The next day, Aaric, Draco, and Daphne were in the Room of Requirement. Daphne was bent over a cauldron, carefully brewing a potion, while Aaric was putting Draco through intense training.

Draco was giving his all, sweat dripping down his forehead as he ran across the magically shifting floor, dodging spells and countering with his own. Aaric, however, remained planted in one place, wand steady, firing hex after hex with frightening precision while barking instructions. A huge grin spread across his face every time Draco managed to parry or dodge at the last second.

Daphne glanced at him from her potion station, shaking her head slightly when she noticed that ridiculous grin. He looked like he was enjoying himself far too much.

After a while, Aaric walked over to her, leaving Draco to focus on his mind arts exercises and sip at the potions Aaric had given him.

“What was that idea you suddenly had yesterday when you were talking with Luna?” Aaric asked, curiosity lighting his face as he leaned over her workstation.

“I want to create something that can influence dreams,” Daphne said without looking up, her hands steady over the simmering brew. “Not just observe them—actually open a pathway so I can plant ideas through dreams.”

Aaric thought about it, recalling some obscure tomes he had once skimmed in the Nightshade Library. “I think I have some books that might help. I’ll bring them to you tomorrow.”

That finally earned a small smile from Daphne. “Thank you… Aaric, what would you do if I was hit by the Knight Bus?” She lifted her gaze to meet his directly, her expression unreadable.

Aaric froze for a second. Where did that come from? He looked around, trying to read her, but her face was a perfect mask—cold, smooth, impossible to decipher.

“I would…” he began slowly, testing her reactions carefully, “avenge you, of course. I’d gut the driver and avenge you.” He finished with a long breath, looking at her intently to see how she’d respond.

Daphne narrowed her eyes slightly, then went back to stirring her potion as if the exchange had never happened. Aaric sat back, unsettled, wondering if that conversation had actually taken place or if he had imagined it.

I think I’m safe… he told himself after a beat, seeing no further reaction from her.

“Can you send Dune out to gather these ingredients for me?” Daphne asked suddenly, handing him a slip of parchment before resuming her work.

Aaric took the list and nodded, then reached out and poked her cheek. “You’d avenge me too, right?”

“Of course,” Daphne replied flatly, not missing a beat. “I’d split the driver in two and feed him to wolves.”

Draco, who had been trying to meditate nearby, caught fragments of their conversation. He stopped, blinked, and scratched his head. Am I pushing my mind too far? he thought, disoriented. He turned toward Aaric.

“Did you… put something in the potions you gave me?” Draco asked, his face a mixture of suspicion and disbelief.

“What are you on about?” Aaric asked, genuinely surprised.

Draco just shook his head. “Never mind. I’m going to get some rest.” He muttered, still in a daze, and left the room.

Aaric only shrugged and sat back down, pulling Chaya into his lap. He idly toyed with the dementor crystals, and gave some to Chaya as she turned their energies to different elements.

Daphne approached again, this time holding a vial of shimmering liquid. “Drink this before you sleep tonight,” she said, offering it to him without explanation.

Aaric looked at her, then shook his head firmly. “No. I’ll see if I can find a proper test subject for you—but I’m not it.” His voice left no room for argument.

Daphne arched an eyebrow, silent, her eyes locked on his as though testing his resolve.

“I’ll check if we can use someone from the Janus Thickey Ward,” Aaric added after a moment.

Daphne finally gave a soft hum of acknowledgment. “Hmm.” She turned, and walked straight out of the room.

“What’s up with her?” Aaric muttered, glancing down at Chaya.

The creature only shook her head slowly.

“I guess she should drink her own potion,” Aaric said with a wry grin, tapping Chaya gently on the head with his finger.

The exams were approaching, and the Ravenclaws were bumping into walls and falling into lakes as they walked around with books in front of their faces.

In a room sat the board members of the school, with Simon as a new member, the Minister with a toad standing behind him, and Dumbledore.

“Lemon drops?” Dumbledore asked everyone present. Simon took one. “Thank you… Shall we begin?” he said as he opened the candy.

“Yes, Lord Hawthorne,” started the Minister. “Thank you for allowing my presence in the meeting. As I requested before, I wish to reinstate the Triwizard Tournament.” The Minister got straight to the point.

“That would put our students in danger,” Dumbledore began, but was cut off by the toad. “It is essential for the improvement of international relations with our neighbors, and there will be new rules added for the safety of the students,” she said as she handed out documents to those present.

Looking at Dumbledore’s face, Lucius scoffed. “Why oppose us at every point? You were also against the hiring of Lockhart.”Simon chuckled from the side. “He did turn out to be a fraud…”

“Let us not veer away from the topic at hand. What does the board think of this proposal?” the Minister interjected as he looked at the board members.

The members talked among themselves, and as most of them were old men longing for the ‘good old days,’ they agreed. The tournament was reinstated, with funding from the Ministry negotiated by Simon.

Lucius and the toad shut their mouths whenever Simon spoke, as Lucius knew Simon could kill him as easily as swatting a fly, and Dolores had been given clear instructions by the Minister to keep quiet.

When everything was done, Dolores proposed a vote to be instated as the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts, trying to be sneaky. But the vote was stopped by the loud laughter of Simon.

“Forgive me for my state,” he said, catching his breath. “That is a fascinating proposal that we will be discussing at length, at a later date.” He concluded as he got up, followed by the other members.

As Simon took a few steps, Volkrin appeared from the shadows. Simon patted his head, and with a flash of lightning they were gone, leaving gasps in the room he had left behind.

A/n: I was in a weird mood today, deal with it.

Oh, and give me stones and reviews because i need motivation.

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