{12 Grimmauld Place}
{4th July 1991}
{Rigel’s POV}
I wake to the gentle tapping at my window—deliberate, rhythmic, insistent. Rubbing sleep out of my eyes, I slip from beneath the covers and look at the window in confusion. Not able to see anything behind the thick drapes, I crept across the floorboards. I pushed the curtain aside only to look at the world beyond my window, which was pale and silent, but two owls perched on the sill as if they’d been waiting for : a dignified barn owl with speckled feathers, and a tawny owl whose amber gaze glead in the pre-dawn light.
I open the window, and each owl drops a letter into my outstretched hands. I tried to guide them inside, but the brown owl just shook its feathers and took off. I softly shut the window against the morning chill and set the letters on my desk. The barn owl’s soft, curious hoots were pushed to the back of my mind as I broke the first seal—a swirling lotus entwined with green vines, which I’m assuming is the Patil’s family house crest.
Unrolling the parchnt, a soft fragrance of sweetness hit as I read:
’’’ Parvati Patil
London, 2nd July
Hey Rigel!
I’m so thrilled you and your crew are coming to India this sumr. I know we talked about it, but I wasn’t really certain that you would co. I can hardly wait to show you around! My dad, Sanjay Patil, has already had a quiet word with the folks at the New Delhi Ministry of Magic, so all your travel permissions are in the works. You’ll step through the Portkey at Mumbai with a VIP welco, and we’ve got a little welco party planned right on the beach to kick things off.
You’ll be staying with us in Fort Kochi—picture white-washed walls, swaying palms, and ocean breezes. We’ve set aside private rooms for everyone and even a little study wing so you can compare British spells with so of our local charms. Mrs. D’Souza, our family steward, will keep everything running smoothly, from breakfast dosas to late-night chai.
Here’s what we’ve sketched out so far:
Day 1: Portkey arrival, beachside lunch, sunset boat ride on the backwaters. Want to visit the lagoons? It is beautiful down there, though it is mostly a Muggle tourist spot.
Day 2: Morning visit to the magical markets around Delhi, afternoon visit to our family’s workshop, if you want. Our family owns a monopoly in the enchantress business in India.
Day 3: Festival tour in Mysore—dancing, fireworks, and palace magic.
Day 4: ???
But I want this to be your trip, so please send any ideas or must-see spots you’ve got in mind. Love ancient temples? Potion ingredients? Want to et local spellsmiths or try a Colloquium at the university? Let know, and I’ll weave it into the schedule, but do let know in advance in case we need to apply for special permissions.
I’ll list out so options of Muggle and magical sights you might love:
Gateway of India & Marine Drive (Muggle): A scenic pronade perfect for sunset strolls—Mrs. non assures you’ll adore the sea breeze and local street‐food stalls.
Elephanta Caves (Muggle & magical): Carved rock temples with ancient warding runes. So say the inner sanctum still echoes with residual elental charms.
Hidden Scriptorium beneath the Spice Temple (Magical): Our family’s library has secret tunnels that descend to a vault of Sanskrit spell scrolls. I can arrange a private viewing, though I need to talk to Dad about it.
Great Banyan Ward (Magical): A centuries‐old tree in Varkala whose natural wards soothe magical exhaustion—perfect for a mid‐trip recharge.
Chandni Chowk Bazaar (Muggle & magical): Alleyways packed with enchanted textiles, living spice vines, and flying lanterns that carry wishes for good luck. Hidden in the alley is one of the biggest wizarding markets in Asia.
Ellora’s Secret Wing (Magical): Beyond the UNESCO caves, there’s a hidden grotto ringed with elental glyphs. Only a few know how to open it, and the tours are tid and need to be booked in advance.
Tea Terraces of Munnar (Muggle): Rolling green hills scented with jasmine—ideal for a morning Apparition and so invigorating chara‐brews.
Can’t wait to hear what you think.
With love and excitent,
Parvati
P.S. If you need daylight Apparition in restricted zones, simply show this letter at any Regional Enforcent Office—they’ll give you a temporary travel permit.’’’
I pause, savoring the Patils’ foresight: private suites, study chambers, a cultural liaison, even the astrologer’s auspicious timing. Everything is falling into place, though she seems quite excited about this, a lot more than I expected. I looked at the date written in the letter
Next, I turn to the second letter—sleeker, stamped with the seal of the Ministry of Magic. I read the address as I break the seal:
Ministry of Magic
International Travel Departnt
London, 3rd July
To:
Mr. Rigel Black
12 Grimmauld Place, London
Opening up the letter, I read through it. Its tone was quite formal as it was an official correspondence:
’’’ Mr. Black,
On behalf of the International Travel Departnt, I would like to extend a formal welco and acknowledge receipt of your request for permission to travel to India. Please find below the detailed requirents and procedures necessary to secure all official authorizations:
I. Docuntation Requirents:
Form ITD-23a: Traveler Information Form
Obtainable in person at floor 5, Office of International Travel Departnt, or by Owl Post request.
Must be completed in triplicate, bearing your full magical signature and that of your Head of Delegation, Mr. Sirius Black.
Form HS-17c: Health & Safety Endorsent
Issued by St. Mungo’s International Health Bureau.
Requires dical screening for contagious Magical Anomalies and confirmation of non-infectious status for all type-III Mugglesanomolies.
Appointnt slots are available at 10:00 and 15:00 daily. Please reserve in advance.
Cultural Conduct Agreent
Provided and signed by Padma Patil.
Submission of the signed agreent satisfies the cultural liaison requirent. All procedures have already been completed, but need to be signed by your Head of Delegation, Mr. Sirius Black.
II. Portkey Registration
Form ITD-23b: Portkey Application
Register at the Portkey Office, Ministry of Magic (2nd Sub-Basent, New Wing).
Required information:
Full nas of all travelers
Designated Portkey route (Ministry of Magic, London → Mumbai International Plaza)
Date and ti of intended activation (scheduled: 09:30, 12th July)
Contingency return Portkey details (Mumbai International Plaza → Ministry of Magic, London)
Portkey Activation Fee
5 galleons per traveler, payable at the 5th floor, Office of the International Travel Departnt.
Retain official receipt for final clearance.
Registrar Interview
Mandatory brief interview with a Portkey Registrar.
Appointnts must be booked in person or via Owl Post. Early booking is strongly advised.
III. Final Authorization
Return all completed forms, receipts, and endorsents to the International Travel Departnt (5th Floor) by 16:00 on July 7th.
Late submissions will incur the standard 14-day processing period.
Upon verification, you will be issued an Official Seal of Departure and a Portkey Authorization Note, granting you full legal authority to depart via the designated Portkey.
Should you have any questions or require further assistance, please get in touch with directly at office Room 417 or via Owl Post.
We appreciate your cooperation and wish you a safe and successful journey.
Yours sincerely,
M. Arbuthnot
Head, International Travel Departnt
Ministry of Magic’’’
I smile as I close the letter. The official work will be pushed to Sirius. I should give him this letter. A soft hoot from the owl brought my attention back to the Barn owl.
’Right, I should get so food for it and then draft a letter to Parvati that it could take. I wonder if I should ask about Parseltongue, hopefully the topic is not as much of a taboo as it is here...’
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AN: Sumr travel begins in the next Chapter. A lot of turbulence in my IRL.
P.S- 50 Chapters on P.atreon!
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