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As usual, most of the summer between second and third year was pretty uneventful for Betelgeuse.
After she had left the twins on the platform, Betelgeuse apparated with Kreacher in her living room. There she was welcomed with open arms by the proud Slytherin. She had not forgotten the last letter.
"Meus Stella," he exhaled with joy, embracing the smaller figure.
"Hello, proud Slytherin," she jested, returning the hug.
"Let us get you settled first, then you can narrate me everything," he encouraged steering Betelgeuse towards the stairs and her room.
"Kreacher, prepare supper, please. We will join you shortly."
And so they did. Betelgeuse unpacked her belongings, set free Castor and proceeded to bathe and change in clean clothes. She then went downstairs, where the two were waiting for her in comfortable silence.
"When did you realise the plant was fake?" Betelgeuse asked suddenly.
Her companion froze with his spoon in midair and fixed the girl with a glacial look. Betelgeuse knew he could do better.
"Very witty of you," he drawled.
"It was a harmless prank. You should see what the twins do at Hogwarts," Betelgeuse argued with a smile.
"Oh? The sons of Molly and Arthur Weasley?" He asked curiously.
Betelgeuse nodded. "You already know. They are my best friends. They are real pranksters. I think they could prevail on the Marauders."
As soon as the words escaped her lips, she saw the colour drain from his already fair complexion. "Marauders? How do you know of such a name?" He asked in a whisper.
Betelgeuse studied his face, his eyes now held anguish and an emotion akin to affection. She recounted how she and the twins had gained the Marauder's Map and how they had discovered its secrets. He listened with delighted attention to her story, smiling and chuckling when she told him about the Dungbombs they had used against Filch. When she finished her recollection, she quietly added, "One of the Marauders was my uncle."
It was not a question, and he knew it. His star was too bright and did not deserve a lie.
"Yes, Sirius Black was indeed one of the infamous Marauders," he nodded with soft words.
"They were brilliant! My uncle was brilliant! The magic they used was so advanced. They managed to map all the grounds and rooms in Hogwarts!" Betelgeuse asserted elated.
"Yes, your uncle was a gifted wizard," he regarded her with a soft smile. "And so are you! I saw your results. Excellent. Now, tell me about your chosen electives!" He demanded trying to change the topic.
Betelgeuse understood his wish and swiftly obliged. "I chose Care of Magical Creature, Arithmancy and Study of Ancient Runes. I am not entirely convinced about the first, but I will give it a try," she stated. He was vastly impressed, Betelgeuse could see it. He stayed silent.
"I discarded Divination immediately. I do not wish to be disrespectful, but that class looks like a big pile of dung," the girl added, making her companion choke on a piece of vegetable.
"Betelgeuse!" He reprimanded her softly.
"Sorry, sorry," she amended sheepishly. "I am not interested in muggle stuff and such. So I cut out Muggle Studies." He nodded, he empathised with her reasoning about the class. They shared the same indifference for the subject.
"I wanted to pick Arithmancy and Ancient Runes only, but I felt that Care of Magical Creature could broaden my knowledge of the Magical World. Plus the twins chose it, so it is a win-win for me."
They continued to talk till the early hours of the morning, neither noticing the passing of time.
☆☆☆
Betelgeuse was restless. She had packed her trunk, readied Castor cage, folded her clothes twice, and reopened her chest to check everything trice.
Summer had gone in an instant. Now she was standing in the gloomy hallway of her home, postponing the inevitable. Her stay at the Weasleys.
"Have you packed everything?" Came from somewhere an amused elegant voice.
"Hilarious," Betelgeuse retorted rolling her eyes.
"Do not worry, Meus Stella," he replied, approaching the girl with a leisurely stride. "They will love you. And if they do not, you summon Kreacher at once, and you come back home immediately. I will find a way to make them repent their actions," he continued with a sinister tone.
Betelgeuse signed. "No need, I am just nervous. What if they can not let go of my family past deeds? What if they ask of my living, say, arrangement?" She asked, rambling.
"You mean what if they ask of what the Lestrange part of your family did. You are a Black, first and foremost. Do not forget it," he firmly stated. "Molly and Arthur Weasley are agreeable and considerate people, from what I recall. I am sure they will welcome you with open arms. They would not have invited you otherwise. If they inquire about your living arrangement, you just tell them what we agreed on, nothing more nothing less." He reassured her.
"Now, enjoy your last days of summer. Please, do not burden the Weasleys too much, I imagine with all those children they have already their hands full. I would urge you to thank them for me, but alas, that is quite impracticable. How unfortunate," he quipped, gaining a hearty laugh from Betelgeuse.
"Off you go! I love you, Meus Stella," he finished, surprising the girl with his open display of affection.
"Love you too," she promptly reacted.
"Kreacher!" The house-elf appeared, bowing deeply.
"Please Kreacher, can you take me to the Borrow, the Weasleys home, in Ottery St Catchpole, Devon?" The house-elf complied swiftly, grumbling about foul Blood-traitors. Within a second, Betelgeuse found herself facing a whimsical building.
It seemed as though it had once been a large stone pigpen, but more rooms had been attached here and there until it was various stories high and so tortuous it looked as though it was held up by magic.
That seems the case, undoubtedly.
Four or five chimneys rested on top of the red roof. A crooked sign stuck in the ground near the entrance read, THE BURROW. Around the front door laid a clutter of rubber boots and a very crumbly cauldron. Numerous fat brown chickens were pecking around the yard.
How domestic.
She was still perusing her surroundings, with the low grumbling and muttering coming from Kreacher in the background, when the front door swung open.
Two identical boys came out. They were Fred and George.
They had definitely grown a few inches since Betelgeuse last had seen them. She recognised from afar Fred. His flaming-red hair appeared like molten fire under the midday sun, enlighting his abundant freckles. He got stockier, for the long hours playing Quidditch clearly. He was sporting a huge grin, like his brother, that enriched his sun-kissed face. Betelgeuse noted quaintly that also their noses had grown a little.
"BEL!" The twins shouted with glee, running towards the girl.
Fred reached her first, tackling Betelgeuse in a hug. "I'm so glad you are here!" Fred exclaimed, as she quickly hugged him back.
"Oi! No hug for me?" George joked, before joining the group hug.
"We saw you from the kitchen window," Fred said, disentangling himself from the embrace. He admired his friend up close. Betelgeuse had grown taller in the few past months. Now she was nearly the same height as the twins. She had lost most of the baby fat on her face, revealing the origin of future high and angular cheekbones on shapely features. Her hair had grown much in length, maintaining its glossy appearance. Her beautiful grey eyes did not change, they were the same unworldly jewels set on her fair traits.
She was — in one word — gorgeous.
Betelgeuse watched George elbowing his brother, spying a faint blush on his face. Fred regained his composure quickly, spotting for the first time Kreacher behind Betelgeuse.
"Hello, Kreacher," he said politely.
"Kreacher did not see Young Master." Betelgeuse was pleased hearing such a cordial greeting from the grumpy old elf. But then he added, "Nasty little brat of a Bloodtraitor it is."
"KREACHER!" Betelgeuse bellowed, scaring the elf with her icy glare. "Do not dare speak to him in such a manner ever again. Did I make myself clear?" She asked with a frighteningly controlled voice. Kreacher had the decency to look somehow remorseful. The guilt was, alas, short-lived.
"Sorry? Didn't catch that last bit?" Fred taunted the elf.
And so Fred proved once again to be the more outgoing, rash, and sarcastic of the twins. Fred could be quite callous sometimes, Betelgeuse taught. The response from the elf did not hesitate to arrive.
"Kreacher said nothing, and there it is its twin, unnatural weak beasts they are. Oh, poor Mistress if she knew with whom Miss consort, oh how she'd cry, her poor heart."
Betelgeuse was murderous, her eyes had shifted to grey slits, resembling two blood-thirsty daggers. The girl spoke in a cruel tone. "My lovely grandmother did not have a heart, Kreacher. She kept herself alive out of pure spite. Out of my sight, loathsome creature!"
Kreacher bowed severely and then disappeared.
Betelgeuse was still furious when she shifted her attention to the twins, "I am genuinely sorry. He spent too much time with my grandmother."
The twins shrugged and dragged the girl towards the house. The three entered the house, Betelgeuse saw a cosy and lived-in interior, with a cluttered array of furniture and trappings. While the twins called out for their mother, the girl found herself observing her surroundings.
She was standing in the living room of the Weasley Home. It was a cosy place, with a sofa and armchairs covered with patchwork blankets. There was a grand fireplace, a ceiling with wooden beams and an enormous wooden bookshelf. Multicoloured carpets were littered on the wooden floor. A clock caught the attention of Betelgeuse. Rather than showing the time, it indicated the status of each member of the Weasley family. Instead of numbers, there were different phrases such as 'home', 'school', 'work', 'travelling', 'lost', 'hospital', and 'mortal peril'. Alternatively of arms to indicate the time, there were nine hands, one for each member.
The living room was attached to a kitchen, that looked to be the centre of the family activity. It was positioned at the back of the house and contained a long wooden table with room enough for eight seats. All the chairs present were mismatched. There was a grand fireplace in the room.
Looks like they use it for the Floo Network.
There were also various magical cookbooks located in the kitchen, piled on top of the mantelpiece. Betelgeuse heard loud thuds and several feet came running down the uneven stairs.
The first figure that emerged was Molly Weasley nèe Prewett. She was a short, slightly plump, and kindly-looking woman. She had bright fiery red hair, her eyes were of a warm brown shade. The woman approached Betelgeuse with a gentle, yet hesitant smile.
"Hello dear, you must be Betelgeuse," she spoke, glancing down at the black-haired girl with eyes like molten silver. "My, my, you're much more beautiful than what the twins had said."
Betelgeuse regarded the twins with a raised eyebrow, then she returned her gaze on Molly. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mrs Weasley. I am most grateful for your gracious hospitality," Betelgeuse said, bowing her head slightly.
Molly Weasley looked taken aback by the formality. She recovered quickly and hugged the unexpecting girl. "Oh, call me Molly, dear!"
"Mum, stop smothering the poor girl," Betelgeuse recognised at once the voice. She saw a grinning Charlie approach her and she flung her arms around the taller boy.
"I am happy to see you too, Altair," Charlie said after breaking the hug.
Betelgeuse then turned to a girl with beautiful red hair. "The name's Ginny. I have heard a lot about you," she stated with confidence.
"Oh?" Betelgeuse commented with aloofness, glancing at the twins.
The cheeks of Ginny flared, she moved away. Another red-head took her place.
"Hi, Hi, m-my name is R-Ron," the younger boy stuttered. Fred and George laughed at his nervousness. Charlie rolled his eyes.
Molly came to his rescue. "Ginny, show Betelgeuse her room, you will share. Fred, George help them with her things."
Betelgeuse followed the three red-heads on the stairs, till they reached a door on the first floor. When Ginny opened the door, Betelgeuse saw a petite, but bright room. There was a giant poster of the Wizarding band the Weird Sisters on one wall, a portrait of Gwenog Jones, Captain of the all-witch Quidditch team the Holyhead Harpies, was glued on the other. A desk stood overlooking the open window, facing the orchard.
"It's a little cramped, but —" Ginny began.
"It is perfect," Betelgeuse breathed, charmed by the bright sunny room.
They are the sun, while we are the void night.
"Thank you, Ginny, for letting me stay in your room," Betelgeuse said with a smile. Ginny grinned in return.
☆☆☆
The girls bonded quickly. Betelgeuse had again apologised to Ginny about taking up her space in her room. The younger girl had abruptly asked, "Can you braid hair?" And so, Betelgeuse had found herself combing Ginny's hair, while talking amiably with the girl.
Betelgeuse found Ginny presence refreshing; the girl had a strong personality and even stronger confidence. She liked the girl.
They were shortly called by Molly downstairs. As they made their way down the stairs, the eight-year-old commented, "you comb hair better than Fred,"
Betelgeuse paused, "Fred?"
"You told her my secret! Now she will never think I'm cool!" Fred appeared at the bottom of the stairs, dramatically gasping before falling to the ground.
"He is dead," George solemnly stated, kneeling beside his twin.
"Neither of you is cool," Betelgeuse cooly replied, making Ginny giggle.
"Cruel words, dear Black," George stated; his hand over his heart.
"Black? What are you doing here?" Percy came down the stairs. The girl had had very few encounters with the stuck-up older boy.
"She was invited, Perce. Now help me," Charlie interjected.
Betelgeuse noticed that they were setting the table, she watched fascinated. The action was alien to her, she had Kreacher at home. She asked if she could help, anyway.
"No, please. Make yourself comfortable. Arthur, my husband, should be arriving soon, and so should Bill," Molly replied, moving the girl to the living room.
Betelgeuse set on the orangey velvety couch. She gazed over the twins who had their hands slapped away by Molly for having tried to grab a piece of turkey before supper. She snickered as they grinned innocently at their mother.
The sound of the door opening diverted her attention from the twins. Two more men with russet hair entered the Borrow with large smiles.
"Hello, family," the man that Betelgeuse presumed was Arthur Weasley cried. He had rich red hair, though it seemed he was balding. He wore round glasses and had light blue eyes. Arthur Weasley was a tall, thin man. And so was the man that followed him inside the house. Bill Weasley. Bill was tall, lean and, frankly, handsome. He had auburn red hair that he wore long and in a ponytail. Betelgeuse was mildly surprised to see that Bill had an earring with a fang dangling from his ear. He wore clothes that, in Betelgeuse opinion, would not be out of place at a muggle rock concert she saw on the music albums in her uncle room. He was really cool.
The Weasley cheerfully greeted their family, then Arthur looked up and caught the peculiar grey eyes of Betelgeuse. "My, Molly! Is that our guest?"
Molly nodded, "Yes, Arthur. Betelgeuse Black."
"How do you do, dear?" Arthur asked Betelgeuse with a big smile.
"Very well, Sir. And you, Mr Weasley?"
"Did you hear that, Molly? You can call me Arthur, dear," he continued. He directed his attention to the kitchen. "Is dinner ready?"
"Yes, yes! Everyone go wash and take your seats!" Molly said, shooing the children out.
Betelgeuse was about to follow Ginny when the twins stopped her. "Bel, wait! Bill, this is our best mate Betelgeuse," George introduced.
Betelgeuse glanced up.
Bill is way too tall.
"Ah! The infamous Betelgeuse. I have heard a lot about you," Bill spoke, sending a glance to the twins. Betelgeuse tilted her head in silence. Bill smirked.
"I see. And rightly so. I tell you, these two never shut up about you in their letters."
Betelgeuse raised her eyebrows at the blushing twins. Bill was used to getting a reaction from his interlocutors. The girl was a wall of brick.
"Ah, Bill! You found someone that will not fall for it, finally!" Fred cried.
"You will not fluster her, I tell you," George added.
Betelgeuse watched the handsome man with steady grey eyes.
Bill smirked even wider.
☆☆☆
Dinner with the Weasleys was a curious affair. There was not a moment of silence, everyone was talking over each other. People served their own food, getting up off the table or invading someone else's space. The table was chock-full of overflowing plates, which the boys ate up in a heartbeat. There was a never-ending scolding from Molly towards the twins. Arthur, Percy and Bill argued about the Ministry, Ginny and Charlie talked animately about the upcoming Quidditch matches.
Betelgeuse felt dizzy.
She caught the conversation between Percy and Bill.
"The Wizengamot is dominated by the most liberal fringe now. A disaster, I tell you. Now that the most prominent Houses are extinguishing, they do not have the same influence on it," Percy declared.
"What kind of rubbish are you spouting, Perce?" Bill asked, bewildered.
Percy continued undeterred. "The quality of their work and judgment has been diminishing since the Noble Families were decimated in the war. That is a commonly known fact," the boy finished loftily.
The twins diverted their attention to their best friends.
Betelgeuse found her voice at once. "I apologise in advance if I may appear arrogant, but I do not believe I caught your words correctly. I surely hope not. Are you suggesting that our most high court of law and parliament was corrupted by the Sacred Twenty-eight? Because, as far as I know, the Wizengamot is an oligarchy where elder scholars are offered a seat after proving their wisdom," Betelgeuse concluded solemnly.
She had reduced Percy to a babbling red mess, Arthur was watching the girl with intensity.
Bill grinned, "Hear, hear!"
From that moment on, dinner continued animatedly as before, but without Percy's nonsense.
☆☆☆
Betelgeuse loved the time spent with the Weasleys. She played a lot of Quidditch with Charlie and Bill, even Percy once. Fred and George had played a fair number of pranks on him. She found herself often engrossed discussing Ministry matters with Mr Weasley. He was a humble, but knowledgeable man.
The obsession of Charlie with dragons had become severe, as Betelgeuse remarked to the older boy, grinning. Bill was pretty decent to her, she found out he was a curse breaker for the Gringott. He was cool, without a doubt.
Betelgeuse considered endearing the perpetual blush on Ron's face when he attempted to talk to her. He was a sweet boy.
On the 31 of August, Betelgeuse went with the Weasley to Diagon Alley.
They had used the Floo Network, and now she stood in the middle of the main street in the wizarding village. Ginny dragged the older girl to Madam Primpernelle's Beautifying Potions shop, wanting to see the display of multiple makeups and potions.
"Ugh, this is a dung of rubbish!" George exclaimed.
"I want ice cream," Fred added, groaning.
"You two are such babies!" Ginny cried, following the twins down the cobbled road.
"Well, Freddie and I are going to Gambol and Japes. We need new Stink Pellets and a few Dungbombs," George declared. "See ya!"
Betelgeuse turned to the younger witch. "Very well, what do you want to do?"
At the end of the day, Betelgeuse had gotten a couple of chocolate frogs and lots of pumpkin pasties from Sugarplum's Sweets Shop. She had stopped at Rosa Lee Teabag shop to buy a box of tea leaves to send home with Castor. She visited Madam Malkin's, needing new school uniforms and a bigger travelling winter cloak. She acquired her new school books at Flourish and Blotts. The number of books required was growing more every year. She needed The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 3 by Miranda Goshawk, Intermediate Transfiguration by Emeric Switch, Numerology and Grammatica, Spellman's Syllabary and The Essential Defence Against the Dark Arts by Arsenius Jigger.
Betelgeuse and Ginny stopped at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, and then they continued to Quality Quidditch Supplies where she brought new Quidditch uniforms for her and the twins.
They will rage on when I will give them these new uniforms.
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