"It's alright, Lyra," I quickly reassured her, managing a small, understanding smile despite my lingering frustration. "You two did exactly the right thing. Katerea Leviathan appearing so close to Hogwarts is a serious matter, and you were absolutely correct to report it immediately."
"Thank you, Master," Lyra replied softly, relief visible in her expression.
"We'll give you both some privacy now," Lyna said hastily, grasping her sister's hand and swiftly dragging her toward the door. "If you need anything, please summon us again. We'll be ready."
And with a final, respectful bow, my maids quickly exited the room, shutting the door carefully behind them.
Sona and I exchanged an awkward glance, the heat still present in both our faces, though the mood had undeniably shifted. She quickly reached for the sheets, pulling them hastily over herself with an embarrassed cough, her eyes deliberately avoiding my painfully obvious erection still throbbing insistently between us.
"So..." Sona finally said quietly, struggling for something appropriate to say after such an uncomfortable interruption. "That happened... Well, it ALMOST happened..."
I couldn't help but chuckle at Sona's words, nodding in agreement as I replayed the events of moments ago in my mind. She was right-that had almost happened.
"Almost," I echoed softly, glancing at Sona with a teasing smirk, my voice full of amusement. "Speaking of which, how exactly did the two of you end up in my bed last night? I distinctly remember going to bed alone."
Sona's delicate cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of crimson. She avoided my gaze briefly, biting her lower lip in embarrassment before finally responding, "Well... Nee-san and I got back very late after dinner. I'd planned to return straight to my room in Ravenclaw, of course, but she convinced me to just come and sleep here with you instead. She insisted you wouldn't mind, and you were already sound asleep anyway, so I didn't really think you'd argue."
I laughed warmly at that. "You're right about one thing, Sona, I definitely wouldn't have argued with either of you joining me in bed." Pausing for a moment, I tilted my head with playful curiosity, eyeing her exposed, slender shoulders beneath the covers. "But there's still one question remaining. If you were just planning on sleeping... how exactly did you end up completely naked in my bed?"
Her blush intensified, turning a charming shade of scarlet as she hastily pulled the sheet up a bit higher, though not quite enough to conceal the enticing swell of her breasts. "I went to sleep wearing my pajamas, Harry," she muttered defensively, narrowing her pink eyes into an adorable pout. "It seems Nee-san must have used her magic to strip me bare after I'd already fallen asleep. She's... irritatingly mischievous like that."
I chuckled again at the mental image of Serafall grinning gleefully as she magically removed her sister's clothes, likely with every intention of creating exactly this kind of scenario when we awoke. But my amusement softened quickly into something warmer as my gaze lingered sincerely upon Sona's face, taking in every delicate curve of her flushed, beautiful features.
"Well," I said gently, reaching out with my fingertips to softly brush a lock of silky, dark hair from her warm cheek, "whatever the circumstances that brought you here, I'm certainly not complaining. You're incredibly beautiful, Sona."
Her eyes widened slightly, clearly caught off guard by my earnest compliment. Her blush softened just a fraction, transitioning from embarrassment to shy delight as she held my gaze steadily for a moment. "You're not the only one who feels that way, Harry," she whispered softly, her voice barely audible yet undeniably sincere. She hesitated briefly before continuing. "You're very handsome as well. And I'm... very attracted to you. To your body, and..." She trailed off shyly, unable or perhaps unwilling to finish that thought aloud.
A charged silence settled briefly between us. I saw her gaze flicker downward, drawn involuntarily toward the unmistakable outline of my erection beneath the thin sheets.
She stared openly. Finally, she met my eyes again with visible embarrassment, gathering her courage before she softly asked, "Would you... like me to take care of that for you, Harry?"
My cock twitching eagerly beneath the sheets at the suggestion. But I forced myself to pause, searching her face carefully for any sign of hesitation or uncertainty. "Are you sure, Sona?" I asked gently, ensuring she felt no pressure to go further than she was comfortable.
She gave me a small, decisive nod. "Yes, Harry. I'm sure. Besides," she continued, her tone shifting slightly into playful accusation as she tentatively reached her hand beneath the covers, "it's technically Nee-san's and my fault you're waking up like this anyway. It's only fair that I take responsibility."
I briefly considered correcting her adorable misconception-after all, as a healthy young man, I woke up with an erection almost every morning, regardless of beautiful naked women pressed against me-but I quickly decided there was absolutely no need to spoil her charmingly earnest reasoning. Not when her soft, delicate hand was already sliding cautiously beneath the sheets.
A sharp intake of breath escaped my lips as her fingers wrapped slowly, tenderly, around my thick, aching shaft.
Her eyes widened slightly in genuine surprise at feeling just how thick and rigid I was beneath her small hand. "Harry..." Sona whispered softly, a mixture of awe and shy embarrassment coloring her voice. Her fingers tightened cautiously around my cock, applying just enough pressure to send another intense shiver of pleasure cascading down my spine. "You're... bigger than I expected."
I smiled warmly, encouragingly at her as I gently stroked the backs of my fingers along her cheek, reassuring her softly, "Take your time, Sona. There's no rush."
She nodded gratefully as she tentatively began moving her hand slowly up and down along my length.
I sighed quietly in satisfaction. This was a fine way to start the morning as well. And I had a long couple of days ahead of me as well: Going to our classes. Investigating that stray devil. Spending more time with my peerage and hopefully Lilja as well. Meeting Fleurs and Gabrielle's mother. And of course preparing for the next event in the tournament. Not to mention, he was sure his family would endure a lot of fallout from "taking over" the only bank in the magical version of the country.
— Ron —
Ron woke slowly, his eyes blinking open as sunlight filtered softly through the familiar scarlet curtains of his Hogwarts dormitory bed. It was a strange sensation-waking up without the lingering haze of dark and confusing thoughts. For the first time in years, his mind was completely clear and focused.
That had driven him to madness and hatred was finally gone for good.
"Bloody hell," Ron murmured softly to himself, stretching his long limbs comfortably beneath the soft warmth of the covers. "That's more like it. Fucking rat-faced bastard can't mess with my head anymore."
He couldn't help the small, satisfied smile that stretched lazily across his freckled face. Ron was finally free to be himself again.
Ron reached beneath his pillow to grab his wand, quickly tapping the tip and muttering, "Tempus." The glowing numbers hovered briefly in the air above him. He scowled immediately when he realized the time.
"Shit," he groaned, frustrated, sitting up quickly and swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "Missed breakfast completely. Great bloody way to start my first normal day back."
"Relax, mate," came a cheerful voice from across the room. Ron looked up sharply, spotting Dean and Seamus, both already fully dressed in their school uniforms, grinning at him from near the doorway. They'd obviously been waiting patiently for him to wake up.
"Dean? Seamus?" Ron asked, slightly surprised. "What are you two still doing here?"
Dean chuckled, shrugging good-naturedly. "We decided to let you sleep in a bit, mate. After everything you've been through lately, you looked like you really needed some extra rest."
"Yeah," Seamus agreed sincerely. "You're finally back, Weasley. None of us wanted to disturb you. Especially after everything you've had to put up with. We're just glad you're alright now."
Ron felt a sudden wave of genuine warmth toward his friends, a lump forming unexpectedly in his throat. "You two..." he started awkwardly, his ears turning faintly pink, "thanks, seriously. That's...really thoughtful of you."
Dean just waved off Ron's embarrassment with a casual grin. "Don't mention it. Besides, we figured you'd be hungry as hell when you finally woke up. You're always hungry!"
"Got that right," Ron admitted sheepishly, rubbing a hand absently over his growling stomach.
"See?" Dean said triumphantly, elbowing Seamus playfully. "Told you he'd appreciate it."
Dean held out a tall cup toward Ron. "We grabbed you a smoothie."
"Thanks, Dean. You're a bloody lifesaver, mate." He raised the cup slightly in a casual toast to his two friends, then pressed the rim of the cup to his lips. "Merlin, that's delicious," Ron said enthusiastically! He was glad he had such good blokes as friends.
Chapter 31: (~18k words)
— Harry —
I walked into the cozy, warmly lit atmosphere of the Three Broomsticks with Fleur and Gabrielle clinging firmly to my arms, their soft, feminine bodies pressing intimately against either side of me. Fleur rested her head gently against my shoulder, and Gabrielle's delicate fingers tightened around my bicep, both clearly content to stay as close as possible. They always insisted on hanging onto me this way, closer and more possessive than any of the other women I was involved with. They once explained it was a Veela instinct to openly show everyone around that they'd been thoroughly claimed and chosen by their mate. Honestly, I found it pretty adorable, if perhaps slightly distracting at times.
Usually, when I entered a public place with the two of them, every single head turned our way instantly. Their incredible Veela beauty practically guaranteed attention wherever they went. But this time, strangely, nobody in the pub seemed to even notice us at all. Students and patrons alike were all turned in their seats, openly staring at something-or someone-in the center of the room.
Curiously, I followed their line of sight, and quickly realized exactly why Fleur and Gabrielle had gone momentarily ignored. Sitting alone at a small, polished wooden table was easily one of the most breathtaking women I had ever seen. She wore an elegant, tight-fitting dress in a deep blue shade, perfectly hugging her generous curves. Her flawlessly smooth skin seemed to practically glow in the soft lantern-light of the pub, and her long silvery-blonde hair was done up neatly in a style that highlighted the graceful lines of her delicate neck and shoulders. I recognized her immediately-this had to be Apolline Delacour, Fleur and Gabrielle's mother.
I knew instantly where the sisters had gotten their stunning looks from. Apolline looked barely into her thirties, youthful yet somehow radiating an elegant maturity that was captivating. And right now, she seemed to be the unwilling center of attention for two clearly intoxicated wizards who hovered awkwardly at her table, both attempting-and miserably failing-to flirt with her. They'd invaded her personal space, leaning over her table, slurring their words, and stumbling slightly as they grinned foolishly at her.
They were wobbling slightly, clearly having trouble keeping their balance, and their words came out slurred and uneven as they spoke.
"Come on now, beautiful," one of the wizards slurred, placing his hand heavily on the edge of Apolline's table as he leaned closer. "Why're you sittin' all alone, love? A gorgeous witch like you shouldn't be without company."
His friend chuckled drunkenly next to him, nodding enthusiastically. "Tha's right, love. Why not let us join you? We'll show you a good time," he drawled, barely able to keep his eyes open as he spoke.
Apolline kept her composure impressively, calmly meeting their gazes without showing discomfort or annoyance, though I could tell from her subtly narrowed eyes that she was not pleased by their presence. She maintained her perfect posture, sitting elegantly in her chair as she politely but firmly shook her head.
"Thank you, gentlemen, but as I've already explained, I'm not interested. I prefer to enjoy my drink alone until my daughters arrive," she replied clearly, her voice polite but carrying a firm edge of warning.
The first wizard ignored her clear dismissal, waving a hand dismissively in her direction. "Oh, come now. Don't be like that, love. We both can see you're far too young to have children! Just one little drink with us won't hurt, will it?" He reached out, his clammy fingers extending clumsily toward Apolline's slender wrist in an attempt to grab hold of her hand. "Our table is much more spacious!"
I could feel Fleur and Gabrielle tense instantly beside me, both sisters releasing soft, angry hisses at the disrespectful intrusion on their mother.
I felt a brief flash of irritation myself, though honestly, I doubted Apolline truly needed rescuing. If she was even half as talented and powerful as Fleur and Gabrielle had proven themselves to be, she could probably handle herself just fine.
Still, it felt wrong to just stand by and let those fools bother her. I strode forward confidently with Fleur and Gabrielle pressed firmly to my sides, clearing my throat loudly as we approached Apolline's table.
"Excuse me," I spoke clearly, my voice steady and firm as I fixed a pointed stare at both men. "But I think it's painfully obvious the lovely lady here isn't interested in your drunken attentions. It'd be best if you left her alone and let her enjoy her drink in peace."
Both wizards turned toward me slowly, confusion flickering briefly across their faces, before one of them sneered drunkenly in my direction. "What's it to you, pretty-boy? Mind your own business. We're just trying to have a conversation here."
I sighed deeply, giving the drunken wizard a bored look. Fleur and Gabrielle noticeably stiffened beside me, the delicate muscles of their bodies tense as they eyed the men like predators sizing up prey.
"I'm making it my business," I replied calmly, giving Apolline a small, reassuring nod. She'd turned her head toward me, her expression remaining calm but clearly intrigued. Her vibrant blue eyes studied me curiously, a faintly amused smile tugging gently at her lips. "This beautiful woman is clearly not interested, and I strongly suggest you find someone else to bother-or better yet, just leave entirely."
