Noble
Lockhart was sitting at a small street café, quietly enjoying a steaming cup of tea. The women passing by couldn't help but throw sharp glances his way, laced with admiration and innocent flirtation. He, with his signature confidence, would lift the cup slightly, offer a subtle wink, and rest his hand on his chin in a perfect pose, fully aware that every move he made was being watched with fascination. That small gesture was enough to turn otherwise confident adult women into blushing, shy teenagers in his presence.
While Lockhart continued to put on his picturesque facade, the man he was waiting for appeared at the entrance, walking with firm steps and a hard, almost irritated look. Lockhart calmly nodded, barely lifting his gaze to acknowledge him.
The man reached the table and, without saying a word, dropped a thick file in front of Lockhart: photos, documents, newspaper clippings.
"Idiot," the man growled. "The guy you sent us to investigate is Sirius Black, fresh out of Azkaban." His gaze was fierce, filled with urgency and anger.
Lockhart picked up the photos and examined them with feigned interest. The images showed Sirius, although he looked quite different from how he remembered: well-dressed, neat, calmly walking with a small child through Diagon Alley. He wasn't surprised, but he didn't recognize the man immediately either.
"Sirius Black?" he murmured with mock surprise as he looked over the pictures more carefully.
"We're lucky he hasn't regained the power and influence of his family yet," the man said. "But I heard he's not far from rising again. Be careful with what you do—we don't want to get dragged into this because of you." Without another word, he turned around and walked away briskly.
Lockhart frowned, but his attention returned to the images. He could see Sirius walking casually with Harry, shopping at the Diagon Alley stores. The attached information clarified that Sirius had been James Potter's best friend—Harry's father—and also his godfather. That brought the man dangerously close to the woman Lockhart desired.
But there was a detail that pleased him greatly: Harry Potter wasn't Wanda's biological son. She had adopted him. Harry's real parents had died years ago, and no one knew where the boy had been until he reappeared, accompanied by Wanda, a powerful witch.
"How powerful can a woman really be?" Lockhart muttered with a mocking smile.
Then he added softly, his eyes gleaming with cunning,
"If we can't drive Sirius Black away because he's close to his godson and Wanda… then maybe we can drive the boy away instead..."
A dark and twisted thought crossed his mind—using Harry to boost his own reputation and popularity, or even separating them so he could have Wanda to himself.
"But how could I get rid of the brat?" he asked aloud as he began crafting an evil, ridiculous, and doomed-to-fail plan that would nevertheless make him believe he still had a chance.
…
Meanwhile, at the Greengrass Manor, Harry, Hermione, Daphne, and Astoria were sitting on fluffy cushions on the floor, taking an etiquette class. Upon hearing about it, Pandora had decided to send Luna as well, who arrived carrying a box full of strange and colorful toys—likely thinking the children had gathered just to have fun.
Selene smiled as she saw the little ones ready for their lesson and spoke gently.
"So, what have you learned so far in your etiquette classes?" she asked, looking at each one with affection.
Hermione was the first to respond with her sweet voice.
"How to walk properly."
"And how to greet like real ladies and gentlemen," Harry added proudly.
Daphne frowned and said seriously,
"That jumping out the window isn't good manners."
Her mother looked at her with a mix of disapproval and tenderness, and Daphne blushed slightly.
"Then," Selene continued, "how about today we learn about dress codes and, while we're at it, practice table elegance? We'll make it into a game: whoever stains their clothes will get a small punishment, but if everyone keeps their outfits spotless until the end, there'll be a special prize." Her gentle smile filled the room with excitement.
With the help of several servants, the children were dressed elegantly. Harry wore a small black tuxedo with a perfectly tied bowtie at his neck. Hermione wore a delicate pink dress adorned with small embroidered flowers on the skirt, her brown hair styled into soft curls that fell gently over her shoulders. Daphne wore a sky-blue dress that matched the ribbon on her head, creating a beautiful contrast with her silvery-blonde hair pulled up into a high ponytail. Astoria wore a dress similar to her sister's, but her hair was tied into braids that were then wound into a crown atop her head. Luna, the youngest, wore a dress in pastel tones, moving her little feet curiously as she looked at her shoes. Her blonde hair was braided in a way that looked like a tiara.
The children were thrilled, eager to look so elegant while learning how to behave with grace.
Selene instructed them to walk to the dining room without running or tripping, and the five children began to move forward with short, concentrated steps. Each one tried to keep their back straight, arms relaxed, and eyes forward—just as they had been taught.
"Remember, elegance is not only about how you dress, but how you behave," Selene told them patiently as she walked behind them.
Hermione led the group, her nose slightly raised and her expression serious. Harry, walking beside her, tried to mimic her, though with every step he seemed to struggle against the urge to look around. Daphne, looking confident, walked like the host of a grand event—being Selene's daughter, she had learned a thing or two and knew how to behave in front of her mother. Astoria took tiny steps, her dress swaying like a cloud with each movement. And Luna… Luna walked on her tiptoes as if she were floating, completely fascinated by the echo her shoes made on the gleaming floor.
When they reached the dining room, a long table awaited them. There were delicate plates, properly arranged silverware, sparkling goblets filled with fruit juice, and napkins folded into the shapes of tiny magical creatures. The children's eyes lit up.
"Each of you will sit carefully and wait until everyone is ready before starting to eat," Selene explained as she pointed to their assigned seats.
The children obeyed with contained excitement. As she sat down, Hermione smoothed her skirt with both hands and glanced sideways at Luna, who was trying to make her bunny-shaped napkin stand upright on her plate.
"Luna… I don't think that's part of the lesson," Hermione whispered softly.
"But it's an elegant bunny," Luna replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Harry let out a small laugh, and Daphne gave him a sharp look, pointing at his bowtie.
"If you get dirty, you'll lose the prize."
"I'm not going to get dirty," Harry replied confidently, though he gripped his juice glass with both hands as if he were holding a dangerous potion.
Selene sat off to the side, observing them with a warm smile, accompanied by a house-elf carrying trays of food. The practical part of the class was about to begin.
"Now, one by one, you will use the correct utensils for each dish. And remember, chew with your mouth closed, don't talk with food in your mouth, and use your napkin if necessary," she instructed, her tone motherly and gentle.
The food was served in small portions: mini croquettes, mashed potato balls, breaded chicken pieces, and colorful salads. Simple things, but presented as if they belonged at a royal banquet.
Hermione started with great precision, using the small fork for the salad while looking at the utensils as if solving a puzzle. Harry, as focused as if he were in a magic duel, copied Daphne's movements—who seemed to know what she was doing, though in truth, she was copying her mother from their shared meals. Astoria ate very slowly but carefully, though from time to time she bit too hard and had to cover her mouth to keep it from showing. Luna, meanwhile, ate happily, using the utensils in very unorthodox ways—but without making a mess at all, which amazed everyone.
Everything was going perfectly… until a tiny drop of juice fell onto Harry's sleeve. The boy stared at it in horror.
"No way!" he whispered.
"I told you not to get dirty!" Daphne scolded, though still in a hushed voice.
Harry grabbed his napkin and scrubbed at the stain with determination, only to spread it further.
"Nooo…" he murmured with dramatic despair.
Selene approached with a barely contained smile.
"Don't worry, Harry. It's just one drop. Remember, elegance is also in how you handle accidents."
Harry nodded very seriously, calming down once more.
After the meal, Selene stood up.
"Well done, everyone. I'm very proud. And even though Harry had a little accident, he made up for it with his excellent posture and manners. So… everyone will receive a prize."
The children clapped softly as a house-elf brought over a tray with small, sparkling chests. Inside were magical sweets, tiny enchanted quills that wrote words which faded away, and crystal figures that danced when spoken to.
Luna spoke to her crystal figure like it was an imaginary friend. Astoria hugged her chest as if it were a treasure. Daphne inspected the contents with interest. Hermione began reading the ingredients on the sweets to make sure they were safe. And Harry simply smiled happily, despite the small stain on his sleeve.