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"Woah," Nymphadora muttered as she stepped up beside Dumbledore, taking in the mystical marvel before them. "I wonder how much his landscaper charged?"
Dumbledore allowed himself a small smile at her levity, but it did little to detract from the sheer scale of what lay before them.
Their vantage point sat atop a wide, flat cliff, its edges carved smoothly by natural forces and magic alike. The massive tree-manor—a living structure woven from the land itself—stood at the heart of the basin below, surrounded by a vast expanse of untamed wilderness.
Beyond the cliff's outer edge stretched an endless sea of green, a sprawling forest whose canopies swayed gently in the wind, rippling like waves beneath the golden afternoon light. The wilderness stretched for miles, untouched and ancient as if time itself had hesitated to disturb it.
Despite the manor's secluded position, a slate-tiled road had been carved through the sheer rock, descending smoothly toward the valley below. However, even with the convenience of a path, the several miles of dense vegetation separating them from the manor posed a daunting journey.
Dumbledore briefly wondered if they were expected to walk the entire way when a thunderous sound split the air—the unmistakable pounding of hooves.
Yet, the sound did not resonate through the ground, Dumbledore craned his head back, his eyes widening at the sight above.
A fleet of carriages soared through the sky, moving in a graceful serpentine formation, each one drawn by massive, airborne creatures. They resembled deer, yet they were unlike any species known to muggle kind.
Easily seven feet tall at the shoulders, these majestic creatures were covered in thick, shaggy fur, their coats a rich, sage-green hue that rippled as they flew. Their antlers, unlike ordinary stags, were intricately branched like living wood, pulsating with a faint emerald glow, radiating magic with every motion.
"What the hell are those?" Moody grunted, his magical eye whirring as it focused on the descending herd. His voice was edged with both wariness and intrigue as he watched the stags' synchronized descent.
"Sylvan Stags," Dumbledore answered, his voice betraying the rare sense of wonder he felt. "An extraordinarily rare magical species. Legend claims that their mere presence can cause a forest to grow overnight. I've seen only a handful in my lifetime, but never an entire herd."
With one final, thunderous stomp, the Sylvan Stags touched down, their massive hooves settling against the earth with surprising grace and discipline. They lined up in perfect formation, their great heads swaying, their glowing antlers casting shimmering lights across the ground.
As the carriages settled, Mirabel stepped forward, her posture poised, radiating authority.
"Allow me to introduce one of the many creatures that call Fae Manor home and make everything you see possible," she announced. "For those of you unfamiliar, these are Sylvan Stags—an endangered species of magical beast, and one we are incredibly fortunate to have."
She reached out, trailing her fingers along the side of one stag's thick coat, the creature responding with a low, appreciative hum.
"As you can see, their horns store vast amounts of mana, some of which remains behind after they shed each year, acting as a natural fertilizer for their ecosystem. They are one of the many species that sustain the balance of Fae Manor."
Mirabel then strode to the front of the herd, where an even larger stag stood apart from the rest. Unlike the others, it bore no carriage but instead was equipped with a saddle and reins, marking it as her personal mount.
With fluid ease, she swung onto the stag's back, the creature barely shifting beneath her weight.
"If everyone could find an empty carriage, we can get on our way."
The group began to shuffle toward the waiting carriages, some more hesitant than others. Some regarded the massive beasts with suspicion, while others, fascinated, showed no hesitation at all.
"Hello, gorgeous. What's your name?"
Nymphadora grinned as she gently stroked the neck of one of the stags, which let out a soft, almost affectionate bleat and leaned into her touch.
"Tonks, don't touch that thing!" Moody grumbled, his suspicion evident. "You have no idea where it's been."
At his words, the stag turned its head toward Moody and snorted in derision.
Moody's brow furrowed deeply. "Did that oversized wall mount just give me attitude?!"
"Don't say that about him!" Nymphadora gasped with mock horror, reaching up to cover the stag's large, pointed ears. "He has feelings, you know!"
Moody let out a heavy grunt, begrudgingly hobbling toward the carriage. Meanwhile, Nymphadora continued appeasing her newfound friend, her voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper.
"Don't worry about that old fart, he's just jealous you have more hair than him."
"Tonks!!"
Nymphadora giggled, giving the stag one last affectionate pat before joining Moody.
Dumbledore watched the exchange with quiet amusement, then turned to board his own carriage. Just as he reached the door, a familiar voice called out to him.
"Headmaster Dumbledore!"
He turned, mildly surprised, only to see Harry, Ron, and Hermione approaching.
"Well, hello there, students of mine," he greeted, his brows lifting in curiosity. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"We were just as surprised as you are," Ron muttered, tugging at the stiff collar of his formal robes. "Thought it was a mistake when I opened that fancy letter."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "All of you received an invitation? I wasn't aware that you and Lord Fae were so well acquainted."
Hermione coughed lightly. "We've had a few meaningful encounters."
Dumbledore studied them for a moment, then gave a small, knowing nod.
"Well then," he offered, "would you care to join me in my carriage?"
Ron's face lit up, his excitement barely contained.
"Hell yeah!"
Hermione promptly smacked his arm. "Language, Ron!"
Harry chuckled, giving Dumbledore a polite nod. "We'd be happy to, Headmaster."
Gesturing for them to board, Dumbledore climbed inside, the plush seats and smooth interior already radiating a sense of quiet comfort.
A few moments later, the carriages lurched forward, moving with an almost eerie smoothness as they began their descent into the basin below.
Then, as if she were seated beside them, Mirabel's voice rang through the carriage.
"Welcome once more to Fae Manor. For the duration of our tour, please remain within your carriages for both your safety and the safety of our flora and fauna. Many of the species housed here are protected under international magical law, as Fae Manor is registered as both a Magical Beast and Plant Sanctuary."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"Our primary goal is to provide a natural habitat for rare and endangered magical creatures while also cultivating alchemical ingredients that would otherwise require their exploitation. It is through careful stewardship of both magic and nature that we thrive."
Dumbledore leaned back slightly, listening as the carriage continued its smooth descent, allowing the wonders of Fae Manor to unfold before them. Every scene that passed by the carriage window was unique and breathtaking, with plants displaying every color of the spectrum. But underneath the beauty was a primal feeling, the opening of a hallowed log covered in dense Acromantula webbing, or the lake where two reptilian eyes peered above the surface waiting for prey.
Dumbledore couldn't help but think of an old friend who would have had a field day in the replicated wilderness, 'Perhaps I should introduce the two of them...'
The though came so passively that Dumbledore didn't even realize that his opinion of Thane was slowly shifting as he realized that the change he sought to bring to the rest of the world was perhaps what it should have been all along.