Chereads / Harry Potter: The art of divination / Chapter 3 - Before the new year-3

Chapter 3 - Before the new year-3

-narrator pov -

Arcturus Black is an old man who barely leaves the solitude of his own home. He currently sat in his office in front of him was a deck of tarot cards, if asked he would say divination is a sham, a hoax if you will. But, that's only what he would say, truthfully he has respect for the art and sometimes practices it on his own.

He could still remember the day he changed his mind about divination, he had just gotten back from a rather gruesome battle against Grindelwald's forces he was furious his own family was siding with the madman only his sister Dorea was with him.

He went into a bar just to get a nice glass of whisky when he met a man, he was so strange, his skin white as paper, his hair black as night and his eyes clear as a mirror.

His very presence unnerved him, he still remembers the man putting a deck of tarot cards on the table, he shuffled them then flipped one, asked him to flip one then flipped the third.

Arcturus didn't even know why he did it but he followed along, after explaining what the cards meant the man got up and left leaving the cards behind.

Arcturus, still to this day doesn't know what came over him but he took the cards and stuffed them in his pocket.

Later that evening he was called to fight again, and he did so without argument.

That battle was one of the worst he fought his own brother, he made a choice.

He killed his own brother.

'A death will happen soon, to someone of your own blood. This card means you will have a decision to make, will it be you to kill this person or another?' the cryptic words rang in his mind after that battle

As Arcturus went to fill in his report he saw the same man, in his hand was the card meaning death.

Then the man disappeared.

Leaving a young and confused Arcturus Black.

Arcturus flipped the top three cards to the deck before him, the first was death the second a reversed card of fortune, and the last the hermit.

"A great change will come, I will have no control over it and I will need to seek the truth," he mumbled over the cards

He was by no means a professional but he had a good grasp of the meaning. "Kreacher," he intoned

"Yes, master Black," the elf greeted

"Gather the children," he spoke once more

With a bow, the elf popped away, and soon the children entered Sirius, Regulus, Narcissa, Bellatrix, and Andromeda.

"We will go to Diagon alley today to gather your supplies," he informed them whilst standing

"You are joining us?" a surprised Bellatrix said ignoring all greetings

"Yes it would be good to stretch these old bones," he replied with a ghost of a smirk

'It will be good to see where their heads are at' Arcturus thought

As they walked in Diagon Alley Arcturus told Sirius, "it doesn't matter if you are a Gryffindor to me but, make sure to protect your family you are the heir,"

Sirius and the rest paused, they looked at him with confusion why was Arcturus saying this now?

Sirius went to reply when Arcturus froze in his spot, in front of him was a pale man, with raven black hair and clear eyes.

It was the same man he met in Germany during the war.

The man walked toward him and his family with a creepy smile on his face, "are you kids going to Hogwarts?" the man asked his eyes still locked on Arcturus

"Yeah who are you?" Sirius asked bluntly not liking the guy already

"Oh, I apologize I'm Morpheus the new divination professor," he replied now looking at Sirius

Sirius scoffed while the others looked interested, Arcturus's eyes widened.

The man smiled and said, "well I look forward to seeing you all next term,"

As he walked away Arcturus followed his steps, "are you, alright grandfather?" Narcissa asked gently

Arcturus sighed, "I'm fine, though you should join divination this year,"

Everyone looked at him like he lost his mind.

-Morpheus pov -

I remember him, he was in Germany when I was trying to solve some rather strenuous problems. From his reaction he definitely recognized me, luckily I have a ritual that makes anyone that knows me subconsciously not mention me to others.

It can be easily broken with enough urgency but I don't think he would say anything. I spent the rest of the day shopping for school supplies and building a list of school supplies for the children.

After hours of shopping, the night sky began to roll in. The moon will be full in a couple of days meaning I could do one last ritual before the new year.

Looking at the time I decided to pop over to the Flamels.

-break-

"Morpheus it's good to see you again!" Perenelle exclaimed pure joy showing on her face

"Perenelle, it's great seeing you again! How are you?" I asked as she brought me into a hug

"Fine, just keeping Nic out of trouble," she giggled softly seeing Nicolas's wronged expression

"Ah, you must have your hands full then," I replied with an east genuine smile

She scoffed, "I can handle him,"

We all sat down and began to eat, we kept the topics light until Nicolas asked, "what has you concerned for Britain?" he asked

I took a bite of my potatoes and replied, "all signs are pointing to the end of a cycle something bad will happen soon in Britain,"

"Like with Grindelwald?" Perenelle asked

I chuckled, "you know as well as there are many wizards and witches who are just as resourceful and powerful as him lurking in the shadows,"

"Very true, what about the demons Perenelle and I rarely encounter any these days," Nicolas said taking a sip of his drink

"They seem to be rallying," I replied offhandedly

We finished our meal, I left shortly afterward I still need to send out all of the letters to the students taking Divination about my supply change.

-break-

As the days counted by till the start of the new term, the full moon rolled in. I stood at the center of a stone array, the full moon just peaked through the perfectly planted trees illuminating my clothless body.

"Selene Titan goddess of the moon bless thee,"

"Selene Titan goddess of the moon bless thee,"

"Selene Titan goddess of the moon bless thee,"

"Selene Titan goddess of the moon bless thee,"

As I repeated and repeated the chant I could feel the moon's nourishment washing over my body, my skin tingled, and my magic began to almost balance itself.

I could feel my soul getting cleansed, the negative effects of killing an animal of nature washing away.

I opened my eyes and exhaled the breath I was holding, my breath came out like a silver mist. Slowly I clothed myself, a small smile tugging at my lips.

Hogwarts here I come, once more.

-end-

A/N: Patre on: patreon.com/Boogie324

most of his strength lies in rituals and divination so he isn't overpowered in a combat sense, but he is mean with the wand.