Professor Flitwick closed his eyes, his small frame suddenly emanating a soft, golden light. The warm, yellowish glow began to pulse from his body, and when he opened his eyes again, they too had turned a deep gold. Holding out his wand, Flitwick muttered, "Episkey," casting the healing spell on Adam once more.
This time, the spell didn't falter.
Adam, who sat on the ground still feeling weak from the duel, felt a rush of warm magic surge through him, moving toward the gashes left by Draco's Sectumsempra spell. The searing pain that had gripped him moments ago began to fade as the cuts slowly mended themselves. His eyes widened in shock. The difference was clear—this was no ordinary healing spell.
This sudden change in Professor Flitwick caught Adam's attention. He immediately recognized the professor's special ability, and his mind wandered to thoughts of how this world resembled a half-gaming reality. 'Flitwick's special ability is like some holy attribute, effective against dark magic,' Adam mused, recalling Draco's berserker-like power during the duel. For a brief moment, Adam wondered if this world was truly becoming like a game, but he quickly dismissed the idea. He had come far too close to death to treat this lightly.
Hermione, who had been watching from the sidelines with fear written all over her face, breathed a sigh of relief. The tension in her chest eased as she saw Adam's wounds begin to heal, though his skin remained pale from the blood loss. She took a tentative step forward, tears still lingering in her eyes, but there was now a glimmer of hope.
Mrs. Greengrass, who had approached with her daughter Astoria, stood just behind Professor Flitwick. Her usually calm demeanor shifted to one of mild shock as she witnessed the professor's ability at work. She could feel the magic in the air—an energy that was unlike anything she had sensed before. 'This power,' she thought, 'is the nemesis of dark magic and curses.' It was no wonder that Adam's injuries, caused by such a vicious curse, were finally healing.
Not many in the wizarding world knew about Professor Flitwick's special ability, but in this moment, Mrs. Greengrass realized just how formidable he truly was.
Mrs. Greengrass stepped forward gracefully, her eyes scanning Adam with a mixture of admiration and curiosity. "You were quite brave, young Mr. Taylor," she said warmly. "Few could have handled themselves so well at such a young age, especially against a Malfoy."
Adam looked up, surprised at the compliment. Mrs. Greengrass reached into her cloak and pulled out a small glass vial filled with a deep, blood-red liquid. She handed it to Professor Flitwick, who took it carefully, inspecting the contents. His eyebrows shot up in surprise. "A blood-replenishing potion? And a potent one at that."
Mrs. Greengrass chuckled softly, a knowing smile on her lips. "Take it as a small gift for young Adam. Consider it both a congratulatory and a first-meeting present."
Flitwick hesitated for a moment, his gaze flicking from the vial to Mrs. Greengrass. But Adam, who had already regained some of his strength, smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Mrs. Greengrass," he said earnestly. "That's very generous of you. Is there anything I can do for you in return?"
Adam's sharp instincts had already told him that Mrs. Greengrass wanted something in exchange for her kindness, but he couldn't yet figure out what. She studied him with interest for a moment before replying, "Nothing too burdensome, I assure you. But how about this—you and I meet tomorrow in Diagon Alley? There's something important I would like to discuss with you."
Professor Flitwick raised an eyebrow but remained silent, his curiosity evident. He glanced at Adam approvingly, silently conveying that the decision was his to make. Mrs. Greengrass, though somewhat mysterious, didn't seem malicious, and her calm demeanor suggested that she could be trusted—at least for now.
Adam thought for a moment, weighing his options. "I'll meet her tomorrow. Besides, I need to visit Ollivander, too. It's too late now, and I'm in no shape to go today," he reasoned. Meeting Mrs. Greengrass could provide him valuable insights into the current state of the wizarding world, especially after witnessing Draco's unusual strength during the duel. There was definitely more going on beneath the surface, and Adam wanted to know what had changed.
With a firm nod, Adam met Mrs. Greengrass' gaze. "Alright. I'll meet you tomorrow in Diagon Alley."
Mrs. Greengrass smiled, satisfied with his response. "Excellent. I'll be expecting you. Until then, take care of yourself, young Mr. Taylor."
As she turned to leave with Astoria in tow, Adam couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. Tomorrow would bring answers—about his wand, about the shifting power in the wizarding world, and maybe about what Mrs. Greengrass truly wanted from him.
Mrs. Greengrass was about to leave when she turned to her daughter and spoke softly, "Astoria, say goodbye to Adam. He seems like a good boy, doesn't he?"
Adam felt a little odd hearing this, not fully understanding why Mrs. Greengrass spoke that way. He glanced at Astoria, who had been hidden beside her mother, blending into the background during the duel. Now, as he focused on her, Adam noticed the little girl, who appeared to be around 9 or 10. Her skin was pale, and she had a tired demeanor that suggested she was ill, though she still looked undeniably cute. What struck Adam the most was the way Astoria looked at him—it wasn't just curiosity. She looked at him as if he were an idol. Adam found it odd but didn't think much of it, given the intense events of the day.
Astoria, who had been clutching her mother's robes, peeked out from behind her and, in a shy voice, said, "I'm Astoria Greengrass. It's nice to meet you, big brother Adam. Please take care of your health when you go back, bye-bye."
Adam was taken aback. Her shining eyes, coupled with the sweet way she addressed him as "big brother," left him momentarily speechless. Is the world going crazy today? he thought, not expecting a member of a pure-blood family to address him so affectionately, especially given how pure-bloods were typically raised with biases.
On the other hand, Mrs. Greengrass was equally surprised. Big brother? That wasn't something she expected to hear, though she could understand Astoria being impressed by Adam's bravery during the duel. But what truly caught her off guard was how much Astoria was talking. When Astoria is in her normal state, she is very energetic and playful. But in her current condition, Astoria rarely spoke this much. For comparison, she hadn't said more than a few words all day, but now she was speaking animatedly to Adam, someone she had just met. Mrs. Greengrass watched her daughter for a second, then smiled warmly. It was rare for Astoria to act like a normal child, and it was a sight she cherished.
Adam finally snapped out of his surprise and smiled back at Astoria. "Hello, Astoria. I'm Adam Taylor. This here is my friend, Hermione Granger. It's nice to meet you too, and Thank you, I'll definitely take care when I go back home."
Hermione smiled kindly at Astoria, adding her own greeting. "Hello, Astoria." Astoria nodded shyly in response, her cheeks turning a little pink. Adam found the scene endearing. He wished he could offer her a chocolate or something as a small gift, but he realized he didn't have anything on him. Then, he remembered—my system!
He quickly accessed his system store, feeling a bit silly for forgetting about it, and bought a variety of tasty candies he had tried before. While the system's food usually tasted bland, the candies had always been delicious. He bought a couple of each kind.
"Would you like to see a trick?" Adam asked Astoria, who nodded enthusiastically, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.
Adam made a show of his empty hands, performing a few mysterious gestures before holding his fist above her outstretched hand. With a warm smile, he opened his fist, and several colorful candies fell into Astoria's palm. She quickly used her other hand to catch them before they could fall.
Everyone watching was pleasantly surprised, smiling at what they assumed was a simple trick. Astoria's eyes widened in delight, but then she hesitated, looking up at her mother with a worried expression.
Mrs. Greengrass understood her daughter's concern immediately and gave her a reassuring nod, signaling it was alright to accept the gift. Beaming, Astoria carefully tucked the candies into her robes and thanked Adam.
Mrs. Greengrass smiled at her daughter's happiness, though it was time to leave. She turned to the trio and bid them farewell before disapparating with Astoria.
As Mrs. Greengrass disapparated with Astoria, Professor Flitwick handed the vial of blood replenishing potion to Adam. "Here, Adam. Drink this—it's a rare potion, crafted with even rarer ingredients," Flitwick explained. "Potions like this can be made using different recipes, but achieving such high potency requires something special. It will restore the blood you've lost at an accelerated rate, and you need it right away."
Adam nodded and uncorked the vial, drinking it quickly. The potion had a metallic taste, but as it flowed down his throat, Adam could feel its effects almost immediately—a warmth spread through his body, and his strength slowly returned.
As Adam finished the potion, a faint light shone from Professor Flitwick's wand, falling over Adam's body. His torn clothes began to mend, but the bloodstains remained. Flitwick frowned, muttering under his breath, "These bloodstains are affected by the curse's vicious nature... they can't be removed like this."
He then turned to Adam. "You'll need a fresh set of clothes. We can't let you walk around like this."
Adam waved it off lightly. "It's alright, Professor. I've got a change of clothes in my room at the Leaky Cauldron."
Professor Flitwick looked relieved. "Good. Let's get you back so you can change."
Hermione, walking alongside them, glanced at Adam, slightly surprised. She knew there hadn't been any clothes in his room earlier, but she didn't question it. Her mind was preoccupied, lost in thoughts about the duel and the strange abilities Adam had shown.
As they made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron, Adam couldn't help but notice that despite the blood replenishing potion, he still didn't feel completely recovered. He was far from his optimal condition, but at least the danger of immediate collapse had passed. It was a tough day but after the duel, he had received extra 500 Galleons and now that he looked at his system window, he felt that everything that happened today was definitely worth it.
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Meanwhile, far from Diagon Alley, movements were taking place at Malfoy Manor. A group of dark-robed figures stood in silence, as though deep in thought. The atmosphere was tense, with everyone contemplating the events of the duel.
Lucius Malfoy sat at the head of the room, his face twisted in a scowl. One of the men present, who had been at the duel earlier, finally broke the silence. "Lucius, we're overthinking this. That boy probably learned about the Malfoys from some book or a story he overheard in Diagon Alley. My men confirmed he's been there for the past month. He's just a muggle-born... there's no need to gather and discuss him like this."
Another man, standing opposite the speaker, frowned and cut in sharply. "Goyle, no one would think you were stupid if you stayed silent. Do you honestly believe that anyone in Diagon Alley would dare talk about certain events? If you don't want to be part of this discussion, then leave."
Goyle glared back at him. "Crabbe, you...!" But he quickly swallowed his retort. "Fine. I don't want to waste my time with a pointless meeting. Let's go." With a flash, Goyle disapparated, taking a few other figures with him.
Lucius's cold gaze followed their departure, his anger simmering beneath the surface. He glanced at Crabbe but remained silent, waiting.
Moments later, the door creaked open, and the attention of the room shifted. An older man, appearing to be in his 50s but definitely older, stepped into the room. His presence commanded immediate respect, and those still in attendance straightened their postures.
The man gave a small nod of acknowledgment before speaking in a calm, measured tone. "Everyone, I believe this is enough for today. We'll continue this conversation once we've gathered more information about the boy."
The older man's gaze swept across the room. "Hogwarts is starting in just a few days, and we'll know much more about the boy from our children there. Whether he comes from one of those mysterious families or not, we'll learn soon enough. Until then, this meeting is adjourned."
The tension in the room eased slightly as the group disbanded, though Lucius Malfoy's mind remained fixated on Adam Taylor and the questions that surrounded him.
As the room emptied, only the old man and Lucius remained. The old man waited a few moments, ensuring they were truly alone, before speaking again. "Lucius, what are your thoughts about the boy? Did he reveal anything of significance?"
Lucius met his gaze, thinking carefully before responding. "Father, he didn't say anything specific—nothing we could act on right away. His words were vague, but there was a confidence in him, something unsettling. He mentioned that 'everyone knew what we did and how we got out of it.' He didn't specify what he knew, but it was clear he was unafraid of me or any of the pure-bloods present. After the duel, he even told me that it would be better for us to choose the honest side in the future, and that neither money nor fear will save us."
Yes, the old man before Lucius was none other than his father, Abraxas Malfoy.
At Lucius's words, a heavy silence filled the room. Abraxas Malfoy's expression darkened, his sharp eyes scrutinizing his son's every word. The weight of Adam's ominous message lingered between them.
After a long pause, Abraxas spoke, his voice low and grave. "No one, aside from Dumbledore or a select few Death Eaters, knows about the Dark Lord's potential return. Even among those who do, many don't believe it, or choose not to. But this boy... he seemed to know something."
Lucius clenched his fists, the humiliation from the duel still burning within him. "Should we get rid of him, Father?" he asked, his voice laced with lingering anger.
Abraxas raised a hand, silencing Lucius. "Lucius, you must remember one thing—our family has survived for generations, not through wealth or power alone, but through making the right choices. We don't strive for the top just for glory. We strive to preserve. Life is what matters most."
Lucius fell silent, absorbing his father's words. He knew the truth in them, especially after their family had narrowly escaped punishment following the Dark Lord's disappearance, thanks to Abraxas's careful maneuvering.
Seeing his son's understanding, Abraxas continued. "The mysterious families are called mysterious for a reason, Lucius. They are truly unknown entities in the wizarding world. There are few of them, but their power surpasses anything you or I could imagine. Even the Dark Lord attempted to bring them into his fold, but after contacting them, he never spoke of them again."
Lucius's eyes widened at the implication, and Abraxas's tone grew more serious. "There are records, Lucius—powerful families have vanished overnight after offending them. That is why we cannot afford to provoke such entities. Not now, not ever."
The weight of his father's words settled heavily on Lucius's shoulders. He felt a bitter sting in his heart, unwilling to swallow the humiliation Adam had inflicted on him, but he knew what had to be done. He couldn't risk his family's safety.
Abraxas, noticing Lucius's expression, softened slightly before speaking again. "That said, there is still a way to test the waters. If the boy is truly part of one of those families, we must tread carefully. But if he is not, we can deal with him quietly."
Lucius's eyes flickered with interest. "How can we confirm it, Father?"
A cunning smile spread across Abraxas's face. "Spread the news—secretly, of course—that the boy is part of one of the mysterious families. If he truly is, nothing will happen, and we'll leave him alone. But if he's not... well, those families won't take kindly to someone impersonating them."
Lucius felt a wave of understanding wash over him. His earlier frustration melted away, replaced by the thrill of a new plan. A wicked smile crept onto his lips as he nodded. "I'll see to it right away."
Before Lucius could leave, Abraxas spoke once more. "There's one more thing, Lucius. I've heard rumors about the boy's wand. It's no ordinary wand. We must find out more about it. If we can obtain it, it could make us even stronger."
Lucius's eyes gleamed at the prospect. "I'll look into it, Father. If there's anything special about that wand, I'll make sure we have it."
Abraxas nodded in approval. "Good. Now go, and remember—patience. We don't act unless we're certain."
Lucius left the room with renewed purpose, already plotting how to spread the rumors and learn more about Adam's mysterious wand. He knew that this would be a simple task since there were already talks about it that happened in the meeting. He didn't recall who started this thought that Adam might be a part of a mysterious family during their discussion, but he was happy that they did.
The Malfoy family had survived the worst situations in the past and this was not even worth anything. Thinking this, Lucius finally let down his worries.