Chapter 11 : Visit by the Bones Family

Chapter 11 

The sun was just beginning its ascent, casting a warm, golden light over the Marshall estate. Hector was already up, bustling about with a sense of purpose that belied his young age. Today was a special day—the Bones family was coming to visit. He had heard many stories about them, particularly about Amelia Bones, a formidable witch known for her integrity and strength in the Ministry of Magic. But what excited Hector the most was meeting Susan, Amelia's niece.

"Hector, could you help me with these flowers?" Diana called from the garden, where she was arranging a variety of magical and non-magical blooms into beautiful bouquets.

"Of course, Mother," Hector replied, hurrying over. "Are we using the Ever-Blooming Lilies today?"

Diana nodded, her eyes twinkling with a mixture of nostalgia and amusement. "Yes, they were a favorite of Amelia's back in our Hogwarts days. She always said they reminded her of Hufflepuff's loyalty and warmth."

As Hector carefully placed the lilies in a vase, he asked, "Mother, how did you and Amelia become such good friends?"

Diana smiled, lost in memories. "We met during our first year at Hogwarts. I was in Ravenclaw and Amelia was in Hufflepuff. Despite being in different houses, we bonded over our love for magical creatures and our shared sense of justice. She was always so steadfast and reliable, traits that have served her well in the Ministry."

"Is that why they're visiting us today?" Hector asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Yes, partially," Diana said, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Amelia thought it would be good for Susan to meet someone her own age and get away from the shadow of her parents' deaths. She needs a friend, and I believe you two will get along splendidly."

Hector nodded solemnly, understanding the weight of the responsibility. "I'll make sure she feels welcome."

Diana smiled warmly. "I know you will, Hector. Now, let's finish up here. They'll be arriving soon."

As the final preparations were made, the Marshall estate was a picture of serene beauty. The grand manor, surrounded by lush gardens and expansive fields, exuded a sense of timeless elegance. The stables, home to their prized magical creatures, were immaculate, and the scent of freshly baked bread wafted from the kitchen, adding to the welcoming atmosphere.

Soon, a sharp crack signaled the arrival of their guests. Hector hurried to the front entrance, his heart pounding with anticipation. Diana and Henry joined him, their expressions calm and welcoming.

Amelia Bones, a tall witch with strikingly sharp features and a no-nonsense demeanor, appeared first. She was followed by a young girl, about Hector's age, with soft brown hair and kind eyes that held a hint of sadness. This was Susan.

"Diana, Henry," Amelia greeted warmly, embracing them both. "It's been too long."

"Indeed it has, Amelia," Diana replied, her voice filled with genuine affection. "Welcome to our home. And this must be Susan."

Susan stepped forward, offering a shy smile. "Hello, Mrs. Marshall."

"Please, call me Diana," she said, gently ruffling Susan's hair. "This is my son, Hector."

Hector extended his hand, his smile warm and inviting. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Susan."

Susan took his hand, her smile growing a bit more confident. "Nice to meet you too, Hector."

After the initial greetings, Diana turned to Hector. "Why don't you show Susan around the estate, Hector? I'm sure she'd love to see the magical creatures."

Hector's eyes lit up with excitement. "I'd love to! Come on, Susan, let me show you the stables first."

As they walked towards the stables, Hector felt a mix of nerves and excitement. He was finally meeting someone he had read about in his previous life, someone who would play a significant role in the future he knew. But more than that, he was eager to befriend Susan and make her feel at home.

"This place is amazing," Susan said, looking around with wide eyes. "It's so different from anything I've ever seen."

"Thanks," Hector said, beaming with pride. "We take great care of our estate and all the creatures that live here. Let me introduce you to some of them."

They entered the stables, where Swiftfoot, Hector's Granian, greeted them with a soft whinny. Radiance, Henry's unicorn, stood regally in the next stall, her coat shimmering in the dim light.

"Wow," Susan whispered, reaching out tentatively to stroke Radiance's mane. "She's beautiful."

"She really is," Hector agreed. "Radiance has been with us for years. She's very special to our family."

Susan's eyes widened. "Do you have other magical creatures here?"

"Absolutely," Hector said, leading her to the next stall where a pair of Thestrals stood. "These are Thestrals. They can only be seen by those who have witnessed death."

Susan looked at the Thestrals with a mix of awe and respect. "They're... magnificent."

"They are," Hector agreed. "Thestrals are misunderstood, but they're incredibly loyal and intelligent."

As they spent more time together, Hector and Susan discovered they had much in common. They both loved magical creatures and enjoyed exploring the outdoors. Hector felt a protective instinct towards Susan, seeing her as the little sister he never had.

"Thank you for showing me around, Hector," Susan said, smiling up at him. "I really needed this."

Hector smiled back. "I'm glad you're here, Susan. We'll have lots of fun together."

Meanwhile, inside the manor, Diana, Henry, and Amelia were deep in conversation. They sat in the elegant drawing room, the atmosphere comfortable yet charged with the weight of the topics at hand.

"It's a challenging time in the Ministry," Amelia said, her voice tinged with frustration. "The aftermath of Voldemort's fall has left a lot of loose ends. Many Death Eaters have escaped punishment by claiming they were under the Imperius Curse. It's infuriating."

Henry leaned forward, his expression serious. "If you ever need our help, Amelia, you know you can count on us. We may not be involved in politics, but we have our own ways of getting things done."

Amelia smiled appreciatively but shook her head. "Thank you, Henry. Your offer means a lot, but for now, I'll continue to navigate these waters myself. If things get out of hand, I'll be sure to reach out to Diana."

Diana nodded, her expression resolute. "We're always here for you, Amelia. Family sticks together."

The conversation shifted to the mysterious circumstances surrounding Voldemort's fall. "I've always wondered how Voldemort was defeated when he tried to kill Harry Potter," Amelia mused. "There are so many theories, but none seem to fit perfectly."

At that moment, Alistor entered the room, his presence commanding immediate respect. "I may have some insight into that," he said, his voice deep and authoritative.

The others turned to him, curiosity piqued. "What do you mean, Alistor?" Diana asked.

Alistor settled into a chair, his eyes thoughtful. "Lily Potter may have used a Blood Ritual to protect Harry. It's an ancient and powerful form of magic, one that can create a protective barrier stronger than most spells."

Amelia's eyes widened. "A Blood Ritual? How did she come to know about it?"

"I gave her the ritual," Alistor revealed. "As a favor to Fleamont Potter. He was an old friend from my days working for the International Confederation of Wizards. He came to me, desperate to protect his family. I provided the ritual, never imagining it would be used in such a manner."

The room fell silent, the weight of Alistor's words sinking in. "So, that's how Harry survived," Henry said, his voice filled with awe. "Lily's sacrifice, combined with the Blood Ritual, created a powerful protection."

Alistor nodded. "Yes. It's a testament to the strength of ancient magic and the lengths we go to protect those we love."

Amelia took a deep breath, absorbing the gravity of the revelation. "It's remarkable. The things we do for family…"

Diana nodded, her eyes softening. "Family is everything. That's why we do what we do."

The conversation then turned to the difficulties Amelia faced at the Ministry, particularly the challenges posed by Albus Dumbledore's insistence on non-lethal spells during the war against Voldemort.

"It wasn't just the Death Eaters who made things difficult," Amelia said, her voice filled with a mixture of frustration and resignation. "Dumbledore's insistence on non-lethal spells for Aurors and Order members put us at a disadvantage. It's not easy to fight a war with one hand tied behind your back."

Henry's expression hardened. "Dumbledore's ideals, while noble, sometimes lack the pragmatism needed in times of war. Strength and decisiveness are essential."

Amelia nodded. "Exactly. We lost good people because they hesitated to use lethal force. It's a difficult balance—upholding our values while fighting for our lives."

Alistor's gaze was stern. "In times of war, hesitation can be deadly. The Marshalls have always believed in strength and decisive action. It's a lesson that history has taught us well."

Diana added, "We respect Dumbledore for his contributions, but we also understand the necessity of doing what must be done to protect our loved ones."

As the afternoon turned to evening, the conversation shifted to lighter topics. Dinner was a lavish affair, filled with laughter and stories. Hector and Susan's bond grew stronger, and by the time the Bones family was ready to leave, they had made plans to meet again soon.

"It was a wonderful visit," Amelia said, embracing Diana warmly. "Thank you for everything."

"Anytime, Amelia," Diana replied, her smile genuine. "We're always here for you and Susan."

Hector and Susan stood by the door, reluctant to part. "I'll see you soon, right?" Susan asked, her eyes hopeful.

"Absolutely," Hector replied with a smile. "We'll have lots more adventures together."

As the Bones family Disapparated, Hector felt a sense of fulfillment and joy. He had made a new friend, and the visit had strengthened the bond between their families. He knew that with friends like Susan, the future held endless possibilities.