Ancient Magician (Severus x Reader)

Chapter 24: Suspicious

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𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘳 2 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 24: 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴

"𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘐𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘵"

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"Y/n, what brings you here at this hour?" the man asked gently, his voice warm but tinged with surprise. He looked so much like Professor Dumbledore that I momentarily wondered if I was dreaming. The resemblance was uncanny, right down to the long silver beard and kind blue eyes, though this man's felt heavier somehow, as if carrying the weight of old memories.

"Hi! Um... are you Abby?" I asked, tilting my head curiously.

His expression softened. I noticed his eyes shimmer with unspoken emotion before he quickly looked away, brushing a hand across his cheek.

"Yes," he said quietly, clearing his throat. "Yes, I am Abby."

"I have a question for you—if that's alright," I added, glancing back at Fred and George, who stood silently beside me.

Abby gave a small nod and motioned toward the cottage behind him. "Come in, all three of you. We can talk better inside."

As we stepped through the doorway, a strange feeling washed over me. The air inside was warm, filled with the scent of old wood, parchment, and something faintly floral. It reminded me of something—but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Maybe a dream I'd forgotten. Or maybe... something from long ago.

"Woah," George muttered as he looked around, taking in the shelves lined with strange trinkets and books. "This place feels like it belongs in a storybook."

"Feels familiar, somehow," I murmured more to myself than anyone else.

Abby gestured toward a wooden table near the fireplace. "Have a seat. I'll get some hot chocolate. It's chilly tonight."

We sat eagerly, the fire crackling softly beside us. The room seemed to hug us in warmth.

As we waited, Fred leaned in closer and whispered, "Y/n... doesn't he look just like Professor Dumbledore?"

George nodded immediately. "It's almost spooky."

"I think he's Dumbledore's brother," I whispered, narrowing my eyes thoughtfully.

Fred's eyes widened. "What?! Seriously?"

"Well... I mean, I think he is," I said with a little shrug. "Makes sense, right?"

"So it's just a theory?" Fred raised an eyebrow.

"Obviously. Duh," I replied, smirking.

George rolled his eyes. "Or we could just... ask him when he comes back. You know, like normal people?"

"Yupp," I agreed, suppressing a laugh.

Moments later, Abby returned, carefully balancing a tray of steaming mugs.

"Here you go, one for each of you," he said, setting the cups down with a smile.

"Thank you," I said, wrapping my hands around the warm mug. The rich scent of chocolate was comforting, and I took a slow sip.

George didn't waste a second. "Sir—uh, Abby—if you don't mind us asking... is Professor Dumbledore your brother?"

Abby chuckled softly, as if he'd been expecting the question. "Indeed, he is."