"So, you're getting married too? And on the same day as us?"
Inside a certain pub in the London wizarding world, Kate, Lawrence, and Evan sat together with Noah. Four former roommates from the same Ravenclaw dormitory.
They were dressed like ordinary wizards. Nothing flashy. Nothing eye-catching.
The bartender, however, was trembling.
He clearly knew exactly who they were. Excited. Terrified. Trying very hard not to make a mistake.
Noah and the others didn't care.
Neither did they pay attention to the rest of the pub.
To them, this was normal.
All four were among the most influential figures in the wizarding world. Any one of them appearing alone would cause a stir-especially Noah, who had long since grown used to it.
He didn't care.
The others didn't either.
"Yes," Noah said, taking a sip of beer. "Same day. Exactly the same day as yours."
He sighed.
"Looks like my best man slot is gone."
"Damn it, that's our line!" Lawrence slammed his hand on the table, just as impulsive as he'd always been. "You were our reserved best man! And now you're getting married too? You didn't even tell us about the proposal!"
He leaned forward, clearly indignant.
"And the worst part is the method you used. Why didn't I think of that back then?"
"Same here," Evan sighed. "Using the Mirror of Erised to show your deepest desire... that was insane."
He paused, narrowing his eyes.
"But seriously. You didn't tamper with it, did you?"
"I think he did," Kate said with a grin, lifting his glass. "Otherwise, how could it show exactly what Noah wanted to express? Anyone here could've done that, right?"
Noah rolled his eyes.
He was too lazy to argue with this group of terrible friends.
He wouldn't admit that the thought had crossed his mind.
But he really hadn't manipulated the Mirror of Erised.
That night-his state of mind, the environment, everything-had aligned perfectly.
What appeared in the mirror was genuine.
He had delayed long enough.
So he acted.
And the proposal succeeded.
Noah looked down at the beer in his glass, memories surfacing unbidden.
That night.
When Hermione hugged him tightly, something shifted.
For the first time, he felt a warmth he couldn't describe.
And responsibility.
Real responsibility.
The kind that forces a person to mature.
The kind that marks the beginning of true adulthood.
"So," Evan said after another sip, "that universe you went to... how did it turn out?"
He glanced at Noah.
"And honestly, why didn't you come see us?"
"Sorry," Noah replied with a light laugh. "It never crossed my mind at the time. And there was no 'me' in that universe. I didn't know what would happen if I showed up in front of you."
He paused.
"As for what happened later..."
He laughed quietly.
After the proposal, Dumbledore and the others had appeared.
They hadn't intended to interrupt.
But after watching the two of them bypass every trap with casual familiarity-and hearing things that made no sense at all-they became almost certain of one thing.
This couple wasn't as young as they looked.
They were Hogwarts students.
From the future.
"Are you Miss Granger?" Professor McGonagall had asked first. She noticed Hermione immediately. Despite the changes, she recognized her at once.
"Hello, Professor McGonagall." Hermione was visibly excited, but she still bowed respectfully. "Professor Dumbledore. Professor Flitwick. Professor Snape. Hello. I am Hermione Granger."
"Remarkable..." Dumbledore looked between her and Noah.
He remembered Hermione Granger.
But the young man beside her?
Nothing.
Dumbledore had taught countless students. And he remembered them all.
Names. Families. Academic performance. Their lives after graduation.
But Noah Fenrir?
There was nothing.
And more than that-
This young man carried a terrifying presence.
Indescribable. Transcendent.
Facing Noah, Dumbledore felt his hands tremble slightly. As though he were standing before a boundless ocean, while he himself was no more than an ant.
The sensation filled him with awe.
And unease.
"There's nothing extraordinary about it, Professor Dumbledore," Noah said with a faint smile, noticing his discomfort. "Hermione and I are from the future. More precisely, the future of a different universe."
He continued calmly.
"Every universe diverges. A single small event can create countless outcomes. I walked around Hogwarts. I don't exist here."
"A future... of another universe," Dumbledore repeated softly, studying him. Then he smiled and sighed. "I see. Seeking past memories. A romantic idea."
He looked at Noah again.
"But how did you come here?"
"Magic."
Noah waved his hand casually.
In the next instant, the four professors found themselves standing inside the Headmaster's office.
Noah spoke as if it were trivial.
"In our universe, I am the Sorcerer Supreme. You can think of it as the strongest mage. Our universe is also far stronger than this one. So coming here isn't difficult."
"Universe strength? Sorcerer Supreme?" Dumbledore, Flitwick, McGonagall, and Snape exchanged looks.
They understood.
And that understanding only deepened their sense of danger.
A being similar to them, yet fundamentally different.
From a stronger universe.
Able to enter their world at will.
Yet-
This man was clearly a Hogwarts graduate.
They could feel his goodwill toward the school. Toward them.
"If I may ask," Snape said slowly after a long silence, "which house were you in? And... how much do you know?"
"Ravenclaw," Noah replied easily. "Hermione is Gryffindor."
He shrugged.
"I know quite a lot. For example, that you've always been a spy planted by Professor Dumbledore beside Voldemort. And that you did it for Lily."
Snape's face went pale.
Noah continued, unhurried.
"I also know that you, Professor Dumbledore, Professor Lupin, and Sirius Black will all die in the future."
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Even Hermione looked at Noah in shock-before realizing something.
In their universe, those tragedies never happened.
Because Noah existed.
This universe had no Noah.
"This..." Dumbledore began, then stopped. He closed his mouth. "It's best not to ask further. Changing the future is dangerous."
"That's your future," Noah said, shaking his head. "Not ours."
Green light surged outward.
The future unfolded.
The professors saw everything.
Hermione saw it too.
She turned to Noah, confused.
He shrugged.
"The Time Stone. It shows infinite futures. I use it often."
After a long while, Dumbledore exhaled slowly.
"So this is what awaits us..."
He straightened.
"I believe we understand what must be done. Thank you, child."
"Don't thank me," Noah said seriously, withdrawing the power. "You witnessed my proposal. In our universe, you are my elders. In this one, that doesn't change."
He paused.
"Thank you. For Hogwarts. For letting me meet her."
-
Back in the pub, the four men fell quiet.
After finishing their drinks, they couldn't help but sigh.
They were lucky.
Incredibly lucky.
Having a friend like Noah meant their world wouldn't end the same way. Hogwarts wouldn't nearly fall.
Noah had always been like this.
Reliable.
From the day they met him.
And far into the future.
"Alright," Lawrence suddenly said, raising his glass. "Enough heavy stuff. This is our bachelor party."
He grinned.
"In less than a week, we say goodbye to being single."
"Exactly," Kate said, lifting his glass. "To the end of single life."
"To stepping into marriage," Evan added.
Noah raised his glass as well.
"To saying goodbye to being single. To marriage."
He smiled.
"And to us. To our friendship. Cheers."