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All The Stars In The Sky	By : lemonsqueeze13 Category: Harry Potter > General > General Views: 5428 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 3
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Rita Skeeter scurried towards the library where she knew she would find Snape sitting with that muggleborn friend of his. It had been three days since she had ‘stumbled’ upon the Black siblings, and found out their malicious secret. She had been paranoid initially that they’d find her for snooping and punish her with god knows what awful dark magic they knew, so thus far she’d sealed her lips on the topic. But she just couldn’t keep it in anymore.
Also, if more people were aware and actively spreading the news, then there’s less focus on her as a target. So Severus was as good a scapegoat as any.
“Severus!” Rita loudly whispered as she spotted his table.
Severus Snape flinched as he recognised the voice calling him out. In a futile attempt to hide himself from her presence he raised the tome he was reading and stuck his nose in the pages as far as it would go. Maybe he’d get lucky and she’d take the hint.
Lily Evans, seated next to him going through her own book, glanced at her childhood friend in confusion. He normally only reserved that pained expression for whenever he had to deal with Petunia. She’d been particularly unpleasant towards him this summer, so she’d know his current look anywhere.
“New friend of yours?” she asked him genially.
“No idea what you’re on about.” he rebutted immediately, still trying to keep himself out of sight.
“Well then I guess she must be calling for another Severus.” she supplied, Snape turned a pitiful expression towards Lily.
“I don’t know why she won’t just leave me be. Other people in our house are talking to her now, but she still latches on to me.” He answered in exasperation.
“Really? She probably just wants to be friends.”
“That’s what you’re here for, you by yourself are more than enough to handle.” he grumbled.
“Very funny. I’m going to introduce myself.”
“You’ll regret it.” she ignored his protestations.
“Snape! Finally found you. Listen I need to tell you something, it’s important, you won’t believe what I discovered.” Rita exclaimed breathlessly towards the boy, as if she had the most crucial news in the whole world.
“I’m busy. I’m sure the other first years would find whatever you want to say more worthwhile.” Snape curtly dismissed her with narrowed eyes. Only the top half of his face peeked over the still raised book, leaving the barrier between him and Rita there.
“Hey, don’t be mean! Ignore him. Hi I’m Lily.” Lily rebuked Snape and then instantly switched gears and turned towards Rita, arm extended. Rita, noticing her for the first time, clasped her own hand around Lily’s and plastered on a smile.
“Charmed. Rita Skeeter. Slytherin first year.”
“So what did you want to talk to mister surly over here about? You look really excited about whatever it is.” Snape turned his glare to his redheaded friend for that jibe. Rita pondered for a moment and nodded as she decided that the more grapes on the vine, the less chance of her being the one eaten.
“Well I guess I could clue you in as well, seeing as your friends with Severus. Ok, so you know the Blacks right?” Rita conspiratorially leaned in and kept her voice low as she addressed the other two. Both nodded at her odd question. Even Snape wasn’t above getting new information when it was being handed to him so readily.
“Well a few nights ago I was just minding my own business exploring the castle a little, when out of nowhere all the Black siblings just appeared out of thin air. Naturally, I decided to find out what was happening. They were talking about training and dark magic like the unforgivables. It all sounded so very scary. I deduced that they had a magical way of getting in and out of the castle, and were being trained in all these evil spells - I personally think they’re assassins. It was the big Black boy, Ara who was training them as well.” Rita finished breathlessly, staring at her friends with eager anticipation. Snape had put down his book and was looking at her with suspicion, Lily on the other hand was staring wide-eyed incredulity, as if she’d just been told that Dumbledore used to be besties with Grindelwald.
Snape wanted to dismiss her theory for being completely ridiculous, but regrettably couldn’t. With the amount of time he had been forced to spend around Rita he was well aware of how she operated; although she was a devoted gossip who loved telling tales, there was always a nugget of truth that her ideas rested on.
But, more so than her modus operandi, what made him even consider her story were the people involved. He wasn’t so quick to forget what happened his first night in Hogwarts. No schoolboy should be capable of what those three were - both magic and purpose. Truth be told the two council heads scared him, and Slytherin was a pretty scary place, especially for anyone without political or financial backing, of which he had neither. And those two stood at the top.
“That’s really farfetched Rita. Maybe they were just having a family study group or something. I really rather doubt that any school children are trained killers.” Lily hesitantly replied.
“I promise you, that's what they sounded like. And that's not all! Apparently the older boy is having an affair with one of his sister’s friends, and she’s not happy about it. And don’t tell me you haven’t heard the rumours about him, he’s a well documented womanizer from what I’ve heard. So it stands to reason that if all that is true, what I’ve learnt probably is too.” Rita rebutted with determination.
“I’ll bet the younger one ends up being just like him too. What’s his name? Julius?” she tacked on. Lily immediately frowned at this and stood up from her chair in a huff.
“First of all his name is Sirius. And secondly, you don’t even know him, so it’s not very nice of you to be spreading lies.” Lily began packing away her things angrily.
“Uh oh! You’d better be careful, looks like Julius is already sinking his claws into you.” Rita rudely fired back at her.
“I’m going to go find him and get this all cleared up, and prove that you don’t know what you’re talking about. Just you watch. I’ll see you later Severus.” Lily pointed her finger at and scolded Rita, and marched out of the Library in search of her Gryffindor friend. Seeing this, Snape couldn’t help scowling. Thoughts along the line of ‘Why is she defending him? Why does it matter? Is it so important that she’d just leave me?’ ran through his mind. He didn’t like this at all, ‘She shouldn’t be this friendly with other people, she’s my friend first!’ Unknowingly his fists started clenching.
“Some people just can’t see what's slapping them right in the face.” Rita sighed in resignation, as she took a seat across from Snape, who shifted his attention back on her. They both sat in silence for a minute before Rita opened her mouth again.
“So… you finish your potions essay yet?” Snape grumbled under his breath and brought the book back up at her obvious attempt at getting him to help her.
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“Pass over the penne please.” Pandora put her spoon in her mouth and held it in between her lips to free her right hand, she reached over and passed the half empty serving dish of pasta over to Andromeda. The two friends were sitting together for lunch at the Ravenclaw table today, they both shared their upcoming arithmancy class so decided to grab a bite and head out together after.
Pulling out the spoon and swallowing her bite, Pandora kept her focus on her friend sitting next to her. They’d not spoken much before third year, never having shared that many classes, but they’d become fast friends after they ended up having all the same electives.
Andromeda was happily scooping out the food and ladling it on her plate while humming a little tune. This would have been seen as odd to Pandora had she not known the normally much more stoic Andromeda better. For a Slytherin her tells were rather easy to read; she’d found herself another boy. So predictable, and so very annoying. Pandora knew that this would end just like the rest of her hormone fueled romances - in complete tatters. And then she and her cousin would have to spend the month afterwards dealing with her droopy, snotty, mopey state.
The Black family caused her endless headaches with their wanton ways. At least Andromeda had some sense of propriety; she only chose to spread her metaphorical wings, he instead chose to spread his literal legs. She ignored the little niggling of annoyance in the back of her head that that comment caused, and instead zeroed in on her bench mate.
“You could be a little subtler you know?”
“Subtle about what?” Andromeda countered casually.
“You don’t need to hide it. It’s scrawled all over your face.” she responded nonchalantly, elbow resting on the table with her cheek in her palm.
“Whatever you say…” Andromeda refused to look in her direction, and continued on with her lunch.
“My question though is, who? I can pretty much rule out Gryffindor and Slytherin, because I along with the whole school would already know if that were the case.” She began, unperturbed by her friend’s reticence.
“Ravenclaw is out as well, nobody’s gonna touch you after the way things ended with Rookwood.” Andromeda winced at the memory that Pandora’s comment dug up. Abandoning her coy demeanor, she finally turned around and contributed to the conversation.
“Please don’t remind me. I still don’t understand how that all went so wonky. I mean sure, he got a little handsy so I told him to sod off, and that should have been that. But when I told Ara…” she shivered at that.
“He’s usually so collected; I’ve never seen him so angry before - or since. He doesn’t exactly come off as someone with a temper.” Pandora pondered. Andromeda lightly shook her head, disagreeing with the comment.
“He hides it well, and can usually keep it lidded. But if you press the right buttons he doesn’t just snap, he explodes. You should see him at home sometimes, I’ve actually become more scared for auntie Walburga than scared of her. One of these days she’s going to go too far and that's going to spell the end of her at his hands.” She blew out a strained breath. Pandora chose to avoid that can of worms.
“Augustus won’t speak to me anymore either, and only because I’m friends with you. He just scampers away like a startled kneazle. He used to be my favourite Runes partner, he was so very capable. Too bad. Anyway back to the original conversation.” Andromeda frowned at that declaration, she’d thought she’d successfully derailed the conversation for a moment. Pandora was a little too sharp for her own good sometimes.
“Now where were we? Right! That only leaves Hufflepuff. Hmm. OK. I’m going to say a few names and let’s judge your reaction.”
“Oh that’ll never work.”
“SH! Let’s see. Diggle.” Blank stare.
“That’s clearly a no. Podmore?” Andromeda raised her left eyebrow.
“Diggory? Fenwick?” She shot off one after the other. Andromeda’s right eyebrow joined its partner.
“Do you honestly believe it’d be any of those two buffoons?” she asked askance.
“Guess not. Dearborn?” Pandora was relentless.
“With how pretty he is? I don’t think I’d be able to stand being the second most beautiful person in a couple.” Andromeda flat out dismissed that suggestion.
“Well I’m out of options.” Andromeda shot her friend a smug smile in victory.
“So in effect, you’ve just revealed that whoever it is, isn’t a pureblood or even a halfblood.” Pandora concluded, Andromeda’s smirk was quickly wiped off her face.
“And given your usual taste; not many fit the bill my dear.” Pandora had shifted her gaze from her friend to a spot above her head, and shifted to the side on the bench leaving some room between them. Andromeda was staring in fright as the identity of her new squeeze was stolen from her so easily.
“Tonks.” Andromeda jumped at the sound of his name being called out loud by someone behind her, she immediately spun around to see the face of her cousin Ara.
“Wh-what!” She spluttered out.
“I just said thanks… she made room for me to sit.” He said gesturing to Pandora as he climbed into the now open seat. Turning around to look at Pandora he asked.
“What’s the matter with her?” Thumbing at his cousin behind him. Pandora made eye contact with Andromeda and wore a malicious smile.
“Oh nothing much, just discussing a few rumours, a little boy talk. Did you know Andi dear’s roped in another naive young lad?”
“Oh really now? Who is it this time?” He gave a cheeky smile to the mildly shocked Andromeda over his shoulder, matching his expression with Pandora.
“I must admit it’s quite scandalous, I could only imagine what your family might say if they find out.” Pandora expressed in false concern. The revelation that someone else, and more importantly someone in her family would find out snapped Andromeda out of her stupor and she reflexively kicked out under the table to silence Pandora.
“OUCH! What the bloody hell was that?” Andromeda missed her mark and instead attacked the unsuspecting fourth year sitting in front of her, who was now gingerly rubbing his shin, checking under the table to find the culprit.
“Don’t listen to her, she’s just being a busybody” Andromeda hurriedly said, shooting a dirty look to her friend. Pandora just held her ever present grin, but decided to relent.
“Sure, sure. Nothing serious ever comes out of my mouth ever, just rumours.” She insisted sarcastically.
“Did someone say rumours? ‘Cuz I’ve heard some cracking great ones!” Sirius suddenly popped into the conversation out of nowhere.
“Dear God. You’ve summoned him. What have I said about using that damn word?” Ara complained.
“Listen to this, words out that we’re a family of vampire assassins looking to usurp Hogwarts so that you can have your way with every witch here, every which way.” Sirius excitedly yelled out, finding immense amusement with the outlandish bit of gossip going around. At the end of the day, anything he could find to irritate his brother was something worth paying attention to.
A few of the nosy students sitting around the vicinity did their best to inconspicuously find purchase now. Quite eager to find out Ara’s reaction, and possibly find some fuel to lend credence to the rumours.
“Do tell where you've managed to hear that nonsense from.” Andromeda demanded.
“It’s all over the school, but I got to know directly from Lily. She also said that people are saying that I’m going to grow up to be just like you!” Sirius supplied happily, pointing over to the nervously fidgeting girl behind him. This immediately woke up Ara’s inner Harry, he could use this opportunity to finally get to know his old mother.
“Hey that’s great! There’s no better compliment.” Sirius nodded along in agreement with his cousin brother.
“That’s not what I said Sirius!” The ginger girl finally found her voice and denied her friend’s assumption.
“She means to say you're going to grow up to be a lewd and lascivious degenerate just like this slag here.” Pandora helped out the first year, who looked at her both in thanks for the assistance, as well as embarrassment at her phrasing. Ignoring the girl, Ara looked at Lily and waved her over. Hesitantly she complied and stood in front of the older boy.
“What’s your name?” he asked simply.
“Lily Evans.” She responded in a small but unafraid voice.
“So Lily, you don’t think Sirius is like the rumours then?” Ara inquired, Lily took a glance at Sirius, but quickly brought her attention back to him and nodded resolutely.
“He’s a bit stupid and misbehaved, but he’s really very nice and friendly and not just to girls. So I don’t think he’ll grow up to be anything like you.” She stated rather self assured, the other students around her started laughing, leaving her confused as to what was so funny with what she said. She looked over at Sirius who was laughing and poking his cousin's face, while the two girls on either side sported rather satisfied smirks. Ara wore a self-deprecating smile and stared at her in the eyes, she lost her train of thought for a moment, ‘Wow, his eyes are just like mine’.
“I take it you have no problems believing the rumours about me then.” He commented. It finally dawned on Lily why everyone was laughing, she’d just insulted the boy right to his face. Lily immediately tried explain herself but somehow fell short.
“No! It’s just that there’s so much said about you, and all the upper year girls warned us about you and a few others, telling us to be careful.” She frantically blurted out. He couldn’t keep a straight face and chuckled softly.
“It’s alright, I’m just teasing. I’m very aware of my own reputation.” He reached out and pinched her cheeks, Lily seemed to relax after she realized she hadn’t offended. He gently patted her cheeks as he let go.
“Right so back to the reason I actually came here.” Ara reached into the inner breast pocket of his robes and pulled out a roll of parchment and handed it to Andromeda. She took it and began reading out.
“Dear Black family cousins. We would cordially like to invite you to the burrow this 21st of December 1970, for the debut of our first born child. We look forward to blah blah blah, dress code is relaxed, and please don’t fill up before you get here. Signed aunt Cedrella on behalf of Arthur and Molly. Ooh sounds like fun. We planning on going?” She questioned and Ara nodded in affirmation.
“Brilliant! I can’t wait to eat aunt Ced’s cooking again. It’s gonna be a feast! She makes her cordon bleu so crispy.” Sirius pumped his fists in excitement.
The food on the tables started disappearing signaling the end of lunch, waving them goodbye, Sirius and Lily headed back to the Gryffindor table to collect the rest of their friends and head to their next classes. The three fifth year Slytherins also began their trek to their next lesson. During their walk, Ara was lightly pulled back by Pandora so that they could have a quick private conversation.
“I see you’re acknowledging that I exist again.” She said slightly terse.
“Any reason for that? Or am I just some sort of friend of convenience?” She prodded, after a moment without reply from the boy. He let out a small sigh through his nose.
“It’s not like that, and you know it. I was just in a weird headspace. I'm sorry Pandora, I promise it won’t happen again.” He urged in sincerity. Pandora walked along silently, but Ara could see her shaking with clenched fists, tears threatening to spill.
Pandora never bothered to make too many friends, and those she held close really mattered to her. He is someone she values and he had, however temporarily, tossed her aside; just like he had tossed aside Luna when he went through the veil. In that moment he realized how much he had hurt her, and that uncomfortable, cold pressure hammered on his chest at the thought. He went back to his life as Harry, and remembered how Luna had consoled him in their fifth year, and how well it had worked to ease him in his grief at the time. Gently un-fisting her hand, he entwined their fingers together and gave her tight lingering squeeze, and she squeezed back just as hard.
It was his silent comfort and a solemn vow that he’d honestly never pull anything like it again. She inhaled shudderingly, pulling back her tears.
“You better keep it.” She managed to say in a wavering voice. He gave her another comforting grip.
Andromeda smiled to herself as she took in the exchange. Finally, he’d gotten his head out of his arse and done the right thing.
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The first term of fifth year had finished and the Black children were home for the winter holidays. Ara stood in front of the floor length mirror assessing his outfit. This had become a strange obsession for him after entering this timeline.
Growing up as Harry he’d never had nice, or even fitting, clothes to wear. Even in his later years he spent most of his time in his auror uniform or pajamas, so nice clothes were never really on his radar. But growing up in the Black household, he was draped in only the finest wizarding tailors had to offer children, and he found he quite liked it.
He was preparing to leave for the Weasley’s brunch this morning. It being a fairly casual affair, as well as midwinter, he was fiddling with the cuff of his dark green Kelpie leather jacket. Being a cold-blooded creature that preferred the murky depths of freezing lakes, it’s skin’s heat conservation was phenomenal and it was waterproof to boot, making it perfect attire for the snowy English winters.
The click of his doorknob turning alerted him to someone’s presence in the room. The reflection of his enchanted mirror shifted and peeked at the intruder behind him.
“Well aren’t we looking handsome!” Dorea walked up behind him and placed her hands on his shoulders.
“Are you almost ready? We’re just waiting on you now before we get going.” She asked, almost roughly running her fingers through his hair in an attempt to style it the way she prefers it, as opposed to how he himself would like it to be. But Ara didn’t really mind, to him it was just another way she showed she cared for him. Satisfied with her work she stepped back.
“Just about.” He answered, straightening his jacket and guiding her out the door. All the others waiting grumbled in relief as Dorea finally stepped down after fetching her son. The whole gang was present, missing only Walburga & Orion, who had decided against attending ‘such a plebeian affair’.
“Looky looky her highness doth graceth us with thine presence.” Sirius bowed.
“Queit down Sirius, that didn’t even make sense! It’s bad enough we have to wait for his slow arse, we don’t need to suffer through your shite either!” Bellatrix shouted at both boys simultaneously. Ara was unfazed, everyone was understandably a little testy, it was almost noon and nobody’d had a morsel to eat in anticipation for the upcoming feast.
“C’mon you brats, I’m hungry.” Arcturus stepped through the floo, followed by everyone else in order of hungriest and angriest.
The brunch was in full swing by the time they’d arrived, the active hubbub of conversation and the music from the wizarding wireless littered the atmosphere. Half of Ottery St. Catchpole was invited and present, so not at all unexpected.
Dorea, Druella, and Ara were the last to step through. Taking a quick look around, Arcturus and the children were already halfway through filling their plates at the buffet; while Cygnus had wandered off butterbeer in hand, towards the loudest group of chattering men. Dorea huffed in exasperation at their callous behaviour.
“Right, I’m going to go find the happy couple, you two see if you can scare up Ceddie and send her my way.” Dorea ordered the two remaining relatives as she marched away.
“I guess we have our orders then.” Druella took his arm in her own, and ushered them through the milling crowd in search of the hostess. They eventually spotted her outside in the garden, after getting stuck saying their hellos to a bunch of the other guests in attendance. She was chatting with a couple classmates of Ara’s, Amos Diggory of Hufflepuff and another young lady in the year above.
“Cedrella dear, how are you!” Druella moved forward with genuine affection and embraced the woman, giving her quick cheek kiss.
“Very well my sweet, I trust you’re doing well too. And who is this handsome young man you’ve brought along?” Cedrella Weasley welcomed them and asked playfully. The two teens standing with her looked surprised at the idea that their Black classmates were invited and agreed to something like this.
“Black? I didn’t know you knew Madame Cedrella.” Amos Diggory uttered, re-inserting himself into the conversation. Cedrella turned to the two of them and before she could say anything Ara butted in.
“Well considering we’re related and quite close, it’d be rather odd of I didn’t. Question is why’re you here?” Ara countered none too politely. Amos was showing a distinct lack of manners, and Ara wasn’t in any mood to entertain that. His real question was clear as day ‘what are you and rest of the Blacks doing here?’
Cedrella looked miffed at the exchange so ultimately decided to play peacekeeper and cleared her throat to get their attention. Druella looked down on the boy with unconcealed disapproval, both for his out of place insinuation, as well as his distinct need for better social graces.
“Where are my manners. Please meet Amos Diggory and his date for the day Amelia Bones. Amos, Amelia, this is Druella and Ara Black.” She introduced them unnecessarily, but with clear warning to conduct themselves properly. Ara decided to ignore the Hufflepuffs for the moment and turned his attention back to Cedrella.
“It’s good to see you. So how’s it feel to officially be Granny Black now? Mum’s green with envy.” He leaned in and repeated the gesture Druella had just done. Cedrella laughed and smacked him on the arm.
“Oh don’t you start! I may be a grandmother, but I’m still technically your cousin yet. I will hear nothing of my age.” She chided him.
“You’re actually his aunt, and mine too if I recall.” Druella threw in mischievously. The conversation continued like this for a bit as the two teens on the side were left out for the most part.
“So, Madame Cedrella how’d you meet the badger here.” Ara pointed at Amos. The three Blacks were still irritated with Amos’ behaviour from earlier so Cedrella let his rudeness go.
“Amos was introduced to me by his mother, he’s rather taken by enchantments and runes, so requested a mentorship of sorts of me. I’ve been a bit bored at home so agreed to tutor him in the more advanced magic during the holidays.” She explained.
“Mrs. Weasley has been an absolute fountain of knowledge!” Amos looked up to Cedrella with sparkling eyes, very clearly enamored by the older woman.
“Wow aunt Ced, I didn’t know you were into charity.” Amos spluttered at the insult, the rest did their level best to hide their amusement, not wanting to embarrass the boy further. Even his date was hiding her smile in her glass of juice.
“Philanthropy is marginally better than philandering Black.” Amelia added breezily, feeling the need to come to the aid of her partner, but also trying not to sour the mood. It seemed to be the right thing to say judging by how he started laughing.
“Everybody needs a hobby don’t you think?” he shot her a wink as he said this. Amelia brought her cup back up to mask her obvious blush at his blatant flirting. Amos looked constipated all of a sudden, deciding it was time to salvage what dignity he had left, he ushered his date away while bidding his goodbyes. Ara kept smiling at her, inordinately pleased when she gave him another look back as Amos dragged her away.
“Will you be able to behave yourself, or am I going to have to body bind you and hide you in a corner somewhere?” Cedrella sighed deeply.
“As much as I might enjoy that, I think I’ll pass. Where’s Arthur and Molly by the way?” Druella tittered at his droll response.
“They’re over in the garden by the pond. Now hurry along, they’d been asking for you earlier. And do send your mum my way when you see her.” Cedrella shooed him away.
“That’s what she told me to tell you. I’m just going to let you two find each other then.” Ara walked off, leaving the two women behind.
Going around the haphazard house, he came upon the small clearing with picnic tables and chairs strewn about, surrounded by hedges full of colourful flowers. There were only a handful of people in the garden, Molly and Arthur both had their backs to him, so Ara managed to sneak up on them. Rushing up to them in quick strides, Ara slung his arms around the couple’s shoulders and brought them in for a tight squeeze. Both exclaimed at the surprise hug.
“Congratulations you two! I’m so happy for you!” Recognizing the voice, the Weasleys leaned in and accepted the embrace fully. A minute of good wishes and greetings later, everyone was introduced to everyone. Joining the Weasleys were one of Molly’s elder brothers – Fabian Prewitt, and a neighbor from Ottery, Xenophilius Lovegood.
“So where’s the baby then? I thought he’d be here with you.” Ara asked. Taking his hand off Arthur but still keeping his arm firmly locked on Molly’s shoulder, who had wrapped her own arm around his waist.
“Dad's got him. He’s showing off young William to everybody. Again.” Arthur said laughingly.
“He’s been such great help these last few weeks, I never thought raising a baby took so much work.” Molly said slightly tiredly but with an unwavering smile on her face. On the inside, Harry was laughing ‘just wait till you have your seventh!’.
“How’s the job going Arthur? You’ve been an obliviator for how long now?” He asked.
“Just about a year now. It’s alright, keeps me busy. But these muggles, you won’t believe the sort of stuff I’ve seen in people’s homes! They have these little glass balls of light, no candles or light charms or anything!” He began regaling them with the magic of electricity.
“Muggles really are quite fascinating! I’ve actually been considering writing a piece on them for the Quibbler. But alas, the current investigative article on the illegal trouser sticking charm scandal with Falmouth Falcon’s has kept me busy.” The young Lovegood explained. Next to him Fabian sunk his face in his hands as his friend once again derailed the conversation into the ridiculous.
“Please don’t Xeno.” Prewitt drawled.
“Oh quite right! I shouldn’t spoil the article for you. You can read it once it’s published in my paper.” Xenophilius caught himself from revealing too much.
“Where’s you’re not much better half Fabian?” Ara inquired.
“Gideon ran off the second Dorea showed up, had his tongue wagging after Bellatrix.”
“Poor bugger still hasn’t given up. He should know by now there’s no chance.”
“Speaking of no chance. Don’t you think it’s time you took your hands off my sister there chappie? She’s a married woman with a child now after all.” Fabian pointed out to Ara who was still draped over Molly. Noticing this he wrapped his other arm around her as well, and crushed her even tighter to himself, Molly out of reflex reciprocated.
“Never! Mollywobbles always gives the best hugs!” Ara looked down at Molly with a sincere smile as Molly just laughed. Inner Harry really loved these moments.
The party ended late into the afternoon. The Blacks had just returned and had all retired to the sitting room, no one feeling the need to part just yet. The women were still gushing over little Bill, while Cygnus and Arcturus were talking about something or other.
“Good, you’re all back. Bellatrix, Andromeda, and Ara a quick word please.” Walburga had entered and asked for attention. The three teens turned to her and waited for her to make her next demand.
“The Lestrange’s are holding the ball this summer, and I think it’s about time you all started attending these galas.” Bellatrix looked irritated and Andromeda resigned, Ara just shrugged and nodded nonchalantly.
“Sure. No problem. It’s just a single evening after all.” He said, more to the two girls than himself. The Lestrange brothers were not their favourite classmates.
“Excellent. It’s about time you listened to me for once. You’ll find it quite intriguing I believe. They’ve held it as the debut of the newly discovered Slytherin heir.” Walburga enthusiastically revealed. Ara’s demeanor immediately sharpened. If what she was saying was the truth, that meant Voldemort was making his official reveal. He’d heard about Tom attending a few of these pureblood parties before, but he’d never made himself the center of attention until now. Voldemort was beginning his next phase and Ara didn’t think he was ready just yet.
He’d remained quiet for the evening following that piece of news. Dorea had noticed this, and looked worried at her son’s sudden introspection.
Ara was pacing anxiously in his room, his mind going round and round in worry. ‘What the hell’ve I been doing? God, I’m so stupid! Tom’s ready to make waves and I haven’t even finished Hogwarts yet! Am I even ready to face him? I’ve been fooling around too much. Shit! Have I done enough?’
As his string of panicked thoughts prevailed, he failed to notice Dorea walk into his room, sit on his bed, and stare after him in concern. She’d been here well over a few minutes, and was losing patience at his obliviousness. Getting up, she reached across and grabbed his hands and put them in hers. This snapped him out of his reverie and he hopped in shock at his mother’s sudden appearance.
“Mum? When did you get here?” He asked bewildered. Dorea ignored his question and cupped his face in her palm, her eyes shining in extreme unease.
“What’s wrong sweetheart? Why are you so riled up?” He frowned and turned his head gaze away from her.
“Its nothing. I’m fine.” He tried to avoid the conversation, but Dorea wasn’t having it. Bringing her other hand up, she framed his face and met his eyes again.
“No. Tell me. This is not how you normally behave, and it’s worrying me.” He was going to brush her off again, but seeing her troubled expression he thought better of it, he could only sigh in defeat.
“You know how the current climate is mum. It’s just getting worse. This whole blood supremacy movement has always been there, but it was never so overt. This summer thing is suspicious, just look at the guest list. Sacred twenty eight only. This isn’t a party, it’s a recruitment.” He began explaining his thoughts.
“The word gets around in school as well you know. You can tell, all these pureblood families are getting angrier and angrier. Someone’s pushing their buttons, and all that animosity is bleeding into the kids at Hogwarts too. I… I’ve been trying my best to curb it. Dueling, Wizarding Tradition lessons, trying to get everyone to sit with their friends in different houses, anything to relieve tension. But I’m just not sure it’s working.”
“But why has the idea of the party got you so agitated?”
“Because I think this Slytherin guy is the one behind it all. You don’t just pop up as the scion of pureblood dogma in a time of rising civil unrest and call it a coincidence. He’s dangerous, and he’s set his sights on us, and I’m not sure if I can do anything about all this.” He said dejectedly.
“Why is any of this your concern though sweetie? You’re in school still, and there’s a thousand other witches and wizards who’ll step in to stop him if he’s as dangerous as you think he is.” She tried to mollify him, but he shook his head in the negative.
“If I trusted anyone to do anything about it, I wouldn’t be half as worried. But almost everyone in a position of power who’s able to do anything about him is going to be there next summer. They’re going to be of no help when the needle drops. And as for why I’m getting involved – if you could see my broom failing, wouldn’t you try to save me before I crashed?” He implored his mother. Dorea could see she wasn’t getting anywhere, and so switched tactics.
“I get that this has you scared, even if I can’t entirely understand why. But if your convinced that you have to be embroiled in all this, because somehow you’re suddenly clairvoyant, here’s my advice: find out and deal with this before it becomes a bigger problem. Now get to bed, and think about this later, wearing down the hardwood isn’t helpful.” She gently patted him on his cheek, and left the room with that.
Purposely calming himself down and taking a seat on the edge of the bed Ara began to think on Dorea’s advice. ‘Well I already know what the problem is, Voldemort is going to form the death eaters, install them in positions of power and take over magical Britain with a two-fold attack of corruption and terrorism. In the meantime, the ministry is just going to roll over and accept it while people like Dumbledore will be too slow and far too merciful to do anything about it. Only difference is there’s no Harry Potter to save them this time.’
“Man, I really am stupid. Thanks mum.” He said to himself. ‘From what I remember I have five years until shit really starts to hit the fan. In that time I need to really build up my power, both magically and politically. Training is fine and all, but I need to be in a position where I’m able to legally chase after death eaters and take them down. So I guess a ministry job in the DMLE it is. If I can get the authorities to actively label his followers as criminals that would really slow his plans down. But in order to do that I need to get rid of of Dumbledore and his lackeys. I’m not allowing these animals a second chance to repent their wrongs, the innocent people have far more value. Dumbledore forgot about them by the time Voldemort was defeated the for the first time.’ He furiously thought.
“I need a break; I’ll think about this later.” He got up and made his way down to the kitchen for a cup of tea to soothe him. As he descended the final staircase he heard the sound of paper rustling, and the scratching of quill to parchment echoing from the dining table. Sticking to the shadows and peeking in, he found Andromeda sitting by candle light writing what appeared to be a secret letter to someone.
Congratulating himself for keeping his socks on, he quietly snuck up behind her and started reading over her shoulder. He really wished he hadn’t.
“Merlin almighty! That’s some filthy stuff there.” He whispered loudly. Andromeda was immediately startled and tried her best to cover up what she was writing.
“What are you doing up!? Don’t look!” She pressed her torso on the table to hide her shame, scrounging to collect all the papers. He reached over and managed to pluck the letter she was responding to.
“I want to feel the silky pleasure on my fingers when I run my hand through your curls, the delicious taste of your plump-” He read out loud, Andromeda jumped and snatched it out of his hands. Cradling it to her chest, a deep blush staining her face and neck. They both stared at each other for several moments, before Ara finally broke the silence.
“So… Ted Tonks huh? That’s going to be tough with the family, you know that right?”
“Please don’t tell anyone.” She said in a quiet voice.
“I really like him.” She finally broke her gaze from the floorboards and looked him in the eyes.
“…Do you not approve?” Visibly afraid of what his reaction might be. He just smacked her, hard, on the back of the head, instantly dispelling the tense mood.
“OUCH! What was that for?” she asked rubbing the bump.
“Who do you think you’re talking to here? I’ve already told you; live your life how you want to, and I’ll be there to make sure nobody can say anything to you.” He chastised her. Realizing what he just said, she wiped away a single tear and rushed into his arms. He rubbed her back gently as she sobbed in relief.
“And don’t worry. I asked Ellie Stafford to be my date for the Slug Club, so you won’t be the first to openly associate with ‘lowborn scum’ as Walburga puts it.” She gave a stuffy laugh into his chest. Patting her shoulder and pulling her away from him, he wiped her face and sat her down.
“Now get back the letter to your Teddy bear as he put it.” She sniffed and nodded.
“Oh and just tell him something from me; if his NEWTs don’t work out I’ll fund him as an author. That’s some raunchy shit he wrote you, every desperate witch in the nation will be clawing to get at that porn that he can so very clearly write. Let me know if he’s interested.” He said grabbing himself a glass of water and heading out the room, leaving Andromeda with a little privacy. She just smiled lovingly at his shenanigans and whispered under her breath.
“Idiot.”
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All The Stars In The Sky