After the houseguests finally departed, Tom, the family dog, was visibly exhausted, his fur slightly ruffled from the day's events. A young visitor had been particularly rough with Tom, attempting to take him away despite his parents' offers to compensate for any trouble caused. Mrs. Wick, however, managed to scare the child off with a deceptively kind smile, all the while brandishing a table knife with an ease that would make even Watson hesitate.
Upon John's return, Tom's spirits instantly lifted, though confusion flickered in his eyes as he approached. Abruptly stopping, Tom sniffed around John, his demeanor suggesting betrayal. It was as if Tom could detect the scent of another dog on John. Despite Tom's apparent jealousy, John reassured him with a laugh, "It was nothing serious, just a bit of fun. I promise, I won't bring another dog home." Tom's wagging tail soon betrayed his lingering doubts, quickly placated by a generous serving of dog food.
Meanwhile, a snowy owl perched atop a cabinet caught John's attention with its hungry calls. "Where have you been hiding?" John mused, offering the owl some dried fish. As he turned to the attic room, he was greeted by the sight of another snowy owl, identical to the first. "You're Basil, then who is this?" John pondered, holding the newcomer. The two owls, upon closer inspection, began to show signs of rivalry, leading to a brief scuffle that John diffused with more dried fish.
Outside, John noticed the large black dog still loitering near the road, pondering if it had an owner. His attention was soon diverted back to the owls, now identified as Basil and Hedwig, Harry Potter's own pet. The revelation came just as Harry appeared, searching for Hedwig. John called out to him, and a relieved Harry rushed over, greeted warmly by Mrs. Wick's elegant presence.
Inside, Watson Wick, reminiscing about his days as a driver in Canary Wharf, made an unusual request to Harry. He asked, in hushed tones, if Harry could turn a teacup into a mouse, promising to keep it a secret. Harry, taken aback by the request and the implication of his abilities, politely declined, citing the prohibition of underage magic outside school. Watson's surprise at this rule hinted at his own son's magical experiments at home.
The Wick's attic, where John resided, was a stark contrast to Harry's cupboard at the Dursleys'. Spacious and filled with kennels and bird cages, it resembled a small zoo, a testament to the Wicks' love for animals and the magical world intertwined with their own. To ensure John didn't stand out too much among them, Hedwig was given a piece of dried fish, for which Harry expressed his gratitude repeatedly. John noticed the absence of the large black dog that had been outside, presuming it had left. Seizing the moment, John mentioned, "Since you're here, I have your birthday present ready." He gestured towards a wrapped gift box on the table and handed it to Harry.
Harry, taken aback by the gesture, eagerly asked, "May I open it?"
"Of course, it's yours," John replied, feeding Hedwig another small piece of dried fish, noting the owl must have been famished after its long flight.
Curiously, Harry unwrapped the gift to find a bottle filled with a black powdery substance. As he shook it, the powder inside fluttered like a constellation of stars in motion, a sight he had never witnessed before. "What is this?" he inquired, fascinated.
"It's an anti-eavesdropping powder. Sprinkle it around, and it will alert you to any snooping," John explained. Demonstrating its use, he took a pinch of the powder and tossed it into the air, where it drifted and adhered to the door. At that moment, John called out, "Dad, were you planning to bring us some drinks?"
Watson, caught eavesdropping behind the door, entered sheepishly with drinks before quickly excusing himself. John, with a shrug, remarked, "See? Just like that."
Harry's eyes sparkled with excitement as he held the bottle, already thinking of the relief of not having to worry about Uncle Vernon overhearing him anymore. "What's it called?" he asked.
John, realizing he hadn't named the powder yet, replied offhandedly, "Let's call it Stardust."
In August, John ventured to Diagon Alley, adopting a low profile as Johnny Silver Hand, a name that had become synonymous with mystery. He visited a divination shop and purchased a crystal ball filled with swirling white mist. Despite several attempts, John couldn't trigger any prophecies, leading him to conclude, "Divination is not as straightforward as it seems." He whimsically used the crystal ball as a paperweight in his office.
When Lucius Malfoy and his son Draco visited, John was taken aback by their unexpected arrival. Draco, visibly tense, seemed inexperienced in dealing with the enigmatic Johnny Silver Hand. Lucius, however, approached with a congenial smile, expressing his pleasure at reuniting after some time. He introduced his son, Draco, who respectfully greeted John as "Your Excellency Johnny Silver Hand."
John was puzzled by their visit until Lucius revealed his intention, smiling warmly, "I would be honored if my son could become the godson of Your Excellency Johnny Silver Hand."
John was astounded by the request. If he weren't wearing a mask, his surprise would have been evident. The idea of becoming Draco's godfather was bewildering to him, especially considering they were classmates. The thought of navigating their future interactions under such a peculiar dynamic was perplexing.
Yet, John also grasped Lucius's underlying motive. By proposing this relationship, Lucius sought to align his family more closely with Johnny Silver Hand's influential reputation, hoping to leverage it for their benefit. To further solidify the bond between their families, Lucius Malfoy sought a deeper connection than mere friendship with John. He believed that having John as a godfather to his son would bring the families closer, offering a more intimate and reassuring relationship to the Malfoys. However, John's response was not what Lucius had anticipated.
"I understand your intentions, Lucius," John began, his voice carrying a weight of seriousness. "But there's something fundamentally wrong with this proposal."
Lucius was taken aback by John's refusal. He had not expected resistance, especially considering the importance he had placed on this alliance for the future of the Malfoy family. Draco, who had been informed by his father of John's significance, felt a wave of disappointment.
"Your Excellency Johnny Silverhand, Draco is a commendable young man," Lucius attempted to persuade.
"I know Lucius, perhaps even better than you do," John countered, his statement leaving Lucius puzzled. How could Johnny Silverhand claim to know Draco better? Even Draco himself was momentarily confused by the claim. However, John clarified his point, adding a layer of insight that Lucius had not considered.
"In Draco's eyes, I see a genuine desire for self-improvement. Lucius, you're overlooking a rare quality in your son, akin to a pearl hidden in the dust."
Lucius was prompted to reassess his perception of his son. The notion of Draco possessing such a quality – the drive for self-improvement – was something he hadn't fully appreciated. John's words not only challenged Lucius's understanding of his son but also highlighted a valuable trait that Lucius had failed to nurture.
_________
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Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge