Fandom The Gathering of Death Eater Children

[Hikari Chan]

Elias was seemingly annoyed because of the young man but he did not show it first.

...he is eighteen years old and still has not grown up...making up things just like that...does he plan to play masquerade here?... He thought for himself as he listened to Dantes' ramblings.

"To be honest and sincere with you, I cannot take any of your word seriously anymore," He spoke coldly and severely. "You have the face of a young and healthy man. There are no physical flaws and anything that resemble to a monster. You enter Hogwarts and my office just as you please without an invitation or making an appointment with me. And above of that you have the face to make up things about why you have to wear a mask? Whatever, I am tired of hearing you rambling about unserious reasons for nothing. Keep your mask on. I don't care about it; I will just tell the professors whatever bloody reason is deemed for them to know without revealing anything from this meeting." And with that Elias opened the door, making it clear that Dantes had to leave. "However, keep on your mind that you can not enter anyone's office here without permission."

"Professor Thorne?"

Elias’s face was white with anger now, even if his voice was calm when he spoke. Dantes could literary had stomped on a snake.

"Alright, then I shall report to professor Thorne that you desire to go on your own," Lily smiled politely.

...I cannot believe my luck... Lily thought triumphantly. ...None of these weird students want my and professor' Thorne's company while going on a shopping tour and I really did ask them, so I do not need to be with them... She walked calmly over to Crystal and explained for her the situation:

"Well, I asked them, and they thanked me but declined my offer, if they need our company for shopping for school supplies. So, I am going to hang out with my friends instead. Well, I will see you when the school starts, have a good day..."

Lily then turned towards Luna to bid her farewell. "I cannot wait till school starts; I feel so excited about the classes in cooking with magic. Take care, Luna. I will see when the school starts..." She waved towards Luna as she walked away.

"Of course, we will need a portal," August replied with a laugh. "Unless if you desire to walk about hundred miles, the nearest haunted houses attractions are still too far away. So, is there a certain haunted place you desire to visit today?"

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"To be honest and sincere with you, I cannot take any of your word seriously anymore," He spoke coldly and severely. "You have the face of a young and healthy man. There are no physical flaws and anything that resemble to a monster."

...You truly know nothing.

"You enter Hogwarts and my office just as you please without an invitation or making an appointment with me."

Do you think that you are an important man that commands respect? If you were, then perhaps I would have gone through the trouble to make an appointment. However, you seem more like a prideful human to me, and a useless one at that. I couldn't care less if you dropped dead this instant.

"...And above of that you have the face to make up things about why you have to wear a mask?"

...Ignorant fool...If you knew what I really was you would be on your knees begging for my mercy for your insolence. Ah, what an enjoyable sight that would be.

"Whatever, I am tired of hearing you rambling about unserious reasons for nothing. Keep your mask on. I don't care about it, I will just tell the professors whatever bloody reason is deemed for them to know without revealing anything from this meeting." And with that Elias opened the door, making it clear that Dantes had to leave. "However, keep on your mind that you cannot enter anyone's office here without permission."

"Very well. Good day, Headmaster." the Masked Man replied cordially, as if Elias had spoken with him in a completely different, kind manner. He walked out the door elegantly as if the meeting had gone just as expected, and immediately caught sight of Rosaleya in the hall, who was looking back at him with thinly-veiled curiosity.

After Crystal and Luna had both said goodbye to Lily, Elias called for the former, who turned to call for Rosaleya.

"Have a lovely day." the Masked Man said to Rosaleya as they passed each other, giving her a sideways glance. He had spoken in a gentle voice, and it sounded like he was smiling. He had also ignored everyone else, including the professors, as if they were only the air surrounding him.

Rosaleya didn't know what to say in return, for she was so surprised that he had spoken to her at all. She had expected him to ignore her as well since she had just witnessed him passing by two professors without a word. By the time she looked back to where he should be to reply with a simple 'and you as well', he had already turned the corner into the next hall, even though only a second had passed. She quickly remembered that she was supposed to follow Crystal into the office, and promptly caught up with her.

"Let me do all of the talking, and just reply if anyone asks you anything, 'kay?" Crystal put a hand on Rosaleya's shoulder.

"Okay." Rosaleya replied with a nervous nod. The time had finally come for her secret to be revealed, and she couldn't imagine the Headmaster to be understanding at all after his strictness earlier.

And that was just about the new students' eccentricities. . . Me, a witch who has never performed magic before, except by accident? How would he react?

As they took their seats, Rosaleya grew more nervous as she imagined Elias having a terribly angry and monstrous reaction multiple times, each time growing angrier and angrier until he flat-out refused to allow her to attend, stopping Crystal mid-explanation and making them leave the office immediately. She was rubbing her thumb again, although she didn't realize it.

"I work as a professor here, and also as an employee at a clothing store in Knockturn Alley, called Darkest Creatures." Crystal began explaining to Elias. "I cannot remember if I've ever seen you there before, but never mind that...Rosaleya is the daughter of that store's owner, and since I've been working with them I've become like a step-mother to her. Her birth mother passed away when she was young, and her father has since asked me to help her with certain things that girls need." she shrugged as if to say 'you know what things', before continuing. "Although that particular store hasn't been there for more than a year, we used to work in one together in a different location. So, I've known her for over ten years, and it has always been a strange thing that her father has been unnaturally strict with her. She wasn't allowed to leave the house unless her father escorted her. He did permit her to wear a tracking pendant when her destination was less than a mile away, but that was the extent of her freedom. He insisted on home-schooling her on every subject himself, so she does have extensive knowledge on magic...enough to attend Hogwarts with stunning grades. She is very disciplined, follows instructions, doesn't cause trouble and so on...But she has never intentionally cast a magic spell. We-" she meant herself and Leigh "-know that she isn't a Squibb since she has accidentally used magic before, but since he has been teaching her magic, neither her father, nor I, have been able to have her use a wand for even the simplest spell. She wanted to attend Hogwarts with the hope that one of the professors here might be able to help her with using her magic, since she has already studied it for quite some time now. Rosaleya, please demonstrate..." she turned to her with a kind smile.

"What should I do?"

"Here-" Crystal picked up a book from Elias's desk and threw it at Rosaleya, who put her hands up to shield her face in surprise. The book froze in mid-air one inch from Rosaleya's hands, then slowly levitated back to Crystal, hovering in mid-air before her until she took it back and replaced it on Elias's desk.

"I didn't do it on purpose...it just happened." Rosaleya explained with her eyes to the floor in embarrassment. "It seems to only work if I'm about to be hurt, or it I'm trying to fix a mistake I've made, like almost dropping a glass vase one time...."

"So, she's definitely not a Squibb, and that's a relief-" Crystal finished "-but her magic..." she shrugged as if to say 'you get the idea'.

Rosaleya had kept her eyes to the floor the whole time, and now it felt as though it was impossible for her to raise them. He's going to say that it's a preposterous idea...that I'm so audacious to request this of him...and Edmund Dantes' talk with him probably used up all the patience he had, so he doesn't have any left now...Argh, I wish I was invisible...I wish that I was just a normal witch who had no problems using magic...Lily was standing in here a while ago, confident because she can use magic normally....Crystal has always been exceptional at it, and Athena will just pretend to use a wand, but she's still probably better at magic than me...I have that feeling right now...that same crushing anxiety as that time...I wish that I had opened Asmodeus's box before I left home for this meeting...Would it have really helped me now? What if his kindness is really a lie, and that box contains a curse? I can't have that box checked, because he said that the contents can only belong to the first person that opens it...But I wish that I had it with me now... her mind was racing again, and it had taken her only a few seconds to think all these thoughts. She closed her eyes, and took a few long, deep breaths to calm herself. As if I didn't already look stupid enough, I'm visibly panicking now in front of the Headmaster! Jeez, I'm so close to tears I can feel it, but I have to stop myself! If he gets angry, I'm going to have to make a run for it to avoid crying in front of everyone like an idiot!

"Of course we will need a portal," August replied with a laugh. "Unless if you desire to walk about hundred miles, the nearest haunted houses attractions are still too far away."

"Yes, that might tire you out." Celeste teased.

"So, is there a certain haunted place you desire to visit today?"

"Hmmm...Allow me a moment, please." she said, trying to think of ideas of 'haunted places' that she and her brother hadn't visited already. We visited Petra already...nothing special there...hmm, what about- no, we've already been there, too...Hmm....Oh, we haven't visited anything in Ireland, yet! Celeste's eyes widened slightly as she got her ideas. "There are some haunted castles in Ireland-" she shrugged and made a face as if to say 'we know that there's probably nothing special there, but, why not?' "-so let's start there." she finished positively. "At least we'll enjoy the architecture." she smiled, turning to open the portal.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"I understand," Elias nodded seriously after he had listened to Crystal and watched Rosaleya demonstrating the kind of magic she knew. This had given him something else to think about that he had almost forget Mr. Dantes and his frustration with him. "There's no problem at all," Elias continued. "I have already thought of the possibilities that both miss Fairbrook and the other students may already have some knowledge in magic but never went to any school. Therefore, I have already planned before this meeting, that you will have pre exams when you all start. You will see that when you receive your owls, you won't need to buy so much things for the school start, only the necessities. You won't need to buy any books until I know how much knowledge you have in magic. Is there anything else you wish to discuss?" He smiled.

"Alright," August smiled. He was feeling more excited about architectures than about ghosts, because the latter kind did not scare him the slightest. Besides he was a wizard and not a muggle and therefor very familiar with ghosts and find such beings normal. "Then we are off to visit the Charleville Castle first," He offered his arm to Celeste to lead the way through the portal.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"I understand, there's no problem at all."

Rosaleya's eyes opened, and her nerves disappeared instantaneously after hearing the rest of Elias's reply. I'm so relieved that he didn't banish me from the school and tear my information parchment into confetti!

"Thank you." Crystal replied with a grateful smile. She was happy that Rosaleya was getting what she wanted. She knew that she could pass any tests that a seventh-year could, so she would definitely be put into an appropriate class and hence be able to interact with peers her own age. "I think that is all we wanted to discuss?" she thought for a moment "Oh, one more thing; if anything happens to Rosaleya at the school, I want to be notified immediately. Her father stresses over every little thing, so he isn't the right one to handle these matters. We've discussed it beforehand, and decided that I will be serving as her guardian while she is here, so treat me as the only parent, if you please."

"Thank you. I'm certain that that was all I wanted to discuss, so we will be leaving now." Crystal finished professionally then stood from her seat, and Rosaleya followed suite. She walked up to the Headmaster's desk calmly with a determined look in her eyes. I have to thank him for being so professional. I was so worried that he'd be too.... various negative adjectives finished her sentence. She offered her hand to him to shake, and when he took it she said "Thank you so much, Headmaster, for your kindness. I can barely contain my excitement at attending, and I promise that I won't cause you any trouble...not intentionally." she was apologizing for future mistakes she may make, but her words were genuine.

Crystal put a hand on Rosaleya's shoulder, and they left the office together after bidding him goodbye. She separated from Rosaleya, walking faster than her as she passed Nova and Stephan and waving them both goodbye. Only Nova returned her wave.

"Is everything alright?" Nova asked Rosaleya when they passed each other.

"Yes, he accepted me as a student." Rosaleya replied. "...for now." she added in a quieter tone that slipped Nova, but not Stephan.

"If anything ever goes wrong, or if you get bored, you know who to call." Nova smirked. "I can fix anything you need me to." he made a sweeping gesture with both hands, indicating a wide range of possibilities.

"Thank you." Rosaleya smiled genuinely. She felt that it was very easy to smile around Nova, and she felt comfortable with him since she had gotten to know him the most of all the demons. She liked his mixed carefree and responsible attitude, and his light-hearted and humorous demeanor, and easily considered him to be both her favorite demon, and her best friend. Nova walked past Crystal and Rosaleya, but not before he saw Rosaleya's soft smile to herself as she thought about his admirable traits. This made him smile warmly as well, for even if her smile was not for him, he was happy that she was smiling that way about something.

"Not that you'll need it." Stephan said confidently to Rosaleya in a low voice that only she heard. She was surprised by the certainty in his eyes and the kindness of his voice, for she hadn't gotten to know him very well during her time in the Demon Realm thus far. He passed her quickly to follow Nova, and she didn't have time to reply to him. For a half-second, she stood still, wondering if she had imagined his words before she continued walking after Crystal.

"Good day, Headmaster!" Nova greeted Elias jovially with the wave of his hand as if their previous conversation had taken place yesterday and they hadn't seen each other since. Once again, Stephan remained quiet. Both of them took their seats where Elias indicated, and Nova began.

"This won't take up much of your time, as I only have one question," Nova began matter-of-factly "so here goes. Will my son be put into the sixth years' class without question, or will he be given a test on his magical knowledge so that he may enter into the year that is appropriate for his advanced skills? You can watch him yourself, but he won't cheat; he's simply so mature that he can handle things beyond even your level of magic."

Nova sighed quietly, pushing the tempting thought from his mind and selecting a professional and calm tone of voice. It was one of many tempting thoughts he had had during his brief time in this office, and this was by far the least mischievous, but he forced himself to keep his professional mask on. "My son has been studying advanced magic since he turned fourteen. I would like to confirm that you will be giving unbiased placement tests to him so that he can be placed by his knowledge and not his age. I do not doubt your professionalism in the least-" he assured "-but I have heard that other schools will not give unbiased placement tests, insisting on their archaic traditions instead of individual knowledge. Of course, these are just rumors." he finished lightly, pausing so that Elias could reply. Hopefully, this will not take long. And hopefully, Stephan doesn't have to use a wish to get what he wants.

Charleville Castle was surrounded by groves of oak trees and grass. Spires, turrets, and clinging ivy made it fit the description of an old Gothic castle quite nicely.

"You've seen ghosts before?" Celeste asked casually after they had visually admired the castle's exterior for a moment. Dante was looking at the castle with a bored expression, but Celeste's presence prevented him from falling asleep.

"I have also seen them. Once again, the Muggles surprise me with their exaggerations. Ghosts in Muggle films that I have seen are usually more like poltergeists when they haunt the protagonists, and it's the same in their novels...However, that doesn't explain their absolute terror when a benevolent one reveals itself to a human in real life; their reaction is always the same-" she made a mock-terrified face, putting her hands up to shield herself dramatically and imitating a Muggle's reaction before bursting into laughter. "Silly Muggles." she shook her head as her laughter died down.

Her laugh is so beautiful. Dante thought. Instantly, I am reminded why I came along.

The entrance hall had a large chandelier, vaulted ceilings, wooden floors, and a large arched window on the north wall. The east and west walls had pilasters and arched niches in which free-standing statues were placed. A staircase with wooden banisters took up most of the hall's floor, leading to a lower level with a black and white checkered floor. Two statues were placed at the two corners of the banister where the staircase began, and another two where the staircase ended.

To the east a door led to the morning room. It had a dining table, and a few smaller tables surrounded by chairs scattered about the room. The chairs were either plain or hideously gaudy with floral patterns and uncomfortable wood and fabric mixed at the back. Small chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Two tall, rectangular windows were situated in recesses in the wall, and were separated by a full-length mirror held in place by gold fixings. Framed sketches and smaller mirrors of different shapes and sizes ornamented the walls, the most memorable of which stood rested above the fireplace mantle. This mirror was framed with gold, and particularly gaudy. A black horse statue and two golden candlesticks sat in front of it. There was also a sketch of the room's original design, in which some similarities could be noticed.

Two more doors led out of that room. One opened to a brick wall, and the other opened to a hallway which contained more framed sketches, and at the end there was another door. Beyond the intricate Gothic style door laid a bedroom. It had a unique shape, with many small walls which connected to form an eight-point star. Similarly, the vaulted ceiling resembled an eight-point star with a chandelier hanging from the center. It contained a bed, a large arched window, an antique wooden closet, and a fireplace with a medium-size round mirror above the mantle.

The dining room had a coffered ceiling with a flower design in each square.

Yet another chandelier and yet another fireplace, and more wooden tables and chairs. So boring... Dante thought, surveying the room.

The library shared the previously visited bedrooms unique eight-point star design. The walls that didn't have large windows had antique cabinets with glass panels, showcasing the antiques within. The library's fireplace mantle also held a few antiques.

Yet another fireplace and chandelier... Dante thought, rolling his eyes at the sight of it. What creativity. He thought sarcastically to the castle's designers.

The ballroom had two fireplaces placed opposite ends of the west wall, so that their heat reached everywhere, and medium-size mirrors resting on their mantles. On the mantle of the nearest fireplace, golden letters were embossed. They read:

VIRTVS.SVB.CRVCE.CRESCIT.AD.AETHERA.TENDENS

Celeste turned to August after she had read it. "Do you read Latin?" she inquired jokingly.

The fireplace at the far end of the room also had gold letters on the mantle, but a different Latin phrase was written:

FORTIS.CADERE.CEDERE.NON.POTEST.

The wooden floor was completely cleared, and there were three large windows with a view of the castle's rear landscape. In between the three windows were two identical shelves built into the wall, supported by white banisters. Behind them were large mirrors framed by white half-pillars which gave the impression that the mirrors were an arched shape.

The vaulted ceiling had an interesting pattern where parts of it dropped downward in upside-down cone shapes.Celeste assumed that multiple chandeliers used to hang from some of these 'cones'. Different family crests were also embossed on the ceiling in gold.

Besides the mildly interesting ceilings, and the exterior turrets, which are always lovely on a castle...I find this place to be a bit...who am I kidding? I find this place to be quite boring. The next one will surely be better. Think positive!Celeste thought, determined to both hide her boredom, and banish it from her thoughts.

A white door in the center of the west wall was surrounded by an intricately decorated frame.


In another part of the castle, there was the uninteresting staircase on which the ghost girl Harriet had supposedly fallen to her death.

"So, shall we?" Celeste asked August in a positive tone.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Of course, you may be her guardian. Actually, according to the wizarding law she is old enough that there'll be no tracking on her like the ones who are under seventeen. However, we always keep eyes on the students here, no matter if they are underaged or of age. And I will notify the rest of the staff that you are her parent, so you will be notified immediately from any of us in case anything happens."

"Thank you. I'm certain that that was all I wanted to discuss, so we will be leaving now." Crystal finished professionally then stood from her seat, and Rosaleya followed suite. Elias stood up as well.

He took Rosaleya's hand when she offered it to shook hands with him.

"Thank you so much, Headmaster, for your kindness. I can barely contain my excitement at attending, and I promise that I won't cause you any trouble...not intentionally."

"No need to thank me, miss." He replied. ...And please do not apologize for the future...I doubt that this girl would cause any trouble or harm here... "Have a good day!"

"Next please," Elias called out when Crystal and Rosaleya had left the office.

"Good day, Headmaster!" Nova greeted Elias jovially with the wave of his hand as if their previous conversation had taken place yesterday and they hadn't seen each other since. Elias humored him and replied with a good day. Stephan remained quiet. Both of them took their seats where Elias indicated, and Nova began.

"My son has been studying advanced magic since he turned fourteen. I would like to confirm that you will be giving unbiased placement tests to him so that he can be placed by his knowledge and not his age. I do not doubt your professionalism in the least-" he assured "-but I have heard that other schools will not give unbiased placement tests, insisting on their archaic traditions instead of individual knowledge. Of course, these are just rumors." he finished lightly"

"Well, I do not know so much about other schools," Elias began calmly.

..No wizarding school gives biased exams to their students...besides I have never heard any of such rumors...he seems making a fuss over nothing... He thought momentarily before continuing:

"As for this school you can rest assured that we only give exams that cover the subjects we teach and that we only test knowledge. Your son will be given pre-exams on the mandatory classes and on the classes, he has chosen and then we will place him in the appropriate class based on his results. The same goes for the rest of the students who attended this meeting today. Everyone won't need to buy so much things for the school start, only the necessities and later you will all receive more information about what is needed for classes after the exams are done and I have the results."

"Yes of course I have seen them, ghosts are not uncommon in the wizarding world. We have ghosts at Hogwarts," August replied with a smile, finding Celeste's question cute and silly at the same time. …Ghosts are normal everyday thing in the wizarding world...especially at Hogwarts... "What about you?" He asked, even though he already knew her answer since he expected her to have seen ghosts just as other witches and wizards have seen.

"I have also seen them. Once again, the Muggles surprise me with their exaggerations. Ghosts in Muggle films that I have seen are usually more like poltergeists when they haunt the protagonists, and it's the same in their novels...However, that doesn't explain their absolute terror when a benevolent one reveals itself to a human in real life; their reaction is always the same-" she made a mock-terrified face, putting her hands up to shield herself dramatically and imitating a Muggle's reaction before bursting into laughter. "Silly Muggles." she shook her head as her laughter died down.

August could not help but burst out in laughter at the same time as she did for mocking muggles for being so scared of ghosts.

They walked inside the castle and he enjoyed the architecture and the interior to the fullest. Since he thought Dantes was only a tiger, he did not notice how bored the tiger looked. August was only focusing on the interior and on Celeste. He had almost forgot that they were accompanied by a tiger.

"Do you read Latin?" Celeste inquired jokingly after they had come across a mantle of a fireplace with Latin inscriptions.

"Yes, I do..." August replied, with a serious tone rather than a joking one. "I know quite a lot, since all the spells, curses and charms I know originates from Latin." He read the inscription aloud and translated it to English and then he did the same with the next inscription on another mantle of a fireplace.

"So, shall we?" Celeste asked August in a positive tone when they reached to a staircase on which the ghost girl Harriet had supposedly fallen to her death.

"Would you like to ascend the staircase and explore what's behind or would you like to continue to
Drumbeg Manor?" August asked in return, smiling.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Stephan seemed a bit more relaxed after hearing Elias's answer.

"I'm relieved." Nova smiled. "Well, that will be all of my questions. Thank you for your patience, Headmaster." he stood and jovially offered his hand to Elias to shake.

Stephan and Nova left after bidding the headmaster goodbye.

Once they left the castle, Nova's eyes widened slightly. "Excuse me, Stephan, I'm being summoned. You wouldn't mind coming along, would you?"

"No." Stephan replied indifferently.

Back in her room, Rosaleya was waiting for Nova to appear. She had summoned him the moment she returned, to answer two questions she had.

"Yes?" Nova replied grandly, appearing in Rosaleya's room. "What may I assist you with? Would you, per chance, like a wish or two? Or three or four or...."

Stephan was waiting outside Darkest Creatures, pretending to admire the window display. He wasn't really looking at it; his eyes had a distant look in them because he was thinking deeply about something else.

"...or five?" Nova finished with a smile, putting up a finger for each number.

"I have one question, and one wish, I suppose." Rosaleya replied with a smile. "First, the question."

Nova nodded, listening.

"If two people are summoning you at the same time, which one takes priority? I mean, it has happened before, right?"

"Hmm...yes, it is a rather common occurrence. Let's see...say there is Being A and Being Z, that are summoning me at the same time-" he put one finger up on each hand to represent both 'beings' "-I select one at random to deal with first, in this case Being A. But, prior to my business with Being A, I give a brief visit to Being Z, inform him/her that I am currently busy, and promise to return promptly after my business with Being A is complete. Of course, no clients' names are released, as secrecy is of the utmost importance." he finished importantly. For each time he had said Being A or Z, he held that particular finger higher than the other so that his gestures matched his explanation, creating a visual aid so that Rosaleya didn't become confused.

"I understand." Rosaleya nodded.

"Now...for the wish?" Nova asked with a mischievous tone and countenance.

"Oh, right." Rosaleya retrieved the mysterious box Asmodeus had gifted her from its resting place, displaying it for Nova in the palm of her gloved hand. She had put on the gloves prior to summoning Nova, in preparation for her wish. "I wish to know...Please tell me if this is safe to open. I can't tell if it's cursed or not, and Asmodeus said that the contents can only belong to the first person who-"

Nova didn't let her finish, erupting in hysterical laughter. "He...gave...you...one of...those?" he breathed in between his laughter.

"Yeah...do you...know what it is?" Rosaleya asked slowly. She wasn't sure if she should be worried or not about the contents based on Nova's reaction.

"Yes, I do..." Nova replied after he finally calmed down. "But I won't tell you. It'll ruin the surprise you'll get when you..." he laughed a bit more before calming down for good.

"In return for telling you that, I want you to play a game with me..."

"Which game?"

"Shh...I'm thinking..." Nova jested, acting out his usual 'I already know what I want in return but I'll dramatize my decision' routine. "Alright, I choose Taboo."

"The game with the cards and the timer? Oh, I've never played that before, but I'm familiar with the rules. I can't guarantee that I'll be any good at all." Rosaleya replied honestly. "But I do agree on your payment for the wish."

"Very well." he pointed to the gift box "- It is in fact safe, as are all gifts that Asmodeus may give you in the future, so don't worry. Although it may give you some trouble, and take some getting-used-to." he gifted her these clues with a smirk, for he knew what he was doing.

"Oh, telling me that is just making me more curious!" Rosaleya laughed, for her curiosity had basically doubled with his teasing. "It isn't a puppy, is it?" she joked.

"Do you want a puppy?" Nova asked with a serious look in his eyes, as if he was considering getting her one as a surprise.

"No! Nonono, please don't get one of those stupid things! I really don't like dogs at all." Rosaleya replied, jokingly at first, but she gradually became serious toward the last part.

"Why not? Aren't they cute?" He had an adoring look in his eyes when he spoke, clearly imagining one.

"They make a mess, make tons of noise, are always hungry, and just lay around all day, completely lazy and useless! You have to take care of each and every one of their needs, and if you don't, they leave unpleasant surprises around the house! And no, they aren't _ing cute! Why would I want...basically a leech to take care of?! Babies are different because they grow out of that." She wasn't yelling, but her words were negatively charged, as if by some extremely bad memory "And on top of all that, you have to groom it and take it for walks and it sheds hair everywhere and-"

"My my, it seems as though you have some sort of deep hatred for those things." Nova put a hand on Rosaleya's shoulder to calm her. He wore a kind smile when he said "It's alright, I won't get you one. And I'll warn the others about even letting the thought cross their minds. Happy?"

"Sorry..." she hadn't realized how much she revealed until Nova stopped her "I just-"

"You don't have to explain it to me, I really don't need you to. Fun fact: Rose Macabre Fairbrook doesn't like dogs. There, I have now burned it into my memory. Oh, and now that we're away from that Headmaster, might I comment on the spectacular qualities of your name? Macabre is such a...macabre middle name, is it not?"

"I see what you did there with that pun." Rosaleya smiled.

"And the last name is- Oh, I'll be going, now. It seems I'm being summoned again. And to be clear-" he added before disappearing "-we'll be playing that game tomorrow afternoon."

"Got it. Bye!" Rosaleya waved hastily as he disappeared.

"Would you like to ascend the staircase and explore what's behind or would you like to continue to
Drumbeg Manor?" August asked in return, smiling.

"We'll ascend it and explore, then continue on to Drumbeg Manor." Celeste replied with a smile.

An interesting fact; August Dolohov speaks Latin. Also, I've made my decision that while parts of this castle are boring, others are quite interesting. This was not a waste of time, but in fact, enjoyable. She looked over at Dante, who still held his bored gaze. Although it seems my brother has reached the opposite conclusion.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"No need to thank me," Elias smiled, shaking hands with Nova patiently.

As soon as he was left alone in his office, he took a deep breath.

...If all students were like miss Fairbrook...but that is of course impossible, every student is unique enough to give me headache... He thought while he prepared small envelopes to send out to all the professors. They would all meet before the school start, Monday, the 6th August one o’clock afternoon sharp, to discuss a few matters.

When he was done, he prepared five large envelopes. The first one was addressed to his sister and only contained a list about things she needed to buy for Cooking in Magic classes. The other four envelopes that were addressed to miss Fairbrook, Mr. Dantes, Mr. Garnet and miss Lovett only contained a short list of what they needed to get for the school start: 1) School uniform, 2) wand and 3) inkwell and quill. They were allowed one pet each, which was optional: An owl, a cat, a rat or a toad. Getting a broom was also optional since the school provided that kind of necessity. Elias also added a short note to each one of them, explaining in the note that they were going to have pre-exams to only test their knowledge in magic before they are put in any class. Schedules would be handed out on the first school day.

"Alright" August nodded with a smile. They ascended the stairs and explored the corridors and rooms that were behind. The interior was similar as the rest of the castle and afterwards they continued to Drumbeg Manor which had a different exterior than Charleville Castle. The exterior of the former reminded of the exteriors of English manors and August could almost guess how the interior of Drumbeg Manor would look like. The interior was a typical interior of a manor, that August felt slightly bored when they entered Drumbeg Manor.

...Ah well, Celeste chose this one as well, so I hope she will also enjoy this place. They entered a carpeted hallway where the walls were of brown oak and the ceiling was white. The carpets that covered the floors where of lighter colors, it was almost brown yet more beige with black and large floral pattern. There was a grand parlor on the first floor. It had a fireplace and furniture of Irish oak. Large windows with white sheer curtains let in enough of light in the parlor that it was hardly dark during the day and therefor it did not seem scary, but the room looked a bit of worn out and old. Next to the parlor there was a breakfast room with large windows as well. A rectangular table with chairs occupied part of the room. Though in the dining room the table was much longer and had place for more guests. A kitchen with worn out cabinets and interior, connected to a utility room, was the last room on the first floor. While they explored the first floor, a scream of a woman could be heard throughout the manor. It seemed as if her screams came from the second floor.

...At least something interesting is happening here... August thought with a smirk, already knowing that those screams belonged to a ghost. ...It almost reminds me about Moaning Myrtle... He stifled a laugh. "I bet muggles won't dare to step in here, don't you think so?" He chuckled, speaking to Celeste as they continued to the second floor.

A library with brown shelves that were filled with old books and comfortable furniture, one bathroom, two large bedrooms, an office room and a family room could be found on the second floor.

A man wearing a white suit could be sighted further away in the hallway. He seemed to walk across the floor, yet he floated an inch above it as he passed through one of the walls. The woman was still screaming.

August checked his pocket watch as if nothing strange was happening in the manor.

"Ah! It is past lunch time!" He said to Celeste. "Would you like to eat something before we continue to explore the rest of the haunted places? Please pick where you would prefer to eat, it will be on me." He smiled.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Celeste had no reaction at all to the ghost's screams, as if it were as normal as birds chirping.

"I bet Muggles won't dare to step in here, don't you think so?" He chuckled, speaking to Celeste as they continued to the second floor.

She laughed through her nose at his comment, then mimicked another Muggle reaction to ghosts that was just as hilarious as the first as her reply.

Don't these ghosts know that if they ditch this world, they could probably have a much more interesting time in Hell?Celeste wondered, taking in the sight of the ghosts with a dead look in her eyes. Should I come back here later to tell him and her that? She pictured the male and female ghosts being much happier in Hell. I'll think about it. I can't tell them now, because if August here's me there will be some confusion.

"Ah! It is past lunch time!" August said to Celeste. "Would you like to eat something before we continue to explore the rest of the haunted places? Please pick where you would prefer to eat, it will be on me." He smiled.

"Sure." Celeste replied with a smile, feeling relieved that her feelings of boredom were mutual. After a moment of contemplation, she added "But I don't think that it's fair for the man in the relationship to pay for every meal just because the human couples do it that way. I don't think I've paid for one yet, so it's only fair." she concluded, leaving him no room to argue with her firm tone and countenance. "The next few are on me."

Dante nudged her, but she didn't seem to notice. You said 'human couples'! Didn't you hear yourself, or are you starting to feel so comfortable with him that you didn't notice yourself slip? Or, are you purposefully leaving him that hint and making it look like a mistake? Dante wondered as they all walked back outside. Yes, the latter is the most likely. He thought as Celeste opened the portal to somewhere behind The Garden. She really loves this place... He thought, laughing internally.

"You aren't getting tired of this place, are you?" Celeste asked suddenly when they reached the entrance.

"Hmm..." she sighed pleasantly at his answer, giving him a soft smile.

"...your iced water, and your menus." the waitress concluded. She set their table by the time they took their seats, having recognized Celeste and remembered her preferred table.

"Thank you." Celeste nodded, before opening her menu.

She already knew what she wanted for her drink, appetizer, and main meal, so she was looking at the list of desserts they served to complete her order.

"I would like-"

"-Black Mead." the waitress finished, writing it before Celeste could say it. "...And?"

An energetic one... Celeste resisted laughing in amusement, maintaining her patient and elegant persona "grilled salmon with rice and the dill sauce. My side dish will be the grilled mixed vegetables-" the waitress was writing as Celeste spoke, being almost as efficient as a Quick-Quotes Quill. Celeste smirked and decided to have a bit of fun with this determined waitress, pointing to the page titled 'Desserts' "-and guess which dessert I want. I order a different one every time, but there is one that I have yet to try. You have ten seconds to guess, and three guesses-" the waitress became nervous, but she still looked determined "-and the timer will start in ten seconds. Do you think that that's fair?" Celeste wasn't asking the waitress, but August. (It doesn't matter what he replies with, she will still play the game.) "Alright, then, three, two, one!"

"Uhm...Apple crumble?" the waitress quickly pointed to the dessert's title.

"Nope." Celeste relied coolly. "Tried it already. Six seconds left."

"Fruit tart?" she almost stuttered.

"No. Four seconds...three..."

"Creme brulee? It's creme brulee!" the waitress was relieved to see Celeste nod.

"You weren't working on the days when I ordered the Apple Crumble and Fruit Tart. But you were paying attention while you were here. Nicely done." Celeste humored the young waitress with a low applause, who seemed genuinely pleased by the game's outcome. She's still young...but seriously, even Rosaleya isn't this...what's the word? I can't think of it...Anyway, Rosaleya looks to be close to this girl's age, and she's far more mature. Still, this girl is very determined. "Your turn, August."

"Your order, Sir?" the waitress had promptly turned her attention to August, once again determined to serve them as efficiently as possible.

 

[Hikari Chan]

...Who does miss Shadowwalker think she is? This is a bloody school, not a place to hang around for leisure....but I cannot tell her to leave now when my sister and her new assistant are around....tsk...I don't understand why my sister is giving her so much air, she is not trying to make fuss for Elias, is she…?

"Good afternoon, Flynn!" Elias greeted Flynn jovially when their paths crossed in the stairway one floor above the entrance hall. "While I am on the go, I thought about giving you-" He did not finish his sentence as he turned around at the sound of his sister chatting lively with her best friend Pegah and with Persephone. "Excuse me one moment..." He handed over the envelope to Flynn before descending the stairs.

"Take your time..." Flynn sighed with relief. ...phew...that was about time that someone will tell miss Shadowwalker to leave...unless if she is not planning to become a professor here which I hope not, or I am going to resign from my position... He thought as he tried to hear what Elias said without coming closer.''

Lily was loud as usual, chatting lively and excitingly with her best friend and favorite professor. She was telling them about the meeting she had earlier, in its every detail, and of course discussing about it.

"...I bet there's something wrong with his face, or else why would he wear a mask! Unless if he is an oddball and wears the mask for fancy reasons hahahahahah!"

"Lily!"

Lily turned around in surprise. She had not been expecting to see Elias.

He exchanged his greetings with Pegah and Persephone, giving them each a small envelope before turning to his sister, giving her a larger envelope.

"The meeting is already over, dear, you should go home unless if you need to discuss something related to school?"

"But-"

"No buts! This is a place for work and studies, not a place for hanging out. You are disturbing others."

"Your brother is right," Persephone hurried to intervene before Lily had time to argue. "We can hang around in Hogsmeade another time and you may gossip to your hearts content," She smiled and spread out her arms so that they could hug.

Elias waited patiently until Lily had hugged both Persephone and Pegah and exchanged her farewells with them. He did not turn away until he saw that she had walked out through the entrance.

...I wonder what that large envelope contained... Flynn thought. ...It cannot be the same message as I received since mine was smaller.....and she already received her graduation certificate when she graduated...so what could it be?...Merlin knows...

A couple of minutes later, Elias knocked on the door to Quinn's office.

"Good afternoon, lovely to see you!" She greeted jovially. "Please come in!"

"Good afternoon, professor Quinn, may you owl these letters, please?" He placed the rest of the envelopes on her desk. "Expect of yours, unless if you wish to owl yourself..." He chuckled.

By sending out the rest of the envelopes, the rest of the professors would receive their owls on Wednesday and the students would receive their owls on Friday.

"Sure." Celeste replied with a smile. "But I don't think that it's fair for the man in the relationship to pay for every meal just because the human couples do it that way. I don't think I've paid for one yet, so it's only fair." she concluded, leaving him no room to argue with her firm tone and countenance. "The next few are on me."

August gave Celeste a curious glance and wondered if she was hinting on muggles when she said the word human, but he immediately rejected that thought since he knew that wizards and witches were humans as well unless if they had different blood mixed.

"Well, alright, as you wish," He smiled.

…So, she is not a human...she comes from a different place which she highly speaks about and about its richly flavored food. It is clearly visibly that she is not a vampire, werewolf or a dhampir. She does not have troll or giant blood in her veins either. She could not possibly be a veela, could she? No, I don't think so....veelas are more sensual and they look differently...Celeste do not look like a veela at all...then she must be a semi-human of sort, like a semi-magical humanoid of a different being...

"You aren't getting tired of this place, are you?" Celeste asked suddenly when they reached the entrance to The Garden.

"No," He replied and was surprised that she had chosen this place of all the places to have lunch.

While Celeste was having her fun with the waitress, August took his time to look through the menu and carefully decide his drink, appetizer, main meal and dessert. He merely nodded when Celeste asked him if she could play a guessing game with the waitress. ...It would be fun to watch her to take advantage of Adela like she did with this waitress... He thought, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

"Your turn, August."

"Your order, Sir?" the waitress had promptly turned her attention to August, once again determined to serve them as efficiently as possible.

Before he said anything, he gave the waitress the severe look that said she better kept silent and not interrupted him while he placed his orders, making it clear that he did not have the time to play a silly guessing game with her.

"I would like Insalata caprese, Cotoletta with potatoes, Lambrusco and Frutti di bosco," He ordered.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Your order, Sir?" the waitress had promptly turned her attention to August, once again determined to serve them as efficiently as possible.

Before he said anything, he gave the waitress the severe look that said she better kept silent and not interrupted him while he placed his orders, making it clear that he did not have the time to play a silly guessing game with her.

Did I do something wrong? I thought that Miss Celeste enjoyed the game... The waitress wondered, but nodded seriously in return to August's glance.

"I would like Insalata caprese, Cotoletta with potatoes, Lambrusco and Frutti di bosco," He ordered.

"Yes, Sir." she replied after she had promptly written his order. She was speaking very seriously now, and walked away rigidly as if she was an army soldier.

Is she doing that on purpose? Celeste wondered with mild interest as she watched her leave. Maybe I'll challenge her again when she brings the food. She smiled to herself while pondering an appropriate game. I've got it! She signaled for another waitress, and politely requested eight more menus.

"Thank you." Celeste said when she received them. "May I use yours?" she asked August, pointing to his menu. By this time he had finished looking over his menu, but she was asking to be polite. "I'm going to play another game with this waitress." she said, more to herself than August. She had a slightly mischievous tone in her voice, yet a serious look in her eyes as she began arranging all the menus on the table. She placed them evenly around the table's edge, in a circle shape like the table, with the bottom of the menu facing the circle's center.

When the waitress returned, she simply put their food in the center of the table after an odd glance at it.

"Enjoy your mea-" the waitress began in a cheerful tone.

"Do you know why the menus are arranged like this?" Celeste asked in a theatrical voice.

"No...why?" came the waitress's bemused reply.

"Do you pride yourself on noticing small details?"

"Yes! Why-"

"I want you to play another guessing game with me."

"...Okay! What are the rules?" she seemed both determined and nervous.

"August-" Celeste gestured grandly to August "-and I were both reading from menus when we played our last game minutes ago. If you cannot guess which two menus they are out of these ten-" she made a sweeping motion to the menus "-in under one minute, then you will not receive a tip from us this afternoon. And I must warn you; I am feeling very generous today. Also, the menus' warmth will not be a factor, since I touched all of them while I was arranging them. August, do you agree to the terms?"

Celeste is dead serious about messing with this waitress... Dante thought, highly amused. Although she isn't hiding the fact that she is having fun with it, the waitress still plays along...

"Do you agree?" Celeste asked the waitress.

"Yes!" the waitress replied without hesitation. Miss Celeste is feeling generous?! She usually gives excellent tips, but if she's feeling generous then-

"I will alert you in increments of ten, and then countdown from ten at the end. The timer starts...now. Sixty seconds left."

The waitress immediately started circling around the table, carefully studying each menu.

"Fifty seconds left."

She picked up one, then put it down, visibly unsure of her choice.

"Forty seconds left."

She picked up two menus, seemingly confident, before her face fell and she put them down in favor of the neighboring pair.

"Thirty seconds left."

Celeste smiled heartlessly as the difficulty of the game finally dawned on the waitress. She ran around the table frantically, collected all of the menus, and ran with them to the next table to hurriedly compare them all at once.

Some of the employees had temporarily stopped their work to watch the entertaining spectacle Celeste had created. The nearby customers were also watching in amusement.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six....five...four-" during the last five seconds Dante had joined in on Celeste's counting, growling softly for each number "-three...two...one...put your hands up."

The waitress, having failed, reluctantly pulled her hands away from the menus. Her expression quickly turned from anxious, to surprised, to disappointed as her failure finally set in.

"I lost...I wasn't able to identify them...Could you please at least tell me which ones they are?" she asked quietly.

"The one with the tear on the last page was mine. I was surprised that you didn't at least identify that one, because the desserts are written on the last page. August's is the one with the small scratch on the back of the menu's cover. Since he was on your left while you were taking his order, I figured that you would have at least noticed the scratch, which was visible, as you were dealing with him. That's alright, I'd still like to tip you today-"

The waitresses face brightened, and she was about to thank Celeste when she continued.

"-but rules are rules, and you did agree, didn't you?"

"I...yes, I did. Please, enjoy your meal." she walked away with a countenance of mixed embarrassment and disappointment.

Celeste looked to August for his reaction. She had clearly enjoyed the game. "I simply like watching fools humiliate themselves. The first game lowered her guard and boosted her confidence so that she easily accepted the second, without hesitation. Of course, most humans will shorten the length of their hesitancy when a monetary reward is an offered for a prize." And then she smiled cruelly as she remembered the waitress's reactions "Am I a heartless being?" she asked him. Or perhaps I annoyed you with the game? If you think so, then I can leave you now. I wanted my 'Prince' to enjoy games and toying with humans as much as I do. However, I think that you will be fine with my games. Otherwise, I wouldn't have spent this much time with him.

He can't complain that the game took too long and that he's hungry, because the food came faster than usual and the game only took two minutes, plus three minutes of Celeste's talking afterward. Dante thought.

"...and his black hair is clean and long, like a cute bishounen! He's the cutest 'headmaster character' I've ever seen!" Rosaleya spoke as she turned the taps and reached for her towel. She had been talking to herself as she showered with cold water. "Truthfully, when I first saw his long hair and clothing, my first thought was that he might be the flamboyant type of headmaster with the cheerful persona and nonchalant attitude, like the headmaster from Vampire Knight...Kaien Cross is comparable, but I think his cuteness mainly came from his personality instead of his looks. Yeah, he didn't look that cute...Also his seriousness at the end of the series suggested that his earlier, cheerful act during the rest of the series was a front for his true nature. Meh, I still think that characters like that are cute in terms of personality. The Hogwarts headmaster was serious, but I feel like he would understand if I tried to come forth about a problem I cause while I'm there. So, not too strict...I think. Oh, I was talking out loud again." she shook her head, throwing her towel on the bed and reaching for her clothes Sometimes I don't realize it. And Crystal also told me that sometimes she hears me talking in my sleep...I really hope that that isn't a problem at Hogwarts...It would be embarrassing if anyone heard me. So, which character does Elias remind me of the most in terms of personality? I only covered my first expectations for his personality just now... she wondered.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Sure," August replied, not having any need for the menu anymore since he had already ordered. He was curious what Celeste had on her mind with the menus.

"-If you cannot guess which two menus, they are out of these ten-" she made a sweeping motion to the menus "-in under one minute, then you will not receive a tip from us this afternoon. And I must warn you; I am feeling very generous today. Also, the menus' warmth will not be a factor, since I touched all of them while I was arranging them. August, do you agree to the terms?"

"Of course," He smirked and watched how the waitress failed guessing the correct menus. He tried to keep a straight face as he watched the waitress suddenly getting hopes about getting tipped and then having her hopes crossed in pieces.

"I simply like watching fools humiliate themselves. The first game lowered her guard and boosted her confidence so that she easily accepted the second, without hesitation. Of course, most humans will shorten the length of their hesitancy when a monetary reward is a offered for a prize. Am I a heartless being?" Celeste asked him.

"You are a heartless being in a charming and lovely way," He flattered and admired her. Because he enjoyed to toy with his own sister and give her a hard time and was the type who controlled the ones who were less powerful than him, he had enjoyed watching Celeste toying and humiliating the waitress. Once again, the word 'humans' had not slipped him and therefor he had also stressed on the word 'being' as much as he had stressed on the words 'charming' and 'lovely'. During that moment it seemed that he had forget about the food and everything else around him, even forgetting about the tiger. It was as if only Celeste existed for him.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

You are a heartless being in a charming and lovely way. Celeste repeated August's words in her mind for a moment. I love the way he spoke those words. She had a dark smile on her face as she looked into his eyes, and for a moment it seemed as though time stopped. Another integral requirement has been met. In fact, I found his last sentence to be my favorite one of all the sentences he has uttered since the moment we met....'You are a heartless being in a charming and lovely way'... she played his words back in her mind a few more times, enjoying their sound, and the way that he had spoken them. I like this feeling...the feeling that his words gave me.

'Being'. . . he noticed, of course, that Celeste is dropping hints like crazy for him. She is also revealing more of her personality through these games...all in preparation. Today will prepare August for the next event's reveal...But don't be fooled, Celeste, this could all be an act. He could be just another smooth-talker...

But no... Celeste reminded herself of every previous failure. Every 'Prince' that turned out to be a beast. There are still more requirements he has to meet. More things that I have to verify. This isn't decided yet, but for now, he is still a 'Prince' candidate in my heart. "Our food may become cold." she was both reminding August, and herself, as she looked down at their food suddenly. She was still smiling warmly as she picked up her fork and knife. She observed how smoothly the knife cut into her salmon. Enjoy these feelings...but remember how painful his knife could cut into my heart....and I mean it figuratively. . . because it would feel like a knife. I thought that it would hurt less after the first few 'Princes' revealed themselves to be beasts, but the feeling is still the same. Celeste thought. Her mind was filled with similar thoughts through the meal, so she didn't speak to August. Although all he observed was her warm smile to herself, which didn't fade at all until the plates are cleared.

"Well, time to visit Ducketts Grove." she said, handing the still-humiliated waitress the coins that the bill indicated, and no more. She stood as she waitress left, replacing her sack of coins in her pants pocket.

Via a portal that lead from The Garden's rear to Ducketts Grove, they arrived only a minute later.

"Ruins are often alluring." Celeste said, thinking out loud as they gazed upon the castle's interior. "I like the way that turrets look. They always make me think of a castle, even if the building isn't really a castle. When I was younger, I didn't know what they were called, and simply used to point and say 'oh look, those castle-things!' " she giggled softly, imitating the voice her younger-self had used.

After looking around for a bit, Celeste and Dante were confident that they had seen everything there was to see.

"Aww...I suppose the rumours that a banshee haunted this place were only rumours after all." Celeste commented. "Although I suppose that if we saw it, it would probably be as interesting as the ghosts we saw at the last place." she finished logically with a shrug. "Shall we continue on to Kinnitty Castle?"

Tap tap tap...

Rosaleya was trying to draw an Anime character again. She was failing.

Tap tap tap...

She crumbled the paper and threw it at the trash bin in frustration...yet she missed.

Tap tap tap...

She bent down to pick it up and throw it away properly.

Tap tap tap...

Rosaleya took a deep breath and let it out through her mouth. "If that's a _ bird tapping on my _ window I'm going to hit the glass hard and watch it fly away stupidly." she wanted to stomp over to the window, but she resisted that urge, because she knew that Leigh would complain about the noise. Besides...they were running a store on the next floor down.

Tap tap tap...

Is it just me, or is that tapping...is that the rhythm to a song I know? I thought that I was imagining the tapping, but now am I imagining the rhythm, too?

She finally walked over and pulled the white curtain back, and saw the Masked Man standing on the fire escape platform just outside her window.

She closed the curtain a split-second after she had opened it. No...I wouldn't be seeing such things...My imagination isn't so awesome that I hallucinate...Okay, I'm going to try it again...

Tap tap tap...

..because the tapping hasn't stopped...If he tries anything stupid, assuming that he is actually here, I will summon Nova and he'll help me. Even if he's busy, he'll hear the panic in my voice. But that will be my last resort. she walked away quickly and grabbed a baseball bat she had in her closet. She had had it ever since she picked it up in the alley in between her building and the next not long after moving in.

She had watched these delinquent boys trying to beat up some stray cats in the dumpster at the end of the alley with a bored look on her face. She wasn't particularly fond of animals, and hence she didn't care whether the cats were bludgeoned to death or not. The boys had opened the bat and carelessly thrown the packaging on the floor, so she noted that they had probably purchased or stolen the bat with this activity in mind. Another child had stopped them, despite the fact that he was visibly smaller, and boldly informed them that animal cruelty was wrong, and that it sickened him. They had dropped the baseball bat and turned to beat him up instead. Rosaleya took pity on the brave young boy, and opened her window, warning the boys that her father was on the other side of the building's wall and she would be calling him promptly to beat all of them up if the didn't disperse immediately. This seemed to do the trick, as they all fled immediately without so much as an ugly glance her way. She then used the fire escape to retrieve the baseball bat, because she thought that it would be a nice weapon in case she needed to defend herself from any intruders. She remembered it now, for perhaps she would be using it for the purpose she had intended on that day, even though it had mostly collected dust ever since. Unless this guy is too quick for me with his magic...I think that he's a demon...I can't remember my conversation with Athena and Nova very well, even though it happened earlier today...Did they say that he was a demon? I can only remember Athena saying that she was.

Tap tap tap...

Anyway, I won't call Crystal or Dad because they might chase him away...I only want help if he tries anything...because if he is visiting for an innocent reason...then I wouldn't want him to get hurt. And I might sound stupid if I try to say that to Crystal or Dad, because it never comes out right in situations like these...

She returned to the window with the bat held firmly in her right hand, and pulled back the curtain with her left. She stood there, feeling very calm for some reason despite her situation, staring straight at the Masked Man. He stood so still that, with his mask and posture, someone could mistake him for a statue.

She opened the window, but not before showing him that she was 'armed'.

"Good afternoon." he tipped his hat to her with a nonchalant tone.

Rosaleya didn't reply immediately. There was a dangerous aura emanating from her, despite her calm countenance.Why the _ am I so calm now? I couldn't be calm back at that meeting at Hogwarts today, but I can feel fine now? "Why did you come here?"

"You weren't at the store, like the time before."

Did he rhyme on purpose? "So...why didn't you ask for me?"

"The manager said that you were taking a day off."

That same nonchalant tone that he was using with the headmaster...but I can hear him smiling. "And why did you want me? Is there something you want in the store? If so, then go inside, and I'll be right down to help you out." Am I missing something?

"I wanted to take a walk with you. You wanted to last time-" Rosaleya vividly recalled trying to chase him last time "-but I had something important to do."

"Oh...and you couldn't ask my Dad because he's..." she shrugged as if to say 'there are too many negative terms to use'. "So, you wanted to pick up were we left off last time? You just wanted...an innocent walk?"

He nodded.

"And innocent walk?" Rosaleya asked again, raising an eyebrow and purposefully exaggerating her words with sarcastic tone to illustrate her disbelief.

Once again, he nodded.

"Pffft...Yeah sure, please go away." she said coldly, then made to close the window. He probably wants...something else...like that thing...or maybe he wants to kidnap me...I dunno...I can't read minds...But it is really cute how he was knocking on the window...and the idea of a walk does sound nice...

"I promise you that I mean you no harm." He sounded genuine. He also put his hand to his heart to emphasize his honesty. "Just a walk, in the middle of the day, to the ice cream stand and back to the store. I wished to converse as well."

"Let me think about it. For now, please go away." Rosaleya closed the window firmly, and the drapes. She lay down on her bed, on her back with her hands folded under her head and her legs crossed.

On the one hand, I can't trust him at all, because I don't know him. That sentence should stop me from thinking about it any further, but my curiosity and excitement is getting in the way. But setting aside my emotions, I will try to analyze this situation calmly...If he had asked me at a different place...say, the ice cream stand...in the middle of the day...Let me think...

"Thank you!" Rosaleya took her bubble-gum flavored ice cream in exchange for a few coins.

"Excuse me, Miss?" the Masked Man asked elegantly.

Recognising his voice, Rosaleya turned around right away, feeling surprised to see him.

"Would you mind if I walked you back to the store? I wanted to converse lightly on the way." he asked gently.

After hesitation, Rosaleya agreed.

Yeah...I'm just not used to people knocking on my window... She decided. It was a strange approach of his, but since he couldn't contact me any other way...Wait, what about an owl? He could have sent me an owl telling me to meet him at the ice cream-

She heard noises outside her window, like an owl was landing and dropping something before flying off again. She promptly investigated the noise.

A note was waiting on the fire escape, addressed to Rosaleya. It told her to be at the ice cream stand in ten minutes, for a walk and a pleasant conversation.

She couldn't help but giggle when she read the message. What should I do now? she thought seriously.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Ah..." August smiled, remembering the food. ...I am going to introduce Celeste to Adela after the final date is over...I wonder how many dates are left until that...two or three?...ah whatever, it will be worth the wait when the time comes to introduce our family members to each other...it is going to be fun to watch her toy with Adela...hehe... he thought for himself during the meal yet smiling charmingly and warmly towards Celeste, in response to her warm smile. He enjoyed his meal in silence.

"Well, time to visit Ducketts Grove." she said, handing the still-humiliated waitress the coins that the bill indicated, and no more. She stood as she waitress left, replacing her sack of coins in her pants pocket.

Via a portal that lead from The Garden's rear to Ducketts Grove, they arrived only a minute later.

"Ruins are often alluring." Celeste said, thinking out loud as they gazed upon the castle's interior. "I like the way that turrets look. They always make me think of a castle, even if the building isn't really a castle. When I was younger, I didn't know what they were called, and simply used to point and say, 'oh look, those castle-things!' " she giggled softly, imitating the voice her younger-self had used.

"Well, I used to refer to them as towers..." August smiled softly, enjoying the view of the ruined castle.

"Aww...I suppose the rumors that a banshee haunted this place were only rumors after all." Celeste commented. "Although I suppose that if we saw it, it would probably be as interesting as the ghosts we saw at the last place." she finished logically with a shrug. "Shall we continue on to Kinnitty Castle?"

"Well, it may be rumors that are made up by muggles or we did not encounter the banshee because perhaps the spirit does not haunt during the day or it may only haunt the inaccessible parts of the castle," He said thoughtfully. "Anyway, we shall continue to Kinnitty Castle." He added with a smile. He was curious of the next castle was abandoned to ghosts or if was left in ruins. To his surprise there were muggle cars parked just outside the Kinnitty Castle. Since the purchase of the castle three years ago, it had undergone significant renovations and continued to serve as a wedding and executive-level conference venue, as well as a 4-star hotel.

...hmm...I do not think we can enter as we please, especially with a tiger as a company, among muggles...

"That place seems to be inhabited by muggles. I don't know what business they have there, however we will find out if we take a closer look," August said. "Would you like to play a game with them by entering that place as invisible and give them quite a scare when they suddenly see doors opening and closing by themselves and hear our footsteps without seeing us? He suggested with a smirk. He had already drawn out his wand. "The invisibility charm will last for two hours, so we will also have time to explore the exterior. What do you think?"

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"That place seems to be inhabited by Muggles. I don't know what business they have there, however we will find out if we take a closer look," August said. "Would you like to play a game with them by entering that place as invisible and give them quite a scare when they suddenly see doors opening and closing by themselves and hear our footsteps without seeing us? He suggested with a smirk. He had already drawn out his wand. "The invisibility charm will last for two hours, so we will also have time to explore the exterior. What do you think?"

Celeste smirked. "Why not?"

Dante nodded in agreement.

Celeste gestured to both herself, and Dante, and they became invisible as she cast the charm.

"Let's hold hands so that we don't get separated." Celeste said before August turned invisible, taking hold of his free hand.

He made up a game that all three of us can play! She thought happily. I love games!

Once inside the lobby, Celeste grabbed the bellhop's hat, moving it in a way that looked as though it was hovering away on its own accord.

Dante seemed to be thinking a similar mischievous thought, because as the bellhop pursued his hat, he tripped him.

Celeste then dropped his hat perfectly onto his head, which was flat against the floor at the time.

"I'm going out to get some ice cream." Rosaleya announced to Crystal as she was organizing a rack of clothes by colour. "Would you like any?"

"Hmm...Nah, I'm good. Luna's making chocolate cake tonight, and she said that I could have up to half of the cake!" she licked her lips in anticipation. "I'm going to need all the room I can save for half of a cake, unless you want any?" she joked.

"Uhm...I think that a slice would be nice. Please save me a small one, if you can." Rosaleya requested modestly.

"Leigh, do you want any chocolate cake?" Crystal called to him.

Leigh, who had just finished counting out a customer's change, scowled at Crystal. "You know that I can't eat chocolate. My body can't handle the excess caffeine in my old age."

"You're not that old...and besides, there isn't even one grey hair on your head, or that mess that you call a goatee."

Leigh shook his head petulantly, suggesting that he would be ignoring whatever Crystal said next.

"Bye!" Rosaleya called from the door.

"Goodbye!" Crystal and Leigh called.

Did I make the right decision? Am I doing something dangerous? Am I being stupid? But, it's just ice cream, right? Rosaleya thought.

Three minutes earlier

"...so that I will know immediately if he has poisoned the ice cream." Rosaleya finished. "Now, what do you want in return?"

"Hmm..." Nova pondered in his usual dramatic way. "For this small wish, I request a small favor."

"Yes?"

"I want three scoops of ice cream; bubble gum, chocolate mint, and strawberry sherbert, in that order, with shredded coconut and gummy candies for a topping. And, the cone should be dipped in chocolate and sprinkles, and...you pay for it. And, summon me the moment you get back so that I can take it off your hands. Agreed?"

"Agreed." Rosaleya laughed. He had ordered in such a professional voice that it was hard to remember he was discussing ice cream.

Present time

"...and the third scoop will be strawberry sherbert, with shredded coconut and gummy candies for the toppings." Rosaleya finished.

"Alright." the man began preparing Nova's ice cream order immediately.

"Good day." Rosaleya said casually to the Masked Man, only choosing to address him after she had finished with Nova's order, even though he had been standing there the whole time. Why am I finding it so easy to act really cool right now? Where did my nerves go? Will they turn back on like a light-switch, just as they turned off somehow? Oh, I wish that I could find that switch and permanently tape it on the off setting.

He tipped his hat to her in reply.

"What flavor did you get?" she pointed to his white ice cream, in a cup, with no toppings.

The Masked Man didn't reply, but instead took a new spoon from the stand, filled it with a bite of his ice cream, and brought it up to Rosaleya's mouth.

Multiple choice: 1- Take the spoon from him and eat it. 2- Let him feed it to me 3- Reject the ice cream...I want option 2, but option 1 is probably better since I don't really know him yet. Maybe if he isn't a jerk, I can let option 2 happen next time.

She took the spoon from him, and tasted the ice cream.

"Mmmm...this is the best ice cream I've ever tasted. I can't describe the flavor...it's nothing like vanilla...it's like..." she was at a loss for words. "It's probably 'demon ice cream', right? Can you please tell me what flavor it is so that I can get some?"

The Masked Man still didn't reply, but opened his free hand, producing a duplicate of his serving for Rosaleya.

Maybe it doesn't have a name, like Diana's drink... Rosaleya surmised, taking the cup with a word of thanks.

"So...you said that you wanted to talk, but you haven't said anything during the entire walk." Rosaleya reminded him. She had held Nova's ice cream in her left hand, and bent her elbow inward to hold hers, using her right hand to hold the spoon and finish eating it as they walked. Now she was only holding Nova's ice cream in her left hand, having tossed her empty cup in a bin towards the end.

"There are multifarious subjects that I desire to discuss with you. " he admitted "-The ice cream would have melted before our conversation reached its close. So on this walk, I resolved to discuss visiting Silvery Serpents with you sometime instead-" the Masked Man began softly.

Rosaleya put her hand to her heart, feeling its accelerated beating and hearing its sound, now amplified, in her ears. Oh no...the switch...

"-princess."

...the switch has turned on again. She breathed heavily, for it felt as if she had just ran from one side of Knockturn to the other and back again. She This is what I wanted, right? A bold, charming, mysterious person calling me 'princess', being my 'prince' and being spontaneous and unexpected. So then, why is this stressing me out so much?! Hey, if I stay quiet for too long, then it'll look like hesitation! I'm interested in knowing more about him, I don't want him to think that I'm not interested because I think that he is ugly under his mask like the Phantom of the Opera or something like that. But what should I say about such a romantic and expensive place? My options were easy to see before, but now I can't see anything at all! I can only see a timer, counting the seconds that I've stayed silent...eight...nine...ten...I'm not used to such places...especially with-

"Please consider the matter at your leisure. I'll be at the Silvery Serpents this evening from six to nine. Do as you wish." he sounded as if he was smiling gently as he spoke those words.

Rosaleya nodded to show that she had heard him, and he turned to walk away, disappearing theatrically in an enormous puff of thick red smoke.

Her mind felt as if it was filled with that same red smoke as she greeted Crystal and Leigh, made her way upstairs, summoned Nova to give him his ice cream, and then lay down on her be over the covers, replaying that strange conversation over and over in her mind.

After a while, she was still unable to clear the 'smoke' from her mind (psychological smoke = she can't think straight), and she sat up in her bed, staring straight at Asmodeus's gift box.

Should I do it now? Should I open it now? She was seriously considering opening the box when a noise disturbed her thoughts.

Knock knock "Rosaleya?" came Crystal's voice from outside her bedroom door.

"Coming!" she stood up immediately to open the door for Crystal. "Yes?"

"The girl from earlier says that she wants to see you...I think her name was Athena...She's waiting downstairs, but if you don't want to see her, I can tell her that you're napping because you had a bad night's rest and you're seeking revenge on a mosquito." she suggested coolly.

"Uhm..." Rosaleya giggled, then thought for a moment. I really don't want any more distractions right now...I want to be alone to think about his offer. "Can you please tell her that?"

"Sure thing." Crystal nodded with a grin, leaving.

Rosaleya closed the door, sat down on her bed again, and continued pondering the Masked Man's offer and Asmodeus's box.

However, she hadn't gotten far at all when another interruption arrived, this time in the form of more tapping at her window.

Grabbing the bat like before, Rosaleya walked over, puzzled. She pulled back the curtain to find Athena tapping at the window with a smile on her face.

She opened the window, prepared to make up an excuse for her to go away.

"Hi!" she smiled innocently, her short purple hair looking magnificent in the sunlight.

"Hello." Rosaleya replied, her eyes falling on Athena's hair. It looks really cool, and it is styled like Touka Kirishima's, but maybe she didn't do that on purpose? Anyway, I need to stay focused on my objective: Make Athena Leave.

"You seem to be feeling well." Athena observed. "I guess that that Professor Thorne is a filthy liar." she looked at Rosaleya with an innocent countenance, but her posture was expectant. "Because," she continued when Rosaleya remained silent for lack of an excuse "-I just saw you walking to the ice cream stand with 'Edmund Dantes'. " When Rosaleya still remained silent, Athena kept going. "Are you avoiding me for some reason? I haven't done anything to you yet, and you're acting like I'm going to steal your soul from you without any hesitation. I wouldn't do that to a fellow demon." she smiled kindly.

Rosaleya's eyes widened. She must've seen me in the Demon Realm, probably in one of the towns, and now she thinks that I'm...Well, she's bound to find out sooner or later, and a useless lie like this would just stress me out and be unfair to her if her intentions are actually innocent. "...actually, I'm not a demon...I'm just a human who was visiting Hell a lot of times."

"You finally talked." Athena smiled happily. "And no, I'm pretty sure that you're a demon." she nodded, seemingly certain of her own logic. "So, can we hang out for a bit? I really wanted to get to know you and talk, mainly because no other girls at school know that demons even exist, and that sorta limits what I can say and do around them. But with you, I can act freely, because you seem to take the demons' existence really well."

Rosaleya had gone silent again, her mind obviously sifting through an imaginary book of excuses.

"Hey, I don't want to hurt you!" she said genuinely. "Can't two demons hang out and have a bit of fun? There's nothing suspicious in...say...a trip to London to see the new Anime film that's playing, right?"

"There's an Anime film in the Muggle theatres?" Rosaleya asked hesitantly, although there was a poorly concealed excitement in her eyes. "And I'm not a demon." she repeated honestly.

Yes! I knew that I could find something that got her excited! "Yeah, haven't you heard? It's called I Want to Eat Your Pancreas. Strange title for a romance film, right? Oddly enough, it's just about a girl who has a disease in her pancreas."

"Yes, I also thought that was a strange title, but isn't it supposed to be released in Japan on September 1st? How is a Muggle theatre playing it?"

"I didn't say that a Muggle theatre was playing it." Athena winked, extending her hand to Rosaleya. "Come on, we'll jump there, buy snacks, and be just in time for the film if we leave right now."

"Well...I..." She likes Anime? That has basically proven that she styled her hair like Touka on purpose...And she wanted to watch the same well-animated romance film that I wanted to? And she is being really nice....But I don't know her....And I have to think about 'Edmund Dante's' offer...But...but...

"By the way, have you watched Tokyo Ghoul?" she asked with a smirk.

She's tempting me with the thing I love the most...It's getting very hard to refuse her hand.... Rosaleya nodded.

"Then you know that I'm always Cosplaying as Touka, right?"

Another nod. "Yeah...your hair looks really pretty...but I didn't want to ask you about it at the risk of sounding strange...In case you didn't do it on purpose..." Option 1: Go with Touka Kirishima to watch the movie. Option 2: Reject this really cool, tempting offer when she's being so nice...I can always insist on coming back immediately after the movie, which is only 108 minutes, and thinking about Dante's offer then...Wait! "Wait! Why did you use the fire escape? Kagetane Hir- I mean, 'Edmund Dantes' just did that! Did you guys plan something?" she asked defensively, taking a step back and brandishing the bat.

 

[Hikari Chan]

...She turned herself and the tiger invisible without any use of a wand...she must be excellent in nonverbal magic...August thought while Celeste took hold of his hand before he turned himself invisible.

The castle turned out to be a hotel, because the entrance room was a modern lobby in bright colors such as beige and white mixed with some dark brown details with a counter to the left side where the staff was greeting the guests who need to check in or check out from the hotel. A couple of couches and some pots with various green plants were on the right side of the lobby. A large yet simple chandelier hung from the ceiling above the hallway that separated the lobby into two parts, the left and the right. A couple of muggles were sitting on a couch while some were standing by the service desk.

August watched as Celeste played a trick with the bellhop. First the other muggles around did not seem notice anything strange and they did not look at the bellhop until they heard someone falling on the floor. They all gave odd looks at the bellhop. ...Ah these muggles... August laughed quietly for himself. He walked over to the elevator and pressed the button. It plinged as soon as the doors of the elevator opened, still the muggles did not react, though the staff turned their heads towards the elevator and looked at it with frowned looks. No one entered or left the elevator and still it opened and closed and started to move up some floors as if someone had entered and pressed the button.

"Ugh, I bet some of the kids are playing with the elevator!" One female staff sighed. "Polly? You can handle the rest of the guests, can't you? They are just few today. I am just going to check that none of the children are playing with things they should not..."

She hurried towards the elevator and took it to the second floor where she knew one certain family with two children were staying for a week. As soon as she had entered the second floor, a male guest, paler than a ghost ran up towards her.

"Uh oh...miss, there must be a ghost here!" He cried out.

"Nonse-" She began but became speechless when she suddenly heard and saw doors to some empty rooms opening and closing and laughter and footsteps. She froze on her place, getting goose bumps all over her body, when she heard someone passing by but could not see anyone. She turned around, her heart beating so fast that she thought she was going to have heart attack soon. She saw the doors to the elevator opening and closing again and going up to the third floor where she knew no families with children were staying.

She ran towards the elevator and could hardly wait to take it to the third floor. It was the last floor where the elevator would reach. She heard footsteps and doors opening and closing. She could not help but scream and rushing down the stairs. More guests had gathered in the lobby, complaining about paranormal things taking place in the other floors. It was just not footsteps, laughter or doors opening and closing. Lights had been turned on and off. Some items such as tooth brush, a pair of shoes, accessories and clothes, small item decorations had been flying and hovering around in the rooms. Suddenly the chandelier started to rock slowly in the lobby and untouched newspapers that were on the coffee table, slid off the table and fell on the floor.

"Call an exorcist!" One guest cried out.

"There are ghosts!"

"This place is haunted!"

"I want my money back! There is no chance that I am staying over here the rest of the nights!"

Outdoors, far away enough from the hotel to stay hidden from muggles and close enough to see the hotel, August leaned his back against a tree trunk and laughed.

"Merlin's beard, those muggles...And that woman who was working there, she started to scream like a baby!" He was laughing so hard that he could hardly breathe. "Now they are going to make up ghost stories about that place when there are no ghosts. And even if there were real ghosts...I bet those muggles scared them away with their own screams and cries! Oh Celeste, I feel pity about the 'ghosts' who were residing that place..." He still laughed.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Celeste, who was laughing just as hard as August, agreed with him. "That was such fun." she said when she had finally stopped laughing. "My favorite was the person that screamed 'Call an exorcist!' Ah...Why don't we do the same at the next place? Malahide Castle has Muggles sightseeing there on a daily basis, and even a cafe and some stores on the grounds. That should be just as much fun, don't you think?" she grinned mischievously.

They walked a bit further away from the hotel, until they were in a safe place to open the portal, and then entered it to reach Malahide Castle.

It was located near the seaside town of Malahide in Dublin. A few Muggles were scattered about the castle's surrounding 23+ acres of grassy land. The castle was said to have been owned by the Talbot family for eight hundred years. The front of the castle boasted many of the turrets that Celeste had previously expressed an affinity for. The great hall had many portraits of the Talbot family from different generations hung upon its walls, and a long wooden dining table with matching chairs topped with short candelabras. There was red carpeting, and a railing framed a sitting area between two rooms on the upper floor. The great hall had four large, square windows with three narrow arched panes in the center of each one. The vaulted ceiling had wooden beams supporting it and a chandelier hung from the centermost beam.

The library seemed to be made entirely out of wood, with multiple wooden bookshelves holding hundreds of books, wooden ladders leading to wooden platforms protected by wooden railings to reach the higher books, and wooden flooring. There were chandeliers and antique lamps for the lighting, and a few couches in addition to the wooden desks and chairs. The library also had a fireplace.

The parlor had antique furniture, a fireplace, and more portraits of the Talbot family on the walls. There was also a bust of one of the male Talbots on a table near one of the windows.

A wooden staircase with a red carpet led to the second floor, which had three bedrooms. More portraits lined the walls surrounding the staircase, as well as a golden wall-clock.

One bedroom had a bed with wooden bedposts and white bed curtains, and two antique baby strollers in the west and east corners. A round table with a white tablecloth sat near the fireplace, ornamented with antique children's toys; a porcelain doll, an aeroplane, a small 'theatre' for a puppet show, and a few more toys. Near the table was a washing basin that could fit a small child, a dollhouse, and a large teddy bear. To the right of the bed was a small bookshelf, and a framed picture of one of the younger Talbots.

Another bedroom had a framed picture just outside it, illustrating the many crests of the Talbot family through its different generations. The fireplace inside the bedroom had a short golden railing, and the mantle held two antique statues. This bed also had wooden bedposts, though with floral bed curtains, white bed sheets, and a faded red bed-skirt. At the edge of the bed was a short red square couch with dark wooden legs matching the bedposts. At the bed's right, a simple bedside table held an antique lamp. At the bed's left, was a desk with a mirror and different items for grooming, for example, hairbrushes and bottles of perfume. Floral curtains framed the window, and another desk held an antique clock and more framed pictures of the Talbots.

The third bedroom's bed had gold bedposts and floral bed curtains that matched the flora bed skirt, and white bed sheets. An antique dresser had an old white nightgown hung on one of the handles, and there was a red throw-carpet decorating the grey floor. The ceiling was plain, although it had crown moldings and a chandelier just like the other bedrooms. This bedroom had a bathroom attached. There was a large wooden basin for washing, but not much else.

In one part of the courtyard, there was a place to purchase tickets to view the castle, as well as exhibitions of the Talbot family's history. In a different part of the courtyard, there was a place called the Avoca store, which sold all manner of items, including clothing and household items, and the Avoca cafe, which had outdoor dining and a view of the gardens. Celeste didn't have the desire to buy anything, or eat anything from the cafe. The clothing doesn't suit my tastes, and this isn't a demon cafe. She thought.

A building in the gardens resembled a museum on the inside, showcasing items that had belonged to the castle's original owners. There was also a timeline which gave information on the residents' story, dating from 1174 to 1975.

In the walled gardens and west lawn, there was a Victorian-style observatory, and seven greenhouses, containing over five-thousand species of plants.

"One of my comrades, named Reign, has an affinity for plants. I'll be sure to tell him about these greenhouses." Celeste said. "He was the man in the kimono at the Summer Feast." she explained. "He has hair longer than mine." she gestured, trying to jog his memory, but didn't say anything else after that. If he doesn't remember, that's probably because it is difficult to remember a single person that you didn't speak with from such a large event...even thought I pointed Reign out to August when we were talking...

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Cafe and stores you say?" August said thoughtfully after he had calmed down. "Well, it would be fun to scare off muggles again," The right corner of his mouth twisted as if he was on the edge to burst out in laughter again. "Though I would like to explore these stores and have a cup of coffee."

When they arrived at Malahide Castle, he discovered that the Avoca store did not have anything that could satisfy his taste, thus he only bought a cup of black coffee on the go. However, the paper cup was not suitable for hot beverage and he almost burned his hand while holding the cup.

...If I only knew wandless and nonverbal magic at the same time... He thought, feeling more irritated over the quality of the paper cup than over his own lack of magical skills.

"One of my comrades, named Reign, has an affinity for plants. I'll be sure to tell him about these greenhouses." Celeste said. "He was the man in the kimono at the Summer Feast." she explained. "He has hair longer than mine." she gestured

"Ah, yeah I do remember him," August nodded. He did not remember his face, but he remembered his appearance and odd attire. ...Should I tell her that these are muggle plants? ...Or no...Perhaps Reign has affinity for both muggle and wizarding plants..

"I enjoyed the exterior and interior of this castle more than the previous," He said after he had finished his coffee. "The previous was too modernized due it was turned to a hotel a couple of years ago. Now we have Leap Castle and Ross Castle left. Shall we have a dinner after we have visited both of them?"

Adela did not return to Hogwarts until three o'clock during the afternoon. She had been dodging to return back by spending some time in a muggle cafe. She had left Aislinn earlier because she did not want to bother her, even if the latter one did not seem to mind her to stay all day and spend another night at her place. Adela had suddenly remembered that she had promised a day out with Alexis and thus hurried back to the castle.

"There you are!" Alexis burst out as soon as he encountered his sister in the corridor where she had her office. He had been waiting outside her office for several hours. "Where have you been? You have been away for almost two days. I tried to ask your friends, but they kept telling me that they don't know anything about your whereabouts since the last time they saw you was leaving with Mulciber after we left the amusement park. I tried to ask him, but he only shrugged and said that you two parted ways after a short walk in the town. You literary broke your promise to me. You promised me that we would have a day out, just me and you, but you never showed up yesterday-"

"Alexis, please!" Adela interrupted, her heart beating very hard to the extent that it felt painful. "I am sorry, but something happened after we parted when we left the amusement park Monday night...I felt I could not return back to the castle...I actually wrote a letter to Endewyne-"

"But not to me?" It was not a question. He was clearly hurt.

"I-" ...should I have written a letter to Alexis...? But I don't know if I can trust him...I trusted Endewyne because she is a woman in my age...she would clearly understand...perhaps that's why she has not told anything to Alexis...I know Faeryn would gossip, but Endewyne is different which is why I trust her more...

"You owe me an apology, but a simple 'I am sorry' is not enough," Alexis spoke calmly, yet coldly. "I demand you to tell me everything, from the moment you left with Mulciber after we parted until the moment you returned today. If you don't, I will bring this to August's attention."

She suddenly got difficulties to breath and her face went paler than a ghost.

"You...you..." She stammered short-winded. "Tha…That's why...I...I...do...do...do...not-t-t-t...te…te...te...trust..." She burst out in tears.

...The bloody hell...what did I do...why do I tend making things worse than it already is… He thought, realizing his mistake.

"Adela, please don't cry...I am so sorry...I did not mean it...." He embraced her, in attempt to calm her down. He waited until she had stopped crying and started to breath normally before releasing her. "If you don't wish to tell me for some reasons, I understand. I won't question you anymore or tell anyone." He said seriously, looking into her eyes. "I promise you!"

...She won't tell me anything because she has trust issues with me...even if she asked me to join her to the amusement park, she still had her friends to join her...how much promises do I have to make and keep for her sake and how many promises do I expect her to break until I gain her trust? Now I just ruined the idea about spending a day with her....

"I am sorry about startling you like this...I never meant it...about telling August..." ...I would never tell him anyway...

"And I am sorry about breaking my promise to you. I never meant to..." Adela bowed on her head in remorse.

"Please don't be..." He lifted her head so that he could look at her face. "We can go out tomorrow Friday instead..." He smiled.

"Mmm..." She smiled in return. "Well...I will see you..." She took a couple of steps backwards before she turned away and went inside her office. Everything went so quickly that he did not have time to say anything else. Until then he realized that tomorrow was Thursday and not Friday. ...Well whatever, I could use both today and tomorrow to try to get my hands on that letter Adela sent to miss Jugson...I understand if Adela has some trust issues with me...but miss Jugson? She and miss Travers would both run to August and tell him everything about Adela, but they won't tell me a single word...tsk...

Once inside her office, Adela took a deep breath and sighed heavily. ...I did not have to tell him that I did not wish to talk about what happened Monday night or where I have been...he did not even try to ask me in a gentle way, but instead he threatened me with August? But even if Alexis had asked, I would have kindly told him that I did not wish to discuss the events. That morning when I returned to Hogwarts and he found me outside the hut, he never threatened me when he asked me about my whereabouts...but still I refused to tell him...so it is no wonder why he threatened me with August today...he must have perhaps guessed that I would refuse telling him anything even if he asked me nicely because he might be feeling concerned about me....OR perhaps he was just showing his true colors and all his nice behavior could be a simple act towards me...He was a former Slytherin and have been closer to both August and Andrew so that's not farfetched....Merlin knows why he is being so nice to me....I cannot trust him at all....

She walked over to her desk to see if she had received any owls during the short time, she had been absent from her office. The only letter she found on her desk was from the headmaster. She was surprised to see a letter from him and hurried to rip up the envelope to read the letter. It only said that all the staff were called for a meeting on Monday the coming week. ...oh...and there's nothing from Endewyne…? She thought, feeling a bit disappointed. ...But I bet she thinks I am in a safe place right now and does not know when I would return back since I told her I was staying at miss Monroe...I should go and see both Endewyne and Faeryn right away!

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"I enjoyed the exterior and interior of this castle more than the previous," He said after he had finished his coffee. "The previous was to modernized due it was turned to a hotel a couple of years ago."

"I agree...it didn't really feel like the same place at all." Celeste nodded, meaning the previous castle. She had resisted laughing at his failure to foresee the frivolity of the paper cup. I would have levitated it, making it look like I was holding it, and then transferred it into another cup that I would summon the moment we were in a more secluded area. She had thought. She had also made mental note of August's choice of black coffee.

"Now we have Leap Castle and Ross Castle left. Shall we have a dinner after we have visited both of them?"

"That sounds like the perfect ending to this date." Celeste smiled warmly at him.

Athena laughed. "I should call you 'Rapunzel' with that long hair and paranoid attitude." she smiled gently. "How long have you been trapped in this castle?"

Rosaleya's posture didn't change, and she still had that expectant glare that was demanding an explanation. And now, I'm calm again. Why? Where is that switch?!

We're going to miss the movie at this rate. " Listen, I will give you three logical reasons why your suggestion doesn't make sense. 1: If you wanted....no, if you had this burning desire to get to know the only other demon girl in all of Hogwarts, and you had just tried meeting her the normal way-" she meant, through the store "-and then you walked out of the store, all disappointed, only to see that all-too-convenient fire escape leading to 'Rapunzel's' window, wouldn't you use it? 2: If we were planning something, wouldn't this be too obvious? We might just think similarly, if what you said was true. 3: If I was planning something, I wouldn't be planning it with him." she said in disgust. "Please don't compare us."

"I'm not a demon." Rosaleya insisted, before changing her tone to a questioning one "Why are you disgusted with 'Edmund Dantes'?"

"Because he and I think similarly, so now my innocent desire to hang out with you looks suspicious. This may happen again in the future, so he's only complicating things for me." she scowled. "Now listen; we're going to be late-" her hand had been waiting for Rosaleya's this whole time, but now she lowered it. "-so if you don't want to go, at least reject my offer quickly so that I can catch the film by myself."

"I..." Rosaleya hesitated. Her logic makes sense...even if she was planning something, this looks too obvious...People that are planning something are supposed to be discreet and sly, right? Plus, I can't disagree with anything she just said. She didn't bother denying that she was planning anything, because I wouldn't believe her, so she just skipped that part of her explanation...In this case, I really want to go with her, so I will...But, first I have an idea. "...I really want to go with you, so I accept your offer-"

Athena's face brightened immediately, and she offered Rosaleya her hand again.

-on one condition."

"Hmm?" Athena's smile faltered slightly, and she lowered her hand about an inch.

"You go on ahead, and I'll be right there." Rosaleya insisted confidently.

"Oh? You're going to jump there like every other demon, right? Well, I'll see you there!" she jumped away, seemingly satisfied with Rosaleya's condition. "Don't be late!"

She didn't give me any time to correct her again. Rosaleya thought. "Nova, I summon you."

Three minutes later

"So, you will know if Athena has planned anything terrible for you today, or added anything harmful to any of your food, or cursed any items she may gift you, and for making sure that you arrive there as soon as I grant this wish..." Nova skipped his usual dramatic contemplation "...I want you to bring me back a souvenir from the shop near the demonic theatre that you two are visiting. Bring me back a sweet-flavored bag of 'Best Flavor chips." They're like your Wizarding Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Chips, but they don't have any disgusting flavors. Ah, the joys of demonic inventions." he smiled. "Do you accept?"

"Yes." Rosaleya nodded without hesitation.

Two minutes later

"Hi." Rosaleya greeted Athena, who was standing in line at the demonic snacks store near the theaters. She felt a lot more confident and relaxed now that she had gotten some insurance from Nova. "I didn't know that demons had malls in this world." she said in surprise. "The architecture here makes it feel like an expensive hotel or something...it's so pretty...and the gardens outside, too..."

Athena smiled, putting a hand on Rosaleya's shoulder and stepping out of the cue for the cash register so that she could pay for hers and Rosaleya's snacks all at once. "I want to show you all of the coolest places that demons have here in this world. But I can't do that if you want to question my actions every time, 'kay?"

Rosaleya's guilt for questioning Athena's clearly innocent actions stopped her from shrugging off Athena's hand. "I'm sorry...I'll try not to do that too much." Rosaleya agreed. I'll just ask Nova for a wish before I go with Athena. Just like today...until I start trusting her.

"So, pick out the snacks that you want. I bet you haven't tried these snacks before, right?" she smiled.

"So, I haven't...Oh, I recognize these-" she pointed to a jar of jelly bean-like candies "-from Diana's house. They were like Bertie Botts, but without the gross flavors. They come in sweet, and savory flavors." she hesitated on picking one up because she didn't want to seem greedy. If I'm going to choose snacks...and I get the feeling that Athena's going to insist on paying, mainly because I don't have any demonic currency...I don't want to choose too many things. I'll just pick one or-

"If you don't pick at least six things, even if you don't eat them all today...I'll get angry." Athena said seriously, although she smiled afterward. "I have plenty of DC to cover it."

DC must stand for Demonic Currency... "O...okay." Rosaleya nodded.

"I'll give you some space to think, but don't take too long; we have to hurry a bit since the movie is starting in six minutes. Here, hold this-" she handed Rosaleya her shopping basket "-and I'll go buy the tickets. I'll be back in a few minutes, so you'll probably be done by then. Bye!" she sprinted away without Rosaleya's consent.

Well...it's not like I was going to say no... She rationalized. Now, let's see... she browsed the shelves of demonic snacks. There was Best Flavor Gum, which, according to the packet, didn't run out of flavor for at least twenty-four hours, changing flavors every time on flavor started to fade. She saw that Athena had some accessories in her basket, as well as some Every Flavor Gum, a Never-Melting Popsicle; blueberry chocolate flavored, and some Organ Candies, which were gummy candies in the shape of organs. Rosaleya selected three jars of the Demonic Best Flavor Beans, two savory flavored, and one sweet flavored, and two bags of Best Flavor Chips, remembering Nova's request. For her last item, she noticed some demonic magazines being sold at the checkout counter, along with some charms for a demonic charm bracelet. She saw that Athena had chosen three charms, one shaped like a compass, and two shaped like Muggle pagers.

Rosaleya picked up one of the magazines that had Nova on the cover. He had a smirk on his lips and a confident posture, smelling a black rose with his eyes to the camera in an alluring gaze.

He'll solve any problem. He'll grant any wish. He's always available. Summon him now! The title read. Then, in smaller print underneath it... Instructions on how to summon him on the inside cover.

Rosaleya couldn't help laughing out loud. Nova was wearing an open black dress-shirt that exposed a bit of his hairless, toned chest, and some black dress pants, and his hair was done as nicely as it always was.

He looks so attractive here that I'm sure female demons would have a hard time not summoning him! Who had the idea to do this advertisement? How much did he pay to have it on the front page? This is just too hilarious! Even if the rest of the magazine is boring, I want it! I'll keep it for the front page to give me a good laugh! I'll ask him about this later! I wonder what his advertisement looks like for the male demons, because this one only appeals to the female ones...

"What are you laughing about?" Athena smiled, peeking over Rosaleya's shoulder.

"Oh...It's just that he's so different in real life...This picture makes it look like he's the love interest of the main character in a dirty manga...Look at that look he's giving!" she couldn't help but laugh.

"He asked for that as a favor for one of his wishes. At least, that's what I would do." Athena shrugged as Rosaleya put the magazine in the shopping basket. "Hey, do you like dirty manga?" she questioned, reflecting on Rosaleya's previous comment.

"I don't!" She insisted, a little too harshly...and she had spoken very quickly. Her lie was so transparent that even she saw it.

"It's okay, I get it." Athena assured with a wink, taking the shopping basket from Rosaleya. "When we get to Hogwarts, I can let you hide yours with mine, so that if I get caught, you'll be fine." she put a hand on her shoulder. "Although I'm going to use some demon magic to make sure that I'm not caught with contraband and publicly humiliated." she laughed. "It's our secret." she whispered in a trustworthy voice.

As Athena paid for their items, Rosaleya remained silent, reflecting on Athena's promise. I can't deny that I like them, because I would obviously be lying...But it is very embarrassing...It's not my fault that normal dirty magazines and dirty films and videos make me sick...for some reason, when it's in manga it feels more like art...everything looks so pretty and there's a story behind it that gives it an air of suspense and drama...I was just planning on abstaining from that stuff until I was done with my year at Hogwarts...Besides, what would my prince think when he finds out that I'm really a pervert? Well great job- she scolded herself -now Athena can totally blackmail me.

"So, let me explain what these are." Athena explained on their way to the theater. She was holding up a plain black choker with a simple flat black pendant shaped like a square. "These are rented for the movie, like Muggles rent 3D glasses. They allow us to communicate through our thoughts from one Communication Collar to another when you touch this square pendant. We won't disturb the other demons in the theatre, but we can still talk. Here-" she handed Rosaleya their items, which were in an elegant bag sporting the shop's logo. She put hers on, and then put Rosaleya's on for her before she could protest. "I'll tell you about these charms-" she retrieved the charms, which she had placed in one of her pockets instead of the shopping bag, and a silver charm bracelet that Rosaleya hadn't noticed before "-after the movie. Here you go, Sir." she handed their tickets to the man at the entrance with a generic smile, and then asked "Can you please let me keep the tickets? It's her first time here-" she gestured warmly to Rosaleya "-and thus our first time here together, so I wanted to keep them to put in my scrapbook. Besides, you don't really need to keep them because you saw us go in, so you know that we didn't steal our seats. And furthermore, I come here every week, so this is a small price to pay for my constant business as a customer, right?"

The man nodded with a kind smile. "You're right. Your first time at this theatre with your new friend." he handed the tickets to Rosaleya, who was surprised that Athena had successfully convinced him in less than a minute. Athena took the tickets before Rosaleya could, and put them in her blazer's inside pocket carefully, as if they were made of gold.

"Thank you." Rosaleya said gratefully.

"Thank you." Athena said seriously before playfully pulling Rosaleya into the theatre in a playful manner. "Great, the advertisements just ended, but it's fine."

I would've been very interested to see what sort of advertisements demons play before a movie. Rosaleya thought, slightly disappointed. But it's fine...maybe we'll come here again? She gave Athena a sideways glance, questioning if their friendship would last or if Athena would do something terrible soon. Maybe. She thought, handing Athena her portion of the snacks from the bag.

Thanks. Athena smiled warmly, touching the square pendant of her Communication Collar.

Thank you for inviting me to come and see this film early. Rosaleya replied, before letting go of her pendant.

At the scene where the two main characters were eating Yakiniku, Rosaleya was visibly confused, for she hadn't heard of that word before.

Yakiniku is how they say 'barbeque' in Japan. Athena gently informed Rosaleya.

Thanks...I guess that's my 'new word' today. I learn one or two new words a day every day, so my vocabulary is always getting bigger. Rosaleya replied.

At the scene where the two main characters were playing 'Truth or Dare', Rosaleya touched her pendant I didn't know how to play 'Truth or Dare' before, but now I do.

Maybe we could play sometime. Athena replied.

At the scene where the female character with the pancreas disease died, Rosaleya's face was emotionless.

Hmm...I'll admit, expected some form of emotion from you during the 'sad part'. Athena commented.

Her death came at an unexpected time, but I don't feel sad for some reason. Maybe it's because I've never 'mourned' for a female character before? Rosaleya replied.

So, you've 'mourned' for male characters?

Argh! It's difficult to control exactly what I think while I wear these! Forget that I thought that! Rosaleya pleaded.

I won't, but you don't have to tell me about it right now. Athena replied gently.

Hey, you aren't crying, either! You're just smiling!

It's because I didn't like the female character. She wasn't my type.

You mean, your favorite 'dere' type?

Yeah...By the way, what's your favorite 'dere' type?

Well, I've always hated Tsunderes until they stop being 'Tsun' and more 'dere'-

-same here!

-and Derederes are just boring. I think that's why I didn't really like this female character, either, because she was a Deredere. I can't stand Himederes and Oujideres, even if they genuinely love the other person in the relationship. Kuuderes always spark my interest. Danderes are a bit too predictable for my tastes, but they can be cute sometimes. Kanederes are just useless. Genki characters are adorable, but sometimes too ignorant of the emotions of the people surrounding them, although that isn't technically a 'dere' type...I would have to say that my favorite 'dere' type is Yandere, my second favorite is Mayadere, and my third favorite is Kuudere. Rosaleya thought.

Wow, all of that information came so fast! I guess you've thought about this a lot? Athena joked. My favorite type is definitely 'Kuudere' and then 'Yandere' and third is 'Tsundere'.

Why do you like Tsunderes?

Because they eventually become warmer, but it's a challenge to unlock their softer side. I like challenges.

Oh...okay. I thought I was weird for liking Yandere characters.

Well, there are different types of Yandere, and some are milder than others. To be clear, who is your favorite Yandere character?

Rosaleya immediately got her hand as far away from the pendant as possible. I can't let her know...I've already let enough slip...Besides, you have to really like Anime to know all of the 'dere' types, so at least she can't blackmail me with this information. I have to be really careful around her to not reveal anything else...

You don't have to tell me now. Athena said.

After the film was over, Athena walked out of the theatre holding Rosaleya's hand warmly, as if they had been best friends for a while now. In her other hand, she held the bag that had previously held their snacks, and now held the wrappers.

"Cleaning up after yourself just like every other demon." the man at the entrance smiled when they were handing in their Communication Collars. "Can you imagine having to clean the theater after a film if humans were visiting here?" he laughed at the absurdity of the idea.

"Yes, humans are so inconsiderate, right Rose?" Athena asked after laughing a bit at the man's joke. "It's okay to call you Rose, right?"

"...Yes." Rosaleya replied to her last question, ignoring her first. Humans are pretty inconsiderate...most of them...But I'm a human and I feel terrible when the demons make comments like tha-

"So, don't you want to know more about the charm bracelets?" Athena asked after a minute of silence.

Oh, I have to get back to make my final decision about the Masked Man's offer! I'm going to mentally address him as Kagetane Hiruko for now, because 'Edmund Dantes' doesn't sound right and 'Masked Man' sounds too cold. I'm leaning towards 'yes' for his offer at the moment, but-

"Hmm?" Athena reminded Rosaleya that she had been silent for ten seconds now, and that seemed to pull her out of her thoughts.

Oops! I forgot that I have to tell her! "Actually, I have something I have to do today before it gets too late, so I-"

"-If you have chores to do, I can help you." Athena volunteered.

"-No, I-"

"-If you're worried about me stealing anything, don't worry, I won't."

"No, it's not that."

"...then?"

The truth would probably work best...in case she sees through my excuse like before by happening to walk through Knockturn Alley as I'm with Kagetane. "Remember when I told you that 'Edmund Dantes' tried the same thing you did with the fire escape?"

"...Yes?"

"He invited me to Silvery Serpents, a place in Knockturn Alley that's not really-"

"-I'm familiar with the place." Athena nodded. "So, can I help you get ready? We can jump together to Knockturn as soon as you visit a reputable demonic barber shop in this world. Trust me, I'll have you looking wonderful! I mean, you do want to cut your hair, right?" she asked knowingly.

"How did you know?" Rosaleya asked slowly, admitting her desire.

"I can tell. So, why haven't you cut it, yet? Is that overprotective Dad also forcing you to grow your hair out and not letting you leave your 'tower'?" she joked.

"No...it's just that...I've always wanted really short hair, almost like a boy's, but Dad didn't approve. So, I refused to keep trimming my hair at the length he wanted, and he kept refusing to let me cut it the way I wanted, because we got into this huge argument and neither of us wanted to start it up again since."

"But didn't you make a wish to make him less strict? So, why haven't you had it cut yet?"

"Hang on, I never told you about that wish!" Rosaleya said defensively, immediately letting go of Athena's hand. "How did you-can you read minds? Did you-"

"-Relax! While we were chatting during the movie, you were thinking about how grateful you were that you had made that wish so that you could finally enjoy your life, in the back of your mind!"

"...I was." Rosaleya recalled, her posture immediately switching from defensive to relaxed.

"So, about that haircut?" Athena reminded.

"Oh...right...well, I'm terrible at describing things-" that aren't related to Anime and Manga, for some reason...When I try to describe those things, suddenly I am very good at it "-so I was worried about my inability to perfectly describe the Bifauxnen look I wanted...Crystal said that Ms. Monroe got really pretty short hair a year ago, and that she cut it herself, but I was too nervous to do that. Besides, I don't think that today would be the best day to experiment with new hair."

"Don't talk to me about the humans." Athena waved off Rosaleya's last few sentences. "Anyway, I'll definitely take you to get your hair cut today, right now. If you don't like it, then I'll pay to have them magically re-grow it, and it'll be like you never had anything done in the first place. There's no harm in that, right?"

"...No, there isn't...but-"

"Okay...then, let's ask if we can use the Communication Collars one more time so that you can just think about the hairstyle that you want, and I'll see it through the Collar. And I'm getting a very strong feeling that you need to ponder something important, so you can just do that while you're getting your hair cut, right?"

Why does Touka- I mean Athena make so much sense? It's difficult to argue with her, but at the same time, the gentle and persuasive way that she talks also makes me lose my desire to argue with her. And the things that she does without my permission haven't really bothered me...She's been nothing but kind and logical this whole time...I really hope that her behavior is consistent and doesn't change soon, when she finds it difficult to keep up 'the act', since this persona could be an act to get something that she wants.... Rosaleya nodded, and Athena smirked, offering her hand to Rosaleya, who took it with only a moment's hesitation. ...but at the same time...who would want something from someone as boring as me? If she wanted a human soul, then she could just take it from some random Muggle without wasting this much time on them...And she knows a lot about Anime from what I can tell...

"By the way-" Athena asked as they were flying through the air to get to the demonic barber shop. Rosaleya had successfully used the Collar to describe her hair for Athena, and she was secretly overjoyed at finally being able to get it cut the way she wanted...probably. "-did you know that Reign goes to this barber shop when he's in this world?"

"Really?" Rosaleya asked, mildly surprised. She was holding Athena's hand as they jumped, and enjoying the view of the ground soaring beneath them.

"Yes. And so does the King."

"Really?!" Rosaleya asked, this time her eyes widened in surprise. "So, this must be-"

"-Yes, the best, most trusted, and most consistent demonic barber shop on Earth, with the best service! Since I've made it my mission to make you my best friend, I can only take you to the best places!"

They landed in front of a shop front so beautiful and pristine that it was hard to remember that it was a barber shop.

"It's actually a salon, but the demons call it a barber shop because it sounds cooler. 'Salon' sounds like I'm some _ with fake nails and too much makeup that spends all day on the phone or shopping or at the salon gossiping, right?"

Rosaleya was surprised that Athena had cussed too blatantly, not having guessed that she was the type to do such a thing.

"Did me saying the word _ bother you?" Athena asked. "I can stop myself from cussing in your presence, if you want."

"...No, it's fine."

"Cool. So, as I was saying, did you know that Celeste also gets her hair cut here?"

This time, Rosaleya was so shocked that her heart rate accelerated and she had to take a few deep breaths in her excitement.

"Strange...your reaction is stronger when I mention Celeste than when I mention the King...Why?"

"Because..." Should I tell her? Well, it's probably obvious anyway... "...Celeste is like royalty in my eyes. Everything about her is the definition of elegant. The way she talks, and moves, and laughs...the confident, but not Himedere-like way that she talks...and I haven't really spoken more than a few words to the King."

"Do you want anything beside a haircut? Every shop on this street is owned by a demon, so if you need clothes-"

"No, I'm fine for clothing." Rosaleya insisted with a grateful smile. "I really appreciate you doing so much for me."

"Hey, from now on, you're not allowed to thank me or apologize to me. You are thanking me by letting me spend my time with you, and there is nothing in either the Demon realm or this one that you could do that would warrant an apology."

"What? That's not true." Rosaleya made a weird face. "I can think of plenty of things that would warrant an apology."

"Name one, besides an accident."

"..." Everything besides an accident is an action that is something I wouldn't do, so, she's actually right...

"So, shall we?" she held the door open for Rosaleya as if she was the most important person in the world.

Why is she so desperate to spend time with me? Is she lonely? Is there something that I possess that no one else does? What could that thing be, that she couldn't get from any other human? Maybe she has a personal vendetta against my 'Prince' and she's trying to steal me away from him? Maybe it's Kagetane Hiruko that's my 'Prince', and because she doesn't like him for some reason, she's trying to steal me away from him? Or, could it be that Touka Kirishima is homosexual and interested in me? What if Athena is really my 'Prince'? No...I'm probably imagining all of this. I have a very wild imagination. Besides...maybe it's Stephan...one of the demons told me that he has a crush on me. Or maybe it's someone I haven't met, yet?

As Rosaleya was absorbed in her thoughts, Athena was explaining what hairstyle Rosaleya wanted to one of the hair stylists, and asking if one of the massage rooms was available for herself.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Leap castle was very old, it was dated back to around 13th century. Looking up at the exterior of the castle, it did not look like ruins, but when entering it, there were hardly any furnished rooms. The interior looked like deserted and ruined, however visitors could still enter the place, because it had been going through some restoration work since many years ago , It was a rustic, dark and old place, with dark green ivy growing on part of the exterior.

"According to the rumors, a red lady ghost holding a dagger walks down the halls here and a sinister elemental spirit referred to only as the It allegedly haunts the castle...but I guess that's only rumors because it so quiet and peaceful here…" August said. "Unless if these ghosts show up after dark..."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Dante yawned when August talked about the ghosts.

"Even if we did wait around for them, it would probably be just as boring as the other ghosts we've seen in our lives. I'm sure that the Blood Baron and Sir Nicholas could probably tell more interesting stories than the ghosts of these places." she meant all of the places that they'd visited so far. "Besides; I was visiting these for the architecture, not the ghosts." she smiled.

As they walked to a more secluded place to open a portal to Ross Castle, Celeste explained. "I've heard that you can reserve bedrooms rooms at Ross Castle and that they've redone the inside a lot, much like Kinnity Castle was."

Dante yawned again.

"How do you feel about your new hair?" Athena asked when Rosaleya was finished. She had gotten Rosaleya's permission to read her magazine while waiting, since Athena's treatment had finished before Rosaleya's. "Do you want them to change it back?"

Rosaleya looked at herself from all the angles she could see in the mirror, while Athena conjured another mirror so that she could use it to view the back of her hairstyle. Once she had seen it from all angles, she sighed a long, deep sigh. Athena waited patiently, not wanting to interrupt Rosaleya's thought process.

"I love it." Rosaleya said quietly, unable to take her eyes off her reflection in disbelief and amazement, though her tone and expression illustrated her deep gratitude. "It's the most beautiful way I've ever had my hair. It's so wonderful that I feel like any future Christmas or birthday presents are unnecessary and unwanted. I feel like the words 'Thank you' are too simple for this amazing thing that I've wanted for so long but that I haven't been able to get. It makes me so grateful that you convinced me to go with you today, because even if we just came here and I went back home, this day would be perfect."

Athena, who had been listening with a cool expression and a subtle smirk, put her arms around Rosaleya in an embrace with her chin on her shoulder. She looked into her eyes through the mirror and replied "I'm happy that I got to hear you speak in that sort of voice. You probably haven't used it often, right?"

"No, not often..." Only when Nova gave me that wish...this is the same feeling that I had then...A pure and dreamlike feeling of happiness and gratitude...It feels like I'm entranced by my reflection...like the world of dreams and the world of reality are meeting for a moment. Am I being vain, or is this a normal reaction? My head feel so light without that heavy blanket of hair weighing it down, and I can't imagine how easy it will be to wash and style it in the morning, not like before..But will I look silly in a dress with this boyish hair? Will Dad and Crystal get angry when they see me?

"Then my thanks is hearing such a rare and special thing. That emotion is one of the most gratifying to see on a person's face...Well-" she took a step back after releasing Rosaleya from her embrace. "-did you get to ponder that thing that you had on your mind?"

"Yes. I've decided to accept Kagetane Hiruko's offer." Rosaleya joked, finally turning to Athena.

"The Black Bullet villain?" Athena confirmed. "Hey, I'll help you get to the place he invited you to, if you want."

"Yes. But first, I have to change my clothes back home. Could you help me get there?"

"You want to jump with me again?" Athena had an overjoyed look in her eyes for a moment.

"Yes, please."

After Athena had paid for their treatments and they were standing outside the store, she asked "So, do you have a tux already?"

"What?"

"You know...a tuxedo. Like, with a black dress shirt and a black-" she used her hands to gesture for different elements of a tuxedo.

"No, I know what a tuxedo is, but...shouldn't a girl...wear a dress to a place like that?" Rosaleya formed the sharpest image that she could of Silvery Serpents, remembering it to be a very posh place from the one time she had been inside.

"Look, don't play dumb with me." Athena smirked knowingly, taking Rosaleya's hand and pointing to the signet ring that her 'Prince' had gifted her. "I knew why you wanted to wear a boy's uniform at Hogwarts ever since I saw that ring. Now, can you tell me what Utena Tenjou ended up wearing to that ball in Episode 3?"

"She wore her 'Prince' costume in the end!" Rosaleya remembered.

"So, that means that you can forget the dresses from now on when your going to an event. You can wear a princely Cosplay, if you want, or a tuxedo in this case. I know a store that-"

"-look, you've already wasted enough DC on me today as it is! I really don't need a-"

"-Wasted?" Athena suddenly looked deeply hurt. "Any DC that I spend on you is like an investment. The way I view it, Iinvest my time and my DC, and you repay me with your company and your gratitude. Your friendship is what I really want to get. So, don't ever let me hear you say things like 'wasting DC on you' or 'wasting my time with you', because you're not some human that I could manipulate in an instant for their soul or their money. I want you specifically. I want to make your life better. I want to change it from what it is now, to what you dream of it being, little by little, in any way that I can. Like today, with the hairstyle you wanted. Don't you feel closer to that dream of yours?"

Rosaleya was quite surprised by Athena's words, which left her subconsciously worrying that Athena was her 'Prince'. At the forefront of her mind, she was secretly happy that Athena's desire for a friend was so great that she would go to such lengths to get one. Perhaps Touka Kirishima is a mind reader...or perhaps she is just really perceptive and also has similar desires and interests to me...but I am finding it difficult not to like her. So far, I can't find any undesirable qualities...besides the fact that she likes embracing me and holding my hand and that she is convinced that I'm a demon...I think that the idea of having her as my best friend sounds really nice. "You described it so perfectly." Rosaleya agreed "About the dream, I mean. I do feel a bit closer to it now."

Athena smiled. "I want to be part of that dream when it becomes a reality. I've always wished to do that for someone, and now I can. So, there's a place that sells formal ware two buildings from this barber shop. Interested?"

Rosaleya nodded with a smile.

"So, now that we've gotten everything ready for your meeting with Kagetane, is there anywhere that you have to go before Silvery Serpents?"

"Yes. I have to check on something back at my room. Could you please take me there?"

"What is it? Maybe I can help you." Athena offered kindly.

"I have to let my Dad and Crystal see my new look before I see Kagetane. That way, if we get into a fight, I'll be able to make a wish so that they accept my hair, and then be able to meet with Kagetane with the fight out of the way. If I procrastinate and show them afterward, then it'll be at the back of my mind during the meeting, so I won't be able to focus on the meeting very well, because when I try to procrastinate all I can think about is the thing that I'm avoiding, so it's actually more difficult to procrastinate than to actually do the thing. Does that make sense?" Even though I made the wish that Dad would be more accepting of my wishes...in other words, less strict...I still feel like there might be a fight because that huge fight from before was so harsh...

"Perfect sense." Athena nodded seriously. "I'll go with you in case they're extra mean. Good plan?" she joked.

"No, it's fine." Rosaleya laughed. "It probably won't be as bad as I'm imagining."

"Can I ask, why don't you just summon him now and wish for their acceptance, without the 'fight' first?"

"Because...I want their honest opinion before I wish for a fake one." Rosaleya admitted.

"I get it. Well, then..." she warmly offered her hand to Rosaleya to jump.

Once they landed near the store and Rosaleya thanked Athena for everything she had gifted her that day, Athena added "Maybe tomorrow, I can tell you about those charms I got."

"No...I've got some chores to do at the shop, so I'll be busy all day..."

"But you're free the next day, right? How about then?"

"Yes." Rosaleya smiled, genuinely looking forward to it.

They said their goodbyes, which they exchanged with a simple handshake, and then Athena jumped away, leaving Rosaleya to walk the few meters to Darkest Creatures alone.

"Hello...I'm back." Rosaleya called from the entrance.

Crystal didn't look up from the cash register where she was putting a lady's gown into a bag. "Leigh's upstairs doing the accounting, and you know how he doesn't like to be distu-" she finally looked at Rosaleya, and was genuinely surprised. "-Good for you! You finally got the short hair that you wanted! It looks so nice on you; it really brings out the nice shape of your face and the lovely colour of your eyes...I hope that Leigh agrees with me, or else he's blind." she joked.

"I'll wait until he's done with the accounting. Do you know when he started?" He takes hours on that, even though it's really simple, with the organised way that we keep track of everything. And once he starts, unless the store is on fire or there's a sale somewhere because he's cheap, he won't stop for anything, and hates to be disturbed for anything.

"Yeah, he started soon after you left, so he should be taking a break in about an hour...that'll be at around five-thirty." she shrugged. "He'll eat something, then get back to working on it until he falls asleep." she half-joked, because both Rosaleya and Crystal knew that it was actually true.

"I'll set an alarm for five-thirty. Thank you." Rosaleya walked upstairs to her bedroom, and couldn't help checking that the fire escape was clear, and that Asmodeus's box was still there. She stole another glance at herself in the mirror, still disbelieving that it was her reflection that stared back at her.

She passed the time by reviewing all the different 'Dere' types from the list that she had made on her computer, and then watched two episodes of Mekakucity Actors.

I barely feel the time pass by when I'm watching Anime or reading Manga. Rosaleya thought happily as the five-thirty alarm went off just as Episode 2's ending theme was playing. She closed her laptop and walked over to Leigh's door, which he was sure to open any moment for a break.

As per Crystal's estimate, the door opened a minute later, and Leigh's face changed from weary to a type of expression that Rosaleya hadn't seen in a long time...

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn was checking her post box at the post office in Diagon Alley. She did not receive so many owls and was not surprised to see a single envelope awaiting her. Though what surprised her the post was the Hogwarts stamp on the envelope. She had not been expecting it. She hurried back to her home to read the letter in peace, because it both the post office and the rest of Diagon Alley were too crowded this Wednesday afternoon.

Once she was in her room, with the door closed and locked so that no one would disturb her, she ripped up the envelope and read the letter.

...Ahhh......I cannot say no to this offer hehe... She thought with a smirk. ...I did not expect Elias to ever offer me such an opportunity...

She picked out her quill and inkwell and a piece of parchment to write her response.

...I should have been in Romania, Bulgaria or Hungary and training, breeding, taming dragons right now, but instead I am stuck in this office to do a bunch of boring paperwork.... Edward thought annoyed. ...so that the minister can enjoy vacation with his wife...tsk...

A single envelope suddenly dropped in front of him on the desk. He picked it up and ripped it open immediately. He was surprised to see who the sender was, and the content of the letter was even more surprising and unexpected. "Oh...I cannot say no!" He laughed out aloud, not caring if someone heard him outside the office. He pushed the paperwork aside to make room for writing a response to the letter.

"Di--did you hear that?"

"Ugh, yeah, he just laughed and he is alone in that office..."

"That sent me a chill down my spine, he is such a creep..."

"I was about to knock on the door because I needed to speak with him regarding a matter, since he is currently substituting for Mr. Shadowwalker, but ugh I rather not. I will wait for him to return to the office..."

"Ah I cannot understand how the minister chose that creep as his right hand..."

"Perhaps they knew each other in the past? I cannot tell for sure, because I have not seen that creep without his deatheater mask, so I don't know who he is...but I don't doubt he was a deatheater in the past..."

"What? You do not believe me?" Adela looked shocked at Endewyne. "I thought you'd be understanding at least! I am you friend; we have been friends since the first day when we become students at Hogwarts!" She was not screaming. She was speaking calmly, but her voice was shaking a bit and it looked like she was close to tears.

"Of course, I am an understanding person!" Endewyne replied calmly without snapping back at her friend. "But I can not only view this matter from your point of view. I must also view it from Mulciber's point of view. And after all these years, I mean, if he had desired to do something bad against you, wouldn't he have already tried to do it? And besides, he is a close friend to your brothers and August trust him enough to have you married to him. So Mulciber would not dare to mess up with you. Think about these things Adela and reconsider before you carelessly blame him for trying _______ harass you."

"I have already done so. Perhaps you need to view my memories from Monday night and reconsider your words..." Adela was still speaking calmly, but some tears were already sliding down her cheeks. She brushed away her tears, feeling angrier with herself that she was crying rather than being angry on Endewyne for not believing her.

"I don't need to look through your memories because I already know that you are speaking the truth. You are and have always been bad at lying and right now I can see that you are speaking the truth, but you surely know how to exaggerate about things. I don't know so much about miss Monroe's cousin, but I know both her and Mulciber good enough that I would rather trust him than her. You remember what kind of girl she was when we were students at Hogwarts, don't you? Even if we weren't in the same house, we were in the same year and took classes together..."

"Oh I remember those days. I remember how she was, but I have seen a different side of her-"

"which means she can be two-faced-"

"I don't believe so!"

"So, you are still persistent?!"

Adela did not reply and turned on her heel and walked out from Endewyne's office. She did not slam the door behind her but closed it quickly as soon as she left.

...There's no use trying to argue with Endewyne and I better not to bring up this to Faeryn's attention, because she is just the same. I thought the former one would sympathize with me, but no... I was wrong....

...Hmm...she seems to know a lot more about Hogwarts than I expected. Perhaps she has studied postmortem history and about all the castles, including Hogwarts...

"Ah...so Ross Castle is just another boring place..." August replied with a sigh. "Would you like to prank these muggles here like we did at Kinnitty Castle?"

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Nah." Celeste replied to August's suggestion. "I would rather explore Hogwarts again..." Perhaps that would be a good idea for another date. "I think that castles with hidden passages are the most interesting, but I also love castles with interesting architecture...and ghosts are sometimes interesting to talk to...So, Hogwarts seems to have all three, don't you think?" she smiled. "Oh, I don't think I've told you, yet...yes, I definitely haven't told you. My brother and I have secretly visited Hogwarts before. I'll tell you about it over dinner." she paused "So, where are we eating...?" she visibly tried to recall if August had said anything earlier about where they would be having dinner.

"Nova, I..." Rosaleya sniffled. "...I'm summoning you."

"What's the matter? You sounded so melancholic when you summoned me." Nova asked gently, without a trace of his usual humor. Her hair looks nice...but is she crying because Penelope cut her hair while she was asleep? No...she's been with Asmodeus this whole time...I know that she hasn't left his manor...Perhaps it's not about her hair, but something more serious. He concluded. Whatever it is, I will help her with it as much as I can.

"My father and I just had a huge fight. He said some hurtful things to me, and I have some new bruises. I don't think that I'm exaggerating-" she sniffled again "-but I want to make two wishes." Although there was a very hurt look in her eyes, her voice sounded so cold now that Nova was worried she may wish for her father's death without thinking about it first. She had been sitting on the floor with her back against the back of her bed, but now she stood up with a firm posture. It looked like she had made a firm decision about her chosen wishes, and nothing could change her mind. She looked like a different person entirely.

Fifteen minutes earlier

As per Crystal's estimate, the door opened a minute later, and Leigh's face changed from weary to a type of expression that Rosaleya hadn't seen in a long time...It was a harshly cold expression of pure disapproval that sent a chill down Rosaleya's spine and made it difficult to think clearly.

That look... Rosaleya thought, paralyzed with fear. ...I made a mistake...

"Who took you to get your hair cut?" Leigh asked. It was difficult to tell what he would say next, but his voice was as cold as his expression.

...I haven't told him about any of the demons, yet...Because...I didn't want to share my happy memories with him. I was, and am, still angry with him about everything... "...Athena Lovett." Rosaleya replied quietly.

"Who is that?"

"...She...she's a friend that I made...today at the Hogwarts interview."

"You're lying to me again." Leigh said, barely letting her finish. "I can tell when you're lying. Tell me how you became friends, and how you got your hair cut. Tell me why you didn't tell me about this before you got it cut-" he put his hand on her shoulders, holding her gently yet firmly. "-and what you've been doing when you've been leaving the house every day. Do you have any more friends that you didn't tell me about? Tell me everything, right now!" his voice became a bit harsher, and his grip a bit firmer.

Rosaleya, unable to think clearly under Leigh's gaze, told him everything at lightning speed. The first wish she had made, the Summer Feast, visiting the Demon Realm to clean in return for Nova's wishes, and then eventually to spend leisure time there once she grew comfortable, how Nova had become her best friend and introduced her to different demons he knew, like Reign and Celeste and Asmodeus, and how they had begun requesting her presence for tea and picnics and the like. Everything up until the current moment, without sparing a detail, was delivered in a shaky voice, all the while Leigh's grip became firmer until Rosaleya felt her shoulders go numb in pain.

"All of this...you kept secret from me?" Leigh asked rhetorically. He wore a strange expression as he seemed to remember something he had long since forgotten. It looked as if he was looking past Rosaleya's eyes, into some strange world that only he could see. For a fleeting moment, there was something that looked like fear in his eyes.

I've never seen that expression before...what does this mean? I thought that the wish I made solved everything! And his hands hurt so much!

And then, he opened his mouth, replying with the most hurtful and angry words that Rosaleya had ever heard him say, while his grip, if possible, became even more firm.

Tears formed in Rosaleya's eyes, more because of his harsh words spoken in his cold and harsh voice, rather than the physical pain he was causing her.

Then, all of a sudden, he stopped speaking mid-sentence, and released her from his painful grasp by harshly pushing her. She hit the door on the opposite end of the narrow hallway, fell into a strange sitting position, and hugged herself, touching the places that Leigh had hurt.

"Why?" he asked, reaching a hand out to help Rosaleya to her feet. His voice gentle again as if he had forgotten his previous harshness. "Why...why...why...why...why? Why didn't you tell me?"

I can't tell him why...he obviously won't understand...I just wish that I had that box with me right now...the box that Asmodeus gave me...That's right, it's still in my room...I'll open it as soon as this is over...as soon as-

"Don't ignore me." Leigh's harsh tone returned as he grabbed her hands forcefully. "Tell me why!" he waited for a moment with an expectant look in his eyes, before dragging her by her wrists to her room as he continued "I see. You think that you're something special now that you've made some friends. They don't love you; have you forgotten what demons use to sustain themselves? They all want to use you because you're a human! And I thought that I had raised you better than that! From now on, you're not allowed to leave this building, and you're forbidden to interact with any demons, in any way! You're not allowed to visit Hell, and you're not even allowed to eat anything without my permission! Tomorrow-" he shoved her into her bedroom and stood in the doorway "-I'm going to clear out your room. You have no use for a computer or any of those strange comics. It's those unusual Japanese stories that you watch and read that are giving you all of these false ideas about romance and independence! You're mine, and I won't lose your pure soul to someone who's looking to eat a good meal. I won't let anyone corrupt you." he slammed her door shut and locked it. "I'll take you to the barber shop here in Knockturn to regrow your hair tomorrow. And until then, don't even think about touching any of your belongings, because you're grounded for quite some time. I should've never let you go to that Summer Feast...what was I thinking?" he said as he walked away.

Rosaleya succumbed to her emotions and began crying uncontrollably, hugging herself as she sat on the floor near her bed, where Leigh had nearly thrown her.

I'll open the box...as soon as I make that wish to Nova...I should have never hesitated on making it. But, I'm not hesitating now! I'll summon him the moment I can calm myself down.

Meanwhile, Crystal, who had heard a door slamming, rushed upstairs, even if it meant temporarily leaving the register unguarded.

"Leigh, what's going-" she tried to ask when she saw the stressed look on his face and heard Rosaleya's distant sobbing.

"-never you mind, it's between Rosaleya and I for now. Get back to the register immediately, but don't think that I don't know. You and I are going to talk at length about certain incidents that have been going on recently. And don't even try to approach Rosaleya." he finished with a threatening look in his eyes. "Get back downstairs. Now."

Crystal, against her better judgment, did so, preparing to summon Nova the moment she return to the register.

Current time

"First, I wish that I could copy my memory of what just happened and give that copy to you, right now. I want it to be top-quality." Rosaleya finished. "Your payment?"

"I want one hug, whenever I want it."

"Fine."

"Oh my..." Nova immediately understood why Rosaleya wasn't acting like herself. He strode over to where she was sitting, and sat next to her. "I want that hug now."

"For my second wish..." Rosaleya continued a few moments later, still embracing Nova "I wish that my Dad and Crystal would forget everything that happened after five-thirty p.m. today. When I leave this room after you've granted the wish, I want to travel back in time to 5:30 pm, August first, like when you start the level of a video game from a certain saved point you made in the middle of that level so that you don't have to re-start the entire level again. That way, I can redo that terrible scene the way I want it to happen."

"I understand what you mean." Nova couldn't help smiling subtly at the cute way Rosaleya explained it.

"I want it to happen like this: My Dad accepts my hair when he sees it for the 'first time', and so does Crystal, and they don't ask any other questions other than if I like it as much as they do. I want to keep these bruises as a reminder of this day, so don't let them heal for at least a year, and I want you and I to keep the memory of what just happened, unlike Crystal and Dad, who will never be able to remember what happened, no matter what, no exceptions. Your payment is?"

"Let this embrace last another three minutes, at least." Nova replied gently, pulling her a bit closer. Rosaleya rested her head against his chest and agreed, feeling comforted by his currently gentle and calming aura.

Three minutes and a few seconds later

"Goodbye, and good luck." Nova disappeared in a puff of smoke after magically unlocking the door for Rosaleya.

She stood and waited outside Leigh's door, which opened a minute later, and his face changed from weary to a type of expression that Rosaleya hadn't seen in a long time...A warm, kind smile that would've looked genuine if Rosaleya hadn't remembered the last iteration of this scene. She looked down at the floor, feeling a strong, strange feeling inside her. The feeling of getting what you want...but having it be so strange...it feels so contrived and terrible...what is this feeling called?

"You're hair looks so lovely, Rosaleya." Leigh gently ran his fingers through it with a kind look in his eyes and his other hand resting gently on her shoulder "It really suits the shape of your-hmm? Why are you crying, dear?"

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Oh..." August was visibly surprised that Celeste had visited Hogwarts before. And with her brother. ...When could that have been...and how could I have missed it? ...Perhaps she visited the castle when I was having a class...
"Well, I was thinking about to take you to a high-end restaurant in the wizarding area of Dublin," He replied.

Adela was wandering alone around in the castle, trying to reflect upon the earlier events as she wondered if there would be anyone in the world who would understand her and take her side whenever anyone did something wrong towards her or acted against her desires.

She suddenly realized that she had not seen August for a while, and it seemed that he was unaware of what had happened to her lately. ...It either means that he is being absent or that no one has told him yet...Faeryn is the one who usually gossips...Endewyne only tries to talk to him if it is something too serious in her opinion....and Mulciber is one of his friends and should have told him what happened Monday night...Since Alexis threatened me to tell August, it must mean that the latter one does not know yet and it is only the matter of time until Mulciber tells him....and if I know him right, he would obviously bend and twist on the truth so that I get the blame...the same thing I believe he must have done with Endewyne...otherwise why would she believe him…?

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"That sounds nice. I don't eat Irish food often." Celeste smiled, meaning that it would be nice to eat something that she hadn't had in a long while.

At the restaurant, Celeste ordered Garlic Roasted Cabbage Wedges, Seafood Chowder, Potato Leek Stew, Shepherd's Pie, and Black Mead.

"I haven't tried Garlic Roasted Cabbage Wedges before, but I think they sound interesting." she finished. And if I don't like them, I'll just send them back, provided that August doesn't, either.

"So, now it's time for my story." Celeste remembered after August had placed his order and the waiter had walked away. "You've probably been wondering when my brother and I visited Hogwarts. Well, you remember the Second Wizarding War from the history books, right?" she paused momentarily for dramatic effect. "We used time travel to explore Hogwarts before it was wrecked in all of that havoc. Master suggested that we go back to early July, 1997, during Albus Dumbledore's funeral, since everyone would be outside of Hogwarts attending it. We found and tried all seven secret passageways, and tested the Room of Requirement as well. We went back to that time period a few more times to read some of the books in the library that interested us, but that was about it." she shrugged casually. And since Wizards can only time-travel one-way with a time-turner, and since those were all destroyed a long while ago and no one built any more, he must be itching to ask how on Earth we went back and forth in time at our leisure. Well, there isn't an Earthly reason for it...Nova doesn't come from Earth. Celeste smiled to herself, wondering if August was going to ask. Even if he does...will he believe me? I would tell him about Nova without mentioning that he was a demon, but even that sounds a bit far-fetched. He'd probably take it as another one of my jokes I suppose.

"Nothing." Rosaleya put all her effort into a smile, then went back to her room and locked the door.

Leigh shrugged and continued on downstairs for his break.

Rosaleya's eyes fell on Asmodeus's box, and she took a deep breath.

I'm pretty sure that I want it now. If there's anything that can help me with the strangeness I'm feeling toward Athena, Edmund Dantes, and Dad, then I want it now.

She picked it up and set it on the floor, then untied the ribbon gingerly. The moment the ribbon was untied, Rosaleya sprinted away and hid behind her bed, as if she was worried that the contents would explode at any minute. The box expanded to the size of an extra-large suitcase, and Rosaleya stared at it with wide eyes.

Okay, I forgot that physics don't matter when it comes to magic. Rosaleya laughed at her own reaction before nearing the box and putting either hand on the right and left sides of the lid, preparing to lift it quickly instead of dawdling, since she didn't want to be late for Kagetane's dinner.

"Three...two....oh, why am I counting down?" she lifted the lid without any more hesitation, only to close it again a split-second later.

"I was imagining that!" she told herself. There's no way that that was in the box this whole time! Asmodeus wouldn't do that, right? Okay, I'm going to try this again, but I'm summoning Nova just in case something goes wrong...maybe it'll talk if I wake it up. Maybe it knows why it's in there....

"Nova, I'm summoning you!"

"Yes, Rose? Oh, you're going to open it?! Let me guess, you want me to be here just in case?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Sure." Nova sat on the floor with his legs crossed and his back resting against the end of Rosaleya's bed. He wore an eager expression as Rosaleya proceeded to lift the lid again.

A young man wearing a white kimono that exposed much of his chest, with long straight white hair, was asleep inside of the 'box'. His wrists were tied together, he wore a gag and a blindfold, and his ankles were also bound.

Before Rosaleya could do anything, he sat up energetically and turned his head to the right and left as if he was looking around, even though he was wearing a blindfold. Then, his head turned straight to Rosaleya, who wondered how he knew she was there, and he held out his hands patiently, clearly saying 'remove the bindings'.

Rosaleya hesitated for a second, then did so after seeing no signs of concern on Nova's face, meanwhile the man didn't move an inch. She couldn't help admiring his smooth, hairless skin and his toned chest, and his long white hair even though the timing wasn't right to be admiring such things.

The moment she finished, he pulled his hands away and pointed to his blindfold, which Rosaleya proceeded to untie. She was momentarily frozen in place when his stunning emerald eyes were revealed. They crinkled when they met hers; he was smiling softly.

He undid the rest of the restraints himself before asking. "Don't you have any questions?" he asked eagerly, suddenly standing up casually.

"...Yes...it's the obvious ones..." Rosaleya replied, still wondering why Nova's expression hadn't changed at all.

"Very well, then I get to explain myself." the man proceeded to step outside of the suitcase and stretch in different ways, since he had been cooped up for so long. "Let's start with 'what is my name'. Quite simply, you have to give me one before we can continue."

"Really?" Rosaleya asked in disbelief. I don't know whether to be on guard or relaxed since this is a stranger in my room that I don't know, but it's a gift from Asmodeus and Nova's right here...

"Yes."

"Okay...Your eyes remind me of jadeite, so I'll name you Jadeite. Jade is what I'll call you. Now...your explanation...?"

"You remember Reign's extension of himself, named Ruka, don't you?"

"Yes, I remember..." Rosaleya was beginning to understand who he was.

"I'm like that, but for you." he smiled warmly again. "A demon's extension looks the way they want it to look...so you wanted a bishounen with long white hair and green eyes, didn't you?" he asked slyly.

"Yes...it's my favorite character design, but unfortunately it's not used enough." Rosaleya replied. "So...can Nova see you, too?"

"No, I can't see anything." Nova replied.
"No, he can't." Jade replied at the same time as Nova.

"So, how can you know things that I don't?"

"Simple. Asmodeus explained it to me."

"So, why where you bound like that?"

"It's a metaphor for how I was tied up inside of your mind before you opened the box."

"Okay...so, you're basically an extension of my brain...prove it. Prove that you know everything that I do, even the things that I've never told anyone. I'll make sure not to think of them right now so that you can't just read my mind in case this is all a prank and you're just a mind-reader."

"It's not a prank." both Nova and Jade said at the same time. "Asmodeus wouldn't do that."

Then, Jade stated three facts that Rosaleya had never told anyone.

"Okay, so you're an extension of myself, but...no one else can see you? Why not?"

"You don't want anyone to see me. You want to keep me all to yourself like that imaginary friend you always wanted."

"You're right..." Rosaleya admitted. "So, how are you supposed to help me if I'm feeling strange?"

"I am a concentrated version of your instincts, your memories, and your brain. I lack the emotional instability that gets in your way, so can you think of what I might be good for?"

Rosaleya's eyes grew wide as she realized it, then she grinned like the Cheshire cat. "You're basically the better version of myself, but you look so..." she barely resisted complimenting his handsome appearance.

"So, you won't have too much trouble remembering things-"

"-and I won't have too much trouble making decisions or- can you tell if people are lying?"

"Yes."

"Wait! Can you touch things like Reign's extension can? Ruka cleans and does other things for-"

"-Yes."

"-Can you speak different languages?"

"You cannot do that. I am limited by what you are capable of....so, miscellaneous words from other languages are all I can come up with."

"So...theoretically, if I'm in a dark alley at night, and there are three delinquents that have restrained me in a way that I can't move, can you save me?"

"Yes. Because you would accidentally use your magic and harm them before escaping, I would be able to save you."

"One more thing...I mean, I'll probably have more questions later, but for now..." Rosaleya strode forward and touched Jade's face, feeling his smooth skin. "Why can I feel you? You feel so real."

"Magic doesn't always make sense, remember?"

"Okay, can other people touch you?"

Jade strode toward Nova and picked him up, carrying him like a groom carries the bride.

"Are you doing that?" Nova asked nonchalantly "Or is it that?"

"It's 'that'. Do you feel anything?" Rosaleya laughed.

"No...I just know that I'm floating in mid-air now."

"Okay, so you can touch people but they can't feel you...so, you'd be really useful for-"

"-Pranks and self-defence." Jade finished her sentence cheerfully, putting Nova back down gently. "And cleaning and cooking."

"Okay...what if I am angry, and I am fantasizing about slapping Dad across the face because he's being mean?"

"I'll probably end up slapping him for you." Jade replied with a mischevious grin. "Unless you tell me not to. And by the way, you've forgotten about Kagetane's dinner again. You have fifteen minutes to get there."

"Thank you! Oh, another thing-"

"We'll talk as we walk there." Jade suggested. "You should say goodbye to Nova and then be on your way."

Rosaleya nodded in agreement, her face portraying her excitement and happiness.

"Asmodeus is a wise man." Jade spoke Rosaleya's thoughts.

"I don't need you for anything else...the 'danger' is gone now." Rosaleya smiled, holding out her hand to Nova to shake.

"You really want to give him a hug, though." Jade said knowingly.

Nova embraced Rosaleya and asked "What did you name 'it'? Also, is it a boy or a girl? What does it look like?"

"I named it 'Jadeite' because he has handsome jade green eyes. If you want to know what he looks like...I wish that I could make a copy of the interaction I just had with him, and give one copy to you. A top quality copy."

"And in return, I want you to ask him if he needs to shower. I've always wondered if Ruka had to bathe herself, but it sounds a bit perverted of me to ask."

Rosaleya looked to Jade, who shook his head in response. While Rosaleya and Nova were talking, Jade was straightening up different parts of Rosaleya's room, so that it looked tidier.

"He says that he doesn't have to." Rosaleya replied.

"Wow...he looks very handsome...he reminds me a bit of Damien, but if he straightened his wild hair and wore Jade colour contacts." Nova said, breaking their embrace and taking a step back.

"Yes." Rosaleya agreed.

They exchanged their goodbyes, and Nova disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"So, why were you talking to me like I was a demon?" Rosaleya asked as Jade opened her bedroom door for her.

"Because you are a demon." Jade replied simply. "You just can't remember that you are."

"Really? Are you just telling me what I want to hear?, because I really want to be a demon."

"I don't do that. I only tell you the truth. What use do I have to lie to myself?" he asked with a smile.

"Well, if I'm a demon, then what are my special powers?"

"You want it to be a surprise for later, so I'm not going to tell you now." Jade smirked as they descended the stairs.

"Yeah..." Rosaleya admitted. "Okay, what if-"

"Hey, no one can see me, remember? You can't talk to me when we're in a public place. But, you can mouth sentences subtly, and I'll reply normally."

"Right. Bye Dad, bye Crystal!" Rosaleya said as she left. "So, some demons other than Reign have extensions, right?" she mouthed discreetly once they were outside.

"Yes."

"But not all of them are visible, right?"

"Yes."

"Can you see the invisible ones?"

"Yes."

"...Can you control my dreams? Like, if I want a certain type of dream that I've been wanting to have but was never able to, are you...?" Rosaleya asked, feeling slightly embarrassed since she still hadn't fully comprehended that Jadeite was an extension of herself.

"Oh yes." Jade smiled a perverted smile, knowing exactly what she meant. "As well as other highly entertaining dreams that don't have to do with that."

"Yes! Finally, interesting dreams!" Rosaleya couldn't help exclaiming.

A couple that was passing by stared at her strangely, but Rosaleya was feeling so exhilarated that she didn't care.

"Okay...okay..." Rosaleya was back to mouthing her words again. "Can you do things while I'm asleep?"

"Yes."

"Is there a limit to how far away from me you can go?"

"You have to know the area very well. For example, if you're at Darkest Creatures and you want me to go and purchase groceries for you at the store a few blocks away, that is fine, since you've been there many times and you know the directions perfectly. However, if you say 'bring me a ramen from a Tokyo noodle shop', I cannot, because you do not know the precise way to get there from this very spot."

"Okay. Does knowledge pass between us?"

"Unfortunately, no. If I read a book, you will not have a memory of that book, and I will quickly forget it whether I desire to or not. I can, however, read it to you, which I would be happy to do."

"Can you sing?"

"Yes."

Rosaleya took a deep breath. "Can you sing in any voice I want you to?"

"As accurately as you wish, in any voice that you wish. However, it is impossible to record it."

"Please sing the song that Daisuke Hirakawa sang from the Otome game Taisho x Alice?"

"Very well."

He finished by the time Rosaleya sat down at the Masked Man's table at Silvery Serpents.

It was so perfect! I love that song because I really like Daisuke Hirakawa's voice acting and singing, and that song is the perfect example of how amazing his voice sounds. I can't believe that Asmodeus came up with such a great idea to give me an extension! And about the demon-thing...

"I'm not lying to you!" Jade insisted.

...I'll have to validate that later.

"You're being so stubborn." Jade crossed his arms jokingly. He was standing next to Rosaleya, and his posture said that he would be staying that way throughout the conversation with 'Edmund Dantes'.

As soon as Rosaleya sat down, the Masked Man looked up from his book and stared at Rosaleya, who looked strangely ecstatic.

"Good evening." he said, quickly putting his book away before Rosaleya could see the cover.

"Do you want me to pull it out of his coat pocket and read the title to you?" Jade offered. "Do you want me to pull off his mask so that you can see his face?"

No, thank you. Rosaleya thought towards Jade. "Good evening." Rosaleya replied. "What are these?" she gestured to the playing cards that the Masked Man had placed in a stack in the center of the table.

"I wanted to play a game with you." he replied mysteriously.

"Poker? I'm terribly easy to read and I don't like betting money. My Dad says it's a bad habit." Rosaleya replied.

"No. I want to play 'Demonic Truth or Dare'...That is, if you also wish to play?" he asked slyly.

Hell yes I want to play! I can find out more about him! This is perfect! I can get him to tell me all of the things that he's keeping from me! And if I get him to pick 'dare', I'll have him take off his mask!!! were Rosaleya's first thoughts.

"Yes, but, think about all of the things that you don't want to tell him." Jade reasoned.

"Hmm..." Rosaleya thought out loud. "What is the difference between the Human and Demon versions of the game?"

"Both of us drink Demonic Truth Serum before the game begins. You can end this game whenever you wish. There is no rule that forces you to keep playing. And I won't ask you to do anything perverted for the 'dares'." the Masked Man assured her genuinely.

"You know what's strange about this man?" Jade wondered out loud. "He has an extension...but it's not with him...I can't tell where it is, or what it looks like. But it's a faint feeling I'm getting that he has one...I'm certain of it." Jade said. "And I still don't recommend playing this game with him."

I can always stop playing, just like he said. Rosaleya thought in response to Jade. "I agree to your terms. I want to play it with you."

"Very well, then." the Masked Man sounded as if he was smiling when he spoke.

The cards immediately fanned themselves out in a circle when he finished his sentence, and he handed Rosaleya a vile of truth serum.

"You know how the game works, I assume?"

Rosaleya nodded.

"You are allowed to inspect the cards yourself to prove that they aren't tampered with-"

Jade began inspecting the cards before the Masked Man finished his sentence, and Rosaleya resisted giggling.

"-and you may choose my first card to prove that I am not cheating. In addition, I give you my solemn promise that Iwill not cheat throughout this game." he put his hand to his heart.

"They're not trick cards, and that 'truth serum' is actually truth serum, not poison or something else." Jade concluded, moving to stand next to Rosaleya again. "And, I'm here for you if things go wrong." he put a hand on her shoulder.

"I get it...so you wanted to talk honestly." Rosaleya concluded logically as she drank her truth serum. "That sounds nice." She selected two cards.

"This is mine-" she picked the card closest to herself, which turned out to be a 'six' "-and this is yours." she picked the card that was facing east in the circle of cards, which turned out to be a 'seven'. "You win." Rosaleya sighed, slightly disappointed "You go first."

 

[Hikari Chan]

August listened to Celeste's story while he took a bite of everything he had ordered: Dublin Coddle, Garlic Roasted Cabbage Wedges and Cheese Soup in a Bread Bowl.
...Hmm... He smiled when she finished her story. ...She did not use the time turner, did she? Time turners are rare and all of them were destroyed. Perhaps her master or someone must have built a time turner, or she could have used a different method for time traveling. She is not human anyway, but a different being so it won't be surprising if she would use a different method...I just cannot think of any at this moment...

"Did you read the books at the restricted section? They are the most interesting ones..." He smirked. "Which book did you enjoy the most?"