"Pear blossoms in the rain", a poetic phrase often used to describe a beautiful girl crying, her tears like petals under the drizzle. But really, that phrase is fundamentally flawed. There's nothing beautiful about making a girl cry. A girl's radiant smile is the most fitting praise she deserves.
So, when Emma forced a smile through red-rimmed eyes streaked with tears, Allen didn't say a word. He simply took her outstretched hand and led her to his broom.
Then, with a wry smile, Charlie took off his coat and draped it over Emma's shoulders, despite being a seventh-year, Emma looked like she belonged in a younger year next to Allen, but the sight wasn't awkward in the slightest.
••┈┈┈┈┈༓┈┈┈┈┈•••
The night wind swept past Allen's cheeks as Valor flew ahead, scouting the path. Behind him, Emma clung on, still looking lost and shaken.
Held in her arms, Allen felt like a plush toy cradled by someone six years older, except he didn't have the energy to complain. Steering a broom carrying two people while also sharing Valor's night vision was no easy feat. Mentally, it was just as draining as casting the same spell over and over again.
By the time the moon hung high in the sky, he still hadn't found anything. Sharp pain began to stab at his temples, signs of magical overexertion.
Then finally, good news from Valor. A campfire had appeared in its field of view!
Allen immediately ordered Valor to stop. He didn't want the people in the camp to mistake the bird for a magical beast and cause an unnecessary panic.
He even landed the broom himself and started walking, pulling the still-silent Emma along on foot.
They had walked quite a distance before Emma finally noticed.
"Allen? Why aren't we flying anymore? Are you tired? Should we rest for a bit?"
"No need," Allen replied softly. "Valor spotted a camp up ahead. It might be Professor Sigma's group."
Light returned to Emma's eyes. "Really? Are they okay?"
"I'm not sure. Valor can't see that far, but we're almost there."
Emma gasped sharply beside him. Her grip on Allen's hand tightened, though she said nothing more. Clearly, her nerves were at their limit.
When they climbed the final hill, the campfire came into view.
"Who's there?!" a voice shouted, Allen could see the night watch had already reached for their wand.
"It's me! Allen! Allen from Hufflepuff, Hogwarts!"
The sentry visibly relaxed. "Ah, Allen! Come on over."
It was a second-year Hufflepuff named Hayden. They'd exchanged greetings a few times before.
"Hayden, are you on watch alone?"
"No, no, there are two Uagadou students watching from other spots," he said, gesturing. Two more figures stepped from the shadows and introduced themselves under Hayden's guidance.
"Haha, it was Professor Sigma's idea," Hayden explained with a grin. "He said this way, we'd be ready for any sneak attacks!"
"Ivan! Evan! Where's my sister, Daisy?!" Emma suddenly exploded like a thunderstorm, her tone so fierce it was as if she might tear the two boys apart.
"Daisy? Oh, she's fine! Fast asleep back at camp!" Ivan blurted out with lightning speed. Emma's reputation at Uagadou was well known.
"She's safe? Haha! She's really okay! Thank Merlin!" Emma cried as she threw her arms around Allen, lifting him high in the air in celebration, followed by warm tears falling on his cheeks.
Allen was completely helpless. He preferred to be the one doing the lifting, not the other way around…
After being set down, Allen turned to the still-wide-eyed Hayden. "So… nothing happened these past few days?"
"Not really," Hayden replied. "We just spent time clearing out magical beasts. Professor Sigma taught us stuff about survival and magical creatures. Oh, and some women came by. They seemed to know the professor. Didn't interfere with our hunt, though."
"Women?" Allen repeated.
"Yeah, they seemed friendly with the professor. He even gave them his magical tent and stayed in a regular one himself."
"…I see. Hayden, could you let Professor Sigma know I need to speak with him urgently?"
"Of course! I'll go tell him right now."
Hayden ran off toward the camp. He had no idea what Allen's report was about, but that didn't stop him from trusting him completely.
Not long after, a drowsy Professor Sigma appeared, still in pajamas, yawning as he walked.
"Well, well, looks like our little Hufflepuff is growing up," he teased. "Sneaking off into the night with a girl? A charming gesture, but don't you think it's a bit early for eloping?"
Allen smiled politely as he approached. Then,
SMACK!
A loud, leathery thump echoed through the night.
To everyone's shock, Professor Sigma doubled over in pain.
Hayden was petrified. This was the first time in Hogwarts history someone had attacked a professor.
Allen's strength had once helped him fend off bullies older and stronger than him. Now, empowered further by magic and maturity, that strength surged again, delivering a punch that sent shockwaves through the stunned crowd.
But Allen wasn't done.
He stepped forward, winding up another blow, a powerful right hook aimed at Sigma's face.
It didn't land.
A shield charm, Protego, flashed to life around the professor just in time. Wandless magic, flawlessly cast. Sigma was no fool.
"Allen!" he bellowed. "Clearly, there's been a misunderstanding we need to talk about!"
"Misunderstanding?" Allen snarled, firing a spell that Sigma barely dodged.
"A misunderstanding like going missing for days without a single message, while the rest of us worried ourselves sick?!"
Another spell shot from Allen's wand.
"Or maybe letting strange women into the camp, partying with them all night instead of sending word?!"
A third spell broke through Sigma's shield. Allen lunged forward.
"Or are you going to tell me this was just a harmless little joke?!"
With that, Allen's fist connected squarely with Sigma's jaw, sending the professor flying.
He stood there, expression cold. He didn't strike again.
"Professor, we've always tolerated your antics because deep down, we believed you meant well. That's why everyone respects you. But this time… this time, you went too far. Do you even realize how worried everyone was when we lost contact? I don't know what happened, but don't forget what your responsibility is!"
Sigma slowly picked himself off the ground, coughing up blood. He looked… deflated.
"Responsibility… huh…"
He lowered his head. The air turned still.
Then, as he raised his eyes again, the usual carefree smirk was gone.
"Allen," he said quietly, "not bad. That punch had weight."
"I'll explain everything. Of course, this is my responsibility."
He smiled, turned, and walked back toward camp.
Allen suddenly had a terrible sinking feeling.
It seemed… maybe… probably… definitely…
He'd just ensured he'd be stuck in Sigma's Defense Against the Dark Arts class for at least another six months.
==========
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