When Christmas arrived, Lys was in a distant country chasing down her shipments.
This country didn't celebrate Christmas, but their Muggle-produced Christmas goods were exported worldwide. Lys perched on the edge of orderly buildings, boredly watching the wizards below and Muggles beyond the street.
She'd attempted contact with Muggles previously, but received warnings from MACUSA wizards after those Muggles had dragged Lys into a police station—their equipment had even captured footage of Lys modifying the officers' memories!
Lys found those Muggles absolutely fascinating. When you presented alchemical items and diluted potions, declaring: "This is cutting-edge technology, this is revolutionary, this is imported," they'd actually believe it!
But Lys only grasped why those Muggles believed after a half-blood wizard's hint.
Not because they were foolish, but because...
What magic could accomplish, they were gradually achieving too—even surpassing magical capabilities in certain areas.
When Lys learned those Muggles had actually walked on the moon, she finally comprehended how catastrophic it would be if the power balance between wizards and Muggles shattered—the sheer danger level between both races.
Lys withdrew her hand that had been reaching toward Muggles, quietly redirecting her attention to mundane materials and daily necessities.
As Lys ceased those boundary-crossing activities, several families retracted their wary surveillance.
They remained confident in their ability to maintain wizard-Muggle separation until the inevitable day arrived. Before then, no one should breach this barrier.
"Grindelwald..."
"They're simply different people with different values."
"What sort of world shall we create..."
Lys idly swayed her wand whilst standing at the rooftop's edge, lost in contemplation.
The moon...
A wizard ascended the rooftop then, coughing softly to announce his presence.
Lys turned, asking: "What is it?"
The wizard spoke hurriedly: "Madam, it truly isn't our reluctance to deliver. That batch of Flobberworm-processing tree sap has been delayed far too long in Britain. Their staff keep fobbing us off, claiming they've fugitives to capture and no time for our inspections, but..."
Lys sighed, completing his sentence: "But actually they simply want more money, whilst your profit margins can't accommodate additional advances. My ears are developing calluses from this refrain. I understand—I'll make a trip to Britain."
"Lulu! You and those two subordinates mind your safety. Wizards here live dangerously close to Muggles. I'll chase down the shipment."
Muggles in Lys's perception no longer resembled fat Sandy who'd once rescued her and Mum in the forest. They'd begun emanating a perilous aura Lys needed to avoid.
Even though Lys had once audaciously participated in African continental affairs.
But then, she hadn't heard Muggles could stand upon the moon...
After instructing Lulu, Lys found somewhere to return to Germany first.
Friedm was home enjoying his Christmas holidays.
"Fancy visiting your Draco?"
"Yes yes yes yes yes!"
Lucius regarded his junior schoolmate across his desk with a headache, plus Friedm, who for some reason sported rather ostentatious accessories this time.
He stated quite bluntly: "Impossible. The Ministry's in absolute chaos—you simply cannot comprehend. They're not making excuses; they're genuinely being ordered about by the Minister."
Seeing Lys merely stare at him expressionlessly, Lucius still refused agreement: "Two days—bloody hell, wouldn't a week suffice? This is Christmas vacation! How many Galleons must I spend!"
Lys settled Lucius with one bland statement: "You receive an additional ten percent share of that shipment."
Lucius immediately replied: "Right then, who told you you're my dear junior?"
Had Noah not already contracted away the remaining shares, she'd have gladly given them all to Lucius. She suspected her senior would rise immediately and personally visit the responsible party.
Naturally, this was all jest—minor complaints and face-saving between them.
The Malfoy family hardly lacked such modest orders.
After all, whilst her senior maintained dignity with outsiders, among their own people...
At dinner, Lys observed Friedm seated beside her and Draco holding his head high next to Narcissa with some bewilderment.
The atmosphere between these boys seemed rather off...
Before bed, Lys drowsily clutched a book, yawning when she spotted Friedm at her door with a pillow.
She helplessly ruffled her hair, frowning: "What's wrong?"
If Senior Lucius didn't genuinely struggle accepting her father's lycanthropy, Lys would drag Noah over immediately to resolve his son's "minor problem."
Lys had traversed three countries today across significant time zones. She was thoroughly exhausted.
Friedm hugged his pillow whilst recounting how his friend constantly mentioned another person's name, discriminated against bloodlines, and despised small furry creatures.
An hour later, Lys finally grasped the situation.
Because Friedm had defended Hagrid and that Hippogriff—both possessing "flawed" bloodlines—Draco determined he was indirectly defending that Potter boy.
Actually, Friedm didn't know little Potter whatsoever. Indeed, because Potter's son attracted Draco's attention, he thoroughly despised Potter's son too.
Regarding defending Hagrid, Lys had mentioned her decent relationship with Hogwarts' gamekeeper, and due to Noah's condition, Friedm remained somewhat sensitive about this topic.
As for small furry creatures—what was wrong with them? However terrifying, furry things still shed...
"Go demonstrate your Patronus Charm to your Draco, then return. You're sleeping on the sofa!"
Sure enough, next day—though Draco maintained his proud demeanor—he kept wanting to chat with Friedm, despite having little to discuss.
Soon conversation shifted to the Patronus CharmDraco wished to explore: "Truly can't fathom why the headmaster, who so adamantly rejected our family's proposals previously, would permit Dementors into school this time. Those are Dementors! Just to protect Potter—His Scarred Majesty the Savior." Draco's grimace when mentioning the Savior made Friedm chuckle.
Seizing this opportunity, Draco awkwardly voiced his request: "Can you—I mean, are you still capable of casting the Patronus Charm?"
"Naturally! I can even teach you, Draco. But the condition is you mustn't keep mentioning your Scarred Majesty the Savior in our conversations!"
"Of course—there's nothing noteworthy about him, is there? Though I heard someone gifted him a Firebolt for Christmas. Don't know if it's true, but I'm rather dissatisfied about this. Father wouldn't..."
The boys' awkward spat erupted quickly and concluded just as swiftly.
Meanwhile, Lys was so knackered her eyes kept drooping. Habits developed over recent years made sleeping difficult with others present, especially since Friedm had snored and kicked off covers all night.
Like housing a young dragon in her room.
Lys couldn't count how many times she'd raised her wand to re-cover him. Eventually she simply charmed three blanket edges to the sofa-turned-mattress.
Yawning, Lys didn't fancy returning to bed at this hour. After consideration, she accompanied Lucius to Diagon Alley.
Discovering material prices remained typically unchanged, she parted from Lucius—who was exchanging pleasantries—and settled in the ice cream parlor.
Whilst secretly lamenting current ice cream couldn't match what she'd sneaked during her chubbier days, Lys withdrew a book.
Before Friedm and the others finished their broomstick session, she wouldn't return to play goalkeeper for two children.
Hey readers! 👋
Great news! HP: The Stellar Witch [OFC] main storyline is now complete on Patreon!
And that's not all - we've got 4 exclusive bonus chapters in the works that you won't find anywhere else!
Enjoy the read, and thanks for being awesome! 💫
👉 Join on -
patreon.com/DarkGolds