14

1975, 14 November.

"Sherbet Lemon?" the headmaster asked with a kind smile that forced Polaris not to roll his eyes, 'could he just get to the point'. He glances towards the bowl of 'Sherbet Lemon sweets before looking back up at the headmaster. Though he could understand why he would offer to set a more comfortable environment. At least the old man has some manners.

"No, thank you, sir." Polaris declined ever so politely. It nearly sounded sarcastic with his tone of voice. He wasn't exactly enjoying his time there, with his Transfiguration Professor standing behind him with a stern look on her face.

This was certainly not a comfortable environment. It felt more hostile than that. Why the way she was breathing down his neck. There he thought he had performed the performance of his life, 'Oh no, he's in pain….'

Yet there he is, but of course, he didn't blame them. They'll surely ask the boy, Parker, once the pain resides and his swelling goes down. Hopefully, they'll question Travers, too. The idiot better confesses the truth. He wanted to see someone in trouble. School was starting to get boring.

"I'm here because of the incident that occurred earlier, am I right, sir?" Polaris continued trying to get to the point of his unwanted visit to the man's office. He just wanted to be out already. He needed to gloat in Corvus's face since he won another bet. He couldn't wait to see Corvus make up excuses or start denying the deal was ever made.

"Yes, we are just trying to understand what happened today, Polaris", The headmaster spoke out as he suckled on the sweet. He plopped it in his mouth.

…Now he wanted some.

"I am happy to help you do so, but I would much appreciate it if you addressed me as Mr Black, sir, seeing as only my friends call me Polaris… sir," Polaris spoke out, hoping it sounded as polite as he thought it to be.

"I apologise. Why don't we talk about today's event? Why don't you say it from your perspective."

"Yes, there really isn't anything to it, sir. I was only minded my business until I noticed the crowd that had gathered around. I saw my housemate being attacked- physically attacked by the Gryffindor. I believe his name is Joshua Parker. I stood before them to ask Mr Parker to stop with his assault as he was kicking my housemate without any remorse. As I asked him to stop, he continued to insult me for trying to help my housemate, then he started to swell, which I suspect is when the jinx hit him. Other than that, that is all I know, other than being asked to stay behind."

"I'm sure it was just a misunderstanding. I'm sure he was attacking Mr Travers-".

"-A misunderstanding, sir? from where I was standing, and might I mention once again that I was standing right in front of them, it didn't look like a misunderstanding. I watched my housemate being kicked like a ragdoll. I really don't see the misunderstanding here. So, will he or will he not receive punishment for his barbaric behaviour? – sir."

"Punishment? I understand your concern for your housemate, but we have yet to know the extent of the incident, and Mr Parker is indeed still bedridden from that nasty curse." He seemed to emphasise the word 'nasty', which seemingly annoyed Polaris. It sounded much more of an accusation, 'he makes it sound as though it's my fault, sure it was, but he doesn't need to know that.'

"With all due respect, sir, I really don't see what that has to do with me, sir. I just want justice for my Housemate. If punishment isn't given, who is there to say no other Gryffindor will assume they can do as they wish without punishment, Mr Parker may be currently injured, but he'll be back on his feet by the end of the day, I'm sure, so, sir… will he be receiving punishment?"

The headmaster sighed, knowing the Slytherin wasn't going to back down and glanced towards Professor McGonagall, and she nodded, "I'll give him punishment accordingly, but there is still the case of his injury, as we should all know in here that hexes such as the one that was used aren't permitted in this school." She stated with her usual stern look.

The way she emphasised 'hexes' confused him, was he supposed to understand what she meant?

Perhaps the confusion showed on his face, and she spoke again, "hexes have a connotation of dark magic, but more so than a jinx. They shouldn't be used on other students in such manner, as with the intent of causing them harm, which was obviously done earlier today."

"Thank you, professor, for enlightening me on the uses of hexes. I'm glad he will receive punishment for his poor behaviour, but I can't help but feel as though I am being accused. Like I said before, I merely stood in front of the two. There were plenty of witnesses there. I'm sure if you ask, they will tell you not once did I take out my wand that I can swear on magic." Polaris said. He took his wand out and placed it on the Headmaster's desk, daring him to check.

As he looked at Dumbledore- he tensed slightly, his mind alert.

"- and Headmaster?" Polaris continued as he stared at his professor.

"Mr Black?"

"Shouldn't my head of house be here? I find myself uncomfortable having to sit here and blatantly be accused by both the head of the house of Gryffindor, as well as my Transfiguration teacher and the Headmaster. I feel as if I am not being treated fairly. I understand you are both just doing your job, but with doing your job, you should know that I should have my head of house here. If this is to continue, I wish for him. To be called." Polaris spoke and glanced at both of the only adults in the room.

The headmaster was taken aback, knowing that the boy was correct for wanting his head of house present, "I think you misunderstood; I wasn't merely trying to-"

"It seems there were plenty of misunderstandings here- sir, but I would rather it if I were permitted to leave since I've shared my side of what had happened, and I know Mr Parker will be getting punished for his behaviour." Polaris began, glancing to both adults, not letting his eyes come in contact.

"I am deeply sorry for what happened to him, seeing it was a supposed 'dark hex', but I don't exactly think I'm needed any longer." As he spoke, his tone was almost sarcastic, then he just turned to the Headmaster, smiling 'politely', "Isn't that right, Headmaster? I really do need to get my homework done before dinner."

Professor McGonagall seemed to be taken aback at his condescending tone, while the headmaster had he usually smile on his face while in thought.

After a moment of silence, the headmaster finally spoke again, "I do hope you don't take this to heart, Polaris. We were just trying to figure out the issue at hand. At no point did we wish for you to feel as though we were accusing you of using such dark magic in the school. Thank you for giving us the time of the day to help us out. You may leave," the man spoke.

Polaris wasted no time in leaving. He nodded his head to both his professor and the headmaster, "Thank you for your understanding. I will take my leave now". With that, he left annoyed of having his time wasted. He hated having his time wasted. He rather waste it himself, lying around doing nothing, not having to be forced to sit in a room with teachers he didn't wish to converse with in the first place.

He walked away from his desk before stopping. He turned his head, "Oh and Headmaster?"

"Ah, is there something else, Mr Black?" was the response he received from the Headmaster.

"Yes, there is actually. I just wanted to say, I don't appreciate you trying to use legitimacy on me," Polaris said before leaving. As he left, he heard the sharp tone of his Transfiguration Professor.

"Albus!"

1975, 19 November.

Polaris was leisurely walking down the empty hallway towards the library before he went to lunch. Before walking any further, he was stopped by a familiar hand last clasped onto his shoulder from behind. It was… Sayre.

He hasn't spoken much with the Gryffindor, yet there were times they would bump into each other, and he would start a conversation. At times he just indulged the boy, listening to his ramblings. They were interesting sometimes, and other times they were just annoying. He didn't bother listening to anything that wanted to be said, not when the girl was looking at him as though he would take out his wand and murder her right on the stop- it was annoying. That's when he would just walk away without warning. When the other boy stopped him, his 'friend' the mudblood, Smyth, was with him.

Polaris had never hated anyone. Sure there were people he disliked, or rather just tolerated but her? He didn't know, what her problem was, nor did he care to find out.

He hated Willow Smyth.

"Scion Sayre," Polaris drawled in greeting as he faced the boy who wasn't in uniform but rather in casual robes. The boy in question rolled his eyes at the use of formalities. "Oh, come on. Polaris, don't be like that. Just call me Nathaniel if you really don't want to call me Nate, since apparently, we're not 'friends'," the Gryffindor said.

"Right, fine, I'll call you Nathaniel. I suppose using formalities gets annoying, having to use 'Scion' all the time." Polaris responded, "I'm surprised you aren't with your 'friend'." Polaris continued, his tone filled with distaste.

The boy shrugged his shoulders, "She needed to finish something, her group project." Nathaniel responded, following in step with Polaris' pace as he continued heading to the library. "Project? Which one? There's so bloody much. It's either we have small exams or projects for our final grade for Yule." Polaris spoke.

Nathaniel nodded in understanding before speaking himself, "I know! Yours is probably the same, but in Transfiguration, she keeps making us transfigurate something. She takes notes, grading us on them, which will count for the final grade, then the week before Yule break, we'll have an exam."

"Yeah, we've got that too. The practical work is worth 50%, just as the written exam is worth 50%." Polaris said before pausing for a few seconds, turning his gaze to the Sayre heir, scoffing, "You know what I find annoying?" Polaris asked.

Nathaniel turned to him, a curious gaze on his face, "What?" the Gryffindor inquired.

"That Professor McGonagall doesn't tell you if you did well or not or what you could work on," Polaris said. He was vexed.

"Yes!" Nathaniel yelled, completely agreeing with Polaris, "You noticed that too! I hate it, I already think I'm terrible at it, and now I don't even know if I'm much worse than I think I am. School is supposed to be for 'learning', so what happened to teach us?" Nathaniel continued.

"Exactly. They're harder teachers if they just read the book, word for word. You might as well call me a professor because I can do the exact same thing, but then again, all we got to do is ask if we need help." Polaris spoke.

"Hm, yeah, but I have asked. I forgot what she said, but I know it annoyed me, but she was at least nice about it." Nathaniel responded, but before Polaris could respond, Polaris heard his name being called for the second time this afternoon.

"Pol!"

They both turned. It was his eldest brother, Sirius and his 'gang'. Though it would seem Patrick was missing. Sirius was walking laxly towards him, with James Potter at his right, grinning a curious glint in his eyes, while Remus Lupin- the werewolf, was on the other side of his brother.

Polaris turned his gaze back to Nathaniel, "My brother", he told the other boy. "I know that," Nathaniel said in amusement, and with the look Polaris gave him, he continued speaking, "Oh, come on! He's Sirius Black, he's practically famous back in the Common room, and James Potter and besides his name is Sirius 'Black'."

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the newest troublemaker in town." It was Potter that spoke as he reached where Polaris and Nathaniel were standing. They were looking at Polaris.

"Troublemaker?" Polaris repeated, not following. "I'll have you know I'm a model student."

Sirius snorted before speaking himself, "Oh, please. We've heard of your first victim- Parker, you jinxed him!"

"Those were just rumours, Sirius." Remus interrupted, and Sirius waved a hand, dismissing it. He looked at his younger brother with hopeful eyes, "You did it, didn't you?" Sirius asked.

"Of course, I didn't. It would seem your friend here, Scion Lupin, is the only one with a brain. You simply can't believe rumours, as they are, just rumours, Sirius."

"Um, you can just call me Remus," Remus said quickly, which had Sirius and his friend, Potter, laugh. It was obvious they knew something they didn't.

"Anyway, I just happened to be standing in front of him when someone cast the hex", Polaris said.

"Is there a difference?" Nathaniel randomly spoke, which had them all turning heads, "Difference?" James questioned.

"Yeah, with hexes and jinxes? Black said, jinx before, and Polaris said hex." Nathaniel spoke, which had Sirius and James thinking deeply. The difference?

"Yeah, there is a difference. A jinx is created in good fun. No harm is intended other than some mild embarrassment or frustration, and a hex is made to harm but not kill, torture, or maim. So realistically-," Remus spoke, then turned to Sirius, "You shouldn't be excited at the prospect of your brother possibly using a hex because what was used as a hex, the stinging hex." Remus continued.

"Who cares? The lad is alive, right? Besides, he deserved it, bullying first years? Seriously, you've got to have nothing better to do." James responded, rolling his eyes.

"Don't you guys bully first years?" Nathaniel asked hesitantly, and immediately, Sirius shook his finger in Nathaniel's face, "No, no. second years and above." Sirius corrected, "What are we? heartless?" Sirius muttered.

"And! We don't bully. We merely expose them to 'pranks'. They're pranks, not bullying." James included.

Remus gave them both a look, which both Sirius and James ignored.

"Then what you do to Regulus' friend Snape, is what? 'exposing' him to pranks?" Polaris drawled. They didn't answer.

"Well, anyway. We were just curious, but we really need to get to D.A.D.A," Sirius said, and the three of them were off.

"Interesting," Nathaniel murmured, then turned to Polaris. "Where are you planning on going anyways?" he asked Polaris, who answered.

"The library, my Herbology group and I have decided what plant we'll be using for our project. It's due in like less than two weeks. I'm trying to find more detailed information on it."

"Where are you going?" Polaris, in turn, asked the Sayre heir.

"Oh, yeah. I got a Herbology project as well- ah, right, I'm getting books for my charms essay, Professor Flitwick gave us." Nathaniel responded.

"Then you're heading to the library too," Polaris stated.

"No."

Polaris raised a brow at this response.

"Somewhere better", Nathaniel spoke again, grinning.

When Nathaniel had said 'somewhere better', he had just assumed the boy was being dramatic, but in no way was the boy being dramatic. It was hard to believe such a thing was hidden in the school. It was- simply amazing! 'The Room of Requirement', Nathaniel called it. The name was perfect for the room. It was located on the seventh floor. It wasn't hard to remember where the entrance was, as it was across from a particular tapestry.

Nathaniel had told him that he found it when he had been trying to hide from Flitch, the school's caretaker. All the boy could think in his head was 'a place to hide.' Nathaniel was simply lucky for being out after midnight to have found this place, a room that provides what you require. He was glad the Sayre heir decided to show it to him. The Gryffindor could have just simply not told him and kept it to himself. Nathaniel had said he hadn't even told Smyth. Perhaps if Natnaiel were a Slytherin, he would have kept it to himself.

The room was beyond useful. It wasn't long before Nathaniel had left, as lunch would start soon. Polaris opted to stay in the room, which provided him books with information on the 'Angel's Cap'.

That's what the three of them, Amelia, Travers and himself decided to complete their project on. The Angel's Cap. A flower.

He eventually found a book on it, called 'Thousands of Plants', which was dated back to the 1200s, having been created by a wandering wizard who travelled to different countries. The author is Petris Eldriks. Though the Wizarding family of Eldriks were long gone, having been dead for hundreds of years. The man was brilliant, each of his descriptions wonderful.

It was obvious that someone else had found this book before, meaning that Nathaniel wasn't the first to find it, which wasn't a shocker. The school had been built since around 990A.C, sow with thousands of students going in and out. There were bound to be some students to find it and use it.

He could see little scribbles of people's writings on the book, giving extra details and 'up-to-date details'. Each one had a year, that one that seemed the most recent was dated 1964, so not too long ago, 11 years to be exact.

With each name and description, a drawing of the plants on the right side moved as they would naturally do if seen in person.

He tapped the name 'Angel's Cap', finally finding it and writing notes on it on his parchment. A plant that was native to a forest in Belgium was called Irroriry Forest but was now known as The Blue Forest. The plant spread worldwide as Eldrik planted them in different countries.

It was uncertain what nationality the author was.

The Angel's caps are tall perennials with tubular bell-shaped flowers along the stem. The flowers can be purple, pink, yellow, white or red. The white Angel's cap was most common, which was one reason they named it as such. The other reason was that angelic sounds of music came from the plant when they spread out.

Angel's caps will grow in any type of climate. Angel's caps self-seed easily, so you can trim off the dead flower spikes if you don't want extra plants growing. If you find one, you will surely find a whole group of them.

The book was useful. There wasn't really any point for him to go looking for more. His partners will have their own books for them to use, and he had his own too.