COMFORT ZONE | Sirius Black [REWRITING]

60. Rashid Hadi Shafiq

Glossary:

Chachu - uncle (younger brother of father)

Bhabi - sister-in-law (respectful mode of address)

Qasm se - I swear

Puttar - lad (informal, used by elders to address younger people)

"What about Voldemort?"

Zarah straightened a quill on her desk, knowing that Adam was now watching her with curious eyes.

"There's a very important reason why we asked you to keep your abilities secret," she said carefully, "why your father and I went to great lengths to hide what Madam Reed taught you... both of you have valuable skills, and there's a lot of good and bad you could do with them... it's why ethics was such a big part of your studies with her — and still is for you, Adam."

Adam had just started on Occlumency with the tutor.

Yasin sat forward on the sofa, "The Death Eaters are always looking for new talent... young talent... anyone they can mould to fit their aims, and you two are like gold mines for them."

"Then why did you make us learn all this if it puts us in danger?" Maddi asked abruptly, her eyes narrowing in a way that felt almost accusatory.

Zarah tried not to feel hurt. "As much as it's part of our heritage," she started, "your wandless magic is supposed to protect you... Occlumency and Legilimency... these are all defences that I hope you never have to use.

"This wizard — He Who Must Not Be Named — he hasn't just started his campaign now, Maddi, this has been building up for years and years, and your father and I have watched it grow... ye tehreek he." This is a movement.

Upright in her chair as if on high alert, Maddi kept her eyes trained on the desk in front of her, only nodding here and there as if words would fail her if she spoke.

Zarah watched her closely, "We will keep you safe, jaan," she assured her. "Qasm se, we'd do anything for you, but when we aren't there, when you're out of our reach at school, your safety is to a huge degree yours to manage —"

"Pay attention, Adam," said Yasin.

Adam's book fell to his lap at once.

"Now that people know about your wandless magic," Zarah continued, "there's no point in pretending you can't do it... it'll only attract more attention that way, but this doesn't mean you entertain questions either, especially about who taught you."

Even now, Maddi was very still in her seat, not shocked, but as if the severity of the matter was dawning upon her, perhaps not for the first time.

"Why?" Adam asked.

"Because the teacher of students like you has skill the Death Eaters would value," answered Yasin. "Madam Reed deserves safety, and I have full faith that the pair of you will keep that in mind now that we're giving you permission to use wandless magic at school."

At some point in the holidays, Zarah wanted to share this message with Sirius and Regulus too, since Madam Reed had also been their tutor once.

"You must understand how far the news might've spread," Yasin went on, "because here in Britain, this type of magic is the sign of a very powerful wizard — you can't let the culture back home make you take it lightly."

"In fact, Maddi, the level of control you've shown is more advanced than a lot of Babur school graduates," said Zarah.

Maddi blinked. "Graduates?"