HP: The Artisan's Path Chapter 105

Hi all, 

Here’s the 1st of 6 chapters for the week. Pokemon: Resurgence chapter coming tomorrow.

Chapter 105

13th August

Harry pushed open the door of his shop in Diagon Alley. Fawkes was perched on his shoulder, and Lynx followed him into the building. The Phoenix had been waiting for him when he returned to France, looking more vibrant than ever. 

Fawkes still refused to divulge what he was getting up to with Solas and the other Phoenixes. The curiosity was driving Harry insane. He had suggested to Fawkes that it must be a secret organisation like the Order of the Phoenix. His attempt at humour had earned him a painful reprimand.

Harry whistled as he took a look around.

The interior had undergone a complete transformation since his departure for America. The store wasn’t stocked completely yet, but it was coming together nicely. His boots were arranged in a window display case near the entrance, and the magical batteries lined one wall in neat rows.

"Looks like you haven't been slacking off whilst I've been away," Harry said.

Before he could take another step, Tonks materialised from behind a display case and seized him in a headlock. Her knuckles ground into his scalp with painful efficiency, causing Fawkes to squawk indignantly and launch himself into the air.

"Hey, brat," she grinned, tightening her grip as Harry struggled to escape. "Not all of us can afford to bum off work and have a holiday in America."

"I wouldn't call it a holiday," Harry protested, finally wriggling free and smoothing down his dishevelled hair. 

Remus emerged from the back room. "Welcome back, Harry. Who's your little friend?"

"This is Lynx," Harry said. "You can consider her my little sister."

Lynx looked up at Remus. "Harry hasn't told me anything about you. You must not be very important to him."

"I see we have a little smartarse in the building,” Tonks said. “Would you like to explain, Harry?"

Remus nodded. "Yes, I believe it's physically impossible for her to be related to you."

"My grandparents adopted her," Harry replied. "She's still in her trial period. If she doesn't behave, we'll ship her back to America."

Lynx's response was swift and precise—her small foot connected with his shin with enough force to make him wince. Without a word, she stalked off to explore the interior.

"She has a lot of spunk," Tonks observed. "A kindred spirit."

Harry rubbed his smarting shin. "She's certainly something."

"Besides the new family member, did anything eventful happen during your stay?" Remus asked,

"For someone like me?" Harry shrugged. "It wasn't eventful. But it was much more chaotic than what a normal person would experience.”

"Like what?" 

"Nothing major. Just an invasion from the Fae Realm and the potential end of the world."

"Cor blimey," Tonks breathed, her hair shifting to an alarmed shade of orange.

Remus blinked. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I'll fill you in later," Harry said. "We're having dinner at Grimmauld Place tonight. Tonks, you and your family are also invited."

"Great.” Tonks brightened immediately. “I hope you’re cooking. You owe me a lavish meal for all the slave labour you put me through."

"I'm paying you," Harry said. "Besides, I'm giving you space in the shop to sell your artefacts."

Tonks reached over and ruffled his hair. "And I'm grateful. I'm almost ready with my new invention."

Harry's curiosity was immediately piqued. "What is it?"

"You'll have to wait to find out.”

Harry walked over to the massive communication crystal dominating the centre of the room. The monolith rose from floor to ceiling, its faceted surface reflecting the shop's interior in fractured patterns. He still needed to complete the network's runic arrays, but with everything on his plate, it would have to wait until he had proper time to dedicate to the project.

"So," he said, turning back to Remus, "what's the timeline looking like for opening?"

"I've hired two staff members to man the store,” Remus replied. “Both come highly recommended. We're aiming to open on the thirtieth to take advantage of the busy period before Hogwarts starts again."

"Good thinking," Harry nodded. "Are there any major issues?”

Remus shook his head. “We should be ready.”

Harry had another concern. The Beast-kin had already demonstrated their willingness to attack in public places, and he assumed they were going to follow him to Europe to cause more trouble. The shop may become a target once it gets out that he was the owner. It was less likely, given that it was in the middle of Diagon Alley, but he didn’t want to take any chances. 

"What security measures do you have in place?” Harry asked.

Remus raised an eyebrow. “The usual enchantments for a shop in Diagon Alley. I have added some of my own as well.”

“If you can make it even more secure, do so,” Harry said. 

“Yes, boss. Are you expecting trouble?”

“No. But it always seems to find me. Besides, there will be a lot of valuable items in the store.”

Lynx appeared at his elbow. "Anyone with half a brain could track you here."

"Charming," Tonks muttered. "Does she come with an off switch?"

Harry ignored them. "We'll need proper wards, not just the basic protections."

"I can hire Bill Weasley to add something extra,” Remus suggested.

"Perfect," Harry said. "What about inventory? Are we fully stocked?"

"Nearly," Remus replied, gesturing towards the various displays. "Your workshop in France has been running at full capacity. We've got enough to last through the initial rush, and we have a good supply of magical batteries."

Harry felt a surge of satisfaction. After months of planning and preparation, his shop was finally becoming a reality. "Brilliant. Anything else I need to know?"

Fawkes chose that moment to land back on his shoulder, trilling softly as if to remind Harry of his presence. 

"Just one thing," Remus said with a slight smile. "You might want to prepare yourself for the attention. Word's already spreading about Harry Potter's shop opening in Diagon Alley. Lauren posted an article in her paper while you were away."

"Lucky I don’t need to deal with the nonsense.” Harry glanced at his watch. “I need to visit Gringotts and then head over to the detective’s place. I’ll see you tonight.”

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Harry knocked twice before pushing open the door. The familiar musty scent of old parchment greeted them, along with Pike himself, who looked up when they entered.

"Mr Potter," Pike said. "I’ve been expecting you. And I see you've brought company."

Fawkes trilled a greeting whilst Lynx stared at the detective.

"My sister," Harry explained, settling into the chair opposite Pike's desk. "She's harmless."

"I'm really not," Lynx said cheerfully.

Pike raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He opened a thick folder and spread several photographs across the desk's surface.

"I've tracked down the former Knights of the Round hideouts you provided," Pike said. "As you suspected, most were abandoned or compromised. Three showed signs of forced entry—and the interiors were trashed."

Harry leaned forward, studying the images. "Searching for something specific."

"My thoughts exactly," Pike agreed. "However, I did discover evidence that Lewis had been moving between safe houses as recently as six months ago. A shopkeeper in Cardiff remembered selling provisions to someone matching his description."

"Recent enough," Harry mused, feeling a flicker of hope.

Pike nodded, pulling out another photograph. "The breakthrough came from an unexpected source. A Muggle postman in a village outside Aberystwyth. Observant fellow. He noticed a man matching Lewis's description collecting post from a box registered to a false name."

"How recent?" Harry asked.

"A month ago," Pike replied. "The witness described him as paranoid, constantly looking over his shoulder."

Lynx hummed. "He sounds terrified. What's he running from?"

Pike glanced at Harry, who nodded for him to continue. "Based on the timeline and the thoroughness of the searches at his former hideouts, I'd say he's being hunted by professionals. The sort who don't give up easily."

"Do you have a current location?" Harry asked.

Pike slid a final photograph across the desk. It showed a ramshackle cottage perched on a hillside, surrounded by dense woodland. "This property is registered to the same false identity used for the post box.”

Harry noted the cottage's strategic positioning. "But you think it might be another dead end."

"I've learned not to get my hopes up in this business," Pike replied. "But it's our best lead yet. The property was rented three weeks ago, paid for six months in advance."

"I'll take it," Harry said. "I want you to continue the investigation. If this location proves false, keep searching."

Pike nodded. "There's something else you should know. I wasn't the only one asking questions about Lewis in these areas."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"Strange individuals have been making inquiries. Always in pairs, always well-dressed, always asking the same questions I was." Pike's expression grew troubled. "The locals remember them because they were unsettling.”

"How long ago?" 

"The most recent sightings were two weeks ago.”

Harry's brows furrowed, considering the implications. It had to be Obsidian. The remnants of the organisation had survived their recent setbacks and remained interested in anything connected to Galahad. The race to find Lewis had become more urgent than ever.

"Continue the investigation," Harry said, standing. "But be careful. If these people are who I think they are, they won't hesitate to eliminate anyone who gets in their way."

"Understood," Pike replied. "I'll contact you if I discover anything else."

Harry headed for the door, Lynx falling into step beside him whilst Fawkes settled more comfortably on his shoulder. As they emerged into the street, Harry's mind was already racing ahead to the cottage in Wales and the possibility of finally finding Lewis after so many months of searching. He had little time to search for Lewis, but the chance that the man could be in danger made it his top priority. It wouldn’t take him much time to head to Wales and search for him, but he wasn’t foolish enough to go on his own. 

He needed his grandfather.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The Welsh countryside stretched before them in rolling green hills dotted with stone walls and grazing sheep. Harry. Sirius, Remus, Lynx, and his grandfather walked along the road to the cottage. They had apparated to the village and decided to approach on foot, in case they ran into anyone with hostile intentions. 

Harry had recruited the three for the incursion at dinner last night. Sirius had immediately volunteered, and Remus wasn’t far behind him. Charlus had wanted to leave Harry behind, citing the obvious dangers of confronting potential Obsidian members. Harry had countered that Lewis might not trust strangers, and his presence could mean the difference. In the end, pragmatism had won over protective instincts.

Lynx crouched beside a stone wall, her nostrils flaring as she tested the air. 

“Do you sense something?” Harry asked.

“Not really,” Lynx said. “The land is so rich in diversity compared to the Fae Realm. Everything is a new experience for me.”

Sirius grunted. “It’s just grass.”

"The cottage is two kilometres from here," Charlus said. "Stay alert.”

They set off across the moorland. Soon, they arrived at the hill where the cottage was located. As they crested the low hill, the cottage came into view. Harry's heart sank immediately. The cottage was gone, and only a blackened crater remained. The stone walls had been reduced to rubble, and twisted metal fragments suggested the roof had collapsed inward with tremendous force.

"The three little pigs have definitely vacated this cottage," Harry muttered.

Charlus raised his hand, bringing them to a halt. His eyes swept the surrounding area, cataloguing potential threats and escape routes. 

"Spread out," Charlus ordered. "Harry, you and Lynx take your animagus forms and scout the perimeter. The rest of us will approach from the road."

Harry nodded, already feeling the familiar tingle that preceded his transformation. The world shifted as his human form gave way to that of a Demiguise, his senses sharpening dramatically. 

Lynx had already transformed and disappeared into the trees. Harry followed suit, using his invisibility to approach the cottage ruins from the eastern slope whilst the adults advanced along the main track.

The devastation was even worse up close. The cottage hadn't simply burned—it had been obliterated. Lynx emerged from the ruins, shaking soot from her paws. 

"Magic caused this," she announced, kicking at a charred stone. "Not an ordinary fire.”

Remus knelt beside what might once have been a doorframe. "The magical residue is still strong. This happened recently—within the last few days."

"It was a long shot anyway," Sirius muttered.

Harry transformed back, frustration gnawing at his stomach. They'd been so close. Pike's intelligence had been good, but not good enough. Someone had reached Lewis first, and now he was either dead or had escaped.

“Do you think he left anything behind?” Sirius asked.

“Whoever did this has probably already found it,” Remus replied.

Harry shook his head. “Lewis is too smart for that. If there is something, he wouldn’t make it so easy for his pursuers.”

"Fan out through the woods," Charlus commanded. "Look for anything they might have missed."

They spread through the surrounding forest. The woodland was alive with small sounds—rustling branches, distant bird calls, the scurrying of unseen creatures. He moved further into the woods for several minutes, scanning the ground for any signs of tracks.

A flash of movement caught his eye. Perched on a branch fifteen feet above him sat what appeared to be a small robin, its red breast bright against the green foliage. But something about its posture was wrong. Real birds shifted constantly, preening feathers or adjusting their grip. This one sat perfectly still, its head tilted at an unnatural angle.

Harry studied the creature more carefully. The proportions were slightly off, and its eyes held a metallic glint. Was that a real robin or something else?

He transformed back into his Demiguise form and turned invisible. He began climbing, his claws finding purchase in the rough bark. When he reached the appropriate branch, he lunged forward, but the creature launched itself into the air with a whirring sound.

It landed on a nearby oak, tilting its head in what seemed like mockery. A series of mechanical trills emerged from its beak.

Harry dropped to the ground and transformed back, yanking his wand from its holster. He began casting several spells at the bird, aiming to catch it. A Summoning Charm. A Binding Curse. A Stunning Spell. None of them had any effect on the creature.

Frustration built in his chest as spell after spell proved ineffective. He was about to give up when movement in his peripheral vision caught his attention. Lynx was climbing the oak tree where the bird was perched. The bird remained focused on Harry, apparently unaware of the approaching predator.

Harry raised his wand again, deliberately casting a flashy Blasting Curse that exploded against a branch beside it, turning it into splinters. The bird ruffled its feathers and released another series of mocking trills, completely absorbed in its apparent victory.

Lynx struck. Her jaws closed around the bird before it could react, her momentum carrying both of them from the branch. She landed gracefully, the still-struggling creature trapped in her mouth.

"Nice catch," Harry said. 

The moment his fingers closed around the mechanical robin, it began to speak in Lewis's unmistakable voice: "Where Camelot's greatest knight did dwell, And thirteen sacred treasures fell, Beneath the stones where water flows, The secret that no darkness knows. Count the steps from Arthur's throne, To find what I have left alone."

“Lewis and his riddles again,” Harry muttered.

Lynx transformed back. “What do you think it means?”

Harry frowned, turning the riddle over in his mind. The reference to Camelot was obvious enough. Thirteen treasures, stones where water flowed, Arthur's throne—Lewis had drawn on Arthurian legend for his hiding place, but he didn’t have enough context to puzzle out the rest.

“I don’t know,” Harry said. “We need to do some research.”

The mechanical bird fell silent, its purpose fulfilled. 

Harry pocketed the device and headed back through the trees to find the others, feeling frustration gnaw at him. It seemed like he was always chasing Lewis, but no matter how hard he tried, he could never catch him.

Somewhere out there, Lewis was still running, still hiding, and this riddle was their only hope of reaching him before his pursuers closed their trap. 

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

14th August

Harry hunched over his workbench, applying the final enchantments to the yew bow. Its surface was marked by the hours of painstaking runic work he'd inscribed along its length.

He set down his runic pen and flexed his cramped fingers. The bow was complete, though it had taken longer than expected. The commission's requirements were straightforward enough—arrow flight enhancement for speed and force—but Harry had added something extra. He knew the bow was needed in some way for the Wind Vault, so he needed all the advantages he could get. 

He declared the bow complete and the symbol on his hand warmed. Harry retrieved the Source and flipped it open.

==========

The host has completed an artifact: 

Gale's Edge.

Reward: Reward: 100,000 General Experience + 30,000 bonus for additional features.

Gale's Edge (Artifact)

Description: Crafted from ancient yew and inscribed with advanced runic arrays, this bow enhances arrow velocity and impact force significantly beyond natural limits. No arrows are necessary, as one is automatically conjured when the user injects magic into the bow. Additional enchantments allow the arrows to manipulate air currents within a one-hundred-metre radius, allowing the user to alter the direction of the arrow to a certain extent, providing additional accuracy and impact force. 

==========

Level 20: 165100 / 1000000 

Artisan Rank: 505 > 471

==========

Harry grinned. The additional accuracy meant it would be hard to miss his target even if his aim was atrocious. But he would still need to practice with it first to gain some competency before heading into the Wind Vault. He might need to make some arrows as well, since he didn’t want to rely on magic too much. He couldn’t use it in the Water Vault.

Footsteps on the workshop stairs announced visitors. Hermione and Daphne appeared, both carrying stacks of books and looking thoroughly exhausted.

"Please tell me you found something useful," Harry said, setting the bow aside.

Hermione dropped her books onto the nearest workbench with a heavy thud. "Your friend Lewis certainly knows his Welsh legends. We've been through every Arthurian text we could find."

"Dinas Emrys keeps coming up," Daphne added, settling into a chair and rubbing her eyes. "It's a hillfort in Snowdonia where Merlin supposedly buried two fighting dragons. The thirteen treasures of Britain were said to be hidden there at various points in history."

Harry leaned forward. "That fits the riddle. But what about the bit about Arthur's throne and counting steps?"

"That's where it gets complicated," Hermione said, pulling out a leather-bound volume. "There are stone circles all over Snowdonia. Some date back thousands of years, others are more recent additions. Lewis could be referring to any of them."

"The water flowing beneath the stones narrows it down," Daphne pointed out. "We're looking for a stone circle near a stream or spring. There are three possibilities within walking distance of Dinas Emrys."

Harry studied the hand-drawn maps they'd copied from various sources. The area around Dinas Emrys was riddled with ancient sites—stone circles, burial mounds, and standing stones. Lewis had chosen well. Even with the riddle's clues, finding the exact location would take time they didn't have.

"We'll start with the most promising site," Harry decided. 

Hermione nodded. "There's a circle called Cerrig Duon about two miles north of the hillfort. It sits beside a natural spring that's been flowing for centuries."

"Sounds promising," Harry said, carefully wrapping the completed bow in soft cloth. "I'll head there tomorrow. I’m sure Elizabeth will not mind taking me there before heading to Finland."

He tucked the wrapped bow under his arm and headed for the exit. 

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The guild building buzzed with its usual afternoon activity when Harry arrived. 

Alphonso looked up from his desk as Harry approached, his face breaking into a grin. "About bloody time, lad. I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about us entirely."

"Sorry about the delay," Harry said, unwrapping the bow. "America kept me busier than expected."

Alphonso's expression shifted to professional interest as he examined the weapon. He ran his fingers along the smooth yew surface, pausing occasionally to study particular sections where Harry's runic work was most intricate.

"Beautiful craftsmanship," Alphonso murmured, testing the bow's draw weight. "The balance is perfect. I don’t think I need to verify this. You've exceeded the commission requirements by a considerable margin."

Harry shrugged. “I was properly motivated. I believe you have something for me.”

Alphonso chuckled and reached into his robes and retrieved a sealed envelope. "Your mysterious patron will be pleased. I will deposit the galleons into your bank vault today."

Harry accepted the envelope. "Still no idea who commissioned it?"

"None whatsoever," Alphonso replied. "The instructions were specific—deliver the envelope only after the bow's completion. Very cloak and dagger, if you ask me."

Harry pocketed the envelope without opening it. He'd examine its contents later.

"Will we be seeing more of you now that you're back from America?" 

"I'll be starting my third year at Hogwarts soon," Harry reminded him. "But I'll make time for projects that interest me."

Alphonso nodded knowingly. "You have almost reached the requirements to advance to the next rank. There’s no need to rush. You’re already well ahead of everybody else. Although I can understand your drive. Artisans can be pretty obsessed."

Harry left the guild with Alphonso's words ringing in his ears. The old artisan wasn't wrong about the addictive nature of the work. Creating something entirely new, solving problems that had stumped others for decades—it provided a satisfaction that few other activities could match.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Harry knocked on the front door of the Delacour mansion, Lynx fidgeting beside him. After returning from the guild, the girl had been pestering him about finding worshippers, insisting that the Veela were the perfect place to start. Harry doubted the Veela would be interested in worshipping anyone; he recalled the unicorns in the grove. She wanted intelligent magical creatures, and unicorns certainly met the requirements. 

A house-elf answered the door and led them through the hallways toward the dining room. As they approached, Harry could hear raised voices—not arguing, but the sort of intense discussion that usually meant trouble.

The dining room door was open, revealing Pierre, Apolline, Gabrielle, Fleur, and Seraphine seated around the table.

"Harry!" Gabrielle jumped up from her seat and rushed over to embrace him. "Perfect timing. We need your opinion on something."

"What's going on?" Harry asked.

Pierre looked up from the documents spread across the table. “Another gate has been discovered. On French soil this time."

Harry's stomach dropped. "Where?"

"The Pyrenees," Seraphine answered. "Near the Spanish border. The invaders came through three days ago and established a settlement before we could respond."

"We estimate at least fifty of them, possibly more,” Appoline said. “They've fortified their position and show no signs of leaving."

"The Ministry is in complete disarray," Pierre continued, rubbing his temples. "Half my advisors want immediate military action, the other half insist on diplomatic contact."

Lynx had wandered over to examine the maps, her small fingers tracing the marked locations. “This is going to continue to escalate. There are so many…”

She trailed off.

Seraphine's eyes narrowed as she noticed Lynx for the first time. "Who is this child?"

"My adopted sister," Harry said quickly. "Lynx. She knows about the Beast-kin."

"Does she now?" 

"More than you might think," Lynx replied cheerfully. "I know how to destabilise their gate, for instance."

The room fell silent. Pierre leaned forward, his attention focused entirely on the small girl. "What do you mean?"

"Gates require constant magical input to remain stable," Lynx explained. "Disrupt the power source, and the whole thing collapses. Quite violently, actually."

"And how exactly would we accomplish this?" Fleur asked.

Lynx glanced at Harry meaningfully. "I'd need certain conditions met first."

Harry sighed. "She wants worshippers in exchange for the information."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. Seraphine’s eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"

“She’s a deity, grand-mere,” Gabrielle said. “I should have told you about her sooner.”

“This is disturbing news,” Pierre interjected. “We already have our hands full with Baba Yaga and these Beast-kin. Are you sure she’s safe, Harry?”

"Quite sure," Harry said hastily. "She uses contracts with specific limitations—"

"Absolutely not," Seraphine cut him off. 

Harry understood Seraphine's reluctance. He couldn't completely trust Lynx either, but closing the gates was worth almost any risk. The problem was testing Lynx's claims about worshippers without knowing how to verify whether the contracts actually worked as promised.

Apolline placed a restraining hand on her mother's arm. "Perhaps we should hear what she has to say."

"How do you know she’s really a deity?" Pierre asked.

Lynx shrugged. "Fallen deity, technically. Lost most of my power when my worshippers abandoned me. But I still know things that could help you."

"Such as?" Fleur prompted.

"How to close gates permanently. Information about the Fae Realm. Information about the deities' plan for this world." Lynx counted off on her small fingers. "Quite a lot, really."

Gabrielle looked between Harry and Lynx thoughtfully. "What sort of worshippers are you looking for?"

"Intelligent magical creatures," Lynx replied. "Veela would be ideal, but I understand if you're not interested. Harry mentioned unicorns living on your property."

Apolline blinked in surprise. "You want the unicorns to worship you?"

"If they're willing," Lynx said. "I don't force anyone. That defeats the purpose."

"The unicorns might actually be interested," Gabrielle said. “And they can read your intentions better than most.”

Harry nodded. "It's worth asking them. They're intelligent enough to make their own decisions."

Pierre looked around the table at his family. "If this child can truly help us close the gate..."

"It's too dangerous," Seraphine insisted. "We know nothing about her true nature or intentions."

"We know she saved Harry's life in America," Gabrielle pointed out. "And she's been staying with us for a while now without causing any trouble."

"That proves nothing," Seraphine snapped.

The argument continued for another ten minutes before Apolline finally stood, her chair scraping against the marble floor.

"Enough," she declared, her voice cutting through the heated discussion. "We're going in circles. The simplest solution is to ask the unicorns themselves."

Pierre nodded. "Your mother makes sense. If they refuse, we've lost nothing. If they agree...We might gain valuable intelligence about closing these gates."

Seraphine's jaw tightened, but she remained silent as Apolline turned to Lynx.

"What exactly would this worship entail?" Apolline asked. "I won't have the unicorns harmed or exploited."

Lynx brightened immediately. "Nothing harmful at all. They'd offer me a small portion of their magic in exchange for enhanced abilities. But I don’t know exactly what will change.”

"And the contract?" Harry prompted.

"Binding magical agreement," Lynx confirmed. "Written terms, specific limitations, and automatic penalties if I break the rules. Very civilised."

Gabrielle stood and moved towards the door. "The woods are only a short walk from here. We can ask them now."

"I'm coming with you," Seraphine declared, rising from her chair. "Someone needs to ensure this doesn't end in disaster."

The group made their way across the grounds to the woods bordering the southern edge of the Delacour property. 

As they approached the treeline, Harry spotted a unicorn through a gap in the branches. The creature raised its head and stared directly at him. Although he hadn't visited the herd in months, the unicorn clearly recognised him.

Three more unicorns emerged from deeper within the woods, their silver coats catching the filtered sunlight. The nearest mare stepped forward, her pearlescent horn gleaming as she assessed the approaching group. Her dark eyes swept over each visitor before settling on Lynx with unmistakable curiosity.

"They know something's different about her," Gabrielle whispered, noting how the unicorns' attention focused entirely on the small girl.

Lynx stepped forward slowly. "Hello. My name is Lynx. I'd like to speak with you about a partnership that might benefit us both."

The lead mare snorted, tossing her mane as she considered the proposal. The other unicorns shifted closer, forming a loose semicircle around Lynx. Their behaviour was unlike anything Harry had witnessed before—typically skittish around strangers, they now displayed an almost reverent attention.

The mare stepped closer to Lynx, lowering her head until her horn nearly touched the girl's forehead. For several heartbeats, neither moved. Then the unicorn whinnied softly, a sound like silver bells chiming in the wind.

"She's considering it," Lynx announced, not breaking eye contact with the creature. "But she wants to know what I'm offering in return."

“Does anyone else feel that this day has taken a strange turn?” Harry asked.

So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Lynx reveals some information about the gates, and Harry’s search for Lewis intensifies. 

Thanks for reading.