A/N:
Clearly I am unreliable for updates. I apologize that I am like this, haha. It looks like chapters are going to stay a bit short for the time being, again, apologies.
Chapter Nine: Eleven at Last
It was the end of July and the summer sun blazed brightly, and blisteringly, above them. It had to be the hottest day of the year, but none of them had bothered to actually check. Currently Blackweald was empty, its residents having opted to sit in outside instead and enjoy the beautiful summer day, even if it was a bit hot.
There actually happened be a fairly large crowd in Blackweald's largest garden. The garden was outlined by high, and perfectly tamed hedges. Large flower bushes, some muggle some magical, added colour and texture to the large garden, while fruit trees were scattered throughout the garden, offering their shade to several table settings. At the centre of the garden was a moderately sized pool styled as a pond; the pond happened to be occupied by half a dozen squealing children at the moment.
Several women and a few men were seated around one of the larger tables, it was an elegant glass and pewter specimen that sat in the shade of some of a large cherry tree. The group were having quite an animated discussion, sipping on icy-cool beverages and snacking on a spread of light refreshments provided by the Black's houselves.
By all interpretations, it was a perfectly normal birthday party for a seemingly perfectly normal eleven year old boy.
Noctis was at the centre of the attention in the pond. He and his friends, or at least his best friend Aimus Bones and the children of his grandfather's allies, were tossing around large balls that flashed colours mid-air, and changed courses erratically. Whenever one of the balls touches the surface of the pond it would explode with a loud pop and soak all of the children.
Their game continued for quite sometime, until one of the younger girls, Astoria Greengrass, suddenly decided she was finished playing and got out of the pond to sit near her mother who was sitting at the large table with the other ladies. The game didn't last much longer after that, with Astoria's sister and their new friend, a pale girl with long orange hair followed them out. The orange-haired girl was new to them, and all of the children had thought to ask the newcomer's name.
"I suppose you're all finished soaking one another to the bone then?" Analise smiled warmly at the children, a twinkle in her eye as she surveyed the soaking youngsters who were toweling themselves off half-heartedly.
The small orange-haired girl was the only one to reply. "I'm sorry if we were bothering you Lady B-"
"No no, perish the thought young Genevra you were doing no such thing. Children's laughter is music to my ears." The girl blushed in response but was quickly saved by the other girls who pulled her away to join their small group sitting around one of the smaller nearby tables.
Aimus and Noctis had already wandered away from the other children, and were carting off a small platter of sandwiches and fruit to a picnic blanket laying in the shade of the large tree nearest the lake.
Aimus and Noctis were close friends but they couldn't have appeared less similar. While Noctis was tall and thin with black hair, Aimus was of average height for his age and had a much more athletic build and his nearly blood red hair highlighting the stark-whiteness of his skin. Their paleness was the only physical trait the boys shared beyond their sharp angular faces typical of the ancient families.
Despite their differences they had been close since before their first birthdays; assured by the close relationship between their two families. Whenever they were together they chattered excitedly about who knew what. The two had appeared to have made up their own language or some kind of code, their guardians, or even Aimus's sister who the two boys were also close to, could never could understand them. The truth of it was actually much similar, they just never needed to speak in complete sentences because the other normally knew what was about to be said, and how the other would react.
-o-O-o-
The afternoon was in its final hours when a large barn owl swooped down through the sky. It scanned the garden attentively before its eyes narrowed on Noctis, who was still curled under the large tree near the lake, chattering excitedly with Aimus. He had gotten dressed again since first sitting down for his picnic under the tree - and both boys were wearing similar loose fitting button up shirts that caught the breeze. They were both in shades of grey, but they looked almost silver in the afternoon light.
The owl swooped down and perched in front of Noctis with wide eyes, staring at the young boy with wide eyes. Noctis stared back, unmoving.
The owl had also caught the attention of the rest of the garden's occupants, and a polite applause broke out, as was custom in their culture when a child received their hogwarts letter on their eleventh birthday.
Noctis still didn't move a muscle, he simply stared back into the wide and unflinching amber eyes of the barn owl. Before long Aimus shifted and placed his hand reassuringly on Noctis' shoulder, probably having sensed that his friend was overcome. Suddenly, Noctis' face broke into a large crooked smile and he let out a cry of joy. The owl was particularly unhappy with being startled, but everyone else in the garden laughed in amusement of the boy's excitement.
Noctis scrambled forward and retrieved the letter from the owl, dismissing it with a kind smile and soft ruffle of the feathers between its wings; it took off indignantly nonetheless. Noctis sprinted across the yard to where Arcturus was sitting with Lord Bones. Both men had proud smiles on their faces as they watched the young boy barrel toward them in excitement. Aimus followed just behind him - and behind Aimus Noctis' grandmother was sweeping over to congratulate the boy.
"I suppose we'll be heading to Diagon Alley tomorrow, won't we Noctis?"
Noctis smiled happily at his grandfather's words but he was too busy excitedly reading his Hogwarts letter to give much more of a reaction. He always knew this day would come, and he always knew the letter would accompany it. But that didn't take away the magic of the moment for him. The day had finally arrived, he was finally eleven, and would be heading to Hogwarts in just just a few short weeks.
-o-O-o-
Arcturus, Analise, and Noctis marched down Diagon Alley just like they had any other time, their faces impassive and coached into their normal stern demeanor. Sirius had been accompanying them less frequently lately, opting to spend more time with his new fiance, Marlene MacKinnon. But they made an impressive unit without the man nonetheless.
The alley was damp and there were puddles in some of the shallower spots. Some of the storefronts were slightly damaged, but for the most part the various shopkeepers had already repaired their storefronts. Like every other year, they'd had a wicked storm late the night before that lasted until the early hours of the morning. The cloud cover was only just clearing away now.
Noctis' hair was pulled back in a style much like his grandfather's, save for a single strand of hair that was braided around his hairline much like a small intricate crown. Similar style was traditional for the ancient children and he was actually kind of fond of it.. Noctis adjusted his new robes just slightly, they were black, of course, with a silver silk lining and bronze trim, a detail symbolizing he had left the silver trim of childhood behind and had now been invited to Hogwarts.
Since Noctis had finally made this step, they were logically on their way to make one more, similarly important step. They were on their way to Ollivander's shop to get Aimus his first wand.
As the three entered the shop another family, three generations of men with golden blonde hair, were just leaving. The three men quickly stepped aside and the eldest man bowed deeply toward Arturus - a sign of deference and respect to the older, considerably more powerful, man. Clearly they were one of the lesser houses that Arcturus had business dealings with. Noctis could not place them but he had seen the eldest before. "Well wishes young Thestral, and the constellations who stand guard." The seemingly bizarre greeting was a customary one to use when greeting a child of the the Peverell line, and mentioning the "constellation" was of course a nod to the Black family. The man was definitely an associate of Arcturus.
Arcturus nodded politely to the man, who remained in his deep bow. "Well received Nimbus, I look forward to seeing you in the upcoming months." Arcturus gave the man a meaningful look that was lost on the companions of both men.
"I thank you for your wishes Nimbus, is one of my future peers?" Some might have considered Noctis brave for addressing the eldest golden haired man simply as Nimbus - forgoing his title. Only the lords of the ancient houses could do such a thing, but considering who raise the boy none were surprised.
"Indeed, this is Joshua Nimbus, he will be joining you this year at Hogwarts." If the man had taken offence to the boy not using his title it certainly did not show on his face.
The boy in question, Joshua, nodded politely and mimicked his grandfather's bow, though his loose mane of golden curls made the gesture look decidedly less refined.
Noctis didn't reply, deferring instead to his grandfather. But before Arcturus could politely end the conversation Nimbus spoke up. "I will see you around, Lord Black. We have much to discuss." Arcturus merely nodded at the man, signalling he was dismissed as he turned to continue into Ollivander's with his family.
They were greeted instantly as they entered the ancient wand shop. "Well met brothers" Lord Ollivander said, emerging from behind to particularly high shelves of wands.
"Well met brother" both Arcturus and Noctis responded simultaneously. The houses of Ollivander and Black or Peverell had never been close, and they had not intermarried in well over a millennia, but there was a sacred respect and camaraderie between them as members of the Ancient and Noble houses.
"And you, priestess. It is a pleasure to have one of your learning grace my establishment." Ollivander smiled warmly at Analise, wandmakers had always held the utmost respect for the old ways and his fellow practitioners of the old smiled in returned but chose to remain silent, not an uncommon decision for her, or any woman of her abilities.
"If I'm not mistaken that storm last night coincided with the anniversary of your birth, young Noctis." Ollivander had turned his gaze to the youngest among them. Noctis looked visibly nervous, but he nodded at the older wizard. He was no stranger, and he had been in the old wandmakers company many times. But not matter how well he knew the old man, he was still nervous as any witch or wizard would be when getting their wand.
"Yes, Lord Ollivander" Noctis answered, stepping forward bravely.
"An omen if there ever was ong, young Thestral. An omen indeed." Ollivander's voice softened as he finished the statement, his attention seeming to drift away along with the firmness in his tone. Analise nodded decisively at his word, but chose to remain silent still.
Noctis just remained silent, only half listening to the adults now because of his nerves. He too a deep breath and squared his jaw like his grandfather had taught him, before finally looking up into Ollivander's eyes.
"I have come for my birthright, brother." Noctis spoke the formal words that any of his station would say to the wandmarker, the same words his grandfather had said many decades ago, and his ancestors before him. The words were now ritual, and they entered the two into a magical contract.
"Of course, stormborn. Of course." The wizened old wand maker reached under the counter and pulled out a small stone chest. He opened it revealing several wands in slender wooden boxes. This morning he had taken the liberty of assembling some of the more likely choices, having anticipated this visit.
One by one he handed the wands to Noctis, who would swish and flick them at a wooden sphere at the end of the counter. Some of them produced various levels of results, but he passed them back to the wand maker all the same, none were quite right.
The process continued and eventually Ollivander was running along the aisles of shelves in the back of his shop. Bringing boxes forward to Noctis to try. Arcturus and Analise sat politely in the corner of the shop chatting pleasantly about nothing in particular. None of them grew impatient because of how important they knew this task to be, and Ollivander seemed to be invigorated by the challenge.
"Oak." Analise said decisively, loud enough Ollivander to hear also. It was uncommon for someone to make a recommendation like that to a wandmaker, but the wandmaker didn't seem to care - instead he had frozen in place as he considered Analise's suggestion.
"Unusual wood for a wand, but perhaps, yes, given the storms… Thank you priestess. Yes. Oak… but what else?" Ollivander dashed to the back of the shop and could be heard conjuring a ladder to scramble up to the top of the shelf - surprisingly spry for his age.
When he returned he was carrying an armful of wands. He came to the front and let the small wooden boxes spill over the countertop.
He passed one to Noctis, who pointed it at the wooden sphere and gave it a swish. It started spinning but faltered quickly.
"Aha!" Ollivander cried, he swept several of the boxes to the side, leaving just four of the many he had brought with him. He handed another box to Noctis, who opened the box and took out the wand inside. It was light grained, very long, and strangely thin. Noctis smiled when he picked it up and waved it at the sphere. There was a bright flash of light and an accompanying boom - when they opened their eyes the sphere was scarred with burn marks like lightning bolts.
"A match if there ever was one, young Thestral. And well suited too - Sessile Oak and hair from the mane of an ancient thestral - yes one wonders at the symbolism…" Ollivander rambled at the counter but no one seemed to be paying him much attention. Noctis was staring at his want adoringly with a wicked smile on his face while his grandparents watched on, a curious but proud look on their faces - especially Analise.
-o-O-o-
Some time later, after taking Noctis to the bookstore and after running some other errands he and Analise had needed to complete, he sent his wife and grandchild off. Leaving him to complete the next step of what his family only knew as his "mysterious project."
Arcturus Black strode into Gringotts with a grim determination seeming, to the public at least, characteristic of his person. Only a few heads turned as he marched across the large opulent atrium of the bank to the teller stationed on a high podium opposite to the doors. The goblin who worked at the station seemed particularly old, his face seemingly made or wrinkles that looked so natural one might think the goblin had always looked that way. His long hooked nose supported a small pair of spectacles, the outside edges of which supported an arm holding various magnifying lenses.
Before Arcturus had even opened his mouth the goblin set down his work, the thick ledger he had been holding was covered in odd scaley leather, all of the parchment contained within were neatly arranged and a consistent colour save for several parchments that peaked out of the back cover. The old goblin nodded to the tall lord after looking him in the eye for just a moment. They exchanged no words, but operated in a silent camaraderie facilitated by their previous encounters, and correspondence via owl post. Two guards moved to allow them to pass into the vault tunnel system and the two climbed into one of the nicer looking minecarts, outfitted with cushioned seats.
Neither of them said much as they began their descent into the bowels of the bank. They both knew it would be a very long ride indeed, and both were content to ride in silence until necessary; as they had most other times making this same trip. The sped past the vaults and near breakneck speeds, having finally finished passing through the unmarked, newly constructed, vaults reserved for new customers. As they continued downward the air grew cooler and dryer.
After navigating several forks in the rails Arcturus and the old goblin found themselves heading off the rails for what appeared to be a dead-end, only to flow through the cave wall seamlessly and follow the tracks in a steep winding descent as if they had never left the tracks to begin with - and in fact they had not. Arcturus knew the spot well, and appreciated it as one of the finer security elements of the bank. Few would know to look for such walls, fewer still would know where they were.
The trip was much faster after this point, it allowed them to bypass more than a dozen floors of vaults belonging to lesser families and small businesses. As they barreled along Arcturus noticed that the torches along the hall must have been recently replaced - they burned brighter and higher than they had just a few days when he'd last visited one of his family vaults. The well lit caves walls were a whole other experience - allowing Arcturus to make out tool marks for just a split second before being forced to abandon the sight due to speed at which they travelled.
"Which vault will it be this time, Lord Black?" The goblin's voice was strangely ungoblin-like, Arcturus found it comforting.
"The deepest today, Maltrunk. I'm searching for an artifact that has been overlooked over the centuries - but I am confident I will find it today." Arcturus spoke casually, trusting the goblin with far more information that he had entrusted with any of his contemporaries. Even his own wife was unsure what his "special project" entailed, only that he had been working on it since discovering a book from one of his ancestors two years ago. He had made several trips to the bank now, looking through the vaults of the Black family for other books and artifacts referenced in his search.
Arcturus was not even certain himself what he was looking for, save that he would find it in a "medium-sized" chest made of the same stone that made up his ring, and the door protecting his vault, and that the chest was trimmed with gold. His research indicated that it predated his ancestor's time living in Greece. This day was a long time coming.
As they descended they passed through, and by, various security measures. He was doused in the enchantment stripping waterfall and eyed by a large dragon as they sped by, they had passed through several hidden portals of seemingly solid rock, but none of this phased Arcturus. He was well used to it at this point and could probably navigate the caverns on his own given the chance.
Finally, after what felt like an hour but was surely less, the cart began to slow. The air was no longer cold and dry but hot and slightly moist. Exotic mosses and other plants thickly lined the cave walls, giving them a colourful appearance while also helping to reduce the echoing of the cart grinding along the tracks. Indeed this floor of the bank was eerily quiet, and they passed through it slowly - only serving to emphasize the strange subterranean world's ambiance even more. Their cart rattled along the tracks for a few more moments before stopping in front of a large vault door made of an almost void-like black stone. The vault door was trimmed with ornate decorative carvings made of the same reddish-brown rock that made up the cave around them.
The two climbed out of the cart and walked up to the large vault. Maltrunk waited several lengths back, as was customary for vaults this deep in the bank. They were from another age altogether and their existence was known to few, they were more ancient than any others. They of course, belonged to the Most Ancient and Noble houses.
Arcturus approached his family's vault and pressed his Lord's ring against the void-like stone sealing the vault. It shimmered for a moment as if millions of tiny stars had suddenly ignited within the stone, before it seemed to evaporate into the similar stone of Arcturus' ring.
Now revealed, within the vault, were some of the oldest and most valuable artifacts owned by the Black family. Much more precious than their fortune. Tomes, scrolls and tablets lined the walls of the ancient cavernous hall-turned-vault. Chests and shelves lined the centre of the hall, creating aisles to walk down as one perused the artifacts contained within. Several were locked in cases, others simply resting on the shelves exposed to the open air. It would be impossible for anyone to read all the tomes in the ancient library, or to understand all the artifacts; but Arcturus was more accomplished than most that had came before him; and he had been blessed with a particularly long life so far.
Arcturus nodded to himself and began his search. It would not do to dawdle now, he had an enormous vault to search, tomes to collect, and an ancient artifact to find.
Some time later he emerged from the vault, carrying four items. A chest made of the same void-like black stone as his ring that was trimmed in gold, an ancient looking scroll-box decorated with gold in a similar style to the chest, and two considerably more recent, though still very old, tomes. Arcturus was certain Noctis would be excited about his special birthday present, but he was even more sure that he was more excited to renew his quest to discover what this ancient object was.
