Settling Into the New Year

With the first week of the term behind him, Ezekiel had finally adjusted to the shifting dynamics at Hogwarts. Alys and Daphne were settling into Slytherin, Harry Potter had arrived and was quickly becoming a topic of discussion, and Ezekiel himself was finding his routine disrupted by a growing sense of responsibility.

Between keeping an eye on his sister, maintaining his relationships with Elena and Adrian, and dealing with the weight of his unbreakable betrothal contract with Daphne, Ezekiel found himself more occupied than ever.

---

Late in the evening, Ezekiel sat in his usual corner of the library, studying an ancient text on family inheritance laws. Despite everything he had learned so far, there were still lingering secrets about the Ravenclaw legacy that he had yet to uncover.

The quiet was soon interrupted by Daphne, who approached his table and took a seat without asking.

"You're reading again," she observed.

Ezekiel smirked but didn't look up. "That's generally what one does in a library."

Daphne rolled her eyes. "I meant, you're burying yourself in research instead of dealing with reality."

He finally glanced at her. "And what reality would that be?"

She folded her arms. "Us."

Ezekiel leaned back in his chair. "I didn't think there was much to discuss. The contract is unbreakable. We've accepted that."

Daphne sighed. "We've acknowledged it. But we haven't really talked about what it means."

Ezekiel was silent for a moment before nodding. "You're right. What do you want to know?"

Daphne hesitated before speaking. "What do you think will happen to us? In the future?"

Ezekiel considered her words carefully. "I don't know. But I do know that neither of us is the type to let fate dictate everything. We'll make this work in our own way."

Daphne studied him, then nodded slowly. "I suppose that's the best answer I could hope for."

She didn't look entirely convinced, but for now, the conversation ended there.

---

The next morning, Ezekiel found himself cornered by Professor Flitwick, who seemed unusually interested in him.

"Mr. Malverne," Flitwick said with his usual cheerful tone. "I was wondering if you'd be willing to assist me with something."

Ezekiel raised an eyebrow. "Of course, Professor. What is it?"

Flitwick led him toward his office, speaking as they walked. "I've been reviewing your spellwork, and I must say, your level of control is quite impressive for a third-year student. But I suspect there is more to it."

Ezekiel's expression remained neutral. "What do you mean?"

Flitwick smiled knowingly. "Let's just say I have an eye for talent. You have a natural inclination for magic that goes beyond standard coursework. Have you ever considered pursuing advanced spellcraft?"

Ezekiel was caught off guard. "Advanced spellcraft?"

Flitwick nodded. "I believe you have the potential to create your own spells one day. A rare skill, even among the most talented wizards."

Ezekiel absorbed that information carefully. The idea of spell creation was intriguing, and it aligned with his desire to uncover the lost knowledge of the Ravenclaw family.

"I'd be honored to learn, Professor," he finally said.

Flitwick beamed. "Excellent! We'll start with theory first. I'll provide you with some materials to review. Consider this an independent study, if you're interested."

Ezekiel nodded. "I'm very interested."

As he left Flitwick's office, Ezekiel couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. Between his engagement, his growing political influence, and now the opportunity to delve deeper into the mysteries of magic, this year was shaping up to be far more significant than he had expected.

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