Chương 55: Bitter surprise.
London, King Cross Station, platform 9 ¾, Night.
** Chussss **
Small puffs of smoke escaped from the train's locomotive, which had come to a halt at the station, while a stream of children and young people disembarked from the train cars.
Descending from the train, Extimum exhaled a breath of warm air, creating a faint cloud of fog that swiftly dissipated into the chilly night air. Several hours earlier, a heavy rain had accompanied the students on their return journey, causing the nighttime temperature to drop a few extra degrees.
The transition from the warm atmosphere inside the train to the cold exterior became immediately apparent as the night's cold wind brushed against the students' faces, prompting them to shiver slightly and hurriedly retrieve their coats from their suitcases.
Disregarding the cold air that brushed against his face, Extimum moved forward, dragging a single yet voluminous suitcase. He navigated through the crowd of people near the exits of the carriages with little difficulty.
After maneuvering for a few moments, he finally left the area near the train.
Extimum: 'It definitely wasn't a waste of money to pay a few hundred more to make this suitcase with expansion enchantments.' The comparison between Extimum, who was dragging a single suitcase, and the rest of the children who were pulling carts full of them was obvious.
As he walked to a less crowded area, Extimum stopped, released the handle of his suitcase, and stretched his body a little. Small traces of laziness and drowsiness seemed to slip from his body.
The gentle tapping of the wind on the windows, the distant sound of the locomotive, the wheels grinding on the tracks, and the drops of water bathing everything under the skies...all together, flowing with the long course of the journey...created a symphony conducive to sleep.
After taking some time to read and talk to all of his friends, the second half of the trip had been a short journey into the arms of Morpheus.
Sweeping away the last of the drowsiness that still remained in him. Extimum's sight fell consciously or unconsciously on the train.
The stream of students getting off the train became smaller and smaller. With students pushing their carts full of luggage and gathering in small groups made up of their families. Mothers, fathers, brothers and in some cases uncles and grandparents. All having a warm reunion after months or even a year of not seeing each other.
There were a few exceptions of course, the flame was less warm, but the heat was the same. Children meeting their orphanage caregivers or guardians.
**~Fuuuu~**
A soft breeze of cold air passed by, rustling the raincoats and coats of the people at the station.
*Breath**Exhalation*
Along with the cold breeze, an imperceptible flow of warmth flowed with the air, with a sweet, but ephemeral taste, full of the happiness of reunion and family love.
The brief flicker lasted longer than usual in the breeze, melting into the serene pool of the heart.
Extimum's figure seemed lonely, standing in the middle of the open area where he had stopped, with no one around him. His silhouette, dressed in light clothing and without a coat despite the cold of the night, stood out especially, drawing a few more fleeting glances towards him.
Bloom:'*Uahhh**Yawn* Are we there yet?'
[This is strange, on three different occasions I read the yawn and I yawn :v]
Extimum: 'Yes, we are already on platform 9 ¾'.
Bloom: 'It's about time, the trip felt eternal. Well, what are we waiting for? Why don't we go home?'
'Even though you spent most of the trip sleeping...'. Extimum thought to himself before answering. 'I was just observing the landscape a little, but it's time to go back.' "Bo-"
???: "Oh, if it's not Extimum. You've grown since I last saw you. I hope you've been okay?" A familiar male voice came from Extimum's back.
Turning, Extimum saw a tall, brown-haired man wearing a suit with a gray coat and a red scarf. He had a kind face and well-kept hair.
Extimum: "Mr. Granger, Good evening. I've been well, thank you for asking and what about you?"
Stuart Granger: "Hoho, always so formal, you make me feel a little embarrassed. On the other hand, I've been pretty good too. And what are you doing here? Are you waiting for your parents?"
Extimum: "You don't have to take it so seriously, Mr. Granger, it's just the way I am, there's nothing wrong with acting more casually. By the way, are you looking for Hermione? She already got off the train a while ago." Extimum subtly diverted the topic.
Stuart: "Oh, no. Actually, my wife went to pick her up first while I parked the car in the parking lot. So, I guess at this point, they must be together. That said, I don't know exactly where they are, but they shouldn't It might be very far away. The platform is not that big, and we had agreed to meet nearby. By the way, aren't you cold? You're quite light for the cold weather. If you want, I can lend you a coat. I'm wearing two, since I'm a a little cold."
Extimum: "It's not necessary, but I appreciate it. Actually, I'm not cold, instead I think I feel quite comfortable, you can interpret it as a family trait."
Stuart: "Oh! I understand." Stuart showed a sympathetic smile, the moment his mind moved to magic, everything made sense and he didn't ask any more questions.
Extimum could see at a glance what he was thinking and although it wasn't exactly like that, he didn't bother to correct it either.
"Ah! I didn't notice Bloom was with you too. Good night to you too, Bloom."
**Tilin** *bell ringing*
"I didn't detail her well last time, but now that I see her up close she looks even brighter and prettier than before. I still find it very magical and intriguing that she is a real fairy and that they exist to begin with.
"Did you know? My grandmother used to tell me fairy tales when I was little. There was one in particular that she always repeated to me.
It was a story from her childhood.
She told me that once, while playing in the woods near her parents' farm, she saw a flickering light fly by. At first, she thought it was a firefly or a butterfly, or even that she was hallucinating because of the hot sun that day.
Even so, guided by her curiosity, she tried to follow where she thought she saw the light, going deeper into the forest.
A low flicker here and there, made clearer by the shadow cast by the trees, made her persist, searching for what she became increasingly convinced was real.
At some point, she lost sight of the light, and began to grope around, wanting to find its source. She continued searching for a while, but without success, and finally she got bored. She planned to return for fear of getting lost, but that's when she saw her.
Lying on a fallen, moldy log was a small creature with butterfly-like wings, glowing with magical light. It was a fairy. Unconscious and with clear wounds on her body.
My grandmother picked her up and took her home, where she hid her in her room and took care of her until she recovered. My grandmother used to tell me some stories about the time she spent taking care of the fairy until she felt well enough to leave.
But what she liked to tell most was how the fairy occasionally came back to visit her, even when she was an adult and, later, in her old age. She brought her gifts or just spent time with her. At that time, I didn't believe her. I thought they were just typical grandparent stories or that my grandmother liked to make up stories to keep me entertained while I spent time with her.
Now, seeing a fairy here and learning about the magical world through my daughter, I can't help but doubt if perhaps my grandmother was telling the truth... However, I also realize that it may not be entirely true. After all, according to my grandmother, that fairy could talk like us.
Anyway, sorry if I ramble too much, Extimum."
Bloom: 'Extimum...'.
Extimum: 'I know.'
"Don't worry. As long as the weather is good, it's always nice to hear a little about others, on the other hand, perhaps the fairy from his grandmother's story was indeed real. While it is true that present-day fairies can no longer speak like us, some records confirm that in the past, some could. Perhaps his grandmother really did encounter a fairy like that."
Stuart: "Wow? Really? It fills me with joy to hear that it is like that. That could mean that the fairy in her stories was real then. It really calms me down..." — lowering the tone of his voice to almost a murmur — "know that in her last days, she was never alone, just as her last note said." A complex look briefly crossed his eyes, filled with what seemed like relief and regret.
Extimum: "If I may ask, where did your grandmother live?"
Stuart: "Ah, it's not inconvenient. She lived in a somewhat remote area of the city, in...".
Extimum carefully remembered the address, perhaps thinking of stopping by at some point during the holidays. He knew that the premise that there might still be other ancient fairies was important to Bloom, even though she knew that even if there were, it was impossible for her to meet someone she knew.
???: "Stuart! I finally find you, where have you been? I thought you would find me before or we would meet outside the entrance to the platform."
Stuart: "Oh, Wendy dear, I'm sorry, I ran into Extimum on the way and stopped to chat with him for a moment."
Wendy: "Extimum? Oh, Extimum, Hello! I haven't seen you. How have you been? Did you do well this school year?"
Extimum: "Hello, Mrs. Granger, I've been doing well, thank you. As for my studies, I did well, it was a pretty productive year."
Wendy: "That's good, that's good, but-Oh, why are you going so light? You should cover up better, it's getting really cold. Stuart, dear, didn't you say anything to him or did you lend him one of your coats?"
Stuart: "Dear I-."
Extimum: "I appreciate your consideration, Mrs. Granger, but there's no need to bother. Mr. Granger had already made me the offer before, however, despite the weather, I don't feel cold and if necessary, I still have a coat in my luggage".
Wendy: "Still..." Wendy didn't seem entirely convinced.
Stuart: "Wendy." Sensing that his wife was being too pushy, Stuart called her softly and gave her a suggestive look.
Being too insistent would turn good will into annoyance.
Wendy: "Okay, by the way, aren't your parents here yet, Extimum? It's already a little late."
Extimum: "Ah, don't worry about it, I was actually leaving, I just stayed a little longer since I was a little lost in thought and then I entertained myself talking to Mr. Granger. But looking at the time, it's like you say, so it would be best to say goodbye here. I hope to see you again later if there is the opportunity, Mr. and Mrs. Granger."
Wendy: "Always so polite. In that case, I hope I didn't keep you too long, it would be rude of us if we actually made you keep your parents waiting."
Extimum: "Ah, you don't have to worry Mrs. Granger. My parents couldn't be present today, so it's no problem. Well, if you'll excuse me." Finishing there, Extimum turned to go to a secluded place and call Bob.
He could call him here, but it would be a little too flashy.
Wendy and Stuart shared a look with each other upon hearing his words. For a few seconds it was like they were having a tough silent battle, before finally Stuart sighed as if he had lost and Wendy smiled slightly.
Extimum had only turned and taken two steps forward when he stopped.
Stuart: "*Ahem* Extimum, if you want, can we take you home?"
Extimum: "Huh?" The proposal had been somewhat unexpected.
Stuart: "It's getting a bit late. If your parents can't make it right now, why not let us give you a ride home? We can call your parents to inform them. After all, heading out alone in the city at this hour can be risky, and I'm sure your parents would feel much more at ease if you could get home earlier."
Extimum: "I appreciate your offer, but I'm afraid that wouldn't be possible. My house is in Northumberland, and it's quite a distance from here. I wouldn't want to inconvenience you. Also, I'm guessing you haven't had dinner yet, so I wouldn't want to impose."
Stuart: "Northumberland Eh… it's certainly far away, in that case it would be-."
Wendy: "That being the case, why don't you come have dinner with us Extimum? We don't live that far away, you can stay at our house tonight. This way, tomorrow we could take you to your house or even your parents could come pick you up and considering the distance, I don't think your parents would refuse, after all, I would be worried if my son had to travel so far alone."
Extimum: "Thank you, but it's not necessary, I can go back easily, besides, my parents don't use phones...".
Stuart: "Ah! That's right, for a moment we forgot that wizards don't use phones. Well, in that case, it would be difficult to get your parents' permission-."
Wendy: "Okay, in that case we won't insist any further, however, Extimum, you should consider it well, after all, it is just as you said, the trip is a bit long and you haven't had dinner either, besides, it's already quite late and the streets can be dangerous.
We don't live too far away in comparison and if your parents don't use phones we could just send them a letter right? You can also keep Hermione company, plus we have a guest room that we rarely use and my kitchen is pretty good. I'm sure your parents will be more relieved if we take you early tomorrow instead of having you travel alone at night."
Extimum: "This..." For the first time in a long time, Extimum was somewhat speechless. Wendy's words seemed quite rational and objectively he had no reason to so insistently reject their kindness, well, that was of course, if you discounted the fact that he only needed to make the call and in a few seconds he would be in front of his house.
Bloom: 'You shouldn't have said you were going alone.'
Extimum: 'I did not think that my lighthearted comment would lead to this development...'.
Extimum thought for a moment. He didn't want to come across as rude by repeatedly rejecting their kindness, especially when he could clearly sense their good intentions in the offer. This was particularly true for Wendy, who made no effort to hide her concern for him. After all, from a non-magical external perspective, they had reasons to worry.
Hermione: "So here they were! Mum, Dad, what's taking you so long?"
Just as Extimum was pondering, Hermione arrived. Wendy had left her alone for a moment while she quickly searched for her husband, but despite finding him quickly, she did not return, so Hermione was left alone waiting for them at the exit of the platform until she got tired and came to look for them.
Wendy: "Ah, Hermione, it's just that we ran into Extimum and found out that he was actually going off on his own and we're kind of worried, so I wanted to invite him to our house for dinner and spend the night."
Hermione: "Extimum?" Turning her gaze, Hermione noticed Extimum's figure a few steps away from her parents.
Extimum looked at her with what he thought was an awkward smile, though outwardly he appeared unchanged. He had already bid her farewell before getting off the train, and they had taken separate paths as she, like the others, headed to the cargo area.
Hermione: "Will he go away on his own? Is that true?" Hermione looked at Extimum strangely, thinking about it, she had not seen Extimum leave before, nor her parents.
Extimum: "Yes, but-".
Hermione: "In that case, why don't you accept the invitation? We could spend a little more time together before we separate completely for the summer holidays, plus, my mom cooks delicious, I assure you!"
Extimum: "...Okay." Although he had been about to tell them that he simply had to call his house elf, he finally gave up, anyway, it shouldn't be a bad experience.
Upon seeing Extimum agree, Wendy winked at Hermione with a smile.
Hermione looked at her with some confusion in response to her gesture.
…
After agreeing, Extimum followed them mostly in silence, occasionally exchanging a word or two as they walked out of the station and into the parking area. Meanwhile, Hermione spoke to him excitedly about something called a sleepover.
After waiting for a few minutes at the parking lot entrance, Mr. Granger emerged driving a Bentley Continental R.
Stuart: "What do you think of our car, Extimum? Not bad, right? Although it doesn't fly, it's one of the fastest on the current market."
Wendy: "Here we go again..."
Extimum: "It's a nice car." Giving him a brief glance, he commented.
The car was black and seemed perfectly polished, demonstrating the great passion of its owner for it.
Stuart: "Isn't that right?" While everyone was getting into the car, Stuart continued talking—"And the best thing is that I got it at a low price. A friend bought it as soon as it came out at the dealership, but after driving it for a few months, He didn't really like it, so he called me and offered it to me at a low price as long as I could take it from his house *sigh* A real waste. Anyway, this vehicle has the latest in engines, with a turbocharged V8 engine, plus..."
Extimum blinked slightly. As he drove, Mr. Granger seemed tireless in his description and praise of the car. Mrs. Granger next to him already seemed used to it and was just looking out the window.
Bloom: 'What is a turbocharged V8 engine?'
Extimum: 'I have no idea'
Hermione: "Dad... cars aren't much of a thing in the wizarding world and even if it's not in the wizarding world, I doubt many kids our age would even know what you're talking about..."
Extimum did not comment on it, but gave his silent agreement.
Stuart: "Oh, that's..." Stuart stopped talking somewhat awkwardly, seeing how Extimum actually seemed quite silent and that his wife next to him gave him a tired look.
Wendy: "I better put on some music, I have some pretty good ones here."
…
Between listening to Mrs. Granger occasionally sing along to some songs from the tape she had put on, gazing out the window, and chatting with Hermione, time flew by in the blink of an eye.
The car finally slowed down on a residential street, and shortly after, it parked in front of a house's garage.
Extimum opened the door and got out of the car. The street was silent, a sign of the depth of the night and only some houses still had their lights on.
Hermione: "Come on, Extimum, let's go inside, it's getting really cold out here."
Extimum: "Yes, just wait under my suitcase."
Hermione: "Don't worry, just leave it there, my dad will take them down right now, better let me show you my house."
Extimum: "Alright." Extimum briefly considered; he didn't think it was very appropriate, but Hermione didn't give him time to even approach the vehicle's trunk before she pulled him towards her house.
Wendy had already opened the door, so they entered immediately.
The entrance hall was softly illuminated by a modern hanging chandelier, sparkling with golden flashes on warm-toned painted walls. Tall windows framed the dark night outside, adding a touch of serenity to the atmosphere.
The subtle scent of vanilla and cinnamon floated in the air, emanating from a scented candle burning on a nearby table. Extimum could feel the warm welcome Hermione's parents had prepared for his return as he walked through the small, polished wooden foyer beneath his feet.
Hermione led him through a side hallway adorned with carefully framed family photos and a miniature art gallery. Each picture seemed to tell a story, and Extimum couldn't help but slow down his pace to observe with a bit more detail.
Upon passing the hallway, they reached another smaller room where the dining area was, and another room where the kitchen could be glimpsed.
Wendy: "Sweetheart, I'll go ahead to heat up dinner. Don't forget to bring down all of Hermione's suitcases, not like the last time when we spent a whole week looking for where her books ended up."
Stuart: "I'm on it." Mr. Granger entered the house with his arms full of suitcases. Two large suitcases, one in each hand, and two smaller ones hanging from his neck by their straps.
Extimum: "Do you need help, Mr. Granger?"
Stuart: "Oh, no, I'm fine. I'm used to it anyway. Hermione always brings a lot of stuff, which translates to more suitcases."
Hermione: "Come, Extimum, I'll show you the rest of the house, and then the room where you'll be staying."
"This is the backyard; here, I planted some potion plants to see if they could grow... though, as you can see, I haven't had much luck."
Following Hermione, Extimum took a quick tour of the two floors of the house until finally stopping in one of the rooms on the second floor.
Upon entering the room he noticed that Mr Granger had already left his suitcase in the room. The room wasn't too big, but it had just enough space. A bed, a nightstand, a closet and a small office.
Upon entering and observing the room, he finally understood what was causing the strange feeling he had been having since he arrived.
Everything was...too small. Don't get it wrong, it wasn't that the place was cramped or really small, it was just that even the bathroom in his house was bigger than this room and from what he had seen, the difference from this room to the other rooms wasn't much, excluding the main room.
Hermione: "What do you think?"
Extimum: "It's...cozy."
Hermione: "Right? I helped myself when we were decorating and organizing the furniture in this house, what do you think Bloom?"
Bloom: "Your house is very pretty, I especially like the relief on the walls, it gives it a modern feel."
Hermione: "Yes, I thought the same, that's why I insistently suggested it to my mom, although she was quite reluctant to listen to me."
Wendy: "Hermione, Extimum, come down to dinner!"
Hermione: "Dinner's ready, let's go."
Leaving the room they walked down a short hallway until they reached the stairs.
Bloom: 'Aren't you a little quiet?'
Extimum: 'Hmm? Seem to you?'.
Bloom: 'Yes, you usually talk more, especially when you go to new places, maybe you have something on your mind?'
Extimum: 'It just seems to you, I'm not thinking about anything.'
Bloom: 'No, there's definitely something... Is it the house?'
Extimum: 'What are you talking about?'
Bloom: 'On second thought, it can be considered quite small in comparison. Both the house here in the UK and the one in China were quite large and in fact using the term 'house' to describe them is not appropriate.'
Extimum: 'I tell you that's not it'
Bloom: 'No, it has to be that, there can't be anything else here that's making you uncomfortable.'
Extimum: '*sigh* You're getting a little too perceptive, I'll have to keep you away from Luna for a while.'
Bloom: 'What? Why?'
Extimum: 'You know too much'
Bloom: 'So what? What will you do?'.
Extimum: 'Hmm, I wonder...'.
Bloom: 'Wait, that phrase, I think I've heard it somewhere.'
Extimum: 'Which phrase? Are you imagining things now?'
Bloom: 'No, I'm sure I heard it somewhere, but I don't remember...'
Extimum: 'So, you don't feel uncomfortable with the house?'
Bloom: "Where? Where have I heard it before?... No, I'd say a house like this actually feels more familiar, more like mine before..."
Stuart: "Extimum, take a seat, my wife will be here shortly with the dishes."
Extimum: 'Don't think too much about it, now you're here and you have me'
Bloom: 'Yes.'
Wendy: "Alright, it's done. My best dish, I prepared it in celebration of Hermione's return today, and now with you here, Extimum, it will be a welcome for both of you."
Hermione: "Lasagna!"
A fragrant aroma of cheese and condiments filled the dining room as plates with portions of lasagna were served in front of everyone.
Stuart: "Ah, I can already sense it from the smell; it turned out magnificent as always, dear."
Wendy: "Thank you, but tell me that after trying it, well, let's have dinner."
Bloom stared at the portion of lasagna served on a small plate where desserts were usually served.
Extimum: 'Stop looking at him that way or you'll start drooling.'
Bloom: 'Don't talk nonsense, I don't drool.' Bloom complained and rushed to grab some plastic cutlery like the ones children used to play with.
'Hermione's mum is very thoughtful, she even got these little cutlery'
Wendy watched the scene with an amused smile from her seat.
Also concentrating on his food, Extimum took the knife and fork and picked up a bite before putting it in his mouth.
A taste of pasta, sauce and cheese flooded his mouth.
**Munch munch mun...ch...** **Gulp**
Extimum's hands rushing to cut another piece paused for an almost insignificant second before moving again and bringing another piece to his mouth.
His eyelids warmed slightly as he chewed the new incoming portion.
Wendy: "How is it? Is it tasty, Extimum?"
Extimum: "Yes, it's delicious"
Wendy: "I'm glad to hear you like it." Wendy showed a big pleased smile on her face upon hearing his congratulations.
Although she was quite confident in her cooking, it was always nice to get an opinion that didn't come from her own family.
Briefly lost in her complacency, she observe Extimum's strangely elegant and slow way of eating.
'Wow, I didn't know someone could actually look good just by eating.' It didn't seem to have anything special, but the simple gesture somehow looked striking and harmonious.
Under Wendy's watchful yet unnoticed gaze, Extimum continued eating. A simple, silent drop of sweat slid down one side of his forehead, while the slight quiver in his eyelids transformed into a faint wrinkle on his forehead.
**Mun…ch… mun…ch… mun…ch…**
Since everyone was focused on their plates and the reaction was subtle, no one noticed the abnormality that was beginning to become evident in Extimum's behavior.
Although the movement was smooth, the pressure that Extimum's hand exerted on the fork was beginning to reach the limits of what was tolerable.
Narrowing his gaze slightly, Extimum looked seriously at the lasagna plate from which he had only eaten ¼.
Extimum: "Excuse me for a moment." Wiping his mouth with a napkin, he left his utensils on the plate and stood up from his chair.
At a moderate pace, he walked towards the bathroom located near the staircase to the second floor. Upon reaching the door, he entered and then closed the door behind him.
Just as the door lock made a click, it was as if a switch had been flipped.
Extimum's face turned green and then pale. A sour taste began to fill the back of his throat and his face twisted slightly.
Leaving his previous composure, he hurried to the toilet, lifted the lid and…
**Bluerghh** **Guack** **Bluerghh**
"Haaa... Haa..."
**Bluerghh**
**sigh**
Without lifting his face from the toilet, he took a tissue from his pants pocket and wiped his mouth before stepping away. Taking a couple of steps, he leaned on the sink and turned on the faucet.
**Chhh**
After splashing some water on his face and rinsing his mouth, he finally felt more at ease. Looking at his reflection in the mirror, he couldn't help but display a forced, miserable smile.
Between all the excitement of the new and the thousands of things running through his head, he had completely forgotten one small detail.
No matter the delicious surface fragrance or good presentation, he was unable to eat food whose ingredients did not come from the magical world.
The food of the Muggle world was as good as eating any kind of unpleasant thing and in large quantities even similar to a weak poison.
His sickly appearance was the proof; he had forced himself to eat since he was being watched. However, he was no longer able to keep pretending. If he continued, he might have ended up not enduring the nausea or even falling seriously ill.
It was only after his body had fully processed what had entered his mouth that the apparent illusion caused by his deliberate lowering of his senses disappeared, making the full hit of flavor and aroma that only he perceived become evident.
Extimum: "Damn, I thought I could hold out and at least finish dinner, but clearly that's not possible. I haven't eaten anything from the muggle world since last time, so I haven't been paying attention to it. Now I have to find a way to get rid of the food unless I want to become intoxicated. An illusion won't do, although it would get the effect at first, removing the plates would make the illusion disappear and clearly I can't just cast a spell that will make the food disappear."
Several options quickly ran through his head as he analyzed his situation. It wasn't anything too complicated, but he didn't want to seem rude, plus saying that he wasn't hungry or that he had already had his fill clearly wouldn't work with Hermione there.
He hadn't eaten anything on the trip other than some sweets and although he wasn't someone who devoured dishes disproportionately, his appetite wasn't small either.
Extimum: 'Bloom'.
On the other side, in the dining room.
As she continued to enjoy the delicious lasagna, Extimum's voice rang in her head.
'Bloom'.
Bloom: 'Extimum? What happen? Didn't you go to the bathroom?'
Extimum: 'I need your help with something.'
Bloom: 'What's wrong?'
Extimum: "I need you to help me in a small act... I will not return to the dining room, not at least immediately, instead, I will create an illusion of myself which will be the one that will return and continue eating dinner, although it will seem that I am eating and the food will decrease, it will of course be just an illusion. This is where you-"
Bloom: 'Wait, wait, I'm not understanding. Why won't you come back? No, rather, why should you make an illusion of yourself that pretends to eat? Didn't you say before that the food before was delicious? You don't usually waste food like that-'
Extimum: 'I can't eat.'
Bloom: 'Huh? Why not?'. Bloom stopped her hand that was about to put another piece of lasagna in her mouth, clearly taken aback by Extimum's words.
Extimum: 'I can't eat that food'
Bloom: ''What? Why? It's delicious, and besides, we only had some sweets on the train. Aren't you hungry? Are you feeling unwell?''
Extimum: 'It's not that. I hadn't told you before because the opportunity hadn't arisen, but for some reason I can't eat the food of the non-magical world. My body just can't tolerate it, it's almost as bad as eating poison, only incredibly repulsive.'
Bloom: 'How can it be? A few seconds ago, weren't you eating comfortably? Besides, I feel almost no difference with the food we usually eat.' Bloom of course did not doubt Extimum's words. Aside from the fact that he wasn't much of a joker, he had no reason to lie about this.
Extimum: 'I was just pretending. I couldn't just throw up or walk away after just one bite, right?'
Bloom: 'Certainly not...'
Extimum: 'So you understand, now, I'll tell you the details later, for now I need you to listen to me...'.
The figure of Extimum returned to the dining room and sat down at the table again, resuming his eating activity.
Bloom glanced briefly at Extimum before returning to her food.
Bloom: 'Your illusions have improved... If you hadn't told me, it's likely that I wouldn't have realized until much later that the Extimum in front of me is fake.' Bloom commented somewhat surprised.
While Extimum's illusions were already highly convincing, it was still easy for her and other magic-sensitive creatures to detect the abnormality. However, now there was no apparent anomaly in the illusion at first glance. As long as no one interacted with him directly, it was likely that no one would realize it was an illusion.
Extimum: 'Yes, after what happened that day...my illusion magic had a slight qualitative improvement, it doesn't seem much different than before or it became stronger, but it definitely now emulates something of the person's essence, as if really was a living being."
Bloom: ' ~ Luckily I can still recognize you if I focus on our bond... ~ '.
Extimum: 'Did you say something?'
Bloom: 'Huh? That? Nothing, I didn't say anything'
Extimum: '…'
Bloom: '…'
After a few minutes, dinner was finally over.
Stuart: "*sigh* See, I told you dear, I don't need to try it to know it was going to be delicious and as satisfying as ever, you should make dishes like this more often."
Wendy: "Heh, you wish, this is only for special occasions. Plus you know that I usually don't have that much time during the week"
Stuart: "Ha... it's true, the dental clinic is very busy these days. But that's good for business"
Wendy: "Alright, I'll gather the plates. Extimum, Hermione..." —Pausing to glance at the watch on her wrist, she continued—" You have one more hour of free time, after that, you must go to bed. Even though you slept during the journey, it's already late."
Hermione: "It's okay, mom."
Extimum: "No problem." Waving one of his hands, the dining plates floated into the air and were stacked on top of each other with the cutlery on them.
Wendy: "Wow!"
Hermione: "Extimum, we can't do magic outside of Hogwarts!"
Extimum: "Correction, we can't do magic with our wands, but there's nothing stopping you from being able to do it without it. Well, why don't you show me the collection of books you mentioned? Or should we play a board game instead?" .
Bloom took advantage of Wendy's moment of surprise to approach the stacked plates and spilling a little fairy dust, they levitated again, as they headed to the kitchen.
Stuart: "How amazing." The wonder of the scene pleasantly surprised Stuart as well as he followed Bloom carrying the floating plates into the kitchen.
Although they had had the opportunity to see magic before, they did not see it that often, since Hermione was not allowed to do magic at home when she left Hogwarts, so they only saw one thing or another when they went to Diagon Alley.
Despite the surprising nature of the scene, Wendy's fingers could not help but move unconsciously, somewhat internally afraid that the plates would stop floating due to the strange force that lifted them and fall to the ground breaking, so she followed her husband to the kitchen, half amazed and worried.
The couple's concentration on the floating plates completely misled them that a plate was needed among the row of stacked plates.
Hermione: "It's not fair, how can you use magic so well without a wand? I've tried and even getting a slight reaction from magic is incredibly difficult."
Extimum: "You'll learn. With time."
Soon they both left the dining room, leaving the place alone.
At some point, a plate of food on the table appeared where there was nothing before, before mysteriously disappearing again.
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