The White Drawing Room

The next day, Alex and Arwen bid farewell to Eira and Maleficent before stepping through a portal leading to his London manor. Upon arrival, Alex called for a meeting, introducing Arwen's presence to the household servants.

Of the original five servants, only three remained, his driver had found another job, and the chef had returned to his homeland to start his own business.

Alex expressed his gratitude for their loyalty and presented them with a small wooden box. Inside lay ten Spanish gold coins and a delicate cross pendant, a mere fraction of the vast treasures he had collected over the years from both land and sea.

At first, the servants hesitated to accept the gift, but Alex insisted. Arwen added her reassurance, easing their reluctance. Touched by the gesture, the staff finally accepted the box, vowing to keep its contents as a cherished family heirloom.

"If they ever saw your entire collection, they'd probably faint," Arwen teased.

Alex chuckled. "You know it. To us, it's insignificant, but to them, it's a grand gesture."

He stood and rummaged through his inventory, retrieving several vials of shimmering liquid. As he examined them, Arwen approached and wrapped her arms around him from behind.

"I'm going to take a bath first," she murmured, her breath warm against his neck. "Even though you don't need sleep, please hold me tonight. I missed you."

Alex froze for a moment, but before he could respond, Arwen had already disappeared. Shaking his head with a small smile, he carefully placed the vials into individual boxes, each labeled with precise instructions for use.

These were magic-enhancing potions, capable of permanently tripling one's magical reserves. Extracted from the twin trees of Valinor and crafted by Arwen herself, they were intended as gifts for the head professors of each Hogwarts house.

He also prepared unique gifts for those he was close with. For Luna, he designed an enchanted tablet containing information on every magical creature he knew of. The device functioned like a Pokémon Go-style system, allowing her to search for creatures on an interactive world map, scan animals in real time, and instantly retrieve their data and locations.

For Hermione and Ginny Weasley, he created a permanent beauty potion, designed to correct imperfections and enhance natural features. For Ron, he crafted a custom riding broom, capable of supersonic speeds, and prepared similar ones for his brothers.

After finishing his preparations, Alex made his way to the villa's large open-air bath. Later, as he entered the master bedroom, he found Arwen reclining against the headboard, her gaze fixed intently on him.

"Is something wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing," she replied with a slow blink. "You just took longer than I expected."

"Sorry, I was organizing everything for next week."

He moved toward her, leaning in for a kiss. Arwen wrapped her arms around his neck in response, deepening the kiss with a passion that sent warmth coursing through him. A slow, knowing smile played on his lips as he gently guided her back onto the bed, settling her atop him.

"Did my wife really miss me that much?" he teased, his fingers tracing delicate patterns along her spine.

"Very much so, my love," Arwen whispered, a blush coloring her cheeks as she buried her face in the crook of his neck.

Taking her unspoken invitation, Alex let his hands roam, shedding the barriers between them, as if unveiling a masterpiece. His touch was slow, memorizing every curve, every shiver in response to his fingertips.

Their movements were unhurried, a dance as ancient as time yet entirely their own. Arwen's hands traced the familiar contours of his muscles, anchoring herself in the moment.

Every breath, every lingering touch, spoke volumes of their longing. The outside world faded into insignificance, leaving only the quiet sighs, the whispered names, and the warmth they shared.

Much later, as the fire in the hearth dimmed, Arwen rested against Alex's chest, absentmindedly tracing patterns across his skin. He pressed a soft kiss to her hair, pulling her closer.

"Sleep," he murmured.

She smiled, tucking herself into his embrace. "Not just yet."

The Days that followed were spent with each other's company, occasionally Lily joins the couple when they stroll the city and eat out. 

On this particular day, Alex and Arwen are dressed for the occasion as they gained a private audience with this country's monarch Queen Elizabeth II. They were guided to The White Drawing Room where Her Majesty usually receives audiences.

The ornate drawing room of Buckingham Palace was an exquisite blend of regal history and modern refinement. Gilded mirrors reflected the soft glow of the chandeliers, and the elegant furnishings exuded timeless sophistication.

As the heavy doors opened, Alex and Arwen stepped forward, greeted by a royal attendant. The Queen, seated gracefully in an armchair, observed them with keen eyes. Though age had graced her with wisdom, her presence remained as commanding as ever.

Alex and Arwen bowed slightly.

"Your Majesty," Alex said with a warm smile.

The Queen nodded, a glimmer of recognition in her gaze. "Mr. Alex, it is a pleasure to see you again. And I presume this lovely lady beside you is your wife?"

Alex turned slightly, gesturing towards Arwen. "Yes, Your Majesty. May I present Lady Arwen, my wife."

Arwen executed a flawless curtsy. "It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty."

The Queen studied Arwen with an appraising gaze before offering a kind smile. "My dear, you are absolutely radiant. I fear I am growing quite old in comparison."

Arwen gave a polite chuckle, her eyes filled with warmth. "Your Majesty, true radiance comes not from youth but from grace, and in that, you surpass us all."

The Queen smiled, clearly pleased by the response. Then, her gaze returned to Alex. "I must admit, I was surprised by your generosity in donating that magnificent diamond. A diamond encasing hydrogen metal, it's an extraordinary scientific marvel. Your contributions to science have not gone unnoticed."

Alex smiled. "I appreciate your kind words, but perhaps I should formally introduce myself once more." He paused for a moment, his voice calm. "Your Majesty, I am a wizard, adept in the arts of alchemy."

A flicker of something, perhaps surprise, perhaps understanding, crossed the Queen's features. But she did not appear truly shocked. Instead, she leaned slightly forward, her hands resting gently on the arms of her chair.

"A wizard," she echoed thoughtfully. "Yes… I am well aware of those who dwell among us yet choose to remain unseen. Most are quite secretive, some rather eccentric. But as you might expect, my position affords me knowledge that others do not have. I know what your kind is capable of."

Alex inclined his head respectfully. "Then you understand why I have come to you with a proposition."

The Queen studied him carefully. "Go on."

"One day, the hidden world of wizards will face a choice, to remain concealed or to integrate with the rest of society. When that time comes, I would ask for your support in ensuring that transition is smooth, should they choose to embrace the world rather than hide from it."

The Queen was silent for a moment. Then, with a measured tone, she responded.

"A fascinating proposition, Mr. Alex. And one that, if handled poorly, could lead to turmoil. The world does not always welcome what it does not understand."

Alex nodded. "Which is why, for now, it remains just that, a proposition. But I believe there will come a time when wizards will no longer need to lurk in the shadows. When that day arrives, I would hope to count on your wisdom to guide the process."

The Queen exhaled softly, then gave a slight nod. "You have given me much to consider. I will remember this conversation."

Alex smiled. "In the meantime, I have a gift for you, Your Majesty."

He reached into his coat and retrieved two small vials, each containing a shimmering liquid that seemed to glow softly in the ambient light.

"These are youth potions," he explained. "They will not make you younger, but they will preserve your current physical state for exactly one hundred years. After that, the potion's effects will fade, and the natural course of life will resume."

The Queen regarded the vials with a contemplative gaze, then met Alex's eyes. "A remarkable gift… and one with profound implications."

Alex smiled. "It is given with no obligations, only as a token of my respect for you, Your Majesty."

The Queen accepted the vials with a graceful nod. "You have my gratitude, Mr. Alex. Few gifts are as precious as time."

Arwen smiled softly, sensing the gravity of the moment.

With that, the conversation shifted to lighter topics: history, art, and diplomacy, until the Queen's attendant subtly signaled the end of the meeting.

Alex and Arwen exited the palace, outside is Edmund waiting. Opening the doors for them and drove the car smoothly toward the villa.