Note: The Silas Owls mentioned here was inspired by Umei no Mai's Omen Owls from their story Black Sky. It's a well-written story with a fem!Harry.
Chapter 2 Black Brothers
The four weeks between Lycoris getting his Hogwarts letter and the beginning of his first school terms were intensely hectic. Thankfully all his required pre-Hogwarts classes and lessons which consists of a comprehensive range from duelling and swordplay, riding and archery, etiquette and dancing, music and art, to languages and history had ended when he got the letter, though Lycoris continued practicing his preferred instrument the bamboo flute and painting skills on his own. He had been told that the Slytherin quarters had a private dueling area that also doubled for swordplay. As for his flute and painting, he could practice it anywhere really but Hogwarts does have Music and Art Rooms. It was a pity that Hogwarts don't provide classes on Magical Music or Art anymore.
In addition to Magical Music and Art, duelling and swordplay as well as many other subjects had slowly been taken out of the curriculum over the centuries, particularly once the Ministry established itself and gained power. Luckily, he could still continue to practice duelling and swordplay with Arcturus and the other older Slytherins as a lot of the pureblood children still continue swordplay as part of their magical education despite the moderning of the times. Music and art would have to be on his own until school breaks.
Lycoris spent most of his free time wandering around the Black Keep memorizing everything for when he was away from home, sorting through his possessions to decide what would go to Hogwarts with him and repeatedly trawling through the Library with Regulus in search of books to compliment his school texts and provide additional interest. Lycoris knew Regulus sees him as the closest family member, likely due to the fact that not only were they closest in age, he was the only one to pay attention to the poor boy. It was hardly his fault that his disposition tended towards being quiet and studious, making it seem as if he had no presence at times. And with older brothers like Arcturus and Lycoris, he was often forgotten. Arcturus had the advantage of being the heir so gets a lot of attention even if most were of the strict and demanding variety.
As for Lycoris, being a necromancer and an uncommonly powerful young wizard, it was practically a given that he would be provided attention and grooming to control his powers, hence the obscene amount of lessons that wasn't just to groom him into the perfect pureblood wizard but also act as outlets for his abnormally large magical core.
If he allowed the magic to build up to the point his immature body could no longer keep it in control, it would be causing bizarre and even destructive accidents, a lesson he had learned quite young. Thus, he had gotten into the habit of using his magic constantly, even for the most mundane of things such as dressing or brushing his teeth. It was a dependence on magic that Harry would have disapproved of but for Lycoris it wasn't a case of being a lazy wizard but the result of necessity. Thankfully, he knew that once his body matured enough to contain his magic he would be able to maintain control without having to constantly lower his magic levels.
While neither Arcturus nor Regulus possess the dubious fortune of magical power or raw talent and genius, both of them were hardly mediocre wizards. Arcturus already played the political game with ease and excelled in all of his classes with the exception of Ancient Runes. He always did have a weakness for languages, barely proficient in French, the only other language other than English he could speak. His younger brothers outshine him in that respect, both fairly fluent in at least six languages.
Regulus, on the other hand, was not the most social or outgoing and was absolutely horrid at being cunning and manipulative, practically an open book if one knew what to look for. He was also absolutely dismal at physical activities like swordplay, riding and quidditch, preferring his books, plants and potions. While Lycoris devoured knowledge and learned new magic, it was mostly to challenge himself and keep his magical core busy and happy. Regulus truly enjoyed learning even if somethings don't come as easy to him as it did to Lycoris. Lycoris suspected that he would end up sorted into Ravenclaw.
As for his own sorting, Lycoris was honestly unsure whether he would end up in Slytherin. While he can play the game as well as Arcturus, he didn't thrive on it. Neither was he all that ambitious despite the fact that his family obviously expects him to become a Dark Lord and Mr. Ollivander predicted "great things" for him. If he did have an ambition, it would most likely be finding something to amuse him for more than a few days. Even without the added advantage of Harry's knowledge and experience, magic and anything he set his mind on, whether it be a certain skill or even a person, always came easily with little effort. It was maddening, not only for his brothers and peers but himself as well. Everyone always seem to focus on the pros of possessing genius and talent but hardly anyone talks about the drawbacks. And truly, Lycoris didn't want to be ungrateful but the tedium can become a bit much sometimes.
Hopefully, with Hogwarts and a wider playing field that isn't confined to the various Black estates and manors of the pureblood families in the social circles the Blacks frequent, things might become more interesting.
- I am a line -
"Will you write me? I don't want you to forget about me once you're at Hogwarts doing new and exciting things."
It was a rare evening that has all three Black brothers alone in the same place at the same time, enjoying the last day of summer break. As the boys grew older, it became more and more uncommon for them to spend time together, what with Arcturus' increasing duties as heir and his obligations regarding his studies and social circle. Lycoris was guilty as well, his classes and lessons increasing in workload as his magical core grew larger with age and his mind and magic sought out more challenges. It all left the youngest Black feeling lonely and insecure.
"Of course, Reggie. You're my favorite brother after all." Lycoris grinned unapologetically at Arcturus who rolled his eyes.
"We'll both write. Argus and Zephyra are coming with us after all." In a rare show of thoughtfulness, Arcturus added his own piece.
Argus and Zephyra are members of the eagle owl dynasty that had inhabited the Black Keep's Owlery since Silas Black's seventeenth century breeding experiment had given them an uncanny awareness, a variation of divination ability and a rather startling resistance to spells that triumphs even that of dragon hide. The population had flourished since from the first eight birds to stretch across a good portion of Eurasia, but if any Black of the main family needed assistance whether to deliver a letter or defend against an enemy then an Silas Owl or more would present themselves. While most Silas Owls lived in the wild, some were known to bond with a member of the Black family and accompany the wizard or witch as a familiar, Argus and Zephyra being two such examples.
Had Silas Owls been recognized by the Ministry they would have been classified as dangerous and requiring specialist knowledge to approach, but they were a secret restricted to the Lord Black and his closest associates so nobody else knew that category four creatures were being used by the Family to deliver post. It had the benefit that nobody ever survived attempting to tamper with Black mail, which was why Silas Black had done it in the first place. The additional benefit of a loyal battle companion during dangerous situations was just a happy coincidence.
Zephyra, a young female Silas Owl, had become Lycoris' familiar when he was little more than five years of age. Argus, likewise, chose Arcturus when he was quite young as well. Every Black was bonded with one Silas Owl as familiar, no exception, the only difference being when. Some accounts had Silas Owls bonding with their wizard or witch as young as six months old and as old as half a century.
"I wish I had my own Silas Owl…." Regulus trailed off wistfully. And despite trying to hide it, the disappointment and self-deprecation could be heard.
Lycoris and Arcturus shared a look. Both were aware of their third brother's insecurity and low self-esteem but neither knew what to do about it. Arcturus was of the opinion that he would grow out of it, much like their parents. But Lycoris was reminded of another young boy who struggled with confidence, the Neville who had become one of Harry's closest brother-in-arms during the Second War. Neville had overcome his issues through the support of friends and finding his own niche but Lycoris knew that friends like that would be a luxury in their position. While the Blacks were a powerful and influential Family, they had their fair share of enemies, some of whom wouldn't be above using a young child against them. Perhaps finding Regulus' niche would be the solution.
"It probably isn't the right time for you to bond with one. I've read accounts where some of our Black ancestors didn't bond with one until later in life." Lycoris reassured the boy, thankfully successful when he saw Regulus brighten visibly.
Not many knew it, but Lycoris had his softer side that he only reserved for his family members. Having seen and experienced Harry's life secondhand, he knew the value of family who would stand by him no matter what. And no matter how unpleasant certain members were, Lycoris knew that they would be the first to save him from any trouble. His brothers especially.
Lycoris hid his fond smile behind his teacup. Arcturus can be cold and insensitive at times but it was mostly due to his upbringing as the next Head of the Black House rather than his true nature. He was never cruel and enjoyed the occasional needling and good-natured prank. It was always amusing to see the iceberg melt in irritation and reluctant amusement. Arcturus kept it well hidden, but his brothers knew that he had a sense of mischievous humor and compassion for young children.
And Regulus, despite his insecurity and timid nature, could be the most loyal and courageous when the situation called for it. Lycoris could still recall when he hadn't kept his magic levels low enough for his immature body to maintain control and had nearly destroyed the Black Keep one afternoon when it was just him and Regulus. Regulus had stayed with him despite the danger and prevented him from fully losing control and going on a rampage.
In fact, out of the three Black brothers, Lycoris knew he was capable of being the most cruel, ruthless and calculating. Not only did he seemed to have inherited the lion share of the Black Family magical power but also the traits that gave the Family its notorious reputation as the darkest Family in Wizarding Britain. Like Harry and Tom Riddle, the potential to become a Dark Lord was there but unlike Harry, he lacked the fear in his powers that had prevented Harry from truly falling from grace. And unlike Tom, Lycoris leads a privileged life and already wielded considerable power as a Black. More importantly, both Harry and Tom were invested in the Wizarding World and its direction, in the end sacrificing their lives to it in different ways.
Lycoris, despite possessing a wand for revolutionaries, was simply too apathetic to anything besides his family and his own amusement. Perhaps he was simply too jaded from a young age by the dreams and memories of Harry Potter's life because while he may recognize the corruption in the Ministry and the stagnation of the Wizarding World, it would take more than that to make an impact on him. Once upon a time when he was Harry Potter, he might have cared more, but as Lycoris Black, Master of Death and necromancer, he was just selfish and indifferent enough to turn a blind eye except when he had need to take advantage of the system for his own benefit.
Indeed, Lycoris knew he has many flaws to make up for all the natural advantages bestowed upon him, thus he felt lucky to be born in the Black family with brothers like Arcturus and Regulus. He may not have friends he could trust but he had family he could and that was enough.