The Hawthorne family stood with Sirius and Harry at the train station, saying their goodbyes as the new school year began.
Aaric received a warm hug from Simon, Elder Huo, and finally Edwina, who, as always, gave her motherly advice to both Harry and Aaric.
Sirius grinned as he handed Harry a small pouch, leaning down to whisper about what was inside and how to play the game of pranks.
The group moved toward the train together, joined along the way by Daphne, Hermione, and Luna. Luna clutched a wooden box with a bright, almost dreamy excitement.
"Today is the day," she said with a smile as she met Aaric's eyes who smiled and nodded at her.
They found an empty compartment and settled in just as Ron and Ginny rushed in moments before the train departed.
Luna carefully set the box by the window, instantly drawing the attention of the other girls. Inside was an egg with a faint shimmer to its shell.
"It's a gift from Aaric," Luna explained.
Daphne raised an eyebrow at Aaric, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "I hope the egg doesn't hatch into a pixie as some kind of prank."
"He's not that cruel," Luna defended him immediately.
Aaric nodded solemnly, pretending to wipe away an imaginary tear at Luna's support.
Daphne rolled her eyes and shook her head before scooping Chaya from Aaric's lap to play with her, while Ginny was busy pampering Pyra.
Across the compartment, Harry and Aaric exchanged a look, their lips thinning in shared, unspoken grief.
As Draco passed by in the corridor, Aaric excused himself and slipped out to catch up with him.
"Why do you look so gloomy?" Aaric asked, keeping his tone casual.
Draco glanced around to make sure they were alone before exhaling heavily.
"What you said came true," Draco admitted grimly. "But there was… an unexpected consequence."
He yanked up his sleeve, revealing the Dark Mark burned into his skin. His voice trembled with anger.
"The bold bastard branded me like livestock," Draco spat, his fist clenching, eyes red with rage.
Aaric studied the mark, his expression unreadable. "Does Aunt Narcissa know?" he asked with a small smirk.
Draco glared, looking ready to punch him. "This isn't the time for jokes," he hissed.
"Relax," Aaric sighed, his smirk fading. "I'll find a way to remove it. Don't worry about that part."
Draco's shoulders eased slightly at the promise.
"So… what do we do?" he asked hesitantly.
"He doesn't expect you to kill Dumbledore," Aaric explained calmly. "He just wants to humiliate your family. That's his real game."
Draco frowned deeply at that.
"But," Aaric added with a sly grin, "we can give the bold bastard a little hope… just enough to play him."
He leaned closer and outlined his plan involving the Vanishing Cabinet. Draco listened, wary but intrigued.
"He's stronger now," Draco said finally, his voice low and serious. "Much stronger than before. My father told me he's done something dark… crossed all boundaries."
Aaric's brow furrowed. "Tell me everything—every conversation you have with him and how he contacts you."
Draco nodded. Relief flickered in his eyes when Aaric patted his shoulder.
"I won't let anything happen to you," Aaric promised firmly.
"What about my parents?" Draco asked, voice wavering.
Aaric's tone hardened. "Was your father among those who attacked after the World Cup?"
Draco shook his head quickly. "No. He was against it. Even the Dark Lord didn't know about the attack beforehand."
That caught Aaric's attention. He raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Draco leaned closer, whispering, "Snake-face didn't mind the attack, though. He punished them hard for failing."
Aaric nodded slowly. "I won't lie to you, Draco. Their fate depends entirely on their actions going forward."
Draco swallowed hard but nodded, a flicker of resolve in his expression.
"Thank you… for everything you've done for me," he said, hugging Aaric briefly before pulling away to hide the emotion in his voice.
Aaric patted his back in silent reassurance, then returned to the compartment.
Inside, everyone was laughing and eating lunch. Daphne handed him a sandwich without looking at him.
"I got some for you too," she said flatly. "While you were off talking to your boyfriend."
Aaric grinned at the jab. "Want all the details?" he asked, making exaggerated kissing sounds.
The girls make disgusted eww notices in unison while the boys laughed.
Aaric made a dramatic hugging motion, puckering his lips ridiculously, making kissing noises.
He then went towards Harry with open arms and puckered lips.
Harry panicked and opened the window "Take another step and I will jump." Harry warned, making Aaric give up.
Daphne went scarlet and threw a balled-up napkin at him. He had to coax her for the rest of the train ride… which only got worse when she heard him mutter under his breath,
"You started it."
A/n: I will be trying to go a little slower in the pacing.
Power stones and reviews please people.