Trust, Suspicions, and Unspoken Bonds
Wanda explained everything calmly, from beginning to end. No one interrupted her; everyone listened with seriousness until her voice faded and silence filled the room.
Then, Wanda looked at them and gently asked what they thought.
"Well, Wanda, we trust you." Selene was the first to break the silence, her tone calm yet firm with certainty. "Although even if we said no, we know they would end up getting into trouble sooner or later. After all, they also want to flap their little wings." A faint smile crossed her lips.
"You can do it, but please, make sure they don't get hurt." Susan spoke seriously, with that worried look only a mother could have. She knew Wanda was right: Hermione now belonged to the magical world, a place full of dangers they, as ordinary parents, could never face. Luckily, the children had friends powerful enough to keep them safe. And if her daughter managed to grow and reach that level in the future, Susan would be proud. Even more so knowing that, in this world, someone born of muggles was often despised, and everything would be much harder for her. Hermione had never let that stop her, but no one knew what the future would bring. It was better that they became strong.
"You can do it, but please protect them and keep a close eye on them." Pandora spoke with confidence, giving Wanda a sincere smile. Beside her, Xenophilius seemed about to say something, but at the sight of his wife he only shook his head, smiled, and stayed silent, giving his approval as well.
Narcissa still wore a serious expression as she held the photos of her little one in her hands. She knew she couldn't protect him forever. He had to grow as a wizard and choose his own path. But even so, she would always be there to support him. After all, she was his mother.
"Please, let him not be hurt…" she whispered softly, as if the decision weighed on her heart.
"Well." Wanda smiled, grateful for the trust they all placed in her. Even after showing them her life, that trust remained intact.
Alice said nothing. A pang of jealousy stirred in her chest as she saw the connection between the others. She had never had friendships that strong, not even in the Order of the Phoenix. And the only one who had come close was now dead. Here, instead, it felt as if they were almost a family, despite coming from different backgrounds.
Then she realized everyone was looking at her.
"You didn't say anything, Alice. Don't you agree?" Pandora asked.
"Uh… ah… but Neville isn't that close, I think. I don't know if he'll be with them," Alice replied quickly.
"Neville too. He'll surely end up dragged into their mischief. Don't worry. But we're talking about Harry. After all, you're his godmother, aren't you?" Wanda gave her a gentle smile.
Alice's eyes widened in surprise as everyone looked at her as if her opinion truly mattered. "Uh… alright," she said at last, nervous but also happy. Though Lily had chosen her as Harry's godmother, she had never played that role, trapped in her own mind. Wanda had been the one to truly raise him. Still, being acknowledged that way filled her with joy.
"Then it's decided: let the chicks fly," Susan said with a light smile.
Everyone else smiled in agreement.
"Hey! And why is it that when I took them on an adventure—where, by the way, no one got hurt—you all nearly killed me, but with her you accept it without question? And you didn't even ask me! I'm Harry's godfather too, just like Alice," Sirius said, breaking the happy moment with obvious annoyance.
All eyes turned on him, exasperated.
"You're an idiot and weak. And Wanda isn't." Selene smiled mockingly before cutting off the call.
"You're not reliable," Edward said—his first words of the meeting—before hanging up as well.
Wendell said nothing, simply disconnected, though he did give Sirius an encouraging look.
"You're a fool," Narcissa added before closing her channel.
Pandora, amused, joined in: "Troll-head." She cut the call with a grin.
Remus looked at Sirius as if to say they were all right.
"Fine, I shouldn't have asked…" Sirius grumbled, irritated with his "friends." Only Alice, Remus, Wanda, and he remained on the call. "By the way… why is Alice in a hospital?" Remus asked.
"Oh, I'm taking care of Neville's uncle. After all, he took good care of my son when I wasn't around." Alice smiled as she looked at the man covered in bandages on the bed. At the sight of her smile, the poor man began trembling with fear, murmuring pleas for forgiveness.
Sirius and Remus shivered as well, as if an uncomfortable memory had surfaced. Sirius spoke quickly, nervously: "Wow, it's gotten late on this call. I've got lots of work. It was great seeing you, Alice. When you can, come with Frank for dinner. We'll have a party."
"That's right, Alice. It was a pleasure. It's good to see you like in the past. But please, don't kill Algie," Remus added before cutting off.
Wanda looked at Alice with a light smile, but Alice spoke first, cutting off any comment.
"They exaggerate, I didn't do anything dangerous. I just defended myself when James Potter was being an idiot. I'm sure you remember… but it was a long time ago." Alice gave no further details.
"I see." Wanda kept her calm smile. "When Harry has his holidays, we'll come visit. Surely he'll want to see his godmother… and hear some stories about his mother."
"Alright. I'll welcome you with open arms," Alice replied happily.
And with that, the call ended.
...
In the corridors of Beauxbatons, the group walked unhurriedly. Terry was with them, enthusiastically recounting the week's gossip. For some reason, Harry thought that boy would be perfect working for the school newspaper.
They were heading toward the Alchemy Club. It was the first to start among the academic clubs, since they were organized in stages: next week would begin the sports ones—such as fencing, dueling, and athletics—and after that the artistic ones, like theater or music.
All of them had enrolled in the Alchemy Club. Not only because Mr. Flamel himself had recommended it, but also because, after speaking with the club president, they managed to get permission to join a second club each. The president accepted without hesitation after recognizing their skills… and, above all, upon discovering that they were the creators of the competition golems.
Harry walked in silence, mentally exhausted from listening to Terry's endless chatter, when something caught his attention.
It was the same elf he had seen on the first day at Beauxbatons, the one who wouldn't stop staring at his wand. Now, he was speaking with Professor Dominic. Both seemed to sense Harry's gaze, for they turned toward him.
Professor Dominic gave him a soft smile and waved, while the elf quickly lowered his head and disappeared instantly. Dominic, meanwhile, simply turned and took another corridor.
"Harry?" Hermione asked curiously. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Just suspicious things." Harry answered calmly, before grabbing Terry by the collar to drag him along, since the boy was still talking about a romance between one of the newly arrived Hogwarts students and a Beauxbatons girl.
"Ugh!" Terry protested, rubbing his neck.
"Any new information about Professor Dominic?" Harry asked seriously.
Terry adjusted the collar of his shirt, still sore. "Professor Dominic Grey? Well… now that I think about it, there is a rumor. They say he's very close to Professor Maximoff. He even dared to invite her for coffee, though apparently she turned him down. Oh, and he also received a distinguished medal from the French Ministry for capturing a lethifold alive… but he never showed up to collect it."
Suddenly, he remembered that Professor Maximoff was Harry's mother. A mischievous spark lit up his face. "Do you think he wants to be your new stepdad?" he joked.
Hermione, Daphne, and Draco froze on the spot, staring at Terry as if he had just signed his own death warrant. They knew very well how protective Harry was of his mother… and what could happen to anyone who joked too much about that subject.
But to their surprise, Harry kept his expression calm, thoughtful, without anger.
"If you hear more information about him, tell me," he said calmly.
"Sure," Terry replied casually, before saying goodbye and leaving. He wasn't part of the Alchemy Club; he had only tagged along because he felt like sharing gossip, as always.
The others exchanged bewildered glances while Harry resumed walking ahead. One by one, they followed him in silence.
…