The sun had barely risen over Little Hangleton when Aurelian Gaunt took his seat in the main dining room of Gaunt Manor.
It was a peaceful morning, the light streaming through the tall windows illuminating the portraits and paintings in the manor, filling the place with life. Stinky paced back and forth with unusual enthusiasm, placing plates and cups with the dedication that only the best butlers could muster.
Aurelian took a sip of tea as he leafed through some magical notes on alchemy that he had been studying. A few weeks before the start of his fifth year at Hogwarts, his magical level was immense. Any wizard or witch would sacrifice everything to have his power, but Aurelian knew it wasn't enough for the dangers he faced. Everything he had learned over the years continued to shine within him with renewed strength.
Stinky appeared in front of him with a small pop, holding a folded newspaper. He was trembling slightly with excitement, or perhaps because of the news.
"My lord Aurelian, look... what arrived early today in Daily Prophet," he said with wide eyes, as if the paper were a dangerous object.
Aurelian looked up curiously, took the newspaper, and unfolded it on the table.
**"ESCAPE FROM AZKABAN!
SIRIUS BLACK ESCAPES FROM THE MOST FEARED PRISON IN THE MAGICAL WORLD."**
On the front page, taking up almost the entire space, a photograph showed Black's gaunt face, his empty eyes staring directly at the camera, the expression of a man who had seen the abyss and embraced it.
Aurelian rested his elbow on the table, holding the newspaper with one hand. His black eyes narrowed slightly, then a slow smile appeared on his face.
"Well... so it's already begun, eh," he whispered.
Stinky looked at him nervously, twitching his long ears.
"Is... is it something bad, my lord?"
"It depends on your point of view," Aurelian replied calmly, resting his elbow on the table as he analyzed each line of the article. "This just means that everything will be more... predictable. Just as it should be."
The news described the chaos in Azkaban, the agitated Dementors, the Ministry in turmoil, and Fudge trying to reassure people and maintain control.
His mind was already racing: Sirius Black, the imminent arrival of the Dementors at Hogwarts, Harry Potter entering his third year, and the shadows moving within the castle walls and beyond the United Kingdom.
"A terrible criminal, according to Fudge..." he read aloud, amused. "If only they knew what that meant and what the real story was," he finished in a whisper.
Stinky cleared his throat shyly.
"My lord... will this affect your school year?"
Aurelian closed the newspaper and left it on the table.
"Without a doubt," he said calmly. "I'm sure it will be... interesting."
He looked out the window, where the garden sparkled in the summer light. His fifth year was about to begin. Hestia and Flora had promised to visit him one more time before leaving for Hogwarts, Neville sent him letters every week recounting his parents' incredible progress thanks to ongoing treatment... the outside world continued to transform in silence.
Between the Alliance and Grindelwald gathering forces in the shadows, the Wizengamot divided, the Ministry's movements would only get worse... Aurelian knew that his role would grow as magical society fragmented.
The young Lord Gaunt rose from the table and picked up the newspaper with a calm smile.
"It's time to start preparing for the year," he said, pointing to the elf with the newspaper.
Stinky nodded quickly.
"Yes, my lord. Stinky will be ready."
"Sirius Black... welcome back to the stage," Aurelian whispered, smiling softly as he looked out the window.
A storm was coming, and Aurelian Gaunt planned to take full advantage of it.
The Leaky Cauldron was as busy as ever for this time of year, with many families coming and going, carrying trunks, pets, and everything they needed for school, their voices mingling in complete chaos, something that was almost a tradition on the eve of returning to Hogwarts.
Aurelian entered the bar with a calm stride, his robe falling elegantly around him. As soon as he walked through the door, he spotted an unmistakable group of redheads occupying one of the largest tables.
"Aurelian!" Fred shouted, raising his hand to get his attention.
The Weasleys, as always, had an energy that filled any place they went. Arthur and Molly were chatting animatedly while Percy read something too serious. Ron, Harry, and Ginny were laughing at something the twins had just said.
Aurelian approached with a slight smile.
"What a surprise to find you all here."
"We got back from Egypt a few days ago!" George announced proudly, explaining it as if he had survived a deadly expedition.
"It was incredible," Ron quickly added. "My dad won an award at the Ministry! They took us to see the cursed tombs and—"
"Ronald," Molly interrupted him. "Don't bother Aurelian with those stories about cursed tombs or who knows what else. We're about to have lunch."
But the twins were already rummaging under the table.
"Oh, yes. We almost forgot," said Fred, pulling out an object wrapped in cloth.
"It's a gift, courtesy of the entire Weasley family," added George, bowing exaggeratedly.
Aurelian took the package, raising an eyebrow.
When he removed the cloth, he saw that it was a flying carpet, somewhat old and with slightly frayed edges, but still in working order. It unfolded smoothly on the table.
"It's second-hand," said Arthur with a slight blush, "but it works like a charm. We got it from an Egyptian merchant. He said it had a long history."
"A history of too many rough landings, I'd say," muttered Ginny, looking at the carpet with a smile.
Aurelian smiled genuinely at them all.
"Thank you. Really. I wasn't expecting this."
"You always help us," George replied. "It was about time we returned the favor... even if it's just a small thing."
Aurelian bowed his head gratefully.
The Weasleys were probably the most genuine and warm family he had ever met.
That was when Harry Potter looked up from his food.
His eyes met Aurelian's, and the usual tension between them was still there, but something was different. Harry seemed more tired and more alert.
"Gaunt," Harry greeted him, trying to sound friendly.
"Potter... I hope you're well," he replied with a nod.
There was a moment of silence between them, brief but meaningful.
"Are you staying here for a while?" Harry asked, breaking the silence.
"No. I just came to do some shopping and rest a bit," Aurelian replied calmly.
Harry nodded, looking at his plate of food.
"I'm staying here. Mr. Fudge didn't want me to go back to Number 4 this summer."
Aurelian fell silent. He knew exactly why. Sirius Black had escaped from Azkaban, and everyone believed he was looking for Harry. Aurelian knew more about that story than anyone at that table could imagine.
"Anyway. I'm glad to see you're well," he finally said.
Harry blinked for a second, looking at him in surprise, but nodded.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
The conversation was interrupted when Molly appeared with a huge plate of food.
"Aurelian, dear, stay and have lunch with us. There's more than enough."
Aurelian didn't have time to refuse when the twins were already dragging him to a chair between them.
"Come on, Lord Gaunt," George joked. "It's not every day that a nobleman eats among commoners."
"And even less so with commoners as charming as us," added Fred.
Aurelian allowed himself a small laugh as he settled into his chair.
Everything was starting to fall into place. Soon, very soon, the next phase would begin.
The meal progressed amid laughter and jokes. Between the magical families and a couple of curious tourists who had no idea what kind of place they had entered, the atmosphere was warm and noisy.
Aurelian looked at the flying carpet the Weasleys had given him. It was clear that they had taken great care of it so that it would last all this time and remain in more than acceptable condition.
Mr. Arthur Weasley looked at it with obvious enthusiasm, like a child showing a toy he loved to his friends.
"It's... wonderful," said Aurelian, running his fingers over the Egyptian patterns embroidered on its surface. "Did you really get it from a simple merchant?"
Arthur's face lit up at his question.
"Yes, yes, Egypt is an impressive place!" he replied with a proud smile. "Flying carpets are banned in Great Britain, that's clear, but in other countries they are still used. This one in particular was in a magical market in Cairo, and I thought it would be perfect for you, lad."
"I sincerely appreciate it," Aurelian replied, bowing his head. "You can tell it has a lot of history behind it."
Arthur smiled even more.
"Exactly! That's what I told Molly and the kids. Although they were only interested in the fact that it could fly and well..." He leaned toward Aurelian, in a confidential tone. "Just make sure you don't take it out for a flight in public. The Ministry has been on edge with regulations and controls lately... and even more so with..."
He cut himself off when he saw Harry coming out from behind the counter with a plate full of Treacle tart.
"Harry!" Arthur called, raising his hand.
Harry approached, a little surprised by his sudden call.
Arthur got up from the table, running a hand through his hair, his face suddenly becoming more serious before placing a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Harry, son... can we talk for a moment? Alone."
Harry blinked in confusion but nodded, leaving his tarts on the table.
"Sure, Mr. Weasley."
Aurelian watched the scene with a slight smile. He knew exactly what the conversation was about. Sirius Black, Azkaban, the supposed threat... and that he should not look for Black, no matter how much he wanted to.
Arthur led Harry to a corner of the room, away from the hustle and bustle.
Even without wanting to listen, Aurelian could pick up fragments of the conversation from Arthur's tone and posture: sincere concern, warnings, and the urgent need to protect him.
Harry, for his part, wore an expression somewhere between confused and frustrated.
Aurelian looked away, giving them the privacy Arthur sought. After all, he already knew what they were talking about, and it didn't affect him directly.
He held the rug under his arm before walking toward the stairs of the premises, thinking how curious it was to see how destiny unfolded... even when one already knew the way.
Before going all the way up, he returned to the table and took a piece of tart from the plate Harry had left behind. It was definitely going to be a very fun year... at least for him.
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