Chapter 6: Hades!

That was probably because Cassi had obliviated any sign of their arrival, but who really needed to know that? 

Apparently, Lily had finally gotten around to visiting her sister and found her son gone. 

The muggles had told the headmaster that they had woken up and the boy was just gone. 

They hadn't told anyone since the boy had been 'dumped' on him so why would they care anyway? 

For many months the old man's Order had searched for Harry Potter but it was not until Albus found the boy's named crossed out in the school's magical book that contained a list of every magical child who did the search end. 

The Potters had been mortified. Officially Harry's disappearance had been caused by a sickness he developed after Voldemort's defeat and then eventually died of. 

Many bought the story and the ministry had held a vigil for the child. Cassiopeia hoped it might shake the Potters' confidence of Dumbledore, but it seemed they were loyal to a fault. 

Phineas had also told her of Thomas' training, though that seemed to be being generous. 

The boy was talented for sure, but it was nothing near what Albus had hoped. 

While the boy had a love and skill for flying he often skipped out on his training to play with that Weasley boy and with every day that the Dark Lord did not return the Potters seemed all too eager to let the boy play rather than train. 

She could not really fault them in that aspect at least. What child did not want to be a kid? 

Aries had turned out to be rather studious and eager to learn all aspects of magic, but even she had to drag him off his broomstick every once and awhile. It was the latest information that still troubled her.

No one knew of Aries' existence, and as such it would clearly fall to Sirius to take up the mantle of Head of House Black. 

It would be challenged eventually, considering his father had technically, though not officially disowned him. 

Despite all this the man, and that Potter, had given their seats of on the Wizengamot to Albus Dumbledore. 

Of all people! Sirius Black was shirking his duties, and Cassiopeia would make sure he one day regretted it.

Finally, the door to Aries' room was before her and she could hear the seven-year-old boy's restlessness and cries. 

A wave of her wand brought the armchair besides his bed and she sat, placing a hand on his forehead. 

Her thumb ran across the spot she had felt the scar moments before the boys change, and yet the scar no longer lingered. 

It was the one thing she had expected to remain, but it didn't, and the strange creature that had appeared still entered her dreams and no amount of research had yet revealed its identity.

"Aries," she said firmly, "Aries wake up." The boy's eyes flashed open and, as expected, retched into the waste basket beside his bed. 

He recovered for a moment, but the haunted look stayed in his hazel and green flecked eyes.

"I killed someone Auntie," he said breathlessly, "I watched her die." Cassiopeia did not expect this. 

Often in his dreams people died, and died rather gruesomely, but he was always distant, detached from the violence in some way. This, this was different.

"Tell me everything Aries."

"I was somewhere underground," he closed his eyes trying to remember the vivid details, "And then I was in a bathroom. I was at Hogwarts, I recognized it from your memories."

"There was this girl, her name was. . . I can't remember. But she was there and the next thing she was dead. I didn't do anything, like I didn't cast a spell. But I know I caused it. I killed her."

This was not something Cassi had expected to deal with, at least not now. 

Like any member of her family Aries would eventually need to kill, to lose that part of his innocence, just not this soon and not like this.

"Auntie," Aries said carefully, "I need to go there. To where I killed her. I can feel it calling me."

"No, absolutely not. Hogwarts is too dangerous, you know how manipulative that old coot is. We cannot risk him finding us, not yet."

"If you don't take me, I'll go myself." There was that look Cassiopeia knew all too well. 

Determination, stubbornness, and the will to succeed. 

It would've made her proud of the young Black boy in any other circumstance, but she knew he was right. 

The young boy would go, better for her to go with.

"Fine," Cassi relented but spoke again before the boy could get too excited. "But not tonight. Phineas will tell us the next time Dumbledore will be gone, and then we'll go."

Unfortunately for Cassiopeia, that day came far too soon. Less than two weeks later the Black grandfather came early in the morning, shouting that the old man had left Hogwarts and wouldn't be back until nightfall. 

Begrudgingly she dressed in a simple robe while Aries bounded down the stairs looking rather smart for seven-year-old. 

The boy was bouncing on his feet and Cassi clicked her tongue in disapproval.

"Go ahead Aries, call your friend."

"Hades!" Aries called as he held out his arm and a black fire erupted before him. Perched on his arm was a phoenix, black as night and a soft song already trilling from its beak. 

The smile that formed on Aries' face was bright and even Cassi fought a grin. "Hades, I need you to take us to Hogwarts, but a specific spot alright? I've got it in my mind. Just see it and let's go." The black phoenix trilled softly, and flames engulfed them.

Aries had difficulty breathing for a moment as he returned to the bathroom, but this time in person. 

He ran a hand through his black hair glancing around the area until his eyes landed on the last stall. 

A shiver ran up his spine as the image of his nightmare came to the forefront of his mind.