I shook my head, pushing the thought aside for now. I had something else I wanted to work on first.
Inspired by my recent performance on my mother's Magical Girl Levia-tan show, I was attempting to recreate Cassium's signature move: a sword made entirely from condensed, high-pressure water.
I closed my eyes, concentrating intensely on shaping my demonic energy into the proper form. When I opened my eyes again, a slender column of water was hovering just in front of me, shimmering steadily with subtle blue magical energy. Slowly, I extended my hand, carefully gripping the handle that had formed naturally within the condensed liquid.
The moment I touched it, the watery sword grew firmer and denser, until it truly felt solid in my grip. I swung it experimentally, feeling the subtle weight in my hand and hearing the quiet rush of flowing water as it moved through the air. Theoretically, this blade could cut through nearly any physical material.
With enough pressure and speed, water could slice stone or metal cleanly.
But as I took a second, more experimental swing, I nearly clipped my own leg.
I paused immediately, breathing out slowly. A sword this sharp required actual swordsmanship and discipline-something I severely lacked at the moment. Perhaps I should ask Kiba for lessons? I thought wryly to myself.
Still, I refused to be discouraged, raising the blade carefully once more and adjusting my stance. It was crucial to maintain concentration-not just for the spell's stability, but also because I knew better than to let my guard down, especially with the centaurs living in this forest, and the mysterious 'heir of Slytherin' still at large somewhere in Hogwarts.
As if on cue, a sharp snap of a twig breaking suddenly echoed through the silent woods just behind me!
I spun around sharply, instantly tightening my grip on the watery blade.
But instead of a centaur, I found myself staring at a beautiful girl calmly stepping toward me.
The tension slowly drained from my body as recognition set in.
It was her again-the strikingly gorgeous red-haired Slytherin girl I'd glimpsed briefly earlier today.
Lilja Nornas, the new transfer student whose presence had already caused chaos in her own House. Now that she was closer, I could clearly make out the intense emerald hue of her eyes. Her hair was long and vibrant, falling in graceful waves around her shoulders. Her skin was perfectly smooth, pale yet touched with just a hint of color around her cheeks and lips.
Lilja's approach slowed as she saw me facing her with the water blade still gripped tightly in my hand. She offered a small, hesitant smile. She almost looked nervous, and I didn't think it was because of the magic I had on display. She wasn't looking like a fangirl either.
"Hello" she said softly, her voice gentle yet strangely cautious. "I honestly didn't expect anyone else to be out here. Usually students tend to avoid the Forbidden Forest altogether-at least, that's what I was told," she quickly added.
Realizing I was still brandishing my watery sword, I immediately relaxed my grip, allowing the magic to disperse. The blade dissolved rapidly, spilling harmlessly onto the forest floor and soaking into the dirt below.
I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly, suddenly feeling awkward for acting so aggressively at her arrival. "Sorry about that," I said apologetically, meeting her gaze. "I didn't mean to threaten you. I just didn't expect company out here either, and with everything going on around Hogwarts lately, I couldn't exactly let my guard down."
She took a careful step closer, curiosity shining brightly within those beautiful green eyes of hers. "I suppose that makes sense. Still, that's quite an impressive technique you were just performing," she said quietly, glancing down thoughtfully at the dampened earth where the sword had vanished. "I didn't expect to see magic like that at Hogwarts."
"Well," I admitted with slight embarrassment, "I can't exactly take credit for the idea. It was actually inspired by a character I portrayed in a TV show... A magical girl TV show..." I added with a small chuckle.
"A magical girl show character inspired you?" She laughed softly, a pleasant sound ringing gently in the silence between us.
Unable to help myself, my eyes were once again drawn to her beautiful face. Her emerald eyes seemed mesmerizing in a way I couldn't quite understand, making it difficult to look away. It felt almost as though they were pulling at me, calling out silently in some way that I couldn't ignore.
She must have noticed my focused attention, because she giggled softly again, the sound playful this time as she watched my reaction. "Do you see something you like?" she asked lightly, though there was something a bit more vulnerable beneath her teasing tone.
Shaking myself free of whatever strange influence had momentarily gripped me, I offered her a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry about that," I admitted honestly. "I didn't mean to stare. I just got a bit... lost in your eyes there for a moment."
Lilja's lips parted slightly in surprise, and her cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink. She quickly recovered herself, the playful smile returning, though now accompanied by a subtle, genuine warmth.
She slowly moved closer again, stopping just a few steps in front of me. "Oh, you really are dangerous, aren't you, Harry... Sitri?" She paused noticeably before saying my surname, almost like it surprised her or felt unfamiliar. Her eyes studied me thoughtfully, a mixture of intrigue and hesitation flickering briefly across her face before she spoke again. "You know, I actually received several warnings about you," Lilja confessed lightly, a gentle laugh spilling softly from her lips. "The girls here at Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang-they all cautioned me to be careful around you. Apparently, you have quite a reputation for attracting women to you and adding them to your growing harem."
I sighed, rubbing my forehead with a small, embarrassed laugh. "Honestly, it wasn't like it started out that way. I just genuinely grew to care for all of them..."
Lilja's eyes softened. She took a slow breath, then smiled again, the tension between us easing noticeably with her words. "Still," she continued teasingly, "I doubt any of the girls that warned me would heed their own warnings if they ever had a genuine chance to be with you. Some girls can be hypocrites after all!"
"Oh? Do you plan on heeding their warnings, Lilja, or ignoring them completely...?" I asked her.
She stepped closer, lifting her chin defiantly as she held my gaze, her eyes challenging and playful at once. "I haven't quite decided yet," Lilja murmured softly.
I think we both knew she was lying.
I reached out and gently took hold of Lilja's soft, delicate hand in my own. She looked startled by my boldness, her eyes widening slightly as her lips parted in surprise. But she didn't resist.
With deliberate slowness, I brought her hand up toward my lips, pressing a gentle, lingering kiss to the smooth skin across the back of it.
Lilja squirmed slightly, clearly flustered by the intimacy of the gesture. She stared at our joined hands as if momentarily stunned, her breath hitching audibly as she remained speechless.
I couldn't help but smirk at her adorable reaction. Her momentary discomfort only encouraged me further. "Your reputation precedes you, Lilja Nornas," I finally said in a low, playful voice, my eyes locked firmly onto hers as I kept her hand comfortably within mine. "Welcome officially to Hogwarts. I heard all about what you did in Slytherin, and I have to say-I'm already quite a fan of anyone who can put those arrogant pureblood guys back into their rightful place."
Lilja slowly smiled in response to my words. As I straightened back up, I realized her hand still lingered within my own. Clearly, she wasn't quite ready to break the contact between us yet.
She finally seemed to gather herself enough to speak again. Her voice sounded genuinely startled, as though she hadn't expected me-or anyone outside of Slytherin House-to know what had happened. "Wait, you really heard about all that?" she asked quietly, leaning slightly closer with intrigue clear in her voice. "Professor Snape made a huge speech afterward, specifically instructing every Slytherin student never to talk about the... incidents that occurred last night. He threatened anyone who mentioned it with immediate expulsion. 'What happens in Slytherin stays strictly within Slytherin,' he said to us. So, how exactly did you find out?"
"Snape asked me and my aunt Sona to brew a large batch of Essence of Dittany for him-apparently, there were a lot of injuries in Slytherin last night, and Madam Pomfrey was running very low on potion stocks. He seemed quite irritated to have to involve us, but he admitted something about a certain beautiful, redheaded transfer student single-handedly turning his entire common room upside down."
Lilja's lips twitched slightly. "Well, I'm glad someone outside Slytherin has heard about my efforts!"
I laughed openly at that. "Aside from leaving a trail of battered Slytherins in your wake, how have you been liking Hogwarts so far?"
She paused thoughtfully, her eyes softening as she glanced slowly around at the dense trees surrounding us. "Honestly, it's strange to explain," she admitted quietly, smiling faintly to herself as if recalling a secret only she understood. "I've only been here a few short days, and yet Hogwarts feels incredibly familiar. Being here feels... comfortable. Almost like coming home after being away for a very long time." Her smile deepened subtly, a gentle laugh spilling softly from her lips. "Sorry. That must sound strange."
I shook my head reassuringly, offering her an understanding smile. "Actually, I think I know exactly what you mean. Hogwarts does have that effect on people. There's something very special about this place."
Lilja glanced back up at me, clearly pleased by my response. Then her emerald eyes glinted playfully again. "Speaking of observing Hogwarts students, I watched you a few minutes ago, flailing that interesting water blade around. Are swords not exactly your area of expertise?"
I groaned quietly. "You noticed that embarrassing performance, did you? I'll admit it-I've never properly wielded a sword before. Don't get me wrong, swords always seemed very cool, and as a guy, I've always been somewhat interested. But I've never actually found the time or opportunity to learn."
Lilja's eyes lit up in genuine excitement at my admission, she let go of my hand but stepped closer to me. "Well, lucky for you, Harry, I'm actually quite skilled with a blade myself," she said. "If you'd like, I could teach you some of the basics, maybe even a few more advanced moves if you impress me enough. I'm pretty talented with swordsmanship and magic alike," she added with a sly grin.
I raised an amused eyebrow, glancing pointedly toward her. "Well, considering all those injuries Snape needed Dittany for, I have absolutely no doubt that you know exactly how to handle yourself in a fight. Were sword wounds involved?"
She laughed softly again, nodding slightly. "Perhaps," she replied coyly. "Let's just say a few of them learned some painful lessons about not underestimating a girl who not only said NO, but who's also clearly stronger and smarter than they are."
"Fair enough," I chuckled appreciatively.
Lilja tilted her head slightly, looking around again before returning her gaze pointedly toward me. "Tell me, Harry-are you waiting out here for someone else? Or is it just the two of us?"
"No, it's just you and me right now," I admitted easily. "I came out here alone specifically to practice magic undisturbed."
"Excellent!" she responded cheerfully, stepping even closer to me. So close our bodies were almost touching now. "Then I'd be very happy to teach you a few proper sword moves."
Before I could think twice, my mouth acted ahead of my brain, and I heard myself instinctively blurt out, "Maybe afterward, I could teach you a few moves of my own as well."
I immediately felt embarrassed!
Had I really just said that out loud? Judging by the amused and slightly shocked look now rapidly spreading across Lilja's lovely face, I absolutely had.
After a startled pause, Lilja punched my shoulder lightly, though her eyes shone brightly with clear amusement as she blushed again. "You know, perhaps all those girls warning me to be cautious around you were right after all, Harry Sitri!"
"Honestly," I admitted sheepishly, laughing softly despite myself, "Snape himself actually warned me specifically to stay far away from you, too."
She sighed deeply at that, rolling her eyes gently toward the sky above. "Oh yes, Professor Snape," Lilja murmured quietly. "When he first met me, he initially thought I was... someone else he once knew. But I'm obviously not her." She paused thoughtfully, her smile returning a bit more softly. "Still, he's acted oddly protective of me these past few days. Not that I really mind-he seems like a genuinely good teacher, even if a little stiff. But either way, he isn't here now, and he's certainly in no position to dictate who I decide to spend my time with." She flashed me another playful grin. "So, Harry, why don't you whip out that magical sword of yours again, and I'll gladly demonstrate exactly how you're supposed to hold it!"
She had to know exactly how that sounded right...?
— Sona —
Sona teleported herself from the protective wards of Hogwarts directly into the hidden apparition point in Diagon Alley. The abrupt shift from the cozy familiarity of the castle into the cold, tense atmosphere of the deserted alleyway made her straighten instinctively.
Serafall awaited her a few meters away, standing silently in a shadowed alcove beside an empty storefront.
The usual bright, cheerful aura that normally surrounded the Satan Leviathan was notably absent. Instead, Serafall stood tall and composed, her body clad in formal Sitri clan armor. The gleaming material was deep black and rich royal blue, crafted from magically reinforced steel. This armor was ceremonial, yes, but also thoroughly practical, designed explicitly for combat.
"Serafall..." Sona spoke quietly, stepping forward. She took a moment to carefully inspect her sister from head to toe. "You're wearing armor rather than your usual Magical Girl outfit?"
Serafall's normally playful eyes were focused, cold, and serious. She gave a small, decisive nod, stepping forward until she stood mere inches from Sona. "That's right, my sweet little sister. I've just returned from interrogating the goblin survivors that Harry and Riser left alive. They finally confessed after significant encouragement from Behemoth. The goblin king and his council deliberately orchestrated the attack on Phenex territory. It wasn't just some rogue band of fools acting alone-they had full authority and backing from their royal family. Although, I'm sure the king will openly deny all of this!"
