Messenger Beyond The Owl

"I've already informed your parents! They need to be careful; the stars have forewarned of an imminent crisis. But your father never listens to me! Just like your grandfather, he fell under the Rowle family's soul magic! You must understand, astrology is the greatest magic in the wizarding world."

As Grandmother Augustus Trelawney pulled Braun towards the manor, she couldn't help but instill these ideas in him, making Braun wryly smile.

This grandmother of his was related to Sybill Trelawney, a professor of divination at Hogwarts. However, Professor Sybill Trelawney was a little eccentric and unreliable in her predictions. Braun's grandmother specialized in astrology and divination, and she was a renowned naming prophet throughout the European continent.

The profession of a naming prophet was relatively common among fortune tellers, but as the bloodline of true prophets diminished, most wizards engaged in this profession turned out to be frauds. Not Braun's grandmother. She was a genuine naming prophet with a rich legacy. Every day, wizards from prestigious families traveled to Godric's Hollow to consult her for naming their children. Wizarding parents named their children in various ways, sometimes choosing names that resembled Muggle names.

However, the approach was different for pure-blood wizards with ancient lineages. They often followed family traditions or, for instance, the members of the BLACK family, who liked to name their descendants after stars or constellations, aligning with their ambition and dignity.

In the wider wizarding community, some adhered to the traditional practice of consulting a naming oracle to predict the child's future and recommend a suitable name. Braun's grandmother would charge a considerable sum of galleons for this service. However, this practice had become increasingly rare with the evolving times and the rising standards of wizards.

But Braun believed it was more because ordinary wizards couldn't afford the high fees for naming. It was no small amount.

"Who let you in? You old woman!" Braun heard his grandfather yelling at his grandmother on the wall as he entered the manor. Grandmother Augustus wasn't one to back down easily, and they began arguing, paying little attention to Braun's presence. It was only when Braun's great-grandmother mediated between them that they finally calmed down.

"Hmph! What are you doing?" Even as a portrait, Braun's grandfather was upset about his wife's surname change. He resented the fact that her lineage was associated with the Rowle family.

"Visiting my grandson! Also, do you want him to live alone in Rowle's manor? He doesn't even have a house-elf to take care of his life," Augustus retorted, looking at the home he had left for at least ten years, reminiscing and feeling belittled. This time, Braun's grandfather's portrait remained silent. The Rowle family had indeed fallen to a point where they no longer had house-elves, a symbol of pure blood.

Only the well-preserved house-elf head on the wall retained a semblance of the family's former glory.

"Well, I'm not here to take Braun away. I'm merely arranging a funeral for my deceased son. I've warned him long ago that Mars signifies disaster. I've told him long ago!" Although Augustus appeared serious, Braun could sense the sorrow in those brown eyes. 'It seems Grandma isn't as composed as she appears.' Braun sighed inwardly. However, the sorrow was quickly concealed again.

"Okay, that's enough discussion. Now, old man, tell me who should be invited to the funeral." The portrait snorted coldly. Though he didn't object, he provided names of families related to the Rowle family. The list wasn't long, as Braun's family was just a branch of the Rowle family. Still, Braun recognized some familiar names.

The Longbottom family, the Weasley family, the Ollivander family, the Burke family, and several other prominent and lesser-known wizarding families and famous wizards. It was evident that even as a branch, their network of acquaintances was vast, encompassing various aspects of the magical world. This explained how these pure-blood families had managed to endure for so many years.

"Toby! Help me draft the letters; I want to send invitations to these families!" commanded Mrs. Augustus to the house-elf. Toby, a respectful and familiar presence, fetched parchment from the study and prepared it to the appropriate size. He transcribed what Augustus dictated, placed it in envelopes, and prepared to send them. The old raven stood on Augustus's shoulder.

As if receiving a cue, the raven began to rapidly reverse in age, growing younger and more vibrant. It more than doubled in size, as if inflating like a balloon. The letter was caught in its sharp claws, and the raven disappeared out of the window. Braun was astonished by the sight. He swallowed.

"Grandma, shouldn't we use owls?" Owls were the most commonly used messengers in the wizarding world.

"Owls?" She hesitated for a moment. "Those little creatures are too delicate! By the way, you don't have a pet yet. I have an old friend who will rush over for the funeral in a few days, and I will help you get one from him."

Before Braun could respond, Augustus had made up his mind.