– Lilja –
Lilja knew she should put a stop to this—her rational mind knew that clearly and logically—but the words simply refused to come out of her mouth. No matter how strongly her common sense screamed at her to pull away, she just couldn't bring herself to voice any objections aloud. Because in truth, she didn't want to stop. Not really.
Harry leaned forward slowly, eyes locked on hers, gauging her reaction carefully. Lilja's breath hitched sharply in her throat as his warm lips gently brushed against the bare skin of her left breast, the light touch sending immediate shivers cascading down her spine. She gasped softly, arching instinctively toward him as the tingling sensation flooded her senses.
His movements were patient, deliberately slow, teasing in their gentleness. He planted careful, tender kisses along the soft, creamy skin of her breast, his mouth slowly tracing the natural curve of her sensitive flesh. Lilja's heart thundered wildly in her chest, her pulse quickening with each press of his lips. She could feel heat rapidly spreading through her body, a delicious ache beginning to build deep within her.
Harry's tongue flicked out carefully, swirling over her erect pink nipple in slow, purposeful circles. Lilja's entire body trembled beneath his intimate touch, and she moaned softly—embarrassed but unable to stop herself—as sharp waves of pleasure surged through her. Without thinking, her hand reached out reflexively, tangling into Harry's messy dark hair, holding him firmly yet tenderly against her chest, silently encouraging his attentions.
"Oh gods, Harry..." Lilja murmured breathlessly, her voice shaking with a mixture of nervousness and intense excitement. "This feels so good—I can't think straight."
Harry responded by gently taking her nipple fully into his mouth, softly sucking and swirling his tongue around the sensitive peak with practiced ease. Lilja gasped aloud, a sharp sound of surprise and ecstasy escaping her lips, her grip tightening on the back of his head. She leaned into him, instinctively pressing her breast more firmly into the warmth of his mouth, savoring the heated sensations rippling throughout her entire body. Her knees felt suddenly weak, as though the pleasurable sensations flooding her senses might overpower her entirely.
Harry eventually moved his attentions carefully across to her other breast, treating it with the same tender, loving care. His tongue flicked skillfully over her nipple, teasing and gently biting with just enough pressure to heighten her arousal even further. Lilja sighed deeply, eyes fluttering shut, her entire focus narrowing down to the exquisite sensations that Harry was delivering to her trembling body.
"Harry," she whispered breathlessly again, her voice ragged and openly needy now, "please, don't stop."
Harry raised his head slowly, releasing her breast from his warm mouth. He met her gaze directly, his intense eyes filled with genuine affection and undisguised desire. His hand rose carefully, fingers tracing softly along her flushed cheek as he gave her a reassuring smile. Lilja shivered slightly beneath his gentle caress, breathing heavily as she waited expectantly for whatever Harry would say next.
"I won't stop," he said quietly, his voice firm yet comforting. "Not unless you want me to."
Lilja shook her head slowly, swallowing hard and managing a shaky, sincere smile. She pulled him closer again, her fingers still tangled softly into his hair. "I don't want you to stop, Harry," she said honestly, her voice clear despite the way her cheeks flushed with shyness. "I want you to keep going."
Harry smiled warmly in return, leaning in once again, continuing exactly as she'd asked.
Lilja gasped softly, a quiet, helpless sound slipping free from her parted lips as Harry's warm, eager mouth continued exploring her bare breasts. She felt the heat of his breath tickling against her sensitive skin, sending shivers cascading down her spine and leaving goosebumps along her arms. Her heart pounded rapidly, hammering in her chest like a drum, each heavy beat echoing with anticipation and excitement.
She looked down through half-lidded emerald eyes, watching intently as Harry's lips slowly parted to gently take one hardened, pink nipple fully into his mouth again. The sight sent a surge of raw pleasure washing through her entire body, forcing another breathy moan to escape her trembling lips.
"Oh gods, Harry," she whispered hoarsely, barely recognizing her own voice in its breathless, needy tone. "That feels incredible."
Her hands seemed to move on their own accord, instinctively sliding along the muscular planes of Harry's bare chest. She marveled at the feel of his warm skin beneath her fingertips, tracing the outlines of each defined muscle. Her fingers moved downward, exploring his impressive abs, feeling the powerful lines of his body flex and tense beneath her touch.
Her breath quickened further when her delicate fingers finally reached the waistband of his trousers. She hesitated for only a split second before her hand moved lower, carefully brushing over the prominent bulge that strained insistently against the fabric. Her eyes widened immediately, surprised at just how large and incredibly rigid he felt beneath her hand.
"Oh my," she murmured shakily, swallowing nervously as her cheeks flushed even deeper. "Harry, you're absolutely huge…"
She experimentally squeezed the thick shape of him through the fabric of his pants, marveling at the sensation of his cock twitching beneath her touch. Her heart raced faster, a warm, liquid heat pooling rapidly between her thighs at the feel of his evident arousal for her. Lilja gently rubbed her palm along the rigid length beneath the fabric, fascinated by his reaction as his hips involuntarily pressed forward into her hand, silently begging her for more.
Harry released a muffled groan against her breast, his lips vibrating lightly on her nipple. His hands tightened possessively around her slender waist, pulling her even closer against him, pressing her nearly naked upper body firmly against his muscular chest.
Lilja felt overwhelmed by her own heated reactions, her breaths growing shorter and shallower as she continued exploring the shape and hardness of him. Her body trembled with barely restrained desire, a tiny voice in her mind frantically insisting she slow down—but that voice quickly faded beneath the overwhelming tidal wave of lust and affection flooding her senses.
Harry finally lifted his head from her breast, his lips swollen and reddened slightly from their passionate ministrations. His striking blue eyes locked onto hers, the intensity of his gaze making her heart skip painfully in her chest. He slowly lifted one hand to cup her cheek, stroking gently with his thumb as he leaned forward and captured her lips in a deep, demanding kiss.
Lilja immediately surrendered into the embrace, her lips parting to allow his tongue entrance, tasting and exploring each other passionately. Her hands never stopped their movements, eagerly rubbing and gently squeezing his length through his trousers, feeling the heated firmness of his cock respond eagerly to every delicate touch.
She reluctantly broke their heated kiss with a shaky breath, softly murmuring against his lips, "Harry…is this really happening? I never expected things to move so quickly between us."
He smiled gently, his eyes warm with sincerity as he replied quietly, "Only if you want it to, Lilja. We can slow down if you're uncomfortable."
Lilja shook her head firmly, leaning forward and pressing another heated kiss against his lips, making her desires abundantly clear. "No. I want this. I want you, Harry. Right here, right now."
Lilja's instincts suddenly snapped to full alertness!
Years upon years of disciplined training as a Valkyrie surged instantly through her veins, honing her senses and sharpening every reflex. In her current life, she'd spent countless grueling months enduring relentless drills meant specifically to prepare her for exactly this sort of surprise ambush. Those lessons were now paying off in a heartbeat.
Without hesitation, Lilja lunged forward, grabbing Harry firmly by the shoulders and yanking him forcefully downward.
"Harry—down now!" she shouted, her voice urgent and commanding.
They both hit the ground hard, just as several arrows zipped over their heads, slicing audibly through the empty space where they'd been standing moments before. Harry cursed loudly, scrambling quickly to regain his footing, irritation evident on his handsome features.
"You fucking centaurs are attacking me again!?" he shouted furiously, eyes flashing dangerously as he glanced toward the source of the arrows.
Lilja blinked in confusion, processing Harry's surprising declaration. Centaurs? They're really being attacked by centaurs right now? She shook her head slightly, regaining her focus as her Valkyrie training reasserted itself. Questions could wait—survival first.
In the next instant, the dense brush surrounding their clearing began violently rustling, twigs snapping and leaves shaking aggressively. The distinct, heavy pounding of hooves rapidly approached, growing louder with each passing second, until a group of at least eight large, powerfully built centaurs burst forth from the surrounding trees, spreading out aggressively around Lilja and Harry.
They wielded large, sturdy longbows, each arrow already nocked and aimed menacingly. Their upper bodies were heavily muscled, skin tanned and roughened from constant exposure to the elements. Their stern faces were twisted into expressions of fierce anger and distrust, their dark eyes locked onto Harry with unmistakable hostility.
Lilja glanced quickly at Harry, feeling the urgency of the moment and swiftly making a critical decision. Modesty no longer mattered—her cover was clearly blown.
Focusing her internal magical energy with practiced ease, Lilja allowed her nudity to vanish instantly, replaced in the blink of an eye by her shimmering, intricately crafted silver Valkyrie armor.
The armor hugged her slender curves like a second skin, providing full protection while still clearly emphasizing her lithe yet powerfully toned form. Silvery metal plates curved gracefully around her ample breasts, molded perfectly to accommodate her figure without restricting her movements. Her toned stomach remained partially bare beneath a section of protective mail, and her armor continued downward, with intricately engraved metal plating encasing her hips and thighs.
A long, elegant crimson cloak, trimmed in fine silver thread, appeared instantly from her shoulders, fluttering dramatically behind her as it flowed gently in the breeze. A delicate silver circlet settled onto her brow, completing her appearance and clearly signifying her status among the Valkyries.
Her trusted magical Norse staff materialized instantly into her waiting left hand, runic symbols shimmering with power along its smooth, ancient length. Simultaneously, her true combat weapon—a genuine Viking-forged steel rapier she'd wielded for years—appeared firmly in her right hand, the razor-sharp blade glinting dangerously in the sunlight filtering through the dense forest canopy.
Harry stared openly at her transformation, clearly impressed by both her sudden change and her strikingly regal appearance. "Wow," he murmured appreciatively, momentarily distracted despite the urgent danger around them. "Lilja, you look like an actual warrior goddess right now."
Lilja felt a faint blush warm her cheeks despite the imminent danger surrounding them, momentarily flattered by his sincere praise. Her lips curved softly into a small, affectionate smile as she admitted, "Technically speaking, I'm a Valkyrie, Harry." She sighed softly, shaking her head in resignation. "And I've just completely blown my cover as a normal transfer student."
Harry chuckled softly beside her, clearly amused despite their perilous circumstances. He smiled warmly, reassuringly meeting her emerald gaze as the powerful blue Sitri crest flared to life on the back of his hand, glowing brilliantly with demonic magic. With a swift gesture, he effortlessly conjured a sleek black shirt over his bare, muscled chest, instantly resuming a more dignified appearance. "Well, Valkyrie or not," he said warmly, sincerity clear in his tone, "I still think you're absolutely gorgeous."
Lilja's heart fluttered unexpectedly at his words, even as the centaurs moved menacingly closer. She shook her head lightly, unable to hide the gentle, affectionate warmth shining openly in her eyes as she softly teased, "Harry, is now really the best moment for flirting?"
Harry laughed again, giving her a confident grin, though his eyes were sharp and focused on the approaching centaurs. "With you? Every moment is perfect."
Before Lilja could respond, one of the centaurs—taller and noticeably older than the others, his black hair streaked with silver—stepped forward, his massive hooves striking the ground loudly with a commanding presence. The centaur leader narrowed his piercing, dark eyes at Harry, his voice deep and harshly accusatory.
"You've finally returned, devil! First your foul serpent desecrates our sacred grounds and slaughters my people, and now you dare return personally to finish us off!?"
Harry blinked rapidly in shock, clearly taken aback by the accusations. "My serpent?" he asked incredulously, eyes wide with surprise. "Are you talking about the basilisk? We killed that thing weeks ago!"
The centaur leader snorted derisively, his large nostrils flaring with obvious distrust. "You think we're fools, devil? We are talking of your evil demon serpent! We saw clearly enough your beast's brutality. Do not deny it—your cursed creature attacked our village, murdered our kin, and defiled our lands once again with your presence!"
Lilja glanced briefly toward Harry, noting genuine confusion and shock flashing openly across his face. Yeah, she doubted Harry would ever commit whatever insane atrocity they were blaming him for. It must have been the stray devil he was warning her about earlier and now they were blaming him!
"Wait!" Lilja shouted firmly, stepping forward with her sword lowered in a cautious gesture of peace, her voice ringing clear and powerful above the rising noise of angry hooves and tense breathing. "Listen to me carefully! You've made a grave mistake. Harry isn't the devil responsible for your village's destruction. He would never commit such an atrocity! What you encountered was a stray devil—"
"Silence!" The centaur leader's booming voice roared furiously, cutting her off mid-sentence as he pointed a large finger accusingly toward Lilja. His dark eyes blazed fiercely, filled with bitter hatred and unshakable prejudice. "You know nothing of our suffering, whore servant of a foreign god! You side openly with these demons, whose very existence defiles the purity of our sacred forests! All demons are colluding, evil creatures who seek nothing but destruction and chaos!"
Lilja clenched her jaw tightly. She had once fought tirelessly against genuine evil when she was a member of the Order of the Phoenix. She knew intimately what true cruelty and evil looked like.
Harry was none of those things, and these centaurs' refusal to even listen was infuriating beyond words.
"You're mistaken," Lilja replied, her voice hardening into a steely tone of warning. "If you refuse to listen to reason, then you leave us no choice but to—"
"Don't bother," Harry sighed heavily from beside her, interrupting her sharply with evident irritation and weariness in his voice. His posture remained alert, eyes fixed calmly but firmly on the centaur leader and his warriors.
Lilja glanced toward Harry.
"They won't listen. I've already had the displeasure of dealing with these creatures once before. They stubbornly insist this forest belongs to them, despite the fact that Hogwarts castle—and its grounds—predate their claims by centuries. If anything, they're the ones trespassing here, not us."
"You dare speak such lies, demon!?" another centaur snapped bitterly, his face twisting viciously with rage as he raised his bow and aimed a deadly arrow straight toward Harry's chest. "You will die first!"
Lilja tensed instinctively, preparing herself to leap forward and shield Harry from harm—but before she could even move, a sudden explosion of movement erupted beside her.
She gasped quietly, momentarily stunned by Harry's massive barrier of crystalline-clear water that appeared instantly before Lilja and himself. The thick, shimmering shield absorbed the incoming volley of arrows effortlessly, the sharp projectiles losing all momentum and dropping harmlessly to the ground at their feet.
Lilja stared at Harry in astonishment, marveling at his powerful defensive magic. She'd seen glimpses of his talent before during their sparring sessions, but witnessing him act so decisively in genuine combat amazed her even more deeply. Yet there was no time for further contemplation—the battle was fully upon them.
Despite this being her first real "battle" in this life, she was not going to hesitate. Not when these creatures were going after the man she had such complex feelings towards!
In a swift, agile leap, she closed the distance between herself and one startled centaur, landing firmly upon his broad back. Before he could react, Lilja swung her rapier downward in one fluid stroke, her blade slicing cleanly through skin, muscle, and bone. His head separated instantly from his shoulders, tumbling lifelessly to the ground below.
Another nearby centaur turned sharply toward Lilja, roaring in anger and raising his bow, quickly drawing back the string with impressive strength. Yet she was already prepared, lifting her Norse staff high in her other hand as ancient words poured fluently from her lips. She channeled her divine magic expertly, directing a powerful Norse war-spell outward from her staff.
"Þeysa!" she commanded sharply, her voice reverberating with raw magical power.
A pulse of invisible concussive force erupted outward with devastating intensity, striking the charging centaur squarely in his muscled torso. Lilja watched calmly as his entire massive form lifted helplessly from the ground, hurtling backward through the air. His body crashed violently through a dozen thick, towering trees, snapping branches and cracking sturdy trunks like brittle twigs. The centaur's body fell limp and motionless upon landing far away, clearly killed instantly by the immense impact.
"KILL HER!" The remaining centaurs screamed furiously, their expressions wild with rage, fear, and desperation.
Yet before any of them could even begin to charge at her, Harry moved swiftly once again, clearly determined to protect her in turn.
Lilja turned her head sharply toward Harry, her eyes widening slightly in surprise and awe as she observed him swiftly summon forth the water-blade he'd wielded so casually during their earlier sparring session. This time, however, the blade had changed dramatically—transformed from a mere harmless training implement into a weapon of lethally high-pressure water.
Harry lunged swiftly forward, thrusting the deadly water-blade expertly toward the charging centaur nearest them. The attacking centaur shouted angrily—but his cry was abruptly cut short as Harry's blade easily pierced straight through his thick chest, emerging bloodied from the creature's muscular back. The centaur's eyes widened in shock, his body spasming weakly before collapsing lifelessly to the forest floor, blood rapidly staining the ground around his fallen form.
Lilja stood poised confidently. This was her first true battle since reincarnation—and despite the danger, Lilja realized she was genuinely enjoying fighting alongside Harry. Her growing affection and attraction toward him strengthened even further.
What could she say? She was a Valkyrie and powerful strong warriors like him were a massive turn on!
She turned swiftly toward the remaining furious centaurs. "You should have listened when you had the chance," she warned them softly, her voice deadly calm and clear with undeniable authority. "Now, you've sealed your fates!"
– Harry –
"So… you're really a Valkyrie, huh?" I glanced curiously at Lilja as we carefully navigated our way out of the dense trees of the Forbidden Forest. "I knew there was something unique—something special about you. But… I still get the distinct impression there's more you're not telling me."
Lilja's bright emerald eyes met mine briefly before she averted them nervously toward the ground. She lightly bit at her lower lip, clearly weighing how much to tell me as we continued walking side by side. Finally, she exhaled slowly and quietly said, "There might be something more, Harry—but I'd rather not discuss it just yet if that's alright with you? I promise I'll tell you soon, but for now…" she trailed off, looking shyly up at me through lowered lashes. "Can you give me a little more time?"
I paused a moment, taking in the shy vulnerability radiating from her expression. I certainly couldn't refuse such a gentle request—not after the incredible bravery she'd shown fighting alongside me against the centaurs.
I smiled reassuringly down at her and nodded easily, wanting her to feel comfortable. "Of course, Lilja. Take as much time as you need. I'll be here whenever you decide you're ready."
A grateful, relieved smile slowly formed on her lips, brightening her entire expression beautifully. "Thank you, Harry," she whispered, looking genuinely comforted by my easy acceptance.
"Besides," I continued with a teasing grin, lightly nudging her shoulder playfully with mine, "after today's battle, you've earned more than enough of my trust and patience. You're incredible with that sword of yours—I'd definitely love to learn more about your background sometime, but only when you feel ready."
Lilja laughed softly, her entire demeanor noticeably relaxing beside me. "That sounds good to me," she replied warmly.
Those annoying horse-people had seriously crossed the line. This wasn't the first time they'd attacked me, and this latest aggression had almost gotten Lilja involved as well. They were definitely becoming an escalating problem, and I knew I'd have to talk with Dumbledore soon about the growing threat these centaurs posed to the students and staff at Hogwarts.
I was so absorbed in these thoughts that I didn't initially notice the three figures quickly approaching us from the direction of Hogwarts. When I finally did glance upward, I immediately recognized Fleur, Gabrielle, and Nymphadora moving toward us.
"Harry!" Tonks called out first, a mixture of worry and cautious curiosity coloring her voice as she closed the distance between us, practically jogging in her haste. She slowed slightly as she reached me, glancing warily at Lilja in her distinctive silver Valkyrie armor for a split second before her eyes shifted immediately back to my face. Her dark eyes carefully scanned me, looking me up and down thoroughly, clearly searching for injuries. "Are you alright? I felt your demonic magic flare up earlier when I was leaving Hogsmeade to head back to Hogwarts. It felt intense enough that I got worried something bad was happening to you." She paused, taking a calming breath before adding, "Then I stumbled across Fleur and Gabrielle on their way back too, and we all decided to find you immediately."
Her protective instincts were clearly evident, and I smiled reassuringly, touched by her evident worry. "I'm completely fine, Tonks," I quickly reassured her, gently placing my hand on her shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze. "Just had another run-in with the centaurs. They're becoming increasingly a problem."
Fleur and Gabrielle immediately moved forward as well, assessing me swiftly, ensuring I was indeed unharmed.
"Are you certain you're unharmed, mon amour?" Fleur asked softly.
"Yeah, I'm okay now. Really," I assured her gently, before deciding to shift the topic slightly. I smiled warmly down at both Fleur and Gabrielle, affectionately rubbing Gabrielle's back with one hand and offering Fleur another reassuring glance. "So, how did things go with your mothers after I left? Everything alright?"
Fleur visibly relaxed at the change in topic, smiling softly and nodding. "Our maman decided she'll be staying a bit longer in Hogsmeade before returning home to France. She enjoyed meeting you very much, Harry, and would love to spend more time together again soon—perhaps all of us together, oui?"
"...If you think that's a good idea," I told her honestly. Because I was pretty sure their mother had been flirting with me pretty heavy at the end there.
Tonks' expression became noticeably tense at the mention of mothers, and I quickly turned to her with a questioning glance, wondering how things had gone after I'd left the café earlier.
"My mum finally calmed down—eventually," Tonks began carefully, her voice a bit clipped and frustrated. Her eyes darkened slightly, and she shook her head in mild exasperation. "But it's definitely going to take a long time before she fully accepts my new life, let alone the whole devil-servant and harem situation. And don't get her started on her younger sister, Narcissa…"
I winced slightly in sympathy, reaching out and gently pulling Tonks into a comforting hug. She stiffened briefly before relaxing into my embrace, letting out a deep sigh against my shoulder as she clung to me tightly for a moment, obviously needing the reassurance.
"I'm sorry, Tonks," I murmured quietly into her ear, stroking her back soothingly. "Hopefully, with enough time, she'll come around."
Tonks pulled back slightly and nodded, a small, rueful smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Yeah, let's hope so."
Her eyes finally shifted back to Lilja, who stood quietly watching our interaction with curiosity and obvious interest. Tonks studied Lilja's ornate Valkyrie armor before finally asking bluntly, "So, who exactly is the redhead in the armor standing next to you?"
Gabrielle and Fleur both immediately turned their full attention toward Lilja as well, studying her carefully with obvious curiosity and mild wariness, clearly awaiting my response.
I smiled easily, stepping slightly back and gesturing between the three girls and Lilja. "This is Lilja Nornas. I've mentioned her before to you all. She's a new transfer student at Hogwarts, sorted into Slytherin. And apparently—" I turned my head toward Lilja and grinned playfully, "—she's also secretly a Valkyrie warrior, something I only just discovered myself."
Lilja blushed lightly at my casual teasing, offering a shy yet warm smile toward the other girls. She raised her hand hesitantly in a small wave of greeting. "Hi. It's nice to meet you all officially," she said politely. "Harry and I had a bit of a situation together just now, so… I apologize if I startled anyone."
Lilja relaxed now that the immediate threat had passed, and with a gentle sigh, she allowed her gleaming silver Valkyrie armor to vanish into thin air. My eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by the unexpected sight as her armor faded away. It seemed Lilja had momentarily forgotten exactly what she'd been wearing—or rather, not wearing—before our battle had begun.
Tonks coughed abruptly beside me, the sudden, harsh sound of her clearing her throat clearly meant to draw attention to the obvious situation unfolding before us. Fleur and Gabrielle reacted even more bluntly—both Veela sisters released soft, displeased hisses from between clenched teeth, their blue eyes narrowing jealously at Lilja's completely exposed chest.
Lilja glanced around in confusion at first, clearly puzzled by the odd reactions she was suddenly receiving from the other girls. When her emerald gaze finally drifted downward toward her bare chest, she let out a startled gasp, her cheeks flooding instantly with a vivid crimson blush as realization dawned on her.
"Oh—whoops!" Lilja exclaimed softly, a shy yet oddly amused giggle slipping past her lips as she quickly raised her hands to cover herself. Her palms weren't quite large enough to completely hide the ample curves of her breasts, though they did partially obscure the soft, enticing shapes that I'd been openly admiring moments before.
Tonks spun toward me sharply, her dark eyes wide and accusing. Her normally playful features twisted into a pronounced, exaggerated pout, and she reached out swiftly, punching me lightly but firmly on my upper arm with a small, irritated huff.
"Bloody hell, Harry!" Tonks immediately growled beside me, drawing my attention back sharply toward her. Her eyes flickered heatedly between Lilja's bare chest and my face, clear jealousy and exasperation evident in her frustrated glare. She pursed her lips in an exaggerated pout before firmly punching my arm—hard enough to definitely make her irritation known, though thankfully not enough to genuinely hurt.
"Oi—what the hell was that for, Tonks?" I asked with an exaggerated wince, rubbing my arm theatrically as I gave her a mock wounded look.
"What was that for?" Tonks repeated sarcastically, placing her hands firmly on her hips as she stepped directly in front of me, blocking my view of Lilja. She leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing into annoyed slits. "You haven't even gone that far with me yet, Harry!" she said jealously.
"Ah," I murmured awkwardly…
…
I sat quietly at the Hufflepuff table beside my beautiful fiancée, Rias. Not that I was actively hiding from the rest of my peerage members or anything—no, of course not. It certainly wasn't because I suspected they'd still be upset with me after my very forward and impulsive actions with Lilja earlier.
No, definitely not avoiding them.
Okay, yes—I was absolutely avoiding them. Even Hermione, who usually seemed unfazed by my rather liberal romantic endeavors with other women, had appeared genuinely stunned at just how fast things had escalated with Lilja. Honestly, I was surprised too. But there was just something irresistibly magnetic about Lilja Nornas that seemed to draw me toward her without restraint. Everything about her fascinated me—the smooth silkiness of her crimson hair, the startling green shade of her eyes, the mesmerizing way her full lips parted slightly when she gazed up at me shyly…
Yeah, I clearly had it bad.
Rias, meanwhile, listened to my recounting of the day's rather crazy events.
"So let me get this straight, Harry," she said with a teasing smirk, her voice openly amused. "First, you save Fleur and Gabrielle's mother from drunk idiots. Then you get hexed by Tonks' furious mother, thoroughly embarrassed in front of her parents. And immediately afterward, you nearly sleep with the new girl—the secret Valkyrie—in the Forbidden Forest, before fighting off angry centaurs once again?"
Just then, I felt someone slide gently onto the bench on my other side. Glancing over, I immediately recognized Sona, her pink eyes calm yet clearly intrigued behind her glasses. She was trying, rather unconvincingly, to maintain the pretense of simply checking on her 'nephew,' but the subtle way she leaned into my shoulder and rested one delicate hand lightly on my thigh beneath the table made it obvious to me that she genuinely cared much more than that.
"I heard about your little escapades today, Harry," Sona murmured quietly, her voice softly teasing and full of amused exasperation. "Honestly, you're absolutely incorrigible sometimes."
I smiled sheepishly, glancing down at her delicate hand gently squeezing my thigh beneath the table. "In my defense, it wasn't exactly my plan to end the day fighting centaurs or getting hexed repeatedly."
She hummed skeptically, giving me a pointed look over the rim of her glasses. "Perhaps not. But you do seem remarkably skilled at finding trouble—or having trouble find you."
Rias giggled softly on my other side, pressing her chest even more snugly against my arm. "She's got you there, Harry. You're practically a magnet for bizarre situations and angry supernatural beings."
I sighed heavily. "Thanks for the support, Rias."
She grinned playfully up at me. "Always."
Sona shook her head gently, a serious note creeping into her voice. "Harry, I must strongly advise you against letting my sister learn about the incident with Nymphadora's mother. Serafall can be—" she hesitated briefly, searching for the right word, "—overprotective of you, to put it mildly. And if she finds out someone actually attacked you? Well, let's just say it won't end pleasantly."
I visibly gulped, suddenly feeling distinctly uneasy at that particular reminder. "Yeah, I was already worried about that myself." I didn't need my mom, killing off family members of my peerage. This was something I'd have to work out with Tonk's family myself.
Sona rolled her eyes affectionately, though a slight smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. Then she frowned slightly, her eyes growing annoyed. "And those damned centaurs again? Honestly, Harry, I was with you last time they attacked, and we had no choice but to put them down then as well. They never seem to learn. They have to go. Those spiders do as well… Especially since their only natural predator, the basilisk is dead and no longer residing at Hogwarts."
Oh shit, I never thought of that! Was that giant snake the only reason those spiders didn't decide to swarm the castle and num num a whole school full of tasty students?
Rias sighed dramatically, leaning heavily into my shoulder again. "Honestly, it's disappointing how awful mythological creatures always turn out to be in reality. They seem so fascinating and romantic in stories and legends. But when you actually meet them? They're always rude, violent, or both. Why are supernatural creatures all assholes in real life?" she huffed in genuine irritation.
Sona and I immediately turned toward her at the same time, giving Rias matching deadpan stares.
Rias blinked innocently, clearly confused for a brief second before her blue-green eyes widened in sudden understanding. "Oh!" she whispered quickly, glancing around to make sure no one else heard her loudly broadcasted irritation. She leaned closer, speaking softly but insistently. "Well, I don't mean us devils, obviously! We're entirely different!"
On Rias's other side, Akeno burst into soft, barely restrained laughter. Rias pouted at her friend indignantly, her cheeks coloring faintly pink.
"Oh, hush, Akeno. You know exactly what I meant," Rias grumbled softly.
"Yes, yes, of course, President," Akeno teased gently, her tone exaggeratedly soothing. "None of us would ever dream of calling devils rude or violent."
Rias narrowed her eyes suspiciously at Akeno's carefully innocent expression but wisely decided not to push the point any further.
Sona shook her head lightly, her expression subtly amused, before turning back toward me, raising an eyebrow in a silent question.
"You sure you're alright though, Harry?" she asked quietly, her voice softer now, genuine concern clear in her calm eyes.
I smiled warmly down at her, appreciating her worry, and placed my hand gently atop hers, squeezing lightly. "I'm honestly fine, Sona. Hermione patched me up earlier, and Lilja handled herself remarkably well in that fight. Honestly, I think she'd make an amazing Queen for my peerage."
Those words slipped out before I fully realized what I said. Both Rias and Sona looked at me in surprise.
Sona, Rias, and even Akeno stared at me, wide-eyed and genuinely startled by what I'd just admitted. Honestly, their shocked reactions were understandable.
The tense silence stretched out for several seconds.
"Harry, are you actually being serious right now?" Sona asked. Her eyes were piercingly intense, scanning my expression as though attempting to read every subtle shift of emotion hidden there. "You barely know Lilja Nornas. Declaring someone your Queen isn't something to do on a whim."
Rias leaned forward slightly, placing one of her soft hands reassuringly on my forearm. "Sona does have a point, Harry," Rias said softly. "This is pretty sudden—even for you."
I chuckled, rubbing the back of my head awkwardly. "Yeah, look, I know it sounds insane. But honestly...it just feels right. It's hard to explain, but from the first moment we spent time together, it was like some instinct in me decided that Lilja belongs at my side. My devil instincts rarely steer me wrong, and they're practically screaming at me that she's the perfect choice."
Rias paused thoughtfully at my words, her eyes softening with understanding as she glanced toward Akeno beside her. "I suppose that's exactly how I felt when I first met Akeno," she admitted warmly, an affectionate smile tugging at her lips as she gently squeezed Akeno's hand beneath the table. "The moment we spoke, I just...knew. I could feel it deep in my soul, as if destiny had put us together."
"Ah, President," Akeno purred lovingly, her violet eyes glittering as she leaned comfortably into Rias, her full chest pressing intimately against Rias's shoulder. "Hearing you say that makes me so happy."
I smiled at their affectionate exchange, and my gaze shifted back toward Sona. Her normally calm, cool expression had softened noticeably, clearly reflecting on something similar.
"Yes," Sona quietly agreed, her voice gentle with genuine warmth as her own eyes drifted thoughtfully toward Tsubaki across the Great Hall. "It was precisely the same with Tsubaki. There wasn't any hesitation or doubt. It just...clicked." Her gaze refocused sharply on me, the softness replaced once again by her usual stern, analytical expression. "Still, Harry—this decision isn't something to take lightly. Your Queen isn't just another peerage member. She's the most crucial, powerful piece in your entire set. You should really take time to evaluate carefully before committing to anything this major."
"I know, Sona," I replied seriously, letting her feel my sincerity clearly. "Believe me, I'm taking this seriously. It might sound impulsive, but my instincts have guided me perfectly so far. They tell me that Lilja is someone special—and I trust that feeling."
Sona sighed, though I saw her expression slowly shifting into one of reluctant acceptance.
"Well," Rias suddenly chimed in, clearly sensing the continued tension, "as Harry's future wives, perhaps it's our duty to make sure he chooses the proper Queen, then. Wouldn't you agree, Sona?"
Sona visibly perked up at that idea, her expression becoming more intrigued and calculating.
Honestly, seeing those two clever, beautiful women plotting together simultaneously reassured and worried me. It reassured me because I knew they'd always have my best interests in mind, but it worried me because whenever those two teamed up, it usually spelled trouble.
"Oh?" Sona mused, thoughtfully tapping one slender finger against her chin as she mirrored Rias's playful smirk. "That's actually an excellent point, Rias. It certainly wouldn't hurt to have some additional assurances regarding Lilja's true intentions—especially given that she's been hiding a pretty major secret since she infiltrated our school."
I watched as Rias tilted her head slightly toward the far side of the hall, clearly directing our attention to the Slytherin table. There, seated quietly amidst the bustling crowd of students, Lilja Nornas was calmly eating her dinner, appearing completely unaware of our careful observation.
"You know, Sona," Rias suggested thoughtfully, a slow, confident grin spreading across her lips, "perhaps you and I should personally speak with Lilja ourselves—privately, of course. I'm sure we can learn quite a bit about her real intentions directly from the Valkyrie's mouth. Consider it a friendly interrogation."
Sona adjusted her glasses thoughtfully, nodding slowly in agreement. "Yes, I completely agree, Rias. If Lilja Nornas truly has been spying on Harry—and by extension, on us—then we absolutely need to find out why. She's clearly here on someone's orders. I doubt she'd infiltrate Hogwarts purely by coincidence, after all."
Akeno laughed softly from beside Rias, covering her lips demurely with one hand as she glanced pointedly toward me, her eyes dancing mischievously. "Ara ara, Harry. It looks like your future wives have already made their decision. Seems you'll just have to wait patiently while WE thoroughly vet your newest interest."
I sighed theatrically, leaning back slightly with an exaggerated pout as I glanced at the three gorgeous women surrounding me. "You all are going to scare her off before I even get a chance to properly recruit her," I complained jokingly. "And don't think I missed the "we" you slipped in there, Akeno…"
Akeno puffed her cheeks at me.
Rias immediately reached out, lightly caressing my cheek with her slender fingers, and gave me a reassuring smile. "Oh, come now, Harry. Don't worry so much. We're simply protecting our future husband. If Lilja truly is worthy of becoming your Queen, then she'll easily survive our questioning without issue."
Sona nodded in firm agreement, a faint smirk pulling at the corner of her lips. "Exactly, Harry. Think of it as a friendly initiation. Any woman deserving to be your Queen must be able to handle some pointed questioning from her future King's closest partners."
I nodded thoughtfully at Sona's remark, mulling over the unsettling implications. After a quiet pause, I shifted my gaze toward her, deciding it was probably best to switch to a topic that had been weighing on me since Serafall fled our bed.
"By the way, Sona," I began, leaning slightly closer so that our conversation would stay relatively private amidst the noise of dinner chatter echoing through the Great Hall. "Have you heard anything new from your sister about her investigation into Katerea Leviathan?"
At my question, Sona immediately straightened her posture slightly, her pink eyes flickering behind her thin, stylish glasses. A small sigh escaped her lips, betraying a hint of frustration. She reached up, pressing her index finger lightly against the bridge of her glasses as she often did when organizing her thoughts. "To be completely honest, Harry," Sona finally replied, her voice noticeably more serious and quietly cautious now, "I've only received a vague update from Onee-sama regarding Katerea. It appears that once Katerea realized Serafall was directly involved in pursuing her, she immediately fled her mansion, abandoning the small territory she'd been occupying entirely. My sister's team found her estate completely deserted, with clear signs she'd evacuated swiftly. So far, there hasn't been any solid indication of her current whereabouts. But I doubt she'd be foolish enough to come to Hogwarts again."
"That's frustrating," I muttered under my breath. "Honestly, after the Devil Civil War ended and our side emerged victorious, I'm genuinely shocked that devils from those original Satan bloodlines were even permitted to remain alive at all—let alone retain territories and estates."
From beside me, I heard Rias snort quietly, her voice dripping with irritation. "It's all political nonsense, Harry," Rias explained bitterly, shaking her head sharply in disgust. "There's still stubborn old devils in high-ranking government positions. They don't want to risk the extinction of any of the original Satan bloodlines, even though all those descendants are useless and didn't even inherit their clan traits."
– Hermione –
Hermione watched Tonks out of the corner of her eye with gentle amusement as the older witch fidgeted slightly on the bench beside her. It was clear from the furtive glances Tonks kept shooting towards Harry's table that the "cold shoulder" they'd collectively agreed to give him wasn't something she particularly enjoyed.
But seeing him squirm uncomfortably now and then had certainly become a bit of playful entertainment.
Tonks was technically an assistant professor, a role that unfortunately didn't come with the perk of sitting at the staff table in the Great Hall. Narcissa, being a fully-fledged professor, sat confidently up there with the others, looking calm, graceful, and utterly composed as always. Tonks, on the other hand, was relegated to joining Hermione and Harry at the student tables. Except he wasn't with them tonight.
Tonks blew out a sigh and rested her chin grumpily on her palm, propping her elbow on the table. Her eyes flicked again toward Harry, who was now engaged in a clearly animated conversation with Rias, Sona, and even Akeno.
Hermione smiled sympathetically. She reached over, gently patting Tonks' shoulder. "Honestly, how long exactly are we supposed to keep pretending to be angry at him again?" she asked quietly, her voice light and teasing.
Tonks blinked in mild surprise before chuckling softly, the corner of her lips turning up into a playful smirk. She leaned in closer, her voice dipping into a whisper. "Well, I was thinking—at least until he finally does to my tits what he eagerly did to the new girl's earlier today."
Hermione snorted softly, her eyebrows lifting in mock surprise as she gave Tonks a knowing smirk. "Oh, so it'll all be cleared up by the end of tonight then?" she teased gently. "Because, you know, it is entirely your own fault you insisted on taking things slow with Harry in the first place."
Tonks flushed immediately, her usually confident expression slipping momentarily as she coughed awkwardly, glancing down at the table. "Well—okay, yes," she admitted sheepishly, fiddling with her fork nervously. "I mean, I didn't expect him to move quite this quickly with anyone new. I figured I had plenty of time to, you know, ease into things at my own pace."
Hermione laughed lightly, affectionately bumping Tonks' shoulder with her own. "Honestly, Tonks, you've known Harry for a few weeks now. Surely by now you've learned that with him, things rarely happen at a leisurely pace.."
Tonks laughed softly in return, nudging Hermione playfully. "Speaking from experience?"
"Absolutely," Hermione replied without hesitation, giving Tonks a meaningful look. Then her smile widened, her eyes sparkling mischievously as she leaned even closer to whisper softly, "And you do know he's already slept with Ginny, right?"
Tonks immediately straightened, eyes widening dramatically in shock as her head snapped sharply toward Hermione. "Wait—what?! He's already slept with Ginny?"
From across the table, Ginny Weasley looked up sharply from her meal as she shamelessly eavesdropped. Ginny set down her fork deliberately and grinned openly at Tonks, leaning forward across the table with complete confidence. "Damn right he has," she announced boldly, her voice low enough not to attract the attention of others nearby but still clear enough for Tonks and Hermione to hear every word. "Quite thoroughly, I might add. More than once."
Hermione burst into soft laughter as Tonks stared at Ginny in astonishment. Beside Ginny, Lavender, Pravati, and Jasmine shot Ginny an openly jealous glare, clearly annoyed by Ginny's boastful claim and even more irritated at being openly reminded of it.
Ginny merely smirked triumphantly in return, entirely unfazed.
"Oh, don't look so shocked, Tonks," Ginny teased lightly, leaning back casually and twirling a lock of red hair around her finger with smug satisfaction. "Did you honestly think I'd waste any time once the chance presented itself? He's Harry Sitri, after all. You'd be crazy not to take advantage."
Hermione chuckled again, shaking her head gently at Ginny's brazen openness. She glanced back toward Tonks, who still looked mildly stunned as she absorbed this revelation.
Tonks finally huffed, puffing her cheeks out indignantly as she folded her arms defensively beneath her chest. "Well, now I feel like I'm falling behind," she muttered petulantly, though the playful gleam in her eyes betrayed her amusement. "Here I thought going slowly might make me seem mature and dignified or something." Tonks groaned dramatically, letting her head drop theatrically onto Hermione's shoulder with a loud sigh. "Oh Merlin, I'm so doomed, Hermione. At this rate, he'll get distracted by another half-dozen beautiful witches before I ever get my turn."
Hermione smiled softly, gently rubbing comforting circles on Tonks' back. She let her eyes flicker briefly toward Harry, catching his gaze momentarily from across the Great Hall.
He looked back at her pleadingly, clearly aware that he was being deliberately ignored as part of their little game. Hermione sent him an exaggerated pout, sticking out her bottom lip playfully before she turned pointedly back to Tonks.
"Well, Tonks, perhaps it's about time you remind our dear Harry exactly who holds the true power in his harem. After all, we lovely witches of his peerage are the ones ultimately calling the shots here. Maybe it's time he learned that lesson clearly and repeatedly."
Tonks lifted her head from Hermione's shoulder, her eyes brightening visibly as she slowly sat up straighter. A mischievous, playful grin slowly spread across her lips as her gaze shifted decisively toward Harry once again. She turned back to Hermione with newfound resolve, raising her eyebrows determinedly. "You're absolutely right, Hermione. And I should make it up to him for how my mother treated him earlier. Oh! I know what I'll do, what if I transform into her appearance and let him have his way with me while we record it!?"
Hermione sweatdropped at those words. Uh oh, maybe she just unleashed a real freak in the bedroom…
Eh, Harry would probably appreciate it.
– Voldemort (Main Body) –
Everything was spiraling out of control!
Voldemort knew this with bitter certainty as he lay trapped in this pathetic, infantile form. Fate, once seemingly at his command, now mocked him ruthlessly from every direction.
First, Wormtail had scurried back to his side. This alone had hardly been a reassuring omen. Peter Pettigrew had his uses; he was cowardly but competent in certain tasks, particularly when it came to espionage. But the Dark Lord couldn't deny he felt disgusted every time Wormtail fussed nervously over his tiny, repulsive body. Still, he endured it, because competent servants were in desperately short supply at the moment.
No, Wormtail wasn't the real source of Voldemort's escalating fury and anxiety. The true crisis was far more troubling. Barty Crouch Jr.—one of his most loyal and devoted Death Eaters, his most dependable spy within Hogwarts—had vanished entirely, his communication abruptly cut off. Voldemort could only assume the worst. Dumbledore had undoubtedly discovered Barty's infiltration, captured him, and extracted everything he knew with contemptible ease.
"That incompetent fool!" Voldemort hissed venomously, his infantile lips twisting in fury. "Captured—exposed—and now Dumbledore knows far too much!"
In a state of rising paranoia, Voldemort had hastily abandoned his previous refuge—the old, crumbling Riddle Manor—in fear that his location had been compromised. He had commanded Lucius Malfoy, his once-proud servant now reduced to simpering obedience, to shelter him and Wormtail within the opulent yet gloomy confines of Malfoy Manor.
And Voldemort's instincts had proven accurate, though he bitterly wished they hadn't. Not one day after leaving Riddle Manor behind, a devil woman—a tall, voluptuous blonde whose appearance would've been absurdly attractive if she hadn't been radiating raw, terrifying power—had utterly destroyed the decrepit mansion!
The loss had been devastating.
Voldemort had left Nagini, his precious serpent companion, behind, hoping she would lead Barty back to him if he escaped Hogwarts. The snake had been no ordinary familiar—she was a horcrux, a critical vessel holding a fragment of his own soul, an essential safeguard against death itself. And with the annihilation of Nagini, Voldemort had felt a searing agony rip through his essence.
As if that hadn't been enough torment, he'd also hidden Marvolo Gaunt's cursed ring—a second horcrux—in a carefully concealed chamber deep within the manor. That too had been vaporized by the blonde devil's spell.
Another shard of his carefully fractured soul, gone in an instant.
He had raged beyond comprehension. Even Lucius and Wormtail—mere bystanders, not responsible for the loss directly—had felt his wrath. Wormtail's pitiful sobbing had filled the dungeons of Malfoy Manor, and Lucius, who once carried himself with aristocratic dignity, had trembled and begged as Voldemort punished him mercilessly with the Cruciatus Curse.
Just when Voldemort thought the losses couldn't possibly escalate further, the universe decided otherwise.
Only days later, in rapid succession, Voldemort felt his connection violently severed with both his diary and his treasured Ravenclaw diadem within Hogwarts' walls!
Panic-stricken, his mind raced. Could that blasted fool Dumbledore have joined forces with these devils? How else could his horcruxes—so carefully hidden, so meticulously enchanted—fall so quickly, one after another?
The so-called "leader of the light" consorting openly with hellish entities was hypocrisy of the worst kind, yet Voldemort knew that righteous old wizard would do anything if he deemed it necessary to eliminate a threat.
He was down to only a few horcruxes now. His plans were unraveling rapidly, forcing his hand.
"Wormtail!" Voldemort snarled from within the ornate crib he'd been humiliatingly placed in. "We must accelerate the ritual! We cannot afford to wait until the end of that ridiculous Triwizard Tournament!"
Peter Pettigrew visibly flinched, cowering pathetically before Voldemort's venomous glare. His pudgy hands twisted nervously together as he mumbled, "But... but my Lord… the ritual—doesn't it require the flesh of your enemy? Young Harry Sitri—"
"—Would have been ideal, yes!" Voldemort spat impatiently, waving one small hand in fury. "But do you truly think Lord Voldemort lacks other enemies? I have plenty, Wormtail! We shall use another's flesh. My resurrection must proceed immediately. I cannot linger in this revolting state any longer!"
Wormtail whimpered pitifully, trembling at the intensity of Voldemort's hatred. "Of course, my Lord," he squeaked submissively. "I'll begin preparations at once."
"See that you do," Voldemort snapped icily, red eyes burning malevolently from his babyish features. "I have no patience left for incompetence. And remember—if you fail me, Wormtail, your punishment will make Lucius's suffering look positively merciful."
Lucious was currently whimpering on the floor in agony. Voldemort got annoyed at the man who kept insisting that the Dark Lord heal his son's crotch. As if Voldemort would waste his time or magic with such a degrading task! He made sure to punish Lucious again for simply suggesting it!
But as much as he relished the pain of his dumb servant, he had to focus on his current problems.
As Wormtail scurried fearfully from the room, Voldemort's mind raced again, his cunning intellect searching desperately for an advantage to turn the situation around. If Dumbledore had aligned himself with such powerfully dangerous beings as those terrifying devils, Voldemort had no choice but to respond in kind.
He required allies—dangerous ones, powerful enough to challenge even devils.
But who could he approach? Angels were obviously impossible. They would only see him as an abomination. Vampires and werewolves lacked sufficient power to challenge devils of the kind he'd seen.
Then, slowly, a faint memory rose unbidden to the forefront of his mind—an overheard conversation from years past between two wizards he'd spied upon during his exile as a wraith. They'd spoken in hushed, frightened tones of a fallen angel who'd gained a fierce reputation as a violent, bloodthirsty warmonger. Voldemort concentrated, straining to remember precisely...
"Koko...Koka...no," he murmured thoughtfully. Finally, the name sprang vividly into clarity, and Voldemort's lipless mouth twisted into a cruel, triumphant smile.
"Kokabiel," he whispered aloud, savoring the dark promise in the very sound of it. Yes, he'd heard rumors about this creature—a high-ranking fallen angel known for his brutality, recklessness, and utter disdain for peace. Kokabiel thrived in chaos and sought conflict, an ally who wouldn't shy away from helping wage a war even against powerful devils.
Voldemort allowed himself a bitter laugh, cold and sinister even in this infant body. "How fitting," he mused darkly. "If Albus Dumbledore has forged a pact with devils, then Lord Voldemort shall forge one with a fallen angel. Let us see who shall prevail then!"
XXX
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