Apparently webnovel has a word limit for chapters and this went over it, so this is broken up in two parts, but its just one chapter.
Chapter 31: (~18k words)
– Harry –
I walked into the cozy, warmly lit atmosphere of the Three Broomsticks with Fleur and Gabrielle clinging firmly to my arms, their soft, feminine bodies pressing intimately against either side of me. Fleur rested her head gently against my shoulder, and Gabrielle's delicate fingers tightened around my bicep, both clearly content to stay as close as possible. They always insisted on hanging onto me this way, closer and more possessive than any of the other women I was involved with. They once explained it was a Veela instinct to openly show everyone around that they'd been thoroughly claimed and chosen by their mate. Honestly, I found it pretty adorable, if perhaps slightly distracting at times.
Usually, when I entered a public place with the two of them, every single head turned our way instantly. Their incredible Veela beauty practically guaranteed attention wherever they went. But this time, strangely, nobody in the pub seemed to even notice us at all. Students and patrons alike were all turned in their seats, openly staring at something—or someone—in the center of the room.
Curiously, I followed their line of sight, and quickly realized exactly why Fleur and Gabrielle had gone momentarily ignored. Sitting alone at a small, polished wooden table was easily one of the most breathtaking women I had ever seen. She wore an elegant, tight-fitting dress in a deep blue shade, perfectly hugging her generous curves. Her flawlessly smooth skin seemed to practically glow in the soft lantern-light of the pub, and her long silvery-blonde hair was done up neatly in a style that highlighted the graceful lines of her delicate neck and shoulders. I recognized her immediately—this had to be Apolline Delacour, Fleur and Gabrielle's mother.
I knew instantly where the sisters had gotten their stunning looks from. Apolline looked barely into her thirties, youthful yet somehow radiating an elegant maturity that was captivating. And right now, she seemed to be the unwilling center of attention for two clearly intoxicated wizards who hovered awkwardly at her table, both attempting—and miserably failing—to flirt with her. They'd invaded her personal space, leaning over her table, slurring their words, and stumbling slightly as they grinned foolishly at her.
They were wobbling slightly, clearly having trouble keeping their balance, and their words came out slurred and uneven as they spoke.
"Come on now, beautiful," one of the wizards slurred, placing his hand heavily on the edge of Apolline's table as he leaned closer. "Why're you sittin' all alone, love? A gorgeous witch like you shouldn't be without company."
His friend chuckled drunkenly next to him, nodding enthusiastically. "Tha's right, love. Why not let us join you? We'll show you a good time," he drawled, barely able to keep his eyes open as he spoke.
Apolline kept her composure impressively, calmly meeting their gazes without showing discomfort or annoyance, though I could tell from her subtly narrowed eyes that she was not pleased by their presence. She maintained her perfect posture, sitting elegantly in her chair as she politely but firmly shook her head.
"Thank you, gentlemen, but as I've already explained, I'm not interested. I prefer to enjoy my drink alone until my daughters arrive," she replied clearly, her voice polite but carrying a firm edge of warning.
The first wizard ignored her clear dismissal, waving a hand dismissively in her direction. "Oh, come now. Don't be like that, love. We both can see you're far too young to have children! Just one little drink with us won't hurt, will it?" He reached out, his clammy fingers extending clumsily toward Apolline's slender wrist in an attempt to grab hold of her hand. "Our table is much more spacious!"
I could feel Fleur and Gabrielle tense instantly beside me, both sisters releasing soft, angry hisses at the disrespectful intrusion on their mother.
I felt a brief flash of irritation myself, though honestly, I doubted Apolline truly needed rescuing. If she was even half as talented and powerful as Fleur and Gabrielle had proven themselves to be, she could probably handle herself just fine.
Still, it felt wrong to just stand by and let those fools bother her. I strode forward confidently with Fleur and Gabrielle pressed firmly to my sides, clearing my throat loudly as we approached Apolline's table.
"Excuse me," I spoke clearly, my voice steady and firm as I fixed a pointed stare at both men. "But I think it's painfully obvious the lovely lady here isn't interested in your drunken attentions. It'd be best if you left her alone and let her enjoy her drink in peace."
Both wizards turned toward me slowly, confusion flickering briefly across their faces, before one of them sneered drunkenly in my direction. "What's it to you, pretty-boy? Mind your own business. We're just trying to have a conversation here."
I sighed deeply, giving the drunken wizard a bored look. Fleur and Gabrielle noticeably stiffened beside me, the delicate muscles of their bodies tense as they eyed the men like predators sizing up prey.
"I'm making it my business," I replied calmly, giving Apolline a small, reassuring nod. She'd turned her head toward me, her expression remaining calm but clearly intrigued. Her vibrant blue eyes studied me curiously, a faintly amused smile tugging gently at her lips. "This beautiful woman is clearly not interested, and I strongly suggest you find someone else to bother—or better yet, just leave entirely."
Before the man could respond again, Fleur stepped forward smoothly, releasing my arm briefly as she placed a slender hand delicately on my chest, gazing up at me affectionately before turning a cold stare toward the two drunks. "Mon amour is far too polite, messieurs. Allow me to make things perfectly clear—if you persist in troubling our dear maman, my sister and I will not hesitate to personally ensure you regret it."
Gabrielle immediately nodded firmly from my other side, her sweet, melodic voice dripping with disdain as she added, "Oui, Fleur speaks the truth. Leave our mother alone immediately!"
The two drunk men's eyes slowly shifted away from Apolline, landing on Fleur and Gabrielle instead. They both paused, blinking dumbly for a second, before their expressions twisted into leering, drunken grins. Their bloodshot eyes raked hungrily over Fleur and Gabrielle's slender bodies, lingering rudely on the generous curves beneath their snug dresses. One of them licked his cracked lips slowly, making a disgustingly exaggerated show of it.
"Bloody hell," he slurred loudly, nudging his companion clumsily with his elbow. "Would you look at that? Looks like we got ourselves three gorgeous sisters here!"
The other wizard let out a crude, approving chuckle, his gaze greedily fixed on Fleur's chest. "Merlin's balls, you're right!" he drawled, stumbling slightly as he leaned closer. "Now these two look even more fun than their lovely sister over here! Come on, darlings, ditch the limp-dick pretty boy and come join us instead. We'll show you a far better time!"
A surge of anger shot through my chest at their disgusting words. I could feel my demonic instincts flare dangerously close to the surface, my magic thrumming heatedly beneath my skin. They could insult me all they liked—I honestly didn't give a damn—but the moment they started talking that way to Fleur and Gabrielle was when they crossed a very clear line. My jaw clenched involuntarily, my fists tightening slightly at my sides as I prepared to step forward and teach these idiots a lesson.
But before I could even move, the two drunken morons decided to make things infinitely worse. Without any hesitation, each of them reached out greedily, attempting to roughly grab hold of Fleur and Gabrielle's delicate wrists. Their motions were awkward and clumsy, their eyes unfocused and blurry from alcohol.
Oh, these idiots had no idea what kind of colossal mistake they'd just made.
Both Fleur and Gabrielle jerked sharply backward, instantly pulling their arms out of reach of the men's grubby, sweaty fingers. I felt Fleur's petite body stiffen dramatically beside me, her vivid blue eyes narrowing dangerously into icy slits. Gabrielle's normally sweet and cheerful expression morphed quickly into pure fury, her pale cheeks flushed deeply pink in anger.
Veela were extremely protective of themselves and those they loved, and both Fleur and Gabrielle clearly considered themselves mine. Someone attempting to touch them without consent was the absolute worst possible trigger. When Veela women got mad, things around them had a bad habit of bursting into flames. Literally.
I felt the sudden spike of magical heat radiating off both sisters at the same moment. Instantly, the drunk men's long wizard robes ignited, bright orange flames licking up rapidly along their sleeves and chests. Even their tall, half-empty glasses of firewhiskey flared up violently, the strong alcohol igniting dramatically into twin bursts of flame. Both men shrieked instantly in pain and terror, staggering wildly as they slapped ineffectually at their burning clothing. The intense heat startled them, and within seconds both idiots lost their balance and crashed heavily onto the wooden floor, shouting and thrashing awkwardly.
"Huh," I muttered dryly, watching them roll around helplessly. "And here I thought wizards wouldn't know a muggle thing like stop, drop, and roll."
Laughter erupted loudly from the rest of the pub, patrons clapping and cheering as the two drunk morons continued flopping about pathetically on the ground. I glanced over at Madam Rosmerta behind the bar, meeting her gaze directly. She looked completely unsurprised, merely letting out a weary sigh and nodding knowingly at me, as if silently thanking me for at least attempting to keep things from escalating too much.
A soft rustling noise beside me drew my attention back to the table. Apolline slowly rose from her seat with effortless grace, pointedly ignoring the two fools rolling around on the pub floor and howling miserably.
My eyes helplessly followed her movements, watching the impressive bounce of her large breasts beneath her tightly fitted dress. I couldn't help briefly comparing them mentally—I'd spent enough intimate time with Rias to have a very accurate frame of reference—and honestly, I was fairly certain Apolline was just as well-endowed as my fiance.
And that was certainly saying something.
Apolline stepped around her table and approached us with an amused smile on her full, perfectly formed lips, her hips swaying enticingly as she moved. Her vibrant blue eyes sparkled with playful humor, clearly entertained by the spectacle her daughters had just created in her defense.
"My heroes," she said teasingly, placing one delicate hand lightly over her generous chest and giving an exaggerated sigh of relief as she regarded the three of us. "Truly, what would I have done without such gallant rescuers?"
I chuckled quietly, unable to hide my amused grin at her playful theatrics. Fleur rolled her eyes affectionately at her mother's teasing, and Gabrielle giggled softly from my other side, leaning comfortably against me once more now that the immediate threat had been handled.
"Honestly, maman," Fleur replied smoothly, though a hint of fond exasperation tinted her elegant voice. "You could easily have handled those drunken idiots yourself. But we simply couldn't allow such disrespect toward our family to go unanswered."
Apolline tilted her head slightly, her beautiful features softening as she gave both of her daughters a warm, affectionate smile. "I know, my darlings. And I do appreciate your help, truly—even if it was slightly... dramatic." Her gaze slid toward me, her eyes gleaming with open curiosity as she studied my face carefully for a moment. "And this handsome young man must be the famous Harry Sitri I've heard so very much about?"
I nodded politely, offering her a respectful and genuine smile. "That's me. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs. Delacour. Fleur and Gabrielle have spoken so highly of you."
…After nearly an hour of some of the most shameless and explicit questioning I'd ever experienced, I finally stepped out of the Three Broomsticks and into the cool evening air of Hogsmeade, feeling warmth still lingering stubbornly in my cheeks.
Honestly, I'd always thought myself pretty open and difficult to embarrass—after all, with a mother like Serafall, I was used to blunt, inappropriate humor—but even I hadn't expected a conversation quite like that with Fleur and Gabrielle's mother.
Apolline Delacour certainly didn't hold back. When she'd said she wanted to get to know the young man who had captured her daughters' hearts, she apparently meant it in every possible way. Her initial questions started innocently enough, standard parental concerns. Where had I grown up? What was my favorite subject at school? What were my plans for the future?
Yet somehow, the conversation had escalated quickly and dramatically.
"So, Harry," she began smoothly, her brilliant blue eyes never leaving mine, "my daughters seem exceedingly happy with you, and I'm very glad to see it. However—" a mischievous smile tugged at the corners of her full lips, "there is something important I'm rather curious about."
"Of course, Mrs. Delacour," I replied politely, completely unaware of the trap I was about to step right into. "Ask me anything you'd like."
Her smile widened slightly, her eyes sparkling with playful amusement. "Well then, in that case—tell me, are you keeping Fleur and Gabrielle fully satisfied in the bedroom?"
I nearly choked on the butterbeer I'd been sipping, coughing slightly as my eyes widened in surprise at her sudden boldness. Fleur and Gabrielle giggled softly on either side of me, obviously quite enjoying my rare moment of flustered embarrassment.
"M-Maman!" Gabrielle scolded teasingly, though her tone indicated she wasn't truly bothered by her mother's invasive questions. "You can't simply ask Harry something like that so suddenly!"
Apolline merely laughed gently, leaning back in her seat and giving her younger daughter a calm, amused look. "And why not? If the three of you intend to be together permanently—and given your recent revelations, I certainly believe you do—then surely I have the right to know if my beautiful daughters are being properly cared for in every way."
I took a steadying breath, clearing my throat awkwardly and deciding honesty was probably the best approach here. "Well...I like to think they're satisfied," I answered, attempting a confident smile, though I was sure my cheeks were now bright red. "I certainly haven't heard any complaints from them."
Fleur immediately leaned in closer, her elegant features lit up by a warm, enthusiastic smile. "Non, Maman, he is being far too modest!" she said insistently. Her hand came to rest affectionately on my thigh beneath the table. "Harry is incroyable. More than we ever dreamed of."
Gabrielle eagerly nodded her head, her silver-blonde hair bouncing softly against her shoulders. She leaned forward slightly, smiling happily at her mother as she added without any hint of embarrassment, "Oui, Fleur is right! Harry takes care of us wonderfully. And the sex—"
I could tell half the pub was listening at this point… I was used to all the stares at this point with all the beautiful women in my life.
Gabrielle continued as grinned shamelessly at me, she glanced briefly at Fleur, "Well, to put it simply, Harry is incredible in bed, Maman. His cock is huge—bigger than anything Fleur or I have ever even seen in adult videos."
"Oui," Fleur immediately agreed, completely unfazed by discussing such private details with her own mother. She smiled warmly at Apolline, a faint blush coloring her lovely cheeks as she added softly, "And Harry's stamina is equally amazing. He can go all night long without tiring. He leaves us completely satisfied every single time."
I stared at both Fleur and Gabrielle, astonished they were so comfortable saying such outrageously explicit things in front of their mother. They were both smiling brightly at Apolline, their eyes shining with genuine pride and affection as they openly praised my performance.
"Oh my," Apolline murmured quietly, lifting one elegant eyebrow as her eyes flicked toward me again, appraising me openly. The amusement and curiosity in her expression had suddenly shifted, replaced now by a subtle but unmistakable glint of interest—lustful interest, even. Her gaze slid slowly down my body, openly assessing me in a way that sent a heated shiver down my spine. "How very intriguing…"
Apolline seemed to consider carefully for a few seconds, her eyes lingering thoughtfully on my lips, before she finally smiled again—though this time, her smile was more flirtatious than merely playful. "You know, it's so reassuring to hear my girls have found someone who can fulfill them in every way," she continued smoothly, her voice taking on a silkier, more sensual edge. "After all, a Veela woman's passions are strong—and few men have the ability to truly satisfy her fully. It is wonderful to hear you've proven yourself more than capable of that, Harry."
I shifted awkwardly beneath her intense gaze, struggling to maintain my composure even as Fleur and Gabrielle each pressed themselves proudly against my sides, clearly enjoying their mother's reaction.
Yet even as Apolline openly flirted with me, my mind automatically shifted toward what I knew about her personal situation. She was definitely married, yes—but from what Fleur and Gabrielle had privately shared with me, things hadn't exactly been smooth sailing between their parents lately. Their father had been furious about Fleur and Gabrielle's decision to become devils and join my peerage, going so far as to refuse to speak to them altogether. His harsh reaction had clearly wounded both sisters deeply, creating a painful rift in the Delacour family.
It left me wondering exactly how strong—or weak—Apolline's marriage truly was right now?
Given the openly appreciative looks she continued sending my way throughout the rest of our conversation, I think I knew that answer.
I had left Fleur and Gabrielle behind with their mother. Today was definitely turning into one of the more eventful afternoons of my life—and that was really saying something, considering how unusual my life was already.
Meeting Apolline Delacour had been a unique experience, to put it mildly. But the next meeting I had scheduled promised to make things even more uncomfortable, and that was something I was not exactly thrilled about.
My destination was a smaller, more private café tucked away from the main street in Hogsmeade, a place known for quiet conversations and discreet privacy—the perfect setting for a very awkward family revelation.
I was meeting Nymphadora Tonks' parents, Andromeda and Ted, for the first time today.
Honestly, it was long overdue. Ever since Tonks quit her job as an Auror without warning, her parents had apparently been flooding her inbox with shocked and increasingly concerned messages, demanding to know exactly what was going on with their daughter. I couldn't exactly blame them for being worried. After all, Tonks had abruptly gone from a promising Ministry career to suddenly becoming Narcissa Malfoy's personal teaching assistant at Hogwarts—a complete one-eighty in her life path that probably had them baffled.
Of course, Narcissa and Andromeda's relationship as sisters was complicated, to say the least. Calling it rocky was putting it mildly. They had barely spoken in years, and even though Narcissa had made a couple of cautious attempts to reconnect recently, I knew that bridging the gulf of resentment and hurt feelings between them was not something easily done overnight.
And now we were going to have to tell Andromeda and Ted the truth about their daughter wasn't human anymore, but a reincarnated devil, and a member of my peerage.
More awkwardly still, Tonks had insisted she didn't want to hide her romantic relationship with me from her parents. So yeah, there was also the small issue of them finding out that their daughter was now dating me—someone who was also notorious for his harem at this point and also involved romantically with her Aunt Narcissa.
At least, the newspapers didn't yet know I was dating a professor. Yet, it was probably only a matter of time because students had seen us together and even yesterday I'd heard some gossiping about me and Narcissa.
I had to spend at least an hour a day with every member of my peerage after all.
As I rounded the corner and approached the café, I let out a steadying breath, feeling the familiar aura of Tonks inside. My devil instincts and peerage bond allowed me to sense her clearly, almost like a gentle warmth waiting just beyond the door.
I pushed open the door, stepping quietly into the café. The interior was small and inviting, filled with comfortable booths and softly glowing lamps hanging low from the ceiling. Tonks spotted me immediately from her seat in the far corner, her face breaking into a relieved, slightly nervous smile. She waved cheerfully, though I could see the tension in her posture and the slight crease of worry in her forehead. I approached her table calmly, giving her a reassuring grin as I slid into the seat next to her.
"Wotcher, Harry," Tonks said quietly, giving my hand a brief, tight squeeze beneath the table. Her fingers felt slightly clammy, betraying how nervous she was about this meeting.
"You alright?" I asked softly, noticing how she chewed slightly on her lower lip, something she did whenever she was anxious.
Tonks blew out a breath, puffing a lock of bright pink hair from her face. "Honestly? I'm bloody terrified," she admitted with a small, sheepish chuckle. "I know Mum and Dad. They're great people, Harry—really wonderful—but they're going to absolutely freak out when we tell them everything. It's not just the devil stuff, or me quitting the Ministry. They're going to hear about you and Aunt Cissy... Merlin, they're gonna lose their minds."
I squeezed her hand gently, rubbing slow circles on the back of it with my thumb, trying to calm her down. "It'll be okay, Tonks. At least we're finally being upfront with them, right?"
She nodded slowly, visibly relaxing just a little at my words. "Yeah, you're right. Better to be honest about everything upfront. But—just promise me you won't be too shocked if Mum loses it and starts hexing us both…."
The cafe doors swung open and an older couple walked inside.
…
We stood near Hagrid's hut, right at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. I'd just left Hogsmeade after that disastrous meeting with Tonks' parents, and it was still several hours until dinner. Fortunately, Hermione had been waiting nearby, expecting I'd likely require a bit of patching up after that second meeting I was going to have today.
Clearly, she and the other girls had accurately predicted how Tonks' parents—particularly Andromeda—would react to the news we'd delivered.
Hermione was now kneeling on the soft grass directly in front of me, her gentle hands glowing softly with the distinct violet energy of her demonic magic as she carefully healed the blisters and bruises left on my arms. I winced slightly as she ran her fingertips gently over one particularly nasty burn, feeling the soothing coolness of her magic gradually ease the pain away.
Hermione was meticulous in everything she did, especially magic. She took her time examining each injury, her brow furrowed slightly in careful concentration. Occasionally she'd brush her thick curls away from her face, tucking them behind her ear so they wouldn't distract her from the delicate healing process.
Demonic magic wasn't traditionally known for healing, at least not compared to specialized human-witch spells or even Phoenix tears. Still, Hermione had obsessively studied healing techniques and human anatomy, poring over countless medical tomes and anatomical charts, determined to become proficient in something most others with demonic power just gave up on learning.
And clearly, her hard work had paid off. She could now perform healing magic with just as much skill and precision as someone like Madam Pomfrey.
As Hermione moved her fingers to my other arm, gently running her magic over a particularly vivid red welt left by one of Andromeda's hexes, I couldn't help but feel a grudging admiration for Tonks' mother. She was clearly powerful, a formidable witch who could easily leave lasting damage even on a near High-Class Devil like me. I shook my head slightly, remembering just how fiercely Andromeda had reacted upon learning about my relationship with her daughter—and her estranged sister Narcissa.
Hermione glanced up at my face, a small sympathetic smile on her lips as she examined a painful-looking bruise just under my left eye.
"Hold still, Harry," she said softly, bringing her fingertips carefully toward my cheekbone. Her voice was gentle and reassuring, clearly trying to ease some of my lingering tension. "This one looks especially bad. It's going to take just a moment longer."
I nodded carefully, keeping my head still and feeling the comforting warmth of her magic seeping gently into my skin. Within seconds, the dull throbbing beneath my eye began to fade, replaced by a soothing relief. I let out a grateful sigh, relaxing slightly as she moved her hands back down toward a stubborn blister on my wrist.
Hermione shook her head lightly as she continued to concentrate, glancing up at me through her lashes with a slight smirk playing across her lips. "Well, Harry," she said, sounding both amused and slightly exasperated, "I have to say, your meeting with Tonks' parents went just about as well as we all thought it would."
I raised an eyebrow slightly, giving her an exaggerated expression of mock offense.
"Really?" I replied, letting sarcasm color my tone as I watched her finish healing the last bruises on my forearm. "I had no idea you and the other girls were so certain I'd get hexed. Exactly how predictable do you all think I am?"
Hermione looked up at me again, her brown eyes sparkling playfully, clearly holding back laughter.
"Oh, come now, Harry," she said, her voice dripping with teasing warmth, "it wasn't necessarily you who was predictable—it was Andromeda's reaction to the news. Honestly, what exactly did you think she'd do when she found out her daughter had become a devil's servant, quit the Ministry, and was now romantically involved with you—oh, and let's not forget, you're also dating her estranged sister Narcissa?"
I chuckled ruefully, letting out a heavy sigh as Hermione finally stood up, brushing stray grass from her skirt. Her hands lingered for a moment on my healed arms, carefully inspecting them one final time to ensure she hadn't missed anything. She seemed satisfied, giving me a reassuring nod as she stepped back slightly.
I stretched lightly, testing my healed limbs. All pain and soreness had completely disappeared, thanks to Hermione's magic. I smiled warmly down at her, placing a grateful hand on her shoulder. "Thanks, Hermione," I said sincerely. "You really do incredible work. You're definitely at Madam Pomfrey's level, no question."
She blushed lightly at the compliment, her cheeks turning a faint pink as she averted her gaze briefly, clearly pleased by the praise. "You're welcome, Harry," she said softly, smiling shyly at me. Then her expression turned mischievous again, her eyes twinkling as she quickly added, "Anyway, if you must know—we might have even taken bets on exactly how Tonks' parents would react."
I stared at her for a second, momentarily surprised, then burst into laughter, shaking my head in disbelief. "Seriously?" I asked incredulously, grinning openly at her amused expression. "You all made bets on how badly I'd get hexed?"
Hermione giggled softly, her eyes brightening further as she tilted her head playfully. "Well, I suppose I should tell you that Lyna won the bet."
"Lyna?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow curiously. "Exactly how bad did she predict things would get?"
Hermione's smile widened into an outright grin, clearly enjoying my reaction. "Lyna guessed you'd return looking exactly like this—covered in bruises and blisters, in need of healing, and very unhappy. Though, admittedly, she underestimated just how much magical force Andromeda could put behind those hexes."
I laughed again, shaking my head and crossing my arms lightly over my chest, feigning an offended expression. It looked like I'd have to punish my naughty maid later for having so little faith in her amazing master…
Hermione gave me one last playful smirk and began turning away, clearly assuming we were finished here. However, before she could take more than a single step, I quickly reached out and gently grasped her slender wrist, stopping her.
She paused, her eyes widening slightly in surprise as she turned back toward me, confusion evident on her pretty face.
"Harry? Was there something else?" she asked softly, tilting her head slightly in curious question.
"Actually," I said slowly, stepping toward her with deliberate intent, a confident smile spreading over my lips. "I realize I haven't properly thanked you yet, Hermione. That's pretty rude of me, considering how much you just helped."
Her cheeks flushed gently pink, her soft lips curling up into a shy yet pleased smile. She lowered her gaze slightly, looking up at me through her thick lashes as she spoke quietly.
"You don't really have to thank me, Harry. You know I'm always happy to help you," she said softly, her tone warm and genuine. Still, I could easily see how much she enjoyed being appreciated.
"No," I replied calmly, taking another step closer until there were barely inches between us. "I insist. It's important to me that I show you how grateful I am, Hermione."
I placed a finger gently under her chin, lifting her head slightly so she was forced to meet my eyes directly. Her cheeks darkened further at the contact, her breathing growing a bit more rapid. I could feel her pulse quicken beneath my fingertips.
Her eyes widened slightly as I moved forward again, smoothly backing her up until her slender body was pressed firmly against the rough bark of the large oak tree directly behind her. Hermione gasped softly at the sudden contact, her chest rising and falling rapidly beneath her blouse. Her brown eyes stared into mine, full of anticipation and excitement.
"Harry—" she began breathlessly, but her words faded into a soft sigh as I pressed my lips passionately against hers, silencing her gently.
Hermione's lips were incredibly soft, warm and inviting against mine. I felt her initial tension melt away rapidly as she responded eagerly to my kiss, pressing herself closer and looping her arms around my neck. She sighed softly into my mouth, parting her lips slightly to allow my tongue entrance.
I kissed her deeply, hungrily, tasting the sweetness of her mouth as our tongues slowly intertwined. I carefully shifted my position, moving my right leg forward to gently press my knee between her thighs, applying just enough pressure to make her shiver.
Hermione moaned softly against my mouth, her hips rocking slightly in response to the intimate contact. She tightened her grip around my neck, her body trembling gently as I deepened our kiss further.
Slowly, I brought my right hand up along her side, feeling the smooth curves of her waist beneath the thin fabric of her blouse. I carefully traced small circles with my fingertips against her side, feeling her shiver at my touch.
Breaking the kiss gently, I leaned back slightly to meet her gaze. Hermione's face was flushed deeply pink, her breathing rapid and uneven. Her eyes were half-lidded, clearly clouded with desire as she stared at me.
"You know," she murmured softly, her voice slightly hoarse as she gave me a shy, heated smile, "I wasn't such a dirty woman before I met you, Mr. Sitri."
I chuckled warmly at her words, thoroughly amused by her blunt honesty. Reaching up with my free hand, I gently brushed aside a stray curl from her flushed face, tucking it tenderly behind her ear.
"Maybe not," I admitted lightly, leaning in closer again until our lips were mere inches apart, feeling her soft breath mingling with mine. "But I'm certainly not complaining."
Before she could reply, I captured her lips in another deep, heated kiss. Hermione responded immediately, gripping my shoulders tightly as she eagerly pressed herself closer. I felt her hips rock gently against my thigh, clearly seeking more of the pleasurable friction.
I pressed my knee forward again, feeling her tremble deliciously against me. She moaned softly into my lips, her delicate fingers digging slightly into my shoulders as our kiss grew even more passionate beneath the shade of the old oak tree.
Someone suddenly cleared their throat behind us, and Hermione and I broke our heated kiss, pulling back slowly. A thin strand of saliva momentarily lingered between our lips, stretching gently until Hermione glanced at me with a soft smile and deliberately licked it away. I swallowed, feeling my cheeks flush slightly at the blatantly intimate gesture, before both of us turned our heads to look at whoever had interrupted us.
Standing there with obvious discomfort was Lilja Nornas, the gorgeous new red-headed Slytherin transfer student. Her long crimson hair fell over her shoulders, framing her flushed, pale cheeks. Her vibrant green eyes glanced away nervously as she shifted her weight awkwardly from one foot to the other. Her slender fingers fidgeted anxiously with the strap of her bookbag as she cleared her throat again.
"I—um, sorry for interrupting," Lilja said softly, a hint of embarrassment coloring her voice. "I really didn't mean to disturb anything."
She glanced briefly at Hermione, then quickly looked away, her gaze darting down to her feet. It seemed she didn't quite know how to handle this unexpected encounter, which was entirely understandable given what she'd just walked in on.
"No worries," Hermione said easily, breaking the brief silence first. She stepped away from the tree trunk behind her and straightened her Hogwarts uniform and skirt neatly, smoothing out a few minor creases in the fabric with calm confidence.
Hermione looked completely composed and unbothered, as though being caught passionately kissing beneath a tree was a perfectly normal occurrence for her. Well, at least this time we weren't caught half naked in a broom closet by Serafall…
Lilja blinked in surprise, clearly caught off-guard by Hermione's relaxed, welcoming response. She hesitantly looked up again, meeting Hermione's warm brown eyes with a cautious, uncertain expression.
"Hi, I'm Hermione Granger," Hermione continued with genuine friendliness, taking another small step toward Lilja. "You must be Lilja, right? Harry's talked about you a bit already—it's lovely to finally meet you."
Lilja opened her mouth, seeming momentarily unsure of what to say. Her delicate eyebrows knitted together slightly, confusion mingled with surprise. Finally, she spoke again, her voice soft and hesitant, but clearly relieved at Hermione's welcoming demeanor. "Oh, um—thank you," Lilja said quietly, her cheeks still lightly flushed. Her gaze shifted quickly between Hermione and myself, as if trying to assess whether Hermione's calm attitude was completely sincere. "That's very kind of you to say. And yes, I'm Lilja Nornas. It's nice to meet you too."
Hermione's smile widened, and she tilted her head slightly, regarding Lilja with open appreciation. "Harry told me you were beautiful, but honestly, he undersold it. You're absolutely gorgeous. Welcome to Hogwarts—I hope you're adjusting alright so far?"
I watched Lilja closely, noting the slight widening of her eyes and the gentle reddening of her already flushed cheeks. Clearly, she hadn't been expecting Hermione's genuine kindness, especially considering the awkwardness of her timing.
"Oh! Um, thank you again," Lilja replied softly, now visibly flustered by Hermione's sincere compliment. She tucked a stray lock of vibrant red hair nervously behind her ear, her eyes darting downward shyly as she added, "And Hogwarts has been very welcoming, thank you. I'm really glad to be here."
She glanced toward me once more, an uncertain look flickering in her green eyes. Lilja hesitated for a moment, clearly unsure of what to say next before she finally gathered the courage to continue.
"Actually, Harry," she said quietly, her voice gentle and uncertain, "I was looking for you because, well... I thought we were going to hang out today? But if you're busy—" Lilja paused again, glancing quickly at Hermione, her gaze lingering a moment too long. A faint trace of something flickered across her features—maybe embarrassment, or perhaps even a touch of envy, I honestly wasn't sure.
Hermione chuckled softly, clearly sensing Lilja's discomfort, and she reached out warmly, gently touching Lilja's shoulder to reassure her. Lilja jumped very slightly, startled, but Hermione just smiled even more warmly in response.
"Oh, please don't worry about interrupting us," Hermione said reassuringly. "Harry and I were just... taking a break between some other rather intense meetings he had today." Hermione gave me an affectionate, teasing look. "He's all yours for the afternoon," she finished with a wink.
Damn, Hermione was so amazing, wasn't she?
– Lilja –
Get it together, Lily! she chastised herself sternly, shaking her head ever so slightly, silky strands of vibrant crimson hair slipping from behind her ear and falling gently along her flushed cheeks. You're a reincarnated grown woman twice over! Quit acting like such a shy, blushing virgin schoolgirl—even if that's your current cover role here at Hogwarts.
Lilja's vivid emerald eyes tracked Hermione as the pretty brunette walked back toward the castle. Hermione paused just once, looking back briefly over her shoulder to wave warmly at Harry and Lilja before disappearing behind a stone archway.
Lilja shifted her gaze slowly toward Harry, who was watching Hermione with an affectionate smile lingering on his handsome face.
"Your girlfriend isn't angry or jealous you're spending private time with another woman?" Lilja asked quietly, attempting—and failing—to sound entirely casual. Her heart fluttered slightly as Harry turned to her, his piercing blue eyes locking directly onto hers with startling intensity.
Harry chuckled softly, a warm, reassuring smile spreading across his lips as he regarded Lilja thoughtfully. "Hermione? No, she wouldn't be angry at all," he explained calmly, stepping closer and stuffing his hands comfortably into his pockets. "If anything, she probably thinks you're doing her a favor."
Lilja tilted her head slightly, brows knitting in confusion. "A favor? What do you mean by that?"
Harry's expression softened further, his gaze sliding off briefly toward the distant towers of Hogwarts as he explained gently, "Hermione has an incredibly busy schedule. Between her advanced classes, studying magic, tutoring other students—she rarely gets any downtime. I know she feels guilty sometimes about how little we get to see each other, especially considering she was my first girlfriend and the very first member of my harem."
Lilja blinked slowly at that revelation, absorbing his candid words with a mixture of amusement and disbelief. Right, she thought inwardly, barely holding back a bemused chuckle, the son of my past self, Lily Evans, really does have a harem, doesn't he? What a surreal turn of events…
Instead of voicing that ironic thought aloud, Lilja composed herself and gave Harry a teasing little smile, gently nudging his side playfully with her elbow. "You certainly lead an interesting life, Harry," she remarked lightly, careful to keep any jealousy she was feeling entirely hidden beneath a playful veneer.
Harry gave a rueful chuckle in response, nodding slightly. "Interesting would be putting it mildly."
Lilja paused for a moment, considering her next move. Her eyes drifted toward the sprawling, shadowy expanse of the Forbidden Forest stretching ominously beyond Hagrid's hut.
"I have an idea," she suggested with a touch more enthusiasm than she intended, pointing toward the thick forest. "Would you like to go into the Forbidden Forest with me and practice our sword skills again? Last time was quite enjoyable, and besides—it's such a lovely day."
And I'm definitely not suggesting this just to have an excuse to get close and grope—no, feel!—his muscles again. Absolutely not. She nearly sighed at her own weak attempt at self-deception.
Harry, however, did not answer her right away. Instead, his expression grew thoughtful, his blue eyes darkening subtly with something like cautious concern. "That might not be the best idea at the moment, Lilja," he said slowly, the edges of his mouth tightening faintly with tension. "There's a… situation in the forest right now. It might not be safe for training."
"A situation? What sort of situation?"
Harry hesitated briefly, clearly weighing how much information to share. When he finally spoke, his tone was carefully neutral. "There's been a monster sighted recently in the forest..."
A monster, here? She wondered briefly if he meant a stray devil—rare though they were in Scotland, it wasn't impossible.
"Oh, come now," she scoffed lightly, placing her hands confidently upon her slender hips and fixing Harry with a challenging smirk. "I'm hardly frightened of some monster lurking in the shadows. I can handle myself just fine. Or—" she tilted her chin up defiantly—"perhaps you're the one who's scared, Harry?"
As expected, Harry immediately reacted to her teasing exactly how she'd hoped. Like all men, with his chest subtly puffing up as he told her nothing in the forest frightened him.
Lilja once again found herself blushing as Harry reached out casually and grasped her smaller hand gently in his own larger one, their fingers naturally sliding together and intertwining with an ease that surprised her. Her heartbeat quickened noticeably, and her breath momentarily caught in her throat at the unexpected intimacy of the gesture.
Wow, he certainly is forward with girls, isn't he? she mused silently, an amused and slightly nervous chuckle slipping quietly past her lips as they moved slowly toward the shadowed edges of the Forbidden Forest.
Lilja couldn't recall a single man from her previous life ever making her feel this flustered or excited. Men had approached her often before, of course—they'd showered her with flattery, tried charming smiles, clever wit, and romantic gestures—but none of those experiences had stirred her heart into such an embarrassing frenzy of butterflies and warmth. None had made her cheeks flush this deeply, or left her pulse racing in her chest quite so strongly. Harry was unquestionably unique, and as confusing as it was, Lilja found herself secretly enjoying every moment of his attention.
As they walked deeper into the forest, sunlight filtered down gently through the tall, whispering canopy above, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow upon their path. After about an hour of lively sparring and practice, Lilja's skin began to glisten softly with a thin sheen of sweat, her Hogwarts uniform clinging damply and uncomfortably against her slender curves, accentuating the soft swell of her breasts beneath the white blouse. Her breath came more quickly now, each inhale and exhale noticeably deeper, her heart pumping strongly from their exertion.
But when her emerald eyes darted curiously toward Harry, she noticed immediately that he seemed even more heated and sweaty than herself. Harry's breath was coming in deeper, steady inhales, his broad chest rising and falling rhythmically beneath his now-dampened shirt. Without hesitation, he casually reached up, grasping the hem of his school shirt, tugging it smoothly upward over his muscular torso and head, and then tossing it carelessly aside.
Lilja's gaze was instantly and helplessly drawn to his naked upper body. Her mouth opened slightly in silent astonishment at the sight, her cheeks flooding hotly with warmth once more. Harry's chest and abs were sculpted with lean, well-defined muscles, his lightly-tanned skin stretched taut over each powerful curve and ripple of his physique. Tiny droplets of sweat glistened attractively upon his chest and shoulders, slowly trickling down along his abdomen. Lilja swallowed nervously, her throat suddenly dry, her heart pounding even more rapidly than before.
Gods, those muscles… Yum! she thought immediately, biting gently at her bottom lip to restrain herself from staring too openly. She quickly realized, with embarrassed shock, that she was finding it increasingly difficult to pull her gaze away from him the longer they spent together. How did Harry Sitri manage to unsettle her so effortlessly?
With calm, practiced ease, Harry withdrew his wand from the pocket of his discarded shirt—a wand Lilja strongly suspected was fake, a mere prop designed to disguise his true nature as a half-devil. Harry flicked the wand over his muscular frame in a casual motion, murmuring a simple drying spell under his breath, causing the sweat coating his body to instantly vanish, leaving his skin once again perfectly smooth and dry.
Lilja quickly followed suit, pulling her own fake wand discreetly from her pocket. Unlike Harry, however, she chose instead to mutter softly beneath her breath the Norse drying charm that her sister Rossweisse had taught her long ago, specifically intended to help after their long, intense training sessions. Lilja's body instantly felt refreshed, the sweat evaporating from her skin and clothes, leaving her feeling clean and comfortable again.
She glanced up to find Harry looking at her pointedly, an exaggerated pout forming playfully on his lips as his gaze flicked meaningfully toward her still-clothed body. He raised one expectant eyebrow, his blue eyes glittering teasingly.
Lilja placed her hands firmly upon her hips, an amused yet slightly exasperated expression crossing her flushed features. "And just what exactly is that look supposed to mean, Harry?" she asked dryly, though the faint blush still tinting her pale cheeks clearly betrayed her embarrassment.
Harry's pout only deepened dramatically, his lips pressing together childishly in exaggerated disappointment. "Well," he began innocently, though the playful gleam in his eyes betrayed his true intentions, "I was sort of hoping you'd decide to follow my lead. It seems only fair, doesn't it?"
Lilja felt her blush deepen even further at his shameless suggestion, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. Gathering her composure, she lifted her chin confidently, her tone shifting into playful defiance. "If you really want to see me shirtless, Harry Sitri, you'll need to land a hit on me with your sword first," she declared boldly—only to immediately feel her blush intensify as she realized exactly what she'd just suggested.
Harry instantly straightened, his eyes practically shining with sudden enthusiasm, his muscular body tense with new energy and determination. "Is that all it will take?" he asked eagerly, reaching quickly to retrieve his sword from where he'd placed it aside earlier. "Well, let's get back to training immediately, then! No more resting!"
Lilja watched with open astonishment and mild embarrassment as Harry practically bounced with newfound excitement, clearly determined to meet her challenge as quickly as possible. She folded her arms beneath her breasts and gave him a small pout, though inside she felt strangely flattered by how openly excited he was at the idea of seeing her body. A small, shy smile began creeping onto her lips despite herself, and she gave a quiet, resigned sigh.
"You are impossible, Harry," she murmured softly, shaking her head slightly in fond exasperation.
Harry paused, giving her a playful wink, clearly unfazed by her words. "Maybe so," he agreed lightly, shifting his stance and raising his sword confidently, eyes bright and focused upon her. "But admit it—you secretly like it."
Lilja rolled her eyes, unable to prevent the small giggle that escaped her lips. "Perhaps," she conceded softly, raising her own sword smoothly into position, her emerald eyes locking directly onto Harry's challenging gaze. "Now let's see if you actually have the skill to back up that confidence of yours after only two short lessons."
"My aunt tells me I'm a fast learner," Harry replied with a smirk as he once again summoned his blade of water in his hands, while Lilja used conjuration to summon her own rapier.
– Harry –
Lilja's conjured rapier had a dulled edge for safety, but despite its harmless edge, she wielded it with incredible strength—far greater than her slender arms seemed capable of. Each strike that connected with my bare chest sent a jarring vibration through my body, leaving fresh bruises behind with every hit.
She'd honestly make an amazing Rook in my peerage with her raw physical power and exceptional swordsmanship skills.
Or perhaps she'd be a perfect Queen, she was versatile and incredibly strong. It was impossible not to think about adding her to my peerage the more I watched her fight.
Her speed was equally astounding—far beyond ordinary human limits, verging into clearly supernatural territory. I was beginning to strongly suspect there was something unique about this gorgeous red-haired woman. Her stunning beauty and strength dominated my thoughts more with every passing second.
I deliberately rushed closer to Lilja. I allowed her blade to strike my stomach intentionally, grunting as pain blossomed through my abdomen from the impact. Immediately afterward, I swung my water-blade in a swift horizontal arc, making gentle contact with her upper thigh. Rather than cutting or bruising, I intentionally manipulated my blade's water to harmlessly splash against her skin, soaking her robes.
Lilja yelped in surprise as the cold water drenched her clothing, her green eyes widening briefly before narrowing into an adorable pout.
"You really wanted to see my tits so badly that you let me hit you dozens of times, and even took that last hit intentionally just to land your 'winning' blow?" she asked pointedly, arching one delicate eyebrow at me.
"Yep," I answered immediately, meeting her gaze shamelessly.
Lilja shook her head lightly. "Well, you certainly live up to your infamous reputation, Harem King," she teased dryly.
We both immediately shivered at hearing the term "Harem King," as though the phrase itself was somehow cursed.
"Er—forget I said that last part," she added.
I glanced down at my bare torso, sighing as I examined the purple bruises now decorating my chest and stomach. "Second time today I've ended up covered in bruises," I muttered ruefully.
Lilja's playful expression instantly shifted into genuine concern, her green eyes widening slightly as she stepped closer. "Second time today? What happened earlier?" she asked worriedly, her tone was surprisingly protective.
Her immediate instinct to defend me made me chuckle warmly despite my lingering discomfort. "Well," I began sheepishly, "earlier today I was meeting the parents of another girl in my harem. Let's just say, the meeting didn't go quite as smoothly as my first one today."
Lilja's eyes softened sympathetically, clearly sensing there was more to the story. "Bad reaction from her parents, huh?"
I nodded slowly, wincing slightly at the memory. "Her mother, specifically." I sighed lightly, thinking of Andromeda's furious reaction over finding out her daughter had "died" and was now my eternal servant. "I really hope she eventually comes around. Tonks stayed behind to help calm things down. Honestly, she was pretty furious with her mother as well for hexing me like that too..."
Lilja regarded me with quiet sympathy for another moment before she saw my expression shift. I smirked slightly, allowing my gaze to drift suggestively downward from her pretty face, slowly glancing down at her chest. Lilja noticed immediately, her cheeks flushing prettily as she gave another exaggerated pout, clearly aware of exactly what I was silently reminding her of.
"A deal is a deal," I prompted gently. "I managed to hit you, sword mistress."
Lilja hesitated slightly, nervously biting her bottom lip as her cheeks reddened further. "Fine," she finally conceded softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I suppose a promise is a promise." Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she carefully began unbuttoning the clasps down the front of her Hogwarts robes, gradually slipping the garment off her shoulders and letting it fall gently to the forest floor at her feet.
Next, her fingers moved slowly down the buttons of her white blouse, revealing more and more of her smooth, creamy skin.
I watched carefully, my eyes fixed intently on the gradually exposed parts of her upper body. Beneath her blouse, Lilja wore a vividly bright red bra that contrasted sharply against her pale, flawless skin. The bra strained slightly, struggling to contain the full curves of her ample breasts, which I immediately guessed were easily a perfect pair of D-cups.
Lilja paused briefly, meeting my appreciative gaze directly. She took another steadying breath. Her cheeks now deeply flushed, Lilja reached shyly behind her back, unclipping her bra with one motion. The delicate lingerie slipped away effortlessly, revealing her bare, perfectly shaped breasts to my appreciative stare. They were round and full, the creamy softness of her pale skin accentuated by two enticingly pink nipples already visibly hardened from the cool breeze brushing across her skin.
Lilja stood quietly before me, allowing me to openly admire her naked upper body for several seconds. Her arms folded bashfully beneath her ample chest, subtly pushing her breasts upward and together in a way that only heightened their incredible appeal. Despite her obvious embarrassment, her expression was warm and affectionate as she met my gaze bravely, clearly enjoying the effect her body was having on me.
"There," she finally said softly, her voice just above a whisper as her blush intensified. "You got what you wanted. I hope you're happy."
I felt my lips slowly stretch into a satisfied grin as I openly admired Lilja's gorgeous, completely bare chest. Her pale, flawless skin was flushed deeply with an adorable shade of pink, her embarrassment obvious even as she stood bravely before me, making no real attempt to hide herself despite her obvious nerves. Her arms crossed hesitantly beneath her breasts, pressing them together enticingly in a subtle attempt to provide herself some small measure of modesty.
"Very happy, actually," I said calmly, my voice quiet and reassuring, my eyes firmly fixed on hers as I stepped carefully closer.
Lilja visibly swallowed, her eyes flicking briefly downward to take in my own exposed upper body once again. I noticed her emerald-green gaze linger appreciatively over my chest, her lips parting slightly as her breathing grew noticeably quicker.
She really was beautiful—and clearly attracted to me. I found that realization incredibly satisfying.
As I took another step forward, bringing myself just inches away from her trembling form, I gently raised one hand, reaching carefully toward her exposed breasts. I paused, silently meeting her gaze and giving her a questioning look, ensuring she felt entirely comfortable with my intentions. Lilja hesitated only briefly, biting her lower lip nervously, but then gave me a shy, almost imperceptible nod of permission, clearly eager despite her embarrassment.
Slowly and carefully, my fingertips brushed lightly against the silky softness of her bare skin, delicately caressing the smooth curve of her breast. Lilja immediately sucked in a sharp breath at my touch, her eyes widening briefly in surprise at the sensation before fluttering half-closed again, a quiet moan slipping softly past her parted lips.
"Oh, Harry," she breathed softly, her voice trembling slightly, full of uncertainty and excitement. Her gaze met mine again, those gorgeous green eyes bright with desire and vulnerability. "Your hands feel… really good."
I smiled gently in response, continuing to caress her tenderly, slowly tracing small, lazy circles around her sensitive pink nipple. Under my touch, I felt the tiny bud harden even further, reacting eagerly to my teasing fingers.
Lilja moaned softly once more, her voice growing steadily more breathless as her body subtly arched toward my touch, silently begging for more attention.
"You are incredibly beautiful, Lilja," I murmured honestly, keeping my voice quiet yet deeply appreciative, maintaining eye contact to show her how sincere my words were. "I'm truly glad we decided to spend some time together today."
Her blush deepened further at my praise, her breathing now clearly ragged as she leaned into my touch more openly. Slowly, her arms fell away from their protective position beneath her chest, allowing me full access to her beautiful breasts.
"So am I, Harry," Lilja whispered breathlessly.