Rumors (Adele sang it best)

“He made a fool out of you,” 

The last thing he expected was to share divination with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. He also didn’t expect Hermione to take divination class because he’d seen her walking to ancient runes just a few minutes ago. There was no way she could be in two places at once like that. Today just so happened the day he sat across from Harry at the low tables covered in rich purple tablecloths that felt soft and expensive. A box of tea leaves sat between them on the table, each of them already had a cup because this time around Professor Trelawney put them out beforehand so no one could break them anymore, most notably Neville who always managed to break one or two. Arcturus would rather sit with Neville than be forced to look at the stupid kind boy-next-door look that Harry had going for him, he was getting increasingly annoyed because they just kept being in the same place at the same time. 

“I can’t believe how we still have this class. It’s so… Illogical.” Hermione didn’t exactly whisper to Ron, but her voice was low enough so the professor couldn’t hear. 

“So why'd you take the class?” Ron asked. 

“To fill my schedule.” 

Arcturus rolled his eyes. Ah, yes. Hermione Granger, the overachiever of Gryffindor. The girl he was only considered second to academically. Personally, he loved divination because it reminded him of muggle divination. It was such a simple form of magic that anyone could perform, unless they didn’t want to be there at that moment. That’s exactly why Hermione didn’t fare well, she did not want to be in that classroom learning something that didn’t need numbers or whatever. At least, that’s what he thought. He never took her for a creative person, just an avid studier. If she wanted to, she could become Minister of Magic when she’s older. 

He hoped she didn’t. 

Looking over at Neville who was sitting with a Ravenclaw boy he wished he could switch partners. It wasn’t that he hated Harry, but if he had to look at his face one more time as the boy tried to think of anything to say to break the tension he was going to turn him into a worm. 

They were doing tea leaf reading. Arcturus didn’t know if he was excited or worried because Harry almost always seemed to find trouble no matter what. 

Professor Trelawney came around with a tea kettle and filled everyone's teacups with hot water. Arcturus set the loose tea leaves into the cup and sat in his chair. For some reason only a question popped into his head as he waited. Why was everyone doing this? What had he done to deserve this treatment? Arcturus could only sit and ponder as the water cooled. Sipping on the tea once it cooled he’d realized he never really got a reason for why this was happening other than the fear of him hurting Harry. Swirling the tea cup in his hands he sighed. Tipping the cup onto the saucer he looked over at Harry. 

“Now please exchange cups and read each other's futures.” 

Arcturus slid the cup over to Harry, the Gryffindor doing the same. 

“I’ll start with you two first.” The teacher had an encouraging smile on her face. Harry picked up Arcturus’ cup, opening the textbook and flipping through it. 

“Well, I see something in the shape of a cloud above which… Means your suffering, but there’s a face. Which– Which could mean that you have a strained relationship with someone! Oh wait, actually I think that's a birdcage which means you are easy… Hurt? Yeah, hurt?” Harry smiled looking at the Professor for validation. She only prompted Arcturus to read Harry’s cup next. 

Arcturus picked up the cup and flipped through the book, he was silent as he kept looking between the tea leaves and the book. They had formed the shape of a dog that converged where the handle was. 

“Professor I don’t– I’m sorry, I don’t know what this means.” He handed the cup to her. 

“Let me see, dear.” She took the cup from him and looked at it for maybe a couple seconds before gasping and dropping it onto the floor. 

“Dear child, I believe you have the Grimm.” She clasped Harry’s hand, patting it. 

“The what?” 

“The Grimm.” She nodded, looking apologetic. 

“What is that?” Harry asked. 

“The Grimm shows in the form of a black dog, otherwise known at the omen of death.” A dark skinned Ravenclaw boy read grimly. 

Class ended shortly after that and Arcturus pushed his way through the crowd to be the first one out, not ready to be caught by Harry if he stayed and waited for everyone to leave before he did. The last thing he wanted to do was talk to the boy who lived. He probably thought the rumors were because of him and wanted to apologize for something he didn’t do. Scoffing at the mere idea Arcturus adjusted the bag on his shoulder and continued on his way to his next class. 

The next week he had tried to sit with Neville so he could avoid Harry, but once again the bespeckled boy managed to sit with him. Even choosing a table as far away from Ron and Hermione as he could, Harry still sat with him. Arcturus sighed and stared at the boy across from him, lips pressed into a thin line.

“Potter, what do you want from me?” He asked calmly. Too calmly. 

“What do you mean?” 

“You go out of your way to sit with me, find me during my meetings with Professor Lupin, even find me during classes. What do you want?” 

“Nothing! I just– To talk to you!” 

“Really? To talk to me?” Arcturus asked. 

“Yeah, so that people can stop pushing you around and all that stuff.” Harry smiled so kindly but Arcturus only continued to look unimpressed. 

“I don’t need you to fake kindness to me just to do what you think is best for me.” Arcturus clenched his jaw. He didn’t dare pick up the tea cup like he wanted to. “Go sit with your actual friends and leave me alone.” 

“Look, I’m only trying to help.” 

“Yeah, well your help is going to make it worse!” 

Arcturus noticed the eyes on him and he realized he was standing. Sitting back down he ducked his head, trying to hide from everyone just watching him. Professor Trelawney smiled sympathetically and noticed Neville who was looking over. 

“Dear boy, I sense that you should be over with Mister Longbottom.” She put a hand on Arcturus’ shoulder. “Please, switch partners for the divine connection to the universe.” Hermione scoffed from across the room. Once he sat down with Neville he finally calmed down. 

“Things aren’t going well with him are they?” Neville asked. 

“No, they aren’t.” Arcturus sighed. “I don’t like him, I don’t even want to be near him. Yet he always, always finds me.” 

“Well, you can always spend time with me. A lot of my housemates don’t exactly like me.” Neville smiled even though he looked a little sad. 

A pendulum sat on the table between them. An amethyst on a silver chain was laid out beside the answer board. Arcturus couldn’t help but smile. He really liked how easy divination really was, it wasn’t like charms or potions and he didn’t have to worry about sabotage. 

“Today, you are going to take turns asking questions to the unknown and pull back that veil.” Professor Trelawney really knew how to make class seem fun. Hermione was still pouting in her seat, she clearly did not want to be here. 

“I know what question I still have on my mind still.” Arcturus picked up the amethyst on a chain. “Are people being horrible to me because of Sirius Black?” The pendulum swung back and forth on the ‘No.’ “Are people being horrible to me because I’m an easy target?” The pendulum stalled for a moment then swung on maybe.” 

“I mean, it’s not a yes.” Neville scratched the back of his neck. 

“It isn’t a ‘No’ either.” 

“You just have to figure it out.” Neville smiled. “It’ll all be okay.” 

“Totally what I want to know from the universe, that I have to figure something out for myself.” Arcturus sighed and rested his cheek in his palm. 

“That offer to help in herbology still stands.” 

“Why?” 

“Because I want to help, I don’t mind it.” 

“You want to?” 

“Yeah!” 

“What’s the catch?” 

“Nothing…” Neville set the pendulum down. “I just want to– I want to at least do something while you help me with potions and charms.” 

“Okay fine, but only because I need something new to do while I ignore people.” 

“Will you be ignoring me?” 

“...No…” 

“Okay, then!” Neville smiled happily. He had such a warm smile. It could light up a room. “Wait, does this mean we’re friends?” 

“No.” Arcturus rose a brow. 

“Okay, okay. Took it too far, I see.” 

And the week after that Harry still managed to find him in the back of the library even though he had never once seen Harry enter the library, ever. This- This was the last straw for him. When the boy walked up to the table he sat at, he closed his book and swished his wand as the stack flew itself back to the shelves. Before Harry could sit down Arcturus stood up. 

“I don’t know what you want, I don’t know what you’re trying to do but damnit Potter, if I see you or your face again I really will hurt you.” Arcturus stuffed his wand into his bag and marched out of the library. Harry watched him walk off, albeit a little bothered. 

He wanted to just be left alone before dinner so he could deal with sitting with Sev and listening to all those whispers around him. He got to the Great Hall early and sat down at the end like he always did. As students came in no one at the Hufflepuff table had wanted to sit with him, Justin-Finch Fletchley may have stalled for a moment before his friends called him over but no one sat with Arcturus. They all squished onto their side of the table as if his side had a disease. This time around Sev didn’t join him, he could see the Slytherin sitting at the end of the Slytherin table just poking at his dinner. For a second Arcturus felt bad for yelling at him but he shook his head and put his face in his book. Finally he’d gotten rid of Sev so he shouldn’t have been sad about it, that was what he wanted this entire time. To get rid of Severinus once and for all. Now he could read in peace and not have to worry about sticking out like a sore thumb with the blond always with him and being so damn loud. 

Arcturus hated hearing all the whispers around him. All of them at this point were about him, he could see the words forming on people’s lips as they talked about him. At first he didn’t care all that much about the rumors but now it seemed all too real. He had only assumed they would go away after about a month of being in school but they didn’t seem to budge anyway or anyhow. Then he thought back to Sev because he realized the full moon was quickly approaching. He still had no idea how to brew wolfsbane but wondered if Sev even wanted him to keep him company this time around. He looked like he didn’t even see Arcturus from where he was. A frown didn’t form on his face but he felt like he was frowning deeply. Either way he was going to show up on the full moon regardless of what he said because he just can’t leave someone like that. Arcturus didn’t eat, but then again he never ate in public anymore. He only sat there and read until they were dismissed from their classes. He was really debating sleeping outside now that he had to wait in the shadows for someone to let him into the dorm. Instead of waiting in the shadows though, Justin-Finch Fletchley had stopped walking with his friends and peered into the dark. 

“Arcturus, I know it's you.” Justin said. 

“How?” 

“Some first years have complained about you just waiting for them and then following them into the tunnel.” 

“Well, I’ve been locked out and no one is telling me the new rhythm.” 

“So the solution is to wait in the dark like a creep?” Justin chuckled. 

“It wasn’t my first idea…” 

“Let me show you.” 

Justin showed Arcturus the pattern to knock on the barrel then gestured for him to enter. Finally someone was showing him some type of kindness and he couldn’t help but smile. 

“Thank you.” 

“No problem.” Justin gave a thumbs up. 

For a second Arcturus thought it wasn’t just going to be him in the dorms that night but he was ever so mistaken. It was just him again. He’d drawn the curtains around the four poster beds and just laid there in his pajamas using his wand to look at the map he was given. The Hufflepuff boys were all piled into the common room, it’s insane how teachers will let them sleep there instead of the beds. Arcturus sighed and tried to shut his eyes. Maybe tomorrow was going to be a better day? Maybe he wouldn’t have to deal with this all when he wakes up. He hoped that when he falls asleep this would all just be a really fucked up dream. 

He woke up in the same reality. 

Just staring up at the ceiling blankly he laid in bed and debated getting up for class. Would it really be a problem if he just stopped going? Yes, his mother would kill him. Would it really be that bad if he just laid there all day and didn’t move? Yes, his joints would be all stiff. Then he sat up with wide eyes and moved the curtains aside. Nearly falling out of his bed he pulled himself up with the help of the nightstand, peering at the calendar. Today was the night of the full moon. Of course he had to go to class! Running around picking up his clothes he had just tossed on the floor since no one was there to care if he was messy he got dressed haphazardly and was out the door before he could even blink. He was practically ecstatic as he rushed through the halls to get to the Great Hall and see Severinus sitting down at the table. 

He was disappointed. 

Sev wasn’t even there. Arcturus sat down at his usual spot and his shoulders sagged. Now he was starting to feel even more bad about what he said. Just because he was upset didn’t give him the right to yell at the only person who really hung out with him. The book he was reading was almost finished with it. If he felt bad and showed that he was upset it would let the others see weakness and take it as a sign to bully him even more. That was the last thing he wanted. So he sat there at the table with a stoic face and yet again didn’t touch his breakfast. 

“I can’t believe you would be so mean to Harry!” Ron had slammed his hands down on the table. “He was just trying to be nice to you! You didn’t have to be a dick about it!” 

“What are you talking about?” Arcturus asked. 

“You yelled at him when he was just trying to be friendly!” 

“Yeah, because he kept bothering me! I don’t want to be bothered by anyone! So just fuck off!” Arcturus snapped at Ron, standing up. The students in the Great Hall were all staring at them. 

Slowly he turned to those who were looking at him. “Arcturus Black is a fucking asshole, deal with it!” He shouted, turning and stomping away. 

What a perfect morning, absolutely ruined. 

He could hear the footsteps behind him but chose to ignore them. All he wanted to do was get out of there as soon as possible. He wasn’t crying but he was very upset. He had a right to be. He was antagonized! He didn’t pay attention to the footsteps until he felt hands on his shoulders. He was turned around to face the two Gryffindors that were far bigger than him. A split second decision was made in his mind and he turned into a black cat. The downside was that he didn’t think of getting stuck in his robes. As a black cat he thrashed around and hissed at them as they held him in the air by the scruff on his neck. 

“Reckon we have a little fun with the boy who messed with Potter.” The brunette took out his wand. “We could make it do anything we wanted. 

“Or we could just watch it run in circles while we blast its feet.” The other brunette suggested, instantly smiling. 

Arcturus was set down and he turned to make a run for it but something hot zapped at his feet and he jumped in the air. Turning around the face the Gryffindors with their wands pointed at him he’d come face to face with just how bad this day was going to be. It felt like hours or Arcturus running in circles trying not to get his feet burned off while the older boys laughed like absolute lunatics. It only stopped when Remus Lupin came across them. When the boys were given a month's detention his clothes were put in the bathroom and he changed back into a human. Following Remus to his office he was silent. 

“Being an unregistered animagi is dangerous.” Remus’ voice was even but he wasn’t upset. “Some people may think you’re a spy for– you know.” 

“I know I just– I wanted to become an animagus when Sev told me he was a werewolf last year. I thought about you and understood that being alone at a time like that is horrible.” 

Remus for once didn’t know what to say. He stared at Arcturus for a couple beats, it looked like he was going to cry or something. 

“I’ll just tell professor McGonagall they transfigured you into a cat.” Remus smiled and patted Arcturus' shoulder, offering him a piece of candy. “Chocolate?” 

“I should really be getting some of this for Sev, for some reason it really does make me feel better.” Arcturus spoke as he took a single, small piece. 

“I bet after tonight he’ll be getting some chocolate. Does Madame Pomfrey still hand that out?” 

“Actually, she started handing it out last year.” 

“Good! There’s nothing a little chocolate can’t fix.” 

“I’m sorry for what I said last time.” Arcturus looked down. 

“It’s quite alright, I can understand that emotions are high because of these things happening. 

“I wrote a letter to my mom.” 

“Has she responded yet?” Remus asked. 

“No, not yet. I just hope she isn’t mad.” 

“She won’t be mad at you, maybe the staff here and some parents but never mad at you.” He reassured the boy. 

“Professor Lupin?” Harry called, knocking on the door. Arcturus groaned and facepalmed. 

“I’ll be on my way out.” 

“Now hang on a moment, Arcturus.” Remus stood up. “Harry, could you give me a moment? I’m talking with my nephew.” He was finally able to stop Arcturus fast enough. 

“What else do you want to talk about?” Arcturus asked once Harry was going. 

“I want to know how you are, you never answered my question from a couple weeks ago.” 

“Well… I’m not fine, but I can deal with it.” 

“Arcturus.” 

“What? I’m stronger than I look!” 

“You were getting tormented by two Gryffindors just a few minutes ago.” 

“I know that looks bad– “ 

“Bad? They’re getting a month of detention for how they treated you. That’s worse than bad, it’s horrible.” 

“I don’t know how to stop the rumors, okay?!” Arcturus snapped. Closing in on himself. 

“Uncle Moony I just don’t know what to do, I don’t know what to say. I avoid people and they call me longer, I interact with people and they call me an asshole because I want people to be honest. I– “ Arcturus finally broke down sobbing in front of Remus. He rarely used the nickname Moony. 

Without skipping a beat Remus pulled Arcturus in for a hug, Brushing the boy's hair and swaying for a moment as the boy just continued to sob on his shirt. He was magic, he could get rid of it with a swish of his wand. What would he care about tear stains for? Arcturus typically never really showed emotional reactions whether it be at home or at school, he was always just very blank and lifeless almost like a robot. 

“We’re going to figure this out.” Remus finally spoke, the Hufflepuff had stopped crying. “Even if it’s just me, I won’t let anything happen to you while this is going on.” 

“Really?” Arcturus asked, trying to keep his voice from shaking. 

“I promise.” 

Arcturus pulled away from the hug and wiped at his face with the sleeves of his robes. He suddenly realized he had cried and suddenly felt overtly disgusted with himself. 

“I’m sorry.” 

“What? You don’t have to be sorry, it’s okay to cry.” 

“Yeah, but– “ Arcturus didn’t have an excuse as to why he was sorry about crying right now. Sniffling and wiping at his face more he fell silent. 

“You can wait here as long as you want. You can read, do homework, anything.” Remus may be his only uncle but he was his favorite uncle by far. If he had any other uncles he would much more prefer Uncle Moony as he was the most understanding. 

So Arcturus stayed in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom while Harry and Remus talked about something he really didn’t care about. The last thing he wanted was to pay attention to things Harry was asking Remus about because they were possibly just mundane and stupid questions. Until Remus pulled out a trunk.

Now he was curious as hell.