News and Letters
It has been a week since Childe had been transported in this universe, three more weeks left until he could, maybe see Zhongli again.
Childe had, by now, learned all the gingers' names.
Arthur, the father.
Molly, the mother.
Percy, pompous bastard.
Fred and George, the twins.
Lastly Ginny, the youngest and only daughter.
Oh and himself, Ajax Tartaglia Weasley.
Ajax was the name only his family used back in Teyvat, and he would like it to stay that way. He just didn’t know how to explain it to them that they should call him Childe.
His time in the Burrow was surprisingly pleasant. Despite this family being poor and all, their love and affection holds the house together.
Honestly though? It was kinda weird, they seem to know everything about Childe.
Childe, however, knew nothing about them. He knew their personalities, yes, but he knew nothing about what each of them liked and disliked.
Childe sighed, Molly was getting suspicious as well. She knew he wasn’t acting like he was before.
Here’s another thing that troubles him.
Childe knew he was in a different universe, but did whoever transported him here put fake memories of him in the Weasleys’ mind? Or did an Ajax actually lived here, and Childe just took his place.
He was currently in his bed, rolling around, and thinking because he cannot sleep.
Childe was buzzing with energy, and he wanted to fight.
So, he got up from his bed, slowly making his way downstairs, trying his best to not creak anything.
Perhaps a walk outside would help with all this energy. He knew that sometimes Zhongli would take midnight stroll around Liyue, and occasionally Childe even joined him.
However, before he could make his way towards the door, a voice came from the kitchen.
“Good Morning Ajax.” The arrogant voice greeted him.
Childe turned around, and spotted a messy haired Percy.
“Oh hello Percy, I wouldn’t say good morning if I was you.” He responded, with a light grin.
“It is currently two in the morning.” He scoffed, “What are you doing up at this hour? Did you forget I am a Prefect? I could certainly take points from you once I arrive at Hogwarts for wandering at night.”
“You just said it was morning.” That rewarded him a glare from the ginger.
There it goes again. Percy had been talking non-stop about his Prefect position ever since his letter arrived yesterday.
“And you’re not even a Prefect yet.” Childe grumbled.
“What was that?” Percy asked, crossing his arms, frowning.
Childe flashed him an innocent smile, “Nothing~”
The pompous ginger merely sighed, “Go back to your room Ajax, it’s getting late.”
Childe kicked the ground crossly, out of all the Weasleys, he hated Percy the most. He had no sense of humor, acted as if he were superior, and treated Childe as if he was a child.
He might be physically, but mentally, Childe was older than him!
At least Fred and George didn’t treat him like that. Molly mostly fussed over him, and Arthur never scolded him as if he was five.
“What are you doing here anyways?” Childe asked indignantly, instead of obeying.
Percy frowned at him again, “That is none of your business.”
“Oh please enlighten me, Mr. Prefect!” That rewarded him another glare, but it did get a response from him,
“Merely here for a cup of water. You?”
Childe couldn’t possibly tell him he wanted to go out for a stroll, “Couldn’t sleep.” He answered. That wasn’t a lie.
Percy rolled his eyes, “Just keep your eyes closed, you’ll fall asleep in no time.”
So useful.
With a snort, Childe made his way back upstairs to his room.
That night, he dreamed of his siblings, and the Abyss.
“Morning sweetie!”
“Morning mum.” Childe mumbled, yawning. It was morning now, and Childe felt like doing nothing today.
Funny how it was just last night that he was buzzing with energy.
He glanced around the table, Arthur, as always, was sipping his morning coffee, with a newspaper at hand, Percy was writing something, and Fred and George were talking with Ginny.
Wait, that wasn’t normal Fred and George activity. They never talked, they teased.
“What’s going on?” Childe asked, grabbing his plate of bread, and going over to sit next to them.
George arched an eyebrow, “Have you not heard?”
He shook his head. Heard what?
Fred chimed in, “The Boy Who Lived was spotted in a muggle Zoo yesterday.”
“Zoo?”
“Yeah, I was confused too, but Percy told me it was a place where people visited animals.” He explained.
Ginny was frowning, “Doesn’t he know that Hogwarts is starting soon? Did he even get a letter yet? Why is he at a Zoo and not Diagon Alley?”
George shook his head, “Dunno, perhaps he’s not even coming to Hogwarts.”
“Hold on,” Childe said, swallowing a mouthful of crispy bread, “What’s his name again?” He asked. The Boy Who Lived? What kind of code-name is that?
The three Weasley squinted at him simultaneously,
“Did you sleep your brain off as well?” Fred inquired incredulously, “You know, your accent is still not coming back yet.”
Childe rolled his eyes, “My accent may be lost forever, but my brain’s still here,” He took another bite of his bread, “I merely forgot his name, that’s all.”
“Yeah but, it’s The Boy Who Lived, how in Merlin did you forget his name?” George demanded crossing his arms, looking as incredulous as Fred had sounded.
Childe groaned, “Just tell me his name already.”
“Morax Lapis Potter.” Ginny finally answered. Bless her.
He choked on his bread.
Coughing, he tried to regain his composure.
What.
“Morax Lapis Potter?” He croaked out weakly.
The three Weasley exchanged a confused glance,
“Yeah, you alright mate?” George poked his shoulder with the tip of his wand.
With a final cough he nodded, “Yep, everything is perfectly fine. The bread just got stuck for a second.”
They didn’t believe that, but fortunately, they didn’t press Childe about it.
Morax Lapis Potter. The Boy Who Lived.
He found Zhongli alright. However he doesn't know whether he should feel relief or disbelief, and apparently, he was the famous Boy Who Lived. He must be so confused, Childe thought with amusement, this was definitely something the Archon never experienced.
“Actually, his name is Zhongli,” Percy cut in, “It was said that Dumbledore changed his name when You-know-who killed his parents.”
“I’m sorry- what?” Childe spluttered. Who in Tsaritsa was You-know-who? Because he certainly did not know. Also, killed his parents?
“Ajax! You should really read the news more?” Ginny groaned, “Even I know about him more than you.”
Childe crossed his arms and huffed, “You do not.” He blurted out.
George snickered, “Oh come on, you know Ginny’s obsessed with The Boy Who Lived. There’s no way you would know more about him than her.” He said, smirking at Ginny, who glared at him.
“I’m not obsessed.” She rolled her eyes.
“Sure- Ouch! Ginny!” George protested as Ginny stomped on his foot.
Childe smiled, but it faded as he realized he was getting too attached. Sooner or later he’ll be back in Teyvat with Zhongli, and he’ll never see them again. Getting attached makes it harder to leave, and he has no intention to stay.
His heart whispered to him that it was too late.
Well, good thing Childe listens to his mind.
As the first few magic letters came, Zhongli had begun to feel suspicious. He had been grounded, which he supposed made hiding the snake easier, and oh, he had named him Osial, but he was getting lonely.
The only company he had was Osial, and let’s just say, the snake wasn’t really company. All he did was sleep, eat some of Zhongli’s food and sleep some more. He rarely responded to him at all. It was extremely boring.
That was until the letters arrived. It began with just one, which Vernon crushed and threw it away. Then more appeared, mysteriously sliding through the cupboard door, only to get ripped away from his hands as Vernon barged in.
This morning he woke up, with letters scattered all over his bed. Taking his chance he examined one carefully.
It buzzed with unknown magic, and it had a purple wax on it, stamped with the letter H on top, most importantly it for Zhongli.
Before he could open it though, Vernon burst in again, and told him to get out of the cupboard.
Sighing, he left his room at last.
~Well at least you’re out now.~ Osial hissed softly so Vernon wouldn’t hear.
The blue snake was wrapped around his neck, hidden from view by the large black ragged turtleneck Zhongli was wearing that definitely came from Dudley. Actually, every clothing he owned was once Dudley’s.
“I still want to know what’s inside the letters though.” He mumbled. Heading towards the living room.
~Well, you can’t have everything.~
Zhongli almost snorted, it was quite amusing how this snake reminded him so much of the Teyvat Osial, when Morax and him were once friends. Sarcastic yet lazy.
He sat down on one of the couches, staring at the fireplace as the fire inside danced and flickered. He wondered, how was Hu Tao fairing?
He had begrudgingly come to the realization that he misses the Pyro User, Funeral Director. Her energy was contagious, always managing to bring a smile to his face.
He sighed again, reminiscing his memories of Liyue Harbor.
Suddenly a whoosh and swoosh, brought him out of his mind.
~Oh dear.~ Osial noted, peeking his head out, then immediately ducking it back in his sweater.
A pile of letters had literally just fallen from the chimney, landing into the fire. With a burst, each of them started burning, adding to the flames, which grew higher and higher.
Zhongli could only sit there, petrified. What in Celestia is happening?
“Finally, those cursed letters.” He heard Vernon mutter, coming out of his cupboard. Zhongli teared his horrified gaze from the fire to the pudgy man who was hauling a large garbage bag filled with envelopes.
Zhongli watched in silence as Vernon’s eyes landed on him, then slowly made its way towards the burning fireplace, then back at him.
“Oh that’s it!” He roared, kicking the black bag, “Petunia! Dudley! Pack your things! We’re leaving this place!”
Vernon had put out the fire with some difficulties, then dragged his family and Zhongli outside.
He took a moment to appreciate the night air. Glancing at the moon above. In a few days it’ll make a perfect circle, Zhongli noted.
“Stop standing there, boy, get in.” Vernon snarked, beckoning him into the car again.
Zhongli sighed for the third time tonight.
He sat on the back next to Dudley, staring through the window. He could feel Osial slithering uncomfortably around his neck. The snake didn’t like the car anymore than he did.
“Sorry.” He muttered under his breath.
The whole ride was confusing and tense, Petunia tried asking Vernon on where they were going, but the man merely replied,
“Somewhere where those dam letters won’t find us.”
Oh, so that's why they were leaving.
If Vernon had just let Zhongli read one letter, the whole problem would be solved by now.
What was it, that they were so adamant to not let him know?
Petunia and possibly Vernon already knew about his geo powers. The letters were clearly magic, Zhongli knew they knew that as well.
He closed his eyes.
The question was not, what kind of letters are they? It was, who sent these letters?
At first, he had, hopefully, thought maybe it was Childe. Zhongli had sensed a tinge of magic on it, but as he got closer to them, he realized that it buzzed with a different kind of magic.
A kind of magic that was not elemental. Not from Teyvat.
This universe was hiding something from the mortals.
Vernon drove for what seemed like hours, and Zhongli felt like throwing up.
At last they arrived at what mortals call a “Hotel”. Vernon spoke to the manager, and Petunia led Dudley and him upstairs, into one of the rooms.
There was only one bed, and Zhongli decided he’d rather sleep on the floor than with Dudley.
“You two will be sleeping here tonight,” His aunt said, “And you, brat, better not cause Dudley any trouble.” Petunia added with a glare.
If Zhongli was less mature, like an actual eleven years old, he would have snorted or scoffed.
Petunia left after that, kissing Dudley on the cheeks, and giving Zhongli one last frown.
That night, Dudley slept peacefully wrapped in a large fluffy blanket, snoring, while Zhongli only managed three hours of rest on the hard floor, before Vernon barged in again.
“Up, we’re leaving.” He shouted, startling them both.
He looked furious, face red with bloodshot eyes.
Apparently the letters somehow arrived at the Hotel this morning. Petunia and Vernon had been awoken by the manager, knocking on their door, carrying a whole box of the mysterious envelopes.
Quickly, without anyone noticing, Zhongli opened one of the drawers in the room, and scooped up a sleepy Osial, draping him around his neck again beneath the sweater he was still wearing.
If Zhongli had one wish. It was for this madness to end already.