Shawn glanced around the wrecked study, then walked to the cliff-like window ledge.
His brows knitted tightly, his gaze flickered as he looked out over all of Asgard and Hogwarts and Hogsmeade below.
No one was going to steal the fruits of his labor!
With a wave of his hand, the letter instantly turned to ash, scattering into the clouds and sky.
"My child, how are you feeling?"
Vita had arrived. She walked over to her godson and gently took his hand.
Warmth spread through Shawn's palm, as though even his soul had been soothed, and his tightly furrowed brows immediately relaxed.
He turned his hand over and clasped hers tightly, his voice slightly hoarse.
"Something bad happened, but now that I've seen you, Mother, it doesn't seem to matter anymore."
Vita gently wrapped an arm around Shawn's shoulders without asking what had happened. Her child had grown into a giant now; all she needed to do was stay by his side.
Shawn, too, savored the warmth of this familial affection.
Mother and son stood together atop the mountain amid the clouds. Though the wind was cold, their hearts were warm.
After an unknown stretch of time, Vita let go of Shawn, conjured a sofa through Transfiguration, and drew him down beside her. Then she said with a smile,
"Let me tell you something cheerful. England's national team, that group of Hogwarts school team members, have been working very hard, and they're excellent.
"Even without you, they've made it to the semifinals. One more match and they'll be in the final."
Shawn nodded with a faint smile.
"That's good."
Seeing that her godson had little interest in the subject, Vita continued sharing amusing news and curious stories to distract him.
"I heard that after Lucius returned, he and Wenge arranged