potter's sake that he held back. I have no doubt that contributed to the existence of my great-granddaughter."

"How is Lady Cassiopeia?" Bagnold eyed the Prophet warily. "I understand she was there."

"You'll forgive me, Minister, if I don't answer that until we finish discussing Dumbledore."

"Of course." She nodded, choosing to ignore the venom in his words, and leaned back in her chair to collet her thoughts. She might have been a Ravenclaw but the Hat had deliberated on putting her with the Lions and this was one time she needed that courage. "As I'm sure you read, there was an attack on both Diagon Alley and St. Mungo's last night. Barty estimates that it was almost the entirety of You-Know-Who's forces. It appears the whole thing was a diversion as You-Know-Who went after your family though for what reason we've yet to find out. What is obvious is that Dumbledore and his...Order of the Phoenix you called it?...responded almost instantly to that attack rather than aid in either of the public ones."

"Albus Dumbledore put the Fidelius Charm over my grandson's home." Arcturus informed her with a sneer. "I suspect he made sure to be informed if an attack took place."

The Minister took a steadying breath as she considered the consequences of what she was learning and all the unanswered questions that were running loose behind her Occlumency shields.

"At some point after the attacks the Aurors arrived at Sirius' home to find Dumbledore already there. That's when I was called in." Arcturus had a suspicion that the tip would eventually lead back to the Longbottoms. Aurors both and good friends with his grandson, they would have been aware of the Fidelius falling. He pushed the thought away, knowing it meant little in the grand plan. "When I arrived he immediately told me what he had uncovered and seemed most frustrated that Lady Cassiopeia was missing."

Bagnold stopped and gave him her best penetrating gaze as though willing him to now divulge his own secrets. Arcturus was actually impressed and could see the potential of the young Minister but the effort was wasted on a man of his experience.

The Black family, once oaths had been made, had been up the majority of the night plotting their actions and reactions to everything short and long term they could imagine with some machinations would span years before coming to fruition. Which ones actually happened depended almost entire upon what Arcturus would hear next.

"She is fine and being looked at in a secure location." He promised, much to the Minister obvious relief. "Now, obviously, you'll be putting the Death Eaters on trial. My question is, will you be using Veritaserum when questioning the Wizengamot Death Eaters?"

"Lord Black!" Bagnold looked aghast at the suggestion and he immediately knew what she was coming. "You know perfectly we don't use truth potions on our Lords and Ladies!"

"Of course, Minister." The Black said, tilting his head as though offering an apology. His fingers rose to form a triangle against his lips and he hummed as though everything he was about to say wasn't pre-planed. "It simply means that my word will have to be enough when I speak of the bravery Bellatrix Black has shown in her position as a double agent."

"You...she...what...?" Bagnold stammered, all composure lost as she recalled all the tales of the You-Know-Who's Dark Lady and most deadly follower. "But...that's not possible!"

"Of course it is, Minister." Arcturus' eyebrow rose as though daring her to question his integrity and there was a hint of darkness in the smirk that toyed at the corner of his mouth as he stood. "Bellatrix and Regulus Black were both instructed by House Black to infiltrate the Death Eater movement with the sole mission of ending the Dark Lord. That mission came to a head last night and resulted in the willing sacrifices of Sirius Black and Lady Lily. It was Bellatrix who warned them of the impending attack, giving them enough time to set up extremely dangerous Black Family Magics for protection. It was Bellatrix who rescued my great-granddaughter from the house and brought her to me so she would be raised a true Black. And it will be Bellatrix who I will call a hero along with her cousins and Lady Lily when I give evidence at her trial. Good day, Minister."

He gave Bagnold no chance to responds to his speech, sweeping out of the office to leave the Minister gaping like a commoner at the bombshell he had dropped in her lap. Arcturus didn't even give the secretary a glance as he stalked away, knowing full well that everything he had just spewed would be spread throughout the Ministry, and thus the press, within days.

The protection of Bellatrix had come with some heavy promises from the woman in question. She would spend months, if not years, undergoing heavy sessions with mind-healers, Squib psychologists, and a painful series of core cleansing rituals in order to pure as much of Riddle's disgusting taint out of her as possible. And she would bare it all in the knowledge that Arcturus was ready to kill her if she fought back even once.

Yet for all his bluster, Lord Black was far from an idiot. He had seen the fierce protectiveness Bellatrix had shown baby Cassi. That it was to care for the little one that was a strong enough incentive to have the half-crazed woman obey his every word. Arcturus was looking forward to a sane and healthy Bella and grinned ferally at the thought of her being Cassiopeia's bodyguard. His new heir would need all the protections House Black could provide with Riddle still out there. The mere idea of Riddle using Soul Magics threatened to have him tasting bile.

Those heavy thoughts kept Arcturus occupied until he reached his destination only to find two men already waiting outside House Black's Wizengamot office doors. Two men Arcturus Black had known his entire life.

Abraxas Malfoy was a tall, imposing man who lacked the bulk of Arcturus but more than made up for it with a fencer's lithe movements. The Malfoy blond hair hung to the middle of his back and he long fingers were wrapped around the head of a cane. The physical aid was one Abraxus needed, unlike his egotistical son who merely used one for the image.

The other man was smaller than either of his friends with close cropped hair and Mediterranean features that were as much a part of his bloodline as the hair for Malfoys and grey eyes for Blacks. The family could trace its British roots back to the Founders when, at the behest of one Salazar Slytherin, a strange French family had come over to aid the famous four. Almost no one knew more about the more obscure branches of magic than the Lestranges.

The three men had been a force within Slytherin House in their youth and continued their friendships through all the long years. Alongside the powerful Charlus Potter, the men were known as the Four Kings of the Wizengamot.

"My friends." Arcturus nodded to Lord Lestrange and Lord Malfoy and both returned the gesture, relief evident at still being considered a friend bleeding through their masks. "We have much to discuss. Please, enter and be at peace."

The old phrase unlocked the secret Black wards around the room and proved to the two men that they were still considered brothers-in-arms with the formidable man.

"Arcturus, allow me to say something before we start." Augustine Lestrange urged as the three friends moved into the heavily protected room. They each ignored the office desk and instead conjured far more relaxing chairs to sit in a small circle. "I know my boys are dead and it means they had a hand in your tragedy last night. House Lestrange owes you a Death Debt."

"As does House Malfoy." Abraxas added with sad turquoise eyes. "I am sure my stupid son knew enough to have warned me about what happened. You have our condolences and our Houses are at your mercy."

Both men were proud and powerful, easily able to gain control of the Wizengamot if they wished. Together they were a political and magical force almost unparalleled in modern times and they offered it all to their oldest friend. Arcturus, ever the politician, sat back and deliberated. It would have been disservice to the men and their friendships if he didn't.

"Full disclosure to you both." He began carefully. "It was our Bella who dealt the fatal blows to your boys, Augustine. And our Narcissa informs me that Lucius suspected but didn't actually know, Abraxas. Or if he did, he made sure not to let it slip to her.

"We stand at a pivotal moment in history, my friends. The insolent brat that was Thomas Riddle has tied our families in death as much as we did through friendship. The Darkness has not been fully defeated and I would do you both, and myself, a disservice if I allowed him to use me to destroy your noble families."

"Little Bella saved me raising my wand to my sons." Augustine replied and the other two men had no doubts he would have done so if they'd come to their father in celebration at taking Black blood.

"You don't believe he is dead?" Abraxas asked, allowing his relief at the lack of vengeance from his friend to show. "What can you tell us of what happened?"

Arcturus told his friends everything he had learned from Bella and the two wise men quickly understood the threat when they heard about the disembodied spirit. The three Kings sat in silent contemplation until Lord Lestrange's words chilled the air.

"The bastard made at least four horcruxes." Augustine announced, one hand raised to cover his mouth as his gaze was lost in the depths of his vast knowledge. "A soul can, somewhat, handle being broken three times but anything more and it grows unstable. Certainly capable of splintering without the wizard's knowledge."

Lord Black felt a chill go down his spine when those blue-grey eyes focused in on him.

"A split like that would create a faux container within the wizard's body. The body is destroyed and so too is the accidental horcrux. But in this case the body was destroyed before the splintering was finished." Lord Lestrange took a deep breath before he finished his thought. "I fully believe that the shard would have attempted to merge with your great-granddaughter if young Bella had not reacted as quickly as she did."

"She believes the idiot gave her one." Arcturus told them once he was able to think coherently again. "Hufflepuff's Cup, if you can believe that."

"That could help us." Abraxas added after a moment's deliberation. "If he used objects to do with the Founders then we may be able to find more."

The pop of elf Apparition interrupted the three men's thoughts and a very nervous elf couldn't bring himself to meet his Master's harsh gaze.

"Kreacher, what are you doing here?" Arcturus' eyes narrowed. All his elves knew that he was never to be disturbed in the room unless it was a Family emergency.

"Kreacher begs Master's forgiveness but Kreacher bes able to help Master and Master's allies search." The elf croaked, carefully bring his hand from behind his back. Dangling from the long fingers was a solid gold locket.

"Morgana..." Abraxas gasped at the snake-like 'S' on the locket's face. "Is that?"

"Perhaps." Augustine answered, his eyes beginning to glow an eerie white. "I can tell you that it is a horcrux. Elf, put that on the table and carefully step back."

Arcturus nodded for Kreacher to follow the order. "How is it you have this, Kreacher?"

"Little Master Regulus, Master." Kreacher answered with tears in his large eyes. "Little Master comes to Kreacher, tells Kreacher the Dark Lord needs an elf. Little Master tells Kreacher to do whatever Dark Lord says and then return home. Dark Lord takes Kreacher to a cave beside the sea. Inside cave bes a cavern and great black lake. And...the Dark Lord...the Dark Lord..."

"Easy, Kreacher." Arcturus spoke softly to the agitated elf, doing his best to show Kreacher that he wasn't angry. "Take it slow and explain. You're not in trouble for following Regulus' orders."

"There was nasty potion on the little island, Master. D..Dark Lord makes Kreacher drink it all. Kreacher saw so many terrible things...Kreacher's insides burned so horribly...Dark Lord laughed at Kreacher's pain and dropped locket into empty basin. Dark Lord fills basin with more potion then sails away to leave Kreacher and Kreacher needs water, Master. Kreacher so very thirsty so he drinks from the black land and...horrible hands come out of water. Dead hands pulling Kreacher beneath the water."

"Inferi." A pale Abraxas snarled. It was against the dead monsters that his leg had been injured beyond magical aid.

"Kreacher good elf, Master. Kreacher obeyed Little Master and returned to Master Regulus."

"As you were right to do, Kreacher." Arcturus assured him, his voice going rough at guessing what happened next.

"Kreacher tells Little Master what happened. Master Regulus reads lots of books and eventually comes to Kreacher." The elf was crying now, getting to the painful end of his tale. "Regulus orders Kreacher to take Little Master to cave. Little Master had locket the same as the Dark Lord's and...and...little Master drinks potion. Little Master drinks until Kreacher can swap lockets and leave...Kreacher didn't want to, Master! Kreacher wanted to protect Master Regulus but Little Master order Kreacher to leave and destroy locket...to never tell...Kreacher tried destroying locket but couldn't. Kreacher failed, Kreacher failed Little Master...!"

It took Arcturus a long time to calm the elf down and eventually it was only Augustine's promise of being able to do what the elf couldn't that stopped the tears.

"Master Lestrange destroy locket?" Kreacher half asked, half pleaded.

"I can and I will." Lord Lestrange promised, his eyes continuing to glow as he stared at the terrible thing. "I can even leave the locket whole, Arcturus. That is if you wish to give it to the elf as a gift for following such painful orders."

The man in question nodded his agreement and sent Kreacher away with his deep thanks. There was a heavy silence as Augustine used his magic to study the locket and the other two only breathed easier when he pulled his eyes from the horrible creation.

"You'll be raising the babe as a true Black?" Abraxas asked in an attempt to ignore the Dark Artefact.

"Both her and the Longbottom boy. I suspect the reason Dumbledore leaked last night's events is because of this damn prophecy. They'll both need to be properly prepared to deal with his manipulations."

"I would like little Draco to be included." Lord Malfoy requested with a painful look. "Lucius is going to plead the Imperious and I have no doubt that he would run back to Riddle once the Half-blood bastard returns."

"And you, Augustine?" Arcturus asked. "With your boys dead, you can ensure Lysander's little one is properly raised a Lestrange rather than a Dark Lord follower."

The man in question froze in place and his eyes took on a vacant look. When he spoke it was with a otherworldly voice.

"The Horsemen of the Grey approaches to fight the Son of Merlin...The White and the Black are met by the Strange and the Raider...Linked by friendship, tied by blood and death...The Horsemen of the Grey approaches to fight the Son of Merlin..."

"Well...I do believe that would a yes." Abraxas said deadpanned as Augustine coughed to clear his throat from the Prophecy.

"You do realise who it is the children will be fighting against, don't you?" The Seer wheezed. He turned towards his pale headed friend and sighed. "Break away from your boy, Abraxas. If he has any influence on Draco then your House will forever be lost."

"I'll disown him as soon as soon as he pleads Imperious." Abraxas immediately declared, not once doubting his friend's words. "And between the three of us, the children will be well protected."

"Yes, yes they will." Arcturus declared.

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