Fandom The Gathering of Death Eater Children

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"It is charming," He smiled. "I could never imagine what awaited me when you mentioned that the composer was a Japanese. It turned out to be greater than I could imagine or expect."

"I love the way you described it." Celeste returned his smile. "I'm so pleased that you are enjoying it as well."

When the event was over, and they were outside again, Celeste happily informed him that they were on their way to the art exhibit.Today is progressing so nicely. After the art exhibit, we will have a bit of time to waste before we go to lunch and then the opera. I wonder where we will waste our excess time? She thought as they reached the building where the art exhibit was taking place. It's like we put several dates into one day, making a lovely day filled with several mini-dates. It's so lovely. She thought as they went inside.

The same art exhibit was still going on since Alastair and Aislynn had visited. Since no one really shared Dante and Celeste's taste in art, many of the paintings remained there. Only a few had been sold, but they cared very little about money. It had been for the purpose of having people see their art, than to have them purchase it. When the exhibit ended, they would take all of their paintings back to their home in the Demon Realm.

Celeste watched closely at August's reactions, eager to see if he was truly accepting of that sort of art. And, if he truly felt the same mysteriously alluring aura surrounding darker arts. Quite literally, dark art. Celeste smiled to herself.

"I will have dessert first!" Lily grinned. "And then we can have lunch later? hehe..."

"Ravenna could help you with the glass slippers." Luna offered after she had served them. "The same way that she made the attires for the students at the Graduation Ball. The dress as well, if you wish, but mainly the slippers. I have seen acceptable Cinderella costumes, but never the perfect 'glass slippers'. "

"That's sweet of her," Lily replied gratefully. "I appreciate it. I will let you know if I don't find any glass slippers. By the way, I think it will be perfect for the winter ball. My father knows how much I love dancing and going to balls, so he has promised me a winter ball," She revealed.

"That sounds so charming." Luna smiled. "Tell me, are you dreaming of the 'perfect prince' like in the films? I know another lady your age who dreams of her own 'prince charming', and I wanted to know if that was one of your dreams as well."

"Human infants grow so fast here." Diana observed Penelope, who was now at the human age of two, walking around Nova's throne room as Nova sat on his throne, watching her adoringly. Penelope would fiddle with something within her reach, break it somehow, then move on to another item as the broken item fixed itself.

"Yes, yes. " Nova said absent mindedly. "Did you need something?" he shook his head suddenly, as if remembering that she was there. "What can I assist you with? A wish, perhaps?" he asked with a jokingly pretentious smirk.

"You asked for Reign earlier today, but he was busy. He will visit you tomorrow as soon as he wakes up." Diana said. Her tone reflected the fact that she was proud to have delivered Reign's message for him.

"He could have summoned Eric to relay that message, or used one of his scrolls." Nova observed as Diana made for the door.

"But, he didn't." Diana said with a smile.

"Diana, what is your worst fear?" Nova asked curiously.

"That Reign rejects me completely and expresses only hatred toward me." Diana said without looking at him. "Yours?"

 

[Hikari Chan]

August smiled charmingly and remained silent during the rest of the symphony. Meanwhile was pondering about the events at Silvery Serpents. …There was a lady who booked a table in beforehand...she booked it for me and Celeste...and today Celeste brought up the subject about the restaurant and its prices and her opinion about the meals there...she had noticed the prices when she glanced over a bill on another table...while other guests according to her paid full price, I paid much less...This does not make sense at all...

When the symphony was over August followed Celeste to the art exhibit. He studied each painting for approximately three minutes. His expression was the same and did not change during the entire time. It was an alluring look in his eyes and a hint of a charming smirk on his lips. It was as if he enjoyed the paintings as much as he would have enjoyed the Dark Lord and his followers to perform dark arts.

"Have you painted anyone of these artworks? If yes, which ones?" August asked with the same expression on his face, when he had viewed all the paintings. He had a curious tone .

"Of course I do!" Lily replied with a dreamy look in her eyes. "I actually dressed as Belle on purpose to find my bewitched prince on the summer feast," She confessed. “...but I was unlucky and ended up sharing two dances with Mr. Pyrites. First miss Pyrites forced us to share one dance and then he asked me for a second dance. I don't know what went into his head. Anyway, I hope I will have a better luck on the winter ball."

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Celeste liked the look on August's face as he viewed the paintings.

"Have you painted anyone of these artworks? If yes, which ones?" August asked with the same expression on his face, when he had viewed all the paintings. He had a curious tone .

"Yes, I have." Celeste nodded. "There are three artists for this exhibit. A charming young lady that I consider a close friend, my brother, and I. This is one of mine, and I had that close friend in mind when I painted it." she pointed to the painting of a cute schoolgirl smiling while looking up at the ceiling, where several ravaged corpses hung from what was left of their necks. There was both an innocence, and a darkness to the girl's smile.

"Then there is this one..." she led him to another one in a different area "...remember the man that I told you about at the Summer Feast? The one that master told me was cheating on his wife with me? This is what he looked like at the end of the night." she pointed to the painting. "In ancient Rome, there were many methods of horrific torture. For this particular cruelty, a starved animal, such as a rat, a dog, or a cat, was placed inside a small cauldron. The opening of the cauldron was then fastened to the belly of the accused. The executioner would hold a flame to the back of the cauldron, making the inside extremely hot. The animal would panic and try to escape. The only soft 'ground' for it to dig its way out was through the belly of the accused." Celeste smiled.

The painting depicted the victim, a handsome male, screaming and writhing in agony as a lady that looked similar to Celeste held a torch to the back of the cauldron with a cold, cruel look in her eyes. Blood was spilling from his stomach onto the floor and staining his trousers. A rat's sharp, long-finger-nailed hand was poking through the man's back.

"Master suggested several sorts of Roman torture methods, but I liked this one the best for him." Celeste said nonchalantly, as if they had been discussing their preferences for dinner. Although, the look in her eyes was satisfied and showed no sign of remorse.

"The next one is another man that cheated on me." Celeste moved on, leading him to another area. "The other two women that he was cheating on helped me with this one."

Another handsome man was nailed to a rough wooden board with hundreds, perhaps thousands of nails. His blood was draining slowly, finding its way to the floor and into the drain on the floor of the tiled room. In his eyes was a look of utter despair; in the painting he wasn't dead yet, but almost there. The three women conversed happily in another room, and they could be seen through the open door. All of them had genuine smiles on their faces, and the lady that looked most like Celeste was serving steaming hot, delicious looking tea for the other two. The man's head was tilted in the direction of the three women, as if he was wishing with all of what remained of his heart that he could share their happiness. Dante was lying on the floor next to Celeste's chair in his tiger form, but he was drawn in so subtly that he wasn't immediately noticeable.

Celeste moved on, pointing out a few of her favorite's that Dante had painted. Celeste seemed to enjoy painting horrifyingly gory scenes, whereas Dante preferred paintings with realistic themes such as abuse, infidelity, political corruption, arranged marriages, child neglect, and favoritism. He managed to get the point across without showing too much or overdoing anything. Just as with the painting about Alastair's past, which Celeste would have wanted to show August, there were subtle things to be noticed if Dante's paintings were looked at closely.

"I wish you luck as well." Luna smiled to Lily. "Tell me, is the cake as delicious as you hoped?"

 

[Hikari Chan]

After what that seemed that five minutes had passed in silence, during which August seemed to consider about something, after Celeste had showed and told him about her artwork and even what her brother had painted, he walked towards the painting which showed the gruesome torture of the man with the cauldron on his belly.

"I'd like to purchase this one," He smiled.

"Thank you," Lily smiled. "The cake tastes lovely...Everything is perfect, the cream, the cake and the details..." She looked at the miniatures of Belle and the Beast with a dreamy look in her eyes.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Celeste didn't speak a word while he thought, eager to see his reaction. But when he finally spoke, she was speechless for a second.

"I'd like to purchase this one," August smiled.

He wasn't lying! He really does like Dark Arts, in all of its forms! Celeste then smiled charmingly, an adoring look in her eyes. "Take it. You'll pay for our meals the next few times in return." She took the painting off of the wall and shrank it down to the size of a playing card before handing it to him. "We have some time to waste before we eat lunch and go to the opera." she said smoothly. "I would like to go to a charming park not far from here. It's near a lake, and there are lots of trees and grass, so the scenery is the best part." They had been walking separately since the morning, but now she held out her hand to him with such a lovely, warm smile. She wanted to hold hands with him.

They walked to the same park that Alastair had taken Aislynn to. It was a charming, old-fashioned park, and it was just as lovely as Celeste had made it sound. She led him to a pair of swings by the lakeside, and took a seat on one. "Do you like swings?" Celeste asked, hoping that August would join her. Don't act like a prideful fool; swings are such fun. Celeste thought. He was able to go along with my spontaneity, but will be prove to be open-minded as well? Well, open-minded with things other than the Dark Arts.

"Thank you," Lily smiled. "The cake tastes lovely...Everything is perfect, the cream, the cake and the details..." She looked at the miniatures of Belle and the Beast with a dreamy look in her eyes.

"My brother helped me bake and decorate it. He drew it on parchment first, and after we baked it we painted it with edible paints together. But if you do see him, be sure to thank him, because he truly did most of the work." Luna said honestly. "I came to him for assistance because I wanted everything to be perfect for you."

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Fine..." August smiled, accepting the deal. He placed the shrunken painting into his chest pocket when Celeste handed it over to him.

"We have some time to waste before we eat lunch and go to the opera." she said smoothly. "I would like to go to a charming park not far from here. It's near a lake, and there are lots of trees and grass, so the scenery is the best part."

"Sounds lovely," He took her hand and walked with her to the park with the two sings by the lakeside.
He had no other choice than taking his seat on the second swing as she occupied the other.

"Do you like swings?" Celeste asked.

"To be honest...I was never fond of swings when I was a child...however I don't mind pushing you, if you wish..." He smiled.

"Oh…so...so.." ...her brother made most of the cake...and I who thought that she had baked it entirely by herself... Lily was surprised and was almost speechless. "Ehe...of course," she hurried to speak. "I will absolutely thank him when I see him..." ..That's if I ever get the chance to see him...I cannot remember to have met her brother once...so I don't know how he even looks like....oh well, I shall wait till the next ball and she has to introduce me or I could invite them both for tea over at me...so that I get the chance to thank him as well...that sounds perfect....I shall invite them both on Sunday!..

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"No thank you." Celeste replied. "We'll just sit here. For a more interesting conversation, why don't we discuss literature? Have you read any good books?"

"Hmm." Celeste said after he had replied. "I have read many interesting books. Some of my favorites would have to be..." She thought for a moment, recalling a few of her favorite novels "...The Count of Monte Cristo, The Joy Luck Club, and many of Shakespeare's works. There are many others, but I cannot recall them at the present time."

"I haven't introduced you two, yet, have I?" Luna wondered out loud, trying to remember. "But perhaps at the next party." Luna decided.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Alright," August nodded. "I have mostly read the books which I had for classes during my time as a student at Hogwarts. And there I also made sure to read most of the book that the library could offer me. Besides the classes I took, I also read more books about wizarding history, literature, economics and law, ancient studies and runes, alchemy, magical theory and arithmancy. I have not read novels really..."

"Hmm." Celeste said after he had replied. "I have read many interesting books. Some of my favorites would have to be..." she thought for a moment, recalling a few of her favorite novels "...The Count of Monte Cristo, The Joy Luck Club, and many of Shakespeare's works. There are many others, but I cannot recall them at the present time."

"Ah...I have never heard of those. My mother used to take me and my siblings to the muggle library when we were children. She read fictional stories for us and taught us to read, calculate and write. However, I and my siblings ceased to go there when we started our first years at Hogwarts. Learning about magic was far more interesting than dwelling with books written by muggles. My sister was the only one who kept going to the muggle library."

"No, you have not," Lily laughed. "However, I was thinking about inviting you both for tea at my place now on Sunday. I don't think there will be any party or gathering soon and I am afraid that I will forget to thank your brother when the winter ball comes. Elias' birthday is on 24th August and I don't know what he is planning on that day. And the next coming parties will be Harvest Festival and the Winter Ball. So what do you think about now on Sunday?"

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

He enjoys nonfiction more than fiction. Hmm. . . Somehow, I couldn't really picture him reading fiction even before he answered. "I can see the logic behind your words." Celeste nodded. "However, I seem to have an excess of free time, so I have had enough time to read many novels and nonfictional books, and practice magic. Now it is your turn to ask a question." Celeste smiled. I asked about the literature, so what is your question?

"...So what do you think about now on Sunday?"

"Now, as in, today?" Luna inquired, surprised that Lily wished to invite Alastair and herself over on such short notice.

 

[Hikari Chan]

..So much free time to have time for fictions and novels and above of that painting as well...does she not work?...August thought for himself but did not ask anything about her occupation, because he did not want to give her the impression that he was interested in money. ..So it is my turn to ask a question...I am curious if her brother is also related to her like her sister or if he is her adoptive brother....but that would be an odd question to ask after we have discussed literatures...what does relate to literature...hmm...

"Do you enjoy poetry as well?" He asked. "Poetry is not really my thing, though I liked how you charmingly phrased your farewell yesterday evening.."

Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow.

"No, not as today," Lily laughed. "I was meaning the approaching Sunday. I am sorry that I was not clear. Today would be a to short notice and besides I need to tell my parents that I will have guests and I also need to get myself ready and I feel I have no time today. So, the coming Sunday will be perfect, wouldn't it?" She finished her piece of cake with a content sigh.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Yes, I do like poetry." she nodded. "Most of the Muggle poets are, in my opinion, overrated. I prefer the poetry written by the inhabitants of the place that I come from. And..." she stood. "...it's time for lunch."

Once he had stood from his swing, she offered him her hand again so that they could walk to the restaurant while holding hands.

"We call this restaurant 'The Garden'. This owner also uses ingredients from the place that I come from, so prepare yourself for another lovely meal." she smiled charmingly.

"Everything on the menu is delicious." Celeste said as they took their seats. She sat down before he could pull her chair out for her.

The lady that had shown them to their seats had greeted Celeste jovially, and patted Dante on the head before leading them to a table that Celeste had reserved.

The time that it took for us to walk to the park, converse a bit, and walk to the restaurant was perfect; Asmodeus's plan is working so well. After this meal, we will have half an hour to get to the opera house, and enjoy the opera.

The restaurant had many outdoor tables, with large umbrellas to shield the customers from the sunlight. The landscaping was like a lovely park; lots of trees, flowers and grass, and a small lake that only added to the charm. They sat on wicker chairs with cushions, and the tables were made out of the same material. Every fifteen feet there was a three-tier stone fountain filtering silver-blue water.

Celeste picked up the menu and began considering what she was in the mood to eat.

"Next Sunday sounds lovely." Luna nodded. "I will tell my brother to clear his schedule for that day, and you will tell me what time you want us to come."

 

[Hikari Chan]

...Again...She mentions the place she comes from, but she does not tell what kind of place it is...she makes it sound as if she is from another country...I am getting more curious about it..

"I can see why..." August smiled as he glanced around at the restaurant.

"Everything on the menu is delicious." Celeste said as they took their seats. She sat down before he could pull her chair out for her.

He picked up the menu and studied for about two minutes until he made his decision.

"I would like salmon burgers."

"At four o’clock afternoon," Lily already announced.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"That is a very interesting choice." Celeste said. "They are very easy to overcook which makes it too dry in most Muggle restaurants, and many Wizarding restaurants as well. " Although I am certain that you will enjoy them here. I have actually never had them here before, so I will be trying them as well.

The waiter brought water, plenty of ice, and a kind smile to their table. He also spoke with Celeste in a friendly way, and greeted Dante by name after he had written down their orders; he hadn't noticed Dante at first. Celeste ordered salmon burgers as well, and a side of fries.

Celeste was silent, enjoying the scenery until the food came not long afterward.

"These are lovely." Celeste commented after trying it. It was evident that she had never had them here before. "What do you think?" Ah, so much better than last night's meal. So much flavor. Even the bread and water taste so different that there is no comparison between these and the bread and water from last night. And the seasonings...The fish is not dry at all!

Celeste smiled in reply. She was happy that he was experiencing the best food, and she anticipated his reaction to her demonic nature even more.

"I will tell you on our seventh date, if you truly wish to know." Celeste replied with a mysterious smile "This is number three."

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Not really what I have experienced in a wizarding restaurant…however I have never tried a muggle restaurant.." August commented.

...is the food really that bad in a wizarding restaurant? How odd...when we are able to use magic to make the meals to perfection, however only the ones who are professional with cooking are able to cook the food perfectly and the house-elves at Hogwarts are no exceptions...

"These are lovely." Celeste commented after trying it. It was evident that she had never had them here before. "What do you think?"

"The taste is so rich..." He replied with a smile, using his fork and knife to cut his salmon burger into smaller pieces which he ate by using his fork. He never used his hands when he ate and always used a fork and knife or a spoon. "So much flavors. I have never eaten something so good in the wizarding world, on the other hand the meals I have eaten before are not that bad. Anyway, I am getting overwhelmed by curiosity about the place you always talk about from where the rich flavors and the best food come from. May I ask, if you do not mind, what that kind of place is?"

"I will tell you on our seventh date, if you truly wish to know." Celeste replied with a mysterious smile "This is number three."

"Hmm..." He flashed of his charming smirk. ...The third date? I thought this was a second date since I did not count our first meeting at the summer feast as a date...however it does not matter, it only means it is only four dates left instead of five until I get to know about the place she is from...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

I know that it doesn't really count as a first date, but I don't want to wait too long. I'm already so excited to show you.Celeste thought. But master reminds me, as always, not to let my excitement get the best of me. In the beginning, it seems that each man meets a great number of my requirements. But master says that masks always look so beautiful when they are new. In time, the paint chips away, and the mask may crack or bend with wear, so I have to pay attention to anything he tries to hide. Any faults that he is trying to cover up. Any lies that he may be trying to keep up with.

She didn't say anything else until they had finished their meals. She signaled for the waiter, and asked for the bill.

When the waiter seemed to be walking in her direction with the bill in hand, she nodded toward August, and the waiter nodded in reply.

"Here you are, sir."

"Not too bad." Celeste said, looking over August's shoulder. It's much better than last night, even after his bill was cut in half. Good food shouldn't have to be so expensive. Also, the owner knows me, so he never charges me full price.

"Thank you for coming. Please come again." the waiter said to both of them before walking away.

"The opera awaits." Celeste smiled, with a bit of a dramatic flair to her voice. Dante stood as well.

Once again, she offered her hand to August.

Once again, the finest seats awaited them in at a very fine venue.

"How did you enjoy the show?" Celeste asked when the show had ended. They were still in their seats as everyone else began to leave.

 

[Hikari Chan]

August took the bill and was surprised to see that the meal had been cheap.

"Not too bad." Celeste said, looking over August's shoulder.

"Not at all..." He smiled as he picked out a black silk bag from his inner pocket. He counted the number of galleons he needed to pay and placed them above the bill on the table.

"Thank you for coming. Please come again." the waiter said to both of them before walking away.

"The opera awaits." Celeste smiled, with a bit of a dramatic flair to her voice. Dante stood as well.

August smiled, finding her excitement amusing and cute.

He took her hand and walked with her to the opera where the finest seats awaited them.

"How did you enjoy the show?" Celeste asked when the show had ended. They were still in their seats as everyone else began to leave.

"Splendid! I enjoyed it to the fullest. It was one of the greatest shows I have seen," He smiled.

Melody checked the time on her wristwatch

and she noted that almost half of the day and passed away so quickly. …And I have not finished the book about the Japanese history yet…and the one about the culture is so thick...however I bet the ones about the food and fashion mostly contain pictures.. She turned leaves on the both to confirm that it was mostly pictures and receipts of food while the book about the fashion contained pictures of clothes and descriptions. ...And what about the language... She reached for the fifth book and when she turned over the first page, she stared with wide eyes. ...Merlin's beard.... what on earth is this?...I think...I think reading about the history, culture, food and fashion should be enough....

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Splendid! I enjoyed it to the fullest. It was one of the greatest shows I have seen," He smiled.

"Splendid shows are made even better in splendid company." Celeste replied. "And now, for dessert." she stood, offering him an open palm.

They returned to Antique, and Celeste let go of his hand to order. Dante reserved a table for them, just like before. There was no sign of Damien anywhere.

"Did you enjoy today as much as I did?" Celeste asked rhetorically with a warm smile. She had chosen three miniature pies; blackberry, blueberry, and apple.

"When would you like to meet again?"

 

[Hikari Chan]

August took her hand with a charming smile. ...I am supposed to offer her my arm or my hand, however I did not expect her to be open about holding hands on our first date..

At Antique, he ordered a cup of black coffee and a slice of red velvet cake.

"Did you enjoy today as much as I did?" Celeste asked rhetorically with a warm smile. She had chosen three miniature pies; blackberry, blueberry, and apple.

"I enjoyed it so much that the time went so fast," He replied and smiled in return.

"When would you like to meet again?"

"Whenever you desire to see me. I’m free until I have to get back to work at the end of the next month…"

....So how I shall take the pictures...I could borrow the books and duplicate the pages with the pictures in my office...but to borrow the books I need a card...and to get a card I need to give the library my address and name and such...and the only address I have is Hogwarts...sigh... Melody flipped through the book about Japanese cuisine and came to the conclusion that she could write down the recipes. ...But I still have to finish the history book and I have not read any page about the culture yet.... And I have like five days left...sigh...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Whenever you desire to see me. I'm free until I have to get back to work at the end of the next month..."

Celeste appeared to be contemplating the matter. I want to see him tomorrow as well. However, I must remind myself not to be too eager. He could very well be just like all of the others. But next Saturday seems too far away for me...Is there an in-between? What about Wednesday? That is a few days away; it will give us a break, give me some time to discuss things with master, and it is still not Saturday. "Would Wednesday the eighteenth be acceptable?" She smiled charmingly a minute later.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Wednesday sounds acceptable," August nodded.

...I thought she would suggest next Sunday; however, she chose a day which is so soon. I bet she will miss me when Autumn comes, because I would only be available on the holidays…I had been thinking about asking her if we could send owls to each other, however it won't seem necessary when we are going to meet so soon. I shall ask her about it before I have to resume my work at Hogwarts...

"Where would you like to meet?" He asked, wondering what Celeste had on her mind on Wednesday.

...With that kind of portal she use, we could go anywhere...to Paris, Venice, Florence, Rome...or we could meet at Serpents Gardens to spend a day there...unless if she suggest otherwise or wish to come to Rouen again...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Where would you like to meet?" He asked, wondering what Celeste had on her mind on Wednesday.

"I was thinking about a lovely picnic at Lake Lugano in Switzerland to start. We will meet in the same place in Knockturn Alley, at the same time as today, on Wednesday. It will be a lovely breakfast." she smiled cheerfully after a few minutes of contemplation. "From now until Wednesday, why don't you think about where you would like to go afterwards? We have the whole world open to us." she said in a dramatic voice, before laughing softly.

She stood from her seat, because they had finished their desserts. She offered her hand to him so that they could hold hands while walking to the place where they had arrived in the morning. "Thank you, for today." She said as they stood behind Antique. They could hear the faint music, the chatter, and smell the delicious food from where they stood. "I look forward to Wednesday."

She turned away from him, and offered her hand to the air as if she was going to shake an invisible hand. The door materialized in front of her, and the hand came to life the moment the door had finished materializing. She shook hands with the handle. Once the door had been opened, she walked through first, followed by Dante.

After August followed and the door had been closed and it had disappeared, Celeste smiled warmly. She curtsied elegantly to August, and Dante bowed his head to him in parting. "Goodnight." she said softly, before turning and walking away. Celeste and Dante walked into the area between the two buildings; Silvery Serpents and the building next to it, and had jumped away before anyone could see them do it.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Hmm...I shall think about something..." August smiled charmingly and stood up. He took Celeste's hand and together they walked back to the same place to which they arrived in the morning.

"Thank you, for today." she said as they stood behind Antique.

"No need to thank me, it was a pleasure."

When they were back in Knockturn Alley after using the same portal, they had used in the morning, Celeste smiled warmly. She curtsied elegantly to August, and Dante bowed his head to him in parting.

"Goodnight." she said softly, before turning and walking away.

"Goodnight," August replied and watched her and Dante walking into the area between the two buildings; Silvery Serpents and the building next to it. August did not make any attempts in following them to see where they would go, thinking that they would use another portal to return home. Had it been Alexis in his place, the latter one would not had hesitated to sneak behind to find out where Celeste and Dante left.

Once August had returned to his office at Hogwarts that evening, he picked out the painting he had been given by Celeste and returned it to its usual size before hanging it on the wall behind his desk.

"Excuse me, miss!"

Melody looked up to see the same librarian looking down at her.

"It is closing time now,"

"Oh..." Melody stood up and put her notebook and pen in her bag and tried to pick up all the five books all at once, feeling stressed.

"You can leave the books unless if you want to borrow them?"

"No, it is fine, thank you..." She dropped the books on the table and tried not to run as she quickly walked out from the library.

...I have to come back tomorrow...sigh...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

From Sunday to Wednesday, Celeste made a wish to Nova for another portal, and for no one to look at Dante strangely. She started painting something lovely, and played the cello for him to pay for her last two wishes about the Sunday date. For the two wishes for the Wednesday date, she had to have tea with Nova and Rosaleya at Antique on Thursday, and take Rosaleya somewhere fun in the realm of Celeste's choice afterward.

On Wednesday, Celeste stood in Knockturn Alley with Dante. The same place, and the same time, with the same type of portal. The portal would lead to Rouen, behind Antique, so that they could get their breakfast 'to go', and then the portal would take them to Lake Lugano.

"Good morning." Celeste greeted cheerfully, and Dante bowed his head to him. She proceeded to explain their plan."...and we will eat by Lake Lugano." she finished. "Don't tell me where we are going afterward; I want it to be a surprise." she smiled, excitement showing in her eyes.

They gone through the same process as Sunday, and not long afterward she was ordering her breakfast at Antique while Dante waited outside.

She chose three muffins; vanilla and cranberry, vanilla and blueberry, and chocolate and strawberry. She also ordered two small cups of Earl Grey and lavender tea.

"If you want to take your meal with you." Celeste said when August had finished ordering, "There are these special boxes that you can take; they're over here, by the door." she walked to a small stand near the door that wasn't immediately noticeable. It carried extra straws, forks, knives, sugar cubes, cream, and stirring spoons in different divided areas on the top. The rest was a cabinet with double doors. She opened the doors to reveal a stack of boxes which varied in size. She chose a medium-sized box, and put everything inside, including her tea. "Look at how wonderfully convenient they are." she said, demonstrating by closing the box and flipping it upside down a few times before re-opening it. The contents were just as they had been before she had closed it; nothing had spilt or moved at all, as if she had been carrying it carefully. "My master invented these boxes recently." she said after August had taken a look.

When they had returned to the back of Antique, she held her box with one hand, and opened the door with the other. "Have you ever been to Lake Lugano before?" Celeste asked after they had went through the door. The cool breeze, and the lovely scenery. Ah, this place is wonderful. Master was the one who first told me about this place; I didn't even know that such a serene place existed in the Human Realm.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Good morning," August greeted both Celeste and Dante at the same time as if Dante was not a tiger but a human being. He listened to her as she explained the plan for the day.

"...and we will eat by Lake Lugano." she finished. "Don't tell me where we are going afterward; I want it to be a surprise." she smiled, excitement showing in her eyes.

He nodded with a mysterious and charming smile and went through the portal after her and Dante.

At Antique, August ordered a cup of black coffee, two croissants and a fruit salad topped with white whipped cream.

"If you want to take your meal with you." Celeste said when August had finished ordering, "There are these special boxes that you can take; they're over here, by the door." she walked to a small stand near the door that wasn't immediately noticeable. It carried extra straws, forks, knives, sugar cubes, cream, and stirring spoons in different divided areas on the top. The rest was a cabinet with double doors. She opened the doors to reveal a stack of boxes which varied in size.

"How neat," He commented with a smile and chose a box that had enough place for his choice for breakfast. He added sugar cubes, a stirring spoon, fork and a knife in his box,

"Look at how wonderfully convenient they are." she said, demonstrating by closing the box and flipping it upside down a few times before re-opening it. The contents were just as they had been before she had closed it; nothing had spilt or moved at all, as if she had been carrying it carefully. "My master invented these boxes recently." she said after August had taken a look.

August looked with a smile. He has not seen such boxes before but he was not surprised because he knew it was a typical invention in the wizarding world.

"Have you ever been to Lake Lugano before?" Celeste asked after they had left Antique and went through the portal.

"No... I have not..." August replied and wondered what kind of place she was taking him to. He nearly lost his breath when he was met by the most wonderful view and a breeze that was so refreshing. He stood still and quiet for a while, taking in the open scenery. He took a deep breath and sighed contently. He was feeling so relaxed by the view. …Exactly what I need when Adela is giving me headache... He thought.

He turned around and faced Celeste with a smile. "Such a charming place indeed..." He picked out his wand and asked: "Shall I conjure a table with chairs or a cloth like in a picnic?"

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"If you want." Celeste replied, her tone conveying her indifference. She enjoyed her meal in silence, thoroughly enjoying the scenery and the serenity. "So, why don't you tell me where we are going now, so that I can use the portal?" She smiled after they had finished their breakfast.