twenty two : CALM BEFORE THE STORM

chapter xxii : calm before the storm

"something was wrong, she knew it. the storm was coming."

THE ROOM OF REQUIREMENT WAS A CHAOTIC, BEAUTIFUL SYMPHONY OF MAGIC. The space was a vast, open training ground, filled with students practicing spellwork. It was a cold winter, and the air was thick with the dust of age and the crisp scent of fresh magic. Outside the walls of this secret sanctuary, Dolores Umbridge had basically taken over the school, her Educational Decrees plastered everywhere and her saccharine voice a constant threat. Inside, Neville Longbottom, a quiet hero, had found this perfect place, and Dumbledore's Army was flourishing.

The members were a fascinating mix. The Golden Trio and the Weasleys were there, of course, their familiar faces a comfort in the uncertain times. But they had also been joined by a surprising number of Slytherins: Draco Malfoy, Valerie Potter, Ivory Davis, Millicent Bulstrode, Daphne Greengrass, Miranda Lim, Blaise Zabini, and Eric Lewis.

Valerie hummed a soft, tuneless melody to herself, a habit that had started without her even noticing it.

Her days had been so full of this new life with Draco and her friends that the strange visions she used to have hadn't occurred for months.

The small, mysterious treasure chest she had found in the Black Lake, a source of such intrigue, was now forgotten, gathering dust in the back of her drawer.

Valerie and Draco were training together, their wands moving in perfect, synchronised arcs.

Their relationship, now a tender secret, had deepened into something more profound and physical, and the quiet glances and accidental touches were a new language of their own.

Millicent Bulstrode and Eric Lewis were the only ones who knew, and they were protective of the couple's privacy.

Valerie's eyes drifted to Eric, who was practicing a simple Disarming Charm. She noticed a subtle difference in him. He had a lingering, almost-constant cough that he tried to stifle. As he successfully disarmed another student, he swayed slightly, leaning on Ivory Davis, for a moment before pushing himself upright with a tight smile.

Valerie's brow furrowed. After her practice duel with Ginny Weasley, she made her way over to him. "Eric, are you okay?" She asked softly, her hand coming to rest gently on his arm.

He forced a smile. "I'm fine, Val. Just a bit under the weather." His voice was a little rough, and he quickly changed the subject. "Look at Daphne! She's getting the hang of that Shield Charm."

Just then, a burst of laughter echoed across the Room of Requirement. Fred and George Weasley were surrounded by a small group of students, and even Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini were leaning in, grinning widely. The twins were holding up one of their new inventions.

The lesson shifted to the Patronus Charm. Harry, standing at the head of the group, was explaining the importance of a powerful memory. Daphne, standing next to Valerie, leaned over and whispered, "I can't believe Harry's teaching us how to cast one. I know yours is a super cool dragon!"

Valerie smiled, a little wistfully. "I haven't produced it in a while, not since the Triwizard Tournament." She glanced at Draco, who was standing next to her, "I wonder what yours is," She whispered to him.

Draco smirked, a flash of his old cocky self returning. "A dragon as well, obviously. I'm brilliant." He gave her a playful wink.

However, the moment he managed to cast the spell, a beautiful, ethereal swan burst from the tip of his wand. It glided gracefully through the room, a symbol of pure elegance. Draco's jaw dropped in genuine shock. He stared, completely stunned. He had expected something fierce, a proud beast to reflect his family name, but this—this graceful, almost fragile bird—was a direct reflection of the emotion he held for his girlfriend. The magic, without his conscious thought, had spoken the truth of his heart.

Eric Lewis stepped forward, a determined look on his face. He closed his eyes, focusing for a moment, then flicked his wand. A magnificent peacock erupted in a shower of shimmering, iridescent colours. Its long train fanned out, displaying its vibrant eyespots before it strutted proudly around the room. A wide, genuine smile lit up Eric's face, his Patronus a perfect reflection of his joyful, vibrant soul.

The last time Valerie had produced a Patronus was during the Triwizard Tournament, as there had been no need to. She wondered if her deep feelings for her boyfriend would be enough to power the spell. "Expecto Patronum!" She called, her voice clear and strong.

Instead of the familiar, majestic dragon she had always known, a second swan emerged, identical to Draco's.

It was a moment of profound silence for Valerie. Her mind reeled—where was the dragon that reflected her boldness and her confidence?

The two Patronuses flew together, circling the room in perfect harmony, their white wings catching the magical light.

Hermione Granger, who had caught sight of the Patronuses, ran over, her face alight with understanding. "I KNEW IT!" She exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement. "A Patronus can change if you find your soulmate. Swans are a powerful symbol of that kind of bond. They mate for life, and if one dies, the other will soon follow. You two are soulmates!"

The lesson came to a close with Harry's voice, tired but proud, echoing in the room. "That's enough for tonight. Everyone did great work," He had a bright smile on his face. "Have a good Christmas holiday. We'll see you all back here in the new year."

As people started leaving, a line formed to thank Harry for his time and effort. Valerie made her way to him, a soft smile on her face. "Good job, Harry," Her voice quiet but sincere, patting his shoulder before walking away.

She rejoined the Slytherin group, who were already heading for the door. Eric, still buzzing with excitement, was animatedly describing his Patronus. "I mean, a peacock, can you believe it? It's just so... ME!" Ivory Davis and Daphne Greengrass were giggling, agreeing with him wholeheartedly.

Valerie and Draco walked hand-in-hand.

When they finally arrived at the Slytherin common room, they slipped inside and made their way to Valerie's prefect dorm.

It was dark and quiet.

They lay together in her bed, tangled under the soft light pink blankets, the silence between them a peaceful, comfortable space.

Draco, his head resting against her chest, broke the quiet.

"My parents want me home everyday for the break," He mumbled, his voice tight with frustration. "They were very clear about it." He sighed heavily. "I won't be able to see you."

Valerie's fingers ran through his soft blond hair. "It's okay," She whispered, her voice full of tenderness. "We'll see each other again." She kissed the top of his head. "We'll be okay." It was a soft, heartfelt moment, a silent promise between them.

Soon after, they both drifted off to sleep, curled up in each other's arms.

But in the middle of the night, Valerie was jolted awake, not by a sound, but by a cold, searing pain that felt as if it was tearing her body in two. It wasn't a dream. She was in a dark, cold corridor, the air thick with the metallic scent of blood. She could hear the terrifying hiss of a snake and felt a sudden, brutal bite—the venom coursing through her veins, a fire in her blood. She tried to cry out, but only a strangled sob escaped her lips.

For a moment, she was just pain and fear. She didn't know who she was, or where she was, until the person she was inhabiting looked briefly at the tiled walls.

In the dark reflection, she saw it wasn't her face looking back, but the face of a man she knew:

Arthur Weasley.

The vision ended as abruptly as it began. Valerie sat bolt upright, gasping for air, her body shaking uncontrollably as tears streamed down her face. She was drenched in a cold sweat, her heart hammering against her ribs. Draco was instantly awake, his arms around her, his face a mask of worry in the dim moonlight.

"Val? What is it? What's wrong?" He asked, his voice panicked.

"We need to get to Dumbledore," She sobbed, her voice a desperate, terrified whisper. "Now!"

Draco quickly pulled on a black robe and gently guided her out of the common room, his arm supporting her weight. Valerie leaned against him, her eyes closed, trying to regain her strength. The vision, the fear, and the sudden weakness had left her feeling drained and disoriented.

As they hurried down the silent, torch-lit corridors, they were met by Professor Snape, who, with an unreadable expression, guided the couple to the Headmaster's office. The three of them stepped onto the moving stairs: the wall closed behind them with a thud, and they were moving upward in tight circles until they reached the highly polished oak door with the brass knocker shaped like a griffin.

The door opened and the room was in half darkness. Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Harry and Ron and his siblings were already in the office, their faces etched with worry.

"Valerie, you s-saw it too?" Harry asked lowly with concern.

As Valerie's head bobbed in a weak nod, a sudden, blinding pain exploded behind her eyes. A migraine, sharp and punishing, coursed through her skull. It was a cruel reminder of her unique curse—the visions were not meant to be shared. The magic itself seemed to recoil at her confession, and she swayed on her feet, the room swimming before her eyes.

"Malfoy, help her to the chair," Professor McGonagall said, her voice a low command.

Draco's arm tightened around Valerie's waist as he carefully guided her to a plush maroon armchair near the fireplace.

The worry in his grey eyes was stark and undeniable as he settled her into the seat.

She felt utterly depleted, her body trembling with a cold exhaustion. He knelt beside her, his hand moving to her back to rub soothing circles, his gaze never leaving her face.

In the centre of the room, Dumbledore looked at Harry, his expression calm and steady. "In the dream, were you standing near the victim or looking at the scene?"

Harry, still sweating and looking wildly around the room, stuttered in his reply. "Neither. I-I don't know... it was like..."

Dumbledore, without waiting for a full answer, turned his attention to a portrait on the wall. "Phineas, my boy, what have you heard?"

Harry's jaw tightened, his frustration evident in his posture. "Professor, would you please just tell me what's happening—" He began, his voice heavy with desperation. Valerie, feeling a pang of fear for her brother, tried to sit up straight, but the effort was too much, and she fell back against the soft cushions.

"Sir—" Harry tried again, his plea going unheard as Dumbledore continued to murmur with the portraits.

A sudden, fierce rage took over Harry. "LOOK AT ME!" He yelled, his voice cracking with a powerful, desperate fury that made everyone in the room jump. It was a shocking outburst. Professor McGonagall's face was etched with concern, but Professor Snape, standing in the shadows, looked on with a cold, almost curious expression.

"What's happening to me?" Harry pleaded, his rage giving way to a terrible confusion.

From her place in the armchair, Valerie felt her heart ache for her brother. The same fear that had consumed her in the vision now gripped her as she watched Harry's frantic state. She wanted to stand up and go to him, but her body felt too heavy, too weak. She could only watch helplessly, as Harry's plea hung in the silent, tense air of the Headmaster's office.

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WITH THE EMERGENCY MEETING OVER, the Weasley family was preparing to take a portkey from Dumbledore's office to Twelve Grimmauld Place. Valerie stood with Draco, a quiet farewell hanging in the air between them. Her body was still weak and trembling from the shock of the vision, and she leaned into him for support.

"Just two weeks." He whispered, his arms wrapping around her in a fierce hug. "I love you so much." She hugged him back, burying her face in his shoulder, drawing on his strength. It was a silent promise to each other, a moment of solace before they were separated.

A moment later, she was clutching a dusty boot along with Harry, Ron, and the rest of the Weasley siblings. With a sharp tug and a dizzying sensation, the familiar chaos of Grimmauld Place erupted around them. Due to Arthur Weasley's condition, he had to stay at St Mungo's hospital until he was well enough to leave.

It was now Christmas morning, and the house was buzzing with a joyful anticipation that the Potter twins hadn't felt in years.

The front door swung open, and Mrs. Weasley's voice rang out, full of relief and amusement.

"Here we go..." She exclaimed, her eyes twinkling as she carefully wheeled her husband into the hallway. "Daddy's back!"

Arthur Weasley sat in a wheelchair, a purple paper crown askew on his head, his wide smile a stark contrast to the faint bandages on his face. "Merry Christmas, everyone!" He boomed, his voice still a little weak but filled with warmth that instantly filled the room.

The rest of the Weasley family erupted in cheers, a joyous din of clapping and whooping. Hermione, who had joined them for the holiday, beamed at Arthur, her eyes shining with genuine happiness.

"Now, sit down, everyone!" Mrs. Weasley commanded, her voice brimming with a joy that had been missing for weeks. She bustled about, handing out presents with a grand flourish. "Presents!"

Once the presents were unwrapped and the paper was cleared, glasses were filled with mulled wine and butterbeer.

Arthur raised his glass, his smile still wide. "A Christmas toast!" He announced, his voice carrying through the room. "To Mr. Harry and Miss. Valerie Potter, without whom, I would not be here today." He raised his glass to them, his eyes full of a deep, heartfelt gratitude.

The rest of the family joined in, their voices a chorus of genuine affection. "Harry and Valerie!"

The Christmas feast was a magnificent spread. A golden roast turkey sat at the center of the table, surrounded by glistening roast potatoes, roasted vegetables, and a plum pudding that seemed to hum with magic. Mrs. Weasley beamed with pride, watching everyone dig into the delicious meal.

Laughter and conversation filled the room, a warm, joyful symphony of a family reunited.

The students of Hogwarts had returned to the castle after the Christmas break.

From the throng of students spilling into the Great Hall, a familiar tall, blond figure emerged. A warm smile, so rare and genuine, spread across his face as he spotted for his precious girl.

          "Draco!" Valerie exclaimed, a gasp of pure relief escaping her lips. She ran toward him, throwing her arms around his body as if she might never let go. His own arms wrapped around her, pulling her close and burying his face in her hair.

"Valerie, my love." He murmured, his voice husky with affection. "I missed you so much."

A moment later, Eric Lewis appeared beside them, his grin wide and mischievous.

He sidled up to Valerie, his eyes twinkling with friendly mischief. "I missed you too, Val."

"ERIC!" She squealed, pulling him into a fierce hug. "Awww, I missed my best friend!"

Eric playfully ruffled her hair. "Ready for another term of Umbridge's delightful teachings?"

They walked to the Great Hall, which was laden with mountains of food. The ceiling, enchanted to mimic the night sky, was ablaze with stars, but the usual festive atmosphere seemed muted, replaced by a tangible sense of unease. The news of Bellatrix Lestrange's escape had spread throughout the newspapers, the headlines a chilling reminder of the chaos beyond the castle walls:

MASS BREAKOUT FROM AZKABANMINISTRY FEARS BLACK IS "RALLYING POINT" FOR OLD DEATH EATERS

Daphne Greengrass, though a Slytherin, was sitting with her boyfriend, Neville Longbottom, at the Gryffindor table. Neville had just finished reading a copy of the Daily Prophet, his face pale with a mix of fear and anger. Daphne had her hand on his shoulder, whispering words of comfort.

Meanwhile, as Valerie glanced at Draco, she noticed a flicker of anxiety in his usually composed grey eyes. He seemed preoccupied, his usual playful banter replaced by a thoughtful silence.

Draco's hand tightened slightly on hers, and Valerie knew he felt it too. The fear, the uncertainty, it hung heavy in the air like a shroud.

"Nervous?" Draco asked, his voice low, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for something.

Valerie nodded. "A little," She admitted, but a comforting warmth spread through her as she felt the reassuring presence of his hand in hers. "But I'm glad we're here together."

Draco squeezed her hand, a silent promise of support. "We'll get through this," His voice firm. "We always do."

The festive atmosphere that usually filled the Great Hall seemed strangely subdued, replaced by a sense of foreboding. Something was wrong, she knew it.

The storm was coming.

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THE TREES OF THE FORBIDDEN FOREST swayed darkly in the distance, their branches rustling like a low warning. Valerie and Eric spent their Sunday morning in Hogsmeade, getting their nails done: matching French tips. After a couple of hours, they made their way back to Hogwarts and headed towards the Quidditch Pitch, ready to watch the Gryffindor team train.

Angelina Johnson gathered her team in the changing room. "Alright, everyone," She announced, as the team collected their equipment. "If you can just bring out the ball crate for us—oh, and there are a couple of people out there watching, but I want you to ignore them, all right?"

As the team left the changing room for the bright sunlight, a storm of catcalls and jeers from cruel Slytherins erupted from the empty stands.

"What's that Weasley riding?" Pansy Parkinson's voice echoed loudly around the stadium. She was seated beside her best friend, Claudia Selwyn, surrounded by other Slytherins. "Why would anyone put a flying charm on a mouldy old hog like that??" They shrieked with laughter.

"HEY PANSY!" A voice, surprisingly loud and clear, cut through across the stadium. It was the sweet, caring Daphne Greengrass. She was seated with her roommates, along with Valerie, Draco, Eric, and Blaise. "WHY DON'T YOU SHUT YOUR BIG MOUTH FOR ONCE!?"

Daphne's friends broke out into laughter.

They had never witnessed the red head raising her voice before.

Pansy, shocked, simply pointed both her middle fingers in return.

"Nice one, Daph," Blaise laughed out loud, proudly bumping her fist.

Ron mounted his broom and kicked off the ground. Harry followed, watching his friends' ears turn red from behind. "Ignore them," He said, accelerating to catch up with Ron. "We'll see who's laughing after we play them."

Up in the air, Angelina swept her long braided hair out of her face. "Exactly the attitude I want, Harry!" She called out, beaming. "Alright, everyone, we're going to start with some passes, just to warm up the team, please."

"HEY JOHNSON!" Claudia Selwyn shrieked from below. "Why would anyone want to look like they've got worms coming out of their head!?"

Eric stood up from his seat. "EVERYONE THINKS YOU'RE AN UGLY BITCH!" He yelled, his voice echoing across the stadium, before he plopped back down with a satisfied grin. His friends chuckled as Claudia huffed with anger.

Angelina continued calmly, "Spread out, and let's see what we can do."

Harry reversed away from the others to the far side of the pitch. Ron fell back towards the opposite goal. Angelina raised the Quaffle with one hand and threw it to Fred, who passed it to George, who passed it to Harry, who then passed it to Ron... who promptly dropped it.

The other Slytherins, led by Pansy, roared with laughter. Meanwhile, Valerie and her friends frowned in dismay.

"Ron is actually not bad," Draco said an hour later, as he and Valerie walked alone on the way to the library. "He just needs to be more confident with himself."

Draco took Valerie's hand in his, his thumb tracing the new, perfectly manicured French tip on her nails. "I love your nails." He murmured, before gently bringing her hand to his lips and kissing her fingertips.

Valerie's cheeks flushed a light pink, and she squeezed his hand. "Thanks," She whispered.

The couple settled at a table with Hermione, who was already deep in her books. They had been working on their homework for a while before Harry and Ron finally arrived, looking tired but changed out of their Quidditch uniforms.

"How was practice?" Hermione asked curiously, without looking up.

Harry sighed, sitting down across from them. "It was..."

"... Completely lousy," Ron said, sinking into his chair.

Hermione began gently. "For you, It was bound to take time to—"

Ron snapped, "Who said it was me who made it lousy??"

"No one," Hermione said, looking taken aback. "I thought—"

"You thought I was bound to be rubbish?" Ron argued angrily.

Draco, Valerie, and Harry simply stared at the two with blank expressions.

"No, of course, I didn't! I—" Hermione debated, but her expression suddenly turned cold.

"Fine. If you're going to give me this attitude, I'm sitting away from you." She stood up, gathered her things, and stalked away. "Have fun completing your homework without me!"

"Oh..." Draco said quietly, watching her go.

"They definitely like each other," Valerie muttered to Draco, causing him to grin.

"What???" Ron questioned, his mind not catching up with her sentence.

"Hm?" Valerie ignored him, focusing on her books.

Another hour passed, and the group ended up playing a card game of Uno instead of completing their homework.

"I'm too good," Draco grinned proudly, resting his right arm around Valerie's shoulders as she collected all the cards with a smile. They had played four rounds of Uno, and Draco had won three in a row.

"Shove off, Malfoy," Ron sneered jokingly.

"You know, we probably should try and get more homework done during the week," Harry muttered to Ron. Valerie, meanwhile, was busy showing Draco something on her phone. They still had Professor McGonagall's long essay on the Inanimatus Conjurus Spell and Professor Sinistra's equally miserable essay about Jupiter's many moons to complete.

"Yeah," Ron rubbed his eyes. "Listen... shall we just ask Hermione if we can have a look at what she's done?"

Harry glanced over at the corner of the library, where Hermione was chatting with Ginny Weasley, while she knitted a pair of shapeless elf socks.

"No," Harry answered heavily. "You know she won't let us."

"You two can copy mine?" Draco suggested calmly.

Valerie grinned. "Aren't you two forgetting that you're sitting with the most intelligent pair in the year?"

"Val and I finished our homework together, earlier," Draco added.

Ron's mouth fell open slightly. "Why didn't you two say so?!"

Draco chuckled. "Give them to us, and we can correct them."

"Are you serious?" Ron beamed, "You two are a lifesaver." He passed his essay to Draco.

"Thanks a million," Harry said, passing his paper to his sister. "Forever grateful that you turned out to be brilliant."

"Just because I'm correcting your homework, Harry, that doesn't mean you can sit back and relax," Valerie strictly instructed with a grin. "You have to revise the content with me."

Harry groaned jokingly. "Fine."

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THE SOFT LIGHT OF THE LATE AFTERNOON filtered through the lake, casting a gentle, ethereal green glow into Valerie Potter's prefect dorm. The room was a sanctuary of soft pinks—a fluffy rug, a light pink blanket, and pillows in various shades of blush. It was a safe space, far removed from the cold stone corridors and the ever-present threat of Umbridge.

Valerie was curled up in bed, scrolling through her phone. Draco was draped over her, his head resting on her chest, his arms wrapped loosely around her waist. He was wearing grey sweatpants and a simple white T-shirt. He was exhausted from Quidditch training.

Across the room, Eric sat in a plush armchair. He wrote intently in his purple diary. His shoulders were hunched, and he occasionally pressed his hand to his mouth to stifle a cough, a persistent rasp that seemed to linger in the quiet air.

Valerie's thumb paused on her phone screen. She nudged her boyfriend gently. "Hey, look at this." She showed him her screen. Pansy Parkinson had posted a new selfie, her face a sneering mask of smugness. She was in the centre of a group of older Slytherins, a small, exclusive-looking clique from the year above. The group was all dressed in expensive-looking clothes and held themselves with an air of superior confidence.

Valerie then held her phone screen up in the air, for Eric to see.

Eric looked up from his diary, his grin returning. "Oh, the 'cool kids'," He said, his voice a little rough. "Parkinson's been trying to get in with them for ages. Wonder how she managed it."

Draco lifted his head, his tired eyes squinting at the picture. "They're all pure-bloods." His voice muffled against Valerie's chest.

"I think Pansy's just happy to have a new group of friends to boss around," Eric snickered. He then shook his head, looking back down at his purple diary. "It's all a bit ridiculous, isn't it? The world is falling apart and they're worried about social climbing."

Draco just sighed, nuzzling his face against Valerie's neck. "It's what Slytherins do best, I suppose." The quiet intimacy of the moment felt precious, a bubble of peace they created for themselves.

The next day, as the afternoon sky outside turned a pale, watery gray, Dumbledore's Army gathered for another lesson in the Room of Requirement. The atmosphere was a chaotic but beautiful symphony of magic.

A strange but familiar sensation washed over Valerie Potter, and the bustling sound of the Room of Requirement faded away. Her vision blurred, and she saw herself standing in the dark Forbidden Forest. A chilling cold seemed to seep into her bones.

In the distance, a woman, her face a mask of terror, was being dragged away by a group of centaurs. Her angry screams echoed through the trees, a desperate sound of fear and betrayal.

Valerie could feel that she was not standing there by herself. A boy stood beside her, and they both watched the woman being dragged away, a strange feeling of satisfaction washing over her like a dark tide.

The vision ended as abruptly as it began, leaving a cold shiver running down her spine.

Draco's voice snapped her back to reality. "Valerie? Are you okay?"

His hand reaching for hers, pulled her fully out of the trance. "I... I think so," She stammered, feeling a profound sense of confusion. "It was just..."

"We know," Eric said softly, his voice gentle. "Your eyes always turn a shade of grey whenever you have one."

Valerie forced a faint smile. "Well, you both already know the drill," She said, trying to sound normal. "I can't say what I saw. But honestly, I'm not exactly sure what it was."

"No need to explain, Val," Draco reassured her, his thumb stroking the back of her hand. "I'd rather not risk you harming yourself by telling us. I just want you to be okay."

Valerie smiled softly at him. "Thanks, Draco."

She glanced at Eric, who gave her a sympathetic nod. "We're here for you, Val," He said quietly.

A wave of warmth washed over her, a small comfort against the unsettling nature of the vision.

Who was the woman? Why was she being dragged away? And who was the boy? The questions swirled in her mind, unanswered and terrifying.

Just then, the room began to shake violently. The ground beneath their feet trembled, and a loud, splintering crack echoed through the air. A massive section of the stone wall behind Harry exploded inward, sending a shower of dust and debris across the room. Standing in the newly formed doorway, her face a mask of saccharine triumph, was Dolores Umbridge.

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"In the dance of two swans, we see a love not spoken, but embodied—a breathtaking, lifelong partnership of two hearts so entwined that one cannot live without the other."

this chapter truly is the "calm before the storm," isn't it?

it was filled with so many beautiful, intimate moments, from Valerie and Draco's Patronuses revealing their soulmate bond, to the warmth of the Weasley Christmas.

— also the part where my character's patronus changes to match her soulmate's, i made that up for this story, i'm not sure if that's actually true okay! —

how i was inspired : so a few months ago i was listening to swan lake by Tchaikovsky & swan song by Lana Del Rey ( yes i love her music so much, some of my chapter titles are based on her songs ), i fell in love with swans. 🦢 then i came across a post, it was either tiktok or instagram, i can't remember . it said how swans are creatures that stick with one partner for life. i found that so deeply beautiful and poetic ! unfortunately i already established how valerie potter's patronus is a dragon .... so i came up with the soulmate reason to make it work!

the next page will be the final chapter of fifth year.

( ^ omg i can't believe it ^ )

before we jump in, what's everyone's favourite song right now ?

— is there any katseye or adela stans here? because i'm one of them 🙋🏻‍♀️ —

also omg has anyone watched fantastic 4? (the new version) i am so addicted to watching #silvertorch edits 🥹🥹🥹 the song reflection by the neighbourhood definitely belows to them ahhhhh

( authors personal notes ) published — 3:10pm september 3rd 2025current amount of reads — 62.6kword count — 5,020