Morning light filtered through the tall windows of the St. Mungo's recovery ward, casting soft gold across Caelum's bed. He had barely stirred, still adjusting to the sensation of being fully awake after more than two weeks lost to darkness. His body ached in dull pulses, his back a raw throb beneath the bandages.
The door burst open.
"Caelum!"
Susan's voice rang out before he could even sit up properly. She launched herself across the room and collided with him in a flurry of sobs, curls, and clumsy limbs, wrapping him in a fierce, trembling hug.
"They didn't let me see you until today!" she wailed into his shoulder.
Caelum winced, half from the pain and half from guilt. He gently placed one hand on her back, surprised at how small she still felt—despite her presence filling the room like a storm. "Hey. It's okay. I'm here now."
Bridget appeared in the doorway, out of breath. "She started crying before we even reached the hospital," she said, sounding both amused and exasperated. "I think the Healers gave up when she threatened to hex the receptionist."
They were seated around the small breakfast table by the window, a tray of warm food between them. Amelia looked more rested than the night before, though shadows still lingered beneath her eyes.
Susan had insisted on staying beside Caelum in the infirmary, quietly fussing over the tray of breakfast that Healer Mirren had left.
"You don't have to watch me eat," Caelum said, half amused as she adjusted the cup at his bedside.
"I'm not watching," Susan replied, her tone defensive but soft. "I'm making sure you actually eat—and not just stare at the wall like you always do."
Bridget nearly choked on her tea.
Caelum gave his sister a flat look, but there was no real bite to it. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen her this fierce and fragile all at once. And when she started crying again, cheeks blotched and voice cracking as she whispered, "I thought you'd go away," Caelum simply let her hold onto him and said gently, "But I didn't. I'm here."
Near midday, Evran and Bastian arrived with a small bundle of gifts: enchanted sweets that danced on your tongue, a soft blue scarf that heated itself on command, and a rather tastefully drawn card featuring a smug-looking owl saying "You survived. Again."
Susan was finally persuaded to go home after lunch, but not without making Caelum promise at least five times that she could come again tomorrow.
Later that afternoon, the door opened again—quieter this time.
Vesper Blackbourne stood just past the threshold, her dark hair catching the sunlight that filtered through the window. She gave a small, hesitant smile.
Amelia, sensing something unspoken, stood and excused herself. "I'll give you two a moment."
Caelum watched Vesper as she approached, sitting on the chair beside his bed.
"How are you feeling?" she asked.
He gave her a faint smile. "Alive. Tired. Can't use magic for two weeks."
Vesper gave a soft hum. "Could be worse."
"Indeed" Caelum glanced at her. "I heard… after I was taken, you went to Dumbledore. Said you had a piece of enchanted wood that could track me."
Vesper nodded once. "Luckily you hadn't used the stick I gave you the first time you went into the Forbidden Forest. That let us use its matching pair to trace your location. It wasn't precise—the wards around the compound where you were held were layered and ancient, making direct tracking impossible. But it was enough for Professor Dumbledore to find the trail."
There was a pause. Then Caelum said, with quiet sincerity, "Thank you. I owe you my life."
She looked at him with something unreadable in her expression—then smiled. "You still haven't paid me back for the last time you owed me."
He chuckled softly. "Right. At this point I'm not sure how I'm ever going to manage it."
Vesper stood. "Then don't promise anything… just don't say no when the time comes."
Caelum met her gaze and nodded. "I won't."
"Be well, Caelum."
"You too, Vesper."
…
The following morning, just after breakfast, new visitors arrived—this time from the Ministry.
Kingsley Shacklebolt entered first, followed by Alastor Moody, whose face immediately twisted into a scowl at the sight of Caelum.
"Boy," Moody growled, "This is the second time I've had to compile a full report on you for the Wizengamot. You'd better hope there isn't a third."
Kingsley shook his head, sighing in amusement. "I'm starting to think I've been demoted to be your personal courier, kid. Delivering packages and letters."
Caelum gave them a small smile. "Nice to see you too, Auror Moody. Auror Shacklebolt."
Amelia offered greetings as well before Kingsley produced a sealed parchment. "Apologies for the timing, but we're here to deliver the decision from the hearing three days ago."
Amelia opened the envelope, eyes scanning quickly—then stopped.
"Unbreakable Vow?" Her voice dropped, furious. "You can't be serious."
Moody grunted. "Compromise. It was either this, or placing the boy in secure containment. Given what happened… most of the court wasn't feeling generous."
As Amelia and Moody began arguing—again—Caelum listened quietly.
Then, softly, he said, "It's okay, Aunt Amelia. I'll do it."
The room fell silent.
Amelia turned to him. "You don't have to—"
"I know," Caelum interrupted. "But I will. If it's the only way they'll let me live my life… then I'll take it."
She didn't answer. But her hand gripped his tighter.