111

Chapter 111: Friends, News

Wade had arranged a gathering last night with Michael, Neville, Hermione, and Theo, who all confirmed their attendance. Padma also asked if she could bring her sister along. Ryan and his family were set to travel to Italy in a few days. However, there was still no message from Harry.

Green flames flickered and one by one, everyone appeared.

Accustomed to seeing each other in their black school uniforms, today was different. Several wore casual attire, providing a fresh visual experience.

The Patil sisters, especially, stood out in their gorgeous long dresses, adorned with subtle makeup and sparkling gold jewelry on wrists and necks, enhancing their already striking beauty and grace.

"Good morning! We hope we're not late," the twins chimed together.

Already captivated by the creatures outside the window, Michael swiftly approached the fireplace upon hearing their arrival, greeting them with a graceful wave. "No, we just got here," he replied cheerfully.

"Miss Patil, Miss Patil, welcome to Gralling Farm," Steven greeted, glancing pointedly at Wade.

Wade knew exactly what Steven implied — why not take the chance with such a beautiful girl?

Shaking his head subtly, Wade brushed off the thought. Steven seemed to have inherited his father's matchmaking instincts.

Neville emerged from the fire with a sigh of relief. "Grandma almost didn't let me come," he admitted, "but she changed her mind when she heard both years one and two were here."

Before Theo could say anything, Padma exclaimed, "My necklace and earrings are missing!" Her hand reached to her empty earlobe.

"Bracelets and hairpins, too," Parvati added, panic evident in her voice. "They vanished in an instant!"

Steven quickly deduced the culprit. "It's Niffler," he sighed. "Those little creatures have a penchant for shiny things. Don't worry, I'll retrieve them."

A whistle summoned a swallow-tailed dog with a forked tail, standing at attention. Steven murmured to it, and off it went.

Soon returning, the dog carried a blue-black Niffler in its mouth, resembling a platypus. It wagged its tail eagerly, awaiting praise.

Taking the Niffler, Steven inverted it, causing a cascade of gold jewelry from the Patil sisters to spill out, along with occamy eggshells, golden tableware, and shiny stones.

The little creature, dejected, gathered its treasures and scampered away.

"We should probably stow away the jewelry," Michael suggested. "Otherwise, they might get snatched again."

Suddenly, Theo exclaimed, "Look, it's a fairy!"

Everyone turned to see what he meant.

Initially mistaken for dragonflies due to their colorful wings, closer inspection revealed their humanoid forms. Delicate beings adorned in clothes made from flower petals or grass, they fluttered busily, occasionally alighting to rest.

Mesmerized, everyone watched silently, afraid to startle them away.

A fairy, attracted by Padma's scent, landed on Theo's finger, brandishing a tiny wand that sporadically emitted golden and red sparks.

"Merlin..." Parvati breathed in awe.

Theo eyed the green-haired fairy in fascination. Another, with transparent wings, approached, their interaction accompanied by soft buzzing before they departed together.

"Some wizards use fairies as decorations," Steven explained sadly. "After enchanting them, they're mounted on lampstands or Christmas trees."

"Mounted?" Padma asked, concerned. "But are they still alive?"

"Some release them afterward... but not all," Steven replied. "Do they feel pain?" Theo whispered.

"Fairies are often considered simple-minded, akin to insects," Steven mused. "But as living creatures, surely they feel pain. Wizards simply struggle to empathize."

His words lingered, sobering the young wizards.

Later in the afternoon, Hermione arrived, visibly troubled. "Have any of you heard from Harry?" she inquired anxiously.

Shaking their heads, they exchanged worried glances.

"What if something happened to him?" Theo frowned.

"Perhaps he's being mistreated by his Muggle relatives," Michael conjectured bluntly. "We know he's not treated well."

"Muggles would dare?" Parvati gasped. "Should we go check on him?"

"It's too conspicuous for all of us to visit the Muggle community," Wade cautioned. "I'll go alone... and I'll ask Remus to accompany me."

"Remus Lupin?" Steven pondered briefly before recalling, "Ah, yes, a friend of Harry's father, James Potter."

Though James Potter graduated just as Steven entered school, their reputations ensured their stories were known.

If Harry faced danger or abuse, Remus Lupin, tied by friendship to his father, seemed the logical elder to intervene.