Chapter Twenty Five - Happy Yule
Chapter Twenty Five - Happy Yule
Albus sat sloped into the cozy couch, his home knitted wool sweater pickled at his skin, irritated he harshly scratched his collarbone, leaving red trails behind. It gave him a headache just being at the burrows. Everyone seemed to be in the Christmas spirit—Everyone execpt him, instead his mind was transfixed on the upcoming term and how to deal with Burke. He didn't like not knowing whether or not Roiser would return, afterall it hindered his planning.
There had been no news following what went down, their father came home an hour or so before they left yesterday to the burrows, yet spilled no news about what had taken place the day before. It irritated him, the not knowing, the glances between his father and Teddy felt close to stab wounds, of not being trusted, his resentment feeling worse than ever. It itched his skin almost like a physical rash, but in reality there was no such thing.
There was no sign that anything had ever been amidst, no sign that their father had spent the last few days in the office, when he should have been home, not that Albus cared much–He preferred when his father wasn't home, yet it felt suffocating in a different sense, the way nobody commented on it, acting as if it was normal. Their family seemed like the perfect picture to anyone looking in, to anyone else but him. His uncles and aunts acted the same way they always did, and the holiday grand meal went through like every other year. With a practiced grace Albus carefully maneuvered his family's questions about his time at School, about Slytherin, about who he spends his time with.
Chaos embodied their family like nothing else, all around was loud obnoxious voices and laughter, never leaving any room for silence, for any peace of mind. Even retreated into his mind didn't work like it used too, his shield had fallen, they took a lot more mental strain to keep up within the burrow, within the house surrounded by an almost uncomfortable heavy suffocating fog only he could feel, the air felt heavier in his throat, the nosies, grating, louder—
He breathed out, trying to regain control, his own magic helping little, instead roaming within ablaze alike a raging fire, burning him from the inside out, as if it too could feel the magic so unwelcome that surrounded the house and wanted, needed to lash out, to make itself known.
He had known that The Burrow was surrounded by light magic—woven into the very structure of the house and its wards, built into the foundation itself. Yet he had underestimated his own ability to feel its hostility, light magic, like dark, was possessive, unyielding, He had never known magic could feel so hostile, so alien, so entirely unlike him.
He still wore the bracelet Fawley had given him, a lifeline of sorts. He had tried many times to study its properties, the runes carved into it—but without knowing any detection spells, he’d had no success. It turned out that glamour items, objects designed to hide or alter one’s magical presence were rare and difficult to find, which also meant that they weren’t easy to study. He even wondered if it was legal. Logically, it would fall under the category of dark magical objects, at least in the eyes of the law. Not in magic itself, but in the law, As illegal had become synonymous with “Dark magic” A term encompassing every banned item. Afterall if an object were dark in nature it would carry a residue of dark magic. Which the bracelet didn't, after all if it did, it would go against its own nature and function—how could it possibly conceal one's magical aura to neutral if it left a dark magical residue?
No, the magic had to be at least gray. The laws had become more extreme under his father and aunts’ policies. Simply owning dark magical objects could land someone in Azkaban, and speaking out about it would just bring suspicion towards you. If his family ever found out about his extracurricular activities, which hinged on the edge of legibility if not outright illegal, it would be a one-way ticket to Azkaban—no matter the blood that ran through his veins.
His mind wandered back to his summer readings about the witch trials, to Nott’s older brother’s speech. Muggleborns had been the ones burned—those poor magical people born to Muggles, born outside the protection of Purebloods and their concealment magic. The horrors they must have endured, the brutality from those they thought were their own, who had seen them as nothing but monsters—simply because they had been blessed with magic, simply because they had been chosen, simply because they were better.
Albus felt the coach shift as a new weight settled beside him. He turned and gave a soft smile to his cousin, Hugo, who had plopped down beside him.
“So? Did any adults catch you?” Albus asked knowingly. Hugo only let out an annoyed huff. before he began to speak.
“I don't understand why they are so against bets.” he said annoyedly, flaring his arms half dramatically, half bored.
“Gambling is illegal.” Albus deadpanned as his gaze went over to the trio of his father, Ron and Hermoine, talking loudly and boisterously, all with a drink in their hands–His mother was by George and Angelica in some heated discussion—Possibility, more likely than not quidditch related.
Hugo let out a laugh which turned back Albus' gaze. “Like we haven't seen them doing bets during games,” he said ironically. Albus just gave him a smirk.
"Don't you know? Different rules for different people."
Hugo slumped back into the couch with a sigh, crossing his arms like the child he where. "Why doesn’t that nepotism work for me too?" he asked, his voice laced with disappointment.
"I wonder that as well, cousin," Albus said, grinning as he leaned back, feeling slightly more comfortable. Hugo returned the smile, lifting Albus' mood.
“So, about the snake—” Hugo said with intrigue as he lowered his voice.
“Is fine, for now. We'll see when the adults decide it's time for us to start opening gifts,” Albus interrupted, voice casual.
“I’ve been waiting for that all evening,” Hugo mused, a gleam of mischief in his eyes. “Imagining the outrage—”
“Don’t remind me,” Albus muttered, exhausted. “Mother is going to flay me alive.”
Hugo made a disgusted face at the thought. “Such a dark imagination,” he said, though he didn’t seem the least bit concerned.
Albus let out a light laugh.
“Is it true that you are going to give her that book as well?” he asked nonchalantly as he took some homemade christmas candies from the bowl on the table.
Albus gave him a side eye. How did Hugo know about that? It was a deal he regretfully had to do for Lily to make her shut up about him going off on her in Diagon alley, yet it didn't seem like it mattered, afterall she had snitched on him when they had gotten home, earning him a lecture from his parents. He felt his mood sour at the thought of it. How his parents had already made him into the villain, the one in the wrong, how dramatic they acted about him leaving her in Diagon alley during daytime, it was ridiculous, their mind clouded by paranoia.
“What else? Burning it would be a waste of spell power” Albus said as he leaned back, though the idea of burning it up before his sister's eyes was quite an inviting thought.
“Merlin—most would just return it, you know,” Hugo remarked with a grimace.
“Return what?” came a voice from behind them. Both boys turned their heads toward the sound.
“Nothing,” Albus said, offering a poised smile toward Victoire, who raised an eyebrow before walking around to join them on the couch.
Hugo just grinned. "You’ll see," he said smugly, making Victoire laugh.
"So, how's Hogwarts treating you now that I'm gone?" she asked, a playful smile curling on her lips.
“Horrible,” Albus replied, earning another laugh from his cousin.
“I can imagine that,” Victoire said, her tone teasing.
“How's the mentorship treating you?” Albus asked, genuinely interested.
“Well, the French Ministry is a bit different—looser, some might say. I actually feel more at home there.” Albus nodded, understanding. Victoire had creature blood, and classified as “Half-creature” and with his father’s and aunt's multiple failed attempts at changing the policies, the law in wizarding britain was quite restrictive for those with creature blood, and the prejudice was widespread; the British public still feared those with creature inheritance like they were a Boggart—Imaging them more as creatures than wizards, like the creature part could just take over and run amok. Like they had less intelligence and prisoners to their creature blood's nature.
“That’s rubbish,” Hugo huffed.
Victoire smiled, pulling him into a half-hug. “I’m fine, really. It doesn’t bother me that much anymore.”
“People will always be ignorant,” Albus said, his voice cold. “Creature inheritance is a gift, and they’re blind not to see it.”
“True,” she agreed. “Being normal isn’t all that fun, is it?” she added with a grin, prompting the boys to laugh.
“Do you think you’ll stay in France?” Albus asked, watching as she turned her gaze to the fire, clearly deep in thought.
“I think so, if my mentorship goes well.”
“It will,” Albus said confidently. Victoire gave him a warm smile.
“And then we’ll visit France a lot more!” Hugo added with a grin. Victoire laughed as she ruffled his hair. “I’ll even show you the French Ministry—the building’s far grander than the British one.”
Hugo, delighted, playfully tried to swat Victoire's hand away as she nearly spilled her glass of wine on the carpet. Albus simply watched them, feeling something he couldn’t quite name—a fleeting warmth in his chest, a small reminder of what family should be, his lips twitching into a smile at the dramatics of his cousins.
Then, the adults seemed to join them around the couch, and all their other cousins followed suit. It was time for the gift exchange. Everyone gathered around the fire and the Christmas tree, some sitting on the floor as there weren't enough couches or chairs for the large family.
Laughter filled the room as the joke gifts were unwrapped, some of them setting off fireworks, others turning the person into a vivid array of colors, or even causing their faces to morph into animal characteristics. Teddy, as usual, joined in and changed his appearance, to match.
“Here! One to Al!” Molly Junior said as she gave him a present, seemingly wrapped in muggle gift paper. He turned the package over and looked at the Christmas card that was attached, a muggle one with pictures of santa.
“Merry Christmas Albus! Or should I say Happy Yule?
I wasn't really sure what to give you as a christmas present, but i wanted to thank you for this term and how helpful you have been! On the note that you parents aren't letting you guys eat sweets, I decided to give you a few, both muggle and magical!
Good wishes and kind regards,
Sam Marshall.“
Albus smiled down at the writing, he knew the other’s financial situation wasn’t great, which made the gift all the more thoughtful. Hopefully, Sam would enjoy the gift Albus had sent him. He had decided to give him a special edition of the charm book Sam had talked about wanting all term but couldn’t afford, even secondhand. Sam had been disappointed when he found that Hogwarts didn’t stock it. Albus had talked with Scorpius about it to make sure they didn’t give him the same gift.
Scorpius, instead, would give him a pair of dragon hide gloves since Sam’s were secondhand and barely usable—so much so that they had nearly cost him a hand in Herbology–And after the whole Quill conversation they decided to give Sam a magical ink eraser brush. Those were not common at Hogwarts, As most by that time knew the charm to vanish the ink, as it was an easy one, and only worked on ink. The eraser brush was used for children too young to own a wand but still needed to learn writing, they told as much in the letter–Letting him know it would give him side glances if he took it to school, it was more for him to have at home where he couldn't use the spell to vanish the ink.
And yes, Albus did indeed like sweets. His mother, however, did try to limit their intake, and now most of the sweets they had, even the christmas sweets were homemade "healthier" variants. Albus opened the package with a smile on his face. Sam had given him quite the muggle confectionery bag, with a few less magical ones mixed in. It wasn’t strange, considering Sam’s limited knowledge of wizarding sweets and the fact that the currency exchange was currently awful.
Albus snacked on Sam's sweets, watching as his cousins unwrapped their gifts, each one thanking him with bright smiles. Albus exchanged similar gestures in return, his heart lightened by the rare feeling of family warmth around him. Then, finally, it was time for Lily’s gift.
A pang of dread prickled through him as he glanced at the carefully wrapped box he’d labelled “To Lily.” He could almost picture his parents’ reactions. His mother had vehemently forbidden her from getting a pet snake last summer—and here he was, giving her one. But Lily had been insistent, telling him with a glint in her eye to; “Leave it to me.” Now, though, he wondered just how she planned to handle the situation.
Lily’s grin was mischievous, her eyes practically twinkling as she tore off the paper with an exaggerated flourish. The box opened to reveal a beautifully enchanted terrarium that expanded as she lifted the lid. The interior transformed into a miniature habitat—a lush, sandy oasis with warmth and humidity magically calibrated to mimic a rattlesnake’s natural environment. The terrarium’s space was enlarged from the inside, giving the snake plenty of room to slither freely.
Nestled within, a small magical rattlesnake laid curled up, barely bigger than a worm. It had a pale, strikingly albino complexion, its scales shimmered in the light, almost christal white. Unlike their Muggle counterparts, the snake’ rattles didn’t just serve as warnings; their rattling emitted a soft, melodic chime that sounded more like bells. It was said that these magical rattlesnakes could communicate with other snakes through their musical rattles, each sound carrying emotions from excitement to anger–These sounds where also picked up easily by the human ear, which made it easy for their owners to read their moods, as the snakes where magical they were of higher intelligence than their muggle counterparts, making them almost able to communicate with their owners, which made them a popular pet and familiar.
Lily beamed with pure delight, looking as if she’d just received the world. She practically leapt at him, pulling him into a hug as if she hadn’t known exactly what the gift was. Albus couldn’t help but smile, feeling his previous sour mood with her lighten, he was rather impressed and proud by her convincing play. Yet that quickly disappeared as he felt his parents’ gazes burning into him, he focused all his strength on keeping his gaze away, praying to magic herself that Lily really did have a plan to pull this off.
He could feel the shift in atmosphere and so could surely everyone else. As the mostly chaotic Christmas present gift openings had gone quieter than before, their family took in Lily’s gift, the small snake.
Lily released him, turning back to the terrarium with stars in her eyes. She leaned in closer to inspect the little creature, her fingers tapping softly on the glass as if they might respond. The snake stirred slightly, lifting its head as its rattle gave a gentle, chiming sound that seemed to captivate Lily completely.
“Oh, she is perfect!” she whispered, excitement spilling over. She shot a quick look at Albus, a silent thank-you in her eyes. But the lightheartedness was quickly broken. It was their uncle who spoke first.
“Blimey–Is that a snake?” Ron said with a light tone, that hinted at a faint concern. With a drink in hand and dropped over one of the arm chairs, he eyed the terrarium as if it might spring to life and release its occupants.
“Yes! A Magical rattlesnake!” Lily replied with enthusiasm as she studied her new pet through the glass, the small baby reptile body wrapped around itself, sleeping.
“Albus, I know you’re aware of how I—” Their mother began, her voice tight, but hinted at not wanting to make a scene.
“Lily knows enough about creatures to care for it,” he said simply trying to withhold his irritation.
“Aren't Magical Rattlesnakes venomous and poisonous?” Rose added, crossing her arms and grimacing down at the snake.
“Only venomous, though not deadly,” Lily said rolling her eyes, as if it was somehow common knowledge.”They are harmless as long as you carry a bezoar, which everyone should do anyway” Lily responded breezily, clearly unaware of the tension, or ignoring it. Then something in her eyes glinted, and Albus saw his sister change slightly, her voice becoming a bit more childish—
She turned towards their parents with big eyes “Mum, Dad—don’t blame Albus! He’s just being kind. We all know you’d never let me have one, and that has nothing to do with my ability to handle magical creatures! Come on, ask Hagrid! I’m really good at—” she said with the voice that almost worked all the time, spoiled as she was getting the things she wanted.
“Lily, stop it. This isn’t about your ability—” Ginny interrupted, her tone firmer now, clearly not amused and aware of her daughter's subtle sly try of manipulation. “It’s more about your brother getting you something you weren’t allowed.”
Albus suppressed an eye roll and just sat quietly, of course they would somehow always find a way to blame him. he hid his irritation and just continued to watching the scene; Lily wasn’t backing down, her face turning red as she stepped protectively in front of him, a bit dramatic for his own taste, yet he didn't stop her.
“Don’t blame him! I was the one who asked him! If you’re going to blame anyone, blame me!” she nearly shouted, a fierce determination in her voice, her Gryffindor side was out in full force.
“Lily, it’s great that you’re pro—” Ginny began, trying to diffuse the tension, but James jumped in just as dramatically.
“It was her idea, honestly! You should scold her for forcing Al into buying the snake!” he added with a mischievous grin, casting a glance between Lily and Albus.
Lily didn’t look the least bit offended by her brother’s words. Instead, she grinned wider and nodded as she placed her hands on her hips. “Exactly! Al had no choice! It was like I’d cast an Imperius on him!” she declared dramatically, earning snickers from the room.
In the back, their father stood with an unreadable expression as he took in the scene, quietly he walked over beside Ginny and wrapped his arm around her waist. Ginny let out a sigh as her hand found her forehead massaging it, clearly frustrated, but also exhausted, blended together with amusement of her daughter's antics as she suppressed her lips from forming a smile..
“Fine,” she relented, her tone still stern but softened with a trace of a smile. “But we will talk more about this at home—That snake will not be let loose.”
“Thank you, thank you! I’ll keep her safe, I swear!” Lily beamed as she threw her arms around Ginny in a gleeful hug. Which Ginny answered with a warm smile as she stroked her daughter's head.
“Shouldn't you keep us safe from it?” Rose grimaced. As her brother piqued up. “You think she is going to let it loose in our common room?” he whispered teasingly to his sister who gave him a horrid grimace.
Then Lily sprang over towards her other gift, and began to frantically unwrap the package. Albus had almost forgotten he had gotten her that book. Another headache came on his body, tensing once more. He shifted his gaze over to his cousins who had once more returned to the gift giving—But was quickly taken back to his sister as she literally squealed loudly, making almost all head turns toward her as she hugged the book to her chest, and began to roll around on the floor in excitement.
This time Ginny raised an eyebrow and moved over looking down at her daughter, suspicion in her gaze “Is that book the one–” she began, clearly not amused.
“Yes! It’s the one with the Romeo and Juliet concept—” She began to ramble on, Albus heard Victoire try to keep down her laughter from beside him, Hugo seemed to take in the scene as if he was watching a movie, now holding the candy bowl and eating out of it. His gaze returned as his mother promptly fought Lily's arms away and confiscated the book. Lily looked as if their mother had taken away her most precious belongings, but their mother huffed and stood tall “A snake, fine!” She said as she crossed her arms “But this book? No!” she said clearly over her daughter's dramatics.
Her gaze turned towards Albus, “Albus! You can’t give your sister a mature rated romance book!” she said almost red in the face, Albus sighed, there was no other choice, he gave his sister a regretful look before childishly pointing his finger at her accusingly “She forced me!” He said loudly, and Lily looked like he had sold her out, which in all fairness he had. Her expression was priceless. Their mother turned all ire against Lily, scolding her about using coercion on a family member—Yet Lily's gaze was stuck on him, with a deadly intent.
Albus should have seen it, but alas, he was not all-knowing, so when Lily ignored their mothers rant and literally jumped and threw herself on him and dragged him to the floor, he was shocked.
Lily, in full dramatic mode, pushed harder, her face scrunched up in mock fury. “You’ve betrayed me, Albus!” she declared, practically dripping with melodrama as her hands gripped his collar, lifting him upward.
Albus raised an eyebrow, but leaned in closer, giving in to the dramatics, his voice dropping to a dramatic whisper as he spit out each word laced with utmost venom, pronouncing each syllable with deadly intent “Says the snitch.”
Lily froze, her face turning an even darker red that rivalled her red dress. “I did not snitch!” she hissed through clenched teeth, looking like she might explode with fury.
Albus, unfazed by her outrage, pushed back, gripping her wrists as they began to tug at his hair, trying to get the upper hand. “You literally ratted me out!” he shot back, struggling to hold his ground while Lily found a way to get her fingers back into his hair, he quickly gave up the attempt and instead drove his own hands towards her pulling on her ponytails.
"I didn't rat you out! I made a strategic decision!" Lily yelled, her competitive streak kicking in as she overpowered him, using her experience as a Muggle football team captain to her advantage. She was stronger than Albus, and it showed.
Their wrestling and shoving escalated into full-on brawl mode, insults flying as hands tugged and legs kicked. They were an absolute mess—rolling on the floor, wrestling like there was no tomorrow. Ginny stood frozen, her eyes wide in disbelief, clearly torn between horror and amusement blending into tired resignation.
Their cousins weren’t much help as they took sides and cheered, Teddy even seemed to make a bet with Molly Jr, Fred and Louis. Victoire was clutching her stomach, desperately trying to stop her laughter, almost spilling her red wine on the carpet while Hugo, candy bowl in hand, watched the scene like it was the most entertaining thing he’d ever seen. James, of course, had the grimace of someone trying to act mature but failing miserably. His hand hovered near the two, trying to break them up, but only managed a yelp when Lily, in true Lily fashion, bit his hand.
“Oi! Enough!” James called out, trying to play the peacemaker, but it was futile. Lily and Albus were locked in their squabble, neither willing to back down.
Albus yelped when Lily bit down on his arm, her grip like that of a piranha. He dragged her hair back in retaliation, but she didn’t let go. He cried out again as her elbow collided with his jaw, making him bite his tongue in the process. “Okay, okay, peace!” he yelped, hands up in the air in defeat.
Lily finally let go, dramatically striking a victorious pose as she sat on top of him, her grin wide with triumph. Their cousins cheered around her like she’d just won the Quidditch World Cup. Teddy, always the showman, lifted Lily onto his shoulders and paraded her around. Louis and Fred looked a bit disappointed, which meant they lost the bet.
Around them their other cousins and family members let out laughs and amused disapproval head shakes. Their Aunt Angelica went on amusingly about “Kids.” while shaking her head as she grinned. Aunt Hermione had made an eye roll before going up to Ginny and whispering, his mother gave her an amused smile and gave her the book, which their aunt promptly opened, and began to read, their grandma Molly came up beside her and read the book as well.
Albus groaned, rubbing at the bite mark on his arm. He glanced down at himself in horror—his clothes were wrinkled, making him look unkempt. Lily did nor fare much better, her red dress had gone from looking perfectly polished to ruffled as badly as her usual bedhead.
James looked down at his brother sympathetically, shaking his head. “You know better than to fight with Lily. She always plays dirty, and you can never win.”
“Shut it, James,” Albus muttered, letting himself flop back onto the floor with a dramatic sigh.
”I didn't fight her, she attacked me!” he said irritatingly.
Rose’s unimpressed face appeared above him, arms crossed as she leaned over him looking down. “Really? You can’t beat your little sister?” she said tauntingly.
Albus rolled his eyes, struggling to sit up. “Try taking her on yourself. She was the football captain of her school team!” he spat out.
“Well, Cousin,” Molly piped up cheerfully, “You know what they say; Don’t fight a dragon without a wand!” She grinned down at him as she leaned over with her hands behind her back, her expression not hiding the fact that she was clearly enjoying his defeat more than necessary.
Albus rolled his eyes but grabbed James’ hand, letting his brother pull him to his feet. As he stumbled up, his gaze flicked over to his mother, who had somehow managed to finish her wine glass and was already pouring another. There was a hint of amusement tugging at the corners of her lips, but she kept a calm expression.
Albus could feel his father’s eyes on him, weighing something, but he pretended not to notice, engaging in conversation with his cousin to keep his pride intact. He insisted he’d ‘let her win.’ while Rose only rolled her eyes at, and Hugo only snickered.
They turned their attention to the premium Exploding Snap card deck Hugo had given Albus, a gift for which Albus had reciprocated with strategy gamebooks that Hugo seemed to appreciate. They began to make a game out of hiding their bets during the card game, which proved much more challenging than the game itself, especially with Aunt Hermione stalking Hugo like a hawk, ready to catch him in the act at any moment, highering the stakes a whole lot.
After a rather close call to them getting caught by aunt Hermine Albus excused himself before moving towards the front door.
“Going out?” A voice said from behind, making Albus turn as he put on his boots. He smiled when he saw that it was Victoire, standing leaned against a wall with wine glass in hand.
“Yeah, to get some air.” Albus answered as he began to put on his winter coat.
“Can I join you?” Vic asked after another sip of her glass, Albus looked back and gave her a simple nod as an answer. With a grin she began to put on her own fashionable french designer coat.
The air was cold and biting, yet fresh. The dark sky made the stars seem sharper, and his breath curled into the night in small, misty clouds.
“Beautiful isn't it?” Victorie said, her gaze on the stars above. Albus turned his gaze towards her, then followed hers back to the sky. “Yeah.” he said after a pause, then the pair began to walk down the property line, and went into the shoveled road.
As they stepped onto the road, the snow beneath Albus’s boots vanished, swallowed by the enchantments that kept the path clear. No footprints, no ice. The magic of it hummed just beneath the path, a quiet presence.
“You know,” Victoire mused, exhaling mist into the cold air, “this used to be nothing but fields. Just after the war, before you lot were around, we had to trek through knee-deep snow just to reach the Burrow.”
Albus glanced at the untouched path. He’d heard the stories—his mother’s, Uncle’s—about the wild land that once surrounded them. The woods had crept closer back then, before the new houses, before magic shaped the land to convenience.
As they left the Burrow behind, something in Albus eased. The air was lighter here, less suffocating. The house’s magic, bright and suffocating, had been grating against his own since he arrived. Now, without it pressing against him, the tension in his temples dulled. He let his mental barriers slip for the first time in days, and as he glanced up at the sky, his eyes landed, unconsciously, on the Scorpion. His heart clenched.
He hoped Scorpius was having a good time. The Yule celebrations would be over by now, but still, a creeping unease poisoned the thought. He prayed Scorpius’s mother wasn’t too ill.
A soft tap against his arm pulled him back.
“Do you mind?” Victoire asked, holding up a cigarette between her fingers.
“No.”
He watched as she flicked open a Muggle lighter, the flame briefly illuminating her face. The scent that drifted toward him wasn’t the usual sharpness of tobacco—it was sweeter, earthier.
“It’s a Wiggenbush blend,” she said, catching his glance. “Traces of Silverweed. Smells nice, doesn’t it?” A smirk played at the corner of her lips.
He nodded, turning his eyes back to the road. The night was quiet except for the sound of their footsteps and the soft exhale of smoke.
“So, about the mentorship—” Albus started, but trailed off when he caught the look on her face.
Her head was tilted back, eyes slightly diluted, a permanent soft smile resting on her lips. The red stain from her wine made her mouth look sharper, her posture looser, shoulders dropping with every slow inhale of smoke.
“It’s really great,” she said, finally. “Less regulations. And looser rules around which spells we can use in curse-breaking, making it a lot easier.”
She cast him a glance before letting out a quiet laugh, as if the absurdity of the world itself amused her.
“Yeah, don’t tell Ted that. He’d lose it—you know how he gets about ‘dark magic’ and all that,” she said, grinning. taking another inhale of smoke.
Albus’s fingers twitched. “What kind of dark magic?” He tried to keep his voice casual, but his heart picked up its pace. He was relieved when Victoire didn’t comment on it, instead being too focused on turning the smoke into shapes.
“Oh, well—when it comes to curse-breaking, sometimes you need a little dark theory to undo the magic. You have to understand a curse, its intricate layers, to unravel it properly.” She began before taking another long drag, her pupils blown wide.
Albus nodded, mind drifting to the spellbreaker in Knockturn. His wand felt heavier in his pocket.
Victoire continued, slipping into a slightly slurred, impassioned spiel. “You know, most of Europe thinks the British Ministry’s restrictions are ridiculous. In other countries, there isn’t nearly as much stigma about ‘dark magic.’” Her voice took on a sharp edge. “It’s all about perspective. Like banned magical items and herbs, what’s so bad about some cigarettes?” she said as she flickered ash from her cigarette.
Albus swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. Victoire cast him aside glance before exhaling heavily.
“Sorry,” she said, sheepish now. “If talking about this makes you uncomfortable—I just get a bit worked up.”
“No, it’s fine,” Albus murmured, inhaling the sweet scent of her cigarette.
There was a pause before she spoke again.
“Ted broke up with me.”
She said it like she was commenting on the weather. No shift in tone, no anger. But Albus noticed how her fingers tensed slightly before she took another slow inhale.
“He doesn’t really approve of me curse-breaking. Or of the French magical ministry.”
Albus hesitated. “I’m sorry.”
Victoire exhaled, watching the smoke curl into the night. Then she laughed. “Don’t be. Some things just don’t last. They work when you’re young but not when you’re older.”
Albus stared at the ground. She continued, voice light.
“So don’t feel bad,” she mused, “if some relationships don’t work out.”
Albus shot her a sharp look, lips pressing into a thin line. Victoire just smiled before laughing again.
“Yeah, you’re not as subtle as you think, you know?” she said casually. “It’s alright to feel different. I know it’s awful at your age, but it’ll work out.”
Albus let out a heavy breath, his heart hammering. He hesitated, then finally spoke, voice taut with frustration.
“They all act like—” He stopped, struggling to find the words. “Like there’s something wrong with me for not fitting in.”
Victoire nodded. Said nothing, gaze ahead
Albus inhaled deeply, then admitted, “I’m not actually ashamed of being in Slytherin.”
Victoire exhaled another stream of smoke, then simply nodded. “Good.”
Albus’s heart skipped a beat. One word, and yet, it meant everything.
He let out a breath, lighter now. “I like it, I like that it’s not Gryffindor, I like that I feel like I fit in.”
Victoire grinned. “I get that, it’s important to feel like you belong.”
Albus nodded as he pushed his hands into his pockets. “Rose and James–” he took a short breath “Well they don’t get that.”
Vic gave him a sympathetic look. “I don’t blame you for being angry or scared. After all, you’re walking a path that hasn’t been laid out yet—I know how hard that is.” She said, eyes on the stars.
Albus followed her gaze towards the sky and they walked in silence. She continued. “Curse Breaking is dangerous, and even if my dad is supportive, well–He’s really the only one, Teddy means well, but he wants to create a family.” she snorted. “He wants children.” She sighed. “And I just don’t see that for myself.”
Albus looked at her, and for the first time saw her with a new lens. “Is that why? Why you choose mentorship in France instead of here at Gringotts?”
Victorie nodded. “Yeah, but it’s not the only reason. In France I have family, friends, people who act like being part creatures isn't really a big deal.”
Albus began to fidget with his hand in his pocket. “But Teddy?" he began a bit hesitant.
“Teddy—” Victoire exhaled. “He doesn’t get it.” she said finally. “But enough about me, I just wanted you to know that–Well I get it somewhat, being different.” she said with a grin as his eyes found hers.
“Being normal isn’t all that fun, is it?” Victoire said, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Albus couldn’t help but grin. Before he could respond, she ruffled his hair, making it even messier than usual.
"Oi! Quit it!" he yelped, swatting at her hand.
Victoire just laughed and pulled him into a headlock, effortlessly trapping him despite his squirming. "What? Can’t handle a bit of fun, little cousin?"
Albus gritted his teeth and jabbed his elbow into her side. "Oi—!" she yelped, loosening her grip just enough for him to slip free. Her cigarette slipped from her fingers, landing with a faint sizzle on the ground.
For a moment, they just stared at it. Then their eyes met—and they both burst into laughter, breathless and grinning under the night sky.