Chapter 63: Chapter 63: New Beginnings

The Muggle side of King’s Cross bustled with Monday afternoon energy. Commuters rushed past with briefcases, tourists fumbled with maps, and children darted between harried parents. Arthur had taken three steps away from the brick barrier when a familiar voice cut through the noise.

“Arthur! Arthur! Over here!”

He turned to see Aurora Thatcher weaving through the crowd. Her crisp navy pantsuit and authoritative stride marked her immediately as government—MI6 specifically, though ordinary passersby wouldn’t recognize the subtle signs.

“Didn’t expect to see you here,” Arthur said flatly as she reached him. “How did you even know I’d be here? I could have apparated directly from the platform and you’d have missed me entirely.”

“I heard about your injury.” Aurora lowered her voice, glancing around to ensure privacy. “Magical core damage. Figured you’d use the normal exit.”

Arthur’s jaw tightened. “News travels fast.”

“I’ve been in contact with Amelia Bones. She told me everything.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Why didn’t you tell me about something this serious?”

“Why? So MI6 could update my file?”

Aurora’s professional mask slipped, revealing genuine concern. “Because I’ve been your guardian for seven years, Arthur. Magic or not.”

“Just a government-appointed guardian. Nothing special.”

“Still the same charming personality, I see.” She gestured toward the exit. “Need a ride?”

Arthur considered declining purely out of spite, but remembered he needed to ask her something. “Fine.”

They walked in uncomfortable silence through the station and out to a sleek black Audi parked in a restricted zone. Government plates explained the prime parking spot.

“So,” Aurora said once they were moving through London traffic, “what happened?”

“Magical accident.” Arthur watched buildings pass outside the window. “It’ll heal eventually.”

“That’s not what Bones said.”

“Would I be in such a jolly mood if my magic was gone for good?”

“No.”

“That answers your question.”

Aurora took a sharp turn, cutting off a taxi. “Seven years, and you still can’t manage a normal conversation.”

“You know the reason.”

“Yeah.” Aurora’s knuckles whitened on the steering wheel. “But you know I couldn’t do anything. My superiors stopped me from continuing the investigations.”

“And you listened,” Arthur replied coldly. “That will always be a barrier between us.”

“Can’t you forget it? It would be dangerous. I suspect powerful people are involved.”

“Never. I will have my vengeance.”

“Okay, let’s not ruin the mood anymore.” She navigated around a double-parked delivery truck. “So what’s the plan now? Still America?”

“Nothing’s changed.”

“Except your magic.”

“A temporary setback.”

Aurora shot him a sideways glance. “And Voldemort’s return? Not a factor in your calculations?”

Arthur stiffened. “How do you know about that?”

“We have our sources.”

“Apparently better ones than most wizards.” Arthur’s tone sharpened. “The Ministry’s already in denial mode.”

“And you’re still leaving? Even knowing what’s coming?”

“The wizarding world created him. They can deal with him.”

“That’s cold, even for you.”

“It’s practical.” Arthur watched a family laughing outside a café. “One dark wizard against an entire magical community who technically have the means to defend themselves. If they can’t overcome their fear, they deserve what happens.”

Aurora fell silent. Arthur seized the opportunity to redirect the conversation.

“Why are you worried about Voldemort? It shouldn’t matter much to you, right? The wizarding community will handle it when it becomes too much. Not like you can do anything about it anyway.”

“So you know about the Covenant.”

“Yes.” Arthur’s lips quirked into a cold smile. “Funny how someone wanted to recruit me for MI6 when, according to the rules, it’s forbidden.”

Aurora took another sharp turn. “It’s forbidden, but there are loopholes. We can’t train you or use you against the wizarding world, but there are other areas where we need people with your… perspective.”

“Well, since you haven’t asked me to join again, I guess the offer is off the table.” Arthur’s voice remained neutral. “Your boss knows about my injury.”

“Yes.”

Arthur muttered “And you wonder why I don’t share my secrets with you.”

“What do you plan to do in America?” Aurora asked, acting as if she had not heard Arthur’s muttering. “You know the Covenant limits your options.”

“I’ll find loopholes, same as you.” Arthur straightened. “Speaking of which, I need your help.”

“What?”

“I want to take A-levels without waiting until next year. Can your agency get me a certificate?”

Aurora nearly missed a turn. “No! I won’t break rules like that. Besides, you’re injured—take some time to rest. You’ve worked too hard and need recovery. You’ll also need time to study the course materials.”

“Plan B then. Was worth a try.” Arthur shrugged. “I’ll just use magic to bypass the requirement.”

“What?”

“Charm a blank paper so everyone sees it as my certificate. I’m not wasting time on some exam.”

“You’d be breaking the Statute of Secrecy,” Aurora hissed. “And how would you even manage it when you can’t use magic?”

“I have a friend who’ll help. It’s not breaking any statute if I don’t get caught.”

Aurora’s knuckles whitened on the steering wheel as she tried to dissuade him. Arthur remained unmoved—just as stubborn as he’d been in September when refusing her job offer. Finally, she sighed in defeat.

“I’ll help you arrange a private examination,” she conceded. “You’ll need to pass it yourself—no magical cheating.”

“Fine by me.”

“And you’ll owe me a favor.”

“Whatever.”

The conversation shifted to less contentious topics as they drove. London’s streets narrowed as they entered Belgravia, where Arthur’s townhouse stood among elegant neighbors.

“Here we are,” she said, putting the car in park. “Home sweet home.”

Arthur opened his door. “Thanks for the ride. Want to come in?”

She shook her head. “I’m not falling for that. With your current condition, I’d end up doing all the cleaning and setup. Your place has probably gathered dust for months.”

Arthur had meant no such thing, but merely shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

“I’ll call about those A-levels,” Aurora said as he stepped out. “I’ll try to arrange it as soon as possible.”

“Appreciated.”

Arthur watched her car disappear around the corner before approaching his front door. The wards he’d placed around the house just last year recognized him immediately, the door unlocking at his touch.

In his study, Arthur stood before a portrait of his parents. They smiled down at him—ordinary painted figures, not magical portraits that moved and spoke.

“I’m back,” he said simply.

After confirming the house’s security, Arthur moved to the center of the entrance hall.

“Winky,” he called softly.

A sharp crack split the silence. Where empty space had been a moment before, his house elf now stood.

“Master Hayes!” Winky beamed, her transformed appearance still startling. “Winky has been waiting for your call!”

“Welcome to our London home,” Arthur said, indicating the elegant surroundings. “This is one of my houses.”

Winky looked around with wide, appreciative eyes. “Beautiful home! No dust even after months away!”

“Preservation charms,” Arthur explained, heading toward his study. “Placed when I turned of age last year.”

Arthur then looked into Winky’s eyes and using legilimency, shared a memory with her. The image of a manor outside London unfolded in her mind. There were no issues with using mind magic in his current state.

“This is Hayes Manor,” he explained as the elf absorbed the information. “My other home. Can you take us there?”

Winky closed her eyes briefly, processing the new knowledge. When she opened them, determination shone in her gaze.

“Yes, Master Hayes. Winky can do it.”

She extended her small hand. Arthur took it, and with a crack louder than any wizard’s Apparition, they vanished from the townhouse.

They materialized in a grand entrance hall with marble floors and a sweeping staircase.

“Excellent,” Arthur said, orienting himself in the space. “Now for our primary objective. Last night, I showed you an item in Hogwarts—a large wooden cabinet with carved symbols.”

“Vanishing Cabinet!” Winky nodded eagerly. “Winky remembers.”

“Can you retrieve it and bring it here?”

Winky squared her shoulders. “Winky will do it!”

She disappeared with another crack. Arthur had barely begun examining the room’s magical defenses when a thunderous sound announced her return. The massive cabinet materialized beside her, its dark wood gleaming with ancient power.

Arthur approached it with carefully concealed excitement. “Impressive work, Winky. Most fully-qualified wizards couldn’t transport something this size.”

“Winky is strong now,” she replied, a note of pride in her voice.

“Indeed.” Arthur ran his fingers along the cabinet’s surface, feeling the magic pulse beneath them. “Let’s move this to the basement where it will be secure.”

With another crack, they and the cabinet relocated to the manor’s extensive cellar. Arthur positioned it against the far wall, away from potential interference.

“Now we go to another house of mine,” he said, pulling open the heavy door.

Arthur stepped inside, gesturing for Winky to follow. The door closed behind them, plunging them into momentary darkness.

When light returned, they stood in another basement. Walking out of there, Winky got her first glimpse of Arthur’s Beverly Hills mansion.

Winky gasped, her eyes widening to almost comical proportions. “We… we are in another country?”

“Yes,” Arthur confirmed, “Three thousand miles from Britain in an instant.”

The house elf approached the windows cautiously, mesmerized by the sprawling city below. “This is where Master Hayes will live now?”

“Maybe. Maybe not. Consider this a hideout,” Arthur replied.

LA wasn’t really that important in the grand scheme of things. To witness all the significant events, he needed to be in New York. He’d have to buy another house there eventually. But there was no hurry—it wasn’t the right time to cash in his investments for another property. An opportunity would come in a few years. He would wait until then.

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