Chapter 45: “A New Wand”

The morning light bathed Black Castle in a golden glow, signaling the start of a day unlike any other for Harry Potter. Standing at the towering entrance, Harry was a bundle of nerves and excitement. Today marked the beginning of his training under Arcturus Black, a wizard of legendary prowess, feared by foes across the magical world.

Sirius Black was there to meet him, his usual grin belying a mix of pride and playfulness. "So, you're about to become Grandpa Black's pupil, eh, Harry? It's not too late to back out. My own initiation into the Black family ways was intense, to say the least. Those were some of the toughest days of my life," Sirius shared, a mock shudder passing through him as he playfully tousled Harry's hair.

But Harry wasn't deterred, responding with a quick, mischievous spell that momentarily made Sirius's hair stand up like a porcupine's quills. "I'm ready for whatever he throws at me. And that includes dodging your pranks," Harry shot back, his grin wide and eyes alight with the thrill of the challenge.

Sirius, never one to back down from a playful challenge, raised an eyebrow. "You might want to rethink that, Harry. It's been a while since I've pulled a proper prank. You don't want to be my next target."

Harry, undaunted, fired back with a laugh. "Just wait until I get a real wand, not just this training one. Then we'll see who's pranking whom. You'd better watch out, Sirius."

Their banter filled the grand entrance of Black Castle with laughter and light-hearted threats, setting the tone for a day that promised not only rigorous training but also the warmth of family bonds being strengthened.

Their playful mood was interrupted as they reached the room where Lord Black awaited them, a grand space filled with artifacts and portraits that bore silent witness to the history of the Black family.

Lord Black, unperturbed by their earlier antics, gestured towards the table. "To embark on the journey ahead, you'll need a wand more suited to the rigors of advanced magic. Your training wand, though useful, will not suffice for what I intend to teach you."

With a nod, he summoned Vardy, who promptly appeared bearing an elegantly crafted chest. With a flick of Vardy's hand, the chest opened, revealing a collection of wand boxes that levitated out and arranged themselves on the table. Each box was an invitation to explore the powerful lineage of the Black family through the wands they contained.

Harry was taken aback. He had just been talking about getting a real wand to prank Sirius, and now the opportunity was right in front of him.

Arcturus continued, his voice filled with the gravity of tradition. "These wands have been held by some of the most powerful members of the Black family. Today, you'll have the chance to see if one chooses you. They're not custom-made for you, but they will serve well until it's time for you to get your own wand."

Sirius couldn't resist a playful jab, "Picking out a wand from the Black collection, eh? Just don't forget, at the end of the day, you're still a Potter."

Harry shot back with a playful glare, but Arcturus's timely cough reminded him of the solemnity of the moment ahead.

Harry approached the table filled with ancient wands, each holding stories of past wizards within the Black family lineage. The significance of selecting a wand from this collection wasn't lost on him.

The first wand he picked up felt strong in his hand, but when he tried to cast the Lumos spell, nothing happened; it was as if he was holding just another piece of wood. Carefully, he placed it back into its velvet-lined box and tried another. One by one, he went through the wands, each reacting in its own way, yet none seemed to connect with him.

Then, his fingers brushed against a wand made of ebony, adorned with intricate carvings that seemed to pulse with an unseen energy. When he whispered "Lumos," the tip ignited with a bright light that filled the room. It was clear; this wand had chosen him.

Lord Black, observing the moment, nodded with satisfaction. "That wand belonged to Arcturus Black II, known for his dueling skills. It seems fitting it would choose you, Harry."

Sirius, who had been watching eagerly, reminded him, "Take good care of it, Harry. But remember, it's just on loan. You'll get your very own wand soon enough, and when you do, this one comes back to the family."

Lord Black then interjected, his tone firm yet considerate. "And Harry, this wand must stay here in Black Castle. It's too dangerous for you to carry a real wand at your age, especially outside of supervised training." His concern was evident, prioritizing Harry's safety over his desire to keep the wand.

Harry felt a twinge of disappointment at the restriction but understood the wisdom in Lord Black's words. The responsibility of handling such a powerful wand was immense, and he accepted the condition, promising to use the wand wisely and only within the castle's protective walls.

Lord Black then suggested, "Spend some time getting to know your new wand. We'll start your training once you're comfortable with it."

Harry and Sirius stepped outside into the expansive garden of Black Castle, leaving Lord Black to carefully return the unused wands to their respective places.

In the garden, Sirius, with a hint of excitement, said, "I heard you gave Grandpa quite the magical show. How about you show me what you've got?"

Eager to demonstrate his skills, Harry began to perform. Leaves levitated, stones danced through the air, and spells illuminated the space with vibrant colors.

Watching in awe, Sirius remarked, "That's quite impressive, Harry. When I was your age, I couldn't even cast a single spell."

As Harry grew more comfortable wielding the wand, he noticed Sirius was completely engrossed in the spectacle. Seizing the moment, Harry quickly cast a series of spells, catching Sirius by surprise. A well-placed Mimblewimble left Sirius tongue-tied, and a swift Petrificus Totalus rendered him immobile.

Harry couldn't help but laugh as he dashed off to begin his training with Lord Black, leaving a temporarily paralyzed Sirius in his wake. Sirius, unable to speak or move, could only watch as Harry disappeared from view.

Harry was aware that initiating a prank war with Sirius was risky but irresistibly entertaining. Sirius, known for his own pranks, would undoubtedly see this as a declaration of war. Despite the potential for retaliation, Harry was ready for whatever playful retribution Sirius might devise.

Engaging in such lighthearted mischief added a layer of excitement to Harry's days at Black Castle, a welcome distraction from the intensity of his upcoming training.