''When did the goblin rebellion take place?''

''Well, which one?''

''The second.''

''In 1754, no, 1753. At least that's when it started. It ended in 54.''

''Who led the rebellion?''

''Ragluff did. He was actually the grandson of Rangit, who started the first rebellion.''

''And how did it end?''

''By Theseus Black. There was a battle, and Theseus killed Ragluff.''

''I will ask you to go into more detail next time, but for now, this is an adequate explanation,'' Arcturus said, a cold look on his face. ''It seems that you are finally beginning to learn. I even caught you in the library yesterday evening.''

Harry smiled. ''If I don't know stuff like this, it would look weird right?''

For the last week, Harry had spent most of his time inside Arcturus study, under the scrutiny of his grandfather.

The study in question was large with two stories, filled with bookshelves on both floors and candles lit by black flames. Beside the desk where Harry sat at, was a golden chest that Arcturus had permitted him not to touch.

This room was closed off to everyone else in the palace, under most circumstances. He was the exception, likely because this was one of the only places where there could be complete secrecy.

Arcturus's dark eyes flickered to the book on his desk. ''Put this away.''

The book flew off the desk and fluttered into the air. On the second floor, it returned to the bookshelf nearest to the window.

''Your control of magic is also adequate,'' Arcturus said, then rose from his desk. ''That will be all. You are done for the day.''

Harry blinked. He did not think that they would be done for another two hours. ''Already?''

Arcturus nodded. ''Tonight you will get your wand.'' He did not sound particularly happy. ''I had hoped to hold this off, but I can not.''

He frowned. ''Is it really that bad?''

''For you, it may be,'' Arcturus said. ''A Black undergoes their trials to get their wand at 10, but you are nearly 11 without one. That could be excused. You lived in America your whole life, where it is different. But it will start to look suspicious if I hold it off.''

''I don't get it. Why is it bad?''

Arcturus had briefly mentioned the trials, but never went in depth. Only ever skimming by it.

Arcturus sighed. ''It would not be if you were raised here, but you were not. You are not as prepared for the trials as I would have liked.''

Harry's frown deepened. ''What am I going to have to do then?''

''You will go into the woods. Then, you will find your wand.''

Harry paused, not following. ''Wait, my wand is going to be in the woods?''

''You are to go into the Petroline Grove, and find your wand,'' Arcturus said with ice. ''Where will you find it? I cannot tell you. What will you have to do? I will not tell you. You will have to figure that out using your wits. And lastly, the trial will only end when you find your wand, or you fail.''

Harry felt the cold sensation of dread. ''You can...fail?''

''You can,'' Arcturus confirmed, with an air of indifference. ''But you will not, under any circumstances. Do you understand?''

He steeled himself. ''So when do I leave?''

Because it would not be dinner for quite some time yet, Harry was lost on what to do. He went to the library and took out a book on transfiguration, but he could not focus so the words washed over him in blurs.

Tonight he would be going on a trial that he would surely fail.

That was all he could think about. About how he would fail. What would happen then? Would he be the first wizard in history to not have a wand -- would he even be considered a wizard without one?

Harry wanted to go down into the lounge, but Hera was there, so he decided against it. Instead, he went up to his room where Oliver, the young, servant, was polishing the floors.

''My apologies,'' Oliver said, too proper for someone of his age. ''I thought that no one would be in here.''

''It's fine.'' He said. ''I didn't think I would be in here either.''

Oliver nodded. ''I will return here later, then. If you would excuse me...''

He watched the boy turn on his heel, then said, ''Wait...can I ask you something?''

Oliver looked at him from over his shoulder. ''You already are, sir.''

Harry found that he didn't have a question ready. ''Uhm, how old are you?''

Oliver crooked an eyebrow. ''I turn 12 this July.''

''My birthday's in July too.''

Oliver looked at Harry as if there were something on his face. ''Is there something I can help you with, sir?''

He felt just a tad silly now. ''Well, no. It's just that you're the only person my age here...''

''I am also a servant.'' Oliver then added, ''Sir.''

They held eye contact for another moment before Harry looked away. Oliver seemed to take that as his cue to leave, but only after bowing in his direction.

That went about as well as Harry should have expected. Back at the Dursley's, he rarely spoke with kids his age. Why would that change now?

When Harry stepped out of his room, he heard it. A stream of music. He stepped down the hall, entranced.

Just by the staircase, the door to the music room was wide open.

Andromeda sat by the piano table, her back to him. Harry stayed by the door and listened.

Once the song ended, she asked, ''So, do you play, Aries?''

Of course, she knew he was there.

''The piano?'' He said clumsily.

She laughed lightly. ''Yes, the piano. Do you?''

''No.'' He said. ''I don't think I'd be good at it.''

''How would you know if you haven't tried?'' She asked. ''You have the fingers for it too.'

He could only look on in confusion. ''I have the fingers for it?''

''Yes. You have long fingers, perfect for the piano. I'm quite jealous if I'm being honest.''

That was odd to Harry. Ever since he was very young, Dudley had said that he had spider hands. Not piano hands.

''Oh, but ignore me babbling on.'' She turned around in her seat and offered him a pleasant smile. ''You don't have to stand in the hallway like that. You can sit next to me if you would like.''

As Harry shuffled in and sat next to her, he gazed down at the notes with interest.

''Have you played an instrument before?'' She asked, brushing a strand of light brown hair from her eyes.

''No.'' He said. ''I don't think I'd be very good at it.''

''How would you know if you haven't tried?'' She asked again.

He shrugged. ''I'm just not good at things.''

''I'm sure that isn't true,'' Andromeda said, and from the look on her face, she seemed to mean it.

But he persisted.

''It is, I think. I've never really been good at anything.''

''I'm also sure that isn't true.'' She said. ''You might have not noticed, but you're a breath of fresh air.''

He wondered if his ears were working. ''I am?''

''For our family, you definitely are.'' She said, ''As I'm sure you can tell, we are, well, not the nicest bunch. But you are. Every time we've talked, you have been nice and kind.''

Harry wasn't sure what the feeling that rose within him was. ''You're nice too.'' He mumbled.

''Well, thank you.'' She said, ''But I mean it. You really are a breath of fresh air''

''Maybe.'' He said quietly. ''But grandfather wouldn't be very happy about that.''

Andromeda sighed. ''That is probably true.'' She fixed her dark brown eyes on the piano, ''Would you like to play?''

''You really don't mind?''

''This is not my music room.'' She said, ''Go ahead.''

He turned his attention to the keyboard. There were too many notes for him to pick. ''There's so many of them. What should I do first?''

''It may look like a lot, but there are actually only 12 different notes.'' She told him. ''But let's forget about that. Just press whatever feels right. I can teach you the basics another day if you're interested. Right now just try to have fun with it.''

It felt stiff and awkward. His fingers traversed the keyboard without Andromeda's fluidity. What came out was a tune without any melody or rhythm.

''I'm not good at this,'' Harry said when he stopped playing. ''I'm really not.''

''But did you have fun?'' She asked.

He considered that. ''I think so.''

''That's all that matters.'' She said with a tenderness unfitting for a Black. ''When I started I was terrible. Far worse than you.''

He blinked. ''Really?''

Andromeda put a hand on her cheek. ''Oh, Merlin, yes. I was terrible. You're starting in a far better place than me.''

This time he smiled. ''Even if I'm bad, I still like it.''

''That's the spirit.'' She said, ''We don't have much time now, but I can give you your first proper lesson after dinner.''

Then he remembered. ''I want to, but I can't. I'm getting my wand tonight.''

The light from Andromeda's eyes faded. ''Did you just say that you would be getting your wand tonight?''

There was a funny feeling in Harry's stomach now, but he nodded. ''Yeah, after dinner.''

''And do you think that you're ready?'' She asked, more serious than Harry had ever seen her.

''I think so.'' He said. ''I have to be.''

''That's good.'' She said with a sigh. ''But I still would have thought it would have been held off for at least a few months.''

''Is it really that hard?'' He asked.

''Maybe hard isn't the right word.'' She said after a moment. ''It would just be easier if you were raised with our...traditions.'' She fixed him a strained smile. ''We all went through this, everyone who was brought up here, at least.'' She shook her head. ''But if I'm being honest, I find the trials to be outdated. We should be able to get our wands like everyone else.''

''But why can't we?''

''Because your grandfather is stuck in his ways.'' She elaborated. ''He is the head of the family. He could change it, but he won't.'' She sighed again. ''I'll ask again...do you think that you're ready?''

This time he was honest. ''I don't know...''

She laid a hand on his shoulder. ''Look at it this way. By tomorrow you'll have your wand.''

''What if I don't?'' He asked. ''I could fail.''

''You won't.'' She said. ''I know that you'll do just fine.''

Harry wanted to believe her, but deep down, he knew it was just her attempt at reassurance . Deep down, he knew that he was going to fail.

When the clock struck 5:30 Harry and Andromeda scaled down the palace for dinner. The temperature had dropped. Damp soaked through the dark palace walls and there was a chill in the air.

''Just try to relax,'' Andromeda said. ''We still have dinner, right?''

He echohed ''Right...''

She glimpsed at him, sighed and shook her head. ''Dinner will be better tomorrow.''

Arcturus was already in the hall, waiting for them. In the week or so Harry had been living at the palace, he was always the first to arrive for dinner.

After them, came Hera, who did not even look in Harry's direction as she greeted Andromeda and Arcturus.

They only waited for Castus now.

''You are late,'' Arcturus said as Castus came shuffling into his seat. ''It is 5:50.''

Castus fidgeted. ''Sorry uncle.''

Harry never said much at dinner, but he was quieter this evening. He listened to the conversation, not partaking in it. He was like an outsider.

''This is an important day.'' Arcturus said, ''Isn't that right, Aries?''

He lifted his head. ''Right.''

Castus put his glass down. ''It is?'' He asked. ''Well, what's going on today?''

''He shall be going through his first trials,'' Arcturus announced. ''He will be heading for Petroline Grove tonight.''

''Oh yeah?'' Castus said. ''Nobody has been there in a while.''

''Lyra was the last.'' Arcturus looked straight at Harry. ''She passed with flying colours.''

Lyra Black was the older sister that Harry had yet to meet, though heard plenty about. Perfect and intelligent. He remembered Arcturus's words. She is what I expect you to become.

''I'll be honest. I'm surprised.'' Andromeda said, who sat next to Harry. ''I knew it would come eventually, but I thought you would hold it off. Aries hasn't been here for long.''

''Are you questioning the lord of this house?'' Hera hissed. ''He is ten. He is old enough to go through the trials.''

''He will turn 11 in two months,'' Arcturus said. ''This is long overdue.''

''I'm not questioning anyone,'' Andromeda said. ''I was just a bit surprised. That's all.''

''Of course.'' Hera's smile was so fake that even Harry saw through it. ''My apologies, Andromeda.''

If Harry was quiet before, then he was almost silent now. The closer it came to the trials, the more energy was zapped from him.

He thought of a thousand different possibilities, all leading to one conclusion: failure.

''Can I take him to the trials?'' Andromeda asked.

Arcturus eyes narrowed into slits. ''Why?''

''Don't worry, I won't tell him anything that I shouldn't,'' Andromeda said. ''It's just, well. I've taken a liking to him.''

Arcturus studied her. ''Is that the truth?''

''Yes.'' She said smoothly. ''It is.''

''Then I will allow it. You may act as his guide, but if I find that you helped him in any way'' Arcturus sliced a piece of turkey in half. ''There will be consequences.''

Andromeda watched the knife. ''I know. I'll only be his guide.''

Arcturus nodded. ''Good.'' He said. ''After dinner, I would like a word with you.''

Andromeda frowned. ''About?''

''Just a word,'' Arcturus said coldly. ''After dinner.''

Arcturus poured a glass of firewhisky. ''Would you care for a drink?

''No, thank you,'' Andromeda said politely. ''I don't drink.''

''And that is why I will not take it as an insult.'' Arcturus peered at her from across his desk. There was not a drop of emotion in his face. ''Do you know why I asked to speak with you?''

Andromeda held his gaze for a moment. ''I don't.''

''When I received your letter, I was surprised,'' Arcturus admitted. ''I had not heard a word from you in several years.''

''Well, I did live here when I was a girl.'' She reasoned, ''I thought I could come here to visit, after finally coming back to the country.''

''It is different, is it not?'' Arcturus asked.

''The palace? I'd say so.'' She said, ''Less people.''

''Far fewer people. After all, everyone has grown up.'' He said. ''Of course, there is Lyra and Alexander, but they are at Hogwarts for the time being.'' He continued after a moment. ''There are also a few others, that should be here, but are not.''

''Yeah, I've noticed that.'' She said carefully. ''Like my sister's son.''

Arcturus eyes blazed. ''Narcissa is not your sister, for she is not even a Black now.''

'I guess so...''

''Since you returned, there has been something that I have noticed,'' Arcturus said, with what almost sounded like displeasure. ''You have grown close to my grandson.''

Her smile was strained. ''What can I say? He's a sweet boy.''

''Too sweet,'' Arcturus whispered. ''Although now he is away from his mother, he is finally beginning to step in the right direction.''

She held her tongue. ''I guess that he is.''

''You think that I am making a mistake,'' Arcturus noted. ''Do you think that he will fail?''

'Probably.'' She said without a second thought. ''Like I said he is sweet. You don't pass the trials by being sweet.''

''On the surface, he is,'' Arcturus admitted. ''But he is capable of acting as a Black should.''

She crooked an eyebrow. ''Do you think that he'll pass then?''

''I do.'' Arcturus boomed. ''He has no other choice but to pass.''

''I hope he does too.'' She said quietly. ''I have a soft spot for children, especially children like him.''

''I am well aware.'' He rumbled. ''Would you like children?''

''That's a difficult question.'' She said, ''I'd say that I do, but I doubt that I ever will in this lifetime.''

''Of course,'' Arcturus said, ''What happened to Almond was a tragedy.''

''Thank you.'' She said courteously. ''Our marriage was out of duty, but I still cared for him.''

Arcturus's face was blank ''I am sure that we will find who is responsible soon.''

''I hope so.'' She said. ''He deserves that at least.''

Arcturus paused as if measuring her. ''Do you truly mean that?''

Andromeda put on a smile. ''Of course, I do. Why wouldn't I?''

No returning smile from Arcturus. ''At times you make me wonder.'' He said coldly. ''We have wasted enough time. Aries is to leave for his trial now.''

She rose from her seat. ''I'll say good night now then, Arcturus. Because I probably won't see you until the morning.''

''It's darker than I thought it would be,'' Andromeda said. The sun had long since faded, replaced by a curtain of darkness ''Colder too. Are you warm enough?''

Harry shivered under his cloak. ''I'm warm enough.''

''Well, we should be almost there now.'' She said, ''How are you feeling?''

''Fine.'' He said quietly.

She looked at him. ''How are you really feeling? There's nothing wrong with being nervous. I was.''

He hesitated. ''How bad is it going to be?''

''It's not going to be bad.'' She was no longer looking at him. ''It's just something everyone in our family has to go through.''

''What if I fail?''

''You won't.'' She said, ''I'm sure of it.''

Harry didn't answer. He wished that he had her confidence.

''Look on the bright side,'' She said, ''By tomorrow all this will be done.''

Would everything be fine by tomorrow if he didn't have his wand?

''So what am I meant to do?'' Harry asked, at the foot of Petroline Grove

''You'll go in,'' She said, ''And find your wand.''

Harry frowned. He had hoped for more.

''I'm sorry. I really am. But that's all I can say. You'll be able to figure it out on your own...''

''What if I don't?''

''You will. Maybe not at first, but eventually.'' She drew a pale dagger from her cloak. ''Here. Arcturus told me to give you this.''

Harry didn't take it. ''What's going to be in the forest?'

''You probably won't need it.'' She said, ''But you don't have your wand and it never hurts for protection.''

He asked again. ''But what's in there?''

''Nothing that should attack you. Like I said, it's for protection, just in case.''

Harry swallowed a lump. ''Okay.'' He finally took the dagger, which was heavier than he thought it would be.

She bent down to eye level. ''Look at me.'' Harry did. ''I've said this a thousand times, but I'll say it again. You'll do fine. If I could pass, then so could you.''

Harry's smile didn't reach his eyes. ''I know. I won't fail. I can't.''

She stretched up to her full height. ''I can't tell you much, but I can give you a tip. Don't trust a soul.''

He felt a cold chill ''Are there going to be people in there?''

''Good luck Aries.'' She said softly. ''I'll be waiting for you right here.''

Harry closed his eyes, but not for long. With a dagger that barely fit in his hands, he entered Petroline Grove