It was the next morning after the Yule Ball.
Darius and Clara were in a meeting room with Dumbledore, Madam Maxime, Karkaroff, and several professors, going over political concerns—mainly the aftermath of Roy stopping a potential war.
When suddenly—
BANG!
Hagrid burst into the room.
Hagrid:"Ya ain't gonna believe what yer grandson did last night!"
Darius lifted an eyebrow.Clara calmly sipped her coffee.
Clara:"Which grandson? I only remember one causing trouble."
Dumbledore chuckled under his breath.
Hagrid:"Roy! Roy played music again!But this time—private concert!"
Darius:"…Private?"
Clara:"…Concert?"
Hagrid nodded rapidly.
Hagrid:"With the girls!"
Darius and Clara exchanged a glance.
Darius (thinking):Please don't tell me what I think happened…
Clara (thinking):If he seduced half of them with a song, I swear he gets it from Darius…
Hagrid inhaled dramatically and announced:
Hagrid:"—Hermione! Daphne! Cassandra! Astoria! Cho! Ginny!Fleur! Gabrielle! And Grayfia!"
The room froze.
Madam Maxime blinked.
Karkaroff choked on his drink.
Snape muttered, "Of course he did."
Clara Reaction
Clara put down her teacup very slowly.
Her voice was soft… too soft.
Clara:"My grandson performed a romantic song…alone…for nine Hogwarts girls…and Grayfia Lucifuge…without informing me?"
Dumbledore stepped back.Even Madam Maxime flinched.
Because when Clara Valvas, Duchess of Este, member of NATO, wielder of frightening political power…
…spoke in that tone…
it meant trouble.
Clara (smiling sweetly):"I suppose we should speak to Roy."
Darius leaned back, sighing.
Darius:"Should I bring a shield?"
Clara:"No need.Just bring a camera.I want to record Roy's excuses."
Darius Reaction
Darius cleared his throat.
Darius:"He did not… propose to any of them, did he?"
Professor McGonagall:"…Not yet."
Darius:"'Yet'…?"
Clara smirked.
Clara:"It's fine. He simply inherited your charisma."
Darius:"WHAT charisma? I was a soldier!"
Clara:"Yes. A very charming GENERAL."
Dumbledore laughed softly.
Dumbledore:"Ah, the cycle continues."
Meanwhile: Outside Hogwarts — Ministry Reporters Attack
The ward alarms rang.
Filch ran inside the staff room, wheezing.
Filch:"THEY'RE BACK!THE BLOODY NEWS REPORTERS ARE AT THE GATES!"
Darius pinched the bridge of his nose.
Clara smiled dangerously.
Dumbledore rubbed his temples.
Outside, dozens of Ministry reporters were screaming:
Daily Prophet Reporter:"WE WANT TO SEE THE YAKSHA PRINCE!"
Witch Weekly Reporter:"IS IT TRUE ROY SAVED A ROYAL PRINCE?"
International Herald:"ROY VALVAS—GRANDDUCAL HEIR OR FUTURE WIZARD KING?!"
Rita Skeeter (dressed in green, smug):"LET ME THROUGH!I NEED A FRONT PAGE INTERVIEW!"
Students in the courtyard panicked.
Beauxbatons girls squealed.
Durmstrang students backed away in fear.
The guards at Valvas camp had already activated formation shields.
The reporters slammed into the barrier like bugs on glass.
Valvas Guards Respond
The Valvas Captain stepped forward.
He pulled out a megaphone created by magic.
Captain:"This is private property of the Valvas Grandducal Family."
Reporters froze.
The guards raised their rifles, wands, and enchanted spears simultaneously.
Captain:"Anyone attempting to breach the perimeterwill be escorted to the French Ministry or NATO headquartersfor interrogation."
Half the reporters fainted.
Rita Skeeter tried to hide behind a tree.
Clara & Darius Walk Out
The guards immediately saluted.
Even the Ministry Aurors stiffened.
Clara Valvas, Duchess of Este, smiled gracefully.
Clara:"I've heard you want to talk to my grandson."
Every reporter nodded in fear.
Clara's smile darkened.
Clara:"Then speak to me first."
Rita Skeeter squeaked.
Darius stepped beside Clara, the air humming with military killing intent.
Darius (calm):"You will NOT harass my grandson.He saved your country.Show respect."
Reporters bowed instantly.
International Wizarding Press Guild:"General Valvas—Duchess Valvas—we apologize!!"
Clara nodded.
Clara:"If you want proof of Roy's bravery,we will release an approved statement.If you harass him again…"
She leaned in close.
Her aura turned icy.
Clara:"…France and NATO have zero problem handling overly curious reporters."
Every journalist bowed so low their noses hit the ground.
Inside Hogwarts — Roy Sneaks In Quietly
Roy was yawning, magically drained from music, dancing, and world-saving.
He was planning to slip into class quietly.
Instead—
Clara:"ROY."
Darius:"Sit."
Roy froze like a petrified statue.
The girls behind him also froze.
Grayfia tried to slip away—
Clara:"Grayfia. Sit too."
Grayfia:"…yes, Lady Clara."
Roy sat like someone facing a court martial.
Darius sighed.
Clara narrowed her eyes.
Clara:"So.My dear grandson.Nine girls… and Grayfia…A romantic song?"
Roy:"…It wasn't planned!!"
Darius:"And yet it happened."
Clara:"Did you at least sing equally to all of them?"
Roy nodded.
Clara smiled.
Clara:"Good. At least you have proper noble manners."