Harry Potter 50 Shades of Gray

"You know, if you just wanted to start your lessons earlier, all you needed to do was ask, and I would've given you a few more tomes to add to your readings," Nicolas said dryly with a hint of annoyance. "No need to wake every living creature with your shriek."

Cyrna had been waiting in the dining room, not able to contain her excitement. When she heard the voice of the old alchemist, she turned around with a massive grin. "Guess what?"

"What?" asked Perenelle, playing along.

Cyrna took out the letter. "Hogwarts sent me a letter!"

"I'm surprised they want you in their school," Nicolas muttered.

Cyrna smirked, knowing Nicolas well enough to know that he was teasing. As if knowing that his true intentions had been discovered, Nicolas harrumphed and roughly ruffled her hair. "I had better hear from Albus that you are the best in Potions for your year."

"I can do that for you," Cyrna answered calmly, but Nicolas was able to discern the excited sparkle in her eyes. "Where would I be able to get the owl to reply to the letter? Oh, and when can I go to Diagon Alley to get the school supplies?"

How did she know about Diagon Alley? Nicolas frowned in confusion. And why Diagon Alley specifically? If anything, there was a perfectly fine area near their estate that would have all the supplies she would need.

"Well, I don't think you can go there quite this moment, my dear… you see," Perenelle hesitated, her gaze shifting to Nicolas, "we would have to arrange a portkey for you, and right now we are a tad bit busy since we've got a package that we need to deliver to Albus before summer starts."

Between her lessons and her excitement of the letters, Cyrna had almost forgotten about the fact that the first book of the series was in motion. She looked at the Flamels, her expression slowly closing. "Right," Cyrna said, no longer quite as excited. "I don't mind waiting."

Nicolas frowned when he saw the resignation in her eyes, the sudden sombreness in her expression that was widely inappropriate for a matter as simple as putting off a shopping trip. It was almost as if she knew what Perenelle was not saying; it was almost as if she—

Knew about the Philosopher's Stone.

"I'd like a word with you," Nicolas said lightly to Cyrna once his wife had left the room. Silently, he warded the rooms, not wanting Perenelle to interfere. Something unpleasantly cold twisted in his chest as he stared at the child that he had grew fond of. "I'll just be blunt with you. Why do you know about Diagon Alley? And now that I think of it, when we first met, you asked me if Albus had contacted me… A strange thing to ask, I would think."

Cyrna's expression turned carefully blank.

Nicolas' fists tightened at his side. "And judging from your reaction to what my wife just told you, it's like you knew that this would happen."

Cyrna stared at the man—her mentor. She had never thought they would get along, but as time passed, they had developed a rapport that she treasured. She liked and respected the quiet alchemist with the brilliant mind and dry humour. She liked how he made sense but was still undeniably warm in a spiky way. Perenelle's kindness was not something she could see herself comprehending in the near future, but Nicolas' suspicion and wary kindness was something that she could comprehend. Every time his weathered face would wrinkle with grudging approval and pride, a little part of her warmed and trembled with satisfaction.

Just as it did the opposite now. The sneer filled with genuine disappointment was one she had not seen for ages. Cyrna's mouth tightened, her features blanking from the shock. She cursed herself for the tremble she could feel rising to her lips. And at this moment, she hated herself—not only for her stupidity that had alerted Nicolas, but she hated that she had given this couple the ability to impact her in this way.

Since when had a person's disappointment mattered even the slightest to her?

"I'm not certain what you mean," Cyrna replied coldly. Her eyes flashed with apprehension as she readied her stance in case of an attack. She knew that he knew she was lying, but her secrets were hers and hers alone. Without meaning to, her magic welled up inside of her, ready to defend.

"Do you think me a fool, girl?" His gaze turned flinty. This was all Perenelle's fault, thought Nicolas when he stared at the child who seemed to think she would be able to survive a genuine effort from him—then again, he wasn't sure he could attack with an intent to harm. But he hadn't protected the stone for this long to allow it to be stolen.

"Never!" Cyrna insisted.

....

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