Chapter 10

"I have a question."

"Hm?"

Leonis looked up from the thick Astronomy book he had found earlier when he and his friend Theodore Nott decided the library was better than hearing Pansy Parkinson and his cousin Draco bickering about everything and anything. He wasn't surprised at all that neither had noticed their discrete departure, he had no doubt they were having some sort of competition about who could do something better.

He knew his cousin Draco hated the girl, he remembered how he reprimanded the boy after he heard him muttering about how she looks like a pug… he couldn't exactly not agree to that seeing as it was true, but it didn't give reason for him to say it. It would do no good judging a person just based on their looks like Draco seems to do on a daily basis when introduced to someone.

First are their facial features, then he would seem to look onto their clothing, a never-ending circle.

He quite liked the presence of Nott, he was a very quiet person who preferred to observe then intervene, there were only a few occasions you would find him charting away only when the conversation was something he was interested in. Just like Leonis, Theodore wasn't being raised by his parents. His grandfather had gotten custody of the boy when his mother had tragically died, it was a soft topic for Theodore, a topic one shouldn't bring up it seemed to be a traumatic one, seeing as he had witnessed his mother's death. While his mother was dead his father was rotting away in Azkaban just Leonis' father.

There were similar in that way, both lacking mothers… both having fathers serving time.

It was well known his father was one of the first followers… more like a servant to this 'dark lord', a close friend to his uncle Lucius. The man was arrested all those years ago along with Lucius. While his uncle was released after pleading his case, he was released, unlike Theodore's father. Honestly, he felt sorry for his friend having to be raised by his grandfather, Cantankerous Nott. The man would be what Leonis himself would call 'one of those purebloods' the ones who never shut up about blood supremacy just like his uncle Lucius, and much like his late grandmother Walburga, always ranting about how he should never dirty the blood of the House of Black- She would contently tell him and explain to him how old their family was and how he should continue on with marrying a well-bred lady.

Through research, he was pretty sure Theodore's grandfather, Lord Nott was the author of the most biased dictionary he had ever read. 'Pure-Blood dictionary' it's called, not once will he ever forget the name after his grandmother had him read it when he was 4.

It was just a stupid book that listed the twenty-eight 'truly' pure-blood families. Apparently, the aim of the book was to help families maintain the purity of their bloodlines. The book was published anonymously in the early 1930s, after the research and having met the man, he had no doubt the man did write it.

The man was wexactly what his name meant grumpy.

Leonis couldn't help but be amused, noticing how families such as the Potters the Crabbes and the Goyles were not included yet the Ollivander family was, but then again, they were part of the sacred 28.

"Do you think your father really did what they said he did?"

The question was random…

His jaw clenched his eyes narrowed, "What?" was all that came out.

The boy, Theodore shrugged his shoulders unsurely, "Well, don't you find it strange?"

Strange… it was strange that's what he thought once he found out the man was arrested but he rather not even think about it, what was the point?

After not receiving an answer Theodore continued, "It's just that- never mind I was just curious about the whole thing. I started reading fiction of mystery and murder and got curious of actual mystery and murder cases and went reading through old articles, it's just interesting."

Leonis just nodded his head dumbly not questioning it as Theodore went back to reading.

Leonis slowly looked back to his book idly in thought. Interesting indeed…

He had tried so hard to just push it all aside not wanting to have to think about it, that was what he had always done whenever he went through something traumatic, but he was better now, there were no flashes of events that corresponded with his father being in prison.

A mystery. His head shot up, looking towards Theodore. Maybe he should solve it. Did his father really do all they said that he had done? What if… just if, is he innocent?

Then… kill Bellatrix, then figure out if his father is innocent or not. Although he wasn't going to allow it to be prioritised. It was always said that Harry Potter had vanquished the dark lord… they never said destroyed or even killed meaning that one day the dark lord will return, and he will return with more power and at that moment, he knew Bellatrix would be stood right beside him in all her 'glory'.

He wondered if Harry Potter would hate him for his father being Sirius, after all, he was blamed for betraying the Potters. His best friends, people who trusted him. Only time will tell, maybe even just staying clear of him would be best, he will already have the whole school staring daggers at him.

--

"Are you sure you'd like to take me grandfather?" he questioned his great grandfather Pollux. The older man scowled at him before swatting his hand in the air dismissing the concern of his sickness.

"Boy, I'm fine, just hurry up so we can finally leave. You know when I was your age, I was ecstatic to be getting my school supplies and your just lounging around as though we don't have places to go." The man whipped out his wand, wordlessly checking the time.

'10:21 am'

They were supposed to leave at 10. He heard his grandfather huff in annoyance before stalking away as he waited on his eldest great-grandchild as he shook his head.

"Just hurry up" the old man snapped.

Leonis shook his head as he heard the man's steps clicking away down the stairs. "Cranky old man." He mumbled as he lowered himself to stuff his feet into a pair white sock followed by a pair of loafers. Like always he had to look good, nothing less for a scion of the house of Malfoy and heir to the house of Black. He could hear the voices of all his grandparents even his great aunt Cassy hounding him to always look sharp and neat- sophistication is key.

Finally reaching the second floor of the Wister Manor that his great grandfather Pollux owned, he was met with the man waiting, dressed in one of his many splendid robes, a hat covering his short hair. "Ah, there you are. Come, come- what are you waiting for, let's apparate." His grandfather said lowly. He pursed his lips as he stared at the old man.

He actually like the man more than his Malfoy grandfather, mostly because he was his favourite grandchild compared to Draco who was his other great-grandson through Narcissa, his granddaughter. He was worried, he looked paler today, yet he was pushing himself to do something so mundane, getting books etc.

Quickly he slid his hand into his tightly, as he waited for sensation that came along with apprating. A squeezing sensation that made his ears pop ever so lightly and momentary darkness looping around them- then there were stood in front of the bank, Gringotts. He released his hand from his grandfathers as they reached their destination, the bank.

The man stood long refined steps forwards towards the bank that he would bet money for the day and Leonis fell into step with him, flowing fluidly with his steps, used to it by now. The visit to the bank hadn't been a long one, the cart ride was just the same as he remembered it to be. The last time he had been to the bank was with his grandfather Abraxas who took both himself and Draco to get the newest brooms just last month. Draco had been bothering the man nonstop to get him one after his father just stopped looking at him all together with his nonsense about a broom.

It was called the 'Twigger 90'. It was brilliant, unfortunately, first years weren't allowed brooms.

"I think we'll get you fitted for robes first, it shouldn't take long at all" his grandfather spoke stiffly as they finally walked away from the Goblin that attended them.

"If Aunt Cassy was with us, it would take longer" he mused and he heard his grandfather let out a snort of amusement, "Yes, yes- that woman and clothing, I remember when she started Hogwarts, my father had forced me to go with them, we there for too long for my liking, she kept adding extra materials to her garments."

As they walked through the streets, they passed a girl that was obviously his age, getting ready for Hogwarts. They could hear what they could only assume was her father voicing out his confusion on where 'Flourish and Blotts' was. He glanced around them wondering where an attending from Hogwarts were, he thought they usually showed mudblo-muggleborns around.

His grandfather hadn't even acknowledged their presence. He sighed, he was going to have to get used to saying muggleborns, mudblood was ingrained in his head, from his family, is was hard not to say a word that you were raised with, he now knew it was the more offensive way to say muggleborn, he didn't want to be hated more than he already knew he would be.

Leonis reached for the door, where he was greeted by the shopkeeper. "Good morning! Hogwarts then?" the woman asked them Leonis just nodded stiffly before immediately looking around the shop ignoring the woman.

"Of course," his grandfather drawled in disinterested as he too looked around, "My grandson Leonis will be attending for his first year".

"Oh, how wonderful! Are you excited young man?" the woman smiled at him; Leonis' mouth twitched into a polite charming smile in return ad nodded.

"I can't wait" He replied politely, lying through his teeth. He still wasn't sure about the whole Hogwarts situation. He was just going to be an outcast.

"Wonderful indeed, alright follow me. Let's get your robes sorted." He followed the woman behind the rack of robes, into a small fitting area with a trifold mirror. He stepped onto the small stand Madam Malkin gestured towards with a smile. "Arms up!" He raised them hesitantly.

As he raised them, he stood stiffly still, not mobbing one inch.

"You're all tense up" she commented.

Because you're touching me with your grubby hands, he wanted to say, but of course, he stayed silent, sparing a glare in her direction. He wanted it to be over already.

He straightened his clothing as they finally stepped out of the store, "You're acting as though the woman hugged you."

He snapped his head over to his grandfather with a sneer, "She might as well! The extra measuring was unnecessary."

The made their way to the next shop, the shop being 'Flourish and Blotts' and it would seem that the girl he had seen earlier had made it, they caught each other's eye and he sent her a polite smile and his brows furrowed slightly seeing the dawning reddening of her cheeks.

He moved towards the bookshelves glancing through the titles on the side of each one as his grandfather went towards the counter. He saw one that interested him, reaching for it he took it out staring at the colourful book called 'Jinxes, Hexes & Curses that will Surprise and Astound your Friends and Enemies'.

He flicked through the paged probing the number of pages it had.

"Jinxes?" an amused voice sounded from his side, he turned to see a boy, he was slightly taller, light brown hair and brown eyes. He was staring at the book he had open in his hands. "Yeah, I just took off the shelf" he answered the boy.

"You getting it then? If you plan on using it you can count me in on joining" he added with a mischievous look.

"…um- I guess I might."

"Cormac McLaggen, maybe we'll be friends! I'm going to be a first year, you must be too" he introduced himself with pride as he said his name and he 'reached his hand out for Leonis to shake. McLaggen, Leonis mused on his name, their family are doing well in the minister.

"Well met. Leonis Black" He responded neutrally, he watched how his eyes widened slightly before ging back to normal. He waited for more of a reaction.

"Oh," was all the boy said. "Well… um, you're definitely different from what the rumours say about you, they say you're the next upcoming dark lord… unless that book-" he stopped talking when he saw the pointed look Leonis gave him.

He waved his hand franticly, "I was only joking mate but if you do get into Gryffindor which I doubt, I can definitely help you go through that book, well I got to go now see you at the platform, yeah?"

Then the Cormac was gone towards the desk where he assumed was his mother pestering him on straightening his robes.

He closed the book holding it as he walked over to his grandfather, "Can I get this?" he asked.

"I already paid for it, you spent some time looking in it I knew you'd want it, let's go."

He followed the man as he moved to walk without waiting for his response.

"Did you make a friend?" the man asked, Leonis looked back at the shop and shrugged.

"Apparently people think I'm an upcoming Dark Lord" he responded. The man snapped his gaze to his grandson, it was silent for a split second before the man barked out a laugh, a look of amusement.

"Well, are you?"

He ignored the man and began to walk ahead of him to hide his smile as he began to flick through the pages once more. His father was a prankster, wasn't he? He mused.

--

He was finally getting a wand, his own wand, no more sneaking around trying to discretely use anyone he found laying around trying spells, it was tiring trying to convince the wands to let him use them instead of zapping him, it just depended on their mood. He pulled the door open and quickly went in, in such a manner that cause his grandfather to tut at him.

"I see you're fast on your legs now and then Leonis" his grandfather commented.

He looked around the shop with curiosity. He approached the counter. After a moment of pressing silence, he reached over the counter and pressed the golden bell that was there, causing a ringing to echo throughout the quiet shop. His grandfather was stood behind him glancing around, his face giving nothing.

An old man suddenly appeared around the corner of one of the long aisles. "Well, a good day it is, isn't it? First wand young man?"

"Yes, sir."

"Wonderful, alright, if you just come around here then- now left hand or right hand?"

Leonis hummed at that question, left, or right? "Both" he finally answered. The delight on the mans face showed, "Excellent, I haven't had an ambidexter in a long while!"

He gave Leonis a good look before going towards some boxes. "Hm, naturally…" the man mumbled under his breath as he grabbed a selection of boxes, piling them on the desk. "7 inches? No, no…" Soon the man disappeared around the corner and was quickly out with more boxes in hand.

"Try this. 10 inches, unicorn hair core, Ash." Nothing happened when he touched it then it dropped after he felt a zap.

"Ah, that can happen at times. After all the wand chooses the wizard young man." After a few more tries the man came back with a box taking the wand out, "Let's try this one, 12 inches, Phoenix core, Fir wood and malleable."

He accepted the wand gracefully, expecting nothing like the 12 wands before him. He was starting to get tired. He started to feel some sort of static feel from the wand, he was about to drop it thinking it was about to zap him, the feeling intensified and he doesn't know what stopped him from dropping it, but he didn't. After another moment he waved him lightly and a shower red spark danced off the surface of the floor.

"Ah, wonderful. Very peculiar wood that is."

"Peculiar how?" he asked immediately as he removed his eyes from his wand.

"Hm, my grandfather, Gerbold, had always called this wand of this wood 'the survivor's wand'" the man mused.

He looked at the wand maker with a raised brow expected for more of an explanation but received nothing but a smile.

"How much do I owe you?" his grandfather asked rather bored.

"7 galleons Mister Black."