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“Oh no, I forgot something! Please Damian, can you take Benjamin while I go back?”
“Yes, of course, darling.”
Alice moved closer to Damian and handed him the child before quickly disappearing into the heart of Hogsmeade. The wizard raised an eyebrow, wondering what she could possibly have forgotten. Even the little boy, now seven months old, didn't understand why he was seeing his mother leave them. A small pout appeared on his fragile little face, ready to cry for the comforting arms of Alice. It wasn't that he hated being with his father, he was just too used to his mother's unrivalled gentleness. Damian couldn't deny it, nothing and no one could beat that side of the young woman that he loved so much.
Not even a man infatuated with the woman who had shared his life for so long. Damian looked at his son with his emerald eyes and began to chuckle.
“I know, I know,” he reassured him. “It's not easy to let Mummy go, is it? Don't worry, she'll be back. In the meantime, I'll show you a very special place.”
He smiled and headed for the panoramic terrace not far from the village. The surroundings were absolutely sumptuous, adorned with the shimmering colours of autumn. Despite all these years, nothing had changed in the eyes of the wizard, who savoured this little walk with a touch of nostalgia. And just sharing it with his son was something precious that he would cherish for the rest of his life.
He climbed the stone steps, careful not to slip on the many tawny-coloured leaves. He had been slipping more often lately and did not want to fall with his baby in his arms. A little further on, he recognised one of the lampposts that had witnessed his first real date with the mother of his child. He still remembered that winter evening when the snow had begun to fall. He waited impatiently for Alice to arrive. They were finally going to enjoy some time together, without having to worry for a single second about the worst that could happen to them.
Between the rage of a father obsessed with pure bloodlines and the hysteria of a student willing to use any means necessary to separate them, the couple had a wide range of misfortunes to choose from.
But what worried Damian was seeing his girlfriend without a scarf or gloves. Alice was in such a hurry to get there that she hadn't thought to bring anything warm for herself. It was a surprising situation. And like a good gentleman, he wrapped his own scarf around the young teenager's neck and warmed her hands near his lips.
The young father smiled for the umpteenth time. It was one of the fondest memories he had. Just like the one where he found out he was going to be a father.
He stopped after climbing the last few steps and leaned against the low stone wall, holding Benjamin close to his chest. His gaze wandered into the distance, where he could admire the majestic castle that had been his home for four long years.
“You see, Benjamin,” he began, with a hint of emotion in his voice, “it was at this school that I met your mother. And one day, you too will discover all the magic that lies within the walls of this castle. Magic that, I hope, will make your world even better. Just as it made mine better.”
Admittedly, his youth had been punctuated by many episodes. Between chaos and happiness, Damian had managed to forge his own path. And he was ready to become the father figure his son deserved. He looked down at the little boy, who was far too busy playing with his father's scarf to listen to his every word. Damian chuckled, not caring whether his words had any impact or not. All that mattered to him was seeing his child healthy and showered with all the love his parents could offer.
The wind suddenly picked up, blowing a multitude of leaves above their heads. Damian looked up, admiring the cascade of warm colours as it drifted towards the Highlands. One of the small leaves fell nonchalantly onto Benjamin's face, eliciting an amused chuckle that caught the young father's attention.
“Oh, but where has my little dragon gone?” Damian joked, using a funny voice to make his son laugh even more. “Has the little rascal flown away from me? Benjamin? Where are you?”
The baby burst out laughing and grabbed the leaf with his chubby little hand, finally revealing his beaming little face. Damian raised his eyebrows, feigning surprise.
“There you are!” he exclaimed, rubbing his nose against Benjamin's cheek.
“It looks like you're having a wonderful time together, father and son.”
Damian looked up and saw Alice approaching with a big smile on her face.
“How could anyone resist his little giggles? He's so wonderful,” admitted the wizard before moving closer to his partner to kiss her. “What could have been so urgent that you left a baby in the arms of a great dragonologist?”
“Some herbs at the shop,” she said before frowning slightly. “As for this baby, I'd say he's managed to melt the heart of a great dragonologist, now defenceless against this joyful little dragon. Isn't that right, my love? Have you managed to charm Daddy?”
Alice tenderly caressed her baby's cheek before kissing his little forehead. She then looked up at Hogwarts, resting her cheek against Damian's shoulder as he kissed her tenderly on the top of her head. They remained motionless for a long moment, each enjoying the other's company. Damian let out a long sigh, his gaze fixed on the school.
“What are you thinking about?” Alice asked, looking at her husband.
“Everything I've been through in my life. Between leaving my country for England, the years of servitude to my father... the years when my mind was completely lost in the fog, unable to find a single glimmer to guide me towards the light. I was lulled into black magic, thinking it was my only friend in this world. But you came into my life when I needed it most. You were the magic that lit up my darkest days. You have given me so much, and it would take me years, if not my whole life, to repay you for it all.”
“You owe me nothing, Damian. If we are where we are today, it is because we wanted it together. We fought together to give ourselves this life. I married you because I want to spend the rest of my life by your side. And you gave me this child. Don't you think Benjamin is our greatest gift?”
“Yes, you're right.”
“And I know you're already a wonderful and loving father.”
Damian smiled and leaned down to kiss Alice tenderly, touched by her words. And just as their lips parted, something unexpected happened.
“Da...da…”
The wizard's eyes widened, thinking he was hallucinating. So did Alice, who looked at Benjamin. The little boy's mouth formed a small smile, while his eyes, the famous green of his parents, stared intently at his father's face. With tears in his eyes and his lips parted, Damian imitated his son.
“Wait... did you say Dada? Say it again... Da... da?’
“Da... da...’ repeated Benjamin, his smile widening even more when he saw his parents' reaction to what he had just done. “Da... da! Dada!”
“Oh my love, yes, it's Dada,” marvelled Alice.
Tears quickly began to roll down Damian's cheeks. Tears of emotion. Even joy. He leaned his face towards his son's and began to cry. He could even feel Benjamin's little hand against his cheek, repeating the name that Damian had proudly borne since his baby’s birth.
“My son.”