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—THE NEXT DAY, RIGEL WALKED DOWNSTAIRS. It was his birthday— which he had forgotten until Sirius asked, "What do you want to do today, birthday-boy?"
"It's my birthday?" asked Rigel blankly.
"Birthday!" exclaimed Cierra excitedly, clapping her hands together.
"Yes." Remus frowned. "Rigel... you forgot?"
Rigel shrugged, looking unbothered. "I'd rather not do anything."
••
Rigel was laying down on his bed reading, while his sister was on the ground playing with some toys.
"Help me!" A bubbly voice said, catching his attention.
He put the book down and stood up, holding his arms out. Cierra immediately hurled herself into his arms, earning a soft chuckle from the boy.
Rigel put his sister on his hip, giving her a block of toy to keep her busy with, and walked out of his room.
"—FILTHY HALFBLOODS IN THIS NOBLE FAMILY HOME—" Walburga's portrait stopped her shouting as she noticed Rigel, her eyes widening. "Regulus?"
Rigel blinked. "Who are you?"
"Mother dearest," Sirius rolled his eyes. "this is my son, Rigel Regulus Black."
"Is he a Slytherin?" Walburga immediately asked.
"Yes."
"Is he the Black heir?"
"Yes."
"And is he a pureblood himself?"
"..Yes." Sirius stiffly replied.
And he was right.
Since Rigel was blood-adopted by Sirius, his Potter blood was fully gone and replaced with Black blood.
Cierra, however, was blood-adopted by Sirius and Remus, so she was a half-blood.
Walburga's eyes lightened up. "It seems like you have done something right, after all, you disgrace!"
"Who are you to talk to him like that?" Rigel glared at the portrait.
"His mother—"
"You blasted him off of the family tree. You're no mother of his." Rigel sneered.
Walburga ignored him, her eyes snapping to Remus', who had just walked in with Tom. "FILTH! SCUM' BY-PRODUCTS OF DIRT AND VILENESS! HALF-BREED! BEGONE GROM THIS PLACE! HOW DARE YOU BEFOUL THE HOUSE OF MY FATHERS—!"
"Funny how she hasn't even noticed Voldemort in the room." Sirius whispered lowly.
Tom's lips twitched upwards, letting out a low chuckle.
"—YOU MARRIED THIS FILTH?! HOW MUCH MORE OF A DISGRACE CAN YOU BE, SIRIUS ORION BLACK THE THIRD?!—"
Rigel handed his sister over to Remus and walked over to the portrait, trying his hardest to get the curtains to shut, while the portrait kept shouting.
"Someone— help!" Rigel groaned.
Sirius rushed over, also trying his hardest. "There's—a—sticking—charm—on—it!" He angrily exclaimed, kicking the curtains.
"—BEGONE YOU FILTHY GAY MEN!—"
"SHUT UP, MOTHER!" Sirius tried.
After 5 minutes of no success, Sirius and Rigel walked back to where Remus and the others were standing, while Walburga still was shouting.
"SIRIUS— YOU SHALL NOT TAINT MY GRANDSON WITH YOUR NONSENSE—!"
"He already hates mudbloods." Tom pointed out, earning an eye-roll from Sirius.
Walburga, if possible, looked so proud, Sirius felt like he would be sick. "See, Sirius? This is a true Black! Have you searched for a pureblood girl for him yet? That shall happen soon—!"
"I'm gay, bitch." Rigel cut her off coldly.
Everyone's eyes widened.
Tom tried his hardest not to show the fact that his heart skipped several beats, while Sirius proudly grinned— Remus having the same expression.
"Sirius, you owe me 10 galleons." said Remus.
••
"So, I was right?" asked Tom as he walked into Rigel's room, who was writing a letter to someone.
Rigel stayed quiet.
"Rigel?"
Rigel looked up from the letter he was writing, giving Tom a harsh glare. "I wasn't even ready. I just wanted her to shut up."
"Atleast your guardians are accepting." Tom pointed out.
Tom's shoulder shook as he laughed. When he was done, he stuck with a soft smile. "Yes. And I lived in an orphanage. Nobody knew. Nor did the students at school."
"Oh," Rigel frowned. "I'm.. sorry.. you had to go through that."
