"It's almost the 21st century, and here you are, Old Man, still arranging marriages?"
William slammed his hand on the table, eyes wide with anger, and began loudly condemning Dumbledore's feudalism and whatnot.
...Wait, weren't we originally discussing Fawkes's marriage?
Isn't it because you stole a bird from me...
"...So, what are you trying to say?"
Dumbledore was silent for a moment, then sighed resignedly.
"You have to learn to respect the kid's personal wishes. You need to ask if Fawkes is willing to go back with you—"
Clearly, the heartless big red bird had no intention of leaving. It didn't even bother to turn its head to look at Dumbledore; instead, it stretched its neck to help the Thunderbird groom its deep brown chest feathers.
Tsk, simp.
Watching this scene, even though it wasn't unexpected, William couldn't help but internally remark. He never thought that a bird like Fawkes, with such thick eyebrows and big eyes, would have this side—
"...Alright, it seems I do need to respect its own thoughts."
Seeing this, Dumbledore remained silent for a long time, then heaved a long sigh. He reached into his robe, pulled out a large package of snacks, and handed it to William. "This is its favorite snack. I'll leave it to you to care for it for the time being—"
There was a touch of unnatural loneliness in the old man's voice.
Like watching a daughter he raised with so much care, being taken away by a punk with bleach-blonde hair riding a ghostly fire scooter, holding a bucket of iced tea and a tube of Crest toothpaste, yet he is powerless to stop it...
After all, if Fawkes wants to leave, no one can keep a Phoenix here.
Shifting his gaze from the "simp" Fawkes, Dumbledore turned back to Lupin, "Then, before the school term begins, Professor McGonagall will send you a letter notifying you of all the items you need to prepare. Until then, you can stay here with William—"
As he spoke, the old man glanced around. Of course, he recognized the Starry Sky Circus and also linked it with Norbert's true identity, but he didn't say anything. It was just a Werewolf Circus, and besides, he had understood the changes the Starry Sky Circus had gone through during this period—
These are actually good things.
"By the way, keep an eye on him, make sure he doesn't mistreat Fawkes."
Then, the old man winked playfully, and everyone could see he was just making a casual joke—as the air twisted and shimmered, the old man's figure disappeared.
"Uh, goodbye...Professor."
Remus Lupin stared dazedly at where the old man had disappeared.
"Yes, you're in my hands now."
William chuckled and nodded, then turned away from Lupin's reaction and said to Mundungus nearby, "Get him a bed, something comfortable. This might be his last good night's sleep."
"?"
......
"...You're still as ugly as ever."
Astoria Greengrass stood in front of an algae-covered glass tank, tilted her head up, and frowned as she spoke.
"Roar..."
Seemingly hearing the girl's comment, the merperson in the tank turned and rushed toward the glass, trying to intimidate the girl with its fierce face.
But she maintained her deadpan expression, the two locked in a stare-off until someone patted her shoulder, "Hey, what are you still doing here?" Daphne Greengrass followed her sister's gaze, and upon seeing the merperson's appearance, she wrinkled her nose in distaste.
"Just looking."
Astoria shook her head, her light blonde hair swaying gently. She didn't continue the staring game with the merperson but instead looked around her sister's behind, "Where are Mom and Dad?" She asked when she couldn't find her target.
"They went ahead to where we'll be staying for the trip—hey, we're about to go to France, can you perk up a bit?"
Daphne cupped her sister's cheeks, loudly exclaimed. Yes, indeed, after some persuasion, Mr. Greengrass finally approved of this family trip, and the destination, of course, was the same as the Starry Sky Circus's, Paris, France.
Everyone involved in the Fire Dragon incident got compensation, and since they were right in the front row, it included their family too.
Along with the compensation, the Greengrass family also received an invitation to travel. After all, although the Starry Sky Circus was wealthy, they didn't see the need to charter an entire ship, so they sold the extra cabins, including accommodations, under the pretense of a romantic European tour with the circus—
But there weren't as many wide-eyed people as imagined, so Mundungus simply chose to give away the extra tickets as compensation.
My "compensation" is in place, whether you come or not is entirely up to you—
And thus, they came, even though the aftereffects of their last Starry Sky Circus visit hadn't completely faded—Mrs. Greengrass would get a headache whenever she heard a child's crying.
But, only a fool would pass on a freebie.
Even an old pure-blood wizard family couldn't avoid temptation.
"Of course..."
Astoria nodded dispiritedly. Apparently, the one who did the persuading wasn't her; she'd rather stay home and watch Muggle movies than travel with a ship full of Magical Creatures...
But before the girl could sigh audibly, a flash from not far away caught her eye—
"What's that..."
The girl broke free from her sister's grip, eyes wide as she looked toward a corner in the distance—
"What?"
Daphne also turned her head, squinting as she searched for a while before eventually looking down in confusion.
"There—"
Astoria lowered her voice, as if afraid of alarming whoever or whatever it was. She pointed to a corner of the fish tank where a black mass was moving continuously.
At this point, Daphne also noticed what her sister was pointing to, and she instinctively held her breath—"What is that?" The girl widened her eyes, her deep blue pupils filled with curiosity.
But Astoria just shook her head and then pulled out her children's Magic Wand from her pocket...a moment later, she lowered her head dejectedly, "Can you catch it?" The girl looked at her sister, who had been at Hogwarts for two years, with eyes full of hope.
"Of course—"
Daphne instinctively responded, her voice a bit loud.
"Shh—"
"Oh, it's fine. Not sure what that thing is, but it probably didn't hear us—"
"Catch it."
Astoria repeated.
"Okay."
This time Daphne simply nodded, then reached into her pocket—not for a Magic Wand, but rather for two lumps of purple-green unidentified objects, which she then hurled at the black mass with great force.