| Christmas |
Aaric stood in front of his mirror and inspected himself in his clothes for the ball.
He wore an extended dress coat that reached mid thigh, dyed a deep midnight blue, with a standing collar lined in burgundy silk.
Along the outer seams of the coat and around the edge of the collar were subtle patterns stitched in silver thread.
Beneath the coat he wore a golden vest and a brown shirt.
He had deep brown trousers on and polished dress boots underneath.
His inheritance ring, a bracelet, and a pocket watch added a touch of noble refinement to his appearance.
"You look very handsome, Love. Go get the girls and remember to make them feel special" Edwina said as she adjusted Aaric's collar and kissed his cheek.
Aaric nodded with a smile before exiting his room, where he encountered Simon on the way.
"You look good, as expected of my son" Simon said, nodding with approval and patting Aaric on the back. Aaric chuckled and continued on.
He sat on a couch in the living room of the mansion as he waited for the girls.
They were getting ready in the Hawthorne mansion since the three of them would depart together, and Aaric did not want to appear as if he had chosen one girl over the other by picking someone up first.
He sat calmly on the couch, gazing at the hearth fire beside him.
"Thank you, Lady Hestia, for the warmth and blessing that rests here" Aaric murmured to the goddess of the hearth.
"And thank you, my Goddess, for everything. Thank you for watching over me" Aaric whispered to himself as he looked upward, thinking of Vasuki in a moment of quiet happiness.
A golden ember drifted from the hearth and landed in his palm, a silent gesture of blessing from Hestia.
"It fills my heart with happiness as I watch over you, my beloved child" Aaric heard whispered gently in his heart from Vasuki.
A soft smile grew on his face as he turned toward the entrance of the living room, waiting for his beautiful girls.
He stood up and straightened immediately as the door opened and the girls entered hand in hand.
Luna wore a silver velvet gown and Daphne a soft green one, both dresses adorned with subtle blue embroidery that matched Aaric's coat.
"Good evening, my ladies. You look magnificent" Aaric said, approaching them and holding their waists before giving each a quick kiss on the lips.
"You look handsome as well, my Love" Luna and Daphne said together, taking his arms with visible anticipation.
Aaric smiled, formed a portal before them, and the three stepped through, appearing in an empty hall of Hogwarts.
They walked toward the Great Hall hand in hand, where the other champions were already gathered.
Cedric stood with Cho Chang, and Fleur stood with Alice Marwood as the four chatted amiably.
Victor Krum stood a little apart, speaking with Hermione, who seemed to be coaching him on how to pronounce certain English words.
"Is everyone excited" Aaric asked as he approached them.
Cedric glanced at Aaric with a silent question. He was not confused about Aaric having two dates, since he already knew that.
He was confused about where Aaric had been for the past week. After a moment of thought, he simply shrugged it off. Aaric was known for making the world bend to his whims when he wished.
"More nervous than excited, mate" Cedric muttered, squeezing Cho's hand. She gave him a loving look in return.
"Well, I am excited. Alice here is a great dancer" Fleur said with a bright smile, making Alice give a nervous one.
"Oh, nice. How is it going, Alice" Aaric asked.
"Good, good. And with Fleur by my side I am not worried about getting any attention either" Alice said with a chuckle.
"Do not sell yourself short, Alice. You look pretty" Daphne said, tapping her shoulder encouragingly.
Alice was indeed a pretty girl and had not wanted a romantic date for the ball, so she and Fleur had formed an arrangement they were both happy with.
The two had grown close during the past week as well, and Alice was not bothered in the slightest by how much attention Fleur tended to attract.
"Oh, I know that" Alice said with a giggle.
"And Hermione, Victor. How are you two" Aaric asked them.
"Ur... excellent. I am honored to have Hermione as my date." Victor said before glancing at her. Hermione nodded, confirming he had spoken correctly.
"I guess you remember me, hm" Hermione said with her hands on her hips and one eyebrow raised at Aaric.
"Err... yeah, sorry I have not been in touch with you. Please lower the eyebrow. I will do better from now." Aaric said, raising his hands in surrender.
Hermione chuckled and shook her head at his antics "I'll take that is a promise." She said and got a nod from Aaric.
"I think it is time. Would you like to stand at the front" Cedric asked after glancing at the time on his pocket watch.
Aaric shrugged and moved to the front, with Luna and Daphne holding onto his arms.
Cedric then glanced at Fleur, who shrugged and stood behind Aaric, holding Alice's hand.
Cedric and Cho stood behind them, smiling as they looked at each other, they did not wish to be the ones to enter first.
Hermione and Victor stood at the back, and Hermione looked relieved to be there.
A moment later, the soft music in the hall shifted to the Champions Waltz, signaling the champions to begin their entrance as the doors also opened.
Luna and Daphne leaned in closer to Aaric as they walked in together with bright smiles, ignoring the stares from the students.
By this point, most students and teachers already knew Aaric would be attending with two partners, so the crowd was more impressed than shocked.
The looks they received were filled with admiration rather than whispers.
Aaric could hear some boys draw in sharp breaths at how beautiful all the girls looked.
Luna and Daphne had gained a subtle ethereal beauty and grace after being chosen by their pantheons.
Fleur too carried a new elegance in her movements after her meeting with Eilistraee.
Cedric and Cho appeared the perfect couple as well, earning waves and cheers from friends in the crowd.
Ron stood stiffly beside Parvati Patil, giving Hermione a disapproving look, while Harry smiled and waved at Hermione and Aaric with Ginny clinging happily to his arm.
The champions greeted their teachers and headmaster before taking their seats at the High Table.
A/n: Give me your thought on the chapter and reviews on the fic.
And.. you got any power stones? Well, hand em over then.