Yet here he was, standing confidently after casting a perfect Patronus charm-a charm that required genuine concentration, magical strength, and emotional power. None of which seemed remotely like something Gilderoy Lockhart could possess.
I was missing something crucial here.
Before I could pursue the thought further, I suddenly felt another icy chill!
"Rias, look out!" I shouted in urgent alarm, whipping around toward her in a panic.
Directly behind Rias, a Dementor silently phased upward out of the ground itself, through solid soil as if it were intangible.
I had no idea Dementors could do shit like that!
She had barely begun turning around before the Dementor's skeletal hands brutally grabbed the sides of her head.
"Oh shit!" Gilderoy yelped in sudden fright, stumbling backward. In his blind panic, Lockhart's foot kicked out wildly, accidentally connecting hard against the side of Pettigrew's cage.
"You fucking idiot!" Madam Bones screamed furiously at Lockhart, but her angry words barely registered, my entire focus locked solely upon the Dementor trying desperately to suck the life and soul out of my new fiancee.
Panic and fury exploded simultaneously through my body, searing white-hot emotion igniting in my veins. Without thought, without hesitation, I flung my free hand upward, palm open, instinctively channeling every ounce of my magic into destroying that Dementor bastard before it could harm Rias.
But instead of the expected jet of pressurized water-the signature magic of my Sitri bloodline-something else entirely erupted from my outstretched hand. A scorching surge of raw, passionate fire burst violently forth instead.
I watched in stunned disbelief as the intense crimson-golden fire slammed full-force into the Dementor's disgusting, hooded face.
The monster released Rias instantly, shrieking in mindless agony as my flames burned viciously into its shadowy flesh. It recoiled sharply, its ruined face smoking horribly as it struggled to escape.
Before it could flee, Rias spun around furiously, crimson-black destruction energy crackling murderously around her fingertips. With a savage, hateful cry, she unleashed a precise blast directly into the Dementor's chest, annihilating it completely from existence.
For a split second afterward, everything froze in stunned silence. My mind raced frantically as I stared down at my own hand in disbelief. Had I just summoned fucking Veela fire? I'd seen Fleur and Gabrielle Delacour use their racial magic a few times, so I immediately recognized the flames.
But how had I managed that?
My confusion was short-lived though, as Amelia Bones's harsh, panicked shout jerked my attention violently back to the present. "He's escaping!" she yelled urgently, genuine fear and rage mixing in her voice. "Pettigrew is escaping! You opened the cage when you kicked it, you dumbass!"
The filthy, terrified rat form of Peter Pettigrew was frantically sprinting on all four legs across the grassy field, desperately fleeing toward the dense trees of the Forbidden Forest.
"Don't worry! I'll stop him!" Lockhart proclaimed grandly. "Bombarda!"
Lockhart's spell surged flawlessly from his wand tip. The blasting curse sailed cleanly through the air-and then, as if intentionally aimed poorly, landed just slightly behind the fleeing rat. The powerful explosion spell detonated violently against the earth, kicking up a massive cloud of dirt, smoke, and debris directly in Pettigrew's wake.
"Fuck!" I growled angrily. Lockhart's conveniently placed spell had completely blocked our view, preventing Madam Bones, Rias, or me from firing any follow-up spells to stop Pettigrew's escape.
"Goddammit, Lockhart!" Madam Bones screamed in absolute fury, her voice filled with barely controlled rage and disgust. "You worthless fucking idiot! You did that on purpose!"
Lockhart merely shrugged casually, feigning innocence as he smiled charmingly and brushed imaginary dirt from his garish robes. "My sincerest apologies," he said smoothly. "Clearly my wand hand must have slipped in all the excitement..."
What the hell was Lockhart playing at here?
...
About an hour after all that Dementor shitshow went down, I found myself sitting near the peaceful lakeshore with my two gorgeous Veela lovers-Fleur and Gabrielle Delacour. Both women were currently pressing themselves tightly against my sides, their slender, warm bodies a welcome distraction from the seething rage and frustration that burned like acid in my gut.
I was absolutely fucking furious that Peter Pettigrew-the pathetic piece of filth who had betrayed Lily Potter, causing her death-had managed to slip out of our grasp.
Madam Bones had tried her best, but I'd learned my lesson today. Never again would I trust the Ministry of Magic or any of their incompetent Aurors to handle things properly. Next time, I'd make damn sure justice was served personally, on my own terms.
And then there was Lockhart...
I'd have to talk with Narcissa later to see if she noticed what was different about him as well. Was he an imposter? But even if someone was using Polyjuice, the asshole still sounded and acted exactly like Lockhart did. He was just a lot better at magic all of a sudden.
A very skilled trained actor?
Maybe the dumbass was under the imperious curse? Could that curse make you better at magic though? It didn't seem to be that way for Ron Weasley.
"Mmm... mon amour, I was so worried when we saw ze Dementors swarm you from ze castle window," Fleur murmured softly into my left ear, her warm breath tickling my skin as she gently sucked on my earlobe. Her slender, delicate fingers traced possessively down my chest, causing a pleasant heat to spread through my body, momentarily pushing away thoughts of vengeance and violence.
Gabrielle nuzzled against my right cheek, her lips hot and soft as she peppered affectionate kisses along my jawline. "Oui, 'Arry... We were terrified zat you would be hurt. Please, promise us zat you will be more careful. First that snake, and now this.." she whispered urgently, her voice tinged with genuine fear. Her bright blue eyes shone with concern and adoration as she gently stroked her thumb along my neck.
I felt my frustration begin to ebb away for now.
My shoulders slowly relaxed as I wrapped an arm around each of their slender waists, pulling them even closer against me. Both Veela sisters sighed contentedly, practically melting into my embrace as their soft, firm breasts pressed enticingly against my chest.
Maou, these two women were pure perfection-every touch, every kiss, every whispered word from them was like heaven itself. Too bad I'd never be allowed there as a devil.
"I promise I'll be more careful from now on," I murmured softly, turning my head slightly to capture Fleur's lips in a lingering, passionate kiss. Her full, soft lips yielded beneath mine, parting eagerly as our tongues entwined slowly and sensually.
She moaned softly into my mouth, pressing herself even tighter against me.
When our kiss broke, I immediately turned to Gabrielle, capturing her lips with equal tenderness and desire. She gasped softly, shivering beneath my touch as I gently sucked on her bottom lip, deepening the kiss further.
As our lips parted slowly, Fleur and Gabrielle exchanged sultry, possessive looks, clearly determined to erase my earlier frustration by any means necessary.
Both women leaned in simultaneously, peppering my neck and jawline with slow, hot, sensual kisses. Fleur sucked gently at the sensitive skin of my throat, teasingly leaving a possessive mark that she knew would be visible later. I groaned softly at the pleasant sting of her teeth grazing me, my body shuddering involuntarily beneath her skilled mouth.
Not to be outdone by her older sister, Gabrielle immediately found her own spot on my neck, gently nibbling and sucking with eager determination. Her lips were hot, wet, and insistent, leaving her own possessive love bite as clear proof that I belonged to her as much as to Fleur. Their combined attentions quickly overwhelmed my senses, my heart pounding heavily as desire flooded through me. My cock hardened instantly, throbbing eagerly within my trousers, desperate for release.
"Mmm, Harry, you taste so good," Gabrielle purred seductively into my ear, her slender hand teasingly sliding beneath my shirt to caress my bare chest. "Let us take your mind off zat awful business wiz ze Dementors and zat disgusting little rat-man. We will make you forget everyzing else, mon cheri..."
I groaned softly in response. Damn, these two sisters drove me absolutely wild. The sheer sensuality and passion radiating from them both was intoxicating.
But I forced myself to pause, gently pulling back despite the desperate heat building between us. "Girls..." I chuckled softly, my voice thick with desire but tempered by reason, "as tempting as this is-and trust me, it's very fucking tempting-we're out here in broad daylight, right in front of Hogwarts. I'm not quite ready to give the entire student body a free show. Plus I wanted to talk to you both about something important."
The two stunning sisters immediately softened their sultry gazes when they saw I wanted to talk about something serious.
"Of course, mon amour," Fleur said tenderly, her French accent lending a seductive sweetness to every word she spoke. "You can talk to us about anyzing."
"Oui, Harry," Gabrielle added eagerly, shifting slightly on the soft grass so she could look directly into my eyes. "Whatever you wish to tell us, we are 'ere for you."
The sincere devotion radiating from both women made warmth bloom in my chest. Damn, these two were absolutely incredible. I knew soon I would need to broach the subject of officially inviting them into my peerage. I wanted them bound to me forever, eternally mine.
But for now, that important talk would have to wait.
Instead, I let out a slow breath, collecting my thoughts before I began. "During that fight with the Dementors, something very strange happened to me," I explained carefully. "When one of them suddenly appeared and grabbed Rias, I panicked and just reacted instinctively, without thinking. Normally, when I use my magic offensively, it manifests as water, because of my Sitri bloodline. But this time... instead of water, fire came out."
Both sisters blinked in surprise, exchanging shocked glances with each other before looking back at me again. I saw confusion and intrigue clearly reflected in their gorgeous eyes.
"Fire?" Fleur repeated slowly, sounding astonished. She tilted her head slightly, brows knitting thoughtfully. "But 'Arry, zat shouldn't be possible. Your demonic heritage is water-based, non?"
"Yeah," I confirmed, nodding firmly. "Exactly. But this wasn't regular fire. It was Veela fire. Bright crimson and gold flames with streaks of pink at the edges, exactly like the fire both of you use."
Both women gasped audibly at my revelation, eyes widening even further. Fleur's full, pouty lips parted slightly in stunned disbelief, while Gabrielle's expression morphed from shock to outright amazement.
"Are you absolutely certain?" Fleur questioned carefully, her voice edged with a mixture of awe and incredulity. "You truly summoned ze flames of a Veela?"
I gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm positive, Fleur. I recognized it instantly from seeing you two use your flames before. But here, let me show you directly."
Closing my eyes briefly, I inhaled deeply, allowing passionate, possessive thoughts of the two breathtaking Veela sisters at my sides to fill my mind.
When I opened my eyes again, I turned my palm upward and released my magic. Instantly, those same vivid, fiery Veela flames erupted to life above my hand. Brilliant shades of red, gold and pink intertwining.
"Oh mon dieu!" Gabrielle breathed in open awe, leaning even closer to stare wide-eyed at the mesmerizing display. "Zis... zis is truly incredible, 'Arry!"
Fleur looked equally amazed. "Incroyable," she whispered reverently, shaking her head slightly. "You 'ave done ze impossible, mon amour. Never before 'ave I 'eard of any man who could call forth ze sacred flames of our kind."
"Do either of you have any idea at all how this is possible?" I asked softly, letting the flames fade gently away into nothingness once more.
Both sisters hesitated uncertainly, exchanging thoughtful, helpless glances before Gabrielle finally spoke up again.
"Non, we do not know how zis 'as 'appened, 'Arry," she admitted honestly, her voice tender yet resolute. Then her lovely face broke into a radiant smile, her bright blue eyes shimmering warmly with undisguised affection. She pressed herself against my side again, curling her slender arm around my back and resting her cheek lovingly upon my shoulder. "But mon amour, per'aps zis is simply more undeniable proof zat Fleur and I are truly your destined soulmates."
Fleur smiled brightly as she gently grasped my free hand, intertwining our fingers intimately together. She too leaned lovingly against me, her silvery blonde hair tickling my cheek as she brushed her lips softly against my jawline. "Oui, 'Arry," Fleur purred seductively, her warm breath ghosting sensually across my skin. "I cannot zink of any ozer explanation zat fits as perfectly as zis!"
"I can think of one! And your explanations truly are adorable, girls~! Even if they are not 100% correct."
Startled, the three of us immediately turned our heads in unison.
Standing there casually on the grassy slope just behind us, hands playfully folded behind her back and an absolutely cheeky grin curving her lush lips, was none other than my gorgeous mother-Serafall Leviathan.
My jaw nearly dropped. "Mother? What-" My words caught briefly in my throat as my eyes swept over her unexpected attire.
Today, she'd apparently decided to forego her typical magical-girl cosplay outfits and had instead opted to cosplay a Hogwarts student's uniform-complete with a snugly-fitted Gryffindor robe, a white blouse, a tie striped with scarlet and gold, and a dangerously short pleated skirt beneath that robe.
Of course, being Serafall, she'd clearly chosen a blouse and skirt several sizes too small. The fabric strained mightily against her voluptuous, mouthwateringly perfect figure, emphasizing every stunning curve of her sensual body. Her enormous breasts strained enticingly against the tight white blouse, the top buttons barely holding on for dear life. Her short skirt barely covered her round, firm ass, her smooth thighs on full display beneath the hem.
Serafall clearly noticed my openly appreciative gaze. Her deep blue eyes sparkled mischievously as her grin widened, and she spun around playfully for me, the short skirt fluttering dangerously around her hips. "What do you think, Harry?" she teased lightly, giggling cutely as she posed dramatically, one delicate finger tapping her pouty lower lip. "I'm a sexy little Gryffindor girl, aren't I~? Notice me, senpai!"
