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Chapter 44: Mistakes Were Made.
🕑 Added 2025-04-14 06:48:00 +0000 UTCCelestial Ascendancy
Chapter 44: Mistakes Were Made.
Hogwarts.
Elias Black.
Next day.
I couldn’t help the wide grin spreading across my face as I walked hand-in-hand with the girls out of the common room.
We didn’t have much planned for the day. None of our devil friends could visit, which was a shame... I’d been getting pretty close to all of them, and time was running out.
I’d grown a lot stronger over the past few weeks… but I still didn’t know if I was ready for the cemetery.
Seekvaira had slowed down our training, primarily because I’d surpassed her by the end of the second week. Sparring with Sai and his peerage had made that possible. Honestly, I couldn’t believe the guy’s luck. When he introduced the orange-haired kid in the cloak, I never would’ve guessed he was hiding a Longinus-tier Sacred Gear.
Regulus was… weird.
Not at all what I expected from the spirit of the Nemean Lion, or whatever he really was. Still, he got along well with everyone, though his bond with Dobby outshone all of us. I nearly had to beat him up just to stop him from trying to poach Dobby for Sai’s peerage, all because of his special magic and apparently divine-tier cooking skills.
He was a good sport about it, though. Hard to dislike someone like that.
He beat the crap out of me during our first match, but each time since, I’ve gotten stronger. He was… hard to beat. He might’ve been more durable than Sairaorg and me, which was insane. But I liked that. It meant I could let loose without worrying about breaking him.
Sairaorg couldn’t tank Aetherium-infused attacks, at least in his normal form. Regulus could.
It was the only way I could even hurt him. Unlike Sai himself, who I had to challenge through different methods, Regulus was straightforward.
I still wasn’t ready to face his “Regulus Nemea Leather Rex” form… but I was getting closer. Closer every session.
“What are you thinking about, Eli?” Iris asked, her voice dreamy, a dopey smile on her face as she watched the students rushing around the castle.
“Ah,” I smiled softly, gently squeezing her hand. “Our friends. And wondering what we’ll do today.”
“Yeah,” Hermione nodded, “it’s a shame they couldn’t come. Did you have anything in mind we don’t know about?”
“Nope,” I chuckled. “Do either of you have something you want to do?”
Iris bit her lip, then shook her head. “I don’t think it would be prudent to do what I want to do,” she said with a grin, before wincing with every other step. The limp in her walk made me way prouder than I should’ve been but screw it. I’d earned that. And I was damn proud of it.
Hermione rolled her eyes, limping just the same, and I couldn’t help smirking. They both huffed at me, but I saw the grins on their faces.
“I don’t have anything in mind,” Mione sighed. “I mean… sleeping sounds nice. But people might wonder where we disappeared to.”
“It’s Hogsmeade day,” Iris pointed out. “Why don’t we grab something at Rosmerta’s? I could go for a bite.”
“Oh, nice idea, luv,” Hermione grinned, “We could invite some friends.”
“Who do you have in mind?” I asked as we continued walking.
“Fleur, maybe?” Iris grinned unrepentantly. “Also, Ginny and Luna. It’s been a while since we talked, and I want to make sure the Nargles didn’t come back to bother her,” she added with a scowl.
My expression softened. I hadn’t threatened the Ravenclaws, exactly, but I’d done something to help Luna blend in more with the other girls. We’d all just been so busy this year… It would be nice to see the scatter-brained girl again.
“I think that’s a great idea, love,” I said, smiling at Iris before glancing at Hermione. “That alright with you, Mione?”
“Of course it is,” Hermione said, glaring at me with narrowed eyes. “They’re my friends too, you know.”
“Perfect,” I chuckled, pulling the Marauder’s Map from my pocket. “I solemnly swear that I’m up to no good.”
With just a fleeting glance, I scanned the map. One of the perks of my enhanced mind. I could absorb almost everything in an instant. It never stopped being awesome.
“Ginny and Luna are by the lake,” I told them. “Fleur’s in her carriage.”
“Let’s go, then!” Iris whooped, taking off. She immediately winced mid-step.
“I swear to Merlin, Iris,” Hermione sighed, exasperated.
“I hate you and your dumb body, Eli,” Iris grumbled, glaring sharply in my direction. “You’re so bullshit.”
Grinning, I leaned in and kissed her brow, tugging them along as we made our way out. Moments like this, when it was just us, were the ones I treasured the most. Things had changed a bit after yesterday, but everything was for the better. We were closer now, and I loved it.
Ten minutes later, we spotted the two girls sitting by the lake.
Luna had her shoes off, dipping her feet into the water, humming something tuneless as she giggled with Ginny.
“Hey, girls!” Iris called out cheerfully. “How are you? Got any plans for today?”
Ginny stood up, a bright smile on her round face.
Yeah, I noticed the double-take she gave me. Her little crush was honestly kind of cute.
Luna turned toward us with a dreamy smile. “Hello, Iris. I see an abundance of Blush-winged Pillowflutter fluttering around the three of you.”
Hermione stared at her blankly before sighing and pulling her into a hug. “I will never understand you,” she muttered fondly. “How are you, Luna?”
“I’m fine,” Luna said, beaming. “But clearly not as good as you three.”
I looked at her weirdly but didn't comment. That sounded almost teasing.
“No plans, then?” Iris asked, still grinning.
“Nope,” Luna replied simply.
“Perfect. Want to come to Hogsmeade? We thought we’d grab a bite, maybe pick up a few things.”
Ginny’s smile faded a little. “I… don’t really have any galleons right now, Iris.”
“Bah,” I said, rolling my eyes. “We’re inviting you. Don’t worry about it. We just want to hang out.”
She still looked unsure. Ginny was always stubborn about anything resembling pity, so I pressed on.
“I know we’ve all been busy this year,” I said gently. “We haven’t spent as much time together as we used to, so we’d really like to enjoy the day with you two. Please, Ginny, don’t overthink it.”
She hesitated, and I smiled. “If it makes you feel better, just consider it a long-term loan. You can pay me back when you’re playing for the Harpies.”
That got her. She laughed with a blush on her face. “Fine,” she said, mock-defeated. “But I am paying you back.”
“Sure, sure,” Iris grinned. “Same goes for you, Luna. We’ve got you covered today.”
“Okay,” Luna replied simply, her eyes sparkling. “Should we go now?”
I shook my head. “Not yet. We’re missing someone. I hope you two can get along with her.”
Ginny tilted her head in curiosity, but Luna just giggled. “Her? Ooh… I wonder what the Prophet will say tomorrow.”
Iris cackled and started gently nudging the girls toward the Beauxbatons carriage. We chatted on the way, though nothing of note came up, just the easy conversation of friends falling into step together again.
Once we arrived, I knocked on the carriage door. A French girl I didn’t recognize opened it, eyeing our group with narrowed suspicion.
The girl standing in the doorway raised an eyebrow at our group, her sharp gaze sweeping over each of us before landing squarely on me. Then she spoke.
Something in French. Fast, sharp, and definitely not welcoming.
I blinked.
“Uh…”
She tilted her head slightly, arms crossed, and repeated it. Slower this time, but it still sounded like gibberish to my ears.
I turned to Hermione and gave her a helpless look. “I caught like… two syllables. Maybe three. And I'm pretty sure one of them was ‘baguette.’”
Hermione rolled her eyes. “She asked why a Hogwarts champion was looking for Fleur and if you were here to spy on her.”
I couldn’t help it; I burst out laughing. “Spy on a fellow champion? Girl, I don’t need that.”
The girl didn’t seem impressed. She narrowed her eyes at me again as if she didn’t quite believe what Hermione translated. But after another few exchanged words with Hermione, she finally nodded, turned on her heel, and shut the door behind her.
“Okay, what was that about?” Iris asked, leaning in.
Hermione sighed. “Like I said, she thought Eli might be here to snoop around or challenge Fleur or… something. She wasn’t sure why a Hogwarts Triwizard champion would knock on their door on a day off.”
I nodded thoughtfully. “I could be an awesome spy.”
Before anyone could add to that, the door creaked open again.
This time, it wasn’t suspicion that greeted us; it was the sun.
Fleur stepped out of the carriage, the breeze catching the hem of her pale sundress as it swayed around her knees. Her silvery-blonde hair was loose, flowing down her shoulders as it fluttered under the wind. Her eyes brightened when she saw our group before she smirked with wide eyes.
“How lovely to see you all,” she said in her usual melodic voice. “And what surprises you brought, Elias.”
“What are you talking about, Fleur?” I asked confusedly.
She laughed, the tittering sound was music to our ears. She had a teasing grin on her face as she waved her hand through the air.
“Nothing, my dear,” she smirked, “Did you need something?”
Iris grinned, “Are you good to go out? We want to grab a bite and spend the day, so we wanted to invite you.”
“That's sweet of you, Iris.” Fleur smiled softly, but the way her eyes were filled with mirth confused me. “And it would be my pleasure if you let me grab my purse.”
“No need for that, Fleur,” Hermione frowned, “We’re inviting you.”
Hogsmeade.
Iris Potter.
The girls got along surprisingly well, thankfully. Ginny had looked a bit thrown when she first saw Fleur, but to her credit, she managed to get past her imagination and actually talk to her. They’d been chatting about Quidditch and all sorts of things since, acting like they’d been friends for years.
“Eli, can you grab some butterbeers for us?” I asked, flashing him a sweet smile.
“Sure thing, love,” Elias replied, already heading off.
Fleur grinned as she watched him go, and immediately, I felt a sliver of concern tighten in my chest.
“You go, girls,” she laughed, her eyes dancing with mischief. “So… how was he? Did he do anything special?”
Hermione choked on her drink, sputtering into the foam as her cheeks turned the color of a shrimp. Ginny blinked, confused. Luna just kept that dreamy smile on her face, like nothing surprised her.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said smoothly, slowly sipping my butterbeer like I wasn’t already feeling on fire inside.
Fleur leaned in, her smirk widening. “Oh, please. I know. I can see it in your auras.”
Hermione went nuclear. I didn’t even need to look at her to know she was practically vibrating with embarrassment. My own cheeks were definitely warmer than they had any right to be.
“Hah!” Fleur cackled. “I knew it. Spill, Iris. How was it?”
“It was…” I trailed off, sighing dreamily. “It was incredible.”
“What are they talking about?” Ginny whispered to Luna.
I opened my mouth to deflect, but Luna beat me to it. Her voice calm, serene, and entirely unfazed.
“They’re talking about how they did it last night, dummy,” she said plainly as if she were commenting on the weather.
Hermione groaned into her hands, trying to hide her face from the rest of us. I didn’t blame her. Luna’s delivery had been so casual it somehow made it worse.
Ginny blinked. Then blinked again.
“You what?”
Her voice pitched up at the end, just a bit too loud, and a few people at the neighboring table glanced over. I glared at them until they turned back around, muttering among themselves.
Fleur, meanwhile, looked thrilled. She leaned forward, practically bouncing in her seat.
“Oh, don’t be shy now,” she said, grinning wickedly at me. “A Veela always knows when something delicious has happened. The glow and energy are all over the two of you.”
Hermione peeked through her fingers, eyes pleading with me to save her.
I shrugged helplessly. “I mean… she’s not wrong.”
Ginny was still frozen, her brain clearly buffering.
“You three… did it?” she asked slowly like she wasn’t sure what part to focus on. “And at the same time?”
“Mhmm,” I hummed, taking another sip like it was no big deal. “We’re a package deal.”
“That’s… hot.” Ginny rubbed her face with a blush. “You’ve been walking around like normal after that?”
Fleur laughed so hard she almost tipped over her glass. “I wondered about the limps but didn’t want to assume.”
I coughed, choking a little. Hermione actually whimpered.
Luna, meanwhile, looked delighted. “I think it’s lovely,” she said, completely serene. “Three auras in harmony. Daddy said I had to wait until my thirties, but I don’t know how serious he was.”
Ginny finally sat back, shaking her head with a laugh and a bit of a sad smile. “I’m happy for you three, really.”
Hermione glanced, and I nodded. Both of us hugged the redhead. “Thanks, Ginny. That means a lot to us.”
“Was he good? did he rock your world?” Fleur asked crassly.
I shook my head disbelievingly, “He is perfect, as you know.” I added teasingly, hoping to make her blush.
But nothing, she just nodded thoughtfully. “I can see that, Iris. And congratulations on graduating,” she whispered.
Hermione choked once more, but I was able to ignore her. I was getting used to Fleur.
Before we could continue, Eli returned with six butterbeers floating behind him, “Here you go, girls.”
“Thanks, Eli,” I flashed him a smile.
Eli frowned, seeing the look on Ginny, but I shook my head in his direction. He nodded, “Did I miss anything?”
“Nothing important,” Fleur grinned, “Oh, and by the way, Elias.”
“Oh?” He lifted his eyebrow.
“Do you remember the offer about Professor Flitwick?”
“Oh yeah,” He smiled, “Did you come to a decision already?”
“Uhm,” Fleur nodded. "I spoke with Mama. She thinks it's a marvelous chance, and I would be daft to ignore it. I would really appreciate it if you could speak with him.”
Hermione squealed, “I'm so glad to hear that, Fleur. I’m sure he’ll love you.”
“I hope so too,” Fleur smiled softly, looking at Eli deeply.
I sighed quietly, then let myself smile.
Some people would probably ask who he loved more. Who would he choose? But honestly… I didn’t care. Not really. Elias was special… he was the kind of person who made space in your heart without even trying, and I liked Fleur. She was sharp, funny, stunning, and kind in her own fierce way.
And me? I was never precisely normal.
I knew that.
I was loud. I was wild sometimes. A bit too blunt, a bit too impulsive. But I also knew how I felt. I liked boys and girls. I loved Hermione. I loved Elias. I could love someone like Fleur, too.
What mattered more to me than anything… was feeling loved. Wanted. Safe. Not in a tame, boring way… but in that fiery, honest way that made life feel worth living.
And with Elias? With Hermione? I had that. We had that.
So why limit it?
The world was already full of things trying to kill us. Voldemort was still out there, planning whatever madness he had brewing. None of us knew how much time we really had.
So no, I wasn’t going to spend mine worrying about labels or who got what piece of someone.
I wanted to live, to laugh, to be with my loved ones, and to build something messy and real with the people who made my heart beat faster.
If that meant sharing Elias with someone else who fit into the chaos of our lives, then so be it.
Because I wouldn’t trade this love, any part of it, for something easier. And I sure as hell wouldn’t let fear decide what I could have.
Not anymore.
Hogwarts
Elias Black.
It had finally come.
The Third Task was upon us.
I stood alongside the other three champions as the headmasters and Ministry officials explained the rules, the procedures, the usual pomp. I was listening, sort of, but something felt off.
Something was wrong.
I was strong. Absurdly strong compared to the people here.
I glanced at the headmaster and didn’t doubt it for a second, he wasn’t my match anymore, not in raw power.
We’d sparred a few times in the last few weeks. At first, he beat me with sheer experience. But lately? I’d been winning. More and more. The only thing he had left on me was age and tricks, not might. That gap had flipped and turned to the other direction.
So then, why? Despite all that, why was this weight pressing on my chest?
A gnawing feeling. The unease that clawed at the back of my mind like a whisper I couldn’t quite catch.
Iris was sitting with Hermione and a few others, the rest of the girls, some Gryffindor boys, classmates. The stands were packed more than I’d ever seen. Not once had Hogwarts been this crowded.
The Ministry was out in full force. Aurors everywhere, Tonks with her pink bubblegum hair, Shacklebolt near the front, and even Rufus Scrimgeour. They brought half the damn Ministry with them, plus a sea of civilians. It was something else.
“Did everyone understand the rules?” Dumbledore’s voice cut through my thoughts, serious and clear.
Fleur glanced at me with a slight frown, her brows furrowed. She could feel it, too... my tension. She was surprisingly good at that, maybe because of her heritage.
She’d grown close to all of us. Already arranged to return next year for an apprenticeship with Flitwick.
At first, the professor had been hesitant. Until I handed him two vials of Ash’s tears, a gift he didn’t expect but one he definitely appreciated.
I didn’t need to bribe him. Not really. But I wanted to.
Things were about to get dangerous. I didn’t know how soon, but it would happen. Flitwick had taught me more than most, and I owed him. He also saw through the gesture and understood that I used it as an excuse to ensure he would survive in the future, or at least have a better chance.
He just smiled, accepted it… and started doting on her.
She earned it, too. She crushed his expectations.
“Is something wrong, Eli?” Fleur asked quietly, her voice soft and careful.
I smiled, but even I could feel how brittle it was. “Worried,” I admitted. “Don’t think too much about it.”
She sighed gently. “I hope that one day you’ll trust me enough to tell me what’s really going on.”
“I do trust you, Fleur,” I said with a quiet breath. “And you probably will know later. I just… didn’t want to worry you before the Task. That’s all.”
“It’s not like I can win,” she shrugged, “I think everyone here knows who will be the winner.”
I chuckled and patted her head, “There, there. You can be in second place. Honestly… that means first place; you know I am not exactly normal, I don't count.”
She blew me a raspberry.
“Good,” Dumbledore nodded after the last of the champions had finished asking their questions. “We’ll begin shortly.”
He turned to leave, but I moved quickly to his side as inconspicuously as I could manage.
“Elias, my boy,” he greeted with a small smile. “Did you need something?”
He always called me that... my boy. But we both knew it was just for show. In private, he treated me like a peer. Not always, not when he was teaching me, but most of the time. He never spoke down to me. And that mutual understanding was what made it work between us.
I didn’t follow his every word like gospel. And he didn’t expect me to.
“I’m having a bad feeling,” I said quietly, my tone serious. “Something’s going to happen today. I’m sure of it.”
His smile faded immediately. “I’ve felt… something as well,” he admitted. “Be careful in the maze, Elias. I checked everything I could, but we still don’t know what methods Tom may use. Never underestimate him.”
“I won’t,” I said, nodding firmly. “Just be ready for anything.”
Later.
The Third Task had begun, and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I could finish it in moments if I genuinely wanted to.
But I held back.
There were no viewing charms inside the maze this time, but still… my magic carried weight now. It crackled beneath my skin like a barely restrained storm, and if I let it loose, everyone would notice, even from outside. The last thing I needed was to show to the Ministry or the world just how far I’d come... how far I’d changed.
So, I walked with purpose. Not rushing at all. Just fast enough to be the first one.
I had the lead anyway.
Thanks to my performance in the earlier tasks, I’d earned a five-minute head start. Fleur would be next, then Krum, and finally Cedric. Everything was timed. Everything planned.
If there were no hiccups, I’d be out of here with the Cup before they even got close.
My magic buzzed beneath my skin, calm but eager. Like a predator pacing behind a thin crate, waiting for the perfect chance. The unease I’d felt all morning hadn’t left. If anything, it had only gotten worse.
The first obstacle came quickly, a Blast-Ended Skrewt.
I handled it swiftly. I didn’t just beat it, I spared its life. I encased it in a cage of layered ice, giving the poor thing a chance to rest. Nothing of its size or breed could break out of that. I even chuckled to myself as I walked away, my pace calm.
The next obstacle wasn’t so amusing.
A Boggart.
It took the form of Iris and Hermione... both dead. Bodies still. On top of a poll of their blood.
I saw red.
I summoned a sword of Aetherium-forged light and cleaved through the illusion without hesitation. The Boggart shrieked as it disintegrated, but I didn’t flinch. I watched the scene vanish, my expression cold.
Good riddance.
I turned a corner, it looked like a dead end.
No, not quite.
My senses whispered the truth, even if the maze lied. With a simple hand wave, I shattered the illusion wall, and the path opened.
That’s when I heard it.
Screaming.
Shouts of chaos, coming from outside the maze.
My head snapped up, instinctively trying to place the sound. Even with my enhanced senses, I couldn’t determine what was happening. There was too much panic, too many overlapping voices.
The pit in my stomach twisted into something worse.
Something was happening.
I moved faster.
The Cup was close. I could feel its magic humming now, familiar, but… off. Twisted. It had been turned into a Portkey, just like I’d hoped. At least that part hadn’t changed.
A mist of warped magic tried to settle around me, a sensation-warping spell woven into it meant to disorient.
It was nothing to me.
I tore through it and pressed forward.
The Cup appeared just ahead, glowing faintly in a clearing.
I broke into a run, heart pounding now, not from the Task, but from the pressure building inside me.
I was almost there—
Then the ground lit up.
A blinding light flared just before the Cup. An ancient, jagged, and disgusting magic circle ignited beneath my feet.
Not devil magic.
Not something I recognized.
But I didn’t need to understand it to know it wasn’t meant to be here. This wasn’t part of the Task.
Our fears were right.
The bastard was being helped by someone from the supernatural world.
The glyph pulsed from violet to deep crimson. My instincts screamed.
I jumped back just in time as the center cracked open like shattered glass.
And someone stepped through.
Not someone. Something.
Humanoid in shape but too tall. Too stretched. Its aura was a roiling storm of malice. It wasn’t just strong, it was terrifying. I could feel it immediately: this thing could go toe-to-toe with Dumbledore if it wanted to.
My wand was already raised. My magic roared to life.
Then I heard it.
Hermione’s voice was amplified by magic, echoing through the air. And much to my horror... She was panicking.
“ELIAS! IRIS HAS BEEN TAKEN! NEVILLE IS INJURED—IT WAS PURPLE!”
The world stopped.
My heart didn’t just drop... it shattered.
No.
No.
I didn’t wait for the monster to move. I raised my hand and unleashed my magic.
A wave of MAGIC force exploded outward, slamming into the creature and ripping through the glyph. The monster shrieked, staggering, barely resisting the blast, but it didn’t fall.
I didn’t care.
I didn’t even look at it.
My mind was spinning. My body was vibrating. Iris was gone.
And the Cup was behind this thing.
I couldn’t get to her unless I got through it.
“Ash!” I roared, pouring power into my voice. “Take the other champions away!”
A flash of flame burst above me as Ash’s thrill echoed overhead. With a chirp and a beat of wings, she vanished to fulfill my command.
I turned my gaze to the creature.
“I hope she’s watching,” I whispered, eyes locked on the creature. “Because I’m coming for her. And when I’m done… there won’t be a single soul left to mourn her.”
