Mischief Managed
“But rumor has it he’s the one I’ve been searching for.”
Arcturus still didn’t understand. Even after it was explained twice.
To recap; Peter Pettigrew and old friend of Lily and James Potter, was the one who got them both killed because he was the secret keeper. Sirius was framed because he tried to kill Peter and only managed to cut off a finger. Apparently he’s an animagus and can turn into a rat. Well, that’s how he managed to escape. Turning back into a rat and disappearing into the night.
As much as Arcturus wanted to talk to Sirius there were bigger problems at hand than trying to connect with the escaped prisoner. Once again, it was the full moon. He would have waited for Harry and Sirius to stop talking so he could try and understand who this man was but even then their conversation was cut short by the moon that was peeking out from behind the clouds. He could see the trances on Remus and Severinus’ faces from feet away and he whipped around when Hermione had shouted at them. It was strange seeing a man he barely knew hugging his uncle and trying to keep him calm as he transformed. Unlike Remus, Severinus doubled over in pain. Bones snapping and clothing ripping could be heard and Arcturus quickly realized that Harry, Hermione, and Ron were also there. It wasn’t like he had completely forgotten about them. Thankfully, Snape had finally awoken and was able to protect them but there was another problem. Remus was heading right for him. He wanted to move but his feet were firmly planted on the ground. Stuck in fear as he watched the werewolf that was once his kind, caring uncle run toward him with such speed. Remus nearly latched his jaws onto him but Severinus acted quickly. Even as an animal he still tried to protect his best friend.
It was so weird.
Arcturus was still standing quite close and Sirius also reacted quickly, getting into the gray as a mangy black dog. Fighting off both werewolves. Arcturus cowered behind Professor Snape as soon as he could find a way safely over to the little group that had formed. His hands shook and he sat himself down, crouching and hiding behind Snape’s legs. His breathing got heavier but he tried to slow it down, it wasn’t like he was the only one who almost got mauled by a werewolf.
Harry didn’t come back to the castle with Ron, Hermione, Snape and himself. Arcturus wanted to go after him but he didn’t have a chance, nor did he really want to because there was no way he was going to fend off two werewolves. He wasn’t physically hurt but he still sat in the medical wing, only for a little while until Madame Pomfrey let him go back to his dormitory. Regardless of listening to her he didn’t feel right about just leaving Sev out there all alone. Of course, Remus would probably be giving him company even if he was a ravenous beast, but it didn’t feel right to just sit in bed and stare at the ceiling. Of course, he was going to visit Severinus as soon as he could in the medical wing. He needed to get up and move, to do something more than just wait and see what would happen. Unlike Harry, he didn’t have an invisibility cloak to help him walk around the school at night but he was able to turn into a black cat. It was ironic now that he knew Sirius had the ability to turn into a black dog.
Arcturus found himself exploring the roof. He never actually explored Hogwarts before he got that marauders map or before it was taken away. He usually just stayed in the library, in his dorm, or outside for the most part. The roof was creepy in all honesty. Using the shadows to cloak him he walked past dementors as a cat. Coughing and wheezing made him stop in his tracks. He could hear it from miles away. Looking up he noticed a lone cell at the top of a tower. Observing the architecture to find a way up to that tower he sat there and stared for a few minutes. He really couldn’t think of a plan if dementors spotted him and tried to suck out his soul, although he paid attention in class he couldn’t seem to conjure up a memory joyous enough to produce a patronus charm. Once Arcturus got up to the lone tower he noticed that there weren’t any dementors up top guarding the only cell there. Sirius Black sat hunched over, shoulders squeezed tightly from the cramped space he was given. Turning back into a person he slowly crept toward the man, watching the sky for anything to fly out at him.
“Sirius? Sirius Black?” He whispered.
“Harry? Oh– No, you’re…”
“I’m Arcturus Black.”
“Black? Impossible.” Sirius coughed again, it was like he was hacking up a lung. “I never had children.”
“That’s actually what I came here to ask you about.” Arcturus leaned against the bars of the cell, they were freezing cold. “But, I didn’t need to so I guess I’ll just leave.”
“Wait, don’t go.” Sirius called out in a hushed voice.
“I’m not letting you out of your cell.”
“You– You look so much like him.” Sirius leaned toward the bars.
“Who? I look like who?” Arcturus leaned forward as well.
“R– It’s been so long. I didn’t– I didn’t know he had a son.”
“Who? Who’s son am I?”
“No, it’s impossible, really.”
“What are you getting at?!” Arcturus whispered.
“I’d like to think you’re my nephew.” Sirius said, nodding to himself. “Yes, yes. I know I never had children and he surely would have wanted to leave a legacy behind.”
“Nephew? As in you’re my uncle?”
“Exactly.”
“I can’t tell if you’re insane or you’re being serious.”
“Well, I am Sirius.”
“I hate you.” Arcturus narrowed his eyes.
“Okay, okay. I think… I think I mean it. When I look at you it’s like I can tell we’re related.” Sirius chuckled flatly. “You really do look so much like him.”
“Who?”
“Surely your mother must have told you? We were famous during our time at Hogwarts.”
“You are making absolutely zero sense.”
“Just to be clear, I am not your father.”
“Oh, gee, I had no idea.”
Hearing hushed voices in the distance Arcturus instinctively turned back into a cat and slipped between the bars, hiding behind Sirius' feet. There was a flash of white and suddenly the man could leave his cell. Arcturus turned back into a human and watched as Sirius embraced Harry and part of him wanted to be hugged like that, to be accepted and welcomed without a second thought. Buckbeak was waiting, standing by.
“You really are the brightest witch.” Sirius said to Hermione.
“Did you mean what you said? That I could come stay with you?” Harry asked.
“My home is always open to you.”
Arcturus felt his heart clench and he stayed in the shadows. Why did he all of a sudden want to be close to this man who’s name brought him anguish? Why did he suddenly care about how he treated Harry? Hermione happened to spot him.
“Arcturus, what are you doing here?”
“I– uh– Came to see Sirius…”
“Why?” Harry asked.
“Why do you want to know?”
“Arcturus,” The way Sirius said his name just sounded so awkward. “My home is– Also open to you too.” He didn’t look him in the eyes.
Arcturus didn’t know what to say. He just stared at Sirius. This was a man he once hated yet that changed on a dime when he found out he was truly innocent. Arcturus was silent as Sirius and Harry started to talk to each other quietly, Hermione moved to stand next to him.
“He’s your uncle, isn’t he?”
“What– How did– I hate how perceptive you are.”
“I’ve had a theory all this time that he was your uncle, the Black brother’s were mostly infamous at school.”
“Brothers? Plural?” Arcturus furrowed his brow. “But– He’s not– What?” Arcturus stammered.
“I did some reading, asked around. Professor Snape was actually the only one who provided any type of information.”
“That’s why I’m his nephew? My father is his brother.”
“There isn’t much information on him, of course. I scoured the library. Even the restricted section.” Hermione glanced at Harry and Sirius. “Eventually he’ll be that familiar with you, just give it time.”
“How– Hermione!” Arcturus whispered.
“To be fair, that one was obvious.” Hermione giggled.
“I don’t care if it was obvious, just don’t call me out like that.”
Sirius and Buckbeak took off leaving Hogwarts. Harry looked a little upset that his goodbye was cut short but he still had a smile and a gleam in his eye. For a weirdly convenient sake there was a clock hanging on the wall.
“Harry! We have to get back.” Hermione took her friend's hand, saying goodbye to Arcturus rather quickly and running back the way they came.
He stayed up there for a few minutes looking at the full moon hanging in the sky, He wondered if Remus was okay. Wondered if Sirius could get away easily. Hoped that Severinus wasn’t badly injured. Jumping when he thought he heard dementors he turned back into a cat and sneaked along the shadows all the way through the school and back to the Hufflepuff dorms.
He definitely deserved a nap.
As soon as he got up the next morning Justin bore witness to Arcturus haphazardly trying to put his clothes on in a rush. They didn’t exactly share words because whatever Arcturus said was inaudible through all the struggle. He was practically bolting out of the dorm room once his shoes were tied. Stopping by the great hall and grabbing a pastry or two he headed to the medical wing. Scanning the beds and faces for Severinus he noticed Ron was laying in one with a broken leg and some other students. A grin broke out on his face noticing the blonde sitting up and drinking what he assumed was some healing potion or something.
“Hey, Sev!” Arcturus sat in the seat next to the hospital bed, handing him a pastry. “Do you happen to know where Professor Lupin is?”
“Morning, and no I don’t. Madame Pomfrey said he left earlier after the owls delivered all these letters. Once again my dad wrote to me but my mother didn’t even bother.” Sev sighed, biting into the pastry.
“Professor Lupin left earlier?” Arcturus didn’t have a good feeling that settled in his stomach.
“Yeah, he just got up in a hurry after he received a letter. I don’t know what it’s about, he could be getting a promotion or something.” Sev shrugged. “Enough about him though, we have forever to talk about your uncle. We are definitely sitting together on the train.”
“Right, it’s the end of the term in a week.” Arcturus chuckled and ran a hand through his hair. “I was too concerned with Sirius Black I completely forgot about that.”
“It’s not like you haven’t been studying all year and avoiding anything social, no doubt you’ll be getting into advanced classes for the next couple of years.”
“I’m not worried about grades, it’s just– The year seemed so short and I only have one friend still, mum actually wanted me to make some this year.”
“Not just one, you got Neville too. And hey, you have four more years until you graduate.”
“You think he’s still my friend after I’ve avoided him for a week?”
“Totally, I don’t think he has many other friends.”
“Severinus!” Arcturus slapped his arm.
“Okay, okay. You’re a good person, so you obviously attract good people.”
“Thanks,are you okay by the way?”
“Oh yeah, I’m great. My joints totally don’t hurt and definitely do not have new scars and bitemarks.” Sev rolled his eyes.
“Thank you for saving me from Remus.”
“Honestly, it was his fault for giving me his wolfsbane. I’m just glad no one else got seriously hurt. That’s what I care about most.”
“Does it hurt?”
“Of course it hurts! I’m in the medical wing, duh.”
“Yeah, that was a stupid question.”
“I'll get out later today, so if you want to go see your uncle go on ahead. We can always prank people or find Neville later this afternoon.”
“Thanks, I’ll be back.”
Arcturus made his way to the defense against the dark arts classroom. He saw Harry and Ron there, already thinking he was too late he stopped when he saw all the boxes.
“What are you doing?”
“Packing.”
“Oh, don’t tell me you’ve been sacked.”
“You know, Ron and Harry just said the same thing.” Remus chuckled and folded up the marauders map. “You did visit your friend in the medical wing, correct?”
“Yes, I already did. Why are you packing?”
“Well, now that word got out I’m a werewolf parents wouldn’t exactly be happy I was teaching their kids.”
“So… You weren’t fired?”
“What? No. I have yet to know what Dumbledore is going to say, but it’s not his place to try and protect me.”
“Are you going back to that little cottage?”
“Actually, Sirius offered to let me live with him. He offered your mother the same thing too.”
“Wait, really? Does that mean we’d all be living together?”
“Well, Grimmauld place is quite large and he did want to fill all those rooms so he wasn’t alone.”
“Wait, wait– It makes sense because you and him were friends but he barely knows me and mum.” Arcturus furrowed his brows.
“I think he wants to get to know you.”
“I don’t know… I mean, he cared more about Harry than me.”
“That’s just because James was more of a brother to him than– “ Remus paused, taking things out of drawers and putting them in trunks.
“You’re not going to tell me, are you?”
“I would rather you figure it out on your own.” Remus smiled sympathetically. “Your mother wants you to learn about your family and who you are, build your confidence.”
“Of course she does.” Arcturus shook his head with a laugh. “You know, I’m going to miss you.”
“You’ll have a better teacher next year.”
“It’s not just that.”
“Come next summer I’ll be waiting with your mother on the train platform.” Remus reached over and ruffled his hair.
“Are you going to be keeping the map?”
“Yes, of course I’m keeping it. I’m one of the people that made it” Remus rolled his eyes.
“What? Just making sure!” Arcturus paused, looking down at the map on the table. “You– You made the map? Wait– One of the people that made it?”
“That’s a story for another time.”
“I’m holding you to your word.”
“I know you will.”
Arcturus boarded the train with his trunk, following Severinus to a compartment. He watched Hogwarts through the windows, in the distance out of reach. Sev stopped and opened the door to an empty compartment, Arcturus smacked his face against his back because he wasn’t paying attention.
“It isn’t all that bad we’re at the back of the train, better than sitting up front cause the trolley witch always starts at the back.” Sev chuckled and lifted his trunk to slide it over head.
Arcturus followed suit and slid his trunk over head, sitting down and pulling out the letter that his mom had written to him he turned the unopened envelope over in his hands.
“I know that face, what’s wrong?”
“No idea what she’s going to say.”
“You could always just not open it.”
“It’s a letter from my mom.”
“Okay?” Sev furrowed his brows. “That means nothing, if it freaks you out then you don’t have to open it.”
“I’m opening it.”
“Don’t start having an anxiety attack by the time you’re done reading.”
“I don’t panic that much.” Arcturus huffed.
As he opened the letter the compartment door slid open and Neville was standing in the doorway. He looked nervous, but nonetheless had a kind smile.
“Is it okay if I sit with you two?”
“Yeah, go ahead!”
“Could– Could Luna sit with us too?” Neville gestured to the blonde girl standing behind him. She waved, her eyes drooped and her smile was exceptionally bright.
“Luna Lovegood!” She introduced herself.
“Severinus Kromwell, you can just call me Sev.” The taller blonde stood up to slide their trunks in the overhead storage. “In the corner is Arcturus Black.”
“Many people have said a lot about you, have you noticed that you have a lot of bad things floating around you?” Luna sat down next to Arcturus.
“What?” Arcturus looked up from the letter. “What the hell does that mean?”
“I can see that you’re troubled, is it because of that letter?”
“What– No.”
“Oh, we are definitely going to be great friends.” Sev chuckled. “What house are you in?”
“Ravenclaw, you?”
“Slytherin. Arcturus is a Hufflepuff.”
“I already know Neville is a Gryffindor.” Luna giggled. “It’s nice to meet you both.”
Arcturus took a deep breath and folded the letter up, stuffing it into his pants pocket. He caught Neville’s gaze and smiled, squishing himself against the wall he turned his head to look out the window. Soon enough Hogwarts would just be a castle in the distance and the summer holiday would soon begin. Finding Sirius may have answered his question, but it also brought about millions of more questions. One would think he wouldn’t know who he was, and whoever thinks that would be correct.
Arcturus Black didn’t know who he was, but he was going to find out.
Hogwarts better be ready for him. He isn’t going to be backing down or shying away.