Saturday morning was spent with Sirius, Regulus, Severus, and Capella playing Go Fish.
"Go fish!" Capella exclaimed.
"Oh, come on!" Sirius mock-whined. "Just because you were raised in the Muggle World doesn't mean you should be better at these games than we are!"
"It's simple, really," Capella replied. "It's one of the easiest games. It's even easier than Uno. So stop complaining!"
After the game was over, Capella asked Arcturus and Melania if her sister could join them that next weekend.
"If your father agrees, then I don't see why not," Arcturus responded. "I will contact him this week to ask."
"Thanks, Grandfather," she said with a bright smile on her face.
"Sirius, I need to have a word with you, please," Arcturus stated. The others started heading out, Capella back to Ravenclaw Tower, Severus and Regulus back to Gryffindor Tower.
"Yes, Grandfather?" Sirius asked.
"Sirius, I am curious. Did you ever learn Occlumency in your old timeline?" Arcturus asked.
Sirius shook his head. "No, Grandfather. I never learned it." Arcturus was surprised.
"Every Heir is supposed to learn Occlumency," Arcturus stated. "I am surprised that no one taught you."
"Wait, someone was supposed to teach me?" Sirius asked. "Why?"
"I would assume that your father would have been in charge of teaching you, since he was the one you lived with in your old timeline," Arcturus explained. "The reason why the Heir is supposed to know Occlumency is very simple. Think about it. When you were Lord Black in your old timeline, were you ever afraid that Voldemort or another Death Eater may try looking into your mind and finding out about all of the Black secrets?"
Sirius blinked. "I guess I didn't give it too much thought. After all, I don't actually know when I became Lord Black, because I was still in Azkaban when it happened. All I know is that when I escaped Azkaban, I was Lord Black. Then I was only alive for two years, stuck inside Grimmauld Place because of Dumbledore. So I never really thought about people looking into my mind to find secrets, but I suppose that could have happened."
"That is why it is mandatory for the Heir to the family to learn Occlumency," Arcturus explained. "Hopefully, you won't have to be Lord Black so early on this time around. However…"
"Remember, the older Regulus said that you should be at least a great-great-grandfather first," Sirius reminded him with a grin. "So I better not become Lord Black for a long time!"
Arcturus chuckled. "True," he agreed. "But as I was saying, you should definitely learn Occlumency now, due to having more than just Black secrets to keep. You also have secrets of time travel, and that information cannot fall into the wrong hands. Furthermore, Occlumency will help you control your Black temper. Trust me, I had the same temper when I was your age."
Sirius couldn't help but laugh. Imagining a twelve-year-old Arcturus Black with the same famous Black temper that Sirius, Regulus, and Capella had was just too funny. "Alright, so, who will teach me?" he asked. Arcturus stared at him.
"Sirius, who do you live with?" he asked.
"Er, oh, right, sorry," Sirius said quickly.
"I will start teaching you next week," Arcturus explained. "I expect you to read as much as you can from this book." He handed Sirius a book that looked like it was centuries old. "Be prepared. We will work on meditation first, so you can learn how to clear your mind. Read this book to understand this, and ask me any questions you may have. I will quiz you next week."
"Alright, Grandfather," Sirius agreed. "I will read this." He took the book from his grandfather. "Is there anything else?"
Arcturus gave him a stern look. "I know Dolores Umbridge is getting on your nerves. I've noticed how angry you get when she causes trouble. But remember, she's a student, and you need to respect her. This does not mean you have to like her. However, I expect you to be civil. Don't let her get under your skin."
"But she's already talking about being Headmistress, and she's being so disrespectful," Sirius argued.
"Sirius, let me and the other teachers deal with her. You need to focus on being a student. It is not your responsibility to deal with her. It is the responsibility of the staff here at Hogwarts. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Grandfather," Sirius replied with a sigh.
Arcturus sighed. "Sirius, you're not the only one who has trouble with her. I believe most students do not like her, and while I cannot be biased, I can tell you that any kind of behavior like what she's been showing will not be tolerated by the staff at this school."
Sirius nodded. "Understood. Also, do you know when we will be able to retrieve that ring Horcrux?"
"We are working on the details, but hopefully, in a month or so, we will be able to retrieve it," Arcturus explained.
"Good, because if we can get the ring, and then whatever is hiding in Hogwarts, then we'll have all of the Horcruxes," Sirius said.
"Yes, but remember, it's not going to be easy to find the artifact hidden in Hogwarts," Arcturus reminded him.
"I know, but at least we will, someday," Sirius said. "Then Voldemort will be done for!"
Arcturus chuckled. "Yes, and then our family, along with the other families, will be safe."
Sirius nodded. After a few more minutes of talking, mostly about classes, Sirius finally went back to Gryffindor Tower with the Occlumency book in hand. He was nervous yet excited to learn Occlumency. He understood that it would be a lot of work, a lot of challenges, but he was ready for it. After all, he was a Black, and Blacks always accept a challenge, and if it meant being able to keep people from invading his mind, he would do it, no matter the amount of work it would take.