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Rise from the Ashes, Chapter 11
🕑 Added 2024-02-16 20:34:19 +0000 UTCPlanet Magix, Alfea.
As usual a sunny and cheerful day awaited Alfea and it's occupants, as few as those inside were at the moment. The warm and gentle rays of the sun entered through the window, slowly trickling through.
Bloom stirred awake slowly, always the one that slept the longest out of all the Winx. Something she by now attributed to possessing the Dragon's Flame and dragons being known for sleeping long periods of time. Though, today she did not try to futilely hide from the sun under her blankets. Rather, she stretched a little and swiftly jumped out of bed, ignoring the clutter surrounding it while humming a happy tune with a big smile on her face. All the while noticing that Flora was already gone from her bed. The magical plants around Flora's bed silent and unresponsive, a sure sign they had been fed.
Next she inspected herself in the mirror, lifting her pyjamas consisting of a simple long blue sweater, noting with a fond smile all the marks Harry left on her body. Her nipples were still a little tender, her pussy still stimulated, and there was a mark or two on each of her breasts where Harry had kissed and sucked roughly. Similar ones were spread around the rest of her body. Then there were the bright purple love bites on her neck left by his kisses.
After futilely trying to find clothes that could conceal the evidence of last night, she put on some panties and decided to hide the marks with a simple illusion. Unwilling to erase them entirely or give up the comfort of her pyjamas so early. Bloom then made her way to the common room of the dorm. Only Musa was present there, sitting at the table near the balcony while eating her breakfast. Her friend was also still wearing her pyjamas. A red Kimono shirt and a pair of matching pants with yellow trimming and yellow criss cross ribbons on the side of the sleeves and pants.
“Good morning, Bloom.” the Fairy of Music greeted her friend, munching on her food that consisted of steamed buns stuffed with meat and some soup.
“Morning, Musa!” Bloom replied enthusiastically, her smile never wavering. She sat down, not even wincing as her body reminded her of yesterday's activity. Shortly after she selected her own food from a nearby menu, causing a tower of pancakes drowned in syrup to appear. Normally they would have to go to the school hall for breakfast, but during the holidays this special service from the kitchens was in use. Mostly for teachers, but they got permission from Faragonda to also use it. Sometimes rescuing the world brought perks with it.
“Where are the others?” the redhead asked before digging in, looking around the unusually empty room.
“Tecna went to the hardware store to get something I can't pronounce.” Musa answered after swallowing a bite of dumpling. “While Stella dragged Flora and Aisha on another shopping trip.” the Fairy of Music rolled her eyes at that, casing Bloom's smile to grow. “I declined to be exposed to that particular torture.”
Bloom chuckled at that, knowing how obsessed Stella could be with clothes and fashion. Something that was only amplified with her Princess Ball looming ever closer. For a few minutes only the clinking of cutlery on crockery could be heard as the two ate their fill. Musa finished earlier and took the time to stare at Bloom, something the Fairy of the Dragon's Flame noticed after a while. “What, is something on my face?” she asked, touching her face to inspect herself for any wayward food.
Musa shook her head, her open hair swishing around with the motion. “No, you just seem in a better mood today. At least not as worse as the last few days. Not that such is a difficult accomplishment.” Musa pointed out shrewdly, a knowing glint in her eye and a grin on her face. “You're cold is gone too, huh?”
“Well, my magic always helped me recover faster.” Blushing bright red Bloom said slowly. “Also, I know that I've been a right bitch the last few days and I'm sorry, but that's over now.” at least the perpetual anger simmering just under the surface was nowhere near as prevalent since she gave Harry the last piece of his powers and vice versa. An echo of rage was still there, but it grew steadily weaker.
An impish smile graced Musa's face. “Anything you'd like to share with me on how that change occurred, or who helped you?” a knowing glint in her dark blue eyes as she leaned forward.
Bloom's blush increased in intensity as she sputtered defensively. “What makes you think I had help?” her womb throbbed in remembrance, still feeling warm and full. A good amount of semen persistently leaked from it, letting Bloom feel it stain her new panties. She really should've showered before breakfast, but a part of her revelled in the feeling.
“Oh, nothing.” Musa leaned her head on her hand with her elbow on the table, giving Bloom a look that said she should spill it out. “Only that I'm the Fairy of Music and weak noise-cancelling spells or enchantments don't work well on me.” at first she had bought Bloom's excuses, but then had heard the sounds of sex shortly before leaving by concentrating hard enough. Though Musa wouldn't tell Bloom she stood outside the Infirmary for a while, listening to Bloom's cries of ecstasy reach their crescendo.
Thankfully Flora was rather trusting, leaving Musa alone after she made some excuse. Not thinking her friends capable of lying to her. Or just too polite to mention it.
“Oh god! So you heard...” Bloom couldn't choke the words out, hiding her face in her hands. So embarrassed she could not even look at her friend.
“The music you were making with whomever you chose? Yes, I did hear that.” came the rhetoric answer, a chuckle accompanying it. “Don't worry, I didn't tell anyone else and don't plan to do so.” Musa reassured Bloom upon seeing her reaction. “More importantly, do you want to talk about it?”
Knowing that she could trust Musa with her secrets and her fellow fairy wouldn't judge her, Bloom told her what led up to it and what exactly happened between her and Harry. Even going so far as to show her friend the love bites and Harry's Mark now sitting on her body. Bloom left out everything pertaining the Trix and Faragonda's talk with them about the imbalance in the Magical Galaxy, thinking it best to keep those secret for now.
“Sounds intense!” Musa whistled appreciatively at Bloom's description, causing Bloom to look down and nod with a blush. “Though, I didn't know you broke up with Sky. Not that I blame you.”
The mention of her boyfriend brought Bloom's world to a crashing halt. “Sky!” the redhead jerked to look up and groaned in despair. “Fuck, what did I do?!” only now realizing just what exactly she did yesterday. Even showing no shame in her action by not removing the evidence on her body. 'I forgot my boyfriend. I'm such a slut!' she thought distraught, nervously alternating between fiddling with the hem of her jumper and biting her thumb.
Musa let her friend ramble on a little more before interrupting. “So you didn't break up with him? Curious, it's not like you an Sky had any future.” having thought her friend finally saw that and acted accordingly. Losing her virginity was a big deal for a princess and one that didn't have it was seen as soiled goods and lost a good bit of her worth in marriage. Though, Bloom was in quite an ambiguous spot, considering Domino was a dead planet and Bloom a princess in name only.
Those words took Bloom completely off guard. Not having anticipated her friend to have that opinion of her relationship with Sky. “What?!” complete confusion in her voice and eyes, both on the edge of becoming waterworks.
“I'm gonna be honest here, alright?” upon Bloom's reluctant nod, Musa took a deep breath and began to explain. “First of, Sky lied to you from the very beginning, claiming to be a squire while being the crown prince of Eraklyon. If that wasn't enough he also had a betrothed back home in form of Diaspro.” words she wanted to say for so long finally were released. “That means he lied not only to you, but also to Diaspro. After it all came out did he tell you the betrothal is annulled?”
“We didn't talk about it further after getting back together.” Bloom admitted meekly, but came back a little stronger with. “But King Erendor praised me for acting worthy of a princess when we were on Eraklyon last semester. Also Sky said he planned to set Diaspro aside, so I assume the betrothal is annulled now.”
Musa just so resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Girl, just because King Erendor praised you doesn't mean anything. He simply acted graciously, like any king should to people that did him a service.” she then pointed out something else. “But even if Diaspro is no longer Sky's fiancée, which I doubt because Sky has no say in it, you most likely won't be taking her place.”
“But, why?!” Bloom barely brought out, yet no tears escaped her eyes and no overwhelming sadness claimed her heart. Though, still hurt by her friends blunt words.
This time Musa gave Bloom a sympathetic look, leaning forward to pat her hand in consolation. “Don't take this personally, but do you remember last year when Sky stormed out of his father's throne room, after Erendor basically ordered us to rescue Diaspro?” upon Bloom's hesitant nod, Musa ploughed ahead. “You went after Sky immediately and like the others didn't hear what King Erendor and Queen Samara murmured next, but I did.” her enhanced hearing really did come in handy from time to time. “They basically said you were a poor match for Sky, hoping him rescuing Diaspro would cause some romance between the two. In essence he is a prince and his future wife will be decided by his parents; not himself.”
Bloom rocketed back as if struck, having thought Sky's parents liked her. 'Did they say that because I don't have any resources like other princesses or noble ladies?' she thought dejected. Musa's words were like a wake-up call, letting her examine her relationship with Sky more closely. “Do you think that's why he took so long to advance our relationship from simple friendship, because he is still betrothed to Diaspro?” the question directed at no one in particular. She originally had thought he just wanted to take it slow, but she didn't expect the snail's pace he set. Nearly taking two years to finally kiss her. Always dancing around the elephant in the room, but still getting jealous when she got on well with other men.
“Could be, but it's not just your love life that stinks, or will stink.” Musa commented with a shrug. “Stella, Tecna and even Aisha will most likely be betrothed in the near future. Usually it is done after the princess turns nineteen and graduates Alfea.” because that was the time when a fairy became fertile. “A Princess Ball is held in celebration where suitors can present themselves or betrothals are announced if previously established.” some may say Musa was jaded through her rocky relationship with Riven, but the fairy liked to think of herself as a realist. The only one of the Winx Musa thought to have a relationship with a future was Flora.
“A Princess Ball, like Stella's? So Stella knows she can't marry Brandon?” if Bloom herself as royalty, of a dead planet but still, wasn't seen as a suitable match for a prince then a squire wasn't proper for a princess by any stretch of the imagination.
Musa leaned back and shrugged again. “I'm not sure, but from what I heard in the past her father spoils Stella more than a bit. It could be that she knows her duties but somehow thinks the usual traditions don't apply to her.”
Bloom nodded in agreement with a frown, her food forgotten. Stella didn't strike her as someone raised to lead a kingdom. She was a good and loyal friend, though not someone Bloom saw as a dignified queen. “Should we ask her about it?”
“It's considered rude to interfere in such matters uninvited.” Musa pointed out, shaking her head in the negative. Which was also why she didn't bring all of this up earlier. It being private matters she had no say in. “Besides, we don't know if Radius, Stella's father, follows the traditions or if he ignores them in favour of Stella.” it could go either way, really. Even if Radius would piss of a majority of Solaria's nobles should he do so.
“How do you know so much about that stuff?” Musa wasn't a princess, causing Bloom to wonder how she knew these things.
Musa shrugged nonchalantly. “I'm friends with princess Galatea from Melody. My father and mother had been famous musicians and played regularly at court, which is where I befriended Galatea.” that was before the death of her mother and her father descending from popularity into depths of despair, claiming music being the source of Melody's ills.
“But you think I should break up with Sky?” Bloom questioned further after a few moments, not knowing how to feel about that. A confusing mix of emotions swirling in her gut. She had thought she found her Prince Charming in Sky. Someone with whom she'd live happily ever after. 'Only that's not true. Our relationship is far from perfect.' she admitted in her mind. Otherwise Bloom would've never done what she did with Harry, probably.
“No.” Musa sighed, slowly driving a hand through her hair out of habit. “You should talk to Sky, admit to him what you did and see where you go from there, or if you have any future together at all. Take it from someone that's been through a few tumultuous relationships; honesty and trust are the most vital things in relationships.” she hadn't been blameless in the disaster that was her relationship with Riven, after all.
After that they didn't say much. Instead finishing their food with what little appetite was left.
Not liking seeing her friend so dejected after her morning started so well, Musa decided to change the subject. “Did you try to transform to check if something changed?” maybe she really did gain Enchantix. Improbable, but not impossible.
Bloom noticeably perked up at that, her thoughts going away from her problems for now. “No, I didn't have the time to do so.” standing up Bloom squared her shoulders. “But now that you mention it, I really should check.” embracing the offered distraction.
In a flash flames raced all over her body, beginning at her feet and going upwards, encasing her in their warm embrace as Bloom transformed to her highest available form.
As soon as it began it was over, revealing Bloom in her usual Fairy Form, wearing a cropped halter-turtleneck crop top decorated with a diamond-shaped ruby at the centre of her chest, as well as a matching miniskirt and high-heeled ankle boots. Rounding it off wereglove-like, detached sleeves on her forearms going from elbow to wrist with a point down the back of each palm. Bloom's outfit still sparkled, but instead of a vibrant and bright sky blue it became a black similar to soot in colour. Her translucent wings now had heart-topped split inner layers with ruby tips.
Her Charmix had changed appearance and location, too. No longer a silver heart-shaped brooch sitting on her chest. Instead a choker made from Obsidian in likeness of the serpentine Great Dragon with intricately carved scales curled itself around her throat, biting it's own tail. Red veins of ruby flowed through it, glowing softly, and resembling heated coals.
“Huh, you look a lot like when you were controlled by Darkar.” Musa approached Bloom and commented with a mischievous smirk, noting her changed Charmix and tracing it with a finger. “Did you call Harry master, too? You should make sure to not spend too much time on your knees, though.”
Blushing to the roots her hair, Bloom jumped back, hovering in the air as she sputtered. “N..No, shut up!” something that only brought a musical laugh out of the blue-haired fairy. With a huff Bloom landed and transformed back, only that she still felt the firm and pleasant grip around her throat. “Why isn't my Charmix gone?” normally the Charmix went away at the same time she transformed back to normal. Bloom didn't even ask why it changed appearance, the cause for it quite obviously being what Harry did to her.
Musa tapped her chin, musing. “Well, as you know our Charmix isn't so much a transformation as an enhancement of a fairy's spells and capabilities in general, but it also consumes more magic as a result.” the Fairy of Music explained, circling Bloom clad in her pyjamas to inspect her from head to toe. “Normally it vanishes once your reserves are depleted, which would be accelerated by the Charmix itself eating through your reserves. However, as you said, you have an external source to draw from now.” Musa poked just under Bloom's navel where Harry's Mark sat. “Some fairies train for decades to achieve being able to sustain Charmix for long periods of time, even outside their Fairy Form. Only a few were able to hold it indefinitely and even rarer are those who can use Charmix while in their Enchantix Form.” with a thoughtful look Musa added. “It's incredible actually!”
“Oh.” was all Bloom could say. Happy that Harry kept his word to her in making her stronger. Even if it was not how exactly she imagined it.
Further talk was prevented by a ghostly Phoenix that flew straight through the open window, beating it's translucent wings of ethereal mist to hover in place. It practically radiated happiness, filling the room with a sense of hope and protection the fairies immediately took note of. Most importantly however, it was speaking with Harry's voice. “Bloom, do you have time to help me with something? If so, please summon me. I'll wait for ten minutes before considering the answer to be negative.”
“Wow, he's already asking for a repeat.” Musa joked between laughs. The fortunate turn of events too good an opportunity to pass up to not nettle Bloom some more. “You hooked him good!”
Bloom just glared while magically throwing a syrup-drenched pancake at Musa, hitting her in the face and silencing her. Done before crossing her arms in a huff and cracking a smile herself at how ridiculous Musa looked.
Magix, Citadel of Night.
The rustling of pages being turned and the scratching of a quill on parchment were the only sounds present in the library. Occasionally accompanied by crackle from the hearth or a groan of dismay from the room's single occupant.
With a sigh of disappointment Harry closed the latest heavy tome, making the table shudder with it's weight. “Nothing, again.” he muttered, leaning back into the comfortable couch. Books stacked high all around Harry, who was trying to find a cure for his predicament. Plenty of books pertaining the Dark Arts were present and even some with information on the Water Stars, but not much about what he was looking for. Something that would give him a solution to his problem and not just alleviate the symptoms.
“Hopefully Alfea has some information that can help me.” Harry muttered, hoping Bloom could get him access to what he needed, having sent a Patronus to inquire about that. Though, he didn't hold out much hope as to that, considering Faragonda most likely would've told him if she knew of a way.
Just as he was about to assume Bloom denied his request he felt his connection to her flare up, signalling him a mental image where exactly Bloom was in Alfea. Picturing that in his minds eye Harry apparated there, able to ignore the wards with his power as black flames enveloped him. A moment later he was gone without a trace.
Magix, Alfea.
A flare of black flames suddenly appeared, causing Musa and Bloom to jump reflexively at the abruptness of it all. When the fire vanished Harry stood in it's place with the ground fortunately unblemished.
The Fairy of the Dragon's Flame took in his tall powerful and lean frame which sported simple jeans, brown boots and a white shirt with a ruffled neck. His hair was still messy, but no less attractive than yesterday, just inviting her to play with it, to make it even more dishevelled. Emerald eyes so expressive, so easy to read peered at them, telling Bloom he was strong and kind. She saw him open his mouth, a smile forming on his lips as he looked at her. Her heart raced, and her lips tingled in anticipation. He could kiss her right now and she would be completely fine with it. Already forgetting about anything else again.
Standing in the common room of the homely dorm belonging to the Winx, Harry greeted the two fairies with a smile. “Good morning, Bloom, Musa!” giving each of them a nod in greeting.
“Nice to finally meet you, Harry! I've heard much about you.” Musa grinned enthusiastically. She only met him in the pizzeria and the White Horse, but never introduced herself to him, which was all the more confirmation for her that Harry had been the one ploughing Bloom in the infirmary. Though, she didn't call him out on it.
“Only good things, I hope?” he smiled back with a chuckle.
With a twinkle in her deep blue eyes and a smirk directed at Bloom Musa assured him. “Oh, only the best!”
Before Musa could talk more bloom took over the conversation, subtly trying to reprimand Musa with a short glare. All done before her demeanour completely changed to demure and shy. “What can I help you with, Harry?”
“Well, you remember my problem you helped me with yesterday?” he asked rhetorically, knowing she was perfectly aware of it. “I wanted to ask for your assistance once more.” he looked from Bloom to Musa thoughtfully. “Your friend can help, too, if she has the time. We probably will need some helping hands.”
Musa goggled at him while Bloom sputtered. “Helping hands?!” she choked out. 'Am I not enough?' Bloom thought dejected, only to remember that he would've been able to go on yesterday, while she had been unable to.
Harry nodded easily with a shrug. “Yeah, why not?” his emerald eyes earnest, holding no deception.
“Because that's asking an awful lot!” Musa squeaked out wide-eyed, the fairy unable to suppress a blush. Sure, she did have sex with Riven a few times, but this was quite sudden. Not to mention that she was in a relationship with Riven still and didn't want to cheat. No matter how rocky the relationship or how much she thought about breaking up. As long as she hadn't broken up that was out of the question for her.
With a growing frown Harry replied. “What's so difficult for you to show me the library and maybe help look for some books?” confusion and a little bewilderment clear to see on his face. Only to remember he never really specified his request.
“You want access to Alfea's library?” Bloom felt relief and disappointment at the same time for different reasons. 'Get a grip!' she chastised herself internally. 'Just because he's not here to fuck your brains out shouldn't make you sad!” her lower region made its opinion clear, the result of which caused Bloom to rub her thighs together. A vivid image of her bent over the table with Harry thrusting into her flashed through her mind. It'd be easy, she only had to push her panties aside and it'd be done. She briefly shook her head to clear it and focus.
“Yes, I'd really appreciate it.” Harry confirmed with a nod and crooked smile.
Musa cleared her throat, half-convinced Harry just played a prank on them. “Well, then let us show you.” a look down at her state of dress caused her to add. “After dressing in something more appropriate, that is.”
With that cleared away, Musa and Bloom went to their rooms, the latter practically sprinting away while yelling back to him. “You can call you some breakfast, if you want. Just select something from the menu and it'll appear from the kitchens!”
Blinking at their surprisingly swiftly retreating forms, Harry sat down and gave the menu a look, looking for something to catch his interest.
Surprisingly Bloom and Musa took their sweet time to get dressed, leaving Harry ample time to eat his fill of a full breakfast. He didn't know how long it took, but it was just about when he finished his meal. The sound of footsteps alerting him to their arrival, causing him to take them in.
Bloom wore a pink ruffle sleeve top with white, soft pink, and blue polka-dots, yellow trim, and a blue heart emblem with a blue puffy skirt and a gold belt. Her shoes were heels with a yellow toe ribbon and a blue ankle cover. On her wrists were pink bangle bracelets.
Musa's long hair was in a side fringe. She wore a bright red shirt with short puffy sleeves topping a dark red long-sleeved top. She also sported a purple pleated mini skirt and a dark belt with several golden hoops, white knee-high socks, and red heels.
“You both look enchanting.” Harry complimented, the words flowing easily from his mouth as his emerald eyes beheld their elegance. It seemed many women in the Magical Galaxy had beautifully proportioned bodies. “Are fairies usually dressed so fashionably?” he asked curiously, leaning back in the chair. He'd never seen them in anything less than immaculate and fitting outfits.
Harry's words caused both to smile at him. Musa especially with how little emotionally available Riven was at the best of times. “Most of the time.” the Fairy of Music confirmed with a grin, leaning forward with her arms behind her back, causing her breasts to stand out. “Let's go then.” she enthused, grabbing Harry's right arm to lead him to the library, letting him smell the fruity fragrance of her shampoo.
Bloom glared at Musa as she walked beside Harry, tempted to take his other arm but refraining, never noticing Musa's minuscule smirk. The blue-haired fairy had no intention of snagging Harry herself, but wanted to see Bloom's reaction.
Meanwhile Harry looked around attentively, having more time than yesterday to take Alfea in completely. “What kind of magic do you learn in Alfea, if you don't mind me asking?” he inquired as they walked through the grand hallways of the school outfitted with tapestries and exquisite crimson carpets. Opulent and intricate chandeliers hung from the ceiling in intervals. Many huge windows let it all feel airy and free, and a look outside showed Harry the castle's pink walls and blue roofs built around a courtyard with a well and stone benches.
“Well, we learn Magical Defence from Professor Palladium, while Professor Wizigz teaches Metamorphosis...” Bloom rattled off quickly, giving Musa no chance to answer, counting all the different mandatory courses they had to take and the people teaching them. Followed by various optional courses. It was largely different names for the same subjects Harry learned at Hogwarts. “Lastly, Professor DuFour teaches the subjects of Etiquette, Dancing and Spell Creation.”
“No wonder you're so graceful.” Harry commented absent-mindedly but earnestly, having not seen a single clunky fairy, and not noticing their reaction to his words. He took it all in, enjoying the tour Bloom and Musa gave him, escorting him through the first floor and its locations, ranging from the dormitories to the Simulation Chamber remarkably similar to the Room of Requirement. Harry even saw what appeared to be an ogre cleaning the hallways, whom Musa told him was the janitor called Knut.
They just exited the school amphitheatre, leaving only one last destination; the library.
After Musa pulled open the wooden doors with oversized handles, that were smooth and worn down to a light brown finish by countless people touching them, the smell of parchment greeted the trio with its smoky and earthy scent. Shelves stuck full of books, scrolls and more reached as high as the ceiling. Massive tomes, worn-out hardcovers, crinkly scrolls of parchment with yellowed pages and pencil lines, and books with cracked bindings and broken spines covered every corner of the place.
A few clouds of dust splashed into shimmering orange sunbeams, whirled up by their every step on the green carpeted floor. One could feel the comforting calm of a library settle over them like a blanket as silence filled their ears and the trio made their way further inside, shuffling past the overly-lacquered counter at the front.
“Shouldn't we wait for the librarian to ask on where to look?” Harry questioned, looking around the empty library in search for said librarian. Though, his experience with that particular breed of human wasn't exactly positive.
The blue-haired fairy shook her head. “Barbatea is on vacation, but we don't need her.” she told him proudly, humbly bragging. “I help out from time to time and even got access to the library any time I want!” to prove her point Musa showed them a old-looking keyring full of keys, causing them to jingle.
“When did that happen?” Bloom asked surprised, glancing at the keys impishly dangling in Musa's hands.
“In the middle of our second year,” Musa shrugged and pointed out. “I do spend a good amount of time in the library, too.”
Bloom just nodded with a frown. “Yeah, true.” Musa and Flora were the most diligent and accomplished of the Winx in their studies. One would expect it to be Tecna, but she was more specialised in the few subjects she was interested in.
“Here's the research lectern.” Musa presented grandly after a few moments of silence, pointing towards the object in question. It was completely made out of a single piece of polished wood, its slanted top carved in the shape of a butterfly. “You just need to tell it a topic you're searching for and it will summon the books in question.” the Fairy of Music explained before cautioning. “However, you should not make it too general a request or you'll be buried in books.”
“What're you looking for exactly, Harry?” Bloom asked, having more than an inkling as to what he wanted to research. Though, her mind also supplied subjects of a more intimate nature. Sadly Alfea didn't have an erotica section.
The last Potter pondered that for a while before answering. “I guess something that can absorb and hold vast amounts of magical energy. Or being able to let a person safely hold vast quantities in some way.”
“Well, while you use the lectern, Musa and I can look for other possible avenues.” Bloom told him, already dragging Musa behind her to some shelves further down and out of sight from Harry. “What was that?!” she hissed, once they were out of earshot of Harry. Eyes narrowed and a hand on her hip.
Putting a few stray locks behind her ear and righting herself, Musa raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?” a small grin on her face that said she knew exactly what Bloom was talking about.
“All of this!” Bloom exclaimed, pointing at Musa's whole outfit. “Since when do you dress like that anyway?” normally she wore clothes more fitting for boys, due to Musa being a tomboy. Not liking to go shopping all that much either. Sure, she wore dresses from time to time, but that was only at certain functions, like balls.
Musa huffed, crossing her arms and leaned against a shelf, still grinning at Bloom. “So, I'm not allowed to wear womanly clothing now?” when Bloom's mouth opened and closed a few times with no retort coming, Musa laughed. “I think you already decided what future your relationship with Sky will have.”
Realising that her friend had played her, Bloom punched Musa lightly on the shoulder. “You bitch!” she cried out embarrassed without heat in her words, causing Musa's smug smile to evolve into a laugh. Bloom also realised her friend was right, She didn't feel upset about possibly ending things with Sky. Simply mourning what it could've been, her marrying a prince; a literal fairytale becoming reality. Only that she wasn't raised as a princess and probably did not know what to do if she had a realm to rule. Under all of that there was relief too.
“Harry must be something special for you to react like that.” Musa told her friend, her voice warm but also slightly coloured by envy.
Bloom sighed. “Yeah.” which came out more dreamily than she intended. “With Sky it was like pulling teeth, every step towards a romantic relationship felt like slugging through a swamp.” Bloom frowned in remembrance from a particular memory, not even noticing that she already saw her relationship with Sky as being in the past. “I mean, if it took me being controlled by an evil entity to confess his love for me, what else must happen for him to take the next step?” it seemed like Sky did not value or appreciate her. How could she even trust his word in such a stressful circumstance, with her snapping out of it having been the only thing able to prevent disaster? Especially with Sky lying about huge things, like his name and status, before.
“So it's perfectly logical wanting to enter into a romantic relationship with said evil entity?” Musa teased. She personally couldn't see Darkar in Harry, but still had her doubts about Bloom's feelings for him. “I mean you don't even really know him.”
Bloom crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow in challenge. “Harry just has the same powers, but isn't Darkar.” she told the Fairy of Music redundantly, already knowing Musa was most likely aware of that. “Harry told me the same, you know, about not knowing him. Yet with him it's like we just click together. He understood me more from what he heard about me and knowing me for a day than Sky did in two years. I admit that what I feelarrived swiftly, being like the clap of thunder or an erupting volcano; so sudden and overwhelming it seemingly induced temporary madness.” Bloom didn't notice the smile creeping onto her face. “Yet, I've never been embraced in such a way that parting from one another seemed inconceivable. There just was something warm, something that felt right, smelled right. My body sagged and my muscles became loose as the world around us melted away. Harry gave me the respect of an equal but cradled me like something cherished and invaluable.” her smile now fond, her eyes holding a longing in them. “In that embrace I felt my worries lose their sting and my optimism raise its head from the dirt.”
Musa's blue eyes held a longing in them for that same thing Bloom had experienced, knowing Riven couldn't give it to her, and she couldn't give it to him either. No matter how much she might want to. “How do you know you love him?” that was always something she wondered. How to know you love someone. Both her and Riven having their own issues with these things causing all that tension. Unlike Brandon and Stella or Flora with Helia.
Having no mother to talk about that made it harder still. She had friends, but wasn't keen on talking openly about her relationship like Stella did.
“I don't know.” Bloom answered honestly. “It just feels right and I can see in his eyes the feelings of my heart. We became one....” not just in the physical sense, but also magically and more, achieved through that intrinsic understanding of the other. “If that isn't magic then I don't know what is.” in her mind love had nothing to do with what you were expecting to get, only what you're willing to give; which was everything. That's why Sky's constant reluctance to commit bothered her so much, making their relationship seem like playing pretend. Sky could hold back romantically, but she was not supposed to be interested in other men. All while he was cautious despite her clear interest. A caution that now proved fatal.
A moment of silence reigned after Bloom's passionate words, lasting seemingly longer than it really did.
“We should head back to Harry, lest he gets buried in books.” Musa finished lamely, trying to not be reminded about her failure of a love life.
The Fairy of the Dragon's Flame stopped her friend trying to push past her. “What's wrong, Musa?” Bloom asked, gripping her friend's shoulder and looking her in the eyes. “You listened to my problems, so the least I can do is the same for you!” she insisted, her words causing Musa to briefly look away.
With a sigh Musa gave in, aware that Bloom knew her too much to be deceived by weak attempts at deflection. “It's just that I feel like a hypocrite right now, giving you advice for relationships about trust while mine is a wreck.” she mumbled, smiling weakly in a self-mocking way. Their talk having shown her some things she'd rather avoid. “Can't even follow my own advice.”
Bloom shook her head, gripping her friend's shoulders tightly. “That's not true! Your own Charmix is proof of that.” The redhead rightly pointed out. After all, to earn her Charmix Musa had had to overcome her own insecurity by trusting Riven together with his ex-girlfriend, who happened to be Darcy. “If you still think your relationship with Riven isn't good then it has to be something else.”
The Fairy of Music's shoulders slumped in defeat as she fidgeted a little, twiddling her fingers together. Something the usually confident young woman didn't do often. “I guess Riven and I simply are not compatible. After earning my Charmix it just seemed like it was meant to be; a portent of a possible future.” she smiled weakly at the redhead. “Now I think I gained it because I let go of him in that moment.” it was confusing to her, but it she didn't want to be in a relationship constantly threatening to fall apart.
Bloom didn't comment on that, more focussed on soothing her friend's worries. “Seems we both have a similar problem then.” she hugged Musa for a while in consolation before saying. “How about we help Harry to distract us a little bit?” Bloom wiggled her eyebrows a little, causing Musa to giggle a little in what appeared to be resigned happiness.
“Sure.” Musa agreed easily, a smile gracing her features. Glad to have such a good friend.
From then on the day went by swiftly. All three searching extensively for a solution to Harry's problem. Even going so far as to go into the restricted section of the library located behind the Golden Gate. They did find a few books that could be helpful, but Harry wasn't satisfied yet. So, Bloom and Musa proposed a visit to the Alfea Archive, a hidden vault holding things the library couldn't be trusted with. It was a circular room with an impossibly high ceiling and multiple levels where every inch of wall held books of all kinds.
“Welcome, Bloom, Musa!” a small creature resembling a fairy greeted them while hovering before them, but she was no larger than ten centimetres tall. Its head much larger in comparison to their baby-like body. She waslight-skinned with big blue eyes hidden by small glasses. Her hair was a sandy blonde colour and worn curled up on the sides of her head, resembling cinnamon buns. Her clothes consisting of a robe and a pointed hat were held in a blue theme. “What can I do for you, and who is your friend?”
“This is Harry Potter, Concorda.” Bloom replied, introducing him to the guardian of the Alfea Archive. “We just wanted to ask you for permission to access the Alfea Archive.”
“It's a pleasure to meet you.” Harry greeted the small being, bowing a little in greeting.
The now named Concorda smiled as she fluttered around them swiftly, leaving a trail of glitter behind her. “Of course, of course! It's the least I can do after all the Winx did for me.” she gestured all around the room. “Please help yourself, but be mindful of dangerous books.”
From then on their search began anew, slowly rifling through all the books packed full of curses, ranging from a simple inconvenience to melting your brains.
'What's this?' Bloom wondered, hovering far above ground with Harry and Musa below her. Summoning it she promptly began to inspect the peculiar book. It had a burgundy cover with intricate designs of beaten silver on the borders encasing a crescent moon of gold in the middle of the cover. She tried to open the beautiful work of art, to became lost in the pages, but it refused to budge an inch. Absent-mindedly floating down Bloom took a seat on the floor, unsuccessfully trying to pry it open with spell or hand.
“Sirenix?” Bloom murmured, reading what was written on the back, which was not much. Yet it was enough to tell her that a new transformation slumbered within, and her older sister Daphne had been the last to obtain it. 'Maybe I don't even need Enchantix!' Bloom thought excitedly, hope welling inside her heart. Though, she couldn't read it Bloom put it away for her own use before resuming to help Harry.
A little less than two hours went by before the group called it quits.
“Thanks for your assistance!” Harry said gratefully as the duo stood outside Bloom's dorm, Musa having already gone inside. Stacks of books floating behind them in neat rows. “You were a tremendous help.”
Bloom just so prevented a blush from erupting on her face, looking away from his smile and inviting lips. “No problem!” she brought out without squeaking. “I found something for myself as well.” holding the Sirenix book tightly against her front, as if using it as a barrier to try and shield herself from this attraction. It gave as much protection as her own mind, meaning none at all.
“I also wanted to talk about....” Harry began but was interrupted by Bloom shaking her head frantically.
“I'm sorry, but I can't!” she blurted out hastily before her pussy could convince her otherwise. She would wait until she broke up with Sky for good, owing him at least that much.
“..the Trix.” Harry finished, causing Bloom's eyes to widen and her blush to succeed in claiming her face. “I wanted to request if you could keep quite about the Trix not having been controlled by Darkar.” he clarified for her benefit. “I'd ask what you're talking about, but I think I know.” upon Bloom's reaction he was pretty sure what she thought he was going to say.
“Yeah.” she replied lamely, feeling like a fool for embarrassing herself so much.
He scratched the back of his head uncomfortably before sighing and gathering himself. “It was a mistake...” he said, having remembered she had a boyfriend afterwards and feeling like a right twat.
Again, she talked over him. “No! I mean yes,” Bloom shook her head, giggling at his amused expression on her expense, looking deep into his eyes. “But it was a glorious mistake. What we shared made me realize that I probably should break up with my boyfriend.” if she could so readily forget about him then it was probably best to end it. “I'd very much like a repeat, however not before I clear things up with him.”
“Oh,” was all Harry could say for a while, not having expected that kind of answer. He was relieved all the same. “That's good to hear, I guess.” then another thought caught up with Harry as to the possible implications, causing him to summon a communication mirror. “Here, just say my name and we can talk with one another, similarly to a video call, I'm told.” he had made a few of those and the Trix could not use them right now.
Bloom's smile lit up the room as she accepted the gift. “Thank you!” glad that he didn't reject her outright, remembering the kiss he shared with Darcy. “See you soon!”
“Yeah, see you soon.”
Fortress of Light
It was a day like any other that came before it in this place. Always sunny, no cloud in the sky and a medium temperature every single day. The wind never exceeding more than a light breeze that rustled a few leaves at most.
“Disgusting!” Stormy scowled at nothing and everything in particular, pacing a line in the grass. Icy stood at a nearby tree that spent them pleasant shade. Just a day here and Tharma already wanted to break out. Use her newfound power ready and throbbing under her skin to demolish this hideous place with its false tranquillity. Sure, she could use the portkey, but where was the fun in that?
Nearby Darcy mediated, trying to train her Occlumency. Emphasis on trying, as she had to endure Stormy's rants at everything here at the same time. “Could you tone it down, trying to meditate here!” she finally snapped at her sister in all but blood, glaring back at the Witch of Storms.
All of them wore the same clothes. They consisted of a white robe covering their entire bodies, a thick blue belt around their waist and navy blue shoes.
“How can you sit there so calmly, Darcy, Icy?” Stormy complained loudly, lightning racing up and down her arms as she channelled her element, threatening to tear her clothes apart. “I could blow something up just by looking at this place!”
“Don't you dare!” Icy growled, slapping the cloud-haired girl upside down the head as she passed her by. It hopefully beat some sense into her. This was an unique opportunity for them. What Icy didn't say or admit was that she did not want to disappoint Harry.
Darcy glared. “It's called deception, you fool.” she chastised her sister, just so preventing herself from lashing out. Her meditation now ruined Darcy stood up with a sigh. “If we appear to cooperate then we'll have a bigger chance of being seen as reformed and it lends our claim credence!”
Tharma snorted derisively and shot back mockingly. “For someone who claims to be experienced in deception you've not employed much of it when kissing Harry so openly. In front of the Paladins no less!” she remembered that vividly, feeling the usual jealousy flare up when one of her sisters had something she did not. Though, Stormy felt something was different this time. Not much, but enough.
Lysslis rolled her eyes, hands in the soft grass as she leaned back. “They're all about positive feelings here. Why would you think showing that to them is a bad thing?” if they saw signs of redemption then it'd make it easier for them in the long run.
“So you did it solely to manipulate the Paladins' perception of us?” Icy questioned, looking at her sister intently, watching Darcy for any lie as she leaned against the bark of the tree shadowing them.
“Yes, in part,” the Witch of Darkness confirmed before adding. “but I also did it to stake my claim!”
Her words caused both of her sisters to glare at her for reasons they didn't quite understand. This ordeal couldn't be over soon enough.
