Chapter 51: Ferdinand's Fear
The day of Professor Mor’s party arrived, and Wade, having finished breakfast, slipped into the formal suit Fiona had carefully picked out for him, paired with his Dragonhide Boots. Standing before the mirror, Fiona circled him, adjusting this detail and that, her eyes sparkling with delight.
“You look absolutely stunning, sweetheart!” she cooed, showering him with exaggerated praise. “You’re definitely going to be the most dazzling little gentleman at the party. Seriously—shouldn’t you wear the necklace I picked out? The arrow-shaped pendant is so cool. It’ll make every other kid green with envy.”
“No way, Mom. I’m not three,” Wade replied without hesitation, firmly declining.
Fiona sighed. “You weren’t even willing to wear one when you were three—”
“So I definitely won’t wear it now,” Wade shot back.
Ferdinand kept glancing at his wristwatch, his gaze darting toward the door every few seconds.
“Professor Mor said he’d be here at ten, right?” he asked, confirming with his son.
“That’s what the letter said,” Wade replied.
But as the clock ticked to just one minute before ten, no one had arrived.
“Maybe he’s late?” Fiona guessed.
“Could’ve been delayed by something,” Ferdinand muttered, still staring at the door. “I just hope they don’t just… suddenly appear at the threshold.”
“That won’t happen,” Fiona said confidently. “There are only ordinary people around here. If someone just walked out of nowhere, everyone would see. They’re probably just caught up in something. We’ll probably get an owl any second.”
She dashed to the window and flung it open, making it easy for an owl to fly in.
Just as she turned back, the fireplace roared to life—its flames erupting into a vivid, unnatural green, casting the entire room in a ghostly glow. Then, a dark, shadowy figure stepped out from within the fire.
Ferdinand shot upright, his right hand snapping behind his back to draw his gun, while his left shoved Wade backward. “Who’s there?!”
“Wait—Dad, it’s Professor Mor!” Wade grabbed his father’s arm, suddenly noticing how icy his hand felt.
He looked up, startled. Ferdinand’s jaw was clenched so tightly his teeth were grinding, the veins in his neck standing out like cords. His expression was rigid, cold, and utterly unfamiliar.
Wade froze.
Ever since he’d received his acceptance letter from Hogwarts, the Gray family had been nothing but excited. His parents had embraced the magical world with wide-eyed wonder, diving into it with a curiosity that sometimes surpassed even his own. He’d always assumed they were thrilled—completely at ease.
But now, something shifted. He realized, with a jolt, that beneath the surface, his father had long harbored a deep, unspoken fear of the wizarding world.
Fiona, though startled at first, quickly calmed down upon hearing Wade’s words. She stepped forward, intrigued. “So this is how Floo Travel works?”
Ferdinand strode toward the fireplace, as if to welcome their guest. But Wade noticed—his movement wasn’t just welcoming. He was placing himself directly between Fiona and the fireplace, shielding her.
From the fire emerged Professor Mor, brushing soot from his robes with a smile. “Yes, quite safe and convenient—aside from the coal dust, of course. Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Gray. I’m Terence Mor. I trust you’ve heard of me?”
“Of course,” Ferdinand said, his gun already stowed away, his expression perfectly neutral. “Welcome, Professor Mor. I apologize—the fireplace hasn’t been properly cleaned in over two years.”
Fiona peered around him, curiosity lighting her face. “Can we use the fireplace to travel too?”
“Oh, I’m afraid not,” Professor Mor chuckled. “The Ministry of Magic prohibits connecting non-magical homes to the Floo Network. I had to get special permission to connect your fireplace just for today—only until we leave. Wade, I’m glad to see you’re all ready.”
“Yes, Professor,” Wade said, glancing at his parents before sliding his wand into the pouch on his formal robe. He stepped forward. “Are we leaving now?”
“Of course—our guests are waiting!” Professor Mor pulled a small pouch from his pocket, filled with shimmering powder. “Ever used Floo Powder before?”
“No, Professor.”
“Simple. Watch me.”
He handed the pouch to Wade, scooped a pinch of powder, and tossed it into the flames. Instantly, the fire turned emerald green.
“Remember—speak clearly and precisely. Say the destination: Suo Luo Garden. Close your eyes. Don’t fidget. If you move around too much, you’ll get knocked unconscious, or worse—end up in someone else’s fireplace.”
With that, Professor Mor stepped into the fire and called out, “Suo Luo Garden!”
He vanished in a flash.
Wade scooped a small amount of powder and approached the fireplace. Just before he tossed it in, he turned back, locking eyes with his father.
“Dad,” he said quietly, “I’ll be back tonight.”
“Hmm.” Ferdinand swallowed hard, his throat working. He wanted to say more, but held it back. He looked down at his son. “Follow your professor. Don’t get into trouble. Don’t argue with anyone.”
“I understand,” Wade said, nodding solemnly.
Fiona crossed her arms, feigning offense. “Only saying goodbye to Dad? Not even a goodbye to Mom?”
“Of course not!” Wade smiled, stepping forward to embrace her. “Goodbye, Mom.”
He scattered the Floo Powder.
The flames turned green instantly.
Wade forced himself to step forward, suppressing the instinctive fear of fire that rose in his chest—though he’d long since grown used to it, it still stirred something deep inside. The flames wrapped around him like a warm breath.
Through the fire’s glow, he saw one last glimpse of his father—his eyes still haunted, trembling with residual shock.
It was the look of someone whose safe harbor had just been breached by a stranger, leaving behind a cold aftertaste of dread.
“Suo Luo Garden,” he said, his voice steady, meeting his father’s gaze.
In an instant, the living room, his parents, everything—vanished.
He spun through the green flames, a blur of fireplaces flashing past. Dizzy, he closed his eyes. The rapid motion stopped abruptly. Just as he staggered, a pair of strong arms caught him.
“Not too pleasant, was it?” a voice said. “I heard it’s your first time using the Floo Network.”
The man pulled him out of the fireplace. Wade coughed, wiping soot from his eyes.
Before him stood a towering figure—over two meters tall, broad-shouldered, with a rugged, intimidating face. But as he bent down to look at Wade, his expression was gentle.
“Uh… sorry, who are you?” Wade asked.
A cup of water was handed to him.
“Drink this,” the man said, then waved his wand with a quick Scourgify. Instantly, the soot and dust vanished from Wade’s clothes.
“I’m Steven Mor,” the man said. “Terence Mor’s son. My father was supposed to meet you here, but a friend from France just arrived—he had to go greet him. You’re welcome to wander around, have something to eat—relax.”
(End of Chapter)
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