Gaunt Manor rested under the soft light of dawn. The windows let in rays of light that heralded a new day, warmly illuminating the corridors of the place, from the library shelves full of books and ancient grimoires to the garden that Stinky tended with great effort.
Aurelian stood in the hall, staring intently at the front door, waiting for the moment when it would open. Between his fingers he held the letter from Hestia and Flora... he had read it so many times that, although short, every word was etched in his memory.
"It looks like they're coming today," he said quietly.
Behind him, Stinky appeared quietly, trying not to disturb him. His large eyes shone with pride, joy, and a great excitement that he could barely contain.
"Stinky knows, my lord," he replied. "The young ladies are finally coming home," he said, raising his arms.
Aurelian turned to him with a small smile. Although he seemed calm... there was a warm glow in his dark eyes.
"I just want them to feel comfortable. At the end of the day, this will also be... their home."
Stinky pounded his small chest with his hand, like a soldier swearing allegiance.
"Everything is ready, my lord," he declared with adorable solemnity. "Stinky has prepared the reading room, the rooms where they will stay, and the greenhouse with the flowers that the young master likes. I also made tea, chocolate and raspberry cakes, and lemon sweets... Stinky remembers that the young ladies enjoy them very much."
Aurelian blinked in surprise and smiled smugly at him.
"Thank you, Stinky... I know you didn't like them very much before."
The house elf stood still for a moment, pondering the perfect words to respond.
Then he spoke, softly.
"Well, it's true that at first they scared me a little... but over time... seeing their connection, my lord, I knew they loved you deeply. Lady Elaine always said that love must be shared, as well as having a place to rest. Stinky just makes that place exist."
The silence that followed was soft and warm.
Aurelian looked away toward a window where the garden stretched out in soft colors.
"Hestia and Flora are important to me," he said without much drama. "It's not like any other bond. When I'm with them, life... becomes better... less heavy."
Stinky nodded slowly, with the silent wisdom of one who has lived through more pain than he shows.
"Stinky knows," he replied. "Stinky saw you grow, think, cry, and become strong. The master deserves to be loved... he deserves to be happy."
Aurelian took a deep breath.
The words hung in the air. Then, a familiar sound interrupted the moment.
A "pop" was heard a few feet behind the front door.
That was the signal that someone had just appeared within the mansion's defenses.
Stinky lifted his chin amusedly.
"Looks like the ladies are here."
Aurelian took a step toward the door. He took a breath, trying not to look rushed or anxious.
The doorknob turned slowly before the door opened.
There they were, Hestia and Flora holding hands, smiling as if they had arrived at their... home.
The door swung open, letting the air caress Hestia and Flora's dark hair. Both were wearing comfortable but not overly elegant dresses, appropriate for travel.
Aurelian took a step forward with a smile. Hestia let go of her sister's hand and moved forward quickly, her eyes shining with affection. Flora followed immediately, never taking her eyes off him.
When they were close, they hugged him tightly, slowly and envelopingly, without haste. Aurelian quickly reciprocated, his right hand on Flora's back and his left on Hestia's waist.
The three of them fit together effortlessly; after all this time, Aurelian had gotten used to hugging them perfectly.
No words were spoken for several long seconds. Only the sound of their breathing as they stood together. Only the warmth that made their world smaller and safer.
Hestia was the first to speak, in a relaxed tone.
"We missed you."
Flora moved away slightly to rest her forehead on his shoulder.
"A lot."
Aurelian closed his eyes and smiled at them.
"I've missed you too."
The three of them moved apart just enough to see each other, so close that their breath mingled.
Aurelian spoke softly to them.
"Come. I want to show you something."
He took both their hands and led them down the hallway. Stinky watched them go with a quiet smile, like a guardian who knows that home is finally complete.
They passed through a stone archway and out into the back garden.
There, sunlight rested on a expanse of green grass and carefully cultivated wildflowers. A willow tree leaned over the pond, its leaves trembling in a gentle breeze.
It was a garden that hadn't been there the last time they were there. Aurelian had built it with Kravix's help. It was a sanctuary... a place to relax and clear your mind.
Hestia looked around, her expression half amazement, half tenderness.
"It's beautiful, just like you," she said, caressing his cheek.
Flora took his hand.
Aurelian sat under the willow tree, with them settling down beside him and resting their heads on his shoulders.
The wind blew their hair together. There were no words. None were needed.
After a while, Hestia spoke, her voice almost a whisper as she enjoyed the calm and peace she felt in that place.
"Are you okay... you know, after the Wizengamot?"
Flora also looked up, interested in his response.
Aurelian exhaled slowly and replied with a soft smile.
"It was more... interesting than I expected."
Hestia smiled and Flora nodded.
"We knew you'd do well... but we were still worried."
"Thank you, girls," Aurelian murmured, drawing them closer. "For being here."
The garden remained silent. The tranquility that could be felt was clear, as if the whole world had decided to stop for the three of them. Under the shade of the willow tree, Hestia and Flora moved closer to Aurelian, their hands intertwined with his. The leaves moved above their heads.
Hestia lifted her face and kissed him tenderly. Flora followed suit, not wanting to be outdone by her sister.
The kisses were neither hurried nor desperate. They were slow. Deep. The kind of kiss that says, "You are mine. Only mine." Their fingers moved and intertwined, their bodies drew closer.
Aurelian blushed and rested his forehead against theirs.
"I really missed these sessions," he said mischievously.
Hestia smiled against his lips.
"We know, my love."
Flora slid a hand down his cheek, looking at him as if he were her whole world.
"We will always be here for you."
They stayed like that for a moment longer, breathing together. Aurelian opened his eyes and his expression changed as he watched the clouds in the sky, becoming more profound.
"Hestia... Flora," he said slowly, "do you know the tale of the three brothers?"
The twins blinked, surprised by the sudden change of subject.
"The one by Beedle the Bard?" asked Hestia.
"They say it's just a story to entertain children before bedtime," added Flora.
Aurelian smiled at them as he looked intently into their eyes.
"That story is real... very real."
The wind seemed to stop. The twins did not speak, but the intensity of their gaze was absolute.
Aurelian reached inside his robe and pulled out a black stone, opaque and polished with an antique appearance.
The two gasped at the same time.
The magic that enveloped the object was unlike any other.
"This, girls," Aurelian said calmly, "is the Stone of Resurrection. The relic that belonged to the second brother."
Flora brought a hand to her lips in amazement. Hestia stared at him without even blinking.
Aurelian held the stone between his fingers, turning it slowly.
"And I want you to meet someone," he added.
His eyes softened. He set aside his attitude as Lord Gaunt, as the heir to an ancient lineage... to be simply a child... a son.
Hestia took his hand, and Flora leaned on his shoulder.
Aurelian closed his eyes and turned the stone three times between his fingers.
The air grew colder for a moment but quickly became warm again. The light in the garden softened as a figure began to materialize.
Slowly. Delicately. Like the memory of a beautiful dream returning to your mind.
A young woman. With long, dark, wavy hair that fell down her back. Eyes full of sweetness and affection and a face that radiated serenity.
Elaine stood there, not as a sad specter or a shadow of the past. She appeared alive... at least in the way that the magic of the stone could allow.
Aurelian stood up gently. He looked at his mother, who was smiling at him with her hands behind her back.
"Mother..." he said softly, "I want to introduce you to some of the most important people in my life."
Hestia and Flora, still sitting under the willow tree, rose gracefully and approached Aurelian. They weren't afraid, but their hearts were beating a mile a minute.
Aurelian extended a hand to them, which they gladly took.
"This is Hestia and Flora Carrow," he continued with a smile. "My companions. My fiancées... the ones I love."
Elaine looked at the twins with a radiant smile. Her eyes, the same warm shade she once used to look at a baby wrapped in blankets, shone with sincere affection.
"I've heard a lot about you," she said, with a smile that seemed to contain all the love in the world.
Hestia felt a lump in her throat and Flora looked down shyly.
Both bowed respectfully.
"It's an honor... to meet you," Flora said softly.
"It really is," added Hestia, gently squeezing Aurelian's hand.
Elaine took a small step forward, floating closer to the girls.
"Thank you," she said, "for being with him. For seeing him. For loving him. For hugging him... for being there for him, for seeing who he is behind his 'tough guy' facade," she finished, winking at them happily.
Hestia felt tears welling up in her eyes, from a feeling too big to fit in her chest.
Flora took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, as if she wanted to keep the sound of that voice forever.
Elaine raised a hand, and although her form was faint, the gesture was maternal, human.
"Take care of my son, okay?" she said calmly. "Not because he is weak... but because even the strongest need a place to feel safe."
Hestia and Flora nodded at the same time, without hesitation.
"Always," they whispered together.
Elaine's gaze then fell on Aurelian. At that moment, her son was not Lord Gaunt, nor a invoker. He was the child who had never been able to have a mother holding his hand as he grew up.
"And you..." she said with a tenderness that only exists in the voice of someone who loves unconditionally, "You must open your heart more, son. Don't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders alone. There are people who will accompany you and be by your side every step of the way."
Aurelian took a deep breath, as if for the first time in a long time he had allowed someone else to bear some of his burden.
"I'll... try, Mother," he replied, lowering his head.
Elaine nodded, satisfied.
And then, quite naturally, she added with a mischievous smile.
"And another thing, you three must take care of yourselves. It's still too early for you to give me grandchildren."
The three of them fell silent.
Hestia blushed to her ears.
Flora covered her face with her hands, hiding the heat rising to her cheeks.
Aurelian simply... froze. Completely incapacitated.
Elaine laughed. A warm, happy laugh.
"You have time," she said affectionately. "Plenty of time. Enjoy your lives."
The wind gently rustled the leaves of the willow tree, accompanying the scene.
Aurelian, still blushing, took Hestia and Flora's hands and squeezed them gently. They smiled slightly at him, still embarrassed.
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