The Dursleys' living room was quiet, save for the soft breathing of the two boys sleeping on the sofa. Kael and Harry lay side by side, their faces peaceful in the dim light of the early morning. Ruka, the Nundu cub, lay on the floor nearby, his golden eyes half-closed but alert. To anyone else, he would have looked like a large, intimidating dog. But to those who could see through Aurum's disguise, he was a magnificent black leopard with a mane, his presence both regal and fearsome.
The peace was shattered by a loud *BANG* on the door.
Kael's eyes snapped open, his hand instinctively reaching for the small dagger he kept hidden in his cloak. Harry stirred, groaning as he rubbed his eyes. Ruka was already on his feet, his growl low and menacing as he positioned himself between the boys and the door.
The door creaked open, and a massive figure stepped inside. It was a man—tall, broad, and covered in a wild tangle of hair. His beard reached down to his chest, and his eyes twinkled with a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Blimey," the man muttered, his voice deep and gravelly. "What's this, then?"
Ruka's growl grew louder, his golden eyes fixed on the intruder. The man—Hagrid—froze, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of the Nundu.
"Well, aren't you a beauty," Hagrid said, his voice filled with awe. "Never seen a creature like you before. What are you, eh?"
Kael sat up, his amber eyes narrowing. "You better take your eyes off Ruka," he said, his voice cold and sharp, "or I'll kill you."
Hagrid blinked, taken aback by the boy's tone. He raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Easy now, lad. I mean no harm. Just curious, is all."
Harry, now fully awake, stared at Hagrid with a mix of fear and fascination. "Who are you?" he asked.
Hagrid's expression softened as he turned to Harry. "Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. And you must be Harry Potter."
Harry's eyes widened. "How do you know my name?"
Hagrid chuckled, pulling a slightly crumpled envelope from his coat pocket. "Because this is for you." He handed the letter to Harry, who took it with trembling hands.
Kael watched the exchange silently, his dagger still clutched in his hand. Ruka remained at his side, his growl now a low rumble.
Harry opened the letter, his eyes scanning the words. "It's… it's from Hogwarts," he said, his voice filled with wonder. "They're inviting me to attend."
Hagrid beamed. "Course they are, Harry. You're a wizard!"
Harry looked up at Hagrid, his green eyes wide. "A wizard? But… but I'm just Harry."
Hagrid laughed, a deep, hearty sound. "You're not *just* anything, Harry. You're special. And Hogwarts is where you belong."
Kael's eyes flicked between Harry and Hagrid, his expression unreadable. "What about me?" he asked, his voice calm but firm.
Hagrid turned to Kael, his brow furrowing. "And who might you be, lad?"
"Kael Stormborn," Kael replied, his amber eyes locking with Hagrid's. "The storm brought me here."
Hagrid's eyes widened. "Stormborn, you say? Blimey, that's a name I haven't heard in a long time."
Before Kael could respond, there was a soft *whoosh* from outside. An owl flew through the open door, a letter clutched in its talons. It landed on the coffee table, dropping the letter in front of Kael before flying off into the morning light.
Kael picked up the letter, his fingers brushing over the wax seal. It bore the same crest as Harry's letter—a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake, all surrounding a large "H."
"What's that?" Harry asked, leaning over to look.
Kael opened the letter, his eyes scanning the words. "It's from Hogwarts," he said, his voice tinged with surprise. "They're inviting me too."
Hagrid's grin widened. "Well, isn't that something! Two new students in one go. Dumbledore's going to have his hands full with you two."
The Dursleys, who had been watching the scene from the safety of the hallway, finally found their voices.
"Now see here!" Vernon bellowed, his face turning red. "We're not having any of this nonsense in our house! You take those letters and get out!"
Hagrid turned to Vernon, his expression darkening. "You'll not be telling me what to do, Mr. Dursley. These boys have a right to know who they are."
Petunia stepped forward, her face pale but determined. "You can't just barge in here and—"
"Enough!" Kael's voice cut through the room like a whip. He stood, his amber eyes glowing faintly. "We're leaving. But not because you told us to."
Harry stood as well, clutching his letter tightly. "Yeah. We're going to Hogwarts."
Hagrid beamed, clapping his massive hands together. "That's the spirit! Come on, lads. We've got a lot to do before term starts."
As Hagrid led the boys out of the house, Ruka followed close behind, his golden eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger. The Dursleys watched in stunned silence, too afraid of the "big dog" to protest further.
Once outside, Kael turned to Harry, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Looks like we're in this together."
Harry grinned, his green eyes shining with excitement. "Yeah. Together."