Bab 76: Two Birds Dancing part 1
- New Chapter in Sheo.bio (10 chaps ahead)
(A/N: Here's come the fluff, brace yourselves.)
"Come on, the weather isn't that bad," Magnus said out of nowhere, breaking a rather comfortable silence. It wasn't that they ran out of subjects, but the two of them had tormented the other for so long that they both agreed to a silent truce.
"I didn't say anything." Fleur frowned.
"But you were thinking about it."
"I fail to see how that concerns you…or how you even know that." Her frown deepened, but she surprisingly didn't check her mind for intrusion.
It was obvious when people did that, they get that constipated blank look on their faces. Like that cute blonde from Slytherin, Greengrass or something, but Magnus didn't care much to know her beyond her Legilimency-inclined paranoia and existence as a fan-favorite character despite having literally no appearance in the original Harry Potter books.
The first he could respect, the second not so much.
"I always know what you're thinking." He said blandly, keeping a smirk to himself for he knew he just ended their truce and sparked a new conflict.
If this was a kingdom-building story, Magnus would probably be the power-hungry expansionist king the hero desperately fights against. Fortunately for the world, he cared little for governance and rules, freedom and magic and trying to make something good out of his dreadful mind was already a bit much.
"Arrogant much." She said, and he could see the gears moving behind her eyes while she formed a string of attacks that will doubtlessly prove him wrong in the most wonderfully embarrassing ways possible.
He was no Dumbledore, but he had a suspicion that it would end up with him bushing like a mess while she smiled triumphantly. That would be a sight to behold, and he was tempted to let her win just to appreciate it.
But Magnus was a proud example of the Top D's teachings, the temptations of simping was something he never gave in, even for his Fleur.
"You know you love it." He said, smiling, he always had a smile for Fleur. "Wasn't it the first thing I told you?"
She huffed, but didn't deny him, that simple fact filled him with joy. He had to remind himself that he shouldn't rush things, baby steps were needed lest all crumbles, his contingency plans were numerous but hardly pleasant.
"Yes, after a ten minute long lecture on how my race supposedly functions." Fleur said, with a smile that I said 'I got you', he walked right into this one.
Magnus winced.
"That…wasn't my finest moment, but you have to admit I got a couple points right." Saying this felt weird, but he reasoned that some compromises were needed.
This topic was important to her, far more than the tournament or even her overwhelming love for charms and enchantments, only dethroned by Gabrielle and sweets.
Magnus fought the masculine urge to add himself to that list.
'Soon.' He amended, and his ego relented.
"That's what my mother said, not that she expected much from an englishman." Fleur said, "Why are you smiling?"
Now that was an unexpected, but very much appreciated development. If there was one thing his past interest in strategy games taught him, it was that having an ally on the other side was a surefire way to win.
It definitely had nothing to do with a couple small thefts from when he was on the streets, and it most definitely wasn't one such theft gone wrong that got him to his grandfather.
"I'll tell you later." He promised, which was true, even if by later he meant the day he finally got his wicked claws on her. A grasp so strong and thorough that he would have no fear confiding his darkest, most terrible thoughts to his flower. "One day."
"Fine, 'ave it your way." Fleur rolled her eyes, he had that effect on people.
The two of them walked in silence, their steps resounding against the stone. The click of her heels was much louder than his dress shoes, letting his eyes wander down her silvery robes and those legs that simply didn't end, he found an odd sense of pleasure from this type of admiration he so rarely gave in.
Magnus did not miss the pleased look that passed through Fleur's face, uneager to hide it as she was, nor did he disregard the self-satisfied glances she shot at him in the next minutes.
He didn't comment on it, just like she didn't comment on his blatant looks.
A mere word would lead to a talk that would bring about a conversation none of that was ready to have, signs and tells would keep them satisfied until then. Magnus wanted more, he truly did, but it would be unwise to move so quickly.
He had never wished to disregard wisdom more intensely than he did at this moment. Perhaps Fleur was the same? Perhaps the consequences would lead to something even more wonderful? Perhaps being impulsive was the right choice this time?
But Magnus Black was Magnus Black.
He would follow his plans to completion. It was the only way to be safe, to be certain that he would not lose.
The young man looked at the witch in his arm, her sweet smile and bright eyes that shone with the even brighter thoughts he knew she had.
He will not lose that.
Ever.
"Hm, Fleur."
"Yes?" She looked at him.
"The great hall isn't this way." He wasn't sure how to say it, so he went with blunt honesty. "We're just going around the castle."
To his surprise, the woman only smiled.
"I know." She said, as if it should answer all his questions.
What in hell was he supposed to deal with this? Magnus wasn't the most socially comfortable young man, when it didn't involve playing people for his benefits, but even he knew this wasn't normal party behavior.
The French witch didn't seem to care about this, nor did she care about a couple of curious people who looked at them, whispering all the while.
The dreadful thing called Brown, and Padma's gossipy sister whose name he forgot and didn't care enough to rummage through his mind palace to remember, beyond her position in the Hogwarts rumor mill…which was exactly why thought about them, the two would doubtlessly hear about their strolls and weave a long tale the likes of which only idle young girls could come up with.
Hell, people were gossiping and giggling right in front of them, god knows what they'd do behind their backs.
Fleur was looking oddly jolly about all this, even if they were running late. It was almost like she was stacking a claim, making sure that every single person in this castle would know they went together.
But it was unlikely, that thing was more his game.
Right?
. . .
Hey guys! It's Uncle Sheo!
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