Evans Bloodline

After Professor McGonagall finished her Transfiguration, stunning everyone, she finally turned her full attention to Yulian.

She carefully studied his familiar-looking emerald eyes and the poise he possessed beyond his years.

Her expression was complicated, with both wariness toward the surname "Black" and admiration for the boy before her. Of course, the way Yulian's parents had just behaved had already convinced her that this was a thoroughly Muggle family.

"Mr. Shiloh Yulian Black," she said formally, "Hogwarts welcomes you. Your name has appeared in the Book of Admittance, and that fate cannot be changed. Here, you will learn to use your talents properly, make friends for life, and find your own path."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the two parents, who were still reeling. Her tone softened slightly. "For a Muggle family, this is indeed a tremendous shock. But please believe me when I say that Hogwarts is not only a school, but a home. We will protect every student, no matter where they come from. Shilam needs him, just as he needs Shilam."

Altair and Clara exchanged glances. The rational world they had prided themselves on had crumbled before the crane in their living room.

They looked at their quiet son. He didn't seem all that surprised by the "supernatural phenomenon."

Yulian was now watching the crane with great interest, touching it here and scratching it there, without the slightest hint of fear.

Perhaps he really didn't belong to the ordinary world they knew.

Professor McGonagall spoke again. "Mrs. Black," she said to Clara, "forgive me for asking, but what was your maiden name? I mean nothing by it; your eyes remind me of someone I once knew."

Someone she once knew? Clara looked surprised, but replied, "My surname is Evans."

Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow. "Did you know Lily Evans?"

"Oh, my God! You knew Lily! She was a distant cousin of mine."

"I see. That explains it." Professor McGonagall let out a breath, her expression growing gentler. She glanced at Yulian's eyes again. "Lily was my student, too."

"What! So Lily went to Hogwarts! That means we had a witch in our family!"

Clara found it harder and harder to believe. "If magic is so incredible," she said, pointing at the crane, "then how did Lily and the others die in a car accident?"

"A car accident!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed, shocked and somewhat angry. "Who told you that?"

"P-Petunia told us that. Wasn't it true?" Clara asked hesitantly. Facing the stern Professor McGonagall made anyone feel like a student standing before the principal.

"Of course not! How could they have died in a car accident in your Muggle world? Lily and her husband James were heroes and the pride of our wizarding world!"

Grandmother Elodie raised an eyebrow at the word "Muggle."

Professor McGonagall paused. "I can't go into the details, but Yulian will learn the truth in time. Oh, and their son, Harry, will be starting school this year, too."

"Harry Potter! That poor child is a wizard, too?" Clara exclaimed.

"Poor? Have you met him?" Professor McGonagall asked. "Is he being mistreated?"

"Well... I took Yulian to visit Mr. Dursley and Petunia about half a year ago."

Clara's answer was hesitant. "You know how it is. Relatives can't look after you quite as... as attentively as your own parents." Clara finally found the right word, but looked terribly embarrassed.

"I understand. It seems I'll have to have a serious talk with that old fool Dumbledore."

Professor McGonagall's expression showed her displeasure. "It seems you've all accepted the idea of wizards. That's all for today. I'll come back next week to take Yulian to Diagon Alley to buy his school supplies." With that, Professor McGonagall hurried to leave.

"Oh, and please have some cash ready to exchange for wizarding money. You won't need much. Gringotts has a limit on currency exchange, but there's no limit on gold, silver, or jewels."

No one noticed that Grandfather Alphard hadn't uttered a word during Professor McGonagall's entire visit.

Only after she had left did he let out a long breath, thinking that at least Professor McGonagall's specialty wasn't the same as Ollivander's.

He had once been McGonagall's student, after all, even if she had only been Dumbledore's teaching assistant at the time.

Altair took a deep breath. Though disbelief still lingered on his face, his instincts as a father led him to support his son.

He reached out and patted his son's shoulder. His voice was a little hoarse. "All right, son. If you really want to go to that... Hogwartsy castle, then go."

Yulian nodded firmly, his eyes shining with excitement.

It was late at night. After everyone had discussed the wonders of magic again and reached an agreement, Yulian got ready to go to his room.

But just then, Grandmother grabbed Grandfather Alphard, who was also heading back to his bedroom. "Yulian, go get some rest. Dear, don't you think you should tell the three of us Muggles your story?"

Grandfather: "..."

Scottish Highlands, Hogwarts Castle.

The night was as dark as ink, and stars glittered above, like countless eyes watching the ancient fortress of magic.

In the Headmaster's office, candlelight flickered, illuminating portraits of former headmasters on the walls, some dozing and others deep in thought. The air was tinged with the sweet scent of Sherbet Lemons and old parchment.

Professor Minerva McGonagall stood before the broad desk, as straight-backed as ever, though a rare hint of weariness showed between her brows.

She had just finished an unusual home visit and a covert bit of snooping. That was right: she had personally gone to Little Whinging, to Number 4 Privet Drive, and secretly taken a look around.

Even though Hagrid had already taken Harry to Diagon Alley, and the Dursleys had grown more wary of Harry, they were still cold toward him.

"Albus," she said, as crisp and direct as ever, without the slightest hesitation, "I've visited the family of Shiloh Yulian Black."

Albus Dumbledore, seated behind his desk, had changed into a pale dressing gown. At Professor McGonagall's entrance, he set down his quill. His bright blue eyes twinkled behind his Half-moon Spectacles with warmth and wisdom.

"Oh? Please, sit down, Minerva. Would you like a cup of hot honey and lemon tea? Or... I've just received a new batch of dancing Cockroach Clusters."

"Thank you, no, Albus." Professor McGonagall firmly declined the Headmaster's offer and got straight to the point. "The situation was... somewhat unexpected."

Dumbledore leaned forward slightly, fingertips pressed together in a listening pose.

"Unexpected? Is it because of the surname 'Black'? I admit, I was quite taken aback when I saw the name in the Book of Admittance. I thought that ancient and proud family tree had withered away completely."

"Quite the opposite, Albus." Professor McGonagall shook her head, her voice tinged with disbelief. "That family is a thoroughly typical Muggle family."

"His father, Altair Black, is a shrewd wine merchant who knows nothing about magic. He even thinks Hogwarts is some kind of Scottish boarding school that teaches sleight of hand. The issue must lie with his mother."

"Oh, there's something unusual about his mother's family?" Dumbledore's eyes grew a little more curious.

"His mother, Clara Black, was an Evans before she married," Professor McGonagall said, drawing a deep breath. "She's a distant cousin of Lily's."