Fated Adventure.

Rachel let out a soft hum, her violet eyes flickering with amusement as she turned another page. "You exaggerate," she murmured, though the slight smirk tugging at her lips told a different story.

I groaned, letting my head fall back against the couch dramatically. "No, I don't. I live in constant fear. If I'm not careful, one of them is going to drain me dry."

"Tch, you make it sound like we're some kind of succubi," Yue teased, sipping her tea with an innocent expression that fooled no one.

Fleur leaned forward, her smirk downright sinful as she licked a bit of fruit juice from her lips. "I am simply waiting, mon amour. Once you meet my parents, there will be no more restraints. My veela instincts will demand what is rightfully mine."

Serenity, lounging in the chair beside her, let out a breathy chuckle, her purple eyes gleaming with mischief. "That just means we need to work harder to corrupt Rachel."

Rachel sighed, but I could feel her relax further into my lap. "You already try too much," she muttered.

Serenity only grinned wider. "Exactly."

At that moment, Winky appeared with a tray of snacks and drinks, setting them down with a pleased nod. "Here you go, Master Ryan. Mistress Yue. Mistress Fleur. Mistress Serenity. Mistress Rachel. Winky is happy to serve!"

"Thank you, Winky," I said, giving her a warm smile.

The little elf beamed before popping away, but not before sending me a look that I swore translated to: Hurry up and give me some little masters and mistresses to take care of.

Yeah, not happening anytime soon.

Fleur took another bite of her fruit, watching me with knowing eyes. "You are lucky, mon amour, that I have restraint. If not, you would never leave our bedroom."

Yue let out a faux sigh. "Shame, really. Imagine if he just gave in and let us have our way with him all day."

"I would die," I deadpanned.

"You'd survive." Yue's red eyes glinted with amusement as she casually reached for a biscuit.

I huffed. "See, Rachel? This is my life. You're the only one I can trust."

Rachel barely glanced up from her book. "You're fine."

I groaned again, dramatically tightening my hold around her as she continued reading, completely unaffected by the chaos around us. "Betrayal!"

Fleur giggled, Yue smirked, and Serenity just gave me a knowing look.

"I can see the daily prophet headlines now, youngest triwizard champion found mummified in his bed, reports suggest succubus attacks." In all honesty I was enjoying it. I mean who wouldn't want several beauties lusting after them?

The girls just giggled.

~~~~

My eyes narrowed as Sirius approached our table early in the morning, a smug grin plastered across his face. The first task was still a couple of days away, so I knew he wasn't here for that. His gaze swept over the girls around me before settling on me, his grin widening into something downright mischievous. Serenity, as usual, remained hidden from view.

"You know, there's the Yule Ball this year," Sirius said casually, his tone laced with amusement. "And as a champion, you're required to attend and open the dance."

I had a bad feeling about this.

He leaned in slightly, his grin turning downright devilish. "I wonder who you're going to pick? Perhaps Fleur, since she'll also need a date and has to open the ball as well? Or Luna as the dance is for 4th year and up unless you are invited by an older student. You know, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and you wouldn't want to mess it up."

The moment he finished speaking, I felt it—multiple sets of eyes locking onto me like a pack of wolves spotting an injured deer. A shiver ran down my spine.

This motherfucker…

Sirius, looking immensely pleased with himself, turned on his heel and started strutting back toward the staff table. He didn't make it far.

A nasty stinging hex shot out, striking him right in the ass.

"YOW!" Sirius yelped, leaping into the air like a cat that had just touched water.

Laughter erupted from the Great Hall. Some students nearly choked on their food, while others clapped in amusement. Even a few of the professors struggled to maintain their composure—McGonagall hid a smirk behind her teacup, and Flitwick outright chuckled.

Sirius spun around, rubbing his stinging backside, and shot me an incredulous look. "Bloody hell, Ryan!"

I raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Oh, my bad, must be the bees in the air."

The girls around me, however, weren't so easily distracted. Fleur, Yue, Rachel, Hermione, and Luna were all staring at me expectantly, their expressions a mix of curiosity and something else… something dangerous.

"So," Yue began, her voice deceptively sweet. "Who are you taking to the Yule Ball?"

Rachel crossed her arms. "You are required to go, after all."

Fleur leaned in closer, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "And since we are all together... I do wonder how you will handle this, mon amour."

I suddenly felt like I was on trial. Even the other students nearby were watching, eager to see how I would respond.

I took a slow sip of my apple juice, buying time. "Well, since I have to go, and since Fleur is also a champion, it only makes sense that we go together for the opening dance..."

Fleur's smile widened in satisfaction, while Rachel and Yue exchanged glances. Hermione raised an eyebrow but said nothing, while Luna hummed, absentmindedly stirring her drink.

Before I could relax, Yue leaned forward, her red eyes twinkling with mischief. "And after the opening dance?"

Damn. Trapped.

I cleared my throat. "We can all go together, can't we? There's no rule against only taking one date."

Rachel smirked. "Smart answer."

Fleur chuckled, reaching for my hand and lacing her fingers with mine. "Then it is settled. But you will still owe us each a dance, non?"

I sighed, knowing there was no escaping this. "Yeah, yeah… one dance each."

Hermione, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "Well, since I already planned on going, that works for me."

Then, Luna tilted her head. "Third-years aren't allowed to go unless invited," she mused. "That's unfortunate."

I barely had time to process her words before Hermione, Yue, and Rachel turned their gazes toward me again. Yue smiled sweetly. "You are inviting her, aren't you?"

Rachel added, "I mean, it would be cruel to leave her out."

Fleur nodded thoughtfully. "It would be a shame not to include her, considering she is one of us."

Of course I wouldn't leave my lovely Luna out. "Alright, Luna, would you like to go with us to the Yule Ball?"

Luna blinked, then smiled dreamily. "Oh, that sounds lovely. I do hope the Nargles don't interfere."

That's good at least she seemed happy.

Yue leaned back, looking satisfied. "Good. Because if you tried picking favorites, I would have definitely made things difficult for you."

I had no doubt about that.

Sirius, who had finally recovered from his stinging experience, shook his head as he sat down at the staff table tenderly. "I was just trying to help the kid out," he muttered, though they could see the amused twinkle in his eyes.