The days following Ezekiel's private conversation with Fleur were filled with an unspoken tension. They had acknowledged the strange connection between them, but answers remained elusive. Fleur, ever composed, carried herself as if nothing had changed, but Ezekiel could sense it—the same pull, the same awareness whenever she was near.
Despite his usual ability to compartmentalize his thoughts, he found himself distracted. Whether it was in the Great Hall, passing her in the corridors, or during the rare occasions their paths crossed outside of classes, the bond lingered in the back of his mind.
It wasn't just attraction. It was something deeper.
And he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.
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Ezekiel sat in one of the hidden study rooms he had found in Hogwarts, a secluded space behind a bookshelf near the Astronomy Tower. The room, untouched by most students, was perfect for privacy.
He had sent Fleur a discreet message earlier that day, asking her to meet him here after classes.
The door creaked open, and she stepped in, her silver-blonde hair cascading over her shoulders as she closed the door behind her.
"You wanted to talk?" she asked, her tone neutral, but her eyes betrayed her curiosity.
Ezekiel leaned back in his chair, studying her for a moment before speaking. "I've been looking into Veela bonds."
Fleur stiffened slightly but nodded. "And?"
He exhaled. "There isn't much concrete information, but from what I could gather, Veela bonds are rare and typically don't manifest unless there's a strong compatibility between the Veela and their partner." He paused. "But even then, they usually take time to develop."
Fleur folded her arms. "Which means zis is not normal."
"No," he agreed. "It's not."
She sighed, moving to sit across from him. "I had hoped it was just a fleeting thing," she admitted. "A passing attraction."
Ezekiel's lips twitched. "It's not."
Fleur glanced at him, then away. "Non, it is not."
Silence stretched between them, the weight of their situation pressing down.
After a moment, Fleur spoke again, her voice quieter. "When I am near you, it is like something is pulling me closer. It is not just attraction. It is…" She hesitated, searching for the right word. "Instinct."
Ezekiel nodded, fingers tapping against the wooden desk. "It's the same for me. It's like my magic is… aware of yours."
Her blue eyes flickered with something unreadable. "What do we do, Ezekiel?"
He considered his response carefully. "We figure it out. Slowly."
Fleur exhaled in relief. "Good. I do not want zis to dictate my life."
"Neither do I," he assured her.
For now, they had an agreement.
But deep down, they both knew this bond wasn't going to fade—it was only getting stronger.
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