Professor Alphard Black (c. 1880 - May 1, 1976) was a pure-blood wizard, the brother of Walburga Black and uncle of Sirius and Regulus Black. While Professor Black was a Slytherin like almost all of the Blacks, he did not agree with most of their beliefs, and was the closest thing to real family that Sirius ever had.
He attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the 1890s and was sorted into Slytherin. He returned to Hogwarts in 1975 to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts to the students, one of which was his nephew, Sirius. He died peacefully of terminal illness on May 1, 1976, leaving almost all of his fortune behind to Sirius.
History[]
Alphard had someone a long time ago but everyone objected to it. He ended up choosing the family.
When his niece, Andromeda Tonks ran away with Ted Tonks, he gave them gold. He also did the same for Sirius Black when he ran away. The family likely never found out as his name was not blasted off the tapestry until he died as he had left most of his funds to Sirius.
Throughout "The Life and Times"[]
1975[]
"To Start a Year"[]
Alphard replaces Callaghan as the Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts. In his first lesson, he makes each of his students fight a different magical creature. His students thoroughly enjoy his lesson.
"Conversations"[]
- Alphard Black: "I'm not defending Walburga, I'm defending Regulus."
- Sirius Black: "It was Regulus's fault! Regulus was the one who told Mum that Daisy knew I'd snuck out the night before. If he hadn't told, Mum would never have known, and she wouldn't have murdered the house elf!"
- Alphard Black: "He didn't know, Sirius. Regulus is so young, and..."
- Sirius Black: "So, now he's so young. I thought he was 'only a few years younger than me'."
- Alphard Black: "Listen, Sirius, there's still hope for your brother, if..."
- — Alphard encourages Sirius to talk to Regulus
Alphard invites his nephew, Sirius, for breakfast and shares stories with him. They start talking about how Sirius left and he praises Sirius for having the nerve to do so. They talk about the night Sirius left and the role Regulus played in it. Alphard defends Regulus, stating that he never had the opportunities that Sirius had of being sorted into Gryffindor and suggests that Sirius makes up with Regulus. Sirius becomes frustrated with him and storms out.
"The Connection"[]
- Lily Evans: "I won't tell him but you've simply got to. Professor Black, I'm so sorry that I overheard this... I'd give anything to take it back, and if you want to memory charm me, then that's fine, but... but Sirius cares about you... he relies on you and trusts you, and if you don't tell him, he'll... he'll..."
- Professor Black: "He'll what, Miss Evans?"
- Lily Evans: "He'll lose faith."
- — Lily finds out Professor Black is dying
Alphard is speaking to Healer Holloway on his condition (likely to die soon) when they notice Lily Evans eavesdropping. She agrees not to tell anyone but encourages him to tell Sirius.
1976[]
"The Anatomy of a Red Rose"[]
Alphard is pleasantly surprised by Sirius' appearance in his office but as he greets him, Sirius cuts him off and asks why he never told Sirius that he was dying. Alphard attempts to get him to sit but Sirius snaps at him and leaves, warning him to stay away from him.
"The Quaffle and the Snitch"[]
- Sirius Black: "But you're not like them. You're not. You never have been."
- Alphard Black: "No, but that isn't an excuse. In fact, it might make it worse. All these years, everything I've seen, everything I've lived through, and I was never bold enough to do what you and your cousin could do before you were eighteen. I don't have children—the only way I'll live on is through a faded name on a tapestry. I'll be dead soon, and.."
- — Alphard Black thinks back on his life
Alphard gifts Sirius a Nimbus 1500 for his birthday and fifteen minutes later, finds Sirius knocking on his office door to thank him. Sirius apologises for shouting at him and Alphard admits that he should've told Sirius about his condition. He then offers a cup of tea to Sirius and they start chatting about the House Elves' performance for Sirius' birthday that evening.
When Sirius brings him a letter from Andromeda, Alphard tells Sirius how brave it was for them—Andromeda and Sirius—to give up their name and family, something he could never do. He adds that he is resigned to dying and that even about this—he is a coward.
The next day, in the early hours of May 1, 1976, Alphard Black breathes his last and goes peacefully to death. This greatly impacts Sirius as he feels that he lost the 'only family' he had and for many days after, he remains sullen and quick to anger. In his will, he leaves a large majority of his fortune to Sirius.
"Moments"[]
A school service is held for him on May 6 in Hogsmeade for the students to pay their respects. Hundreds of students attend as well as others such as Andromeda Tonks and the teachers, however, Sirius does not attend.
His funeral is held by the family on May 8.
Physical Description[]
He was described as being good-looking by Mary Macdonald and Lily Evans. He shared the same stormy grey-blue eyes, a similar nose, and some mannerisms with Sirius Black, his nephew. He had longish greying hair and solid features in his eighties.
Personality and traits[]
Despite being a Black sorted into Slytherin, he did not agree with his family's beliefs. However, being more passive, he never walked out on his family like his nephew, Sirius. He did take action to show his beliefs at times such as by speaking down to his father in public at a New Year's Party.
He was a caring person who always made sure to remember all of his nephews and nieces who were all forgotten in some way.
Relationships[]
Sirius Black[]
Sirius Black was Alphard's nephew. Despite being a part of the family, Alphard did not agree with their beliefs and thus, was someone Sirius considered as his only relative. He was the only one there for Sirius when he was being maltreated by the family. They grew closer over the year that Alphard worked as his Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, often having tea together. When Alphard passed, he left the majority of his monetary funds to Sirius.
Black Family[]
Despite being a part of the family and being sorted into Slytherin like every other Black but Sirius, Alphard did not hold their anti-Muggle-born sentiments and beliefs. As he was a more passive person, he never walked out on his family like his niece and nephew, Sirius and Andromeda, whom he helped to leave. At times, he did speak up for what he believed and he always ensured to remember his nieces and nephews who were all mistreated in a way. When he died, he left behind most of his fortune to Sirius, causing him to be blasted off the family tree.
Hogwarts Students[]
He was generally regarded as a great teacher. His lessons were interesting and helpful to students. Many considered him as the best Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor they ever had at Hogwarts. When he passed, hundreds of them attended his funeral at Hogsmeade.