YOU CANNOT GO BEFORE I FINISH!

The Sun was still blazing in the sky, but the heat had mild down considerably. The scorching sunlight of the peak afternoon was now quite bearable.

Gerald was fifteen minutes earlier than the given time. He could not wait any longer than he already had. On the North-eastern hill of the Warthford Island, he stood facing the enormous spread of water at a distance.

The whispering sounds of the waves crashing on the seashore and the flying seabords in search of prey were his means of passing the time as every second felt like an hour to him.

His mind was running in random directions, he was tapping his foot restlessly. His golden-brown hair were an unruly mess on his head, courtesy of his restless hands and the uncontrollable wind.

"I knew you would be early!"

Gerald turned upon hearing that familiar and the most annoying voice in the whole world.

"Reznor?" Gerald narrowed his eyes at the dark wizard as he stood crossing his hands behind his back and a smirk under his well-grown moustache and a long beard.

His dark cloak fluttered in the air, as he faced Gerald with a glint of playfulness in his slightly big greenish eyes.

"Oh how I failed to understand that it must be you!"

Gerald took a threatening step toward the wizard with a glare. "Where is Filch? I want him back!"

Reznor's chest verberated with a burst of hearty laughter. "Slow down Gerald! Your niffler is safe with me. I also have a pet, remember?! I know how much they mean to lonely people like us."

"Shut up Reznor! Do not count me in your category just because you are miserable! I am quite content with my life." Gerald retorted boldly.

Reznor sighed, shaking his head. "Oh boy! You haven't even scratched the surface of what is known as life."

"Cut it Reznor. I am not here to hear your preaching. Give me Filch and we do not need to see each others faces at least for a few days."

"Hmm. I heard you got a good amount in the fair?! I am sure it must had been fun."

Gerald watched the man for a long moment, trying to figure out what wicked plans he had running in his mind.

"What do you want Reznor? You haven't done all the drama to get me here only to have this light-hearted conversation. So tell me, what do you want from me in exchange for Filch?" Gerald stopped beating around the bush.

A grin spread on Reznor's face. "You are not as dumb as I think Gerald. But then the very next moment you prove that I overestimate you."

"What do you mean?" Gerald asked darkly.

"I mean, you are right about I want something from you but you are wrong in thinking that what I want is comparable to the life of a niffler."

"His name is FILCH!" Gerald gritted his teeth.

Reznor ignored him just like he ignored Reznor when he reminds Gerald that his pet also had a name.

"So now, can we come back to business Gerald?"

Reznor pulled out his wand and moved it in the air elegantly. Gerald took a step back instinctively, seeing the branches of the nearby trees rush in their way from all the sides. The grass that was between them grew in height.

And in the next few seconds, everything intertwined well to form two large seats that faced each other.

"I think it will take time so why should not we get comfortable?" Reznor walked to the nearer seat and sat on it as if it was his throne.

He wiggled his brows at Gerald, telling him to do the same.

Gerald was unsure. How could the branches and the grass bear the weight of an adult male?

But then he knew that magic could do anything!

He did not let his doubt display on his face and sat on the seat opposite Reznor's. Surprisingly it was very comfortable and spacious.

At least that brainless wizard did one thing right! Gerald thought.

"So tell me. What do you want?" Gerald leaned back in his seat, relishing the comfort it provided.

Reznor ran his fingers through his long beard with a thoughtful look on his face.

"From where should I begin?"

"Maybe from giving me my Filch back?!" Gerald suggested with a hard tone.

Reznor flicked his hand dismissively. "Nah! that is not how it should be. Erm... yes, I get it now." His face brightened after he figured out how to begin.

Gerald could only purse his lips in displease and wait to hear the dark wizard.

"But first you have to promise me that this will remain a secret between us only. And not even Oscar, Isabella or Sylvia will know about it." Reznor was now serious as he looked at Gerald.

Gerald scoffed. "And what if I break my promise?"

Reznor's greenish eyes darkened with a silent promise of danger. "Then you know what I am capable of Gerald!"

If only Gerald could break that rascal's magical stick and put his head in learning some spells from Oscar to turn this stupid fool into a goat only to send him to a butchering house!

"Alright!"

Reznor cocked his brow in challenge.

Gerald sighed exasperatedly, then rolled his eyes. "I promise I will keep this conversation a secret between us!"

Reznor then smiled satisfactorily. "So let's begin!"

Gerald was very curious to hear him.

"But first... you need to hear a story!"

"What? What kind of joke is this Reznor? Only because you have all the time in the world and was getting bored, you chose to call me here by kidnapping Filch only to tell me a story? Bullshit!"

Gerald attempted to get up from the seat but before he could, the branch encircled his both wrists at his sides.

"Reznor! Reznor! What the hell?"

"Sorry Gerald, but you cannot go before I finish here." Reznor smiled.

Gerald mustered up every ounce of his strength, but it was impossible to break those restraints. He was bound to that seat until that crazy wizard wished.

Sighing in defeat, Gerald sat with a scowl on his face.

"Now do not disturb me and listen to the whole story without any interruption. Shall we begin now?!"

*

*

*

It was an evening time and also was time for high tea. Ralph and Cordelia sat in the parlour enjoying their teas and snacks.

But Ralph looked restless, and that did not go unnoticed by Cordelia.

"Ralph, what happened? You look uneasy." She put down her cup before turning to face him.

"It's nothing." He replied distractedly.

Holding his face, Cordelia made him face her. "It is not nothing if you are avoiding looking at me. So stop pretending and tell me what is bothering you?"

Ralph sighed, leaning in that loving touch of his wife. "I am thinking about the conversation I had with theodora the other day in the library."

The couple had a talk about it, and they both were unsatisfied with Theodora's attitude.

"I do not understand why you need her agreement on this Ralph?! She is your daughter and you are her father. It is not other way around. It is your authority and decision to use your family heritage according to your will. Why are you expecting her agreement on this?"

Cordelia was against this idea since the beginning. She thought Ralph was not seeking Theodora's agreement but was expecting her permission. And it did not settle well with Cordelia.

"It is not like that Cordelia. After all, after us, she is the sole heir of our family and she will inherit our fortune. If she was our son then wouldn't we have discussed this matter with him?"

"That is the thing, Ralph. If we had a son, then we would not have been discussing this topic. We cannot guarantee what kind of man Theodora will have in the future and if we can trust him with the treasure our forefathers have preserved and protected all these years.

And you must admit that Theodora can never protect the Vault. She is not even knowledgeable enough about what is inside of it. And do you think she will sacrifice her everything, even her life, just to protect it like everyone in our family and you have done?"

Ralph was speechless because he had no answer to that. And what he could see was something he did not want to say out loud.

But he knew Cordelia was telling the truth, which he was too proud to accept.

"Ralph" Her face softened. "We need to find ways to keep the Vault safe. And only, the father can do that. And for that, we need to donate him and his disciples generously because what we want to ask from them is something that cannot be compensated by any amount of money."

"But Theodora-"

"She is naive Ralph. If she had any sense of seriousness of the situation then she would not have acted this way." Cordelia pursed her lips in displease.

Ralph was silent for a minute before he said, "What if we find the perfect man who will not only take care of our daughter but also protect the Vault with his life?"

There was hope, and hope keeps the dreams burning!