When the final notes melted into the air, the hall erupted in thunderous applause. Victor rose with the others and, to his own surprise, applauded sincerely.
— That was... damn good, — he admitted quietly, still feeling the residual vibration of the sound in his fingertips.
— So, you liked it after all? — Perenelle asked with a slight, knowing smile.
Victor did not answer immediately, keeping his eyes on the stage where the musicians had begun their bows.
— I've heard classical music before, — he said, finally turning to his grandmother. — But recordings are one thing, and a live orchestra is quite another. Yes, I admit, it is impressive.
Leaving the concert hall, they encountered Madame Maxime once again.
— Olympe, as always, it was magnificent! — Perenelle exclaimed.
— Thank you, dear. I am glad my students did not disappoint you, — the headmistress smiled proudly.
— Madame Maxime, do all of your students master musical instruments? — Victor inquired.
— Of course. Musical education is a mandatory part of the Beauxbatons curriculum, — the headmistress replied. — Music, young Victor, helps to discipline the mind and harmonize magical currents.
He wanted to ask another question, but at that moment, he and Perenelle turned simultaneously. A tall figure in a long dress was approaching them. A light shawl almost completely concealed the woman's face, but her grace betrayed her true nature. She was leading Gabrielle by the hand, with Fleur following slightly behind.
— Arianna! — Perenelle was genuinely surprised. — You don't often spoil us with your public appearances.
— Hello, Perenelle. I very much wanted to take a personal look at the boy who made such an indelible impression on my granddaughter, — the stranger's voice sounded like chiming crystal. She fixed her gaze on Victor, and the young man felt as if that look were piercing right through him.
— Me? — Victor pointed at himself with a light smirk. — Well, I admit my guilt: I often make an impression on young ladies.
The elder Veela laughed softly. Perenelle touched her grandson's shoulder gently:
— Allow me to introduce: Victor and Adele Moss, my grandchildren.
— Victor, Adele, I am pleased to meet you, — the woman bowed her head slightly. — Arianna Delacour, grandmother to Gabrielle and Fleur. I am...
— A Veela, — Victor finished for her calmly.
Arianna smiled under the shadow of the shawl.
— True. And you are indeed an unusual young man. So much power is hidden within you... I have met gifted children, but your soul burns brighter and more dangerously than anything I have seen in my long life.
— So, Miss Delacour was intrigued by my soul? What a pity, — Victor shook his head disappointedly. — And I was hoping she had been hooked by my angelic face.
Perenelle burst into laughter, while Madame Maxime only shook her head with a condescending smile:
— I'm afraid your cute little mug alone won't be enough to steal the heart of my best student.
Fleur, having become the involuntary object of the discussion, grew noticeably embarrassed and looked away.
— Ha-ah, it's wonderful with you, but I am forced to leave you, — Perenelle looked toward Nicolas, who was once again tightly surrounded by a crowd. — I must rescue my husband before he is talked to death.
— And I, too, must return to my guests, — Maxime nodded. — As headmistress, I cannot ignore them.
Arianna took one more attentive look at Victor before departing:
— Well, it is time for us to go as well. It was a pleasure meeting you, Victor. If you ever require the help of Veelas—do not hesitate. Olympe knows how to find me.
When the adults had moved aside, Victor shifted his gaze to Adele.
— And here we are, left to our own devices again. Listen, Adelichka, perhaps you should learn to play the violin? You could play for your brother in the evenings.
Adele cast an angry look at him.
— Let that Delacour play for you! — she spun around sharply and marched away, catching up with Perenelle.
Victor sighed, looking after her, but then a satisfied smile spread across his face.
— Adelichka, wait! You know I adore it when you're jealous! — he shouted, picking up his pace.
Returning home, Victor collapsed onto the living room sofa in total exhaustion.
— Nicolas, I swear, I will never go anywhere with you ever again! God, how much phoniness I've listened to today... My poor ears are still aching.
Perenelle laughed cheerfully, taking off her elegant gloves.
— It's always like that with him, dear. If it weren't for me, those social sharks would have torn him to pieces long ago.
Flamel looked at his wife with tenderness:
— And for that, I am endlessly grateful to you, my love.
Perenelle kissed him affectionately on the cheek and turned to the girl:
— Come along, Adele, we need to change.
As soon as they left, Flamel sat down wearily next to Victor. The boy, eyes fixed on the ceiling, asked quietly:
— Since we are finally alone... how are my eyes?
— They are ready, — Flamel answered shortly.
Victor straightened up instantly, like a spring.
— What?
— I said—they are ready.
— Then why are we just sitting here?! — Victor jumped to his feet, his eyes flashing feverishly. — Let's go! I want to see them! Right now!
Nicolas sighed wearily, not moving from his spot:
— Let's do it tomorrow, Victor. This evening has drained all my strength.
— What? No! — Victor grabbed his arm and literally pulled him off the sofa by force. — Let's go!
— Where does a twelve-year-old child get so much strength? — grumbled Nicolas, whom Victor was persistently dragging toward the basement.
— Hahaha, a pleasant side effect of the Obscurus, — Victor chuckled.
— Where are they? Faster! — Victor demanded, barely suppressing the tremor in his hands as they entered the workshop.
Flamel shook his head, walked to the table, and took out a small black-wood box. The lock clicked. Carefully taking it, Victor held his breath. Inside, on black velvet, rested two crimson spheres, resembling bloody pearls. In the center of each, a pupil was frozen, surrounded by three black commas.
— Sharingan... — Victor whispered. A mad, enthusiastic smile spread across his face. — This is a real Sharingan. When do you plan to implant them in me?
— Implant? — Flamel raised an eyebrow. — I am an alchemist, not a surgeon.
— Oh, I see. We need a specialist. Fine, I will kidnap the best surgeon in France, he will perform the operation, and then we will simply wipe his memory. I'll contact some elite clinic now...
— Stop! — Flamel blocked his path. — That won't be necessary. I can do it myself. But let's wait. At least until the end of Christmas.
— No! I want these eyes in their rightful place tomorrow. That is to say, with me.
— Victor, think about what you're doing, this is deadly dangerous! The risk is too...
— Yes, yes, dangerous, I am aware! — Victor looked at Flamel in a way that sent a chill down the old man's spine. That gaze no longer held the look of a kind child—only pure, concentrated madness. — But I don't care. I will have these eyes. With your help or without it. They will be mine by tomorrow.
Nicolas involuntarily stepped back.
— Victor, listen...
— No, — Victor snapped the box shut with a dry click. — I have said all I have to say.
Without another word, he walked out of the workshop, pressing the box to his chest. Flamel remained alone in the dim light, leaning heavily on the table.
— Damn... Perenelle is going to kill me.
Victor entered the room. In the soft light of the nightlight, Adele was slowly brushing her long hair, looking into the mirror.
— My dear, what are you doing here? — he asked softly.
— Getting ready for bed, — she answered in a calm tone.
— Of course, — Victor smiled.
— What is that box you're holding? — she asked with curiosity.
Victor looked at the black wood as if he were holding the universe itself.
— This is my dream, Adele. The thing I have craved from the very moment I realized my purpose in this world.
— A wooden box? — genuine bewilderment slipped into her voice.
— Hahaha, no, of course not. The dream is what's inside.
Crimson smoke enveloped his palm, and the box dissolved into space without a trace.
— Alright, I'll freshen up. And then sleep—tomorrow is going to be a hard day for me.
Some time later, Victor, having changed into his pajamas, stepped out of the bathroom. Adele was already tucked under the covers waiting for him. He lay down beside her, and she immediately snuggled against him, resting her head on his chest. Victor hugged her back, slowly stroking her hair.
— You know, Adele... Since the day I was born, my life has not been like a fairy tale. To be honest, it was just disgusting, — he grinned bitterly, staring into the void. — When I arrived at Hogwarts, for a moment I believed everything had changed. That now I could simply be happy. But that was an illusion. Once burned, you spend your whole life fearing the flame. And I decided to become the flame myself. And there is no changing that now.
Adele lifted her head, looking into his face with confusion. Victor kissed her forehead gently, trying to soothe the anxiety in her eyes.
— Just five months ago I found a loving grandmother and you, my sweet sister. It would seem—this is it, happiness, time to stop. But I am too vain. I do not know where this path will lead me, but I want you to know: I am infinitely grateful. Thank you for appearing in my life. I love you both so very much.
Adele frowned and propped herself up on her elbows, a flicker of fear flashing in her eyes.
— Why does that sound like a farewell? Victor, are you going somewhere? Are you going to leave me?
Victor smiled warmly and gently pulled her back to him.
— No, my dear. I am not going anywhere. I will always be by your side. Now let's sleep.
Adele wrapped her arms around him even tighter, as if afraid he might dissolve into thin air, and closed her eyes. Victor lay in silence for a long time, staring at the dark ceiling.
— We will always be together, — he whispered barely audibly into the emptiness of the room, and in those words, beyond love, one could hear a frightening determination.