Serpens Black

Lord Voldemort: “Serpens… join us.”

Serpens Black: “You took everything from me.”

--Serpens’ defiance to Voldemort

Serpens Cygnus Drew Black (b.2 May 1965) was an English pure-blood wizard and only son of Cygnus Black III and Druella Black (née Rosier). A bright student while at Hogwarts, Serpens went on to serve as a professor for a divination class taken by young seers. Being from a noble pure-blood he was raised to believe in the importance of blood purity and became a Death Eater at a young age, but would later renounce the title.

Before attending Hogwarts, Serpens acquired an exotic owl as a gift from his father and learned to care for Abraxan horses on his mother’s land. He attended a magical education institution for young wizards and was found to be a seer.

Serpens attended Hogwarts beginning in 1976, years after his older sisters Bellatrix, Andromeda, and Narcissa. He was sorted into Slytherin after causing a hat stall in which he refused to be put into any other house. He was a hard working student that was recruited for the Slug Club and the Slytherin Quidditch team. He was made a prefect and head boy in his later years and achieved high grades on O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s.

After the fall of Lord Voldemort he was questioned by the Ministry about his sister’s activity as a Death Eater. He was able to keep his involvement a secret and became a professor at Hogwarts alongside some of his former classmates, Severus Snape and Quirinus Quirrell.

TK

Early life (1965–1976)
Madame Maxime: “Do you know a lot about Abraxan, monsieur?”

Serpens Black: “I raised a few when I was young, my mother’s prize steeds.”

--Serpens’ youth on his mother’s farm

Serpens Black was born on 2 May, 1965 to Cygnus Black III, a blood supremacist, and Druella Black (née Rosier), a pure-blood witch. Serpens grew up as his sisters finished Hogwarts. At a young age he witnessed his sister, Andromeda, face disownment after marrying a muggle-born wizard. He was given a Black-banded owl, later named Corvus, as a fourth birthday present from his father.

Serpens was eager to please his father as a strong wizard and worked hard to learn all he could while at Charm School. In 1973, a few years before attending Hogwarts, he was tested for precognition and was labeled a seer. Serpens took great pride in this and desired to grow in his precognitive power as much as possible. Throughout his childhood, Serpens worked with and cared for Abraxan horses with his mother. He grew fond of the creatures and learned all he could about them. However, his abilities with creatures were limited to only Abraxans and most others did not like him.

Serpens was an all around well-behaved child that strove for his family's approval. He was considered to have well developed social skills and would attend gatherings of other pure-blood families where he was adored as tribute to his family.

Hogwarts years (1976–1983)
Hermione Granger: “You were a hat stall, professor?”

Serpens Black: “I wasn’t going to leave that stool until the crummy old hat said Slytherin.”

--Hermione asks about Serpens’ hat stall

First Year (1976-1977)
When the time came to attend Hogwarts Serpens’ mother took him to Diagon alley where he acquired an ash wood wand with a unicorn hair core of 14 ½ inches and unbending flexibility as well as a black cat he named Felis.

Serpens was taken under the wing of his cousin Regulus Black. They rode on the Hogwarts Express together and bonded over their shared experiences within the Black family. Regulus encouraged Serpens to get into Slytherin house like the rest of their family. Upon arrival at Hogwarts Serpens was one of the first to be sorted. He caused a hat stall lasting around five minutes during which he argued with the Sorting Hat’s initial design to place him in Hufflepuff. According to Serpens the Sorting Hat thought he would do well in any house, Gryffindor due to his general courage, Ravenclaw due to his love for academics, and Hufflepuff due to his devotion to his family, but the hat ultimately chose Slytherin because of Serpens’ overwhelming stubborn ambition to be put in the house. He was later recruited to the Slug Club for his aptitude in potions and ability as a seer.

Serpens faced some bullying throughout his school years. A group of Gryffindors frequently made fun of Serpens for rumors surrounding the Black family and their involvement in blood purity and the Dark Arts.

Second Year (1977-1978)
Prior to the beginning of his second year, Serpens was given a Crup, Canis, from his mother as a twelfth birthday gift. Upon arrival in Hogsmeade he went with the other second years to be taken to the castle, this was his first time seeing a Thestral. He was brought on as a new Keeper for the Slytherin Quidditch team at his cousin’s insistence and out performed many of the previous Keepers.

Sometime during his second year Serpens happened upon seventh year students James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew in a heated conversation with Severus Snape. Serpens saw Potter draw his wand and disarmed him before any other spell could be cast. He threatened the Gryffindors and told them not to mess with a Slytherin again, otherwise he would tell Dumbledore about the incident.

Serpens and Snape become friends and the two bonded over interests in potions and the dark arts. Serpens told Snape about a dark group of wizards that his sisters had become a part of and Snape became very interested in them.

Third Year (1978-1979)
Prior to starting his third year Serpens mourns the death of his mother and enters a depression. During his time at Hogwarts he began taking Muggle Studies, Divination, and Study of Ancient Runes. Due to his emotional turmoil his ability as a Keeper wanes and his grades begin to slip until a lesson in Defense Against the Dark Arts where he faces a Bogart. The creature took the form of a broken and pitiful Serpens that cowered to a surrounding dark fog and flames, when Serpens cast Riddikulus the image turned into an Abraxan horse wearing pajamas. This served as a reawakening for Serpens and he returned to the top of his class and performed at his best during Quidditch. He also joined the Frog Choir to fill his time.

After the Quidditch match against Gryffindor, in which Serpens didn’t let any Quaffles through the hoops, Serpens met Bartemius Crouch Junior. The two became quick friends and, during a visit to Hogsmede, started dating. It is because of his relationship with Crouch and the formation of some of his happiest memories that Serpens learned to cast a corporeal Patronus when his father tutored him over the winter.

Fourth Year (1979-1980)
During the summer Serpens is pushed by his father to replace Regulus in the Death Eater ranks. Serpens confides this with his boyfriend, Bartemius Crouch Junior, and they become Death Eaters together. Serpens father, Cygnus, initially displays disappointment in Serpens’ relationship with Crouch, but upon Narcissa’s announcement of pregnancy and assurance that he’ll have a grandchild he is simply proud that his son chose a pure-blood.

When Serpens received his Hogwarts letter he was also informed that he would act as the Slytherin Quidditch Team’s captain. Serpens continued his studies in Divination and Study of Ancient Runes but dropped Muggles Studies, trading it in for Ghoul Studies. In addition to Quidditch, Slug Club, and Frog Choir Serpens’ newly joined the Hogwarts Ancient Runes Club.

In the last half of his fourth year Serpens’ spent most of his time with Barty Crouch Jr. and helped him with his N.E.W.T studies. When the school year ended the couple spent the summer together before Barty went on to be an active Death Eater.

Fifth Year (1980-1981)
Prior to beginning Hogwarts, Serpens was appointed a Prefect greatly due to the testimony of his Head of House, Horace Slughorn. The only change in his academics was the drop of Ghoul Studies to free up more studying time for O.W.L. Exams. He spent a lot of his time focusing on Quidditch and won the Inter-House Cup for the first time as captain.

Serpens took nine O.W.L examinations in Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, History of Magic, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Astronomy, Herbology, Divination, and Study of Ancient Runes. He received an Outstanding in all examinations aside from Herbology in which he received an Exceeds Expectations.

Sixth Year (1981-1982)
During the summer Serpens worked to become an Animagus. He performed his first transformation with the help of Barty Crouch Jr. who noted his Animagus form to be a well groomed Deer-hound with markings around the eyes. Serpens chose not to register his ability and planned to use it to aid in Death Eater activity.

Serpens continues to serve as Prefect during his sixth year, now under a new Head of House and old friend, Severus Snape. In the absence of the now retired Horace Slughorn the Slug Club was disbanded, but Serpens remained friends with many of them. This is the first year Serpens faces no issues with anyone from Gryffindor that used to tease him.

The news of Harry Potter surviving Voldemort’s attack reached Hogwarts quickly. Serpens and his fellow Prefects spent most of the following months dealing with Slytherin students on both sides worrying about what would happen next. Many young Slytherin confided to Serpens that their parents were being sought out for their Death Eater activities.

Months after the attack Serpens stopped receiving owls from his boyfriend, Barty Crouch Jr.. It wasn’t until his father sent an owl explaining what had happened that Serpens became aware. He attended the trial with his father and watched as not only Barty was dragged away to prison, but his sister Bellatrix was as well.

He later visited Barty in Azkaban and they spoke for hours, until Serpens was forced to leave. Serpens promised to continue Barty’s search for Voldemort, but Barty asked him to move on and leave everything in the past so he didn’t end up in Azkaban too.

Upon returning to Hogwarts, Serpens encountered Amortentia during his potions lessons. He told his potions partner that it smelled like sweat, drowned tea leaves, and a hair product his mother used to use. The last part of the smell was actually what Serpens thought Barty smelled like.

The Ministry eventually came to Hogwarts to question Serpens about his sister’s involvement with the Death Eaters. One Auror, Alastor Moody, accused Serpens of being a Death Eater after having heard the rumors of his visit to Barty Crouch Jr. and insisted on further investigation, but after thoroughly checking Serpens’ arm for the dark mark they left him be, much to Moody’s dismay.

Serpens did not go home for Christmas or any other break following this year. He told his father it was to help him focus on his upcoming N.E.W.T. Exams, but Serpens just wanted to sever all attachment to the Death Eaters. Serpens won the Inter-House Cup for Slytherin for the second time.

Sometime in late Spring Serpens met Quirinus Quirrell, a fourth year Ravenclaw that was being bullied by a group of older Gryffindors. Serpens disarmed the Gryffindors and had house points deducted. After turning them over to Professor McGonagall, Serpens walked Quirrell back to his common room.

After Serpens’ actions, Quirrell developed a crush on the older student and followed him around whenever he could. He attended all of Serpens’ Quidditch matches and tried to spend time in the library and Great Hall whenever Serpens was there. This did not go unnoticed by Serpens, but he wanted to see how long Quirrell would continue.

After weeks of Quirrell’s nervous stalking Serpens left a note behind for him to find. The note told him to meet Serpens by the Black Lake the next morning. Upon meeting there Serpens questioned Quirrell about his actions and the Ravenclaw admitted his attraction. Serpens was flattered by the notion and asked Quirrell to accompany him to Hogsmeade. Sometime before the end of the school year the two started dating.

Seventh Year (1982-1983)
Serpens was appointed Head Boy for Slytherin prior to the start of term. He spent a good portion of the summer helping Severus Snape, who he had grown closer to as they both tried to forget their time as Death Eaters, reorganize the potion store room. At the start of the year Serpens was performing well and seemed to have successfully distanced himself from his past as a Death Eater.

Sometime during the year Serpens received news that Barty Crouch Jr. had died during his imprisonment. For the following months Serpens isolated himself and spent most of his time buried in his studies. His boyfriend, Quirinus Quirrell, grew worried about him and attempted to cheer him up. Serpens didn’t take to the efforts, but Quirrell didn’t give up. He started forcing his way into Serpens’ isolation and ensuring that he was taking care of himself.

Towards the end of his depressive state Serpens became very grateful to Quirrell and began spending more of his time with him. Because of Quirrell’s intervention Serpens became focused in time to win the Inter-House Cup for his third year. During the last Frog Choir performance of the year Professor Flitwick presented an award to Serpens for his dedication and performance.

Serpens took eight N.E.W.T. Exams in Charms, Potions, History of Magic, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Astronomy, Divination, Study of Ancient Runes, and Alchemy. He received a grade of outstanding on all exams.

The Death of Cygnus Black (1983)
During his last month at Hogwarts Serpens searched for a house of his own to move to, not wanting to see his father. Cygnus became aware of this and confronted Serpens in Hogsmeade and found out about his relationship with Quirrell, a half-blood. Serpens defended Quirrell’s blood status, saying that half-bloods should be considered a part of the higher status like pure-bloods. Cygnus stated that Serpens was disowned from the family and left to strike him off of the family tree. However, before he could make any note of Serpens’ disownment, Cygnus suffered a stroke and died.

Serpens inherited most of his father’s possessions including his fortune and farm. He also took on the Abraxans he once cared for as a child. Serpens made no mention of his father’s intentions to disown him to anyone. He did visit Azkaban to tell his sister, Bellatrix, about their father’s passing.

Reviving the House of Black (1984)
Serpens spent his first year out of Hogwarts repairing both his neglected family farm and his negative family reputation. He donated money to Hogwarts and the Ministry to put the Black name back into a positive light.

Seer Study Begins
After Quirinus Quirrell’s graduation from Hogwarts both he and Serpens began teaching at Hogwarts. Serpens took up the position of a flexible professor that was brought in to teach in place of an absent professor.

In 1986 the need arose for a specialized class to train young seers at Hogwarts. Serpens took the position and taught only one period of the class while continuing to serve in a substitute capacity throughout the day.

Questioning Blood Purity
In 1989 Serpens proposed to Quirrell during the End of the Year Feast. He planned it to be a quiet proposal, simply asking towards the end of the feast and presenting the ring between the two, but Professors Minerva McGonagall, Filius Flitwick, Albus Dumbledore noticed the two and accidentally made it known to everyone in the Great Hall. Quirrell accepted and the two planned to marry sometime in the year following Quirrell’s planned sabbatical.

Following the proposal being made more public, Serpens faced criticism from blood purists about his engagement to the half-blood. At a family gathering with the Malfoy’s he defended his decision against his brother-in-law, Lucius Malfoy. Within the inner circle of former Death Eaters, Serpens displayed his loyalty to Lord Voldemort by explaining the mathematical side of half-blood wizards and how they could help continue blood purity.

Losing Quirrell
In 1990 Serpens remained at Hogwarts while his fiancé, Quirinus Quirrell, left for a year long sabbatical. They maintained communication by owl throughout this time, but Serpens grew worried for Quirrell as the year went on because his letter seemed less and less like the man he knew. When he tried to gaze into Quirrell’s future he found himself barred.

Serpens knew of Quirrell’s interest in the Dark Arts and they often talked about the subject. After revealing he had been a Death Eater, Serpens and Quirrell deeply studied the Dark Arts together, but Serpens warned that Voldemort should only be idolized as a practitioner of the Dark Arts. Quirrell considered this warning less every year that his year off got closer and the goal of his trip eventually became to find Lord Voldemort, something he kept hidden from Serpens.

Upon Quirrell’s return he met Serpens at the newly completed Black family estate, where the two planned to live together after being married. Quirrell acted as normal towards Serpens and was excited for their wedding in the following summer, but Serpens sensed something was wrong.

His mostly faded Dark Mark began to reappear with a burning sensation. He wrote to Severus Snape asking if he felt the same, but upon finding out it was only his mark that was returning, Serpens began to distance himself from Quirrell as the school year started.

TK

Physical appearance
Serpens was a thin young man with messy black hair that looked like it had never been brushed, dark gray eyes, and pale skin. His height greatly increased as he started Hogwarts, growing from a mousy little boy to a towering teenager. His fingernails were described as long and pointed, as if made to be knives, and were frequently painted black.

He started wearing black rounded glasses as a child. His clothing usually consisted of black robes. As a teenager he frequently wore knitted hats that flattened out his hair. In his mid-teens he received Dark Mark on his left forearm. The mark that briefly faded after the first Wizarding War, but darkened again and remained dark after the second.