The day slipped away in a blur of bubbling cauldrons and precise ingredient lists, the hours melting into one another as Godric moved through his lessons. By the time the promised hour arrived, the castle had quieted, its halls bathed in the faint glow of enchanted nterns. Godric navigated his way toward the sve quarters, the corridors growing dimmer and colder with each step. His crimson eyes traced the cracks and chips in the pstered walls, the scuffed floors, and the worn stone ceilings. A cold anger simmered beneath his calm exterior, a mixture of disappointment and quiet fury at the derelict state of the quarters.

  As he continued, his gaze fell on a pair of small, nky creatures scurrying along the edge of the hallway. They were no taller than his knees, their wrinkled skin hanging loosely on their thin frames. Dressed in tattered rags, they avoided eye contact as they shuffled past him, their movements quick and silent. Rowena had once expined what they were—house elves, though she'd noted the term was a misnomer. Among mundanes, it was an accepted name, but actual elves found it deeply offensive, a slur against their kind. Still, whatever their designation, these beings were sves too, no different from Raine in that regard.

  Godric shook his head, trying to push the thought aside as he reached the entrance to the kitchens. From behind the dented wooden door came the soft murmur of voices, a gentle hum of conversation mingling with the unmistakable scent of butterbeer, caramel, and sweets wafting through the gaps in the doorframe.

  He hesitated, his hand hovering over the worn handle. For a brief moment, doubt crept into his mind, a whisper of uncertainty. But then he took a steadying breath and squared his shoulders.

  "Well," he muttered under his breath, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Here goes nothing."

  With that, he grasped the handle and pushed the door open, stepping inside.

  As soon as Godric stepped into the room, the lively hum of conversation ceased. Almost two dozen sves of various ages and races turned to stare at him, their expressions ranging from surprise to uncertainty. From teenagers to middle-aged men and women, from elves to therianthropes, they all had one thing in common: the bckened metallic colrs around their necks, etched with glowing runes of servitude. Their clothes were tattered and worn, a stark reminder of their station.

  Godric instinctively clutched the shopping bag he had brought to his chest, awkwardness flickering in his crimson eyes. With a hesitant smile, he raised a hand in a reluctant wave.

  Before he could say a word, Raine hurried over to him, her wolfen ears perked and her tail swishing with excitement. She took his hand in hers, her golden eyes shining. "Oh, Godric, you came!" she said with a bright smile. "I… I wasn't sure you would."

  Godric leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. The warmth of his gesture made her blush deeply as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Of course I did," he said softly. "I gave you my word, didn't I? And as my uncle used to say, 'A man's word is his bond.'"

  Raine beamed at him, her ears twitching slightly as she led him toward a small table tucked away in the corner of the kitchen. Sitting there was a young girl, no older than seven, staring down at a half-eaten slice of cake with a partially burned candle still nestled in the frosting. Her shoulder-length silver hair brushed the torn sapphire dress she wore, the same bck colr around her neck glowing faintly with the runes.

  Godric's heart clenched at the sight of her.

  Raine knelt down beside the girl, gesturing toward Godric. "Godric, this is Hikari," she said gently. "It's her birthday today—she's just turned seven."

  Hikari gnced up at Godric, her wide blue eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and shyness. She clutched her small hands together on the table, her voice soft as she spoke. "Um, hello, sir… I mean, young master." She hesitated, her gaze darting nervously. "Thank you for coming to my party."

  Godric crouched down to her level, setting the shopping bag on the floor beside him. He offered her a warm smile. "You don't have to call me 'young master,' Hikari. Just Godric is fine."

  The tension in the room shifted abruptly when a stout, broad-shouldered dwarf dressed in a flour-dusted chef's uniform barreled into the kitchen. His face was flushed with apparent fury, and his heavy boots thundered against the floor as he stomped toward the table. Godric's eyes narrowed, his body tensing, fingers itching to reach for the hilt of his sword slung across his back.

  "What is ze meaning of zis?" the dwarf bellowed, his thick accent adding to the weight of his booming voice. His piercing gaze swept over the table, freezing Raine and Hikari in pce, their eyes wide with fear. "What is zis monstrosity?" He jabbed a finger at the tiny slice of cake. "No, no, no! Zis is unacceptable!"

  "Chef Gusteau, please!" Raine stepped forward. "I can expin! It's actually Hikari's—"

  "Non! I will 'ear none of zis!" Gusteau interrupted, throwing up his hands dramatically. Godric instinctively began to rise, his jaw tightening, ready to intervene. But before he could act, the chef suddenly stepped aside, his fuming expression melting into a broad grin as another figure entered the room.

  An older woman, walked in carefully, carrying a towering, three-yered cake. It was a masterpiece of white frosting adorned with sugar-gzed strawberries, and atop it, seven glowing candles flickered brightly. Written in elegant cursive across the top in cherry sauce were the words Happy Birthday, Hikari.

  Hikari's face lit up, her blue eyes sparkling with delight as a wide smile spread across her lips. "Oh, Sophia! That looks amazing!" she cried, cpping her hands together in excitement.

  "'Appy Birthday, ma petite!" Chef Gusteau said warmly, his earlier bluster gone as he spread his arms in a grand gesture. "From moi, to you."

  "Thank you, Chef Gusteau!" Hikari beamed, her small voice filled with joy as she watched Sophia carefully set the cake on the table. "Thank you so much!"

  Godric blinked, momentarily stunned, as the room filled with murmurs of delight. He gnced at Raine, whose soft chuckle broke his daze. She leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his.

  "Surprise, my darling," Raine said with a warm smile, her golden eyes glowing with affection. "You're not the only one who sees us differently."

  Godric chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck as a faint blush crept onto his cheeks. "Maybe next time, let me in on the pn?" he said with a sheepish grin. "I was ready to… well, you know…" He gestured vaguely, his crimson eyes flickering with a mix of embarrassment and lingering adrenaline.

  Raine leaned in close, her golden eyes shimmering with warmth as she pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. "Aww, Godric," she said with a teasing lilt. "Always ready to py the hero, aren't you?" She smiled, her wolfen ears twitching slightly. "It's one of the reasons I fell for you."

  As the sves gathered around the table, their voices rose in unison, singing "Happy Birthday" to Hikari. Godric joined in, cpping along with the rest of them, his voice blending with the joyful chorus. Hikari's blue eyes sparkled with delight; her small hands csped together as her cheeks flushed with happiness.

  When the song ended, she leaned forward, blowing out the candles in one breath. The room erupted into appuse; her smile brighter than the candles that had just been extinguished.

  "Now," Chef Gusteau announced, his hands spread wide in a grand gesture, "let us feast! Do not be shy—zere is plenty for everyone!"

  The sves cheered softly, the tension in the room melting away as slices of cake were distributed. Godric found himself handed a generous piece, and as he took his first bite, the rich, buttery sweetness seemed to fill not just his mouth but the entire room with a sense of warmth and celebration.

  As he watched Hikari giggle with Raine and the others, Godric's heart swelled. For a moment, it felt like the cold, oppressive world beyond the kitchen walls didn't exist. Here, in this humble gathering, there was happiness, however fleeting—a small but powerful reminder of what he was fighting for.

  "Thank you for coming, dear boy."

  Godric turned to see Sophia standing nearby, her weathered face kind yet marked with the wisdom of hardship. Her brown eyes, soft but perceptive, studied him. "I take it you must be the one and only Godric Gryffindor. It's nice to finally put a face to the name."

  "Please, it's nothing," Godric said, shaking his head with a modest smile. "I'm honored to be here. I just hope Raine hasn't driven you all up the wall with stories about me."

  Sophia chuckled, her gaze drifting to Hikari, who was giggling softly as she took another bite of her cake. The girl's silver hair shimmered in the enchanted mplight, her innocent joy a stark contrast to the harsh realities around her. Sophia's smile faltered. "Such a poor child," she said, her tone heavy with sadness. "She was only five when her parents sold her."

  Godric's expression darkened. "Sold her?" he asked.

  Sophia nodded; her eyes distant. "They were poor, and… they didn't want another daughter. Thought a son would have been more useful to their station." She sighed deeply, shaking her head. "It's a story as old as the colr around our necks."

  Godric felt his fists clench at his sides, a storm of emotions rising within him. Anger surged like fire through his veins, battling against the sorrow that tightened in his chest. "That's… that's monstrous," he said through gritted teeth. "What kind of people would do such a thing?"

  Sophia regarded him quietly for a moment, her expression weary but understanding. "It's just how things are, my boy," she said softly. "In the poorest corners of Avalon, families are often forced to make impossible choices. Selling a child into svery can mean the difference between losing one mouth to feed… or losing all of them."

  Her words hung heavy in the air, ced with a sorrow that spoke of countless stories just like Hikari's. "It doesn't make it right," she added. "But in their eyes, it's survival. A cruel, heartless world, indeed."

  Godric's eyes narrowed, his crimson gaze burning with a mixture of outrage and determination. "Still," he said firmly, "it doesn't excuse them. It shouldn't have to be this way."

  Sophia pced a hand on Godric's arm, her grip light but steady, though her eyes held the weight of countless years. "And yet, it is," she said softly. "The world doesn't change overnight, Godric, no matter how much we want it to."

  Her gaze drifted across the room, settling on Raine. She stood by the table, her snowy white hair catching the soft glow of the candles as she handed out slices of cake to her fellow sves. Despite her humble tunic and the ever-present colr around her neck, there was a quiet grace in her movements, a strength that could not be diminished.

  "She's remarkable, isn't she?" Sophia said. "It was Raine who helped Hikari through her darkest time. She gave her hope when there was none."

  Sophia's expression faltered slightly yet again. "I still remember the day Raine first came to us," she continued. "Just a scared, broken little girl, torn from everything she knew and loved. But now…"

  Godric followed Sophia's gaze, his own expression softening as he watched Raine. "She's extraordinary," he murmured. "She's been through so much, yet she's stronger than anyone I've ever known."

  As if sensing his words, Raine turned her golden eyes toward him, her ears perking up as her tail gave the slightest wag. She smiled, her expression both curious and affectionate. "Is everything alright over there?" she called out, tilting her head slightly.

  Godric straightened, his crimson eyes lighting up as he gave her a warm smile. "Yes, Raine," he said confidently. "Everything's perfect."

  Raine ughed softly, shaking her head. "You're terrible at hiding secrets, Godric Gryffindor. What are you scheming?"

  Godric took a step forward, his voice steady and filled with pyful determination. "No schemes, I promise," he said. "Just an idea. How about we make this a proper celebration?"

  Raine's eyes sparkled as she looked back at him, her smile growing wider. "Alright then," she said. "Let's see what you've got in mind."

  Godric nodded with a warm smile and approached the little girl, kneeling down so he could meet her at eye level. "Hikari," he said gently, "I have a surprise for you."

  "R-really?" her blue eyes widened with a mix of anticipation and disbelief. "For me?"

  From his bag, Godric carefully pulled out a beautifully wrapped box, tied with a bck satin ribbon. The shimmering paper caught the glow of the kitchen's enchanted mplight, and he held it out with a pyful glint in his eye, his hand steady as he offered it to her.

  Standing nearby, Sophia rested a hand on Hikari's small shoulder. "Now, what do we say when someone gives us a gift, dear?"

  Hikari fidgeted with the hem of her tattered dress. "T-thank you… Godric."

  Her small hands trembled as she carefully untied the ribbon, letting it fall away before peeling back the paper. As the final fold dropped to reveal the gift, her eyes went wide with astonishment. Nestled inside was a plush niffler, its twinkling eyes and mischievous grin almost lifelike.

  "Oh, my stars!" Hikari squealed in delight, hugging the plushie tightly against her chest. "It's so cute! Thank you, Mister Godric! I love it so much!"

  Her joy was infectious, and Godric couldn't help but smile as she clutched the plush niffler close. Her sparkling eyes met his for a brief moment before she spun around and dashed off, eager to show the others her new treasure.

  Raine appeared at Godric's side, her arms slipping around his as she leaned into him. She kissed his cheek softly, resting her head on his shoulder. "That was amazing, Godric," she said. "I don't think I've ever seen her so happy." Then, with a pyful glint in her eye, she added, "By the way, how did you know to bring a birthday gift for a little girl?"

  Godric chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck as his cheeks reddened slightly. "Honestly? Lucky guess," he admitted with a grin. "I just thought a soft toy might brighten someone's day. I was half afraid I'd have to sneak it back and exchange it for something else."

  He gnced back at Hikari, who was now showing her gift to a small group of sves, her ughter ringing through the room like music. "But she deserves it," he added softly. "And so much more."

  Sophia stepped closer, her weathered hand resting gently on Godric's shoulder. "Thank you, dear boy," she said sincerely. "If only there were more people like you in this world… it would be a kinder, better pce. I'm certain of it."

  Godric met her gaze, humbled by her words. "We all do what we can," he said simply. "Sometimes it's the smallest things that make the biggest difference."

  He took a deep breath. "Also, my uncle once told me that everyone is born equal, and that everyone deserves love and compassion, no matter the circumstance."

  A heavy silence hung over the dimly lit kitchen, broken only by the occasional clink of a pte or the sound of Hikari's ughter mingling with the softer chuckles of the other sves. Chef Gusteau, standing by the cake, finished slicing the st piece, licking the frosting from his fingers with a satisfied nod. The room felt warm in spirit, but the reality of their circumstances loomed just beneath the surface.

  Godric clenched his fists at his sides, his crimson eyes flickering with determination. "It may not be today, nor tomorrow," he said quietly, "but I'll find a way to make this right. All of it." He gnced around the room, his gaze lingering on Hikari's joyful face, then shifting to Raine. "And maybe… just maybe, I'll find a way to free every sve here in Excalibur. If not here, then all of Avalon."

  Sophia weathered face softened as her eyes glistened briefly. She gave him a nod of deep respect. "You've got a good heart, dear boy. Don't ever lose it, no matter how much the world tries to break you," she said, her words heavy with meaning, before she turned to join Hikari and the others.

  Raine tightened her hold on Godric's arm. Her golden eyes shone with a mixture of admiration and hope as she whispered, "You've got a way of making people believe in something better, Godric."

  He turned his head slightly, leaning it against hers as a faint smile curved his lips. "I suppose so," he murmured.

  Raine closed her eyes, her voice soft and full of affection. "Mmm… my lion-hearted hero…"

  Godric's arm wrapped around her shoulders protectively as his gaze returned to the sves celebrating at the table, their ughter a fleeting but beautiful defiance against the harshness of their lives. He held Raine close, his expression hardening with quiet resolve.

  "I promise you both," he said, "I'll make it happen. No matter what it takes."

  The warmth of Raine's presence and the sight of Hikari's joy fueled his resolve. In that moment, Godric knew that the path ahead would be long and treacherous, but he would walk it without hesitation. For Raine, for Hikari, and for all those who deserved freedom.