HP: The Artisan's Path: Chapter 102

Hi all, 

Here’s the third chapter for last week. The Resurgence chapter will be out tomorrow.

Chapter 102

Harry walked through the grand entrance of MACUSA headquarters alongside his grandfather. The lobby's ceiling stretched impossibly high, adorned with murals depicting America's magical history. Wizards and witches in formal robes hurried past them, busy with their own matters.

"Ready for this?" Charlus asked.

Harry shrugged. "Not really.”

"You'll do fine," Charlus assured him. "Just remember what we discussed. Stick to facts, avoid speculation, and don't volunteer information unless specifically asked."

They approached a security checkpoint where a stern-faced wizard examined their wands.

"Mr Potter, Mr Potter," the security wizard acknowledged with a curt nod. "You'll need these." 

He handed them each a silver badge that read 'International Conference—Level 5 Clearance'. After pinning on their badges, they were escorted to a lift that descended far deeper than Harry expected.

"How far down are we going?" Harry asked as they passed the tenth underground level.

"MACUSA keeps its most sensitive facilities deep below street level," Charlus said.

Harry nodded. It was similar to the British Ministry of Magic.

The conference room was already bustling when they entered. A large oval table dominated the space, surrounded by ornate chairs bearing the emblems of various magical nations. 

Harry spotted Gabrielle's grandmother, Seraphine Delacour, representing France. She caught his eye and offered a subtle nod. President Graves sat at the head of the table, conferring quietly with Elizabeth Chen.

Charlus leaned in close. “Did you notice anyone absent?”

“The Supreme Mugwump,” Harry replied.

The ICW didn't have a Supreme Mugwump present to lead the proceedings. Hadn't they replaced Albus by now? Perhaps they were too wary to appoint another person to such a powerful position after his crimes were revealed.

"Ah, Mr Potter has arrived," Graves announced, bringing the room to attention. "For those unfamiliar, Harry Potter is the artisan who discovered the gate on the island. He will be providing testimony regarding what he witnessed firsthand."

A squat woman dressed entirely in pink stood up from the British delegation's seats. Her toad-like face contorted into what Harry supposed was meant to be a smile.

"Hem-hem," she cleared her throat in an affected manner. "Dolores Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic. I must object to Mr Potter's involvement in these proceedings. He is a British citizen and a minor. Any testimony he provides should be handled through proper Ministry channels."

Harry felt a flash of irritation. Before he could respond, Charlus stepped forward.

"My grandson holds triple citizenship—British, French, and as of this week, American. He doesn't fall exclusively under British jurisdiction."

Umbridge's smile tightened. "I was unaware of these alleged citizenships. I see no documentation—"

"The documentation is filed with the appropriate departments," Seraphine interrupted smoothly. "France recognises Harry Potter as a citizen through his business contributions to our economy and special dispensation from Minister Delacour himself."

President Graves leaned forward. "And I personally approved Mr Potter's American citizenship. His status is not up for debate, Madam Umbridge."

The pink-clad woman subsided into her seat, though her eyes promised future unpleasantness.

"Why on earth is that woman here?" Harry whispered, leaning closer to his grandfather.

"Haven't the foggiest," Charlus muttered back. "Perhaps Fudge is trying to withdraw from the ICW and sent her to demolish Britain's standing. Certainly, the quickest way to go about it."

Harry had to bite the inside of his cheek to stop himself laughing. Snickering at diplomatic proceedings wouldn't exactly endear him to the assembly of magical government delegates watching his every move.

He took his designated seat and waited as the leaders continued the introductions. It seemed like every ICW member had shown up for the meeting, which was almost unheard of. Considering the reason for the meeting, it was no surprise they were compelled to come. 

When Harry was called upon, he provided a detailed account of finding the gate chamber, describing its structure and apparent function while carefully omitting some details.

"And you're certain the construct was guarding the gate?” Germany’s delegate asked.

"Yes," Harry replied. "It attacked me when I approached the gate, and only became docile when I demonstrated that I wasn’t a threat."

"What a load of nonsense," Umbridge muttered, loud enough to be heard.

Charlus shot her a warning glance, which she pretended not to notice.

"This guardian construct," the Japanese delegate interjected, leaning forward with undisguised interest. "Our reports indicate it's composed of a unique liquid metal. Is this accurate?"

“No. It’s the runic language that gives it its fluidity. Some metals would be more effective than others, though."

"Fascinating," the Japanese delegate remarked. "Japan would be most interested in studying this construct."

Several more countries expressed their interest, forcing the President to raise his hands. “The construct is the property of MACUSA. Not only did we discover it, but it was found on American soil.”

“Wasn’t it Mr Potter who found the construct?” The Japanese delegate pressed. “And it only answers to him. It seems like he is the rightful owner.”

“Harry is also a citizen of the United States,” President Graves replied.

“You certainly acted quickly to secure Mr Potter for yourself.”  

President Graves frowned. “We are getting off topic. The main purpose of this meeting is to determine the threat from the Fae Realm. We can discuss this later.” 

The Japanese delegate sat back, clearly unsatisfied.    

A Norwegian delegate—a tall man with a blonde beard that reached his waist—raised his hand. "Was there anything noteworthy about the group that stepped through the gate?"

"They wore animal masks over their faces," Harry replied. "And they wielded staffs that released some powerful magic.”

They continued questioning Harry for the next half-hour. Most of their inquiries covered information they'd likely been briefed on already, but they pressed for additional details. Several delegates made little effort to hide their suspicion, Dolores Umbridge being the worst offender.

After they had finished questioning him, Elizabeth stepped forward, activating a projection spell that displayed surveillance images above the table.

"Our monitoring of the island has revealed concerning developments," she said. "The intruders who emerged after our departure have established what appears to be a settlement. Their numbers have grown from an initial dozen to over a hundred."

Murmurs broke out around the table as the images showed structures being raised near the gate's location. The buildings looked simple and were built out of a white construction material.

She flicked her wand, and the image changed to show close-ups of the individuals themselves. Harry leaned forward, studying their appearance. They looked like humans, but it was hard to tell with their masks on. 

"They appear to be bringing materials and individuals through the gate at an accelerated rate," Elizabeth continued. "At this progression, we estimate that over a thousand will be present within weeks."

"Have they shown further hostility?" Seraphine asked.

"They haven't engaged our surveillance teams," Elizabeth replied. "But they've established defensive perimeters around their settlement. These aren't the actions of peaceful visitors."

Harry noticed Eriksen, the Norwegian delegate, growing increasingly agitated. The man's fingers drummed on the table as he exchanged whispers with his aides. Finally, he stood, clearing his throat to gain the floor.

"Forgive me, but I can no longer remain silent," Eriksen said. "What you're describing matches exactly what Norway has been monitoring for the past month."

The room fell silent, all eyes turning to the Norwegian.

"Would you elaborate, Delegate Eriksen?" Graves asked.

Eriksen nodded to an aide who retrieved a folder and distributed photographs of an island with the same structures. 

The room erupted in alarmed conversation. Two separate incursions meant this wasn't isolated—it was coordinated.

"Order!" Graves called, restoring quiet. "This changes our assessment significantly. We're potentially facing a planned invasion from the Fae Realm."

"What evidence do you have that the Norwegian settlement is connected to the American one?" The Australian delegate asked.

More photos emerged, depicting figures wearing the same animal masks that Harry had seen. The reveal sent an uneasy silence through the room. 

“So, there is at least one more gate out there,” President Graves said. “This is troubling news.”

He turned to Harry, who already had an answer for him. “I didn’t know there were other gates. But they require a powerful rift to operate them. That may be the best way to find if there are more of them.”

“A good idea.” President Graves nodded. “We will take it under consideration.”    

"Have you observed any interaction with this Baba Yaga?" Seraphine asked.

"No," the Norwegian admitted. "But it doesn’t give me any reassurance. These invaders are dangerous in their own right. We still haven’t determined if they are deities themselves."

The German delegate cleared his throat. "We must consider whether the Russian Magical Federation has been compromised. If this Baba Yaga entity has infiltrated their government, we face a two-front problem."

"Russia isn't part of the ICW," the Spanish delegate pointed out. "We have limited diplomatic channels to begin with."

"All the more reason to act decisively," the German delegate countered. "If their Ministry has fallen under the influence of a deity with connections to these Fae invaders, we cannot afford to wait."

The American Secretary of Defence nodded vigorously. "We should consider a covert operation to capture this Baba Yaga. The intelligence value alone would be worth the risk."

Charlus shook his head slightly, but remained silent. Harry, however, couldn't contain himself.

"Forgive me," he said, drawing surprised looks from around the table, "but you're talking about capturing a deity. Do you actually have any plan for how to accomplish that?"

"Mr Potter," Umbridge began in her syrupy voice, "these matters are far beyond—"

"No, let the boy speak,"the Norwegian interrupted. "He's encountered this entity. That's more than the rest of us can claim."

"From what I saw," Harry continued carefully, "she possesses power well beyond normal magical capabilities. She created dozens of Leshies from trees with a single gesture and nearly broke through wards on the island."

"Are you suggesting we do nothing?" the German delegate demanded.

"I'm suggesting that rushing in without understanding what we're facing is suicidal," Harry replied. "We need more information before considering direct confrontation."

"Mr Potter speaks wisdom,” Seraphine said. “They cannot be approached as one would a rogue wizard."

The debate intensified, with delegates splitting into factions along predictable lines. The more aggressive nations favoured immediate action against Russia, while others advocated caution. Harry watched the political manoeuvring with growing unease. None of them truly grasped what they were up against. 

After their debate ended in a stalemate, they returned to the matter of the invaders. 

"We propose immediate military action," the American Secretary of Magical Defence proposed. "Secure the island and neutralise the settlement."

"Without understanding their intentions?" the French ambassador countered. "That could provoke greater retaliation."

“They attacked us as soon as they appeared on the island, and forced us to flee,” President Graves reminded him. “I think we are clear on what their intentions are.” 

"They've already established two islands that we know of," the Norwegian delegate said. "How many more exist that we haven't discovered?"

Harry sighed and sat back in his seat. He had a feeling that he was no longer needed in the meeting, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t be stuck here for the rest of the meeting. 

Would it be rude if he pulled out a book to read to pass the time?

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

Harry sank onto his bed in his trunk workshop later that evening. This was the one place he could guarantee privacy. It felt like he was under constant scrutiny, and that was before today, where he was introduced onto a more global stage. 

He retrieved the Source and opened it to the inventory page. In light of the growing threat from the Fae Realm, he was considering a bold move—one he had promised himself he wouldn't attempt again.

Like he predicted, the meeting had dragged on all day. By the time it finished, he was feeling thoroughly peeved. After all the discussion, the only conclusion they had reached was that the invaders needed to be investigated further. Two settlements wasn't enough to start an all-out war, but they would search for evidence of more invaders that may have slipped under the radar.

Harry had been seriously tempted to show them the Fae Stone, with the excuse that he had found it on the island. That would have given them a possible means of communicating with someone who knew about these mysterious invaders. But he decided against it, as he was already under enough scrutiny.

He pulled several Fae Stones from his inventory, weighing them in his palm. He decided to contact the Fae Realm himself and see if he could find someone with knowledge of the people wearing animal masks. The memory of his last attempt flashed in his mind—that terrifying deity he'd encountered. Even separated by two different worlds, he hadn't felt safe.

Harry took a deep breath before activating the first Fae Stone, but no one answered the call, forcing him to activate a second one. This time, a woman answered, but she snapped that she was busy before immediately ending the connection.

Harry was no longer anxious—just annoyed. He activated the third stone, bracing himself for another disappointment.

To his surprise, he connected with what sounded like a young girl, perhaps six or seven years old.

"Who is this? How did you hack into my scrying pool?" The voice was high-pitched but surprisingly articulate.

"My name is Harry. I'm using an artifact that allows me to connect to a random person in the Fae Realm," he explained.

"So, I was chosen at random? And here I thought I was special." The girl's tone dripped with sarcasm.

Harry found himself smiling. The girl had plenty of snark, but he was relieved the conversation was going well. "Who am I speaking to?"

"My father said I shouldn't talk to strangers."

"Then can I speak to him?"

"That would be an incredible feat. He's dead."

Harry winced. "I'm sorry. What about your mother?"

The girl ignored his question. "I think I like you. You can call me Lynx."

"Strange name,"

"And your name is boring. What's your point?"

"It's a perfectly good name," Harry said defensively. "Look, I'm after some information. Can I ask you a question?"

"That depends on the question."

"Are you familiar with a group that wears animal masks?"

There was a pause. "I might be. Before I answer, you need to answer mine."

"What is it?"

"Where are you calling me from?"

Harry hesitated, uncertain whether to answer truthfully.

"Because your ignorance is really confusing," Lynx continued. "The question you asked is common knowledge. Either you've been sheltered all your life, or you're not from the Fae Realm. Which is it?"

"The latter," Harry admitted.

"Interesting. You must be from the mundane world. I have so many questions."

"Answer mine first."

"This group that wears animal masks are known as Beast-kin. They're Animagi, but more wild than usual. They allow their inner animals more freedom, hence they can be quite volatile and aggressive. Their masks represent what animal they turn into."

Harry considered the implications. If this group had the ability to conceal themselves as animals, then the situation might be much worse than anyone thought. There could be many more amongst them, hiding in plain sight.

“Are they deities?” Harry asked.

“No. But they are magically powerful. They usually use staffs, but they will use their Animagus forms if they deem it necessary.”

“Interesting.”

"Why are you asking about them?" Lynx asked.

"Because they've appeared here and taken possession of two islands."

There was silence on the other end. Finally, Lynx spoke again. "How?"

"They came through gates that were built to create a permanent connection between our worlds."

"Those bastards didn't bother to inform me," Lynx muttered.

Harry frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Don't worry about it."

Something in her tone made Harry suspicious. "Are you really a child?"

"I'm very mature for my age," Lynx replied primly.

"Why would these Beast-kin invade Earth?"

"They're probably looking for a new home. Their kind are heavily persecuted within the Fae Realm. Even with the Source's arrival, things haven't improved much."

Harry nearly dropped the stone. Had she just mentioned the Source? "So, can they be reasoned with?"

"Unlikely. Even if they are at the bottom of the food chain here, they are still bloody arrogant." Lynx paused. "Hey, I need to get going. Before I do, what's your full name?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"Curiosity."

Harry hesitated but saw little harm in it. "Harry Potter."

"Excellent. One more thing before I go. Did you encounter the Beast-kin?”

“Yes.”

“Then you need to be careful. They probably have locked onto your scent. Some Beast-kin will not give up hunting you until you’re dead. See you around, Harry Potter."

"Wait—"

But Lynx had already disconnected the call, leaving Harry with more questions than answers and an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Was it possible that these Beast-kin had followed him to the Artisan's Guild? He tried to recall all the animal masks he'd seen at the island, checking if any were birds capable of flight. After some thought, he recognised at least two—one resembling a hawk and another that might have been a vulture.

If they could transform into these animals, they might easily have tracked him back to Boston. He'd have to start checking for animals hanging around the guild, particularly those showing unusual interest in the buildings.

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

23rd July

Harry stepped back from his workbench, wiping sweat from his brow. After days of meticulous work, his miniature construct was finally complete. Standing about twenty centimetres tall, the spider-like construct looked eerily similar to Spidey.

The project had been the toughest yet. He had encountered so many obstacles and made mistakes. He still wasn't entirely sure he had ironed out. However, he was confident that it was functional.

He reached forward, tapping the control crystal embedded in the construct's back. The miniature Spidey shuddered to life, its liquid metal form rippling as systems activated. Its eight legs unfolded from beneath its body, lifting it smoothly off the workbench. Harry held his breath as the construct took its first tentative steps across the wooden surface.

"Come on," Harry muttered. "Work properly."

The mini-Spidey paused, its featureless head tilting upward as if listening to his voice. Then it performed a small circle, each leg moving with the same fluid grace as its larger counterpart. Not perfect—there was a slight stutter in the third left leg—but far better than Harry had dared hope for his first attempt.

He performed some more tests. The power distribution seemed stable, and the adaptive intelligence array responded to basic commands. 

Harry set a small wooden block at the other end of the bench. "Fetch that block."

The construct turned its attention to the target. It approached cautiously, examining the block from multiple angles before grasping it with two front legs. As it returned, Harry noticed slight irregularities in its gait—something in the balance calibration needed adjustment.

"Not bad for version one," he told himself, making more notes. The Source had set him an ambitious task with this project. Creating even a simplified version of Galahad's masterwork wasn't something to be taken lightly.

The symbol on his hand glowed with warmth. Harry retrieved the Source and flipped it open.

========== 

The host has completed a task! 

Task: Miniature Guardian 

Reward: 400,000 General Experience

Miniature Guardian (Superior Artifact) 

Description: The Miniature Guardian is a palm-sized version of Spidey, constructed from metal with Flux Rune arrays integrated into its core. Its featureless head houses advanced sensory equipment adapted from Russian magitech, allowing it to detect both physical and magical threats. The construct can follow basic commands, patrol designated areas, and respond adaptively to new situations. Its power core, a masterpiece of runic engineering, allows for sustained operation without frequent recharging. Despite some minor flaws, the construct is an amazing achievement that can be further iterated on.

The host has levelled up to 19! Artisan Rank: 645 >> 579 

Progress to level 20: 318550 / 1000000

========== 

Harry grinned. He was climbing the artisan rankings steadily now, and with each new level came greater recognition and resources. He grabbed the miniature guardian and headed outside to test it in the open air.

The American Artisan Guild's training grounds were nearly empty that afternoon. Harry found a quiet corner near one of the testing platforms and set the construct down again.

"Patrol," he instructed, pointing to a rough circle about ten metres in diameter.

The miniature Spidey immediately began prowling the perimeter. Whenever something crossed its path—a leaf blowing in the wind, a curious squirrel—it would pause, assess the potential threat, and then continue its rounds.

Harry was so absorbed in watching the construct that he didn't notice Maya approaching until she spoke.

"You finished it!" she exclaimed, crouching down for a better look. "It's brilliant, Harry."

"Thanks," he replied. "Want to see what it can do?"

Maya nodded eagerly. "Mum's going to be furious she missed this. She's been pestering me daily about your progress."

Harry ran through a series of commands, demonstrating the construct's capabilities. Their demonstration soon drew more attention. Several guild members drifted over, watching with undisguised interest as the miniature guardian performed increasingly complex tasks.

"Is that what I think it is?" an older artisan asked.

"A scaled-down version of the original, yes," Harry confirmed.

The man whistled appreciatively. "What does it run on? The power requirements must be enormous."

"Trade secret," Harry replied.

"My name is Jeremy. Kid, don't you know the Artisan Guild in America is more collaborative than Europe? There are no trade secrets."

"Well, then it's a good thing I'm not part of the guild. Only a citizen." Harry said. "You're free to study Spidey. Why don't you figure it out for yourself?"

Jeremy's face flushed with anger. Before he could answer, a sharp voice from behind interrupted him.

"Jeremy, stop it," Elizabeth said. "You've embarrassed yourself enough."

Jeremy slunk away, muttering under his breath. Alongside Elizabeth was Gabrielle, who ran over to inspect the miniature construct.

"This is amazing," she said. "Can I have one?"

"Why would you want something artificial?" Harry asked. "Didn't I promise you something better?"

Gabrielle's eyes narrowed. "Are you going to finally tell me what you've been hiding from me the past few days?"

Harry nodded, picking up the miniature Spidey. "First, I have to give him a name. Any ideas?"

"T-800," Maya suggested.

"Somebody's a Terminator fan," Harry muttered. "Next."

"Scout," Elizabeth said.

"Not bad," Harry mused. "Can anyone top that?"

"Quicksilver," Gabrielle proposed.

Harry snorted. "Someone's been reading my X-Men comics. But isn't that too long? How about keeping it simple? Let's call him Eight."

The women ignored him and continued suggesting names until they settled on Octavius. An eight-limbed cyborg who is Spider-Man's nemesis. It was too perfect.

"So, how much?" Elizabeth asked.

"Octo isn't for sale," Harry said.

"I figured that much. How much to build another one and sell it to me?"

"A lot," Harry said. "But it's too time-consuming. I won't be able to finish it for a while."

Elizabeth nodded. "Good enough for me. Let me know when it's ready."

Harry felt a tug on his arm and turned to Gabrielle. "What is it?"

"What's the secret?" Gabrielle demanded.

"Oh, right." Harry ran a hand through his hair. "As part of my negotiations with the President, I asked for permission for you to take some creatures for your habitat."

Gabrielle leaped into his arms. "Harry!"

"It's only for species that are critically endangered," Harry cautioned. "You'll be helping to increase their numbers and releasing them back into the wild."

Gabrielle kissed him. "Thank you. Let's go find some creatures. Do you think the girls will want to join?"

"Let's go ask them." Harry paused. "Have you seen Blaise around? I haven't seen him for a while."

Gabrielle grinned. "He’s out sampling all the American cuisine.”

“Who knew he was a foodie?” Harry mused. “Or is that a euphemism for something else?”

“Don’t be crude,” Gabrielle said. “Tracy would skin him alive if he cheated on her. She doesn’t like to share like your girls do.”

“Dodged a bullet then.”

“What?!” 

“I’m just kidding.” 

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

Harry trudged through the undergrowth of the magical reserve, following a narrow dirt path as it wound between towering oak trees. The midday sun struggled to penetrate the dense canopy, casting dappled shadows across their small group. Gabrielle darted ahead excitedly, her camera already capturing images of the creatures.

"Slow down," Susan called. "The ranger said some of these creatures are dangerous."

“The creatures aren’t dangerous,” Gabrielle insisted.

“Sounds just like Hagrid,” Susan muttered. 

His grandfather walked beside Harry, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings. Despite the peaceful setting, his hand remained close to his wand holster. 

"I still can't believe you managed to get us special access," Gabrielle said, turning back to Harry. "This reserve has some of the rarest magical creatures in North America."

Harry shrugged. "I had a lot of leverage."

They reached a small clearing where their guide, a weathered witch with sun-tanned skin, waited for them.

"This is where we keep most of our endangered species," she explained, gesturing to the various habitats branching off from the main path. "Each area is magically maintained to match their natural environment."

As they followed her down one of the paths, Harry fell into step beside his grandfather.

"How are the talks with MACUSA going?" he asked.

Charlus sighed, rubbing his temple. "About as well as you'd expect. We're trying to develop strategies to remove the threat with minimal casualties."

"Any promising ideas?"

"One proposal involves a small team infiltrating the island to destroy the gate," Charlus replied. "Cut off their reinforcements first, then deal with those already here."

Harry stopped walking. "That's a terrible plan."

Charlus raised an eyebrow. "Care to explain why?"

Harry glanced around to ensure their guide was occupied with Gabrielle and Susan, who were examining a pair of cubs in a specially designed enclosure.

"I believe these invaders are Animagi," Harry said. "They can transform into animals corresponding to their masks."

Charlus frowned. "That's a significant detail. Why didn't you mention this at the meeting?"

"Because I have no proof. Only a feeling. Not something they would have given credence to."

"Is this because of your Demiguise instincts?"

Harry nodded. "If they can transform into animals, infiltrating their territory would be nearly impossible. Their superior senses will detect any intruders immediately."

Charlus grunted. "I'll need to reconsider our approach. If what you suspect is true, a direct confrontation might be unavoidable."

They continued walking, catching up to the others as the guide led them towards a series of magical pens containing various endangered creatures.

"These are the creatures available for your conservation project," the guide explained to Gabrielle. "You're permitted to select up to three species, provided you can demonstrate appropriate habitat conditions."

Gabrielle moved from pen to pen, her face lighting up as she studied each creature. Susan followed, notebook in hand, taking notes on care requirements.

Harry paused, a prickle of unease running down his spine. He glanced around, scanning the dense trees surrounding the path.

"Everything alright?" Charlus asked.

"I feel like we're being watched," Harry muttered.

His grandfather immediately became alert, his posture shifting subtly into a defensive stance. His eyes swept the treeline, searching for any sign of movement.

"I don't see anything," Charlus said after a moment. "But that doesn't mean nothing's there."

Harry nodded, reaching for his wand. He couldn't pinpoint the source of his unease, but the sensation persisted. Years of surviving dangerous situations had taught him to trust his instincts.

"Let's stay close to the girls," he suggested.

They rejoined Gabrielle and Susan, who were excitedly discussing a pair of rare Pukwudgies that were eyeing them suspiciously from behind a magical barrier.

High in the trees, a crow perched on a branch, its beady eyes following Harry's every movement. It had tracked the group since they entered the reserve, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. The old wizard's vigilance posed a significant problem—the crow would need to wait until the target was alone.

As the crow adjusted its position for a better view, a blur of tawny fur launched from a nearby branch. A lynx, moving with supernatural speed, pounced on the bird before it could react. Powerful jaws clamped around the crow's neck with a sickening crunch.

The lynx dropped the lifeless bird to the ground, where it landed with a dull thud. The crow's form shimmered and expanded, transforming into a human figure. A crow mask covered its face.

The lynx leapt down gracefully beside its kill. Its fur rippled and shifted, the animal form giving way to that of a small girl, no more than six years old. She had wild auburn hair and wore a simple brown dress that blended with the forest colours.

She knelt beside the dead Beast-kin, tilting her head curiously as she examined his mask. Then she looked up through the trees towards the clearing where Harry and his group continued their tour, completely unaware of the drama that had unfolded a short distance away.

"I have found you, Harry Potter," she whispered, a smile spreading across her childish face. “We’re going to have so much fun.”

So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Harry attends Comic-Con and meets a strange little girl.

Thanks for reading.