"Stab it!"
Sparks exploded in all directions as a dimensional portal burst open from the center of Blake's room.
A girl in a green dress leapt through.
"Blake! Wake up! What are we training today?"
Blake, startled and wrapped tightly in his quilt, clutched it to his chest as he looked at Cassandra.
"Do you think it's appropriate to just appear in my room like this?"
Cassandra put her hands on her hips. "Didn't you do the same thing to me before?"
She yanked the curtains open. "Come on, the sun is nearly up your butt!"
"Sister Nagini made breakfast ages ago! If you stay in bed any longer, it'll be cold."
She reached for his quilt.
"No, no, no! Don't pull that!" Blake tugged it back frantically. "It was hot last night, so I slept without clothes! Just—give me a second, it's hard to—"
"What's so hard about it? Besides, what does it matter if a boy gets seen?"
She pulled harder. Blake was now certain she was doing this on purpose.
"Okay! I'm getting up! Just—please go out first!"
"Why?" she asked with a smirk.
Mudd. She's a female gangster, Blake cursed in his mind.
With a sharp whoosh, Blake vanished.
Cassandra dropped the quilt and blinked at the empty bed.
Then came a cough from behind her.
Turning, she found Blake—fully clothed—standing calmly.
"Let's go. You said breakfast is ready, right?"
"…What did you…" she glanced from him to the empty bed.
"Just Apparition," Blake said, straightening his levitating cloak.
Thanks to a wealth of treasure chests, Blake had mastered Apparition, though he rarely used it—he disliked the compressed, flattened sensation of teleporting. But today it served its purpose: escaping the persistent pervert.
As they left the room, Blake sighed. Teaching them the Dimensional Gate had clearly been a mistake. Now they came and went from his space whenever they pleased. That could lead to very awkward situations someday. He needed a solution—soon.
At the breakfast table, Nagini quietly brought over fresh plates of food.
Newt and Tina had already eaten and left for work. Only the girls remained.
"What's today's training?" Hermione asked, setting down the Daily Prophet.
"No training today," Blake said, biting into a soft honey cake.
"Huh? Then what are we doing?"
"We're heading to Diagon Alley."
He pulled out several letters, flicked aside the ones from Snape nagging him, and handed the rest to the girls—two each.
"Letters from your parents. Also, Hogwarts sent the school supply list."
The girls had spent a full month playing on Wuming Island. All these letters had come addressed to him. Even Hogwarts had sent his owl.
"Your families are in Diagon Alley today. After we meet them, we'll shop for next term's supplies."
"My school robe's too short," Cassandra said, nodding. "I need a new one."
The girls had all grown a bit over the summer. Time for new uniforms. Blake, however, didn't bother—his levitating cloak was self-cleaning, dust-proof, and resized itself automatically.
After breakfast, the girls insisted on opening their own dimensional gates to Diagon Alley.
Blake reluctantly allowed it, making each portal land them near their respective parents. They agreed to meet outside Flourish and Blotts.
When Blake and Nagini arrived in Diagon Alley, something felt… off.
The streets were quieter than usual.
And the walls were plastered with posters—Sirius Black's wanted face glared from every corner.
Apparently, the longer Sirius remained at large, the more fear spread. Rumors swirled about his power to obliterate entire streets. No wonder wizards avoided crowded places like Diagon Alley.
"Let's go," Blake said to Nagini, heading toward the bookstore.
They stopped to restock on potion ingredients and parchment. Along the way, Blake noticed eyes on them.
He turned quickly. People walked by, pretending not to look.
Professionals. Aurors, most likely.
Wait… is Harry here today?
Blake rubbed his chin. Security was clearly tighter than usual.
There was only one reason: protection.
And Harry Potter was the most protected boy in the wizarding world.
Just as Blake reached Flourish and Blotts, he spotted a figure lurking in the shadows.
Snape.
If Snape was here, Harry definitely was.
Then—
"Blake! Good morning!"
A red blur rushed in front of him. Ginny Weasley stood beaming.
"Ah… Ginny, good morning. You've gotten even more beautiful since I last saw you."
Ginny's face turned a brighter red than her hair.
From the alley, Blake saw Snape sneer and spit. Clearly jealous.
Soon, the Weasley brothers arrived. Fred and George immediately flanked Ginny like protective bodyguards.
Ginny peeked between them. "Blake, come visit us! I want to ask you about flying!"
Fred frowned. "Ginny, we can teach you to fly."
George added, "Yeah, Charlie too. He was captain!"
"But Hufflepuff won last year," Ginny said. "Blake's the best Chaser Hogwarts has seen in centuries!"
Fred and George couldn't argue with that.
"Can you fly better than Blake?" Ginny challenged.
"…No," the twins muttered.
"Then why not ask him?"
She pushed past them and grabbed Blake's arm.
Fred and George looked heartbroken.
"Your brothers are really good," Blake said kindly. "Best Beaters in years."
The twins' expressions softened slightly.
Blake handed out spicy strips, instantly lifting their spirits.
"Blake, please come over to play Quidditch with us," Ginny pleaded.
Blake glanced at the bookstore. Still no sign of the others.
"I've been busy lately," he whispered, "but I promise I'll visit soon."
"Really?"
"Of course."
"Okay, I'll wait!" she said, running off, her face glowing.
Just then, Cassandra and her parents arrived.
Blake calmly patted his chest. Perfect timing—as always.
Sure enough, Harry was with the Weasleys.
Hermione and the others soon appeared.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked relaxed after their travels. Mr. Lovegood was still as eccentrically dressed as ever—money hadn't improved his taste.
Mr. Worley remained cold toward Blake, but Mrs. Worley was warm and kind. The contrast confused Blake.
Together, they flooded into Flourish and Blotts, reviving the slow shop with noise and laughter.
Blake helped select books until he spotted Snape gesturing from the alley.
He asked Nagini to finish his purchases, then slipped out.
"Oh, Severus. Here to guard Harry?"
"Dumbledore's orders," Snape replied, eyes narrowing.
"What do you need? I've got textbooks to buy."
Snape scowled. "You forgot your promise, didn't you?"
Ten days had passed since Blake swore to help with Snape's experiment. Still no sign of him starting. Most of Snape's reminder letters had gone ignored.
"I was going to start tomorrow," Blake protested.
"Tonight."
Blake gestured to the bookstore. "Their parents are here. Once they leave, I'll be free."
"Start tonight," Snape insisted.
"You sure you're free? Isn't Harry your priority?"
"He's going back to the Burrow tonight. It's safer. I won't need to follow."
"…Alright. But I need a spacious, quiet place to work."
"I'll arrange it," Snape said. He'd bulldoze his own home if it meant getting Blake to start.
"Should we tell Dumbledore?"
Snape hesitated.
Blake continued, "He'll find out eventually—especially once little Lily is born. Might as well loop him in now."
Snape nodded reluctantly.
"Oh, and we'll need an experienced wet nurse."
Snape frowned as if Blake had just asked him to wrestle a troll.
"Is that… necessary?"
"Who'll care for the baby? You? Can you make formula? Change diapers?"
Snape fell silent. Of course he couldn't.
He was a lifelong bachelor—he'd never done anything like that.
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