Ciri could no longer remember the last time she had enjoyed such a satisfying bath.
It was a novelty.
A tub that filled itself, blew bubbles, sprayed rose-scented essence, and even played music for ambiance.
It reminded her of a world she had once visited.
In that world, if you had enough money, you could enjoy such luxuries—or even better ones.
But this was a swamp.
To have such amenities here was beyond delightful.
Harry and Hermione also took a bath.
Though a Cleaning Charm could keep them pristine, the importance of bathing had never been about the outcome—it was the process. Soaking in hot water for half an hour was an unmatched pleasure.
After everyone was done bathing—
Hermione hesitated for a moment as she looked at Ciri, but eventually climbed into Harry's bed.
She couldn't quite trust Ciri.
"My God, if it weren't for the Wild Hunt, I'd never agree to this—sharing a room with you two," Ciri murmured, burying her head into the soft goose-feather pillow, stretching contentedly, placing her sword by the bed. "Keep it down tonight."
"Or… do you have a Silencing Charm? Cast it around your bed."
Hermione froze, only realizing the implication of those words a moment later. Her cheeks flushed crimson.
"We're not Geralt and Yennefer," Harry said softly.
Then he paused, and chuckled. "They're both living at Hogwarts now. Last time we visited, Professor McGonagall—our deputy headmistress—told me that thanks to them, Madam Pomfrey has gone through over twice her usual stock of certain potions."
"Madam Pomfrey is our school nurse."
When Yennefer had still been out searching for Ciri, they rarely saw each other. Not much happened then.
But now that Yennefer no longer needed to search—
And Geralt wasn't traveling either—
For safety, they both stayed at Hogwarts with Sirius.
Every night, the passionate couple invariably… stirred things up. Their hormonal atmosphere trickled down to the younger students at Hogwarts, inevitably leading to various "interesting" situations. And unlike witchers and sorceresses, those kids didn't have nature on their side. With no formal sex education at Hogwarts, it didn't take much to spark trouble.
Madam Pomfrey had her hands full.
In fact—
Every professor who taught upper-year classes had taken to discreetly scanning female students before class with a spell.
Even Dumbledore had joked that the pair certainly didn't act their age.
"Geralt and Yennefer…" Ciri's expression dimmed slightly. "That sounds just like them."
"Guess the Silencing Charm isn't too effective."
Harry looked at her and said gently, "Good news though—maybe in a few years, we'll have a new little sibling."
Wait, what?
Another Child of Surprise?
That was Ciri's first thought.
A beat later, realization hit, and she stared at Harry in astonishment.
"Magic can let Yennefer get pregnant?"
Harry nodded. "Yes, though we're not sure how far along the process is."
"Hagrid managed to breed a Blast-Ended Skrewt in a single summer," Hermione added, tilting her head and pulling a book from her pocket with a wave of her wand to steady her thoughts. "A witcher and a sorceress will be more complicated. No other examples to draw from. Might take a year—maybe two."
"But it shouldn't take too long."
"Mr. Scamander is still at Hogwarts."
"Scamander?" Ciri asked. "And… Blast-Ended Skrewt? That doesn't sound pleasant."
"Two masters of magical creatures," Hermione explained simply. "The Skrewt was something Hagrid bred. Its parents were from two different species—normally incapable of reproduction together."
"It's a creature that embodies the best traits of both."
"At least, for a magical beast."
Ciri was quiet, digesting all that.
"So Geralt and Yennefer's child might have all the strengths of a witcher and a sorceress?"
"Possibly," Harry replied, uncertain.
He wasn't sure what Hagrid and Mr. Scamander would cook up.
Hagrid lacked confidence in himself—largely because he didn't have a solid understanding of the world around him. What he considered "normal" often seemed mad to others.
As for Mr. Scamander—
Dumbledore, McGonagall, even Professor Sprout all described him as a shy, bashful badger.
But…
Harry didn't believe that for a second. Scamander had been expelled in his sixth year after triggering a massive scandal at Durmstrang.
Even Hufflepuffs could be wild under the surface.
Ciri yawned. "Can't picture Geralt and Yennefer with a child."
Harry smiled kindly. "Aren't we proof that unlikely things happen?"
In the fireplace, flames crackled and danced.
They shared stories of the past.
Hermione read quietly, listening.
Until late into the night, when both Harry and Ciri were already asleep, Hermione dimmed the lights with a wave of her wand, curled up, and followed them into slumber.
But at midnight—
Harry's eyes snapped open.
Chill air whispered through the door. He gently nudged Hermione, who awoke immediately, gripping her wand.
On the other bed—
Ciri, sensitive to the Wild Hunt after years of running, had already awakened and grabbed her sword.
"I'll check it out. Stay inside," Harry said, flicking his wand and conjuring golden runes over the bed.
Ciri nodded.
Harry vanished with a soft pop.
Outside in the swamp, he reappeared, transforming into his Animagus form and stealthily approaching the hut.
The Wild Hunt had come.
But surprisingly, there were only two—sneaking around, peering into huts.
His Witcher senses detected no more.
No other presence came through the lone teleportation circle.
Harry crept around them and pounced on the portal.
Yrden!
Purple glyphs flared as the teleportation array shattered.
Simultaneously, he pulled two seeds from his pocket and flicked his wand.
Two Devil's Snares burst forth, ensnaring the two Hunt warriors. The more they struggled, the tighter the vines constricted.
"Hermione, Ciri—you can come out now," Harry called.
The door swung open.
No one emerged—but a gleaming silver lioness leapt forth.
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Powerstones?
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