Sean's heart raced as he reached into Kulkan's cage at the Magical Menagerie.
He wasn't sure how to win this strange duel his panel had triggered, but he knew it didn't involve hurting the snake.
A challenge like this was about proving himself, not fighting to kill.
As his hand inched closer, Kulkan's ruby eyes narrowed, its white scales glinting like polished ivory. The snake coiled tighter, poised to strike.
Sean's fingers were halfway into the cage when Kulkan lunged, fast as a whip, sinking its teeth into the back of his hand.
Pain flared, sharp and searing. Sean hissed through gritted teeth but didn't pull back. Instead, he reached with his other hand, gently pinching both sides of Kulkan's head.
The snake reacted instantly, wrapping its sleek body around his wrist, clamping down harder on his hand.
Sean held steady, careful not to squeeze too hard. He focused on keeping Kulkan calm, his fingers firm but gentle. Sweat beaded on his forehead as the seconds ticked by, the shop's chatter fading into a distant hum.
Margaret's face paled, her hands twisting nervously. Adrian's jaw tightened, his earlier encouragement now tinged with worry.
The shopkeeper, her wand half-raised, opened her mouth to intervene. "That's enough, lad," she started, her voice sharp with concern.
A snakebite was trouble enough, and if Sean's hand was seriously hurt, she'd be in a bind, even if the family didn't blame her.
But before anyone could step in, a grin spread across Sean's face. His panel flashed with a new notification.
[Win the duel and randomly gain an ability from the duel opponent.]
[Drawing…]
[Drawing completed, obtained: Snake Affinity LV3]
The moment the ability registered, Kulkan's grip softened.
The snake released his hand, its ruby eyes softening as it nudged Sean's fingers, almost like an apology. Its scales brushed his skin, cool and smooth, as it slithered up his arm, coiling around his neck like a living necklace.
Kulkan's head rested against his cheek, giving a gentle, affectionate rub.
Sean chuckled, stroking Kulkan's head. He'd half-expected to gain Parseltongue, the rare ability to speak to snakes. But Snake Affinity wasn't bad—better, maybe, for a pet. Parseltongue would've been cool, but he just wanted a companion.
If he really wanted to talk to snakes, he could duel a few more—or, he thought with a sly smirk, challenge that Harry Potter kid at Hogwarts a few times. Parseltongue was bound to pop up eventually.
"Blimey, you actually tamed it," the shopkeeper said, her eyes wide with disbelief.
She'd been ready to pry Kulkan off, but Sean had somehow won over the snake that had terrorized her shop for years.
The group moved to the counter, where the shopkeeper applied a shimmering potion and a quick charm to Sean's hand.
The bite marks faded to four tiny scars, barely noticeable, and she assured them they'd vanish completely in a day.
Sean paid for Kulkan, his Galleons clinking in the shop's till, and the family left the Magical Menagerie, their bags heavier and their spirits lighter.
As they stepped into Diagon Alley's bustling street, Sean reached up to touch Kulkan, now draped comfortably around his neck.
With Rob's cage swinging in Adrian's hand, they headed home, the day's adventures leaving Sean buzzing with satisfaction.
At home, the cozy warmth of their cottage wrapped around them like a charm. Margaret bustled in the kitchen, the clatter of pots mingling with the savory aroma of dinner.
Sean sprawled at the dining table, his Hogwarts books stacked nearby, Kulkan snoozing on his shoulder.
"Sean, have Rob and Kulkan been fed?" Margaret called, stirring a simmering pot.
"They're both out cold," Sean replied, glancing at Rob's cage in the corner, where the eagle owl puffed up his feathers in sleep. "The trip from Diagon Alley wore them out."
"Alright, then let's eat," Margaret said, setting plates of roast beef and potatoes on the table, the food steaming in the soft glow of enchanted candles.
Sean had worried that Rob and Kulkan might clash—an owl and a snake didn't exactly scream best mates. But Rob, with his haughty amber eyes, barely spared Kulkan a glance, as if the snake wasn't worth his time.
Kulkan, for her part, ignored the owl, curling up contentedly. Sean grinned at the thought—his pets were already acting like snooty Hogwarts housemates.
"Sean, Hogwarts starts on September 1st," Adrian said, cutting into his beef. "That's just half a month away. Got everything you need?"
Sean wiped his mouth, nodding.
"All set, Dad. And if I forget anything, Rob can deliver it. He's an eagle owl—can carry a trunk if he has to."
Margaret smiled but leaned forward, her tone serious. "Hogwarts has house-elves, so I'm not worried about your meals or laundry. But you need to get along with others. Don't repeat what happened at your old school. Hogwarts students have magic, and you can't be sure they won't hex you behind your back."
Adrian and Margaret, as Squibs, knew the wizarding world better than Muggle parents.
They didn't fret over things like enchanted ceilings or moving staircases, but they worried about the social pitfalls—rivalries, pranks, or worse—that came with a school full of young witches and wizards.
Dinner passed in a warm haze of chatter and clinking cutlery.
Margaret brought out dessert, a platter of treacle tarts that sparkled faintly with magical sugar, their sticky sweetness a perfect end to the meal. Sean had grown to love the wizarding treat, its rich flavor a far cry from the bland desserts of his old school.
Ding ding ding…
A sharp tapping broke the moment.
The family turned to the living room window, where a brown owl perched on the sill, a small package clutched in its talons.
"A wizard's owl?" Adrian said, frowning. "Who's sending us something?"
He rose and opened the window. The owl hopped inside, dropping the palm-sized package onto the table before flitting out without a pause, its wings a blur in the evening light.
"Well-trained little bloke," Sean muttered, his mind already racing.
He had a hunch who'd sent it but kept quiet, letting Adrian open the package.
Inside was a small box containing a letter and a pure white pocket watch, its surface gleaming like moonlight. Sean's guess was right—only his grandfather, Gideon Bulstrode, would send something this fancy.
Adrian scanned the letter, his brow furrowing.
He handed it to Sean, his voice low. "Sean, this is from your grandfather. Take a look."
Since Sean's magic had awakened, Adrian had noticed his son's sharp mind and mature perspective. He trusted Sean to handle things like this, often sharing family matters to hear his thoughts.
Sean set the letter aside, picking up the pocket watch instead. Its smooth, enchanted surface hummed faintly under his fingers, a subtle magic pulsing within.
"Let me guess," he said, a wry edge to his voice. "The letter's an apology for what happened in Diagon Alley with Barnabas, right? And this watch is Grandfather's way of making nice?"
Adrian paused, then nodded. "You're right."
"Thought so," Sean said, twirling the watch.
"I know what this is—a proper magical trinket. I'll keep it. You and Mom don't need to worry. I'm just a kid, not even at Hogwarts yet. Grandfather's not scheming against me. It's just his way of smoothing things over."
"Fair enough," Adrian said, exchanging a glance with Margaret. "Just keep your wits about you."
Sean nodded, flashing a grin at his parents.
Tucking the pocket watch into his pocket, he headed to his room, Kulkan still draped around his neck like a contented scarf.
As he climbed the stairs, Sean's mind buzzed.
The pocket watch wasn't just a pretty gift—it was a rare magical artifact, the kind that could hold secrets or power. For a moment, he almost believed Gideon's apology was genuine. Almost.