Regulus soon located Magnus Bane once he arrived in New York. Apparently, the High Warlock was famous for his parties and his rather outlandish clothing.
Looking at the address Barty had given him, he entered the building and with a Confundus passed the security guard at the door. With a little impatience, he boarded the elevator while he looked at his pocket watch. When he saw her goddaughter, she was going to hear him. How could it occur to her to go to Azkaban without any help or support? You would have gone alone too, a little voice in his head told Regulus, if Lucius and Narcissa hadn't helped you, you would have gone anyway.
Regulus shook his head as he exited the elevator; this wasn't the time to think about that. His priority was to find his goddaughter.
Regulus knocked impatiently on the door as he frowned. A few seconds later, the door opened, giving way to a slender figure who blocked his way: Magnus. Magnus stood imposingly with his distinctive spiky hair. Dressed in a silk shirt and trousers, Magnus radiated elegance and sophistication. The soft, shimmering fabric clung to his figure with grace, enhancing his innate charisma and confidence. In his hand, he held a martini.
Magnus leaned with a relaxed attitude on the door of his loft, as if he were the undisputed owner of that corner of the world. His penetrating gaze and enigmatic smile hinted that he had seen and experienced much in his immortal existence.
Magnus looked him up and down and took a sip of his martini. "Honey, the party's cancelled."
"What?" Regulus asked, strangely surprised.
"Aren't you one of my party guests?" Magnus asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No," Regulus denied firmly, "I'm looking for Mia, and don't you dare lie to me because I know she's in there."
Magnus looked at him for a moment and turned his head toward the interior of the loft. "MIA! There is someone here who wants to see you."
Regulus heard light footsteps approaching the door, and Magnus opened it a little to let Mia through. Mia, Regulus noticed, was skinnier than he remembered, her right arm was bandaged, and she had some scratches on her face. What shocked Regulus the most was that Mia had her original appearance. Mia opened her eyes wide when she saw him.
"Hello, godfather," Mia said, batting her eyelashes with feigned innocence, "what are you doing here?"
Regulus felt his patience running out. "What am I doing here?" Regulus shouted, entering Magnus's living room and making him protest, "WHAT AM I DOING HERE? You've been missing for two weeks without giving any fucking signs of life."
Mia, at least, had the decency to look embarrassed, and Jace and Theo, who were also in the room, looked at him slightly scared. Mentally, Regulus patted himself on the back; the Black temper never failed.
"How are you?" Regulus asked his goddaughter, holding her by the shoulders, inspecting her. "You had us very scared."
"I'm... I'm going to be fine," Mia told him.
"I've talked to Barty," Regulus said. "How could you think of going to Azkaban alone without any kind of help?"
"I wasn't alone," Mia protested. "Theo and Jace were with me."
"And we've already seen how well it turned out," Regulus said disapprovingly.
"If I asked permission," Mia began, "first of all, my father's head was going to explode, and second, I would have to explain to him that Barty has talked to me, and I don't want to."
"You're right about that," Regulus said with a slight smile, "but you're sixteen, Cassie."
"I'm not a little girl, Uncle Artie," Mia said, pouting.
"Right now, you are behaving like one," Regulus told her, laughing. "You have to tell your parents, young lady; they are very worried."
Mia nodded, and with a wave of her hand, her Patronus appeared. Mia spoke to the Patronus about her situation, and it bolted towards the door. Seconds later, Isabelle and Enzo entered, searching frantically for her with their eyes. When they saw her, they immediately hugged her tightly.
"You had us very worried," Izzy said as she held Mia's face. "Don't ever do that again."
"Dolcezza," Enzo told her, worried, "you should have told us where you were going. We wouldn't have said no; we would have helped you, but you have to let us know."
"I... I'm very sorry," Mia said. "It's just that James is the Head of the Aurors, and he would have forbidden it to me."
Enzo just hugged her, while Isabelle approached Theo and Jace, asking them how they were. Regulus approached Magnus and extended his hand.
"My name is Regulus Black," Regulus told Magnus. "I am Mia's godfather. I'm sorry I showed up like this at your house."
"People still have manners," Magnus said amused. "It's not something you see every day."
"Hello, Magnus," said Isabelle, approaching. "I'm sorry that we meet again under these circumstances."
"Don't worry, Isabelle," Magnus told her. "I've grown fond of your daughter and her friends. I wasn't going to ignore her plea for help."
"Thank you very much, Magnus," Enzo told him.
"You're welcome," said Magnus. "Are we waiting for someone else, or can I start making Martinis?"
"It's only two in the afternoon," Regulus said.
"It's always a good time for a Martini," chanted those present.
"In answer to your question, Magnus," Enzo said, "I'm afraid that yes. Mia's extended family needs to appear."
"Oh, joy," Magnus said, rolling his eyes. "I'll start making Martinis."
Mia covered her ears the moment her extended family entered Magnus's loft. Enzo, noticing his daughter's stress, put his hand on her back, offering her support.
"HOW COULD YOU NOT TELL US THAT YOU WERE ALIVE?" James asked, shaking Mia.
"Stop yelling at my daughter and take a step back, Potter," Enzo told him seriously, "you're scaring her."
Lily took a step forward and hugged Mia, crying with relief. "Don't ever disappear like that again; the first time was horrible."
Sirius approached Mia and asked her, "What were you guys doing to make your dragons come back reeking of black magic?"
Mia and the boys went to visit the cave where I found the Slytherin medallion," Regulus said. "I told Mia the story, but I didn't think they would go visit."
"Is that true?" James asked, looking at his daughter.
"Yes," Mia said. "Theo, Jace, and I were curious to see the inside of the cave."
"Okay," James said, "I'm sorry for yelling at you; the first time you disappeared, it was a constant nightmare."
"How did Harry do in the second task?" Mia asked. "I'm sorry I missed it."
"Your brother tied with Cedric for first place," Sirius told her. "The third and final task will take place at dusk on the twenty-fourth of June."
"I'm happy for him," Mia said, smiling.
"Well," said James, "we're going back to Hogwarts, Mia, are you coming?"
"I... I'm going to stay a while longer," Mia said, "until Jace recovers."
James nodded, and together with Lily, left Magnus's loft. Sirius looked at his little brother, narrowing his eyes momentarily, but then looked at Mia and smiled before walking off after James.
"Can anyone tell me what really happened?" Izzy asked. "Because I know that what I just saw was a big fat lie. Call it mother intuition"
"I'm going to help you," Regulus said, staring at Mia, "but don't even think about going alone again, or this time I'll tell James where you've really gone."
"Okay," Mia said, "but you let us do our part."
"Okay," Regulus said, looking at his nails, "Negotiating like a good Slytherin. You surely got that from me."
"Wait a minute," Enzo said, "where have you really been?"
"We went to Azkaban, Dad," Mia said. "The Dementors attacked us, and I fell into the water. Vhagar rescued me."
"What were you doing there?" Enzo said, surprised.
"Barty asked for his help," Theo said. "It was more like he asked for Mia's help, but Jace and I also wanted to help."
"What did he ask you for help with?" Isabelle asked.
"Barty wants to sneak into Azkaban after the third task of the Tournament," Jace said. "He needs us to take down the upper part of Azkaban."
"We went on a reconnaissance mission," Mia said. "I wanted to know what we were facing once we got there."
"That's my girl," Enzo applauded. "Hours and hours playing Risk have been of some use."
"Don't encourage your daughter," Isabelle said, hitting Enzo, "or you've forgotten that she said she fell into the water."
"Now we have the information we need," Mia said, "but we have to go back."
"Okay," said Enzo, "I can contact the 'Teseo Tesei' to help you."
"The 'Teseo Tesei'? What's that?" Jace asked.
"COMSUBIN or Comando Raggruppamento Subacquei e Incursori 'Teseo Tesei'," said Enzo, "is the Italian Navy's special operations unit."
"Cool," Jace said.
"They will only be there for tactical support in the water," Enzo said, "let's hope they don't have to pull anyone out of the water."
"Thank you," Mia said, hugging her father.
"Don't worry, dolcezza," Enzo told her.
"I can help too," Isabelle said. "I want to help, for my brother Evan."
"If you allow me," said Magnus, "I would also like to help."
Theo, Jace, and Mia looked at each other and nodded.
"When do you plan to return?" Regulus asked.
"Over the Easter break," Mia said.
"We should tell your mother, Jace," said Isabelle. "She can help us, and so can your father, Theo."
"Okay," Jace and Theo said in unison.
"Great," Regulus said as he walked towards the door, "see you in two months."
"We're leaving too, dolcezza," said Enzo, giving Mia a kiss on the top of her head. "See you at Easter; until then, don't do anything crazy. I love you."
Isabelle approached her daughter and hugged her. "Please take good care of yourself."
Mia nodded, and Theo and Jace got up to say goodbye to Mia's parents, promising to take care of her.
Mia and the boys only stayed another week until Jace could use his magic like he normally did. Magnus was kind enough to open a portal for them to Hogwarts, telling them that he would see them over the Easter holidays.
Upon arriving at Hogwarts, the first thing they did was go to the Targaryen Grotto to see Balerion, Meraxes, and Vhagar. When the dragons saw the three of them, they let out a roar of joy and put their heads close to their riders so they could caress them.
"I've missed you a lot, Vhagar," Mia told her, hugging her dragon's head.
Vhagar made a low growl as if telling her that she missed Mia too.
"Would you like to take a flight with these three?" Mia asked, getting on Vhagar.
Theo and Jace quickly nodded, climbing onto Balerion and Meraxes. They followed Mia towards the exit of the grotto. The three dragons immediately roared as they flapped their enormous wings up to the sky. Mia closed her eyes, momentarily releasing Vhagar's reins. How good it felt to fly on Vhagar's back. With her eyes closed, she already noticed the warm March breeze in her hair and the sun's rays on her face. She loved to fly. She spread her arms and squealed with joy. Theo and Jace looked at each other, happy to see Mia enjoying and smiling. They would stop time to see that smile on Mia's face forever.
Meanwhile, Harry was in History of Magic and was falling asleep. There was no one who could last an entire class without falling asleep. Harry looked to his left and saw with great tenderness how his girlfriend, Pansy, was sleeping with her head resting on his shoulder.
Harry was about to fall asleep when he heard Vhagar's unmistakable roar. To prepare for the first test, Mia had let him practice with Vhagar, and Harry knew all of Vhagar's roars by heart. Vhagar was happy, Harry noticed as he looked out the window. To his surprise, Balerion and Meraxes were also flying, and above them were their riders. His sister had returned.
Harry carefully placed Pansy's head on the table and put her scarf as a pillow so her neck wouldn't hurt. Sneaking out, Harry left the class and ran to his room to get his Nimbus 2000. Once he had it in his hand, he climbed out of the bedroom window and kicked off, soaring into the sky. It didn't take Harry long to catch up with his sister and her friends.
"Mia, you're back!" Harry shouted happily, trying to dodge Vhagar's huge wings.
Mia turned when she heard her brother's voice and smiled at him. Gesturing with her hand, she motioned for him to get on Vhagar. Harry, with a little fear, brought his broom closer to where his sister was, and, trembling slightly, he sat down behind Mia. Mia, with a wave of her hand, shrank Harry's broom and put it in her pocket.
"How are you, Harry?" Mia asked him, turning her head slightly. "Anything you want to tell me?"
"I'm fine," said Harry, "Pansy is my girlfriend."
Mia turned around with her eyes wide and mischievous. "I'm happy for you," she said. "She's a great girl. Take care of her."
"She told me what happened on New Year's Eve," Harry said, amused, "you owe my girlfriend a kiss."
"Oh, really?" Mia asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Really," Harry said with mock solemnity, "Pansy wants to write on her grave, 'I hooked up with the Potter siblings.' She says she will brag about it until the day she dies."
"Be careful," Mia said, jokingly, "lest I perhaps steal your girlfriend."
"I trust her," Harry said, amused. "Plus, I'm going to love seeing her face when it happens."
Mia laughed happily alongside her brother as Theo and Jace flew beside her, enjoying the freedom of the sky.
Draco was bored, to say the least. He had been so distracted that morning that he had forgotten his Potions book in his bedroom. Grumbling to himself, he hurriedly put on his tie and dashed into the classroom. He knew that being late for Snape's class was a recipe for disaster, and he couldn't afford any more trouble.
Upon entering the classroom, Draco's eyes darted around, searching for an available Potions book. He spotted one on a shelf and quickly snatched it up, relieved that he wouldn't incur Snape's wrath for forgetting his textbook.
His distraction, however, hadn't waned. Since Mia had returned, Draco hadn't had a chance to talk to her. She always seemed to be occupied with something or someone else. If she wasn't flying with Vhagar, she was engrossed in conversation with Viktor. If she wasn't with Harry, she was off training with Jace and Theo. It felt impossible to get her alone. Draco noticed that Theo and Jace couldn't seem to be away from her either, especially Jace. The blonde boy appeared to be Mia's constant shadow. He was always touching her in some way, whether it was his arm draped over her shoulders, a hand resting on her waist, a lingering hug, or even his head resting comfortably on Mia's lap. It irked Draco to no end.
Potions class passed by quickly, and Draco barely noticed the passage of time until people began leaving the classroom in a rush. He pushed his chair back and started gathering his books when he saw Harry and Pansy waiting for him. Just as he was about to close his book, he noticed a page with a bent corner. Frowning, Draco opened the page and narrowed his eyes.
In the margin of the page, messy handwriting spelled out "Sectumsempra," and just below it, in the same hasty scrawl, was the comment "for enemies." The page itself didn't detail the effects of the spell, but the comment piqued Draco's growing curiosity, he began flipping through the book. On the very first page, Draco found the inscription that said: "This book is the property of the Half-Blood Prince."
