Chapter 71: Farewell

Half a month had passed since Fleur first arrived at the castle.

Since that day, Fleur had visited often to see Erwin, and the two elderly Flamel’s were delighted by her frequent presence.

During this time, Erwin and Fleur's friendship had grown considerably.

Fleur revealed a completely different side of herself than what she showed to outsiders.

She loved to act playful and affectionate.

Erwin discovered that Fleur maintained a proud demeanor when facing other people, practically looking down her nose at them.

But in front of him, she transformed into a playful young girl.

Although Erwin was three years younger than her, her affectionate behavior seemed entirely natural.

Every time she saw the alchemical creations Erwin made, she would persistently coax him into giving her one.

And after each discussion session, when Erwin spoke too critically, she would act sweetly to interrupt his reprimands, leaving him feeling rather helpless.

Overall, she was still a very lovely girl.

Now, with the end of August approaching, Erwin needed to leave France and return home to prepare for the new school term.

A letter had also arrived from Arya, indicating that the potion stock was running low.

Today was Erwin's second-to-last day at the castle.

"When casting spells, your wand movements must be subtle. Otherwise, your opponent will predict your spell in advance through your gestures."

Erwin was explaining some combat techniques to Fleur.

Fleur truly deserved to be a future Triwizard Tournament champion; her talent was remarkable.

Whenever Erwin pointed out one of her shortcomings, she could immediately correct it, and she frequently drew clever connections to other applications.

However, today Fleur seemed somewhat distracted.

Erwin had said quite a bit, but she didn't appear to be listening.

Noticing something was wrong, Erwin asked aloud.

"What's the matter? You seem out of sorts today."

The distracted Fleur focused her attention and looked at the handsome young boy before her.

Biting her delicate lips, she asked softly.

"Tomorrow, you're going back to London."

After speaking, Fleur gazed at Erwin.

Erwin was momentarily surprised; he hadn't expected Fleur to be distracted because of this.

He raised his hand and gently stroked Fleur's silky silver hair, something he'd done often recently.

Erwin found Fleur's silver hair irresistible, and the gentle motion made the girl's pretty face twist as if she were annoyed, but she didn’t pull back.

"Yes, I'm leaving tomorrow, but I'll visit when I can."

Softly comforting the beautiful girl before him, Erwin felt a twinge of guilt.

After all, once he left this time, he didn't know when he'd next return to France.

"Then when will you come again?"

Fleur asked hopefully.

Erwin considered this, suddenly realizing that Christmas wouldn't work; Cho and Hermione would never let him hear the end of it.

It would have to be a summer holiday.

"I'll definitely come next summer."

With an apologetic smile, Erwin spoke.

Fleur immediately puffed out her cheeks like an adorable little pufferfish.

Unable to resist, Erwin poked her cheek with his index finger.

So soft.

After swatting away the boy's mischievous hand, Fleur gave him an exasperated look.

But she understood that Hogwarts only had a few days for Christmas break after term started, and traveling back and forth would be exhausting.

"You must come during the summer, and you have to remember that no matter how many girls like you at Hogwarts, you still have a fiancée waiting for you in France."

Fleur buried her head against Erwin's chest, wrapping her arms around his waist. She spoke to him with playful affection.

Erwin hugged her tightly as well.

Neither spoke, both cherishing this final time together.

Early the next morning, Erwin prepared to depart.

Nicolas and Perenelle also rose early, and the three shared a warm breakfast together.

Throughout the meal, Mrs. Flamel kept reminding Erwin not to neglect sleep and meals because of his magical studies, and to write frequently to update her on his situation.

Erwin nodded and agreed, taking every word of the elderly woman's advice firmly to heart.

Mrs. Flamel was deeply fond of Erwin.

She and Nicolas had no descendants and had long regarded Erwin as a grandson.

For this grandson's sake, Nicolas Flamel planned to create another Philosopher's Stone and continue living, so he could watch him grow up, marry, and have children.

So it wasn't that they were weary of the world.

They simply had lacked something to cherish.

The current Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel had no intention of ending their lives.

As for the materials for making the Philosopher's Stone becoming extinct, this was merely misinformation Nicolas had spread to the outside world.

He didn't want to be targeted by certain people because he could still create the Stone.

The two accompanied Erwin to the café where he'd first arrived.

Nicolas gave Erwin the deed to a London manor maintained by house-elves.

This was Nicolas's parting gift to Erwin.

So that the boy would have a proper place in the British wizarding world, it was inconvenient to always live in the Muggle world.

Erwin accepted without refusing; the two of them had long moved past such formalities.

Looking around, Erwin didn't see Fleur.

'She doesn't want to feel the pain of parting.'

Waving at the two elderly Flamel’s, Erwin left the café.

In the distance, Madame Maxime and Fleur stood at the street corner.

The morning light shining on the girl's face became the perfect complement to her beautiful appearance, making her less alluring and more ethereal.

Fleur quietly watched Erwin's figure growing farther and farther away, her eyes already brimming with tears.

Madame Maxime sighed upon seeing her talented student in such a state.

Although Fleur only possessed a quarter Veela blood, she had inherited one particular Veela characteristic.

Once she fell in love with someone, she would love him deeply for the rest of her life.

"Are you certain you don't want to go up and say goodbye to him?"

Madame Maxime couldn't help but urge.

Fleur shook her head and said firmly.

"I don't want him to see me cry. I want to always appear before him at my most beautiful."

After speaking, the girl wiped away her tears and said to Maxime.

"Headmistress, let's return. I need to continue my magical training. I must surprise him the next time we meet."

Looking at the girl who seemed to have matured considerably in an instant, Madame Maxime thought silently to herself.

'It seems the matter should be moved forward. We must strive to hold it within two years.'