After Simon and Edwina returned, the Elder assumed they had either failed to find the lair or changed their minds.
That notion shattered when they presented several precious gems and stones that could only be found in the Grootslang's domain, his jaw nearly hit the ground.
They led a small group to the creature's lair, to the very site of the battle, and only then did the tribe fully believe what Simon and Edwina had done.
"I have taken the creature's body as my right of conquest," Simon told the Elder.
"It is only natural," Elder Naledi nodded in agreement.
His eyes then drifted toward the gems and diamonds strewn across the cave floor, enough wealth to fight a war over. He glanced back at Simon and Edwina, silently trying to gauge their intentions.
Simon caught the look and chuckled."I'm not interested in wealth," he said calmly. "It does belong to me, though… and I will entrust it to your tribe, if you vow to use it only for the betterment of your people."
The Elder could not hide his astonishment. He looked between the gleaming treasure and the couple before him."Wha–thi—" he stammered, but Edwina waved a hand lightly.
"These are shiny stones and nothing else in our eyes, only as valuable as the help they can provide to others," she said.
The Elder glanced around to make sure no one else was present, then bowed deeply."I will make a new school here for our children, for our future. I have contacts in the Muggle world as well."
Together, the Elder, Simon, and Edwina spent the afternoon planning how to use the treasure wisely, before fasting through the evening.
That night, Simon and Edwina sat by a spring beneath the vast African sky, gazing at the stars. It felt as though their gods above looked back at them, smiling.
At Hogwarts,
Aaric and Luna joined the others by the lake. Daphne immediately noticed the radiant smile on Luna's face and pulled her into a hug.
"Are you fine now?" Daphne asked softly.
"I'm better," Luna replied, smiling at Daphne and the others who had been worried for her.
"And where were you all day, champion?" Fleur asked Aaric, raising a brow.
"Just the usual," Aaric said with a smirk, waving his hand lazily. "Helping people and all that."
Fleur scoffed, and Ron looked ready to fall in love with her all over again, while Harry kept glancing between her and Ginny trying, and failing, not to be obvious.
"That reminds me," Daphne said, crossing her arms. "Why did you put your name in the Goblet?"
"I didn't," Aaric replied simply with a shrug.
Daphne frowned. "That's worse…" she muttered, realizing what that meant, someone wanted to harm him.
Aaric smiled and patted her head. "I'll be fine," he said nonchalantly.
Daphne sighed at that familiar answer."Those age restrictions are there for a reason. What if you have to fight a dragon or some other strong creature?"
"Let's not go that far," Ron interjected confidently. "The tasks are decided by the Department of Magical Games and Sports. I don't think they're foolish enough to suggest fighting a dragon."
Aaric and Luna shared a glance as the discussion went on. They didn't even know what to say only nodded to each other, silently agreeing to stay quiet.
As the evening bell rang, the group began heading back toward the Great Hall. Daphne, however, held Aaric's hand, signaling for him to stay back.
"I like the new necklace," Fleur's compliment to Luna was the last thing they heard before the others disappeared into the castle.
By the lake, Daphne seemed lost in thought, searching for words.
Aaric sighed softly and pulled her into a hug."I'll be fine," he reassured again.
Daphne exhaled against his shoulder and returned the embrace.
"Even if I have to fight a dragon," Aaric chuckled, pinching her cheek.
"Of course," Daphne said dryly, "just annoy the dragon to death, you're good at that."
Aaric laughed and held out his hand. "Come on, let's eat. I'll visit you in your dreams tonight, we'll talk then."
"In my best dreams, you're mute," Daphne scoffed playfully, giggling as she took his hand.
They walked toward the Great Hall, Aaric's arm around her shoulders as the castle lights glowed ahead.
Later that night,
Aaric found himself beneath the golden tree. Its branches shimmered with dreamlight, and before him floated portals showing the dreams of his loved ones.
Ron was dreaming of Fleur. Aaric smirked, waved his hand, and replaced Fleur with a giant spider, sending Ron running in terror.
Ginny was dreaming of Harry.'Horny teenagers,' Aaric thought, shaking his head.
He looked next into Edwina's dream and found her lovingly pampering both him and Simon, smiling softly.
"Can I enter their dreams? and take them to the Dreamlands?" Aaric asked.
The golden tree pulsed in affirmation.
"I think I can too," Luna said, suddenly appearing beside him with her serene smile. Her gaze drifted across the dream portals. "Daphne seems to be enjoying herself," she giggled.
Aaric looked over and froze.
In Daphne's dream, she was riding a white horse, spear in hand, bravely battling a dragon while Aaric was tied up in the background, swooning over his heroic savior.
Aaric scratched his cheek at the sight, half-amused, half-embarrassed, and quickly moved to block Luna's view."You have to be the one noticing weird things, don't you?" he sighed, pulling lightly at her cheeks.
Luna blinked up at him, her face puffed from his teasing. She peeked around him again and gasped in delight."Oh! The white prince saved the damsel!" she swooned dramatically as Daphne carried a blushing, bound Aaric like a princess.
A/n: Power stones and reviews.