Before leaving Hogwarts for the break, I had spoken to Professor Snape.
"Professor, I know he's the most recent Death Eater, but Quirrell is definitely up to something," I said, keeping my tone even. "Just… keep a watch. He gives off a very weird vibe."Snape's eyes lingered on me for a moment, calculating, unreadable.
"Fine," he said finally. "I'll look into it. Merry Christmas, Taylen."
"Merry Christmas, Professor."
That was all, but it was enough.
Me, Kathey and Victor left on the first day of the Winter Break, heading straight for my house. The moment we arrived, that familiar silence wrapped around us, grounding in a way Hogwarts never was.
We freshened up, and Victor stayed with me while Kathey apparated back to her house.
I checked in with my businesses, and everything was going amazing. The magical zoo was finally complete, and creatures had already started coming in. Rare ones too. Foreign ministers were already investing in it.
I'm gonna be super rich, Arcturus is going to be so happy on seeing this.
The Quibbler update on the Magitex boards was practically exploding. Engagement, reach, influence everything rising. The Prophet had obviously sent some threats to shut it down, but I simply reminded them what kind of news they used to publish.
One letter.
A few of their old newspapers.
Silence.
"Hehe…"
Mackie sent me all the intel he had gathered over the past few months on the families I had asked him to watch. The same families I had sent requests to, as the Peverell house, to join together as another faction, everything was aligning. Soon, my work was done in a few days.
And I also got messages.
From Hermione and… Harry, yep well, the boy was becoming a practical nerd like me , combat and books both.
Yeah.
I definitely had a gift in mind for him this Christmas. Two days were left for Christmas. And the party at the Ministry.
Me and Victor spent that time in the forest.
We stood in a clearing, shirtless, our bulked but ripped physiques under the afternoon sun. The cold didn't matter. The air was sharp, alive.
"Aight, you ready?" I asked, rolling my shoulders.
"Yep."
Anubis perched on a nearby tree with Aluminis, watching like silent judges. Mrs Lovegood had sent over some pies, so Aluminis was with Anubis for a while.
I transformed the goblin made bracelet into the spear chain whip form and swiped it at Victor.
The chain cut through the air.
Victor transformed instantly into his bear form, massive, grounded. He grabbed the chain as he slid sideways from the force, claws digging into the earth. He grabbed the chain and pulled real hard.
The force dragged me forward, and I flew toward him, blocking his incoming punch mid air. The impact echoed.
I planted my feet against his chest and pushed off, flipping back cleanly onto the ground, sending him sliding away.
The chain snapped back into my hand.
Victor shifted back to human form and immediately fired a reducto, which I dodged. I dashed and closed the distance. With my wand up and pointed straight at his head,
"Hehe… game over, bro."
"Yeah yeah, showoff," he muttered, brushing himself off.
"Yep. And you definitely didn't just throw me around as a bear."
A small laugh escaped him.
The day went well.
Blackwing was finally full sized now, standing tall, wings stretched, a presence that demanded attention. I think he's bigger than most Thestrals which looks cool as hell.
The day of the party came,me and Arcturus were getting ready when Victor's father arrived.
You might ask why a Gringotts wizard was attending the party, I mean, Victor's father.
He's not just any wizard there.
He's the reason vaults can't be broken into by your run of the mill dark wizards. One of the founding members of curse breakers at Gringotts.
Important.
Very.
Victor wore a dark blue suit. The coat deep navy, rich, confident, just a shade away from bold. It caught light differently, softer, more inviting. Underneath, a patterned waistcoat in a lighter blue added depth, layered with intricate designs that felt artistic rather than ornamental.
The cravat was more expressive, grey with a gentle sheen, fastened with a blue toned brooch that subtly drew the eye. A gold chain joined the coat, Victorian era themed. The trousers were striped, sharp, but paired with the blue coat they felt less rigid. More fluid.
I had wore the same but Black and white.
We came down to see Victor and his father, Venious Hugo, ready. Both in matching suits, no coats, just well contrasted formal wear.
"Pleasure to meet you, sir," I said, shaking his hand. "I follow your work. Quite fascinating."
He laughed warmly.
"Didn't know you were this charming when my son mentioned you," he said. "You're quite the young man. Probably going to make some young women weak in their knees."
I smirked slightly.
Soon Kathey arrived with Pandora.
Pandora wore a slightly modern wine red dress, subtle makeup enhancing her features.
Kathey… well, no makeup, a reddish white gown, simple,and yet, I just stared.
Mouth slightly open.
Pandora walked up and gently closed my jaw with her hand.
"That's my daughter you're looking at, Taylen," she said with a smirk. "Better treat her well."
"Mrs Lovegood," I replied smoothly, "you're definitely going to make your husband jealous today. You don't look like a married woman."
She chuckled.
Then moved to Arcturus, and they apparated. Followed by Victor and Venious.
I turned to Kathey and gave a slight bow.
"May I?"
She smiled, placing her arm in mine, and we apparated to the Ministry.
The party was… alive.
Lights, voices, movement. Power in conversations, alliances forming in whispers.
I saw a lot of students like me there. Same age. Some older. Me and Kathey shared a glance.
The families I had invited as the Peverell faction were present. Bones. Greengrass. Abbot. Amelia was already in. No doubt.
The others… took time, we had some long conversations , a few laughs, and then they felt and saw my presence while I was peaking confidently.
"Kid has potential." said Mr Abbot to Mr Greengrass in his ear.
But peace doesn't stay, never does.
I was talking with the Greengrass, Abbot, Bones, Longbottom, Hugo and Lovegood families when he arrived.
Lucius Malfoy.
Right behind Mr Greengrass.
"Ah… you obviously do not expect to listen to a spoiled kid, do you, Mr Greengrass?"
Disgust looks from all, like that was the only reaction.
"Mr Malfoy," Greengrass replied calmly, "I don't think you have any right to tell me who I should speak to."
Heads had already turned, including Fudge's and the damn toad. The bitch was smiling.
"Well, I didn't expect you to trust a pitiful orphan with funds, Castor."
"Wow," I muttered. "So I'm basically being ignored."
"Don't bother with him, Taylen," Neville's grandmother said firmly. "Some idiots like to give illogical opinions."
He kept talking nonsense and blabbering like he owned the place and then well I got pissed.
I stepped forward.
"Mr Malfoy," I said calmly, "I don't know what pitiful you're referring to, but as far as I remember, I made my own inventions, did good investments, built a business with my own potential… and grew definitely wealthier than you."
I moved closer and slowly, I dusted his coat lightly.
"We don't want to be on each other's bad side, do we?" I said softly. "You wouldn't like people to know about that little deal between you and Umbridge last summer… would you?" His eyes widened.
"How did you- I mean- Ob - obviously not, young Peverell," he stammered. "I was merely joking! I was here to invite Arcturus for a drink."
"No, Lucius," Arcturus said, stepping forward. "Not interested."
Lucius sneered, his signature sneer, and walked away.
"Fuck this…" I muttered under my breath.
Then louder, "If you don't mind, I'd like to get some fresh air."
I stepped outside and left them there.
Because officially…
The Gray Faction was formed, my work here was done. I walked to the corridor balcony.
The same place me and Kathey first met.
I removed my coat and just… looked at the night sky.
Behind was indeed , laughter and celebration, but above it, in me, there was silence.
It's heavy.
Taking on something like this.
Sometimes… I don't even know if I'll be able to make things easier for anyone.
Time passed and then, I felt a presence, felt peaceful and comforting. I think I'm good, so I put down my defences and, turned.
Kathey.
Her pale hair moving with the wind. Her purple eyes catching the light.
"The moon is beautiful tonight, isn't it?" she said softly, smiling.
I didn't answer, didn't need to. She stepped closer.
Took my face in her hand.
"You're doing enough," she said gently. "I love you for the man you are right now… and the man you're going to be."
A long pause, as we looked into each other's eyes.
"Don't worry. I'll be here whenever you need a home."
And then,she kissed me. Her lips being the soft comfort I needed from all this.
We stayed like that for a while.
Yeah.
I can do this.
I will.
She pulled back slightly, smiling.
"Come. Let's go have dinner. We need to head back home too. Work, remember?"
I nodded.
And let her lead me inside.
Yep.
My moon is definitely beautiful tonight.
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