Author's Notes: Thanks to Morgana-White for the reviews. Here's the next chapter. I'm honestly at a bit of a stalemate with this. College and work have been occupying most of my time so I haven't had much time or motivation for this or any of my stories. The oneshots I posted recently were just transferred from quizilla. Oh yeah, can someone tell me if I'm typing Hagrid's dialog right?
"Hurry it up, you two!" Arcanus and Harry groan at Sirius' shouting down to them. "We're leaving in a half hour!"
Currently, the boys are sitting in Arcanus' potion lab. Arcanus is reviewing potion techniques with Harry and Harry is showing Arcanus around Hogwarts using the Marauders' Map. They had packed their trunks the previous night. Arcanus sets up a Wizard's Chess set for a quick match to kill some time. He had made an attempt to teach Harry the game but the Boy Who Lived has about as much talent for chess as Devil's Snare has an affinity for sunlight.
Harry grumbles something about their plan for getting Remus and Sirius together being a mistake. Arcanus mutters an agreement. Arcanus has to admit though; living with the trio is no where's near as bad as he had thought it would be. At least having Remus to talk to helps to combat Sirius' mothering somewhat.
"I still wish we could take the Express like everyone else," Harry sighs as Arcanus puts his king in check.
"You know Uncle Siri won't let us stay here by ourselves, even if it is for only a week," Arcanus reminds his friend before declaring checkmate. "Besides, it sounds like we'll have free range of the castle for a week, not counting the staff. From what you've been telling me, Hogwarts sounds more impressive than Durmstrang."
"Harry, Arcanus, let's go," Remus' gentle voice comes down the stairs. "Sirius already left with our things and he's meeting us at the school. We'll leave for Hogsmeade soon as you two get up here."
"We'll be right there," Harry calls back as he and Arcanus put away their Wizard's Chess set. "Want to go on a tour of the village when we get there, 'Canus?"
"Not today, Harry," Arcanus shakes his head, his mind off focusing on blocking out memories that the thought of returning to Hogwarts as a seventeen year old had brought up. "I think I'd rather explore the castle on my own and then you can tell me about places that I think are interesting."
Harry nods in acceptance of his friend's words but doesn't hide the worry in his emerald eyes. Yes, Harry has seen Arcanus become somewhat reclusive as the summer drew to a close but he had never asked why. He just assumed he was homesick but Arcanus had been worse than ever today. Heck, Harry had almost won their chess game but someone had dropped something upstairs and gotten Arcanus to snap out of his thoughts. Harry isn't about to pry into Arcanus' life just yet, but he makes a note to find out what's going on if his friend's reclusive behavior turns dangerous.
Arcanus sees Harry's worry and gives him what he hopes is a reassuring smile before heading upstairs to meet Remus. Harry sighs and follows him up the stairs, wondering if maybe Remus knows something.
"No one can be that ungraceful exiting the Floo," Arcanus cringes at the memory Harry's ungraceful exit from the Floo in The Three Broomsticks prompts. That's a lie, Arcanus thinks, there was one other person.
"I'm more graceful in the air to be honest," Harry mutters as he dusts the soot and ashes off himself.
"I know it's hard, but just try not to let it bother you too much," Remus tells Arcanus quietly. "We may never know what happened but don't take your anger out on Harry. He's not him, remember that, Severus. Harry is not him."
"I know that, Remus," Arcanus nods. "He just reminds me of him in the worst way. Merlin must be punishing me for this."
"He's not," Remus puts an arm around Arcanus' shoulders and the two follow Harry out the door and along the road to Hogwarts, Remus telling Arcanus various things about the village and castle while Harry comments about things in the store windows and basically sulks about Arcanus getting more attention from Remus.
"'Arry!" a voice the trio recognize instantly booms from nearby as the half giant Rubeus Hagrid pulls Harry into a hug. "Welcome back! 'Tis good ta see yah too, Professor Lupin!"
"How have you been, Hagrid?" Remus greets the groundskeeper. "Arcanus, this is Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of the Keys and Grounds of Hogwarts. He'll also be your teacher for Care of Magical Creatures. Hagrid, this is Sirius' nephew Arcanus Black."
"'Tis a pleasure to meet yah, Arcanus," Hagrid smiles and pulls Arcanus into a bone-crushing hug. "I hope you'll be a visitin' me durin' the year with 'Arry and his friends."
"Hopefully not," Arcanus mutters under his breath. "I doubt it, Professor. My uncle doesn't like me being out of his sight for more than a few seconds. He is rather protective, you might say." Arcanus gives Harry a side-long glance at this, willing the teen to notice.
"You know how Sirius is, Hagrid," Harry adds. "I practically had to beg Professor Snape for detentions last year."
"Aye, I think that's the reason the poor man is off on vacation this year," Hagrid scratches his long beard thoughtfully. "He spent too much time with Professor Black, I s'pose."
"Hagrid has a point," Remus nods in agreement. "Speaking of Sirius, though, we should continue towards the castle before he calls for a search party of Aurors."
Harry and Arcanus cringe and take off towards the castle after saying hurried goodbyes to Hagrid. Sirius had nearly called such a search party the night Arcanus went out for a walk around midnight.
"Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am Albus Dumbledore, current Headmaster of the school," Arcanus shudders at the Headmaster's extravagant robes. Neon green with hot pink trim. The man has no fashion sense.
"I'm honored to have been allowed here. From what my mother has told me, transfers between the international schools are very rare," Arcanus bows respectfully. "It is an honor to meet the man who defeated Grindelwald however much it shames me to be from the same school that such a pitiful excuse for a wizard came from."
"Such transfers are not unheard of," Albus chuckles, that blasted twinkle in his eyes again. "Your flattering is not needed, Arcanus my boy. Come, your uncle is already waiting for us in my office. You will be sorted into a house and then you can wander about the castle. Harry, Remus, you both are of course welcome to join us. And welcome back."
"Thank you, Headmaster," Harry says and begins to lead the way to the Headmaster's office.
"It's going to be a long year, isn't it, Albus?" Remus questions his employer quietly.
"I'm afraid so, Remus, I'm afraid so," Albus sighs. "I'm surprised you didn't contact me the moment you found out about our dear Potions Master's predicament."
"I admit it was tempting but his explanation was enough to sate my curiosity. But who will his replacement be?"
"There is nothing to worry about, Remus. I've asked Professor Slughorn to come out of retirement for this year," Albus' eyes continue to twinkle despite his werewolf staff member's horrified expression. "Something wrong, Remus?"
"No, nothing, Albus. It isn't my place to question your decision," Remus swallows his retort. The last time Horace Slughorn had taught a class was the year Remus and his year had graduated and the second term of that year had nearly seen the demise of Hogwarts due to an incident in a joint Defense-Potions class.
"Oh yes, that. I had forgotten about that little occurrence," Albus reminisces gleefully. "The school will still stand, Remus. And Severus and Harry are more than capable if things get out of hand. Besides, you and Sirius have lived through the results just as much as Severus and myself have."
"If you say so, Albus," Remus sighs in defeat as the two ascend the staircase to the Headmaster's office.
Fawkes the Phoenix waits impatiently for his owner to finish walking up the spiral staircase. He may only be a mythical bird but he is extremely intelligent and he does have his favorite students, two of which are currently in his owner's office.
"Sirius," Harry Potter, one of the phoenix's favorites, calls to his godfather. "I've never asked but has this office changed at all since you were a student?"
"Nah, not really," Sirius Black answers. "The Headmaster's only added more junk over the years."
Fawkes caws in agreement. The poor bird is lucky he can still reach his perch. Fawkes caws again as his master and Remus Lupin enter the room. The phoenix happily takes the ancient Sorting Hat off the shelf and drops it onto the head of his other favorite, Severus Snape, or Arcanus Black as he's currently being called.
"Don't take the hat off until it's made its decision, 'Canus," Harry tells his friend.
Fawkes caws quietly, resembling a quiet chuckle. If only Harry knew who Arcanus really was. If only Severus knew what Fawkes knows and what the phoenix can tell the werewolf suspects.
Just put me back in Slytherin, Severus complains to the Sorting Hat. If I have to spend any more time in Potter's company that I need to, I swear I'll get myself thrown in Azkaban.
Such a shame I can't put you in Slytherin this time around. That would look far too suspicious. Besides, you no longer belong there. Serving two masters does require your Slytherin nature but having the courage to deflect from one but continue to serve on the other's orders? No Slytherin would do that, they value their lives much more than that, the Sorting Hat replies.
What are you saying then? Severus snarls at the Hat in his mind's eye.
I'm saying that the bravery and loyalty you've shown since I first sorted you has made you worthy of a different house. You joined forces with them in the past and you've been fighting along-side a good number of them during recent years. I think it's about time you finally joined "GRYFFINDOR!" the Sorting Hat shouts to the room filled with Gryffindors.
Severus groans to himself but gives the room a half-hearted smile as Arcanus.
Sirius, Harry, and Remus all cheer for Arcanus and Harry offers to show Arcanus up to the dormitories while Remus and Sirius head off towards their own rooms. The Headmaster bids them all goodnight and retires to his own rooms, completely unaware of why Remus and Fawkes seem so upset and excited, respectively.