Theo sat cross-legged by the suitcase, brushing a tiny sprout of moonpetal vine with his fingers. Its faint glow pulsed under his touch, and the miniature creatures around him stirred in quiet anticipation of the day. Twig flitted restlessly from leaf to leaf, Lum pulsed softly, and the smallest moss-dwelling creatures rustled in the soil, unaware of the weight of the world beyond their enclosure.
But Theo's mind was not on the creatures. It was on the stories Newt had whispered over the last few days, stories of darkness and war, of a wizard whose name caused whispers and shivers alike.
"Newt…" Theo's small voice trembled slightly. "Tell me again… about the Dark Lord."
Newt looked up from his notes, his expression grave but calm. "You mean… the wizard who casts shadows over much of the world?"
Theo nodded. The name had floated around in hushed tones, but hearing it now, spoken clearly, made it feel heavier.
Newt took a slow breath. "He is called Voldemort. Powerful, dangerous, and relentless. His influence stretches across wizarding communities, families, and magical creatures alike. Many have suffered because of him. Your parents… were cautious, but even caution cannot always protect those who show kindness at the wrong moment."
Theo pressed his hands to his knees, trying to picture his parents' faces. Memories were faint, blurred by years too short for him to remember much. And yet, he felt the ache of loss as though it were new. They had been gone for as long as he could remember, and now he was learning why.
Newt continued, voice low, as if speaking too loudly would summon the darkness itself. "In his rise to power, Voldemort gathered followers who believe in fear and obedience. He seeks control. He has no mercy for those who resist. Entire families have disappeared. Creatures once trusted and free have been hunted or used as tools. That is why I've spent so many years relocating them, building sanctuaries, and protecting life wherever I can."
Theo glanced at Twig and Lum, at the moonpetal vines and tiny sprouts. Even here, in this tiny, protected world, he could feel the tension. Every small action mattered. Every decision could ripple outward, touching lives in ways he could not yet see.
"But… has anyone stopped him?" Theo asked, hesitantly, his voice almost a whisper.
Newt shook his head. "Not yet. Right now, he is at the height of his power. People hide. Wizards fight quietly. Some flee. Some try to resist. But the darkness spreads, slowly, deliberately. That is why even a child must learn vigilance, responsibility, and careful observation. Even small acts matter."
Theo thought of the suitcase, of the creatures depending on him. "I can… help them," he murmured.
"Yes," Newt replied. "Even here, even now. Every plant you nurture, every creature you watch over, teaches you how to act when the time comes. You are learning patience, observation, and the responsibility of choices. These lessons are not easy, but they are essential."
Theo nodded, feeling the weight of Newt's words settle around him. He studied Twig's delicate wings, Lum's soft glow, and the tiny sprouts that had grown overnight. Each was fragile, yet alive. Each depended on him. He could not fail them—not now, not ever.
Outside, the world had already grown dangerous. Wizards disappeared, dark magic whispered through corridors and forests, and families who dared to oppose the Dark Lord were punished. Theo could not go out, could not fight—but he could prepare. In small ways, he could learn the skills that might one day save lives.
Newt crouched beside him, resting a hand on his shoulder. "The Dark Lord will reach everywhere eventually, Theodore. One day, you will have to confront choices that weigh on lives and hearts alike. But here, now, you have the chance to learn. You can make mistakes safely, understand consequences, and grow stronger. Protect what you can. Observe what you can. And remember: courage comes in many forms."
Theo's fingers traced the edge of a moss mound where a tiny new creature, Flicker, had nestled. The little being's glow flickered unpredictably, pulsing like a heartbeat. Theo smiled. Somehow, this creature, small and fragile, embodied everything Newt had said. Resilience. Patience. Trust.
"I'll protect them," Theo whispered softly. "Every one of them."
Newt nodded. "And one day, you will understand how much that matters. Strength is not only in dueling or spells. It is in vigilance, in care, and in choices made when no one is watching. The world is growing darker, Theo, and it will test everyone. But what you are learning here… will prepare you for that."
Theo watched his tiny companions, each stirring, each moving with quiet life. He pressed a hand gently to the glass, feeling a warmth that seemed to travel through him. Outside, darkness waited. The Dark Lord was at his peak, casting long shadows across Britain, spreading fear. Inside the suitcase, life persisted, fragile and vibrant, shaped by small, deliberate hands.
And Theo understood, perhaps for the first time, that protection and courage were not always loud or flashy. They could be quiet. They could be careful. And they could still matter.
As evening fell, golden light slanting across the terrariums, Theo whispered goodnight to Twig, Lum, and Flicker, gently tucking them into their small homes. Outside, shadows lengthened. Darkness would come. But for now, he was learning, observing, and preparing.
He exhaled slowly, pressing a hand to the suitcase. "We'll be ready," he murmured. "All of us. I promise."
And for the first time that day, he believed it.