Kapitel 25: Painting and daubing
Arcturus almost never left the family mansion, but far from being bored, he didn't even notice how time flew by. Now, he had three mentors, all very strict and demanding. Walburga taught him etiquette and traditions, Rabastan taught him combat magic, and Kreacher instructed him in family magic and the management of the household. All three had scheduled his time down to the hour, and they literally handed him off to each other. Arcturus didn't receive any leniency from anyone, not even Kreacher—now it was clear that during his time with the Order of the Phoenix, the head of the Black family's house-elves had only pretended to be an ordinary house-elf, and not very convincingly at that.
The mentors were pleased with their student. Arcturus himself was surprised at how easily and solidly new knowledge settled into his "empty Gryffindor head," as he mockingly thought of himself. After all, the Sorting Hat had correctly determined that he should have been a Slytherin, but the Gryffindor environment was enough to dull anyone's sharpness. Only now, freed from his previous lifestyle and worldview, did Arcturus notice the difference.
He was only allowed to leave the house for meetings with Daphne. All three mentors agreed that continuing the family line was of paramount importance. At first, Arcturus felt awkward, thinking that they were intruding into something too personal, even intimate, but as he studied the traditions, he quickly realized that continuing the family line in old families was never just a personal matter. Marriages were arranged by the entire family practically from the cradle, and it was done far more thoughtfully and subtly than the way it was often imagined by those of lesser birth. Children were introduced very early, from the age of three, with grandmothers taking them to visit each other while gossiping themselves and keeping a keen eye on which children got along with whom. At home, they would ask the little ones who they liked playing with more, and if there was a choice, they would readily agree: "Of course, Dan, if you don't want to play with Annie, then play with Mary." When friendships between boys and girls developed, they were jokingly called the "groom" and "bride," and it wasn't taken offensively but rather as a sign of respect. From the moment they learned to walk and talk, the children got used to the idea that the one they played tag with might be their future spouse. By the time they were six or seven, the idea seemed natural, and the wedding was merely a continuation of their childhood friendship. It was very rare for the elders to disregard the children's preferences; no one wanted an unhappy marriage.
Arcturus learned all of this from Walburga, who had been paired with Orion in much the same way. Rabastan had been paired with Andromeda Black in childhood, but they didn't get along. Since there weren't many options, Andromeda ran off with a Mudblood, and Rabastan was left alone. He might have found someone else to marry, but the civil war soon began, and it was no time for weddings; after that, he was imprisoned in Azkaban.
They say time heals all wounds. But even more so, a flood of new information, new acquaintances, circumstances, and a change in lifestyle can help. So much newness had fallen onto Arcturus that just three weeks after the war ended, it seemed like the Hogwarts years and the fight against Voldemort had been a dream. It was as if it had happened to someone else, in another life. Now, a new life required new concerns and new knowledge, and Arcturus was quickly adjusting to it.
With each meeting, Daphne grew more and more appealing to him. If it had occurred to Arcturus to make such a comparison, she was like a painting by a genius artist—at first glance understated, but evoking more admiration the longer you looked at it. Ginny, on the other hand, had always been like a poster—bright, everything on display, catching the eye at first sight, but no matter how long you looked, there was nothing new to see. Admittedly, there were always far more people who appreciated posters than there were connoisseurs of classic art, and former Harry would likely have remained in the first category had his new life not shaped him into someone fit for the second.
Arcturus realized just how much his tastes and desires had changed when he happened to see Ginny in Diagon Alley. He and Daphne were finishing their ice cream at Florean Fortescue's when Ginny entered the café, arm-in-arm with Oliver Wood. Dressed in the style of "a happy Muggle," as had become trendy under the current government—in a tight top and a miniskirt that covered even less than underwear—Ginny dragged Wood to the table next to them and sat facing Arcturus and Daphne. Arcturus almost physically felt the flick of Ginny's eyes as she glanced at him. She let Wood order ice cream and possessively grabbed her bare belly and thigh, all the while sneaking flirtatious glances their way from under half-lowered lashes. There was no way she could have recognized Arcturus—she was casting her net at an attractive stranger while the oblivious Wood caressed her knee.
"A vulgar 'chick,'" as Dudley would have said, being a big fan of that sort of individual. Their order arrived, and Ginny began slowly and provocatively eating her ice cream, continuing to shoot flirtatious looks at Arcturus. There was something inexpressibly shameless about the way her long pink tongue curled around the spoonfuls of ice cream. Nonetheless, there was something about her that triggered a young man's instincts, and he couldn't help but glance in her direction, drawn by her overtly seductive behavior.
"Arcturus?" A cool, slightly discontented voice sounded beside him.
"Yes?" He turned to his companion, feeling embarrassed. She had surely noticed his interest in the nearby table.
"I asked if you were going to order more ice cream?"
"No, I think I've had enough. Sorry, I got distracted," he replied, seeing the amused, knowing glint in Daphne's eyes that said clearly, "I saw what distracted you." Arcturus felt the need to explain, "There are quite the celebrities sitting nearby—the famous Chaser of the Holyhead Harpies and the close friend of the Chosen One…"
"Hmm," Daphne drawled with irony. "Do you follow Quidditch so closely?"
"I follow it a little."
"And it seems the Chosen One's friend is close to more than just him," Daphne remarked casually. "He could use a good look at them right now."
Suddenly, Arcturus was overcome with laughter. Daphne had no idea how spot-on she was. She didn't know that the former Chosen One and admirer of this woman with questionable morals was now sitting there, unnoticed, watching as Ginny, with indifferent nonchalance, let Wood paw her while also trying to reel in another potential customer.
"Is it really that funny?" Daphne asked, amused by his reaction, though not quite understanding what was so hilarious.
"As far as I've heard about the Chosen One's life, he's spent most of it finishing other people's leftovers, be it food or clothes. No surprise that even his girlfriend is… second-hand…" he gasped between fits of laughter.
Daphne couldn't help but laugh as well. Arcturus was captivated by the sound—it was so melodic, ringing and light, like a little bell.
"I'm not sure about the leftovers," she said when they had both caught their breath, "but he definitely wore second-hand clothes at Hogwarts. The school robe doesn't cover your trousers and shoes. Still, could you explain to me what exactly you men find appealing in girls like that? It's always been a mystery to me."
"Well, how can I put it…?" Arcturus felt a sense of trust with Daphne and decided to be honest. "It really triggers your instincts. The perfect woman for half an hour."
"I see," Daphne's mood noticeably darkened. "So your instincts come first, do they?"
"Not for everyone, Daphne, not for everyone," he said, taking her hand and brushing it with his lips as an apology. "Shall we leave?"
Arcturus didn't care what Ginny thought of this little scene, but Daphne glanced in that direction, and a spark of triumph lit in her eyes.
"Yes, I think it's no longer appropriate to stay here. Let's go, Arcturus."
Making sure that she was heard by the neighboring table, Daphne took his arm with the air of a triumphant owner. Nothing could be done; even the best women become true serpents when it comes to competition.
Ginny, meanwhile, was left in shock at her table. This handsome, fascinating young man's name was Arcturus.
AUTORENGEDANKEN 
mzorokek
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