Everything unfolded exactly as he had predicted. The next few days at Hogwarts were filled with a flurry of news and relief. The curse was broken. The victims were revived, including Hermione Granger and Penelope Clearwater, who both returned pale but otherwise unharmed to their houses. Hagrid was released from Azkaban to thunderous applause in the Great Hall, and Dumbledore was reinstated as headmaster to resounding cheers from the students.
For Elias, it was little more than noise in the background.
When Dumbledore offered words of wisdom during the final feast of the year, Elias sat quietly at the Slytherin table between Draco and Daphne, nodding politely, but his mind was elsewhere. The secrets of Slytherin. The legacy of Salazar himself. The Chamber had been just the beginning.
The final morning of term dawned bright and warm, with sunlight streaming through the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall. Students bustled about the corridors of the castle, dragging trunks and cages toward the Entrance Hall where the carriages waited to take them to the train.
Elias, dressed in his crisp Hogwarts uniform and elegant black overcoat trimmed in silver, walked side by side with Draco and Daphne. All three looked freshly composed, and as always, carried themselves with the grace expected of pure-blood scions.
"Well, that was a more eventful year than last," Draco drawled as they stepped into the carriage. He leaned back comfortably, stretching his legs as the Thestrals pulled them across the grounds. "Pity about the basilisk, though. Father said it was a magnificent beast—dangerous, but magnificent."
Daphne gave him a flat look. "You're saying that like it didn't nearly kill a dozen students."
"I'm not saying I wanted us to be attacked," Draco said with a grin, "just that it's impressive."
Elias smirked slightly but said nothing, letting the rhythm of the carriage wheels calm his thoughts. His satchel was now reinforced with a Disillusionment charm and tucked carefully behind his legs. He kept it close at all times.
Elias finally spoke, voice calm and unreadable. "Attention isn't always a reward. Sometimes, it's a burden."
That silenced both of them for a moment.
The journey to King's Cross began in its usual chaos. As they boarded the Hogwarts Express, students scrambled to claim compartments, owls hooted irritably from their cages, and prefects shouted instructions over the din.
Elias, Draco, and Daphne managed to secure a spacious compartment near the front of the train. Daphne had claimed the window seat and pulled out a novel from her bag while Draco leaned against the seat opposite, flipping through a deck of wizarding cards. Elias, seated between them, had unrolled a piece of parchment and was scribbling notes in the margin.
The train whistled, steam hissed from the platform, and with a lurch, they were on their way back to London.
"So," Draco said, "summer plans? Father's already arranged some meetings for me.
Daphne glanced over. "I'll be at the Greengrass estate. Astoria's staying with our aunt for a while, so it'll just be me and my tutors. My mother insists on etiquette and potions training—says it builds character."
Draco snorted.
"What about you, Elias?" Daphne asked. "You never say what you do over the summer."
Elias looked up from his parchment, a faint smile tugging at the edge of his mouth. "A little study. A little training. I've got my own projects to work on."
Draco raised an eyebrow. "That sounds suspiciously vague."
"It's meant to," Elias replied dryly.
They laughed, and the compartment fell into a comfortable quiet again, the clatter of the train lulling them into their own thoughts.
Hours later, the train began to slow as it approached King's Cross. The view from the window had turned familiar—London rooftops and industrial smokestacks lining the horizon. As they neared Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, students began to stir, pulling down trunks and gathering their things.
They exited the train into the bustling chaos of parents and porters. The station was as noisy as ever, with trolleys screeching and children calling out to one another.
Lucian Blackthorn was already waiting near the edge of the barrier, his tall figure unmistakable even in the crowd. His dark formal robes shimmered with runes woven into the trim, and his stern yet calm presence parted the crowd like a ship through water.
Elias spotted him immediately and turned to his friends. "I'll see you both soon. Take care."
"You too," Daphne said with a wave.
"Don't do anything too interesting without me," Draco called as Elias disappeared into the crowd.
Elias reached his father, who greeted him with a nod and a rare, faint smile. "Welcome back. I trust the term ended without… complication?"
Elias's lips curled. "No complications. Just more pieces of the puzzle."
Lucian gave him an approving look. "Then let's go. We have much to discuss."
And with that, the two vanished beyond the barrier, leaving the noise of Platform Nine and Three-Quarters behind.
The golden sun was just beginning to dip beneath the tree line when Elias Blackthorn stepped into the grand foyer of the Blackthorn Estate. The polished floors glowed with the soft light of floating orbs, and the familiar warmth of home wrapped around him like an old friend.
The scent of freshly baked bread and aromatic herbs wafted through the corridors, drawing Elias toward the heart of the manor. As he stepped into the dining hall, he saw his mother, Lady Seraphina Blackthorn, directing the house-elves as they laid out dinner. She turned the moment he entered, her serene face lighting up with a soft smile.
"There you are," she said gently, brushing a hand against his cheek. "I thought I'd prepare your favorite tonight—roasted pheasant with herb-glazed potatoes."
"You're the best, Mother," Elias replied, his lips quirking into a rare smile. He'd missed this—this peace, this warmth that only home provided.
Within moments, the dining table was filled with dishes fit for a feast. Roasted meats, fresh-baked bread, golden vegetables, and fragrant sauces filled the room with a heavenly aroma. Lord Lucian Blackthorn entered a moment later, nodding approvingly at the spread and clapping his son on the back.
"Good to have you home, Elias."
"It's good to be back," Elias replied, taking his seat between his parents.
Dinner began with light conversation—Seraphina asked about his health, his studies, and whether he'd been eating properly at school. Elias responded with casual affirmatives, omitting the chaos of the basilisk, the diary, and the secret chamber. That part of Hogwarts life was better left unspoken over roasted pheasant.
As the plates were cleared and a goblet of elven wine poured for Lucian, his father leaned back in his chair and gave Elias a more assessing look.
"I assume you've heard that Lucius Malfoy has been removed from the Hogwarts Board of Governors," Lucian said, his voice low and thoughtful.
Elias nodded. "Draco mentioned it. He was... less than pleased. And Lucius hasn't taken it well either, I assume?"
Lucian gave a short chuckle. "Naturally not. He's written to me—requested our support in reinstating him."
Elias raised an eyebrow. "And what did you tell him?"
"I told him I would discuss it with my son," Lucian said calmly, tapping a finger on the side of his goblet. "Your voice carries weight, Elias. You've earned it."
Elias took a moment to think, his fork idly pushing a piece of potato across his plate. "He did cause a mess by giving that diary to the girl—Weasley's sister," he said eventually. "But we both know Lucius isn't the type to repeat a mistake that costs him power."
"No," Lucian agreed. "He's not."
"I think we should help him," Elias said at last, his voice firm. "The Malfoys are still politically strong, and having him in our debt will be useful in the long run."
Lucian gave a pleased nod. "That was my thought as well. We'll offer conditional support—carefully. You've learned to think ahead, Elias."
Seraphina smiled softly at her son, her silver eyes watching him with pride. "It's good to see you growing into your name."
As the wine and conversation continued into lighter matters, Elias found himself relaxing for the first time in weeks. Hogwarts always felt like a battlefield of whispers and power plays. But here, at home, he was not just a student. He was a Blackthorn heir.