For Starters, This chapter was originally full length, however has somehow lost 2/3rds of its content. So I rewrote another 1000 words of it. I will be uploading chapter 18 immediately as my way of apology.
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Transfiguration and Charms both ended with a small project from the professors, Flitwick informing the boy of the national duelling tournament, which began for those under 13 and winners would represent their nations at the internationals that followed. "Rigel, my lad, there's a good chance you could win the tournament during the break, and you could watch as the older participants compete, learning from how they fight. If you're not interested then take it as the ramblings of an old teacher, but I would be happy to push for a more advanced teaching schedule for you and perhaps Miss Potter if she progresses over the break."
McGonagall however, was thinking more long-term. "Rigel, how would you feel about becoming a master of transfiguration? Like with alchemy and potion making, each art of magic has a register of masters of the art. To become a teacher here at Hogwarts, with the exception of DADA, one must hold at least a bronze mastery in their subject. I would like to mentor you to reach your transfiguration mastery."
"That's…incredible." Rigel was ecstatic, not only at the idea of reaching a mastery, but being mentored by one of the most powerful witches in modern history, and one seen as a paragon of strict justice. He'd also never heard about subject masteries, but figured it made some degree of sense. "So, would you becoming my mentor mean anything?"
"You would legally become my apprentice, should you accept, and your family agree to it. It means that I am responsible for your teaching, and all masters must be apprenticed to another who is already a master themselves. The system was designed a long time ago when wizards and witches were few, taught in small groups or directly by their masters. The mastery will give you recognition internationally, as well as access to other master's submitted research. I will give you time to decide whether you wish to accept the deal, though I hope you can give me a response before the end of the break." She reached out and put her hand on his shoulder, her stern, lecturing voice growing soft. "I will teach you regardless of your decision, but it would give me more control over what you can learn during your time here. I wish you a good end of term, Rigel. And an excellent performance on your exams, you will have quite a shock with your grades I'm sure.
As the students slumped on the benches for the dinner they would have at Hogwarts, the Slytherins were excited, still far ahead in points despite Malfoy's screw-up. Ravenclaw wasn't too far behind them, only 20 points back, but Gryffindor was almost 140 points behind after the twins got caught pulling a prank on Marcus Flint, the captain of the Slytherin Quidditch team. Hufflepuff were last, but no one ever expected much of them in the first place.
Dumbledore rose from his throne, because there was no other word to describe it, as Seamus noted, and gave a small cough. "Another year has gone, and I fear I must tire you with another speech before we tuck into a delicious evening feast. Hopefully, your heads are all a little fuller than they were… you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts. "Now, as I understand it, the House Cup here needs awarding, In fourth place, we have Hufflepuff." A scattered applause sounded for the last-placed house, most coming from the badgers themselves. "In third place, Gryffindor," This time the applause was a little louder, though the Slytherins were jeering and mocking the lions from across the hall. "In second place, came Ravenclaw. And for the 8thyear in a row, Slytherin has earned the highest tally, taking first place. Loud cheered and hoots came from the table of silver and green, unaware of the fuckery Dumbledore would soon perform. "Yes, well done Slytherin. Well done Slytherin. However… recent events must be taken into account," he says, his voice silencing a room except for the few confused murmurings of students from across the tables. "As it happens, I have a few last-minute points to hand out, for the remarkable actions of students of our school. First, to Miss Hermione Granger, for her cool use of logic in the face of fire…I award, 50 points." Rigel now was certain Dumbledore remained unaware of his mage sight, as the girls had obviously told half-truths, as he had. "Second, to Mr Rigel Black… for the use of charms and transfiguration far beyond his years in order to protect his friends from harm. For this, I award, 50 points." After Jasmine and Hermione had been accosted by Lavender and Parvati, the rumour mill had already carried a story of brave students facing a deceitful professor caught red-handed, so almost half the school by this point had heard Quirrell was defeated by the trio. It helped that everyone was already aware the boy was gifted, often seen talking with professors and sometimes practising near the lake. "Lastly, for her pure nerve, and outstanding courage, I give Miss Jasmine Potter 50 points."
Gasps shot from the hall as students eventually realised the meaning of the points and how they affected the House Cup. "Which means," Dumbledore called over the storm of applause, for even Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were celebrating the downfall of Slytherin, "we need a little change of decoration." He clapped his hands. In an instant, the green hangings became scarlet and the silver became gold; the huge Slytherin serpent vanished and a towering Gryffindor lion took its place.
He ended his speech with a hope for a safe and happy new school year, and upon finishing, was replaced by the sounds of hundreds of students gorging themselves on what would be, for most, the last great feast until next September. Nearby Gryffindors begged for a more detailed explanation of what had occurred, but the three were quiet on the topic, allowing the young minds to conjure up as many fantasies as they wanted about what had occurred. The only thing that soured Rigel's absolutely beaming mood was Ron, who was still eating like a Neanderthal who'd been given chopsticks for the first time. Rigel wasn't sure if it was just Ron in particular of misophonia, but he wanted to give him a Malfoy fork treatment all throughout the meal, though he managed to conceal his disgust…mostly.
The packing up was slow progress, partly due to the constant questions that never seemed to stop as well as the internal monologue Rigel was having as he recounted his school year. Not even a year ago, he was Leo the avid reader but now, he was Rigel Sirius Black, heir of House Black and an accomplished student of Hogwarts. He'd seen a dragon, fought Quirrelmort…twice. And, just as importantly, especially for him, he had found a family, Arcturus, Sirius and to some degree Jasmine, who would be staying with them for the majority of her breaks from now on, when she wasn't with Petunia of course.
"Corvin, you can stay with me for another night, or you can fly ahead, it's up to you." The bird looked torn as his head darted from Rigel to the open window, eventually jumping over to rub his head on the young boy's chest before leaping out the window, his feathers glowing in the starlight.
The next morning was filled with an awkward energy, as students were both anxious to leave, but desperate to stay, something Jasmine and Rigel could understand, though for different reasons.
"You going to do anything important during the two weeks I'm with the muggles?" Jasmine asked. The two were sat with Neville and Hermione, who was unsurprisingly using her last hour and a half to read a library book before she had to return it.
"Don't think so. The training will start back up once we pick you up, but I should be relaxing somewhat for the first bit. Though from what Arcturus and Dad have sent me, half my time will be spent rejecting invitations to public or social events and marriage contracts."
Hermione's head lifted with a start. "But you're eleven."
"Good of you to notice," Rigel laughed, fully aware of how ridiculous it was. "But they don't care. I'm just lucky the Black family aren't in debt to anyone or else they might have had an arranged marriage for any later heirs." He shivered at the notion, imagining himself getting married of to some ditz like Pansy or Romilda Vane. While Romilda was a sweet girl and would grow up fairly pretty, she was scarier than Pansy any day of the week.
Neville nodded absently, "It's true. Noble heirs and heiresses end up being owed to families due to debts all the time. I imagine the Black family is probably owed marriages from at least half of the sacred 28 at this point," he said with a smirk.
"I seem to recall one for Longbottom, so don't get snarky." In fact, he was fairly sure he had one for Bones as well, but to be honest, with the amount of paperwork involved, he had overlooked them when he first saw them.
The train back was a slow one, or at least it seemed so, with the girls chatting while Rigel fought to stay awake, eventually succumbing to his sleepiness by resting his head on Parvati's shoulder and dozing off. He must have been absolutely dead on his feet though, because when he woke up, his head had somehow ended up on her lap, though it seemed she was fine with it if her red cheeks were anything to go off.
When Rigel saw the over-excited puppy he called Dad, Jasmine was almost in tears as she was being sent back to the distant, but very loud aunt and uncle in their car. "Remember Jasmine. All you need to do is call Kreacher and Sirius and I will come for you, okay? Stay safe." He hugged her like no one was watching and he watched as her smile fought back the old tears.
And so, Rigel returned home, greeted with food and as much warmth as the cold Arcturus could give. 'With two weeks before training starts back up, I may as well pull a Hermione and spend my time in the study. I might even owl-order a Parseltongue to English dictionary and practice the basics. Stop. Don't eat me. Eat the human ferret.' Chuckling like a madman, he dove into his reading, hoping to learn as much as he can from these books before being restricted in access again once school starts.