Chapter Text
In the summer of 1943, many Wizarding families decided to reinforce the protective Wards on their Houses. The constant headlines in the Daily Prophet suggested that the threat of war between the Muggles and the Wizarding World was imminent. The summer of 1943 even saw a massive move away from Britain from Pureblooded families. The Daily Prophet was continuously printing headline after headline about the upcoming war. The No-Maj War was at an all-time high and reinforced the Anti-Muggle movement within the Wizarding World. Despite the threat, hidden in the middle of London, Arcturus Black watched his sons play with their newly-bought brooms. The House, Black Cottage, was under the Fidelius Charm. It also had multiple layers of protective wards against attacks. It was a dark-looking house with countless stories and a library the size of a bear. It was common for the children of the Black family to consult its multiple books. However, as it was summer, they were all flying. Orion Black, the oldest son, struggled to keep up with his younger brother in the warm air of July. Harrison Cepheus Black, recently turned eleven years old, was zooming on his broom with the grace of a God. Harrison had newly been blood-adopted by Arcturus and Melania Black and had been learning and playing with his new-found family.
The young boy had grown from an abused child to a magical prodigy. Harrison was able to grasp complex theories and subjects with ease. He was developing a fiery personality and was strongly opinionated. He was still polite, and his training made him much more proud. His posture had straightened, and he walked with his head held high. After being adopted, the young heir took on the physical traits of his adoptive parents. Before his adoption, his dark hair was wild and unmanageable, reminiscent of the famous Potter hair. Now, Harrison had inherited the loose black curls of his father, Arcturus. He had grown considerably, standing around 158 centimetres. His eyes remained green, although they were lime green when before they were much darker. The boy was to start his first year at Hogwarts on September 1st. He was waiting eagerly for his letter.
As young Harrison was swooping on his broom, Tom Riddle wrote everything that came to mind in his journal. Tom had been formally invited to stay with the family during the summer holidays because Harrison considered Tom his best friend. The older boy had found the young heir in 1942 and had decided to take him under his wing. It resulted in a blossoming friendship developing between the two of them. The age gap didn’t seem to matter as Harrison was rather mature for his age. Orion and Harrison’s older sister, Lucretia Black, were quickly finishing her homework before the school year commenced. It was her last year at Hogwarts, and she wanted to do well on her N.E.W.T exams. Just as she finished the last sentence of her Transfiguration essay, Harrison exclaimed in child-like wonder.
“Father! Look! I think our letters are arriving,” the youngest child cried happily.
Four brown barn owls flew toward them and landed in the yard, holding out their paw so that the children could take their letters. Harrison landed on the grass and sprinted toward the owls, crouching at their level. He took all four envelopes and distributed them to each recipient. Tom had received his O.W.L.s results, and as expected, he had achieved the best grades possible. He also remained a Prefect as he had been in his fifth year. Orion had received his letter with his material list for his fourth year, and Lucretia received a Head-Girl badge.
Harrison stared at his letter with wide eyes. He had been waiting for it to arrive. Ever since his father had mentioned it, he had been waiting. He opened the envelope hastily and began to read its contents.
“Dear Mr. H.C. Black, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,” Harrison read out loud, “Father, I’ve been accepted!”
The boy waved his letter toward his father. The man slowly walked toward him with a proud tiny grin. Arcturus ruffled his youngest son’s fluffy hair, and the boy beamed at him while handing out his letter. The man read the letter silently. Indeed, his son had been accepted. When the man looked back to Harrison, the latter was almost vibrating with joy.
“It seems like a trip to Diagon Alley must be scheduled. How about this Friday, son?” Arcturus said in an amused tone.
Harrison nodded eagerly but corrected himself with a verbal answer.
“Yes, Father,” the boy said happily.
His father held out his hand for the boy to take. And all together, the group was ushered inside the house to get ready for tea. Mother was in the family room off the side to the kitchen while Teeny, the house elf, deposited the biscuits and four more cups of tea on the small round table.
Friday rolled around quickly, and Harrison was the first to wake up. He got dressed in his favourite formal robes, black with silver trim and combed his hair as best as he could in the mirror of his en suite bathroom. He came back to his bedroom and looked at it thoroughly. He still could not believe that it was all his. The room was big and airy. Next to a large window was a large grey four-poster bed. The glass allowed natural light to shine through. The walls were painted a deep green, and the flooring was dark wood. He had a large closet packed with robes, shirts and slacks. He had a different closet for his shoes. He put on his favourite pair of loafers and exited his bedroom. When he reached the kitchen, he saw Teeny making the family breakfast.
“Good morning Teeny,” Harrison greeted.
The tiny house elf turned around, her big brown eyes shiny with thankful tears and bowed at the waist to greet the young boy. Harrison had taken to greet Teeny every morning, and the first time he did so, so busted into tears, claiming that no one had ever greeted her. Then, Mother had made it a rule always to greet Teeny whenever she was in a room.
“Good morning, young Master Cepheus, sir,” Teeny said with a worshipful tone.
The young boy merely smiled back and sat at the dinner table, waiting for the food to be ready. Teeny finished breakfast and put food on the table. And Harrison heard the rest of his family waking up. Tom was the first to arrive and sit down at the table. He was wearing a dark blue robe with gold trims. Harrison downed a glass of milk and ate his cheese toast silently while Tom helped himself to a cup of coffee. Father came downstairs with Mother. Both of them were dressed in formal robes. They sat at the table and ate in silence. Because of the ongoing war, food was scarce. Most of the fresh vegetables and fruits were expensive and rare. Thankfully for the family, they had the luxury of buying them. Teeny had been able to cook them excellent food despite the rations. Lucretia arrived in the kitchen a bit later. Orion was the last one to show up. He had to eat quickly since they were running late to purchase school supplies.