Harry Potter: The Duelist of Hogwarts

Sean's new home was a world away from their old, cramped flat.

Under Martha's direction, Aldrich was given the south-facing bedroom on the first floor. Martha had initially wanted to put him on the second floor with the family, but the butler had politely but firmly insisted on the ground floor. Seeing his persistence, she had relented.

Sean's own quarters were on the third floor, a private suite consisting of a bedroom and a study. The study had a sloped roof with a large, slanted skylight, a perfect landing spot for owls. His pet, Kulkan, was already settled in. Oddly enough, the snake and the family's owl, Rob, had reached a strange sort of truce. It wasn't that they were friendly, but rather that they existed in completely separate realities, each ignoring the other's presence entirely.

Kulkan, seeing Sean enter, immediately slithered from his heated nest. He hissed a soft greeting and wound his way up Sean's leg, coiling around his waist until his head rested on Sean's shoulder, where he began to gently rub against his cheek.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it, Kulkan?" Sean murmured, stroking the snake's smooth, white scales. "It seems you missed me, too."

Kulkan's forked tongue flicked out, gently tapping Sean's cheek in affirmation.

Aldrich, having levitated the last of Sean's luggage up the stairs, paused in the doorway. He had seen Kulkan once before, from a distance, when he had arranged for the house-elf to transport him from the train station. But seeing the snake up close now—pure, unblemished white, without a single speck of color—he was struck by its almost artistic perfection.

"Even though it is not the first time I have seen him," Aldrich commented, "I am still amazed by Kulkan's appearance."

Sean turned. "When I first bought him at the Magical Menagerie, he was quite reluctant to come with me. He even bit me."

Kulkan nudged Sean's cheek with his head, a clear, reptilian protest against having his embarrassing past brought to light.

Sean chuckled and scratched under the snake's chin, watching as Kulkan swayed in enjoyment. "What, are you shy now? You've certainly grown a lot. It's a good thing my own strength has increased, or I wouldn't be able to carry you around."

After neatly organizing Sean's room, Aldrich prepared to take his leave. "Young Master," he said from the doorway, "if there are no unexpected developments, the Master will be arriving tonight to have dinner with you and your parents. Please be prepared."

Sean's brow furrowed slightly. "Grandfather is coming tonight? He must have been keeping a very close eye on the Ministry, then."

"The Master has... connections within the Ministry," Aldrich replied diplomatically.

Sean just smiled, saying nothing more. He took Kulkan and went downstairs to find his mother.

As evening approached, Martha was just about to start preparing dinner when, with a soft pop, a female house-elf in a tidy, yellow uniform appeared in the kitchen. She bowed deeply to Sean, then to Martha and Aldrich in turn.

"Good evening, Young Master, Madam, Mr. Aldrich," she chirped. "My name is Emerald. I have come to prepare dinner, on the Master's orders."

Though Martha had seen house-elves as a child, the sudden appearance still made her jump. She quickly recovered. "You're preparing dinner? Then what am I to do?"

"Please, Madam, go and rest. Emerald can handle everything."

Martha looked at the tiny elf, about to protest, but Sean stepped to her side. "Mom, just let her. House-elves take great pride in their work. If you were to cook in front of her, she might feel the need to punish herself. It's best to leave her to it."

"This... well..." Martha looked at Emerald's pleading, wide-eyed expression and finally relented. "Alright, then. I'll leave it to you, Emerald."

"Thank you, Madam! I will prepare a grand dinner for the family!"

As dusk fell, the sound of a car pulling up outside reached them. Sean peered through the curtain and saw his father's car. And sitting in the back seat was his grandfather, Gavin Bulstrode. He had come home with his son.

"Sean, you get the door," his mother said, bustling toward the dining room. "I'll go and fetch your father's 'special occasion' wine."

"Okay, Mom."

Sean stood at the door, watching through the peephole as his father, Yad, and Gavin approached. Just before they could knock, he swung the door open. He gave his father a big hug, then turned to Gavin and performed a perfect, formal greeting. "Grandfather. I am very pleased you could come to my home for dinner."

Gavin nodded, a smile playing on his lips. "I've heard about your performance at Beauxbatons. Excellent work. I am very satisfied."

"Thank you for the compliment, Grandfather. Please, come in."

He gestured them inside, his manners flawless. Gavin's smile widened. He glanced over at Yad and Martha, who were momentarily distracted, then suddenly reached out and pinched Sean's still slightly chubby cheeks, giving them a firm tug.

"Ow!" Sean yelped, pulling away.

"Hurts, does it?" Gavin chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Good. Are you playing some sort of formal reception game with your own grandfather?"

Sean rubbed his face, his formal demeanor dissolving into that of a normal, irritated grandson. "I don't know what you're talking about. Please, come inside and rest. I need to go help Mother."

He tried to turn away, but Gavin simply pointed a finger at him. Sean froze, his body stiffening. It wasn't the Full-Body Bind, but something similar, a charm that locked his muscles and stole his voice.

"Sean," Gavin said, his tone now one of quiet command. "Take me to see your room."

As the words left his mouth, Sean's body began to move, completely against his will. He turned and walked stiffly up the stairs toward his new study.

Meanwhile, Aldrich stood to the side, his expression placid, as if nothing at all were happening. He began to formally introduce himself to Yad, his voice a smooth, pleasant murmur. The scene in the hallway was one of happy, warm reunion.

A world where only Sean suffered.

(End of Chapter)

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