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-Inside Nick and Penny's private quarters-
[POV – Third Person]
The atmosphere inside the Flamels' quarters was quiet.
Only the soft crackling of the fireplace filled the room, spreading a pleasant warmth through it.
Nick and Penny's room felt comfortable and cozy, while still maintaining an old and refined elegance.
Gigantic bookshelves covered the walls, overflowing with ancient books, scrolls, alchemical flasks, and countless magical artifacts that were obviously priceless.
Some of those objects were probably older than many countries... just like their owners.
That entire organized, elegant, and almost homely decoration clearly carried Penny's personal touch — the over six-hundred-year-old witch who, despite all the experience and power she possessed, still had a warm and maternal heart.
But leaving the appearance of the place aside, what truly mattered at that moment were the four people present there.
Ethan's parents, Joshua and Sarah, were sitting side by side on a large sofa near the fireplace.
Meanwhile, Nick and Penny occupied the sofa in front of them, separated only by a small coffee table where a few steaming cups of tea rested.
The immortal couple looked at the muggle couple attentively.
And despite the comfortable atmosphere, there was still a certain silent tension hanging over the room.
After all... the subject of that conversation wasn't exactly simple.
"So you really don't plan on taking Ethan out of the wizarding world?" Nick asked calmly, bringing his teacup to his lips before taking a sip.
"You never even considered transferring him to another school?" Penny asked right after, lightly furrowing her brows. "Maybe sending him to another country?"
There was no judgment in the two alchemists' voices.
In truth, there was only genuine concern... and curiosity.
Joshua and Sarah exchanged a brief glance.
The two of them looked exhausted.
Not physically... but emotionally.
Ever since Ethan's return from the graveyard — and all the chaos that happened during the Third Task of the Triwizard Tournament — countless conflicting emotions had been weighing on them.
Fear. Relief. Confusion. Anxiety.
And above all else... worry.
After all, just a few days ago, their son had faced the Dark Lord himself.
One of the most dangerous wizards in all of history.
Just thinking about it sent a chill down their spines.
And that was precisely why, after everything that had happened, the two of them felt completely mentally drained.
But that was a side of themselves they only allowed Nick and Penny to see — two dear friends they had grown to trust deeply.
They didn't want to show any signs of weakness in front of their own children.
After everything that had happened, Joshua and Sarah felt like they needed to remain strong and steady... at least for Ethan and Cele.
Hearing the French couple's question, Joshua let out a small sigh before answering.
"We really did think about it..." he admitted honestly. "For a while, we thought keeping him away from Hogwarts... away from this world... maybe it would be better for him."
Sarah slowly nodded beside him.
Her gaze lowered slightly as she firmly held the warm teacup between her hands.
"There was a moment when I wanted to just take Ethan and Cele... and run far away from all of this," she confessed quietly.
Her voice trembled slightly at the end of the sentence.
Penny watched her in silence, her gaze filled with understanding.
She might not have been a mother, but her maternal heart — and especially her love for Ethan — made her understand Sarah's feelings perfectly at that moment.
"Then why didn't you do it?" she asked curiously.
Sarah raised her eyes, looking directly at her immortal friend.
"Because in the end... we realized it wouldn't solve anything."
A small tired and bitter smile appeared on her face.
"I can't just rip my son away from the wizarding world, no matter how dangerous it is..." she answered. "Because this is his world now."
Joshua nodded in agreement.
"Ethan loves magic," he said with a tired smile. "He loves Hogwarts... his friends... the professors... that entire castle."
"And honestly?" he shook his head in amusement. "That boy was born for this."
His eyes softened slightly as he spoke.
"I don't know what it's like for other witches and wizards," he continued, "but the way Ethan uses magic... the absurd and incredible things he does..."
"Magic isn't just a gift to him... it's practically part of who he is."
Nick let out an amused chuckle after hearing that.
"Ah, I completely believe that."
As one of the oldest wizards in the world and a great scholar and explorer of magic, Nick could say with absolute certainty that there was nothing wrong with Joshua's words.
Ethan's connection to magic was something completely unique and special.
Even after centuries of living and studying magic, Nick still couldn't fully understand the boy.
The only thing he was certain about was that Ethan Night was not an ordinary wizard.
Not even close.
Joshua sighed once more.
"Besides... what would even be the point of trying to keep him out of the wizarding world?"
"The muggle world is dangerous too... maybe even more," he lightly shook his head.
"In the end, we realized something," Sarah spoke again. "We can't protect Ethan forever."
"All we can do... is be there for him whenever he needs us," she said firmly.
Joshua gently held his wife's hand before continuing:
"If Ethan's choice is to continue being a wizard... then we'll support him with all our hearts."
The moment they heard that declaration, Nick and Penny's expressions immediately softened.
There was even a small trace of admiration in Penny's eyes.
"Heh..." Nick let out a low laugh. "Now I can see exactly where Ethan got his personality from."
"Hm?" Joshua blinked in confusion.
Nick smiled.
"That stubbornness. That courage. That calmness in intense situations."
"And especially that loyal and loving heart that values family."
"You really are a very interesting family," the immortal alchemist commented warmly.
Joshua and Sarah exchanged slightly embarrassed looks.
They couldn't deny it.
They really could see a little bit of themselves in those words.
"You know," Penny began softly, "you may not be wizards... but I can still see a very magical heart in both of you."
"A magical heart?" Sarah repeated, amused.
"Yes," Penny nodded, her tone becoming slightly more serious.
"Magic isn't just a power witches and wizards are born with," she explained calmly. "It's also a force connected to life."
"It's born from the heart, the soul, unwavering will... and a person's most sincere and intense emotions."
"And the strongest emotion of all, of course, is love," she smiled gently, looking somewhat nostalgic.
"Love is the most incredible and powerful force in the world, capable of truly extraordinary things."
"And many times, it becomes even stronger when the desire to protect someone precious appears... exactly like what you're doing now."
Penny's expression softened even more.
"So that's why, my friends, I say that you possess magical hearts... and you have that in abundance."
Hearing all of that, Sarah and Joshua shyly looked away.
"Err... I don't know if we're really all that," Sarah murmured modestly.
"Oh, you definitely are," Nick replied immediately.
"And I'll say even more: you're fantastic, kind, and courageous people."
"And honestly? I think everyone should look at you whenever they need someone to admire."
His serious tone made it clear those words were completely sincere.
Joshua awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.
"Well... thanks, I guess."
Even though they felt embarrassed by so many compliments, the two of them still couldn't stop a small feeling of happiness from rising inside them.
"But anyway..." Penny resumed, bringing the attention back to her. "Let's get back to talking about this whole mess."
With that single sentence, the atmosphere in the room became tense again.
The two Nights instinctively straightened on the sofa, preparing for the continuation of that conversation.
"You've already made your decision... and we understand that," Penny continued. "So because of that, I think we should make ours as well."
As she said that, she looked toward her husband.
The old alchemist gently held her hand while lightly nodding.
Then Penny looked back toward the muggle couple in front of her.
A serious expression appeared on her face.
"Since you've decided to stay... then we'll support you."
"And we'll also help Ethan with whatever is possible... and even with what isn't," she declared with a determined gaze.
"You don't need to carry all of this alone," Nick added, his expression calm but equally firm. "If there really is a war... then we'll stand beside you."
Hearing that, Sarah and Joshua were genuinely surprised.
Faced with the possibility of a war involving Voldemort, they definitely hadn't expected to receive such firm and unconditional support.
But looking into the Flamels' determined eyes, it became obvious they were completely serious.
This wasn't a decision made in the heat of the moment.
It was a demonstration of friendship and loyalty.
Sarah's eyes became slightly watery.
"Thank you..." she murmured sincerely. "Really."
Penny simply waved her hand dismissively.
"There's no need for thanks between us."
"We're family now, so it's only natural that we help each other."
"True," Sarah laughed softly, feeling warm and happy inside.
Even Joshua looked far more relaxed now.
At that moment, the two Nights realized just how fortunate they had been to meet Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel.
Their relationship had gone far beyond friendship a long time ago.
It had become something truly deep.
Just as Penny had said... they were family.
End.
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