The emerald flames of the Floo network twisted around Chris as he spun through the magical transportation system. He kept his arms tucked close to his body, his face impassive despite the dizzying journey. After weeks of intense training in the isolated confines of Ambrosia Manor, even this brief connection to the wider wizarding world felt strange, like stepping from a monastery into a carnival.
"Bones Residence," he had clearly enunciated moments before, tossing the glittering powder into his fireplace. Now the magical transport was slowing, the spinning sensation gradually subsiding as he prepared for arrival. Chris bent his knees slightly, ready to step out gracefully rather than tumble forward as so many did when exiting the Floo.
The green flames parted, and he emerged into a warm, well-lit reception room. His feet met a thick burgundy carpet that softened his landing. The space was modest in size but impeccably decorated, with gleaming hardwood wainscoting covering the lower half of cream-colored walls. A grandfather clock ticked pleasantly in one corner, its mahogany case polished to a soft shine. The air carried the faint scent of beeswax and lavender, along with the promising aroma of roasting meat drifting from deeper within the house.
"Chris!" Susan's voice rang out immediately. She stepped forward from where she had been waiting with Hannah and an older woman who could only be Madam Bones. Susan wore a simple blue summer dress, her strawberry-blonde hair falling loose around her shoulders instead of in her usual school-day braid. "You made it! Right on time, too."
"Punctuality is a virtue," he replied with a smile, brushing a speck of ash from his sleeve. He'd chosen dark grey trousers and a navy button-down shirt for the occasion—respectful without being overly formal, exactly as Susan had suggested.
Hannah bounced forward next, her characteristic enthusiasm apparent in her wide smile. "Chris! It's so good to see you! Susan's been talking about this dinner all week." She wore a yellow sundress that complemented her blonde hair, a hint of her Hufflepuff loyalty even in her casual clothes.
"Hannah!" Susan hissed, her cheeks colouring slightly.
"What? You have," Hannah replied innocently, though the mischievous glint in her eyes suggested she knew exactly what she was doing.
The older woman stepped forward then, ending the gentle teasing with her presence alone. Amelia Bones carried herself with the unmistakable authority of someone accustomed to command. She was tall and straight-backed, with short grey hair cut in a practical style that framed a face lined by years of responsibility. Despite the weathered appearance, her eyes were sharp and alert, missing nothing. She wore simple navy blue robes that, while not ostentatious, were clearly of excellent quality.
"Mr. Emrys," she said, her voice warm but measured. "Welcome to our home."
Chris stepped forward and offered a formal bow, exactly the right depth for addressing the head of a Noble and Ancient House when one was also of similar standing, though Amelia would have no way of knowing the significance of that specific degree of inclination.
"Madam Bones," he replied, straightening. "Thank you for your kind invitation to dinner. It's an honour to meet you properly." His tone was respectful without being deferential, striking the perfect balance between youthful politeness and quiet dignity.
Susan watched this exchange with widened eyes, a blush rising to her cheeks at the unexpected formality. At school, Chris was usually relaxed and casual with his friends, his manners good but not ceremonial. This more formal side of him, moving with such easy confidence in adult company, clearly surprised her.
Amelia's eyebrow lifted slightly, and a small, knowing smile touched her lips as she noticed her niece's reaction. Her gaze returned to Chris, evaluating him with new interest.
"The honour is mine, Mr. Emrys," she replied. "Susan speaks very highly of you. I understand you've made quite an impression at Hogwarts."
"Susan is too kind," Chris said modestly. "And please, call me Chris. Mr. Emrys makes me feel like I should be checking for grey hairs."
This brought a genuine smile to Amelia's face, the professional mask slipping to reveal a warmer personality beneath. "Chris it is, then. And you must call me Amelia, at least while we're in my home."
"Aunt Amelia makes the best treacle tart in Britain," Susan interjected, seeming eager to move past her moment of embarrassment. "I told you it would be worth coming just for that."
"As if Chris came all this way just for dessert," Hannah teased, linking her arm through Susan's. "Though I might have."
"Food is merely a bonus," Chris said diplomatically. "Good company is the real draw." His gaze included all three of them, but lingered a moment longer on Susan, whose blush deepened slightly.
Amelia gestured toward a doorway across the reception room. "Dinner should be ready. Shall we move to the dining room? I'm sure you young people have much to catch up on."
As they walked through the comfortable home, Chris took in the details. Unlike the ostentatious mansions, ones that displayed their wealth in every gilded surface and priceless artifact, the Bones residence felt genuinely lived-in. Family photographs lined the hallway walls, showing Susan at various ages alongside who must have been her parents and other relatives. Books were stacked on side tables, some with bookmarks protruding. A forgotten cup of tea sat on a windowsill, evidence that this was a home, not a museum.
The contrast with his own living situation wasn't lost on Chris. Ambrosia Manor, for all its grandeur and history, didn't yet have this sense of family warmth. Perhaps it never would. But as Susan chatted animatedly about their summer adventures and Hannah interjected with humorous commentary, he found himself appreciating this glimpse into a more ordinary wizarding life.
Strategically, strengthening his connection to the Bones family made perfect sense. Amelia's position in the Ministry and reputation for incorruptibility would make her a valuable ally in the years ahead. But as he watched Susan laugh at something Hannah said, Chris acknowledged that his reasons for accepting this invitation was purely that these were his friends, perhaps the first real friends he'd made in either of his lives, and their company was worth cherishing for its own sake.
The dining room continued the theme of comfortable elegance that defined the Bones residence. A rectangular oak table dominated the space, set with fine china and crystal that sparkled in the light from a modest chandelier overhead. Windows along one wall looked out onto a garden where evening light played through well-tended herbs and flowering plants. The meal itself, served by a single house-elf who moved with quiet efficiency, consisted of roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, and an array of vegetables arranged with care.
"Please, help yourselves," Amelia said, taking her seat at the head of the table. Susan sat to her right, with Hannah beside her, leaving Chris the seat to Amelia's left. "Nothing fancy, I'm afraid. Just good, honest food."
"It looks wonderful," Chris replied sincerely. After weeks of eating alone in Ambrosia Manor's cavernous dining hall, the intimate setting and home-cooked meal held genuine appeal.
They passed dishes around, the initial moments filled with the comfortable sounds of cutlery and appreciative murmurs. Once everyone had been served, Amelia turned to the trio with interest.
"So, tell me about your second year. Susan mentions her classes in her letters, but I'd love to hear more about what you've all been studying."
Hannah jumped in first. "Professor Sprout's been amazing, as always. We worked with Mandrakes this year, which was terrifying but fascinating. She says I have a real gift for Herbology." Her cheeks flushed with pride as she added, "She's even letting me help with some of her personal research projects next term."
"That's wonderful, Hannah," Amelia said warmly. "Following in your father's footsteps, I see."
Susan nodded. "Hannah's easily the best in our year at Herbology. She even makes plants behave that don't listen to anyone else."
"What about you, Chris?" Amelia asked. "Do you have a favourite subject?"
Chris considered for a moment. "I enjoy most of them, honestly. Transfiguration challenges me in the right ways, and Charms has such practical applications." He smiled slightly. "Though after this year's Defence Against the Dark Arts disaster with Lockhart, I've taken to studying that subject independently."
Amelia's expression darkened. "Yes, that appointment was... unfortunate. The Board of Governors has much to answer for there." She gave Chris an appraising look. "I understand from Professor McGonagall that you're quite exceptional across all subjects."
Chris maintained a modest expression despite his internal pleasure at the recognition. "I enjoy learning. And I have plenty of time to study."
"What about that fraud Lockhart?" Hannah asked, clearly eager to change the subject from academics. "Can you believe he was making up all those adventures? Susan and I had such a laugh when the Daily Prophet ran that exposé."
"The more impressive question is how nobody caught him sooner," Susan added, spearing a roasted carrot with her fork. "Some of his stories contradicted each other completely."
"Yes, well," Amelia said, her tone measured, "sometimes people see what they wish to see. Particularly when the truth is less comfortable than fiction." She turned to Chris. "I understand you were among the first to question his credentials?"
Chris took a sip of water, buying a moment to frame his response. "His books didn't add up. The timelines overlapped impossibly, and some of the spell work he described violated basic magical principles." He shrugged. "That's why I explained my concerns to you, but I can't take credit for his exposure."
"Modest as well as observant," Amelia noted with approval. "Both admirable qualities."
The conversation shifted as Susan described their trip to France, animatedly detailing the wonders of magical Paris with its enchanted fountains and centuries-old apothecaries hidden behind mundane facades. Hannah contributed stories of her father's greenhouse experiments, complete with a dramatic retelling of a batch of Bouncing Bulbs that had escaped their pots and wreaked havoc throughout their garden.
As the main course wound down, Amelia steered the conversation in a new direction. "Chris, if you don't mind my asking, Susan mentioned you live alone? That seems unusual for someone your age, even in the wizarding world."
The question was delivered casually, but Chris recognised the sharp intelligence behind Amelia's eyes. This was both the head of Magical Law Enforcement and a concerned adult inquiring about a child's welfare.
"It's a somewhat complicated situation," Chris replied, his tone carefully measured. He set down his fork and met Amelia's gaze directly. "I'm what the Ministry classifies as an emancipated minor. My family line ended with me, and certain... magical circumstances... led to my early recognition as head of my house."
Susan and Hannah were watching him with open curiosity now. Though they were his closest friends at Hogwarts, he had always been vague about his home life.
"I live in my family home with several house-elves who see to my needs," he continued. "The estate is self-sufficient, and I have trustees who manage the financial aspects until I come of age, though I maintain final approval on all decisions."
"That sounds very lonely," Hannah said softly, her expression full of sympathy.
Chris offered a small smile. "It has its challenges," he admitted. "But the house-elves are excellent company, and I keep busy with studies and training."
"Training?" Amelia inquired, her eyebrow raised slightly.
"Magical practice, primarily," Chris explained. "And physical exercise. I find the two complement each other well." He deliberately didn't mention the advanced battle magic from Gryffindor's Grimoire or his preparations for the acromantula hunt.
Amelia studied him thoughtfully. "I've reviewed your file at the Ministry, you know. Your situation is... unusual, to say the least."
Chris maintained a neutral expression, though internally he wondered exactly what his "file" contained. The goblins had handled the legal aspects of establishing his identity in this timeline, and they were thorough in their work.
"The welfare of magical children falls under my department's purview," Amelia continued. "Normally, I would have concerns about someone your age living independently, regardless of legal emancipation."
"I assure you, I'm well cared for," Chris said quietly.
"I can see that," Amelia replied, her expression softening. "You're clearly mature beyond your years, and whatever circumstances led to your current situation, you seem to be handling them admirably."
The house-elf reappeared, clearing away dinner plates and replacing them with smaller dessert dishes. Moments later, a magnificent treacle tart appeared on the table, its surface glistening golden in the candlelight.
"However," Amelia continued as she served the dessert, "everyone needs friends and allies, regardless of how self-sufficient they may be." She handed Chris the first plate with a warm smile. "Consider our home open to you, Chris. Susan has always spoken highly of you, and I can see why."
The simple kindness in her words caught Chris off guard. He had come expecting to strengthen a potentially useful alliance, but Amelia's genuine concern touched something deeper.
"Thank you," he said, surprised by the sincerity in his own voice. "That means more than you know."
Susan beamed at him from across the table, clearly pleased by her aunt's approval. Hannah nudged her friend playfully, whispering something that made Susan blush again.
The treacle tart, he had to admit, lived up to Susan's praise. Sweet without being cloying, with a perfect balance of textures between the filling and crust. Like everything else about the Bones household, it was excellent without being showy, substance over appearance, quality without pretension.
Rather like Amelia Bones herself, Chris thought. A valuable ally indeed, and perhaps, in time, a genuine family friend as well.
After dessert, Amelia led them to a cosy sitting room where comfortable armchairs surrounded a low table. A gentle fire burned in the grate despite the summer evening, kept low enough to provide ambiance without overheating the room. Family photographs lined the mantelpiece, including several of a younger Susan alongside what must have been her parents, their faces bearing the same warm smile she had inherited. Chris settled into an armchair, feeling pleasantly full and unexpectedly relaxed in this welcoming space.
"I hope you saved room for tea," Amelia said, waving her wand to summon a tray that floated gently down onto the table. "An old habit from my early days in the DMLE, I can't seem to end an evening without it."
"Aunt Amelia runs on tea," Susan explained with a fond smile. "It's practically her life force."
"You say that as if it's a character flaw," Amelia replied, her usually stern demeanor softened by the warmth of the evening. "When you've spent as many late nights poring over case files as I have, you'll understand the sacred relationship between witches and their tea."
The conversation flowed easily now, the initial formality of dinner having melted into comfortable familiarity. Hannah regaled them with tales of her father's more disastrous botanical experiments, including a recent cross-breeding attempt that had resulted in vines that sang opera at inconvenient hours.
"They only do it at three in the morning," she explained, gesturing dramatically. "Dad's been sleeping with Silencing Charms around his ears for weeks!"
Chris found himself laughing more freely than he had in months. The weight of his training regimen, the looming acromantula hunt, the constant vigilance required by his plans, all of it seemed distant in this moment, temporarily set aside in favor of simple enjoyment.
"What about you, Chris?" Hannah asked after finishing her story. "Any exciting plans for the rest of summer, besides studying yourself into an early grave?"
"Actually," he replied with a small smile, "I have a business meeting at Gringotts next week. Some investment matters to discuss with the goblins." It wasn't exactly a lie, though the "investment" in question involved dragon-hide armor and battle strategy rather than financial portfolios.
"That sounds dreadfully boring," Susan teased, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Says the niece of the witch who reads legal briefs for relaxation," Amelia countered, drawing laughter from all three teenagers.
As the grandfather clock in the corner chimed nine, Chris reluctantly acknowledged that the evening was drawing to a close. As enjoyable as it had been, he still had training scheduled for early the next morning.
"We should all meet in Diagon Alley to get our school supplies," Hannah suggested suddenly. "The last week before term starts. We could make a day of it, Flourish and Blotts, Madam Malkin's, and definitely Fortescue's for ice cream."
"That sounds perfect," Susan agreed enthusiastically. "Aunt Amelia usually takes me on the 28th. Would that work for you two?"
Chris nodded. "The 28th would be ideal." By then, the acromantula hunt would be over, and he could use a day of normalcy after what promised to be an intense experience.
"It's settled then," Hannah declared. "The 28th it is. I'll send you both owls closer to the date to confirm the time."
"And you're both welcome to join us for dinner afterward," Amelia offered, collecting the empty teacups with a wave of her wand. "It's becoming something of a tradition before the start of term."
They made their way back to the reception room, where the fireplace stood ready for Chris's departure. The Floo powder waited in a delicate silver container on the mantelpiece, embossed with the Bones family crest.
"Thank you for a wonderful evening," Chris said, turning to Amelia. "Your hospitality has been exceptional."
"You're welcome in our home anytime, Chris," she replied, offering her hand. Her handshake was firm and direct, like everything else about her. "And I meant what I said earlier. Should you ever need assistance of any kind, our door is open to you."
"I appreciate that more than I can express," he answered, recognising the genuine offer behind her words.
He turned to Hannah next, who gave him a friendly punch on the arm. "See you on the 28th. Try not to learn the entire third-year curriculum before then, yeah? Give the rest of us a chance."
"No promises," he replied with a grin.
Finally, he turned to Susan. "Thank you for inviting me. It's been…"
Before he could finish, Susan stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a quick, impulsive hug. Her hair smelled faintly of lavender, and the unexpected warmth of the gesture left him momentarily speechless. By the time his brain caught up to what was happening, she had already pulled away, her cheeks flushed pink.
"See you on the 28th," she said hurriedly, stepping back beside her aunt, who was watching the exchange with barely concealed amusement.
Chris recovered quickly, though he could feel a strange warmth rising in his own face. "Yes, absolutely. The 28th." He took a pinch of Floo powder from the silver container, oddly conscious of his fingers' slight tremor. "Thank you all again."
He stepped into the fireplace, turned to face them one last time, and stated softly so no one but him could hear, "Ambrosia Manor," before tossing down the powder. Green flames engulfed him, and the warm image of the three women, Hannah grinning broadly, Amelia looking thoughtful, and Susan still blushing, dissolved into the spinning vortex of the Floo network.
Moments later, he stepped out into the grand, empty reception hall of Ambrosia Manor. The contrast was immediate and stark, from warm family home to the echoing grandeur of ancient magical lineage. Jilly appeared with a soft pop, ready to take his outer robes, but Chris waved her off gently.
"Thank you, Jilly, but I'll head directly to my study. I'd like to review some notes before retiring."
Alone in his study, Chris settled into the leather chair behind his desk, reflecting on the evening. It had been an unqualified success. He had established a meaningful connection with Amelia Bones, exactly the sort of powerful, principled ally he would need in the coming years. Her offer of friendship and assistance could prove invaluable as events unfolded, especially when he finally revealed his true self to the world.
But there had been something else too, something unexpected. The simple pleasure of being in a real home, with people who genuinely cared for each other. The warmth of belonging, however briefly, to something like a family. And Susan's impulsive hug, he found himself dwelling on that moment more than was strictly logical.
Chris smiled slightly as he pulled Gryffindor's training schedule toward him. Two lives lived, and still the simple human connections had the power to surprise him. Perhaps that was worth noting, worth protecting, as much as any alliance or magical discovery.
Tomorrow would bring a return to training, preparations for the acromantula hunt, and the relentless forward momentum of his plans. But tonight, he allowed himself to simply appreciate the evening for what it had been, a reminder of why all his planning and preparation mattered in the first place.