The morning mist on the path to the Quidditch pitch was slowly burning off as sunlight slanted in from the castle.
After listening to Lucien's explanation of the Fountain of Beauty, Cho's dark eyes sparkled with excitement as she stared at the nearly finished magical fountain.
"Lucien, does this fountain really work like the one at Beauxbatons? Can it actually make people prettier?"
Her voice was full of barely contained thrill. She gripped her broom a little tighter.
After all, what girl would say no to looking even better?
Lucien didn't stop working. His wand made tiny adjustments to the magical nodes while he slotted the last rune slab into the base.
"The original at Beauxbatons is mostly about deep cleaning—makes your skin look brighter and clearer, so you appear more beautiful.
This upgraded version does more. If you keep washing your face and bathing with the water, it gently corrects small facial imbalances caused by habits—like chewing only on one side, or mouth-breathing that pushes your chin back. It nudges everything toward its ideal natural shape."
"But it's not a total makeover," he added quickly. "Everyone has their own limits. You won't suddenly turn into a completely different person. That wouldn't be magic anymore—that'd be… uh, some kind of evil plastic surgery."
Cho listened intently, eyes shining. She unconsciously touched her own cheek, already imagining the difference.
While they talked, the final piece clicked into place.
Lucien stepped back, raised his wand, and gave a light flick.
Magic poured from the tip into the central rune array.
The bottom of the basin lit up layer by layer—silver, soft gold, pale blue—rippling like a living heartbeat.
A moment later, a slender stream of water rose from the center, traced a graceful arc in the air, and fell back with a clear, musical plink.
Crystal-clear water flowed gently, catching the morning light in tiny sparkling flecks.
Cho took an eager step forward.
"Lucien, can I try it first?"
Her tone was hopeful and just a little shy.
Lucien waved a hand with a smile. "Go ahead."
He'd built this fountain for the Hogwarts students in the first place—a little campus perk. He'd rushed to finish it right after getting back specifically to add extra sparkle to Valentine's Day.
Once the younger witches and wizards used it, they'd probably feel a bit more confident too.
Cho set her broom down and hurried to the edge of the basin.
She crouched, scooped up a handful of water that glowed faintly in her palms—cool and silky.
She took a deep breath and splashed it onto her face.
The chill made her shiver lightly, but right after came an indescribable comfort, as if every tiny pore had opened up and sighed in relief.
Cho kept her eyes closed for a few seconds, savoring it, then opened them and automatically reached for the little mirror in her pocket.
Her fingers met hard Quidditch padding instead. She froze, embarrassed, and started to pull her hand back.
Lucien noticed and flicked his wand casually.
A stream of water rose from the basin, unfolded in mid-air, and instantly solidified into a perfectly smooth, mirror-like surface.
The water-mirror was crystal clear, reflecting Cho's face back at her.
She blinked in surprise, then leaned in to study herself carefully.
She tilted her head one way, then the other, examining every angle.
Of course the change wouldn't be instant—the fountain's beauty effect needed consistent use. It wasn't a one-and-done spell.
But in her own eyes, the face in the mirror looked just a touch fairer, the skin a little brighter. Maybe it was all in her head. Maybe it was real.
Either way, a small smile curved her lips, and her dark eyes sparkled with delight.
"It feels… like it really did change a bit?"
She sounded uncertain, but the joy in her voice was obvious.
Ryman had been standing quietly to the side, watching the whole thing.
When Lucien casually waved his wand and turned flowing water into a perfect mirror, Ryman's eyebrow lifted.
That's a good trick.
I need to learn that.
He filed it away in his mind. Next time he was out walking by the lake with his fiancée, he could casually conjure a water-mirror so she could see how lovely she looked nestled against him.
Way better than any gift.
Merlin, this kid really is talented.
In every possible way.