After the reminder from the Chimera, the old sea serpent visibly panicked for a moment.

But in the end, the promise of a safe place to live—and being close to its daughter and grandkids—was enough to make it agree to the condition: stay inside the trunk.

"What if I want to eat fish? Can you catch them for me? Or maybe let me out every night—"

"No. You can raise fish in here. You're not going back to the Black Lake. I'm starting to suspect that thing you said in the cave—'just grab a mermaid'—wasn't a joke." Cohen cut him off sternly.

"Can't there be a little more trust between snakes?" the old serpent said regretfully.

"Your credibility went out the window after you collapsed half of the Ministry and stole tribute offerings every year." the serpent tail coiled lazily behind the goat's legs, clearly enjoying seeing the old serpent shut down like that.

Somehow, this slippery old snake who used to run wild was suddenly much more obedient around Cohen.

---

Cohen thought the round of surprise relative-reunions was finally over.

Just to be sure, he checked in again with Xisoco and Yali to confirm they didn't have any unknown parents or family lurking around.

"I hatched from a rooster's egg," Xisoco replied. "And I don't think roosters or toads live that long—probably?"

"Any adoptive parents?" Cohen asked.

"Every animal I've met is already dead."

"…Okay, fair enough."

When he got to Yali, she looked at him like he was stupid—or maybe that's just what she always looked like.

"I told you I've been in a cage since I was born. Are your ears broken?" Yali slurred, reeking of alcohol. "What family? Glrr…glrlrrgh…"

And just like that, she passed out again.

Cohen stared at the mess of drunk unicorns on the floor and began to question if his "free-range" strategy might have been a little too free…

At least no more surprise elders would show up now. Still—why did it feel like his status in this household kept dropping the older he got?

With the old serpent settled, Cohen decided to take a shower and a nap before heading to the tent in the evening for Edward's celebratory dinner.

---

Even though most students had already heard a dozen retellings from the champions and their hostages, those who didn't get to see the second task firsthand still chased down the participants for more details.

Whether on his way to the shower or back from it, Cohen kept getting stopped by curious students.

"You popping out of the tub like that was terrifying…"

Cohen crossed his arms and stared at Colin Creevey, who had just emerged from the same bubble bath tub.

Cohen had planned on brushing him off with a few vague lines, but Colin wouldn't give up, so Cohen reluctantly gave him a few more details about what he saw underwater.

"Did the giant squid try to eat you?!" Colin yelped as he climbed out of the bath and started getting dressed.

"It's huge!"

"It doesn't eat people," Cohen sighed. "It probably just thought we were drowning. Remember when your little brother fell into the lake? The squid brought him back to shore, didn't it?"

Colin's interrogation lasted all the way back to the dorms. Even Harry and Ron weren't spared—both of them were being swarmed by Gryffindors in the common room. Harry looked annoyed, but Ron was clearly enjoying the attention and was dramatically describing his "underwater experience"—even though he'd been unconscious for most of it.

---

After a long nap, Cohen left the castle early and headed to the tent for the dinner party with his family.

Surprisingly, there were even students crowding around Edward, trying to get info about the second task.

From far away, Cohen could see Edward awkwardly scratching his head as a group of girls bombarded him with questions.

"Mr. Norton, did you see how Cohen fought off the mermaids?"

"What did Cohen transform into—was it a fish? An octopus? Or…"

"As the champion's father, did you help him out in any way—?"

Apparently, the boys were all chasing after Fleur and Krum—Cohen could see crowds by Beauxbatons' carriage and Durmstrang's ship.

Edward looked pleased with the attention, but Rose didn't look too thrilled.

Cohen snuck around the side of the tent, letting his dad enjoy his moment while he joined Rose and Herbert, who were watching from the entrance.

"Has it been like this ever since the event ended?" Cohen asked.

"Oh yeah, one of those girls even wrapped her arms around his," Rose said sharply.

"They're just students. A bit clueless about boundaries, that's all…" Herbert offered. "Want to go pull him away?"

"You mean pull the girl away from my dad, or pull my dad away from the girl?" Cohen raised a brow. "Either way, sounds kinda sketchy."

"Alright, alright, let's drop it…"

Edward suddenly realized there was an extra hand clinging to his sleeve—and that his wife was right behind him watching.

Cold sweat broke out down his back instantly.

"Okay, okay! I don't know anything else—I blacked out right after it started!" Edward quickly extracted his arm and tried to laugh it off as he shooed the students away.

---

"Hogwarts students sure are enthusiastic…" Edward muttered as he came back, avoiding eye contact with Rose.

"You're pretty enthusiastic yourself," Rose said calmly. "New robe, freshly shaved…"

"Uh—Cohen! You're here early!" Edward quickly changed the subject.

"You're in trouble," Cohen said pitifully.

"Huh?"

"Come on in," Rose said as she tugged Edward into the tent.

Cohen and Herbert didn't follow.

"Wanna bet? Left eye or right eye bruised?" Cohen said.

"I say neither," Herbert chuckled.

"I say both."

But reality completely defied Cohen's expectations.

Edward walked out looking perfectly fine.

"...Huh?" Cohen was confused.

"Why do you look so disappointed I didn't get hit by your mom?" Edward asked, exasperated.

"Boring. I was hoping for a live family drama."

"Come inside." Rose called them in.

Once all four were inside, Rose finally explained what had just happened.

"That girl who clung to Edward's arm? There's something off about her."

"How so?" Cohen's expression darkened. "She was a disguised intruder? Did she plant something on him?"

"Not plant—she was trying to steal something off him." Edward said. "She didn't get anything, though. I changed robes."

"Something's definitely off…"

A memory suddenly clicked into place for Cohen—he had seen that girl earlier that day.

"I ran into her at noon—she bumped into me and dropped some 'part-time job pamphlets' on the ground…"