Seeing a screaming headmaster wasn't very normal. Not to Fila at least.
A meeting had been requested before the duels, directly from the headmaster of Mahoutokoro. Norihiko Senju, as stubborn as they come.
From the moment Ophelia sat down they had thrown accusation after accusation about black magic and curses. Rin had suffered severe injuries after her duel with Fila, she might even lose her entire hand.
Just hearing that actually brought a smile to Ophelia's face, one that made the remaining two champions visibly uncomfortable.
"She should be banned! Disqualified!" Headmaster Senju shouted, slamming a small fist on the table. "Send her back to prison where she belongs!"
And who better to oversee the meeting than the aurorers who arrested her.
Even they looked uncomfortable now. And for good reason. The whole department had been flamed after Ophelias arrest. Making another mistake arrest wouldn't be good, and it wouldn't be cheap as the compensation sent by the Rosier family had been… substantial even making the rich government faces drop.
Grandmother Vinda only said that they had made a new vault for her at Gringotts, which she found odd since she already had one. But apparently, they had to get another one since the other one didn't fit more.
Fontaine, sitting beside Fila, rubbed his temples.
"With all due respect, Headmaster Senju," he said calmly, "the duel was sanctioned. The injuries, while unfortunate, occurred within the rules of the tournament. Ophelia has broken no laws."
"The spell wasn't dark magic and is still within regulations." One of the aurorers cut in.
Fila gave a slight smile to the cute female aurorer.
Headmaster Senju continued ranting, but it was clear he was losing steam. The aurors looked like they wanted to melt into the floor.
"Telling our student to stop using dangerous spells after yours drop boulders is a rather interesting request. Could it be that your students aren't prepared to face someone potentially stronger than them?" Professor Hale said, his mockery wasn't missed at all.
Fila had cut out the conversation fully by now, only thinking about mountains of coins and how she could make a plant taste of candy. She knew it could be done…
"Ophelia." A voice cut her thoughts and she looked around, the meeting room had emptied by now. Fontaine stood by the door waiting for her. "Day dreaming?" he asked.
She pushed in the chair and walked to the door, "Sort of. Do you think that I can make a rose, taste of strawberry?" she asked.
He just shocked his head, only she could think of flowers tasting of berries while soon going into a duel that would maybe crown her dueling champion. A smaller title then the world championship, but the school tournament wasn't something to scoff at. A highly regarded tournament much like the Triwizard.
As they walked out into the corridor, the familiar jungle heat hit them.
Fontaine would train her a little before the duels, but he didn't know what to teach her. She still needed plenty, but in terms of dueling. She had her way of doing it down, defense, offence she could do it all.
Her flowers gave her a big advantage and even the headmaster couldn't predict what she would do next.
And neither did Ophelia as her mind was still stuck on berries and flowers.
Fontaine procced to give her some simple training before her last duels. they did as they had done before coming to the amazon. She tried to hit him, but this time he fought back and actually tried harder.
He didn't go easy on her. Letting her hit him wouldn't teach her anything new.
Spell after spell, hex after charm. She sort of got a sense of his combination, and then he changed them and threw her of again.
Fila could use her magic sight, but she didn't want to do too much and risk loosing because she depended too much on it.
After an hour of training, Fontaine finally lowered his wand, breathing a little harder than usual.
"You've improved," he said, wiping sweat from his brow. "A lot. Just… try not to invent any new curses mid-duel, alright? We've had enough excitement for one tournament."
Fila grinned, wiping her own forehead. "No promises."
She left the training area feeling lighter, the jungle air clearing her head. But as she walked back toward the main temple, her feet seemed to have a mind of their own. They carried her toward the medical wing instead.
Just to check if she's okay, she told herself. Nothing more.
Bea was still sitting up in bed when Fila quietly pushed the door open. The Brazilian girl looked up, her face lighting up with a mix of surprise and cautious hope.
"Fila," she said softly. "You came."
Fila walked over and stopped a few feet from the bed, arms crossed like she was trying to look casual and failing miserably.
"I'm still mad at you," she announced, as if this was a perfectly normal way to start a conversation.
Bea nodded quickly. "I know. I deserve it." but she smiled, and just looked at her.
Talking with this girl wasn't easy when ever time she saw those eyes every plan she had faltered instantly. So Fila just sat down on the bed, arms still crossed. uncomfortable but she needed to show how mad she was.
"I heard there was a meeting?" Bea asked while still looking at the side profile of Fila sitting on the bed, her head resting against her knees that she had dragged up to her chest.
Fila almost forgot that she should be mad and started explaining the meeting, the words tumbling out faster than she expected. She told Bea how the old Japanese headmaster had shouted and slammed his fist on the table, how he wanted her banned and sent back to prison. How the aurors had looked deeply uncomfortable, like they'd rather be anywhere else. How Fontaine and Hale had defended her, pointing out that the duel was sanctioned and that dropping boulders on people wasn't exactly gentle either.
Bea didn't say much during the whole explanation. She just sat there, knees drawn up to her chest, chin resting on them, listening quietly. A small smile kept tugging at the edge of her lips, soft and a little sad, but genuine.
Fila finally ran out of steam and fell silent, arms still crossed tightly over her chest. The late afternoon sun streamed through the tall windows, catching on her blindfold and making the golden Thunderbird stitching glow warmly. She could feel Bea's eyes on her, steady and patient.
"You're smiling," Fila said, a little accusingly. "I'm telling you about a screaming headmaster who wants me disqualified, and you're smiling."
Bea's smile widened just a fraction. "I'm sorry. It's just… you get this little determined look when you're explaining something. Like you're ready to fight the whole world if you have to. It's kind of cute."
Fila felt her cheeks warm. She uncrossed her arms only to cross them again, trying to look stern.
"Stop saying things like that, im trying really hard to be mad at you." Fila said with a pout.
She wasn't mad at Bea anymore in full honesty. Going to tell a Japanese boy some useless info wouldn't have changed anything now that she grew a full bush into said boy. She didn't even have to go to him, but maybe she had some reason to.
Wanting to win is a good reason but it still felt like something is missing from this explanation.
"Can you kiss me?" Bea said in a quiet tone, trying not to make everyone in the medical hear her.
Fila looked at her, "NO." and then leaned in and gave her a wet kiss.
It was quick, a little clumsy, and tasted faintly of the healing potions Bea had been drinking. When Fila pulled back, her cheeks were burning under the blindfold. She sat up straight again, arms crossed like armor.
"You're impossible," she muttered. "I came here to be mad at you properly, and you just… ruin it with that face."
Bea laughed softly, the sound light and warm despite the bandages and bruises. She reached out and gently touched Fila's hand, her fingers tracing the edge of the blindfold's golden stitching.
"I know I ruined a lot of things," she said quietly. "But I'm really glad you're here. Even if you're pretending to be mad."
Fila sighed, the fight draining out of her like water through loose soil. She didn't pull her hand away. Instead, she turned it over and let their fingers lace together.
"I'm not pretending anymore," she admitted after a moment. "Not really. I was furious when I found out. Really furious. But… sitting in that cell for two weeks gave me too much time to think. About why you did it. About how I probably would've done something stupid too if our places were switched and it was Ilvermorny on the line."
Bea's eyes softened. "It wasn't just about the school. I was scared. Scared of how strong you are. Scared that the girl who makes flowers bloom in the middle of a fight might not need someone like me anymore. Or worse — that I wouldn't know how to keep up."
Fila snorted. "You're ridiculous. I need people who call me 'amor' and make terrible decisions for dumb reasons. Otherwise life would be boring."
A small, hopeful smile broke across Bea's face. "So… we're okay? Complicated, but okay?"
"Complicated is the word," Fila said, squeezing her hand. "I'm still going to Durmstrang. And you're still an idiot. But… yeah. We're okay. Just don't go telling my secrets to the next person who smiles at you, alright?"
Bea nodded quickly, her thumb brushing over Fila's knuckles. "Never again. I promise. And if you need someone to complain to about the cold up there, I'll listen to every letter. Even the ones where you call me names."
Fila grinned despite herself. "Good. Because I have a whole list ready. Starting with 'stupidly cute traitor.'"
They sat like that for a while longer, the late afternoon light turning golden across the medical wing. It wasn't perfect forgiveness. Not yet. But it felt like the start of something steadier than before, less like a whirlwind romance and more like two people choosing to try again, mess and all.
Eventually Fila stood up, stretching her arms with a dramatic groan.
"I should go. Fontaine will start worrying I've wandered off to invent strawberry roses again."
Bea laughed. "Strawberry roses?"
She looked at Bea, and then she looked at the attending nurses. And with a smile she extended her hand, and a small rose grew in her palm. "Try eating this." she said.
Bea stared at the small rose blooming in Fila's palm, its petals a soft mix of deep red and pale pink, shimmering faintly with traces of ancient magic. The flower looked almost too perfect, like something out of a storybook rather than a hospital bedside.
"W… what?" Bea asked, her eyes going wide. "You want me to eat it?"
Fila shrugged, trying (and failing) to look casual. A mischievous little grin tugged at the corner of her mouth. "It's an experiment. I've been thinking about it since the meeting. Flowers that taste like strawberries. Or maybe candy. Why not? Magic can do all sorts of weird stuff. Might as well make it useful."
Bea blinked, glancing between the rose and Fila's face like she was trying to decide if this was a prank or genuine mad-scientist enthusiasm. "You're serious."
"Dead serious." Fila twirled the stem gently between her fingers, and the petals gave off a faint, sweet scent that definitely wasn't normal rose. "I figured if I can make them grow inside people when I'm angry, I should be able to make them taste nice when I'm not. Try it. If it's terrible, I'll know to work on it more."
Bea hesitated for half a second, then laughed that soft, warm sound that always made Fila's stomach do a little flip. "Only you would turn a hospital visit into a taste test." She leaned forward carefully, still sore from her injuries, and took the rose. She plucked one petal, popped it into her mouth, and chewed slowly.
Her eyes widened again, this time in genuine surprise.
"Oh," she said, covering her mouth with her hand. "It actually tastes like strawberry. Sweet, a little tart… like the real thing but softer. Fila, this is amazing!"
Fila felt a ridiculous surge of pride. She tried to play it cool, crossing her arms again. "Told you. I'm a genius. Or at least… a genius with flowers."
Bea ate another petal, smiling the whole time. "You're going to spoil me. Next thing I know you'll be growing chocolate-dipped ones just to make me smile."
"Don't tempt me," Fila muttered, but the idea had already bloomed in her mind.
After a quiet moment, Bea set the rest of the rose gently on her bedside table, where it continued to glow faintly.
"Thank you," she said softly. "For this. And for coming. I know I don't deserve it yet."
Fila shrugged one shoulder. "You're working on it. Slowly. Very slowly. Like a snail with commitment issues."
The two girls had a connection that could be felt. And Fila loved every second of it. But she wanted to talk with Itsuki and find out if he had anything to do with this. would he talk with her, most likely not. Is that even going to stop her from talking to him? Oh please we both know its not. Not even a brick wall blocked by the dark lord himself could stop this rumbling.
Itsuki was still in the medical wing, a few beds down from where Bea had been. Fila had heard the healers talking — he was recovering, but slowly. The rose bush she'd grown inside him had done real damage, even if she'd pulled it back before it became fatal. Part of her felt a flicker of guilt. Another part remembered Marcus crushed under that boulder and Yumi's smug smile.
She found him sitting up, staring out the window with a blank expression. When she stepped into the room, his head snapped toward her. His eyes widened for a second, then narrowed.
"You," he said flatly.
"Me," Fila replied, stopping a respectful distance from his bed. She kept her arms loose at her sides — no wand, no threatening posture. Just a girl who wanted answers. "I figured we should talk before the next duel. Clear the air."
Itsuki gave a short, bitter laugh. "Clear the air? After what you did to me? You grew a plant inside my body."
"Yeah, and you helped set me up to get arrested right before I could face Yumi," Fila said calmly, tilting her head. "Bea told me she went to you about my weaknesses. Timing's interesting, don't you think? Officials show up exactly when I'm about to step into the ring against your teammate."
Itsuki's jaw tightened. He looked away for a moment, staring at the wall.
"I didn't pay anyone," he said finally, voice low. "But… yeah. I told the coaches what Bea said. They handled the rest. We needed you out. You're too strong. Too unpredictable. After what you did to Lara and me… the headmaster thought the only way to win was to remove you from the board."
Fila let out a slow breath. It wasn't surprising, but hearing it out loud still stung a little.
"So you used her," she said quietly. "And she let you. Because winning mattered more than anything else."
Itsuki met her eyes again. There was no real apology there — just tired resignation. "It's a tournament. Everyone wants to win. Even you."
Fila nodded slowly. "Yeah. I do. But I don't need to cheat or call in aurors to do it. what did you offer Beatriz?"
"What are you talking about," his demeaner changed instantly. Fila smiled as she saw a fish catching her bait.
"Oh, just you know, after sleeping and making out with a person. Its pretty hard to get her to tell secrets about the person she literally slept with. So you must have offered her something." Fila said with an actual smile on her face, she didn't even sound angry.
Itsuki stared at her for a long second. The silence stretched, broken only by the distant sounds of healers moving between beds and the soft rustle of jungle breeze through the open arches.
Finally, he let out a short, bitter breath and looked away toward the window again.
"It wasn't some grand bribe," he muttered. "We talked strategy. I told her the team needed an edge. That if Ilvermorny kept dominating, Mahoutokoro would lose face back home. She's proud of her school. I played on that. Promised her that if we took the tournament, there'd be… recognition. Maybe even a spot on a junior national team after this. Something to make her stand out."
Fila laughed, "Oh please. Stop lying. I can see right through you, literally."
Itsuki didn't even seemed surprised, more like he knew that his lie wasn't going to work. "Alright, alright." He started. And actually seemed to calm down. "I might aswell, her family is doing bad. Alright im being nice they are going into the dirt. my family offered her money and some help to the family, if she could bring anything useful for my duel with you."
He met her eyes, tired but unflinching. "She didn't jump at it right away. Took her a couple days to decide. But yeah… she took the offer."
Fila stood there for a long moment, letting the words settle. The medical wing felt quieter suddenly, the distant chatter of healers and the rustle of jungle leaves outside the windows fading into the background. So that was the missing piece. Not just school pride or fear. Money. Security for Bea's family. It didn't make the betrayal feel better, but it made it… understandable. Human.
She let out a slow breath. "Money. Of course."
Itsuki shrugged one shoulder. "Winning gets you sponsors. Sponsors get you money. It's how these things work. Don't pretend your side doesn't play the same game."
"Ok." She shrugged and started to walk out.
Itsukis eyes widened. "What, just a 'ok'? that's it?!" he said in a raised tone, almost echoing in the medical wing now, making the nurses stop in their tracks.
Ophelia stopped and turned to give him a cold shoulder. "Well you aren't going to tell the truth so I might just leave and find out myself. But things wont be good for you if a find some dirt."
Itsuki's face twisted. For a second he looked like he might snap back with something sharp, but then his shoulders slumped. He glanced around the medical wing, the nurses had politely turned away, but they were definitely listening and lowered his voice.
"Fine," he muttered. "It wasn't just money. My family… they threatened hers."
Fila's eyebrows rose slightly under the blindfold.
"They're old blood with connections in the Ministry back home," Itsuki continued, sounding exhausted now. "Her parents were already struggling, debts, bad deals, the usual. My father made it clear: help us take you down, or things get a lot worse for them. Lost contracts. Audits. Maybe even a quiet investigation into their business. Bea didn't want to do it. She argued. But in the end… family is family."
"She told me she hated it. Said you'd never forgive her. But she did it anyway. For them."
Fila stood very still, letting the words sink in. The missing piece finally clicked into place. Not ambition. Not just greed. A threat hanging over the people Bea loved most. It didn't erase the hurt, but it explained the hesitation, the guilt in her eyes, the way she'd looked at Fila like she was waiting to be hated forever.
Itsuki gave a weak shrug. "Tournament politics. Everyone plays dirty when the stakes are high."
Fila didn't answer right away. She thought about the strawberry rose still sitting on Bea's bedside table, glowing faintly. About the way Bea had smiled even while apologizing. About how heavy "family" could feel when it was on the line.
She turned fully toward the door again.
"Thanks for the truth," she said over her shoulder, voice calm. "But hey, if I ever see your family. I will most likely kill them. Okay?"
The words had cut into his head, that smile she wore while saying those threats didn't make it better. She looked calm, way too calm. And yet that blindfold mixed with him knowing what she could do, it made him actually scared.
She walked out without looking back, the jungle heat wrapping around her like a familiar cloak. The revelation sat heavy in her chest, but it didn't feel like fresh betrayal anymore. It felt like another layer of the messy world she was learning to navigate.
Bea had chosen her family. Fila understood that. She might have done the same.