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Chapter 98: “Alphard Black”
🕑 Added 2024-03-14 15:36:44 +0000 UTCJames still had time before he met with Sirius and his uncle, so he took the opportunity to buy the necessary books for the second year.
Several books would continue to use the same ones from the first year, such: as A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration; A History of Magic; A Thousand Magical Herbs and Mushrooms; and Drafts and Magical Potions, among others.
One of the things he did this year was to read the entire book: A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration. James was planning to move on to the next book. His objective was to achieve conjuration as soon as possible to implement it in combat.
He was to purchase the following books:
-The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2. James had already studied this book before Hogwarts, but he used his father's old copy. So he would buy a new book.
-A Guide to Medieval Witchcraft. James assumes this book will be for History of Magic, complementing last year's book.
-Defensive magical theory written by Wilbert Slinkhard.
-Defense of the Dark Arts: basics for Beginners, a book issued by the Ministry.
James on reading that the author of the book Defensive Magic Theory was 'Wilbert Slinkhard' frowned. Months ago, he had started looking for books on defensive magic for the first time in the Hogwarts library and found Wilbert Slinkhard's book. This book was complete pacifist garbage.
It was a very bad sign to have this book for the new year of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Also, the second book didn't bode well either, especially since it was issued by the Ministry.
'There's no way Professor Antennae is going to make us study this garbage,' James thought grumpily. James considered Antennae a great professor. Despite her sternness, the professor taught very valuable things for defense against dark arts.
James, while buying the books thought about this topic. It would be very bad if the DADA classes were with such useless books. Just then, he remembered a rumor that was going around Hogwarts.
According to several older students, there was a rumor that the position of DADA teacher was cursed. No professor could hold the post for more than a year without suffering some unpleasant fate.
'It can't be true... Right?' thought James.
It would be very ironic if Defense Against the Dark Arts was cursed when you're supposed to defend yourself against those curses. Besides that professors like Antennae are very good and should be able to find a solution.
It was only 15 minutes before the appointed time. Just then he could see his parents in the distance bringing his backpack and suitcase.
"How did it go?" asked Euphemia and Fleamont, very curious and gossipy.
"Good... We managed to agree," replied James.
"Come on, tell us more," insisted Fleamont. He had given him the advice so he wanted to know a little more. James rolling his eyes, began to tell them in detail the highlights of his conversation with Gwen.
"That's great! She disobeyed her parents to see you. It means she cares about you," Fleamont said with a smile and looked proudly at his son for some reason James didn't understand.
"That's not good. Imagine if something had happened to her. It's not good to disobey your parents," said Euphemia with a frown, "But it's true that she cares about friendship just like you," she added.
James was not so comfortable talking about his friendships with his parents. He had only asked them for the odd bit of advice or guidance, but they were both very gossipy, and he had to put up with it.
As his parents continued to gossip he could see a familiar silhouette in the distance. It was a boy a little taller than him, fair-skinned, with medium-length, lustrous black hair. He had a slightly haughty expression on his face. It was his best friend, Sirius.
Sirius was walking towards him. Next to him was a middle-aged man in his late forties or so. The man had long unkempt hair, his beard was unshaven, and his clothes were smart but rumpled.
"James! Are you wearing glasses now?" said Sirius with a slight smirk as he greeted his best friend.
"I can buy you a pair if you want, or has your mother started giving you money again already?" asked James with a smirk.
"Ouch, that hurt," Sirius said, acting dramatically. No more joking around he gave James' hand a firm squeeze as he patted his back.
"You must be Sirius. James has told us a lot about you," said Euphemia, looking at Sirius and especially James with curious eyes, as his attitude was different compared to Toby or Peter.
"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Potter, a pleasure. I'm Sirius Black," Sirius said politely and classily as he introduced himself.
"A pleasure," nodded James' parents with a smile. It was rare to see a Black have Sirius' attitude so far removed from the majority of his family.
Sirius has no derogatory thoughts towards Muggles, Muggle-born wizards, or half-bloods. Even Toby a muggle-born wizard is his close friend, and so is Lupin, who is a half-blood.
"Oh, it's been a long time since I've seen a Potter," said the scruffy bearded man with a friendly smile.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Alphard Black, Sirius' uncle. A pleasure," said Alphard as he greeted Fleamont with a handshake, and Euphemia he greeted with a light handshake and a slight nod.
"Likewise," said Euphemia and Fleamont with a smile.
"When was the last time you saw a Potter?" asked Fleamont curiously.
"A couple of years ago. When I visited Dorea, her husband's name was... Charlus Potter!" replied Alphard with a smile after remembering the name.
"Oh, you know my brother?" asked Fleamont in surprise.
"Yes. You know how the circle of pureblood families is. Dorea is my maternal or paternal aunt. I don't even remember anymore, and Charlus became my paternal uncle or something," said Alphard, making fun of the family plight of most pureblood families.
"Yes, at this rate we'll all be related," commented Fleamont with a strange smile.
"Won't our son bother you so many days in your house?" asked Euphemia.
"Of course not. You know how kids are in this era. With a little care they can survive on their own," replied Alphard, scratching his patchy beard.
Euphemia looked worriedly at James, who was chatting relaxedly with Sirius, "Hey, nephew. Did you buy the dress robes yet?" asked Alphard, looking at Sirius.
"Do we have to buy it? It'll take hours while I get my measurements and stuff," said Sirius reluctantly.
"You must buy it. You know your cousin is very serious about such things," said Alphard in a serious way, though he didn't look serious at all as he scratched his beard.
"Dressing robe?" asked Euphemia and Fleamont if they understood.
"Yes. My niece Andromeda is getting married in a few days," replied Alphard nonchalantly.
"It was a secret, uncle!" exclaimed Sirius when he noticed Alphard's slip of the tongue.
'A wedding?" thought James curiously.
"Oh... that's right," said Alphard, cupping his forehead not at all regretfully, "Well, I don't think anything bad would happen if you know about it," he added as he summarized the wedding story for them.
In short, Andromeda Black was to marry Edward Tonk a muggle-born wizard. It was obvious that 99% of Andromeda's Family did not agree with such a marriage or rather they would not agree, since they were not aware of it.
Alphard Black lent his house for the wedding, and they were preparing everything for these days. It was to be in secret, as it would not do any good for Andromeda's parents to find out about it.
However, he saw no harm in telling the Potters, as James would witness the wedding because he would be in the house just in those days.
"What good news. Wish her congratulations from us. She is a very brave woman to make that decision," said Fleamont respectfully.
"Wait... I'll be at the wedding?" asked James, confused. According to Alphard in a few days, it would be the wedding, and he would be staying at home for almost fourteen days.
"Yes. You'll be able to eat cake. Andromeda agreed," Sirius replied with a slight smile.
"Oh, James! That's great. We should buy you a custom-made dressing gown right now," said Euphemia excitedly. Most women liked weddings and paid more attention to the dress and other preparations.
"You may come if you wish," said Alphard calmly, as if the wedding was his.
"Really?" asked Euphemia, inwardly delighted, but not quite believing Alphard.
"Yes, of course. Andromeda will agree. The more people better. From the Black Family, it will just be Sirius, me, and a few others. Charlus should also come with Dorea, so they will have acquaintances. Then most of them are relatives of the groom and friends of Andromeda," replied Alphard.
'That's why he was looking for a gift...' thought Fleamont, remembering a conversation with his brother a few days ago.
"We'd be delighted to go! It's been a long time since we've attended a wedding. We must prepare well. Oh, there's the gift too!" said Euphemia excitedly, and James looked surprised at his mother.
"James, go with Sirius and buy yourselves a fancy dress robe. We'll see you at the wedding. Me and your father must buy several things," said Euphemia as she kissed James on the forehead and said goodbye to the others. She then took Fleamont by the arm and led him away.
"..." James watched as his mother and father walked further, and further away. He thought he would have a more emotional goodbye, but he didn't bother.
"Well, boys, you heard her. Head over to Madame Malkin's store. When you're done look for me at the Leaky Cauldron," said Alphard as he quickly left.
"Is your uncle always like this?" asked James with his mouth twitching.
"Yeah, great, right?" replied Sirius with a smile as he started walking down Diagon Alley.
"Where are we going?" asked Sirius.
"To Madame Malkin's store?" said James with a raised eyebrow.
"We've got time for that. Let's go have some fun," said Sirius dismissively, "My uncle can spend hours drinking non-stop in the Leaky Cauldron," he added.
James didn't argue. He would rather have fun and explore stores than be measured for dress robes and trying on different robes for hours.
