Author's note: Hello everyone! I know this summer was inconsistent, and I'm sorry about that. As I said earlier, this summer would be a bit crazy because of busy schedules. Well, I will be going back to a fairly consistent schedule now. I will be posting chapters at least every other weekend, maybe more often than that if I can. Thank you for your patience this summer, and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 113: Boredom and Mysteries

Sirius and Regulus headed to the library to do some studying. Sirius had a Potions quiz and Regulus had a Charms quiz coming up, and both wanted to study. The quiz was 15% of their grade. At Hogwarts, all quizzes were worth 15% of the student's final grade in that particular class.

As they arrived in the library, they saw Mauro sitting at a table by himself, studying what looked like Transfiguration.

"Hey Mauro, how's it going?" Sirius asked. He and Regulus sat at the table with Mauro.

"I'm just studying for a Transfiguration quiz next week," Mauro replied. "McGonagall's already throwing one at us, and we've only been here for a month."

"Yeah, that's normal here. All professors do these quizzes every now and then," Regulus informed him. "It's 15% of our grade for each class."

"Right, but this early in the year?" Mauro asked. "At my school in Brazil, we do one quiz per term, so two quizzes a year, and usually we don't do one until the end of October at least."

"Oh no, we do around six quizzes per year, three per term," Sirius explained. "Sometimes four or five depending on the professor. Usually, it's McGonagall who makes us do four or five per term."

Mauro groaned. "Thanks for the warning," he muttered.

"So, have you been in touch with your family since you've gotten here?" Regulus asked curiously.

"No," Mauro responded flatly. Sirius and Regulus exchanged a look of concern.

"Why not?" Regulus questioned.

"They're not the type to write," Mauro answered simply.

"Are you sure everything's alright?" Sirius asked with concern.

"Yes, everything's fine," Mauro snapped. He then stood abruptly and grabbed his Transfiguration textbook. "¡Adiós, hasta luego!" he said before exiting the library.

"Well, that was strange," Regulus commented. "I mean, what was that all about?"

"I don't know, but maybe it's time that we tell Grandfather that something's not right," Sirius said thoughtfully. "Remember, at the start-of-term feast, Mauro kept saying that Emilia didn't want to come here, but he wouldn't say more about it. Plus, remember in August, Emilia and Mauro came to the Leaky Cauldron on their own, without their parents or any adult, and Emilia was acting strange."

"Yeah, I remember," Regulus said with a nod. "She was acting like a party-pooper." Sirius snorted.

"I guess you can say it like that, but in all seriousness, something's just not right, I can feel it," Sirius stated.

"I agree," Regulus said. "Let's go talk to Grandfather. If anything, at least the staff will be aware of what's going on, so they can keep an eye on the situation."

"Exactly," Sirius agreed. "Come on. Let's go!" They left the library and headed to the Headmaster's office. When they arrived, they found Arcturus talking to Regulus I's portrait. By the sounds of it, Regulus I was in a bad mood. Arcturus turned as they walked in.

"Hello Sirius, Regulus," he greeted them. "Don't mind Aslan. He is in a foul mood today."

"No, I'm not!" Aslan snapped. Leo rolled his eyes.

"Sure you're not," he replied, not believing him for a second. "Are you bored again?"

"When aren't I?" Aslan asked grumpily.

"What can we do to help?" Sirius asked.

"There's nothing you can do," Aslan replied. "I can't read any more French plays, so what's there to do?"

"What was your favorite play?" Regulus asked suddenly.

"My favorite play? I don't think I have one. I like them all," Aslan responded.

"I do not think that is true," Arcturus cut in. "Your favorite play has always been Cyrano de Bergerac."

"Well, I suppose so," Aslan said. "Alright, fine. Yes, that's my favorite play, Cyrano de Bergerac. Now, leave me alone." With that, Regulus I closed his eyes, supposedly trying to sleep.

"Now, what can I do for you both?" Arcturus asked Sirius and Regulus as they sat across from his desk.

"Well, it's about Mauro," Sirius began. He and Regulus explained what had happened at the Leaky Cauldron back in August, about how Mauro acted during the start-of-term feast, and now, with his latest odd behavior in the library.

"What do you think is going on, Grandfather?" Regulus asked curiously.

Arcturus sighed. "I believe," he began. "It might have something to do with his family. It sounds like there may be tensions within that family. It is hard to say without seeing it firsthand, but it is definitely something to look out for. I will direct the staff to keep an eye on Mauro, and if they notice anything that seems to be off, we will investigate it."

"Thank you," Sirius and Regulus said in unison. They headed back to Gryffindor Tower. On the way, Regulus turned to Sirius with an idea.

"You know how Uncle Regulus told us what his favorite play is?" he asked.

"Yes. What are you thinking, Reg?" Sirius asked curiously.

Regulus grinned. "Why don't we put on that play?" he asked excitedly. "We could do it for Uncle Regulus' next birthday."

Sirius nodded. "I think that is a great idea!" he said just as excited. "But first, we will have to find the play, see how many people are in it, so we can plan accordingly, then pick who will do which part."

"Then it's a good thing we have until July to do all this," Regulus commented as they approached the portrait hole.

"Yeah, let's run it across the rest of the family as well," Sirius suggested as Regulus gave the password and they stepped inside the common room. "And of course, the rest of the Marauders."

"Agreed," Regulus said with a nod. "If this works out, this could be the best birthday present a Black has ever given someone!"

"Hey, it can't be better than the presents Grandmother and Grandfather give us," Sirius joked. Regulus rolled his eyes. "Alright, alright, I get it. Well, let's see what happens. This could be fun!"

"Exactly," Regulus said. "This will definitely be fun!" The two Blacks went up to their dormitories for the night, excited about potentially putting on Cyrano de Bergerac for Regulus I.

Translation:

Spanish: Adiós, hasta luego!

English: Bye, see you later!