The grand estate loomed before Alex as he walked through the entrance, the familiar weight of its ancient stone walls greeting him like a silent sentinel.
The Du Lac estate, nestled in the shadow of Mont Blanc, was an architectural masterpiece of old-world elegance. Tall spires and ornate carvings adorned the exterior, whispering of a time long past – where knights and nobles once walked these halls, and magic flowed freely between the walls.
The massive steel gate creaked open, revealing a sprawling garden framed by hedges that had been meticulously trimmed, leading to the great oak doors of the main house.
Evening was settling in, casting the sky in hues of orange and violet, as the first stars of the night began to flicker.
For all its grandeur and history, Alex's true treasure lay inside these walls. Family – a word that carried more weight than any of the ancient heirlooms or titles that the Du Lac name boasted.
No matter what happened in the world outside, this place was his sanctuary, a gift bigger than any trait he could have.
As he crossed the threshold, the sound of small, quick footsteps echoed through the hall.
"Big brother!" Eleanor – Elea – his little sister, came barreling toward him, her golden hair flying behind her.
She was a blur of energy and excitement, her wide eyes glowing with joy. Before Alex could even brace himself, she leaped into his arms, hugging him fiercely, her laughter light and innocent.
Alex's heart swelled with warmth as he caught her, lifting her easily and spinning her around. "Elea," he said, his voice filled with affection. "I've missed you too."
In her small, eager arms, Alex felt an overwhelming sense of protection. His sister was everything good and pure in his world – her laughter, her curiosity, her boundless energy. He knew, deep down, that he would burn the world to ashes if it meant keeping her safe. That fierce love was something that had been etched into his very soul.
"Tell me everything!" she demanded; her blue eyes sparkling. "Was it fun? Did you win any duels? Did you make any new friends? Oh! And did you see any dragons?"
Alex chuckled, carrying her further into the house. "Slow down, Elea. We'll get to all of that."
He looked around the familiar surroundings – high ceilings, old tapestries that depicted the Du Lac family's long history, and the scent of lavender drifting through the air.
It felt like a world apart from the chaos of Hogwarts – a calm, serene place where time seemed to move at its own gentle pace.
This place was more than a fortress or a noble seat; it was home, and more importantly, it was where the people he loved were.
Inside, his mother stood by the dining room archway, her expression soft and welcoming. Lady Isolde Du Lac was the epitome of grace, her dark, flowing hair a sharp contrast to her fair skin and the same striking blue eyes that Elea had inherited.
Her smile was gentle, but it held a deeper understanding, a mother's quiet wisdom.
"Welcome home, Alex," she greeted, her voice a melodic warmth that always soothed his heart.
Setting Elea down gently, Alex moved toward his mother, embracing her tightly. "It's good to be back, Mother," he said, and as he breathed in the familiar scent of lavender on her, a deep sense of peacefulness and gratitude washed over him.
Hogwarts had its excitement and challenges, but nothing in the world compared to being with his family. Nothing.
Dinner had been laid out – a simple but elegant spread of roasted vegetables, fresh bread, and a hearty stew.
The long oak table gleamed under the warm light of the chandelier, and Alex felt a calmness settle over him that he hadn't realized he needed. They sat down together, with Elea practically bouncing in her seat with excitement.
"So, Alex, tell me everything!" she said again, her voice nearly trembling with anticipation. "How was your year? Did you get into trouble? What about Quidditch? Did Ravenclaw win? Did – "
"Elea," their mother interrupted gently, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Let your brother eat."
Alex smiled gratefully, taking his first bite. The stew was rich, flavorful, and everything he had missed about home. Hogwarts had its charm, but nothing compared to his mother's cooking.
"You've outdone yourself, as always," Alex said to her with a grin. "I missed this. I missed... all of this." His gaze lingered on both his mother and sister, and for a brief moment, his chest tightened with an almost unbearable sense of love and duty.
His family was his anchor – his reason for fighting, for pushing himself to be stronger – A light that casted away that shadows of his dark past.
His mother smiled softly, watching him with that knowing gaze she always seemed to have, though there was a twinge of sadness hidden beneath "We missed you too, dear. It's good to have you back, even if it's only for a short while."
Alex turned to Elea, who was nearly bouncing out of her chair with excitement. "So, how was your first year at Beauxbatons?"
"It was amazing!" Elea burst out, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "The castle is so beautiful, Alex! It's like something out of a fairy tale – there's this enchanted garden where magical creatures roam, and we even have unicorns! I made friends too – Clara and Yvette. Clara's from Paris, and Yvette's family owns a vineyard in Bordeaux. We're already planning to visit each other over the summer."
Alex couldn't help but smile as she continued to gush about her experiences. Seeing her so happy, so alive with wonder, made his heart swell even more.
He couldn't help but tease her a bit. "So, no trouble at all? No sneaking around after curfew? No secret duels or midnight adventures?"
Elea pouted at the teasing but then grinned mischievously. "Maybe a little sneaking around. But only once! There's a hidden passage in the library that leads to the kitchen, and Clara and I found it one night when we were hungry. But we didn't get caught!"
Alex smiled. His sister was growing up quickly, but her innocence and light remained intact, untouched by the darker side of the world that Alex had come to know too well. He would do anything to keep her that way.
"Unicorns and secret passages, huh? Sounds like you've had your own adventures," Alex teased, his tone light but filled with affection. He couldn't help but laugh as Elea recounted the tale of sneaking into the kitchens after curfew with Clara.
Their mother chuckled quietly, shaking her head. "Children and their adventures," she mused, a mixture of pride and exasperation in her voice.
As they ate, the conversation flowed naturally – Alex answering questions about Hogwarts, sharing harmless stories of his friends, and listening to Elea's endless chatter about her first year at Beauxbatons.
The more they talked, the more Alex realized just how lucky he was to have this unlike his previous self.
His family – his true treasure – was his world, and he would destroy anything that tried to take them from him.
The thought of harm befalling his sister or mother ignited a cold fury deep within him, something primal and fierce, if anyone even dared to threaten them, they would face his wrath.
Alex had singlehandedly taken down the federation for not many reasons other than his Trait and his brutal upbringing.
This time, Alex had something more, something as unreasonable as Love.
Alex himself knew no limits to what he would do for the ones he loved.
Eventually, their mother turned to Alex, her smile softening. "So, how was your year, dear? I know you wrote about your exams, but I want to hear more from you directly."
Alex, ever careful, answered thoughtfully. "It was... challenging, but good. Ravenclaw won the House Cup, and I did well in my exams."
"And your dueling?" his mother asked, her tone carrying more weight than her casual words. She knew more than she let on, as always.
"Let's just say I held my own," Alex replied with a smirk.
Lady Isolde nodded, clearly sensing the deeper currents but choosing not to press further. Instead, she glanced at the empty chair at the head of the table.
"Your father has been busy since you received that approval from the Vatican. He's proud, but it's made him more restless. He left a few days ago but said he'll meet you there soon He's excited, you know. But..." Her voice trailed off, a complicated emotion flickering behind her eyes.
She didn't have to finish the sentence for Alex to understand. Though she knew Alex had his path to follow, her heart wanted him home for a little while longer. He reached over, squeezing her hand gently.
"I know… I'll come back soon. This isn't goodbye."
His mother's eyes softened, betraying a flicker of sadness. "I just wish you could stay a little longer" Her hand reached across the table, resting gently over his. "Just remember, no matter what, you'll always have a home here."
Later, as the fire crackled in the hearth, Alex sat with Elea curled up beside him. Her eyes drooped as he told her stories of Hogwarts – lighter ones, stories that made her laugh and smile, and now she lay curled up on the plush armchair, her eyes drooping as he finished recounting a harmless tale of Him and Victor sneaking into the kitchens at midnight.
Her breathing had slowed, and before long, she was fast asleep, her small form looking even tinier in the oversized chair.
Alex smiled to himself, gently scooping her up into his arms. She stirred only slightly, mumbling something incoherent as he carried her up the grand staircase and into her room. He laid her down in her bed, tucking her in beneath the soft covers. As he tucked her in, he whispered,
"I'll always protect you, Elea. Always."
He left her room quietly, the weight of responsibility settling over him once again. His family was everything. And if the world ever dared to threaten them, Alex knew he would stop at nothing to keep them safe.
No matter the cost.