Ezekiel spent the following days buried in research. If he had learned anything from his time as Lord Ravenclaw, it was that knowledge held power—and he needed power now more than ever.
The unbreakable marriage contract between the Ravenclaw and Greengrass families was centuries old, yet not a single person alive had been aware of its existence. That alone unsettled him.
"How could something so important be forgotten?"
With stacks of parchment and aged tomes before him, Ezekiel combed through every record he could find on ancient magical contracts, bloodline obligations, and House alliances.
But even as he searched for answers, the real conflict in his mind wasn't about the contract itself.
It was about Fleur.
And Daphne.
---
One afternoon, as he sat in his father's study once again, Thomas Malverne folded his hands, watching his son carefully.
"You've been quiet since returning from France."
Ezekiel exhaled, shutting the book in his hands. "There's a lot to think about."
His father studied him for a moment before speaking.
"Tell me, Ezekiel—what troubles you more? The contract itself? Or the fact that it conflicts with the bond you share with Fleur?"
Ezekiel's fingers curled slightly. His father saw through everything.
After a moment, he answered honestly.
"Both."
Thomas leaned back. "I assumed as much. But what do you intend to do about it?"
Ezekiel exhaled slowly. "I don't know yet."
His father nodded. "Then it's time you learn something important, son."
Thomas stood, walking over to the large portrait of one of their ancestors. "A name, especially one as old as ours, is a heavy burden. You are Lord Ravenclaw, but that does not mean you are without choice." He turned to face his son.
"But choices have consequences."
Ezekiel remained silent, absorbing his father's words.
"I suggest you start by speaking to Daphne herself before you assume too much," Thomas continued. "You may not have chosen this, but she didn't either."
Ezekiel met his father's gaze.
And for the first time since discovering the contract, he realized that Daphne's voice had been the one he had yet to truly hear.
---
That evening, Ezekiel sat at his desk, quill in hand. The words didn't come easily, but after a few moments, he began writing.
"Daphne,"
"There's much I need to discuss with you. Not as Lord Ravenclaw, but as Ezekiel Malverne."
"I don't wish for this contract to dictate our lives without understanding what it truly means for us both. I'd like to meet you before we return to Hogwarts."
"Let me know when you're available."
"Ezekiel."
Folding the parchment, he sealed it before sending it off with his owl.
As the bird disappeared into the night sky, Ezekiel leaned back in his chair.
This conversation needed to happen.
And he had a feeling that Daphne had been waiting for it, too.
---