Sirius was relieved when Harry turned up and shepherded Theo out of the ballroom and into the room they'd set aside for the kids. Theo had done a sterling job of stoically accepting condolences but Sirius knew it had worn on the Slytherin's control of his mask. Regardless that Theo acted the part of a consummate politician, he was at the end of the day still only a fifteen year old boy who'd just lost his father.
His lips twitched with amusement as he saw Draco checking on Narcissa. The baby was due to be born within a couple of weeks and Draco was determined to ensure his mother received the best care. It hadn't escaped anybody's notice that he was also frigidly cold to his father who was battling with a crippling disability. Sirius wondered at the schism. His eyes caught Narcissa's and she tilted her head in acknowledgement. He'd leave it with her to sort out. He didn't want to become the type of Head of House who poked his nose into everyone's business.
"Lord Black." Stewart Selwyn sidled up to him.
Sirius turned to face him. "Lord Selwyn."
"Good to see your boy take Theo out." Selwyn said raising the glass of whiskey he held almost as a toast to Harry's action.
"I was just thinking the same thing." Sirius admitted.
"Ben was a very clever man." Selwyn said. "You know he manipulated this whole scenario? He dies, lauded a hero for standing up to Evil, and his son is now entrenched into the heart of the most powerful political and magical Houses." He sighed. "A remarkable play."
Sirius hummed. He couldn't argue with Selwyn's summary of Nott's plan. "He was a father who loved his son very much."
Selwyn inclined his head. "He was a good friend who advised the rest of us well. I will miss him very much."
The grief was genuine and Sirius kept quiet allowing Selwyn a moment to regroup.
"I wanted to thank you." Selwyn said, changing the topic. "For your help with the DMLE yesterday."
Sirius wanted to shrug but settled for a subtle head tilt instead. The meeting to determine what would happen to the Death Eaters who had answered the call but then stood against Voldemort had taken almost three hours longer than necessary in his opinion.
"I didn't do much." Sirius demurred.
"Please," Selwyn said dryly, "you and I both know that if you had taken Moody's side and requested a full investigation of past crimes that it would have happened."
Sirius considered what to say carefully. Selwyn might not have had Benjamin Nott's intelligence but he was no slouch. "I'm not Dumbledore." He stated bluntly. "I'm not interested in doing what he did and giving free passes and second chances all the while turning a blind eye to the reality of the crimes that happened simply to stabilise our world quickly."
"Then…"
"You and your cohorts have already been tried and pardoned for the crimes you committed; the imperius defence accepted." Sirius said slowly. "I even think for some of you, the family and peer pressures added to the context of the political entrenchment of that time, might even substantiate the argument that there was no choice but to comply with Riddle, even if the absolute truth is that there was no imperius spell involved."
"That's…quite a concession." Selwyn noted gravely.
"Hmmm. The world isn't black and white." Sirius said. "There's a large amount of grey in it. It serves no purpose reopening old wounds." He held Selwyn's gaze. "You made a choice this time and it was the right one."
"Even so, you could have left us in the cold." Selwyn said. "Supported a ban from political activity or placed restrictions." He gestured in Sirius's direction. "You know allowing us into the Wizengamot will mean a continuation of the traditionalist side against the Potter alliance."
Sirius lifted an eyebrow. "Laws are better when they're balanced. I may not agree with every argument you make but countering your argument makes mine better."
Selwyn gave a short laugh. "Ben admired you greatly; I think he may have been right."
"He admired my Grandfather more." Sirius replied, amused.
"Who are you planning to nominate for Chief Warlock?" asked Selwyn, switching topic. "I hear rumours that Cornelius is trying to put your name in the frame."
"I hope not." Sirius said fervently. He really didn't want the role. "I was thinking of nominating Griselda. A Chief Witch would make a nice change of pace."
Selwyn's eyebrows shot up. "With Griselda it would be entertaining if nothing else." He glanced to his left and smiled. "I see the formidable Augusta is coming in this direction so I will make my goodbyes. I look forward to working with you, Lord Black."
"Lord Selwyn." Sirius shook the outstretched hand and wondered if Selwyn would emerge the leader of the traditionalist group.
It might even be a good choice.