At first, he had dragged Lupin along, risking his life to seek aid from that goblin—all because he hoped to find someone he could lean on in the days ahead.
After all, whether in the wizarding world or among Muggles, life as a ten‑year‑old on your own was impossibly hard.
Yet now, he stared in bewilderment at the whole ragtag group huddled on the plank:
A Maledictus, with a blood curse in her very veins; a tsundere loli from an old pure‑blood family; a werewolf, with a Cruciatus; a centuries old goblin, now lying at death's door; a headless ghost, counting on him to somehow restore his body one day.
And yes—he'd even ended up with Nagini, too.
What the actual fuck!
All he'd ever wanted was one person he could trust, someone to rely on.
But fate… had played the cruelest joke imaginable on him.
Not only had he failed to find anyone to lean on, but now five people were relying entirely on him instead!
The weight pressing down on his small, ten‑year‑old shoulders was enormous.
It was hard…
It was unbelievably, unfairly hard!!!
Was this really what life had in store for him at such a young age? Caring for this whole ragtag bunch, like some kind of guardian to a makeshift family?
"Fate really is a mischievous, delightful little jester, isn't it?" Anton declared, his face suddenly lighting up with bright, reckless joy. He flicked his wand, and a glowing arrow of light materialized in the air, drifting steadily until it pointed toward the southeast.
"Destination: France. Off we go!"
A sturdy rope trailed from the end of his broom, firmly tethering it to the wooden plank carrying everyone else. They glided low, skimming just above the deep, rolling waves.
Fiennes lay sprawled comfortably on the plank, face turned toward the soft glow where sky met sea, singing in a deep, rough voice—ancient verses and old, rugged ballads:
"A bold wanderer steps from the mist,
Morning dew dampens the hem of his cloak.
Birds take flight to sing his welcome,
Wildflowers bend and dance along the road.
He walks with a smile, bright and unbowed,
A light shining clear behind him…"
Pedro and Lupin lay resting side by side. Inside the iron cage, Nagini coiled and regurgitated a glowing snake core. Anna sat hugging her knees, chin resting lightly on them, head tilted as she watched Anton with a soft, sweet smile.
...
...
...
Time flies.
Snowflakes drift quietly in winter, covering the streets of London, England.
Grimmauld Place, located in North West London, is just 20 minutes away from King's Cross.
At 11 Grimmauld Place, Chada Information Consulting Co., another busy day begins as the warm sun melts the snow.
"Oh, bloody hell, when will the US headquarters send us a new manager? It's all a mess," complained a young blonde woman in a cream-blue woolen coat and gold-rimmed glasses, looking at the pile of documents on her desk.
Beautiful women always receive kindness from their colleagues in the office. A young employee with slightly receding hairline and a slightly protruding stomach leaned forward, trying to get closer.
"Lisa," the words escaped his lips, capturing the attention of everyone in the office, and the young man couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. "You must not know that our new manager has arrived."
These words immediately grabbed everyone's attention in the office, and the young man felt even more proud. "They say he was transferred from France," he added, his voice filled with a hint of excitement.
"Unbloodybelievable!" Lisa's face contorted with resistance as she voiced her disbelief. "Why would they transfer someone from France? Even if the US headquarters couldn't find a suitable candidate, couldn't they find one in the UK?" she questioned, her tone laced with frustration.
The young man shrugged, his expression nonchalant. "Although we all know that in the future, oh, no, in just two years, information consulting companies will be filling the streets, for now, except for those specializing in civil engineering, we are the only company in London," he explained, his words tinged with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.
"It's difficult to find a suitable candidate," Lisa remarked, her voice filled with a mix of frustration and curiosity. "Are we considering choosing a detective as our manager?" she questioned, her words hanging in the air.
Laughter erupted from everyone, the sound filling the office with a sense of camaraderie and amusement.
Lisa pouted and shrugged her shoulders, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I wouldn't mind having Holmes as my boss," she quipped, her words accompanied by a playful smile.
At that moment, a man in his thirties, sitting across from Ilsa and engrossed in his newspaper, set it down. His dark green eyes met Lisa's gaze, and she couldn't help but find him attractive. His partially rolled-up sleeves revealed a fit and strong physique, adding to his appeal.
"I asked my colleagues in France," the man spoke up, his voice carrying a hint of authority. "Our new boss is an Englishman," he revealed, his words causing a ripple of surprise among the group.
"Really?" Lisa exclaimed, her expression one of genuine astonishment. "Gerber, I mean, how is that possible?" she questioned, her eyes fixed on Gerber, waiting for an explanation.
All eyes turned away from the young man and focused on Gerber, anticipation filling the room as they awaited his response.
Gerber elegantly picked up his coffee cup and took a sip, savoring the rich flavor. Seeing everyone's expectant gazes, their eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation, he couldn't help but smile mysteriously, a glimmer of intrigue dancing in his eyes. "It is rumored," he began, his voice carrying a hint of intrigue, "that he is an Englishman who has been living in France. After showcasing his exceptional abilities at the company, he caught the attention of the headquarters and was specially assigned to oversee the business in the UK."
"Yes, that's true," A refined gentleman announced, his voice carrying an air of authority and sophistication.
He gracefully removed his hat, revealing a head of neatly groomed golden hair that shimmered under the soft yellow light, exuding an aura of elegance and refinement.
The weathered wrinkles on this gentleman's face were softened by his sharp and bright smile, a testament to the wisdom and experience he carried within.
"I am Remus John Lupin," he introduced himself, his voice warm and welcoming, "and I am honored to be your colleague."
"You can call me Lupin directly," he added, his tone friendly and approachable. "I enjoy working in this relaxed atmosphere."
Lupin gestured towards the empty reception desk in the company, his eyes scanning the room. "Look," he pointed out, his observation keen, "our receptionist has resigned, and the position is vacant again. It seems like we have a lot to take care of."
With his energetic presence, friendly nature, and astute observations, Lupin quickly garnered the admiration of the company in this emerging industry. His ability to effortlessly connect with others and his sharp intellect made him a valuable asset to the team.
The room erupted in applause, a symphony of appreciation and excitement filling the air as everyone stood up to welcome Lupin.
Lupin lived up to the high expectations, his gaze briefly flickering to the watch adorning his wrist. "I'm new here," he stated, his voice carrying a sense of eagerness and determination, "and I hope to have a one-on-one conversation with each of you in my office to enhance our understanding."
"We have 20 outstanding employees," He continued, his tone thoughtful, "so perhaps we can finish it before the end of the workday if we're efficient?"
Although phrased as a question, his confident and determined style instantly instilled confidence in everyone, their doubts dissipating in the face of his unwavering assurance.
"Mr. Gerber," Lupin turned his attention to the company's accountant, his voice respectful yet firm, "as the company's accountant, would you mind going first?"
"Of course, boss," Gerber readily agreed, his voice filled with respect and readiness to assist.
Gerber remained oblivious to Miss Lisa's frown, her disapproval of the boss's actions going unnoticed.
The new manager, Lupin, proved himself to be not only witty and gentle but also possessed a keen intellect. This perspective only grew stronger with each staff member's contribution, reinforcing the initial impression of his capabilities.
"Great," The young bald man, his eyes gleaming with excitement, exclaimed to Lisa, "I've been worried that the headquarters would shut down our company. After all, our performance hasn't been ideal under the leadership of our previous boss."
Lisa forced a smile, her reluctance evident in her voice. "Yes... that's really great."
As the workday neared its end, it was finally Miss Ilsa's turn to speak.
She clenched her hands tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force, and swiftly rose from her seat.
Gerber offered a faint smile, attempting to reassure her. "Lisa, don't worry. The boss is understanding and forgiving. He won't take offense easily."
With a playful wink, he added, "Of course, we should still be cautious not to inadvertently offend him, right?"
Lost in her thoughts, Lisa seemed to be in a daze, her mind elsewhere as she walked into the boss's office.
Bang!
The heavy wooden door of the manager's office slammed shut with a resounding thud, sending shockwaves of dismay through the office hallway.
As Lisa stepped into the office, Lupin stood by the window, a cup of coffee in one hand and the other casually tucked into his trouser pocket. His gaze was fixed upon the ruins outside, as if they held some profound significance, a secret known only to him.
"Lupin!" Lisa's voice cut through the air, her tone icy and filled with anger, her teeth grinding together.
She firmly grasped Lupin's collar and declared, "Listen here, we do not welcome your presence here. I want you to leave immediately."
Lupin's surprise and fear were evident as he looked at her, his eyes wide. "Miss Lisa, what is the meaning of this?"
Lisa sneered, her face inches away from his. "Remus John Lupin, I know exactly who you are!"
"If you don't want to make matters worse, I suggest you leave this company right now!"
Lupin's expression turned cold, a slight furrow forming on his brow. He gently pushed Lisa away, adjusting his tie with precision. "I am well aware that I have never met you before, Miss Ilsa. Are you mistaking me for someone else?"
Lisa's fury burned in her eyes as she glanced out the window, her chest heaving with anger. "Today is a full moon night! Listen carefully, either you leave in a dignified manner, or I will not hesitate to call someone from the Ministry of Magic!"
"Magic... Ministry of Magic?" Lupin's amusement was evident as he chuckled. "Miss Ilsa, today is not April Fool's Day. Are you feeling lazy or sleepy?" He quipped.
His expression turned cold as he asserted, "I don't want to hear any more childish and absurd talk about magic. This is an information consulting company, not a children's playground," He declared.
Lisa looked down at him condescendingly, her voice dripping with disdain. "How ridiculous," She scoffed.
With that, she swung open the office door, casting a glance at her colleagues, and proclaimed loudly, "Perhaps we should have a welcome party tonight. Just a dinner gathering. What do you all think?" She inquired.
Many of the men in the office were captivated by her presence, their cheers filling the air, while a few joined in with boos.
Lisa turned her head to look at Lupin, a sneer playing on her lips. "So, manager, do you dare to join us? Tonight is a full moon night!" She taunted.
Lupin smiled indifferently, his eyes glinting with a hint of mystery. "I don't know what the hell you're up to, but I hope that after this dinner, you can sincerely apologize to me. After all, you are an excellent information processor. I will give you that opportunity," He proposed.
Lisa didn't appreciate his comment. She turned around abruptly and walked out of the office, her footsteps echoing in the hallway.
Behind her, Lupin remained by the window, a light smile playing on his lips as he took another sip of his coffee. His brow furrowed slightly, lost in his own thoughts.
"The taste of The Polyjuice Potion is disgusting!" He muttered under his breath, his distaste evident.