Surviving Times

3rd person POV:

John Harris was your typical pilot. Good at what he does. Without asking questions was a bonus. And that's why he's favoured.

But even the most tight lipped pilot in the entire Northern Australia couldn't help but be curious. Well, his 'passengers' this time made him. They were… peculiar. Not in a bad way, but he couldn't exactly nail this feeling.

His guts told him, they were not your ordinary folks who came for a simple visit in Kata Tjuta. There was more to it. But he didn't want to risk anything, so he stayed mute. Just like them.

Maybe other pilots would've displayed them some Australian Hospitality but John was not that type. He wasn't interested.

And that's why these four pureblood wizards/witches chose him to be their 'chauffeur.' He was easy to obliviate as he doesn't do… much other than his job.

"This is where we land, ladies and gentlemen. It was nice meeting you." The pilot said as he breathed the air of Melbourne again.

"Likewise, Mr. Harris. We enjoyed our flight, thanks to you." One of them returned the pleasantries.

"My p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e. The car's ready and Jamie will take you from here."

"Sure. We'll be leaving for the airport then." As the driver of the cab came closer, a whisper saying 'obliviate' was heard. And some of John's memories were distorted just like that. Like the faces of the four people he flew with.

The same with the driver, Jamie. Both of them couldn't quite recall their faces or names, like the rest of the hotel staff, etc.

***

Inside the private jet, the hostess brought some refreshments and left.

Then, something unbelievable happened. The four 'a.d.u.l.ts' shrunk to 'children.' A cat turned into a man and started serving them tea, coffee, strawberry smoothie, and he got himself a cup of milk. All thanks to the transformation magic.

Sipping into their drinks, all of them ultimately revealed the look of exhaustion. The adventure this time was… weary.

"I'm never stepping my foot in Sydney. Ever." Theodere said tiredly as he felt his soul come back as he drank a proper coffee again.

"Why so glum, Theo? Sydney's marvelous." Daphne inquired him while slurping her smoothie soundlessly (Author: How can she do that!!!). The place was indeed enchanting, even the Muggle side.

"But not the coffee. It tasted like mud. And I never knew coffee could even taste like that." Apparently, it was Theo's first time. Encountering a coffee, he could actually hate. And Theo never 'disliked' coffee.

"It's your bad luck, mate. You can't have your coffee black and good all the time." Draco said, amused at his friend. But then again, he did agree with him. He's not going to come here, ever again.

"And that's not the worst part. I was served dinner when I asked for tea."

"It's Australia, tea might refer to dinner sometimes." The man/cat/exceed, Gresil who was enjoying his almond milk politely informed the English folks about the 'Aussie' culture.

"Like barbie means barbecue." Daphne discussed a similar experience.

"And that's why I always remind you lot to do some research. Oh, but you never do."

"So you talk now, Mia." Theo said blandly.

"I talk. I do that. Nothing strange." Mia stated calmly.

"Yes, whatever you say. But now please tell us, where are we heading to?" Draco asked.

"London."

"Good. I can finally have some tacos." Theo said. Relieved. Getting spicy food was no easy thing to do.

'These three are crashing at my place, again.' Mia thought. She gave up trying to persuade them to go to their houses a long time ago.

Draco and Theo, she never said no to them. She'd rather they stay with her, compared to with their 'families'. It's not like they ever found their sons 'missing' anyway. Some tricks were enough to fool. Wizards who could care less and had little time to care.

And Daphne didn't want to be left out, so she literally 'moved in' with her sister, Astoria.

And that's not the most frightening part. Mia was okay with them staying in her house.

How the hell did things turned out like this? Well, she was okay with that too.

She was no longer in 'denial.' She accepted the fact that she grew fond of them.

It was pleasant. Watching them bickering over trivial things when they cause chaos. How they grew picky with food like her. No longer stupid, annoying or disturbingly silent. They were… fun and adorable. She had to admit. She missed having friends. And the warmth they brought.

Mia: Okay, now listen to me.

Daphne: Sure. What's the matter?

Mia: Well… You three need to get your own wands.

Daphne/Draco/Theo: What?!

Mia: You heard me right. You all are getting your wands.

Draco: ...We're nine, Mia. It's... impossible.

Theo: And it's illegal, so no one's going to sell us one.

Mia: You're right.

Daphne: So how are we getting one?

Mia: Simple. You are making one yourself.

Daphne/Draco/Theo: …WHAT?!!

The trio shrieked.

Gresil: Calm down! Don't shout.

Daphne: Calm down my… This is no joke.

Mia: Exactly. I'm serious.

Theo: Mia… though we might know a thing or two from the wandlore, we're far from making wands.

Mia: Why do you underestimate yourselves? Making wand is easy. I made one for myself.

Draco: That's easy for you, so you make us one.

Mia: Nope. Your wand is 'your' own, only when 'you' make it.

Daphne/Draco/Theo: …

Mia: Sigh… I'll be helping you guys anyway.

Daphne/Draco/Theo: yeah!!!

The three of them hauled her into a hug. They were ecstatic. Though they never said, they wanted a wand too, like Mia. Watching her do all the action while sit and watch in sidelines or either struggle manually was frustrating. there was only so little that alchemy, martial arts or wandless magic can do for kids.

Gresil watched them. He was happy, his master was finally not rejecting any affection.

***

Four kids and an exceed were portkey-ed to the Morgan Manor. Nobody was present to receive them. They arrived without informing anyone. As a result, Aurora might be in 'the forest', doing her research and Rebekah, who knows where. While the sweet little Astoria must be sleeping.

And Daphne wouldn't be Daphne if she didn't take advantage of this. She would never let a chance to party go. And Mia never said no to little wine she could secretly indulge in.

And the boys never had a say in it anyway. They can only oblige.

Hence, Astoria, Aurora and Rebekah (who was coincidentally home now) were greeted with a waffle party.

All of them exchanged hugs and kisses and what not.

Finally, all the young and old gathered in their living room having waffles and watching The Simpsons. Talk about abuse of Muggle Artifacts.

Under Gresil's strict (= hellish, dreadful) guidance, the Morgan house elves were ultimately able to prepare every dish in the world(s), perfectly.

Hence, there were all kinds of toppings for the waffles. Savory or sweet, you name it.

Theo, who was now a sucker for spicy food, ate it all. Daphne had more strawberries than the waffles in her plate. And Astoria showed the exact amount of devotion for anything cinnamon. Draco ate a bit of everything. So did Mia and the rest.

The mood was mellow and The Simpsons made it even better. Just that, the season they were watching was, not of the 'same' day.

Mia noted this and said this aloud. And Aurora's reply to that stunned everyone.

"Yes, love. This episode should air next year."

"...you're kidding." Mia demanded her mother, feeling borderline spooky.

"Nope. I'm not. I'm absolutely serious, love."

"How is that even possible?" Theo asked, unable to process.

"Magic, I did. It's complicated for kids to understand. Just know our TV can show future episodes too. Now, Gresil, be a dear and pass me some hollandaise."

All of them (except Rebekah who already knew) gaped at her.

"What? Anything stuck on my face?" The woman-who-did-wonders blinked.

"None at all."

"Then why are you all staring at me like that? Like I've grown two horns."

"Horns would be more acceptable than what you did, Mom." Everyone else agreed to it. Horns were much more realistic than a TV which can practically show the future, albeit just the shows in it.

"Psh! Stop overreacting. How are you going to handle other things then?"

"What other things?!!" The kids were starting to freak out now.

"Nothing much, you see. After watching Star Trek, I thought of recreating a few things from it. I did and the TV is one of those results from it." Aurora declared calmly. Like how she required some more pepper to her Benedict waffles.

Mia and her friends clearly learned more about Aurora. That she was not just some breathtakingly beautiful witch but also a should-never-mess-with-her kind of witch.