章節 29: Chapter 29 - Petrificus Totalus
The final notes of sweetness lingered on their tongues as the two families finished their celebratory ice creams. The atmosphere was light, a pleasant buzz of conversation mingling with the soft clinking of spoons against glass bowls.
Fleamont, with the ease of a man used to making grand gestures, leaned back in his chair, his eyes twinkling with a hospitable gleam. "Serena, my dear," he began, his voice carrying a dignified warmth. "Would you consider visiting us at Godric's Hollow during the summer vacation? Our son, Jamesie here, gets pretty lonely at times, and getting his friends to visit would surely do him some good company and influence. Especially if it's someone responsible like Serena," he finished, winking at her.
Euphemia, always the gracious hostess, nodded in agreement, her voice a melodic endorsement. "Oh yes! It would be a splendid opportunity for James and you to spend some time together. And Fleamont has quite the garden of potion ingredients and plants that I'm sure you would find most intriguing."
Hearing this, James' posture straightened in a flash, his hazel eyes dancing with excitement. "Yes! You really should come, Serena! You don't want me to become lonely now, would you? I can show you around, and you can tell me if Dad is actually as good with his plants as he claims to be."
Serena was quietly savoring her mango-flavored ice cream, the rich and creamy taste providing a momentary distraction from the sudden invitation. She was caught between the comfort of her ice cream and the allure of exploring a garden that promised to be a Potion Master's haven. Of course, she completely ignored James' theatrics.
Wilfred, meanwhile, sat with his unfinished coffee-flavored ice cream, a testament to his own discomfort with the persistently sweet environment. His gaze flitted between Serena and the Potters, a silent observer waiting for his granddaughter's response.
Serena's mind raced as she searched for a polite way to decline, her heart torn by the conflicting desires to retreat into her own world and to indulge her own plans. The idea of spending extended time with Potter, under the watchful eyes of his parents, was dreadful—yet the thought of rare and possibly unique ingredients waiting in Fleamont's garden was undeniably tempting.
Seeing the earnest faces of the Potters and feeling the weight of their expectation, Serena's resolve wavered. There was something genuine and kind about their invitation, an openness that she found difficult to dismiss. With each passing second, the idea of disappointing them grew increasingly unpalatable.
"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Potter, for your kind offer," Serena finally said, her voice soft but clear. "I must admit, the idea of exploring your garden is quite appealing to me as a potion enthusiast."
James practically beamed at her response, his earlier eagerness now blossoming into full-blown delight. "Brilliant! You won't regret it, Serena. It's going to be amazing! We can even go flying! We can ride my Silver Arrow together!"
Fleamont clapped his hands in approval and smiled. "Good, good! Expect a letter from us in the near future to schedule the date."
Wilfred, seizing the opportunity, offered his unfinished dessert to Serena, a silent gesture of support for whatever decision she made. She accepted it with a small smile, acknowledging his quiet patience.
~~~
The joyous atmosphere from the ice cream parlor followed the group as they continued their afternoon excursion through the myriad shops of Diagon Alley. The Potter and Prince families found themselves amidst the hustle and bustle of shoppers, eager to find the perfect gift for the upcoming engagement party of the Blacks and Malfoys.
Their search led them to 'Mystic Trinket Emporium,' a shop located at the edge of Diagon Alley, known for its vast array of magically imbued jewelry and accessories.
The store was a treasure trove, with items that sparkled, hummed, and occasionally moved on their own, creating a sense of wonder and enchantment.
The Potter couple delved into the collection with serious consideration, examining each piece for its craftsmanship and magical properties. Meanwhile, James was like a child in a sweet shop, his hands reaching for anything that shimmered with the promise of adventure or fun.
Amidst the distractions, Serena sought a moment of reprieve. She turned to Wilfred, her expression carefully neutral. "Grandpa, may I head to 'Madam Haister's Haven' for a bit? There are some... necessities I need to pick up," she said, her voice lowered to convey the private nature of her request. The shop was known for female hygiene products and undergarments.
Wilfred nodded, a look of understanding crossing his distinguished features. "Of course, Serena. Take your time. We'll be here when you return."
Grateful for the excuse, Serena made her way out of the shop after her grandfather gave her an enchanted pouch connecting to her Trust vault. Once she was confident that she was out of sight, her pace quickened, and she veered off the main path of Diagon Alley. The quaint and bustling charm of the shops faded as she approached the shadowy entrance to Knockturn Alley.
Her mind was focused, not on feminine products, but on a mission of a different kind—the acquisition of the missing pair of the Vanishing Cabinet from Borgin and Burkes.
Unbeknownst to her, as she slipped into the dimly lit Knockturn Alley, a figure trailed at a discreet distance.
James had noticed Serena's abrupt departure. Driven by a mix of curiosity and concern, he decided to follow. His intuition told him that Serena's errand might not be as straightforward as it seemed.
The narrow, crooked streets of Knockturn Alley were a stark contrast to the bright and lively Diagon Alley. The shops here dealt in the dark and dangerous, and the air carried a sense of unease. Serena's presence was like a beacon of light in the gloom, her focus unwavering as she navigated the less savory parts of the wizarding world with practiced ease.
James kept to the shadows, his natural stealth aided by his Quidditch-honed reflexes. He was careful to maintain a distance, his mind racing with questions. What could Serena possibly want in a place like this? Was she in some sort of trouble?
The protective instinct that came so naturally to him as an Alpha was on high alert.
As Serena approached the foreboding entrance of Borgin and Burkes, her heart raced with a mixture of anticipation and nostalgia. The store's reputation preceded it—a repository for objects of dark magic and questionable history.
She pushed open the door, the bell above it giving a dull jangle, announcing her arrival to the shop's mysterious interior. She stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim light, unaware that James was still watching, hidden just outside, his concern growing with every passing second.
The interior of Borgin and Burkes was a cavern of dark curiosities, each artifact whispering tales of secrecy and power.
Serena moved with purpose, her instructions to the shopkeeper delivered in a series of precise, muted gestures that belied the gravity of her purchase—an old, unassuming cabinet that held untold potential in its enchanted depths.
From behind a shadowed threshold, James observed with rapt attention, his eyes tracing Serena's every move. The shopkeeper, an old man with a gaze as sharp as a serpent's, seemed to scrutinize Serena with an unsettling interest. His questions, probing and insidious, slithered through the thick air of the shop.
"Why would a young one like yourself be after such a piece, eh? And all alone, no less," the old man said slyly, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and veiled threat.
"That's none of your business, is it?" Serena coldly replied.
The old man chuckled eerily, leaning over the counter that separated them. "Little girlie, these areas are dangerous to young ones like you." His eyes narrowed sinfully, "Especially pretty little witches like yourself. I'd be careful, hm?"
Before Serena could respond, before the invisible tension could ripple any further, the door of the shop creaked open once more. James, unable to contain his concern and suspicion any longer, stepped into the shop. He moved with quick strides towards them.
Without a word, he reached for Serena, pulling her towards him with a firmness that startled them both. Her body tensed against his as she found her waist suddenly enveloped by his arms, pulling her close to him, her surprise mirrored in the widening of her eyes.
"Is there a problem here?" James' voice was a low growl, his gaze locked on the shopkeeper with an intensity that left no room for challenge.
The old man, sensing the shift in dynamics, raised his hands in a gesture of mock surrender, his thin lips curling into a sardonic grin.
Caught between irritation and alarm, Serena turned her questioning gaze to James.
"Why did you follow me?" she demanded, her voice a whisper of vexation.
James' attention remained fixed on the old man for a moment longer before he relented, his protective stance unwavering. "I saw you heading towards Knockturn Alley. I was worried," he admitted, his wariness slowly giving way to concern. "This place... it's not safe." As if to prove his unease, his hold on her tightened.
The old man chuckled, finding amusement in the protective display before him. "No harm done, young sir. The lady was just concluding her business." His eyes quietly strayed towards the patch around the young boy's neck, confirming that the boy was an Alpha.
Serena collected herself, her mind racing for a plausible excuse. But deep down, she knew that her careful plan had been compromised by her own oversight.
Sighing in resignation, Serena spoke softly to James, still within the circle of his arms. "Keep this a secret, please," she implored, her voice earnest. "I'll explain why I had to do this privately when the time is right, but for now, can I trust you to remain silent?"
James hesitated, the weight of her request dawning on him. Yet as he looked into Serena's pleading eyes, he found his resolve waning. There was something about her—beyond her beauty and intelligence—that called to him, eliciting a desire to protect and honor her wishes.
"Okay," he finally agreed, his voice firm with the promise. "I won't say a word. But I'll be waiting for that explanation, Serena."
With a reluctant nod, Serena accepted the unspoken pact between them.
Their silent staring contest ended when Serena squirmed around James' arms.
Clearing her throat, she requested, "Can you let go of me now?"
James blinked, looking down at their intertwined bodies. "Oh! uh— yeah! Yeah, sorry." James removed his arms and stepped back, ignoring the heat on his face.
Serena then paid for the cabinet as James stood close behind her, on guard.
As they left the shop, the old cabinet was securely in the hands of the shopkeeper for delivery.
~~~
The narrow and crooked streets of Knockturn Alley swallowed the fading light, casting long shadows that stretched across the cobblestones. Serena and James stood just outside the dusty window front of Borgin and Burkes.
Serena tried to concoct a believable story to tell their guardians. "We could say that we accidentally took a wrong turn while looking for Madam Haister's shop," she suggested.
James, still feeling the protective surge of his Alpha instincts, nodded in agreement. "A wrong turn," he repeated, "and we were just trying to find our way back to Diagon Alley."
Their eyes met, an unspoken understanding passing between them. They were in this together now, whether one of them liked it or not. Before they could further refine their tale, a chilling sensation swept over them, a magical force that rendered them immobile.
"Petrificus Totalus!"
The incantation rang out sharply, and in an instant, their bodies stiffened, rendered as lifeless as the mannequins in the shop windows. They could not move their eyes or call out, trapped within their own frozen forms.
Footsteps approached, and they could sense figures moving around them. A rough burlap sack was forced over their heads, blocking out the little light that remained and muffling the sounds of the alley. The world seemed to spin as a spell was cast, a sensation like a hook behind their navel pulling them into darkness and back out.
They were Apparited somewhere unknown. They were being kidnapped, but by whom and for what purpose, they could not discern. Their minds raced, fear and confusion mingling with the helplessness of their situation.
Serena was cursing herself for not being vigilant enough once again. Now her ability to fight or flee was cruelly snatched away.
James, equally helpless, was consumed with worry for Serena and a deep anger at their unknown assailants. His mental control slipped from the danger, and his Alpha aura leaked out in waves. If only he could break free, he would protect her, fight them off, but the spell was unyielding.
The sensations that followed were vague and disjointed. They felt their bodies being moved, the world tilting and swaying as they were undoubtedly transported from the alley. The sounds of Knockturn Alley faded, replaced by the whoosh of air and the occasional murmur of their captors.
Time became a meaningless concept as they were carried along, unable to track the passing minutes. Their only anchor to reality was the presence of the other, the knowledge that they were not alone in this ordeal.
Where were they being taken? What did their captors want with them? The questions swirled in their minds, unanswered and ominous. The legacy of Serena's past life as Severus suggested numerous dark possibilities, while James' upbringing in the wizarding world offered no comfort against the reality of their predicament.
All they could do was wait, hope for rescue or an opportunity to escape, and hold on to the silent connection that bound them together in the darkness.
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榜單 
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