As Ethan approached the owl shop, his thoughts were already drifting toward the letters he would finally be sending. He adjusted his coat slightly as people hurried past him, some holding parcels close to their chests, others sheltering themselves from the rain with enchanted cloaks that shimmered faintly as water slid off them.
He was just a few steps away from the entrance when someone collided into his shoulder.
The impact was sudden but light. A short man with a bald head muttered a hurried apology.
"Sorry mate."
The man did not even bother to look up. He slipped past Ethan and continued walking at an unusually quick pace, his shoulders hunched and his hands buried inside his coat.
Ethan stood still for a moment, blinking once.
Then he smiled.
"Oh," he murmured softly, almost amused. "Thieves in England are not as creative as the French ones."
His hand moved calmly into his coat. He turned around, eyes locking onto the short man who was already several steps away.
Ethan raised a black wand, sleek and polished, its surface absorbing the light rather than reflecting it.
A single incantation left his lips, spoken so quietly it was almost swallowed by the noise of the alley.
In the next instant, the man froze mid step.
His body locked in place as if time itself had forgotten him. One foot remained lifted above the ground, his arms stiff at his sides, his head slightly turned as panic flickered across his face.
Ethan walked toward him at an unhurried pace.
He stopped directly in front of the frozen man and looked him up and down before shaking his head slowly.
"Sir," Ethan said calmly, his voice carrying just enough to draw attention. "Aren't you ashamed of stealing in broad daylight. Even if it is raining, this is still quite bold. You are old enough to have grandchildren, yet here you are picking pockets."
The man's eyes widened with fear and rage. His jaw trembled as much as the spell allowed.
Then he shouted.
"Let me go you insolent bastard."
Several people gasped.
"How dare you accuse me of stealing. Do you know who I am. How dare you use magic on someone else in Diagon Alley where it is forbidden. I will have you thrown into Azkaban by noon today. Release me at once."
The street began to slow. People stopped walking. Conversations hushed. Curious faces turned toward the scene.
Whispers of the crowd followed.
"Oh Merlin, isn't that Mundungus Fletcher."
"He never grows out of those nasty habits."
"Well if he is caught again, that is Azkaban for sure."
Ethan raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Oh," he said mildly. "So you are the famous thief of this town ha."
Mundungus went pale.
His eyes darted left and right before he spoke again, this time far more urgently.
"Listen to me. I work for Dumbledore. I am his man. Release me now or you will regret it. This will not end well for you."
Ethan tilted his head.
"Oh really," he replied dryly. "Then I suppose I must be Dumbledore's long lost son. Now stop the nonsense."
He reached forward and began searching Mundungus's pockets.
Gasps and murmurs rose from the crowd as items appeared one after another. Rings. Small enchanted trinkets. A wand that clearly did not belong to him. Several folded parchments.
Ethan sighed softly.
"You are quite the professional," he admitted. "I would almost be impressed."
Then he found what he was looking for.
His letters.
He removed them carefully, checking the seals before slipping them safely back into his coat.
"You stole something that had no value to you," Ethan said calmly. "That is unfortunate for you, old man."
At that moment, two figures pushed through the gathering crowd.
They wore official uniforms.
One was a middle aged man with a stern expression and tired eyes. Beside him stood a young woman with short spiky pink hair, her appearance so striking that several people stared openly.
The man spoke first.
"What is going on here."
Before Ethan could answer, Mundungus shouted.
"Victor. Thank Merlin it is you. Help me. This lunatic attacked me for no reason."
The young woman tilted her head, studying Ethan with open interest.
"Hm," she said thoughtfully. "I do not think a handsome man like him looks like a lunatic. If you ask me, everyone here would agree that you are the lunatic, Mundungus."
The man beside her groaned.
"Tonks," he muttered. "We are on patrol. Control yourself. Do not make me explain this to Mad Eye on your first day."
She clicked her tongue.
"Such a shame."
Then she turned to Ethan.
"So sir," she said brightly. "Why are you holding our most famous thief in place."
Ethan smiled at her.
"Well, beautiful auror," he replied smoothly. "This gentleman stole my letters. I simply retrieved what belonged to me."
Her eyes sparkled.
"Oh how noble," she teased. "Are you some kind of heroic stranger saving Diagon Alley from smelly thieves."
Mundungus stared at them in disbelief.
'Since when had retrieving stolen property become heroic.'
The man named Victor clearly had enough of this not so subtle flirting.
"That is enough, Tonks," he said coldly. "Focus."
He turned to Ethan and glared at him.
"Take your belongings and leave."
Ethan raised his hands slightly, showing the letters.
"As you wish."
Before turning away, he winked at Tonks.
She waved back cheerfully.
Ethan walked toward the owl shop without another word.
Behind him, Mundungus turned toward Victor.
"So you can release me now. I have urgent business."
Victor sneered.
"Where do you think you are going. This is the third time you are caught stealing this year. You are coming with us."
Mundungus began shouting Dumbledore's name as he was dragged away, his voice fading into the noise of the alley.
Inside the owl shop, the warmth and sound of fluttering wings greeted Ethan. Rows of owls lined the walls, their eyes sharp and intelligent.
"Good day beautiful lady," Ethan said pleasantly to the owner. "I am here to send a letter overseas and to collect a package."
The woman smiled knowingly.
"Careful, young man. Compliments like that can be dangerous from a young man such as yourself. But I like it. Write the address where you intend to send your letters."
Ethan did as instructed.
"And I have a package under the name Ethan Thorne."
With a flick of her wand, a small parcel appeared on the counter.
Ethan paid, thanked her, and left.
He spent the next hours wandering the alley. He visited Magical Menagerie to purchase food and medicine for Nina. He browsed school books and rare texts at Flourish and Blotts. He treated himself to ice cream at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.
He even paused to observe the construction of the new JK hotel, watching enchanted tools lift stone effortlessly as the building neared completion.
By the time he returned through the Leaky Cauldron and stepped into a taxi, night had fallen.
Rain tapped softly against the windows as Ethan leaned back, satisfied.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The taxi slowed as it reached the familiar street, its headlights cutting through the lingering mist left behind by the evening rain. Ethan paid the driver, stepped out, and pulled his coat closer around himself as the cold air settled against his skin. The street was quiet now, wrapped in shadows and soft yellow light cast by old streetlamps.
As the taxi drove away, Ethan's gaze lifted instinctively toward his house.
He stopped.
Someone was standing in front of his door.
The figure was partially hidden by darkness, positioned near the small steps leading up to the entrance. The faint movement of an arm suggested knocking, slow and patient, as though whoever it was had already been waiting for some time.
Ethan frowned slightly.
At this hour, he was not expecting anyone.
Curiosity stirred as he adjusted his grip on the parcel under his arm and walked forward. His footsteps echoed softly against the damp pavement. The closer he came, the clearer the silhouette became.
It was a woman.
She stood facing his door, her posture straight yet hesitant, as if unsure whether to knock again or turn away. Sensing movement behind her, she began to turn, clearly intending to leave.
That was when Ethan saw her properly.
She was young, with striking red hair that caught the lamplight and glowed like embers against the darkness. Her features were gentle, her expression composed but alert, and in her arms she held something that immediately drew Ethan's full attention.
Nina.
The moment understanding dawned, Ethan slowed his steps.
The woman turned fully now and looked directly at him. Her eyes studied him briefly before she spoke.
"Hello, sir," she said politely. "Are you the owner of this house?"
Ethan nodded, relief touching his expression.
"Yes," he replied. "How can I help you?"
The woman stepped down from the small stairs, careful not to startle the cat in her arms.
"Is this cat perhaps yours?"
Ethan smiled faintly.
"Yes, she is," he said. "It seems Nina troubled you, miss."
The woman shook her head quickly.
"Oh no, not at all," she said. "My daughter found her earlier and played with her for most of the afternoon. When I asked where she came from, she told me this cat belonged to this house. Since it was getting dark, I thought you might be worried, so I brought her back."
Ethan let out a soft breath.
"I am sorry about that," he said. "I was not home today. Nina does wander outside sometimes. It seems she has made a friend."
As if responding to his voice, Nina suddenly wriggled free. She leapt gracefully from the woman's arms and bounded straight toward Ethan. In one smooth motion she climbed onto his shoulder and began licking his face enthusiastically.
Ethan laughed quietly, lifting a hand to steady her.
"All right, all right," he murmured. "I missed you too."
The woman watched the interaction with a small smile.
"So you are new here," she said. "My daughter and I are often away, but this is the first time I have seen you."
"Yes," Ethan replied. "I moved in about a week ago."
She nodded in acknowledgment.
"Then welcome to the neighborhood."
"Thank you," Ethan said warmly. "Why do you not come in for a drink?"
The woman hesitated, then shook her head.
"That is kind of you, but I must decline. My daughter is alone at home. I only came to return your cat."
Ethan understood immediately. He inclined his head slightly.
"Thank you for bringing her back," he said. "I hope she behaved herself."
"Oh yes," the woman replied. "My daughter adored her. She was very happy today."
Ethan smiled.
"I am glad to hear that. My name is Ethan Thorne," he said. "This is Nina. We recently moved here from France. It is very nice to meet you."
The woman returned the smile.
"I am Lily Evans," she said. "Welcome again. I should go now."
(Pic)
"Of course, Miss Evans," Ethan replied. "Have a wonderful evening."
She turned and walked back across the street toward her own house. As she reached the door, Ethan noticed movement in the upstairs window. A head of golden hair peeked through the curtain, watching with open curiosity before quickly retreating.
Ethan smiled to himself.
He turned toward his own door, Nina still perched comfortably on his shoulder.
"Well," he said softly, "how was your day, my love? Did you enjoy spending time with your friend?"
Nina answered with a pleased meow, rubbing her head against his cheek.
Ethan unlocked the door and stepped inside, closing it gently behind them.
The house greeted him with familiar silence, warm and welcoming after a long day. He set his things down, removed his coat, and glanced once more toward the window before the curtains were drawn.