As the train pulled into station nine and three-quarters, John bid farewell to his friends. "See you next term, John. I'll definitely learn more about food," Daphne said, waving her hand reluctantly as John quickened his pace, leaving the platform behind.
Stepping out of the station, John was greeted by the Dursleys, who appeared unusually fawning, their expressions a mix of restraint and fear. Mrs. Wick, John's mother, enveloped him in a warm hug. "You've gotten taller and thinner," she observed, her fingers gently tracing the contours of John's leaner cheeks, a look of concern etching her face.
"Where's Dad?" John inquired, scanning the surroundings for any sign of Watson Wick, half-expecting a surprise. A flicker of panic crossed Mrs. Wick's eyes, swiftly masked as she replied in a soft, soothing tone, "He's waiting for us at home. He's come down with a bit of diarrhea."
"I hope he hasn't been overindulging in chocolate," John joked, accepting his mother's explanation without suspicion.
As they drove home, John noticed Harry's puzzled reaction to the Dursleys' uncharacteristic kindness, a stark contrast to their usual demeanor. Despite receiving an unexpectedly thoughtful gift from them at Christmas, Harry had dismissed it as a one-off. Now, the change in their behavior left him both flattered and uneasy.
Mrs. Wick's driving was smooth and assured, a welcome change from Watson's erratic habits. This was the first time John had been picked up by his mother alone since starting school, an arrangement that felt slightly odd to him. Tom, John's pet, rested his head on John's lap, while Basil, free from his cage, contentedly perched on Tom's back.
"John, how about we go on a trip this vacation?" Mrs. Wick suggested, her voice carrying a hint of nervousness as she navigated the car. John, distracted by the passing scenery, responded nonchalantly, "Sure, but let's make it a week later."
Relief washed over Mrs. Wick's face at his answer. John, sensing something amiss, looked up to catch his mother's quick glance in the rearview mirror. "Mom, what's wrong?" he asked, puzzled by her sudden tension.
"It's nothing," Mrs. Wick replied, her fingers tapping the steering wheel betraying her anxiety. John's gaze lingered for a moment before returning to the window, a sense of unease growing within him.
As they approached their home, John noticed two black cars parked outside. The sight of a driver smoking and a vigilant-looking bodyguard signaled trouble. A muscular man in a suit stood by the door, his gaze fixed in their direction.
Mrs. Wick's mood soured, and she muttered a curse under her breath before quickly masking her irritation with a smile. "There's a new panda fast food place. I remember you love Tianchao cuisine, so we should try it," she suggested, attempting to divert John's attention.
However, the tension escalated as voices carried from the house. "Watson, you were Finn Wallace's most trusted man. How can you claim ignorance now?" one voice demanded.
"Enough! I was only his financial manager, not involved in your shady dealings," another retorted.
The exchange heightened the atmosphere's tension, and John's attention was drawn to the man by the black car, who subtly positioned his hand near his lower back. Moments later, a man stormed out of the house, his face clouded with anger, and entered one of the black cars, which then sped away.
John and Mrs. Wick finally entered their home, the confrontation leaving an ominous shadow over their return. Inside the quiet living room, Watson Wake's usual composed demeanor had given way to a solemn contemplation as he sat on the sofa. The sound of the door opening startled him out of his thoughts, and upon seeing his family members enter, his solemn expression quickly morphed into his customary smile. "Who were those people outside?" he began, but before he could elaborate, John's gaze shifted upwards. Following his line of sight, Mrs. Wick noticed a bullet hole in the ceiling, covering her mouth in shock. Watson managed a strained smile; his son's intelligence was a source of pride, yet it also left him feeling somewhat inadequate. Struggling to maintain his smile, Watson rubbed his face in an attempt to regain composure.
"That was someone from London. Fern Wallace has been killed, and some of his legal assets have been entrusted to me," Watson explained. The visitors were not the first to inquire; there had been others before, all seeking to claim Finn Wallace's assets. As a professional with ethics, Watson had refused them. Moreover, he believed that Wallace's assets rightfully belonged to his family, not to other underworld figures.
"Did they threaten you?" John asked, aware that those operating in the shadows were not known for their friendliness.
Watson nodded awkwardly. "Someone threatened to arrest my son."
John was puzzled by his father's lack of concern. The family was entangled in dangerous dealings, yet John had always maintained a distance from the non-magical world to avoid breaching the Statute of Secrecy. He knew vaguely of his father's work in the financial district, investing on behalf of the wealthy, which had led Watson to form connections with individuals of questionable repute, including Fern Wallace. Wallace's trust in Watson had been so complete that he handled nearly all of Wallace's legal affairs, making Watson an unofficial adviser to the Wallace family. This relationship had its benefits while Wallace was alive but had become a source of trouble after his death.
"Don't worry, I'll handle this," Watson said, trying to sound reassuring as he clapped his hands dismissively. He looked at John with a sense of pride. "You're mature now, and I know you'll take good care of your mother."
John was taken aback by his father's words, wondering if Watson was aware that his son was not just any wizard, but also a master-level assassin proficient in level 7 short weapons. John was confident he could handle the situation without resorting to magic.
Before Watson could offer further reassurance to his wife, Mrs. Wick was already on the phone. "Who are you calling?" Watson asked, a hint of panic in his voice.
"I want Andre to come over," Mrs. Wick declared, her mind made up.
Watson's reaction was one of sheer horror, more so than if he had been held at gunpoint. He attempted to intervene, but Mrs. Wick was already speaking in Russian on the phone. It wasn't Andrei on the line, but Seryozha, Watson's elder brother.
Hearing Seryozha's voice, Mrs. Wick's eyes filled with tears. "Seryozha, I..." she began, her voice trembling.
"Seryozha, what's wrong? Speak quickly!" came the urgent reply.
The tension was palpable as Mrs. Wick struggled to articulate her concerns, the anxiety of their relatives in Russia palpable even through the phone. Watson's expression darkened, anticipating the chaos that would ensue once his uncles arrived, a prospect more daunting than any threat they had faced so far.
After a moment, the voice on the phone changed to that of John's aunt, signaling that the situation was about to take a dramatic turn. Whispering softly among themselves, the women discussed the situation. Lulusi, upon hearing her sister's request for Andre to protect her brother-in-law, glanced at the men who were preparing themselves. With a calm demeanor, she assured them she would relay the message. After ending the call, Mrs. Wick regained her composure, once again embodying the dignified Mrs. Wick everyone knew.
In contrast, Watson appeared utterly disheartened. He lamented whether it was too late for him to start learning Sanda, a form of Chinese self-defense. Despite his doubts, Watson's uncharacteristic display of assertiveness led him to arrange a trip abroad for John and Mrs. Wick, hoping to ensure their safety.
Meanwhile, Fern Wallace's son had reached out to Watson, requesting his presence at his father's funeral the following day. John, suspecting that the funeral might be a pretext for another scheme, decided to accompany his father. He planned to attend not just as a mourner but as a protector, ready to guard his father against any potential threats that might arise.
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge