𝘼𝙧𝙜𝙪𝙨 𝙁𝙞𝙡𝙘𝙝 - 𝗮 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆

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Argus continued to meet Polina every other week. He and his father would have little chats and actual conversations ever so often and their family shop was doing really well too. They did this for another one and a half years.

Until one day, everything changed.

Michael passed away. Murdered when he was taking a stroll at Diagon Alley on his Saturday off. Where specifically? Witnesses said that they saw Michael walking down towards Flourish and Blotts the last time he was seen, but somehow he never made it into the shop and his body turned up in Knockturn Alley, right beside Borgins and Burkes.

The Ministry of Magic was called and they brought Argus in for questioning. He was, of course, innocent. All of his customers that day confirmed that he stayed at the shop and was never out of sight. He also made it clear that he was indeed a Squib, so he was not able to somehow apparate and cast the killing curse on his father.

Argus had their funeral soon after he was released from questioning. He invited his late father and mother's families, some close customers that were friends with Michael, and of course, Polina who came just for Argus.

The next few days, the business was rather odd. Some regular customers didn't come but some others came with friends to comfort Argus. they bought rather many herbs and plants. The Ministry didn't reveal that Argus was a Squib and continued to let him work at the shop that he inherited from his father. Argus worked really hard and Polina eventually came to help Argus out at the shop. 

August, 3 months after Michael's death, Argus was now 15 and turning 16 next year. The Ministry of Magic came to visit Argus on his Saturday off. 

"In your father's will, he requests you go to muggle school. One near here. It is a boarding school named Atherton Boarding School," The Minister said.

"But- Wait, I have a choice, right? I don't HAVE to go to the scho-"

"I'm sorry, Argus, but your father had already put it in his will. Since we received it, the first thing we did was sign you up and we've just received a letter that you were accepted. In Michael's will, he says that you are rather intelligent and are good at studying by yourself, so we trust that you don't need any extra tuition?"

Argus just sat on the couch in disbelief. He didn't want to go to school. He liked his life here at Diagon Alley. But then again, Artherton Boarding School sounded interesting and maybe he could learn some new tricks and knowledge from the muggle world itself.

"Well, school starts in 2 weeks Argus, best be prepared." The Minister patted him at the back and went off.

The first thing Argus decided to do was inform Polina. 

He headed downstairs, out of the shop, and towards the Owl Post Office. 

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