At the Hawthorne Mansion
Simon and Edwina sat in the study, reading a letter that had just arrived from Aaric.
It was long and warm with love and at the end it casually mentioned that Aaric had been chosen as the fourth champion of the Triwizard Tournament.
Simon sighed deeply, rubbing the bridge of his nose."For once in his life, I want him not to cause trouble," he muttered, setting the parchment aside. "If that ever happens, I swear I'll throw the biggest party this world has ever seen."
Edwina giggled softly, covering her mouth. "You do realize he gets that from you, right?"
Simon shot her a flat look and rolled his eyes.
Edwina rose, leaned down to kiss him, and picked up Sylvenna."I'm going to see Selene," she said warmly. "Enjoy your meeting with the Malfoys."With that, she disappeared in a swirl of green mist.
Simon chuckled and turned to Volkrin, who was lounging comfortably nearby. He patted the wolve's head."What do you think, boy? Does he get the mischief from me or her?"Volkrin just purred, clearly enjoying the pats, entirely unhelpful in the matter.
Simon glanced at his golden pocket watch, then waved a hand.The runes etched around the floo flared briefly and shifted.
Moments later, the fireplace roared to life with green fire, and two figures emerged, Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy.Before either of them could speak, Simon flicked his hand again, silently scanning them for any traces of surveillance magic.
Lucius and Narcissa stiffened at the invasive sensation but didn't dare complain.When the magic faded, Simon gave them an easy smile."Don't get me wrong," he said lightly, "I was just checking for any little 'gifts' Voldy might have placed on you."
Lucius exhaled shakily, relief and bitterness warring on his face. Narcissa gave a polite nod, looking a touch pale.
"Thank you for accepting my request," Lucius said, bowing slightly.
Simon waved it off and gestured for them to sit. Nibbin appeared with tea and a platter of snacks, which Narcissa accepted gratefully."Thank you," she said gently to the elf.
"Well," Simon said, tone shifting to business as he settled into his chair.
Lucius took a deep breath, visibly gathering his courage. "He… chose Draco." His voice cracked slightly. "He wants to punish me by hurting my son."
Simon tilted his head. "With the things you've done, are you really surprised?" he asked casually.
Lucius stared at the floor. "I am the guilty one, not Draco." His voice dropped, heavy with regret.Narcissa closed her eyes, a tear slipping down her cheek as she placed a trembling hand on her husband's shoulder.
Lucius's fists clenched. Suddenly, he rose, unbuckling the ornate sword at his waist.He set it on the ground before Simon, then knelt, both knees hitting the floor with a loud thud.
"Cut me down with my own sword," Lucius said hoarsely. "If you do not wish to sully your own blade with my blood."
Simon remained silent, watching him with unreadable eyes.
"And after you strike me down…" Lucius's voice broke as tears welled in his eyes. "Save my boy."His shoulders trembled. "My baby boy… he doesn't deserve this. He's too kind."
Narcissa pressed a hand over her mouth, barely holding back a sob.
Lucius forced a watery smile through the pain."Aaric has helped him since they were children," he whispered. "He didn't let our poison seep into Draco's heart."
He lifted his gaze to Simon, desperation shining through."Say something."
Simon chuckled softly. "What will I have when I cut your head off? A head?"
Lucius blinked, confused, as Simon stood and grasped his shoulders, pulling him to his feet.
"What is a head worth?" Simon said calmly. "I will help you."
Narcissa burst into tears, openly crying now as she clutched at her heart.
"But you two…" Simon's voice hardened slightly as he looked at them both."You will earn my help through your deeds from this day forward."
Lucius nodded fervently, then, in a rare moment of vulnerability, hugged Simon tightly."Thank you," he whispered, laughing and crying at once. "Thank you."
Narcissa followed suit, murmuring her gratitude through quiet sobs.
The three of them talked for nearly an hour after that, plotting, sharing intelligence, and laying the groundwork to protect Draco.
Meanwhile, in the Dreamlands
Aaric and Luna stood on a wide patch of soft grass, bathed in Dreamland's silver glow.Before them was a creature that looked like an acromantula, but not quite.
It had eight sleek legs, fur black as ink, and glowing blue joints that pulsed softly like veins of living light.Its many eyes darted between Aaric and Luna, intelligent yet strangely innocent.
Aaric folded his arms, deadpan."The fruit just… turned into a spider."
Luna pouted, her tone mildly scolding. "Don't be rude."
She stepped forward without hesitation, patting one of the creature's head."Hello, I'm Luna," she said brightly, her smile wide.
The spider shifted nervously. "I… don't have a name," it said softly, sounding almost guilty.
"Hmm." Aaric tapped his chin. "How about Velka?"
The creature froze, then seemed to light up. "Thank you," she said quietly, almost reverently, as if the name was a gift.
Aaric looked around awkwardly. "Well… so, uh… what exactly are you doing here?"
When they'd first arrived, they'd found Velka scurrying about, collecting sticks, stones, and scraps to build strange structures.
Velka tilted her head, confused by the question."I was born just a few days ago," she explained, "and I… thought I should make things."
Aaric and Luna exchanged a glance. That confirmed Aaric's suspicion.He walked to the Dream Tree at the center of the island and placed a hand on its trunk.
A warm, innocent voice greeted him in his mind, like sunlight on water.
"One of the fruits matured a few days ago," the tree said cheerfully. "And she came out."
'So it's a she,' Aaric thought with a small nod.
"Is there anything we need to do to help her?" Luna asked gently, placing her hand over Aaric's on the tree's bark.
The tree seemed to hum thoughtfully."Hmmm… She is very good with… machine-things," it said at last, clearly unsure of the right words.
Aaric turned back toward Velka, who was peering curiously at them.Luna knelt slightly, smiling. "How about we go explore the Dreamlands and find you things you might like, as a welcoming gift?"
Velka's glowing joints brightened with excitement. "Can we really?" she asked eagerly.
Aaric and Luna nodded.Noctelle, the great nightingale, grew in size, lowering herself so Velka could climb onto her back."Thank you!" Velka squealed happily as she settled on the feathers.
With a single powerful beat of her wings, Noctelle lifted into the sky, carrying them high above the Dreamlands.
As they soared, Velka peppered Aaric with rapid-fire questions, pointing at every strange sight they passed.Her curiosity seemed endless, but Aaric answered each question patiently, his voice calm amidst her excitement.
Eventually, they reached a massive floating sphere, a colossal ruin of some ancient, advanced civilization.It hovered above the clouds like a broken moon, its smooth metal surface marred by cracks and faded sigils.
There were no people, just silent technology, slumbering and waiting.
Velka leapt down, her legs clicking excitedly as she scurried around like a child in a candy store.She muttered to herself nonstop, marveling at the machinery and spouting technical jargon even Aaric didn't understand.
Aaric and Luna stayed back, watching her with amusement.
"How do we even move this thing to the island?" Aaric muttered.He frowned slightly. "And should we really clutter the land with technology? It might ruin the natural beauty."
Velka paused mid-step, turning to him with wide, glowing eyes."Don't worry," she said earnestly. "I'll never harm the nature of our lands."
Aaric studied her for a moment, then smiled faintly. "Alright. I trust you. Still, how do we actually transport the whole thing?"
"This place has a propulsion system," Velka explained, her tone suddenly serious and focused. "It just needs repairs."
"How long will it take you to fix it?" Aaric asked.
"One day," Velka replied without hesitation.
"Then Noctelle will stay here with you during that time," Luna decided, her voice calm.
Aaric nodded, watching as Velka scurried excitedly toward the ancient machinery, already hard at work bringing the ruins back to life.
A/n: Power stones and reviews please.