Letters
Leonardo stood outside the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room, arms crossed, his golden eyes still heavy with sleep. The corridor was silent, the castle barely stirring at this hour. Daniel, still groggy, turned back to him after stepping through the entrance, a sleepy but genuine smile on his face.
--See you at breakfast? -- He murmured, rubbing his eyes.
Leo gave him a lazy grin, his heavy Norse accent thick in the quiet morning air. -- Aye, if I don’t fall asleep standin’ somewhere before then. --
Daniel huffed a small laugh before stepping back toward him and, without hesitation, pressed a quick kiss to Leo’s lips. It was soft, warm, and fleeting, but it sent a rush of warmth through Leonardo’s chest all the same.-- Go get some rest, Leo. -- Daniel muttered against his lips. -- You look like you’ve wrestled a troll in your sleep. --
Leo smirked, wrapping an arm around Daniel’s waist just for a second, keeping him close. -- I’d win. -- He teased, his voice low.
Daniel rolled his eyes, but the fondness was evident in his gaze. -- Go before I hex you. -- He said playfully, stepping back into the common room and letting the entrance close behind him.
Leo stood there for a moment, running a hand through his hair, his smirk turning into something softer. He didn’t move immediately, just stood there, staring at the closed door like some lovesick fool.
Then, with a quiet sigh, he turned on his heel and made his way down the hall. Another day awaited him, and if he was lucky, he’d survive it with minimal chaos. Though, knowing himself, that was unlikely.
Daniel barely managed to drag himself out of bed when it was time for breakfast. After sneaking back into Ravenclaw Tower at dawn, he had promptly collapsed onto his bed, ignoring the way his mind still spun with everything that had happened the night before. Leo’s Fenrir bloodline. The attack. The transformation. It was too much to process so early in the morning.
He only woke up again when his dorm mates were already heading out, mumbling something about classes. He groggily dressed, grabbed his things, and met Ivy in the common room.
“Morning,” he mumbled, rubbing the last remnants of sleep from his eyes.
Ivy, ever the composed one, looked perfectly awake, not a single strand of her silver hair out of place. She gave him a knowing look. -- You look exhausted. --
-- Gee, thanks. -- Daniel muttered as they walked toward the Great Hall.
Ivy drag him along at a comfortable pace. -- I take it things with Leo went well? --
Daniel sighed, but there was a small, tired smile on his face. “Yeah… we worked things out.” He hesitated, debating how much to say, then opted for something diluted. -- He told me the truth. About what he is. --
Ivy’s sharp violet eyes studied him carefully. -- And? --
-- And… -- Daniel hesitated again, chewing his lip. “It’s a lot. It still him.”
She nodded, sensing there was more he wasn’t saying, but she didn’t push. Instead, she smiled and nudged him playfully. -- I’m glad. Now, let’s get you fed before you collapse. --
By the time they reached the Great Hall, the morning rush had settled, and they found a comfortable spot at the Ravenclaw table. Daniel yawned as he grabbed some toast, still waking up, while Ivy poured herself tea.
Then, just as they were eating, a letter fell on the table in front of Daniel. They both looked at it. It was a small envelope, neatly folded, sealed with a wax stamp. Daniel frowned. -- What’s this? --
Ivy smirked, already far too entertained. -- Another one? --
Daniel groaned, recognizing it immediately. “You have got to be kidding me.”
Ivy plucked the letter off the table before he could stop her. “Oh, let’s see what your secret admirer has written this time. -- She broke the seal, unfolding the parchment with an amused glint in her eye. Daniel slumped forward, dropping his forehead onto the table.
-- To the ever-enchanting Daniel Page. -- Ivy read aloud, fighting back laughter. -- Every time I see you, my heart flutters like a Golden Snidget in flight. Oh, Merlin’s beard, this is dramatic. -- Ivy continued, utterly delighted. -- Your intelligence outshines the brightest Lumos, and your wit is sharper than any hex. I find myself longing for the day you notice me. --
Daniel snatched the letter out of her hands, face burning. -- Alright! That’s enough. -- He shoved it into his bag before anyone else could see.
Ivy grinned. -- Whoever this is, they’re really dedicated. --
Daniel sighed. -- Yeah, well, dedicated or not, I’d really like them to stop. --
Ivy leaned her chin on her hand, looking far too entertained. -- You know who’s going to lose his mind over this, right? --
Daniel groaned again. -- Leo. --
Leonardo finally collapsed onto the Ravenclaw bench, exhaling sharply as he stretched his long legs out beneath the table. His robes were slightly dishevelled, his hair windswept from Quidditch practice, and his muscles ached from the morning’s endless running around. Between training, helping Hagrid, and generally being the castle’s most overworked student, he was already exhausted and it wasn’t even midday.
-- By Odin’s beard, I think I died twice this morning. -- Leo grumbled, reaching for a plate of food.
Across from him, Daniel and Ivy barely acknowledged his dramatic entrance, too caught up in a deep conversation over their breakfast. Daniel, eyes sharp despite his usual morning sluggishness, was frowning slightly, his fork idly poking at his eggs. Ivy, ever composed, sipped her tea.
Leo raised a brow. -- What’s with the serious faces? --
Daniel blinked up at him, as if only now realizing he had arrived. -- Oh, good morning, Leo. -- He said, still distracted. -- You look like you lost a fight with a hippogriff. --
Leo snorted, shoving a piece of toast into his mouth. -- Nah, just a normal morning. -- He narrowed his eyes. -- What’re ye two talkin’ about? --
Ivy exchanged a glance with Daniel before sighing dramatically. -- We were just discussing something rather… odd. --
Daniel nodded. -- Someone’s been leaving notes again. --
Leo, mid-bite, froze. His eyes flicked between them, his relaxed posture suddenly sharpening. -- What? -- His voice dropped, his thick Norse accent making it sound even heavier.
Ivy stirred her tea. -- Yes. Someone’s been sending Daniel anonymous love letters. --
There was a distinct moment of silence, then Leo’s fork snapped in half. Daniel jumped, startled. Ivy simply took another sip of her tea.
Leo’s eye twitched, and when he spoke again, his voice was low, edged with something almost dangerous. -- Who? --
Daniel, sensing the shift in his demeanour. -- I don’t know! I haven’t even read them. --
Leo leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his eyes practically glowing. -- When did this start? --
Ivy smirked. -- A few days ago, I believe. -- She tilted her head. -- Should we be worried, Leo? --
Leo clenched his jaw, his fingers tightening around the remains of his broken fork. -- Someone fancies my Daniel? -- he muttered, half to himself. -- And they think a letter’s gonna… -- He cut himself off, exhaling sharply through his nose. -- This… this is fine. --
Ivy raised an eyebrow. -- You sure? --
Leo smiled, but it was a little too sharp. -- Aye. -- He tore off a piece of toast with more force than necessary. -- I’ll handle it. --
Daniel groaned. -- Leo, please don’t handle it. --
Leo just hummed in response, but the glint in his eyes said otherwise.
The Ravenclaw table was palpable, thick enough to cut with a knife or, in Leo’s case, a broken fork. Daniel stared at his boyfriend, watching the way his jaw tensed, and his grip twitched around the snapped utensil, as if he were holding back the urge to storm out of the Great Hall and start demanding names. This was exactly why he hadn’t wanted Leo to know about the letters. -- Leo. --Daniel sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. -- I’m not even responding to them. -- Leo didn’t look convinced.
He chewed his toast with the kind of slow, deliberate focus that told Daniel his mind was already racing through a thousand possibilities, none of which ended peacefully.
Ivy, smirked as she rested her chin in her palm. -- Still, it is interesting? -- she mused. --Some secret admirer leaving Daniel these heartfelt little notes… waiting for the right moment to reveal themselves… -- She trailed off, her eyes glinting with mischief. -- Romantic, really. --
Daniel shot her a glare. -- You’re not helping. --
Leo, on the other hand, let out a sharp breath through his nose, the muscles in his arms flexing as he gripped the table’s edge. -- Romantic. -- He echoed, voice dangerously low. -- Oh, aye. Nothin’ says romance like sneakin’ about like a bloody coward. --
Daniel groaned, pressing his forehead to the table. -- Here we go. --
Ivy merely giggled into her teacup. -- You know, it could be anyone. --
Leo cut in. -- I’m going to lose me mind. -- Leo exhaled sharply, running a hand through his wind-tousled hair. -- This is fine. --he muttered, though it was clear it was anything but. -- I’m not angry. --
Daniel raised an eyebrow. -- Leo. --
Leo’s eyes flicked to him, sharp and unyielding. -- I’m not angry. --
-- You snapped your fork. --
Leo glanced down at the broken pieces in his hand, as if noticing them for the first time. He blinked, then, in a perfectly dramatic display of denial, casually dropped the remains onto his plate. -- Huh. Must’ve been faulty craftsmanship. --
Daniel groaned. -- This is ridiculous. --
Leo, still simmering with unspoken irritation, turned his attention fully to Daniel, his gaze softening just slightly. -- Ye really haven’t read them? --
Daniel lifting his head. -- No. I haven’t read them. -- He gave a pointed look. -- Because I already have you. -- For the first time that morning, Leo’s expression faltered. His shoulders, tense from all his brooding, slackened slightly. Daniel felt a small pang of guilt for snapping at him, but really, did he expect anything less? Leo was… well, overprotective, a wolf in both temperament and reality.
The idea of someone else vying for his attention had clearly triggered something territorial in him, even if he wasn’t fully aware of it yet. Leo cleared his throat, reaching up to rub the back of his neck. -- Aye. Well. Just makin’ sure. --
Ivy hummed in amusement, but thankfully, didn’t push further. Instead, she plucked the letter from where it sat between them and waved it in Daniel’s direction. -- So… what do you want to do with this one? --
Daniel considered it for a moment, then, without a word, took the letter and dropped it straight into his half-empty cup. Leo smirked, visibly pleased. Daniel rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at the corners of his lips. For now, that was the end of the conversation. But something told him Leo wasn’t finished with this whole love letter business just yet. Not by a long shot.