Stealing Magic: A Darker Hogwarts

With a soft pop, Sean, Aldridge, and Jason landed in a dimly lit room near the Portkey office of the Hogwarts' authorities. The tattered woolen glove, its little finger frayed, that had carried them from Beauxbatons' authorities fell to the floor with a faint thud, its enchanted sparks fading like a spent charm.

"One thirty-three, from Beauxbatons' authorities," the voice continued, echoing off the stone walls.

Sean stretched, relieved to hear the familiar tongue of his home region. He reached up, pinching his throat and the base of his right ear. A sharp tingle shot through his throat, making him cough. Two small, shimmering Translation Beans popped out—one from his mouth, one from his ear—caught deftly by Aldridge's outstretched hand.

"Master, I'll keep these Translation Beans safe for next time," Aldridge said, tucking them into a charmed pouch.

"Thanks for the help," Sean replied, his voice slightly hoarse from the Beans' removal.

Aldridge nodded. "Master, shall we head home now?"

Sean glanced at Aldridge and Jason, then paused, a thought striking him. "What about you two? Are you going home as well?"

Before Jason could answer, Aldridge spoke, his tone steady. "From now on, Jason and I will handle your affairs—Jason inside Hogwarts, me outside. If you travel abroad for exchanges, we'll both accompany you. Jason will visit his family later, then rejoin you at Hogwarts when term starts. During holidays, I'll stay with you as your butler, managing whatever you need."

Sean raised an eyebrow, considering. "That's fine, but my house might not have space for you to sleep. I'll talk to my parents when we get back and sort out a place for you."

Aldridge's face broke into a rare smile. "Master, you may not know, but your parents have moved. As a reward for your paper in The Golden Crucible, the Bulstrode family has provided a new house. It's spacious enough for your family and can accommodate a few house-elves or staff."

Sean's eyes widened slightly. He'd long known the Bulstrode family held a strong presence in the Muggle world, but their influence in the wizarding world was clearly just as deep. It explained why his scheming uncle had gone to such lengths to eliminate him. A family with such power wouldn't hesitate to remove obstacles—whether one life or dozens—to secure their legacy.

As for the Bulstrodes' gifts, Sean had a clear stance: no initiative, no refusal, no responsibility. If they didn't offer, he wouldn't ask. If they gave, he'd accept. But if they expected him to owe them, he'd politely decline. The house was theirs to give, not his to beg for, and he'd bear no burden for their choices.

Leaving the Hogwarts' authorities, Jason parted ways to visit his family, promising to reconnect before term. Sean followed Aldridge through a bustling wizarding town, its streets lined with shops glowing like charmed lanterns. They reached a neighborhood of neat, comfortable homes—well-off but not lavish, a step above ordinary but below the elite. For wizards, it was a respectable place; for the truly wealthy, it was modest.

Sean's new home stood on a street called Golden Tulip, a three-story house with a flat lawn and tidy trees, its windows shimmering with faint protective charms. Sean paused at the door, his heart lifting. He knocked gently, the sound soft against the wood.

"Coming! Who is it?" called a familiar voice from inside—his mother, Margaret.

Sean's face broke into a grin. Before the door opened, he called out, "Mom, it's me. I'm back!"

Footsteps hurried inside, accompanied by a gasp of delight. "Oh, Merlin, Sean, you're finally back!" Margaret's voice was thick with joy.

The door swung open, and Margaret stood there, her eyes wide as if she couldn't believe it was him. She pulled Sean into a tight hug, holding him as if he might vanish. Her warmth, her familiar scent of lavender and parchment, grounded him after months away.

"Mom, isn't Dad home yet?" Sean asked, still wrapped in her embrace.

"No, but he'll be back soon," Margaret said, pulling back to look at him, her smile radiant. "Come in, come in! I've prepared a big dinner for tonight—we'll have a proper feast."

As she tugged Sean inside, she noticed Aldridge standing quietly behind him. She paused, curious. "Sean, who's this?"

"Mom, this is Aldridge, my personal butler, arranged by Grandfather Gideon," Sean explained. "He'll be staying with us. Don't worry—the Bulstrode family covers his salary, so we don't need to."

Margaret exhaled, relieved, and flashed a welcoming smile. "Well, come in, Aldridge! Any friend of Sean's is welcome here." She didn't know much about butlers, but if Gideon and the Bulstrodes had arranged it, she trusted her son's judgment.

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Sean's new home on Golden Tulip street dwarfed their old one, its three stories rising like a small manor under the glow of protective charms. The interior hummed with the quiet magic of a wizarding household, from the enchanted hearth flickering in the sitting room to the polished banisters that gleamed as if dusted by spells.

Margaret bustled about, arranging Aldridge's quarters. She'd initially suggested a second-floor room, closer to the family, but Aldridge, ever practical, insisted on the first floor. "Easier to keep an eye on things," he'd said, his tone leaving no room for argument. Margaret relented, assigning him the south-facing bedroom, its windows catching the day's light like charmed glass. Aldridge nodded his thanks, already unpacking with the efficiency of a seasoned butler.

Sean's rooms were on the third floor, a cozy pair of spaces tailored for a young wizard. The bedroom was simple, with a sturdy bed and a wardrobe that seemed to hum with an Undetectable Extension Charm. The study, though, was Sean's favorite—a snug room under a sloping roof, its slanted skylight perfect for owl deliveries. Shelves lined the walls, ready for his alchemy texts from Beauxbatons, their pages still daunting but brimming with promise.

Kurkan, Sean's pure-white snake, had been set up in the study, his den a charmed enclosure that mimicked a forest glade. Nearby, Talon, Sean's owl, perched in a nook by the skylight, his amber eyes fixed on the horizon. In another household, a snake and owl might have been unfriendly, but Kurkan and Talon coexisted with an odd indifference, as if each pretended the other didn't exist. Sean chuckled at the thought—his pets were as stubborn as he was.

The moment Sean stepped into the study, Kurkan stirred, hissing softly like a charmed melody. The snake slithered from his den, scales glinting like polished marble, and wound up Sean's leg with surprising grace. He coiled around Sean's waist, resting his head on Sean's shoulder, rubbing gently against his cheek.

"Missed you too, huh, Kurkan?" Sean said, grinning. "It's been a while."

Kurkan flicked his tongue, brushing Sean's cheek as if agreeing. The gesture warmed Sean's heart—Kurkan had been his companion since that reluctant purchase at the Magical Menagerie, where the snake had nipped him before grudgingly accepting him.

Aldridge appeared, flicking his wand to cast Wingardium Leviosa, guiding Sean's trunks upstairs with a lazy drift. He paused, eyeing Kurkan with a raised brow. "I saw him at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, but up close, Kurkan's something else. Pure white, like a work of art."

Sean laughed, scratching Kurkan's chin. "He wasn't so friendly at first. Bit me at the shop, didn't want to come along."

Kurkan nudged Sean's cheek, as if protesting the story. Sean chuckled. "What, embarrassed? You've grown, too—good thing my Troll Strength keeps up, or I couldn't carry you anymore."

Aldridge finished unpacking and stepped toward the door. "Master, if all goes as planned, Master Gideon will join you, Mr. Adrian, and Mrs. Margaret for dinner tonight. Best prepare."

Sean's brow furrowed. "Grandfather's coming? He's been watching the Hogwarts' authorities, hasn't he?"

Aldridge's lips twitched. "Master Gideon has… connections there."

Sean smirked, unsurprised. Gideon's influence stretched far, a web of favors and allies. He didn't press further, instead scooping Kurkan up and heading downstairs with Aldridge to find Margaret.

In the kitchen, Margaret was about to start dinner when a sharp crack echoed. A house-elf appeared, clad in a bright yellow jumpsuit that looked like a Hogwarts prank gone wrong. She bowed low to Sean, then to Margaret and Aldridge. "Greetings, Young Master Sean, Mrs. Margaret, Mr. Aldridge. I'm Jadeite, sent by Master Gideon to prepare dinner."

Margaret gasped, startled by the sudden arrival. House-elves weren't new to her—she'd seen them as a child—but Jadeite's appearance was a jolt. She recovered quickly, eyeing the elf. "You're cooking? Then what do I do?"

Jadeite's large eyes widened. "Please, madam, rest. I'll handle everything."

Margaret hesitated, but Sean stepped in, his voice gentle. "Mom, let Jadeite take over. House-elves take pride in serving. If you cook, she might feel she's failed and punish herself. Trust her with this."

Margaret glanced at Jadeite, who looked pleadingly back. "Well… alright, Jadeite. It's all yours."

Jadeite's ears perked up, her face glowing. "Thank you, madam! I'll prepare a splendid feast for everyone."

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Author's Note:Hey everyone! Just a quick update — my classes have started, so my schedule is a bit tight right now. Because of that, there might be days when updates are uneven or I can't post daily. But don't worry — I'm not dropping this story! All I ask is for your continued support and your votes. That's all I need to keep going. Thank you for reading and staying with me on this journey!