The Exchange Student

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First year; first term; September - December 1989

Okay, one entire week and not a single letter from Caelum? Outrageous. There had been letters from his parents, his Abus, hell, even Aunt María wrote, but his cousin/soulmate? Not a single one.

Nicolás wasn’t going to let that stand, so, he wrote the baboon a letter.

The first week of classes had been fantastic. Nicolás knew Hogwarts managed a system of core and elective subjects, but Castelobruxo didn’t. They had 13 subjects each week, studying from 8 to 12 pm, and from 2 to 6 pm (only seeing Astronomy on Friday and Saturday midnight).

Charms, Potions, Transfigurations, DADA, History of Magic, Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, Alchemy, Muggle Studies, and Divinations (all the classes approved by the International Confederation of Wizards) were taken with an intensity of 2 hours for most, and 4 hours for Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures, as Castelobruxo has special emphasis on those two.

Nicolás told Caelum how much he adored the golden structure of the castle, and how his roommates were uneducated gits —he had tired himself trying and failing to talk with them—, he also told him how his Transfigurations teacher, Mr. Grajales, was a bear Animagus.

Considering Casatelobruxo welcomed students from all of Central and South America, they offered all the classes in both Spanish and Portuguese. The only class Nicolás chose to take in Portuguese was Potions, the Spanish-speaking witch was awful.

The grounds of the school were immense, having not only the pyramid/castle, but also a large Quidditch Stadium, and a large clearing for Care of Magical Creatures.

Nicolás finished his letter sending his regards to Twiggle, the Bowtruckle Caelum had kept as a companion since they were seven.

Not two days later, he received his response.

Caelum told him about being sorted in Gryffindor, just like their parents. He made quick friends, as always.

There were the Weasley Twins, fellow Gryffindors, and his roommates. There was Cedric Diggory —pretty funny name if you ask Nicolás—, a Hufflepuff described, in Caelum’s words, “nice, like, really nice.” And finally, there was Dorian Lestrange, a Slytherin, son of two friends of their parents, back in their Order days during the war.

The first months of class went on calmly. Thanks to all the classes Nicolás received from his grandparents, he already knew most things about potions, herbology, alchemy, and care of magical creatures.

He started to practice wandless magic with his father, a few years back, and so charms class was easy, and both his parents had already taught him about Defence Against the Dark Arts.

The only thing complicating was using his wand, because, true to Mr. Arango’s words, the potency of his spells was outstanding, but it was a bit temperamental in usage. The good thing was, because of Nicolás’ relationship with the creatures who provided the cores for it, the wand would never work a single spell against him, that he didn’t cast himself

A fifth-year guy thought it would be funny to take his wand and cast the Slug-Vomiting Curse, only to have it on him instead. Nicolás and Carlos —his only friend— spent hours laughing, and the guy never dared to cross his path again

For years now, his mother worked as the head of the Werewolf Office of the Ministry, an office in charge of keeping records of every werewolf, but also providing them with social insurance, and taking out laws for their well-being and school/work life.

And now, she had been appointed as the head of the Being Division of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. And not only that, she organized a special ‘Rescuing Team’, to rescue beasts and beings that the Ministry considers to be endangered.

His father had been hired for this team, and on his first mission, they rescued three house-elves from Manizales, and surprisingly, the Ministry suggested they stay with their family before their fate was decided. They were malnourished and abused, very jumpy, and paranoid, always expecting to receive a punishment. And their names were: Whisker, Fizzlet, and Twinkly.

Quickly enough, December first came, and with it, Nicolás birthday. He received multiple gifts.

Caelum sent him one out of two dairies. His mother bought them, they were two-way dairies. When you wrote in one of them, the ink and message appeared on the other diary, enabling fast communication. Nicolás’ was personalized with Ember’s painting on its cover, while Caelum’s had Twiggle.

His parents sent him an Invisibility Cloak they had made with the hairs from the Demiguise family of the reserve. They wanted him to have something special to connect with the memory of Uncle James, his godfather.

His grandmother had sent him a bunch of hand-knotted clothing, his grandfather sent him a small phial with a shot of Felix Felicius, and at lunchtime, a whole special lunch with his favorite plates materialized in front of him, all courtesy of Whisker, Fizzlet, and Twinkly.

During his last classes in Alchemy, Nicolás had been studying the creation of crystals called Cubic Zirconia, which resembled diamonds. Nicolás had no use for it, except for one much specific.

The morning, four days after his birthday, on December 5th, Nicolás sent Brownie, his owl, with a small box for Caelum. For his cousin’s birthday gift, he crafted two rings with two metal bands his parents sent him.

The rings were simple, Nicolás turned them black, and created a path through the center of the metal, filling it with the Cubic Zirconia. Caelum received one with a green diamond to represent Twiggle, while Nicolás kept one golden, representing both, Ember and Zeus.

Soon enough, December twenty arrived, and with that, the students were free to return home for the Christmas holidays, and Nicolás wasn’t about to lose the chance to see Caelum and Aunt María again, or meeting the new house elves at the reserve.

•─────⋅☾☽⋅─────•

Christmas 1989

When Nicolás’ parents arrived at La Sabana Train Station to pick him up, a rush of emotions engulfed him. It was like his heart was about to burst with joy. Their warm smiles and loving embrace etched an unforgettable image in his mind.

He couldn't resist the urge to give them the tightest hugs. They had exchanged letters, sure, but nothing compared to the real thing. Their presence filled him with comfort and made him feel complete in a way that words on paper couldn't quite capture.

Even Ember shared in his excitement, the Wampus Cat pounced on Remus, showering him with joyful licks as they tumbled to the ground.

During their walk inside the reserve grounds, Nicolás couldn't stop talking about his school adventures. Endlessly rambling about everything, from the school’s infrastructure to the classes, to the professors, to the work he did, to the creatures he saw, and so on.

He shared tales of the charms he learned, the transfigurations he nailed, of his alchemy feats, and the wonders of the night sky from his Astronomy lessons. His passion was infectious, and he couldn't wait to demonstrate the spells he'd mastered, the potions he'd brewed, and his progress in learning Portuguese.

Remus and Carolina simply listened attentively, swelling with pride at their son's thirst for knowledge and boundless enthusiasm.

When they reached home, his grandparents, Angela and Pedro, were waiting on the porch, and sheer happiness brought tears to his eyes. Without hesitation, Nicolás rushed towards them, wrapping them in a heartfelt, tight hug.

It was only a few minutes later, once his emotions had settled somewhat, that he was introduced to the rescued house-elves. They were a unique addition to the household, and Nicolás listened closely as his grandparents explained their role and welcomed them into the family.

These house-elves, even shorter than Nicolás, had a fascinating appearance. Their short stature gave them a perpetually youthful vibe, while their distinctive gray skin hinted at their magical nature and age-old connection to the wizarding world and their enslavement.

What captured Nicolás’ attention the most were their large, pointy ears, which he found utterly adorable, resembling gigantic bats. Their wrinkled skin seemed to be too big for their tiny frames.

Their elongated noses added a touch of whimsy to their appearance, always twitching with curiosity as if they were finely tuned to the world around them. Their eyes were relatively large and round, too.

Two of the house-elves, the males, Whisker and Fizzlet, not only shared their unique appearance but also their temperament. They exuded an air of quiet bravery, always striving to display courage even when their instincts leaned toward caution and submission. Their expressions hinted at unspoken fears and a whisper of apprehension.

Their gaze seldom met anyone's eyes, instead often seeking solace in the floor. This silent yet profound gesture conveyed their assumed submission.

The house-elves had an intriguing way of talking. Whisker and Fizzlet communicated discreetly, with their hands kept behind their backs, almost like skilled butlers. This subtle way of conversing showed how ingrained their roles were in their minds.

Among them, Twinkly stood out. She was a young house-elf, like the other two, dressed in simple rags that contrasted sharply with the fancy robes of the wizards and witches. Her attire symbolized the strong misdirected beliefs of the house-elves.

According to Nicolás’ grandparents, the house-elves had a deep conviction against wearing clothes because it represented something they fiercely opposed: freedom. The concept of being “free” made them uncomfortable. They believed their happiness came from serving a family, even though the Cardona family had their own reservations about this tradition.

As the days rolled on, Nicolás’ curiosity and desire to understand the house-elves' beliefs led to a subtle breakthrough in their age-old resistance to clothing. He found a loop to change their ways without causing them unnecessary stress.

With his parents' support, Nicolás gathered a wide variety of fabrics and materials, each offering different textures, colors, and patterns. He approached the house-elves with respect and kindness, inviting them to create their own clothing from these materials.

Surprisingly, the house-elves accepted the challenge.

Their incredible craftsmanship and attention to detail transformed these fabrics into functional clothing, blending the traditions of the past with modern innovation.

Under Abu Angela’s guidance, the evolution of the house-elves' attire continued. Overalls became a staple, providing both practicality and comfort while preserving their unique charm, giving them more freedom of movement.

In addition to overalls, the house-elves started making cozy scarves and gloves to keep warm as they continued their dedicated work around the household.

•─────⋅☾☽⋅─────•

Visiting Zeus felt like entering a natural masterpiece painted by Mother Nature herself. As Nicolás neared the mighty Thunderbird, the sky overhead burst into a thrilling symphony of thunder, a booming applause, teeming with excitement and anticipation.

The presence of the Thunderbird was awe-inspiring, enveloping him in a connection that made it seem like the heavens were celebrating. It was as if Zeus was beckoning Nicolás to climb on.

With a heart full of wonder and excitement, Nicolás mounted the great bird, enveloping his neck with his arms and holding tight. Suddenly, the world transformed before his eyes. With a powerful flap of Zeus's wings, they soared high into the boundless sky above the magical reserve.

From their celestial perch, Nicolás and Zeus gazed down upon the sprawling reserve, where a tapestry of magical creatures thrived, each playing a unique role in the perfectly crafted ecosystem.

The Unicorn herd galloped, or rather dashed, gracefully through a lush forest, joined by two new adult members with gleaming ivory coats. Other three unicorn foals, for a total of six, added youthful energy to the herd.

In contrast, the magnificent Graphorns basked in the gentle desert sun on golden sands. A new addition, two sleeping Graphorn calves, brought tranquility to the scene.

The reserve had a new resident, a creature of breathtaking proportions and unparalleled beauty – a colossal Zouwu. With its serpentine body and majestic lion-like mane, it claimed the title of the reserve's largest resident. Nicolás and Zeus spotted the sleeping Zouwu nestled against a bamboo-covered mountainside as they soared above.

Upon returning to the ground, Nicolás received an unexpected surprise. The arrival of Caelum and Aunt María brought a fresh wave of elation, rekindling joy in Nicolás’ heart.

In that moment, words felt unnecessary. The unspoken connection between Nicolás and Caelum transcended language and distance, a bond forged through years of shared experiences, and devotion towards one another.

When they embraced —after squealing like the big boys they were, of course—, it was as if time itself had paused in reverence. Their hug was no ordinary contact. It was an affirmation of their unbreakable bond. Their hearts pulsed in sync, and their souls danced in jubilation, soulmates reunited.

With Caelum and Aunt María by his side, making his family once again complete, Nicolás felt whole once more.

•─────⋅☾☽⋅─────•

Christmas Eve at the Cardona household was a spectacular celebration. The house-elves, eager for the celebration, worked their magic to make the day extra special.

In the backyard, they summoned a colossal Christmas tree, a pine that soared over five meters high. Its branches were adorned with a stunning array of ornaments, each one more dazzling than the last. Magical lights wrapped around the tree, casting a radiant glow that felt out of this world. It was as if the stars themselves had come down to grace the family with their brilliance.

The mornings leading up to Christmas were equally delightful. The days began with Natilla con Buñuelos, a creamy custard dessert served with crispy dough fritters. Decadent and velvety hot chocolate was the perfect companion, especially when enjoyed with freshly baked bread and warm, fresh cheese. All of this took place against a backdrop of joyful Christmas carols, infusing the air with the spirit of the season.

As the family and many of their magical creatures gathered around, a sense of togetherness and joy filled the air. The Christmas spirit embraced every corner of the reserve, warming the hearts of all who called it home.

The Christmas feast was a culinary masterpiece. The grand dining table was piled high with a variety of national and foreign dishes, tantalizing everyone's taste buds with an array of meats, vegetables, and culinary delights.

The meats offered a luxurious range of options, from succulent roasted turkeys and tender cuts of beef to lamb infused with fragrant herbs. The vegetables were a colorful and flavorful assortment, with roasted root vegetables, buttery Brussels sprouts, and crispy green beans competing for attention.

Among the beautifully wrapped gifts beneath the Christmas tree, one package called to Nicolás like a magnetic force. An electrifying wave of anticipation surged through him, and he could hardly contain his joyful exclamations.

This gift was extraordinary. You see, for his alchemy class, Nicolás had taken on a monumental task—creating an interconnected enchanted artifact, a complex and ambitious endeavor that required the fusion of spells, charms, and other magical artifacts, and that no other student from his year dared.

His parents had been unwavering in their support, helping him gather the essential components for his ambitious project.

The first crucial ingredient was Unicorn hair, each strand brimming with unique and potent magic. These would be woven into four distinct objects: three necklace strings and one pet collar.

The second significant component was four family crests, each displaying a Hippogriff surrounded by trees. Crafted in Goblin-wrought silver, these crests represented the Cardona family's ancestral connection to the magical realm and the natural world.

The third and most sentimental component was a set of four deciduous canine teeth from Ember, shed when he was just a cub. These teeth held the essence of Ember's growth and transformation, along with his innate gift, Legilimency.

•─────⋅☾☽⋅─────•

New Year's Eve was a lively mix of experiences.

As the scorching sun bathed the magical creature reserve, tranquility settled over the land. It was a time for the family and their companions to unwind and recharge. The day unfolded slowly, allowing everyone to soak in the serenity of nature.

Some chose to enjoy the outdoors, embracing the peace it provided. Others cared for the magical creatures with love and dedication. Others simply stayed inside, resting and preparing for the night ahead.

The night became a symphony of music, with melodies that seemed to dance on the breeze. Laughter and cheers filled the air, creating a jubilant chorus that echoed throughout the reserve. It was a time for celebration, self-reflection, and hope as the family embraced the promise of a new year filled with love, adventure, growth, and shared experiences.

When the clock struck midnight, the whole city came alive with a dazzling fireworks display. From various corners of the urban landscape, bursts of light and color adorned the night sky, forming a breathtaking tapestry of awe and wonder.

But in their magical reserve, they had their own brand of enchantment. Their fireworks were infused with a magic that Muggles could only dream of, lighting up the night with extraordinary brilliance. These fiery creations ascended into the night, forming spectacular shapes that captured the imagination.

One fireworks display began as a burst of vibrant red and gold, only to transform into the likeness of a Chinese Fireball Dragon.

Then, another fireworks display turned into the shape of a mischievous Niffler, that endearing creature with a knack for shiny things. The Niffler's fiery form danced in the night sky, playfully chasing imaginary treasures and eliciting laughter and cheers from all who witnessed.

The last few days of the holiday break brought excitement and anticipation, especially for Caelum. His dream was a big one: to secure a spot on the Gryffindor Quidditch team as a Chaser in the upcoming school year.

Caelum's passion for Quidditch burned brightly, and he dedicated himself to perfecting his broom-flying skills. He spent countless hours in practice, refining his agility and mastering aerial maneuvers. The thrill of chasing Quaffles and soaring through the sky with finesse was an unstoppable drive, and he aimed to showcase his talent and determination during the upcoming tryouts.

Even though Quidditch wasn't Nicolás’ personal passion, he was a steadfast supporter for Caelum. The bond between the two cousins was unbreakable, and Nicolás took immense joy in helping and cheering for Caelum.

Together, they took to the skies like fast-flying Billywigs, their laughter and shared moments turning the sky into a canvas of unforgettable experiences.

While Nicolás’ dreams may not have centered around the Quidditch pitch, he cherished the privilege of being part of Caelum's journey, witnessing his cousin's unwavering determination and growth as he pursued his dreams.