Chapter 27
Small interventions
It would have been nice to think that he could pass Arithmancy with E or O, but even a good A was enough to get him into fourth year. Yet in normal Harry fashion, the teen didn't get his hopes up, thinking that even if he knew his answers were correct, maybe they weren't enough. So when Harry got back to the dorms hoping to write a letter to Florish and Botts for the fourth year books, after Professor Vector gave him the good news on Monday evening, he was stunned to find that Hedwig had already delivered them to his bed.
'But how?' he looked at Hedwig who stuck out her leg where a letter was attached.
'Dear Harry,
If you're thinking I couldn't have known how your test would go today, you are probably right. But I have faith in you. So I took the liberty of ordering the books in advance. This way, you can have them for your first lesson with the fourth years. Don't hesitate to write if you have questions.
Good luck,
Aries
PS: Please write back with your mark, there's a bet going around between Dobby and Pan. Dobby thinks his master Harry could only get an O but Pan thinks you got an A. Personally I think your teacher would have lowered your mark to make sure you don't get too cocky in class, but either way, I am proud of you.'
Harry read and re-read the letter before putting it down. Aries had faith in him. It was still strange for him, having a real guardian that actually knew what he was doing during his stay at Hogwarts. At times he thought it was still a dream, that maybe at the end of the year it was all just an elaborate extended hallucination. But he was slowly learning to accept such attention as truth. Not that he didn't know Aries was real, but there was knowing and then there was believing. With a smile he started writing back immediately.
'Dear Aries
You were right, I passed. Please tell Dobby that though I am flattered by his appreciation of me, Pan won the bet this time. Professor Vector said it could have been an Exceeds Expectations had I formulated some of the answers a bit more eloquently. Honestly, I'm just glad I passed, though studying now with the fourth years is a bit daunting. I only know Katie Bell a bit from Quiddich but the rest are all going to be unknown.
Anyway, I will send this letter tomorrow morning after Hedwig gets some rest.
Have a nice week.
Harry.'
Wednesday came sooner than expected and Harry arrived in the Arithmancy class packed with unfamiliar faces.
'Harry, over here!' Katie Bell waved at him from three rows down. She was sitting with another girl from Gryffindor, Harry couldn't remember her name and there was an open seat next to her.
'Um, hey. May I sit with you?'
'Of course. I heard about you skipping third year. Good for you. Do you know Mary?'
'Er, not personally no, just from the tower.' Mary extended a hand.
'Mary Montague.'
'Harry Potter. Isn't Montague-'
'My brother is a Slytherin and a git. But he is still my brother.' She said stiffly.
'Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. I never knew siblings could be sorted in different houses.'
'Of course they can. The Weasley family is actually an odd exception to the rule. Many siblings are very different personality wise.' Explained Mary.
They settled down as professor Vector walked in.
'Good afternoon class. Now, for all of you who don't know, Mr. Potter has not lost himself and ended up with the fourth years by accident. He has passed the end of third year exam for Arithmancy and will be studying with you from now on. Now, you've had to prepare a prediction for Friday using whatever numbers you thought were appropriate including the date. Please hand over your assignments.' The pieces of parchment were taken out and all zoomed onto the teacher's table.
'Now, let's do an exercise together. Let's take a random day, one month from now. 14th of October 1993. What numbers can we use?'
A black haired girl at the front of the class raised her hand.
'Yes, Miss Chang.'
'We could focus on a place, so latitude and longitude.'
'Very good. Mr. Potter, what place would you choose?'
'Erm, Hogwarts? But I don't know the coordinates. Can we use the deconstructed number of Hogwarts instead?'
'Very good. Yes, you can. In fact, even if you know coordinates, I advise using the numerical equivalent of a name. While coordinates are good, they are also very exact. Too exact in an equation where the variables change and where you are not certain you know what you are looking for. What else can be used to divine what will happen at Hogwarts on October 14th?'
The lesson continued and Harry found he was keeping pace with what was being taught without too much effort. What's more, the fourth year colleagues didn't seem to care that he was THE Harry Potter that much, or if they did, they didn't show it. He wasn't afraid to answer questions either, since unlike his class where Hermione knew everything and answered everything, here there were many students who wanted to answer. Maybe it was because they were older, but Harry thought the fourth years were more focused on learning.
When the class ended Harry joined Katie and Mary at the library and the black haired Miss Chang was there too, with another Ravenclaw friend. Harry couldn't stop himself thinking that Miss Chang looked pretty.
Third Saturday since arriving at Hogwarts Harry found himself back in Diagon Alley. Aries was beginning his lesson about family artefacts and for that they needed access to Gringotts. So, Harry took the Floo from McGonagall's office and almost fell down on his face as he arrived at the Leaky Cauldron. He only managed to stay upright because Aries had caught him in time.
'Good morning.'
'Good morning.' Harry righted himself up embarrassed.
'Have you already eaten breakfast?'
'Yes, I have to get back for Quiddich practice so I didn't want to waste time.'
'Your first match isn't for at least a couple of weeks, is it?'
'I know, but Oliver is training us as if the match were in two days. He really wants to win the cup before he leaves Hogwarts.'
'And since last year Quiddich was cancelled this is his last chance.'
'Yes.'
'Then let's head to the bank. Silvermane already prepared the room for us.'
The room in question was circular and had the artefacts displayed in alcoves.
'Welcome back Lord Black, Mr. Potter.' Silvermane said in Gobbledygook.
'Thank you for having us.' Harry said back in Gobbledygook.
'Your language skills have improved.' The Goblin grinned
'Not to the extent that I can carry out a conversation.' Harry said in English 'But I can understand a lot more now.'
Silvermane nodded 'I will return to take the artefacts back to their respective vaults in one and a half hours.' The goblin told Aries who simply nodded. They began with the alcove nearest to them where three sets of jewellery were displayed.
'The most common artefact you will find on your list are jewellery sets such as these.'
'Common, but they look…'
'Expensive? By Muggle standards they would be in the millions of pounds category. 24 carat gold with gems such as white diamonds, pearls, sapphires and the like.'
Harry looked at the three sets. One of them had a tear shaped emerald at the end of a cascade of smaller emeralds. Harry assumed they were emeralds because they were green. The one in the middle looked like a collar of diamonds that covered half the shoulders of the model statue and sparkled dazzlingly while the third was a single row of sapphires.
'These would be considered jewellery normally, but as they had an emotional value and a historical value for your ancestors, were given to the goblins for safe keeping as artefacts.'
'Because they don't have magical value?'
'Exactly. Put your wand hand over them and close your eyes.' Harry did as he was told and waited for a few seconds. Nothing happened.
'Was something supposed to happen?'
'No. We will try later with other objects. Jewellery is what you will see displayed mostly at wizard gatherings but very few pieces will have magical value.'
'Why?'
'Two reasons mainly. One is because in the past where Wizards and muggles lived together thievery was high and investing a diamond with magic was asking for trouble and two: while stones can be easily invested with magical properties precious metals cannot. The one metal that wizards are able to magically enhance is Iron. Everything else that has magical properties is Goblin made.'
'So these are wizard made?'
'Wizard or muggle. You can identify the maker and the date of completion on the clasps.' The older man took the emerald one off the mannequin and pointed at very fine writing at the back.
'1612 JS.'
'To know who JS was you will need to consult the Goblin archives.'
'Will I be allowed to?'
'They are available to the public, for a price.'
'Probably not cheap.'
Aries smiled and put the emerald necklace back. 'The style of a piece of jewellery can also tell you a bit about the time period it was made and the location. For example, the design of the diamond choker is, if not Indian, inspired by Indian culture while the sapphire one is most likely a newer addition to the collection because of its simplicity. Harry took the sapphire necklace and checked. It was dated 1945 but instead of a maker mark it had a dedication.
'To D from C with love forever.'
'It was a gift.' Harry said as Aries smiled
'1945. C stands for Charlus and D stands for Dorea.'
'My grandparents.'
They moved on to the next piece, this one was a genuine artefact. A chest plate and helmet of black iron, inelegant in finishing but menacing in appearance.
'This is by the style pre-medieval armour made by wizards. It has defensive properties on par with your average Protego and it has seen battle.' Aries pointed out scratches and small spots on it.
'Does one use such armour now?'
'No. There are no more wizarding armies or wizards fighting in wars. The Aurors are more like the police and their defences are less reliant on armour and more on skill. This is a nice piece of history though, and invaluable because it shows the achievements of a wizarding family. It is also something that is sought after by collectors, either for purely academic reasons or to unlock the secrets of other families.'
'Can they do that through this armour?'
'Depends a lot on how it was created, but once an object becomes magical its history can be discovered to a certain extent by a combination of Arithmancy and rituals.'
'So it shouldn't be removed from the bank.'
'Or another safe place.'
'Can I learn something from it?'
'Yes, and you can pick the object you want to study when you start your fifth year Arithmancy.' They moved on coming face to face with a beautifully crafted armour which, unlike the last one, was still gleaming and undented.
'This looks new.'
'But it is actually older than the one before. This is Goblin made and by the way the joints are done, it is a second to fifth century armour made in the Roman Empire.'
'You can tell that from the joints?'
'If you know your armours, or if your family has a similar one. Which is the case here.' Aries smiled.
Aries handed him the helmet. It was feather light.
'Put it on.'
Harry did so. He thought it would be difficult to see, but although the helmet was completely closed except for a slit for the eyes, Harry had perfect vision. Not just that, when Aries moved behind him, Harry didn't necessarily see, but he felt the man's presence. It was something like pulsating energy but it wasn't menacing. The helmet was telling him the one behind him wasn't an enemy. It was incredible.
'Very few wizard families have Goblin made armour in their vaults.' Aries explained as Harry put the helmet back on. 'And there are even less of those families who are still on good terms with the Goblins.'
'But my family still is.'
'Yes, as is the Black family.'
'Why?'
'The lordship families have earned the honorary title of Goblin kin. While you may no longer have the Peverell title, you are of that family.'
Harry's eyes widened. 'But they are still somewhat hostile.'
'While your family is Goblin kin, which means that they will not outwardly protest you have Goblin made artefacts, you as an individual, are still an outsider.'
'So to stop being an outsider, what does one have to do?'
'There's no obvious admittance test, Harry. But as you come to learn more about Goblins you will find opportunities to make friends, very scarce and not very obvious, but you will find them.'
They moved to the next artefact which was a black pendant on a thin chain.
'This one is a Black family heirloom.' Harry looked confused at Aries. Weren't these all Potter heirlooms?
'Put your hand over it as you did with the jewellery.' Harry did so and was surprised to feel something like the air stirring. 'This chain is iron with a black onyx stone. As with most onyx stones, this one has healing properties. The wearer of this chain will never be sick his entire life.'
'It feels like a fresh breeze is coming from it.'
'Most warm colour stones that have magic inside them will emit warmth while cold coloured stones will emit cold. White stones and black stones can be both cold and warm depending on the magic used on them. Also, and this is important most cursed objects emit warm energy.'
'So if an emerald is warm…'
'Then you are best to stay away from it. It is why most commonly cursed necklaces have rubies in them.'
Harry made a note to stay away from rubies.
'Some skilled wizards can hide the energy of cursed objects, but it is difficult and the effect is limited. There are however some exceptions, the magic of some witches and wizards can only be either warm or cold. It can be an individual trait, or, as is the case with the Black family, a family magic trait.'
'So Blacks can only create cold energy magical objects?'
'Yes.'
They moved on to see a Goblin made silver tiara with gems of the purest light. An Iron chest which could only be opened by Potter blood and then they got to the last two objects of the day. The first was a black onyx ring trapped in a stone.
'That is the Black family heir ring. It can only be removed from that rock by the heir.'
'How?'
'By summoning during the Winter solstice after the child turns eleven.'
'The heir ring grants the heir protection. As does the head of house ring.' Aries showed Harry his right hand where a perfectly smooth black band adorned his index finger. 'The head of house ring usually has the family crest on it but the Black family is the only family to have just a black diamond ring.'
'So it's not metal?'
'No, it's stone. A head of family ring grants the wearer power of decision in family matters, it is the key to the wards of ancestral homes, to the family vault and just as the heir ring, is a layer of protection against assaults on the mind, or manipulation. But as each family is different, so too are the characteristics of family rings.'
They moved on to the last alcove where a ring was set in a glass case.
'That is your family's heir ring.'
'Is it, mine?'
'It can be. Your heir ring requires a summoning ritual on Halloween night. The ritual is simple and can be done anywhere, but it is good to be discrete about such things.' Aries handed Harry a piece of parchment with the instructions.
'Do I have to do this, this year?'
'You don't have to do anything. But I thought it wise for you to know. Now, before we leave, why don't you test how the ring's magic feels?'
Harry put his hand over the glass casing and closed his eyes. It was different, different to anything he'd sensed before in the room. It didn't feel warm or cold, it just felt right. As if the ring was a part of him. His mind was made up almost instantly, that he would do the summoning ritual on Halloween that year.
Between the new lessons, the new friends and his old ones too, Harry was happy. He didn't feel alone anymore, and unlike before, he felt free to talk about his home life, no longer ashamed that he was living with relatives that hated him. There was still something that was bothering him however and that was Ron and Hermione had started distancing themselves a little. There was also a small part of him that felt guilty about thinking of his guardian as family. His parents were supposed to be his family, so he wondered if they felt betrayed about his feelings for a man who was a stranger to them. But he couldn't find an answer to that question, he couldn't ask his parents because they were dead, and everyone else who had known them seemed to have vanished of the face of the earth.
He had no doubt Dumbledore and McGonagall had known Lily and James Potter. But they were teachers and somehow unapproachable in Harry's mind. So it came as a surprise one Thursday evening after History class when Professor Lupin talked to him.
'Your essay on Egyptian temple magic was very well research, Harry.' Lupin told him as Harry was packing his stuff.
'I used some books from my family's library. I hope that is OK. Professor Vector said it was, for Arithmancy I mean.'
'Perfectly fine. I remember seeing the book you referenced in your father's portable library.'
'My father had a portable library? Wait, you knew my father?'
'I did, we were in the same year together. We shared a dorm.'
'I didn't know.'
'It's not your fault. I didn't want to tell you and make you think you needed to act differently with me. Even though I was your parents' friend, I, I didn't look out for you as I should have. I am basically a stranger to you.'
Harry looked at Lupin for a long silent moment. So Lupin had been a family friend. Harry didn't know what to think about that. The man was right, he was a stranger, a good teacher, but other than that, Harry knew very little about the man.
'Thank you for telling me sir.' The teen finally said after what felt to Remus an eternity. 'I don't think you should feel guilty about not looking out for me, though. I mean, you were my parents' friend, not mine. And you weren't the only friend they had that didn't look me up, though you are the only one who told me you were.'
'If you ever want to talk about your parents. I know Hagrid made that photo album for you. He asked me for pictures, you see. But if you want to hear some stories, my door is open anytime.'
'Thank you. I will think about it.'
With that Harry left and at first he had no intention of returning to Lupin for information. Sure, he wanted it, but the way Lupin acted and spoke to him, made him think the man was not really at ease with talking to Harry. But as Halloween was drawing closer he had so many questions about what the heir ring would mean to him and the only person he knew who had offered an insight into his father's life was Lupin. So Harry found himself face to face with the History Professor's door. A long wait and a knock later Harry was sitting in a comfortable, although rather old looking armchair while Lupin was making them tea using muggle tea bags.
'What would you like to know, Harry?'
'Everything, anything. The only thing people tell me is that they were good people and powerful magic wise. That I look like dad but have my mum's eyes.' he said it bitterly, because it was all superficial knowledge, nothing to make them more than a two-dimensional.
Lupin sighed 'Well, James was an only child. I've met your grandparents on a couple of occasions and both of them loved your father very much. They had him when they were older, in fact, James was considered a miracle child since Dorea and Charlus were way past their prime when they finally had him. So because of this James was a bit spoiled.'
An image of a different him only with Dudley's attitude popped into Harry head as Lupin continued.
'He was kind, but he was also very sure of himself and knew he was a great flier which inflated his ego a bit more than it should.'
'He played seeker?'
'He played chaser from second to sixth year and switched to seeker in the last year to give the next generation of chasers time to grow together. But he was the reserve seeker from fourth year onwards. Whenever our other seekers got incapacitated by some Slytherin related incident.'
'And mum?'
'Your mother was very nice. Always willing to lend a hand or to listen if you had a problem. But she also had a bit of a temper, so it wasn't a good idea to annoy her, something your dad usually did. She was made Prefect in fifth year. In fact we were prefects together.'
'So dad wasn't a Prefect?'
'No, he was too much in detention to get the badge.'
'He got detention?'
'On a regular basis. Kind of like the Weasley twins, he liked a good prank.'
'And mum liked that about him?'
'Er, no. Lily didn't like James much in the beginning.'
'Really?'
'Yes. In fact they didn't like each other at all during first year. James started liking her at the beginning of third year and since then he asked her to marry him at least once a day.'
'Marry him? At the age of 13?'
'James was dramatic.'
'So when did they get together?'
'In seventh year. By then James matured enough and managed to show her his more serious side. He also became Head Boy.'
'Even with detentions?'
'By that time he had stopped pranking everyone that crossed his path. His grades had always been good. He also began to consciously learn more once he decided he wanted to enter the Auror fast track program.'
'My dad was an Auror?'
'Yes, for a while. There were a few of our generation and the one before and after us that took the exam. But though many passed, not many stayed on the force for long.'
'Was it because of Voldemort?'
'Yes, many wanted to make a difference in the war. Some perished in the attempt and some decided to go a different way after the war ended.
'You said dad was an Auror just for a while. Why?'
'His parents died just before he turned 20. It forced him to take over the family affairs. But he never stopped fighting Voldemort. Neither did your mother.'
'Did my mom become an Auror too?'
'No. Though she did her share of fighting, her sights were set on research. She was on her way to getting two masteries in Potions and Charms. After that she intended to apply for a job in the Department of Mysteries.'
'As an Unspeakable? But isn't that one of the hardest places to get a job at.'
'Some think so. But Lily was determined. Even though she was Muggle Born, or maybe because she was Muggle Born, she had a way of seeing Magic that was different from many of us and she wasn't afraid to explore. In that way, she was a lot like your father. But she wanted to explore magic, while James wanted to explore the world.'
'The world? But as an Auror wouldn't he have had to stay in England?'
'James became an Auror to help in the war, he didn't particularly like the job. He liked working closely with some…friends that joined the force.'
'Did he like it better taking care of the family business?'
'He was very good at being Head of the Family. I think he got that from his mother's side. He made some good financial gambles and even tried his hand at some international investments but then they had to go into hiding and had to quit while he was ahead.'
'So dad was a financial genius.'
'Not in the least. He was good, but he did make mistakes. He used Arithmancy, which helped him a lot and he was also on good terms with the Goblins. But it was interesting to see how life after Hogwarts changed him. Many thought he would go on to become a pro Quiddich player.'
'Was he that good?'
'He was the best Chaser of our generation and managed to even save a game against Slytherin by scoring more than 15 goals back in our fifth year.'
'Wow, I didn't even think that was possible.'
'It wouldn't have been possible if the rest of the team hadn't all flown their best. But they were inspired by him.'
'He sounds like an awesome guy.'
'He had his moments. But he was also a bit conceited because of all the attention he got. That was why Lily didn't like him at first. Well that, and he kept hexing her best friend.'
'Why would he do that if he wanted to get her to like him?'
'Well, Severus and James had a very deep rivalry going on.'
'Severus? You can't mean…Snape, can you?' the way Harry pronounced the potions master's name made Remus smile. It was as if he was seeing James sneering at his old enemy.
'Professor Snape, and yes. Lily and he were close childhood friends.'
'Mom was- But Snape is horrible. How could mom be friends with that guy?'
'They knew each other from before Hogwarts because they lived close by.'
'I lived close by with my cousin Dudley.' Harry said a bit still disbelieving 'I'd never dream of being friends with a bully like him.'
'Professor Snape wasn't a bully. Sure he tried to curse James or S- others from Gryffindor but James also cursed him back.'
'Well, if he wasn't a bully, he sure turned into one as a teacher. Apart from the Slytherin he treats the other students horribly.' Harry couldn't quite reconcile with the thought that Snape had been his mother's best friend. Honestly, his parents had very odd taste in friends or were very gullible people.
'Maybe I should have a talk to him.'
'I don't think it will do much good. Aries tried to make him teach us fairly but it didn't help much.'
'You talked to Aries Black about this?'
'He is my guardian.'
'I see. Harry I don't know if anyone told you, but the Blacks aren't a light family.'
'I've been told. Repeatedly. But as I said before. I don't believe Aries wants to harm me.'
'I hope you're right. Your father trusted a Black too. And it didn't end up well.'
'I know what Sirius Black did.' Harry said a bit coldly. 'Aries told me about his betrayal. But Aries is not Sirius Black.'
'Just promise me you will be careful and come to me if anything doesn't seem right to you.'
'Thank you for offering. I'll keep it in mind. And thank you for sharing some information about my parents.'
'Feel free to come by again. I haven't even started on the proper stories.'
A/N: Well guys, thank the corona virus for cutting my sky weekend short and getting me to review the last pages I have written for this story. Just kidding :) but stay healthy and you know, wash your hands a lot. I also wanted to say thank you for the reviews and I can't really believe so many people like and follow this story. I hope you will like it all the way to the end.
Now some answers to some reviews. Yes the twins have the map, but they already memorize it and rarely use it anymore. Which was why they handed it over to Harry in PoA. But the map will emerge and it will be interesting to see how it changes things.
Ron and Hermione are characters I don't particularly enjoy writing about, but I think I understand their motivations. They are still true friends of Harry's and I will try to develop them in that sense.
I agree Harry acts on instinct and Hermione on logic. I do not think Hermione is a genius, nor do I think Harry is a prodigy. But I think all three, Ron included, have a lot of potential that wasn't really explored. Harry for me has the biggest potential not just because of his family, but because he has been holding back ever since he was small, unwilling and scared to be better than his cousin due to his relatives' reaction and then being a bridge between Hermione and Ron. The biggest obstacle to surpass for him is his low self-worth. Hermione needs to broaden her mind, and I am not talking about studying, but actually stepping away from what is known in books or from figures of authority and just see beyond all that. Break some rules, doubt the world around her, make some mistakes. I think here, Harry and Ron helped her a lot. And Ron, well, Ron should have the most strategic mind of them all. The boy is a bloody chess genius, which means he can see steps ahead, plan steps ahead, but we barely see any of that past book one. Sort of disappointing.
About Remus Lupin: I am not a big fan of the Werewolf. James, Sirius and Peter put their freedom on the line for him and became Animagi. The least he could have done was ask Sirius for an explanation of his betrayal. Regardless of his status in the world, he could have asked someone as Dumbledore to talk to Black in Azkaban if he had not been allowed by law to visit himself. It is also about closure, not just about their friendship.
I do not see Remus as a person to lose himself in drinking however. His condition makes him lose control once a month, I do not see him willing to surrender the control he has to alcohol. I do see him going to Dumbledore for advice on Black.
As for Remus smelling Mr. Black in the real sense of the word, that won't be a problem. I would worry more about habits and bits of information escaping from Harry. But at this point Remus Lupin has no cause to suspect Sirius isn't as dead as they say he is. So he isn't looking for signs of Sirius, he just doesn't trust a Black.
On Remus not looking after Harry I am a bit ambivalent. I understand his status wouldn't have allowed him to get custody but he could have found a way to visit. Of course, the man was just a friend of the Potters' and one that was probably going through depression at the loss of all his loved ones. One might argue he didn't feel it was his responsibility to take care of Harry, after all children usually stay with their relatives if something happens to their parents. But if that is the case, he also has no right to interfere with Black taking custody of Harry. You either are concerned from the start or you shut up about it. You can't be concerned only when it is convenient to you.
Aries Black is a complex character, but you need to remember he also spent a few years in Azkaban. He is mentally scared from that experience but mostly from his friends' betrayal and abandonment and though he was able to heal partially, due mostly to time passing by, the man still has issues. Do not think of him as entirely good. He will screw with a lot of people's plans. Also, attacktitan100 is right, Sirius was an impulsive guy in his youth, but he didn't abandon Harry. He gets a pass for running after Peter because of grief exacerbated by guilt of suggesting the switch, also, he did argue for Harry with Hagrid and in the end made sure Harry had a good means of transportation. He was foolish not to go to Dumbledore and explain together with Hagrid and Harry, but I doubt anyone can think clearly in the face of such a tragedy.
Winter didn't come this year, or at least it didn't feel like winter. The magnolias are blooming already and I hung my skies to dry in the cellar. I blame it all on Arya killing the Night King :P Pollution has nothing to do with it. Until next time, hoping for pretty spring flowers and a lift of the travel ban by May 2020. I have a vacation planned people.
