Morning light filtered through the green-tinted windows of the Slytherin Common Room, casting soft ripples of emerald across the stone walls. The lake outside shimmered faintly above them, and the occasional shadow of a giant squid’s tentacle drifted lazily past the glass.
Most students had already gone to breakfast in the Great Hall, leaving the common room unusually quiet.
Only two first-years remained.
Mira Silverthorne sat cross-legged on one of the dark green velvet sofas, her silver-white hair tied loosely behind her head as she sorted through several parchment notes. Her luminous, teal eyes scanned lines of careful handwriting—translations she had been working on from Salazar Slytherin’s diary.
Beside her sat Draco Malfoy, leaning lazily against the armrest.
“Honestly,” Draco said, glancing over one of her parchments, “how do you even read half of this? It looks like someone spilled ink on a spider.”
“It’s Old Runic shorthand,” Mira replied calmly. “Salazar used it when writing quickly.”
Draco blinked, “…Of course he did.”
A small metallic clatter interrupted them.
Both children looked down.
Pip had emerged from Mira’s sanctuary suitcase.
The little Niffler waddled across the floor with excited determination, sniffing and pawing at the stone tiles.
“Pip,” Mira said patiently, “we’re not treasure hunting this morning.”
The Niffler ignored her.
His nose twitched.
He scurried toward a corner table and began digging enthusiastically under a stack of old cushions.
Draco groaned, “Oh Merlin… he found something.”
A moment later Pip gave a triumphant squeak.
He bounded back toward Mira, holding something tiny in his paws.
Something golden.
Mira leaned forward, “What did you find?”
Pip dropped the object into her palm.
Draco leaned closer immediately, “What is that?”
It was a figurine.
A very small one.
No larger than Mira’s thumb.
It was shaped like a lion.
Not a crude toy.
Not a trinket.
But a masterpiece.
The tiny creature was crafted from burnished gold and delicate bronze filigree. Every strand of its mane had been individually etched. Its paws were poised mid-stride as if it were walking across an invisible battlefield.
{A/N: What the figurine looks like}49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNB56lsSW8
And then—
The lion moved.
Draco jumped, “IT MOVED!”
The figurine stretched.
Its tiny golden mouth opened.
And it released a fierce, miniature roar.
The sound was no louder than a kitten’s growl—but it carried unmistakable power.
Draco stared, “…That is absolutely brilliant.”
The lion strutted across Mira’s palm proudly.
Its tail flicked.
Then it sat down and looked up at her.
As if waiting.
Mira’s eyes widened slightly, “This is enchanted.”
Draco snorted, “You think?”
Mira turned the figurine gently over.
Something was carved into the base.
A small inscription.
The lettering was ancient.
Runic.
Elegant.
She read it slowly, “By valor, heart, and purpose…”
Draco leaned closer, “What does the rest say?”
“…all may find their place.”
For a moment neither child spoke.
Then Draco frowned slightly, “That sounds… familiar.”
Mira’s eyes widened, “Yes.” She stood suddenly, “This belonged to Godric Gryffindor.”
Draco blinked, “…Excuse me?”
Mira held the figurine up, “The craftsmanship. The enchantment style. The motto.” She looked at Pip, “You found something very important.”
The Niffler puffed up proudly.
Draco ran a hand through his hair, “We should probably show someone.”
“Yes," Mira nodded, “We should show Professor Dumbledore.”
Not ten minutes later, Mira and Draco were climbing the spiral staircase toward Dumbledore’s Office.
Pip rode on Mira’s shoulder.
The tiny lion figurine sat quietly in her hand.
Every few moments it shifted.
Stretching.
Yawning.
Or letting out a proud little roar.
Draco stared at it, “I still can’t believe Pip found that.”
“He finds many things.” Mira stated.
“Yes, but this is Godric Gryffindor’s enchanted lion.” Draco retorted.
Pip squeaked happily.
The gargoyle guarding the staircase shifted aside.
They stepped inside.
The circular office was already occupied.
Dumbledore stood beside his desk.
Nearby were several professors: Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape, Filius Flitwick and Pomona Sprout.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSVfZLUxRF
Dumbledore smiled warmly, “Ah, Miss Silverthorne. Mister Malfoy. What brings you here this morning?”
Mira stepped forward, “Professor… Pip found something.”
Snape raised an eyebrow, “When your Niffler finds things, it is rarely ordinary.”
“That is correct.” Mira opened her hand.
The tiny lion stood proudly.
And roared.
Flitwick gasped.
Sprout blinked.
Snape leaned forward slightly.
McGonagall froze and then approached slowly.
Her eyes widened, “Good heavens…” She bent closer. Examining every detail, “The craftsmanship…” Her voice softened, “…is extraordinary.”
Flitwick nodded enthusiastically, “The runic binding! Look at the articulation charms!”
The lion stretched its paws.
And roared again.
McGonagall smiled faintly.
Then she turned the figurine over.
And read the inscription.
Her voice caught, “By valor, heart, and purpose…” She finished softly, “…all may find their place.”
For a moment she said nothing.
Then she looked at Mira, “That…” Her voice softened deeply. “…is beautiful.”
Dumbledore stepped closer.
His blue eyes sparkled behind his spectacles, “Yes.” He examined the figurine carefully, “There is little doubt.” He looked at the room, “This was crafted by Godric Gryffindor himself.”
Draco blinked, “…That’s slightly terrifying.”
Snape folded his arms, “Or impressive.”
The tiny lion roared proudly.
As if agreeing.
Dumbledore smiled thoughtfully, “This figurine was likely one of Godric’s personal creations. Perhaps given to a student or used as a teaching charm.”
McGonagall held it gently.
Her expression was thoughtful, “The inscription…” She looked toward the windows overlooking Hogwarts, “It reflects everything Gryffindor believed.”
“Courage.”
“Purpose.”
“Belonging.”
She looked back at Mira, “And now it has returned.”
Dumbledore chuckled, “We must thank our remarkable Niffler.”
Pip puffed up proudly.
Snape sighed quietly, “I dread what else that creature might uncover.”
Draco grinned, “Hopefully more Founder relics.”
Mira smiled gently, “We’ll make sure Pip behaves.”
Pip squeaked innocently.
No one believed him.
McGonagall placed the tiny lion on the desk.
It stood proudly.
Lifted its head.
And released one final miniature roar.
The sound echoed softly through the office.
Like a whisper from the age of the founders.
A reminder that the spirit of courage still lived within Hogwarts.
And sometimes—
It simply needed the curiosity of a young witch…
And the nose of a Niffler—
To be found again.
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and then Add to home screen.