It was a calm afternoon.
The garden, freshly spruced up just two days ago, was now—at least for the moment—full of life.
Rock looked around at the magical streamers, floating balloons, and even morning glories that shifted colors depending on the sunlight.
He couldn't help but tug the corner of his mouth upward.
Here it was again—his annual birthday.
Tina was waving her wand, guiding the already-prepared dishes and drinks onto a long table set up just for the occasion.
Beside her, an elderly woman with a full head of white hair occasionally pointed out where certain items should go.
Bunty—Newt's former assistant—had long since become family, and she lived nearby.
Rock batted away a balloon drifting toward his face and glanced behind him.
"Grandpa, you really didn't have to throw a whole party."
It was exactly how he felt. Having a bunch of people stare at him while he made a wish was… a little embarrassing.
Behind him, Newt lowered the kneazle in his arms—a clingy little thing named Millie.
"This is your birthday. Your grandma's been talking about it all week, and even your Aunt Queenie wouldn't stop fussing."
Great—
This was exactly what Rock didn't want to deal with. His great-aunt, Queenie, was a natural Legilimens.
She didn't read minds on purpose, but every time he made a wish, she somehow managed to say it out loud in that playful way of hers.
It wasn't a big deal… but it always made him cringe a little.
"Sweetheart, give your Aunt Queenie a hug!"
Just as Rock was lost in thought, a familiar voice startled him.
He turned and saw Queenie hurrying over, tugging along a kindly old man. Even as a grandmother-aged woman, she still wore bright, stylish dresses.
Warm and dazzling, just like always.
Rock still couldn't understand why, when he was tiny and being carried around, he would always reach out for Queenie and smile at her.
The next second, Queenie swept him into a hug.
"Oh—almost a whole year since I last saw you, and you've grown again."
Her gentle voice made Rock pause before he laughed softly and hugged her back.
Standing beside them, Jacob patted his belly and gave Rock a little wave.
"So? What do you think, Rock? This cake's made with Honeydukes' brand-new Pop-Rock Frosting. I guarantee there's nothing else like it in the wizarding world!"
Rock smiled at him. "Thank you, Grandpa Jacob. It smells amazing."
Jacob burst out laughing. He had grandchildren of his own, but Rock had always been his favorite—maybe because of how mature and thoughtful he acted for his age.
Queenie squinted happily at their exchange, lightly smoothing Rock's hair before moving to stand beside Tina.
"This little guy's growing fast. Tina, he's got your eyes, but he looks just like Newt."
Tina chuckled and tapped Queenie's nose—just like she used to years ago.
"I just hope he doesn't turn Hogwarts upside down the way his grandpa did when he was a teenager."
Her tone had a hint of exasperation, but her eyes were full of affection.
Newt, standing beside her, rubbed his nose. That… was a real possibility.
After all, Rock already knew even more about magical creatures than Newt did at his age.
"Looks like I'm not late?"
A booming voice echoed through the yard as Theseus appeared via Apparition, leaning on his walking stick.
After another round of lively greetings, he approached Rock.
"Grandpa Theseus! It's been a while."
Rock rushed forward to hug him. Theseus had played a major role in protecting him when he was born—his injured leg was the reason he used a cane now.
You could tell just from Rock's name how deep that connection ran. Theseus was one of the people who loved him most.
After brief chatter, the birthday celebration officially began. Under everyone's expectant gaze, Rock stepped in front of the cake.
He glanced quickly at Queenie. She winked, making him bow his head at once to make his wish silently.
Queenie whispered something to Tina while Newt raised his wand. Magical streamers shot into the sky and burst overhead.
"Happy birthday, Rock."
Newt handed Rock a small glass vial sealed with a cork.
Rock held it up to the light, shaking it gently. Inside, tiny glowing specks shimmered.
"Grandpa… what is this?"
Rock had seen a lot thanks to Newt, but he couldn't identify what was inside.
"Mooncalf fur. Collected under a full moon. If you shake it in the dark, you can see a little projection of them."
Rock's eyes lit up—he loved it.
Across from him, Theseus shook his head. "Newt, you're exactly the same as always."
Everyone nodded. Every year, Newt's gifts were the strangest.
Rock quickly waved his hands. "I love it!"
The group broke into laughter, then each person presented their own gift.
Tina gave him a dragonskin notebook and an Ever-Ink quill—practical as always.
Theseus gave him a Sneakoscope and the family pocket watch.
When he pulled them out, Newt tried to protest—after all, the watch symbolized the head of the Scamander family.
Theseus simply brushed him off. "If I don't give it to the next Scamander heir, who should I give it to—you?"
Newt surrendered immediately and went back to Tina.
"Thank you, Grandpa Theseus!" Rock accepted the gift solemnly. Since Theseus had never married, the meaning was clear.
"Alright, unlike these old men, we brought something fun. Rock, take a look."
Queenie and Jacob presented a box.
At her gesture, Rock slowly opened it and reached inside—then froze.
"This is an Extension-Charmed candy box. Whenever you feel homesick at school, you can pull out the exact candy you're craving, sweetheart."
Rock opened his hand. A lemon-flavored candy sat in his palm—exactly what he'd been craving.
"Thank you, Aunt Queenie." He hugged both her and Jacob.
Bunty was last, gifting a pair of dragonskin gloves and protective goggles.
"So you remember to gear up properly when helping your grandpa with his little troublemakers," she teased.
Rock clutched his gifts, thanking everyone over and over.
Birthdays were strange—part of him dreaded the attention, but they were warm all the same.
Time slipped by in the golden light of sunset.
Just then, a ripple appeared at the far edge of the garden.
Tina and Theseus reacted instantly, stepping in front of Rock protectively.
A tall figure emerged, wearing a deep blue robe patterned like the night sky. His silver beard swayed in the breeze, and behind the half-moon glasses, his blue eyes twinkled.
"Forgive an old man for arriving uninvited to your birthday party. Good afternoon, Newt. Tina.
"And to Mr. Scamander, the Kowalskis, Miss Bunty... and of course, our birthday star—Rock."