I had breakfast at my teachers' house and went to the inn. My group was having breakfast, but the group had lost another fighter: Ron had gotten a stomach ailment, and now he was hiding in an ambush, whining loudly for potions. Of course, he didn't get any potions until noon, but a Silenzio instead. Hadn't anyone ever taught him to think about what he was eating? His own enemy.
Neville and Harry at the table were blushing, but more or less starting to get over their embarrassment. Both of them were buzzing with anticipation, but they wouldn't be getting anything today: Potions were potions, but a few hours of 'practice' could sharpen a lot of people, so they had a break today.
Both of them were visibly skeptical of my words, which caused a burst of laughter from the Aurors, and Tonks' hair turned a pungent pink. We laughed and joked, and then I told them the new decision: they wouldn't stay in the room, but would go for a walk in the magical part of Paris. By themselves. The Aurors will walk at a distance to encourage independence, if I may say so.
There were no votes or anything. I just reminded the teenagers that there was a branch of the Goblin Bank here, and they could go and get some money for current expenses: for example, to buy souvenirs for friends and relatives, or gifts, or something they liked. When everyone was gone, and this time it wasn't Tonks, I went to the Delacour family. I'd gotten enough out of my time with Dunois that I didn't want to get into any more trouble personally.
When I'd gone to the Delacours, I'd honestly feared I'd find snakes lurking there as well. I also hoped for good things. They greeted me as well, but I breathed a sigh of relief: the emotions were real, not hidden.
That's a good sign. And the deafening explosion of bright joy for my heightened perception almost became a full-blown sensory shock that nearly knocked me off my feet, but it didn't end there — Gabby swooped down on the stunned me, knocking me off my feet, laughing.
Fleur was hit with a strong, indefinable cocktail of emotions, but I was concentrating on suppressing my senses, so I wasn't stunned this time. Pierre and Appolyn's emotions, on the other hand, were dominated by amusement and a kind of anticipation. I didn't feel any bitterness from either of them.
Dinner passed in a warm atmosphere, and no matter how much I listened, I could not detect any sign of anything untoward. When tea was served, I decided to begin the conversation, not with the main topic, but with what I had recently learned.
— Pierre, Appolin, I am somewhat embarrassed to ask you this... ..... — I started, slowly choosing my words, so I was interrupted.
— Don't be shy, Sora, — the woman smiled broadly, her bright blue eyes sparkling. — Ask away!
— Thank you. — I nodded and smiled gratefully and embarrassed, although inside I was collected and tense: high concentration and constant contact with the spiritual world required a lot of energy, but I have to understand the Delacour family's attitude towards me, their honesty, a lot. — In fact, just the other day a strange rumor reached me, — a slight pause. — Dunois and Ternier are preparing some kind of news for the public, and for some reason there are hints in my direction. — I arch my eyebrows slightly, a frown of thoughtfulness.
— I have certain suspicions, but I have nothing to confirm them, perhaps you know something more? — I was also watching the girls and noticed that Gabrielle and Fleur were frowning and giving their parents tense looks.
— It's simple. For those who know. — Appolyn grinned, changing the shades of her smile and her gaze. — You, Sora, working with Dunois, living in their house, and flaunting an extremely close relationship can be viewed from many different angles. However, only one of them is easier and more understandable for the public: the patronage of a local aristocratic family that introduces their man to high society. Simple friendship would be the last thing they would think of. — The woman grinned a little more cheerfully, and a strange new expression appeared in her eyes.
— And there are still many rumors that the matriarch of the Dunois family has decided to diversify her family life, so she is bringing in a "young, exotic talent". — For a few seconds, the woman's words reached her daughters, and then both of them blushed, while I swallowed the curse word, forced to keep my concentration.
— Well, let it all be earlier, but I left France and do not intend to live here — I said so at the press conference, so where are the rumors?
— A lot of people are suggesting that your presence in Britain is some kind of Dunois game. — Pierre joined the conversation. — As for the rumors about the contract between Dunois and Ternier, their origin is the engagement contract between the heir of the Ternier family and the youngest daughter of the Dunois family, Milena. — I frowned, trying to absorb the situation while watching the background for lies. — In spite of the ten years difference, Claude Ternier and Milena Dunois are perfect for each other (there are such procedures in France).
— What does this have to do with me? — Both spouses smiled at my words, but Appolin replied with a leering glance at her daughters.
— During your stay in France, many people noticed you, and some even tested you, proving your immunity to the natural charms of the Veils, and many girls were interested in you, — the woman smiled even wider, casting a mocking glance at her red daughters. — But you escaped to the islands in time.
— Anyway, — Pierre continued. — Given your collaboration and intimacy with the Dunois, and the widespread perception of your subordination to them, it is a logical conclusion: you will return to live in France, so you must have a French wife. And since this is the case, and since Ternier has a rather strong unmarried Veila, then, according to the logic and dictates of the Dunois, you will once again cement the union of the two families in the familiar way. The benefits to the clans are many, literally on all sides. — The man grinned, sipping his tea, and his wife continued.
— Rumors, carefully fueled by various caveats, suggest that news of your engagement to Lilianna Ternier will break within a week or two.
— That's clever. — I grin, recognizing the clever intrigue.
While Gabrielle and Fleur chuckled at their parents' blatant amusement at their daughters' reactions, I thanked my luck. No, I wasn't afraid of being enchanted or drugged with potions — I'd taken serious precautions on that front. Muggles aren't the only ones who get piercings, you know, only the gifted wear protective amulets and artifacts.
I have a disposable, but extremely powerful, artifact of analysis in my tongue-protection against all substances listed in the 'Danger Register'. I had to spend one of my alexandrites, which I don't have as much of as I'd like, but it's better not to save money on myself.
Besides this artifact, I have other potion and poison analyzers (even "neutral" compounds — parts of complex potions), but the tongue artifact destroys any harmful potion that gets into my mouth (in case I'm forced to take something by force, or under something like Imperius...). Also, Lizzie was happy when she discovered the "update".
All in all, I'm not afraid of any of this, but rather reasonably cautious. I thanked my luck, however, that I was quite capable of falling into the sticky web of Dunois' trap. I have no idea of the level of Lucy and Ludovic's scheming abilities, so it's hard for me to speculate on what they might be up to.
It is quite possible that they are counting on my rash revenge, as a result of which I would get into trouble, I would be tenderly and gently rescued, of course, at the very last moment, forced to recognize some exorbitant debt, and then — everything is quite simple, even for me.
That doesn't mean I wouldn't do something on my own, and I'm pretty sure I would spill blood. Someone else's. Obediently become a servant or a slave? I'd rather bleed people than get down on my knees! But one thing is not clear to me.