Another Star Burns

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Wow!! I need to thank all of your for 1000 reads!!! Thats insane I'm so happy that all of you are enjoying this story. Anyway here is the next chapter, its a shorter one than normally so let me know if you prefer longer or shorter chapters. And thank you again.


17th of June 1978

The crypt under the house is miraculous. Every Black since we set foot on English soil is buried here. Hundreds of years of Black family history and yet I can't feel pride. We're all dressed in black to show our respect. Bellatrix and Regulus haven't left my side since the farewell started. We all liked uncle Alphard no matter what. He was always on our side and gave us the unconditional love we so desperately wanted from our parents. I bow my head in respect as they lower the coffin into the sarcophagus.

"Unfortunately another Black has passed. It's time we pay our respect to a man that was loyal to his family until his last breath," my great, great uncle Arcturus the second says.

"And so we say goodbye to my star in the sky," we all say. After a minute of silence we all pull out our wand and cast incendio at the sarcophagus burning uncle Alphard's body to ash. While it's seen as a great insult to burn someone when they're alive because of what the muggles did to magical people it's the opposite if the person is dead, at least in our family. Other families do not have the privilege of burning their dead and we do it to make sure that the body doesn't rot after death, for Pureblood's another big insult is leaving a body to decay after a person's death. Many families have their own ways of slowing down the process but being the house of the dragon we have the right to use fire. If I'm being completely honest it probably just differs from my family being way too haughty and proud to succumb to all fates of death. Our haughty nature might be as much a part of our genetics as our signature black hair and eyes, being proud is simply part of being a Black. With the ceremony over we leave our family crypt which is located underneath our manor and head to the sitting room for the reading of the will. The reading starts with Alphard having dedicated a few personal items to Bellatrix, Regulus and I which I find really sweet and is also just spot on for Uncle Alphard's character. I got some hand made jewellery that has been passed down through the generations of our families for decades. Regulus received uncle Alphard's prized watch which is actually a goblin made. While Bellatrix received a beautiful dagger (much to her mother's dislike) made out of dark metal which allows it to take in spells. The problem came immediately after we were given the items our uncle set aside for us. Alphard had written that his entire wealth should go to Sirius, causing outrage from everyone apart from Regulus and I. They weren't even mad about not receiving any of his large wealth but at the fact that he gave it all to Sirius. Discussion of changing the will was immediately started and lasted for the next few hours were Regulus and I didn't dare to speak to ask if we could leave for fear that they'd turn their anger (and wands) onto us. However no matter how hard they tired Alphard had put in every single precaution possible to make sure his will could not be breached. To be honest he probably expected this entire discussion to take place.

"They are fucking pissed," Regulus whisper, even through the mindlink he makes sure to keep his voice low just in cause. After they finally accept that the will could not be broken, grandfather Arcturus turns away and starts for the door, his eyes locked in a deadly rage. He looks like a man on a mission and I pity anyone who tries to stop him.

"What are you planning?" Lycoris asks probably being the only one brave enough -and psycho enough if we're being honest- to ask.

"We gave that traitor a funeral worthy of a Black, allowing him the privilege of burning his body. Now I'll show him what happens to those who betray his family, with fire," he spits venomously.

"You're going to burn him off the family tree?" I ask finally speaking up although the words are hard to get out as my throat tightens up. Not another please. Why does it even matter, he is dead anyway.

"Yes. Any objections?" He asks, no one speaks up, they actually do the opposite. Everyone shakes their head indicating there agreeance with grandfather's plans.

"I have a few objections," Regulus tells me and even through the mind link I can hear how tight his voice is at the thought of uncle Alphard being burnt off the family tree. Lowering my head I press my lips together and blink rapidly trying to not show how against this I am. I take Regulus's hand in mine and give it a tight squeeze.

"Me too," I whisper to him to which he gives me a sad smile but squeezes my hand back in reassurance.

Later that night

Not being able to fall back asleep after waking up from being plagued by nightmare after nightmare and the potions being absolutely useless tonight I head downstairs for a snack. Maybe I just need to up the dosage of the potions, perhaps my body is just starting to get resistant to them and that's why they're falling to do their jobs?

"And what do you think you're doing?" I freeze hearing his voice, cringing, I turn around and face my grandfather.

"I can't sleep so I'm getting a snack," I admit.

"Sit," he says nodding to the table and I have no choice but to obey.

"Kreature," Pollux calls and he appears.

"Get Estrella a snack. Anything specific?" He asks, turning to me. I shake my head and Pollux sends Kreature on his way.

"Why are you awake?" I ask as he sits opposite me.

"I don't have time to sleep, I need to figure out what was going on with your uncle," grandfather says.

"You know what I find odd he died so suddenly and his will is so tightly sealed to make sure his money would go to Sirius. It's a little convenient and coincidently, don't you think?" I say.

"I don't believe in coincidences and neither should you. Only a fool believes in that," he replies harshly. Alright, it seems like he is still in a bad mood because of early but being so tired stops me from flittering my words carefully.

"So that's it. Grandfather, he was your son, my uncle," I say. I can't believe he is letting this go.

"You don't think I know what my own blood is worth?" He questions.

"The Black family is gruesome but you have a real chance of surviving if you allow me to teach you," grandfather says.

"Of course! When do we start? Now?" I ask, feeling excited. I want to learn everything that I can. After all, I do believe that with knowledge comes power.

"Slow down, we'll start when you're older. You need to learn about the world before you learn the game," he lectures.

"The game?" I ask confused.

"The game of both the Wizarding world but more importantly the Pureblood world," he says. Kreature returns and places a sandwich in front of me.

"Was he killed?" I ask after a moment of silence as grandfather stands.

"Yes but by whom I have no idea, however my guess is that it wasn't you or your siblings," he says.

"Process of elimination," I say. It's smart, my grandfather is a smart man, the problem is everyone else would have been capable of the murder. It could have been anyone.

"Correct. Don't stay up too late. Goodnight," he says and heads for the stairs.

"Goodnight," I call after him. 

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