Chapter 61 - Avery Mansion (2/2)
Then Draco asked, ”what about you, Neal? Did your grandfather contact you?”. Neal nodded, ”yeah, I received the letter. Some people will pick me up the day after my birthday. Although I won't be spending too much time with them. I've got Quidditch to play”.
Upon hearing the word Quidditch, Daphne and Draco asked at the same time, ”so, are you selected for the World cup?”. Neal shrugged his shoulders, ”who knows. I'm not expecting to be selected. I haven't played a single match yet”.
Astoria then said excitedly, ”of course. You'll be selected for sure. You are the best, after all”. Neal was taken back seeing her enthusiasm while Draco teased her, ”oh, Astoria went into fangirl mode again”. Her expression immediately changed to cold while she stepped on Malfoy's foot. ”Ouch, my foot. You little...”
Narcissa scolded him sternly, ”Draco, please watch your manners”. He looked away in frustration, ”I'll get you for this, one day”. Astoria snorted, ”yeah, right. As if”.
The next day evening after his birthday, two people entered the Leaky Cauldron and told them they were sent by Avery Family, they were stopped by Aurors instantly and asked for proof. One of them gave the letter Oakley gave them with the House of Avery insignia on it.
Seeing it made them relieved as they don't have to do the bodyguard business anymore. After saying goodbye to Tracey and others, he left with them with his luggage to the Tagues village in Northwestern England where the House of Avery and their relatives live.
While looking at the large mansion which can be seen even from the entrance of the village, Neal asked, ”so, that's the Avery Mansion? Wait, before that, what's with this abandoned village?”. One of the two guards of him, Marsh replied, ”well, muggles were forcefully evacuated using different methods by your Uncles and Aunts during those dark times as they don't like them.
Well, now you can say this is also a wizarding village. Although only our family lives here. Since you are the only heir left, everything you see is actually yours in the future”. Neal mumbled, ”no wonder that old man is anxious about it”.
Marsh asked, ”what did you say?”, Neal shook his head, ”nothing. Since there aren't any muggles here. Why are we traveling in the cart though? Can't we just fly?”. Marsh replied, ”No, only the main family has that right. Others can only travel in the carts. Flying and apparating is banned for us.
Lord Avery's orders. No one has the guts to question him”. As he reached near to the mansion, he started to see more and more Wizards and Witches murmuring to each other looking at Neal.
After entering the gate, they stepped down from the cart and started to walk towards the main door. Neal was then received by his maternal grandfather, Oakley Avery who looked more dignified and arrogant like Lucius Malfoy compared to his previous pitiful appearance.
As Neal entered the Mansion with him, he thought, ”it seems this family is no less corrupted than Malfoy's”. Oakley Avery then showed his family tree first which dated to six to seven centuries and then he said, ”no one lives in this huge mansion except for you and me. So, you can choose whatever room you like and do whatever you want. You can also perform magic however you liked. Even if the Ministry can trace underage magic, since this is considered a Wizarding village, they won't be able to do anything as there are several underaged wizards and witches live nearby.
You'll meet them tomorrow. Take rest for now”. Neal didn't talk much with him and went to one of the rooms he liked and placed his luggage there. As he slept, Neal thought, ”I wonder if Tracey is alright. Should I go to Greengrass Mansion later?”