The day before the Hogwarts Express was set to depart for the sumr, Nero received an unexpected note.
The thick parchnt bore an elegant, looping script that was imdiately recognizable.
Dear Nero,
Please co to my office at your earliest convenience.
I have news to share.
Albus Dumbledore.
Nero wasted no ti making his way to the Headmaster's office.
The enchanted gargoyle moved aside as soon as he uttered the password, and monts later, he stepped inside the circular room filled with whirring instrunts and softly flickering candlelight.
Dumbledore sat behind his desk, his expression as serene as ever, though his blue eyes glead with intrigue.
"Ah, Nero. Please, have a seat," Dumbledore gestured to a plush chair in front of him.
Nero did as instructed, his mind already racing with possibilities.
"I assu you rember our discussion at the beginning of the year regarding the Bullock?" Dumbledore began, leaning forward slightly.
Nero's interest sharpened imdiately. "Of course. Have you managed to find sothing?"
Dumbledore nodded, steepling his fingers. "Indeed. It took considerable effort, but I have finally managed to locate a trail leading to sowhere in Europe. While I do not yet know its exact location, I have uncovered enough clues to warrant further investigation."
Nero's pulse quickened. This was significant.
If they could track the Bullock, they would have a chance to understand better why Voldemort modified the way he created Horcruxes.
Dumbledore studied him for a mont before continuing, "I recall you expressed an interest in accompanying when the ti ca. I am here to ask if you still wish to do so."
Nero didn't hesitate. "Absolutely."
A smile played at the corners of Dumbledore's lips.
"Very well. I will send a letter a few days before I am ready to depart. In the anti, enjoy your sumr break. You have certainly earned it...as the top student of your year, no less."
Nero smiled and nodded, suppressing the anticipation bubbling inside him. "Thank you, Grandpa. I won't waste this opportunity."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "I suspect you won't."
With that, the eting concluded, and Nero stepped out of the Headmaster's office, his mind already filled with possibilities of what lay ahead.
After finalizing his plans for the sumr, Nero t up with Alaric, Lilith, and Ember.
The year had been a whirlwind of discoveries, battles, and growth.
Now, as they prepared to go their separate ways for the sumr, a sense of nostalgia and excitent settled between them.
"Alright, before we all disappear for the sumr," Nero started, leaning against the armrest of the couch, "let's promise to stay in touch."
Lilith smirked. "You think I'd let you run ahead of without keeping an eye on your progress?"
Ember grinned, throwing her dagger into the air and catching it effortlessly. "Oh, don't worry, Nero. I'll be spamming letters until you're sick of ."
Alaric sighed, but there was warmth in his voice. "I was hoping to have a quiet sumr, but I see that's not happening."
Nero chuckled. "You should know by now that quiet isn't in our vocabulary."
They laughed, but soon, their conversation turned to their plans for the sumr.
"I'll be training under my grandfather," Alaric said. "He wants to improve my combat strategy. Apparently, I 'lack battlefield instincts.'" He rolled his eyes.
"That's because you overthink," Ember teased.
"At least I think before I act," Alaric shot back.
Nero turned to Lilith. "And you?"
Lilith's eyes glead. "I have unfinished business with Salazar's legacy. There's more to learn about Oblivion magic."
Nero nodded approvingly. "Good. We'll make real progress next year."
Ember stretched, placing her hands behind her head. "I'll be working on my wandless magic, and crafting skills. It's getting better, but I want it to be second nature."
Nero grinned. "Sounds like we all have a full sumr ahead."
Lilith arched an eyebrow. "And what about you?"
Nero leaned back. "I have a lot planned."
He proceeded to summarize his sumr schedule:
Dumbledore would take him to Europe to investigate the Bullock.
He had an appointnt with Dr. Evelyn Hart, an internationally renowned Legilincy teacher recomnded by Dumbledore.
He would et Professor Vekor, who continued to push him further into barrier mastery.
Professor Vellian would teach him more advanced apparition techniques, focusing on combat applications.
Sebastian Drake would continue his curse-breaking lessons, exposing him to more real-world situations of dark artifacts and curses.
Ember whistled. "And I thought my sumr was busy."
Alaric shook his head. "You never stop, do you?"
Nero shrugged. "If I stop, I fall behind."
Lilith smirked. "And that's sothing you refuse to allow."
Nero extended his hand toward them. "Next year, we will take things even further."
One by one, they stacked their hands on top of his.
"To the next year," Alaric said.
"To becoming stronger," Lilith added.
"To causing trouble," Ember finished with a mischievous grin.
They exchanged one last look before lowering their hands.
"Stay safe," Nero said as they parted ways.
"You too," Lilith replied.
Later that evening, after leaving King's Cross station, Nero Apparated directly into the Ravenclaw Manor.
The air slled of polished wood and old parchnt, a scent that felt like ho.
Before he could take another step, a shrill, excited voice rang through the hall.
"Master Nero is ho!"
A blur of motion shot toward him. Witty, his ever-loyal house-elf.
The tiny creature nearly tackled him in enthusiasm.
"Witty missed you, Master! Witty has prepared your favorite al! And warm tea! And..."
Nero chuckled, placing a hand on Witty's head. "I missed you too, Witty. It's good to be ho."
Witty bead. "Master must be tired! Sit, sit! Witty will bring food!"
Nero obeyed, collapsing onto the plush sofa in the study.
The exhaustion of the year finally caught up with him, his body relaxing as he sank into the cushions.
His thoughts were drifting to what he had learned, accomplished, and the tasks awaiting him this sumr.
But then...
Sothing felt wrong.
Very wrong.
His heartbeat accelerated unnaturally.
The air felt heavier, colder.
A restless energy coiled in his gut, tightening like a vice.
His breath started getting laboured.
He stood up sharply. Wand at the ready.
And then, an unfamiliar voice echoed through the room.
"At least your senses are not too bad... Nero."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50 Chapters ahead on Patreon (Suiijin): Chapter 131: The mory Parcels Experint
Reviews
All reviews (0)