Homeward to Aelwyd Vale pet solo

Date: July 5, 2026
Location: Aelwyd Vale, Swansea, Wales
Word Count: 1796
#012f7b - Dad’s speech
#982abc - Younger sister’s speech
#4e7a27 - Zephyr’s speech

Zephyr sat comfortably on top of the wooden fence overlooking the pasture. It was one of his favourite places to rest after finishing a day’s work. He threw a leather ball across the field. "Go for it, Clover!" The little Crup sprang forward, its split tail was wagging wildly. Scout was already after it and keeping pace with the crup. Marshmallow never one to miss out whenever there was excitement, it was also chasing after the ball. The sight of a sheep trying to outrun two energetic dogs was enough to make him laugh. "C’mon, Marshmallow! Faster, faster!" The sheep made a sound loudly as if accepting the challenge, but it was Scout who reached the ball first. Instead of keeping it for himself, the sheepdog dropped it in front of Clover and nudged the young crup with his nose. Clover excitedly picked it up and hurried back to him. "Good boy." He scratched behind his ears whilst it eagerly leaned into his hand. It’s only been a few days since his parents surprised him with the crup, Clover was settling nicely into the family. It was friendly, curious, and very energetic, what’s funny is that he followed Scout everywhere. Scout was patient as ever who accepted the role of older brother. Clover copied everything Scout was doing like herding the sheep, waiting by the gate and walking with him. He would always glance behind him to check if the crup was keeping up. Zephyr smiled, "You’ll be fine Clover, you got a good teacher and brother over there."

For the past few days since he arrived, his afternoon was spent gathering herbs from the greenhouse with his mother and them helped his father repair one of the smaller fences near the grazing fields. Returning home for the summer also meant returning to the routines he had known since childhood. The days settled into a familiar rhythm, mornings would begin before sunrise with chores around the farm while afternoons were spent wherever his parents needed an extra pair of hands. When the work was finished, he would find time to visit his friends from the village, swim in the nearby creek, fly kites on the open fields or play football again like they always did before he learned he’s a wizard. His friends was full of questions after not seeing him for almost a year. Where have you been? He smiled and answered that he was attending a boarding school in another country. It was not entirely a lie, only missing its biggest secret. They accepted the explanation and moved on to everything else they missed doing together.

There were moments when he would think of Silver Arrow broom inside his room. Flying over the fields was very tempting, especially with the summer wind blowing across the valley. More than once he thought of using it before remembering his father’s reminder not to use his broom, as well as his wand while at home. Seeing someone fly on a broom would be difficult to explain if one of the muggles happened to look up. Anything related to magic could wait until it was time to go back to wizarding world. For now, there was plenty to do without it. He was distracted from his thoughts by a familiar voice of his sister, Zaria. "Zephy!" He didn’t have to turn around. "What is it, Zaria?" The girl’s voice was excited, "I found a ladybird and it has spots!" He chuckled, "They usually do.” In her matter of fact tone, she added, "I know, I just wanted to tell you." Once his sister was satisfied with having shared this important discovery, she left him alone again. Ever since he returned home, she hardly left him alone, always appearing beside him whatever he’s doing around their farm, not that he minded. It was when he noticed the fields turned golden under the lowering sun. Scout lay down under the fence after another round of chasing the ball, while Clover curled up beside him, looking exhausted and sleepy from trying to match the older dog’s energy, Marshmallow walked back to the flock. He rested both arms on the fence post and took a contented breath.

The sound of approaching footsteps made him glance over his shoulder. It was his father who joined him by leaning against the fence he was sitting on. He watched the animals for a moment before speaking. "They all look exhausted." He chuckled as he glanced at Scout and Clover. "They have been at it for almost an hour." His father smiled and reached into his jeans pocket. He pulled out a small object wrapped in an old handkerchief. "I have been meaning to give you this." Zephyr accepted it and unfolded to see what was inside. It's an old silver pocket watch with intricate engravings. There was a carved crest on the front, and under it there was an engraved with a single word--Alderton. He admired the craftsmanship. "It’s beautiful..." He pressed the catch, and the cover clicked open. The hands were still moving. Looking at his father, “Is this another birthday present?" His father shook his head, "No. It was the first pocket watch I ever made." Zephyr didn't expect that, "You made this? I didn't know you know how to do this?" His father looked at the pocket watch and nodded. "I did. I used to spend a great deal of time learning." He read the name out loud, "Alderton. Is that the brand?" The answer didn't come right away, and when he looked at his father, he was looking at the fields or maybe even beyond that. "Do you know someone named Alderton?" He must have known that name if he was the one who made this. Finally, his father spoke, "Alderton is more than a brand, son. It was a legacy." He looked puzzled, "A legacy? What do you mean?" It was explained to him further, "For generations, the Alderton family has crafted watches and pocket watches. Every piece they made has that name." Which means the Aldertons owned this. "How do you know so much about them?" The smile that marred his father's face was one with something wistful behind it. "Because before I became Emrys Deakin…I was Emrys Alderton."

An Alderton? His dad is an Alderton?

Zephyr's brow furrowed deeply, not understanding what his father meant by that. "What do you mean dad? I'm confused. We're Deakins...right?" He received a nod and a deep sigh from his father. "Yes, I was, and yes, we are. I used your mom's surname after we got married. That is the name we chose but before that, I belonged to another family." It just means Alderton was his father's family. Woah... "The Aldertons were an old pureblood family. They have been crafting watches and pocket watches for generations. Every eldest child was expected to learn the trade, preserve the family name, and continue the legacy. Blood purity was everything to them. They believed the family’s reputation depended on marrying other respectable pureblood families and keeping the bloodline as pure as possible. I never hated the work. I loved learning how a watch worked. I'm an only child, and my parents expected me to become the next master craftsman, and I didn’t mind that responsibility." Zephyr turned his body fully to his father, getting curious now. "What changed?" A smile appeared on his father's face. "Hogwarts. I was sorted into Slytherin house." He was surprised to know that his dad was sorted into Slytherin house, he didn't peg him as such. "It was the first place where I met people from every kind of background. Purebloods, Halfbloods and Muggleborns. Most of the friends I made were not purebloods. They were good people." It didn't surprise him. He sees his father as someone who wouldn't care so much about blood status. Zephyr thought about his own friends at Hogwarts. They're also a mix bunch. He'd never thought much about it because for him blood status was not important when you're making friends. "Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?" His father asked him, so he nodded. "It does." before he continued, "My parents believed blood determined a person’s worth. My friends taught me otherwise. They would tell me stories about buses, telephones, cameras, football matches, museums, and other things I had never seen before." Zephyr chuckled, imagining his father looking confused about all that. "Every school holiday, I told my parents I was spending time with my pureblood friends. But I spent those holidays in the muggle world. I then realized there was beauty in both worlds."

He grinned, "Is that how you met mom?” The smile on his dad's lips was one he had never seen before. "No, I met your mother from a common friend who introduced us. They thought we’d get along. We wrote letters for months and fell in love.” His happiness didn't last long, "My parents found out about our relationship and demanded me to end it." He cannot imagine how complicated his father's situation was. It must have been a big mess back then. "They have chosen someone they wanted me to marry and threatened that I will lose everything if I don't do it." There's one thing he was curious about, "Wait, arranged marriage? Is that even a thing today? What did you do then?" It was obvious to him what his father did. "I refused to break up with your mom and accepted that fact that I will be disinherited. I loved your mother." There was not even a trace of hesitation in his voice. "It must have been hard for you, to leave everything behind you've ever known.” But, looking at what his parents built together, Zephyr can proudly say his dad had done a good job. "Not really. It would have been nice if my parents accepted your mother, but leaving that kind of life was the best thing I've done so far."

There's just one other thing he wanted to know from his father, "Did you regret it?" An arm went around his shoulder and squeezed, "No, never. I got you and Zaria now too." His expression turned serious again, "Tell me if anyone from my family try to communicate with you while in school, okay?" Looking at him, Zephyr could tell he was worried about something. "Okay dad. Is there something I should be concerned about?" His response was quick as worry etched on his face, "No, not at all. I'm just curious if they will try to contact you to get to me." Will his dad's family really use him against their own son? What will happen if they learned their grand son is attending Hogwarts and is actually a wizard? Only time will tell...