Chronicles Of Arth: Prince Of Shadows

Arth woke up with a start.

He lunged himself forward and grabbed the unfamiliar bed frame with shaking hands.

He felt weak and drained of emotions.

Arth then realized that something heavy was lying on his leg. When he moved his head down to see what it was, he saw Scarlett sleeping on his l.a.p soundly with one hand tightly grasping the side of his pants.

Arth g.r.o.a.n.e.d.

A headache was starting to form inside his head.

Awakened by the groan, Scarlett rubbed her eyes twice and let out a big yawn. It took her a moment to realize that Arth was watching her with tired eyes.

When she did however, she immediately stood up and grabbed Arth's head.

"Arthur! You are awake!"

Arth attempted to give a wry smile however his splitting headache prevented him from doing so. Instead, he settled with asking a question.

"How long was I out?"

Scarlett bit her lips before answering.

"A week," she answered. "You we're unconscious ever since the night Black escaped."

Arth frowned.

"Why would Sirius Black escape? Is he not free?"

Scarlett shook her head.

"I've heard from Harry and Ron that Sirius Black was actually innocent, however, there was no evidence to prove it. The ministry just said that you four were confunded and still believes that Black is a murderer."

Arth let out a growl.

"What about Peter Pettigrew's body?"

"They never found it. It was lost in the Forbidden Forest."

Arth sighed before laying back down onto his bed.

"What happened after the dementors attacked us?"

"Well, according to Harry, Harry and Hermione used a time turner to turn back time to save Buckbeak and rescue Sirius Black. Harry casted a Patronus charm to save you four from dying to the dementors. Then Professor Snape came and took you, Hermione, and past Harry to the infirmary while arresting Sirius Black. Future Harry then flew Buckbeak to the tower where Sirius was trapped in and broke him out."

Arth sighed before falling back onto his bed.

"That's great. I think I need more sleep. Goodnight Scarlett."

"Goodnight."

The next morning, Arth had recovered enough energy to stop having constant headaches and went out of the infirmary with the help of Scarlett. Outside were four hooded figures standing watch.

At the sight of them, Arth raised an eyebrow.

"Alfred? Sebastian? William? Dolorem? What are you doing here?"

Scarlett let out a frown.

"They've been here ever since you fell unconscious. For some reason they refuse to leave."

Alfred let out a bow.

"I am so sorry my Prince, it was my fault for not controlling the dementors-"

"Later Alfred. Let's talk later."

"Do you know those four people Arth?" Asked Scarlett with a curious look. "They seem to know you."

Arth sighed.

"Yes, I know them. It's ok, they aren't that important. Let's just go down."

Arth met up with Harry, Ron, and Hermione and talked a bit. After conversing for a while, Arthur realized that it was almost time for them to leave school. With the help of Ron and Harry, they hurriedly packed Arth's stuff.

As the Hogwarts Express pulled out of the station the next morning, Ron was gave a surprising offer.

"It's the Quidditch World Cup this summer! How about it, Harry, Arth? Come and stay, and we'll go and see it! Dad can usually get tickets from work."

"Yeah . . . I bet the Dursleys'd be pleased to let me come . . . especially after what I did to Aunt Marge. . . ."

Arth contemplated for a bit before speaking up.

"So. . . . Are we going back to being friends?"

"Well. . . ." Arth raised an eyebrow, "I'm fine with that as long as we fulfill one condition."

"What's that?" Asked Ron obliviously.

". . . . Harry, Hermione, Scarlett. Can you leave the compartment for a moment? I need to talk to Ron privately for a second."

Once the others left the compartment, Arth turned to face Ron.

"Ron, no offense, but in order for this friendship to last. I need to fix your personality."

"W-What?"

"It's ok, it'll only hurt in the beginning."

Arth cracked his knuckles.

"After all, the best way to get rid of your jealousy is to beat you up until you develop a PTSD for jealousy."

"Y-You're bloody insane."

"I'll beat you up while spouting phrases related to jealousy, then erase your memory, then beat you up again and repeat the cycle until your very body starts to understand that jealousy will cause you pain."

"H-HELP!"

"It's no use, I casted a silent barrier in our compartment. No one will hear you. Plus, I'm doing this to help you."

Smack.

"How Come Harry listens to you more than me? I'm the smarter one."

Smack.

"Why the hell does everyone know who you are yet I am still ignored most of the time?"

Smack.

"Why the f.u.c.k does Harry trust you more than me?"

"M-mercy-"

"I guess it's time to erase your memory."

"N-no-"

There was a strange tapping noise on the window.

Something very small and gray was bobbing in and out of sight beyond the glass. He stood up for a better look and saw that it was a tiny owl, carrying a letter that was much too big for it.

The owl was so small, in fact, that it kept tumbling over in the air, buffeted this way and that in the train's slipstream. Arth quickly pulled down the window, stretched out his arm, and caught it. He brought it carefully inside.

The owl dropped its letter onto Arth's seat and began zooming around the compartment, apparently very pleased with itself for accomplishing its task.

Arthur picked up the letter. It was addressed to Harry.

Arth opened the letter.

Dear Harry,

I hope this finds you before you reach your aunt and uncle. I don't know whether they're used to owl post.

Buckbeak and I are in hiding. I won't tell you where, in case this owl falls into the wrong hands. I have some doubt about his reliability, but he is the best I could find, and he did seem eager for the job.

I believe the dementors are still searching for me, but they haven't a hope of finding me here. I am planning to allow some Muggles to glimpse me soon, a long way from Hogwarts, so that the security on the castle will be lifted.

There is something I never got around to telling you during our brief meeting. It was I who sent you the Firebolt Crookshanks took the order to the Owl Office for me. I used your name but told them to take the gold from my own Gringotts vault. Please consider it as thirteen birthdays' worth of presents from your godfather.

I would also like to apologize for the fright I think I gave you that night last year when you left your uncle's house. I had only hoped to get a glimpse of you before starting my journey north, but I think the sight of me alarmed you.

I am enclosing something else for you, which I think will make your next year at Hogwarts more enjoyable.

If ever you need me, send word. Your owl will find me.

I'll write again soon. Sirius

P.S. I thought your friend Ron might like to keep this owl, as it's my fault he no longer has a rat.

Arth looked inside the envelope. There was another piece of parchment in there.

I, Sirius Black, Harry Potter's godfather, hereby give him permission to visit Hogsmeade on weekends.

"Well this would bring a smile on Harry's face," Thought Arth as he put it away.

However, this was no time to hand out gifts, it was time to fix Ron.