The whole city of London stretched out before them with its characteristic mix of noise, people, cars, and neon signs flashing even in broad daylight.
Aurelian took a deep breath as they discreetly appeared in an alleyway away from Muggle eyes. At his side, Hestia and Flora watched everything with wide eyes, clinging to each of his arms as if the whole world were a dangerous but fascinating novelty.
Both were wearing their newly chosen Muggle outfits.
Hestia wore a dark blue skirt with black tights and a fitted white blouse with subtle details. Flora wore a black dress and jacket accompanied by a small silver necklace.
Aurelian had already seen them, but watching them under the rare London sunlight... left him speechless again for a few seconds.
"Really... you both look incredible," he finally said, making them blush immediately.
"We know," Flora replied, although her voice trembled a little.
"But say it again," Hestia asked with an adorable pout.
Aurelian laughed and took their hands to guide them to the main street.
"Again... you look beautiful. Now... our Muggle adventure begins."
The twins practically glowed with happiness.
They walked for a few minutes, watching the shops and cars speed by. Hestia couldn't stop staring at the traffic lights, as if they were some strange magical artifact she was studying.
"Why does that light change color?" she asked, pointing with her finger, fascinated.
"To control traffic," explained Aurelian. "Muggles don't use magic, so they need very precise systems to avoid crashing into and damaging each other."
"That's... curious and somewhat adorable," whispered Flora, as if talking about Muggles were like talking about kittens.
Aurelian shook his head with a smile.
Finally, they arrived at a small fast food restaurant. A vendor served customers from a window, and behind him was a row of machines that Hestia and Flora found mesmerizing.
Aurelian stood in front of the window.
"Three Coca-Colas, please."
Hestia and Flora looked at each other, confused.
"Coke... what?" asked Hestia.
The vendor handed them three cups filled with a dark, bubbly liquid containing ice inside. The twins looked at the drink with suspicion and caution.
"Are we supposed to drink this? Is it safe?" asked Flora, leaning back as if it might explode.
Aurelian took his glass and took a sip as if it were perfectly normal.
"Yes, it's completely safe. It's very popular among Muggles. Come on, try it."
The twins looked at each other, raising an eyebrow. They both brought the glasses to their lips and took a small sip.
The change in their expression was immediate.
Their eyes widened, their cheeks flushed, and then they began to cough softly from the gas in the drink.
"Ouch! It stings!" protested Hestia, her eyes wide open.
"Why is it bubbling in my mouth?" asked Flora, genuinely offended.
Aurelian couldn't help but laugh.
"It's normal, they're just bubbles. It's part of its charm... try it again."
Hestia took another small sip.
"It's weird... but it's good," she admitted.
Flora imitated her.
"Very tasty, in fact."
Aurelian watched them with a warm, gentle smile that he couldn't wipe off his face.
"Welcome to the Muggle world," he said. "And we're just getting started."
The twins took his arm again, now with more excitement than curiosity.
"Then show us everything," they asked in unison, their eyes shining as if the whole world were a surprise.
"We want to see how you live... how you eat... how you have fun..."
Aurelian led them back to the main street.
"Perfect. Today, London will be yours."
And so began their first date in the Muggle world.
Three young people walking through the city, two witches marveling at everything they saw, and a boy delighted to see the reactions of the two people who made his heart beat faster.
The twins' eyes darted from side to side, trying to take in everything they saw: cars, traffic lights, buses, giant screens, cafes full of people, and children running through the streets.
The whole place was noisy, lively, and chaotic, but that's why it was so fascinating.
"This world is... strange," whispered Flora, squeezing Aurelian's arm a little.
"But not unpleasant," added Hestia, leaning over to look at a display case full of electronic devices. "Look at that. How does that thing show images?"
Aurelian let out a soft laugh.
"That's a television. Muggles use it to watch news, sports, movies, music... basically for just about everything."
They both looked at him in surprise.
"They don't need magic for that..." murmured Flora.
"No," replied Aurelian, "and yet they manage to create incredible things."
After walking for a while, Aurelian led them to a large building with a bright sign that read Cinema.
When they entered, the dim lights and the smell of popcorn made them both freeze for a few seconds.
"It smells... incredible," Flora whispered.
"Where are we?" Hestia asked, looking up at the ceiling as if she expected something to fall from above.
Aurelian took two large bags of popcorn and handed them to them before leading them into a dark room.
"We're going to watch a movie," he explained as they made their way through the seats. "A movie is... like a story where people act and it's projected onto a giant screen."
Flora snuggled up close to him, looking around in amazement.
"All that without magic?"
"Without magic," he confirmed.
Hestia, sitting on the other side, took some popcorn and looked at him in surprise.
"It tastes salty! And sweet at the same time? What kind of alchemy is this?"
"Just a little Muggle cooking," Aurelian replied, trying not to laugh too much.
When the lights went out completely, the twins jumped slightly, each clutching one of Aurelian's arms more tightly.
"Calm down, it's okay," he whispered.
Then the screen lit up.
A huge explosion of light and sound filled the room, causing Hestia and Flora to jump out of their seats again.
"What... what is that? It's alive!" exclaimed Flora, pointing subtly at the screen.
"It's not alive," Aurelian laughed softly. "It's just a projection."
"It's huge!" whispered Hestia, her eyes shining. "And it moves without magic... Aurelian, are you sure it's not an enchantment?"
"Absolutely sure," he said, stroking their heads.
Little by little, they both relaxed, letting the story envelop them. They leaned forward, surprised, laughed softly, murmured fascinated comments, and sometimes exchanged glances, amazed by what they were experiencing.
For Aurelian, seeing them like this... discovering a whole new world, he wouldn't trade that moment for anything.
Hestia leaned close to his ear and whispered.
"This world... is beautiful too."
And Flora rested her head on his shoulder, adding.
"I like seeing it with you."
Aurelian smiled, taking their hands in the darkness as the light from the screen illuminated their faces.
What made the world magical didn't always come from a spell. Sometimes it came from moments like this.
The afternoon had turned orange when the makeshift portkey they used to return from London dropped them right in front of the entrance to Gaunt Manor.
Aurelian gently held Hestia's hand, while Flora, still fascinated by everything she had seen in the Muggle world, walked beside them with a smile that she couldn't wipe off her face.
"I can't believe that whole story was just a movie!" Flora said, waving her hands excitedly.
"And that device that... exploded lights on us?" Hestia asked, frowning, remembering the projector. "I thought it was some kind of weird spell."
Aurelian laughed.
"It's Muggle technology. It uses only mechanisms and energy."
The twins looked at each other, each equally incredulous.
"Those Muggles never cease to amaze me," Hestia admitted.
"And they haven't even seen an airport yet," Aurelian replied quietly, amused.
As they walked through the front door, Stinky appeared, jumping up and down with excitement, his large ears moving with each step.
"My Lord Aurelian!" he said with a smile that lit up his face. "A package arrived for you while you were with your... ladies!"
Hestia and Flora looked at each other, blushing slightly when Stinky emphasized "your ladies."
"A package, from whom?" asked Aurelian, raising an eyebrow.
Stinky nodded and with a snap of his fingers produced an elegant square box covered with golden wax and alchemical symbols.
The young lord felt a familiar magical vibe as soon as he touched it.
"It's theirs," he murmured, recognizing the magic.
"Whose?" asked Flora, leaning in to get a better look.
Aurelian carefully broke the seal. Inside, he found a thick black-covered grimoire and an envelope with Nicolas Flamel's impeccable handwriting.
He read aloud for Hestia and Flora to hear:
"Dear Aurelian,
We regret to inform you that we will not be able to welcome you this summer. Certain matters have arisen that require our immediate attention.
We know you were looking forward to continuing your training here, so we are sending you a grimoire with our personal notes on alchemy, ancient runes, and advanced transmutation theory. Use it wisely.
Perenelle adds that you take care of yourself, don't overdo it, and say hello to 'those girls who steal your heart' for her.
With affection, Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel."
Aurelian dropped his arm with amused resignation.
Hestia and Flora blinked several times.
"Excuse me?" said Hestia. "You know Nicolas Flamel? That Nicolas Flamel?"
"The only one," Aurelian replied, trying not to laugh at the twins' expressions.
Flora stared at him.
"And you two... know each other?"
"Let's say... yes," Aurelian scratched the back of his neck, blushing. "It's a long story."
Hestia crossed her arms.
"And why are you only telling us this now?" she asked, staring at him intently.
Aurelian raised the grimoire with a mischievous smile.
"Because I was afraid you would try to kidnap him to find out what's inside."
The two looked at him indignantly for a second, then became completely interested in what he had in his hands.
"What's inside?"
"Advanced alchemy?"
"Ancient seals?"
"Let us see it!"
Aurelian laughed as he took a few steps back, holding the book out of their reach.
"First take a breath, and then we'll see."
The twins, of course, were not willing to give up so easily. Their laughter, protests, and hurried footsteps echoed through the halls of the mansion. It was certainly an unexpected and perfectly chaotic end to a date in the Muggle world.
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