The day before the first task
Aaric woke up with the sight of Chaya on his face and the sensation of Luna in his arms.
Chaya slithered away as he woke up, and Luna stirred in his arms and gave him a kiss.
"Good morning, love. Were you dreaming of me?" he greeted Luna, getting a giggle from her.
"Of course, as I am sure you were dreaming of me," she said, getting a nod and another kiss from Aaric.
She went to her room after getting her fill of Aaric, and they met in the Great Hall for breakfast.
"I heard you are dating Daphne as well. What's up with that?" Ars asked Aaric as they ate.
The Golden Trio were at their table, so they and Fleur perked up at that question as well.
Aaric glanced at Luna and Daphne before shrugging. "I am," he said simply.
"We are fine with it," Daphne said, and Luna nodded.
"Are you sneaking them some love potions?" Ron asked with a chuckle.
"No, it's just my looks," Aaric said with a smug smile, getting chuckles from his friends.
They had nothing else to say as Luna and Daphne were fine with the arrangement, and it was none of their business.
"Does Aunty know?" Harry asked and smirked as he saw Aaric pause mid-bite and look at him.
Harry then made a regretful expression. "Sorry, I thought you had told her, and I mentioned it in a letter I sent her," he said.
"Don't joke about these things. I'll tell her with a hundred gifts and make sure she's in the best mood," Aaric said.
"I was just thinking it would be nice if someone gave me some books on Ancient Runes," Hermione said with a smile as she fed Pyra.
"A Demiguise silk shawl would be nice," Fleur chimed in as she fed Grub.
The others at the table also muttered their demands, except Luna and Daphne, who just giggled at that.
"This is extortion," Aaric said through gritted teeth.
"Is it? We are just wondering aloud. No one asked you for anything," Ron replied with an innocent expression.
Aaric just went back to his food and started grumbling, getting laughter from the table as Luna and Daphne consoled him.
Later that day, Aaric saw Hagrid calling out to him, trying to be discreet.
Aaric smiled and approached his friend.
"Where've yeh been these days, Aaric? I've bin callin' out fer yeh many times," Hagrid said.
"Did something happen?" Aaric asked, and Hagrid shook his head.
"I know the first task. Meet me near the grounds in an hour," Hagrid said, leaning down to whisper.
"But I already know the task involves dragons," Aaric whispered back, chuckling at the look he got from the giant.
"Blimey, yeh already know?" Hagrid asked, eyes wide. "Well, I hope yeh're ready, then?"
"I am," Aaric said with a smile.
"How's Norberta?" he asked, getting a proud grin from Hagrid.
"She's grown big now, bigger'n any dragon I've ever known," Hagrid said and looked around as if sharing a secret.
"She moved a bit deeper in the forest. She's protectin' the centaurs now, yeh know. Mighty proud o' her, I am."
Aaric nodded and handed Hagrid some treats he had prepared for Norberta before parting ways.
He found Cedric chatting with his friends and beckoned him over with a gesture.
Cedric nodded, excused himself, and moved toward Aaric.
"Aaric. How've you been?" he asked with a nod.
"Good. I know the first task," Aaric said, and Cedric looked around before leaning in.
"Dragons," Aaric said in a low voice.
"You're joking," Cedric said, shaking his head.
"I am not. There's one for each of us," Aaric said, and Cedric just stared at him.
"Will you be safe?" Cedric asked, and Aaric shrugged.
"I am prepared for it." Aaric said.
"Thank you, Aaric," Cedric said and shook his hand before leaving.
Aaric then found Luna and Daphne by the Black Lake and went up to them.
He hugged Daphne from behind and kissed her cheek when he saw no one was around.
She giggled and kissed him before the three sat down by the lake.
"I should take you both on a date after the first task," Aaric said.
Luna and Daphne's eyes lit up, and they both kissed him on the cheek.
"Where are you taking us?" Luna asked, getting a shake of the head from Aaric.
"Not telling," Aaric said, drawing disappointed expressions from both.
He laughed before bringing them closer and kissing them.
Noctelle chirped as well from a branch she was sitting on, Aaric laughed and placed some corn on a rock for her.
"I made this for you," Luna said and brought out a thin blue bracelet in front of him.
Aaric took the bracelet and smiled before giving her a kiss.
"I blessed it and imbued it with Olympian divinity. It will make dragons subdued around you," she said.
"I know you could have intimidated or defeated the dragon, but now you don't even have to do that." she added with a shrug.
Aaric smiled and put on the bracelet before holding Luna by the waist.
He then looked at Daphne, who had a little frown on her face.
"Don't worry. It won't be long. I'll find something for you too," Aaric said.
Daphne sighed and put her head on his shoulder. "I just don't like being… useless," she said.
"Don't say that," Aaric said and held her chin.
"You made a whole new branch of magic by healing Neville's parents," Aaric said.
"Well, you're not mentally damaged enough to need my help," she said with a mischievous smile, her spirits lifted by Aaric's compliment.
Aaric laughed and gave her a kiss. "Sometimes I think you don't wish the best for me," Aaric said.
Daphne held his face. "I want the world for you," she whispered, and he held her closer by the waist.
"So… you don't want me to get mental damage?" Aaric asked after a minute.
"Just a little?" Daphne said, pinching her fingers together.
"What did you mean by Enough?" Aaric asked suddenly, getting giggles from his girls.
Laughter drifted across the lake as Noctelle sang from her perch, the sun bleeding into red.
"It iz time for our spar, you rake," Aaric heard Fleur's voice.
The three turned around to see her with a smile and her hands on her hips.
Aaric smirked and kissed Luna and Daphne. "Excuse me, ladies. I have a student to teach," he said as they giggled.
They gave him some more kisses before Aaric was allowed to leave with a blushing Fleur.
"All zree of you are perverts," Fleur muttered loud enough for all three to hear as Aaric joiner her.
A/n: Next chapter will be the first task. Gimme your thoughts on this chapter, please.
And all the pewter stones you have — get your neighbour and gimme their power stones as well.