The days of January slipped quietly into memory, and February unfolded in its place. Eira's weeks passed in familiar rhythm—classes, study sessions, long hours lost in the library with her nose buried in books. Life at Beauxbâtons was steady and orderly but predictable.
But one day in February was different. The air itself seemed softer, more vibrant, carrying with it a warmth that wasn't only from the sun. It was Valentine's Day, and the school brimmed with a peculiar energy. Hallways were alive with laughter and nervous confessions. Students exchanged love letters, poems were recited aloud in trembling voices, and bouquets of charmed flowers changed hands like precious treasures. The atmosphere was bright, tender, and brimming with affection.
For two students, however, this day was more than a celebration of romance—it was tradition. Just as she had the year before, Fleur had brought Eira to their secret refuge: the Val Enchanté, a hidden sanctuary at the very edge of the Beauxbâtons grounds. Nestled between two sheer mountains, the place felt worlds away from the bustle of the castle.
They sat together beside the waterfall, where the crisp air carried the soft roar of cascading water. Snow still crowned the mountaintops, a lingering reminder of winter's hold, but hints of spring whispered in the landscape—the faint thaw of ice, the tender green shoots pressing through the cold earth. The afternoon sun shone gently, taking the edge off the chill, wrapping the valley in a fragile warmth that made it possible to sit comfortably by the water's edge.
They had come prepared. Fleur had insisted on bringing a mattress so they wouldn't have to sit directly on the cold ground, and now the two of them lounged comfortably by the waterfall, surrounded by a modest little picnic. A blanket of snacks and small dishes stretched between them—most of them carefully packed by Fleur herself.
From her enchanted pouch, Fleur began pulling things out one by one. "Voilà," she said proudly, setting bottles and tins in neat rows. "Mango-flavoured drinks, mango-flavoured biscuits, and even—" she paused dramatically before unveiling a small round cake wrapped in a delicate paper box, "—a mango cake that Maman baked especially for you. I asked her myself."
Eira blinked, cheeks flushing lightly as she accepted the cake box. "Fleur, you shouldn't have troubled Madame Delacour just for me. How embarrassing… you know that makes me feel awkward."
Fleur rolled her eyes, though a playful smile tugged at her lips. "The things I do just to make you smile," she teased. Then, as though remembering something, her voice shifted, curious and mischievous. "Anyway, I heard a little rumor from some of the students."
Eira, sipping her mango drink, tilted her head. "What rumor?"
Fleur leaned closer, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. "That you asked Professor of Alchemy whether alchemy could make a woman pregnant without needing a man. Is that true?"
Eira nearly choked on her drink, eyes widening. "How—how did that become gossip? Yes, I asked the professor, but honestly, why does it matter?"
Fleur laughed softly, watching her reaction with amused interest. "Well, ma chère, it seems that because of your question, everyone is whispering that you like girls and are already trying to find a way to have children without involving a man."
Eira set her drink down with a sharp little clink, frowning. "Honestly. These useless students! Don't they have anything better to do than speculate about my opinions and my future? No wonder I keep getting strange looks—or worse, whispers—especially from the girls. They must have nothing else to occupy their time but creating ridiculous rumors."
Fleur's eyes gleamed, the corners of her lips curving in a way that was half amused, half thoughtful. "Is it so ridiculous, though? It was a rather… peculiar question to ask."
Eira cleared her throat, shifting uncomfortably under Fleur's gaze. "I wasn't asking for myself. I was only thinking—if my aunt and Emma were to… well, if they were together, they might want to have a baby someday. I thought maybe alchemy could help. That's all."
Fleur's expression softened, though her voice carried a teasing lilt as she pressed further. "Really, that's all? Nothing to do with you, or your own plans for a future partner?" Her eyes searched Eira's face with open curiosity, almost hope.
But Eira avoided her gaze, staring instead at the waterfall where sunlight scattered like silver threads through the spray. "That's all. No hidden meaning. I was only asking for my aunt and Emma. Nothing more."
Silence stretched between them for a moment, broken only by the steady rush of water. Fleur's shoulders slumped ever so slightly, the brightness in her eyes dimming as she turned back toward the waterfall as well. Her lips pressed into a faint line of disappointment.
For once, Fleur had no witty reply.