Victor gave the unicorn one last pat on the neck before gently nudging its head away.
The creature lingered, rubbing its muzzle against his shoulder one final time and letting out a soft whinny before reluctantly turning and disappearing into the trees, its silver coat fading into the darkness.
"Come on, let's head back," Victor said, turning to the two sisters. "We all have classes tomorrow, and I'd rather not spend the night wandering around the Forbidden Forest."
They returned to Hogwarts together. As they crossed the castle grounds.
Victor casually drifted in a different direction. By the time Fleur and Gabrielle reached the entrance, he had already disappeared without either of them noticing.
Gabrielle looked around in surprise. "Sister... that boy is like a ghost."
Fleur glanced over her shoulder before giving a small, amused huff. "Oui. An irritating ghost."
Gabrielle smiled, but after a moment her expression turned thoughtful. "Sister... didn't you notice something strange about him?"
"What do you mean?"
"He didn't seem affected by you at all."
Fleur slowed her pace ever so slightly.
Now that Gabrielle mentioned it, she realized it was true.
Ever since her Veela heritage had begun to manifest, Fleur had grown accustomed to the reactions it provoked.
Boys became tongue-tied, stared absentmindedly, or went out of their way to impress her — tiresome, but so common she barely paid attention anymore.
Victor had been completely different.
From the moment they met, he had treated her no differently than anyone else — argued with her, teased her without hesitation, spoken with calm indifference throughout.
Not even the slightest trace of fascination or awkwardness in his eyes.
Fleur frowned thoughtfully. "...That is unusual."
Gabrielle tilted her head. "Maybe he just has a very strong will."
"Perhaps," Fleur admitted quietly. "Or perhaps he simply does not care."
For reasons she could not explain, the thought lingered long after the mysterious Slytherin had vanished from sight.
***
The next day, the corridors of Hogwarts were noticeably livelier than usual.
Everywhere Harry looked, students were whispering about the Yule Ball, and groups of boys could be seen nervously glancing at girls before quickly looking away again.
Harry and Ron wandered through the crowded corridors with growing anxiety, each seeming about to approach someone before losing his nerve at the last second.
Ron let out a frustrated groan. "Harry, we need to hurry. If we don't ask someone soon, we'll end up with no one."
"I know," Harry muttered, watching another pair of students walk off together. "It's just... easier said than done."
"Exactly."
Just then, Victor walked down the corridor with Draco beside him. Noticing the two of them standing in the hallway wearing unusually grim expressions, he slowed his pace.
"You two look like you've just received detention from every professor in the castle. What's the problem?"
"The Yule Ball," Ron said with a dramatic sigh.
"We've got to find partners before everyone gets asked," Ron explained miserably. "At this rate, we'll be the only two idiots without dates."
Victor stared at him for a moment. "...You're worried about that?"
"Of course we're worried! Have you seen how many people are already asking each other?"
Victor shrugged. "I don't really see the problem."
Ron rolled his eyes. "Easy for you to say. You've already got someone."
Victor didn't seem particularly moved. He looked between the two boys before speaking in the same calm tone as always.
"Well, if you don't ask someone soon, you'll end up going alone." He paused before adding with a perfectly straight face,
"Or you'll have to dance with each other."
The corridor fell silent for a second.
Ron's eyes widened in horror. "Dance... with Harry?"
Harry looked equally alarmed. "No thanks."
"It seems like a practical solution."
"It is not a practical solution!" Ron protested. "People would never let us live it down."
A faint smirk appeared on Victor's face. "Then I'd suggest finding partners before that becomes your only option."
Just then, Ron's eyes wandered down the corridor and landed on Fleur, standing with several Beauxbatons students. His ears immediately turned red. "I... I think I know who I'm going to ask," he muttered, unable to look away.
Harry followed his gaze and nearly choked. "Ron... are you serious?"
Before Ron could answer, Fleur happened to glance in their direction.
She noticed Victor standing beside Harry and Ron, and remembering the previous night in the Forbidden Forest, gave him a small knowing wink before returning to her conversation.
Ron froze. His mouth slowly fell open. "She... she winked at me."
Harry looked at Ron, then at Victor, who hadn't reacted in the slightest. "I'm... not sure she was looking at you."
"Of course she was! Who else would she be winking at?"
Victor looked at him with an unreadable expression. "If that's what helps your confidence..."
Ron took a deep breath, smoothed down his robes, and marched toward Fleur with all the determination he could muster, completely convinced the wink had been meant for him.
Harry watched him go with a mixture of pity and curiosity. "...This isn't going to end well."
*****
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