Black Magic Woman
Don't turn your back on me, baby
Yes, don't turn your back on me, baby
Stop messing 'round with your tricks
Don't turn your back on me, baby
You might just pick up my magic sticks
24th June 1972
“Oi!”
“Sorry!” James Potter exclaimed as he zipped through students in the Great Hall - knocking through them like a pinball. A letter clutched in his left hand, sealed with gold wax.
Now, Potters had their own letter code with each other. The colours of their family crest used in the wax depicting the meaning. Maroon was found on replies to letters home from McGonagall, general check ups and all other random mailings. It boded a time of normalcy and peace.
Gold was the colour of war. And, of great change.
And considering that the letter he was holding didn’t include his name on the front - he was definitely getting his hopes up.
It took several more minutes to reach the Gryffindor tower; James figuring out how to weave through the crowds in the common room as he ran to the stairs of the boys dorms.
They should still be in there. After all, it was a Saturday. Sirius never got out of bed before midday and Ara would join him - reading aloud as he pretended to still be asleep. The weekend routine of the Gryffindor first years was something James found soothing.
At his own home, weekends had a routine too. He’d wake in the mid-morning to find his parents and his aunt and uncle listening to a charmed record player in the sitting room - engaged in their own activities. He’d fly around on his broom until lunch and spend the afternoon with either his father and uncle or his mother and aunt. It depended on whether he wanted to have a relaxing chat, or an afternoon of adventure.
As it turned out, his friends treated the weekend similarly. Though, the Black twins often vanished for hours on end alone - they’d always come back and spend the evenings together. Remus seemed to find weekends meant the ability to read uninterrupted four two straight days, and Peter just enjoyed hanging out with the others while fiddling about with his little paper creations or cramming homework. James just liked the options.
On the stairs to the dorms, he bumped into Frank Longbottom - apologising quickly as he sprinted past (and completely missing the laugh the older boy had at his disorganisation). Arriving at the first year boys dorm, he flung the door wide open; locking eyes on the Black twins.
They were as they usually were. Ara sat upright against the side of Sirius’s bed, a new library book in her lap. Sirius lay with an arm draped over his face - lifted now in curiosity at James’s sudden and rather dramatic entry. He sat up as James raced towards them.
“There’s a letter from Auntie Dorea!” James squealed, thrusting the envelope in their faces. “It’s for you.”
He watched them with anticipation, optimistic smile as the two ripped open the letter and scanned through the page.
Dear Sirius Orion Black III and Ara Hermione Black,
I have spoken to your father, and he has permitted you to stay at the Potter Manor for the duration of August. He and I have discussed at length certain issues, and agreed it is in your best interest to visit with my family through marriage. However, I regret to say you will still be expected at Grimmauld for July.
This letter is a portkey attached to the Hall of our Manor, and will activate at exactly 9:00 in the morning on the 31st of July.
See you shortly, and please do inform me if any unsavoury acts occur during your stay at Grimmauld. I will be expecting a letter weekly to my nephew.
You are not alone.
Dorea Ursula Potter nee Black
Their heads shot back up to stare at James, wide eyed in disbelief.
It was a miracle. It was some kind of incredible feat that the boys had promised but the twins had never actually put faith in.
Sure, they’d be home for the first month - but that only meant spending time with Reggie, something Ara was desperate for. Only a month. And if it went well, maybe Reggie could come the next time?
Possibilities previously unthought of bloomed between them. Exchanging a brief glance of sheer disbelief, they both turned to James and spoke together.
“How?” The word escaped painfully, raw and uncomprehending.
“Well, I don’t know what it says, do I?” James sniffed jokingly, before jumping onto the bed beside Ara and extending his hand. “Can I see?”
She handed it to him wordlessly, watching as he read through and a wicked grin slowly formed on his face.
“Brilliant! I knew she’d be able to do it?”
“What did you do, Jamie?” Ara chewed on her lower lip, worriedly. James frowned at her nerves and tried to put on his brightest smile.
“Auntie Dorea was born a Black. She’s still in contact with the more neutral sides of the family. So, I asked if she could help.” He spoke shyly, focusing on Sirius’s growing dazed smile. “I don’t know exactly what she did, but it worked!”
“And who says I want to spend half my summer at your house, James?” Ara seethed in reply, genuinely startling him. Sirius looked to her with nerves, eyes turning glassy - though quickly stopped by her glare flickering his way.
“I… I…”
“We aren’t the only ones in that house, Potter.” She spat his surname, jumping from her spot on the bed and making her way towards the door. Pausing at the doorway, she turned back and shook her head at him. “I can’t believe you.”
With that, she stormed out; slamming the door so hard the entire room shook. Both boys winced.
“For the record, I’m bloody ecstatic.” Sirius joked softly, causing James to spin in place with a hopeful look. The other boy was looking at him like he was some kind of mythological hero. Hercules in the flesh, fresh from having slain a mythical beast.
“Really?” James replied nervously. “Cause, I can send her a letter back and-”
“Don’t!” Sirius panicked. “Ara’s going loony right now cause she’s stressed about people figuring shit out, but she’ll calm down. Promise. She doesn’t want to be there just as much as me.”
With that, a peace was restored, and the boys went about their day.
Sirius spent it treating James like some kind of king. Introducing him to everyone as his best friend and as a brilliant wizard. It was all rather amusing, until he’d see Ara glaring at them from the corner of his eye. He knew Sirius said she was just mad because she didn’t like her personal business being public knowledge; but he knew it was something greater than that. Something beyond their understanding.
He just hoped she’d forgive him before break.
——
Ara was violently aware of the eyes on her and whispers whenever she turned around. It made her back itchy; that uneasy paranoia. What would Narcissa tell their parents? What were their parents thinking when they agreed?
Could Reg come with them? Knowing her mother, that was the condition for it all. That Reg was to stay behind, to be forced under her thumb for a while longer.
“Letter for Mistress.” A sniff sounded beside her. Kreacher was to her left, presenting a new letter from Reggie for her. She beamed at him and accepted it, glad for the distraction.
“Thank you.” She nodded to the elf, who naturally scoffed at her before popping back to Grimmauld. Rolling her eyes in reply - he really had never liked her - she popped the letter in front of her and broke the dark seal.
Ara,
I’m so glad for you and even Sirius returning that it feels like time is being cruel. Every day takes too long, every night drags out unbearably. Mother is being erratic again; she’s started mumbling to herself. So, nothing new.
Though, I heard something worrying from Father’s study and I was wondering if you knew about something to do with the Potters? Mother’s gone crazy being difficult and when I tried to ask about it, she nearly hexed me wouldn’t talk about it. What’s going on? I’m scared.
Sorry for starting the letter off like that, I don’t want you to think I’m not alright. Everything’s fine over here. Same as last week’s letter. Father’s still taking to locking himself in the study and speaking three words over dinner. Auntie Dru and Bella came over for dinner the other day. Dru was bragging about how Cissa and that awful Malfoy bloke are marrying over the summer, since they’re both of age.
Imagine finishing your final year with a husband? Sounds awful.
Bella asked about you, though Auntie Dru smacked her on the head for it. After dinner, we snuck off and I made her pinkie promise not to tell anyone and told her about the letters. I hope that’s okay. She was so happy to know that Hogwarts is nice for you. I think she really needed to hear it, you know? she left right after that, apparently she’s working with some Lord and they had a late meeting. She looked so scared.
Oh! She asked if it was alright if she could send a note to you through me. I have it on my desk but I promise I haven’t opened it.
Beyond that, things are normal. Saw the Carrow twins on Wednesday. It was alright until they started trying to hex me. I can’t believe they got wands before me. I’m older! I didn’t get hit though, you’ve taught me well.
How’s the castle? Is your friend Pandora going to be in Ollivander’s when I get my wand? How did Peter do on that Transfiguration test? And how’s Sirius? Please do inform me of any trouble he’s gotten into.
How are you?
Love,
RAB
p.s. has Siri been keeping up with his flying? Cause I’ve been flying every day this year and I want to race him. Bet I’ll beat him (don’t worry, we can split my winnings on some Floreans).
Tears stung her eyes as she read through the letter. She narrowed her eyes on the scribbled out sections, figuring out the letters behind the harsh black lines. There was something going on with their parents, with Bella and probably the entire family. Some conspiracy that they refused to tell their children about.
And Reg was clearly caught on the sidelines.
Bella. She hasn’t thought about her in months. Not since that talk with Narcissa.
And though she was loathe to admit it to her twin, she missed her cousin deeply.
Reggie,
In reply to the questions at the end of the letter:
The castle is still intact, despite Sirius’s best efforts. I’m not sure about Panda, but I’ll ask her and make sure she’s around. I bet she will be; she says she’s always helping with the school rush. Pete got an Acceptable, so we got him cake from the kitchens to celebrate. Chocolate, ‘cause Remus ordered it and that boy is utterly addicted. Sirius is well. In fact, I’d say he’s probably having one of his best days.
Which brings me to your more serious opening. I’ve apparently been unbearable in my missing you this year, and in my anticipation for our reunion. It’s not right without you here. I’ll talk to James and ask what’s happening with his family - might just be ‘cause his aunt is a Black and he’s my friend.
Please send me Bella’s note. And please don’t tell anyone - not even Sirius (you know how he gets).
And to answer your final question: I’m alright. Nervous about my exam results and coming home for the Summer. I’ve missed you, terribly. Do you have anything you’d like me to sneak home? I recon I could probably swing one of Petey’s comics in exchange for one of my short stories that Remus gave me.
All my heart,
AHB
P.S. stay out of mother’s way. Don’t provoke her and don’t talk about us. I’ll talk to you in person about it, I promise.
Satisfied with her wording, she called Kreacher back and handed him the unsealed envelope. He scowled in reply and popped away immediately.
After that, it seemed like the entire day went downhill. Even more so than this morning. She made it to lunch right when it was finishing. The boys wanted to watch the Quidditch game, and she didn’t want to be in James’s company - so her afternoon was spent trying to find one of her female friends.
None of them were around. Probably all at the Quidditch game. It was the final, to be fair.
At least Sirius kept her updated on where he was throughout the day. Those did come with little comments about how exciting the Potters’ would be and how she needed to get over herself. If her own twin didn’t understand why she was upset, well… she simply wasn’t going to tell him.
Honestly, the only person she wanted to talk to was Pandora. But she was probably holed up in her Tower doing some odd experiment before she had to go home.
It was in the evening, as Ara realised that she had spent the entire day alone - that none of her friends bothered to find her - that her day turned from bad into genuinely awful.
It started when Rosemary Avery, that Slytherin bitch, shoved into her as they passed in an empty corridor.
“Watch it, Black!” She growled, clearly spoiling for a fight.
“Piss off, Avery.” Ara bit back, eyes narrowed. “I’m not in the mood today.”
“Little blood-traitor isn’t in the mood? Tough.” The girl mocked her, glaring back. “Little lion needs the Potters to save her? Oh poor Ara Black, the wretch of her House.”
Without thinking, Ara lunged for the other witch; fist flying straight to the girl’s face, colliding with a crack across her nose. Rosemary clasped a hand to her nose as her head flung to look back at Ara incredulously.
“You really are mad, aren’t you? Filthy little blood-traitor bitch.” The girl lunged for her, clawing her perfectly manicured nails across Ara’s face - the latter screaming as a nail scratched across her left eye.
She reached her hands out blindly and found the end of Rosemary’s braid, yanking hard. The girl’s neck jutted back as she howled out, ripping a hand across Ara’s throat and squeezing. Ara’s hands dropped the braid, instead raising to scratch at Avery’s hands as they fell backwards - Ara’s backside colliding sharply with the stone floor.
Desperately, she flooded open the bond - her twin desperately clawing for information, having felt her panic from his quiet spot in the Gryffindor common room. She blinked upwards at the ceiling, choking as she tried to remove the hands around her throat.
Rosemary looked manic - eyes wide with a horrifying glee as she dug her hands tighter.
USE YOUR LEGS! Sirius desperately screamed in her mind and she did as told - kicking upwards at Rosemary’s stomach. The girl let out an awful spluttering sound as she dropped Ara, spinning onto her side.
With that, Ara took staggering breaths, moving to her side to collect herself. Rosemary was still on her back, gasping - and so, without thinking, Ara jumped on top of her. Her hands found their way to pummel the girl’s body, colliding with ribs and jaw as she screamed out her fury.
Her face was wet with tears and blood and she could hardly breathe. And she couldn’t stop. Her fury bubbled and popped inside her; it was raw and it was bloody. It was months of pretending to be fine, of ignoring the remarks from the girl and pretending to not care. Of hearing Rosemary call her ‘Angry Ara’, ‘mad girl’, of hearing her burns being taunted and knowing she was seen as this ugly little, embarrassing thing.
She was fucking sick of it.
Sick of everyone ignoring her when she was in a bad mood. Sick of her friends trying to insert themselves in her problems, and missing the mark entirely. Sick of her confusing dreams and the fact that she hadn’t slept through a night since she’d started the ruddy school.
She was unaware that her thoughts and feelings has started to bleed through the bond; her twin greedily lapping at all clues of her wellbeing.
Hands grabbed her arms and she screamed out again, trying to fight off whoever had grabbed her.
Twin, stop, it’s me. With that, she dropped backwards - unable to even hold herself up. She felt him wrap his arms around her as sobs escaped her bruised throat. Blinking back tears, she looked at the scene before her - and simply died inside.
James and Peter stood in front of them, both stunned by it all.
Her friends were there, all seeing the aftermath of her snap. A snap that, currently, she was finding it difficult to regret. Especially when a sick sense of pride flickered within her at the sight of Avery; curled in a ball and looking at her with absolute fear and disgust.
“Don’t fucking tell anyone.” Avery hissed at her, before stumbling to her feet and fleeing down the dark corridor. Leaving the Gryffindors to stare at the scene remaining - at Ara’s crumpled and crying form wrapped in Sirius’s arms.
Wordlessly, he lifted her up until they were both stood; Ara leaning heavily on Sirius as he wrapped his arms around her.
It was gentle, the way they herded her to the Hospital Wing. Sirius gripping onto her, Peter in the front to block anyone from seeing her bloodied face. And James Potter trailing behind, unsure of how he could possibly help in this moment.
Sirius spoke to her over the bond, throughout the walk, trying to be reassuring.
It wasn’t quite working; something had happened between them in this past year, and the twins were only just realising. There were secrets, and they were awful at hiding them from each other and knowing that there was a secret being hidden from them.
The four made it to the Hospital Wing, Sirius helping Ara onto a bed as Madame Pomphrey appeared as if out of air and began fussing over her.
Remus was occupying a bed further back - brought in for a migraine on the Friday that had knocked him out when he tried to stand and go to lunch. James carefully pulled back his curtains to check on his friend, reassured when he saw him slumbering peacefully. There was something so melancholy in the way he slept. His face smoothed completely - and James was made violently aware of how much tension his friend carried when he was awake. It clung to him like a wet jacket; pressing his shoulders in and hunching him into a nervous wreck. But James liked to think they’d helped him come out of his shell.
They were friends. Remus’s first friends if how he had behaved at the start of the school year indicated anything.
If they could get Remus to plan pranks and lie straight to a Professor’s face, James could fix this thing with Ara. She was one of his best mates. He’d do anything for her.
As he arrived at her bed, Madame Pomphrey was already at work - blinking some potion onto Ara’s eye at a salve sat on the scratches on her face.
“I dread to think.” The matron muttered to herself worriedly as she dropped dittany onto Ara’s small cuts. James marvelled as they closed up seamlessly. “All this fighting.” She tutted as she checked over her work, before straightening up at pining Ara with a scrutinising gaze. “Should I expect your counterpart to arrive shortly?”
“No, ma’am.” Ara shook her head, eye shut as the potion worked its magic.
“Very well.” The matron sighed. “You’ll have to stay here tonight.” She spun to face they boys, who gulped under her eyes. “Either leave in half an hour or stay the night. It is the weekend, after all.”
With that she fluttered from the curtains, closing them behind her as she returned to her work.
James stayed focused on the curtain, only blinking back to reality when he noticed sniffling behind him. Spinning, he found Ara shrinking away from Sirius’s touch - tears spilling from her eyes. He really hoped that wouldn’t mess up the potion.
“What happened?” He asked her across the space, startled by her eyes suddenly meeting his. He may have only been twelve, but James Potter in that moment… he looked at her suffering and it made his soul wince. Being with her was like coming home and seeing freshly baked biscuits. Her presence improved his life in every single way, and he’d forever be grateful that she’d ended up in his House. He didn’t think he could bare it if she were further away. But right now, it was like she was too close. Because he could see it. Everything she’d felt towards him that day in a single look. Loathing turned to contempt turned to awkward sorrow.
Sirius’s hand brushed Ara’s shoulder in that moment, and she flinched away, erupting into loud sobs.
“You all left me!” She cried, stubbornly refusing Sirius’s comforts. That is, until Pete put a hand on her shoulder and she finally deflated, letting her twin wrap his arms around her and mutter apologies.
They’d forgotten about the start of the year. About seeing her flee at her mother’s harsh voice. At her defeat after Christmas - after the first defence of anger. They’d spent a whole year with her and hadn’t even taken the time to understand her.
Because she was always so angry when someone pried in her family. Whenever someone found out about her parents - no wonder she’d been seething when James announced that his aunt had pried into everything. So, they’d figured she needed the day to be angry and get over it.
Except, the anger never lasted longer than a few hours. Quickly, it was replaced by this melancholy far too deep for a twelve year old to know. It shrouded her; practically rattling in their bones in her presence. And it was uncomfortable.
None of them wanted to admit to themselves that, perhaps that was why they hadn’t taken time to understand her. In her most raw forms, she was incredibly painful to look at. An awakening of emotions that their upbringings only let them experience in small doses. She wore the weight of more than her own experiences and it was a grief like no other.
Worst thing was that she was right. They’d left her. Too immature to handle something that complex. Supposed best friends, and yet they’d left her at her most vulnerable.
It was sobering, and the silence followed by it was hideous.
“Never again.” Peter’s voice cut through the quiet, as he moved his arm to hold Ara to his side. She moved her head from Sirius’s shoulder - those doe grey eyes staring up at him. “You’re right. And I’m sorry. And I promise to never do it again.”
“I’m sorry too.” She whispered back.
“Me too.” James broke in, stepping closer. “Might have to give you an hour to cool down though, if that’s alright.” James joked to the group. “You throw some wicked hexes.”
Ara’s laugh twinkled in the air and the boys collectively sighed in relief. All was forgiven, all was well. Except for Avery. She hadn’t shown up in the Hospital Wing yet.
They chatted idly about the Quidditch match that day and the Summer homework that was sure to pile up in their final week. McGonagall had already set them an essay. After a few minutes, Peter let out an adorably large yawn. Ara giggled at the sight of him, of his little twitch as he pulled his face back to its resting position. She missed the look her twin and James exchanged - of utter relief that she was alright.
Still though, they were never letting her be alone in the castle for longer than an hour again.
“Go to bed, Petey. You’ve got an exam tomorrow.” She chided him softly. The boy blushed under her scrutiny and bid goodbye, promising to sneak some chocolate cake for her the next morning.
The three remaining stewed in the comfortable silence. Each with separate concerns clouding their thoughts. James wasn’t sure about the others, but all he wanted to do was speak to Ara. To apologise and explain and promise to obey whatever rules she set out.
He flashed a glance to the others. Sirius was staring at his sister, an unmasked expression; one difficult to fully read, except if you had Burke blood. James was sure his mother would be proud of how much he picked out in Sirius’s expression: the nervous twitching of his lip, the tense clench of his jaw in deep worry. It was his eyes that were most easy to read. Fear. It was something so easy to spot for a Burke. His mother always knew when he was frightened as a child, much to his chagrin.
His gaze flickered to Ara, and he was unsurprised to see she looked much the same. Staring lightly off out the window, eyebrows furrowed in deep thought. He really needed to talk to her.
“Do you need anything from the dorms? I can swing and grab it.” He asked quietly. Slowly, she turned to him, forcing a smile on her face.
“I’m okay.” She reassured him. “Though, someone should tell the girls why I’m not going to be in the dorm tonight.” She frowned, eyes clouding as they flickered to her twin for a moment. Sirius sat to attention and stood dramatically from his chair. He saluted the two and made strides towards the curtain.
“I’ll be right back.” He promised, before spinning on his heels and sprinting from the Wing. Much to the frustration of Madame Pomphrey.
James let out a surprised laugh, turning to see a faint glimmer of a real smile on her face.
“What did you say to him?”
“I told him that if he can figure a way into my dorm, he can have the chocolate frog under the second scarf in my drawer.” They shared a laugh.
“I don’t remember if I ever told him about the caterwauling charm.” He pretended to ponder before an enormous grin took hold of his features. There was something pleasant in the way James smiled normally; his lopsided quirk. It held no candle, however, to seeing James Potter when he smiled like this. He simply shone. And others simply couldn’t help but to smile back.
“I didn’t.” She grinned back.
Their eyes stayed locked for a moment, before Ara’s gaze flickered away with a faint blush.
“What’s going on?” He carefully approached her bed, setting himself on the side. “Before today, there was something. And I promise to apologise in a second, but I’m your best mate and I want to help. What’s wrong?”
For a moment, he really thought she’d tell him what was wrong. There was a flicker, a moment that she nearly did. But he saw it settle as she clearly thought of something smaller but more urgent. One day, he thought.
“Can I tell you something, if you promise not to tell Sirius?” She asked quietly, eyes flicking around the room to check for any listeners.
“I don’t know…” James hesitated, before seeing the flicker of panic on Ara’s face. “Alright. But only if you tell me why.”
“I got a note from my cousin.”He hadn’t expected that.
“Andy?” She shook her head.
“Bella.” He tilted his head, curious at the mention of the cousin. All he’d heard of her, was one comment from Sirius. That Bella had turned into exactly what her parents wanted. “We were so close as kids. Used to spend so much time in the summer together. But something happened, and we stopped spending time with that part of the family. Except, apparently not.”
She passed the note over to him and he folded it open, eyes running over the minimal words as he cast a lumos in the declining light.
AB,
Don’t say yes. He’s not worth your brothers’ safety.
BB.
The boy looked back up at her, concern etched into his brow.
“I have no idea what it means.” She scowled softly, worrying her lower lip. “She gave it to Reggie to give me, and I don’t know what to do.”
“I could ask Dorea if we could just kidnap you two at the platform?” He joked, pleased at her surprised laugh.
That is, until it quickly turned mournful.
In her brief pause to cry, the light behind the curtain flickered off - the two illuminated solely by the glowing moonlight.
“I’m so sorry, Jamie.” Ara whispered into the near darkness, followed by a stifled sob. The moonlight barely showed her beyond a mass of curls and two grey eyes. Their presence was burned into his brain; he saw them in all his best dreams. “I’m so scared. I hate it, but I’m so frightened.”
He reached a hand out, fumbling until he found hers. He linked their fingers and soothed her knuckles with his thumb. She squeezed his fingers weakly.
“I promise we’ll get you and Sirius out of there. I’m sure Auntie Dorea is already working on it.”
“But what about Reggie?” She sniffled. All at once, understanding (and an overwhelming feeling that he was the biggest moron to ever walk the world) smacked him in the face and he sighed dumbly.
“When I get home, I promise to help figure it out. I’ll talk to Auntie Dorea and my parents and we’ll figure something. He’s family.” All at once, a body slammed into him and wrapped its arms around him. He melted, wrapping his arms back around her.
“Thank you, Jamie.” She whispered, lips brushing his cheek softly.
“Of course, Ara.” He swallowed, trying to make sense of his speeding heart. “I’d do anything for you.”
“Me too.”