Chapter 35: Surprise
While a simple Reparo had restored most of his Nimbus 1000, it was just that most. The shards and splinters scattered across the Quidditch pitch had been vanished during post-match cleanup, and the ones Madam Pomfrey and his mother had extracted from his body were likely destroyed as medical waste. As a result, Rick was left with a broom that resembled a patchwork puzzle full of gaps, fractures, and missing components. He had to transfigure and refit each replacement piece individually, a painstaking process that demanded focus and precision, especially given the irregular shapes and mismatched sizes. It was slow, meticulous work but also a challenge he couldn’t resist.
The task demanded such intense concentration that he completely tuned out the world around him so much so that he didn’t register the soft footsteps entering his room, or the quiet rustle of fabric behind him. It wasn’t until a pair of familiar arms wrapped around his chest in a warm, possessive hug that he blinked, startled out of his focus. He didn’t flinch or leap from his seat, but the sudden intimacy did jolt him pleasantly so.
“Hello~”
He instantly recognized the voice that had whispered into his ear laced with love, sultry with desire, and warm enough to melt every inch of tension in his body. The breath that tickled his skin sent a shiver down his spine, but it was the emotion behind it that truly struck him. A grin, broad and unrestrained, spread across his face, lighting it up with giddy anticipation as he turned his head to the side where he knew without doubt he’d find the one person who made the world stop spinning.
“Hello, Lily.” he whispered back.
Both went for the other’s lips, meeting in the middle. A passionate kiss that had both of them moaning into each other’s mouth after a few seconds. It’s been two weeks since they had separated on Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross and there had been no contact between them ever since. He had missed her terribly and so did she.
“This is perhaps the second best surprise in my life. And that includes my Nimbus 1000 and finding out I have loving parents.”
Lily let out a soft giggle, the sound like a chime of happiness, and leaned in to kiss him again. This time, the kiss was feather-light, more a tender peck than a deep embrace devoid of hunger, but rich with devotion. It wasn’t passion that marked it, but the quiet, unshakable love of someone who’d missed him with her whole heart.
“What’s the first?”
“Finding out that you love me. Nothing can top that.”
“If you’re trying to get into my pants-”
“You know I always am.”
“-You’re doing it right.”
Rick turned his whole body around on the stool he was seated on to face his girlfriend. Since she was standing, his eye level aligned squarely with her chest framed by a snug forest-green wool sweater. Without hesitation, he dove in, burying his face in the soft warmth, moving his head from side to side like a blissful cat claiming its favorite perch. One arm slipped around her back to pull her close, anchoring the moment. He’d missed this more than he could say. Marlene’s chest was fuller, Amelia’s even more so, by a wide margin and while he’d enjoyed the comfort each had offered in the past, something about Lily’s made it different. Better. Maybe it was just because they were hers. He didn’t know, and frankly, he didn’t care. What he did know was that right now, with his face pressed against her heartbeat, he felt at peace in a way nothing else could offer.
“Definitely right,” she murmured, letting out a contented sigh as she gently ran her fingers through his hair. She had missed this more than she dared admit his warmth, his presence, the way he melted into her like he belonged there. Having Rick’s head resting against her chest felt as natural and grounding as breathing. Like the world, for once, had clicked into place. The only thing topping that was to have him inside of her. That was something she’d been aching with ever since their last time together two days before leaving Hogwarts.
“I’m pleasantly surprised to have you here but I wonder how and why.”
“After your match against Hufflepuff, I wrote to you mother. I asked her if I could spend the summer working on potions with her and she agreed. I didn’t want to spend it with my sister for one part and I wanted to do magic during break for another, I also wanted to be with you. It wasn’t hard to convince my parents. Especially my mom. She almost made my bags on the spot when I asked her.”
“Best Girlfriend Ever.”
He pulled her head down and kissed her this time with a hunger that ignited a fire between them. Their bodies reacted instantly, instincts flaring, and if not for the conspicuously timed dry cough from the entrance of Rick’s bedroom, they might’ve found themselves tangled in bedsheets instead of fully clothed. Breaking apart with flushed faces and heavy breaths, they turned toward the door to find Dorea leaning casually against the frame, arms crossed beneath her chest in a way that subtly boosted her natural elegance. At 56, she remained disarmingly beautiful poised, radiant, and ageless. The amused, teasing curve of her lips only amplified the effect, as if she were in on a joke the rest of the world hadn’t caught up to yet.
“Mom. Do you need something?”
“I do. My unofficial apprentice to be exact. Potions and research won’t do themselves.”
“Nuh-huh. She’s mine. I’m keeping her. You can have her in your next life.”
Rick stood up, slipped his arms around Lily’s waist, and drew her flush against his chest in a gesture that radiated both protection and a deep, almost primal possessiveness. It wasn’t just about shielding her it was about claiming the moment, grounding himself in her presence like an anchor he didn’t want to let go of.
“You don’t really have a choice in this, Corvus. Besides…” she tilted her head toward the window with a knowing look. Curious, Rick followed her gaze and his eyes widened. The storm that had begun as a steady drizzle just an hour ago had transformed into a full-blown electrical tempest. Forked lightning carved jagged scars across the dark sky, illuminating the manor grounds in pulses of white-blue light, while the thunder rolled so deep it rattled the windows.
“I…”
“Come on. You’ve been waiting for nearly a year for this. And I really do need to work with your mom.”
He gave his redhead a contrite look, his eyes apologetic but full of affection, then gently nodded and released her from his embrace. Sliding his fingers into hers, he laced their hands together and led her toward his mother with quiet resolve, each step a small surrender to duty though the warmth of her hand reminded him of what he was leaving behind, if only temporarily.
“If she’s missing one single hair…”
“Oh? What are you going to do? Please tell me.” his mother challenged with a smirk.
“You don’t want to know but you will definitely regret it.” He put Lily’s hand in his mother’s and went downstairs.
At Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall was diligently finishing the letters detailing the upcoming school year's required supplies, carefully organizing them into precise stacks. Her quill danced with sharp, practiced efficiency, each stroke reflecting her unyielding sense of order. Just then, Albus Dumbledore strolled into the office with a whimsical smile, convinced she had more than earned a break whether she agreed or not.
“I’m really amazed by your collection of golden snitches, Minerva. Steadily growing every year. I never thought of you as the type who collects things.”
“I am not. They’re all gifts.”
“Ah! Mister Wald, I presume?” he pointed out to the one snitch locked away inside a square glass on her desk.
“He promised me many and he kept his word. I should have asked him for the cup.” She said it with an amused smile tugging at her lips, and Dumbledore answered with a warm, quiet chuckle the kind that lingered in the room like the scent of old parchment and lemon drops.
“Was that necessary? He has won it for you for four consecutive years.”
“Just to make sure he would win it for a fifth and a sixth.”
The conversation fell into sudden silence as a voice echoed out from the flickering green flames in Minerva’s fireplace, carrying a tone of urgency that instantly sharpened both Professors’ attention. Someone was calling her clearly and directly from the Floo Network.
“Professor McGonagall? Are you there? It’s Rick Wald.”
Both Professors exchanged a look of curiosity then Minerva stood up to go to her floo where she saw the head of her favorite student in the flames.
“I am, Mister Wald. This is quite the surprise call. Is something wrong?”
“Oh, no. Not at all. I’m calling because you said you wanted to be present for my attempt at becoming an animagus at Hogwarts. I know that’s not the case currently but there is an electrical storm at the manor and I thought you would like to be present too. In case something goes wrong.”
Minerva looked at Albus who mouthed if he could come. “The Headmaster is with me and would like to attend too.”
“Of course! Two transfiguration masters are better than one. I’m opening the floo. The address is Blackham manor.”
Rick’s face disappeared and Minerva went to pick her wand on her desk and, rummaging through the letters, picked the one for Rick. Albus was already inside the fireplace and floo-ing away when she turned back. She followed him and arrived in the living room of Potter Manor.
“Welcome~”
She was greeted jovially by her favorite lion who was standing next to Albus. He pointed his wand at her and the soot covering her clothes vanished. Only then did she notice the flashes of light and the rumbling of thunder.
“If you would please follow me. I intend to do this in the garden.”
Both Professors nodded and allowed themselves to be led through a long corridor, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished floor. At the far end, a heavy oak door creaked open to reveal a roofed patio, airy yet shielded, overlooking a modest but carefully tended garden. The scent of wet earth and rain drifted in from beyond the open archways, mingling with the faint sweetness of blooming herbs. On a small tea table to the side rested a black lacquered box, its surface gleaming under the dim light. Minerva’s sharp eyes locked onto it immediately she had no doubt it held the specialized potion prepared for the Animagus transformation.
“Any advice, Professor?”
“Focus on the two heartbeats. It helps in staying yourself.”
“Thank you. Please take a seat. Tipsy!”
“Young master called Tipsy?” his nanny asked after popping out of thin air.
“Yes, bring tea and biscuits for Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore.”
“Tipsy will!”
While Minerva and Albus sat waiting both for the tea and for Rick to begin Morrigan swept in with a graceful flutter and landed squarely on the table between them. She ruffled her feathers with casual authority, then offered a sharp, dignified caw as if announcing the start of something grand.
“Hello, Morrigan. Here to watch over your master?” Albus asked the bird.
*caw*
“We’re here for the same, though I believe, Mister Wald will not need our help.”
*caw*
“After parseltongue, you speak crow now?”
“Hm? Not at all. I do recognize the intonation however. Crows are such intelligent birds, they can vary the sound they make to communicate better than most birds. The variations are more subtle but allow more words.”
“Let me guess, you find that out during your travels in your youth?”
“Why, yes. I was-”
*CAW*
Morrigan interrupted the Headmaster with a commanding caw, her beak jabbing toward Rick, who sat cross-legged in the rain-slick grass, clad only in his underwear. His breathing was steady, his focus absolute. He placed a hand over his heart, muttering the incantation with quiet purpose, his voice barely rising above the storm's rhythm. When the final word left his lips, he reached beside him, uncorked the potion in one fluid motion, and downed it all in a single gulp. Almost instantly, his eyes glazed over as the potion took hold, plunging him into the vivid, otherworldly vision of the creature he was destined to become.
In the vision, he was the animal fully immersed in its body, its instincts, its senses. Through sharp, avian eyes, he beheld a sea of unending grasslands stretching below like a living quilt, far beneath the dizzying heights from which he soared. The rush of air against his feathers, the deep, rhythmic flapping of his wings, and the piercing cold that bit at his beak were invigorating beyond words. He had no control, no voice only raw sensation and an undercurrent of wild joy as he dove toward the earth in a steep, thrilling descent. The wind howled around him, and when he landed near a shallow puddle ringed by mud and wild grass, his talons dug into the damp ground with tactile clarity. He stepped toward the water and peered down, seeing not a boy but a sleek, black-feathered bird staring back. And somehow, even in this strange form, he recognized himself.
Back on the patio both professors were enjoying the warm tea Tipsy had made for them. Their eyes fixed on Rick, ready to act at any moment.
“Professor, Albus.”
“Lord Potter.” / “Charlus.”
“Has he started?” the man asked as joined them at the table.
“Yes. He’s at the vision stage now.”
“Hm…”
“I’m surprised Dorea is not here watching.” Dumbledore remarked.
“She’s in her potion lab with Lily and they have faith in Corvus succeeding.”
“Miss Evans is here?” Minerva was shocked to hear that.
“Yes, she’s apprenticing under Dorea. Not beyond NEWTs level potions of course, it’s not that kind of apprenticeship. They are just doing research on a potion which could help werewolves by sharings and combining their findings and Rick’s.”
“Ah yes. Horace told me about Miss Evans’ personal project.”
“I’m sure we can expect positive results.” said Dumbledore.
The conversation came to a jarring halt when Rick let out a blood-curdling scream that echoed through the storm-choked garden. All eyes whipped toward him as his body convulsed, twisting unnaturally. Muscles clenched, bones cracked audibly, and he began to shrink, every inch of the transformation marked by pain. Black feathers erupted from beneath his skin in bursts, replacing flesh with downy sheen as his limbs folded inward and his frame compressed. The process was slow, agonizing, and almost grotesque in its violence until, at last, the storm-slick grass cradled a small, trembling black bird where the boy had once sat.
*caw*
With a sharp flap of her wings, Morrigan soared into the air, the storm winds catching her feathers as she veered gracefully into the tempest. She joined her master beneath the rain and flashing sky, circling above him like a dark sentinel as thunder cracked and lightning split the clouds. It was not just accompaniment it was ceremony.
“Of course it would be a crow.” Charlus chuckled and let out a sigh or resignation as he shook his head. “If I didn’t know any better, I swear his mother knew ever since he was in her womb.”
“Of course I did. Why did you think I named him ‘Corvus’ out of all the constellations?”
The adults turned to see Dorea standing behind Charlus, with Lily beside her, both looking calm but undeniably curious. Polite greetings passed between the group, though Charlus couldn’t resist the jab his eyes narrowing just slightly as he questioned, half-playfully, why his wife had decided to show up now after deliberately opting out earlier. It wasn’t irritation, not really just the kind of pointed sarcasm only long-married couples could wield without starting a row.
“Does the Black family has a spell or ritual to know what kind of animagus a baby would be? I think not.”
“They do not, no but a mother knows those things.”
“Riiight. It was your gift, wasn't it?”
“You caught me”. She grinned. “It was stronger while I was pregnant with him. I was always thinking of a crow during the whole pregnancy.”
“Fascinating.” Dumbledore commented genuinely. The knowledge about magic sensing was sparse and very incomplete. People with the gift rarely talked about it and kept it secret. It was a prized gift that many wanted in their bloodline and would not stop at moral to have it hence why sensors kept quiet.
Lily was quiet, half-tuned out of the conversation swirling around her. Her full attention was fixed on the storm-wracked sky where her boyfriend soared through the air, Morrigan flying alongside him like a dark shadow. She wasn’t entirely certain, but she had the distinct impression the older crow was guiding him mentoring him, almost as if showing him the unspoken art of being a crow. There was something graceful, almost reverent, about the way they danced through the lightning-laced heavens.
But that solemn moment didn’t last. Both crows banked sharply and descended toward the group. Morrigan landed with silent elegance on Dorea’s shoulder, while Rick, with all the mischief of a showboating Gryffindor, dropped squarely onto Lily’s head. She froze, lips tightening into a flat line as he let out an unmistakably smug caw. It rang with triumph, and judging by the laughter that erupted from the adults, she was certain absolutely certain that he had spread his wings wide and puffed out his little bird chest like the world’s most self-satisfied crow. Her eye twitched. Oh, he was going to pay for that.
“Why, you!”
She raised her hands to grab the feathery menace that was her boyfriend, but with a flick of his wings, he darted out of reach and landed squarely against his mother’s chest, burrowing into the folds of her cloak like an overgrown baby bird. Dorea instinctively brought her hands up to secure him, chuckling softly as he nestled in. Rick turned his tiny feathered head to peer back at Lily, and she locked eyes with him same blue-grey irises, same infuriating sparkle of mischief. Her lips pressed into a tight, murderous smile. Oh, he was lucky he was adorable right now. But she was going to get him back. In spades.
“Well done, Corvus. Now do you mind turning back?”
*caw*
The crow jumped out of his mother’s grip and turned back into a human. A naked human with only his underwear. Quickly he went for his clothes and Dorea used her wand to dry him.
“Thanks, mom.”
“That was very well done.” praised Minerva.
“Thank you, Professor.”
“Don’t forget you have six months to register at the Ministry otherwise…”
“Azkaban if I get caught, I remember.”
“Good. Now I have your list of supplies for your sixth year. You were supposed to receive it at the end of the week but why wait? I’m sure you will share with Miss Evans, that would save an owl one trip.” She picked the said list from one of the pockets of her robe and handed it to Rick who handed it to Lily who began reading it immediately. “This was a pleasure to witness, Mister Wald. I will have to take my leave however, the duties of a Deputy Headmistress never ends I’m afraid.”
“Thank you for coming, Professor. You too, Headmaster.”
Goodbyes were exchanged and Minerva and Albus went back to her office through the floo.
“It’s always quite the experience to see someone become an animagus. Then again the setting is quite dramatic. Heavy rain, electrical storm….”
“It is indeed.”
“And I even got to confirm I’m going to win the bet.”
“Excuse me?! I remember you betting on Miss Evans ending with Mister Pot- No! Albus! That’s cheating!”
“How so? I never fully named which Mister Potter, Minerva.” he justified himself with a twinkle in his eyes.
“You know damn well you meant James Potter! You didn’t even know Mister Wald’s real identity before the bet!”
“I’d like to see some proof that verifies that.”
“ALBUS WULFRIC PERCIVAL BRIAN DUMBLEDORE! I swear…”
“I’m teasing, Minerva. Just teasing.” he quickly backed down not wanting to face the fury of his former apprentice.
“You better.” She looked at him with narrow eyes. “It’s not a sure thing though. Miss Evans’ presence didn’t prove or disprove-”
“Now, now, Minerva. It’s barely been two weeks since they separated.”
“It means nothing. Plenty of students visit each other during the summer holidays.”
“... You do remember you bet they were already together, do you?”
“Of course I do. And while I feel it in my bones the fact remains there is no proof. Now if you don’t mind, I do have work to do.”
While Albus Dumbledore went back to his own office, Rick had joined his girlfriend and his mother into the latter’s potion lab. Or tried. Both ladies didn’t even let him step a foot inside the room before they closed the door and locked it. Charlus laughed at the shocked and betrayed expression on his son’s face.
“I smell bullshit! What are they doing that I’m not permitted to see?” He looked at his dad in the hope of getting an answer.
“Remember when you said to your mother that me practicing playing the guitar for her was more meaningful than using magic?”
“Yeah, what about- Is Lily doing something for me?”
“She is.” That was the short and very uninformative reply that Charlus gave his son before walking away in front of his dumbfounded son.
“Dad!”
“I’m not going to tell you so don’t bother.”
“Come on!”
“No.”
“But-
“No and that’s final.”
Grumbling for not getting the answer he wanted, Rick acted with maturity like an adult. He stomped away to his bedroom and slammed the door behind him.