Ascendancy - Book I of the 𝔅𝔩𝔞𝔠𝔨 𝔖𝔢𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔰

XI. 22th December 1931 - love

"Trafficking in fantasy animals in the United States was banned in 1924 after several incidents occurred that cost the lives of several muggles. The sale of animals was a big part of the American economy…"

"Tell me, Asler, why are we doing this?" whispered Harfang to his fellow, who turned out to be his best friend.

"To keep our parents happy and waste our precious time listening to Mr Binns talk about the same things for two years?"

"Correct answer. 10 points for Gryffindor."

"Why not 20?"

"Oh, so you complain about it?"

"You always give me 20."

Harfang let out a small laugh and tickled his friend's cheek with his feather. A little pout accompanied his game.

"Uuuh, he didn't get his 20 points, he's not happy."

"Stop it."

Asler pushed the feather away with a grimace. If there was one thing he didn't like, it was things that tickled. Of course, as soon as Harfang had discovered it, he'd used it to crush him, no, to shrivel him up under his whims, even to the point of threatening him with the feather during arguments. It might have been funny from the outside, but for Asler it was not funny at all. He had even had a nightmare when he was younger that a feather was attacking him. He still remembered it so much that it had marked him.

Harfang obeyed, much to the surprise of his comrade. He watched with a laugh as the teacher spoke to the sleepy students.

"You're right. I think I'm doing this to please my parents when they don't care about me."

"I've already told you that. Teignous would welcome you with open arms, why do you insist on staying with them?"

"Because they're my family, Asler. And as much as I hate them, sometimes the bond of blood is more powerful than our differences."

Asler couldn't argue with him. He did not know this feeling, he had always been comfortable with his own family. To understand Harfang was impossible, because he would never feel the same as he did. So he preferred to keep quiet and offer him objectivity on important decisions.

"One day you'll get tired of it, and you'll leave."

"I know I can, that's the most important thing, isn't it?"

Asler smiled at him. Yes, that was the most important thing. And anyway, if the Notts couldn't take him in for any reason, the McLaggens would still be there. His parents were very fond of his best friend. Every time he came to their house, it was as if they were welcoming a second son. And at the same time, Harfang was a bit like his brother, so things weren't much different.

"Otherwise, in terms of current affairs," Harfang changed the subject. "Have you seen the List?"

"Who hasn't?"

"Your family's not on it."

"I know. I expected that."

"Why?"

"Because we have half-blood ancestors. But you already knew that, didn't you?"

Harfang merely grunted as he twirled his quill between his fingers.

"What?" he insisted, trying to get him to spill the beans.

"Mine too," he said. "I don't understand."

It was just as he thought. The Longbottoms did have unclean ancestors. As soon as the list had appeared, he hadn't dared ask him, but the question had gone through his mind a thousand times that night. Either the author of this whole fiasco had been misinformed, or it was someone who had used this excuse to benefit some of his friends. Harfang's mother was very influential. It could be anyone.