Alex lounged comfortably in the train compartment, Beth nestled on his lap, her lips pressing fervently against his.
Her hands cupped his face as she kissed him deeply, her soft breath mingling with his. His hands, in turn, moved instinctively, kneading the curve of her hips, holding her close. The rest of the world melted away in the heat of their connection.
Beth's lips broke from his, both of them catching their breath, when a playful voice chimed in from the opposite seat.
"We're almost there. I suggest you two pick up the pace before we have to stop," Tonks teased, a blush creeping up her cheeks as she watched them. Her short hair had shifted into a bright shade of pink, a clear reflection of her embarrassment.
Beth shot a smirk in Tonks' direction. "Oh, you've had your moment with him, Tonks. It's my turn now, so sit down and zip it," Beth said, pulling Alex back into another passionate kiss before Tonks could respond.
Her possessiveness made Alex smile inwardly, enjoying the playful rivalry between the two girls.
Tonks huffed in mock frustration, trying to hide her red cheeks behind a newspaper, though it was obvious she couldn't help but peek over it from time to time.
"Vixen," she muttered under her breath, glancing Beth kissing Alex passionately again out of the corner of her eye.
But her smile betrayed her.
The compartment filled with the sounds of the train's rhythmic rumble and the occasional soft hum of the wheels against the tracks, broken only by the brief conversations and breathy exchanges between Alex and Beth.
Every now and then, Beth would giggle, turning Alex's head back to her for another deep kiss.
It wasn't long before the sharp blast of the train's horn announced their approach to London. The train began to slow, the familiar screech of metal on metal signaling their imminent arrival at King's Cross Station.
Beth let out a soft, disappointed sigh, pulling back one last time, her lips slightly swollen from all the 'snogging' they had done till now "Guess that's our cue," she said, her breath still uneven as she reluctantly moved off Alex's lap.
Alex glanced toward Tonks, whose smirk had returned in full force. "I've never seen her that possessive. I'll take that as a compliment to your charm, Mr. Du Lac," she teased.
"Keep dreaming," Beth shot back with a playful smile as she adjusted her clothes, smoothing out her skirt.
Tonks stood up, stretching her arms above her head. "Well, it's been fun, boys and girls," she said with a wink, her hair shifting from pink to a cool lavender as she reached for her luggage. "But the real world awaits."
The train came to a gentle stop, and the three of them gathered their belongings, preparing to deboard.
The station outside was alive with the noise of students chattering, parents calling out, and the unmistakable huffing of the train's engine as it let off steam.
Beth leaned in one last time, pressing a tender kiss to Alex's lips. "Don't forget to write," she whispered, her voice a little softer now that they were parting. "You owe me a real date soon."
Alex nodded, his hand brushing through her hair. "I won't. I promise."
Tonks, trying her best to look uninterested, snorted lightly but couldn't suppress the smile as she gave Alex a playful punch on the arm. "Stay out of trouble, Alex. Merlin knows the kind you attract."
"I'll try my best," Alex replied with a grin, though both of them knew he was bound to find trouble – or trouble would find him – sooner or later.
As they stepped onto the platform, Alex watched Beth and Tonks make their way toward their respective families.
Tonks, with her trademark swagger, was greeted by her mother, Andromeda, while Beth was enveloped in a warm hug from her parents, both of whom smiled fondly at her.
Alex gave them a final wave, watching as they disappeared into the bustling crowd of students and parents, leaving him alone on Platform 9¾.
Alex took a deep breath, turning away from the barrier that separated the magical world from the Muggle one.
It had been months since he last stepped into this world – months filled with magic, duels, and exams that pushed him to his limits. But now, for the first time in a long while, he was returning to his life beyond Hogwarts.
Waiting for him just beyond the barrier stood an impeccably dressed man in his early fifties.
Abraham, or Abe as Alex fondly called him, had been his family's butler for as long as Alex could remember. His hair was perfectly groomed, his posture straight, and his expression filled with quiet excitement as his sharp eyes spotted Alex stepping through the magical barrier.
"Monsieur Alex," Abe greeted warmly, his tone formal but the smile on his face betraying his true affection.
"Welcome back, sir. I trust your journey was pleasant?" The man asked, speaking in fluent French
"It was, Abe," Alex replied, In fluent French, matching his butler's warm smile with one of his own. "It's good to be back."
Abe nodded, ever the professional. "The car is ready, sir. Shall we?"
They made their way through the station, drawing curious glances from passersby as he was surrounded not only by Abe, but also a security detail sent by his father. They approached a sleek, midnight-black Rolls-Royce parked in between two Jet-black SUVs as Alex shook his head a bit.
He was aware of his mother's protective nature.
Although Alex could have used magical ways to travel to his destination, he liked enjoying frivolities of life.
Abe opened the door for Alex, who slid into the luxurious leather seat, the scent of polish and fine wood filling the car's interior.
The drive to the airport was quick and uneventful, with Abe navigating through the traffic with practiced ease.
London's skyline blurred past them as they moved from the heart of the city to the quieter outskirts, where a private terminal awaited them.
A gleaming private jet sat on the runway, ready for departure. Its sleek, silver design glinted in the sunlight, a testament to the wealth of the Du Lac family.
They owned not only the Jet, but the private terminal too, along with the entire Airline.
Abe escorted Alex through the airport without a hitch, bypassing the usual queues and security checks with the ease of someone used to navigating the world of VIPs and privileged treatment.
Within minutes, they were aboard the jet, and the engines purred softly as the pilot prepared for takeoff.
As the jet lifted off, the familiar sense of weightlessness hit Alex, and he leaned back into the plush seat, staring out of the window.
Below him, the sprawling landscape of Britain slowly faded into the distance, replaced by the blue skies and the endless stretch of clouds.
The Alps, his destination, were still far away, but their snow-capped peaks would soon be visible on the horizon.
Alex let out a breath, sinking deeper into the seat. The subtle scent of Beth's perfume still lingered on his clothes, mingling with the faint smell of Tonks' signature bubblegum scent.
He smiled to himself, thinking about the whirlwind of experiences this year had brought – new friendships, intense exams, duels, kisses, and the heavy responsibilities that loomed on the horizon.
The Alps soon came into view, their majestic peaks cutting through the clouds like ancient sentinels.
The Du Lac estate, nestled towards the south of Mont Blanc, lay beneath them. The estate had changed locations throughout history, moving from Britain to Germany, to Italy, before finally settling in France centuries ago.
Now, it stood as a testament to his family's enduring legacy – a legacy Alex was returning to after his time at Hogwarts.
He wasn't sure what awaited him at home, but as the plane descended into the private airstrip and the familiar landscape of the estate came into view, Alex knew one thing for sure – his next chapter was only just beginning.