1
"Catch a falling star
And put it in your pocket,
Never let it fade away."
Castor Alioth Arcturus Black stood between two headstones in the family's ancient graveyard. Staring at the freshly covered grave, the girl's tears kept falling down her face no matter how frustrated she got wiping them away.
"I'm not ready yet." she whimpered. Taking a deep, broken breath, Castor looked up to the vast graves staring back at her. She was all alone now.
Turning around, Castor faced her father's cold grave. She sunk down to the ground, back leaning on the stone. Letting the tears flow down her face and her cries to be heard over the crashing waves, she mourned for her family. She mourned for her newly buried great uncle, her grandmother and grandfather. Her ancestors and relatives she never knew. Her father she never met.
The night grew cold and windy, the only light was the faint moonlight behind the ever-changing clouds and Black Manor standing in the distance. Castor pulled her cloak closer to her unconsciously. She tried to get her breathing under control and stop crying.
What would father think of me. Pathetic.
With another shaken breath, Castor glanced up again at her father's name only to freeze at what was there.
A cold black cloaked hand of bones was placed on the top of the gravestone. With long, thin fingers that had no skin or muscle covering them and bore a ring upon 2 of the rigid digits.
Castor's breath caught in her throat as her eyes moved up to the owner.
What stood before the girl was a tall slim figure covered in old dark cloaks and seemed to vanish slightly at the outskirts of its mass. Like disappearing into the air. Its face was non-existent to the eye, only a pitch black area appeared being covered by a dark cloak that glistened like tiny broken glass pieces in the moonlight. The hooded figure disappeared as quickly as Castor had detected it, leading the girl to assume she had imagined it.
Castor Black was now the only Black alive who was neither imprisoned or married. She was the only one left who bared the name of her ancestors; and so, she was now the Head of her family. Her father, dead. Her uncle, imprisoned. Her cousins, imprisoned, married and the odd one being a blood traitor didn't matter anyway. Her grandmother and grandfather, now dead too.
They had raised her after her mother died. Castor had great respect for them and for all her ancestors. She was taught how a pureblood should look and think and act. She was punished accordingly for her bad habits, words and actions. She grew up with words like blood traitor and mudblood.
Never had the girl even thought about why she would be taught those things, until now.
"Catch a falling star
And put it in your pocket,
Save it for a rainy day."
Jumping back from her thoughts, Castor leaped backwards frightened by the black cat that jumped up on the old stone wall in front of her, thinking she was imagining things again.
"Oh, it just you Aurora. You scared me." the girl spoke softly, still with a quickened heart that never had the chance to settle.
Smoothing down the cats glossy fur, she looked up to the stars and smiled at the familiar scenes. Castor glanced down to the petite cat as she jumped away, hunting a small mouse in the grass below.
"You're a stupid cat", she grumbled, disappointed with the cat.
** ** ** **
"I love you so much, sweetheart. This is all for you, I promise"
Castor awoke dripping in sweat. She's had the same dream for the last few weeks now. It's always a woman crying and a male voice talking. The man kisses her head and leaves while the woman begs him to stay.
06:46
Sighing, Castor got up from her bed and got ready for her day. She would be going to Diagon Alley today and staying there for a few days until she departs for her fifth year at Hogwarts.
Dressed in her finest black robes, Castor placed the Black family brooch over her heart. The brooch has been worn by most of the Head's of her house. And now, she would wear it too.
Castor marched toward the portrait room with her head held high, mainly so no ancestor of hers would comment on her posture.
"Arcturus, I'm off to Diagon Alley today. I won't be back until the Winter Break.", her voice kept strong, but her face still tear stained and eyes red from the night before.
"Lady Castor, my dear. I will miss our conversations, but we still send each other good fortunes by means of Phineas' portrait at Hogwarts. He was the Headmaster once, you know.", the old, grey faced portrait spoke back to her.
Castor nodded at his reply, slightly disappointed by his reply. She thought he'd be more...
Intimate? Wishing her luck? At least something more personal than her dead relative's portrait.
But he's not the real Arcturus. He's just a portrait. Not even a he, really.
"Of course. I'm sure I can always visiting during the holidays too-"
"No. Your family is your top priority, but you must stay at Hogwarts this year, no holidays. Your education is important, but the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black will always be your top priority, child. And until you learn to converse with other House's and organise, control and partake in your duties, you will stay at Hogwarts. You are now Head of the family, that means you must demand respect. Hogwarts will teach you about your equals and inferiors. Learn from both of them, Lady Black."
Castor swallowed nervously, not fully understanding why her loving uncle was so hooked on her needing to be a leader, she has only just become Head. And she's not even of age yet.
"Of course.", she nodded.
"Good. I will be speaking with you soon. Have a good semester, my Lady."
Castor turned to walked out of the room, she needed to find Tippy before her departure.
"My Lady, I would like a word"
Castor turned back, surprised by who spoke. She nodded and approached the portrait.
"You must stay safe this year. A lot will change during the next few months. There is ring behind a bookcase in the library, near the Shakespearean section. Wear it and never take it off, it will look after you."
Castor gave the portrait of her most eldest predecessor Licorus Black, a curious glance.
How could a ring 'look after you'?
"Go now. And do not forget who you are."
** ** ** **
"Does Mistress be wanting food before she leaves?"
"No, Tippy. I need to find something first"
Tippy, a small, quiet house elf was helping her Mistress Castor find the Shakespearean section in the library.
"Found it"
Castor began pulling books out trying to find a lever or a secret button or something, but to no avail.
How are you meant to find anything here? It's all so old and dusty. Mustn't Kreacher ever clean?
Castor huffed, fed up with not knowing where to find the ring.
"Perhaps Mistress would use magic on the books?" Tippy suggested.
"Tippy, you're a genius"
"Alohomora"
That didn't work.
Castor let out a frustrated sigh.
Suddenly, the shelf moved aside, revealing another set of books behind it. Castors eye bulged out of her sockets.
Glistening in the candle light was the ring, tied to an old book with leather lacing like a bookmark. Castor took hold of the ring and the book and looked at it curiously.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard.
Castor had read that book before, the stories had been a bedtime favourite of hers, especially the Tale of Three Brothers. Castor smiled at the memory of her grandmother reading it to her before bed as a child.
But, she was dead. And Castor had to read it to herself.
She put the book in her bag and placed the ring on her left middle finger.
It was a polished silver signet ring which bore three ravens on the top and then a sword with a snake encircling it like ivy made up the band of the ring.
Once on her finger, Castor waited for something to happen. She thought that the ring would spark or glow, or something seeing as it was meant to protect her.
But nothing happened.
Castor disappointed, gathered the books she wished to read from the new section and then grabbed her bags to take with her to Diagon Alley.
** ** ** **
Castor arrived at the Leaky Cauldron by Floo Powder. She dusted herself off and went to the barman.
"I need a room for 2 nights."
The barman eyed her carefully. Then he nodded his head and went to grab a set of keys from behind the desk.
"You best keep to the Inn, Lady Black" the man spoke quietly to the girl, never once looking her in the eye.
Castor eyed the man up, he was a well built aged wizard with plenty of scars and age marks along his face and hands.
"What do you mean?" she wanted to know why he was so withdrawn from speaking to her.
"Surely you've read the paper? About Sirius Black? Your uncle?" his voice got slightly higher, but never once went above a whisper.
"He's in Azkaban, why would he be in the paper?"
"In Azkaban? He's escaped, hasn't he, the only wizard to ever had-"
"Escaped?" Castor was startled by this information.
"How could he have escaped Azkaban? There's Dementors all over that place! You're speaking nonsense." she turned her nose up at the poor barman's attempt to trick her.
"No one knows how, do they? That's the thing. Rumour has it he's escaped to avenge You-know-who."Castor snorted at this.
"You mean Sirius Black, best friend of James Potter, has escaped Azkaban of all places, to kill Harry Potter?" Castor found this slightly amusing. Why would her uncle want to kill the boy? He'll probably be dead in the next few years anyway with all the trouble he gets himself into.
"It's no laughing matter, Lady Black. He might come looking for you too, after all you are the Head of his house. Both you and him share the same last name, he might want it all to himself now. I know I would.", the barman led the girl up the stars and to her room.
"He'll have to duel me to the death if he wants to be Head of my house, I don't care if he has more of a right to it or not. He's a blood traitor and is no longer a member of this family. Ever since he stormed out as a stubborn, idiotic child." Castor muttered.
The barman laughed at her. Before leaving her be, he stopped slightly by the door.
"Best stay here for now, Lady Black. Just to be safe."
Castor frowned at his suggestion. Just to be safe from what? My deranged uncle? What a pathetic joke. She's old enough to look after herself.
Castor began to unpack the essentials and made herself at home. She had already gotten Tippy to buy her new school books and supplies from Diagon Ally as well as the essentials for school. Sugar Quills. Castor always had a sweet tooth and was never not chewing on something. Grabbing a sugar quill and her father's journal, she sat in front of the window where she could see the crowds below beginning to grow.
30th August 1974
I will begin my third year at Hogwarts in a few days time. Sirius has walked out again, slamming everything behind him and screening at mother and father. They won't allow him back for Christmas, maybe not ever. I hope he comes to his senses soon, I hate how I am becoming the victim of Mother's wrath. She is threatening to make me the Heir if Sirius keeps acting like a spoiled brat.
She has punished me twice today for arriving to dinner late and for not verbally agreeing with her opinion on half-breeds. Of course I don't want the ministry allowing half-breeds to roam free, but I didn't think it necessary to verbalise that as I'm sure everyone else has the exact same thought.
I am looking forward to going back to Hogwarts, I miss being able to read and study in peace. Father has warned me about what will happen if my grades slip this year like they did last year. He and Mother both agree that I must be top of my year in all my classes, as well as quidditch and any other activities they wish me to join. I'm looking forward to quidditch though, it would be nice to feel that icy cold breeze on my face again.
R. A. B
Castor had been reading her father's journal now since she found it at the start of Summer.
He had started writing it the year Sirius began Hogwarts and gave great detail about how his family's opinions and actions on the eldest son's Hogwarts journey.
Castor had found it odd at first that her father wrote a journal criticising their family, but she soon realised that it was the only way she could talk to him, learn from him. It was the only way she could have a parent.
** ** ** **
Castor lay awake in bed, it was past midnight and she couldn't sleep. She twisted the ring on her finger around and around, admiring how the light hit off it. The eyes of the ravens would close every so often, Castor assumed it was some sort of charm or curse placed upon it by one of her many ancestors.
She would remember to read about it at Hogwarts.
As Castor turned over to sleep, she would not see the three ravens on her ring snap at each other as though they were fighting. She would not hear they're occasional whisper about 'Heir', 'Prophecy' and 'Death'.
** ** ** **
Castor sat in the dining area of the Leaky Cauldron, eating breakfast and reading the morning newspaper.
Azkaban Prisoner Sirius Black Escape
Mass Murderer Sirius Black Escape
Murderer Sirius Black
Notorius Mass Murderer
Mass Murderer
Black Escape
Azkaban Mass Murderer
Sirius Black
Black
Black
Castor slammed the newspaper on the table with a sigh. She could practically feel the stares of wizards sitting across from her.
Castor sent a glare to a wizard who was staring at her stirring a mug of tea with his wand. It made her cringe with disgust.
Who stirs tea with their own wand? Do teaspoons not exist? Is he so stupid to not understanding wandless magic?
A door opening took Castor's attention off the man. The untimely visitor to the Leaky Cauldron made Castor frown.
What business does the Minister of Magic have in the Leaky Cauldron?
The girl didn't have long to ponder on the thought, for the minister was now headed towards her.
"Lady Black, a pleasure to see you." he introduced.
"The pleasure is mine, Minister. What business do you have in the Leaky Cauldron?" Castor spoke politely.
"A word with you, if you please."
Castor felt her heart speed up. This was about her uncle. Nodding, she stood up and followed the Minister of Magic into a private room.
"Tea?"
Castor could just hear her grandmother's voice in her ear.
Always accept refreshments at a formal meeting, Castor.
"Yes, thank you" she replied sitting down.
Once seated and both Castor and Minister had refreshments, did Cornelius Fudge speak.
"Lady Black, it is to my knowledge that you are aware of your uncle Sirius Black's escape from Azkaban. Yes?" he sipped his tea.
But never drink or eat first, Castor. Wait for them to do so first
"Why, Grandmother?"
"Could be poisoned. It is very easy to just let a drop or two slip from the bottle. You must be aware of that, Castor. People will want to kill you."
Of course, to a child, Castor laughed at her grandmothers words. But as she grew, she soon realised how truthful they were.
"Of course, Minister." she eyed him up, waiting for his formidable accusation.
"Right. Well, it is no secret that you have now inherited the Black family fortune and are now Head of your house."
Castor nodded along, occasionally sipping her tea.
"This has brought up concerns in the Ministry. Concerns that you are hosting your uncle and helping him with his plan"
There it was.
Castor looked Fudge straight in his eyes and did not look away whilst she spoke.
"Minister, I'm not sure if you have been informed, but I have never met that man once in my life. He has been banished from the Black family since he was 16 years old and has been marked a blood traitor just like my cousin Andromeda. There is no way I would touch that disgusting vile man, let alone host and help him." she sneered.
Cornelius Fudge sighed deeply, moving from the young girls glare.
"Very well, but the ministry must be informed of any contact between yourself and Mr. Black. There will be consequences if not."
Castor stood form her seat, thanking the man with a sarcastic smile for his hospitality.
"Oh, and Miss Black. Good luck during your sixth year at Hogwarts and stay safe. You are yet to turn 17."
"Of course, Minister. But it's Lady Black now, not Miss Black. I am of the same importance as you. Good day, Fudge." she left feeling proud of her first ministry meeting as the Head of her house. Even if it was an unofficial visit
Castor went back to her room in the Inn, sighing with relief she fell back on her bed dramatically, ignoring the strange loud bangs and.. grumbling? coming from the room next to her.
** ** ** **
Castor's evening of reading was interrupted by a howl of laughter coming from the room next to her.
Frowning, she got up to hear what was going on.
"Fred and George, don't you dare even think about it" an angry shout was heard followed by another howl of laughter.
Weasleys.
There was only one Fred and George that Castor knew of. It was going to be a long night.
Castor moved back to the windowsill picking up her book again and another lemon sugar quill to eat.
** ** ** **
It was past midnight by the time Castor had finished her book. She was surprised by how dark it had gotten, but put away her book and packed her bags for Hogwarts in the morning.
There was a loud bang heard from outside the window, the girl walked over and peered out.
A drunken man was walking up the cobblestones, or appeared to be tripping up over the cobblestones. He moved into a dark alleyway, disappearing in the darkness. But before Castor could look away, another figure had followed him.
Large, dark, cloaked. Bones for fingers.
She had seen him before.
Castor paled with the realisation of what this strange figure was.
Glancing up to her was the hooded, faceless skeleton of darkness. Only he had a face now.
His sunken face had a layer of snow white silk covering the cracked bones beneath. There was no nose attached to the bone, only a dark hole. His eyes frightened Castor the most. Surrounded by the blackest black to exist, there were 2 faith grey blobs that surrounded tiny red pupils, as small as a pin top. He was staring right back at her.
Castor jumped back, falling off the edge of the windowsill and onto the flooring beneath her. She couldn't move. She knew what that was. What it meant.
Taking deep breaths, Castor tried her hardest not to cry.
It doesn't mean anything. Maybe you're just going crazy.
Your whole family is crazy, it won't be anything new.
Twirling and twirling her ring around her finger, Castor soon calmed down.
She got into bed and tried not to think of what's happening outside.
Just as she was about to fall asleep, Castor heard the quietest, calmest voice speaking.
"Sleep, we will protect you."
** ** ** **
That morning Castor awoke to more laughter and chatting from the room next to her.
Even though Castor hated the Weasleys, she always wished she had a family like theirs. Brothers and sisters, a mother and a father. She knew they hadn't much money, but they seemed to not let that determine their lives. They had each other and Castor had always wished she could experience that.
Once ready to leave for Hogwarts, Castor took the decision to look out her window. She felt odd. Cold, spooked. She was scared of what she would see.
Below her was a group of wizards that surrounded the entrance to that dark alleyway last night.
Castor gulped and bit her lip, attempting to ward off the lump in her throat.
There were journalists, aurors and other professional wizards chattering and discussing what Castor had already imagined had happened last night.
She took a deep breath and existed the room.
** ** ** **
At the table, eating her breakfast, Castor heard the regulars talking.
Terrible thing-
I knew him well-
Poor Mr. Roger-
Wrong place, wrong time-
Dark magic, terrible magic-
Sirius Black is be blamed.
Castor kept her head down at that last comment.
She finished her breakfast quickly and went straight out the door, making sure to avoid the Weasleys and of course, Harry and Hermoine.
On her way to the train station in London, she grabbed hold of a newspaper, wanting to read the headlines.
Mass Murderer Sirius Black Seen
Death in Diagon Alley
** ** ** **
The train was practically empty when Castor arrived. She was grateful for this for it meant no pushing and shoving to get a good seat. She trailed her way up the train, looking for a decent seat away from everyone.
She should be sitting with the Slytherins, but she really did not want to hear all about their silly holidays overseas and how 'daddy got me this' and 'we should have a sleepover.'
Then there was Draco.
He would want to talk to his cousin about her duties to her family and how he is Heir to the Malfoys. Castor had been taken in by the Malfoys when her grandmother died, but they never seemed to care about her much as long as she never caused trouble. Castor had asked once if it would be possible for her to visit Black Manor from time to time. She had taken their silence as approval, as so as time went on, Castor spent less days with the Malfoys and more staying at Black Manor.
Once in a satisfying seat, Castor began to read the newspaper she got earlier.
Death in Diagon Alley
Mr. Pierce Roger, 47, was found dead this morning in an alleyway behind Borgins and Burkes, Diagon Alley. Mr. Roger appeared to have suffered no external, or magical injuries. Although the investigation is ongoing into whether poison may have been ingested.
Castor shook her head, attempting to rid herself of the vivid memory in her mind.
No one poisoned Mr. Roger.
Death came for him.
Castor attempted to sleep through the long journey to Hogwarts. She had the carriage all to herself thankfully. No one would dare sit with her after the whole 'uncle escaped from Azkaban' thing. But Castor wasn't complaining. She had very few friends, if any, throughout the last 5 years at Hogwarts. She's gotten used to being by herself, plus that extra time is very useful for learning new spells and rereading her father's journals.
Regulus Black was 18 when he died. Castor knows this, but a tiny part of her does still remember her grandmother words at his funeral; "there was no body found". No one is 100% sure he's actually dead.
Castor was reassured of his definite death once her great uncle died. The house elves loyalty lay with her now. Ever since she told Kreacher to shut up and the scrawny thing mirrored her own shock at his immediate obedience.
Castor will be the just about same age as her father's last in a couple of years time. Soon after, she'd be older than he ever had. She would be the wisest then, not him. Not his journals and unsent letters full of apologies and cryptic words. Hidden words Castor had yet to know the meaning of.
** ** ** **
It was the sudden halt of the train that awoke Castor. The place felt so cold and had gotten so dark. Looking out the window, Castor saw only rain clouds and an icy window. She could hear other students shouting and asking what was going on. Then she heard the doors all shut hard, leaving a strong ache to pulse throughout the train carriages. It grew colder, if that was even possible. Castor went to stand up, curious to know what was happening. As she reached the door, a bright white light spread through the carriage. Brighter than anyone could imagine. It pushed the darkness away and once gone, everyone began to talk and shout again. The train grew full of questions.
Castor stuck her head out and spotted a 7th year near her.
"What happened?"
"Dementors. Get back in and stay where you are until we get to Hogwarts."
Dementors? On the Hogwarts Express? Castor was afraid of the answer. but she knew it was because of Sirius Black. And the fact she was his niece, did not make her fade into the background like usual. Before she turned back, she looked further through the train and noticed a rather tall man staring at her. His eyes, as wide as they were, seemed to be etched onto her. If Castor was any closer to the man, she would have noticed how his face as pale as it was, grew paler. As though he saw a ghost.
Both turned away at the same time, Castor sitting back into her seat, the man making his way to the teacher's carriage and on towards the train driver.
Castor spent the rest of the journey peering out the window, hoping time would slow down. She knew what gossip and rumours everyone would be spreading around the school.