Growing up Pureblooded

I Want Breakfast

Aries opened his eyes slowly. He was lying atop his bed in Regulus's old room. He sat up and stretched his arms. He felt remarkably well-rested. At his feet, an enormous black dog lay lengthwise across the bed. Aries smirked, and looked around for his wand. It was lying beside the lamp on the side table. He reached over quietly and snatched it up before turning it on the dog. "Aguamenti," he whispered, and water spurted out of the tip of his wand, splashing into the dog's face.

Sirius jumped up with a start. He looked at Harry reproachfully for a moment, then a doggy grin spread across his face. He transformed and grabbed Aries in a fierce hug. "Aries, you're awake!" he exclaimed. "Thank God. Andromeda said you were just sleeping and needed the rest, but I was scared you mightn't wake up." "How long was I out, Dad?" Aries asked. "Three days," Sirius said.

Aries grinned mischievously. "At least it wasn't three weeks." "Honestly, Aries," Sirius said, shaking his head. "This is starting to turn into a bad habit. Can't you manage through one school year without falling unconscious or having to be pulled out and taken home?" "What can I say?" Aries replied cheekily. "I really don't like exams."

Sirius let out a short, bark-like laugh. "Well, you'll have to take them this year. You and Draco are going back to school on Monday." "What's the point?" Aries asked, rolling his eyes. "We've only got a few weeks left." "True," Sirius said with a smile. "But I've received an owl from Oliver Wood, threatening me with bodily harm if you're not there to play for the last Quidditch game." Aries laughed. "You could take him." He paused, and looked up at Sirius anxiously. "I brought down Riddle's wards, and I sensed that he was attacked. I presume we won?"

Sirius nodded and ruffled Harry's hair. "That's right, thanks to you. We got Cissy out and killed Lucius and Quirrell. I understand that Aunt Cassie and her crew completely slaughtered the Death Eaters outside the house." "Lucius is dead?" Aries couldn't believe it. "Poor Draco." Sirius grimaced. "It's actually even worse than that," he said. "Draco made a Portkey and came over to help. Lucius was possessed by Riddle and nearly killed Draco before I stepped in." "That's awful," Aries said quietly. "He and Narcissa must be having a hard time."

"I'd say so," Sirius said nonchalantly, but Aries could see the worry in his eyes. "There's more too." He Conjured a handheld mirror and held it up for Aries to see. The boy gasped at the sight of the angry red scar on his forehead. His hand shot up instantly to feel it. "How did this happen?" he asked. "I don't know," Sirius replied. "It was like that when we got back from the rescue mission. It must have had something to do with your spending all that time in Riddle's mind." He frowned. "Do you want to tell me what happened?"

Aries took a deep breath. "Well, I slipped into Riddle's mind and found the wards. I disabled them, but Riddle found out at once. He trapped me in a repeating memory." He looked down at the bed, tracing an interesting pattern on the bedcovers with his finger. "I was in Godric's Hollow." "Merlin, Aries," Sirius breathed, and held Aries close. "I'm so sorry. I take it Riddle knows the truth now?"

Aries nodded. "I watched them die ten times," he said dully. "I couldn't do anything to fix it. Then it stopped suddenly, and I was thrown out of the memory. That must have been when you killed Riddle's host." "But why didn't you wake up then?" Sirius asked. "Have you just been exhausted?" "I don't think that's it," Aries said hesitantly. "I've spent all this time floating around in Riddle's memories."

Sirius was stunned. "What? But I thought you said the link broke." "It did," Aries replied. "Somehow I was out of his mind but still had access to his memories. I've learnt so much. I know where he hid the Horcruxes." His face darkened. "I also found out why Voldemort came after me that night." Sirius nodded. "The prophecy." Aries's eyes went very wide. "You knew? All this time?" "Sorry." Sirius winced. "I don't know any of the details. I only know that there was a prophecy that someone would be born with the power to defeat Voldemort, and that Dumbledore thought you might have been the one." "I am the one," Aries said resolutely. "Riddle was sure of it. That's why he came after me that night. That's why he killed James and Lily." He frowned. "And guess who told Riddle about the prophecy?"

"Who?" Sirius asked curiously. "Was it Wormtail?" "No," Aries growled. "It was Snivellus." "SNAPE?" Sirius was livid. He looked ready to Floo to Hogwarts and kill the lousy Death Eater that very moment. Aries nodded. "He was spying on Dumbledore, and came to tell Riddle everything he learned." His eyes glinted dangerously. "Then he asked Riddle to kill me and James but turn Lily over to him." "But why would he do that?" Sirius asked. "He wanted her," Aries replied coldly. "That disgusting, no-good, vile excuse for a wizard," Sirius snarled. "I'll destroy him if it's the last thing I do." He gently squeezed Aries's hand. "I'm sorry you had to go through all that."

Aries shrugged. "At least now I know the truth. I'm the one destined to defeat Voldemort. That's why I have Parseltongue and all these special powers – so I can use them to avenge my parents." He tried to get out of bed, but Sirius stopped him. "Just where do you think you're going, young man?" he asked wryly. "I'm hungry," Aries said. "I thought I'd get some breakfast." "We'll have Kreacher bring you something. You should stay in bed."

Aries groaned. "Come on, Dad," he said. "I'm feeling fine." He glanced in the mirror. "Though I suppose we ought to find a way to cover this scar up before anyone sees it." "Actually Aries," Sirius said hesitantly, "the family already know." "All of them?" Aries gulped. Sirius nodded. "Andromeda saw the scar and figured it out. I had to tell them. Don't worry, though. They all took the Unbreakable Vow not to reveal the truth." "How did they take it?" Aries asked. "About as well as could be expected," Sirius said.

Aries's face fell. "That bad?" "Don't worry, Aries," his dad said comfortingly. "I'm certain they'll all come around eventually. Just be your same old charming self, and they'll get over it." He clapped Aries's back and they headed downstairs for breakfast.