Chapter 22: Little Heirs Gathering (1)
The air was still abuzz with excitement and curiosity after the reassessment tests.
As part of the process, each student had been given a duplicate of their results, conjured by the professors with the Geminio Charm.
Nero stared at his parchment one last time, his eyes lingering on the glowing symbols of "EX" and "SS." Pride bubbled up within him, but so did the relentless curiosity to uncover the secrets of the crystal that had evaluated them.
Tucking the parchment into his robes, he made his way to the Great Hall.
Lunch was in full swing, the hum of chatter and clinking cutlery filling the air. He quickly grabbed a seat, enjoying a plate of roast chicken and potatoes while the conversations of other students swirled around him. Despite the noise, his mind was elsewhere.
Once he finished eating, Nero's gaze scanned the hall, locking briefly with Lilith, Alaric, and Ember. A subtle nod passed between them, and without a word, the four heirs moved in unison toward the garden.
They settled on the stone benches near a cluster of blooming flowers, the soft hum of magic emanating faintly from the enchanted plants. The calm serenity of the garden was a sharp contrast to the chaos of the Great Hall.
Ember was the first to break the silence, her usual energy undeterred. "You guys won't believe it," she began with a wide grin. "I've made a crazy amount of friends in Gryffindor! They're loud, chaotic, and hilarious. Just my kind of people!"
She leaned back, laughing to herself.