When the Forbidden Forest Whisper Your Name

 Seventh Year – Quidditch Final: Hufflepuff vs. Gryffindor

Natsuki hovered lazily on his broomstick, scanning the pitch. This was his last match—the final showdown before graduation.

His eyes drifted to the stands, where Shin and Akira cheered wildly. Shin wore Natsuki’s black fur-lined coat and a Hufflepuff scarf, looking unfairly cute. When Shin noticed Natsuki staring, he blew him a kiss.

Natsuki waved back eagerly, laughing as Shin mouthed, “FIND THE SNITCH ALREADY!" with a mock-threatening glare.

Natsuki adjusted his grip on the broom, lazily circling the pitch while keeping an eye out for rogue Bludgers. Below, Joichiro and the Gryffindor Chasers dominated the game—100-50 in Gryffindor’s favor. Another goal by Joichiro pushed it to 110-50. Akira was right, Natsuki mused. Joichiro’s dead set on hitting triple digits before I catch the Snitch.

Not that it mattered. Everyone knew the Quidditch Cup would go to Hufflepuff again. As long as Natsuki Seba was their Seeker, no one stood a chance against his Snitch-catching streak.

Akira had whined about it once: “You’ve got Goldie training you since you were seven! It’s cheating!” But she’d thanked him later for keeping Gryffindor from winning. “If Slytherin loses, Gryffindor better lose too,” she’d said.

Akira Akao was dating Joichiro Kaji—Natsuki’s best friend. As a Slytherin, her relationship with Joichiro (a Gryffindor) raised eyebrows. To everyone else, they were sworn enemies, especially during Gryffindor vs. Slytherin Quidditch matches.

When Natsuki told Shin about their relationship, his boyfriend shrugged and said, “Y’know, enemies-to-lovers is a whole genre in Muggle YA books.”

Honestly, Natsuki wasn’t surprised they’d ended up together. Akira and Joichiro had been friends since childhood. If anything, Shin had it wrong—their story wasn’t enemies-to-lovers. It was childhood friends-to-lovers with extra yelling.

“OI, NATSUKI!”

Heisuke’s shout snapped him back. Natsuki swerved sharply, dodging a Bludger by inches. The crowd roared. He chuckled, glancing at the stands where Shin glared daggers at him. Natsuki blew him an exaggerated kiss. Shin pressed his lips together, fighting a smile.

Something flickered near the commentator’s booth. Natsuki drifted closer, spotting the Golden Snitch darting around a goalpost. He scanned the field—no one else had noticed it yet.

Catch it now? Gryffindor led 110-50. He smirked. Let Joichiro have his fun first.

But then the Gryffindor Seeker, Nao Toramaru, locked eyes with him. Natsuki tightened his grip and shot forward like a bullet.

Nao chased him, but—

“NATSUKI SEBA’S GOT THE SNITCH! BLOODY HELL?!”

The stadium erupted. Cheers, gasps, and his classmates Lu Shaotang’s “HOW DID HE—WHEN DID HE—” blended into chaos. The Snitch writhed in Natsuki’s fist, wings fluttering furiously. If not for that, the crowd might’ve thought Lu had hallucinated the whole thing.

After the match, Natsuki slung his broom over his shoulder and grabbed Shin’s hand. “Let’s bounce,” he said, ignoring the swarm of teammates and fans trying to congratulate him.

“Natsuki, where are we—?”

Shin’s question was cut off as Natsuki dragged him through the castle, up shifting staircases, until they reached the left tower’s balcony. Natsuki mounted his broom and patted the spot in front of him.

“Hop on.”

Shin stared at him like he’d lost his mind.

“Natsuki. This broom is built for one person,” Shin deadpanned.

“It’s fine! C’mere,” Natsuki said, grinning.

“Your broom isn’t a family model.”

“You’re light! Piece of cake!”

“You’ve never given anyone a ride in your life,” Shin countered flatly.

Natsuki sighed dramatically. “C’mon, baby. I really wanna do this with you. You know I’d never let you fall, right?”

Shin groaned. Natsuki knew he’d won the moment he used that nickname.

Shin stepped closer, eyeing the broom skeptically. But before he could protest again, Natsuki scooped him up effortlessly and plopped him down in front of the broomstick.

“You good?” Natsuki asked, arms wrapped around Shin’s waist. Shin’s heart raced—half from Natsuki’s closeness, half from sheer terror.

“Wait—NATSUKIIII!!!”

Shin screamed as Natsuki kicked off, the broom rocketing upward. He death-gripped Natsuki’s arm, eyes squeezed shut… until the wind hit his face. Slowly, he peeked open one eye. Natsuki’s laughter vibrated against his back.

“See? Gorgeous, right?” Natsuki whispered in his ear.

Shin’s breath caught. He’d never seen the world like this—the forest sprawling like a green quilt, the lake glittering below. For all his book smarts, Shin had never flown. Until now.

“Wait, what are you—NATSUKI?!”

Natsuki spun the broom 360 degrees.

Shin plummeted.

“I’LL KILL YOU, YOU LIAR! ‘PIECE OF CAKE’ YOUR ASS! WHEN I GET DOWN—”

Thud. He landed back in Natsuki’s arms.

Natsuki laughed, one arm secure around Shin’s waist, the other steadying the broom. Shin smacked his shoulder repeatedly, but Natsuki only grinned wider.

“Sorry, sorry! Couldn’t resist. You’re adorable when you scream with your eyes closed,” Natsuki chuckled, nuzzling Shin’s neck. Shin shoved his face away, sparking another laugh from the other male.

“Ugh, I hate you.”

“Love you too, babe,” Natsuki said, grinning at Shin’s flushed ears.

“Remember that Muggle movie we watched last summer? Titanic?” Natsuki’s voice rumbled low in Shin’s ear. “That part where Jack and Rose stand at the bow, arms spread—”

“Don’t you dare let go of this broom, Natsuki Seba. I swear I’ll hex you!” Shin cut him off, clinging tighter to Natsuki’s arm.

Natsuki laughed, the sound warm against Shin’s neck. “Relax, love. Wasn’t gonna do that.”

“Then… what?”

“This.”

Natsuki tilted Shin’s chin toward him and kissed him—slow, deep, and dizzying.

Fireworks. Butterflies. The crackle of a first spell. Natsuki felt all of it. Kissing Shin was like casting a Patronus for the first time: pure, bright, and alive. Like every missing piece of him finally clicked into place.

He’d never been this lucky. Adopted by a family that loved him. Studying magical creatures at Hogwarts. Dating Shin Asakura—Ravenclaw genius, pureblood royalty, and the guy half the Slytherin pureblood heirs would duel to the death for.

Natsuki still didn’t get why someone like Shin—whose family traced back to the original Order of Merlin—would pick a half-blood Hufflepuff who talked to Hippogriffs more than people. The Sorting Hat had even shocked everyone by dropping Shin into Ravenclaw instead of Slytherin.

But Shin’s family didn’t care. Hogwarts was Hogwarts, no matter the house.

The muggle and wizard calendars were all the same, including Christmas. It was Christmas Eve. Two teenage boys with dark blue and blonde hair doing the whole holiday thing like everyone else.

"I swear I'm gonna murder Akira Akao." Shin said. He was currently in the family room with his boyfriend to open Christmas presents from his friends. The room smelled like pine needles and chocolate, and the fairy lights twinkled like they were judging his terrible mood.

“Love,” Natsuki laughed, thoroughly entertained. “She tried.”

His laughter only grew louder as Shin chucked the hand-knitted Christmas scarf from Akira at him. Natsuki held it up, revealing the bold yellow scarf with ‘The World’s Most Beautiful Wizard: Akira Akao’ embroidered in glittering thread.

Natsuki and Shin were celebrating Christmas at Asakura Manor during their seventh year at Hogwarts. Shin’s parents were in Japan visiting relatives, leaving just the two of them—plus a few house-elves—to enjoy the quiet manor.

Shin huffed and eyed the remaining gifts under the tree in his room at Asakura Manor. Debating whether to open Joichiro’s or Amane’s next, he grabbed Joichiro’s box—just in case.

Ripping off the wrapping, he pulled out a snow globe. Inside, a Golden Snitch hovered mid-air. Shin flipped it over. Scrawled on the base in Joichiro’s messy handwriting:

You're drooling when Natsuki starts to catch Golden Snitch, and it's very much disgusting.

Merry Christmas.

Natsuki’s cackling echoed off the manor walls. Shin set the snow globe next to Akira’s scarf and groaned.

“I’m taking back the presents I got for them! I put so much effort into their gifts, and this is what I get?!”

Natsuki smirked as Shin tore into Amane’s gift—then immediately brightened. Amane had gifted him a full set of Muggle fairy tales from his wishlist, inspired by their Snow White movie night.

“At least Amane didn’t disappoint,” Natsuki said, kissing Shin’s cheek.

“Still murdering Akira and Joichiro after the holidays,” Shin grumbled.

“Well, you could always spike their pumpkin juice with a boils potion.”

Shin nodded solemnly. “Genius.”

“Anyway, call your parents via Floo now, or keep opening gifts?”

Shin shook his head. “They told me to call tomorrow morning. They’re probably at some fancy party tonight anyway,” he said, rolling his eyes.

“Alright, want your gift now?” Natsuki asked, finally sipping the eggnog he’d forgotten about.

Shin nodded eagerly. “Wait—let me grab your present first. We’ll open them together!” He dashed off before Natsuki could reply.

Minutes later, Shin returned with a large rectangular box. Natsuki raised an eyebrow.

“What’s this? A coffin for Snow?” Natsuki joked, knocking on the box.

Shin grinned smugly and shrugged. Natsuki narrowed his eyes suspiciously but gave up and set the box aside.

“Your turn, baby,” Natsuki said, pulling a tiny pouch from his pocket—enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm. He dug his arm elbow-deep into it before triumphantly pulling out ….

A delicate white birdcage.

Shin carefully took the cage, his eyes widening. After years of dating a Magizoology fanatic, he instantly recognized the creature inside.

A Fwooper.-⁶

A small, magical bird from Africa with dazzling plumage. Shin remembered Natsuki rambling about their vibrant colors—orange, lime green, yellow, and pink. This one was a soft cotton-candy pink, its curious eyes blinking up at him.

“Wait—don’t you need an official license to own a Fwooper?” Shin whispered, fingers brushing the ornate white cage. The tiny pink bird inside tilted its head, its iridescent feathers shifting from rose gold to cotton-candy pink under the firelight.

Natsuki shrugged, trying to play it cool, but the pride in his voice was unmistakable. "Well, I… uh, actually got my Magical Creature Handler license a few months back. Professor Potter helped fast-track my application since I aced all the fieldwork. Now I’m officially a Magizoology intern. Surprise?"

Shin’s eyes widened as the pieces clicked together. "That’s why you were gone every weekend last term! You kept saying you were ‘helping Hagrid with errands’—"

"Guilty as charged." Natsuki scratched the back of his neck, grinning sheepishly. "Wanted to tell you once everything was finalized. And… well, I was gonna get you another owl to replace Mr. River, but…" He nodded toward the Fwooper, its pink feathers glimmering in the firelight. "Then I met this little troublemaker during a rescue mission in Kenya. Thought he’d suit you better."

Shin’s throat tightened as he stared at the bird. Memories of Mr. River—the snowy owl he’d raised since first year—flooded back. The way the old bird would nip his fingers affectionately or deliver letters at 3 a.m. like a tiny, feathered alarm clock.

"Tried finding a yellow one to match your favorite color as well as your hair color," Natsuki added, gesturing vaguely at Shin’s blush-pink scarf. "But pink was the only hatchling left. Figured you’d still like him ‘cause… y’know. You’ve also got a thing for pink."

Shin’s voice cracked, equal parts touched and exasperated. "Natsuki, darling—"

"Hm?"

"I hate you, you know that? Hate you for making me cry on Christmas."

Natsuki laughed softly, pulling Shin into a hug and pressing a kiss to the top of his head. The scent of pine needles and cinnamon from Shin’s shampoo filled his senses. "Love you too, baby. Even when you’re a drama queen."

Shin half-heartedly smacked Natsuki’s chest but didn’t pull away. After a moment, he leaned back, studying the Fwooper. The bird tilted its head, chirping silently. "Wait—why isn’t it singing? I thought their calls drive people mad."

"Permanent Silencing Charm." Natsuki winked. "Hagrid taught me an enchanced version. Harmless to the bird, safe for humans. Ministry-approved and everything." He paused, mischief flickering in his eyes.

Shin froze as sunlight glinted off a delicate chain hidden in the Fwooper’s plumage. With trembling fingers, he untangled the necklace—a simple silver pendant shaped like a phoenix, its wings studded with tiny moonstones.

"You… stared at it for ages that day you found it in my trunk." Natsuki’s voice softened. "Said it was the prettiest thing you’d ever seen. Mum wore it every day. Dad gave it to her on their wedding day. She’d want you to have it."

Shin tried to push the necklace back, hands shaking. "I can’t—this is hers. It’s too important—"

Gently, Natsuki cupped Shin’s face, thumbs brushing away stray tears. "You’re important. More important. You’re… Merlin, Shin, you’re my future. I’d give you every star in the sky if I could."

A tear slipped free as Shin laughed, shaky and warm. "You’re insufferable. And sappy. And—"

"And you love it."

"Shut up." Shin fumbled with the clasp, hands unsteady. "Help me put it on?"

Natsuki’s fingers brushed the nape of Shin’s neck, lingering as he fastened the chain. The pendant settled just above Shin’s collarbone, glowing softly against his skin. "Perfect."

Shin turned to face him, eyes shining. The Fwooper chirped soundlessly in its cage, wings fluttering as if cheering them on. "Thank you. For… for everything. Even if you’re still an idiot."

Natsuki grinned, leaning in until their foreheads touched. "An idiot who’s crazy about you."

"Prove it."

Natsuki didn’t need to be told twice.

Outside, snow began to fall, blanketing the manor gardens in silence. Inside, the fire crackled, the Fwooper preened, and two boys—one Hufflepuff, one Ravenclaw—lost themselves in a kiss that tastes like eggnog, forgiveness, and promises of a thousand more Christmases together.

Their lips met in a kiss that poured out every unspoken word between them—soft, urgent, and trembling with the weight of emotions that had simmered for years. When they finally pulled apart, Natsuki’s grin softened as he traced a thumb beneath Shin’s damp lashes, catching the tears that had begun to fall. If the Fwooper’s silent charm hadn’t moved him, the sight of his mother’s pendant resting against Shin’s chest certainly had. He pressed a lingering kiss to Shin’s tear-streaked cheek before fastening the necklace around his neck, the elongated chain allowing the phoenix pendant to settle just above his collarbone. Moonstones glimmered faintly, their pale glow rivaled only by the warmth in Shin’s eyes.

Especially on him, Natsuki thought, heart swelling as he admired the way the pendant seemed to belong there—a fragment of his past now intertwined with Shin’s future.

“My turn!” Natsuki grinned, pulling Shin’s gift onto his lap with childlike excitement. Shin fidgeted, watching as Natsuki shook the box playfully, then yelped when Shin swatted his arm for sniffing it like a curious Niffler.

With exaggerated care, Natsuki peeled back the wrapping, revealing a sleek black leather suitcase—modest in size but humming with latent magic. His fingers traced the edges, lingering over brass clasps etched with runes that shimmered faintly under the firelight.

“Open it,” Shin urged, voice barely steady.

The latch clicked, and Natsuki’s breath hitched. Inside stretched an expanse of rolling meadows under a twilight sky, a forest murmuring in the distance, and a crystalline pond reflecting stars that didn’t exist in the world above. A pocket dimension, alive and breathing.

Wordlessly, Shin took Natsuki’s worn pouch and began transferring creatures into the case: Snow the Niffler tumbled into the grass, chirping happily, while the baby Acromantula scuttled toward the trees.

“I know how much you admire Newt Scamander,” Shin began, fingers knotting nervously. “And… I remembered you mentioning his case once. How you wished—” His voice faltered.

Months of secret planning unfolded in the air—Shin’s father sourcing rare enchanted leather, late nights in the Headmaster’s office mastering dimensional charms, even Hagrid’s booming laughter as he’d smuggled in soil samples for the ecosystem. All of it, for this.

“With my father’s help, I found the right materials. And the Headmaster… she taught me the spatial enchantments. It took months, but—”

Shin’s explanation dissolved into a gasp as Natsuki pinned him to the floor, lips crashing into his with a hunger that stole his breath. Natsuki kissed him like a man starved—deep, possessive, all-consuming—his hands framing Shin’s face as if he were something fragile, precious.

When they broke apart, gasping, Natsuki tilted Shin’s chin and dove back in, this time slower, savoring the way Shin’s fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer. The world narrowed to the slide of lips, the shared warmth of breath, the faint taste of peppermint tea lingering on Shin’s tongue.

Reluctantly, Natsuki pulled back, chest heaving, and hauled Shin into his lap. He buried his face in the crook of Shin’s neck, breathing in the scent of parchment and cedarwood that always clung to him.

“And you said my gifts were too much,” he murmured, lips grazing the pulse point beneath Shin’s jaw.

Shin cupped Natsuki’s face, thumb brushing the flush on his cheekbone. “I’m glad you liked it.”

“Liked it?” Natsuki nuzzled his nose against Shin’s, grinning wildly. “Baby, I fucking love it. Merlin’s beard, I’ve got the biggest, dumbest crush on you.”

Shin rolled his eyes, though his smile betrayed him. “You’d better. Or I’ll brew Amortentia and turn you into my personal house-elf. Merope Gaunt style.”

Natsuki laughed, low and warm, before sealing their lips again. “Wouldn’t mind being your slave,” he muttered between kisses. “Hell, sign me up.”

When they finally broke apart, Natsuki traced the line of Shin’s collarbone, fingertips lingering on the phoenix pendant. “Seriously, though… McGonagall taught you the dimensional charms? How long did that take?”

Shin leaned into his touch, recalling weeks of sneaking into the Headmistress’s office after curfew, her stern face softening as she demonstrated wand movements over blueprints. “Three months. She made me redo the atmospheric adjustments twelve times. Said Newt’s case was ‘rustic’ and mine needed ‘Hogwarts-level finesse.’”

Natsuki’s laughter echoed through the room, bright and unguarded, as Snow the Niffler scampered into the suitcase’s meadow, chasing imaginary gold. Outside, snowflakes dusted the manor’s windows, but inside, warmth pooled in the spaces between them—a quiet promise of adventures yet to come, tucked safely in the magic of a leather case and the boy who’d built it.

“But seriously, love—you’re amazing.” Natsuki cupped Shin’s face, thumbs brushing the apples of his cheeks. “You convinced McGonagall to teach you advanced spatial charms?”

Shin bit his lip, a nervous habit Natsuki found unbearably endearing. “I… started asking her in fifth year. She said it’d take ‘a Ravenclaw’s patience and a Gryffindor’s nerve.’ Took two years to perfect the atmospheric—”

“Marry me.”

The words tumbled out before Natsuki could stop them. Silence pooled between them, thick and electric, until Natsuki groaned and buried his face in Shin’s neck, cheeks burning. “Merlin’s pants, pretend I didn’t—”

Shin’s laughter was soft, his fingers carding through Natsuki’s hair. “I’d say yes. But we’re seventeen, you idiot.”

“Ask me again in five years,” Shin added, voice teasing but eyes unbearably tender.

Natsuki mumbled something into his collarbone— I will— and Shin’s heart clenched.

“I love you,” Shin whispered, the words feather-light against Natsuki’s ear.

A grumbled loveyoutoo vibrated against his skin, and Shin’s laughter bubbled up again, warm and bright.

Shin’s eyes caught the glint of Hana’s music box across the room. He slipped out of Natsuki’s arms, ignoring his boyfriend’s disgruntled whine, and wound the delicate key. A waltz spilled into the air—slow, sweet, and tinged with the metallic chime of magic.

“Dance with me.” Shin held out his hand, palm up, moonlight catching the phoenix pendant at his neck.

Natsuki groaned but let himself be pulled to his feet, their fingers lacing together. Shin’s free hand settled at the small of his back, pulling him close until their chests brushed.

They swayed—no formal steps, just the lazy rock of hips and the slide of socked feet over polished wood. Shin’s head tucked under Natsuki’s chin, his breath warm against the hollow of his neck. The Fwooper fluttered around them, trailing pink feathers like confetti.

When the grandfather clock chimed midnight, Shin tilted his face up. Natsuki met him halfway, their lips slotting together in a kiss that started soft but deepened hungrily—tongues tangling, teeth nipping, Shin’s fingers fisting in Natsuki’s shirt like he might vanish.

The clock fell silent. They broke apart, foreheads pressed together, breaths mingling.

“Merry Christmas, baby,” Natsuki murmured, brushing a butterfly kiss over Shin’s nose.

Shin’s smile was a promise. “Merry Christmas, you sappy Hufflepuff.”

Five Years Later

Shin Asakura stood before the gilded Art Deco elevator of the Ministry of Magic, his black robes neatly folded over his arm. On his left chest, a silver badge glinted: ‘Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.’ In his right hand, he clutched a steaming muggle-bought coffee— a habit his colleagues deemed ‘quaint,’ but Shin couldn’t care less.

"Level Four. Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Handling and relocation of magical beings, monitoring illegal trade, and public education," chimed the elevator’s cool voice.

As the doors opened, chaos flooded his senses. A Niffler darted down the hallway, trailing a stolen gold chain, while three employees chased it with nets and failed Accio spells. In the corner, a group of magizoologists argued heatedly over whether Bowtruckles should be reclassified as ‘legal pets.’

Shin smiled. Home sweet home.

"ASAKURA!"

Department Head, Gethsemane Prickle—a sharp-eyed woman with gray-haired and sienna-rimmed glasses—marched toward him. "Emergency report from Dorset. A muggle farmer’s reporting an attack by an unidentified giant rhino-like creature. Suspected escaped male Erumpent-⁷ from the black market. Our team’s on-site, but the thing’s too aggressive. You’re our best with enraged beasts. Go!"

Shin nodded, but before leaving, he slipped a small photo from his wallet—a snapshot of him and Natsuki at their Hogwarts graduation, laughing under a shower of enchanted confetti. For luck, he thought.

In the Dorset Farmland, a male Erumpent rampaged, its horn spewing explosive fluid that forced the Ministry team behind shield charms. Shin stepped forward, empty-handed.

"Easy now," he murmured in Ancient Runes, a spell he’d learned from Natsuki’s old textbooks. "We won’t hurt you."

The Erumpent snorted, crimson eyes blazing. But Shin held steady. From his pocket, he withdrew a small crystal orb filled with Dittany—the creature’s favorite herb. A gift from Natsuki that morning.

"See? I brought snacks."

The Erumpent sniffed, then lumbered closer. Shin stayed still, breath steady. As the beast licked the Dittany from his palm, Shin swiftly attached a tamper-proof tracker to its hind leg.

"Brilliant work, Asakura!" a teammate shouted.

Shin wiped sweat from his brow, smiling. In the distance, a pink Fwooper— Skye, his old Christmas gift— circled overhead before landing on his shoulder.

The amber glow of London’s streetlights seeped through the apartment’s charmed windows, casting long shadows over Shin’s cluttered desk. A parchment map of African savannas lay unfurled beside a steaming mug of vanilla tea, its surface dotted with shimmering markers tracking Nundu migrations. Shin adjusted his silver-framed glasses, the tip of his wand idly stirring the tea as he scribbled notes in the margins— ‘Increased aggression near drought zones. Recommend liaising with Ethiopian Ministry outposts.’

Across the room, their white Niffler, Snow, snoozed in a hammock strung between two bookshelves, one paw dangling over a stolen Ministry badge. On the wall behind her, a moving photograph played on loop: Shin and Natsuki at 17, grinning under the Hogwarts Quidditch stands, Natsuki’s arm slung around Shin’s shoulders.

The apartment hummed with quiet magic. A enchanted kettle whistled a tune from the stove, and Shin’s latest project—a miniature weather simulation for Occamy nesting grounds—hovered above the coffee table, rain clouds drizzling over a tiny forest. He’d spent hours perfecting it, partly for work, partly to distract himself from the empty side of the bed. Natsuki’s expeditions always left the rooms feeling too large, too quiet.

A soft pop from the kitchen announced the arrival of a Ministry memo, its origami falcon form dissolving into smoke as Shin read:

Asakura—Erumpent case resolved. Report filed. Mrs. Prickle wants you in Nairobi by Thursday.

He sighed, rubbing his temples. Nairobi meant another week apart. But before he could spiral, a familiar click echoed from the front door.

Snow’s ears perked up.

Shin’s quill froze mid-sentence as muddy bootprints materialized on the rug. The scent of damp earth and Amazonian orchids cut through the citrusy charm Shin had cast to freshen the air.

Natsuki had just returned from an Amazon expedition, his robes still caked in mud. But his eyes lit up at the sight of Shin in the kitchen, studying a Nundu migration map.

"Welcome home, Magizoologist," Shin greeted without looking up, wand-steeping tea.

Natsuki wrapped his arms around Shin from behind, kissing his neck. "Heard someone played hero today. Erumpent whisperer."

Shin turned, teacup in hand. "Heard someone missed our dinner date last week because he got trapped in an Occamy nest."

"Occamys are hypnotic, love. They danced for me and—"

Shin cut him off with a kiss. "You’re insufferable," he murmured against Natsuki’s lips.

On the table, an open Ministry letter read:

To Mr. Asakura,
In recognition of your successful resolution of 37 critical magical creature cases this year, we are pleased to offer you the position of Head of the Magical Creature Welfare Division ….

Natsuki smirked at the letter. "Head of Division at 22? They’re scared you’ll replace Newt Scamander as the face of conservation."

Shin shook his head, pulling a photo album from the shelf. The first page showed them in the Forbidden Forest during their seventh year—Natsuki laughing with Buckbeak, Shin clutching rune charts beside him.

"All of this is because of you," Shin said softly. "You taught me they’re not just ‘creatures.’ They’re family."

Outside the window, Skye the Fwooper trilled silently, while the shadow of a Hippogriff soared across the moon—Buckbeak, still visiting them every full moon.

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