Wentworth lowered his head, gazing solemnly at the pale-faced Yukina in his arms. His eyes were deep with sorrow as he spoke:
"It's only murder. Someone must pay for what happened today. Perhaps… one person won't be enough."
At those words, Newt Scamander's expression shifted into one of solemn understanding. He said meaningfully:
"Wentworth, so you have figured out how to create a Horcrux."
Without lifting his head, Wentworth replied flatly:
"Mr. Scamander, Headmaster Dumbledore sent you to test me, didn't he?"
Newt's face showed a flicker of surprise, but he didn't deny it. Instead, he offered a quiet explanation:
"You're right, Wentworth. When I asked whether you knew how to make a Horcrux, I was testing you. Albus has been worried ever since you came into contact with Voldemort's Horcrux last term. He feared you might stray down the same dark path. And now… it seems you truly do know how to create one."
"Wentworth, listen to me, Horcruxes are among the most wicked things in existence. That sort of thing, it's not real immortality."
Wentworth let out a quiet chuckle, dismissing the concern.
"Mr. Scamander, you can tell Headmaster Dumbledore that, yes, I do know how to make a Horcrux. But I've never once intended to make one for myself. He can rest easy."
"But this girl, I will save her. Her life… has been far too tragic. I just don't want—"
But before Wentworth could finish, a frail voice rose from within his arms:
"Wentworth… no… I'm not tragic. Wentworth… at least, I got to know you."
A sharp pang clenched in Wentworth's chest. He quickly responded, voice trembling:
"Don't talk, Yukina. Rest. I will save you!"
Yukina gently shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper:
"No, Wentworth. It's alright. I know my body, I've known all along. I was only holding it together with willpower, trying to fight off that foul thing inside me. But I knew this moment would come. It's not unexpected."
Wentworth shook his head, fiercely, as if defying fate:
"You've done enough, Yukina. Leave the rest to me. I can save you. You have to believe me. You haven't even seen the world with me yet! I told you, it's massive, far too big to ever see all of it in one lifetime!"
Yukina smiled and reached up to touch Wentworth's cheek, her fingers tender and warm despite her weakness.
"I know, Wentworth. But that's not what I want."
"Wentworth… thank you. But I've had enough. I… I just want to be a Muggle."
"I don't want immortality. I don't want Horcruxes. I only want to live as a Muggle, even just for a day. Wentworth… can you grant me that?"
Tears, long held back, welled up in Wentworth's eyes until they finally overflowed. Silently, he bowed his head over Yukina's chest and wept.
As he wept, Yukina gently stroked his hair, the smile on her lips deepening with quiet peace.
After a long while, Wentworth's voice finally emerged, choked with tears, barely holding itself together:
"All right… I promise you…"
Fifteen minutes later, Wentworth, still carrying the pale Yukina in his arms, followed Newt and Nala onto a wondrous creature that rose from the sea, elegant and swift as a stallion.
Newt turned and explained:
"This is a Kelpie, a highly dangerous magical creature. You have to fit a bridle over its head to tame it."
As he spoke, Newt deftly guided the Kelpie through the waves, galloping away from the volcanic island, now spewing molten rock into the sky.
Moments after they left, the coastline shimmered, and two figures slowly emerged from the mist: Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape.
Dumbledore gazed out at the retreating figures with a deep sigh.
"We were still a step too late."
Snape's face was thunderous.
"Albus, I don't understand, why did you hand Juma Kalembo over to Uagadou?! He was trying to kill Wentworth!"
To that, Dumbledore replied calmly:
"Trust me, Severus. Uagadou is not the same school it once was. It now belongs to Wentworth."
Ignoring Snape's shocked expression, Dumbledore looked out over the sea, contemplative.
"Gellert… I thought you wanted Wentworth to walk the path you once took, to broaden his horizons. But now I see, this was your real aim all along. Gellert… did you see this coming, too?"
...
Meanwhile, Wentworth, mounted on Newt Scamander's Kelpie, soon reached the coastal waters near Japan. Newt brought the beast to a halt and turned to him.
"Wentworth, Japan is just ahead. Hold on tight. We'll Apparate the rest of the way."
A moment later, they arrived in Nagasaki. Their unusual attire immediately drew curious glances from every passerby.
Wentworth felt a flicker of awkwardness and was just about to cast a Disillusionment Charm when Yukina spoke up:
"Wentworth… put me down. I want to see it properly."
Wentworth blinked in surprise, then chuckled softly and lowered her to her feet.
Though her steps were unsteady, Yukina was filled with a childlike wonder. She paid no mind to the stares, her eyes wide with fascination as she took in everything around her.
As they passed a kimono shop, her gaze fell on a display in the window, a beautifully embroidered kimono. Her eyes sparkled with longing.
Without a word, Wentworth took her hand and led her into the shop.
As the door opened, a shopkeeper came to greet them, only to pause, clearly taken aback by their unusual robes and foreign appearance.
Wentworth stepped forward.
"We'd like to try the kimono in the window."
The shopkeeper snapped out of their daze but shook their head apologetically.
"I'm sorry, but that kimono is for display only. It's not for sale."
Yukina's face fell, her expression tinged with disappointment.
Without hesitation, Wentworth reached into his coat, and drew his wand.
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