The morning sun rose gently over the rooftops of Paris, brushing the windows of the Versailles residence with golden light. Louis woke with a rare sense of joy lingering from the previous day. His heart felt light, his thoughts dancing with the memory of Fleur's smile, her soft "yes," and the way she had playfully told him he must now speak to her every day. He had made a promise—and he would keep it.
Ever since that day, Louis and Fleur had spoken daily through their magical link. Their connection, deeper than most could ever understand, allowed them to share thoughts and feelings across any distance. They had talked every day of the holiday, about everything and nothing—classes, dreams, their growing feelings. Sometimes their conversations were playful, filled with laughter and teasing. Other times, they spoke in long, comfortable silences, where just the presence of the other was enough.
That morning, before his planned visit, Louis sat by the window of his room, gazing at the quiet garden below. He closed his eyes and focused, letting his thoughts drift toward Fleur.
"Bonjour," he whispered in his mind, the magic responding instantly as he felt her presence.
"Louis," came Fleur's soft, sleepy reply. "You're awake early."
"I couldn't sleep much. I'm going to visit Nicolas Flamel today. I wanted to tell you first."
He felt her curiosity spark.
"Oh? That's exciting. Will you tell him about us too?" she asked, half-teasing, half-shy.
"Of course," Louis replied, smiling. "He's been a mentor to me. And he'll be happy to hear about the smartest witch of Beauxbâtons."
Fleur laughed quietly. "Flatterer. Don't forget to tell me everything."
"I promise," he said.
Their link faded gently, the warmth of her presence lingering like a scarf wrapped around his mind.
Filled with excitement and a yearning to speak of his feelings and thoughts, Louis decided that there was one person who might understand both the magic of his experiences and the complexity of his emotions—Nicolas Flamel.
With his parents' approval and their magical assistance, he was soon standing in front of the quiet and unassuming cottage that had housed the legendary alchemist for centuries. The stone walls were draped in ivy, and the air smelled faintly of ancient books and herbs. Louis knocked.
Moments later, the door creaked open, and Nicolas Flamel himself appeared, eyes wide with pleasant surprise.
"Louis! What a delight! I wasn't expecting you," the old alchemist said, his voice warm.
"I hope I'm not disturbing anything. I just... I needed to talk," Louis replied, bowing slightly.
"Nonsense, come in, come in. Perenelle! We have a visitor."
Inside, the home was as magical as Louis remembered—walls lined with ancient tomes, enchanted artifacts glowing softly, and the faint chime of timepieces ticking in odd rhythms. Perenelle welcomed him with a gentle smile and a plate of warm, spiced pastries.
Seated in the study, Louis spoke of his first term at Hogwarts—his adventures, the friends he'd made, the challenges and discoveries. Nicolas listened with the attentive silence of a man who had seen too many centuries but still delighted in fresh stories.
Eventually, Louis's words turned toward Fleur.
"We met again recently. It was the first time since... well, since I made that promise. It was a little awkward at first, but I asked her if she would be with me. She said yes."
Flamel smiled knowingly. "Ah, the beginning of love—an alchemy of its own."
They shared a chuckle before Louis leaned forward, his expression turning serious.
"There's something else, Nicolas. I've been working with some friends at Hogwarts. We found Rowena Serdaigle's secret chamber, and more recently, the Room of Requirement. We've named ourselves the Secret Seekers. We're searching for ancient magical artifacts hidden within the school. I was wondering... do you know of anything that might still be there?"
Flamel's eyes narrowed thoughtfully, and he rubbed his chin. "Artifacts in Hogwarts... well, there are many rumors. But one in particular might interest you—the Diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw."
Louis leaned in. "I read about it. I think we may have seen a false version in the Serdaigle chamber."
"Exactly," Flamel said. "The one you found may be a replica, or perhaps a prototype. The true Diadem was enchanted by Rowena herself to enhance the clarity of thought, concentration, and deductive reasoning of the wearer. It's said to help formulate hypotheses by ordering thoughts with perfect logic."
Louis's eyes widened. "That would be... incredible."
"Indeed. And according to some old writings, it was hidden at Hogwarts long ago. If your Room of Requirement is what I think it is, and if it can become a place for hiding things—then it is possible the real diadem lies within, concealed among centuries of forgotten items."
Louis quickly took out his notebook and began scribbling every word. He felt a surge of excitement unlike anything he had felt in weeks.
"Merci, Nicolas. This is more valuable than you know."
"Oh, I have an idea," the alchemist replied, sipping his tea with a smile. "But do be careful. Some things are hidden for a reason."
The rest of the day passed in peaceful conversation. They discussed magical theory, the nature of alchemical transmutation, and even Dumbledore himself, whom Nicolas admired deeply. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, Louis stood to leave.
"Thank you again, both of you."
Perenelle walked him to the door, giving him a soft kiss on the cheek. "You're always welcome here, Louis. Never forget that."
The final days of the holiday break passed in a warm haze of family time. Louis helped his father in the greenhouse, practiced spells with his mother in the library, and sent Fleur daily messages through enchanted parchment they had exchanged. Her responses were always quick, always clever, and always ended with a heart.
The night before his return to Hogwarts, Louis reached out to Fleur once more through their bond.
"I leave tomorrow," he told her.
"I'll miss seeing you," Fleur responded gently. "Even if we talk every day, it was different to have you here."
"I know. But next time will come sooner than you think," Louis said with a smile in his thoughts.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
When the day of his return to Hogwarts came, Louis stood in the hallway of their home, his trunk beside him. His parents embraced him tightly.
"You've grown already," his mother said.
"Keep your mind sharp, and your heart steady," added his father.
With a soft crack of magic, Louis disappeared from the familiar warmth of home, bound once more for the enchanted towers of Hogwarts.