Before the start of the match, Madame Maxime of Beauxbatons Academy visited the top box and greeted Simon and Edwina warmly, kissing them on both cheeks with a graceful la bise, like an old friend.

Behind her stood some of her best students, poised and elegant. They bowed politely to Simon and Edwina in greeting, their manners impeccable.

Edwina smiled warmly at them, complimenting their posture and composure while asking their names. Simon, equally cordial, exchanged pleasantries with them.

Simon’s eyes lingered on one young man. “Have we met before, young man?” he asked curiously.

The boy straightened and gave a small, nervous smile. “Je m’appelle Lucien Moreau,” he began formally, before switching to English with a softer tone. “We… met during a party my father hosted.”

Simon’s face lit with recognition. “Ah, yes. Good to see you again. I met your father recently—he boasted about you for nearly an hour.”

The other students chuckled softly, and Lucien seemed to relax at their good-natured amusement.

“Join us if you can,” Simon said casually, gesturing to Aaric. “My son is here as well.”

Aaric waved from the side, and Lucien glanced at Madame Maxime for permission. She gave him an encouraging smile, so the boy nodded and joined the Hawthornes, even daring to give Volkrin, the giant wolf, a gentle pat on his head.

Meanwhile, Maxime and Edwina were giggling with the girls about the near death experience Simon had survived just now.

They were in love with Sylvenna and Gabrielle held the two tailed fox in her arms, rubbing her cheeks to the fox.

Edwina had quickly claimed Gabrielle and Fleur for herself after the group’s brief greeting with the British Minister of Magic. Fleur sat beside Daphne, the two having met before, while Gabrielle clung happily to Edwina’s side as they played together.

The match began, and it quickly became obvious that the Irish team had far superior coordination compared to Bulgaria.

Their teamwork was dazzling, running metaphorical circles around the Bulgarian players. Moran scored the first goal almost immediately, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

Daphne smirked at Fleur. “Oh dear, that was quick,” she teased. Aaric joined in with a grin.

“Just wait and watch,” Fleur said stubbornly, crossing her arms. But even as she spoke, Ireland scored another goal.

Aaric leaned back with a laugh. “Didn’t need to wait long…”

Fleur’s face froze in disbelief at how fast Ireland was racking up points. Gabrielle blew a raspberry at Aaric in defense of her sister, making Fleur giggle while Aaric scoffed dramatically.

“My team will rise to the occasion and answer this insult,” Aaric declared in mock seriousness. Fleur dissolved into giggles with Daphne, amused by the childish display.

Meanwhile, some of the Weasley boys were sneaking glances at Fleur far too often. Fleur, blissfully unaware, was too busy enjoying the match and talking with Daphne to notice.

Chaya slithered her head out of Aaric’s collar and stuck her tongue out at Gabrielle. The younger girl was too preoccupied with Sylvenna to notice, but Fleur did—and she immediately fell in love with the little snake.

Leaning closer, Fleur whispered eagerly, “May I hold her?”

Aaric shrugged, and Chaya slithered into Fleur’s arms, where she was met with delighted coos and soft pats. Fleur cradled her gently, rubbing the snake’s head with delicate fingers.

Volkrin shifted closer to Aaric, sitting beside him and Luna as the match continued. The Weasley boys, already jealous of Aaric’s friendship with Fleur, began paying even less attention to the game.

On the pitch, the Irish Keepers were like an unbreakable steel wall, blocking every Bulgarian attempt to score. Chasers Troy, Mullet, and Moran moved with perfect synergy, weaving patterns of brilliant plays that dazzled the audience.

As the minutes passed, Bulgaria’s frustration boiled over. Their play grew more aggressive until a foul was finally called—a Cobbing, when a Beater used elbows illegally.

Then disaster struck. Aidan Lynch, the Irish Seeker, was slammed by a Bludger and dazed midair. In that moment of chaos, Viktor Krum spotted the Snitch.

With a breathtaking dive, Viktor streaked across the pitch at impossible speed. His movements were sharp and daring, barely dodging Bludgers and Irish interference. The crowd roared as he stretched out his hand and caught the Snitch, ending the match with an electrifying finish.

Even with Krum’s catch, Ireland still won by ten points thanks to their massive lead.

The stands erupted. The Weasley twins cheered the loudest, their voices carrying over the din. Green and gold banners waved wildly while Bulgarian supporters defiantly chanted Krum’s name, honoring their star Seeker’s brilliance despite the loss.

The Irish mascots, leprechauns explode in a shower of green smoke and gold as the crowd goes wild.

By this point, Fleur and Gabrielle had stopped caring about the game, simply laughing and enjoying the company of their new friends. Fleur, initially reserved, had opened up more thanks to Daphne’s efforts, her laughter mingling with Daphne’s and Aaric’s.

After the celebrations, the Hawthornes walked over to return Madame Maxime’s students. Gabrielle was positively glowing, riding on Volkrin’s broad back as she clung to his fur.

Fleur bid farewell to Aaric’s group with a polite curtsy before returning to her headmistress’s side.

With a soft ripple of magic, Volkrin teleported Simon, Edwina, and Aaric home, startling the nearby French students who gasped at the display.

Aaric later joined Harry, Daphne, and Luna as they would be attending campsite celebrated into the night.

When he arrived, he burst into laughter. The Weasley twins and Sirius stood before him, entirely green skin, hair, everything, wearing Leprechaun outfits.

“The twins and Sirius clearly had the same prank idea,” Harry explained between laughs.

Daphne and Luna shook their heads in exasperation at the boys while Aaric laughed until his sides hurt.

A/N: I think the romance will really start to bloom this year. Let’s see if I’m any good at writing it!

Here is my extensive research on Daphne.

(For the scholars.)

Powers stones and reviews please.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep