Aaric and Harry were on their way to Dumbledore's office, the Headmaster having invited them for a chat—and both had an idea what it was about.
As they entered, Dumbledore was standing beside his personal library, searching for something. Pyra immediately fluttered up to Fawkes, proudly showing off her new look.
"My boys—do come in. Would you care for a lemon drop?" Dumbledore asked with a twinkle. Aaric accepted the candy and sat down with Harry, both waiting for the old man to start.
After settling into his chair, Dumbledore looked at the two boys and began, "I would like to start by apologizing to the two of you. It was because of my inability to connect the dots that you had to put your lives in danger." His voice carried a note of regret, ending in a sad smile.
Harry shook his head. "Please, Professor, it's not your fault. We stumbled on things by coincidence ourselves."
Dumbledore looked at Harry with a kind smile. "Could you boys help me with putting the pieces together? I have broken fragments that are not forming a full picture yet."
Harry glanced at Aaric, who gave a nod of permission, so Harry proceeded to recount their side of the story. He was careful not to mention Aaric's powers—they weren't his secrets to tell.
"You both went through a great deal this year," Dumbledore said thoughtfully after Harry finished.
"And Aaric, you showed great intelligence as well..." the Headmaster added, giving Aaric a nod of genuine respect.
After that, they chatted a little longer, touching on lighter matters—the upcoming exams, their summer plans. Eventually, Dumbledore rose and dismissed them gently.
As the boys left, Dumbledore remained behind, deep in thought. He walked over to Fawkes and gently stroked his phoenix's head.
"I have a good feeling about the two..." he murmured, a rare smile of quiet relief appearing on his face.
Meanwhile, the Hawthorne family were happily welcoming a guest "Please sit elder, i hope your trip was comfortable." Simon welcomed Elder Huo in the mansion.
" Yes it was comfortable, i am fond of the Sea." Elder Huo had covered the ruite partially via the Sea to Arrive in Britain.
"Good, although if you have any important task in the sect we have methods that can allow you to travel back and forth in a short amount of time." Simon offered to ease the Elder if he had any worries.
Elder Huo just laughed at that "I do not really take any responsibilities in the sect anyway and i have sect master to take care of things for me there." the kindly old elder is as sly as ever.
"He was also given the bloodline fruit and had regained much of his energy and can protect the sect." the elder continued.
Edwina smiles at that "Aaric will be happy to see you when he returned home after his semester ends, he is always finding new things to write to you about."
The three chatted as Aaric was in for a surprise when he would return home.
Aaric looked at Daphne in concern as they were in History of magic class, She had dark circles under her eyes and was almost Dosing off "Can you tell me what you are up to? I might be able to help." he said to the girl.
Daphne was spending a lot of time in the ROR, trying to do something, she would skip lunch and sleep. Aaric had an idea it was about her sister but did not mention it as he knew it would be counter-productive, he just tried to be there so she would tell him herself when she would be comfortable.
Daphne would just brush these question aside and try to reassure Aaric that she was just studying for the exams.
The exams were approaching as Aaric and Harry were in the forbidden forest, Harry would come here with Pyra from time to time so she could play with Norberta as it seems Pyra's flame control would increase the more time she would spend with Norberta.
"Let's explore the forest from up high." Harry suggested to Aaric as the raised an eyebrow. "Why not?" Aaric shrugged as he approached Norberta.
"Can you give us a tour of the forest?" Aaric asked the dragon who was now the size of adult dragons. Norberta just lowered her body so the boys could climb on, the boys happily hopped on her back at that.
Norberta flapped her wings as they were propelled to the sky at great speed, Harry had a big smile on his face as the boys opened their arms and looked at the scenery below them passing by at great speed.
The boys then saw the centaur village as the dragon lowered itself to give them a better view, they saw the blond haired Centaur with some other centaurs and a thestral as Aaric told the dragon to land near them.
The centaur trip were acquainted with Norberta as missing a giant dragon in their forest would just be ignorant and the centaur tribe also had a good relationship with her.
Firenze and the group were surprise to see humans riding on top of her and got on guard but then relaxed as they recognized the children.
Firenze was with Vaelion, the centaur from nightshade island and the thestral he had named Corves. As the boys dismounted the dragon and approached the centaurs, Firenze smiles and greeted then both as Vaelion bowed to Aaric.
Corves nuzzled upto the boys as the thestral, salamander and dragon went to the side and played among each other.
Aaric was aware of the arrival of Vaelion in the great forest and looking forwards to the changes he would bring "I am happy to see you healthy my Lord" Vaelion said to Aaric who just smiled.
"I would Love to invite you both to the village but there are still some in the village that would oppose the entry of humans." Firenze said as Vaelion frowned from the side.
The boys did not mind and just opted to cat with the Centaurs at the lake side.
A/n: GOT will be the next world.