The Yule Ball glittered with music and laughter, but Roy Valvas slipped quietly out of the ballroom, exhausted from dancing with everyone he cared about.
What Roy didn't know was that he had left behind ten shadows.
Hermione.Daphne.Astoria.Cassandra.Cho Chang.Ginny.Luna.Fleur.Gabrielle.Grayfia.
Every single one of them followed him.
Slowly.Silently.Curiously.
At the Valvas Guards' Camp
Roy stepped into the open field where the Valvas military tents and enchanted wagons were stationed. The night sky was clear, the moon bright, and several Valvas guards were sitting around a roaring fire pit, laughing and sharing stories.
When they saw Roy approach, they all stood instantly.
"Young Master!"
Roy waved a hand."No need for formalities. Sit. I'll just… join you all."
Relieved, the guards resumed their seats.
Then Roy pulled something out of his dimensional storage.
A flute.
The men blinked.Roy rarely played in public.
Without a word, Roy lifted the flute to his lips.
A single note drifted into the cold night air—soft, haunting, beautiful.
It was the melody of Lugia's Song, the ancient tune from his world.
As the music flowed, something unimaginable happened:
The campfire dimmed, then glowed brighter in rhythm.
The wind stilled, then swayed as if following the song.
The guards felt their hearts soften, old wounds soothed, memories warmed.
A few guards slowly stood…
Then began dancing around the fire.
Not wild dancing.Not formal dancing.
But the kind of dance men do when they feel free—when they feel alive.
The Girls' Hidden Corner
Behind a large enchanted boulder, the ten girls watching secretly froze.
Hermione whispered, "Roy… can play music?"
Daphne placed a hand over her heart."He… he plays beautifully."
Cho swallowed. "I didn't know he had this side…"
Fleur, eyes wide and shimmering:"Il joue… comme un ange."
Gabrielle was sparkling with excitement."Roy is amazing!"
Astoria hugged herself."He's… magical."
Ginny was red."Why is he so… ugh… perfect?"
Cassandra whispered:"He hides so much about himself…"
Grayfia, normally expressionless, had the faintest blush."…Master Roy's talents never end."
Luna simply said:"He's singing to the stars."
They all fell silent again as the flute soared.
The Music Reaches Hogwarts
Inside the castle, the Yule Ball continued—until suddenly the orchestra stopped playing.
Because they heard it.
A single, pure melody drifting from far outside.
A melody that somehow reached through walls and hearts.
Dumbledore paused mid-conversation.Madam Maxime turned her head.Karkaroff frowned, confused.Professors Flitwick, Snape, Sprout, McGonagall all froze.
Darius Valvas was the first to stand.
Clara Valvas stood a moment later, a soft smile forming.
"That song…"Clara whispered."…Darius… that's our grandson."
The principals, professors, and students all started moving—out the doors, down the stairs, across the courtyard.
Drawn to the music like moths to light.
The Crowd Gathers
Roy continued playing, eyes closed, unaware that he now had nearly the entire student body of three schools, every professor, three principals, the Triwizard Committee, and all of Hogwarts' ghosts standing quietly around the Valvas camp.
Darius folded his arms proudly.Clara placed a hand over her heart, eyes misty.
Fleur and Gabrielle stepped forward instinctively, enchanted.
The girls behind the boulder stood frozen like statues.
Even Snape looked… impressed.
Dumbledore had a smile filled with ancient warmth.
"Music," he whispered,"reveals the soul."
The Last Note
Roy lowered the flute.
Silence.
Not a single person moved.
Then—
Thunderous applause.
The guards cheered.The students screamed.The professors clapped.Fleur and Gabrielle had tears in their eyes.The girls hiding behind the boulder walked out, cheeks red, pretending they weren't spying.
Clara Valvas stepped forward, cupping Roy's cheeks.
"My grandson," she whispered proudly,"You have a gift."
Darius nodded firmly.
"A Valvas heir… through and through."
Roy blinked, utterly confused.
"…Why is everyone here?"
The girls all answered at once:
"Nothing!"