Orion woke up well before the sky began to lighten. The soft darkness still enveloped the Hufflepuff dormitory, where his housemates were fast asleep. His movements were precise and silent as he got out of bed, taking care not to wake anyone. His daily routine had always been strictly organized, designed to optimize his time and sharpen his skills.
Without a sound, he dressed in his training gear, a lightweight black outfit, specially designed for physical exercises. He checked that everything was in place, a habit ingrained during his training with Lyra.
Quietly exiting the Hufflepuff common room, Orion breathed in the fresh, damp morning air. It felt like home; at this hour, the castle was empty and silent.
His training always started with stretches, followed by a run. Although he usually did all his exercises indoors, he was delighted to finally enjoy the outdoors. Eagerly, he stepped out of the castle and headed toward the Black Lake, which he had only seen at night. He walked toward the lake, whose waters barely reflected the first light of dawn. After a few warm-ups, he began his run. He ran through the gardens, along the edge of the Forbidden Forest, carefully avoiding the more exposed areas. The run went smoothly, allowing him to take in the scenery while thinking, planning, and mentally reorganizing his schedule to adapt to his new life as a student.
As Orion jogged along the edge of the Forbidden Forest, he noticed three familiar figures: his sister Arcana, accompanied by her two friends, Ophelia Blackwood and Selena Rosier. They appeared to be in the middle of a stretching session, taking advantage of the peaceful morning to train, but his arrival interrupted their movements.
Arcana was the first to notice him. A mix of surprise and unease appeared on her face. She hadn't expected to encounter her brother so soon. She had been reflecting on how to make amends after her stance in favor of Malfoy and her outburst of anger during the Sorting Ceremony. She couldn't stop wondering how Orion would react to all of this.
"Orion," she said softly, with a hesitant smile. "I didn't expect to see you here so early."
Orion nodded, showing no particular emotion, though he was genuinely surprised and pleased to see his sister again. "Neither did I. Since all the Hufflepuffs are still asleep, I thought I'd be the only one training at this hour."
Selena, on the other hand, smiled widely when she saw Orion. She seemed genuinely happy to bump into him. "Hey, Orion!" she exclaimed with sincere enthusiasm. "It's great to see you here! Do you train every morning too?"
Orion responded with a nod. "Yes, it's a habit for me. Given my condition, my physical fitness is particularly important." He looked at them for a moment, noticing that they, too, were dressed in workout gear. "I'm surprised to see you training. Lyra told me wizards often neglect their physical fitness," he said with some perplexity.
Arcana and Selena exchanged a glance, a mix of surprise and amusement visible on their faces. Selena, always cheerful, burst out laughing. "Generally, that's true, but we three are very fond of sweets, and a noble witch always strives to be as beautiful as possible, especially among noble women. A noblewoman's value is proportional to her lineage, beauty, and talent—in that exact order. Plus, it gives us first dibs on the best specimens!"
Her smile widened as she examined Orion in his fitted workout clothes, licking her lips playfully. Arcana smiled at her friend's comment and then broke into laughter when her brother's usually cold expression shifted into a questioning frown. It seemed her little brother had much to learn. She gave Selena a light slap on the back of the head as a warning, reminding her that this was her little brother.
Surprised and annoyed at first by the gesture, Selena turned around. When she understood Arcana's reaction, instead of offering the typical response of embarrassment or apology, she flashed a predatory grin and said without the slightest hesitation that she'd be the first to devour him.
At those words, Ophelia, who had remained silent until now, shot a cold glare at Orion. She made no effort to hide her displeasure. The memory of the altercation with Draco Malfoy, where Orion had acted so foolishly and impulsively, still bothered her. Her piercing eyes left no room for ambiguity—she was clearly furious. "Do you have any idea the position you put Arcana in by acting so stupidly with Malfoy?" she asked sharply.
Orion observed Ophelia carefully, quickly realizing that her icy gaze and words were more than just a simple reprimand. He then turned his gaze to Arcana, seeking explanations.
"What does she mean?" he asked tensely.
Arcana sighed, visibly uncomfortable. She took a deep breath before answering, carefully choosing her words.
"Orion, the situation with Malfoy isn't as simple as it seems. The Malfoy family wields a lot of influence, and as the future matriarch, I have to navigate these waters without creating unnecessary enemies. Defending someone against Malfoy, especially without gaining anything from it, would be counterproductive. I can't afford to offend a powerful family just for the sake of principles."
She lowered her eyes for a moment, avoiding her brother's piercing gaze. "However," she continued, "I couldn't belittle my own brother. So I had to ask Draco to let it go, which puts me in a position where I've now gained a favor from him. This gives him leverage, and he can demand something in return."
Arcana watched her brother as her words sank in. She immediately saw the change in his expression. The muscles in his face tightened, and his gaze hardened. His anger reflected in his striking mismatched eyes before they closed.
"I'm going to kill him," he murmured in a voice so low and rumbling that they barely heard it. The tone of his voice, charged with fury, sent a chill through Arcana and her friends.
A gust of wind suddenly swirled around them. Ophelia, Selena, and Arcana felt a violent surge of energy emanating from Orion. Their hair lifted as if swept by an invisible gale.
Arcana's eyes widened in shock at both the phenomenon and her brother's fury. Ophelia froze, feeling Orion's power wash over her, while Selena took a step back, her eyes wide. She couldn't believe that such power was being unleashed by a student who had just arrived at Hogwarts.
Orion, reopening his eyes, saw the effect his rage had on the three young women. Realizing he had lost control, he quickly activated his Occlumency. In an instant, he suppressed the surge of magic, and his face returned to its usual blank expression. The gusts vanished, and the heavy atmosphere dissipated.
Without a word, he turned and started walking briskly toward the castle.
"Wait!"
Arcana's voice, tinged with urgency, stopped him in his tracks. She had recovered from the shock caused by her brother's magical outburst and knew she had to stop him before he did something regrettable.
Orion froze. "What are you planning to do?" Arcana asked breathlessly, her voice filled with concern.
Before Arcana could respond, Ophelia interjected sharply, but with urgency.
"Orion, you can't act like this!" she said in a cutting tone. "If you attack Draco, the noble families will retaliate. You'll end up in Azkaban before they even exact revenge to restore their honor. You have no idea what you're risking."
Orion remained silent for a moment before replying in his usual flat tone, "There's no way I'm letting Arcana be subjected to anyone. I won't allow anyone to impose anything on her."
Ophelia, visibly irritated by Orion's stubbornness, stepped closer and locked her cold gaze onto his. "What are you imagining? Draco can't and won't take advantage of her over such a small matter. He might ask for a favor, yes, but nothing extravagant. It's not as if he's going to demand something important or dangerous."
Ophelia's words seemed to have an effect. Orion finally turned his head toward her, searching for the truth in her statement.
Selena, now more serious, spoke up to validate Ophelia's point. "She's right, Orion. No one can force the hand of the Maga family, not even the Malfoys. And especially not over trivial matters. While the Malfoys are influential, the Maga family is feared and respected. No other lineage would risk offending them without careful consideration. Trust me, Draco won't do anything reckless."
Reassured by these words, Orion took a deep breath, his anger slowly subsiding. He stared at his sister for a long moment before speaking. "I won't harm him if you allow me to offer you protection," he finally declared, his voice becoming more expressive again.
Arcana frowned, wary of her brother's proposal. "Protection?" she repeated softly, her tone laced with caution. "What exactly are you talking about, Orion?"
Orion, noting the tension on his sister's face, replied, "I can give you a guardian. She will ensure your safety and intervene only if someone tries to manipulate or harm you. She'll only appear when needed."
Arcana crossed her arms, eyeing her brother with growing suspicion. "Orion, you can't just ask me to accept something so serious without more explanation. A mysterious protection that you can't fully explain? That doesn't exactly reassure me."
Orion let out a deep sigh before adopting a ceremonial stance, his movements suddenly filled with solemnity. Slowly, he raised a finger to his face, concentrating intensely.
The three girls, startled by the gesture, instantly recognized it and gasped in surprise, realizing what he was about to do. Arcana moved to intervene, but Orion cut her off before she could speak.
"I swear on my magic," he said in a grave, powerful voice, and his magic manifested itself. "Although I cannot reveal all the details, this guardian will be loyal, powerful, and will only appear if you are in danger or choose to summon her. Outside of those moments, nothing will change for you."
The three young women stood frozen by the scene. A thin mist of magic formed around him, barely noticeable. Even without being directly affected by his magic, they felt a slight burning sensation, as if an extremely cold gas had brushed against their skin. Fortunately, it didn't seem to cause actual burns. The chill was very unpleasant, almost painful, but it was only a reflection of the power contained within Orion's words.
Arcana, despite the shock of the sensation, couldn't help but curse. "Idiot! Don't make an Unbreakable Vow so lightly! Do you even know the consequences if you break it?"
Orion remained calm in the face of his sister's palpable concern. His expressionless face contrasted with the tension visible on hers.
"There's no risk," he replied in a steady voice. "I haven't lied about anything. Besides, you would never have accepted otherwise. You would've pestered me with questions I couldn't answer. Now you know this solution will provide you with extra protection without any drawbacks."
Arcana, still visibly cautious despite her brother's assurances, turned to Ophelia and Selena. "What do you think?" she asked, seeking external opinions to weigh the pros and cons.
Ophelia, ever reserved, narrowed her eyes in thought. "It's an Unbreakable Vow, Arcana. So, your brother's promise is reliable." She scrutinized Orion. "If this guardian is as powerful as he claims, it could give you a considerable advantage."
Selena, more spontaneous, responded enthusiastically. "Arcana, this is an amazing opportunity! A powerful, free protection. He's your brother; you can trust him."
While her friends shared their opinions, Orion used their moment of reflection to establish a mental connection with Cassandra, the Lamia. He immediately felt the imposing presence of the mythical creature.
Cassandra, he thought. Can you assign the guardian you promised to protect my sister?
Cassandra responded almost immediately, her voice rising in Orion's mind like a soft, hypnotic hiss.
Orion, she replied, one of my daughters, Seraphine, is ready and willing to become your sister's guardian. She is formidable and elegant, a born warrior. I trust her completely. Few things in this world can pose a threat to her.
Orion felt deep relief at this news. He trusted Cassandra. Seraphine would be the perfect guardian for his sister.
Arcana, still lost in thought after hearing her friends' opinions, finally nodded in acceptance, unaware of the arrangements her brother had already made.
Good, thought Orion. Seraphine will be perfect.
For the first time, Arcana saw something she had never seen on her brother's face: a genuine, sincere smile. His usually cold and distant expression became warm and joyful, magnifying his beauty several times over. Selena and Ophelia, who had never witnessed this side of Orion, froze, and a slight blush colored their cheeks. They exchanged quick, slightly embarrassed glances at the unexpected effect of his disarming smile.
Orion's eyes widened slightly, as if surprised, before he burst into laughter, a clear and warm sound that resonated in the air. The three girls watched him, visibly confused.
Arcana narrowed her eyes. "What's so funny?"
Orion stopped laughing and, with a mischievous smile, declared, "You're going to love this, Arcana. Really. You'll be worthy of a Slytherin princess."
Before Arcana could respond, she gasped in surprise as her brother's magic intensified around her. The air grew intensely colder. Then, suddenly, a painless burning sensation spread across her body.
Confused and worried, Arcana quickly pulled off her sports top, trying to understand what was happening. When she lowered her gaze, she was stunned to see the head of a magnificent silver serpent appearing just above her thigh. Its scales, with a metallic sheen, seemed to shimmer in the light, and its deep emerald eyes stared ahead as if it were a real, living creature. Every movement of the serpent appeared filled with grace and life.
The serpent began to move slowly, sensually sliding along her skin as if it were truly slithering over her. As it advanced, its silver body gradually revealed itself, each section emerging with elegance in wisps of silver magic. Arcana could feel the faint touch of the magic on her skin, almost like a cold breath, adding to the illusion of a living being wrapping around her.
As the serpent continued its ascent, winding along her hip and flank, it made several loops around her torso. With each pass, its gleaming scales seemed to capture and reflect the light like a delicate mirror, adding a hypnotic glow to its appearance.
When the serpent reached the top of her torso, a new transformation occurred. Just as it seemed to stabilize, delicate, ethereal lines began to form on either side of its silver body, almost invisible at first. Then, suddenly, they spread wide, revealing an impressive wingspan.
The wings, pure white and radiant, appeared almost made of light, and each feather, intricately detailed, was so realistic that one might have believed they belonged to a real bird. They fluttered slightly, as if catching an invisible breeze. Their movement was fluid and natural, enhancing the illusion that this winged serpent was a living creature, ready to take flight at any moment.
The wings gently settled against her back, perfectly fitting the contours of her body as if enveloping her in a protective embrace. Their base seemed to anchor just below her shoulder blades, and with every movement she made, Arcana could almost feel the light but powerful presence of this magical creature spreading around her.
There, the serpent's head gracefully rested on her collarbone. Its enchanting emerald eyes stared forward as if already watching over her, ready to intervene at the slightest threat.
Once the serpent was completely still, it rooted itself into her skin, taking on the appearance of a breathtakingly beautiful tattoo. Every detail was so lifelike that one might believe the creature could spring to life at any moment. The silver scales seemed to reflect the light, while the white wings gave the impression of slight movement with each of Arcana's breaths, adding an almost living dimension to the masterpiece.
This tattoo, both captivating and intimidating, deeply marked Arcana's skin, symbolizing the power and protection she had just been granted. Even when clothed, part of the serpent would remain visible: the elegant head resting on her collarbone.
The entire image was mesmerizing, highlighting not only Arcana's beauty but also the mystical power now surrounding her. She didn't know how to feel—it had profoundly changed her appearance, but she couldn't deny the beauty of the tattoo. It was both magnificent and intimidating, as if this magical creature that now adorned her would guard her, ready to unleash its full power to defend her if needed.
Selena, fascinated, murmured, "It's... incredible."
Ophelia couldn't help but admire the intricate craftsmanship of the tattoo.
Arcana, still in shock, slowly raised her eyes to her brother. "Orion... what is this?"
Orion, beaming, replied joyfully, "Seraphine, the guardian I promised you. She's now bound to you. She'll watch over you and only you until the end of your life."