Arcturus Black

By: Katerinaki

Published: 9/27/2014

Beta'ed: No

Notes: If there's anything worse than losing your mother to dragon pox and then coming to live in a whole different country, with relatives you've never even met before, it's coming to live with relatives who already hate you, for something you didn't even do. That was how Arcturus Sirius Black, secret son of Sirius Orion Black and Lenora Cassandra Malfoy, understood family politics.

Chapter 3: Old Friends

Arcturus had been staying with Marius and Ariadne in London for almost a year before he met anyone outside of the pureblood families. His aunt and uncle were very careful to keep his socialization to "respectable people", by their standards. Of course, none of these "respectable people" would ever come to the Squibs' house, so Arcturus was surprised when the doorbell rang. He knew Marius was out and Ariadne was in the back, tending her garden. So he stood from his bed and descended the stairs to answer the door, only to find a rather ragged man standing in the doorway.

"They already donate to charities," he said immediately, assuming this guy was promoting some sort of fundraiser for homeless people or whatnot.

"Yes, I'm sure they do. However, I am not here for any charity. Am I correct to assume you are Arcturus Black?"

"Who asks?" Arcturus replied.

"My name is Remus Lupin," replied. "I am—was a friend of your father's, in school."

"Was?"

"Yes, well, that was before everything happened."

"Before he murdered thirteen Muggles and Peter Pettigrew. Was Pettigrew your friend too?"

Lupin looked pained. "Yes," he said finally. "Peter was my friend as well. May I come in?"

"I don't think my aunt and uncle would like it," Arcturus began. He looked back surreptitiously before turning back to Lupin. "But I hardly ever do what they like. Come in." He stood back and allowed Lupin to step inside before closing the door. "This way." He led Lupin down the hall to the sitting parlour. Likely Marius would be a while yet and Ariadne didn't come in from her garden but once or twice a day in the summer. She'd just been inside for a brief lunch a few hours ago.

Lupin sat stiffly in one of the rather fancy armchairs in the parlour. He looked around and Arcturus could see a bit of envy in his face. It was obvious this Lupin fellow was poor as dirt.

"I'd make tea, but I'm rubbish at it. Hope you don't mind."

"No, no, of course not," Lupin insisted. His gaze finally fell to Arcturus after a sweep of the room and once more, he seemed pained. "How are you? I have not seen you since you were a toddler. You've certainly grown..." He trailed off awkwardly.

"Yeah, time, food, and water will do that," Arcturus commented. "You said you were my father's friend, from school?"

"Yes. He, Peter, James, and I. It shocked me, to learn what he did. I never thought Sirius, your father, would do such a thing."

"I guess you're not really a good judge of character then, hm?"

Lupin was ready to agree with him. "I suppose not."

"If you don't mind my being blunt, why are you here?"

Lupin smiled a bit. "Well, I told you, the last time I'd seen you was when you were a toddler. I heard about your mother. I am deeply sorry."

"It's been a year now."

"It took me a while to find out where you were living now. Obviously not with...your father, I am unfortunately not a pureblood or I might have been able to find you quicker."

"Why do you want to find me?"

Lupin sighed heavily. "I remember before everything happened. Sirius—you were the centre of his world. He loved you, very much. And despite everything, the betrayal, the murder, I feel I owe it, at least to Lenora, to be here for you, in case you ever need someone...not pureblood."

"Why would I need that? According to Uncle Marius and Aunt Ariadne, purebloods are the only people worth knowing."

He winced. Physically winced. "I was afraid—was afraid something like this would happen. It's a pity, your mother and fa—would never have wanted this."

"Wanted what?"

"Lenora never agreed with her family's thinking. And, at least I thought Sirius didn't either."

"I'm not saying I agree with them," Arcturus replied. "I'm merely being thorough."

Lupin chuckled. "You are just like him."

"My father? I don't think so." Arcturus's voice dropped in his seriousness now. "I might not have any friends, but if I did, I wouldn't murder them. Sorry, I don't think I'm anything like him."

Lupin winced again, but nodded. "You're right," he agreed. They lapsed into silence before Lupin finally got up. "I should be going. I do not want to get you in trouble with your aunt and uncle."

"I'm always in trouble with them," Arcturus replied. "It comes with being their rebellious nephew."

Lupin smiled, but he headed back for the foyer. Arcturus followed, escorting him to the door.

"It was nice to meet you, Arcturus," Lupin told him. "Remember what I said. If you ever need me, for anything, don't hesitate to Floo."

Arcturus watched Lupin for a moment, but all he saw was genuine care. It was not something he'd seen since his mother died, and it caught him a little off balance. After all, Arcturus was used to caring for himself by now. He didn't need others to care. But obviously this Lupin guy did.

"I'll keep that in mind," he replied before Lupin left.

He didn't see Lupin again for a long time, almost six months. And then, he saw him out at a park one snowy day, when Arcturus had managed to escape from the house while Marius and Ariadne were "out" somewhere. It was purely coincidence, but when Lupin saw Arcturus, he waved and beckoned for the boy to join him on the park bench. Arcturus sat and for a while all they did was watch the Muggle children play in the snow, making snow angels and snowmen and having snowball fights while their parents huddled nearby with a thermos of tea or coffee and chatted.

"How are you?" Lupin asked.

"Holding up. You?"

Lupin shifted stiffly. "I've been better," he replied. He certainly had looked better the last time Arcturus had seen him. The man looked even older, though it hadn't even been a full year. He was thinner, more haggard. His clothes were just as threadbare and the jacket he wore against the cold didn't look very thick at all.

"What's happened?"

"Hm? Oh nothing," Lupin replied absently. "Just a rough time right now. It's difficult for me to keep a job."

"That sucks," Arcturus commented. "How come?"

"Oh, this or that," Lupin said. "It depends on the employer. I think I might have something after the holidays. I just have to make ends meet until then. But enough about my problems. What are yours? How well are you 'holding up'?"

Arcturus found himself talking to Lupin for much longer than he'd first intended to stay outside. They'd started on the bench, but then they'd begun to get just a little too cold, so they decided to take a stroll to warm up a bit. Walking helped, or at least it stretched Arcturus's legs. He noticed that Lupin had a bit of a limp and used a cane that Arcturus hadn't noticed before when he'd been sitting to assist his walking.

"Did you injure yourself?"

"What? Oh, it's nothing you need to worry about. Just a bad knee. I'm sure it's just the weather making it act up. I should be fine in a few days."

They walked on for a bit, just enjoying each other's company and the gentle snowfall that had started. Arcturus was more than glad to be out of the house, even if it was just for a little bit and it was without his aunt and uncle's knowledge. But as they walked, something kept nagging at him, a thought that had been on his mind since he'd first met Lupin, who claimed to know his father so well.

"Can I ask you a question?" he hedged.

"Of course," Lupin insisted.

"Why did he do it?"

There was no need to elucidate any further on the question. Both understood the "he" and the "it" perfectly. For a while, Lupin didn't say anything. Arcturus began to think that maybe he wasn't going to answer. Maybe this was one of those questions adults just answer "because" to because actually trying to explain the concept to a child would just be too difficult.

But Lupin finally did speak and when he did, it wasn't with dimmed down language or glazed over explanations. It was the truth. "I don't know," he said simply. "Sirius, he never seemed like the sort to do something like this. I guess that's what makes the betrayal all the more hurtful. None of us ever expected him to do this, least of all to James. Sirius hated his family and everything they stood for, pureblood mania, Dark magic, all of it. When they first told me, I couldn't believe it. Not Sirius, of all people. He might have a twisted sense of humour sometimes, but he'd never go out and murder anyone. It was...heart wrenching. And to have lost James and Lily too..."

"And Peter."

"And Peter," Lupin agreed, like an afterthought. "Poor Peter. He never stood a chance. Sirius was leagues better than him, a stronger wizard. It was a massacre. All they found was Peter's finger."

Arcturus's gaze fell to his own fingers, gloved though they were. That was awfully small.

Lupin seemed to suddenly realize just how morbid a turn their conversation had taken. "But enough about that. Christmas is coming up soon. I've had this for a while, but I was unsure when I'd see you again. Luckily I have it with me now."

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small package, wrapped in red Christmas paper, pocket size. On the front was a small tag "To Arcturus, Happy Christmas, Remus Lupin." Arcturus tore the wrapping off, crumbling it into a little ball and shoving it into his own coat pocket. It was a book, a small one with a bright yellow cover and an orange title that read "Practical Prankster".

"Basic hexes and spells for the beginning prankster," Arcturus read.

"I thought you might like to have some fun with those relatives of yours. I realize you don't have a wand yet, but you'll be eleven in the spring, yes?"

"Right," Arcturus agreed, opening the book and skimming over the table of contents. There were spells and hexes for everything. Colour changing spells, simple transfigurations, even some hexes to use on enemies. Nothing seemed overtly cruel, but they were sure to be annoying and angering. Perfect.

"Thank you," he told Lupin, the corners of his mouth upturned in a small grin. "This is perfect."

Lupin smiled too. "I'm glad you like it. We used to have a little group in school; we called ourselves 'the Marauders'. It seems silly now, but we all had nicknames and James and Sirius, they often pulled the rest of us into their schemes."

"What was your name?"

"Moony. James was Prongs, Peter was Wormtail, and Sirius was Padfoot."

"Padfoot? What sort of a nickname is that?"

Lupin chuckled. "Yes, I suppose we thought ourselves very clever at the time. They were just more jokes." He pulled a watch out of his pocket, glancing at the face and sighing. "I must be going. You should probably return too. Your aunt and uncle will be wondering where you got to."

"If they're home they will," Arcturus muttered. "Thank you again, for the book. I should've gotten you something."

Lupin shook his head, "I don't need presents. Enjoy it." They went their separate ways, but this time the break wouldn't be as long as the last time. Now that Arcturus knew Lupin was there sometime, he snuck out to the Muggle park more often. The first few times they met on coincidence again, until they started to arrange meetings, mostly around Marius and Ariadne's schedules. At first Arcturus was a bit hesitant, mainly because he really didn't know Lupin. He claimed to be Sirius's friend, and certainly seemed to know quite a bit about Sirius, Lenora, and Arcturus himself, but he was still a stranger.

That was at first, though. After a while, Lupin ceased to become a stranger. He was a friend, and then sort of an uncle. A real uncle, not the sort Uncle Marius was. He cared for Arcturus, genuinely, and talked to him about his father and mother (always before Sirius had committed murder and betrayed his friends and the entire wizarding world). Come Spring, when Arcturus turned eleven and his uncle and aunt took him to Diagon Alley and bought him his first wand, Lupin began coaching him, mostly on the spells and hexes from the book he'd given Arcturus last Christmas. They never actually did magic though, since they were out in the middle of a Muggle neighbourhood and Arcturus was still underage. Lupin also told him about Hogwarts, which he'd be attending come fall.

Lenora had originally intended for her son to attend Durmstrang and had originally enrolled him there. But when Arcturus had come to live with Marius and Ariadne, they'd enrolled him at Hogwarts. In the summer, his Hogwarts letter came and he immediately snuck a Floo call and arranged to meet Lupin, or "Remus", as he'd taken to calling him.

"Congratulations," Lupin told him as soon as Arcturus had produced the coveted Hogwarts letter, beaming.

"I'm so excited to go," he admitted. "I can't wait to get out of that house."

Lupin smiled. "I'm sure you will enjoy Hogwarts very much. Have your aunt and uncle said anything?"

"No, but they've been surly all day. Squibs and everything," Arcturus shrugged. "Draco will be angry, that's certain. He hates that I'm a year older than him."

"He will get his letter next year. Have you gone to get your things yet?"

"No, we're going this Saturday. Can you meet us there?"

"I don't think that would be a good idea," he replied. "And unfortunately I have a prior engagement."

Arcturus frowned, but nodded his understanding. Sometimes, "Uncle Remus" was busy. That's just how adults were. He had to work, Arcturus didn't.

"We'll meet again before you leave on September 1st, though," he promised. "I'll even bring a cake and we'll celebrate."

That caused Arcturus to smile. "Okay," he agreed.