When Lucas returned, all the Veelas had already gathered around, their luggage packed.
A few 'barely alive' death eater captives were still lying in a heap not far away.
The second group of Death Eaters, which consisted elites, still had around 5 survivors, who were badly injured.
"Lucas?! Mon Dieu! Where WERE you? We had to send other veelas to look out for you."
Upon seeing him coming, Miss Fontain, who was standing at the entrance of the camp, immediately came forward to embrace him, already chiding him for running off.
But she didn't have the opportunity to actually hug him.
"Lucas!"
"He's back!"
"My hero!"
"Have my babies!"
As soon as the Veelas saw him, he was swarmed from all sides, the veela raining down kisses in order to thank him, some hugging, some touching him as if that was some sort of privilege.
(Un)fortunately, before things got out of hand, Apolline cleared her throat, restraining the veelas.
"Get off him!" Gabrielle also spoke up, manually starting to pull away the girls when she found herself unable to even approach Lucas.
"I apologize, my ladies. I had to check on the safety of a friend I recently made."
"That's fine. Now can you tell me, how did you know about the attack? None of us saw it coming."
Fleur finally asked, and everyone stopped chattering, also curious.
Earlier, when he was setting up the traps, the Veelas were actually laughing, some even jokingly pointing out places that Lucas hadn't covered.
And to their amusement, Lucas did not hesitate to cover each and every place they point out. Everyone had found it pretty amusing, except for when they saw him pour out drums worth of alcohol into the ground.
Lucas shrugged.
"There were signs, but I had no way to prove I was right. So, I decided not to bother anyone."
"What signs?"
"Yeah, why did I miss it?"
"Shut up, you need a brain to see it."
"Shhh! Let him speak."
Actually, Lucas did see the signs.
"Since I didn't watch the match, I had decided to wander around. That's when I noticed it. Despite the match having already begun, a lot of people were still outside, travelling in groups while whispering to themselves.
"When I heard at least two of the groups mention 'veela', and 'midnight'. That's when I knew something was wrong.
First of all, why were these people here, if not for the Quidditch match?
Second, and what I found even more suspicious was, if they didn't even go to see our Veelas' pre-match performance, then why even mention veela?
Miss Fontain sighed. "You could have told me. I would have believed you."
Of course, she was only saying that because she felt distressed when imagining Lucas carrying the burden alone.
Apolline seemed unable to hold it in anymore. "Everyone except family members, please leave. I need to discuss something private now."
"How did you manage to cast magic in the first place?" She asked after everyone was gone.
"Are you Lucas or someone under the polyjuice potion?"
"Mom! Lucas has known magic for more than a month! He used to practice with my wand!" Gabrielle immediately protested.
"He does know magic, mamam. And he's very "talented"," said Fleur, who had a better understanding of Lucas's ability.
Apolline looked at her two daughters, appalled. She turned to Miss Fontain, who also shook her head.
"I did not know about this, but I had guessed. Lucas had always remained skinny and sickly despite eating enough. And he had no confidence. Having unlocked his magic would explain a lot."
Miss Fontain squeezed his shoulder. "I'm so proud of Luci," she said, her eyes clearly showing that a suffocating hug would have been in order if not for the occasion.
Apolline still seemed to find it difficult to believe. "But it has only been a month."
Miss Fontain smiled at Lucas. "It was the day you came home all dishevelled, right?"
Lucas nodded. "I believe there was a blockage of magic in my body, due to which I was getting progressively unwell. Until one day, it exploded. As for my rapid improvement, I don't really know why that happened."
"Maman, do you remember what papa said about Lucas?" Fleur said into the silence.
Apolline stilled, her gaze suddenly sharpening. "Don't mention him."
"I have to. Because what he said was actually right."
Apolline opened her mouth to refute but found herself unable to.
…..
Apolline Delacour HATES her husband.
It didn't always used to be like this, though.
Sebastian Delacour was always the typical genius nerd of the class, always focused on his own goals.
She had first asked him out of rebelliousness when her dear mother was trying to set her up with a powerful wizard of that time in order to build an alliance.
And soon after, she married Sebastian.
Sebastian was a typical submissive husband. He would spend most of his time experimenting on various things but would still take out time for his family.
But with the growing power of the Blood purist faction, Apolline also started to get busier, causing them to barely have time together.
Even then, Apolline had no complaints.
But a few years before his death, Sebastian started to spend less and less time with them. When asked for his purpose, he would always claim he was doing it for them, saying he was going to make up for lack of wealth and power.
And when he said he had succeeded, he actually lost his life for it, leaving her and her young daughters alone.
What was the result?
Lucas.
A boy who didn't even have magic. And whose body was even weaker than Sebastian's.
That's when she started to hate him.
But today, after four years, Lucas had done exactly what Sebastian intended.
From identifying the threat, to facing it calmly, taking command and leading everyone to a decisive victory, he had indeed become the strongest "shield" that Sebastian had envisioned.
And those 5 final five kills were nothing short of art. An art filled with power, finesse, and brutality.
So, for the duration of the fight, he also become her strongest weapon.
But the question is, with the way she has treated him, will he even be willing?
….
The next morning, when Lucas woke up for his morning workout, Apolline was waiting for him at the table, slight dark circles under her eyes.
Last night was obviously a sleepless one for her.
A large number of death eaters and veelas had died, and she was the one who had to hold accountability for both.
And there was another matter: They had handed over the surviving death eaters to the British Ministry.
So, it seems that Apolline has only managed to make time now.
The first thing Lucas noticed was her gaze. The way Apolline looked at him seemed to have fundamentally changed.
Before, even with all of his effort, Lucas had only managed to lessen the intense hatred she had for him, not the hate that had been redirected to him from her husband.
So, while she was merely tolerating him, now her gaze held similar affinity compared to the one she uses for her veela coven members, even though it was far from the one reserved for Fleur and Gabrielle.
Lucas smiled. "Good Morning, Madame."
"Good morning. I had a few things to discuss with you."
"Go ahead," said Lucas, settling into the chair opposite her.
"First of all, I am extremely grateful for what you did yesterday. That is definitely a life debt."
Apolline stood and actually bowed, making him a bit flustered despite expecting it.
"It's alright. They were asking for it," he said, waving his hands to stop her.
Lucas was indeed furious with the Death Eaters for targeting the Delacours.
He had come so close to succeeding in his goals and then these perverts intruded in, trying to get his spoils.
Apolline nodded and bowed again.
"I also need to apologize for my attitude towards you. It was absolutely unacceptable and I will try to make up for it."
This time, she bowed deeper, the ravine of chest creating a magnetic field that seemed to suck him in.
"No need, no need." Lucas had to pretend again.
He knew that the reason for this change of heart was his rapid growth.
Apolline finally sat down, her weary appearance invoking a pity inside those who lay eyes on her.
Of course, Lucas remained calm, watching her perform.
"What did you need to discuss, madame?"
"I wanted to discuss your future. Firstly, I wanted to inform you that you have been absolved from your duties as a butler."
"Don't panic, hear me out first. You now have magic, and exceptional talent as well. Hence, you are no longer suited to being a mere servant."
"If you agree, I can adopt you as my son. I will get you reinstated into schooling, and you will enter the ministry after graduation and become a powerful member of the Delacour family in the future, with the whole veela coven at your bidding."
Lucas remained completely unimpressed, but outwardly, his face showed surprise.
Of course, this situation was not acceptable to him anymore.
It was like he was just a few more levels from winning the final prize but the host was giving him the option of cashing in now rather than risking it.
And of course, he was also aware that Apolline was only offering these generous terms because she was now aware of his current level, and even more importantly, his potential.
'Not yet.'
But. Lucas was not satisfied.
He kept his head low for a while before raising it, looking moved.
"Madame, I deeply appreciate your generosity. I will gladly take up on your offer of helping me continue my schooling.
But, I cannot accept adoption so suddenly. I need some time to process it. If possible, I would still like to find out about my original parents first."
"So, till then, please allow me to continue my usual activities in the household."
Apolline hesitated, but had no other choice but to nod. "You can take as long as you prefer. The offer is not going anywhere."
Lucus acutely noticed how she didn't offer him a marriage agreement with Fleur or Gabrielle instead.
If she really wanted to tie him down, that would have been a great way. Even their offspring could be really powerful.
But the fact that she didn't was simply because she still held some aversion to him.
Adopting the servant is acceptable but it seems this is where she draws the line.
"Now, let's talk about your schooling. Right now, the situation in France is extremely volatile. Many of the Death Eaters we killed last night were respectable French wizards."
"While we will not be facing legal consequences, but there are going to be many witches and wizards in the school who are going to hate us."
"Furthermore, Fleur and her friends will also be leaving for Hogwarts this year, and they'd be graduating afterwards, which would leave you and Gabrielle alone and isolated if you go to Beauxbatons."
"So, how does schooling in Hogwarts sound to you?"
"Great! I would love it." Lucas didn't hesitate at all. "But… can I really get an admission there?"
"That is going to be a bit difficult. But I have a way." Apolline looked a little proud when she said it.
"You do?"
"Yes. This time, Hogwarts is also hosting a cultural exchange, for which along with Tri-wizard contenders, the participants of other activities will also be journeying to Hogwarts.
First, I will have you admitted to Beauxbatons. I believe they will be happy to have you. Afterwards, I can use my connections to make you a member of one of the activities. Gabrielle can easily go as the singing troupe member."
"Within one year, I believe I can arrange a permanent transfer to Hogwarts for you two. Also, if you manage to impress the high ranking staff there, you might not even need my help for admission."
Lucas nodded. "Then, I chose this option.
"What are you good at? Dueling? Quidditch? Wizard chess?"
'.... I think I can do well in all...?'
Lucas didn't know how to answer.
.....
Next chapter will have a time skip, starting the Hogwarts Arc.