Chapter 16: New Bonds and Old Connections

The renovations to **Howler Manor** were progressing steadily. Saber had hired a local construction crew to handle most of the heavy work, and with each passing day, the once-crumbling estate began to take on a new life. The dust-covered tapestries had been cleaned and restored, the old wooden paneling had been polished, and the worn-out stonework was being replaced piece by piece.

Saber stood in the grand hallway, surveying the work that had been done so far. The place still had an ancient, almost mystical charm, but now it felt more like a home. There was still much to do—several wings of the house were still under repair, and the gardens outside were overgrown with wild brambles—but it was coming together.

**Tempest** sat in the garage, as always, and **Patch** roamed the halls, his mechanical whirring occasionally echoing through the rooms. But it wasn't just his robotic companions that made Saber feel less alone. His new companions—the two-headed **Serpens Atrum** and the **giant Cuban owl**—had added a sense of life to the house that it hadn't had before.

The owl had quickly adjusted to its new home, perching majestically in one of the taller windows overlooking the garden. Its golden eyes watched everything with an air of wisdom, and Saber had taken to calling her **Noctis**, after the Latin word for night. The name suited her, with her silent, regal demeanor and the way she blended into the darkness when she flew.

The two-headed snake, meanwhile, had become something of a constant presence around Saber. He had named it **Obsidian**, after the deep black of its scales. Both heads of the snake had their own distinct personalities—one more curious, the other more cautious—but together, they worked in perfect harmony. Saber often felt their cool presence twined around his wrist or resting on his shoulders as he moved through the house, their long bodies coiling and uncoiling with quiet precision.

As Saber stood in the hall, considering the next steps for the renovation, he heard a faint rustling outside the window. He glanced over just in time to see a familiar white shape swoop down from the sky and land gracefully on the windowsill.

**Hedwig**.

Saber's heart leapt at the sight of her. She had been gone for almost a week, delivering a letter to **Draco**, and he had missed her company. But there she was, her snowy feathers ruffled slightly from the long journey, a sealed letter tied to her leg.

"Welcome back, girl," Saber said with a smile as he approached the window. Hedwig hooted softly, nipping affectionately at his fingers as he untied the letter.

Saber glanced at the letter in his hand—**Draco's reply**. It had taken some time, but he had expected that. The distance between them was vast, and though Hedwig was an exceptional flyer, it wasn't an easy journey.

Gently placing the letter on the nearby table, Saber stroked Hedwig's feathers. "You've done enough for now. Rest. Noctis can handle the next delivery."

As if on cue, the massive Cuban owl let out a low, soft hoot from its perch high above the garden, its golden eyes gleaming as it watched Hedwig settle down to rest. The two owls had quickly learned to switch duties, and Noctis had proven just as reliable a messenger as Hedwig. Their system worked, and Saber was grateful for the support both owls provided.

With Hedwig now resting on her perch by the fireplace, Saber turned his attention to Draco's letter. He hesitated for a moment, wondering what Draco might have written, then finally broke the seal and unfolded the parchment.

---

#### **Draco's Letter**

**Saber,**

I can't tell you how relieved I was to receive your letter. To be honest, I wasn't sure if you'd respond at all, so seeing your words meant more than I can express.

I understand what you're going through right now. Discovering that your entire life has been shaped by other people's decisions—that everything you thought you knew was a lie—it's overwhelming. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to process all of that. But I want you to know that you're not alone. You have family, and you have people who care about you.

I've been thinking a lot about what you said, about not letting the past define the future. I agree. The rivalry we had at Hogwarts feels distant now—almost like it belonged to a different life. I'm not the same person I was then, and I can tell you're not either. I'm willing to leave that behind if you are.

I'm not going to lie—things are complicated here in Britain. The war is still brewing, and the choices we make now will shape the future of the wizarding world. But for now, all I care about is trying to build a connection with you. Whether you decide to come back or stay in the United States, I just want you to know that I'm here. You're my godbrother, and that means something to me.

Please take as much time as you need. There's no rush to figure everything out. But if you ever need to talk, you know where to find me.

**Draco**

---

Saber's hands tightened around the letter as he read Draco's words. The tone was sincere, and it wasn't the voice of the arrogant, sneering Draco Malfoy he had known at Hogwarts. This was someone else—someone who was reaching out, trying to build a bridge between their lives, even with everything that had happened in the past.

He felt a strange mixture of emotions as he folded the letter. Part of him wanted to trust Draco, to believe that their shared history and godfamily bond meant something. But another part of him—scarred by years of betrayal, manipulation, and lies—was cautious.

He couldn't afford to trust blindly again.

Obsidian slithered across the desk, both heads flicking their forked tongues in the air as they sensed Saber's unease. The snake's cool presence grounded him, a reminder that he was no longer the boy who had been controlled by Dumbledore and the wizarding world. He was **Saber Howler**, and he was in control of his own destiny now.

Noctis let out another soft hoot from her perch, as if sensing the weight of Saber's decision.

With a sigh, Saber sat down at his desk and reached for a clean piece of parchment. He wasn't sure what his next steps would be, but he knew one thing for certain—he wasn't going to let the past define him anymore.

And for now, that meant answering Draco.