Hermione lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her hand clutching her wand. It had the same silvery-golden patterns as Adam's, but hers was more delicate, feminine in shape and size.
She couldn't help but replay the memories of the past few weeks in her mind. First, there was the day Professor Flitwick came to her house, introducing Hogwarts to her skeptical parents. She remembered their doubt melting into awe as they learned their daughter was special. Hermione herself had been overjoyed, especially when she saw how happy her parents were for her.
Then, there was Diagon Alley. That day stood out vividly in her thoughts. She had followed a young student inside, utterly fascinated by the magical entrance. But before she knew it, he had disappeared. She remembered running through the bustling crowds, searching for him, and finally spotting him. She had returned the handkerchief he dropped but soon realized she was lost.
Unsure of what to do, she wandered back, noticing the frowning looks from some people as she passed. Feeling uncertain, she spotted a nearby bookshop with shelves packed with odd-looking books—some even flying around. The sight of the moving books had instantly captivated her, making her forget about being lost. She browsed through the magical tomes, reading summaries and making mental notes of the ones she wanted to buy.
Then, a voice had startled her. When she turned around, that was when she first met Adam.
Thinking about that moment made Hermione smile. Adam was the first friend she had made in this new world, and the memory of their meeting filled her with happiness.
Her thoughts flowed to the fun moments they shared, exploring random shops in Diagon Alley, practicing magic together at the Leaky Cauldron, and even the frustrating times when she struggled to cast her first spells. But through it all, Adam had been there—always kind, always cheering her on with his bright smile.
Hermione's smile widened, but then it faltered as a different memory came to mind—Adam confronting Lucius Malfoy. In that moment, Adam had been like a stranger, cold and distant. His attitude had chilled her, and it had happened not once, but twice. Both times, his wand had been glowing.
Sitting up, Hermione glanced at her own wand. It also had the strange patterns, and it had glowed during their magic practice, but it had never made her feel… different. Could Adam's wand have caused him to act so strangely? She stared at her wand for a few moments before shaking her head. No, she thought. Wands don't control people. Maybe it just reacted to his anger. He was really upset at the time.
Despite the fear that those moments brought her, a small part of her was glad Adam had been angry—he was defending her. He had stood up to the Malfoys for her sake, even dueling Draco. But the thought of Adam behaving like that again terrified her. She never wanted to see him like that.
As Hermione stood up, intending to go downstairs, her eyes fell on a book she had bought earlier. The title was Magic and Emotions. She remembered reading the summary, noting how the book was about the link between different types of magic and how they affected emotions. The topic hadn't seemed urgent before, but now…
Her thoughts returned to Adam's cold demeanor and his glowing wand. She hesitated for a second, then sat back down, picking up the book. Instead of going downstairs, she opened it, curiosity pulling her in. Soon, she was lost in its pages.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After disapparating from Diagon Alley, Adam found himself standing in a narrow alleyway, completely different from the magical streets he'd just left. The sudden shift in atmosphere made his head spin.
Looking around, he noticed cars and motorbikes zipping past the streets in the distance. It didn't take long for him to realize they had entered the Muggle world. He wasn't sure why Mrs. Greengrass had brought him here, but a part of him was relieved—it seemed safer than being anywhere near pure-blood wizards like the Malfoys.
Just as Adam took a deep breath, the overwhelming sensation of disapparating caught up to him. His stomach churned violently, and he squatted down, trying hard not to vomit. The ground spun beneath him, and he clenched his fists, waiting for the nausea to pass.
A soft laugh broke through the fog of his dizziness. "It's been a while since I've seen someone react like this. Don't worry, the feeling will pass soon enough." Mrs. Greengrass stood above him, her elegant smile making light of his discomfort.
Adam, still holding her hand, looked up and forced a smile. "I suppose it takes some time getting used to," he managed to say before turning his face down again.
Mrs. Greengrass's melodic voice rang in his ears once more. "Teemy, bring young Mr. Taylor a glass of orange juice."
The moment she spoke, Adam heard a soft rustling sound. It reminded him of someone apparating, but there hadn't been anyone else here when they arrived. Just a few seconds later, a small figure materialized before him, holding a glass of juice.
The creature was unmistakable—it was a house-elf, with large bat-like ears and a long nose, dressed in what looked like a neatly pressed tea towel. "Here, young master," the elf said in a squeaky voice, offering the juice.
Adam, still reeling from the disorientation, stared at the elf for a moment before glancing up at Mrs. Greengrass. She gave him a sly smile and gestured for him to drink. "You'll feel better after this," she said in a tone that suggested she had done this countless times before.
Reluctantly, Adam took the glass and drank it down in one gulp. Surprisingly, the juice was delicious, and even more importantly, it worked. Almost immediately, his stomach began to settle, and the dizzy spell lifted.
Mrs. Greengrass chuckled, a glint of amusement in her eyes. "You really shouldn't be so quick to accept drinks from strangers, you know."
Adam scowled playfully, realizing she had enjoyed watching him struggle a little too much. "Normally, I don't," he replied, wiping his mouth. "But when it's offered by a beautiful person like you, even if it were poisoned, I wouldn't dare refuse."
Her laughter echoed through the quiet alley, light and teasing. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Mr. Taylor." She looked down at him with a knowing smile, clearly enjoying the banter.
Adam couldn't help but grin back. "So, why here?" he asked, standing up and brushing off his robes. "Why not someplace more… magical?"
Mrs. Greengrass's expression shifted slightly, though her smile remained. "Because sometimes, the muggle world offers more discretion. And... You can not call this place... quite not magical, you see. " She glanced around the alley as if checking for something before continuing, "And also I thought you might appreciate a bit of calm before what comes next."
Adam raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "And what comes next?"
Her smile deepened, eyes gleaming with mystery. "Patience, Mr. Taylor. You'll see soon enough." Then she continued, " And How long do you plan on holding my hand, Mr. Taylor?"
Adam smirked, a playful glint in his eyes. "I wouldn't mind holding it forever, if you don't mind."
Her laughter rang softly in the alley, a melodic sound. "Flatterer," she said, pulling her hand back gently as Adam released it. She turned her gaze to Teemy, who immediately sprang into action.
The house-elf hurried toward the back door of one of the nearby buildings, opening it with a quick, fluid movement. Adam noted the ease with which the elf moved, as if this were a routine they had performed many times before.
Mrs. Greengrass walked ahead, her steps graceful, and Adam followed her inside. The shift from the quiet alley to the restaurant was stark—it was elegant, a bit on the expensive side, but still a typical high-end restaurant. The soft clinking of silverware and murmurs of conversation filled the air.
However, what really caught Adam's attention were the other patrons. Some of them were clearly wizards, wearing their robes openly even here. His eyes widened slightly at the sight. "Wizards… here?"
Sensing his thoughts, Mrs. Greengrass gave a small nod toward a private section of the restaurant. "I understand your thoughts, Adam, but let's talk inside a private room, shall we?" Her voice was calm, reassuring, and filled with subtle authority.
Without hesitation, Adam followed her as she led him through a narrow corridor. Teemy was already ahead, holding open a door at the end of the hallway. Inside, the room was cozy but elegant, with plush chairs and a chandelier casting a soft glow over a table set for two.
As they settled into their seats, Adam kept his eyes on Mrs. Greengrass, waiting for her to speak first. Sensing his curiosity, she began with a calm smile. "Adam, I'm sure you're wondering why I brought you to this restaurant... and why there are wizards here among the muggles."
Adam nodded, confirming that it was exactly what had been on his mind.
Mrs. Greengrass continued, her voice smooth and steady. "This restaurant is owned and managed by my family, or more specifically by me. It's not exclusively for wizards, but it also serves muggles. Oh, and I don't mean ordinary muggles."
Her words immediately triggered a realization in Adam's mind. "You mean... they're muggle mages? But how?"
He had never considered the possibility before. How could wizards and muggle mages coexist, especially in a place like this? Did this mean the wizarding world wasn't as hidden as he had once believed?
Mrs. Greengrass nodded to Teemy, who quickly disappeared from know this, "The muggle world—at least a part of it—is aware of the existence of wizards. When I say muggles, I'm referring to muggle mages, particularly those above a certain level of strength. Weak mages and ordinary people remain unaware of our world and the cooperation between us."
Adam's mind raced. "So the wizarding world isn't entirely hidden after all," he thought to himself. It made sense. Muggle mages could sense magic just as wizards did, even if they used a different type of magic. The idea that muggles—at least those with magic—knew about wizards made the secrecy of their world seem naive in hindsight.
After pondering for a moment, Adam asked the question that had been nagging at him. "Then what about the International Statute of Secrecy?"
Mrs. Greengrass responded casually, as if it were common knowledge. "It's not what it used to be anymore. There have been significant changes since... that mysterious event."
Adam's curiosity spiked. This was the second or third time he'd heard mention of this mysterious event. It seemed to have caused a fundamental shift in the world. "What was that event?" he asked, leaning forward.
Mrs. Greengrass paused for a moment, her expression thoughtful. Then, with a slight shake of her head, she spoke carefully. "It's not that I don't want to tell you, Adam. But I'm bound by an unbreakable vow. Just thinking about revealing it makes me feel the weight of that threat." She sighed softly, her tone apologetic but firm. "What I can tell you is that it was connected to Hogwarts. Whatever happened there was the catalyst for what we now call the Novel Era of the Wizarding World. It changed everything—power structures, laws, rules, even how we communicate with muggles."
Adam's mind buzzed with questions, but he could tell from Mrs. Greengrass's tone that she had already said all she could. Whatever this event was, it had reshaped the world as he knew it, and Hogwarts had been at its center. The Novel Era was no mere shift—it was a complete transformation of the magical world.
Adam repeated her words in his mind, "related to Hogwarts: Novel Era of the Wizarding World." The more he thought about it, the clearer it became—secret spaces appearing, muggles possessing magic, wizards gaining special abilities... this truly was a new era compared to the time before the mysterious event that had brought about these changes.
He glanced back at Mrs. Greengrass and asked, "I see. Then, can you tell me how the power structure has changed in the wizarding world? And also, what about the Greengrass family? Mrs. Greengrass, you seem to hold an important position just by the way you carry yourself."
Sophie Greengrass raised an eyebrow, surprised by his words. It wasn't the kind of question she expected from an eleven-year-old. Most boys his age wouldn't be interested in the power dynamics of the wizarding world, especially pure-blood families. Power had always rested in the hands of those families. She considered for a moment the rumors Lucius Malfoy had spread—that Adam was part of some mysterious family. She didn't believe those rumors, but many people who witnessed the duel found it easier to accept than the idea of a muggle-born defeating a pure-blood. Still, she couldn't help but think about it briefly as she listened to Adam's question.
"Adam," she began, a new formality in her tone, "let me introduce myself properly this time. I'm Sophie Greengrass, Astoria's mother and the current head of the Greengrass family. Oh, and I also have another daughter, Daphne, who will be attending Hogwarts this year. I hope you'll get along with her."
Adam stared at her, stunned. "You're the head of the Greengrass family?" He had never imagined a woman would be in charge of such a prominent pure-blood family. As this realization sank in, Adam suddenly felt a heavy presence wash over him, like someone was watching him closely. He glanced around the room, but there was no one else here.
Then, it hit him. Sophie was staring directly into his eyes, not with the warmth she had shown earlier, but with an intensity that made his skin crawl. Her gaze was probing, too deep for comfort. In that moment, something clicked in Adam's mind.
He shot up from his seat, anger flashing in his eyes. "Mrs. Greengrass," he said sharply, "if you intend to continue using Legilimency on me, I think our meeting should end right now."
The room fell silent. Sophie's expression didn't change, but Adam could sense the shift in the air. He had only recently started piecing together some of the hazier memories from his past life, but one thing he remembered clearly was Legilimency—the ability to read someone's mind and uncover their deepest thoughts.
Adam had too many secrets to allow something like that. This was one of his biggest concerns about going to Hogwarts, where two of the most powerful Legilimens in the world resided.
After a tense moment, the pressure over Adam's head vanished just as suddenly as it had appeared. Sophie's easygoing smile returned, and she spoke with a dismissive tone, "I'm sorry about that. It's become a habit since I took over as the head of the family. It's difficult to trust people, you see. Besides…" she paused, her eyes twinkling with amusement, "…I sensed some rather impolite thoughts from you."
Adam's face reddened as she continued. "You were wondering how a woman could be the head of the Greengrass family. That was quite rude, you know. I felt those thoughts from you, so I subconsciously checked. It's related to my ability."
Embarrassed, Adam sank back into his chair. He didn't appreciate her using Legilimency on him, but her apology, although casual, seemed genuine enough. Begrudgingly, he accepted it and sat back down. His curiosity, however, was piqued by her mention of her ability. "Related to your ability? How so?" he asked, eager to understand more.
Mrs. Greengrass expected the question and began her explanation. "My ability is quite special, and it's very different from what you saw Lucius Malfoy use. It protects my mind, while also allowing me to peer into someone's thoughts effortlessly. Legilimency? I don't even need it—unless the person I'm reading is very strong, stronger than me." She leaned back with a confident smile. "Believe me, very few people are stronger than me."
Adam couldn't help but be fascinated. Her power seemed nearly invincible with such confident attitude. "That's incredible," he thought to himself. It wasn't just a powerful ability—it was practically unstoppable. Unlike Lucius Malfoy's ability, this didn't appear to have limitations, and it was clearly something Sophie wielded with ease.
As Adam admired her ability, Sophie's smile deepened. "Of course," she added with a playful tone, "this is a secret of mine. Very few people know about it, so you better keep it to yourself."
Her words surprised Adam, and before he could ask why she was sharing such a personal detail with him, Sophie continued. "If I'm going to ask you for help with one of my most precious matters, then I think I should trust you enough to share something first. Besides, you are quite special yourself."
Adam's brow furrowed. "Most precious? Special? What do you mean?" he asked, trying to piece it all together. He had known she wanted something from him, but he hadn't expected it to be something this important.
Sophie leaned in slightly, her eyes never leaving his. "Adam, do you know what happened just now when I tried to peer into your mind?"
Hearing those words, Adam's heart began to race. His mind instantly went to the secrets he carried—his past life, his system. His face paled as panic rose inside him. "She knows," he thought. "This is the end."
But before his anxiety could overwhelm him, Sophie's amused smile returned. She didn't wait for Adam to respond. "Judging by your reaction, it seems your secrets are really serious. But don't worry—I don't know anything about them."
Adam blinked in surprise, his panic slowly subsiding.
"When I looked into your mind," Sophie continued, "I heard those impolite thoughts of yours first. But when I tried to delve deeper, do you know what happened?"
Adam didn't answer, but his gaze was locked onto her.
"I was repelled," she said, a hint of wonder in her voice. "Thrown out. I've never felt such a strong resistance. Your mind pushed me away."
Adam's shock deepened as she went on. "That's when I used Legilimency on you. This time, I wasn't expelled, but instead… your mind went blank. It became a slate of random, unimportant thoughts—like your remark about me being beautiful, having confident and strong attitude." She smiled, clearly enjoying Adam's discomfort. "I must say, I was flattered. But aside from those scattered thoughts, nothing important was accessible. No memories, no deep secrets. And the more I tried, the more I realized… there was a wall I couldn't break through."
Sophie's smile grew wider, her eyes gleaming with intrigue. "That's why I went at it with all my mental strength—and that's when you caught on. But even then, I couldn't get past that barrier. You, Adam, are far more interesting than I first thought."
Adam's heart pounded as her words sank in. Repelled. His mind had somehow repelled her, one of the strongest Legilimens he had encountered. The initial wave of relief washed over him—she hadn't uncovered anything. But almost immediately, that relief was replaced by cold fear. What if she had managed to break through? What if she had seen the truth buried deep within his mind—the truth about his past life and the system he relied on? Maybe he would be in some other place in just few moments being questioned about it. His past life was a really big question, but his system was also not a little secret, it could literally materialize things out of nowhere, no doubt people would go mad over its limits.
The mere thought sent a shiver down his spine. He had no idea how Mrs. Greengrass—or anyone in this world—would react to the knowledge that he wasn't who he seemed to be. His fear deepened as he thought of the possible consequences. He couldn't afford to be discovered—not now, not ever.
For a moment, Adam felt utterly vulnerable, imagining how close he had come to having his deepest secrets exposed. The heavy weight of that realization pressed down on him, and he struggled to keep his expression neutral.
Then, another thought emerged from the haze of fear—gratitude. He knew, without a doubt, that it was his system that had protected him. It had repelled Mrs. Greengrass's mental invasion. The same system he had relied only for rewards till now, and now in this moment system had stepped in to guard his mind from an attack he hadn't even anticipated.
Adam's anxiety began to ebb, replaced by a profound sense of thankfulness. "The system," he thought, "There's definitely more to it than I already thought, I must explore it more.." He had always known the system was powerful, but this—this was beyond what he expected. It wasn't just about tasks, rewards, or spells. It could protect him, shield him from mind/mental dangers he hadn't even perceived.
He clenched his fists under the table, feeling a rush of reassurance. There was more to the system than he had realized. He had suspected it had other functions, but so far, he hadn't uncovered all of its mysteries. This protection was proof of that. Adam felt certain now that the system had abilities beyond what he had accessed so far. He just needed to figure out how to unlock them.
Still, a lingering worry remained. How many more powerful witches or wizards might try to peer into his mind? And would the system always be able to protect him? He didn't know the answers yet, but one thing was clear: his secrets were safe, at least for now. And what he needed to do next was to get stronger, and quickly at that.
Sophie observed the shifting expressions on Adam's face, her eyes narrowing slightly as if she were piecing together a puzzle. "You're quite different today," she remarked thoughtfully, her voice carrying a hint of curiosity. "Like an entirely new person compared to yesterday when you fought that duel. You weren't scared at all in front of the Malfoys. You seemed so cold, decisive, and short-tempered. But now..." She trailed off, her gaze lingering on Adam.
Her words sent a ripple of unease through Adam. "Cold, decisive, short-tempered." He repeated those traits in his mind, recognizing that they didn't match who he truly was. He thought back to yesterday's duel, the fury that had overtaken him when he faced Draco and Lucius Malfoy. It hadn't felt like himself. A heavy pit formed in his stomach as he considered what had been behind those actions.
The wand. He was certain of it after conversation with Ollivander. And now Sophie's description of him aligned too perfectly with how he'd been feeling since acquiring the wand. It had influenced him somehow, amplifying his anger, making him act in ways that weren't true to his nature. And that made it a hidden danger, one he had to keep under control.
Steeling his resolve, Adam met Sophie's gaze. "Mrs. Greengrass," he said firmly, "I'm very grateful for all the information you've provided and for the potion you gave me yesterday. But if you attempt to look into my mind again, I will have to end this meeting and avoid any further contact with you." He paused, his voice steady, yet serious. "And I really don't want that to happen, so let's respect each other's boundaries."
Sophie's eyes widened in mild surprise. Not many people had the nerve to speak to her like that, especially not an eleven-year-old. But as she considered his words, a faint smile played on her lips. She admired his decisiveness and the strength behind his words. He wasn't easily intimidated, which only heightened her respect for him.
After a brief pause, she raised her hand in a calming gesture. "It's all good, Adam. I won't do that again." She gave a soft laugh, shaking her head. "Besides, you can call me Sophie. Hearing 'Mrs. Greengrass' is making me feel too old." Her tone was playful, her earlier intensity replaced with a lighter mood. "So please, just call me Sophie."
Adam knew that Sophie was just trying to deflect from the seriousness of the conversation, but he decided not to press the issue. Instead, he asked directly, "What is it that you want from me, Mrs.Greengrass? Why did you call me here?" He couldn't help but wonder what someone like her, the head of the Greengrass family, would want from a muggle-born like him. The more he thought about it, the more perplexed he became.
Sophie didn't reply immediately. Instead, she snapped her fingers. In an instant, Teemy appeared by their side. With another snap of the tiny house-elf's fingers, the entire table was suddenly covered in a grand array of food, drinks, and desserts. Adam's eyes narrowed suspiciously as he glanced at Sophie, unsure of her intentions.
But Sophie just smiled, her demeanor once again relaxed. "The reason I brought you here isn't just because this place is owned by my family," she said casually. "It's because I really like the food here." She took a bite of the pasta that Teemy had served on her plate, her expression one of genuine enjoyment. "Muggles may be far behind in magic, but when it comes to food, they're quite talented."
Adam raised an eyebrow, still unsure of her true motives. The lightheartedness of the situation contrasted starkly with the serious tone of their earlier conversation, and it didn't escape him that Sophie was continuing to avoid the subject of what she actually wanted from him.
Sophie, noticing his hesitation, chuckled softly. "Don't look so suspicious, Adam. I'll tell you what I want after lunch." She gestured toward the spread of food in front of them. "For now, just relax and enjoy. The food here is truly delicious and it also completely safe to eat."
As the lunch continued, Adam grew more curious about the situation in the wizarding world. Between bites, he asked Sophie about the current power dynamics, especially regarding the pure-blood families. He had noticed that their influence seemed to be growing even stronger.
Sophie leaned back slightly, her expression thoughtful. "The influence of pure-blood families has actually increased in recent years," she explained. "With the changes brought by the mysterious event, these families have consolidated their power. They're trying to reshape the wizarding world, pushing to ensure their dominance remains unchallenged. The Malfoys, in particular, are striving to be the number one family—Lucius especially. He's determined to elevate his family above all others."
Adam nodded, his mind racing as he considered her words. The Malfoys were more ambitious than he had initially thought. Lucius wasn't just playing politics—he was fighting for supremacy.
Seeing Adam's face, Sophie gave a knowing smile. "There's something else you should know," she said softly while observing the changes in Adam's expressions. "The rumor that you're part of a hidden, mysterious family has started spreading. And I have it on good authority that the Malfoys are behind it."
Adam frowned, incredulous. "A mysterious family? Me? What's that about?" He couldn't help but shake his head at how ridiculous it all sounded.
"It's not as ridiculous as you might think," Sophie replied after finding out that Adam really seemed to be clueless about these families. "Lucius is playing a different game. By spreading this rumor, he's hoping to draw the attention of these powerful, elusive families. These families aren't like the ordinary pure-bloods—they're much more secretive, and far stronger. If they believe you're impersonating one of them, they might take action against you. Then he won't have to worry if you are part of their family or not."
Adam's frown deepened. "So, instead of coming after me himself, Lucius is trying to use these mysterious families to do his dirty work?"
Sophie nodded. "Precisely. He knows he might not be able to touch you directly, especially after the duel, there's a thought between those fools that you might be part of those mysterious families since you bear Draco like that at your age. But by spreading this rumor, he hopes to use the influence and power of these families to eliminate you while maintaining safe distance from you. It's a dangerous move, but one that could work if these families get involved."
Adam mulled over her words. It still didn't fully make sense to him. But as Adam thought about it more, he realized that this rumor could actually work to his advantage. It bought him time—time to train, to grow stronger, and to protect himself from whatever dangers lay ahead.
"It's a risky move," Adam muttered, mostly to himself. "But if they believe the rumor, it could work in his favor." He glanced at Sophie. "Who are these mysterious families anyway? They sound even more powerful than the pure-bloods."
Sophie took a moment, her expression serious. "That's because they are. These families don't often interact with the rest of the wizarding world, and their existence is shrouded in secrecy. They hold far more power than the top pure-blood family, and they are not to be trifled with." She paused before adding, "Even I don't know much about them, but the rumors suggest they've existed for centuries, possibly longer. If they think you're impersonating one of them, things could get... complicated."
Adam felt a chill run down his spine. Powerful, secretive families—stronger than the Malfoys? He hadn't encountered anything like that in his past life. The thought unsettled him. These families were a new element, one he had no experience with, and the fact that the Malfoys were trying to use them to get rid of him only made the situation more precarious.
Still, Adam knew that this rumor gave him a window of time to train and get stronger. He was feeling lucky for this delay, but he couldn't afford to let his guard down. He needed to be prepared for whatever these mysterious families might throw at him if they got involved.
Lunch concluded, and Adam felt a quiet tension settle between them. The time had come for Sophie to finally reveal the true reason for their meeting. However, before she spoke, she leaned forward slightly, her eyes locking onto Adam's with a serious expression.
"Before I tell you anything, Adam, I need you to make an unbreakable vow," she said, her voice firm. "This matter cannot leave this room."
Adam's brow furrowed. He hadn't expected this, and the request made him immediately skeptical. An unbreakable vow? That was serious—he knew the consequences of breaking one. But he thought about it carefully. All she wanted was for him to keep her secret. It didn't matter whether he accepted her proposal or not. As long as he kept quiet, nothing would happen. After considering it for a few moments, Adam nodded.
"Alright," he agreed. "I'll make the vow, but I'm only agreeing to keep your secret. Whether I accept your proposal or not is a separate matter."
Sophie's expression softened slightly, and she nodded in understanding. "Of course." She gestured to Teemy, who had been quietly standing off to the side.
"Teemy will act as the witness," Sophie said calmly.
Adam blinked in surprise, glancing at the house-elf. "Wait, a house-elf can be a witness to an unbreakable vow? Is that even possible?"
Sophie gave him a patient smile and explained, "Yes, Adam. After the mysterious event, not only humans changed, but all magical creatures did as well, including house-elves. They've developed their own unique abilities, and Teemy has already been the witness to several unbreakable vows. You can rest assured—it will work."
Adam studied Teemy for a moment. The small elf stood confidently, looking up at Adam with its large, round eyes. He still felt some uncertainty about using a house-elf for such a significant magical ritual, but given everything he'd learned today about how the world had changed, it wasn't entirely impossible.
"Alright," Adam said, taking a deep breath. "Let's do it."