𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙮 𝙋𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧”
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“Why’s it so humid? It’s supposed to be summer,” Nicolás whined, using his hands to readjust the fabric of his shirt from his sticky skin.
Caelum’s chuckles were heard over the sound of the soles of their boots against the cobblestones of the street.
“Well, it’s summer in England, nothing like Colombia, if you ask me.”
Nicolás only groaned. With Ember, under his Invisibility Cloak padding by his side, they crossed the street, and the sign ‘Privet Drive,’ approaching the door with the 4.
“I can’t believe that old man had this place under the Fidelius,” Nicolás sighed. “No wonder my dad could never find it, no matter how many times he came.”
Ever since the war ended, Remus had been taking periodical trips to the U.K. always trying to find the house Harry lived in, all fruitless effort. And of course, Dumbledore had his own hand in it, like anything that’s hurt their family.
It was a quarter to midday, and after four strong knocks, and hustle sounds from the inside, the door finally opened.
Behind it stood a large man, occupying almost the entire entrance. His face was as round as his belly, and a surprising lack of neck, his skin had weird hues of purple, or maybe it was a natural blush, Nicolás didn’t really care.
“Who are you and what do you want?” the man demanded in an unkind tone.
Nicolás raised a brow, his face twisting into a grimace. “We’re here for Harry, call him” he simply said.
The man’s skin turned even more purple as his face twisted horribly into a sneer, a big blood vessel on his forehead seemed about to explode.
“Who do you punks think you are!” the man spat.
“Who is it, dear?” asked a female voice. As the man moved a little, Nicolás caught a glimpse of a long-necked woman approaching them.
“No one, Petunia! You weirdos better leave my house in this moment,” the man spat, his anger increasing with each second.
Caelum, who, at his fifteen years, stood taller than the man, made a move forward, and the man cowered a little, before sticking out his large chest. Nicolás placed the back of his hand on Caelum’s chest to stop him.
“I wasn’t asking you,” Nicolás said, doing his best to keep his emotions in check. “Call, Harry,” Nicolás repeated in a strained voice.
“And what if I don’t?” the man mocked them.
“You don’t wanna know that, fatty,” growled Caelum.
The man’s face twisted in a nasty smirk. “I know the likes of you aren’t allowed to use magic outside your freak school.”
“And who said we needed any magic?” Nicolás said. He leaned down a little, grasping the invisible fabric on what seemed like thin air, and pulling it off. Beneath it, Ember was hiding. The Wampus Cat’s face was already twisted in a menacing growl.
The man let out a squeal and almost ran back, a normal muggle reaction. To him, Ember was an adult, six-legged puma. The woman ran to the door, screaming at the sight of the Wampus Cat. And as Ember started to walk ahead, they cowered back, paralyzed in fear.
Without taking his eyes of the adults, Nicolás spoke. “Go and check the upper floor, if he’s not there, then the cupboard under the stairs.”
Getting the message, Caelum stepped inside the house, the adults cowering even more at the tall teenager.
Nicolás grasped the crest of his necklace, before focusing his mental energy on finding his mother. A second later, a loud pop sounded beside him, and Carolina appeared.
“Took you long enough,” sighed Nicolás at his mother.
“You,” hissed the long-necked woman pointing at Carolina and looking at her with disgust, “Leave my house.”
Carolina rolled her eyes. “Hello, Petunia, Vernon. As bitter and utterly pathetic as I remembered,” she snarled. “Now, to business.”
Without waiting for an answer, Carolina stepped inside the house, Nicolás following shortly, and the door was locked with a loud click.
When they arrived at the living room, sounds could be heard from the second floor. Probably Caelum helping Harry gather his stuff. Nicolás and Carolina looked around, taking in every detail of the house, before their eyes fell on a boy proportionally as fat as his father, only in a minor size, but just as insufferable looking.
“If you, weirdos, don’t leave my house at once, I’ll call the police!” cried the man, Vernon Dursley, Harry’s horrible uncle.
Carolina let out a loud laugh, one that deferred from the sweet ones Nicolás associated with his mother.
“Oh, yeah? I would love to see you try and explain to the police about the existence of magic,” challenged Carolina, making emphasis on the last word.
The three muggles’ eyes opened wide, equally horrified and enraged expression on their faces.
“That word is forbidden!” cried the woman, Petunia, Harry’s equally horrible aunt. And looking at her, Nicolás could understand why she was so bitter. That woman had nothing on Aunt Lily, anyway.
“You can choose to be as ignorant and stupid as you like, but that doesn’t change reality,” replied Nicolás, walking away, towards the cupboard under the stairs.
With a flick of his wand, the large padlock closing the door of the cupboard exploded, and the door opened itself. As he examined the cupboard, filled with dust and spider webs, Nicolás could hear his mom exchanging harsh words with the Dursleys and their child screamed in fear of Ember.
“Disgusting,” Nicolás muttered to himself at the sight of all of Harry’s school supplies being locked there. He waved his wand, and all the stuff started to move behind him as he walked back to his mother.
“How dare you vandalize my house like this?” Petunia spat, “I shouldn’t even be surprised, you’re just like her, perfect Lily and her bunch of weirdos.”
“How dare we?” Nicolás asked, his voice revealing his incredulity under the Dursleys’ audacity. “How dare you treat Harry like that? Making his life a living hell just because you were jealous of your sister is pathetic,” Nicolás spat in the woman’s direction, evoking an offended open mouth. He turned to the man, “Keeping food from him as a punishment,” he spat, looking at the man’s big belly, “As if you needed any more.”
“How dare you?!” spat Petunia. “You should be thanking us!”
“It was only because of the goodness of our hearts that we let that brat stay in here!” bellowed Vernon.
“Oh, please, the only thing your heart has is fat. And the only reason you took Harry in was because Dumbledore imposed it, hiding him from us. But that ends here and right now,” said Carolina. From the inside of her robes, she took out a few papers, extending them to the Dursleys.
In the other room, near the entrance hall, Harry and Caelum had already come down and waited beside Harry’s trunk and school supplies.
“What’s this?” hissed Vernon, snatching the papers.
“Papers you’ll sign,” said Carolina in an even voice. “It’s very easy, you’ll ask for your guardianship to be revoked and given to me, Harry’s godmother. In a few weeks you’ll be called to court, where you’ll agree and sign. Each summer, for his own safety, Harry will spend a week here, and then he’ll come to my house, is that clear?”
“And why would we agree?” challenged Vernon with faked bravery.
“What reason would you have to disagree?” asked Nicolás with a steel-cold voice through clenched teeth.
“I don’t know if you noticed, Vernon, but I’m not asking you,” Carolina said, looking at the point of her wand, nobody saw the moment it ended up in her hand. And there was a new spite when she said the man’s name, if Nicolás didn’t know any better, or if he felt any sympathy for the Dursleys, he would have scolded his mother for sounding like a pretentious pureblood.
As the Dursleys cowered, clearly getting the warning, Carolina walked up to them, dangerous lights flashing through her face.
“You should be thankful, as it is only due to the goodness of my heart that I’ll let you live, pathetically failed attempts of decent muggles” she spat back at them. “Now, the week Harry will spend here you’ll treat him fairly in every aspect, and we’ll be checking up on you each day.”
After scared nods from the muggles, Carolina turned, walking towards Harry to embrace him, quietly speaking to him. Harry seemed relieved and content in her presence. The boy grabbed her hand and they walked towards the exit.
Not taking his eyes off the cowering muggles, Nicolás called, “Let’s go Ember, it’s time for your food.”
And the sound of the sole of his boots against the tiles of the floor was the last thing heard, before the door was harshly closed behind him, and with a pop, the scenery changed, leaving them at a fair distance from the country house.
•─────⋅☾☽⋅─────•
“Oh, whoa,” Harry exclaimed, his eyes glued in front. From the very ground, a house started to appear. Soon enough, the three-story country house stood in front of them in all its glory.
Nicolás took his wand out, using it to tip Harry’s head a few times, mumbling strange words. Harry looked at him confused by his actions, but Nicolás only grabbed his hand, practically dragging him forward.
Once they entered the perimeter of the house, a slow, weird chill ran down Harry’s spine. Shivering, he looked at Nicolás. The older boy only smirked.
“Our security wards,” he said, resembling the Cheshire Cat. “Worked on them myself,” he finished, inflating his chest in pride.
As Nicolás rushed Harry towards the door, from behind them, Carolina yelled to be careful not to fall, and Caelum only laughed, dragging Harry’s trunk. Ember had already padded past them and was scratching the door.
As the door opened, María stepped out, still in her working robes. The smile in her face only grew once Harry came into view, flashes of emotions crossed her teary eyes before she launched herself, enveloping the boy in an emotional hug.
Harry looked over her shoulder at Nicolás, who only smirked back, continuing his way towards the door, where the figures of Abu Pedro, and Abu Angela were waiting.
Once Aunt María stopped bathing Harry in compliments and kisses, the elders walked out, Abu Pedro, opening his arms wide, and greeting Harry.
“Harry! Ma’ boy, look at how big you are!”
And for the next twenty minutes, Harry was involved in what seemed like an endless conversation with Nicolás’ grandparents, as they cursed the Dursleys.
Once supper was done, everyone stood from the table, wishing good night, before retreating to their own rooms, leaving only Nicolàs and Harry behind.
“Too overwhelming?” Nicolás asked with a smile, as they stood up, gesturing for Harry to follow him. “They can be a lot to handle,” Nicolás joked with contentment.
With a red face, Harry shook his head. “Maybe, too nice?” he tried.
Nicolás chuckled. “Well, I met your aunt and uncle for a little over an hour. I think I get why you’d think that.”
Harry sent him a small, shy smile, before casting down his eyes. “Whe-where will I sleep?”
“In the couch,” Nicolás said nonchalantly.
Harry’s steps came to a halt. “Wha-what?” he stammered.
“Might have to fight with Ember for it, he likes the couch too,” said Nicolás all serious. From the other side, Ember meowed, faking a warning sound, which clearly had the desired effect.
Harry’s dark skin seemed to pale for a moment, and the boy gulped. “Oh,” was all he could muster, looking from Ember to Nicolás and back.
Nicolás only laughed, “Silly boy, you’ll sleep in your room, obviously.”
“My room?” Harry asked. “Of my own?”
“Yes. Well, unless Ember asks to sleep with you. For a Wampus Cat, he can be, rather… persuasive.”
From behind them, Ember grumbled at the comment, Harry laughed as they reached the second floor.
Pushing forward, Nicolás opened the red door, revealing a spacious yet somehow empty room. The walls were mostly bare, in a pastel hue, with some photos of baby Harry and his parents, young and adult versions of them.
There was a work desk, a tall shelf with a few books, a large wardrobe, and a queen-sized bed with a nightstand.
“Seeing how little you brought, or, rather owned, tomorrow we’ll be going to Diagon Alley for shopping. We didn’t want to buy your stuff, you know, so you can pick it out yourself.”
Harry’s eyes jumped from side to side, up and down, searching and taking in every nook and cranny of the room, his socked feet moved him on the warm Quidditch-motive carpet protecting the floor before his attention fell on the nightstand.
Above it, floating, was a nursery mobile with five Snitches. They were plushies, but also enchanted to gleam. With a smile, a gentle hand, and soft touch, Harry grabbed one of the Snitches.
“That was one of the few things we still had of your early childhood. Uncle James was rapt seeing you with it, Aunt Lily was always amused.”
Harry's glassy eyes fell on him, and before Nicolás could speak, Harry’s arms were around his waist, pressing hard to him, hiding his face in his chest. Resting his chin over Harry’s head, Nicolás’ hand traced circles on the boy’s back, comforting him.
After a few minutes, as Harry’s breath evened, the teenager moved back, cupping Harry’s face.
“It’s already late, and you need to rest. I’ll let you get used to it, yeah? If you need anything, mine and Caelum’s rooms are just in front.”
With a kiss on top of Harry’s head, and patting Ember’s back with a “Come on, boy,” Nicolás and Ember crossed the hall.
Not twenty minutes later, once he was in his comfortable pajama shorts and top, there as a soft knocking on the door, so soft, almost intended to not be heard. As expected, on the other side was Harry, his eyes fixed on the carpeted floor. His voice was soft.
“Can — can I sleep with you?” he asked, before shaking his head. “I’m sorry, forget it. It’s stupid, I—”
Instead of laughing, Nicolás only moved to the side, gesturing with his head for Harry to enter. The room wasn’t lighted, so there was not much he could see.
Closing the door, Nicolás got back on the bed, opening the blanket for Harry to enter. Silently, the boy complied, being welcomed by a lazy yawn from Ember. When his eyes fell on the ceiling, he let out a loud, “Woah!”
“Is like the one in the Great Hall, isn’t it?” Harry asked.
Looking at the living constellations adorning his ceiling, Nicolás smiled.
“Somehow. I didn’t want to have the whole sky here; I only wanted my favorite constellations. Do you recognize them?”
Making use of his Astrology classes, Harry pointed at two of the three.
“That’s Leo, and that’s Sagittarius. The other one, I don’t know.”
“That’s Canis Major. They’re my favorite ones.”
“Why?” Harry asked.
“Leo is for my mother, Aunt María, and you, it’s also a lion, which is special for me,” Harry looked at him curious about that last comment, but Nicolás decided to ignore him and continued, “Sagittarius is for Caelum, Abu Pedro, and myself, and Canis Major is for someone very special to me.”
“Cedric?” Harry asked with feigned innocence.
Nicolás laughed. “No,” but soon his smile died. “Someone you’ll probably hear about soon,” he said cryptically, trying to shut down all the thoughts of Uncle Sirius and all the paper’s covers.
Soon enough they fell asleep. The warmth of the cover enveloped them, and their hearts slowed down alongside Ember’s rhythmic purring at the feet of the bed.
•─────⋅☾☽⋅─────•
“When do you plan on telling him?” Nicolás asked. An unusual seriousness overlapped his demeanor as his eyes were glued on the Daily Prophet copy on the table. The headline “ESCAPE FROM AZKABAN!” lifted not a single spirit in the house. And the in-loop image of Sirius Black screaming didn’t either.
“How are we supposed to tell him about Sirius?” asked Carolina with a miserable expression. Beside her, Remus’ expression was just as stormy.
Nicolás looked at both of them, feeling no better inside. “I don’t know, Mom,” he sighed, “but I don’t like to lie, Dad, you both know that. If neither of you tell him, I’ll have to improvise something.”
Ever since that paper arrived the day before, Nicolás spent the day showing all the adults all the letters he and Caelum had exchanged with Sirius throughout the last three years. Of course, Caelum had been tasked with using any means to distract Harry as much as he could.
Now that everyone had the complete version of what happened, and a new light to Sirius’ case, the discussions were endless.
Right now, in better spirits, Harry and Caelum were completely focused on the endeavor that meant hanging the collection of wallpapers Harry had selected in Diagon Alley to decorate his room. They had spent the entire day redecorating with furniture Harry’s previously bare room, and now it had Harry’s unique essence to it.
“There’s people who surely know about his connection to Harry, and people whisper quite loudly at Hogwarts, this is only the recipe for disaster,” said Nicolás. “We promised to be better than Dumbledore, I’m not willing to keep things from him, just because we think he won’t be able to understand them. The only thing we’re doing is underestimate him.”
“I know. I know,” Remus sighed. “But what if he does something?”
“Sirius?” asked Carolina.
“Why would he have escaped?” Remus questioned, looking at Nicolás.
The boy shrugged. “I don’t know, he didn’t mention anything in his last letter. But you two read them, it’s very clear.”
Remus seemed conflicted. “A convicted telling you he’s innocent. I don’t know, I want to believe he’s innocent, I know there are weird things with his case, but Nico, I—”
“Don’t you trust me?” Nicolás asked.
“No! I mean, yes! Nico, you’re my son, of course, I trust you. But this is Sirius, he was convicted—”
“But he wasn’t,” Nicolás argued in a tense voice.
“Pardon me?” asked Remus, clearly not used to being on the end of Nicolás’ hardened voice.
“He wasn’t convicted, because he never had a trial, which all in itself is against the law.” Nicolás let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t want to argue over this, just — think about it, please.”
And without another word, he stood up and walked out of the house, into the backyard. He had sent Brownie early in the morning with a letter for Sirius, but she came back, unable to find him and deliver. There was only so much a fifteen-year-old could do.
•─────⋅☾☽⋅─────•
Harry’s first travel via Portkey had been much better than expected. Yes, he threw up, but at least he didn’t fall on it like Caelum did for years.
The boy had been rapt over the prospect of finally meeting the reserve and traveling to Colombia, and his reaction didn’t let down. His eyes were probably tired of traveling from one side to the other in an insane dance.
After letting their things in their rooms, the boys, with Ember on their heels, ran out, towards the habitats. Twiggle, Caelum’s Bowtruckle, had been overjoyed to be left in the forest to rejoin the other Bowtruckles for a few days. After the Fairies and the Pixies played with their hair, they finally reached Nicolás’ intended place. The desert habitat.
“Watch this,” Nicolás said.
Looking at the horizon, he brought his fingers to his mouth and whistled. The next second, the sky changed. The clouds got dark, and thunder rumbled above them. And from one of the mountains, something flew. A bird. Its feathers shining and reflecting the lightning in the sky.
Harry grabbed Nicolás’ arm, as torrents of air were sent their way. Nicolás only laughed out loud. And the gigantic bird, of over four meters tall, descended in front of them. Coughing the sand, Nicolás spoke as the bird threw him to the floor with its massive head.
“I know! I know! I’m really sorry for not coming last Christmas! I really am!” Nicolás defended himself between laughers.
Standing up, Nicolás embraced the bird, who seemed more than content to let him. “How are you doing, big boy? Keeping an eye on everyone, I trust?” When the bird nodded, Nicolás beamed even bigger. “Now, look at who I brought. This is Harry. You know, the Harry.”
Yes, Nicolás talked about and cried over Harry to most of the creatures in the reserve. Don’t judge him!
The bird walked up to a scared Harry. It almost looked like it was assessing him, evaluating him. After a tense minute, the bird nudged Harry with his beak, as if in acceptance, walking to Caelum, throwing him to the floor like Nicolás.
“Harry, this is Zeus,” Nicolás gestured at the bird playing with Caelum. “He’s a Thunderbird.”
“A Thunderbird?” Harry asked.
“Yeah, some people consider them to be closely related to Phoenixes, although much different size, right?” Nicolás joked. Harry nodded, appreciating Zeus’ size. “They can control thunderstorms, and have an especially kin sense of danger, in fact, one of his tail feathers is the core of my wand, alongside some of Ember’s hair. That’s why it attacked Lockhart on its own.”
Amazed, Harry nodded.
Dinner that night was just like any back in London. Full of laughter, talking about job, and about school. Harry was especially interested in hearing about Abu Pedro’s job as Deputy Minister for Magic in Colombia. The boy was still a little shy, probably not used to eating with anyone outside of Hogwarts, and he made small quips and questions in a low voice, but slowly he was getting there.
•─────⋅☾☽⋅─────•
The next day, everyone agreed to pretend they had forgotten about Harry’s birthday. Carolina had taken a Portkey early in the morning, coming back with Cedric.
Nicolás could see how nervous Cedric was acting, which was very distant from the previous times he had visited the reserve. Everyone was doing their best to try and ignore the gigantic elephant in the room, if anything, for Cedric.
Nicolás, for his part, greeted him just as enthusiastically as ever, hugging him and dragging him to his room, so he could leave his things. The entire time, the flush never left Cedric’s cheeks and Nicolás’ heart beat like a drum.
After lunch, Nicolás decided to drag Caelum, Harry, and Cedric, out to check on some of the creatures, Ember, as always, keeping them company.
Stopping in the middle of a green clearing, under the scorching sun, Nicolás whistled, and the sound was followed by the rustling of the wind, and from between the tall shrubbery, three unicorns walked out. Their bodies were so light on their golden hooves, that they didn’t make a single sound. There were two pristine-white adults, and a golden foal.
“Hello, lovelies,” Nicolás greeted with a smile, walking up to pet them. After being petted, and slightly jumping, the energetic golden foal approached Cedric, who crouched on the floor to play with him. The other adult approached Caelum to greet him.
With careful steps, Harry approached Nicolás and the remaining adult.
“Have you ever met a Unicorn, Harry?”
“I saw two in my first year, but they were both dead.”
“Yeah, Caelum told me,” Nicolás said, his fingers tracing the long multi-colored hairs on the Unicorn’s mane. “It may not be a legal crime, but anyone with the slightest moral compass can understand how pure they are. Do you remember what I told you back at Godric’s Hollow?”
“That those who challenge death become monsters? Like Voldemort?”
“Yeah, I mean, he used that man to kill two Unicorns just so he could drink their blood,” Nicolás said with disgust. His voice took a softer tone when he looked at Harry, “Come and pet him.”
The Unicorn seemed to study Harry for a moment, before approaching and letting him pet his snout. “Unicorns have a very kin sense to know those who have pure intentions, those who deserve to be in their presence.”
After petting them, and having fed them, the Unicorns walked away, and the group made their way towards the desert. The heat had already made them sweat, and not even their refreshing spells could prevent the fabric of their clothes from clinging to their skin.
“Cae, do you mind taking Harry to the Erumpents? Ced and I will see the Graphorns,” Nicolás said. His voice was leveled, but his undertone was pretty evident, and Caelum only nodded, while Cedric seemed to gulp.
“Oh, and if you need water, just—”
“I know the Aguamenti Charm, Nico, chill out, dude,” Caelum said, rolling his eyes and laughing. He started to walk with Harry by his side.
Chuckling, Nicolás started to walk himself, with Cedric by his side. Cedric’s eyes seemed to have found a treasure on the floor, because they never moved from there. With a sigh, they soon found the Graphorn herd resting in the shadows of some large rocks.
Cedric seemed compromised to not make an effort to break the silence. And even from the distance, Nicolás thought he could hear the faint sound of Cedric’s heart hammering inside the boy’s chest. His fingers also seemed to be scratching the palms of his hands. All in all, Cedric seemed like an inner mess, reflected outside.
“Do you remember them?” Nicolás asked, gesturing to the gigantic creatures who were resting, not bating a single eye in their direction.
“Yeah, they were the first creatures you introduced me to.”
Nicolás smiled. “Do you remember why?”
Cedric seemed to think for a moment. “You said — you said that I reminded you of them.”
“Well, they’re big, you know,” Nicolás joked, gesturing at his and Cedric’s height difference. “They also look intimidating but are just softies.”
“You think I’m intimidating?”
Nicolás laughed. “Well, you’re tall and fit, what makes you think you’re not? Besides, as I said, you’re just a softie.”
Finally, Cedric laughed, scratching his cheek, before his eyes fell to the floor once more. And silence reigned in the endless desert once more. The only sounds came from the small animals moving through the sand, and the wind around them. Cedric walked a few steps away, crouching down to pet one of the calves.
From where he stood, Nicolás could see Zeus in his rocky cave, looking at him disapprovingly. But it wasn’t fair, the Thunderbird wasn’t trying to edge his already half-confessed crush to make an official confession. With a heavy sigh, he spoke.
“You know, I’ve never considered myself impatient. I was trying to walk at your pace, but sometimes one just needs to be pushed, right?”
“Nico—” Cedric said as he stood up.
“The Valentine’s gift was from you, wasn’t it?” Nicolás asked. Suddenly, a nervous feeling crept up on him. What if it wasn’t Cedric? He would look like a complete idiot on the way to ruin their friendship.
“I— Nico, I—” Cedric shut himself, a long sigh coming out. “Yes, it was me.”
“Why are you acting like you're walking on eggshells? I thought I had been very straightforward back at King’s Cross, you know.” Cedric’s eyes finally met his, and after a sigh, the boy walked towards one of the large rocks. “Ced—”
“Wait,” Cedric interrupted him. “Just — please, let me talk, yes?” Cedric sat down, resting his back on the rock, and patted beside him for Nicolás to sit. The boy complied.
“So?”
Cedric’s eyes were glued upfront, maybe not feeling the weight of making eye contact made talking easier for him.
“I — I have to admit I liked you before last year. I mean, I didn’t know I liked you, I just enjoyed being with you over the summer. But — being with you all day, every day — I don’t know. It awakened something in me, you know?” he laughed. “When I wrote that letter, and when I ordered those chocolates, it was nothing but wishful thinking. I simply planned about sending them, and then pretending nothing ever happened, but then—”
“I found out.”
“You found out,” Cedric conceded. “And ever since, all that’s been on my mind is you. Why did you kiss me? You did it like it was the most natural thing in the world, do you go around kissing people because it’s natural to you? Did you really kiss me, or was it just my mind playing tricks on me? How are we supposed to talk now? How do I have to behave? And — and —”
“You’re overwhelmed,” Nicolás concluded.
“I’m overwhelmed,” Cedric admitted with a sigh. “And I don’t know what to do.”
“Me neither,” confessed Nicolás. Cedric sighed. “What do you want to do?”
“What?” Cedric asked.
“Do you want to pretend nothing happened? Would that make you happy?”
“I — I don’t think I’d be happy with that.”
“Me neither.”
“Then, what?” asked Cedric, helpless.
Carefully, Nicolás moved his hand, gently taking Cedric´s, and intertwining their fingers. Instead of taking it back, as Nicolás suspected, Cedric squeezed.
“You know, the first moment, when I started to see you in a different light was so… disheartening, and I felt so… bleak, beside you.”
Cedric looked at him gaping, “what do you mean?”
Nicolás chuckled softly, “I don’t know, it was disheartening because you seemed so far away, even standing beside me, and I felt so bleak by your side. There you are, all gorgeous and leaving every single person in your wake drooling for you, and what can I do about that? What can I do when there are so many girls and even blokes who are far more attractive? I have acne, I’m not tall, I’m not muscled or athletic, I felt like I had nothing to offer.”
Hearing each one of Nicolás’ words, Cedric shook his head. “That’s — that’s nonsense! I would never—”
“I know, it took me a while to know it, to recognize who I liked, who I fell for,” Nicolás said.
“And who — who did you fall for?” asked Cedric in a gentle voice, he rested his temple on one of his knees, his gentle gaze falling on Nicolás.
“This conversation won’t be coming up easily, will it?” Nicolás chuckled, dignifying Cedric's golden eyes with his. “I believe so many people deem you in a superficial and oversimplified light. To them, you’re the immaculate and transfixing star in the Quidditch pitch, yet, when I see you, I feel in the presence of a mirrorball. When I look at you, I see worlds, galaxies, and universes, all lying there to be explored by my sagacious mind. The first time we came here will be engraved in my memory, shiny and bejeweled, because nobody has, and probably won’t ever, leave me as wonderstruck as you did.
And when I find myself graced by your presence, a novel yearning within me arises, and it gives life to a new and uncharted excitement that only knows to build up, and… I think it’s only natural for it to couple with my very essence, so effortlessly… so meant to be. And I’m left feeling like a Niffler drawn to a golden treasure, with this compulsion in me to hoard you and protect you like a Dragon, and I don’t even know what —”
“Stop,” Cedric chipped in, raising a hand.
“Ced, I —”
“No, seriously, if you keep talking to me in verse I’m probably going to faint," he said desperately.
Nicolás chuckled, turning to look at Cedric, and found out the boy was probably not exaggerating. Cedric was flushed, from his collarbone, all the way up his neck, enveloping his face and reaching his hairline. The redness highlighted the small brown dots of his freckled cheeks.
Both boys broke out in laughter, and Nicolás could see how Cedric’s eyes seemed to shimmer in their wetness. The older boy brought his hands to his face, giving himself soft pats on the cheeks.
“No one’s —” Cedric started in a hoarse voice. He stopped and cleared his throat. “No one’s ever said that kind of stuff to me,” he said, looking at Nicolás.
“Hey, don’t sell yourself short, I thoroughly enjoyed your letter, Loverboy,” Nicolás said, elbowing Cedric. “No one’s ever been enchanted by my presence, my smile, my resonating mind, and my… calcinating love and loyalty,” added Nicolás with a wide smile, each word in Cedric’s letter beautifully tattooed on his brain.
“So, what’s our next step?” asked Cedric.
“I think that we should take this, one step at a time. I mean, come on, we’re fifteen, it’s not like we’ll be proposing to each other or something,” Nicolás said as he stood up.
“I think you’re right.”
“But of course I am, also, remember how I said I don’t do snogging around?” Cedric nodded. “I also like exclusivity,” Nicolás added, looking behind his shoulder with a smile. “Let me know if you agree, or if you have your own conditions.” He offered his hand for Cedric to take.
With a decided motion, Cedric took the offered hand, propelling himself up, a smile adorning his face.
“Now, I believe there’s a party waiting for us,” said Nicolás mischievously. He dragged Cedric by the hand all the way back to the cottage, after they regrouped with Caelum and Harry.
•─────⋅☾☽⋅─────•
Just before leaving the forest, Caelum asked Harry to hand him his glasses. Reluctantly, the boy complied, and with a blindfold, he covered Harry’s eyes. And, even if the boy could still hear the excited murmur and movements of everyone in the backyard, he humored them.
Leaning down, Nicolás whispered in Harry’s ear, “You didn’t think we forgot your birthday, did you, Little One?”
And, as Caelum uncovered Harry’s eyes, handing him his glasses, everyone screamed, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”
The whole backyard had been restyled. In the middle was a long table for up to twenty people, in its middle was a three-story cake: chocolate flavor, red fondant, with golden Snitches and lions made of chocolate. Lined along the table were a variety of gifts. And there were balloons floating around, all of them following the theme: red and golden.
Needless is to say that Whisker, Fizzlet, and Twinkly —the Cardonas’ house elves— had been more than excited about the celebration.
In his own overwhelm, with his eyes filled with tears, Harry turned back, enveloping Nicolás and Caelum, and burying his face on them.
“I — I —” he stammered, unable to form a cohesive phrase. He was so overwhelmed; the poor boy didn’t even notice the two similar-sized figures approaching, not until one of them spoke.
“Harry?” said Hermione, tentatively.
“Hi!” said Harry, finally letting go of Nicolás and Caelum, a large smile adoring his countenance.
“Mate!” exclaimed Ron. “There’s so much cake! And candies!”
Rolling her eyes, Hermione took one of Harry’s hands, dragging both boys towards the party, where he was received by a storm of hugs, kisses, and congratulations. And it seemed to have no end, as it went for the next hours, deep into the night.
After that, the party went on just like a party is supposed to go on. Filled with nothing but joyful yelling, singing, laughing, and being a good time for everyone. Later in the night, Aunt María left to deliver Ron and Hermione back to their parents as promised.
•─────⋅☾☽⋅─────•
The following week passed in a flash. The family decided to finally revisit the Flower Festival in Medellín. Harry, with his black hair, and tanned skin, was, thankfully, easily overlooked by strangers. Because, even so far away, tales of The Boy Who Lived still reached.
Harry found it funny to use ponchos, as they seemed like some kind of robes, but was greatly grateful for the Sombrero Vueltiao covering his face from the scorching sun.
“This is brilliant!” Harry exclaimed between bites of Lechona. The boy was doing his best efforts to chew the big mouthfuls of pork meat.
It was already night, but even with the cool breeze, some of the hotness of the day still came from the street asphalt. And with so many people, a quick reprieve to get supper was much more than needed.
“Where are we going next?” he asked eagerly.
Carolina looked down at her watch. “The orquestras are bound to start playing in about an hour, but we need to get to the plaza fast if we want to get good spots.”
“Which means that, hay que moverle,” quipped Remus, looking up from his dessert, a cold Mazamorra.
After three hours of the most extravagant and danceable iconic anthems of Colombian music, Harry had almost lost complete ability to speak. His poor throat felt scratchy, and his voice was hoarse, but he had the time of his life.
The next day, as everyone recovered from the strains left by the concerts, the Cardona Family attended the Silleteros Parade.
The boy looked like a child entering Honeydukes for the first time ever. The pupils of his eyes stayed dilated the entire day as his focus darted from one magnificent floral design to the next one —unicorns, dragons, lions, fairies, butterflies, birds— his eyes had no respite.
It wasn’t until a few days short of mid-August that the family returned to the London country house, so everyone could get ready for the end of the summer holidays.
•─────⋅☾☽⋅─────•
“I’ve never had a birthday party before, and I had never left the UK, except for Hogwarts,” Harry said, as he lay with his back on the carpeted floor. His eyes were glued to the ceiling, and his hand gently scratched Ember’s head, resting on his stomach.
“You don’t have to convince me of that,” Nicolás said.
“Yeah, those muggles didn’t look like the party people. Maybe only for that fatty,” Caelum grumbled.
They had spent the last hour helping Harry accommodate all of his new belongings in his room.
Hermione had gifted him a new Broom Servicing Kit, and Ron gave him a Sneakoscope.
Nicolás gave him two old books the family had guarded for him: the illustrated copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them they gifted Harry for his first birthday, and Uncle James’ personal copy of Quidditch Through the Ages; he also bought him a school side bag and enchanted it himself; it was black and new and had practically infinite space only accessible to Harry.
Caelum had handed him the big black dog plushie, now completing their collection; alongside Caelum’s wolf, and Nicolás’ stag. He also gave Harry a new training Golden Snitch to practice in the backyard.
Remus and Carolina had gotten him a brand new Firebolt (they also bought one for Caelum, but he wasn’t the birthday boy, anyway). Aunt María had given him a whole new set of robes for school and also for Quidditch.
Abu Pedro and Abu Angela had been in charge of filling Harry’s wardrobe with all kinds of clothing, and also paid for all his customized furniture.
A long silence followed as Nicolás and Caelum locked eyes, conveying their usual silent conversations. Gulping, Nicolás spoke.
“Harry. Have you read the Daily Prophet lately?”
“Hmm, no. I tried, but I guessed everyone was keeping it from me for a reason, so I didn’t persist.”
“There’s — hmm, there’s something you need to know,” said Nicolás.
Harry had already sat, looking at them with expecting eyes.
“It’s a long one, but it’s a story that’s part of your life as much as it is of ours,” offered Caelum.
“What are you on about?” asked Harry.
As they locked eyes once more, Caelum seemed to plead him to speak, probably not trusting his own emotions not to betray him midway through. Nicolás sighed, why would he even try? It’s not like he ever enjoyed not complying with his cousin’s whims.
“This story started many years ago, back in the seventies. There was a boy, who attended Hogwarts, he — he suffered an ailment, which I won’t discuss, cuz it’s not my place to do so. That boy — that boy was my father.”
Harry seemed to think for a moment. “That’s why Uncle Remus seems absent some days?”
Nicolás smiled. “Yeah, but that’s beside the point.” He breathed. “He, of course, didn’t have any friends, until a few days later when he met his biggest friends. They were three: James Potter, of course—” Harry nodded eagerly at the mention of his father. “But there was also Peter Pettigrew, and Sirius Black.”
“Sirius Black?” Harry asked in a thoughtful voice. “Isn’t he related to you?” he gestured at Caelum, who seemed to slightly flinch.
“We’ll get there,” said Nicolás cautiously. “The point here is that they helped him for years with his ailment. Together, the three of them became Animagi, alongside our mothers. Uncle James turned a stag, Uncle Sirius turned into a black dog, and Peter turned into a rat.”
Harry’s eyes darted to the black dog plushie over his bed. “Wait. Like our plushies?” Nicolás and Caelum nodded. “Why’s yours a wolf?” Harry asked Caelum.
“It doesn’t matter,” Caelum said in a restrained voice. Nicolás sent him a measured look.
“Shortly after they graduated from Hogwarts, they joined the Order of the Phoenix, the main opposing force to Voldemort, during the First Wizarding War. There was — there was a prophecy, involving a child, and Voldemort decided that was you, that’s why he targeted your family. The Potter Cottage was under a very ancient and powerful spell called the Fidelius Charm. It basically hides a place to someone, a Secret Keeper, who can’t be forced to reveal it by any means. Now, everyone believed your parents’ Secret Keeper was Uncle Sirius, but it was Peter, and he betrayed them,” as Nicolás finished that, a hurtful light crossed Harry’s face. “Sirius went to face him, but ended up being framed, and sent to Azkaban for the crime.”
“And he’s innocent?” asked Harry in a small voice.
“That’s what he’s told us,” Nicolás responded.
“Told you? I thought Azkaban didn’t allow visits.”
“It doesn’t, but we’ve sent Brownie, very intelligent owl, she is,” said Nicolás. With a sigh, he grabbed the copy of the Daily Prophet in his jeans, handing it to Harry. The boy gasped as he read about Sirius escaping Azkaban.
“You were right about Sirius, you know?” Caelum said in a soft voice.
“About what?” asked Harry perplexed, his eyes darting back to the screaming picture in the paper.
“About us being related,” said Caelum, gesturing towards the paper. “He’s — he’s my father.” And Harry gasped once more.
“Now, as best friends, as they were, of course they made the godparenthood of their children equal,” added Nicolás with a smile. “Uncle James, alongside Aunt María, are my godparents. My father and Aunt Lily are Caelum’s. And yours are my mother and—”
“Sirius Black,” finished Harry.
⋆｡°✩°｡⋆
