1 week later. The Library.
Adeline and Hermione poured over their respective books, continuously flipping through the yellowed pages. The table in front of them was piled with stacks and stacks of more, waiting to be perused.
"Hermione, you still haven't helped me with my essay! It's not going to write itself, you know? What am I supposed to submit tomorrow?" Said Ron peering over the piles of books.
Hermione closed her eyes in frustration.
"Ron, is your essay more important than someone's life?"
"Aren't you guys overreacting? Aiden and the other grown ups already know about this, and they don't seem as worried."
Adeline frowned at his words. Aiden, her brother who is always busy, had been informed that a literal international dark lord was after his body and yet, he remained as fearless and composed as ever.
But that wasn't what they were working on right now. And Ron knew it too.
"This is obviously not for Aiden. We aren't even qualified to help him. This is for-"
"For your crush?" Ron finished, his voice imitating Hermione's higher pitch. "Why don't you join his fan club already?" He said with a chuckle, and Adeline was disappointed to see Harry laugh as well.
"This is enough," said Adeline. "You two have been making sarcastic comments the whole week. If you have an actual problem with Lucas then say it."
"Oh, Let's see - how about the fact that he's been using veela seduction on all girls?"
"This is just a baseless rumor! Are you hearing yourself speak right now?" Said Hermione.
"Oh, a baseless rumor, is it? He was with us for three days - and he's been already recruited into your "top secret" lab, and made you so wound up that you would rather take his side than ours."
Hermione looked stunned. "Unbelieveable. You are actually serious about this. Don't you see what he has done in return? He gave us an ingenious business proposal and probably saved Aiden's life and risked his own. Is that not enough to help him?"
"Then how do you explain Gabrielle's attachment to him? How do you explain how he can hangout with the three most beautiful Beauxbatons Seventh years? And how do you explain this brainless group of girls that has popped up in Hogwarts who snap at anyone trying to badmouth him."
"Oh, maybe because he deserves it? Have you actually seen him deal with the haters? Who else can have such composure and magnanimity in such a situation?"
"Oh, you are so in love with him, Hermione. Never thought you'd ever defend anything other than a book so much," said Harry, which was apparently so funny and that both him and Ron had to suppress their snickers despite the noise cancellation ward the four of them were in.
Adeline knew Ron was a git. But seeing Harry joining him, she was, again, disappointed. Yet, she did not voice it, keeping it to herself again.
She had always found Harry to be a great friend. His pranks were always creative, he was great at Quidditch, he was fearless - whether it was in face of injustice or expressing himself, and he was completely unapologetic. To sum it up: He was everything she could not be.
But around the end of third year, he had started to change. He actually started to say or do things that he knew would irritate her. Adeline was puzzled, and sad, thinking she might have become one of those people Harry hates enough to prank them. And that… wasn't a good feeling - until Hermione told her the real reason.
He might actually like her.
Adeline did not know how she felt about that. Except maybe… she was a little more excited for this school year?
Maybe she can talk about it the next time he pranks her? She really did not like being pranked, not in front of Harry.
It also did not help that she was already the most unremarkable Dumbledore, to begin with. She did not want everyone to think even less of her.
But when the school year started, Mrs. Potter actually approached her, apologizing to her on Harry's behalf and assuring her that he won't be pranking her anymore.
True to her word, Harry stopped pranking her. But their friendship felt… awkward? Adeline wasn't sure, but she started to notice Harry more, to find out whether she liked him.
And she thought that she might actually like him… until recently.
Harry was becoming more and more… unfamiliar. Ron and Hermione had always fought each other. But she and Harry used to be the voice of reason between them. They had always joked about how it was like being parents of two siblings.
But now, Harry seems to be taking Ron's side, for obviously wrong things.
"Why are you silent, Adele?"
Hearing the nickname that only Harry liked to use, Adeline looked up from her book, across at Harry, whose green eyes were fixed on her. "Don't have any reasonable excuse for all the 'coincidences'? Or do you like Lucas too?"
Adeline felt like she had been physically slapped. How… can he say that?!
Why else had she let Lucas leave their group? Can't she even do this much for a guy who's risking his life for her brother?
Her eyes stung and her ears felt hot. Her magic started to rise again, which she had to try very hard to restrain.
"Adeline, no need to answer them. They aren't going to listen," said Hermione. Adeline nodded, not daring to look up from her book. She was afraid her tears might fall - something which Harry would love to make fun of.
"Did we forget to bring books on Antivenom?" She said, pretending to rummage. "I'll go get them."
Adeline left her seat, wiping her eyes only after she was behind the shelves. An idle thought popped in her head. 'How does Lucas handle so much hate?'
A hand landed on her shoulder.
"Don't take him seriously," said Hermione, having followed her.
"How can he be so… clueless and… immature!"
"I understand. But more we try to explain, the more they'll misunderstand. Let's just not talk to them for a while."
When she had calmed herself, they returned, now with books on anti-venom. Adeline dared a look at Harry but found him to be smiling at her. For a moment, she felt that things might get back to how they were soon.
But as she sat, she found that she had sat on something.
…. And that thing made a loud farting sound, and released the smell of dung-bombs.
"HARRY!" Even as Hermione shouted furiously, blood rushed to Adeline's face before she looked up, only to see Harry and Ron laughing, and other people glancing in her direction as well.
'Wait, the silencing ward?!'
Of course, it was Harry's prank, so there has to be an audience. The wards had been removed.
…..
"Bombarda!"
Fleur fired a spell at Lucas, which he tanked with a translucent shield of magic in his hand. But, there was a catch - the spell passed right through the shield, getting absorbed into his fist.
Of course, no one other than Lucas could notice it.
This was the first spell he had developed with Fleur. Because with this, he could absorb spells in front of everyone.
This would be his signature spell - a special magic that others would try their best to research and replicate.
They would wonder - how could Lucas a magical shield that doesn't need constant channeling of magic from his wand? And how could it tank so many types of spells?
Lucas absorbed the Bombarda but didn't release it, compressing it completely in his hand.
"The explosion was too concentrated," he told Fleur. "For what we have to face in the first task, you need to put in the intent for wide area destruction."
Fleur had obviously trained for single combat, which is why she unconsciously casts spells that have high power but low range.
Fleur cursed underbreath, panting.
"Has it increased yet? Your limit?"
"A little. About two Bombarda worth."
"And the time before you lose control over it?"
"Increased by - I'd say around a minute?"
"So the total is now around 15 minutes now?" Fleur sighed. "The time is not enough. There is no guarantee how long the tasks might take, not to mention the time we might need to wait before it's our turn.."
The reason they were so concerned about this was obvious - Lucas is too overpowered when using absorbed magic. He can increase or decrease the power, increase or decrease the area of effect, split it into multiple spells and cast simultaneously, and so on.
And with the first task having 'that', they really can't be cautious enough.
Lucas suddenly had an idea. "Wait… I've discovered that I can also compress the absorbed magic within my wand - which can increase the time indefinitely - but then it's very difficult to cast any other magic without losing control of stored magic."
"So… you are suggesting- you're going to use pre-absorbed spells throughout the task?" Fleur blinked. "It's dangerous. Even if we have a general idea about what we're facing - there is no telling what spell you might need to cast in an emergency. You obviously can't pre-absorb every spell."
Lucas shrugged. "I'll let the stored magic go if there's an emergency, and we can rely on our base abilities from that point."
Fleur sighed. "I wish you had awakened this ability sooner..." She sat on the mat, crossing her legs. She was in a skirt today, which had now ridden up her thigh, showing her long, toned legs.
While admiring the view, Lucas suddenly frowned. "Is that blood?"
Fleur looked down and was startled, bringing her legs together. "My period just arrived," she said, hiding her face with her hair.
Lucas had hardly seen her blushing, but it was always an amazing experience. But it was not the first time this had happened, so none of them overreacted.
Fleur summoned her connecting mirror. "Ruby, can you bring me pads to the training room?"
"We're busy right now. I'm sure you can manage on your own."
With that, the connection was cut off.
"What?" Fleur punched the floor. "Ungrateful bitches."
"What is the matter with these two? I remember they used to be so docile in front of you."
"They've turned their cloaks, what else? They've now gotten their own jobs and joined the other faction. They don't need us anymore so they're showing their true colors."
"By the way, they're also spreading rumors about you. That you're weak and cowardly."
"Oh, so that's where it came from." Lucas's reaction was lukewarm. There were worse thing being said about him than that.
"So, how are you dealing with it? The rumours and all?" Fleur asked, putting a hand on her stomach.
"Well..."
These days had obviously not been the best for him. But there was no effective solution against it that wouldn't be more trouble than its worth.
He couldn't simply hex people, could he? He was already under Ariana's radar after his integration into the lab and entrance into the tournament.
Ariana had caught and expelled Riddle in his fifth year, meaning it is highly likely she might judge him based on his actions from now on. Lucas would hate to be branded 'dark' for no reason.
There was another factor: A group of individuals had formed who were actually fighting for him, unable to sit back and watch the 'unfairness' he was suffering. Context? All these individuals were female, and a handsome guy is never wrong.
Lucas never thought he would become that guy. Even if these handsome guys commit murders, many girls would jump out to defend them, just because of their looks.
"It is slightly annoying. But I don't really care," replied Lucas, idly controlling the bombarda spell energy on his fingertip.
Fleur raised her eyebrows. "So I've noticed. You don't look bothered at all."
Lucas shrugged. "Compared to what you used to be like? This is nothing."
Fleur fell silent when she heard that. She shifted her legs uncomfortably, her period probably worsening. "Sabrine and Illona are also in class right now."
Lucas fished out his own connecting mirror. "Wait, I'll just ask my friends."
"Those Gryffindor girls? No need." Fleur stood up and fastened her long cloak around her, completely hiding the red traces. "I'll just go like this."
She conjured a cloth and brought her hands inside her cloak, making a few rustling sounds. Then she was off, ignoring Lucas's other suggestions.
Lucas shrugged, drawing his wand again. He could have gone and fetched her the pads, or he could have at least accompanied her.
If it was any other girl, he would have done so directly - instead of having this perfunctory attitude.
But this was Fleur. She was kind only to her family and her own kind (other veelas). Even Ruby and Violet, who had been with her since her childhood, had left her without hesitation. Why should he bother?
And besides, for girls like Fleur, no matter how hard you try, if they don't like you they would only take it for granted.
(Of course, it's a completely different matter once she falls in love)
He glanced at the bloodstains on the ground. Some perverts would probably start licking the ground, right? (cough - Ron - cough)
Lucas began training his other mandatory skills. He had a lot of room for improvement.
The lab ladies (hermione, adeline, lily, aurora) were surprised enough when he suddenly requested books on sword training and magical swords, but they still tried their best to help.
One advantage he had over other participants was his physique and his burst mode. He already had superior evading ability due to this. If he could improve his swords skills, it would be another trump card.
But for now, the most important factor is having a sword during the trial, in which you aren't allowed to bring anything other than your wand.
The solution: Conjure, Transfigure, or summon the sword.
Lucas started with sword conjuration and transfiguration spells. Then he also practiced to increase the range and power of his summoning spell.
This took up most of his time. When he looked at the clock it was already time for dinner, meaning two hours had passed since Fleur left. Sighing, he gathered his things and left, also picking up a wooden sword for further training on his way out.
But, he hadn't even taken a few steps before he stopped, looking at the masked, cloaked figures, their build suggesting they were all above 5th year.
He was surrounded.
Oh, and there was another reason why Lucas did not take any action against the hate.
He had been waiting for this.
…..
A.N.: Yo, I tried that extra chapter for powerstones shit. Result? We had shot up to top 10 overall ranking last week, and could have gone higher.
But then I realized I'm not suited for it. For these reasons:
-Don't want to compromise chapter quality and length.
-Don't have a patreon, so am not getting paid for this
-Wasn't enjoying writing as much.
I realize that more people will read and the book if it's on higher rankings, instead of not even trying or quitting at the earlier parts thinking it might not be worth it.
So, If you like the book, please keep giving Powerstones, I'll post at this rate: 3-4 chapters per week.
Thanks for the support so far!