After Professor McGonagall finished her Transfiguration and left the entire room stunned, she finally turned her full attention to Julien.
She studied those familiar olive-green eyes and the quiet maturity that seemed far beyond his ten years.
Her expression was complicated—wary of the surname "Black," yet clearly impressed by the boy himself. His parents' reactions had already convinced her this was a completely ordinary Muggle household.
"Mr. Caelum Julien Black," she said formally, "Hogwarts welcomes you. Your name has already appeared in the Book of Admittance. That is a destiny that cannot be altered. There you will learn to wield your gift responsibly, make friends for life, and discover the path that is truly yours."
She paused, her gaze softening as it swept over the still-shocked parents. "For a Muggle family this is naturally a tremendous shock. But please believe me—Hogwarts is more than a school. It is a home. We protect every student, no matter where they come from. Julien needs to be there… and the school needs him just as much."
Altair and Clara exchanged stunned glances. Their proud, rational world had just collapsed in front of the living white crane still perched on their coffee table.
They looked at their quiet son, who was examining the bird with open curiosity—touching its feathers, tracing its beak—without the slightest trace of fear.
Perhaps he really didn't belong to the ordinary world they knew.
Professor McGonagall spoke again. "Mrs. Black," she addressed Clara directly, "forgive the personal question, but what was your maiden name? No ulterior motive—I simply noticed your eyes remind me very much of someone I once knew."
Clara blinked in surprise but answered readily. "Evans. My maiden name was Evans."
Professor McGonagall's eyebrows rose sharply. "Then… did you know Lily Evans?"
"Oh my God! You knew Lily! She was my distant cousin."
"I see. That explains everything." Professor McGonagall exhaled, her stern features softening noticeably. She glanced once more at Julien's eyes. "Lily was one of my students."
"What! So Lily attended Hogwarts too! Our family already had a witch!"
Clara's astonishment grew. "If magic is so powerful," she gestured at the crane, "then how could Lily and her husband have died in a car crash?"
"A car crash!" This time it was Professor McGonagall who looked shocked—and furious. "Who told you that?!"
"It was… Petunia and Vernon. That's what they said. Isn't that what happened?" Clara hesitated. Facing the formidable professor, she suddenly felt like a schoolgirl again.
"Of course not! They could never have died in a Muggle car accident! Lily and her husband James were heroes—the pride of our entire world!"
Grandma Élodie's eyebrows shot up at the word "Muggle."
Professor McGonagall paused, choosing her words carefully. "I cannot go into the details now; Julien will learn the truth in due course. Oh—and their son Harry will also be starting this year."
"Harry Potter! That poor boy is a wizard too?" Clara gasped.
"Poor?" Professor McGonagall's voice sharpened. "You've met him? Is he not… well cared for?"
"Well… I took Julien to visit the Dursleys about six months ago," Clara answered awkwardly. "You know how it is—relatives are never looked after quite as… thoroughly as one's own children." She finally found a polite phrase, but her face burned with embarrassment.
"I understand." Professor McGonagall's expression darkened. "It seems I shall need to have a very frank conversation with that old fool Dumbledore."
The elderly witch looked thoroughly displeased. "Since you all appear to have accepted the existence of wizards, we'll stop here for tonight. I will return next week to escort Julien to Diagon Alley for his school supplies."
She added briskly, "Please have your cash ready for currency exchange. You won't need much—the bank sets limits on Muggle money—but gold, silver, and jewelry have no restrictions."
No one noticed that throughout the entire visit Grandfather Alphard had remained completely silent.
Only after Professor McGonagall had left did he finally release a long breath, thinking to himself how lucky it was that McGonagall's specialty was Transfiguration, not Legilimency.
Altair drew a deep breath. Though disbelief still lingered on his face, a father's instinct won out.
He reached over and squeezed his son's shoulder, voice rough. "All right, son. If you really need to go to that… Wart-hog Castle… then go."
Julien nodded firmly, eyes shining with excitement.
Late that night, after another round of amazed discussion and a family agreement, Julien headed upstairs to bed.
Grandma suddenly grabbed Grandfather by the sleeve just as he tried to follow. "Julien, you go on ahead and rest. Darling… don't you think it's time you told the three of us Muggles your story?"
Grandfather: "…"
---
Deep in the Scottish Highlands, Hogwarts Castle stood beneath a sky thick with stars, as though countless eyes were watching the ancient fortress.
In the headmaster's office, candlelight flickered across the portraits of past headmasters—some dozing, some deep in thought. The air smelled faintly of lemon drops and old parchment.
Professor Minerva McGonagall stood ramrod straight before the large desk, though a rare trace of weariness showed between her brows.
She had just completed one very unusual home visit—and one secret side trip. Yes, she had slipped away to Little Whinging, Number Four Privet Drive, to see for herself.
Even though Hagrid had already taken Harry to Diagon Alley and the Dursleys now treated the boy with slightly more caution, their coldness remained unmistakable.
"Albus," her voice was as crisp and decisive as ever, "I have visited the family of Caelum Julien Black."
Albus Dumbledore, now in pale sleeping robes, set down his quill. Behind his half-moon spectacles, his brilliant blue eyes twinkled with gentle curiosity.
"Oh? Do sit down, Minerva. Lemon sherbet? Or perhaps my new shipment of dancing cockroach clusters?"
"No, thank you, Albus." Professor McGonagall declined firmly and went straight to the point. "The situation is… rather unexpected."
Dumbledore leaned forward, fingertips pressed together. "Unexpected? Because of the surname 'Black'? I admit, when I saw that name appear in the Book of Admittance I was genuinely surprised. I thought that proud old family tree had withered away completely."
"Quite the opposite, Albus." McGonagall shook her head, still sounding faintly incredulous. "That household is a textbook Muggle family."
"His father, Altair Black, is a shrewd wine merchant who knows nothing of magic. He actually thought Hogwarts was some Scottish boarding school that teaches card tricks. The real surprise lies with the mother."
"Ah, the mother's side of the family?" Dumbledore's eyes sparkled with fresh interest.
"His mother, Clara Black—maiden name Evans—" Professor McGonagall drew a slow breath, "is Lily's distant cousin."