The Hogwarts Express slowed to a gentle stop at King's Cross, and the familiar bustle of the Muggle world pressed in on Sagar as he stepped onto the platform. He wore the easy smile of a boy who had survived his first year at Hogwarts, but beneath it, his mind was already racing ahead—to the summer, to the house he had conjured into existence, and to the next phase of his long, secret game.
The Jadhav family manor stood hidden in a quiet, ancient corner of the English countryside, protected by layers of enchantments and the kind of magic that made Muggles forget it existed at all. It was a sprawling estate of marble halls, enchanted gardens, and sun-dappled courtyards, but for all its grandeur, it was empty. Portraits watched in silence, the spectral white tiger prowled the grounds, and the echo of Sagar's footsteps was the only sound in the vast rooms.
Sagar knew that a true wizarding family home was never truly alive without people—loyal staff to tend to the house, keep up appearances, and add a heartbeat to its magic. It was time to fill the halls.
Seeking Loyal Staff
Sagar began his search in Diagon Alley, moving quietly among the crowds. He visited the Leaky Cauldron, where witches and wizards from every walk of life gathered, and listened for the names of house-elves seeking new posts, squibs with a talent for magical maintenance, and even Muggle-borns looking for honest work in a world that often overlooked them.
He posted discreet notices in magical shops and sent word through goblin couriers to Gringotts, offering generous wages, fair treatment, and the promise of a safe, welcoming home. Sagar's reputation—mysterious, generous, and just a little bit wild—spread quickly, and soon he was interviewing candidates in the manor's sunlit drawing room.
There was Mira, a clever squib with a knack for magical repairs and a sharp wit that made Sagar laugh. There was Tippy, a loyal house-elf who had served a kind family now gone and who wept with joy at the chance to belong again. There was even a pair of Muggle-born siblings, the Patel twins, who had been overlooked by the Ministry but whose magical talents were undeniable.
Sagar welcomed them all, weaving them into the fabric of the house with kindness and a touch of enchantment. He made sure each had their own comfortable quarters, access to the manor's magical library, and a voice in how the household was run.
Bringing the Manor to Life
With each new arrival, the manor changed. The kitchens filled with the scent of fresh bread and spiced tea. The gardens bloomed with laughter and conversation. The halls echoed with footsteps, music, and the soft hum of magic at work. The portraits, once silent, began to gossip and sing, delighted by the return of life.
Sagar walked the halls at dusk, feeling the difference. The house was no longer just a clever illusion—it was a home, alive with possibility.
He gathered his new staff in the great hall and spoke plainly: "This house is built on magic, but it's held together by trust. You are not just workers—you are family. Here, you are safe, respected, and free to be yourselves."
The staff cheered, and even the spectral tiger seemed to purr in approval.
Looking Ahead
As summer deepened, Sagar found contentment in the rhythms of his new household. He helped Mira repair the west wing's ancient clock, played chess with the Patel twins in the library, and listened to Tippy's stories of old wizarding families by the fire. He sent regular letters to his friends from Hogwarts, inviting them to visit when they could.
But Sagar was never one to rest for long. Even as the manor thrived, he kept one eye on the horizon, wondering what new adventures the wizarding world might offer next.
For now, though, the Jadhav manor was alive—its halls filled with laughter, magic, and the promise of stories yet to come.