Black Dawn Ch.10: Back in Black

A golden galleon spun on the top of the desk, Harry’s mesmerized green eyes watching it, as his lips stretched into a wide smile. As the coin clattered, he burst into giggles, clapping his little hands. Arcturus picked the galleon and spun it again, drawing more laughter from Harry.

Arcturus felt a tingle of magic run through the hair on his arm as the galleon clattered. He looked up to see the flames in the fireplace turn green. The next second, a tiny figure shot out of the flames, tumbling across the floor in a tangle of a green dress, her pink hair turning a fiery red.  

“Nymphadora? Are you alright?” Arcturus hurried around the table, while Harry watched the colors of Nymphadora’s hair change with wide eyes, bursting into fresh giggles. 

“I’m fine!” She picked herself up without a care, smiling at Arcturus before bowing. “Oh, good afternoon, Lord Grandfather.”  

Arcturus raised an eyebrow. “Lord Grandfather?”

“Mum calls you grandfather, and dad calls you Lord Black. I thought I’d call you something unique.” She grinned, and Arcturus noticed two missing teeth in her smile. “Mum said I should call you great-grandfather. But it’s too long and I don’t like it.” She wrinkled her nose. “It makes you sound old!”

He let out a snort and ruffled her rosy-pink hair as she turned to look at Harry and beamed widely. 

“Little brother!” She darted toward Harry in a blur of pink, pinching his cheeks as he held out his hands and squealed with laughter.

Arcturus’ attention was drawn away from them as the flames flared green again and Ted stepped through, dusting his shirt and looking around the room, his eyes checking Nymphadora for a moment, before turning to Arcturus.

“Lord Black, good afternoon.” He cleared his throat. “How… How’re you doing?”

“Theodore. I’m well.” Arcturus inclined his head and picked his stick. “Thank you for watching Harry. I should be back in a few hours. By dinner at the latest. If you need anything, Melody or Bailey will help you.”

“Of course. It is my pleasure to do it.” Ted chuckled nervously. “Anything… anything for family, right?”

Arcturus frowned at him. “Yes, indeed.” 

“So, where are you going today?” Ted asked, before freezing. “Where are you going today, sir? I mean, Lord Black. If I’m allowed to, you know? Ask.”

“Daddy, you’re being weird.” Nymphadora’s voice floated from behind Arcturus, who smothered his amusement.

“Yes, Theodore. Do not fluster. It is unbecoming of someone married to a daughter of House Black,” Arcturus said, grabbing his cloak and putting it on. “Now, if you will, I have some business to attend to. You have fun with the children. Good day.”

With a last smile at Harry and Nymphadora, Arcturus closed his eyes, wrenching the world past him.

Snow crunched under his boots, and the cold washed through his clothes, biting to the bone. The pain in his knee flared as he stepped onto a thin, winding street, pulling his cloak tighter around himself. 

A snow-covered, quaint muggle town stretched down the road in front of him, with shops of brick and wood on the side. Arcturus eyed the Christmas decorations that hung in the shops as he hobbled down the cobblestone path, smothering the pain in his knee till he reached a small cafe. 

He pulled a piece of parchment from his robes, reading the name on it before letting out a misty breath. The bell chimed as he entered the shop, and the smell of coffee, chocolate, and fresh wood polish wafted to his nose. 

“Welcome to Krimper Cafe,” a chirpy voice said, and Arcturus turned to see a short, mahogany-haired girl staring up at him with her brown eyes. “Take any seat and order anything you like.”

“Yes, thank you very much…” Arcturus squinted at the name stitched on her apron. “Miss Ella. I’m here to look for a friend, and I was wondering if you could help me. I’ve been told he works here.”

“Sure.” She smiled. “I know everyone. I’ve been working here for a while, paying for tuition from the income.”

“That’s commendable, Miss Ella.” Arcturus glanced around. “The friend of mine? His name’s Remus Lupin. Have you heard of him?”

“Oh, yes, yes. Remus. He joined us last month. His hot chocolate is very popular.” She beamed. “Do you want me to call him?”

“I'd be much obliged,” Arcturus said. “Though I’d like a hot chocolate too, please. Awfully cold today.”

“Certainly,” she said before disappearing through a door.

He quietly took a seat, rubbing his palms together, listening to the soft music that played through the cafe, keeping an eye on the door that Ella had gone through. A few minutes later, the door opened, and Remus walked out with a tray in his hand, his eyes widening as he spotted Arcturus.

“Lord Black,” he breathed, a spark of hope burning in his tired, sorrowful eyes. “Have you… have you found Harry, sir?”

“Why don’t you take a seat?” Arcturus gestured to the seat across him. “And I believe that is my order you’re holding.”

Remus placed the cup in front of Arcturus and sat down, his arms trembling slightly. Arcturus quietly observed him, while taking a sip and feeling the warmth and the creamy chocolate melt down his throat.

“This is rather very good,” he commented, and Remus gave him a startled, fleeting smile. “Now, to the matter at hand.”

Remus’s eyes lit up as he sat straighter. “Yes, Harry. Is he doing well? Where is he? Who is he with?” 

“Patience.” Arcturus savored another sip of the hot chocolate. “The boy is rather well, and in good hands, I can assure you that. But as to all the information…” he cast an assessing look at Remus. “I simply do not know if I can trust you with it.”

Indignation flashed across the werewolf’s face before he grimaced and hung his head. “I… I know that my kind isn’t the most trustworthy these days. And I’ve been reminded of it time and again. But believe me, Lord Black. I’ll never harm Harry. He’s the last thing I’ve left, sir. The last link to my brothers— my best friends. When he was born, Sirius and I swore to protect him. It is what I’m going to do.”

“Yet it is rather sensitive information, which many would kill for.” Arcturus leaned back in the chair. “Had it not been for Dumbledore, I fear the little boy would’ve vanished into thin air by now.”

Remus let out a growl, his nails digging into the table. “They would’ve tried.”

Some of the muggles glanced at them, Ella giving them a worried look, while Remus’ eyes bore into Arcturus’, his knuckles white against the table.

“Worry not, he’s safe and sound. I give you my word that no one would be harming the boy,” Arcturus said. “But you, Lupin, I’m not sure about.”

“I was Sirius’ friend, sir. I spent seven years living in the same room as him.”

“So did Pettigrew.”

Remus flinched, scowling at the name, before he took a deep breath, his fists clenching. “I understand what you’re saying, sir. But I swore an oath to protect him and right now, I don’t even know where he is. I’ve been trying to search for him for the past two months. Yet, I still don’t have a clue where he is. Please, sir. I’ll do anything to know where he is and how he is. I want to see him, sir. That is all I want.”

Arcturus leisurely took another sip before giving Remus a nod and removing a roll of parchment from his pocket. “Perhaps there is a way for both of us to get what we want. You’ll get to see Harry, and I, in turn, will receive some help in return. What do you say? A favour for a favour?”

“Anything,” Remus replied. “There’s nothing I’d like more than meeting Harry.”

“Well, I've got a proposition then,” Arcturus declared. “You agree to work for me whenever I call, do a few errands, and such— and of course, make me this rather wonderful hot chocolate whenever I ask.” His lips quirked as Remus startled, and a hint of red crept up his cheeks. “In exchange, I will tell you where Harry is and let you meet him.” 

Remus’s breath hitched, and he inclined his head, his fingers trembling. Arcturus unrolled the parchment and pushed it toward the werewolf.

“This employment contract has been drawn up by my granddaughter, Andromeda. You may even know her,” Arcturus said. “It guarantees your silence and seals your employment with me.” 

Remus’ eyes bore into his for a moment, before he closed his eyes. “You promise me you’d take me to Harry?”

“I do.”

Remus snatched the contract from his hands and scrawled his signature at the bottom, the paper glowing a pale blue. 

Arcturus frowned. “If you’re going to work for me, you should read contracts before signing. I was open to negotiating some terms for your employment.”

“Anything to see Harry, sir,” Remus said, giving him a sad smile. “I’d work for free if it means that I know where Harry is and how he is. And it is not like people are bending over to offer me work, anyway. Even now, when workers are once again needed. No one wants to hire a werewolf.”

“I see.” Arcturus felt a little, triumphant flame burn in his heart. “Very well. You’ll have to find your own boardings and come whenever I ask you to, and carry out the tasks I need. Whatever you learn of, or are told of during your time with me, you cannot pass on to anyone without my permission. If you try, I’ll know, and the consequences will be dire.” 

“I understand, sir.” Remus gulped slightly. 

“Good,” Arcturus grunted. “You’ll be fairly compensated for your work. And in days leading up to, and after the full moon, you’ll be on leave.”

“Thank you, sir,” Remus said. “When do you think you can take me to see Harry, at the earliest?”

“Come to my place tomorrow for tea.” Arcturus stood from his seat, smothering a grimace as pain flared in his knee. “We’ll smooth out your employment details. And after that, I’m sure Harry will be extremely glad to see you again.”

Remus’ eyes lit up. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

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Snowflakes settled on the window panes, frost creeping up the glass as Arcturus drummed his fingers on the table. The quiet chatter of the Aurors drifted through the open door, as he stared at the new golden nameplate on the desk, the embossed letters on it gleaming in the room’s light.

“Mr. Black?” A soft voice enquired from behind, and Arcturus spun in his chair. “What are you doing here?”

“Amelia,” Arcturus said, smiling at her. “I hear congratulations are in order. The youngest Head Auror in the history of Britain. It is quite something.”

He stood, presenting a delicate wine bottle, wrapped neatly with a ribbon, as Amelia’s eyebrows rose. 

“Thank you, Mr. Black.” She accepted the bottle. “I didn’t know it was already public knowledge that I was the new Head Auror. I accepted the post a mere two hours ago.”

Arcturus chuckled. “I have friends everywhere. Also, I’d say that it was only a matter of time for you. You are the most deserving person I can think of to get the post. And it gladdens my old heart to see one like you, whom I’ve watched grow up, succeed in such spectacular ways.”

“Thank you,” Amelia said, meeting his gaze. “Is that why you recommended my name to Stebbins the other day?” 

She smirked as Arcturus turned to her sharply. With a wave of her wand, the door behind her locked, the chatter from outside ceasing abruptly.  

“You have your friends, I’ve mine.” Amelia walked around the table, standing in front of her chair. “So, tell me, what is it that you expect me to do in return, Mr. Black?”

“The right thing and nothing more,” Arcturus answered, sitting back in his seat and propping one leg on another. “You’re young, an idealist, with a will of iron. One day, I think you’ll be a better Head than even Crouch was.”

“Crouch is the last man I aspire to be like.” She scowled. “Everyone knows that Crouch might’ve resigned on paper, but he was actually fired. We all knew that even Bagnold wasn’t keeping him around for long after what his son did.”

Arcturus inclined his head. “But even you can’t deny that the man did his job. He saw the country through a war, fought tooth and nail against the Death Eater. And in the end, even with all that he was put through, the man did his job and stabilized Britain in a frankly devastating aftermath. A job which included cleaning his own house, this ministry at that.” 

“You know about the firings too?” Amelia raised an eyebrow.

“A score of high-ranking ministry officials being kicked out of their jobs, out of whom three were sent to Azkaban? It wasn’t tough to put the clues together.” He shrugged. “He cleaned the ministry on his way out, using the last of his influence. Which is also why I suspect Bagnold is thinking of putting him in foreign affairs.”

“She is?” Amelia asked in surprise, before narrowing her eyes. “And you are stirring me away from the topic at hand. What is it that you want from me, Mr. Black?”

Arcturus sighed. “Personally, not much. You’re young, fair, tough to corrupt, with a good head on your shoulders. I feel the Department needs someone like you, now and in the future.”

“Is it?” Amelia scowled. “Or do you think I’ll bend the rules for you again that I did for letting you beat up Pettigrew?”

“May I remind you that because you made that deal, Karkaroff is in prison, instead of out on the streets.” Arcturus clasped his hands. “Amelia, believe me when I say that all I did was give you a nudge to the top. Your name was on the list. I just ensured it stayed there.”

Amelia’s nostrils flared. “Then what is this, Mr. Black? I don’t know if you know, but I’ve been doing this for a while. The Auror in me says that there is something more to it.” She raised the bottle he had brought her, reading the label, her lips tightening. “Had it not been, then you wouldn’t have been here with a bottle of 1915 Golden-berry Elven wine. It’s a wine worth ten times everything in this office.” She leaned closer. “Do you know what this seems like to me? A bribe. One of many to come.”

“You could buy a cellar full of the wine without putting a dent in your accounts.” Arcturus snorted. “If I wanted someone in the ministry to be in my pocket, there were plenty of people better than you. People I could’ve bought with pocket change. If I had to bribe you, I’d need an amount in six figures. In it, I could buy half the ministry. Probably more.”

“Then why? And I’m not taking the crap about you recommending me because you think I’ll be good.” She folded her arms. “You went out of your way to recommend me. And you ensured that Karkaroff didn’t get any leniency that day, going so far as to have the DMLE open a side investigation into him and his crimes. You have an agenda.”

“If you think I’ve an agenda, why did you accept the post?” Arcturus stood from his seat, and Amelia flinched. “I’ll tell you why. You accepted the post for one reason. Your niece and ward, Susan. With this position, you’re out of harm’s way, which ensures she’ll have you at least. Another is that you’ve fixed hours and more flexibility, providing you time to spend with her. It also guarantees that you’ll have an auror guard at your house, which protects her. How right am I?” 

She looked away, the tips of her ears reddening, and Arcturus snorted, sitting back down.

“Do you know why I truly recommended you for the post? It was because you remind me of myself when I was young. Unrelenting, strong as a rock, with only one true weakness. Family.” He smiled at the startled look. “It is something I respect. Something I think defines you more than anything else. You would do anything to protect them. And I would too. It is what I’m doing.”

“Respectfully, I thought you had no family left now. Well, unless you consider Andromeda, whom, if the rumors are true, you accepted back into the family.”

“You’ve heard correctly. But she is not whom I’m protecting.” Arcturus drew his wand and flicked it at the door, a sheen settling over the wood. “Tell me, what do you know about Harry Potter?”

“He defeated the worst dark lord we’ve ever seen. And survived the killing curse with nothing more than a scar.” Amelia frowned. “Beyond it, nothing. Of course, many have theories, and we’ve received more than one letter regarding him. But no one except Dumbledore knows where he is, or who he is living with now.”

“He’s at my home. Living with me.” Arcturus answered, and Amelia’s breath caught in her throat. “I was his closest relative left in the wizarding world. So, Dumbledore placed him with me, with Bagnold’s help.” He smiled, remembering Harry’s bright smile and his sparkling emerald eyes. “He’s my ward now. My everything. And I would move the world to protect him.”

“Oh.” Amelia bit her lip. “And you’re telling me this because?”

“Don’t you see it? We are in the same boat, Amelia. Both with a ward who is far too young to have lost their parents. Harry is to me what Susan is to you.” Arcturus closed his eyes. “There aren’t many I can trust. And I know that Harry’s journey— or Susan’s, for that matter won’t be easy. She, too, is the last heiress to the House of Bones.”

“What are you saying?”

Arcturus met her gaze. “I’m saying that they’ll need help and support. They’ll need to be taught and raised right. And above all, they’ll need to be protected from those who will harm them or worse, use them.”

“People will be pining after Susan because marrying her will mean gaining a permanent seat in the Wizengamot,” Amelia gulped. “And well, we have gotten more than one case of what things could be used to sway or control another person.”

“It’ll also be prudent to ensure that they’re not lonely,” Arcturus added. “I, for one, am worried that Harry has very little. And finding true, good friendship will always be a problem for one like him. I was thinking that if they get to know each other, they’ll have one another even if we aren’t there.”

Amelia inclined her head before freezing. “I hope you’re not talking in the sense of a… marriage contract like some of the traditional families do. If so, I’ll have to decline.”

Arcturus shook his head. “If they wish to turn their friendship into more, I’ll not stop them. But as of now, it is not my intention to have them married. For one, it’d be merging the house of Bones and the house of Black, which will cause certain problems with inheritance in the future.”

“You made Harry Potter your successor?”

“I did. He’s the heir of House Black. And till I live, none would even dare take the title from him.”

“So, you just want them as friends? Nothing remotely related to marriage?”

“Harry will find someone he loves just like Charlus did. Just like James did. It is not something I’ll take away from him, regardless of whoever offers.” Arcturus met her gaze. “And I do hope you’ll give Susan the same choice.” 

“I will.”

“Good.” Arcturus smiled. “And if you’re still wondering what I want from you in return, I’ll say a playdate for our wards. It’d be good for Harry to meet and play with others his age.”

“Same for Susan,” Amelia bit her lip. “Truth be told, I’ve not done anything like this before, and I’ve no clue what I’m doing. Had it not been for the elves, I wouldn’t even know what to feed her.”

“Well, we’re both raising two young souls. We’ll both help each other and hope we do it right.” Arcturus conjured two crystal glasses with a flick of his wand and took the bottle from Amelia’s hands, pouring the golden liquid into each glass. He took one and raised it to Amelia. “What do you say? To raising our new families?”

She smiled slightly and nodded. “To raising our new families.”

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AND… DONE! Hope you all liked the chapter!

So, yes. We glimpse what Arcturus can truly do, given time and reason. There is a reason that he’s so respected, and even in cases, feared. And this is how he does it. Through favors, through gifts, or outright bribes. He takes care of people, and they take care of his needs in return.

And despite stepping back from it after his wife’s death, he’s at it again, all for Harry.

Oh, and in terms of timeline, the Amelia scene was set in mid-January, which means it has been almost three months since Harry and Arcturus became family. 

Next, we’ll be seeing a time-skip chapter, which will also be very interesting, I promise you. But by Ch.12, Harry will receive his Hogwarts letter, and we’ll get into his POV, where the first arc will kick off.

A huge thanks to Mughil and Nanu for betaing this chapter!

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Stay Happy! Stay Safe! Keep Smiling! Keep Reading!

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