Hydrus Lestrange fled in disgrace.
In her imagination, it was supposed to look like a fairy tale—her seated on a sunlit meadow, magical creatures gathered around her, birds chirping, squirrels chittering.
Reality, however, was far less poetic.
The creatures did surround her, but the shrill screeching of doxy birds and a Niffler enthusiastically frisking her pockets for valuables pushed her straight past her limit.
Still, the harvest had been worth it.
She had gained a frightening number of magical traits.
Unicorn: Immense magical power. In theory, she herself was now a wand—an absurdly strong one at that.
As for the ability to identify virgins… well. That was awkward, to say the least.
Acromantula: Call her Hydrus Gwen Astray—no, Lestrange. Testing the silk for forest traversal had been exhilarating.
And if she ever ran short on gold, selling venom wasn't a bad emergency plan.
Niffler: She would never miss hidden treasure again.
Doxy: Other people sang for money. Doxies sang to kill.
Not literally—but insanity was close enough.
Bowtruckle: …No comment.
She had briefly considered searching the depths of the Forbidden Forest for ancient vaults guarded by long-forgotten wardens. Unfortunately, the forest was vast, and time was not on her side.
When Hydrus returned to her dormitory, Momo had already prepared everything.
She lifted the covers and froze.
Neatly arranged beneath them was a perfectly aligned layer of golden Galleons, magically fixed in place so they wouldn't jab her while she slept.
…Perfect. Absolutely perfect.
By the time she woke again, it was the weekend.
Iselin Windsor appeared early, eyes bright with excitement.
Hogsmeade.
To be honest, Hydrus had zero interest.
Shopping? Wandering? Crowds?
Why do that when she could stay in bed all day? Momo would deliver meals. She wouldn't even have to stand up.
But Iselin was relentless.
With a sigh heavy enough to bend magic itself, Hydrus changed clothes and stepped out of the common room.
Before the ghosts could surround her—
Crack.
She vanished.
The Grey Lady's voice echoed faintly down the corridor.
"We should protest to Dumbledore! How can Apparition privileges be given to a student?!"
"You're absolutely right," the Bloody Baron rumbled.
"Be quiet," the Grey Lady snapped.
Hogsmeade was the only all-wizard village in Britain, and its popularity showed.
Hydrus strongly suspected that half the appeal lay in the forbidden thrill of casting magic off campus.
Passing beneath the tall, leaf-shaped stone archway, she entered hand-in-hand with Iselin.
It was the busiest day of the month. Everywhere she looked, students walked in pairs, laughing, whispering, blushing.
Hydrus felt nothing.
The shops were barely different from Diagon Alley. At least there she could duck into darker corners, or nap in her family vault at Gringotts.
Here? Utterly uninspired.
"Hydrus," Iselin said shyly, cheeks flushed. "Let's go to Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop. I've heard their red tea is amazing…"
Hydrus blinked.
She wasn't stupid. That place was practically a shrine to romance.
She opened her mouth—
A voice cut in from behind.
"Hydrus Lestrange. You kept me waiting for quite some time."
Cold. Flat. Merciless.
Hydrus turned.
The man wore a mask covering half his face. The exposed side was gaunt, deeply lined. Five years had aged him cruelly.
Bode Grey.
"Iselin, go on ahead," Hydrus said calmly, smiling as she gently pushed her friend away.
Then she turned back, composure flawless. "Sir, do I know you? I believe we've never met."
"Of course not," Bode replied smoothly, bowing with impeccable courtesy. "But I have admired you for some time. I hoped to invite Miss Lestrange to my home as a guest."
Hydrus laughed lightly. "I'm afraid I'm busy. I plan to complete five years of coursework in one. Even this little trip means sleepless nights."
Bode chuckled. "Last time, my subordinates failed me. This time, I came personally. I trust you'll show me a little courtesy."
Hydrus's pupils shrank.
Serpent Fang.
So it was him.
The one using her name.
No more doubt remained.
Her wand snapped up.
"Stupefy!"
Bode deflected it with ease, nodding in approval. "Impressive. No wonder my men couldn't handle you."
Two bolts of magic shot toward her.
"Protego!"
The memory of broken bones and blood surged up. Rage ignited.
Unicorn magic roared through her veins.
"Reducto!"
"Expelliarmus!"
Bode deflected the first spell, frowning deeply. Her power had doubled—no, more.
Forced to take her seriously now, he raised his shield.
Hydrus slashed her wand downward.
"Leviosa!"
An archaic spell. Crude. Brutal. Effective.
Despite his shield, Bode was hurled into the air.
Hydrus followed instantly.
"Descendo!"
He plummeted—
—and stopped three feet above the ground, neutralizing the spell with a flick.
"Extraordinary talent," Bode said coolly. "But far too wild. You need discipline."
"Endless Frost."
She recognized it instantly.
"Flame Ward!"
Blue fire surged outward.
Bode's eyes narrowed.
Grindelwald.
So that was it.
Ice and flame locked in a deadly stalemate.
But Hydrus felt it—her reserves were thinner. The cold pressed closer.
She slammed her wand into the ground.
Stone spikes erupted upward.
Bode dodged, restoring the cobblestones with a tap—
—and in that single second, Hydrus turned and ran.
Before fleeing, she reshaped the flames into a roaring fire-dragon that streaked toward Hogwarts Castle.
Apparition?
Not yet. House-elf magic would be far too obvious.
Besides—this wasn't retreat.
It was repositioning.
Her destination was clear.
The Jujube and Mushroom Shop.
A store that sold magical plants and seeds.
Ancient plant magic was still ancient magic.