Definitely Not a Coward

Dumbledore left in a rush after enjoying a delicious lunch with everyone on the Unnamed Island.

The holiday had thrown his schedule into chaos.

For instance…

He still had to find a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

Last semester's professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, had ended up in Azkaban before final exams.

As a result, the class had no exam and, currently, no teacher. If he didn't find a capable replacement soon, Hogwarts would once again lack a proper Defense Against the Dark Arts curriculum.

On top of that, Sirius Black had escaped from prison, and Harry Potter had run away.

Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, was panicking—sending inquiry after inquiry to Hogwarts via owl.

Dumbledore had been extremely busy lately.

If not for Grindelwald's unexpected stunt the night before, Dumbledore wouldn't have had the time to eat at all today.

After walking Dumbledore off the island, Blake wandered back toward the little house.

Inside, he found Luna, Cassandra, and Hermione bent over the living room table, diligently working on homework.

Good students as they were, they didn't leave their assignments until the last minute.

Hermione glanced up and asked casually, "Did you get into trouble again?"

"Nonsense!" Blake replied indignantly. "Do I look like that kind of person?"

"You can't just say that because you have a pretty face," Hermione muttered, cheeks pink.

Blake gave her an innocent look. "You're judging me just based on appearances?"

Hermione snorted. "Please. I know what kind of person you are. If you weren't in trouble, why would Professor Dumbledore suddenly drop in to speak with you?"

"I can't believe you're accusing me like this!" Blake said, trying to maintain the charade. "This is slander!"

Cassandra, seated nearby, was quietly observing him. She knew he had teleportation magic. Meaning...

He could vanish and reappear anywhere, anytime. Most likely, he'd locked himself in his room and secretly teleported somewhere to stir up more mischief.

Realizing it was pointless to keep hiding the truth from these two sharp girls, Blake remembered what Dumbledore had told him: they deserved to know the dangers they might face.

He sighed, sat down, and accepted a glass of juice from Nagini.

"Thanks, Nagini. I have something to tell you all. You should sit down and hear it."

Though slightly confused, Nagini placed her tray aside and sat. Cassandra and Hermione put down their quills and turned their full attention to Blake.

Blake began explaining what had happened the night before.

"Wait—your father is Grindelwald? But... didn't you say your surname was actually Dumbledore?" Luna asked, wide-eyed as she tried to process the revelation.

Blake sighed and opened his hands. "I was born in a lab. I don't have a mother. Just two fathers."

He briefly summarized his life story for her.

Luna froze, her expression blank as her mind tried to handle the influx of new information. The sheer volume of it nearly made her brain short-circuit.

Hermione and Cassandra, who already knew the truth, weren't nearly as shocked.

"So Grindelwald made your connection public?" Cassandra asked.

"Yeah..." Blake replied.

"And that means you might become a target for his enemies?" Hermione followed up.

"Exactly."

"And if they can't get to you, they might come after us instead?" Cassandra added calmly.

"Er..."

These two were too clever.

They'd immediately grasped the implications—and none of them were good.

"I'm sorry," Blake said earnestly. "I've dragged you into this. I really didn't mean to... I hate thinking you or your families could be hurt because of me."

"But Professor Dumbledore—and the others—have already arranged protection for your families. Secretly."

"He just came to remind me... that I had to tell you."

"You deserve to know. And you have the right to choose..."

Hermione's brows drew together. "Choose what? You think I'd drop a friend just because you're in danger?"

"No—I just meant, since danger is involved—"

"Don't insult me," Hermione said firmly. "I'd never abandon a friend just because it's dangerous to be near them."

Cassandra nodded. "For once, I agree with Hermione."

She tossed her hair and said proudly, "And don't think the Woley family is easy prey. If someone wants to hurt us, let them try."

Luna, finally coming back to her senses, smiled gently.

"I know you'll protect me and my dad, right?"

"Of course," Blake said, nodding.

"Then I'm not going anywhere. If you're really thinking I'd end our friendship over something like this... you don't know me at all."

Her voice was soft, but her eyes were full of conviction.

As she looked at Blake, her expression turned a little sorrowful.

She remembered watching her mother die right before her eyes when she was just a child.

That grief never left her.

But Blake—he never even had a mother.

She still had memories and photos. Blake had nothing but a lab and an origin rooted in magical experimentation.

It made her understand why he clung so tightly to his friends.

Blake smiled, eyes warm. "I'm really lucky to have you all."

Nagini stood up with a light grunt, picked up her tray, and said, "Tch. I thought it was something serious. Don't worry—I'll protect all of you."

"I, Nagini, am very strong."

Blake grinned. He didn't doubt it for a second.

Then his face turned thoughtful. "Actually… I think I should head to France."

Cassandra's head snapped up. "Why France?"

"Um... well... I think I should talk to Fleur and the others. You know, explain everything personally—"

Crack!

The quill in Cassandra's hand snapped clean in two.

Blake flinched.

"Can't you just write them a letter instead?" Cassandra asked sweetly as she moved closer, smiling like a cat about to pounce.

"Ahem… you make a good point. Yes, yes, I could write a letter."

"That makes sense," he added quickly, nodding.

It had absolutely nothing to do with the very sharp quill tip now tapping against his neck.

Nope.

Blake was just being logical.

Definitely not a coward.

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