Dyna stepped out of 26½ Baker Street. Even though he hadn't found everything he wanted, uncovering Barty Crouch's activities and recruiting ewoyn Ashwinder gang represented significant progress. The Christmas break had seemed far too short. Once summer vacation arrived, he would train the Ashwinder gang properly—only with capable allies would he have the confidence to exact his revenge. Otherwise, he'd be left without any useful pieces on the board.
An owl swooped in, landing atop the phone booth before him.
"Hoo!"
[Don't just stare—stretch out your arm and take the letter.]
Dyna froze. The owl was… talking? But then, considering his Merlin lineage and his partial second-stage powers, maybe he shouldn't be surprised.
He extended his arm, and the owl hopped onto his forearm.
"Hoo!"
[Solid grip! I didn't think you'd be strong—well, not that you're just a kid. You look in your twenties… I hope I didn't get the wrong recipient.]
"Hoo!"
[Soul signature's right. Hmm, a rascal! Stop just standing there—grab the letter already. I have eggs hatching and no time for this!]
Eyebrows raised, Dyna untied the scroll from the owl's leg.
"Hoo!"
[Letter delivered! I'm off then.]
A gust from the owl's wings fluttered Dyna's bangs. He read the top of the letter:"26½ Baker Street, London
To: Dyna Emrys
Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office, Ministry of Magic."
He opened it and scanned the contents:"Mr. Dyna Emrys:
We observed unauthorized magic use at Foster Farm, Vale of Glamorgan (Wales) on the morning of December 26th. This violated the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery. Since no Muggles witnessed the incident and its impact was negligible, we will not pursue prosecution. However, the offense has been recorded. Consider this a warning: any future underage magic outside school may result in a formal trial and punishment.
— Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office, Ministry of Magic."**
Dyna frowned. Curse the Trace! Fortunately, his earlier spells had either been cast in Knockturn Alley or among wizards—locations that left the Ministry uncertain about the caster's identity. Otherwise, he'd already be dragged to the Ministry.
His vendetta against Sally Avery? That took place before he arrived at Hogwarts, before the Trace covered him.
He sighed. This was troubling news: he was nowtracked. The Ministry would know immediately if he used magic again outside school. Even if his targets were wizards, Aurors might piece together clues and track him down.
He must be more cautious.
Dyna hailed a taxi and headed toward the area between 48 Charing Cross Road and 12 Great Newport Street—destination: Leaky Cauldron. He slipped into the empty bathroom, muttered the charm to return to 5 Livingston, and walked through his old neighborhood, each step stirring childhood memories—and pain. He steadied his expression, restored his appearance, and made his way to a corner table.
"Little Dyna, you're back?" Moody's voice carried a gravelly edge.
Dyna nodded. "Hello, sir. I came back for Christmas break and to stay here."
Moody sighed. "I'm sorry about your mother. Is that why you came—anything you need?"
Dyna spoke evenly. "Sir, we're not allowed to use magic outside school, but the house needs cleaning. Could you help me cast a few cleaning spells?"
"Of course."
Moody rose from his seat, his magical eye zooming as he led the way into the house. Before the door closed, he spun and asked: "Is that arm you broke when you fell at six alright now?"
Dyna blinked. "Sir—I never broke my arm. I wasn't the jumping type."
Moody pursed his lips. A habit from decades as an Auror—you could never fully trust appearances. He'd tested Dyna's memory.
Dyna suppressed a smile. Moody's scrutiny had long been part of their interactions. He pointed around: mold removal, dust, repaired cracks—it still looked shabby compared to four years ago, but it was livable.
"Thank you, Mr. Moody," Dyna said.
Moody nodded. "And Hogwarts? How's that going?"
Dyna shrugged. "The professors are good."
Moody sighed. "Only the professors? Sounds like you're having a tough time with your peers."
He was right. Moody knew Dyna had just spent four years imprisoned in Azkaban. Though innocent, Dyna now carried the taint of that infamy. Moody himself still viewed Dyna warily.
Dyna forced a polite smile. "By the way, sir—thank you for erecting the tombstone for my mother. I couldn't have managed that alone."
Moody's expression softened. "Your mother was a good person. You did right by her. I hope you grow to be like her."
Dyna nodded.
He knew that Moody's daily visits would serve as his alibi. In a place like Livingston, with no Apparition, no underage magic, Moody's presence would prove he never left. Thanks to the warning from the Ministry, he realized just how essential that cover would be.
Next item on his list: a new wand under the name "Dyna Emrys." The current wand had traces of Imperius Curse, Obliviate, and more—it would need to become the wand of "Dak Dantis," a new identity. That way, any Priori Incantatem on his current wand wouldn't tie him to wrongdoing.
That night, after lights-out at ten, Dyna slipped through a portal to the Leaky Cauldron once more…
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