Mia and Theo had been on edge during the week leading up to their meeting with Magnus. As they finally arrived at the designated meeting point, the tension in the air was palpable.
Magnus stood there, his flamboyant presence in stark contrast to the young Asian man beside him, his features hidden beneath a hooded robe of parchment color. Magnus, with his customary flair, greeted them with outstretched arms and a cheerful kiss on each cheek.
"Welcome, my dear friends," Magnus exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "Allow me to introduce you to my old friend Jem Castairs," he said, pointing at the mysterious man beside him. "Jem is a Silent Brother."
Theo unable to contain his curiosity any longer. "A Silent Brother? What exactly is that?" he asked as Mia's gaze lingered on Jem, her curiosity piqued.
Magnus smiled knowingly and leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a hushed tone. "Silent Brothers are a powerful group of male Shadowhunters," he explained. "They serve as archivists and medics for the Nephilim. Their primary residence is in the Silent City."
Mia, tearing her gaze away from Jem, asked the next question that was on everyone's mind. "Where is the Silent City?"
Magnus grinned mischievously, his eyes alight with excitement. "That, my dear, is precisely where we're all heading now." He extended his hand and, with a flourish of magic, conjured a swirling portal before them.
One by one, they cautiously stepped through the portal, the sensation akin to being pulled through a swirling vortex. Moments later, they found themselves standing in front of an imposing gate. It had a mystical air about it, with a spiral staircase leading deep into the earth.
"Is it necessary to go down there, Magnus?" Theo asked hesitantly.
Magnus turned to Theo, his expression grave. "It's necessary if Mia wants to know more about who blocked her mind," he replied. Theo nodded, determination in his eyes.
Suddenly, Jem's attention was drawn to Mia's parents, who had accompanied them. Magnus understood the unspoken question and turned to Enzo and Izzy.
"Unfortunately, you two can't go down there," he said, his tone regretful. "You don't have Nephilim blood in your veins, and the rune magic in the Silent City could be fatal to those without it."
Enzo and Izzy exchanged a worried glance, but they nodded in understanding. Their priority was Mia's Jem led the way through the dimly lit corridors of the Silent City, Magnus, Mia, and Theo followed closely behind, their footsteps echoing in the dimly lit corridor. The air felt heavy with ancient magic, and the silence was almost oppressive.
"I can't help but notice that Jace isn't with us," Magnus observed as they descended.
"He's in Monaco for his Grandmother's Annual Gala. Couldn't miss it, apparently." Mia replied quietly
They continued down the staircase in silence, nothing but the sound of their footsteps breaking the stillness of the underground passage. As they reached a large chamber, Mia and Theo couldn't help but gaze around in awe. In the center of the room stood a massive, black, white-veined basalt table, and the floor was engraved with parabolic designs of silver stars. A sword hung prominently on the wall, its hilt adorned with intricate patterns.
A sudden, disembodied voice echoed in Mia's mind, startling her. Walk to the middle and place yourself under the sword
Mia spun around, her eyes wide with surprise, only to find Jem staring at her intently. Nervously, she made her way toward the sharp point of the sword, her heart pounding in her chest. As she positioned herself beneath the blade, a strange sensation washed over her, as though someone had cracked open her head.
In front of her eyes, a rapid succession of images and sounds flashed: bright hazel eyes, the sound of a bark, a picture of a bunny. Then, as clear as day, she saw a face—an older boy, perhaps four or five years her was a carbon copy of her mother. Her mind raced as a name rang out inside her head—Evan Rosier.
But there was something unsettling about the way he looked at her. His eyes were filled with profound sorrow and an unsettling hate. Curiously that hate wasn't directed at her but at someone else, and that someone seemed to be Evan himself. Before she could process this revelation any further, Mia's vision blurred, and she collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Theo reacted swiftly, catching Mia before she could hit her head. Panic in his eyes, he glanced up at Jem, his voice trembling with anger and fear. "What have you done to her?"
Jem's voice echoed in Theo's mind, cold and impassive, as he explained, I have done nothing. The spell on her is too powerful. Only the one who cast it can undo it
Desperation filled Theo's voice as he asked, "Isn't there anything else you can do?"
Jem silently shook his head, his eyes filled with regret as he continued to communicate directly into Theo's mind. Attempting to break the spell could risk her life. You must find the one responsible."
Theo and Magnus rushed up the winding stairs, their footsteps echoing through the silent corridors of the Silent City. Panic set in as they finally reached the council chamber and found Mia unconscious in Theo's arms.
Enzo and Izzy, alarmed by the sight of their daughter in such a state, hurried to her side. Izzy's voice quivered with concern as she asked, "Theo, what happened?"
Theo, still trembling from the shock of the incident, stammered in response, "I don't know, aunt Izzy. One moment, Mia was in some kind of trance, and then she just... she collapsed to the ground."
Enzo's eyes filled with worry as he frantically scanned Mia's body for any signs of 's eyes widened with alarm, and she turned to glare at Magnus, who had followed closely behind Theo. Her expression was a mixture of anger and accusation. "Magnus, what did you do to her?"
Magnus quickly raised his hands in a placating gesture and took a step forward to explain. "I didn't do anything to her, Isabelle. Mia was put under the Mortal Sword. It's a powerful tool used by the Silent Brothers to breach into people's minds. It's similar to Legilimency, but much stronger."
"Jem told me that a strong spell was cast on Mia," Theo began, his voice trembling. "He said that only the one who cast it could lift it."
Izzy's eyes widened with concern, and she instinctively reached out to touch her daughter's forehead, as if searching for answers within her. Theo continued, "The Silent Brothers can't do anything to remove the spell. Trying to break through it could put Mia's life in danger,"
Enzo clenched his fists, his frustration evident. "So, we're just supposed to wait for the person who did this to come forward?" he asked, his tone edged with anger.
As the tense atmosphere hung heavily, Magnus took a deep breath before speaking to Izzy, who was anxiously watching over her unconscious daughter. "Isabelle," he began, his voice steady, "I've been doing some digging about this, and I have to tell you that the person who cast that spell doesn't belong to the Downworldersl."
Izzy turned to Magnus, her expression a mixture of confusion and hope. "What do you mean, Magnus?"
"I am the High Warlock of Brooklyn.I know every single magical signature in my world, and the one who cast that spell didn't belong to any of us. I believe they belong to the Wizarding World."
Enzo, who had been listening closely to their conversation, couldn't help but interject. "Wait, isn't Magnus the same type of wizard as you, Isabelle?"
Magnus's expression turned from thoughtful to offended in an instant. He fixed his gaze on Enzo and took a step closer, ready to set the record straight. "Lorenzo, love" he began, his tone firm, "I'm not the same type of wizard as your wife."
Lorenzo blinked, "I don't understand. What's the difference?"
Magnus took a moment to gather his thoughts before explaining patiently, "I am a warlock. I am the son of a half-Dutch and half-Indonesian woman, and the Prince of Hell Asmodeus. Warlocks are an immortal race of Downworlder offspring, born from the union of demons and humans. Isabelle, your wife, is a witch. She was born with the innate ability to perform magic, whereas I, as a warlock, have lived for centuries and accumulated my magical knowledge and powers over time due to my demonic heritage. In contrast to me, your wife and any of her kind are vastly more limited. No offense, Isabelle."
"None taken," Her voice steady but filled with worry. "So, what do we do now?"
Magnus met her gaze, his eyes filled with a mixture of empathy and concern. "Now, Isabelle," he began, "we wait. We wait for Mia to wake up."
It was Christmas morning, as the clock struck 8 AM, two figures in their pajamas coincidentally opened their front doors simultaneously.
"Happy Christmas, Harry!" Draco greeted with a warm smile, his platinum hair perfectly coiffed as always.
Harry, his unruly black hair sticking out in every direction, grinned back. "Happy Christmas, Draco!" Without wasting a second, he sprinted off towards the living room, shouting over his shoulder, "Race you to the living room!"
Draco chuckled at Harry's competitive spirit and swiftly followed suit. He grabbed his broomstick from his room and within seconds, he was soaring through the hallway.
Harry, slightly out of breath, reached the living room after, trying to catch his breath. He stood there, hands on his knees, his eyes were wide with disbelief as Draco zoomed around the room, grinning broadly.
"You cheated!" Harry protested, pouting as he pointed an accusatory finger at Draco.
Draco gracefully landed his broomstick and dismounted, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "Oh, come on, Harry. All's fair in love and war."
Slowly but surely, the Potter household began to stir on that Christmas morning. Harry and Draco, practically bouncing with excitement, were the first ones up. They had developed a tradition that had begun after Hermione's disappearance: Christmas was spent at the Potters', and New Year's was celebrated at the Malfoys'.
As Draco and Harry eagerly waited by the living room door, their parents finally entered the room, their voices overlapping with the same question, "Can we open our presents now?"
Lucius waved them off with a graceful gesture. "Of course, go ahead."
Sirius, on the other hand, stormed into the room, looking disheveled and half-awake. "You young hooligans have disturbed my beauty sleep!" Sirius declared, though his act crumbled the moment he spotted the beautifully wrapped presents beneath the Christmas tree."Oh, presents!" He bounded over, rubbing his hands together gleefully.
Draco and Harry tore into their presents with gusto, revealing a collection of gifts from their friend and family. They both received two brand new Firebolts, a broom kit from Blaise Zabini, and red and green Weasley jerseys from Ron, each embroidered with a "H" and "D."
Neville had sent them a selection of sweets from Honeydukes, and Pansy had gifted them matching scarves, each bearing their initials embroidered in elegant script.
Regulus had chosen to impart his knowledge by giving them a rare potions book, and even Sirius, who had initially been grumbling about being woken up, had a gift to contribute – a Zonko's joke coffin that had Harry and Draco smile knowingly and Lily glaring.
As the excitement of opening presents began to subside,James and Lily approached Harry together, carrying a final, elegantly wrapped package. Harry's curiosity was piqued as he accepted the gift and carefully began to unwrap it.
Harry unwrapped it carefully, revealing a wooden box with an intricate golden "H" engraved on its surface. He picked it up gently, his eyes filled with curiosity, and looked at his parents. "What's this, Mum, Dad?"
James smiled warmly, and Lily's eyes glistened with emotion as James explained, "This music box you're holding, Harry, belonged to your sister. It holds her whole life, every memory we have of her, and every cherished moment she spent with us."
The living room fell into a hushed silence as Harry cradled the wooden music box in his hands. He hesitated for a moment and glanced at his parents who exchanged a silent, understanding nod.
With a voice filled with uncertainty, Harry asked, "Can I... can I open the box?"
James, his voice thick with emotion, choked out. "Of course, Harry."
Narcissa , who had been observing the scene with a quiet, thoughtful expression, approached her nephew. She gently placed a hand on his shoulder and leaned in. "You'll need to nick your finger over the lock, Harry. The box has blood wards."
Harry nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. He raised his wand, his hand trembling slightly, and whispered, "Diffindo." With the utmost care, he pressed his index finger over the lock, allowing a tiny bead of blood to form. The box responded with a soft click, and the lid slowly began to open.
As the lid lifted, Harry and Draco watched in amazement as soft, enchanting music notes filled the air. Simultaneously, a soft, childish giggle echoed from within the box, and an image began to project from it onto the living room wall.
Harry's eyes filled with tears as the image came into focus. There, on the screen, was a baby girl. She looked to be about a year old, wearing a cute reindeer pajama set. Her bright eyes sparkled with innocence and curiosity as she giggled and reached out, as if trying to touch the viewer through the magical projection. Draco, too, was captivated by the image. He watched in awe, the little girl was an enchanting sight.
Harry, pointed to the girl on the screen. "That's her. That's my 's... she's a carbon copy of Dad."
As he spoke, his tears fell freely, his emotions overwhelming him. Harry couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance between the baby girl and his father, James. It was as if his father's features had been transplanted onto the face of his little sister. The same mischievous twinkle in her hazel eyes, the same unruly hair, and the same infectious laughter that had once filled their home.
Trying to lighten the mood, Sirius, who had been sitting on the couch with a playful grin, couldn't resist making a quip. "You know, Harry, seeing the resemblance between you, your sister, and Prongs, it's almost as if Lily didn't put any effort into making you two."
His attempt at humor earned him a swift and well-deserved slap on the back of his head from Lily. Her eyes were narrowed, but there was a hint of amusement in them as she scolded him, "Sirius, don't be ridiculous!"
Sirius rubbed the back of his head and chuckled, realizing he had walked into that one. "Alright, alright, Lily, no need for violence. I was just teasing."
Hermione's childish laugh filled the room, a joyful sound that echoed off the walls. She watched in awe her father, entered the room wearing a reindeer diadem and a bright red nose,
Without hesitation, James scooped up his daughter, lifting her into his strong arms, and planted a resounding kiss on her rosy cheek. "Merry Christmas, principessa," he exclaimed, his eyes filled with warmth and love.
Hermione returned her father's affectionate kiss, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Happy Christmas, Daddy," she chirped, her voice filled with the innocence of childhood.
Then, a heavily pregnant figure appeared on the screen. It was Lily, wearing a Santa hat atop her flowing hair. Her smile was radiant as she joined the father-daughter duo.
However, Hermione's attention quickly shifted. With an adorable pout, she looked up at her father, "Put me down, Daddy."
Chuckling, James complied, gently placing Hermione on the floor. The little girl waddled over to her mother, her eyes filled with adoration.
With all the love her tiny heart could muster, Hermione wished her mother a heartfelt, "Happy Christmas, Mummy." She then leaned in, her tiny lips pressing against Lily's growing belly, where her unborn brother resided. "Happy Christmas, Harry," she whispered sweetly.
Harry, amazed by the sight of his mother's pregnant belly, couldn't help but comment. "Wow, Mum, you looked huge!" he exclaimed, not fully grasping the situation.
Lily rolled her eyes playfully at her son's and said with a chuckle, "Well, Harry, that's because I was pregnant with you."
The image on the screen shifted once more, revealing James Potter in a deep slumber, his snores resonating through the room. However, this peaceful moment was abruptly shattered when a furious voice cried out.
"JAMES CHARLUS POTTER!"
James was jolted awake, his eyes snapping open as he came face to face with an angry and disheveled Lily Potter, who stood before him, hands on her hips and a fierce glare in her eyes.
Fear washed over James, his heart racing, but he was genuinely clueless about what had transpired. His voice quivered as he asked, "Love, what's the matter?"
Lily's frustration was palpable as she snapped back at him, "I can't find our daughter, James!"
James's eyes widened in alarm as he processed her words. "What do you mean, you can't find her?" he stammered, panic beginning to set in.
Lily's patience wore thin as she retorted, "Our daughter was left in your care, James, and now she's nowhere to be found!"
James, in his defense, gestured towards their bed, his voice shaky as he explained, "Hermione slept with us last night. I'm sure of it."But just as realization began to dawn on him, James muttered under his breath, " I may have or may not have covered her with the Invisibility Cloak in the middle of the night."
A loud, incredulous "What?!" escaped Lily's lips, her anger reaching its peak, as the memory abruptly cut short.
The image on the screen transitioned to a serene night time scene in the Potter Manor garden. There, under the vast expanse of the starry sky, sat Hermione, nestled between the protective arms of her godfather. They gazed up at the heavens, marveling at the beauty above.
Regulus, his finger outstretched, pointed at a particular star, his voice filled with curiosity. "Cassie, do you know the name of that star?" he inquired, a fond smile playing on his lips as he looked down at the young girl.
Hermione's eyes lit up with excitement, her small face illuminated by the soft glow of the stars. She eagerly replied, "That's Uncle Padfoot's star!"
Regulus chuckled at her enthusiasm, then shifted his finger to another star in the constellation. Hermione's eyes followed his gesture, and she couldn't contain her delight as she identified it. "And that one," she exclaimed, "that's your star, uncle Artie!"
Pointing once more, this time at another star within the Sirius constellation. Turning his gaze to Hermione, he asked, "How about this one, little star-gazer? Do you know what star that is?"
Hermione, her little eyebrows furrowed in concentration, pondered for a moment. Then, Regulus gently told her, "That's Cassiopeia, that's your star, Cassie."
James spoke softly, "You know, Regulus, during those nights we spent in hiding, Hermione would always look at Sirius and your star and talk to them." He paused, a bittersweet smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "She wouldn't go to sleep until she had talked to her uncles."
James turned his attention to Sirius, whose eyes were bloodshot from a mixture of emotions. "Hermione believed that her uncle Padfoot and her uncle Artie were watching her every night, wherever they were. She said that's what you told her after you did that snowman together."
The images continued to appear, one after another, revealing precious moments from Hermione's and Hermione were shown standing in the bathroom, toothbrushes in hand, singing. Hermione's first birthday celebration, her tiny face smeared with napping peacefully, curled up with then, the images paused, and a memory began to play.
Hermione sat on top of Narcissa, who was in the midst of braiding Hermione's own hair. Regulus and Lucius sat in front of her, watching the scene with a mix of amusement and curiosity.
Lucius leaned in with a sly smile and asked Hermione, "Mignonette, when you go to Hogwarts, which House do you think you'd like to join?"
Hermione frowned in thought, her eyes dancing between her uncle and her , her face lit up with enthusiasm, and she happily exclaimed, "Slytherin, like uncle Artie!"
Regulus couldn't help but smirk at her response and leaned forward to give her a high-five. "Do tell that to your father as soon as you see him, what are your favorite colors, Mia?" he asked with genuine interest.
Mia seemed to ponder for a moment,Finally, she looked up with a bright smile and answered, "Green, black, and silver."
Laughter filled the room as James and Sirius mockingly expressed their hurt and mock offense. Regulus, Lily, Narcissa, and Lucius couldn't help but chuckle at their playful antics.
James, pointing an accusing finger at Regulus and Lucius, exaggeratedly glared at them. "You two snakes," he pouted heavily, feigning betrayal., " turned my own daughter against me!"
Regulus couldn't resist a smirk as he retorted, "Well, James, my goddaughter has excellent taste and clearly knows which house is superior." He emphasized the word 'superior' with a mischievous glint in his eye.
The good-natured teasing continued until Harry's voice cut through the lively atmosphere, causing a momentary pause in the banter. He hesitated for a moment, then asked with a hopeful tone, "Um, do you think…Could we go visit Godric's Hollow?"
The room fell silent as everyone turned their attention to Harry. Lily nodded, voice filled with nostalgia, "Of course, Harry,of course we can."
