38. Return.

The return of students from the Christmas holidays brought a renewed energy to Hogwarts. The once quiet halls now bustled with laughter and chatter as friends reunited, sharing stories of their time away. The Great Hall was lively during breakfast, with students filling the long tables once more, enjoying warm meals while snow gently fell outside the enchanted ceiling.

Ryan sat at the Ravenclaw table with Yue and Rachel, casually sipping his tea while listening to the conversations around him. Rachel, still a little sleepy from the comfortable holiday break, leaned against his side while absently nibbling on a piece of toast. Yue, as usual, was elegantly enjoying her breakfast, but there was a distinct sparkle in her eyes.

Across the hall, Hermione had just arrived, looking well-rested but also noticeably flustered. She kept glancing toward the Ravenclaw table before burying her face in a book, her cheeks tinted pink.

Ryan noticed the odd behavior but didn't pay it much mind—until she suddenly marched over.

"Yue," Hermione said in a hushed, hurried voice, glaring at the blonde vampire. "You sent me this, didn't you?"

She thrust a small enchanted photograph onto the table. Ryan raised an eyebrow and picked it up. The moving image showed him training, his shirt off, muscles flexing as he went through precise movements. The lighting and angle were perfect, making it seem like a carefully taken portrait rather than a random snapshot.

Ryan turned his gaze to Yue, who sipped her tea with an innocent expression that didn't fool him for a second.

"I don't know what you mean, Hermione," Yue said smoothly. "It's just a nice gift. You should appreciate it."

Hermione huffed, her blush deepening as she leaned in closer. "That's not the point! How did you even get this?"

"Oh, I have my ways," Yue replied with a mysterious smile. "You liked it, though, didn't you?"

"I—! That's not—!" Hermione sputtered before groaning. She reached out and snatched the photo back with lightning speed, holding it close as if someone might take it from her. With her ears now as pink as her cheeks, she spun on her heel and stormed back to the Gryffindor table, where she immediately buried her face in her hands.

Rachel giggled at the interaction, while Ryan sighed, shaking his head. "Yue, really?"

"I think she appreciated it," Yue said, taking another sip of tea. "Besides, it's a good picture of you. I have more, if you're interested."

Ryan decided it was best not to ask.

From the shadows nearby, Serenity, who had remained concealed as always, watched the scene with amusement. Even if she didn't interact with others much, she still found their reactions to Ryan entertaining. However, her attention soon drifted elsewhere—more specifically, to her own hunger. And she wasn't particularly interested in the breakfast on the table.

With practiced grace and absolute silence, she moved beneath the table, her presence undetectable to all but Ryan. He barely reacted, though his grip on his fork tightened ever so slightly. Yue and Rachel were too occupied with their conversation to notice, and the bustling hall ensured that no one paid any mind to their corner.

Ryan maintained a calm expression, though there was the faintest twitch in his jaw as he slowly exhaled, taking another sip of his tea. Yue, ever observant, narrowed her eyes slightly but said nothing—only smirking knowingly before continuing to eat her own breakfast.

Then, barely audible beneath the table, came a quiet, deliberate slurp.

Ryan's hand momentarily froze on his cup. He quickly disguised the brief lapse with an easygoing sip of tea, though Yue's sharp gaze flicked toward him with a knowing glint.

"You alright, Ryan?" she asked innocently, though her red eyes sparkled with amusement.

Ryan gave her a slow look before smirking. "Just... enjoying breakfast."

Yue chuckled softly, while Rachel remained oblivious, contentedly eating her toast. Serenity, pleased with herself, remained hidden for a little longer, savoring every moment of her private breakfast.

By the time the meal was ending, Serenity discreetly slipped out from under the table, her movements smooth and unnoticed by anyone else. She remained shrouded in her concealment, her form completely invisible as she left the Great Hall without drawing the slightest suspicion.

The only evidence of her indulgence was the way she ran her tongue over her lips, licking away the last traces of cream. Her slightly swollen lips curled into a small, satisfied smirk as she vanished into the shadows, her hunger fully sated.

Ryan, ever composed, simply sipped his tea once more, though Yue's knowing smirk never wavered.

"She's getting more bold, I blame you." Ryan couldn't help but glare at Yue.

Yue tilted her head, feigning innocence as she swirled her tea. "Oh? And what exactly do you mean by that, dear?"

Ryan exhaled through his nose, keeping his voice low. "You know exactly what I mean."

Yue's smirk widened as she rested her chin on her hand. "Well, I did encourage her to indulge herself more. It's good for a girl to be confident in what she wants, don't you think?"

Ryan gave her a flat look. "Not when it happens in the middle of breakfast."

Rachel, who had been quietly enjoying her toast, blinked and glanced between them. "What are you two talking about?"

Yue's smile remained perfectly composed as she took another sip of tea. "Oh, nothing, just discussing how wonderful breakfast was today."

Rachel frowned slightly, her sharp mind sensing something was off. She turned to Ryan. "Then why do you look like you've been through something?"

Ryan coughed lightly into his fist. "Just… dealing with some surprises this morning."

Rachel gave him a long, skeptical look before shrugging. "Weird. Anyway, I was going to ask—did anyone else hear that weird slurping noise earlier?"

Ryan almost choked on his tea, while Yue gracefully hid her laughter behind her cup.

Rachel tilted her head, genuinely confused. "No? Just me? Huh." She took another thoughtful bite of toast. "Maybe I imagined it."

Yue patted Rachel's head in an oddly affectionate manner. "Yes, dear. Must've been your imagination."

Ryan sighed, running a hand down his face. This was going to be a long day.