Chapter 35:  Leashes and visits.

Celestial Ascendancy

Chapter 35:  Leashes and visits.

Hogwarts.

Elias Blake.

Smiling at the girls, I shook my head as I followed from behind. We needed to appear excited; the plan depended on it.

Since every single Journalist in the country was present in the school, I just knew that the vile woman was salivating for a nice scoop. It was in her nature, after all. And I wasn’t against paying twice for the harm she did.

In the recess of my mind, I always felt that what Hermione’s Canon counterpart did to Rita Skeeter was too much. I wasn’t against them getting some vengeance, but I always thought that the way Hermione did it was way too over the top.

I stand corrected.

And it was such an amusing act that I couldn’t help but recreate it with some nice twists that would help in the future instead of wasting a woman with Skeeter’s abilities.

We had no idea how to become an Animagus, and while helpful, I suspected it would be hard. And even if we managed… having such a tiny insect as an Animagus form was something out of this world. She was the perfect spy and had no morality to drag her back. No… she was perfect for what I wanted.

That brought us here. The girls were giggling and acting in a way that someone who knew us would know was fake. But for the masses, they looked like two girls in love trying to find a hidden place to spend some time with their significant other.

I could already see the headlines if someone saw us.

Since the Journalists were only allowed in the great hall or outside the castle, I was sure we were only followed by that vile woman in her Animagus form. No one but us was the wiser about her capabilities, even if I had doubts about it.

I looked at Hermione, who peeked her head from the corner. There was a serious look in her eyes that didn’t match the salacious grin on her face as she nodded and waved the Marauders Map in the air.

I grinned victoriously as I walked faster, my senses sharpening as I tried to feel if anyone else was watching. Seeing that the corridor was empty, I slipped into the abandoned classroom, making sure to leave the door open just wide enough to seem careless, as if we were in a hurry.

Hermione moved with practiced ease, settling onto a desk with an exaggerated sigh, her robes slightly loose at the collar as if she was starting to strip. Iris leaned against the teacher’s desk, arms crossed, smirking as she waited for me.

I took position by the door, my pulse steady as I counted the seconds.

There was no sound, no visible movement—but I knew she was there.

I waited.

Waited.

There… A soft Buzz of a beetle. Soft enough that I had to strain my ears to hear it. But I could, and that was the end for her.

Before Rita could realize her mistake, I moved.

My wand snapped up, and instantly, a cube of translucent glass flew from Hermione’s already opened bag and waiting for me. Another wave and the plug covered the only entrance. A bunch of holes poked into it to allow the woman to breathe.

The beetle inside froze, wings still twitching, her tiny legs scrambling against the walls in a panicked frenzy.

"Gotcha," I murmured, gently lifting the cube. The glass was pristine, smooth—unbreakable.

Hermione stood, adjusting her robes with an air of satisfaction. "You can turn back if you'd like, Skeeter," she said, her voice eerily sweet. "Of course, you'd die instantly. I wouldn’t want to be the one who had to clean it."

Iris leaned in, tapping a single finger against the glass, making it ring softly. "Better stay like that," she cooed. "You're so much more manageable this way."

The beetle flailed, hitting the sides of her prison in frantic bursts of movement.

"What's wrong?" I asked, my grin widening. "Worried about how you're getting out of this?"

Rita buzzed wildly, throwing herself against the glass walls.

Hermione sighed, her tone mockingly sympathetic. "You know, you really should have been more careful. Following us around like that? It was only a matter of time before we noticed." She pulled out the Marauder’s Map again, holding it up. "You’re not nearly as sneaky as you think, Rita."

I slightly shook the cube, just enough to send her tumbling.

"Here’s the deal," I said, lowering my voice. "You’re going to sit tight, and when we let you out, you will behave. Just stay put until we decide when that will happen.”

The beetle finally stilled, antennae twitching. Even in this form, I could feel the fury rolling off her.

Iris chuckled, crossing her arms. "Smart choice."

"Now," Hermione said, slipping the jar into her bag, "let’s get you somewhere more… secure."

Rita buzzed angrily, but it was useless.

Iris grinned and her eyes were bright with anticipation, “That will show her, even if I doubt she will learn something.”

“Probably not,” I shrugged unconcernedly. "Honestly, I don’t think she will stay put without insurance. Even if we blackmail her with her Animagus form, I’m sure she will mess us up when she has enough courage.”

“It could take some months or even years,” Hermione nodded thoughtfully, “But she is not the kind to let things like this go.”

I nodded at her. She wasn’t wrong, after all.

“That’s why we will speak with Arcturus about this,” I grinned. I will do so if his suggestions don’t cross the line. "She can be useful for us.”

Iris hummed. “I think I should be against that, but my pity well is surprisingly dry.”

“Whatever,” Hermione rolled her eyes. "Let’s get going. We should get Seekvaira’s things while we’re free.”

Saturday, March 5.

“Headmaster,” I greeted with a nod. The aged man was using magic to gently groom Fawkes’ feathers. The phoenix trilled happily at our presence, flapping his wings in greeting.

“Good morning to you three,” Dumbledore said softly. “How may I be of service, young ones?”

“We have a favor to ask,” I began, returning his smile. “You already know the situation with my family, so I won’t bore you with the details, Professor, but Arcturus has requested my presence to handle some family matters.”

I paused briefly before continuing. “According to Sirius's letter, the family's heir has the right to leave Hogwarts for any pressing matters. Since I’m the only Black alive aside from Sirius, that role falls to me now.”

Sirius would never write something like that, so the only option left was for Arcturus to tell him what to pen before sending the letter. It was surprisingly formal.

I sighed. I had healed Sirius’s body to the best of my ability, but his mind was another thing altogether. I didn’t know if he would ever fully recover, let alone be in a place where he could start a family of his own. I hoped he would, but hope alone sometimes wasn’t enough.

Dumbledore hummed thoughtfully, his fingers pausing mid-air as he groomed one of Fawkes’ bright crimson feathers. The phoenix trilled again, tilting its head as if listening to the conversation.

The headmaster’s blue eyes twinkled behind his half-moon glasses as he curiously regarded me. “Ah, family matters… A most sacred obligation.” He gave a slight nod. “Yes, Sirius did mention this in his letter. A rather formal request, I must say, and from Arcturus no less. A rare thing indeed.”

I inclined my head. “Ah, he wrote to you too? He didn’t mention it in his letter.”

Dumbledore steepled his fingers, the ever-present smile still gracing his lips, but something was assessing in his gaze. “And you wish to take Miss Potter and Miss Granger with you?”

“Of course, we work as a team,” I replied without hesitation. “Whatever the Old man wants with me, I don’t do anything without these two’s opinions. I trust them more than anyone else in this world.”

Hermione shifted slightly beside me, but she didn’t speak. Iris raised an eyebrow as if daring the headmaster to deny my request.

I always found it funny how Iris looked like she would punch the headmaster in the nuts if he ever did something against her. She was surprisingly feisty with him.

Dumbledore chuckled softly. “I would imagine so.” He leaned back slightly, gazing up at the high ceiling of his office. “The school does grant allowances for heirs to attend to urgent family matters, and I have little reason to deny such a request. I suspect, however, that your absence will not go unnoticed.”

I shrugged. “It’s the weekend. We’ll be back by Sunday night.”

“Of course, of course.” He let the moment stretch before giving a slow nod. “Very well. You have my permission to leave.”

I released a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

“But,” he added, his gaze sharp yet kind, “be cautious, Elias. The Black name carries more weight than most realize, and Arcturus is dangerous. I don’t think that he has lessened even by death; he always was someone who got what he wanted.”

“I won’t,” I assured him. I liked Arcturus, but like Hell I would allow someone to shackle me.

Dumbledore studied me for a moment longer, then sighed. “Ah, but I suspect you have another request, yes?”

I smiled. “I do. Before we meet with Arcturus’s portrait, I want to stop by Diagon Alley to pick up some things for Sirius.”

At that, Dumbledore’s expression softened.

“A commendable thought,” he said, his gaze momentarily distant. “Sirius has been through much. I am glad to see he has someone looking out for him. Remus tells me he is better, but more support should help.”

I nodded. “He’s family.”

Dumbledore flicked his wand, and the fireplace roared to life with green flames. “Very well. You may use my fireplace for travel. Do take care. Diagon Alley is safe enough during the day, but there are always shadows where one least expects them.”

Iris smirked. “Shadows don’t scare us, Professor.”

Dumbledore’s lips twitched, amusement flashing in his eyes. “That, Miss Potter, is what concerns me most. I don’t doubt your capabilities, but with young Elias present, I can’t think of anyone capable of harming you. I think I should be cheering for them instead.”

With that, he gestured toward the fireplace, signaling our path was open.

“When you return, we will begin our training sessions; I’m excited to train you three personally,” Dumbledore said just before we crossed.

“I can’t wait,” Iris grinned before throwing the powder to the fire, “Diagon Alley.”

Hermione went after Iris, her wand in hand, just in case. “See you tomorrow, headmaster. Thanks for everything.”

“It is my pleasure, my dear,” Dumbledore chuckled.

Then, it was my turn. No words were said, but I knew he could feel how I felt about the training. My magic was singing in my soul.

Grimmauld Place.

Diagon Alley hadn’t changed much since the last time I visited—still bustling with witches and wizards doing their business, still filled with that odd mixture of wonder and chaos unique to wizarding Britain. But our trip wasn’t just for Sirius this time. Seekvaira had asked us to bring her a selection of wizarding products, hoping to see if anything caught her interest.

I hoped she would be an ally for us when the rest of the supernatural learned about my existence. It was something I had grown to accept. With the Celestial Grimoire, there was no way I would stay in the dark. No, a single roll could change the course of history, and I needed to have friends in positions to help me.

So, while we gathered what we needed for Sirius, we also made sure to grab a variety of things for her.

For Sirius, the first stop had been Madam Primpernelle’s Beautifying Potions. Not exactly a common place to get gifts, but my uncle looked like a vain man, and while his body was healthy, some things didn’t get corrected with my healing energy. His hair was messy, and no regular shampoo or conditioner could help.

I just knew he would love everything we bought there. Also, Seekvaira might be interested in some of those potions. Devils were vain by design, and while they were minor shapeshifters, I was absolutely sure that women devils loved to look good.

Next, we stopped by Twilfitt and Tatting’s, where I found a new set of robes for him—proper, custom-tailored robes, not the old hand-me-downs he’d been making do with. When the time came, and we cleared his name, he had to look the part of Lord Black.

Then there was Seekvaira’s request.

She wanted wizarding trinkets, something uniquely magical that might interest her. We spent a lot of time browsing through various shops, picking out things that might appeal to her.

At Scrivenshaft’s Quill Shop, we found a set of Everlasting Ink Quills—a quill that never ran out of ink but could shift its color on command. A Spellbound Sketchbook also allowed drawings to move as if enchanted with low-level animation magic. The girls also bought some stuff, but I didn’t pay much attention to them. They could buy whatever they wanted; it’s not like we were poor anymore.

From Flourish and Blotts, we picked up a collection of rare magical theory books, including Runic Weaving: An Art Lost to Time and Alchemy Beyond the Philosopher’s Stone. Showing Seekvaira how Wizards used magic would help us better understand the differences between our existences. It was a no-brainer.

For something more tactile, we stopped by Spindlewarps’ Enchanted Textiles, where we found a set of Self-Stitching Ribbons. They were woven bands of enchanted fabric that could reshape themselves into different forms based on the wearer’s intent. They weren’t combat-useful but a rare artisan product from wizarding Britain. Considering how Seekvaira dressed during our meeting, I knew she would love this product.

She dressed like the pompous lords I had seen, but at least she made it look good. She was beautiful, and her cool act worked in tandem with that.

And the best product I found for the she-devil… An enchanted chess piece like the ones at Hogwarts. Knowing how entrenched that game was in devil society, I just knew it would be a damn good business. She was brilliant, and I knew she would know I was baiting her, but even then… I doubted she would mind.

By the time we were done, our bags were heavier than expected, and I was sure we’d overdone it. But if nothing else, Seekvaira would at least get a glimpse into the oddities of the wizarding world.

We were a queer bunch, even by supernatural standards.

Knocking on the door three times, as Sirius had instructed in his letter, we waited for someone to answer.

After a moment, the door creaked open, revealing a pornstar mustache that could only belong to one man.

Remus Lupin’s tired eyes brightened when he saw us and quickly ushered us inside.

“Kids,” he greeted with a warm smile. “It’s been a long time. How have you been?”

“We’ve been good, professor,” Iris said, stepping forward and wrapping her arms around him in a hug.

He stiffened slightly in surprise before relaxing, a chuckle escaping his lips as he hugged her back. I caught the glimmer of a tear at the corner of his eye as he looked at Iris—at James’ daughter.

“I’m not your professor anymore,” he said softly.

Something was off, though.

As he let go of Iris, his eyes flickered toward me, and in an instant, his entire demeanor shifted. His smile didn’t disappear, but something else was behind it now. He was wary… tense.

It was subtle, almost imperceptible.

But I felt the way his muscles locked up, the way his nostrils flared slightly as if trying to scent something in the air. With my senses, I could hear how his heart pumped blood in alarm. He wasn’t preparing for a fight; he looked ready to bolt.

His fingers twitched. Barely.

I wouldn't have noticed if I hadn’t been paying attention, but it must be his Werewolf blood. Remus, having lycanthropy, was closer to his animalistic instincts, and he could feel what I had become.

Damn. I didn’t expect this reaction. In truth, I had almost forgotten about his problems. I never cared about his furry little problem, but I didn't think he would react like this.

“Remus?” Hermione tilted her head, oblivious to the tension in his stance. “Are you alright?”

Lupin blinked, forcing a casual smile onto his face. “Of course,” he said smoothly. Too smoothly.

“I think I know the problem.” I sighed, shaking my head as I stepped back, giving Remus space. “Sorry, Remus. I didn’t think about this before coming here.”

“What are you talking about, Eli?” Iris raised an eyebrow in confusion.

I glanced between her and Hermione before leaning casually against the opposite wall, making a deliberate effort to look as unthreatening as possible. “Think, girls,” I said evenly. “Remus is a werewolf... he’s always in touch with his inner beast. He’s usually the hunter in the room when he's around wizards.”

Iris blinked, her confusion deepening, but Hermione’s breath hitched as the realization dawned on her.

“Oh…” she whispered, turning to Remus with wide, sympathetic eyes. “Remus, there’s no need to be afraid. Eli would never hurt any of us. He’s family. And… and he’s in a relationship with Iris and me.”

Remus visibly flinched, though not out of fear—more like his instincts were fighting against his rational mind. His fingers curled slightly, nails sharpening, and his breathing measured. He tried hard to suppress whatever his werewolf instincts were screaming at him.

“That’s not it,” he muttered, more to himself than to us. His voice was tight, controlled. “It’s not fear—at least, not in the way you think.”

His amber eyes flickered toward me again, assessing me.

“This isn’t normal.” His voice was quieter now, laced with something almost like awe or dread. “I’ve met powerful wizards before. Dumbledore, Moody, and even Voldemort himself. None of them ever set off my instincts like this.”

Iris frowned. “So what’s different?”

Remus hesitated, grimacing. “You feel like something else.”

A heavy silence settled over the room.

I felt Hermione shift slightly beside me, uneasy.

“What do you mean?” she asked carefully.

Remus exhaled through his nose, still as a statue. “I mean… everything in me is telling me that Elias isn’t just another wizard. He feels different.” His eyes narrowed slightly, his mind racing. “My wolf is reacting to him like it would to a true apex predator. Like something that shouldn’t exist. It feels like I should kneel and avoid him in equal measure.”

That caught my attention.

I stayed silent, letting him work through it. He had no idea about the Celestial Grimoire or how my power was evolving. But my body and feel kept changing whenever I got new powers, and his instinct warned him.

The room remained quiet for a moment longer before Remus huffed out a laugh that held no humor. “Merlin, I sound paranoid.”

I shook my head. “Not really.”

He gave me a long, searching look before finally relaxing his stance as if consciously pushing the feeling aside.

“Regardless,” he said, rolling his shoulders, “it’s fine. My instincts might be screaming, but I know you, lad. I taught you for a year, and you are a good kid.”

He ran a hand through his hair, letting out a deep breath before his lips quirked up slightly. “Well, I suppose I should be flattered. You’ve successfully spooked a werewolf without even trying.”

I smirked. “Think I could help you keep calm during a full moon if you don’t drink the potion?”

That got a chuckle out of him.

The tension in the room finally eased, and with a last glance between us, Remus shook his head and gestured toward the hallway.

“Come on,” he said, his voice lighter now. “Sirius has been waiting for you.”

I pushed off the wall, exchanging glances with the girls before following him deeper into the house.

Still, I couldn’t shake the thought even as the conversation moved on.

If a werewolf could sense something was different about me… what else could? Did Fleur feel I wasn’t a regular Wizard? Would the Goblins at Gringotts know something wasn’t alright with me? Would they attack on sight? The conversation with Madam Pranitha jumped in as a priority for me.

“Hey, kids!” Sirius shouted from the dinner table, “I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Heya, Sirius,” Iris jumped at her Godfather, almost pushing him to the ground as the older man guffawed. “I’ve missed you; last time was too short.”

I couldn’t help but smile at Iris; I loved seeing her so happy.

“Sorry, Sirius,” I apologized, “We made a detour before coming here.”

“Oh?” Sirius asked as he lifted Iris with both arms, sitting her next to him.

“You look like a vain man,” I chuckled and sent a wink, “I thought you would like some beauty products and clean clothes.”

That brought a smirk to his face. “You know nothing, Pup. I would offer some advice, but seeing you got these two, I suppose you don’t need my help.”

“It’s in the blood,” I grinned and bumped his fist.

“Now, where is the old man?” I asked seriously.

Sirius sighed, “I hate having responsibilities. I’m not even a free man, and that bastard is pushing me to act like the lord I supposedly am.”

“Oh, come on, Sirius,” Hermione rolled her eyes, “It must be interesting at least.”

Sirius took a deep breath, “I never wanted this; there was a reason I left my family as soon as I could.” He admitted.

Remus had calmed down enough during our conversation, and he walked toward Sirius and put his hand on Sirius’s shoulders.

“Whatever,” he shook his head after smiling at Remus in thanks, “I can’t wait until I can give you this ring to you, kid. But the bastard wants you to be ready for that. He is in the lord’s office but isn’t expecting us until later.”

“Then let’s do something before we get serious,” Iris grinned brightly, and Sirius whooped into the air, earning a chuckle from the rest of us.

I could get used to this.