A/N: AO3 is down, and it seems like it'll remain so for a while. However, all my works will continue to be updated as usual on every other site (here, Fanfiction, and Hentai Foundry), with early access available on Pat reon. Once AO3 is back up, I'll post all the updates there as well. Until then, you can catch up on the updates on any of the sites mentioned above.
They made their way from the Beauxbatons carriage on foot, cutting across the snow-dusted grounds toward the castle's side entrance that Harry knew led straight up to the third-floor corridor. He kept his arm around Fleur as they walked, with Daphne sticking close on his other side and Regina trailing just behind, her boots crunching through the thin layer of fresh powder that had fallen during their Hogsmeade trip.
The cold February air nipped at their faces, but the walk felt good after the long day, a chance to stretch their legs and shake off some of the lingering tension from what had happened in the Three Broomsticks. No one said much on the way up through the quieter hallways of the castle. Most students had already headed back to their common rooms, leaving the corridors mostly empty except for a few scattered groups chatting about their purchases or the upcoming tournament tasks.
Harry stayed alert out of habit, his eyes scanning the shadows and listening for anything out of place as they reached their destination. Daphne pushed the door open, letting out a relieved breath as she stepped inside. The air felt a bit stale and chilly from not being used all day, and she flicked her wand at the fireplace. Flames burst to life right away, crackling warmly and pushing back against the winter bite.
"There we go," she said, sounding satisfied. "Nothing beats a real fire after freezing our asses off out there."
Regina spotted the stack of blankets in the corner cupboard and levitated them over with a quick swish of her wand, arranging them into a cozy pile right in front of the hearth. Harry dropped down into the middle, stretching his legs out toward the heat and leaning back against the massive pile of pillows and blankets behind them. Fleur settled smoothly against his right side, tucking her head onto his shoulder so her silvery-blonde hair spilled across his arm. Daphne took the spot on his left, lacing her fingers through his without a word. Regina flopped down last, dramatically resting her head in Harry's lap with her hair fanning out over his thigh.
They stayed like that for a bit, soaking in the warmth and letting the day's chaos settle around them. Harry ran his fingers idly through Regina's hair while holding Daphne's hand, feeling Fleur's steady breathing against him.
The attempted poisoning was still heavy in their minds even if they hadn't talked about it yet during the walk back. The fire popped and sent sparks dancing up the chimney, filling the room with that comforting woodsmoke smell that made the stone walls feel less cold and more like home.
Daphne finally broke the comfortable silence, shifting against his side so she could look him in the eye. "Alright, Harry, we've been patient long enough through the whole walk back. What the hell actually happened with those drinks at the Three Broomsticks? Don't leave anything out."
Harry let out a slow breath, staring into the flames for a second to gather his thoughts. "Mine and Fleur's butterbeers were poisoned. I caught it the second I took that first sip. The runes on my chest lit up like an alarm going off, and it had this weird metallic taste underneath all the sweetness, like something that definitely didn't belong there."
Regina tilted her head up from his lap, propping herself on one elbow while keeping the rest of her comfortably pillowed. "So you just downed the whole thing anyway? We all saw you chug it like it was no big deal."
"Pretty much, yeah," Harry replied casually. "I couldn't exactly spit it out or cause a scene in the middle of a packed pub. If the person who did it was watching from the crowd, I didn't want them knowing right away that their plan failed. Better to act normal and let them think we've got no idea about the poisoning, at least for now."
Fleur nodded against his shoulder, her voice soft. "I noticed you acting strange immediately, drinking so fast and zen grabbing mine wizout any warning. At first I zought you were just messing around like you do sometimes, but zen I saw 'ow you were scanning ze 'ole pub afterward, looking at faces like you were 'unting for ze culprit. Zat's when eet clicked for me."
Harry gave her hand a squeeze where it rested on his chest. "I figured if only mine was tainted, I could handle it no problem. But I wasn't risking any of you. So I took quick sips from your glass. It had the same off taste and reaction, though, which meant I had to finish it off myself before anyone else could touch it or before the poison had a chance to spread. Daphne's and Regina's drinks were clean when I reached for them, no rune warnings at all, so I left them alone."
Daphne tightened her grip on his fingers, her blue eyes serious in the firelight. "And you were sure it wouldn't hurt you? Just like that, no second thoughts or anything?"
Harry shrugged lightly, keeping his tone even. "Between the basilisk venom that's still kind of lingering in my system from second year and all these runes layered on top, I'm basically immune to toxins now. The poison tried to do its thing for a second, like this cold prickle spreading through me, but it faded fast once my body burned it out. Uncomfortable, sure, but nothing I couldn't shake off pretty quick."
Regina let out a low whistle, shifting a little in his lap to get a better view of his face. "That's absolutely mental, Harry. You sat there drinking straight-up death like it was regular butterbeer and then played it off with jokes and laughs. We all thought you were just being extra thirsty or playful after the shopping."
"Had to do it that way," he said simply. "Better me than any of you getting hurt. And it worked out, didn't it? We all left the place fine with no one the wiser about what really went down."
Fleur lifted her head a bit, her hair catching the golden glow from the fire as she looked around at the group. "I pieced it together when you started sharing the drinks around like that. It was risky, but smart. I didn't want to bring it up in front of everyone at lunch, but I realized after a while that something was seriously wrong."
Daphne sat up straighter against Harry's side, processing everything with a frown on her face. "So someone straight-up tried to kill you and Fleur in the middle of a busy Hogsmeade weekend at a crowded pub. That's either really bold or incredibly stupid, depending on how you look at it."
"Or both," Regina added from his lap, though her usual light tone was hard now. "Either way, it's completely messed up."
Harry shook his head slowly, his free hand still gently stroking through Regina's brown hair. "Not stupid, just targeted. That's what stands out the most. Only our drinks were hi. Yours two were totally fine. Whoever set this up knew exactly what they were after and didn't bother wasting effort on the rest of the group."
The girls exchanged quick glances over him. Daphne's brow creased deeper. "What are you saying? It sounds like you've already got some ideas turning in that head of yours."
"It narrows things down a ton," Harry explained, his voice steady but filled with determination. He'd been facing life threatening events for years now. This didn't feel new anymore. "This wasn't some amateur just tossing poison around hoping for a lucky hit. It was precise and professional. They managed to spike two specific drinks in a packed room without anyone noticing, which means good timing, real skill, and solid knowledge of how busy the Three Broomsticks gets on weekends like that."
Regina pushed up on her elbow again, still using his lap as a pillow but fully engaged. "Could it be Karkaroff? He's got Durmstrang in the tournament, so taking out the two strongest champions would clear the path for his guy to win easier."
Harry gave a short laugh with no real humor behind it and shook his head firmly. "Karkaroff? No chance. The guy's a complete coward. He was a Death Eater during the war, but he flipped on his own side to save himself when things got tough and ended up in Azkaban for a while. He's been hiding behind Dumbledore's protection ever since, playing it safe. No way he'd risk something this direct and public that could blow back on him hard if it went wrong."
Daphne looked surprised by the details. "How do you even know all that about him? It's not exactly gossip floating around the school hallways."
"Dumbledore mentioned bits and pieces when we talked about the tournament and the other school heads," Harry said. "Karkaroff's got that Dark Mark from his old days, but he's kept his head down and stayed out of trouble. He's not the type to order a bold assassination attempt like this. Too scared of losing his position or getting caught."
Fleur had gone quiet during the exchange, staring thoughtfully into the fire with a distant look on her face. Daphne noticed right away and reached across Harry to touch her arm gently. "Fleur? You've been really quiet over there. Is there something on your mind about all this?"
Fleur hesitated for a moment, then sighed deeply. "I suspect Augustus Flint has a hand in zis. He has every reason to want both 'Arry and me gone for good."
Harry turned to look at her fully, his attention sharpening.
"He lost his heir, and I don't zink he's ze kind of man who lets humiliation like zat slide. Cruelty runs deep in zat family, and he has ze connections to pull off something like slipping poison into drinks."
Daphne thought it through, her expression turning serious. "It fits too well when you lay it out. But it seems pretty damn foolish too. If anything happens to either of you, he'd be the first name on everyone's suspect list, especially after that very public blowup at the Ministry. People would connect the dots fast."
Harry nodded slowly, his hand pausing in Regina's hair as the pieces clicked together in his mind. "He's desperate right now. Losing his heir broke something in him, and he's not thinking clearly anymore. Rash moves like this poison attempt are dangerous not just for us, but for anyone around him. People acting purely on revenge don't care about collateral damage or getting caught. They just lash out blindly."
He looked at each of them in turn, meeting Fleur's eyes first with quiet intensity, then Daphne's, and finally glancing down at Regina still comfortably in his lap. "I can't put any of you in danger like this. Something has to happen with Flint soon. We can't just sit around waiting for the next try."
"We all need to stay extra vigilant too," Daphne said firmly, brushing a stray strand of hair from Harry's forehead, her touch lingering warmly. "Whoever did this knows the poison didn't work by now. They'll be more careful next time, which makes them even more dangerous. And with the second task coming up fast in the lake, it'll be the perfect cover for another attack. Everyone's eyes will be on the water and we'll have no idea what happens in the lake, so it could hide a lot."
Fleur nodded. "She's right. Ze task will be messy with all ze crowds and distractions. Easy for someone to strike wizout being noticed right away."
Harry gave a small nod, his expression determined as he gazed deep into her blue orbs. "We'll be ready for it. All of us. No one's getting caught off guard again."
The fire crackled loudly again, sending another burst of sparks racing upward. Regina settled back into his lap but kept her eyes open, her usual playfulness absent for now as she traced a lazy pattern on his leg with one finger. "So what do we do while we wait? Just hang around hoping some Flint goon doesn't take another shot at you two?"
"Not exactly waiting around doing nothing," Harry replied, adjusting his position a bit under their combined weight to stay comfortable. "We stay sharp, stick together more than usual, and I start digging quietly into things. If Flint's behind it, there'll be signs. Money moving to shady contacts, whispers in certain circles, changes in his routines. I know people who have ways of finding that stuff out without drawing too much attention."
Daphne leaned her head more fully against his shoulder. "You talking about Amelia Bones?"
Harry nodded. "And Auror Tonks. She's a metamorph. Excellent for tasks like this. I'm sure they'd be able to dig something up if Flint's really the one behind it all."
Fleur's fingers traced light patterns on his arm, her touch warm and reassuring through his shirt. "If it's really him, then he deserves to suffer more than he was already going to."
Harry nodded in agreement, pulling her close.
The mood in the room shifted from tense to focus and determination as they kept talking. They spent a good while going over the second task in detail, breaking down how they could prepare for whatever creatures or challenges waited underwater. Regina threw in a few jokes to ease the tension, describing ridiculous underwater prank scenarios that had them all chuckling softly despite everything.
At one point, she sat up fully, kissed Harry soundly on the lips, then leaned over to do the same with Daphne and Fleur. "Team morale boost after a crap day," she declared with a grin.
Harry chuckled. "You're ridiculous sometimes, you know that?"
"And you love it," she shot back, flopping dramatically back into his lap.
The conversation flowed naturally from there into lighter territory to balance out the heavier stuff. Gabrielle's excited questions from earlier in the Beauxbatons carriage came up again. Fleur shared more stories about her little sister, painting a vivid picture of the time Gabrielle tried sneaking an entire box of chocolates from the family kitchens only to end up with a terrible stomachache that lasted two whole days. She described how Gabrielle had hidden under her bed with a guilty look, insisting she was fine even as her face turned green. It had them all smiling and laughing, and it was a nice and much needed break from all the plotting and suspicions.
They kept talking for quite a while longer as the evening deepened and the fire burned lower, casting long flickering shadows across the blankets and stone floor. The group went over potential strategies for the lake task, shared more light stories to keep the mood from getting too dark, and refined their ideas about investigating Flint. Fleur and Harry talked quietly about the ornament and its promise, with her asking softly if he would really wear it every day.
"Every day," he promised without hesitation. "I meant what I said earlier. It matters."
She smiled warmly in the dying firelight. "Good. It makes me feel better knowing that."
Regina stayed comfortably pillowed in Harry's lap for a few moments longer as the conversation about the tournament and Flint wound down. The fire had settled into a steady glow of embers that cast soft orange light across their faces. A mischievous grin slowly spread across her lips and she tilted her head up to look at him with sparkling eyes.
"So Harry, tell us more about what was really going on back at the carriage. If I'm not wrong, our dear Fleur's mum was practically undressing you with her eyes the whole time we were there. Don't think we missed how you reacted too when she got close to you."
Fleur's eyes sharpened at once and she lifted her head from Harry's shoulder with a mix of surprise and intrigue. Her cheeks carried a faint flush that had nothing to do with the fire. "Regina, zat is not fair. Maman was simply being welcoming. She appreciates powerful wizards."
Regina laughed softly and traced a finger along Harry's thigh while staying in his lap. "Welcoming my ass. She was eyeing him like she wanted a taste of what her daughter already claimed. And don't even get me started on Madam Rosmerta from earlier. The way she leaned over the bar to serve Harry those drinks. Her cleavage was basically on full display and you didn't exactly look away, did you Harry? Two older women in one day both giving you that look. You must be loving this attention from experienced witches."
Harry shifted a little beneath them but could not hide the growing interest in his body. Daphne glanced down and smirked from his other side as she squeezed his hand tighter. "Regina does have a point. Your eyes did linger on Rosmerta's curves when she bent down. And Apolline? That veela allure of hers is no joke. I could feel the heat coming off you two when she touched your arm."
Fleur stayed quiet for a few moments, but her expression shifted from reserved to something hotter as the teasing sank in. She bit her lower lip and glanced at Harry with new intensity. The idea of him noticing her mother seemed to stir something deep inside her.
"You were staring at Maman, were you not? After claiming me as yours you still look at older veela women wiz 'unger. Does zat make you feel naughty, 'Arry? Zinking about what eet would be like wiz 'er while you 'ave me right 'ere."
The room suddenly felt hotter, even though the fire had died down. Regina took full advantage and with a smirk, she slid her hand higher up Harry's thigh until her palm pressed firmly against the growing bulge in his trousers. She gave it a gentle squeeze and her grin widened.
"Look at him, girls. He is already rock hard just from us talking about it. Feel how stiff he is. All this talk about Fleur's mum and Rosmerta has him throbbing. Tell us Harry. Does the thought of fucking an older veela like Apolline turn you on while her daughter watches?"
Harry groaned low in his throat as Regina's fingers rubbed him through the fabric. The sensation sent sparks through his body. "You three are going to kill me with this teasing. But yeah it is hot. Apolline is stunning and that allure of hers hits different. Still nothing beats what I have with all of you."
Daphne leaned in and captured Harry's mouth in a deep kiss while Regina kept rubbing his bulge. Fleur watched for a moment longer before she gave in to the heat building inside her. She pressed closer and kissed along Harry's neck, her breath warm against his skin. "You dirty boy. Eyeing my mother after you claimed her daughter. Maybe I should tell her how hard you get thinking about her. Or maybe I like it. Maybe it makes me wet knowing you want that."
Regina did not wait any longer. She tugged at Harry's trousers and freed his hard cock quickly, grinning when it sprang up thick and ready. She immediately wrapped her fingers around the base of his cock and gave a slow stroke.
"Mmm… look at this big cock. Already leaking for us."
She lowered her head and took him into her mouth with a wet sound, her lips stretching around the head as she sucked gently.
Harry moaned into Daphne's kiss, his hand threading into Regina's brown hair. Daphne pulled back just enough to start unbuttoning Harry's shirt while Regina worked on his trousers on her side, pulling it off completely and throwing it away. Clothes began coming off piece by piece. Daphne shed her own top revealing her perky breasts and smooth skin. Fleur followed suit, her silvery hair cascading down as she removed her blouse and exposed her full round tits with hardened pink nipples.
Regina bobbed her head faster, taking more of Harry's length into her warm wet mouth. The sounds of her sucking filled the room, mixing with soft slurps and her occasional hum of pleasure. "You taste so good Harry. So hard and thick," she moaned as she slapped his length against her cheek before diving down on his length once again.
Fleur grew bolder by the second. The thoughts of Harry and her mother fueled her veela blood and made her cheeks flush deeper. She kissed Harry hotly, her tongue dancing with his before she pulled back with a wicked smile. "You want to fuck Maman, do you not? Imagine her sexy veela body riding you like zis while I watch. Her tits bouncing as she takes every inch of zis cock zat belongs to me." Her dirty words came out breathy and full of arousal. She reached down and cupped his balls while Regina continued sucking.
Daphne stripped fully naked and pressed her body against Harry's side. Her hand roamed over his chest, pinching his nipples lightly. "You love when we talk dirty to you. Your cock is twitching in Regina's mouth. Get him nice and wet for us, Regina."
The three girls worked together undressing each other between kisses and touches. Regina pulled off for a moment to shed her remaining clothes, revealing her toned body and perky breasts with pink nipples already hard. She dove back down immediately, sucking his cock with renewed energy, her head moving up and down as saliva coated his shaft. Fleur joined her soon after. The two of them licked along opposite sides of his cock, their tongues meeting at the tip in wet sloppy kisses. Fleur took the head into her mouth and swirled her tongue while Regina sucked on his balls.
Harry groaned loudly, his hands roaming over their bodies. He pulled Daphne close and kissed her deeply, their tongues sliding together as he groped her firm ass. Daphne moaned into his mouth and guided his hand between her legs where she was already slick and ready. "Touch me Harry. Feel how wet I am from watching them suck you."
The room filled with the sounds of heavy breathing, wet sucking, and soft moans. Fleur's veela allure radiated stronger now. turning the air electric and charged with raw desire. She popped off his cock with a string of saliva connecting her lips to the glistening head. "I need eet inside me now. I cannot wait any longer." She gently pulled Regina aside, who pouted for a brief second before moving to Harry's other side.
Fleur stood and stripped off the last pieces of her clothing. Her body was perfect with long legs, full hips, and those beautiful Veela breasts that heaved with each breath. She swung one leg over Harry's body and positioned herself above his throbbing cock. With one hand she guided the thick head to her entrance which was dripping wet and ready. "Watch me take you, 'Arry. Zis pussy is yours but right now I am zinking about how Maman would feel riding zis same cock."
She slammed herself down hard, taking every inch of his cock inside her. Both of them moaned out at the tight, hot fit. Fleur's inner walls clenched around him like velvet fire as she began bouncing. The wet sounds of her pussy sliding up and down his shaft echoed loudly. "Fuck yes. So deep. You are stretching me so good."
Regina and Daphne pressed in on either side, kissing Harry's neck, chest, and shoulders. Their hands roamed everywhere, groping his muscles and teasing his skin. Regina kissed him hotly while Daphne sucked on his nipple. Fleur rode him harder, her tits bouncing with each downward thrust. Her silvery hair flew wildly as she moved. "Does my pussy feel better zan you imagine Maman's would? Tell me 'Arry. Tell me 'ow much you love fucking me while zinking about her."
Harry gripped Fleur's hips and thrust up to meet her movements. The pleasure built fast and intense. "It feels incredible, Fleur. Your pussy is gripping me so tight. So hot and wet." He reached up and squeezed her bouncing breasts, pinching the nipples which made her moan louder.
The four of them moved together in a rhythm of touches and kisses. Regina leaned down and licked at the place where Harry's cock disappeared into Fleur's pussy, tasting their combined juices. Daphne kissed Harry deeply again, her fingers tangling in his hair. Fleur's movements grew faster and more desperate. Her veela allure made everything feel more sensitive, every thrust sending sparks through all of them.
"Oh fuck 'Arry. I am getting so close. Fuck me 'arder!" Fleur ground down on him, rolling her hips in circles that made his cock hit every perfect spot inside her. Her breasts jiggled enticingly and Harry could not resist leaning up to suck one nipple into his mouth.
"Ah! Oui, suck on zem!"
Regina pouted playfully but kept kissing along Harry's body. "Save some for us too. But watching you two is so hot." She reached between them and rubbed Fleur's clit in fast circles which finally pushed the French witch over the edge.
Fleur cried out sharply, her body shuddering as her orgasm hit. Her pussy clenched rhythmically around Harry's cock, milking him with powerful spasms that made him grunt. "Oui! Oui! I am coming! Fill me 'Arryyyy!"
Harry could not hold back any longer. With a deep groan, he thrust up hard and erupted inside her. The head of his cock expanded slightly, and thick ropes of cum pulsed deep into her welcoming heat as raw pleasure exploded through him. The sensation was intense and overwhelming, his whole body tensing with each spurt.
Fleur kept riding him through their shared climax, drawing out every last drop from him until she finally slowed with a satisfied moan. She leaned down and kissed him deeply, her body still trembling. "Zat was amazing. Zinking about Maman made eet even 'otter some'ow."
Regina grinned and kissed Fleur's shoulder.
"My turn next. But first, let's all catch our breath."
Daphne chuckled softly and pressed closer, nuzzling into Harry's neck.
The four of them stayed tangled together in front of the fireplace, their bodies slick with sweat and the fire still glowing warmly nearby. The room smelled of sweat and sex, and they all knew there was more pleasure to come as they touched and kissed lazily in the afterglow.
Harry held them close, feeling completely connected to each of them in the best possible way. The worries about the assassin and the tournament felt distant for now, replaced by this intimate heat they shared.
Break-
The heavy oak door to Augustus Flint's private study creaked open as the wizard stepped inside without knocking. The room smelled of old cigar smoke and aged firewhiskey.
Flint sat behind his desk, his broad face flushed red from drink and anger. The scowl on his face made him look like he was chewing on one of Bertie Botts' disgusting flavors.
The wizard moved calmly, his hooded cloak still dusted with snow from the journey. He stopped a few feet from the desk and stood there silently.
Flint slammed his glass down hard enough to make the whiskey slosh over the rim. "Well? What the fuck happened? You said you were going to take care of Potter and that Veela bitch in Hogsmeade. Simple job. Yet here you are and they are still walking around like nothing happened."
The wizard regarded him with steady eyes that showed no emotion. "The attempt failed. Potter neutralized the poison. Both he and the girl survived without issue. I am here to collect the additional compensation."
Flint let out a harsh bark of laughter that echoed off the stone walls. "Additional compensation? Are you fucking kidding me? You failed, you useless prick. I paid you good galleons to end them and you could not even manage that. Now you want more? Get the hell out before I hex your balls off."
The wizard did not flinch. His voice remained calm and even like he was discussing the weather. "It is standard practice in this line of work to disclose all key information about targets beforehand. You failed to mention that Harry Potter is immune to poison. That omission increased the risk substantially and caused total loss of the materials used. Additional compensation is therefore required."
Flint's face twisted into a mask of pure rage. He leaned forward over the desk, his thick fingers curling into fists. "You arrogant little shit. Immune to poison? How the fuck was I supposed to know every dirty little secret about that scarheaded brat? This is your job, not mine. You are the so-called professional. I ought to curse you where you stand for coming back here with your hand out after screwing up."
The wizard stayed perfectly still, his posture relaxed but alert. "Failure to provide complete details always results in extra payment. The risk was higher than agreed upon and I incurred losses."
Flint pushed himself up from his chair and paced behind the desk like a caged animal. His boots thudded heavily against the rug. "Extra payment? You've got some nerve. And what kind of amateur move was that anyway? Poison in the middle of a crowded pub? I told you it needed to be untraceable, you idiot. Now the whole thing probably looks suspicious as hell. Potter is not stupid. He will start digging and your sloppy work will lead right back to my door. I should have hired someone competent instead of a half arsed hack like you."
The wizard waited until Flint finished his rant before responding in the same measured tone. "I did not use ordinary poison. I employed a corrupted batch of pepper-up potion. It acts as a slow acting toxin once ingested. It would have killed Potter and the Veela girl within a few minutes causing organ failure that mimicked a badly brewed everyday remedy. Any investigation would have concluded they died from a faulty potion purchased during Hogsmeade weekend. No one would have suspected assassination. The method was clean and indirect as promised."
Flint fell silent at that. He stopped pacing and stared at the wizard for a long moment, processing the information. His mouth opened and closed a couple of times, but no immediate insult came out. The arrogance in his expression faltered slightly as he realized the plan had been more clever than he had given credit for.
The wizard broke the silence first. "The additional compensation is still due."
Flint muttered a string of curses under his breath. "Fucking hell. Greedy bastard." He reached into a drawer in his desk and pulled out a heavy leather pouch that clinked with galleons. He tossed it across the surface with more force than necessary. The wizard caught it smoothly and tucked it away beneath his cloak without counting the contents.
"Next time don't be so fucking sloppy," Flint growled as the wizard turned to leave. "Make sure the job gets done properly. I want Potter and that French whore dead. No mistakes. No traces leading back here. If you get caught I will deny everything and feed you to the dementors myself."
The wizard paused at the doorway for a brief moment. His shoulders tensed slightly but he did not turn around or offer any reply. After a second, he continued walking and disappeared into the dimly lit hallway beyond. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Flint alone in the study.
"Fucking useless," Flint snarled to the empty room. He grabbed the half empty bottle of firewhiskey from his desk and poured himself a generous measure. "Extra gold after failing. Bastard." He raised the glass to his lips and gulped the entire contents down in one angry swallow. The burn hit his throat hard, but it did nothing to ease the frustration boiling inside him. He slammed the glass down again and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
The manor felt too quiet. Flint sank back into his chair and stared into the fire, his mind racing with new plans and fresh hatred for Harry Potter. Losing Marcus had already pushed him to the edge. This latest setback only fueled the fire of his revenge.
He poured another glass and cursed the wizard's name under his breath once more as cold winds kept howling outside.
TBC.
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