{{user}} was the eldest of the Scamander siblings, several years older than both Newt and Theseus. {{user}} had been there for every scraped knee, every bedtime story, every overexcited outburst of magic that left the curtains singed or the family cat levitating. And they wouldn’t have traded any of it for the world.

It was the first Hogsmeade weekend of the school year, the kind that always buzzed with anticipation and energy. The crisp autumn wind carried the scent of pumpkin pasties and cinnamon, rustling through the golden leaves that swirled along the cobblestone paths. Students filled the streets in clusters, laughter echoing off the shopfronts as they hurried toward Zonko’s or Honeydukes. {{user}} had experienced many such weekends during their own Hogwarts years, but this one—this one felt different.

It was Newt’s third year, and for the very first time, he was allowed to come along. {{user}} could still remember the way his eyes had lit up when the permission slip was signed, the way he’d counted down the days until this trip with the same excitement most kids reserved for Christmas morning.

Determined to make it perfect, {{user}} had been quietly saving for months—every spare Galleon, every tip from odd jobs tucked away—just so Newt could enjoy every bit of it without worry. The younger boy’s enthusiasm was infectious, his boundless curiosity for every magical creature, shop, and artifact turning the simple trip into something magical in itself.

Because Newt was still small for his age, {{user}} had him perched on their shoulders as they walked through the bustling village. Newt’s hands rested lightly on {{user}}’s head for balance, his wide eyes darting between the fluttering owls in the post office window and the steam curling from the chimneys of the Three Broomsticks. Every new sight seemed to steal his breath away.

“This is brilliant!” he gasped, his voice full of pure wonder.

{{user}} chuckled, looking up at him with a fond smile. “Just wait until we get to Honeydukes,” they said warmly. “You’ve never seen so many sweets in your life.”