Silverthorne Manor basked in its late-summer glow, every window wrapped in climbing silverthorn vines whose blossoms shimmered in the sun like frozen stars. Inside, the grand hall buzzed with preparations—house-elves polishing the crystal sconces, floating orbs of soft light drifting along the ceiling, and Elarisse Silverthorne instructing a tapestry to straighten itself for the seventh time.
"Mavis, darling, they'll be here any minute!" Elarisse called, her raven-black hair swirling behind her as she moved from pillar to pillar.
"I'm ready!" Mavis answered, hopping down the last few stairs.
She wore a soft green dress Elarisse had chosen, embroidered with tiny silver leaves along the hem. At six years old, she was all bright eyes and excitement, her auburn hair falling in waves—much longer now that she wasn't living with the Dursleys.
And around her feet and shoulders, her familiars trotted and fluttered like a procession.
Veridia and Erevan, now capable of shrinking to ferret size, scurried around her ankles. Veridia glowed like a pastel watercolor come to life—soft blues, greens, and pearly white swirls shifting in her scales. Erevan, on the other hand, looked like a shadow with eyes: sleek, black, and the color of smoke at dusk.
Aurelion perched on the banister, brilliant feathers glowing white with golden warmth. Sakari padded beside Mavis, fluffy pink tail swaying, her ears adorned with delicate golden branchlets that chimed softly when she moved.
"You all look perfect," Mavis said proudly.
Sakari wagged her tail, Veridia chirped, and Erevan snorted as if to say he always looked perfect. Aurelion fluffed his feathers with superior elegance.
Elarisse approached her with a soft, fond smile. "Remember, sweetheart, the Malfoys are old family allies. Their son is your age. It would be nice if you two became friends."
Mavis nodded eagerly. "I've never had a real friend my age before."
Elarisse's expression softened, filled with that familiar mixture of love and sorrow whenever Mavis said things like that.
Alaric arrived from the adjoining hall, silver hair tied back, blue eyes sharp but kind. "The wards have shifted. They've arrived."
Mavis gasped and clapped her hands. Her familiars perked up like an alert brigade.
Aurelion leaned close to her ear, "Confidence, little one. You shine brighter than you know."
Sakari added, brushing against Mavis's leg, "And if he is unkind, I bite."
Mavis giggled. "No biting unless I say so."
The manor doors opened with a soft, elegant sweep. Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa stepped inside first—poised, graceful, expensive in a way Mavis didn't have a word for yet. Narcissa's pale hair shimmered like spun moonlight; Lucius's silver-blond mane gleamed under the chandelier.
Behind them peeked a boy.
Draco Malfoy.
Six years old, dressed impeccably in tailored robes, hair perfectly combed, posture already practiced and refined. But his eyes—storm-blue and curious—gave him away.
He wasn't looking at the adults.
He was staring at Mavis.
Or rather... at the flock of magical creatures circling her.
Veridia peeked at him from behind Mavis's foot.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoI1QqNHGI
Erevan's tiny form perched on Mavis's shoulder like a shadowy scarf.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fIygJF8UP
Aurelion glowed softly on the banister.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJMaSdncz3
Sakari watched him from behind her curling pastel tail.
Draco blinked. Twice.
Narcissa whispered to him, "Mind your manners."
But he stepped forward before she finished.
"What—what is all that?" He stuttered.
Mavis tilted her head. "These are my familiars."
Draco's mouth fell open a little. It was the first chink in his pureblood composure. "All of them?"
"Yes," Mavis said lightly. "This is Veridia, Erevan, Aurelion, and Sakari."
The boy's eyes flicked between them like someone trying to count priceless treasure.
Lucius cleared his throat softly. "Draco, introduce yourself properly."
Straightening, Draco stepped forward with the seriousness of a young prince. "I'm Draco Malfoy. Heir to—"
"Hi, Draco!" Mavis said brightly, interrupting the rehearsed speech. "Want to play?"
Draco froze mid-sentence.
Narcissa stifled a laughter behind her hand.
Lucius's mouth twitched.
Alaric let out a quiet snort of amusement.
Draco blinked again. "I—I mean... yes? I think so?"
He seemed genuinely unsure.
Sakari nudged Mavis's hand, "He smells nervous."
"Sakari," Mavis whispered. "Don't sniff guests."
Draco stared at the fox. "What is that?"
Mavis beamed proudly. "A Pastel Nymfox."
Draco whispered, "Father, she has a Nymfox and a phoenix—"
"And two dragons," Mavis added.
"Ferret-sized dragons..." Draco murmured, mesmerized.
Aurelion fluttered down gracefully and perched on the arm of a nearby chair, eyes glowing with regal intelligence.
Draco stepped closer, slow and cautious. "Is he dangerous?"
Aurelion trilled softly, "Only if provoked."
Draco jumped. "Did—did he just... speak?"
"Sort of," Mavis said. "He talks in here." She tapped her forehead.
"That's not fair," Draco said, a pout forming. "Why don't I hear him?"
Aurelion tilted his head, "Because you have not earned my trust. Yet."
Mavis giggled. Draco scowled.
"Alright then." He crossed his arms. "How do I earn it?"
Aurelion actually considered him.
Before he could answer, Veridia peeked out, chirping gently. The pastel-scaled dragon nudged Draco's shoe with her head, curious.
Draco looked down, startled. "She's... so small."
"She can be very big too," Mavis said proudly. "But this size is good for indoors."
Draco knelt—carefully, politely. "May I... touch her?"
Veridia flicked her tail and nodded.
Draco reached out and stroked her head. His eyes widened in awe. "She feels warm. And soft. And—what's the word? Shimmery."
Veridia cooed.
Mavis's smile reached her eyes.
Draco looked up at her.
It was the first real connection between them.
Mavis grabbed Draco's hand. "Come on! There's something cool I want to show you!"
Draco stumbled after her. "Wait! I—I didn't say—fine, alright!"
The four adults shared amused, knowing looks as the children disappeared into the gardens.
Veridia and Erevan scampered after them, while Aurelion glided above and Sakari trotted gracefully along.
The Starflower Oak grove was Mavis's favorite place—the air glowing soft lavender from the bioluminescent blossoms hanging like lanterns.
Draco's jaw dropped. "This isn't normal."
"That's because it's Silverthorne magic," Mavis said proudly.
She showed him the tree that grew starlight instead of fruit, the swing made from woven moon-vines, and the crystal pond where koi fish shimmered transparent and iridescent.
"This is my home," she said simply.
Draco turned in a slow circle. "It's... brilliant."
Mavis kicked her feet while sitting on a root. "Do you like it?"
Draco hesitated. "It's... better than the Manor."
"Really?"
"Yes. Much better. It feels like—"17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ506GHRWWjZ
He searched for a word.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3lWe1TIhm
"—like everything here is alive."
Mavis nodded. "It is."
Veridia curled around Draco's shoe again, as if claiming him.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXVrfVaKyM
Erevan perched on his knee like a dark guardian.
Draco froze. "Is... this allowed?"
"Of course," Mavis said. "They like you."
Draco swallowed. "It's just... I've never had magical creatures come near me before. Except peacocks."
"Peacocks?" Mavis echoed, confused.
Draco looked away, embarrassed. "Father likes them."
Sakari curled around Mavis's hip, "This boy," she told Mavis mentally, "is lonely."
Mavis's chest tightened.
She scooted closer to Draco.
"We can be friends," she said softly.
Draco blinked. "What?"
"If you want," Mavis said. "I've never had a real friend before."
Draco swallowed hard. His voice was small when he answered.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6VUXaIOJN
"...Neither have I."
She extended her hand. "So... friends?"
Draco hesitated—then slowly took her hand, "Friends."
Aurelion landed behind them, light swirling gently.
Veridia hummed softly.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJC2VSpK8Z
Erevan closed his eyes contentedly.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYwv6DdUQc
Sakari's tail curled around them like a pastel pink ribbon.
Magic settled around the children like a blessing.
A bond beginning.
A future unfolding.
Two lives shifting toward each other like constellations ready to align.
By the time the adults returned, Mavis and Draco were sitting side by side on a floor cushion, heads bent over a magical moving puzzle, familiars curled around them like a woven constellation.
Narcissa smiled—soft, knowing.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uJTX5tyvT
Lucius's expression held that same quiet approval he rarely showed in public.
Elarisse whispered to Alaric, "A good match of temperaments."
Alaric murmured, "Not planning marriages, are we?"
"Of course not," Elarisse said... far too innocently.
But the two children were already laughing together.
Mavis gently nudged a glowing puzzle piece toward Draco.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡah3lllmhvf
"You do that bit. You're better at angles."
Draco nudged it back. "No, you try it. I'll help."
Their hands brushed.
Both froze, then flushed crimson.
Aurelion hummed like he'd been waiting for this exact moment.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacs9t7uYZR
"Balance," he said softly. "As light meets silver."
Sakari curled into Mavis's lap; Erevan draped himself protectively across Draco's shoulder.
And thus, in a hall filled with ancient magic and soft morning light—
A friendship began.
One that would grow into something deep, steady, and powerful enough to shake destinies.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIn0SkTAKM
and then Add to home screen.