HP: The Arcane Thief

Chapter 32: Meeting the Valentinos

"Cissy," whispered Andromeda.

"Traitor," uttered Sirius.

The joyful atmosphere they'd going around them vanished as they saw her. Narcissa Malfoy Black was the Black history of the Black family. It would ruin both Andromeda's and Bellatrix's moods whenever Narcissa is mentioned.

Not because of the things she did, but because SHE was the one who did those things. Her change had disappointed the sisters a lot.

"Mother,"

Upon seeing Narcissa, a boy came forward in a hurry. He tried to hug her but Narcissa stopped in his tracks.

"Draco," said Narcissa while looking down on him, "I've heard of your deeds in these past months,"

Draco looked puzzled,

"Uh… I'm sorry, mother. I wouldn't do those things now," he said uncertainly.

*Slap*

"That is not the problem, boy. If you challenge someone to a duel, make sure that you win. Don't embarrass me next time," she said strictly.

That's what Andromeda was talking about. The Narcissa of the past would never do that. Their dear sister had changed. She'd become, a bitch. And for the life of them, they couldn't tell why.

***

As Axel entered the VIP box, he surveyed the surroundings. There were professors, some students of Hogwarts with their parents, and of course, the Black family. But when he saw Andromeda, he had to use Occlumency to keep calm. He just decided to ignore the presence of Blacks.

"So, it's just us now since my family couldn't make it," muttered Daphne as she saw others meeting up with their family,

"What about you?" She asked tentatively though she already knew the answer since he didn't even know about the whole thing minutes ago. She just wanted to know more about his situation.

"No one's coming," he said evasively, "Bloody hell, this place seems like a paradise," he said, changing the topic as he looked around.

Daphne once again didn't push it,

"Isn't it? There's popcorn, drinks, and even the best view! And you were telling me to go to the normal seats,"

That was the thing with Daphne. She wouldn't annoy him with details. Why? Because they weren't friends. So he didn't need to tell her.

They went to their seats and Axel began practicing magic while chatting with Daphne. He still didn't want to waste his time.

"So… what the fuck IS Quidditch?" Asked Axel as he performed the spell for the umpteenth time.

Daphne raised her eyebrows,

"You don't know anything about Quidditch? How?"

"I just...don't," He said exasperatedly. He had given up even trying to explain. Now he just lets people make up his story by themselves.

"Now, are you going to tell me or not?"

Daphne narrowed her eyes at him,

"So, you do have an interest, huh?"

Axel rolled his eyes.

"I do not. Never did. But don't know if I ever will," he replied.

The thing is, he never had time for these things. He always had better things to do. But now that he's stuck here for the time being, he might as well know what the fuck is going on.

Daphne shrugged,

"Well, I don't particularly like the thing either, but I do know a little bit since I do not live in a cave. So, there are seven players in each—" she began to explain everything in detail.

"— game lasts for 90 minutes and the team that scores higher wins. Any questions?"

Axel nodded slowly,

"Yeah, so these seekers… you said they get 50 points every time they catch the snitch in the 90 minutes. While scoring with a quaffle only gets you 10. Why is that?"

"Because apparently, the snitch is very small and fast. So, it's very difficult to spot, let alone catch. But, if you think it's unfair, then you've got another thing coming. Because just until a few years ago, catching the snitch would have ended the match and given the seeker's team a massive 150 points,"

"Really?" Axel snorted,

"If the seekers decide the match then why are other players even playing? That sounds bullshit."

Daphne nodded avidly,

"It is, isn't it? It's like the game was made by a seeker or someone who wants seeker to be the main character. I like it much better now,"

Axel fixed her with a scrutinizing gaze,

"So, you have an interest, don't you?"

Daphne paused,

"I-I don't! Absolutely not!"

Axel tilted his head,

"Okay… if you say so…?" He offered, not knowing why she'd insist on it, "Anyways, can't believe it used to be an international sport even before the rules were changed,"

Daphne nodded, once again failing to hide her enthusiasm,

"Yeah, it used to be an international sport, but not that popular. But after these changes were proposed by the new Chairman of IQA, the popularity of the sport exploded even more! Now quidditch has become full of opportunities,"

Axel didn't understand properly,

"What does that mean?"

"It means that, if you're a good player, you can get a Quidditch scholarship. And look at those guys," she said, pointing towards a few men and women in suits but wearing scarfs of different colors around their necks.

"They're selecters. If you're a good player, those guys will recruit you to their team and you can make crazy money and get famous if you play well. Isn't that exciting?" She enthused.

Axel looked down at his trembling hands.

"Yeah, very exciting," he muttered in sarcasm. It was so exciting that his hands couldn't stop trembling due to the excitement.

At this moment, they saw Rose jump off from the balcony as she mounted her broomstick and flew down to the Gryffindor locker room.

Axel and Daphne looked at each other,

"Gryffindor," they muttered.

The time for the start of the match was near and Axel was beginning to think that maybe sitting here wasn't as bad as it seemed. But,

"Excuse me, this is an announcement… the first-year student Axel Hunt is required in the VVIP box. Thank you,"

"... The hell is going on?"Muttered Axel.

Daphne looked at him,

"Well, you tell me," she muttered as eyes began gathering on him.

'Damn it,' he thought as he realized that he can't even use his skills now with so many people watching.

"I think you should go," said Daphne.

Axel thought about it. Since the other party can make the announcement to the whole stadium and stay in the VVIP room, it's quite obvious that they'll find him anyway even if he doesn't go. And right now he has the advantage everyone is his alibi in case something happens.

"Hey, I need you to do this," he said as he gave Daphne a few instructions before he went off.

'Better get this over with now,' he thought with a sigh.

…

Today was the first Quidditch match, along with the visitation day. Today, outsiders get to come to Hogwarts and families have a chance to reunite. So of course, the Valentino family was also coming.

"I still think you guys shouldn't have come. You guys are busy and I think I handle myself here," said Martina in exasperation.

"Come on, Tina. You know I can't live long without my Martini. I had to come," said Alessandro Valentino. The Godfather of the Italian Magical Mafia.

He was a middle-aged man with a Handsome face with purple hair, blue eyes, and a scar on his forehead. Usually, he'd intimidate the hell out of anyone, but right now, he was just a doting father.

Martina shrugged,

"No, I didn't mean it like that. But someone should have stayed behind, right? To look after the whole business?" Usually, Martina's mother would stay back while her dad and brother would visit.

Martina's mother, Francesca sighed,

"Well, I had to come this time, dear. Your dad and brother are going to need some babysitting this time, to make sure that they don't go overboard," she said exasperatedly.

Francesca was a beautiful woman with auburn hair, violet eyes, and calm and collected temperament. She has always tried to be strict with Martina.

Martina frowned,

"Not go overboard…? Mom, what exactly are they up to?" She asked apprehensively.

Martina's brother, Enzo raised his hands,

"Oh, dear sister. Why are you looking at us like that? We just need to run some tests, ok? We need to see for ourselves," he said mischievously.

Enzo had his mother's auburn hair and his dad's blue eyes. His ears and eyebrow had piercings. He was handsome, but in a crooked sort of way. He was currently 20, much older than his dear little sister who was only 14.

The apprehensiveness increased when she saw that look on his face. It meant trouble.

"Enzo, dad, can you at least tell me first?"

A miracle happened. Alessandro actually denied his daughter's request.

"I'm sorry, Tina. Some things just need to be done. It can't be helped," he said as he checked his Magi-mirror.

"Oh, it's already done," he muttered as he stood up, and Enzo stood up along with him.

"Good thing we blocked outside sound for now. You ready Enzo?"

Enzo nodded as he took out his wand and knife,

"Oh I am. But I'm not for the beatings we'll receive from our little powerhouse later,"

"Damn right, son. But we do what we gotta do, right? We've to make sure he's not a pussy who's only after the benefits,"

*Knock* *knock*

At this moment, the door was knocked and both the father and son fixed their sight on the door.

"I'll get it, dad. We got need to use a Fiendfire to burn a tiny candle, do we?" He said as he went to get the door.

He readied his wand and knife and opened the door with the start.

"You piece of—" he began as his wand began to conjure binding ropes, but—

*Shing* *Swipe* *thump*

The sound of knife slashing was heard and in the instant, they all saw Enzo on his knees, with a knife on his jugular and a wand pointed at them, held by trembling hands.

Blazing amber eyes peered cautiously from behind Enzo's head, showing irritation due to the sudden attack.

"The Professors, the headmaster, and the media know I'm here. So I thought you'd be wise enough not to harm me. But if you insist, I'm taking down this guy with me, along with as many of you as I can," he said calmly.

"Talking to those behind me as well. Just try," he uttered, making the guards behind him also stopped dead in their tracks.

"Axel?!" Martina was too surprised to react, but then her eyes glowed in fury as she understood what her dear father and brother had been up to.

"""Put your wands down! All of you!""" She said, turning to the guards and her father.

Everyone dropped their wands except Axel. For a second, silence ensued. But then—

*Pfft*

Someone snorted. And then,

"Hahahahahah hahaha!" Enzo began laughing like he'd seen the most amusing situation in the world.

Alessandro also join him in the laughter, "Damn son, you got your ass kicked real bad,"

"...."

Martina and Francesca looked at the two like they were a lost cause.

Axel glared at Martina.

"You said your family won't cause trouble?" he asked irately.

Martina tried to approach him,

"Axel, trust me, I didn't know they were going to do any of this!" She said as she glared at her family.

An absurd laugh escaped his mouth,

"Could've fooled me. What am I supposed to do now?"

He had a knife to the throat of the son of the Godfather.

The situation seemed quite volatile since even a small movement can end up hurting Enzo. At this moment, Francesca, who had been here to babysit, spoke up calmly,

"My daughter is telling the truth, Mr. Hunt. These two idiots tend to go a bit overboard when it comes to Martina," she said as she brought out a pensive and showed him what happened a moment before his arrival.

"It was a test boy. We wanted to see if you're worthy of associating with my daughter," said Alessandro excitedly after the memory played out.

"Yeah man, it was just a prank," said Enzo as he laughed, "Though you played the reverse card,"

Axel shook his head absurdly. He was finding the whole situation crazy.

"And why, pray tell, would you assume I would even want to associate with your daughter?"

This time, both Alessandro and Enzo had the expression that they found his words absurd,

"What are you talking about? How can someone not want to be close with Tina?"

"Yeah, she is perfect. Who would not want her?" agreed Enzo.

'Oh God... just kill me...'

Martina groaned in mortification. They've gone and done it. How would she ever face Axel now?

In response to the two, Axel shrugged,

"Well, I don't. She is the one who's been bothering me. So just tell her to stop if you don't want her associating with me. Just don't bother me next time," with that, he was off.

"...."

Everyone else stood there as they saw Axel disappear from their view.

There was a silence and everyone was too stunned to speak.

"Well, he's a badass," declared Enzo, breaking the silence.

"And he has awesome scars," added Alessandro as he caressed the scar on his forehead.

"I see why you would like him, Martina," said Francesca as she sighed.

Purple magic exploded out of Martina.

"I've told you...I-IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!"she yelled with a face that had gone beet red.

…

A.N.: Well, looks like he passed the test?

POWERSTONES!!!!!!

So, new Quidditch and a meeting with Martina's parents in this chapter.