Chapter 8: Grandfather
Chapter 8: Grandfather
Two days later, the Anderson family rode in their carriage towards Charles Street, where Albert's grandparents resided at number 21.
The Andersons made it a point to visit the elderly couple every year. During the summer holidays, Albert would stay with them for a few days.
"Dad, I've come to see you," Luke said, ignoring his son as he walked up to his grandson. "Herbert said you received a letter from Hogwarts. That's wonderful! Is there anything you'd like to buy? You can tell me..."
"Dad, I already took Albert shopping in Diagon Alley in London," Herbert said, exasperated as he looked at his father. Clearing his throat, he added, "I also brought you a gift."
"I'm not a child anymore. I don't need presents," Luke said, glancing at his son before taking Albert's small hand in his. "Come inside and tell me about the magic you've learned."
"Luke's been excited like a child for days," Sansa told Herbert and his wife. "He never mentioned this to me before. I only found out a few days ago. It's been a while, Nya. Have you missed me?"
"Brother won't even let me touch his wand. He's always guarding it like a thief might steal it," Nya immediately tattled to her grandmother.
"Herbert, watch Tom. Don't let him run wild," Daisy said as she picked up the parcels from the carriage and asked her husband to carry the cat cage, lest the cat disappear as soon as it was let out.
"Can Albert really perform magic?" Sansa found this fascinating. She never expected her grandson to be the legendary wizard.
"Yes, he can make his wand glow, and he practices secretly in his room every night," Nya said, holding her grandmother's hand and complaining about Albert. "He also said that if I touched his wand, I'd probably blow up the house."
"Mom, you don't understand. That wand is really dangerous. Let me tell you about Diagon Alley..." Herbert said, holding the cat cage and following the two inside, continuing to chatter about what he had seen there.
"Albert believes that experimenting with magic recklessly is very dangerous," Daisy added. Having read the magical histories, she knew a fair bit about the wizarding world.
"Now, now, Daisy, it's not as bad as you imagine," Luke's mother said.
"No, Mom, in fact, even in the wizarding world, they don't let children handle wands easily," Daisy insisted, firmly on Albert's side. Their son was usually very dependable.
"How do you know?" Herbert asked, curious.
"If you finish reading those books, you'll know," Daisy chided her husband. "Can't you pay more attention to Albert? He's our precious son."
"Don't worry. Albert has never been a source of worry since he was little," Herbert said, well aware of his son's dependable nature.
"Even so, you should be more careful," Daisy said as she carried the parcels inside and closed the door.
Tom, who had been cooped up in his cage during the journey, was released and immediately began dashing about. Sansa and Daisy went to the kitchen to prepare sweets and tea, while Luke listened to his son and grandson talk about Diagon Alley, filling in the gaps for each other.
Of course, Luke knew that wizard portraits could move and was familiar with Dumbledore.
He placed the chocolate frogs that Herbert had brought into a large glass bottle and displayed it in the living room.
"Back then, I wrote to Principal Dipet to ask why I hadn't received an invitation," Luke said, having made his peace with it over the years. "Because I had no magical ability, I was what they call a Squib. When I was eleven, my family sent me away to be raised by a distant Muggle relative."
"How could they do that?" Herbert asked, confused and angry. He thought his father's family had been too harsh.
"Being a Squib is a disgrace to a wizarding family," Luke said softly. "They would try to hide this secret as much as possible, even pretending that the person doesn't exist."
"It's okay, don't be sad," Nia comforted.
"After all these years, I've let go of the past and cut off all ties with them," Luke said with a smile as he picked up Nia and placed her on his lap. "However, I must admit, Albert becoming a wizard did take me by surprise. When Herb didn't receive his invitation, I had given up all hope."
During the casual chat, Albert demonstrated more of his magic, such as the Lumos, Reparo, and Scourgify spells, as well as Alohomora, a spell for unlocking doors. These were the four spells he had learned so far, thanks to his upgraded 2nd-level wizard bloodline.
Although his control was not yet perfect, the family was still amazed to see the cracked teacup slowly mend itself and the spilled tea on the table mysteriously vanish without a trace.
"I want to learn magic too," Nia pouted as she gazed at her grandfather, her voice a soft whine. "Albert's so sneaky, learning all this without telling me."
Luke turned to his grandson, seeking his opinion. He knew Albert had a mind of his own and wouldn't make decisions lightly.
"She has to do exactly as I say," Albert said, his gaze fixed on his sister. In truth, he was curious about whether Nia had any magical talent herself.
"I will, I promise!" Nia nodded eagerly, like a chick pecking at grain.
"If you're going to agree so quickly without listening to what I have to say, then never mind," Albert said, fixing his sister with a serious stare.
"I am listening!" Nia protested.
"First, repeat after me: 'Lumos'," Albert instructed.
"Lumos," Nia quickly echoed, recognizing it as a spell.
"Now, repeat it a few times slowly. Don't get it wrong, or who knows what might happen," Albert cautioned. "Later, I'll lend you my wand, but remember: no poking things with it, no pointing it at people, and no random incantations. Even if you can't get a spell to work, don't lose your temper."
"Okay," Nia replied impatiently.
"Now, what did I just tell you?" Albert asked suddenly.
"No poking things..." Nia began, but then she forgot the rest. Pouting, she complained, "I'm not like you; I can't remember so many things!"
"If you can't remember, I won't lend you my wand," Albert said seriously.
"But... okay, say it again," Nia conceded.
The Anderson family laughed as they watched Albert lay down the law for Nia. Children will be children, they thought, and Nia was no exception.
However, Albert knew how to handle her mischievousness.
Only after Nia had committed Albert's instructions to memory did he finally hand over his wand.
Nia eagerly took the wand, but a glare from Albert soon had her calming down. She obediently tried to cast Lumos, but the spell didn't work.
"Take a deep breath and focus. Try again," Albert said softly, placing a hand on Nia's shoulder.
Lumos was one of the simplest spells, and if Nia couldn't cast it, it was likely that she didn't have the talent to become a wizard.
"Lumos," Nia tried several more times, but without success.
"You're getting anxious. Don't rush it; you're more likely to fail if you're impatient," Albert said, gently stroking Nia's hair as he glanced at his grandfather.
Luke shook his head slightly, and Albert knew what that meant.
"Do I not have the talent to become a wizard?" Nia asked, her face falling as she looked sad.
"I don't know," Albert consoled her. "Maybe it's because you're still too young."
"I hate you, Albert! You're always tricking me! I definitely don't have the talent to be a wizard," Nia declared, throwing down the wand and running off.
Albert sighed and picked up the wand, his eyes following the direction in which Nia had disappeared. Kids were such a handful.
"I'll go find Nia," Luke said, getting up and heading in the direction his granddaughter had gone. He understood what she was feeling.
(End of Chapter)
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