Shu quietly looked at Ivy, who was burying her face in the pillow, a thin blanket covering her body. Ivy's breathing was soft, her face looked so relieved from deep sleep. Both of them hadn't woken up from a nightmare this whole week, and Shu felt how good it would be if it stayed like this. There are times when he just wants time to stop so he can forever remember the moments he was with Ivy.

His fingers slowly threaded through Ivy's hair, gently stroking her scalp. Ivy turned slightly, snuggling closer to Shu's body. He smiled softly, wrapping his arms around her in his arms, softly feeling her breath on his neck, gently listening to the sound of her heart beating in his ears.

"I have to go home next week."

Shu paused, frowning at Ivy sitting across from him at the breakfast table. He caught a glimpse of Tipsy, the house elf Ivy had said would take care of them while they were living at Le Fay cottage, she was baking apple pie in the kitchen. Ivy took a sip of milk, biting down on her honeyed crispy golden toasted sandwich. She curled her lips when she saw the somewhat unhappy look that Shu gave her.

"Not at Godric's Hollow." Ivy continued softly. "I'm going to live with my grandfather."

"Oh."

Shu blinked, feeling lighter in his heart. Anyway, he never liked the idea of Ivy going back to that house. Over the past few days Ivy had told him about a few 'accidents' that happened there when Philip Black lost control and consciousness. Shu thinks that man have to be locked up in St. Mungo a long time ago, not comfortably living like this and hurting Ivy.

To be honest, he thought he would take the same ground as Ivy's grandfather. Shu also didn't like the man named Philip Black.

"I guess you'll stay the rest of the summer with your grandfather?"

"Yes." Ivy wrinkled her nose slightly. The summer vacation was over in a month, and they all received their academic results, and the announcement of admission next year. Ivy misses Hogwarts. But the fact that she would soon have to return to the life of a pure-blood witch made Ivy unhappy. Heaven knows what a month before the summer break ends, Ivy will have to learn from her grandfather. "He wouldn't let me spend the rest of the summer here, saying that I need to re-learn or at least double-check that the rules of etiquette I've learned haven't been forgotten by me."

Shu chuckled at Ivy's annoyed expression. He is also an heir, though not really pure-blood, but under the madness of his father, Shu understands how tiring it is to learn to be a standard heir. Years ago, Ivy did not participate in politics or social events at all, nor built relationships that benefited her. He guessed that would change next year when they returned to Hogwarts and began their fifth year.

Perhaps... this is the future that awaits them.

"You'll do just fine." Shu said softly, taking Ivy's hand, letting their fingers intertwine. His purple eyes looked at her with confidence. "You've always been good at everything."

Ivy laughed softly. "You can stay here." She pretended she didn't feel Shu's tension. Ivy tilted her head and continued. "It's safer here anyway, who knows what your father will do if you go back there..."

Shu smiled lightly, simply nodding. Anyway, he had no intention of returning to the Yamino mansion. He had planned to go to the Leaky Cauldron and rent a room there for the rest of the summer if Ivy really had to leave and live with his grandfather. But he figured it would be okay to stay at Le Fay, anyway, Ivy would be more comfortable knowing that he was safe. In recent days after his last accident, she became very protective when it came to Shu's affairs.

"Only if you promise to write to me."

"Of course." Ivy laughed.

"Go to sleep." Ivy's voice vaguely resounded as she buried her face in Shu's lap. He instinctively wrapped his arms around her small body. Ivy sighed, opened her eyes, and looked up at Shu. She blinked her eyes slightly, trying to dispel the sleepiness that had engulfed her mind. "Nightmare?"

"No." Shu smiled softly, he pushed the long locks of hair that fell from Ivy's forehead, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Just thinking about something..."

"Maybe I won't go back?" Ivy crossed her arms, sat up in bed, the blanket falling off her shoulder blades. Shu also sat up, leaning against the head of the bed, watching Ivy rub her eyes, then she said again. "You seem pretty upset about me leaving."

Shu laughs. He isn't sad, but very frustrating. But Shu wouldn't admit it. The feeling when Ivy woke up and left his arms was enough to make Shu feel his heart skip a beat, and disappointment surrounded him. Shu sighed, running a hand through her dark hair, brushing it back. His purple eyes in the dark became darker. Ivy moved, she put her head on Shu's shoulder, asked softly.

"You okay?"

Shu was startled, pulling back from the thoughts that had just rekindled in his head. He frowned, shaking his head slightly when he heard Ivy's question.

"It's just... I don't feel very comfortable..."

Ivy silently looked at him, watching the dark purple magic that was constantly enveloping Shu's body. She silently looked at the ring on his hand, it emitted a very pale purple color, unlike the magic that was billowing around Shu. Ivy... didn't feel anything strange about that magic. It's just... it wasn't like any magic she'd ever seen before. It looks pretty weird, and feels a bit scary if you think about it in the usual way.

Ivy placed her hand on Shu's chest, her fingers emitting pale yellow lights. Shu smelled her magical scent circling his nose, musk, sandalwood and rosemary. Those scents blend together to create a very comfortable feeling, and it even makes Shu feel like he can't live if he can't feel this scent anymore. The warmth of Ivy's magic passed through Shu's body, his rapidly beating heart slowly calmed down.

Ivy's golden eyes watched as the purple light from the magic surrounding Shu gradually faded, no longer moving fast, but floating, gently around his body. Ivy stopped, she didn't want to transfer too much magic and cause Shu to lose his balance in magic. After all, he had only just received his power back, Shu's magic power would increase rapidly, and perhaps his body had not yet adapted to these changes.

"I think you need some stabilizing magic potion." Ivy sighed. She tucked her hair behind her ear and narrowed her eyes in thought. "I'll prepare them for you. Acquiring and increasing magic too quickly can throw you off balance and out of control."

"Did you realize how good you are at using wandless spells?"

Ivy froze, tilting her head, seemingly thinking about what Shu said. "Is it? I don't remember using a spell..."

Shu looked at her confused expression, then smiled softly. He took Ivy's hand, feeling the warmth from her body transfer to his. He stroked Ivy's thin fingers, his eyes darkening slightly, and spoke quietly.

"That's right, you've never used a spell."

"Shu?" Ivy blinked, feeling like she couldn't keep up with his thoughts. "How are you..."

"I just feel it would be better if you didn't tell anyone about these things."

Ivy raised an eyebrow. "Of course I won't tell anyone you're a Necromancer." The Ministry of Magic banned and classified Necromancy as a particularly dangerous form of dark magic. Moreover, in a long time in history, no Necromancer appeared. Ivy understood very well that she had to keep Shu a secret. "For your safety, no one..."

"I'm talking about you." Shu cut in, his voice a bit stiff. His eyes stared at her. Ivy quietly watched Shu's purple pupils light up in the dark. He frowned, sighed, then continued. "What if they knew that you can easily use magic without a wand or spell? Merlin, I don't even know how you can do that..."

"Just ask."

Ivy replied. Shu fell silent upon hearing what she just said. He narrowed his eyes, repeating what she had just said.

"Just ask?"

"Yeah." Ivy shrugged, nodding. "It's always been like that. Just ask the magic and make the request, the magic will help you get what you want."

"Eve, do you understand what I'm saying?"

Ivy sighed, and ran her hands through her hair, looking annoyed. Ivy has always been a very good person at speaking and using her words, but she really doesn't know how to explain it to Shu right now. Because things have always been so simple for Ivy since she was a child. On those dark nights she dreaded sleeping alone, Ivy just asked and magic would light up the lights so she could sleep more peacefully.

And just like that. When Ivy needed something, when Ivy really wanted something, she never needed a spell or a wand to get it. All Ivy needs to do is ask, and magic will always be happy to help her get what she wants. Ivy thought that everyone was like that, anyone could see, feel, hear, and even ask for magic. But when she was three years old, Ivy realized how different she was. Even grandpa couldn't do it as she did.

Ivy tried to explain many times, but failed. Like those things just happened to her.

"I know it's hard to believe." Ivy whispered, she raised her hand, waved it in front of Shu, then calmly explained, trying to find the right words to make him understand. "I can see magic. I mean, their color, and the way they move. Magic is everywhere in the world, Shu. They're in the air, in every breath, they present everywhere around us. And they... come in many colors, each representing a different kind of magic."

Shu felt like he was hearing crazy words. Because what Ivy just said, was completely contrary to the evidence of magic he had ever learned. Or rather, it was completely different from what wizards knew. Magic in their eyes, does not exist everywhere, only in spells. And magic, can't be seen or colored like Ivy said.

"I know it sounds crazy. Sometimes... I can talk to them too." Ivy was silent for a moment, then said lightly, she took Shu's fingers, silently watching their hands intertwine again. "And you really just have to ask if you need something."

"Sorceress." Shu's face did not change. He was used to hearing Death's voice in his head even when he wasn't there. Over the past few days, he had figured out that this was the kind of connection Death wanted with him. He doesn't need to appear now, because he's everywhere, he's lurking in Shu's mind. "Excellent, isn't it? Powerful with raw magic manipulation."

"Ivy, don't tell anyone about your power. It's... too dangerous."

Ivy nodded, she understood why Shu was worried. Ivy had never really told anyone about her powers, except for himself. Not even her grandfather knew that she had this ability. Ivy has always tried to behave like a normal witch by using wand and spells. Although it was really unnecessary for her, being different would bring Ivy too much unnecessary trouble.

"It's safer if you don't say these words in front of anyone."

"I know." Shu raised his hand and stroked Ivy's hair when she answered. "I thought you would think I was crazy."

Shu burst out laughing when he heard what she said. "I don't think I can think you're crazy when..." Shu pointed at himself, smirking. "...I'm not very normal either."

"I told you Necromancer is great !" Ivy said sadly. "Magic won't hurt you, you just have to stabilize it. It's been too long since you've accepted it, that's why it bothers you so much. I'll make magic stabilizer potions for you. Don't worry too much."

Shu just smiled, and nodded, saying nothing more. He didn't worry about his magic being stable or not. Because he himself knows very well how his body is changing every day since accepting to become a Necromancer. And Shu feels that these changes will be his big problems in the future. When Shu gradually felt that he no longer looked like a human.

And he was afraid of what it would be like if Ivy noticed these changes.

"It will be okay." Ivy smiled softly, raised her hand to cup Shu's face. She leaned closer, placing a kiss on his forehead. Shu quietly looked at Ivy's smile and gentle eyes. He lifted his hand to hold her in his lap, smelling the familiar scent that belonged only to her. "We'll get through anything together."

Shu smiled softly, burying his head in Ivy's hair, exhaling softly.

Yes, they will get through anything together.

"Dilseacht." Ivy blinked, lifting her head from her cauldron. She saw Javier standing in front of her laboratory in the Eveland mansion. She glanced at the boiling potion cauldron, waved her wand, hurled numerous surveillance spells. As long as there's a problem, she'll get a notification right away. Ivy lowered her wand, nodded, motioning for Javier to come inside. "You will join me at a party this weekend."

"Is it necessary?" Ivy pursed her lips, looking disinterested at the idea of having to attend a social party. She knew that sooner or later she had to mingle on occasions like these, it's just that Ivy still wanted a little more time. "Can't you go by yourself?"

"There will be some pureblood families appearing there, you should also debut as the heir." Javier crossed his arms over his chest in response. He watched Ivy's eyes narrow as she heard a noise from her cauldron. Ivy turned around, going back to check the potion she was making. He watched her lower the heat, then wait for the potion inside to boil gently, then drop in some black material. "What are you brewing?"

"Magic Stabilization Potion." Ivy absently replied. She watched the liquid begin to turn gray, wrinkling her nose slightly at its scent. She had forgotten how awful this potion smelled. Ivy sighed, she turned off the fire, began to wait for the liquid to cool completely. Ivy waved her wand, watching the liquid inside be carefully poured into three vials of potion, which lay neatly on her desk. "Didn't you say that next year you will hold a party to announce me as an heir? What's the point of appearing in front of those families in a hurry?"

"It's just a small meeting, I trust you won't feel uncomfortable." Javier shrugged. In fact, he just announced that, but didn't want to force Ivy to do anything. In the future, or to be more precise, a year from now, she will have to choose for herself who her allies are in the political world. It's been two weeks since she's been back, and although their relationship hasn't improved much, at least Ivy isn't as resistant to learning to be an heir. "Why do you need that potion?"

Ivy did not answer. She carefully wrapped the three vials, and bowed her head to write something on a parchment. Javier watched Ivy stroke the feathers of Snowball's neck, the snowy owl she'd raised since she was a baby. Ivy tied the letter to its leg, and carefully let Snowball's claws grasp the bag containing the potions she had made. She opened the window to let the owl fly away on its own.

Ivy turned her head to see Javier's golden eyes watching her.

"You really care about that person."

"It's none of your business."

Ivy coldly replied.

"If you hide they that well, then it's must be a very important person."

"What do you want to say?"

Ivy narrowed her eyes. She doesn't like the fact that Javier is overly concerned with her own life. Ivy wasn't a three year old child anymore, she knew what she was doing. And she hoped that he could stop treating her like a child. Obviously, Javier also noticed his granddaughter's displeasure. He still remembers two weeks before Ivy left Le Fay, he still didn't get a chance to see who was with her.

Javier saw only the opponent's shadow from a second-floor window, hidden behind a drawn black curtain, watching silently as he took Ivy's hand and Apparated away. To say Javier wasn't curious would be a lie. But he understood that, if he continued to corner Ivy, she would definitely fight back.

Javier sighed, raising a child in rebellious phrase was not easy.

"I just wanted to say, you should be more careful next year. Becoming an heir will cause a lot of problems."

Ivy was silent, she instinctively wanted to touch the necklace she was wearing around her neck, but stopped. Ivy lowered her eyes, her fingers moved a little, but then she stopped. She doesn't want Javier or anyone to know about her relationship with Shu. Not now. Ivy wanted to wait, wait and see what would happen between them. Even though she knew that nothing could change their relationship.

But Ivy didn't want to take the risk... Especially since Javier could easily force her to leave Shu if he wanted to.

Ivy's golden eyes were very still. "I'm not Levi Eveland."

How strange. The way her father's name escaped her lips. She saw Javier's eyes twitch slightly at the sound of his son's name. She quietly looked at her grandfather, she understood what he was implying and worried about.

"I'm not him. So don't interfere." Don't meddle in my private life.

Javier quietly looked at his granddaughter. "I hope you are capable enough to guarantee what you say."

Ivy curtly nodded.

She watched Javier's back leave, and when the door slammed shut, Ivy pulled out the necklace around her neck.

Courtship. Their gift to each other represents the beginning of a whole new relationship. They've known each other for a long time, but have only been close for two months. Ivy understood how crazy and thoughtless the actions of the two of them could be.

But that's okay. Because she knew that they were sane enough to understand what they were doing. And she also believes in Shu and the feelings are blossoming between them. Just like how he always trusted her.

The first gift when conducting courtship, must be the gift that shows the glory of the family of both parties.

-End Arc 1-