Prelude to magic riot part 1

The whole week flew by in a blur.

Over the past few days, I played with Fleur and the other children of the town, exploring different places and creating memories all over. Rosalind, experiencing everything through my vision, was endlessly curious, asking about every little detail. She truly had the inquisitiveness of a small child.

Thus, the week passed with me playing, answering Rosalind's countless questions, meeting new people, eating, and sleeping—a simple yet happy childhood.

A new day arrived, and the entire house was bustling with preparations for our visit to Grandma's house. Fleur mentioned that the Veela village was located deep in the forest, near the Elven Lands. Though not densely populated, the village was home to fantastic beasts and common woodland animals. If one was lucky, they might even catch sight of a unicorn.

I was excited about the visit, though I told myself it had nothing to do with seeing a unicorn.

Instead of taking a car, we traveled in an elven carriage. Curious, I asked my father, "Why aren't we taking the car?"

He replied, "The Veela village is under the protection of the Forest Elves. Only a designated Forest Elf with a transport pass can take us there."

We reached our destination quickly, suggesting it wasn't too far. As the carriage stopped outside the village, my father lifted me in his arms, giving me a better view of my surroundings.

The village had a medieval charm, with 'nature' as its central theme. Trees, flowers, and lush greenery adorned every house, each featuring its own garden. The houses were spaced apart at regular intervals, the roads were pristine, and everything blended harmoniously with the natural environment.

Eventually, we arrived at a house with an arched gateway, where the name 'Mrs. Delle' was displayed on the door. Sensing our presence, Grandma stepped outside, accompanied by two other elderly women.

My mother and Aunt Apolline gasped in surprise upon seeing them, rushing forward to embrace them tightly. Though all three grandmothers were busy exchanging greetings, their eyes were fixed on me.

"Oh my god! Aunt Eva, it's been ages since we last met. I never imagined seeing you again like this! And Aunt Amelia—how are you here? Weren't you busy teaching at Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?" my mother exclaimed.

For quite some time, my mother and Aunt Apolline chatted animatedly with the two women, whom I now assumed to be my grandmother's sisters—making them my great-aunts.

From their conversation, I gathered that Grandma Eva worked as a consultant in the Elven Court and had spent her entire life in the Elven Lands. She never married but deeply loved my mother and Aunt Apolline as if they were her own children. On the other hand, Grandma Amelia had been a professor at Ilvermorny, specializing in magical creatures. After retiring, she had embarked on an expedition to South America, spending her time in the Amazon Rainforest, protecting magical creatures from poachers. She had only recently returned.

Apparently, they had come back to meet me. When my grandmother told them I carried blessings and could communicate with all animals and magical beasts, they were intrigued and couldn't resist their curiosity.

"Well, he certainly has a way of attracting people, though I'm sure it's not due to his Veela bloodline," Grandma Eva mused as we stepped inside the house. "I've lived among the Elves long enough to recognize the allure of a Veela bloodline. This is something else entirely."

"What's even more surprising is that he carries a Rowlet," Grandma Amelia added, astonished. "Rowlets typically reside in shadowy places, often near temples dedicated to the Goddess Athena. To see one following Aimé so closely is truly remarkable."

"Enough with your research," Grandma Delle chided, shaking her head. "He's your grandson, not a test subject."

That was all the confirmation I needed—Grandma Delle was indeed the eldest of the three.

The whole family was busy reminiscing about the past and engaging in lively conversations. While they were preoccupied, Fleur and I seized the opportunity to slip away unnoticed.

Both of us had a shared agenda—to find a unicorn. Accompanied by Row, Pung, and Sniff, we decided to venture towards the forest behind the village. Making our way discreetly through the village, we noticed that although some people seemed surprised to see me—perhaps due to the Veela bloodline—they didn't pay much attention to our little expedition.

Before long, we reached the edge of the forest. However, the looming darkness sent a shiver down our spines, making us hesitate. Just as fear began to creep in, Minnie suddenly appeared in front of us, her presence both startling and reassuring. Without giving us a chance to protest, she swiftly took us back home.

It turned out that the elders had grown worried when they realized we were missing. After all, we had sneaked out so quietly that no one had noticed our departure. What followed was a stern round of scolding from the adults, but amidst the reprimands, Grandma Amelia made a promise—she would take us to visit the unicorn tribe in the forest herself tomorrow morning.

That promise instantly lifted our spirits, turning our failed adventure into something to look forward to.