Vasuki left after some time, leaving the kids to quietly ponder the weight of the conversation they’d just had.

Aaric turned to the tree. Before leaving, Vasuki had told him it was special, capable of becoming something extraordinary if nurtured correctly.

Stepping closer, Aaric placed his hand against its bark, letting one of Vasuki’s silver scales manifest and sink into it.

A rush of emotions surged through his mind. Surprise, confusion—almost like the tree itself had gasped. It was so startled it couldn’t even form words.

Aaric chuckled softly and stepped back. Guess we’ll talk later, he thought, walking over to Luna.

She was still deep in thought, her expression distant and serious. When he sat beside her, she gave a small sigh and rested her head on his shoulder.

Neither of them spoke. They simply sat there, silent and still.

“Cedric! Cedric! Cedric!”

The Great Hall rang with Hufflepuff cheers as Cedric Diggory placed his name into the Goblet of Fire, laughing a little awkwardly at the chant.

In the background, Fred and George were tugging at their own white beards, arguing about who looked more like a “distinguished old wizard.”

Then Fleur swept into the age line with perfect poise, loudly announcing her name and school before dropping her parchment into the goblet.

“That’s right!” Aaric shouted from his table, jumping to his feet and pointing dramatically. “For those who don’t know, this is Fleur!”

Luna giggled, Ron cackled, and Daphne… covered her face, shoulders shaking. Outwardly, she looked mortified but really, she was hiding her laughter.

Fleur, utterly unfazed, glided over to stand beside Daphne. “‘Ow do you even handle zis man?” she asked, half exasperated, half amused.

Daphne smirked, leaning in to whisper, “If he makes fun of you, act like you’re actually sad. He’ll feel so guilty he’ll spend the whole day consoling you.”

She thought back to all the times Aaric had hovered over her with heartfelt apologies, gift specially made for her and soothing words.

Fleur’s eyes glinted mischievously, and she gave Daphne a wicked smile of her own.

Moments later, Fleur spun around to face Aaric, stomped her foot lightly, and put on the most pitiful voice imaginable.

“I wish you did not make fun of me all ze time!” she declared dramatically, then stormed off in mock offense.

The boys in the hall, many of them completely smitten with Fleur, instantly turned to glare at Aaric, he was public enemy number one now, even Ron was glaring at him.

Aaric froze, looking utterly stricken. Daphne just shook her head, amused. He’s going to spoil her rotten for the next twenty-four hours, she thought.

Sure enough, Aaric bolted after Fleur, digging through his bottomless pouch for something, anything to give her as a peace offering.

Gabrielle, watching from beside Daphne, tilted her head curiously. Daphne patted her on the head with a sly smile.

“Watch and learn, little one, your sister is a natural though.” she said, giving Gabrielle’s cheek a gentle pinch.

“I’m sorry if I hurt you,” Aaric said when he caught up to Fleur, genuine sadness flickering in his expression. “That was never my intention.”

It was Fleur’s first time being comforted by Aaric, and she cracked almost immediately, bursting into giggles.

“Non, non… I was only being dramatique,” she admitted, waving her hand. “Your reaction—ah, eet was priceless! But… I am grateful for ze gift.”

Aaric narrowed his eyes for being swindled. “Give me the bracelet back then,” he said, holding out his hand.

Fleur gasped and hid her wrist behind her back. “Non! You gave eet to me!” she teased, darting away with a laugh that rang like bells.

“How could you do that to me?” Aaric groaned, chasing after her.

“Literally everyone else does eet to you,” Fleur shot back with a roll of her eyes.

Aaric couldn’t argue with that, so he let it drop. They eventually sat together by the lake, the tension gone.

“It’s very pretty,” Fleur said softly, holding out the bracelet, a delicate piece of gold woven with runes and magical stones. “But… you may ‘ave it back.”

Aaric shook his head with a small smile. “Nah. I made it for you. A gift for a new friend.”

Fleur’s fingers curled protectively around the bracelet.

She’d been ready to return it because she knew how valuable it must have been, but after hearing that, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

She slipped it on, her cheeks faintly pink.

“How is life at Beauxbatons?” Aaric asked.

“Ah, Beauxbatons…” Fleur’s eyes softened. “Ze halls are filled with light, ze air smells of roses, and we learn wiz grace… not chaos.”

Aaric laughed. “Sounds like Hogwarts might be a little too chaotic for you.”

Fleur looked out over the water, shaking her head. “It’s not zat bad,” she admitted with a shrug.

A moment of silence passed. Then Fleur exhaled softly.

“There are people here who… treat me normally, at least,” she said quietly, glancing at Aaric.

He met her gaze and smiled—silent reassurance in his expression.

Then, with a teasing huff, he added, “Still, no one’s going to take you seriously if you go around announcing yourself like that.”

Fleur gasped and smacked his arm lightly. “‘Ow dare you!” she said, pouting dramatically before turning away to sulk.

“Don’t be like that,” Aaric said with a chuckle, nudging her shoulder with his own. “After you graduate, if you ever need help, I’ll be one owl away. Promise.”

Fleur’s pout faded into a small, secretive smile. ‘I already know zat about you,’ she thought, bumping her shoulder against his in return.

“Be ready to dance at my whims, then,” she said playfully.

Aaric shrugged, unbothered. When Fleur leaned her head lightly against his shoulder, he pressed a gentle kiss to her hair, his silent way of saying always.

A/n: leave your thought please.

Give me Power stones.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep