Chapter 297

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Yeah! Here's the new chapter!

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-Nights' House – One week later-

In this past week, nothing interesting has happened, and my family and I have just enjoyed our time quietly, sometimes going out for picnics in the local park, or shopping at the city mall or Diagonal Alley.

And when we weren't hanging out, we were at home, playing family games or watching movies together, from 60's classics to current ones... Well, current for them, since those movies were still old for me.

Sirius wasn't living with us anymore and he didn't visit often either, mostly because he wanted to spend time alone with Harry, building a connection and rewarding the time he spent away from his godson.

And then there was also the fact that he had to take care of his family's business now that he was Lord Black, something he loathed but knew could come in handy at some point, and Nick and Andromeda made sure to remind him of that.

I still took time out of my day to train, and I was currently trying to make my mist form more efficient while improving my control over my body in that form.

I was also studying Marcel's diary, which turned out to be the greatest source of information about dark magic I could find so far, mainly because I couldn't buy dark magic books in Diagon Alley or find them in the Hogwarts library.

And even the books I bought in Knockturn Alley weren't as informative and detailed as Marcel's notes, and that helped me, because with what I started to learn from his notes and explanations, I was able to start creating counterspells for some existing curses.

Of course, I could only do this because Marcel himself had dissected many dark curses and spells to create his own counter-curses, and I only completed the research with my knowledge and ability to sense magic.

But let's put my studies and training aside.

Today my family was all together, because today would be the day that Nick and Penny would return to their home in France, and we wanted to say goodbye to them.

We knew that all it took was one portkey to see them again, but that still wasn't enough to ease our sadness at seeing them go.

I was also a little sad, as I got used to their presence in the house.

Penny's warmth and kindness, her affectionate looks, and her cheerful way of teaching me.

Nick's wise look, his jokes, his stories of his great adventures.

All of this was something I got used to as the days passed, and knowing that now I couldn't enjoy their presence as often saddened me.

But deciding to put those thoughts aside, I shook my head and looked at the two, who were standing in front of the door, their luggage and bags at their feet.

I could feel a great deal of magic coming from Nick, and I knew this magic didn't belong to him, but it had a strong connection to him. But upon further analysis I recognized this magic as the same magic I felt from the philosopher's stone, which confused me a bit.

As far as I knew, the philosopher's stone was kept in a safe place in their house in France, and I was sure that it wasn't the stone because even with that magic being equal and also powerful, it wasn't as powerful as that of the said item.

'I know Nick went somewhere this morning, but it doesn't make sense that he went to France to get the philosopher's stone or whatever and come back here, since they're going to go back to France again' I thought, frowning slightly in confusion.

But letting out a sigh, I decided not to think about it, and I turned my gaze back to Nick and Penny, who were saying goodbye to my parents and Cele.

After my parents and Cele finished saying goodbye to them, I approached the two older wizards.

"So are you guys leaving yet?" I asked, looking with a sad smile at Penny and Nick.

"Yes, unfortunately we have some business to attend to back in France" Nick said, sighing.

He then put his hand on my head, ruffling my hair, not that it isn't naturally messy already.

"But don't be sad, after Penny and I settle our affairs we will visit you again, after all, we still have to give you your birthday present" he continued, smiling mysteriously.

"Yes, and if all goes well, we'll see each other sooner than you expect" Penny said as she hugged me, winking slightly at me with a smile that said she knew something I didn't.

'What's going on with these immortals and all their secrets?' I wondered, snorting in amusement.

"Well, in that case, when we see each other again I'll have a surprise ready for you," I said.

"Oh, a surprise?" Penny asked excitedly.

"This surprise isn't going to be the news that you've completed the wizarding penal code, right?" Nick asked with a suspicious look.

"Complete the wizarding penal code?" I snorted, "If we're going to see each other as soon as you say, then there won't be enough time for me to do that. After all, I haven't even completed half of the muggle penal code yet." I continued, letting a cheeky smile spread across my face.

"Why is there a yet in that sentence?" my dad asked in a whisper to my mom, who shrugged.

"Well, in that case I can't wait for this surprise" Nick said.

Nick then noticed that the metal rod he was holding began to vibrate, which meant the portkey was close to activation time, and noticing this he turned to us.

"Well, it's almost time," he said, picking up one of the bags off the floor.

"Yes" Penny said with a sad smile, "Next time we're together I'm going to prepare a Chinese dish that I learned from a Chinese empress for you."

"This is going to be perfect" my mom said with a slight smile.

"And I'll keep my promise to use some enchantments I've invented to boost your car." Nick said to my dad, who started looking at him like he was seeing a god.

"Oh, and Ethan" Nick turned to me, getting my attention, "I think this is yours" he said, using his free hand to grab something from inside his coat.

Taking this something, he handed it to me, and I noticed that what he gave me was a simple, beautiful wooden box.

As soon as Nick took the box out of his cloat I could see that the powerful magic that I had felt before was coming from it, and as soon as it fell into my hands the feeling got even stronger.

Looking at the box strangely I used my senses to feel what was inside it, and I blinked in surprise as I felt the magical power coming from inside the box, confirming that this was the power of the philosopher's stone, only filtered somehow and a little different.

And it didn't take long for me to realize that what Nick had just given me was actually his very precious and rare Elixir of Life.

Blinking in shock, I lifted my head to look at Nick and Penny, who were both smirking at my expression.

And without giving them time to say anything, I went to the two, who I started to consider part of my family, and hugged them.

"Thank you, thank you very much," I said.

"Don't worry, it's the least I can do for you" Nick said, "And besides, I know that helping your friend is important to you, and that you'll use it wisely"

"Of that I have no doubt" Penny said smiling at me a proud and nostalgic smile, "And know Ethan, I'm glad to see you wanting to help your friend... I'm proud of you"

And hearing that I looked at her, letting a slight smile appear on my face as I nodded at her.

I knew that what I was wanting to do meant a lot to Penny, as I am trying to heal a friend of mine who suffers from the same curse that Penny once suffered from, before she was cured by the philosopher's stone.

After that the rod in Nick's hand started to vibrate more, with a faint cyan glow coming from it.

"Well, these days we spent with you guys were wonderful, so thanks for having us" Nick said.

"And remember, if you need help, or an alibi" Penny winked at me, "Just send us a letter"

"You can be sure that if we need help getting Ethan out of jail we'll send you a letter" my dad said, and I couldn't tell how serious he was.

Listening to my dad, Penny laughed, shaking her head in amusement. She then saw that it was almost time to leave and turned to us, "Well I guess this is goodbye, or see you later" she waved at us.

"Yeah, see you soon" Nick said, winking at us.

And just as he finished saying that, the rod glowed a little brighter, before I felt the magic around them distort.

And not a second later, Nick and Penny, as well as their luggage, disappeared, returning to their home in France, leaving my family and me alone in front of the door.

...

...

...

"Man, I'm going to miss Penny's cooking" my dad said, breaking the silence.

"Why? Is my cooking that bad?" my mom asked looking at my dad with a raised eyebrow.

"No, your food is perfect" my dad replied, not falling into that trap, "But I don't think you have the knowledge of over a thousand recipes and dishes that were invented five hundred years ago."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Okay, you have a good point" my mom said.

And watching the two talk about food and recipes after Nick and Penny left I rolled my eyes good-naturedly, totally used to this weirdness of my family.

And that weirdness of my family is what makes them different, and I wouldn't trade them for anything.

End.

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(End AN: I liked the Black Clover manga when it came out, but then I got bored with it and dropped it. But I reread it a few days ago, and I'm really enjoying it.)