Having adjusted the fire, Fleur casually withdrew her hand and sat back down, regaining her posture.
However, she noticed Maurise staring at her. This felt a bit strange. Based on his previous behavior, he clearly wasn't the type to be captivated by her looks. And that gaze... no matter how she interpreted it, it felt more like he was studying a peculiar specimen.
"What is it?" Fleur asked, feeling slightly uncomfortable under his scrutiny. She frowned slightly.
"What magic did you just use?" Maurise asked immediately. "That shouldn't be the Fire-Making Spell. Is it an innate Veela ability? I recall reading that Veela possess a natural affinity for controlling fire."
Fleur nodded, clearly unwilling to elaborate. While her Veela heritage wasn't exactly a closely guarded secret at Beauxbatons, there was no need to discuss the finer details with a Hogwarts student she had just met.
However, Maurise completely failed to pick up on her reluctance—or rather, he noticed it and simply didn't care.
"I also heard that Veela can transform their heads into that of a bird," he pressed on. "Did you inherit that ability as well?"
Fleur sighed heavily. "I am not a full Veela, Black."
Maurise stroked his chin and asked, "A quarter, then?"
Seeing that he was fully prepared to interrogate her until he got to the bottom of it, Fleur had no choice but to explain, "My grandmother is a Veela."
"I knew it," Maurise nodded. "So, can you turn your head into a bird's..."
"No!" Fleur snapped, thoroughly exasperated. Why was this guy so obsessed with the bird head thing?!
Receiving this answer, Maurise shook his head in disappointment. He was genuinely curious about Veela. What a pity. Fleur possessed very few Veela traits.
Fleur pondered for a moment before speaking up again. "By the way, Black, I recall you mentioning that you are exceptionally sensitive to my abilities?"
"That is correct," Maurise nodded. "Although it is very faint, it is undeniably the Veela allure. I can feel it right now."
Of course, it had absolutely no effect on him. He didn't even need to consciously channel his magic to block such a feeble mental intrusion. Judging from this alone, Fleur's Veela blood was indeed quite diluted.
Fleur absentmindedly twirled a strand of silver hair around her finger. "I am currently trying to find a way to conceal this ability."
Maurise was somewhat surprised. "Do you despise the ability that much?" In his eyes, the benefits of such an allure vastly outweighed the drawbacks.
"Not at all," Fleur shook her head. "On the contrary, I rather like it, as it is a part of who I am. But surely you understand that in certain situations, it can be quite a nuisance."
Maurise shrugged. "So? What are you going to do about it?"
"I am going to..." Fleur froze mid-sentence.
'Right. What am I going to do? And more importantly, why am I telling this to a complete stranger? Was it because of his casually amicable attitude?'
"If you merely wish to conceal it at certain times," Maurise's voice cut through her thoughts, "I actually have a solution."
"What kind of solution?" Fleur asked instantly.
Maurise didn't answer right away. He unhurriedly pulled a ring from his pocket and popped out a milky-white gemstone about the size of a fingernail.
Although the color was different from the others he had made, this was indeed an Aura-Concealing Gemstone. Specifically, it was the durable variant. Its effect wasn't as potent as the single-use versions, but its advantage lay in its permanent functionality. It would likely suit Fleur's needs perfectly.
Maurise casually tossed the gemstone toward her.
"Careful!" Fleur scrambled to catch it, nearly dropping it. "Why couldn't you just hand it over properly?"
Maurise just held his hands up in a placating gesture.
Fleur's attention was quickly drawn to the gemstone resting in her palm. "What is this?"
"It can conceal your abilities," Maurise answered. "Do you not feel it?"
Hearing this, Fleur closed her hand around the gem. She immediately sensed a change within herself. That faint, ever-present aura that constantly radiated from her felt as if it were being drawn inward, curling up quietly inside her body, no longer projecting outward.
'It actually works?!'
Fleur wore a look of profound astonishment. She lowered her head and examined the gemstone closely.
Half a minute later, she looked up and handed the gem back to Maurise. "Here. I am returning it."
Maurise looked at her in surprise. "You do not want it?"
Fleur shook her head. "I cannot accept something from a stranger for nothing."
'For nothing?'
Maurise gave her a weird look. "I never said it was free. But if you want it, I can offer you a discount..."
Fleur's face visibly flushed bright red. "I would prefer to learn how to control the ability myself," she said, thoroughly embarrassed.
"Alright, suit yourself."
Maurise took the Aura-Concealing Gemstone back. It seemed this particular business deal had fallen through.
---
Soon after, Harry and Krum arrived at the instruction room.
Once all four champions were assembled, they waited for a while longer. Finally, the door was pushed open.
Ludo Bagman walked in alone, sporting his signature, excessively bright smile.
"Apologies for keeping you all waiting!" Ludo boomed cheerfully. "Mr. Crouch had urgent business and had to return to the Ministry. He is a terribly busy man. I will be handling today's instructions by myself."
His gaze swept over the four faces.
"Please begin, Mr. Bagman," Fleur urged.
"Certainly, Miss Delacour." Ludo clapped his hands together, his tone turning conspiratorial. "The First Task will take place on November twenty-fourth. What I have to tell you is actually quite simple: this task is designed to test your courage."
"However, I will not be telling you exactly what you will be facing. It is something—how should I put this?—quite terrifying. Knowing beforehand would only make you more nervous, so keeping it a secret is beneficial for everyone."
Maurise felt that Ludo was deliberately toying with them. Didn't saying that just make people more curious? Furthermore, Ludo himself seemed to be thoroughly enjoying playing the enigmatic secret-keeper.
Fleur asked, "Is it a magical creature?"
Ludo let out a booming laugh that echoed around the room. He waved a dismissive hand. "Do not think you can trick any information out of me."
He paused, then winked at the four champions. "But... yes."
This was hardly useful information. There were countless magical creatures suitable for a Triwizard Tournament task.
Maurise asked casually, "Is it dragons?" It never hurt to guess.
Ludo's smile froze for a split second, but he quickly recovered his composure.
"Imagine whatever you wish," he said. "Right then, that is all I have to say. Off you go!"
He turned and practically bolted from the room, moving much faster than when he had arrived, offering absolutely no further details.
Maurise had a strong feeling he had hit the nail on the head. He swore he had just thrown out a random guess.
---
With Ludo gone, there was no reason for the champions to linger. The four of them exited the instruction room one after another.
Out in the corridor, Harry pulled Maurise aside. He glanced left and right, ensuring Fleur and Krum were out of earshot before lowering his voice.
"Professor Moody pulled me aside for a chat," he whispered. "He warned me to be careful around Karkaroff. I think he suspects Karkaroff was the one who put my name in the Goblet."
Maurise leaned against the wall. "I thought you submitted your name yourself."
"I swear I didn't!" Harry insisted, his voice rising slightly in desperation. "I had no way of getting past that Age Line!"
'I see.' Maurise nodded.
Perhaps a conspiracy targeting Harry Potter was already unfolding in the shadows.