The journey back to Britain was smooth, but Ezekiel's mind was anything but calm. His time in France had been filled with unexpected revelations—his growing bond with Fleur Delacour, the Veela pull between them, and the realization that their connection was something neither of them could ignore.
But as he stepped onto British soil, a new challenge awaited him.
---
Ezekiel arrived at the Malverne estate late in the evening, greeted by the golden glow of the manor's enchanted lanterns.
The moment he stepped inside, he heard the rapid footsteps of his sisters.
"You're late!" Alys huffed, arms crossed.
Before he could respond, Celes crashed into him with a delighted squeal. "Ez! You're home!"
Ezekiel caught her easily, laughing. "I missed you too, Celes."
Alys scrutinized him with narrowed eyes. "You look… different."
Celes nodded eagerly. "Yes! Ez looks taller!"
Ezekiel smirked. "I was gone for a few weeks, not a year."
Alys, however, wasn't convinced. "Something happened in France, didn't it?"
Ezekiel chuckled but didn't answer, leaving Alys frustrated.
---
A few days after his return, Ezekiel made his way to Gringotts Wizarding Bank.
With his recent ascension as Lord Ravenclaw, he had a duty to review all legal documents and assets tied to the Ravenclaw family name. His father, Thomas Malverne, had advised him to begin overseeing the family's affairs, and there was no better place to start than at the heart of the wizarding financial world.
As he stepped into the marble-floored bank, the sharp-eyed goblins wasted no time in acknowledging his presence.
"Lord Ravenclaw," one of the senior goblins greeted him with a bow. "We have prepared the documents regarding your inheritance. If you will follow me."
Ezekiel nodded and was led to a private chamber deep within the bank.
Stacks of ancient parchments, deeds, and family records were neatly arranged before him.
Hours passed as he meticulously reviewed ledgers, property holdings, and investment records, ensuring he understood everything under his name.
And then, near the bottom of a dust-covered chest, he found it.
An aged scroll, its edges tinged with faint silver runes.
Ezekiel's heart pounded. This was old magic—older than the vault itself.
Curious, he unfurled it carefully and began to read.
---
His breath hitched as he absorbed the words.
By the decree of House Ravenclaw and House Greengrass, the eldest heir of House Ravenclaw and the eldest daughter of House Greengrass shall be wed before the heir's seventeenth birthday.
This contract is bound by ancient magic and is unbreakable.
Ezekiel sat frozen, staring at the parchment.
A marriage contract… between me and… Daphne Greengrass?
His mind raced.
No one had ever mentioned this.
Not his father. Not the Greengrasses. Not even the goblins—until now.
Slowly, he turned to the goblin seated across from him. "This contract… does my family know about it?"
The goblin shook his head. "Highly unlikely, Lord Ravenclaw. This document has been buried deep within the Ravenclaw vaults for centuries. It was only retrieved upon your formal inheritance review."
Ezekiel exhaled sharply.
This wasn't some recent political maneuver—this was a pact made centuries ago, forgotten by time.
A contract sealed by Rowena Ravenclaw's bloodline and the Greengrass family, ensuring an alliance between two of the oldest noble houses.
And it was unbreakable.
His fingers tightened around the parchment.
Daphne had no idea.
Neither did his father.
What am I supposed to do with this?
---