Alexander stepped out of the Leaky Cauldron through the front door and wandered the streets of London without a destination. The cold morning wind blew against his face, making his overcoat ripple slightly. The sky was overcast, threatening rain, but he didn't care.
Forty minutes passed before his tired steps led him to a small park. The place was nearly empty, except for a few hurried passersby and a middle-aged man reading a newspaper on a nearby bench. The trees swayed gently, their leaves rustling in the wind.
Alexander sat down on a wooden bench, exhaling a long sigh. His gaze was lost in nothingness, fixed on an undefined point in front of him. The silence was welcome, but it didn't offer the answers he so desperately sought.
— I thought meeting him would bring me answers about which path to follow, Ozzy… — he murmured, his voice heavy with uncertainty. — But now I feel even more confused.
The next moment, as if he had appeared out of thin air, Ozzy was suddenly beside him. The small house-elf swung his feet on the bench while sucking on a huge, colorful lollipop, looking at his master with attentive eyes.
Ozzy tilted his head, his expression reflecting pure confusion. He didn't understand Alexander's dilemma, but he could feel the weight of worry pressing down on him. If only he could offer the answers his master so desperately wanted…
But he knew he couldn't.
Instead, he pulled a chocolate bar from his pocket and held it out to Alexander, his small face lighting up with an encouraging smile.
For a moment, Alexander just stared at him, his expression difficult to decipher. Then, something inside him softened. A small smile formed on his lips.
Ozzy grinned even wider.
And then, almost like an old ritual, the two of them said in unison:
— Chocolate cures everything… except diabetes.
Laughter came suddenly, light and carefree, filling the park for a few moments. The phrase made them remember Eleanor, Alexander's late wife, who used to say it whenever someone was sad or worried.
For a moment, Alexander felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Then, he stood up from the bench, extended his hand to Ozzy, and, with a dry snap, the two of them vanished from the park as if they had never been there.
---
They reappeared in front of a three-story house, old but well-maintained. The white paint contrasted with a garden full of yellow flowers that spread around the building. The windows were large, with curtains gently swaying in the wind, and a wooden porch wrapped around the main entrance.
Alexander walked along the stone path, his gaze scanning the house with silent nostalgia. When he reached the door, he reached into his pocket and pulled out an old, timeworn key.
As he turned it in the lock, the sound of bolts unlocking echoed through the air, taking about ten seconds before the door finally opened.
He stepped inside, removing his overcoat and hat. Without needing to be asked, Ozzy stretched out his small hands to take them, disappearing into the air like smoke immediately after.
Alexander walked down the hallway, his footsteps lightly echoing against the wooden floor, until he turned left and entered the kitchen.
The space was warm and welcoming, with a large wooden table at its center. From the ceiling, copper pots and utensils hung from enchanted racks. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee blended with the subtle scent of warm bread.
Three figures were seated at the table, each reacting differently to Alexander's arrival.
Eleanor, the eldest granddaughter, was the first to speak.
At sixteen, she carried her grandmother's name and the same strong temperament. Her black hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, and her sharp blue eyes were filled with reproach as she looked at him.
— Did you sleep at the Ministry again, Grandpa? — she said, crossing her arms. — We've talked about this! It's not good for your health; you need to rest!
Alexander smiled—a smile filled with both guilt and affection. He sat in the nearest chair, ignoring his granddaughter's scolding.
To his right, a thirteen-year-old boy was absorbed in the Daily Prophet, engrossed in the headlines. Edmund, the middle grandchild, had blonde hair and green eyes—a perfect replica of his late father.
Alexander never ceased to be amazed by the resemblance between the two.
Without warning, he ruffled the boy's hair, making him immediately shrink back, pulling away.
— Grandpa! — Edmund protested, adjusting his tousled hair.
Alexander chuckled softly, but his attention was soon drawn to his youngest granddaughter.
Circe, the youngest, was clutching a crumpled envelope tightly. Her blonde hair shone under the sunlight streaming through the window, and her blue eyes were wide with anticipation.
Alexander sighed as he recognized the letter.
— You're still holding onto that, young lady? — he asked, raising an eyebrow. — It's been three days!
Eleanor rolled her eyes.
— She hasn't talked about anything else since she woke up. I can't take it anymore!
Circe shot an offended look at her cousin.
— Can you blame me?! — she retorted, jumping to her feet. — I've been waiting my ENTIRE LIFE for this!
She dramatically raised her arms, holding the letter above her head.
— I'm going to Hogwarts! TO HOGWARTS!
Alexander felt a pang in his chest.
— Grandpa, it's today, right? You promised!
He blinked.
— Today? What's today?
The kitchen fell into absolute silence. Even Edmund and Eleanor stopped to stare at him with incredulous expressions.
— The school supplies, Grandpa. — Edmund finally broke the silence. — You promised to take us to Diagon Alley.
Circe nodded frantically.
Alexander went blank for a moment. Had he promised that?
Eleanor stood up and poured him a cup of coffee, her expression impatient.
— Yes, Grandpa. You promised. I even sent Aunt Teresa a letter arranging to meet us in Diagon Alley in an hour.
Ah. Teresa.
Alexander let out a heavy sigh. If he had forgotten, there was no escaping it now.
He took a long sip of coffee, feeling utterly defeated.
— Alright. Finish your breakfast and get ready.
The three grandchildren immediately dropped their utensils and ran out of the kitchen, excited.
Alexander stayed behind, watching them disappear down the hallway.
A small smile crossed his lips. Then, he went back to drinking his coffee, letting the excitement of the grandchildren echo through the house.