By Callisto Crina Vasile - Evans
Summary:
Castor Marius Black and Arcturus III Pollux Black have taken a number of children over the years and given a home and education away from the prejudice of the British Ministry. Living in exile to ensure that they are not put under control of the British Ministry because of their rare, 'dark' or 'dangerous' talents. Marius II Katsou continuing the traditions of his Father and Grandfather has taken in four children under his care, Lovota Zabini, Ase Lovegood, Arianrhod Rosier - Malfoy and Itzar Prince - Slytherin. What will happen to Arcturus' unusual band of foster children when illness forces them to seek help from far corners of the earth. When they must leave the sanctuary of Kuroshima Island in Japan and smuggle themselves to Europe without bringing attention to themselves.
A/N: This fanfic has plenty of OC characters in the mix, some of the more recognisable HP characters are not introduced for a couple of chapters. This is part of a loosely associated AU series, it has two companion pieces in the works. Custody Case (set in 1983) has already had five chapters released and Saving Onyx (set in 1974) will be released last. The time line of this AU series will become more obvious as it progresses, I will be using a couple AU notes to help. Defining Illness is set in 2002 in the Asian and European Magical Worlds.
Obligatory Disclaimer: All recognisable HP characters/situations are credited to J. and co.
Prologue - Summer Begins
Arianrhod POV
"Come on Itzar, just a little to the left" I said observing the blindfolded boy comically missing the watermelon constantly. Lovota lightly kicked Ase in the shin, who had just attempted to trip Itzar. Ase just smirked back unapologetically, "No wonder he's not an ace at physical arts. Oh the irony of a shadow mage being unaware of his surrounding and clumsy".
" Aria is blocking his sensing skills, it would be unfair for our summer games tournament. Uncle Marius has got 10 Sickles on Itzar taking longer than ten attempts and Aria say five." Lovota informed him, Aria and Artie always had a betting game going on, not that Grandfather Arcturus or Great Grandpa Arcturus III put an end to it. Despite gambling being considered a dubious sport, the outcome of the bets often leads to either a slightly humiliating act for the loser or loss of money. The winner often used the money to buy more treats for the children anyway.
"What other scenarios have they added to their betting pool this year?" Ase asked curiously.
"Itzar accidentally summoning of a demon or shadowing into a wall during the dueling. Both inspired but last year mishaps, I still don't understand how his shadowed into a tree during sleepwalking. For me, it's falling for a potion prank, getting chased by a wolf and beating you in the puzzle round. For you, its you drooling over a girl that turns out to be related, electrifying yourself or wandering into an Occamy nest." She informed him, amusement dancing in her amber eyes and a light smile on her lips.
Ase snorted loudly "That won't be hard, I am related to too many people our age in Europe. Did they put a bet up about Aunt Seren's Strike bird stalking Marius or maybe this year one of his friend will release a niffler into his library."
Lovota laughed softly, amber eyes shining with mirth and lightly shoving the younger teen, " Hush now, Zars on his fifth swing". They turned their attention back to Itzar fumbling, Aria helpful hints and Marius' sneaky subversions. Aria held her breath as Itzar seemed ready for his next swing, the wooden sword cut down in the air with a vicious swipe but it missed its target by inches.
" You better get it in the next swing, or you will wish I was one of your lovely demons," Aria said mutinously.
" Aria, If you wanted to win your bet so bad, you should not of countered my shadow sensing". With that the boy stabbed it in an awkward direction, hitting home. He proceeded to a little dance of delight before lifting the sword and smacking it down harshly, severing the stuck watermelon into several jagged pieces.
" Finally, our snack is served." Marius commentary as he removed the blindfold ruffling Itzar's chestnut hair. Marius pulled out the knife out of his shin sheath and plates from a bag, cutting the watermelon into several slices. "Congratulations, my band of odd balls. You have successfully completed another year of correspondence course at school, worked on multiple research and business projects. Welcome, to the first day of summer, we will just relax today with an afternoon at this beach, evening BBQ and some films, maybe some star gazing. Grandpa Arcturus and Grandma Katsumi will judge some of our annual tournament in August. For the seven serious rounds we have; Problem Solving, Invention, Debate, Language, Duelling, Magical Construction and Magical Creation. For fun, we have Melon Smashing, Cake Decorating, Recipes, Chess, Poker, Swimming and Best Prank. Oh and a bonus round, get Grandpa Arcturus to laugh at puns"
As an afterthought, he added, " Winner gets 30 galleons and a minor boon from each loser. I sincerely hope this year no-one locks me in my office with a niffler. I took all my will not to use a blade and skin the devil before fashioning a hat out of it. Your Aunt Serene might have got her Strike to attack me if I did".
"Uncle Mars, when are we restarting the curriculum again?" Itzar asked.
" Around September 15th, a couple days after you all return from your week with guilds, business meetings etc. As of yet, we do not know if any of you are attending the political conferences in Europe, your parents will contact me if they think it a good idea. If you have any objections you better write to them about 'that mandatory project that just came up', I cannot block them myself ". Eying Ase as he said it, the teen had forgotten to tell his Uncle that he did not want to attend two years ago, Ase left a trail of destruction behind him. He had used every bit of his sarcastic and cunning personality to confuse, irritate and intimidate any purebloods who approached him. So much so Marius had to portkey in to stop him before he starting a duel of honor between family members for his entertainment much to Uncle Severus' amusement and Uncle Sebestyen annoyance.
They had convenient timed their yearly project to coincide with the conference a year after, in an attempt to avoid a repeat and Lovato Zambinis Italien relatives from courting a teen knowns as the brainless squid amongst the teens. No chance of Itzar sending a hellhound after his father's 'followers' or papa Sev's boring potion master acquaintances. It was for the best all four children had lived and been educated under Uncle Marius, Aunt Selene and the Black Grandparents of Japan from early childhood. They unique talent and skill made them targets from family enemies and Traditional European School did not have the means to educate them . All were homeschooled under programme by x school, which meant several times a year they went to the school for extensive periods of study and exams. Marius often found that they were ready to do final testing for their yearly aims during April session, which meant for two months they would work, be involved in research or do work experience until their summer began.
The day past peacefully with the group swimming leisurely in the sea before playing volleyball with some local japanese teens. After the sun started to set, they headed back to their home, Black Island, a small island which contained their modern japanese style home completely with office, library, lab, workroom, dueling/exercise room and a ritual room with and astronomy dome. The island was located in the middle of a freshwater lake, with a miniature hill, forests and a field. Its was peaceful but slightly isolated from the non magicals and magical alike. They also had access to Selene house near Tokyo and a Beach side villa in Miyakojima for short trips. As a group, they took weekly trips to the closest town for shopping and other activities.
NB: Its definitely Lovota and not Lovato.
Cast
Castor Marius Black (Age 75)
Arcturus Pollux Black (Age 50)
Marius Katsuo Black (Age 27)
Seren Hoshiyo Black (Age 22)
Lovota Zabini (Age 18)
Ase Lovegood (Age 14)
Arianrhod Rosier - Malfoy (Age 13)
Itzar Prince - Slytherin (Age 10)
Severus Tobias Auer - Prince (Age 53)
Sebestyen Thomas Marvolo Hyas Slytherin - Delacour (Age 53)