{Edited} The Chaotic Traveler - Chapter 17 (Patreon)

AN: Edited chapters do not count toward monthly quota's.

Not Beta'd yet because my beta reader has the attention span of a Puffskein.

Chapter 17: Sparkles / A Natural Occamy / Challenge Accepted

Jin idly puffed on a pipe within his mind, legs dangling off the edge of his central island as smoke trailed from his lips, shaping into various images as his thoughts turned.

A Puffskein hopping up and down.

A Fwooper flapping its wings.

A Kneazle stretching.

A Dragon breathing fireless smoke.

A Veela with sapphire blue eyes.

His gaze filtered from one to the next, pausing on the last.

‘A Veela’s allure is no joke.’ The female smoke figure twirled through the air, sparkling with little imaginary lights. ‘And perhaps I’ve been taking things a little too easily.’

Jin waved a hand through the smoke shapes and gazed upon his mental realm.

What was once a large boulder surrounded by a scattered asteroid belt of memory shards had finally taken shape under Jin's relentless effort.

His central island stood at the heart of it, stabilizing while he was present and falling away to blend into the interior layer when he was gone.

The interior layer held half a dozen varied islands. Moons that had grown large enough to become small islands of their own as more shards were pulled from the surrounding asteroid belt, shifting through various orbits as gravity pushed and pulled chaotically in different directions.

Clutter had been collected into large boulders, swirling like shooting stars through an outer layer beyond his islands, trapped in a gravity well that kept them moving fast.

And all three layers remained shrouded in heavy smoke, ready to detect, choke, confound, and restrict an intruder.

‘I really should give that murder owl a gift one of these days. Or maybe introducing him to Luna was the gift?’

Jin chuckled at the thought, his sight unobstructed as he observed the remaining half of the asteroid belt still hovering at the edges of his mental realm.

‘If I didn’t have experience practicing against Jeffery, I wonder how much worse that allure stuff would have been?’

His most recent experience reminded Jin that there was more than one way to overcome his defenses.

‘A single Veela’s allure was enough to get through, and it wasn’t even intentional.’

That thought was sobering.

Jin had no reference for how powerful Veela allure was compared to a Fwooper or a Legilimens attack, but the experience showed him that for all his progress, he still lacked the foundation to support it.

'I need to finish absorbing the fragments; only then will the cracks fade.'

A sigh left his lips as Jin realized how much work he still had to do.

He glanced up at the sky, where the smoke shifted to form a cracked hourglass, numbers appearing on its surface.

[298 days, 04:11:36]

It was early morning the day after that strange meeting with the young woman, whom Jin soon realized was none other than Fleur Delacour, thanks to his minion students in the Hogwarts rumor mill.

Jin’s memories weren't forthcoming regarding her, only a few bits and pieces about her sad performance in the latter two rounds of the tournament.

‘She wasn’t really near the main plot, more of a side character than anything.’

As soon as that thought appeared, Jin frowned and berated himself.

‘Stop that. I can't think of people as characters in a story. These are real, breathing individuals with thoughts and lives that can unfold differently from what my meta-knowledge suggests. I've already seen more than enough to be convinced of that.'

His own presence changing things was one thing, but Jin had noticed characters acting differently than he expected, like the Golden Trio and their current dynamic.

'Ron and Harry coming to me to improve is one thing that's already different, but Harry and Hermione being a pairing? And so early? I know I'm responsible for casting that little spell to make them trip and fall on each other in the forest, but the rest was all them.’

The idea of the three young teens sneaking up on Jin was adorable.

'They didn't even bother to hide their ankles with a Disillusionment Charm.’

Jin could only chuckle at the memory and the wide route he took on his stroll through the forest to mess with them.

'But it proves my meta-knowledge isn't perfect. I shouldn’t make a habit of underestimating things by assuming.’

After the event, Jin had found a quiet place to delve into his mind and pull up everything he read about Veela. It took cross-referencing a dozen sources, but what he learned was interesting.

‘The Allure is part of the very magical nature of Veela. It’s both a tool and a self-defense instrument. It sparks in their defense when they are emotional, and as their mana grows, so does the strength of their Allure. Making control a lifelong challenge.'

Jin leaned back on his palms, feeling the new addition of grass tickle his skin.

'That woman wasn't weak.' Jin puffed away, his mind replaying the encounter for the hundredth time. 'If I didn't have my perks, I would have been screwed.'

Jin still didn't understand the full depths of his perks, but the mental invasion had certainly triggered a few of them.

Where before the core of his mental plane had been a barren rock, it now held a miniature rainforest piercing through the stone at its center.

The sounds of insects and various creatures rang out from within, telling Jin that it was directly connected to the strange space he had once entered to find his inner animal.

Jin didn’t know how to feel about that.

'On one hand, it's part of me. Every book I've read on the topic suggests that it won't actively harm me. On the other hand, the stages of an artificial Animagus's awakening are already different from mine, and I have no idea how much longer a natural awakening is going to take.'

The changes were slow at first; Jin barely noticed them after he started dealing with his emotional issues by smoke therapy.

However, his size continued to increase steadily.

He was six feet tall when he first woke up. That increased by a few inches and a bit of extra weight over August as he filled out, but it didn't stop increasing in September.

It felt increasingly natural as he grew. As if he was deformed before and was only growing into the size he was meant to be.

After two months, he was reaching 6’6 and pushing the limits of the clothes he had bought from Jamie. ‘Thankfully, Gol isn’t so bad with a thread and needle and was able to free up some breathing room.’

The growth was gradual; Jin was filled with energy that needed an outlet each day, yet the days spent with Hagrid kept his mind off its oddity as he did physical labor.

But now, with the changes Fleur Delacour had caused, it could no longer be ignored.

Something had changed with his inner animal. 'I doubt this is a risk to my life; a perk I chose shouldn't do something like that. It’s just changing me to fit the perk, but I need to know what those changes are.'

Jin unconsciously rolled his jaw as he thought things over, feeling an odd soreness in the muscles around the area.

'None of my perks are simple.' Jin remembered what the perk warning label said. 'They grant neither knowledge nor skill, only opening a doorway for awakening the abilities through my own actions and growing them on my own time. I can respect the need to do things myself instead of a free handout, but I would appreciate some guidance here.'

All his perks were like that. They needed time and effort to become useful, just like Jin had realized with his newly awakened Mana Scan.

Looking up, Jin saw a mental representation of his new ability, a shining star far above in the sky of his inner realm.

Like a North Star, Jin would never lose his way to activate his new ability again.

The mana channel had always been there, just invisible and hidden from his awareness until the mental clash forced it open.

‘For that, at least, I should be thankful for bumping into her.’

Jin had played with the visual perk once the horses were settled, and to say the world was blinding was mild.

‘Scanning anything with the castle in the backdrop is like staring into the sun.’

It took Jin a few painful hours of experimentation to realize he could adjust the intensity of his new active perk based on how much mana he channeled into his eyes.

His perk was less a passive Mana Sight, and more of an active way to scan the area within his line of sight like a radar, revealing quite a few things, yet Jin wasn't sure how to categorize what he saw just yet.

'I just need time to adjust.' Jin thought, breathing deeply. 'Slow and steady, and I'll get there.'

He closed his eyes and let his thoughts drift, almost unconsciously feeling a pull toward the first thing he ever used his perk on.

His first genuine sight of mana, stuck in his mind like a tick, planting roots in his thoughts that didn't look like they'd go anywhere anytime soon.

The image of sapphire-blue eyes shining like gems, surrounded by an aura of fiery sparkles like a fireworks display.

‘Bah.’ Jin blew out a cloud of smoke and stood up with a groan. 'My time in this world is limited. It's not worth thinking fancy thoughts. I should focus on getting everything I can and enjoying my life instead of getting too involved with others.’

Tossing aside thoughts of strange encounters, Jin instead focused back on his not-so-little problem with his animal.

'I need to find that mangy mutt soon. He’s the only source I can risk asking who might actually have answers. The reality is that three students managed to become Animagi at the same time. Sirius has got to know something, and I'm sure I can get him to keep his mouth shut.'

Jin’s mind turned to the only other possible source and cringed. 'No way in hell I'm going to McGonagall for this. The last thing I want is to get on Dumbledore's radar. I have no idea what kind of old man I'm dealing with here, and frankly, I don't want to know.'

The various fragments of HP shared similar concepts of the old man.

Chief among them was whether Dumbledore was evil, good, a chess master, an aging man dropping the ball, or anything in between.

‘For now, all I can do is keep moving forward. If I want to complete my other plans, I need to finish my Charms studies and start focusing more on spell alteration. Otherwise, I'm going to have to make some… drastic changes.’

Jin hadn’t spent his first month at the school studying random things. He read through an index of known Charms and thoroughly looked for possible areas he could take advantage of, and one specific Charm’s description got his attention.

‘Thankfully, I have more than enough cursed objects to practice on.’

0000

Jin's time assisting Hagrid with his classes had mostly passed as the big guy got the hang of gradually introducing tamer creatures for his class, but now Jin spent that time caring for giant flying horses.

He had to ensure they were brushed, fed, cleaned up after, and exercised a few times a week to keep them healthy, happy, and uninterested in eating him.

A task that was easier said than done.

00

"Alfred! Put down that crate!"

Sometimes, Jin had to restrain the horses from breaking into the storage, as they somehow always sniffed out which crates held the liquor.

"You'll get fat if you overeat!"

00

Once, Jin even came back to the stables to find them sitting around a cracked-open crate, neighing as they tossed around bottles and crunched them whole like it was a frat party.

00

Other times, Jin would sit before Alfred with a large drinking bowl, idly sipping from his own glass while he let the horse taste-test various liquors aside from the single-malt whiskey they loved so much.

"What do you think of this one?"

Alfred drank the dark liquid and made a rumbling sound in his throat, which Jin took to understand that he liked it.

"Smooth, right? All American Bourbon."

A neigh demanding more was his answer.

Jin just laughed.

00

"Kick me again, and you're getting grape juice."

Sometimes the moody horses felt ornery, and it said something about Jin that he could even survive a kick from one of the massive creatures.

'Who knew I'd thank Hagrid for putting me through hell to be able to survive this job.'

00

The first two weeks were hectic as Jin adjusted to his new responsibilities, figuring out the right combination of Charms and House Elf use to make the unpleasant aspects of his work less time-consuming.

Alfred and his posse wouldn't tattle on him for cheating, not only because they couldn't speak, but because Jin was a good bro.

He fed them, groomed them, and gave them tasty things others usually didn't.

But above all, Jin drank with them and got mythically drunk out of spite.

'I'll be damned if I let so much top-shelf liquor go to waste on bloody pampered horses.'

The horses might not have known his motivations, but they could respect a fellow connoisseur of fine drinking.

Jin didn't know if he was a big drinker in his previous life, but in this one, he was starting to really enjoy it.

But it wasn't all work and no play, as Jin got firsthand experience riding flying horses, letting him soar above the clouds as he shouted his lungs out in joy.

"Woo!" Jin cheered, tightening his hold on Alfred's reins. "Let me see what you can really do, bud!"

A loud neigh was his answer, and Jin's throat dropped into his stomach as they pulled into a dive.

'I shouldn't have said that.'

A bright smile split his face despite his thoughts.

'It's times like these that I'm thankful I didn't end up a student in this world. That would have sucked.’

000

At the same time, somewhere within the castle, a particular blond Veela was unhappy.

‘Sometimes I hate being a student.’

If Fleur thought going abroad for a year would be different from her experiences in her own school, she was sadly mistaken.

‘No, it’s even worse now with this weather and having to speak a second language.’

She rolled her eyes at yet another group of students staring at her as she walked through the hallowed halls of Hogwarts.

Fleur could clearly tell her own schoolmates had made sure to spread her inhuman status to the new school, whose student population seemed to match her own school's level of intelligence.

‘They act like they’ve never seen a Veela before.’

Long since used to such treatment, Fleur just sniffed disdainfully and kept to herself. She spent her free time not locked in her room studying, or attending the few classes still required of her for her seventh year, but exploring the sights of the fabled Hogwarts.

A historical place revered in legend among wizarding culture, tracing back a millennium to the time of the Goblin and Wizard wars, the era of the Catholic Church's expansion, and the time when four legendary figures of wizarding culture stood tall and built a castle to shelter and educate their kind when Muggles made the world seem so much smaller.

Even in France, where magicals took every opportunity to criticize the British, people still respected Hogwarts for what it represented, and for the countless magical schools its example raised around the world.

A thousand years had passed. A thousand years of history and change. A thousand years for the school to grow and be shaped by the many figures who walked its halls.

Fleur’s passion for adventure drove her all over the castle.

The Great Hall's famous enchanted ceiling, an enchantment set ages past on a massive scale, depicting the current weather beyond its walls. Something that no other enchanter had been able to replicate in size and detail.

The massive clock tower, home to dozens of bells larger than her body, each able to be rung in tunes that echoed in harmony.

The seven-story revolving staircase that shifted and changed on a whim. 'Not the most student-friendly design there.' Fleur grumbled, remembering how she almost fell once.

The vibrant greenhouses overflowing with magical reagents grown by generations of herbology masters.

The astronomy tower's open viewing platform and the various rooftop verandas allowing for a view of the Scottish Highlands that was hard to beat.

The hundreds of statues, paintings, plaques, and enchanted artifacts spread throughout the castle, each imparting a token of irreplaceable history to the culture.

Fleur went all over, only avoiding the more public areas, dungeons, and boathouse. Being underground wasn't her idea of fun, and being near cold waters inhabited by her species' opposites was anathema to her nature.

Yet, after two weeks of exploring, she had hit her limit of interest in the sights.

‘It’s beautiful in an ancient way, but it’s no Beauxbatons, where everything is made of various shades of glass and open to the sun.’

Fleur needed time away from the crowds, where eyes followed her unnervingly, and some exposure to the sun after weeks indoors sounded just grand.

'Perhaps I can visit the Abraxan. That was always one of my favorite hiding spots when I was younger.'

Her school stables were full of fond memories for her.

'And seeing the horses would mean…'

Fleur's mind flashed to the frustrating memory of amber eyes. An image that refused to vanish, pulling at her curiosity to dive into their depths like a crow finding a shiny stone.

She had asked around and learned that the man was part of the staff, seemingly hired just for the tournament's arrival.

‘Mr. Fluff was his name, no? How silly.’

Fleur had once seen him jogging behind two younger teens, shouting and encouraging them to keep going as they struggled to stay upright.

In the privacy of her mind, she would admit it was amusing watching him toy with the boys. Still, then she would remember those genuine amber eyes entrancing her, and her good mood would flee.

She was Fleur Delacour, and no man would occupy her thoughts like that.

'To the stables then. If that man is not there, even better. I need to relax.'

000

"That was not cool." Jin wiped his face with a towel, wearing only a tank top after removing his soaked shirt. "Diving into the lake was a dick move. You scared the crap out of that merman dude."

His answer was a satisfied huff from the horse as Alfred walked at his side, a smug look on the horse's face as he preened.

"Yeah, yeah, let's see if I share the good stuff with you for dinner. I've been interested in trying Firewhiskey; maybe I'll just keep the bottle for myself."

Alfred didn't like the sound of that, by the headbutt that almost knocked Jin over. Still, Jin's body had grown enough that he could shrug it off.

Although he could do without the love bites. Love bites with rows of razor-sharp teeth.

'Drunk carnivorous horses may not be the best drinking partners, but it’s not like I have anyone else to drink with.’

While idly thinking about how to improve his healing spell repertoire, Jin approached the stables, his pipe halfway out of his pocket, when he paused at the door as a strange humming sound reached his ears.

A soothing hum, hauntingly familiar, spread like a gentle wave, shocking Jin as his animal instincts eased.

He stared down at the unlit pipe in his hand, yet he felt like he was already puffing away.

The pressure that had been pressing on him eased, letting him take a deep breath of fresh air for the first time in around two months without smoke accompanying it.

Jin closed his eyes, sensing his inner world for an intrusion that wasn't there, then pushed the door open and found the very figure that had been on his mind for weeks, humming aloud as she brushed down one of the horses.

Her back was to him, and Jin took a second to really take her in.

She was relatively tall, standing around five feet ten, with a willowy figure that moved with an air of grace, striking Jin as if she were gliding.

Long silver-blond hair fell to the small of her back, swaying in the light breeze coming from the door.

Almost absently, Jin flicked on a Mana Scan, and his eyes glowed with the same mesmerizing sight from the other day as sparks danced around her form in a stunning display that drew him in.

Whereas most of the wizards and witches Jin had glanced at had their mana contained within a core with a developed channel flowing down their wand arm, the woman before him had mana emanating throughout her body and out from her pores.

She was like a beacon, and Jin had to shut off his ability lest he get lost staring.

Leaning against a post, Jin coughed politely, watching the woman jump in place and whirl around as a familiar buildup of pressure pressed against his mind, wand in hand.

Jin waved an open palm, showing he was unarmed. "I didn't know I was getting extra help around here. Are you the new intern?"

It took Fleur a moment to process what he said and calm herself enough to reel her Allure back in.

“Temporary help, I’m afraid.” Her gaze was alight with inner thoughts as she stared at him, seemingly looking for something, before she slowly lowered her wand and responded in a clipped tone. “You are the one from the other day.”

“And you are the other one from the other day.” Jin inclined his head and chuckled. "The name's Jin."

“Fleur.” She responded curtly. “Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Fluff?”

"Ah, you know my teacher name.” Jin walked past her and opened Alfred’s kennel, leading the horse inside. “And you are already helping by brushing my charges, Ms. Delacour.”

“I asked around.” Fleur watched him work on removing Alfred’s saddle for a moment before returning to brushing the horse before her, keeping Jin within her line of sight. “And you seem to know me as well.”

"It's hard not to hear about the famous ace of Beauxbatons." Jin replied with an easy smile and pulled his pipe from his pocket, calmly lighting it and breathing in the calming smoke.

"Wonderful." The air heated around Fleur as she cursed under her breath. "Even here, I can't get away from the rumors. Are you going to mock me as well for my heritage?"

“You seem angry.” Jin casually raised one of the bottles he was about to pour into Alfred’s drinking bowl. “Want some whiskey?”

“What?” She shot him a disgruntled look. “I am not an Abraxan.”

“No, you’re an upset female.” Jin shrugged and tossed the bottle up and down. “Whiskey helps in either case.”

Alfred and Fleur's horse nodded sagely, much to Fleur's irritation, and she lightly slapped her horse's side.

"Traitor." The horse chuffed in amusement as she responded to Jin. "No, I don't want to drink whiskey at three in the afternoon. In a dirty stable. Alone with a strange man."

"Hey." Jin mocked an offended look, pointing his pipe at her. "I'll have you know this is a perfectly clean stable, right, guys?"

The horses all nodded, clearly in agreement with Jin's standards.

“Stop taking his side.” Fleur glared at them all. “I’ve been brushing you spoiled brats for years.”

“True, but I feed them.” Jin leaned against Alfred. “Me and Alfred are drinking bros.”

"Alfred?" Fleur tilted her head in confusion.

"Him." Jin tilted his chin to the majestically posing giant horse before it burped and went back to his drink. "He's not very classy, though."

Fleur’s lips twitched in amusement as her irritation bled away. “Why do you call him Alfred?”

“Why not?” Jin countered and put away the saddle. “I’ve noticed most magicals tend not to name individuals who can't verbally speak back and just call magical species by their race names despite clear signs of intelligence. I might not have names for all of them, but I didn’t want to call my new drinking buddy ‘Horse.' Alfred's the only one who accepted my offer of a name.”

Jin's words hit close to home, and Fleur quieted for a moment with a thoughtful expression.

“I… never really thought about that before.” Looking up, she put her brush down and approached Alfred’s side, running a hand along his neck. “I’m sorry I’ve never named you all these years… Alfred.”

Alfred neighed in response and turned his head to butt against her, far lighter than he ever did to Jin, much to Jin’s inner annoyance. ‘This little shit is perfectly capable of controlling his strength.’

Fleur giggled lightly as she kissed Alfred’s nose while Jin watched with a wry smile. “So, you’ve been brushing him for years?”

Fleur gently pushed Alfred's head away as he sought more affection. "Most students in Beauxbatons don't come around the stables, so it was one of the only places I could find some peace and quiet during the year.”

The mix of affection and loneliness on her face seemed genuine.

Jin blew out some smoke. “A bit too popular at school?”

“You could put it like that.” Fleur’s shoulders drooped as she became lost in thought. “My reputation seems to have followed me here.”

A hum rumbled from Jin as he considered the blond; something about the depressed and defeated look on her face irked him. “You know how to ride an Abraxan?”

“What?” Fleur blinked and snapped back into focus, her negative emotions masterfully hidden behind a mask. “Oui. My Papa taught me when I was young.”

“Perfect.” Jin grabbed a fresh saddle. "I’ve got two more horses I need to exercise. You can help me cut down my time.”

"Really?" Fleur's eyes lit up before rationality took hold. "I… I'm not sure if I'm allowed to-."

"I'm giving you permission." Jin cut her off and threw the saddles on the willing horses, both excited to stretch their wings. "Besides, you're my intern stable girl for the day, right?" He smirked over his shoulder and saw Fleur's desire push through her hesitance. “Can’t leave a job half finished now.”

Fleur seemed to win some kind of internal battle as a smile stretched her lips.

“It would be irresponsible to do so.” She walked up to his side and helped him set the saddle, the smile not leaving her lips as he didn’t shy away from her.

The two worked in sync and quickly had them set.

"Need a boost?" Jin offered his hand, but Fleur scoffed.

"Don't patronize me." She expertly stepped into the stirrup, knowingly or unknowingly giving Jin a close-up view of the most perfectly full heart-shaped ass he'd ever had the pleasure of seeing, then swung her leg over the saddle of the much larger horse with the ease of years of experience. "I don't need a man's help to saddle up."

"Feisty." Jin chuckled at her faux-arrogant tone, noticing the teasing tint in her expression. "Make sure to tell this man when you're comfortable."

He adjusted the straps to her height, and Fleur gave him a thankful nod while trying to ignore the pleasant shiver running up her spine from his rough hands on her calves. "A bit higher."

Jin raised a brow, thinking he'd had it right the first time, then readjusted it, missing Fleur's flush from the extended contact. "How about that?"

“That will do, Mr. Fluff.”

“Call me Jin.”

The two matched eyes once more, Jin leaning against the side of the horse, with Fleur gazing down at him. Each took in the other for a moment longer than intended as a matching smile spread across their lips.

“Very well.” Fleur accepted his olive branch and kicked her horse to make it start moving, leaving a surprised Jin behind.

“That’s usually when someone says to call them by their first name in return.” He called from behind.

“I am not just someone.” Fleur looked over her shoulder with a teasing look, her blue eyes shining with mischief. “Calling my name familiarly should be earned.”

"Oh?" Jin blew out a wisp of smoke with a smirk. "And how would one do that, Ms. Delacour?”

Fleur raised her chin in faux pride. “Perhaps if they beat me in a race.”

“Is that a challenge?” Jin laughed.

"I doubt you would be much of a challenge." She winked at him, then slipped out the stable door, leaving a chuckling Jin behind to whisper aloud.

"Challenge accepted, Sparkles."

Soon, his horse was saddled, and he was out the doors, racing down the path to find Fleur waiting at the starting line. "I thought you would have rushed ahead to get a head start?"

"As if I needed one." Fleur tossed her hair to the side arrogantly. "I'm the ace of Beauxbatons. I do not need a head start to defeat a little stable boy."

“Little?" It was Jin's turn to scoff as he pulled up beside her, playing up the dramatic flair. "Woman, there is nothing little about me.”

“Perhaps.” Fleur smirked and glanced over at Jin, eyes alight with an inner fire that matched Jin's as she obviously looked him up and down. "What is the phrase? Ah... can you put your coin where your mouth is?"

Jin fought to restrain a laugh at the way she said it in accented English. “What do you want to bet?”

"Free access to the stables for the year." She replied a bit too fast, then flushed slightly at Jin's understanding look.

He held no trace of mockery. “You want a place to get away from the crowds?”

“Mn.” Fleur cleared her throat. “There are always eyes within the castle grounds. I want a place for some privacy.”

“You do realize I’ll be around a lot, right?” Jin made sure to ask.

"I do." Fleur thought back to Jin's comment about Alfred's name and turned her head away to hide her desire to get lost in Jin's amber orbs. "But I think I'll manage."

“Oh, what a compliment.” Jin rolled his eyes in amusement. “I’m so honored.”

"As you should be." Fleur nodded imperiously, and Jin thought she would get along with Shadow famously.

“Fine.” Jin shrugged. “But if I win, I want to hear you hum again.”

“My hum?” Fleur was taken aback as she looked at him. “You… you don’t fear my allure?”

"Should I?" Jin asked honestly, leaving Fleur flummoxed.

“Well, no, but-.”  

"Then it's settled!" Jin cut her off and slapped her horse's ass.

The great winged beast neighed and forced Fleur to grab tight to the reins as it broke out into a run, followed by Jin's own.

He called over the wind. "First to the abandoned eastern tower at the edge of the valley and back wins!"

“Jin!” Fleur screamed in protest before a laugh bubbled out of her throat as her horse took to the air. “I’ll get you back for that!”

“You’ll try!” He laughed, and then the time for conversation was over as the wind rushed in their ears.

The two soared through the air, leaving all their worldly concerns behind as they let themselves go.

Fleur's laughter continued unabated as she raced neck and neck with Jin, twirling in spirals as they tore through the heavens. She felt free, her inner nature coming to the fore as joy shot through her soul at being so high in the air, basking in the sun's heated rays.

Jin kept an eye on her, occasionally flicking on a fresh Mana Scan to see the mana around her soar with her emotions, spreading clouds of searing fireworks that radiated in tune with her feelings.

He was so fascinated by the sight that he almost missed when they came up on the abandoned tower atop the eastern lid of the valley adjacent to Hogwarts.

They came in hard around the bend, with Fleur taking the lead, but Jin wasn't a chivalrous knight who would simply let her win.

"Come on, bud.” Jin spoke in his ride’s ear. “I'll break out the good stuff for dinner if we win."

His horse neighed loudly and pumped his wings even harder, coming up on Fleur as the two matched challenging gazes across the divide.

Fleur raised a hand and made a come-hither motion with a dainty finger, and curiosity killing the cat, Jin pulled in closer.

“What?!” He shouted over and saw Fleur’s lips spread into a cheeky grin.

A wave of Allure washed toward him, and Jin's eyes dilated as the effects slammed into his mind, only for his inner animal to shatter it even faster than the last time, now that it was literally sitting within the center of his mental plane.

It didn't even destabilize his emotions, but it left him dazed for a precious few seconds that Fleur seized to pull ahead.

'Oh, that bitch!' Jin shook off the effects with a wild grin and raced after her, subtly casting a wandless Levitation Charm to lighten his horse's load, burning through his mana to fuel the inefficient Charm. 'Two can play at that game.'

He regained his lost ground, much to Fleur's surprise when she looked over, expecting him to be far behind. Jin's responding middle finger had her laughing openly as she raced ahead.

The two came in at breakneck speeds, diving for the finish line in the clearing near the stables.

Both of them leaned forward, urging their steeds to win, yet with almost dual impacts, each horse touched down at the exact moment, running forward to bleed off momentum as the two riders cheered.

““I win!””

They shot each other incredulous looks.

““What?!””

They reared back at the second mimicked gesture before Fleur hopped out of her saddle like a gymnast and pointed a finger at Jin. “I clearly won!”

"Are your eyes blind, woman?!" Jin shouted back as he jumped down like a feline and pointed at the impact craters the horse's hooves made. "My ride was an inch ahead!"

“An inch?! Who cares about an inch?!”

“Most men!”

The two fell into bickering as their slowly lowering adrenaline levels shattered their calm masks, revealing their inner personalities beneath.

"Row." A new voice called out, and Jin and Fleur paused in the argument, faces practically inches apart.

They looked down to find Shadow staring up at them.

"A Kneazle?" Fleur tilted her head.

“Shadow!” Jin cheered and quickly picked her up, the feline claiming her rightful seat upon Jin’s shoulder.

“Who is this adorable creature?” Fleur was successfully distracted by the dark-haired fluff ball.

“Her meowjesty, Queen Shadow of the British Isles.” Jin proclaimed proudly.

"Row." Shadow posed majestically with a paw atop Jin's head like a stepping stone, and Fleur couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculous sight.

"I didn't know I was in the presence of royalty." She reached forward to pet the fluff, and Jin was surprised at Shadow letting someone other than himself touch her. "She's beautiful."

“Row.” Shadow agreed.

“Don’t feed her ego, even if it’s true.” Jin’s insolence earned him a paw swipe from the queen. “Shadow, you were watching when we arrived, weren’t you?”

Shadow nodded.

“Perfect. Tell this cheating woman that I clearly won.” Jin poked Fleur in the forehead.

“Cheating?! You think I didn’t notice your ride becoming unnaturally fast at the end there?” Fleur poked him back in the chest.

“Maybe you should consider losing some weight.”

“You did not just say that!”

“Row.” Shadow’s call silenced them both again as they squared off, not even noticing how close they were.

“Who won, Shadow?” Jin leaned in.

Fleur tried to push his head away. “And no playing favorites because he feeds you.”

Shadow's tail swung with sadistic interest as she eyed the two before raising a paw to each of them. "Row."

“What?”

“Are you saying we tied?”

Shadow nodded in confirmation and jumped off Jin’s shoulder to avoid the ensuing chaos she caused, watching from the side as the two blew up all over again.

The feline licked a paw and enjoyed the show alongside the two Abraxan who were lying down and munching on some grass.

It wasn't until the sun began to set in the distance that their tempers cooled, not that sunset was far off in the first place.

They went from glaring at each other from inches apart to laughing at how ridiculous they were acting.

Fleur tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she shook off her laughter. “Thank you, Jin, I… I really needed that.”

"I would say you helped me more, but I'll take it." Jin smiled back. "There's nothing like a good flight to shake off a mood. Other than the whiskey, but I doubt you could handle drinking with Alfred."

“Yes, I think I’ll pass on challenging an Abraxan to a drinking contest.” She sent him a flat stare. “Unlike some people, I’m not suicidal.”

“It's not suicidal if you win.” Jin countered.

Fleur sent him a mocking look. “And did you win, Jin?”

"Drinking? Not yet.” Jin admitted and fired back. “Racing with a preppy French girl? Apparently, I tied."

“Preppy? Girl?" Fleur reared up and swatted Jin's shoulder. "The only thing you got right is that I'm French, and we tied!"

“Maybe I did.” Jin chuckled and playfully held off her assault with open palms. “Speaking of which, I believe we had some terms.”

“Ah…” Fleur’s mood dipped at the mention. “We might as well cancel them both.”

“Why?” Jin asked, immediately halting the fading joy from the blond Veela’s expression. “We could just say we both won.”

"We both win?" Fleur repeated, her smile slowly returning. "You would be okay with that?"

“Of course.” Jin reached into his pocket to grab his pipe. “I could use an extra experienced hand around the stables, and if that help provides musical entertainment, who am I to argue?”

Fleur paused to consider his words and sent him a vulnerable look. "…You really aren't bothered by it?"

“Your humming?” Jin questioned curiously, continuing when she nodded. “Why would I be? It’s beautiful and soothing all in one.”

Fleur had more than enough experience reading people who wanted things from her, and as a result, she couldn't help but feel a strange sensation in her stomach as all she found in Jin was honest appreciation. "My allure frightens people."

“Why? It’s not like it's always on.” Jin pointed out.

Fleur huffed and looked away. “They fear what I can do.”

"Then they're not worth your time." Jin breathed in the soothing smoke, feeling his body relax as the medicinal effect took hold. "Every person with a wand is a walking threat. Hell, any person with a knife is a threat. It's understandable to be wary, but ostracizing or fearing for the sake of fear itself is a sign of weakness or ignorance." He shrugged and blew out a cloud. "I'm not much of a philosopher; just live the way you want to and fuck other people's opinions.”

“How crass.” Fleur snorted and swiped a hand through the smoke cloud. “But maybe you’re right. Why are you smoking?”

“Medical reasons.” Jin answered promptly.

Fleur sent him a flat look, yet her lips twitched at the corner. “Why don’t I believe you?”

"Because you're smart?" Jin smirked around his pipe. "It's Dragonheart Root. Has calming effects."

“Calming?” Fleur’s gaze turned inquisitive as she looked at him. “But that only usually calms…” Her mind turned back to the strange event on their first meeting. “Is that why… does that have something to do with why you seem immune to my allure?”

"I wouldn't call myself immune." Jin scratched his cheek. "The herbal mix is not directly responsible; it just helps with other stuff I got going on."

"But then, how have you resisted my allure twice now?" Fleur stepped into Jin's personal space, her curiosity driving her forward. "Even my humming can put the unaware in a trance, but you say you enjoy it."

"A man has his secrets, woman." Jin tried to step back, but she stepped forward.

"I do not believe that is how the phrase goes." Fleur's eyes shone predatorily at a juicy mystery.

“I make my own phrases.” Jin backed up into a fence post.

“Oh my, how…” She poked his chest. “Boyish of you."

“You mean mannish.” Jin clamped a hand around her offending finger.

“I said what I meant.” Fleur stepped closer, seeking his eyes now that he couldn't run.

But that only made Jin more honest as his free hand slowly rose to her hip, holding her in place. “You’re cute when you want something.”

“I am not cute, you brute.” She flushed a bit at the contact but didn’t step away. “How are you not affected by my allure?”

Jin threw out his Hail Mary. “My skin is mana resistant.”

“What?” Fleur looked taken aback at the direct answer, letting Jin break away from the inquisitive bird as he gently reached up to her shoulder and pushed her back without her fighting him.

He motioned for the horses to follow him back into the stable so he could avoid her eyes. "For certain reasons, I have mana resistant skin. It's probably helping fight off your Allure."

He led the horses away, expecting her to buy his excuse, only for her to grab the edge of his tank top and stop him.

“That’s a lie.” She declared.

Jin looked over his shoulder at her. "I assure you my skin is mana resistant. I'm not considered fully human. It's not a secret; you can ask around."

"Not that.” Fleur shook her head. "It's interesting, but inherent mana resistance does not help against a Veela's Allure. Madame Maxime long since proved that to me." Fleur insisted, fire in her eyes. "Veela allure is mental and pheromone-based. Even a dragon can succumb to our Allure with enough control and power."

Jin kept his mouth shut, unsure of how to answer her.

"There are very few abilities capable of protecting from it.” Fleur went on. “And of those, you don't match many of them. Potions are temporary, enchanting items for defenses are scarce; Occlumency takes many years to train to an acceptable le-…" Her eyes shrank as she put the pieces together. "Unless you're a…"

“Hold up there.” Jin tugged out of her grip and got some space. “Let’s just take it easy now.”

“Jin, you’re…” Fleur almost finished, but he cut her off.

Jin held his hands up. “I assure you you’re just imagining whatever is-.”

“You’re gay!” Fleur finished.

"Crazy woman say what now?" Jin’s internal panic crashed.

“Of course, that makes so much sense.” Fleur pinched her chin as she got lost in thought. “It explains everything.”

“Now that’s just not right.” Jin tried to stop her.

“It would explain why my allure didn’t take hold earlier.”

“I’m not gay.” He tried to explain.

"But it took hold at first.” Fleur considered it. “Maybe you're bisexual?"

“I’m straight.” His brow started twitching.

"There's nothing to be ashamed of, Jin; it's perfectly normal." She stepped closer and patted his shoulder comfortingly.

“I’m straight.” His voice deepened into a growl.

"Is it the British culture?” Fleur asked in faux concern. “You can move to France; we are much more accepting of such things."

"Oh, for fuck’s sake, I'm not gay! I'm a natural Occ-." Jin choked on his words, freezing in place as Fleur's thoughtful look faded like snow in a flame, revealing a pure, smug smile.

“Oh~? Do go on.” Fleur encouraged.

“…amy. A natural Occamy.” Jin finished lamely.

Fleur raised a brow. “You are a shapeshifting feathered serpent who lays silver eggs?”

Jin held up an unconfident finger. “Maybe?”

"Change shape then." Fleur crossed her arms, grinning in a way a shark would fail to mimic. “I’ll wait.”

“…I hate you.” Jin blew out some smoke and turned around.

“I believe this is the start of a wonderful friendship.” Fleur skipped to his side and stared up at him like a smug bird.

He stared back silently for a moment. "I'm done with this conversation; go sparkle somewhere else."

Jin grabbed the horse's reins as he walked into the stables, quickly followed by Fleur's incessant curiosity.

“Sparkle?”

"Your Allure is very sparkly. Like a little girl with glitter."

“Excuse me?!” Fleur reared up as if struck. “I do not sparkle!”

Jin smirked evilly in revenge. “You could pass for a vampire with all those sparkles.”

“You take that back!”

“Sorry, I only speak Occamy.”

Fleur narrowed her eyes. “Boys, hold him in place.”

“You can’t turn my horses against me-." Jin had only a moment to blink before the horses boxed him in on both sides. "Et Tu, Brute?"

"They were mine long before they were yours." Fleur scoffed, smirking as she approached Jin from the front and stopped inches from his face. “Why didn’t you make a scene when we first met?”

“Why didn’t you?” Jin returned.

“Because it was my fault.” Fleur admitted. “I did not mean to blast my allure at you.”

“There is no fault for defending oneself.” Jin retorted.

Fleur frowned. “Others wouldn't see it that way."

Jin did his best to shrug. “It’s a good thing I’m me, then.”

Fleur studied his face for a long moment, searching for any signs of falsehood before a grin slowly spread across her cheeks.

She leaned back and stuck out a hand. "Friend?"

"Is this how you make friends?" Jin rolled his eyes but still reached forward to grasp the much smaller hand in his own.

"I wouldn't know. I don't have any friends outside of my conclave." Fleur admitted with an irked expression at the American-style handshake. "Not much of a gentleman, are you, Jin?"

“A thousand apologies, Ma’am. I’m a little preoccupied with the man-eating creatures surrounding me.” He sent her an obvious look that she was included in that description.

“Flattery will get you everywhere.” Fleur winked and took back her hand. “Your secret is safe with me, Jin.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, strange hot blond lady who controls horses.”

“You’re a real charmer, aren’t you?”

Jin smirked. “I try, Ms. Delacour.”

Fleur snorted in humor. “Call me Fleur.”

“Oh?” Jin raised a brow. “I thought I had to beat you in that race to earn that right.”

“Perhaps.” Fleur twirled around to hide her honest smile. “But I’m a generous soul.”

“Really? Could that generosity of yours tell these horses to back off?” Jin asked hopefully.

Fleur strolled toward the door. “I’ll think about it.”

“Can you think faster? I’m sweating with all this body heat.” Jin tried to struggle free, to no avail.

“That seems like a problem for someone who doesn’t sparkle.” Fleur smirked at him over her shoulder and waved as she walked out. “I’ll be back tomorrow. Have fun, boys~.”

"Fleur!" Jin called after her but could only watch her walk away, hips swaying as her tinkling laughter trailed behind.

“Oh, that bitch. My revenge will be legendary."

A neigh broke his laser-like focus on watching Fleur's ass sway to see the two heads of the Abraxan boxing him in, smirking at him.

"You two are getting grape juice for dinner."

Chapter End.

AN: Hope you enjoyed!

Jin’s mental realm is growing.

Abraxan are alcoholic frat boys mixed with refined gentlemen.

Jin is totally a natural Occamy.

And the Korean romance plot is underway!

See ya next time.

P.S. What title did you like best?