Four more cups of coffee and three more pastries later, Amelia sat in her chair in complete silence.
She appeared to be in a state of shock as she processed the deluge of information she had just received. Her eyes remained locked onto Sirius, who was calmly finishing a pastry with a small, satisfied smile on his face.
"Twelve years," she whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief.
"You had to stay in that place for twelve years. How are you not consumed by anger? You should be at the Ministry right now, demanding justice and compensation from every single person responsible for this. And honestly, I would stand by you and help you find them myself." She said.
Amelia had visited Azkaban many times in her professional life. She had felt pity even for the guilty wretches rotting in those cells, let alone for a man who was completely innocent.
To survive twelve years in that hellscape was a feat of sheer will she could barely fathom.
"I told you before, Bones. I don't have time for all that. I have someone depending on me now," Sirius said with a casual shrug.
"Who?" Amelia asked, her head tilting with curiosity. Sirius had not yet shared the details of his life following his escape.
"I cannot tell you that just yet. It isn't because I don't trust you with the information, but some secrets aren't mine to give away," Sirius answered, shaking his head firmly.
"I understand," Amelia muttered, though the mystery clearly piqued her interest. "Is there any way I can help you? Properly, I mean."
"Yes, of course," Sirius nodded, a sharp glint returning to his eyes. "You can take over the Ministry as the new Minister of Magic."
Amelia frowned, her first instinct being that Sirius was simply playing a game with her. But then he placed a thick file on the table in front of her and gave her a serious nod. The smirk was gone, replaced by a look of determination.
"Read it in private. When you wish to see me again, just call for Dobby or Kreacher," Sirius said. He reached into his pocket and checked a silver pocket watch. "Well, it was good to see you, Madam Bones."
Sirius stood up and offered her a respectful nod, which she returned with a stunned silence.
He moved toward the counter, placed a fifty-pound note on the wood, and told Justin to keep the change.
He walked out of the cafe without looking back, leaving a very contemplative Amelia Bones alone with her coffee and a file that promised to change her world.
| With Aaric, in the dreamlands |
The Aaric's island in the dreamlands had undergone a massive transformation, the changes accelerating rapidly ever since Eilistraee's realm had merged with his own.
The landmass was no longer just an island; it was now comparable in size to an entire planet, complete with its own functioning day and night cycle.
The two 'blanks' in which Aaric had previously placed Veldora's scales and the essence of the silver primordial had finally manifested into two powerful beings.
The first was a being who was half-human and half-dragon, whom Aaric had named Veldanava. He was a quiet, contemplative individual who had already begun introducing various species of powerful dragons to the island's mountainous regions.
The second was the silver fox himself. He had regenerated fully and grown larger and stronger than ever before, his power now eclipsing even the other primordial daemons combined.
Aaric had named him Argent. The fox's presence had acted as a catalyst for the birth of daemons of all kinds and strengths across the island.
While Veldanava's abilities were rooted in the principles of creation, Argent's power focused on the concepts of inevitability and judgment.
Aaric's parents, along with Luna, Daphne, and Fleur, were currently busy interacting with Veldanava, Argent, and the various creatures they had birthed. Aaric, meanwhile, stood off to the side, engaged in deep conversation with Elder Huo.
"I have been working with some people the Flamels trust within the French Ministry," Elder Huo mentioned, his hands tucked into the long sleeves of his robes.
"Hm. I have started the process of cleaning out the British Ministry as well," Aaric replied.
They had both agreed not to reveal the secrets of divinity to the British Ministry so long as it remained infested with people like Fudge and Umbridge.
"How was your venture into the deeper parts of the dreamlands?" Aaric asked after a moment of silence.
Elder Huo had declined when Aaric offered to grant him divinity, choosing instead to find his own path toward ascension through comprihension.
"Hm. About that," Elder Huo hummed. He reached deeper into his sleeves and produced an incredibly intricate cauldron.
Even before it was fully revealed, Aaric could sense a powerful, ancient divinity radiating from the object.
"Could you help me take this back to the waking world?" Elder Huo asked, handing the cauldron over to his disciple.
"I will send it to you through Dune in the morning then," Aaric said, taking the artifact and placing it into an isolated pocket of space for safekeeping.
"Thank you," Elder Huo said, reaching out to affectionately brush a stray hair from Aaric's forehead. "I was given that cauldron by Tai Shang Lao Jun, one of the three Sanqing of the Daoist pantheon."
"Let me guess. He wanted to give you a direct blessing, but you asked him for a way to comprehend the Dao yourself instead of just taking the easy way out," Aaric muttered, looking at his master with a slight smile.
"Cheeky brat," Elder Huo chuckled, though his eyes twinkled with pride. "You are close enough, I suppose." He sighed softly, his expression turning peaceful. "Those who chase enlightenment see only distance. Those who walk steadily are already there."
Aaric nodded slowly, absorbing the wisdom. He felt a sudden realization that he might have been too hasty in his own pursuit of godhood for himself and his family.
Elder Huo had often told him that there was a unique fulfillment in simply observing the universe to learn its secrets. As one's connection with the universe deepened, ascension would naturally follow.
"Nah, that sounds a bit too boring for me, though," Aaric muttered aloud.
He moved quickly, dodging a playful swat Elder Huo tried to land on the back of his head.
"Come here, brat. Let me show you exactly what boring feels like with my fists," Elder Huo huffed.
The old man took flight, chasing after Aaric, who was laughing loudly as he darted through the air.
Elder Huo was unable to catch him at first, but the challenge increased significantly when the girls decided to side with the old man, teaming up to corner Aaric in the sky.
"No matter! Even if there were ten more of you, you would never catch me!" Aaric shouted with a mock-evil laugh, circling high above them.
However, his confidence was his undoing. Eilistraee joined the chase, moving with a goddess's grace to intercept him. She caught him in her arms easily and deposited him right into Elder Huo's waiting clutches.
"Sorry, I couldn't help myself," she said mischievously. She gave Aaric a quick kiss on the cheek and giggled as she left him to face his master's 'justice.'
"I will remember this!" Aaric shouted as he was hauled away.
For the next four hours, Aaric was forced to sit perfectly still and listen as Elder Huo lectured him on the principles of the primordial Dao. By the time the lessons ended, night had fully settled over the island.
"Good disciple. Try to spend some time comprehending your own self. I promise you it will bring you tranquility," Elder Huo said, patting Aaric's cheek one last time before he departed.
Aaric hadn't actually been bored during the lesson. He had gained a vast amount of knowledge regarding the nature of duality. He was making his way back to find the girls when a melodic, mischievous giggle echoed beside him.
"I am not talking to you," Aaric muttered, pointedly looking away from Eilistraee as he walked.
Eilistraee didn't let him go that easily. She stepped up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Are you truly angry with me?"
"Well, not really. I actually liked the lesson," Aaric admitted, dropping his fake scowl and turning to face her.
He looked up at the moon hanging in the violet sky while she continued to hold him. "How do you like your new life here?"
"Happy would be the only word for it," she whispered. She let go of his waist and took his hand, and they walked toward his cabin together while the goddess hummed a soft, beautiful tune that seemed to make the very stars shine brighter.