Nero traced a finger along the eagle figurine Rowena had imbued with her magic.
The small onyx sculpture shimmered faintly, its power lying dormant for the next twenty-four hours.
He marveled at the delicate intricacy of Rowena's enchantment, an elegant solution to avoid unnecessary attention at Gringotts while granting him privileged access to the Ravenclaw vault. After all, he planned on taking many trips to meet Rowena.
With the artifact secured, he returned home the conventional way, slipping quietly through the grand halls of Ravenclaw Manor.
Once settled, he wasted no time in contacting his friends.
He sent out an urgent invitation to Lilith, Alaric, and Ember, making it clear that their gathering was not merely social but one of great importance.
They agreed to meet in two days, a timeframe that allowed Nero to gather his thoughts and prepare himself for the revelation he was about to share.
The appointed day arrived sooner than he anticipated.
The drawing room of Ravenclaw Manor was as grand as it was imposing, the high vaulted ceiling adorned with constellations charmed to shift and shimmer as if gazing into the night sky itself.
Tall, elaborate bookshelves lined the walls, filled with rare books and artifacts, while a fireplace large enough to stand in roared with emerald flames, awaiting his guests.
A ripple of green fire roared in the massive fireplace, and from it emerged Alaric Hufflepuff. His impeccable robes were only slightly singed at the hem. He coughed lightly, dusting off a few stray embers from his sleeves before shooting Nero a smirk.
"Merlin's beard, Nero, you could have just written that you missed me instead of making it sound like the world was ending," Alaric teased, stepping forward with the casual grace of someone who belonged in aristocratic halls such as these.
Nero rolled his eyes but allowed a small grin to form. "Yes, yes, I've been pining away for your presence, Alaric. It's been unbearable."
Before Alaric could retort, the fireplace flared again, this time heralding the arrival of Lilith Slytherin. She stepped out with a dramatic twirl, her midnight-green cloak billowing slightly behind her. Her sharp eyes immediately found Nero, and she arched a brow.
"Two days. You lasted two days before summoning us. Honestly, Nero, are you sure you don't have separation anxiety?" she teased, smirking as she flicked a speck of soot from her glove.
"Trust me, if I had the option to delay this, I would. Though you may have strangled me by then," Nero shot back, motioning for them to move aside before the next arrival.
And sure enough, the emerald flames flared to life once more. A moment later, Ember Gryffindor emerged with significantly less grace than the others. She tumbled forward, barely catching herself before colliding into Alaric, who deftly sidestepped her near-fall.
"Bloody hell," Ember grumbled, straightening her dark tunic. "Every time. Every damn time. I swear the Floo network hates me."
Lilith smirked, tossing her long, dark hair over her shoulder. "Or maybe you're just naturally clumsy."
Ember huffed, throwing a playful glare at Lilith before turning to Nero. "Alright, what's so urgent that you couldn't wait until Hogwarts?"
Nero took a deep breath, gesturing toward the grand sitting area where a polished wooden table and plush chairs awaited them. The four of them had gathered many times before, but this time felt different. He felt the weight of what he was about to reveal pressing on him.
Once they were all seated, Nero leaned forward, lacing his fingers together as he studied his friends' faces. "Do you believe in fate?"
Alaric arched an eyebrow. "An interesting icebreaker. Bit of a shift from your usual 'let's discuss ancient magic' approach."
Lilith crossed her arms, her sharp gaze narrowing. "Go on."
Ember drummed her fingers against the table. "I mean… sure? Magic is strange enough as it is, and we all know there's more to it than what most people understand."
Nero inhaled deeply, steadying himself. "Good. Because what I'm about to tell you…it's something you won't be able to grasp until you experience it yourself."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Alaric's usual easy-going demeanor faded, his expression turning serious. "You're not just speaking in riddles, are you?"
Nero shook his head. "No. This is real. And it concerns all of us."
Lilith frowned. "Explain."
Nero nodded, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "My vault at Gringotts isn't like the others. It's ancient, hidden deeper than any normal vault, and it's guarded by something unique…four doors. Each representing one of the Hogwarts houses. Each door is sealed behind enchantments and tests designed to challenge the heir who seeks to enter."
He let his words sink in before going on. "I was only able to open the Ravenclaw door. It wasn't easy. The tests were unlike anything I've ever experienced. When I finally succeeded... I met an echo of Rowena herself."
His voice was steady, but there was an underlying reverence in his tone.
"She wasn't alive, but she was there, a lingering presence, a fragment of her magic and will left behind. She spoke to me, shared things that I did not expect. And she told me that the same echoes exist for each of you. Hidden within the vault, waiting to be unlocked."
He watched their faces shift, from skepticism to intrigue, then to something deeper. Recognition.
"You're saying… we're connected to them more deeply than just by our bloodline?" Ember asked, her voice quieter than before.
Nero nodded. "Yes. Each of us is tied in a unique way to our ancestors. Their magic, their legacy, it resonates with us. Rowena has shown me what it means to hear those echoes, and soon, you will hear yours."
Lilith's lips pressed into a thin line. "And how does that happen?"
Nero met her gaze. "You'll have to experience it for yourselves. Words won't be enough."
He hesitated for a fraction of a second before speaking again. "We've only known each other for a year, but you three are more than just friends to me. You are people I want to protect."
His fingers curled slightly against the table. "And the best way to protect you isn't by shielding you, it's by making sure you're strong enough to stand on your own. "I believe, like me, meeting your ancestors will provide you with the perfect edge to push yourselves forward."
For the first time, Ember hesitated, her usual bravado wavering. He could see the flicker of doubt, as if she were weighing whether she was truly ready for something so vast and irreversible. Then, just as quickly, the fire returned to her eyes, and she flashed Nero a lopsided grin. "Damn, Nero. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were getting sentimental on us."
Nero turned his face away, suddenly aware of the warmth in his cheeks. "I'm just being practical."
Ember, Alaric and Lilith exchanged glances, a silent agreement passing between them. Then, one by one, they nodded.
Alaric was the first to speak. "Alright. Let's do it."
Ember cracked her knuckles. "Hell yeah. I always knew I was meant for something big."
Lilith smirked. "Let's see if our ancestors were as impressive as we are."
Nero chuckled, relief washing over him. "Then it's settled." He reached into his pocket and retrieved the small onyx eagle figurine. It pulsed softly with magic. "Rowena enchanted this as a portkey. The moment we activate it, we'll be transported straight to the vault."
He looked at each of them. "Are you ready?"
Lilith lifted her chin. "Ready."
Alaric rolled his shoulders. "Let's get on with it."
Ember grinned. "I was born ready."
Nero took a deep breath, tightening his grip on the figurine.
"Three… two… one… GO!"
A rush of magic swirled around them, and in an instant, they were gone from Ravenclaw Manor.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 chapters today! (1/2)
75 chapters ahead on Patreon (Suiijin): Chapter 121: Whispers of the Wild