Arcturus Black
By: Katerinaki
Published: 9/3/2015
Beta'ed: No
Notes: Thank you to all those who are sticking with this story, despite my long updates. You rock!
Chapter 14: A Disaster on a Broom
Arcturus was in the library, pretending to do his work when Fred and George entered wearing just the type of grins that made Arcturus happy when they were pulling a prank together, but nervous when they weren't.
"Alright, Archie boy, you're in," Fred told him, sitting down in the seat next to Arcturus.
"What do you mean, 'I'm in'?" he asked lowly.
"You're on the Quidditch roster. George and I signed you up with Madam Hooch. Try-outs are this Saturday."
"I said I'd think about it. I didn't want you to actually sign me up!"
"Mister Black," Madam Pince, the librarian, hissed as she rose from her desk and scurried across the library. "I am warning you only once, I will not have you or your friends disturbing my library and disrespecting my books. Not this year. This is your only chance."
"Of course, ma'am," Arcturus replied courteously.
She narrowed her eyes at him, looking between Arcturus and the Weasley twins, trying to tell if he was sassing her or if he was being earnest.
"Your only chance," she repeated before returning to her desk.
"I swear she gets more uptight each year," George muttered when Madam Pince was out of earshot. "So, Freddie and I were thinking that tomorrow during free period we'd take you down to the pitch, dust off the cobwebs and get you into fighting shape. What do you think?"
"I think it'd be a waste of time since I'm not actually going to make Seeker."
"You haven't seen some of the other names on this list. That McLaggen bloke signed up, for Merlin's sake."
At the mention of McLaggen, Arcturus couldn't help but tense up. It was a knee-jerk reaction by now. After being forced to live in the same room with him for the last year, listening to his bragging and general posturing, his hands automatically curved into fists at the mere mention of the berk's name, just in case he finally decided to punch the wanker.
Fred and George knew how much Arcturus hated McLaggen, and they also knew that mentioning him would make Arcturus agree to try-out, just to ensure that McLaggen didn't make the team.
"Fine," he grumbled. "Now get out of here. I have to keep my grades if I'm going to be on the team."
"You weren't studying anyways," Fred retorted. "If I know you—"
"And I'd say we know you pretty well by now," George added.
"—you're trying to figure out what Dumbledore's hiding in that third-floor corridor, aren't you?"
"And if I am? Do you have any ideas?"
"Not a clue," George replied. "But whatever it is, it's being held behind a locked door with something big on the other side."
Arcturus glanced around to make sure nobody was trying to eavesdrop before leaning in closer. "You mean, you've gone already?"
"Maybe George and I took a little stroll around the third floor corridor after Potions yesterday. You know it is quite easy to become lost in this castle."
"And?"
"And there might be a locked door at the end of the corridor and something very big shuffling around behind it."
"The map doesn't show it though, so it's not human."
"A beast?"
Arcturus looked down at the rather large book he'd been pouring over just a few moments ago. The book was about magical objects, many of which were dark. He was surprised that a book like that was in the general section of the Hogwarts library, but then most students wouldn't really know about the dark nature of most of these objects. It was only because he was a Black that Arcturus had even heard of them. Malfoy liked to brag and he'd taken Arcturus into the Malfoy library on more than one occasion to show him all the books on the Dark Arts. He'd thought that maybe Dumbledore could be holding something like that. But if it was a beast of some sort…
"Why would Dumbledore keep a beast locked up in the school?" he muttered. "That doesn't' make any sense. There's a whole forest for it to run around."
"Maybe it's a werewolf," George said, a little too excited by the idea. "Or a vampire."
"I bet it's a banshee," Fred added. "That's why it has to stay locked up instead of in the forest."
Whatever it was, they probably should just leave it alone. But that wasn't Arcturus' style. He was too curious. His mother had said it would get him into trouble, and maybe it would, if not this time some other time. But that didn't mean he would stop.
The next day during free period after lunch, Arcturus and the Weasley twins with Lee headed down to the pitch, the twins carrying the chest of balls between them with their brooms propped over their shoulders. Arcturus clutched his own broom in hand, feeling that this was a horrible idea the closer they came to the pitch. Lee was just there because he had nothing better to do. He actually wasn't trying out for the team because McGonagall had agreed to let him commentate the first match of the season on a trial basis.
"This is a stupid idea," Arcturus muttered as the twins set the chest down in the centre of the field and unlocked it. Inside the two bludgers fought at their bonds while the Quaffle sat idle in the middle. Fred reached down and flicked open the crest, revealing a small compartment which housed a Golden Snitch.
"Alright, Archie boy," he said. "Let's see what you've got." He tossed the Snitch into the air where it spread its wings and darted off. Arcturus was able to follow it for a few seconds before it disappeared into the sky.
Fred and George then proceeded to run him through the most physically demanding flying test Arcturus had ever experienced. They did lap after lap with dives and climbs and acrobatic tricks. Arcturus lost count of how many times he'd almost killed himself. More than a few times he'd been dangling from his broom by his fingertips and Fred or George had to come over and help him back on. Lee was laughing most of the time from the bleachers, providing his own running commentary of Arcturus's flubs.
"Oo! Another botched move by Black. He is really struggling out there. You have to wonder, how could—"
"Pipiato," Arcturus growled, jabbing his wand in Lee's direction. With a squawk, Lee's commentary cut off and was replaced by the chirps and twitters of a songbird. Lee clapped his hand over his mouth in confusion, and then tentatively tried it out before deciding that he rather enjoyed only being able to tweet like a bird and proceeded to serenade them. Fred and George burst into laughter and even Arcturus couldn't help but grin and chuckle. They goaded Lee into saying more and he rose to the occasion until Quidditch was nearly forgotten.
"We have to get back for class," Arcturus said, sinking down until both feet were solidly on the ground once more to his immense relief.
Lee chirped, but none of them could understand him.
"How long is this supposed to last?" George asked.
Arcturus shrugged. "An hour or so."
"Don't you have Transfiguration next, though?"
Arcturus winced. McGonagall would not find Lee's current predicament nearly as funny as the rest of his friends or Lee himself did. Points would be taken, most likely.
"Oh well," Fred shrugged. "Hey Arcturus, you ever see the Snitch?"
All four boys looked around, but there was no sign of the little golden ball anywhere. Students were beginning to come out of the castle, heading for their next class in the greenhouses. They didn't have time to try and find the Snitch.
"Forget about it," Arcturus replied.
George snorted. "Some Seeker you are."
"I'm not a Seeker."
"Yet."
Arcturus rolled his eyes and shoved George good-naturedly as the four of them returned to the castle. Arcturus and Lee reported to Transfiguration, sitting in their normal seats. Part of Arcturus hoped that they would get through this class without Professor McGonagall calling on Lee, but another part of him couldn't wait to see the results. He was not disappointed either.
"Mr. Jordan, please explain why it would be more difficult to transform these two rabbits into another species of animal."
Lee took a deep breath and opened his mouth to speak, but instead of words he could only chirp. Professor McGonagall pursed her lips in disproval as the rest of the class laughed at Lee's expense. Arcturus had to force himself to laugh along as if he hadn't known what would happen. McGonagall wasn't fooled for a moment, however.
"Mister Black, would you care to explain why Mr. Jordan cannot speak properly?"
Arcturus shrugged, putting on his usual show of innocence.
"Perhaps an Avifors spell gone wrong, Professor? Or he swallowed a canary."
The class burst out laughing once more but Arcturus fought to keep the corners of his mouth turned down and is expression solemn with a hint of concern for his housemate.
"I see, well then you may escort him to the Hospital Wing, and once he is mended, join me tonight for some remedial work. Avifors is a first-year transfiguration, Mr. Black. If you can't perform this one properly, you will find yourself struggling this year. After supper, tonight. Off with you, before Mr. Jordan sprouts feathers."
"Of course, Professor McGonagall," Arcturus replied, happy to avoid losing points, but not relishing his evening detention with McGonagall. It would be a far cry better than detention with Filch or Snape, but McGonagall was strict.
"Nothing gets past that old bird, does it?" Arcturus remarked when they were beyond the classroom and well on their way to the Infirmary.
Lee just twittered and Arcturus shrugged.
"No idea what you just said."
That evening, Arcturus dutifully reported to the Transfiguration classroom where McGonagall sat grading essays. She looked up as he knocked on the door.
"Take a seat, Mr. Black," she told him austerely.
Arcturus slumped down into his usual desk and took out his Transfiguration book, sure that McGonagall would have him working on remedial work. That was a favourite way for her to pass detention.
"Not yet, Mr. Black," she said, standing and walking around to the front of her desk. "We have not had the opportunity to speak privately. I think tonight would be a fine chance."
"Of course, Professor," Arcturus replied, leaning back in his chair, the picture of relaxation. "What would you like to talk about?"
"You have certainly been making a reputation for yourself since arriving at Hogwarts."
Arcturus shrugged. "I can't help what people say about me, Professor."
"Mr. Black, I am well aware of your involvement in certain events in this school, and of your friendship with the Weasley Twins." She held up a hand to halt his protests. "I have been a professor at this school for many years and I have seen my fair share of troublemakers. You're father and his friends had a particular penchant for trouble."
Arcturus bristled at the mention of his father, but McGonagall either didn't notice or chose not to comment.
"You are a very bright young wizard, and you have a talent in Transfiguration and Charms. The Charms, I think, is from your mother."
And just like that the irritation he felt at his father was washed away by the familiar feelings of love and longing he felt for his mother. It had been a few years, but he still missed her.
"I understand that your family circumstances are not the best, Mr. Black," Professor McGonagall said gently. "But there have been many great witches and wizards who have come from less-than-ideal backgrounds. I expect you will make something of yourself, but it is your choice of what that something is. It would be a shame to see you follow the same road as your father."
"I am not like my father, Professor," Arcturus retorted.
"Then prove me wrong, Mr. Black."
McGonagall returned to her desk and picked up her quill once more. "You may use the rest of your detention to work on your Transfiguration essay. I expect it to be Outstanding."
Arcturus, grumbling, pulled out his Transfiguration book once more. He agitatedly began to scrawl notes from his book when McGonagall spoke up once more.
"And Mr. Black?"
"Professor?" Arcturus bit out through gritted teeth.
"Our Quidditch team is in need of a top-rate Seeker. Good luck in your trial this weekend."
The next day at lunch, all of Gryffindor table was buzzing. Arcturus sat down with Fred and George, having just finished a rather long double Herbology class. He flicked some dirt off his robes before grabbing a sandwich.
"What's everyone talking about?"
"Tough luck mate, looks like trials were cancelled," Fred told him.
"Cancelled? Why?"
"Wood's found a Seeker. The youngest in a century!" George replied.
"Who?"
"Harry Potter!"