The train came to a halt and I woke up from my nap. The familiar hiss of steam and the muffled voices outside the carriage slowly pulled me back to awareness. Around me, students were already gathering their trunks and stretching after the long ride. Everyone was getting ready to get off. I rubbed my eyes and looked around at my friends, and it struck me just how much we had all changed. We were thirteen now.
As we stepped down from the Hogwarts Express onto the busy platform, it really hit me how different the four of us looked compared to when we had first arrived at Hogwarts two years ago.
Victor had grown the most visibly in sheer size. He stood noticeably taller now, his shoulders broad and his frame thick with muscle from constant combat training and the underwater sessions we had spent in the Black Lake. His messy brown hair had grown a little longer and often fell into his eyes, giving him a slightly rough look, and the once carefree boyish grin on his face now carried a sharper, more confident edge.
Elara had changed in a quieter way. She had grown a little taller and carried herself with far more composure than before. Her posture was straight and controlled, and the soft features of her face had sharpened slightly with maturity. Her long blonde hair was usually tied back neatly, and her calm green eyes seemed to constantly observe everything around her with thoughtful attention, like she was always analyzing the world.
Kathey looked far more athletic than she had when we first met. Her Quidditch training and archery practice had given her an athletic strength, and the way she moved had become light and balanced, like someone always ready to react at a moment's notice. Her pale blonde hair moved freely in the breeze, and her violet eyes carried the calm confidence she showed whenever she held a bow or stepped onto the pitch.
As for me, the training had reshaped my body the most. I had grown noticeably taller with broader shoulders and a defined, athletic build from endless workouts, underwater combat training, and the constant strain my adaptive body endured. Even through the gray T-shirt and jeans I was wearing, the bulk strength in my frame was visible. My hair had grown longer now, brushing the back of my neck, and the calm steadiness in the way I moved made it clear that the boy who had first boarded the train two years ago was no longer the same.
Together, we no longer looked like new students returning to school. We looked like young warriors quietly preparing for something much bigger.
We said our goodbyes on the platform and decided that we would meet again somewhere during mid-August to enjoy the summer together. This time Arcturus had come personally to pick me up. After a brief conversation, we apparated back home.
I rested for a while and slipped back into my usual routine. Later in the evening, once the house had grown quiet, I sat down again to start working on something I had been planning for quite some time.
The first thing I did was finally set a long-standing plan into motion. Using the funds I had carefully saved, I arranged for work to begin on a remote island located far from Britain. The island would be transformed into a massive magical reserve for creatures of all kinds, including dragons. The place would be built with separate environments magically suited for each species, forests for roaming beasts, hidden caverns for darker creatures, open valleys for winged ones, and even deep aquatic chambers.
Verdant would fund the herb farms needed to feed and treat the creatures. The reserve would rescue magical creatures, shelter endangered ones, and protect species that were slowly disappearing from the wizarding world. It would operate under the name of the Peverell Family.
I sent the full report to Morlous. After reviewing the plan carefully, he replied with clear enthusiasm and assured me he would begin organizing the herb farms and sending experienced staff within a few weeks.
When I showed the proposal to Arcturus, he was fascinated. He had always dreamed of creating something similar. Without hesitation he agreed to support the project and offered to send members from his department to locate magical creatures living in unsafe or restricted reserves and safely relocate them to the island. I had already arranged most of the paperwork for dragon permits as well. If everything worked out, the place would become one of the greatest magical creature sanctuaries in the world. Not to mention, I decided to also contact the Scamander family too when it was all set up.
Next came the finances. Fortunately that part was no longer difficult. Day by day the vaults were filling rapidly, thanks to Elizabeth's incredible management of our industries, production teams, and investments. Still, I allocated a significant portion of funds to the island project.
Then I moved to the political side of things.
Through Arcturus and his seat in the Wizengamot, I extended a hand of friendship to several influential families such as the Bones Family, Greengrass Family, and Abbott Family. At the same time, I strengthened our position within the Ministry of Magic by establishing a fund vault dedicated to helping struggling wizarding families. Anyone in genuine need could apply for support through the Ministry.
On the intelligence side, Mackie's network proved invaluable. His agents quietly gathered information about several families known to be sympathetic to darker factions. I also asked for some documents on the Order of the Phoenix, because after a year, the Canon will start, so let's get involved.
Slowly but steadily, the Peverell name began spreading across the wizarding world, not because of old legends, but because of real influence and action. Meanwhile the anonymous W.I.N.T.E.R.S Consortium continued expanding rapidly, its businesses flourishing across multiple sectors.
During the break I reviewed everything with Kathey. Together we pushed our studies even further, and by the end of the summer we had effectively reached N.E.W.T level in our core subjects while our electives were already nearing sixth year mastery. Our sparring sessions had also grown far more intense. Kathey's reflexes were frighteningly sharp, and I had become equally dangerous in close combat. She even spent time teaching me advanced broom handling so I could at least show off a little when necessary.
By mid-August, our entire group decided to meet again at a large wizarding fair being held in London at Diagon Alley.
Victor and Elara arrived first with Victor's parents. Since Elara was muggle-born, the entire fair felt new and exciting to her. Kathey and I arrived a little later with our parents.
The place was alive with color and noise. Stalls lined the alley selling enchanted tools, potion supplies, magical trinkets, rare sweets, protective charms, and experimental artifacts.
Elara and Kathey quickly became absorbed in browsing enchanted bracelets, magically expanding pouches, protective candles, and other curious items.
Meanwhile Victor and I wandered into a stall run by a wizard from a Viking magical lineage. His weapons were fascinating. The man explained how ancient northern wizards blended magic with physical combat, enchanting axes, spears, and shields to channel spell energy directly through them. Victor and I listened carefully, both impressed.
Eventually our group reunited with our parents. Together we watched a magical theater performance, followed by snacks and sweets from the nearby stalls.
After a while Kathey and I quietly excused ourselves. I led her through a discreet route toward Knockturn Alley. Under disguises, we entered Borgin and Burkes and purchased several rare books on curses and obscure magical theory. We also visited a few hidden potion ingredient shops where we managed to obtain rare materials at surprisingly low prices, carefully testing their authenticity with spells before buying them.
As we left the alley, Kathey received a message on her board and prepared to head back early. Mr. and Mrs. Lovegood had a strict routine at home since Luna had not been feeling well.
After she left, I lingered behind for a moment.
A strange feeling crept over me.
"Alright," I said calmly into the quiet street, still under my disguise. "Isn't this a bit much? Haven't you had your dose of stalking?"
From the shadows, several hooded figures stepped forward.
There were more than I expected.
Eight of them surrounded me slowly while a few others remained farther back in the darkness.
One of them laughed harshly.
"Hand over what you bought, lad . Nice and easy."
I exhaled slowly.
"Bad idea."
The first man lunged forward with a wand. I stepped aside instantly, grabbing his wrist and twisting sharply. The wand clattered to the ground as I drove my elbow into his ribs, hearing a loud crack, and swept his legs out from under him.
Another rushed from behind. I pivoted and caught his arm mid-attack, redirecting his momentum and throwing him straight into the wall.
Two more raised and shot with their wands together. I ducked beneath the first spell, struck the attacker's stomach with a quick upward blow, then turned and slammed my shoulder into the second one, sending him crashing into a pile of crates.
The remaining attackers hesitated, clearly not expecting resistance from someone my age.
They charged anyway.
The alley filled with the sound of rapid movement. I moved through them quickly, relying purely on speed, balance, and technique. A precise strike here, a controlled throw there, and one by one the attackers hit the ground groaning or unconscious.
Within moments eight of them were lying on the stone street.
The remaining men backed away nervously before finally turning and running off into the darkness.
I dusted my sleeves calmly.
A moment later Arcturus appeared at the end of the alley, clearly having followed the disturbance.
He looked around at the unconscious attackers and raised an eyebrow.
"Well," he said slowly, "I missed all the fun didn't I?"
I smiled faintly.
We left the alley together and walked back toward the brighter part of Diagon Alley where we soon met Xenophilius Lovegood and Pandora Lovegood near one of the food stalls, prepared to leave. I hugged Kathey followed by Pandora and Xenophilius as they apparated away.
Arcturus bought two large sticks of pink cotton candy, handing one to me.
We chatted for a while under the warm evening lights of the fair before finally heading home together, the night ending peacefully despite everything.
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