Falling Star

April 17th, 1975

The war is starting to claim more and more victims . Sirius and I were taken from Hogwarts today to stand by father for the funeral of a man he once knew, whom had been caught in the crossfire of a duel. It was small and quick. The man had no surviving family, only his home and the clothes on his back. Mother did not wish for me to go with him, but father was adamant both Sirius and I must go. It was a dull ceremony, nothing unusual. Sirius was okay today, he didn't moan and say anything Father wouldn't allow.  Father seemed spooked at the burial, he kept glancing off to the side, I did not see anyone there. He wanted to leave very soon afterwards, blaming it on wanting to return Sirius and I to Hogwarts by sundown. Sirius suggested a drink in the local pub, I had agreed but Father was disgusted at Sirius. He pulled us both away telling us  that pubs are mostly used by mudbloods and halfbreeds these days. He had apparated us back to Hogsmeade before returning home. Sirius tried to drag me to the Three Broomsticks but I repeated Father's words to him. 

I didn't miss much whilst away, Rosier got detention again. So did Snape after he had apparently jinxed Peter Pettigrew so badly that he needed to go to Madam Pomfrey. 

** ** ** ** 

"He's been sighted. He's been sighted."

It was hard to not hear Seamus Finnigan shout those words. The whole of the Great Hall had seemed to silence itself. Castor could feel the eyes go back and forth. She heard the whispers. 

"Mother sent a letter.", Draco had now perched himself on the seat next to her. Nosy git.

"Why haven't you opened it?"

"It's addressed to both of us, I thought it best if we both read it.", he shrugged whilst she rolled her eyes at him.

To my dearest Draco, and Castor,

Your father has been promoted again by the Ministry. He is very busy, so few letters addressed to him is most wanted. We have been invited to attend the Minister of Magic's Annual Christmas dinner, so I expect no disruptions or unnecessary problems from either of you before then. 

N. Malfoy.

Plain and simple. Straight to the point. Castor was used to the Malfoy's way of things, but her heart pulled for Draco. Slightly.  He had been sending his father letters each week, with no return reply. For his mother to tell him to stop, Castor felt his disappointment ooze out of him. The boy worshipped his family. 

"You will not be wanted there, seeing as your uncle is still running loose.", Castor was used to his digs at her by now. She knew he only made them because it was the only way he knew how to deal with his feelings. 

 "I'll be busy, anyway.", she muttered back, but he had already left. 

The library was to be Castor's friend that morning. She had plans to research what exactly she had seen in her family's graveyard and in Diagon Alley. Surely, Hogwarts had a book on figures of Death. The corridors were full of life as usual, from students last-minute revising to students being tormented by a group of Slytherins. Castor usually ignores them whenever she runs into them, but she couldn't listen to that first year Hufflepuffs pleads anymore. They echoed in her mind 'stop, please' 'stop'. It reminded her too much of her younger years, before she learned what was right from wrong.

"Leave him alone, Higgs", Castor pushed passed the other two Slytherins laughing. 

"Or what? You'll send your uncle after me?", his laugh sent spit everywhere. 

"Let him go."

Terence Higgs was the Slytherin Seeker before Draco had paid his way in. Now he's in his final years at Hogwarts and still acted like a second year. He did let go of that first year when Castor said it, but he turned to her and instead of spitting out already predicted words, he pulled out his wand instead.

Castor followed his movements within milliseconds, producing her wand too. Higgs was first to send a jinx her way, but Castor knew to block it and send another as soon as he spoke. The other two Slytherins began to cheer Higgs on, laughing and telling him what spells to use and when. Castor had never been keen on duelling, but her Grandmother had forced it upon her as a child. 

"A wizard, even as young as you, should always know how to defend themselves."

Her tutor had been brought over from France once a week to teach Castor all there was to know about duelling. He had been strict, but always treated Castor with a kindness; "Think of it as a dance, Mademoiselle."  So she did. Higgs had been confused by her actions as she bowed, but he quickly made up time lost once Castor threw a Colloshoo his way. 

"Protego will be your most common, most used protective charm whilst duelling." Castor had watched how he stood tall and light, always changing his weight from leg to leg.

A crowd had started building up by now. Castor couldn't look to see who was laughing and egging Higgs on, she could probably imagine who though. Higgs had been knocked back from her Flipendo jinx, giving Castor a lucky second to catch her breath until he jumped right back up again, muttering something incoherent, face red and if Castor squinted enough, he even had steam coming out of his ears. 

"Incendio", "Expelliarmus"

Castor's wand whipped right out of her hand and bounce against the nearby wall. Now she was in trouble. A flame had erupted from Terrance Higgs' wand and was making its way over to her. Fast. She didn't have enough time to run to get her wand, but tried anyway. The flame followed her every direction. Castor could feel the taste of her blood in her mouth as she ran. The flame was hot on her neck, creating a sweat and sting. She had no time, she needed her wand. 

"Wandless magic is not taught to one as young as you, Mademoiselle, but your grandmother wishes for you to at least understand it -

Castor had gazed up at the man with great fascination. She had grown to enjoy their sessions each week. He taught her new defensive spells, charms, jinxes and even the odd curse at each visit.

"- you must use you mind to pull the object towards you. Do not force it-"

It had been the first wandless spell she had learned. Accio. As a 9 year-old as small as she, Accio was an incredibly useful spell to know, but using it as a wandless spell, Castor thought she was probably the best wizard in the world. 

"-reach out, pull it to you with your mind."

So she reached out. She reached her hand out so far that it pained her to go any further. Her heart was pumping right out of her chest and the flame was right on her toes, making her skin raw with its heat. She had let out a quiet whimper when it poked at her neck. That was when that cold, solidness hit her fingers. Before Castor could think, she had turned toward the blaze with a similar sized volume of water forcing itself out of her wand. 

When the flame died out, so did the water. 

And the loud thumping in her ears.

Everyone who had been crowded around had now dispersed well away from the two duellers, but kept in small groups watching and whispering. It was only when Castor got her breath back to normal that she could hear shouting. Loud shouting.

"DETENTION. DETENTION FOR BOTH OF YOU", Castor had no need to turn around to tell how furious Professor McGonagall was.

"But, Professor I didn't do anyt-"

"DO NOT LIE TO ME MIS-"

Another involuntary breath filled Castor's lungs. There was no way she'd get away without any punishment now. Higgs was already deep in a lecture from McGonagall. She'd certainly be next. The burn on the back of her neck was hot and stinging now. It hurt to touch, but Castor tried not to wince.

"Miss Black, are you alright?"

"Ah, Professor Lupin. I found these two mid-duel. It seems Mr. Higgs knows nothing about why Miss Black here was defending herself against an Incendio charm." McGonagall's face was red with fury. 

Castor noticed no change in Professor Lupin's face though. He still held that slight smile and gentle voice when he replied that just like Professor McGonagall, he had also witnessed what seemed to be the end of their duel.

"I will speak to both of you in my office. And will be reporting this to your Head of House."

Castor not longer thought of herself as one of McGonagall's favorite students anymore. She was definitely in her bad books now.

"Miss Black, go get seen by Madam Pomfrey and head straight to my office afterwards", Castor could only give a slight nod before Professor Lupin turned to dispersed the growing crowd once more and cast a clean up spell. Castor also doubted her chances at being one of his favourite students now too.

** ** ** **

"Oh, my dear. This will hurt."

Castor bit her tongue whilst the matron put a cream on her neck. Tears would not work in her favour, so Castor forced herself to not give out any signs of how much the coldness stung and pulsated on her neck.

The walk back to Professor Lupin's office was long and bleary. Most students were in class, others in the library or great hall, so the place was so silent and empty. As she walked through the courtyard, a shortcut to the DADA classroom, Castor stood for a moment. Something had caught her eye. In the far corner, there was black shaped shadow staring at her.

Her heart started to pick up it's tempo again. It took Castor a few seconds to realise it was not that dark figure she had seen twice, but a dog. A shaggy, black dog.

Why was there a dog in Hogwarts?

Castor took a step closer to see it more clearly. It was laying down underneath a tree, still staring at her. She clicked tongue thinking it would entice it over. No, instead it just lifted it's head a little before lowering it again. She wanted to move closer to it, to see if it was okay.

Who brought a dog to Hogwarts?

The tower bell rang out so loud. Castor jumped at it's sound. It was 11 o'clock. Professor Lupin would be waiting for her.

Turning back to the dog, Castor could no longer see it. All that was left was a slight indent on the grass where it had once been. The second chimes rang out just as loud while Castor rushed off to Professor Lupin's office.

** ** ** **

"Miss Black, take a seat."

The DADA office was a lot brighter and more spacious than Snape's office in the dungeons. There were some magical creatures scattered around the place and what seemed to be bundles of exam and essay papers in organised piles. A Grindlylow caught Castor's attention. She had seen a few of them growing up in Grimmauld Place.

"I have spoken to Professor McGonagall and a few students who witnessed your.. feud with Mr. Higgs. It appears to me that you were acting in self defence", Castor had lowered her gaze to the desk in front of her. It was full of textbooks and papers.

"A letter will be sent to your guardian and you will have detention each evening for a full week after dinner. Starting with Professor Snape, tonight."

It was quiet for a moment before Castor looked up. Professor Lupin was looking at her intensely. He had just arrived not too long ago, Castor thought his return must feel very nostalgic and strange for him. She wondered if he could still find all those secret doors and tunnels her father wrote about. Or if he even knew about them.

"Is that all, Sir? Can I go?"

"Not just yet. I have another matter to speak with you about. "

This made Castor feel slightly sick. Was he going to mention her uncle again? Or remind her of being on the Auror's watch list?

"You performed two wandless spells during your duel with Mr. Higgs."

Oh.

"Yes, sir.", there was another beat of silence, but Castor didn't know what he wanted her to say.

"Yes. Where did you learn such a thing? I'm quite certain you do not learn wandless magic until NEWT level, if even then. Who taught you?"

This felt like another interrogation.

"I was taught it by a tutor, sir. Before Hogwarts."

The Professor nodded along, but Castor couldn't tell what he thought of her answer.

"In Grimmauld Place?", the silence came from Castor's side now.

How did he know about Grimmauld Place?

"I went to school with your uncle. He spoke of Grimmauld Place sometimes.", Castor nodded along to his explanation. She knew all about Sirius and his Marauder friends, including Professor Lupin. But why would Sirius speak about Grimmauld Place if he hated it as much as her father said?

"And my father? Did you know him too?", Castor hoped he would talk about him to her. She had only ever heard stories about her father from her grandmother. And Kreacher if he was in a good mood. But, Castor had never asked anyone like Professor Lupin, someone who might have been close to him, seeing as Sirius was his best friend. 

"Not very well, no. Sirius and Regulus were never very close in school.", he sighed, almost wincing at his words.

That didn't make sense to Castor. Her father spoke often about what he found Sirius doing during the day at Hogwarts or what Sirius had said or done during their holidays. She knew of his disagreements and disputes within the family, but never thought it had made much of an impact on their relationship. 

"Did your grandmother teach you?"

He changed the subject. Why did they always have to change the subject when something uncomfortable happens?

"No, sir. I had a tutor sent over from France."

"Ah, I see. How old were you?", Professor Lupin had held his gaze on Castor as though he was waiting for a reaction. 

"I don't think wandless magic is illegal, sir. So I'm not sure why this matters so much ", Castor didn't understand why he so keen.

"It does matter, Miss Black. Greatly. You were seen performing both Accio and a powerful Aqua Eructo charm, both wandless and within seconds of one another. I don't know any other fifth year who can do such a thing, do you?", Castor could only look at the professor with disgust. 'He's looking for this exact reaction', Castor reminded herself. She felt insulted. 

"Miss Black, if the Auror's hear about this, you may be brought in for more questioning-"

"I did nothing wrong. He was the one to start it, what was I meant to do? Just let myself get burned? He should never have-"

"You shouldn't have taken out your wand in the first place", Professor Lupin had raised his voice to speak over Castor's. 

"He did it first-"

"I don't care! Do you not realise how dangerous that was!? What if a first year had been caught in the crossfire? Or if an Auror had seen you first, instead of myself and Professor McGonagall!?", Castor couldn't look at him any longer. He wasn't going to listen to her reasoning's, so why even bother.

"You could have been arrested, Castor.", Lupin saw the tears building up in her eyes but he couldn't comfort her, not until she understood the consequences. 

"A fifteen year old should not be able to conjure wandless magic, let alone as powerful as you just have. Not without years of training and knowledge. In the wrong hands-"

"I'm not a Deatheater if that's what you're asking, sir", she spat out and spoke once more as he froze at her words.

"The Dark Lord is de-"

"The Dark Lord?", Professor Lupin had started to rise from his chair now, something that made Castor's throat go dry. As he made his way towards a cabinet and reached in for what looked like a piece of parchment, he spoke very precise.

"You-Know-Who killed many of my friends, Miss Black. Some you may even know."

A photograph. 

Castor had recognised her uncle straight away. That black, wavy hair was a trait she also wore proudly. He was laughing with another man, James Potter. Harry was the spirit and image of him. Then beside them were two others. The tallest, Castor assumed to be the same Professor standing right in front of her. The smallest must be Peter Pettigrew. Castor's suspicions were confirmed when she turned the photography over.

The Marauder's, 1977.

"Your father was killed by him too, if I remember correctly.", that had been a low blow, Castor thought. But before she could send any response his way, he had produced another photograph in front of her. This time Castor could have fallen off her chair. Two boys, nearly identical, were standing beside one another. The tallest looked as though he was getting a portrait made of him, a focused gaze, tight jaw, no smile nor frown. About a foot underneath him was the opposite. This boy had a grin so wide, you could nearly count all his teeth. 

Castor couldn't look away from him. He looked so happy, so young. Her fingers found their way to twirl her hair, it was nearly the same length as the boy's own hair. Black and wavy too. She knew her father had cut his hair before starting second year in Hogwarts. Throughout his childhood and right until the age of twelve, Regulus Black bore a thick, shoulder-length crown. 

The coarse breath making its way out of Castor's throat, caution her of the sob she had to swallow back. She'd never seen a photograph as special as this one. There was no writing on the back when she checked, but Castor could tell this was taken before Sirius had started Hogwarts. Both boys were so young and put together.

Behind them stood a large pine desk. Black Manor. This was taken at Black Manor.

"I see you recognise those two then", Castor had forgotten about Professor Lupin.

"Yes, sir. But.. why do you-?"

He couldn't bear to throw it away.

"I found it not too long ago, behind a cabinet"

"It must have fallen", she muttered.

"I suspect so.", Remus Lupin was cursing himself for ever giving her that photograph. He had taken it away from Sirius' rage when he had found out about Regulus' Deatheater status.

No, he had to get it together. He was a professor now, and this student has been caught fighting in the corridors. He needed to be a teacher now. Not a sentimental sap. 

"As your professor, I must ask if you had been trying to injure Mr. Higgs?"

"Injure? He tried to set me on fire", Castor glared at him. Professor Lupin hadn't quite got the hang of disciplining yet.

Before anything else could happen, the door of Lupin's office swung wide open and a black cloak swished past it and made it's way straight towards Castor.

"Miss Black, you are lucky I haven't expelled you. How dare you cause such a scene in that corridor. In front of the whole school, no less. Detention. Every evening for 2 weeks", Snape was grinding his teeth at the Slytherin.

"Count yourself lucky I'm not sending a letter to the Malfoy's about this. They have enough to deal with, without you in the mix".

** ** ** **

Later that night, Castor had found out about Draco's run in with a Hippogriff in his Magical Creatures class. He had been taken back to Malfoy Manor to 'recover', but Castor knew he'd be sent back in a few days time. There goes the whole 'no distributions or unnecessary problems from either of you before then.' 

"What happened with Higgs, Castor? Everyone was talking about it today.", the 3 girls were eagerly awaiting her answer.

"He had it coming.", she laughed. The girls laughed too, agreeing. 

Castor was flicking through her father's journals. She wasn't looking for anything in particular, just something that would prove Professor Lupin wrong. Or give Castor a reason as to why and when her father and uncle's relationship started to fall apart. So far, she was lost for luck. Her father's journals ended in the winter of 1975. Castor thought that he either stopped writing, or his journals had been lost, or destroyed after that time. 

She had hidden the photograph of her father and uncle safely under her pillow, hoping none of the girls would find it.