Vinda’s suggestion hit Alistair like a bolt of lightning.
Imprisoned?
Where else would a dangerous wizard be imprisoned except Azkaban?
He was certainly curious about almost everything in the Wizarding World, but Dementors were one experience he was perfectly happy to avoid for the rest of his life.
Breaking into Azkaban just to meet some mysterious prisoner sounded completely insane, especially when the people proposing it seemed more ruthless than most Death Eaters.
Unfortunately, simply refusing Vinda outright didn’t seem like the smartest choice either.
After several seconds of thought, Alistair carefully said, “Mrs.
Rosier, there’s no need to rush.
It won’t be long before I can walk in openly instead of sneaking inside like this.” What he meant was simple enough.
Once he graduated from Hogwarts, perhaps he could find a respectable position in the Ministry of Magic, and if that job ever gave him legitimate access to Azkaban, he could visit without committing half a dozen crimes along the way.
To Alistair, it was a perfectly reasonable plan.
Vinda understood something entirely different.
Her eyes widened slightly, and she had to suppress the excitement rising across her face.
“That’s right, Alistair.
You’re absolutely right.” Her lips even trembled as she continued, “Why should we always hide?
The Alliance was never meant to live like frightened rats, skulking through shadows and pretending we don’t exist.” The other elderly witches and wizards behind her immediately became attentive.
“One day, the Wizarding World will remember us again, and I believe that day isn’t far away.” With that declaration, Vinda finally turned and left.
The other members of the Alliance followed her out of the Vance residence, several of them nodding with obvious excitement as though Alistair had just announced the beginning of some grand political campaign.
Alistair remained standing in the doorway, staring after them in complete confusion.
“They definitely didn’t understand what I meant.” He considered calling them back to explain, then immediately dismissed the idea.
“Whatever.
That’s a problem for future me.” Once they were gone, Alistair quickly pushed the matter aside and started thinking about Hogwarts instead.
If he was really going to spend the next seven years in the Wizarding World, then he needed to establish some basic rules for himself.
“I’m here to experience magic, not save the world,” he muttered.
Harry Potter would arrive next year, and dealing with Voldemort, cursed objects, secret chambers, and whatever other disasters followed the future protagonist was Harry’s job.
Alistair’s goal was much simpler: learn magic, explore Hogwarts, enjoy this new life, and stay as far away from unnecessary heroics as possible.
While Alistair was happily planning his future, Vinda and the others were having a much less peaceful night.
They gathered around a long table at their temporary residence, with Vinda seated at the head.
She slowly looked over everyone present before speaking.
“What happened tonight must be spread to our people around the world as quickly as possible.
Ever since our master lost to Dumbledore and chose imprisonment, many members of the Alliance have remained hidden for decades.” Vinda’s gaze sharpened.
“Now it’s time to wake them.” The room immediately became quieter.
“Tell them that the Grindelwald bloodline has an heir.
Tell them that Alistair has awakened his magic, and that the future of the Alliance is no longer uncertain.” To her left, one elderly wizard hesitated before asking, “And what if some of them refuse to answer?
It’s been a long time, Vinda.
Decades can change people.” “Then we’ll reclaim whatever the master entrusted to them,” Vinda replied without hesitation.
“The master may never have cared much about wealth or possessions, but those resources can still help Alistair.” She reached into her clothing and removed a familiar pendant.
Its design consisted of a triangle containing a circle, with a straight vertical line running through the center.
The Deathly Hallows symbol gleamed faintly beneath the room’s light.
Vinda fastened the pendant against her chest and rose from her chair.
“For the Greater Good.” The following morning, Alistair was awakened by loud knocking at the door.
Still half asleep, he stumbled downstairs and opened it, only for Vinda to stride confidently past him without waiting for an invitation.
Behind her floated several bags and packages, most filled with clothing, though Alistair also spotted enough grooming products to supply a small boutique.
He stared at the procession in confusion until Vinda finally turned toward him with a serious expression.
“Today, I’ll teach you your first lesson.” Alistair immediately became alert.
“Magic?” “Elegance.” He blinked.
Vinda lifted her chin proudly.
“Magic may fade with time, but elegance never does.” Alistair stared at the mountain of clothes floating behind her and decided there was no point arguing.
Some time later, the boy who emerged from the house looked considerably different from the sleepy eleven-year-old who had answered the door.
His blond hair had been carefully styled, his complexion looked immaculate, and he wore a high-collared coat chosen personally by Vinda.
When they entered the Leaky Cauldron, the noisy pub became noticeably quieter as several patrons glanced in their direction.
Vinda behaved as if this reaction were completely expected.
Tom, the elderly barman, looked Alistair over with exaggerated appreciation.
“Well, I haven’t seen a young gentleman that well dressed in quite some time.
Almost reminds me of myself when I was younger.” Alistair remembered Vinda’s morning lesson and answered without missing a beat.
“Thank you, sir.
I’d say time has treated your charm remarkably well.” His tone was polite without sounding nervous or overly flattering.
Vinda gave the smallest approving nod.
Tom appeared genuinely surprised.
He’d expected an awkward first-year, not a child who responded to teasing like someone who’d spent years attending formal dinners.
“First year at Hogwarts?” he asked.
Alistair smiled and nodded.
Tom gave him a satisfied I knew it expression before allowing them through toward the small enclosed courtyard behind the pub.
Vinda approached the brick wall that concealed Diagon Alley and raised her wand.
After tapping the correct brick, the wall began shifting apart.
Bricks folded and moved into one another until an archway opened before them, revealing a crowded magical street beyond.
Shops stretched in both directions, displaying cauldrons, robes, books, potion ingredients, magical creatures, and enchanted objects Alistair had only ever imagined seeing in person.
Vinda glanced down at him.
“Welcome to the Wizarding World.” Alistair stepped through the opening with wide eyes.
No movie set or illustrated page had ever captured the experience properly.
Witches and wizards moved through the street in every direction, shop signs swung overhead, owls called from cages, and enchanted merchandise moved behind windows without anyone touching it.
Alistair’s attention jumped from one display to another until it settled on a broomstick displayed prominently inside a nearby shop.
For several seconds, he completely forgot to keep walking.
“Mrs.
Rosier,” he asked, still staring at the broom, “where are we going first?” “Gringotts.” Alistair finally looked away.
“Money first,” Vinda continued matter-of-factly.
“And don’t be shy about withdrawing plenty.
Everything in those vaults belongs to the Grindelwald family anyway.” She frowned slightly as though already imagining Hogwarts conspiring against him.
“You’re about to spend months inside Dumbledore’s school.
Having more money than you need is always better than discovering you don’t have enough.” When Vinda led Alistair into Gringotts Wizarding Bank, their appearance quickly drew the attention of several goblins.
A few nearby employees approached at once, asking what business they needed handled, but Vinda ignored them and continued toward the far end of the hall.
There, an elderly goblin sat behind a high counter, his wrinkled face remaining expressionless as he studied them.
“And what may Gringotts do for you today?” Vinda met his gaze.
“We’re going to Vault 714.” The old goblin’s cloudy eyes immediately sharpened.
“Seven hundred and fourteen?” he repeated slowly.
Recognition spread across his face as he looked from Vinda to Alistair.
“I remember that vault.
I’ve remembered it for a very long time.” His gaze lingered on the blond boy.
“So the heir of that family has finally returned.
That is certainly interesting news for the Wizarding World.” The goblin climbed down from his seat and gestured for them to follow.
“Come with me.” He gave Alistair one final measuring look.
“Vault 714 doesn’t open for just anyone.” His thin lips curved slightly.
“It recognizes blood.” End of Chapter 6 [Support Goal: [Support Goal: 10 Reviews → +1 Chapter] Your review helps the story grow.