Chapter Five

Fighting Yourself

A/N: I promise for anyone who actually cares that this isn't a straight up PWP. In fact, I have little motivation to actually even write those scenes. As for how utterly story-destroying the plotline has already become, that will be semi-rectified in the coming chapters as the Ilvermorny year reaches around maybe Thanksgiving. Anyway, onto the madness..

Two Weeks Later..

I can't keep hiding this. Saryna needs to know.. Nick needs to know.. Nessa thought as one hand absentmindedly rubbed her stomach while the other brushed out her hair. It had been a long second week of classes, made longer by the execution of Lizzie's induction into the madness that was their family these days. She had also sent the marriage contract to Cornelius as Nick had suggested and was now waiting on any word back about it. I really hope there's a way to stop this from going too much farther. Cam is still eager and willing, Alcina is just a mystery to us right now and Jas and Nashrah.. Oh, those two are going to fall very hard. The two members of Nick's original gang of friends were very close to nearly giving in to whatever form their own attraction to Nick had become during their struggles against it.

There was a knock on her door and the hand on her stomach shot away. "Come in." She smiled at the sight of Nick and Lizzie, obviously broken off from Laura and Saryna for whatever reason. "Hey, 'newlyweds'," She greeted with air quotes. "What brings you two to my room so early?"

"Lizzie wanted to talk with you about something, but she wouldn't say what about. Since she hadn't been here before, I volunteered to take her over before heading to breakfast."

"Oh? Early day?"

"Quidditch tryouts are today. Gotta get a bit of practice in if I want to make sure I keep my spot on the team." Nick smiled cheekily.

Nessa rolled her eyes, amused at her boyfriend's happier attitude today. "You don't need it. I overheard my sixth years talking about how valuable an asset you are to the team."

"As true as it is, I like being fair. Well, when I can, what with our situation. Anyway, I'll see you two later. Bye, girls." He blew them both kisses before darting back out of the room.

"How is he so dreamy and otherwise pretty perfect but still so.. Clueless?" Lizzie swooned as he left, sitting down on Nessa's bed. "I know what you're hiding, you know."

Nessa froze mid-stroke, looking at her after a moment and resuming the brushing of her hair. "What the devil are you talking about, Liz?"

"I know, Nessa. It's not hard to see the signs, looking at you and Laura. The real question however is why haven't you told the rest of us as if it should be a secret?"

Nessa thought about that. Why was she still hiding her own pregnancy? Other than Saryna's probable anger at not getting knocked up before her, Nessa had nothing to lose. Not really. But, if she did admit it, she would have to stop teaching at some point during the year. "I'm not really sure. Probably just don't want Saryna having a stupid immature fit over not being preggo already." She sighed.

"Well, that is understandable. But, she's a lot calmer in general after our show the other night."

"I still think you three went too far. Poor Looper had to go to the Nurse's Wing and now he's so traumatised he's in the psych section of it."

"Serves him right. He made me want to punish him for his stupid attitude. Maybe it'll teach him to stop harassing our man."

"One can only hope. Are there any other developments I should know about?"

Lizzie shook her head. "Nope. But, Fontaine said something about a new student enrolling from Hogwarts. Do you know anything about that?"

"All I know is her name is Andrea, and she's officially only known by us to have been raised by the Harry Potter alongside his kids. I believe something was also said about her parentage causing her stress at Hogwarts from bullying and she would be treated better here knowing no one would judge her on whomever her parents are."

"Harry Potter, huh? She must be special to him in some way. Otherwise why would the UK's Wizarding War hero adopt a girl he may not know otherwise?"

"I don't know. But you are right to wonder. I just hope she doesn't get involved with this.. At least until we figure out how to get this shit to back off the rest of the female population here."

"Yeah.. But, if she did, maybe she wouldn't have to deal with the negativity back in the UK? I mean, where is she gonna go in the summers? Even portkeys are limited and across the ocean is definitely too far for just a single portkey, right?"

"Well well, someone paid attention in class last week. You're right, she would need somewhere to go.. By the way, was that what you wanted to talk to me about?"

Lizzie nodded. "Yeah, you know how schoolgirls are. All of us need to know the latest gossip." She laughed, pushing herself off of Nessa' bed. "Anyway, tell them, Nessa. Before another one of us gets pregnant and Saryna can get any more jealous."

Nessa waved Lizzie off. "Yeah, well if she's gonna be so jealous of the fact then why doesn't she just go for it?"

"Because they have been," Nessa looked at the younger girl. That was news to her. "Ever since the year started, really. No luck for Saryna so far, though." She frowned.

"But.. Why? I mean, if they've been trying for more than a month, then she should definitely be pregnant.. And I had some tests done before we all came back and Saryna is in fact more fertile than any of us, except for me. Out of the few of us there is involved in this harem already.. So Nick got two pregnant already. Damn."

"What's the issue now?"

"Nick may actually be more virile than I figured, and that could very well be bad for us. I mean, if we're all preggo by the time we stop whatever Sayle is trying to do this year, then who's going to be there with him? We all know the past three years he always had at least one of the gang with him when those battles occurred. Take last year. Sayle would have killed the both of them in that graveyard if Nick hadn't been able to bring the real Saryna back and utilize that weird synchronicity with their magic."

"I see your point but you know that he won't be alone and won't let any of us carrying his children get into the battle in the first place."

"Excuse me, but children?" Came a new voice as both women turned to the door to see Saryna standing there, hand on her hip in exasperation. "The hell do you mean children? Nick and Laura were confirmed to be having one baby just a few days ago."

Nessa laughed nervously. "Oh, sis. Hey. I was only talking hypothetically, not literally. We all know there's only one baby being born so far."

Saryna narrowed her eyes at her older sister. "No, I know you're lying. Who did he fucking knock up this time? You or Lizzie?"

"Why does it have to be one of us?" Lizzie asked. "Maybe he got to Camille or Nash or Jas-"

"Nope! We all know he hasn't hit any of those girls yet, let alone Alcina. No, it has to be one of you because I sure as fuck aren't pregnant yet."

Nessa looked down and that was all the proof Saryna needed as she scoffed. "You fucking bitch, Nessa! First you slept with him, that I can understand since you were so quickly seduced by your own apparent feelings. Then you two are all over each other here at school when you specifically should be hiding the fact you're screwing one of your students. And now you're fucking pregnant and hiding it from most of us? Seriously, Nessa, what the fuck?"

Nessa was on the verge of tears as she frowned at her sister. "I'm sorry, Saryna! I didn't want this so early, really I didn't. Nick got to me first, before you even agreed to let this all happen! You knew the fucking risks. Being logical about it, it very well could have been inevitable I'd wind up expecting Nick's child before you. So if you and Nick have been screwing all over this damn school trying since we all came back and it hasn't happened yet, then I don't know what else to tell you but I will not say sorry for getting pregnant with the child of the boy whom we all love."

Saryna just put her hands up in disgust before slamming the door shut behind her as she left. Lizzie frowned. "That might have been a bit harsh, Nessa. True, but harsh."

"Yeah? Well maybe she needs to stop being jealous about shit she can't outright.. Control.. Fuck she'll pull a Laura at this rate and honestly at this point I don't care. Saryna and Nick's magic combined is what stopped her father at the end of the last school year and I'll be damned if they don't need that power to face him again. Get to breakfast, Lizzie. I just want to be alone right now."

Lizzie frowned, wanting to cheer Nessa up. "Saryna will come around, Ness, you'll see. You're her only real family left. She knows she can't lose you, too. See you fifth period, professor." She squeezed Nessa's shoulder reassuringly before making her way out of the room leaving Nessa alone again.

She's right. Saryna and I need each other. I should go tell Nick, at least. Warn him Saryna's a bit of a loose cannon right now.. She sighed before getting up, a determined look on her face that softened into a smile as she rubbed her belly. "I'll make sure you're safe, little one. All of you, however many that becomes." She nodded at her reflection before leaving the room.

Down in the dining hall, Alcina Blythe sat at one end of the Pukwudgie House table, alone and deep in her thoughts. Fucking Vanessa, always being right.. She thought as her golden eyes scanned the Thunderbird table, landing on the sight of Nick with all his girls around him. Saryna and Lizzie had joined the table officially and of course Nessa wasn't present as that fact was still a widely-guarded secret (by Nick and his friends/lovers) from the school as a whole. I'm the only one apparently still clear-minded enough, too, looking at Camille and those other two Thunderbirds. Camille, in her seat at the Wampus table was biting her lip and constantly shaking her head and Nick's little fellow Thunderbirds were very antsy if their legs rubbing together like crickets in the night was anything to go by. Thankfully, she hadn't seen (or at the least noticed) any of the other girls in the upper years of schooling acting suspicious or just overly horny, so she guessed that was a plus at the moment. But I feel myself slipping, too.. Imagining how it must feel to be in such a.. Loving situation, if you could call being shared loving. But, there is also how Camille decided to explain what she herself had heard about the arrangement, or maybe it was the lack of her explanation. That conversation is probably why my own thoughts are starting to become as such.. She cursed as she leaned back, remembering the conversation with the fifth year Wampus student.

Two Days Earlier..

Camille walked up to Alcina and stopped directly in front of her. Alcina was surprised Camille had found her, off in one of the empty classrooms on the ground floor of Ilvermorny. "Finally! I've been looking everywhere for you." Camille said.

Alcina raised an eyebrow curiously. "Really? And why, pray tell, is that? I have no reason to even talk to you, Camille."

"Oh, we both know that's not true. You've been feeling it, haven't you? The pull?"

Alcina sighed wearily. "Yes, alright? I feel this ridiculous pull all of you keep mentioning with this Nick situation. I am not otherwise acknowledging it, however so what are you really here for? If not to further try and corrupt me into something I don't want."

"Hmm. So that's why you've been hiding out anywhere you can be alone all the time. What do you do all day, then? Hide out and masturbate?"

Alcina was taken aback by the statement. Yet another instance of the chaos brewing in the school. The stone under Alcina's feet glowed briefly, flashing yellow in both caution and fear. "Holy hell, Camille! You've totally changed since you started spiraling into this situation. I'm not too sure I care for it, to be honest."

"Come now, Cina, it's not all bad. We aren't all talking like that, you know. Not all the time, at least. Then it would be something needed to explain to the teachers. Plus, those bracelets Nessa made all of the others seem to be keeping them in control of themselves. Except Laura, poor girl's always struggling it seems."

Alcina frowned. "And you want to join that? I don't know whether to be more afraid or disgusted at it."

"Aw, it really isn't all bad. I mean yeah, waking up in a puddle of your own-"

"Nope! Not. Another. Word. I know what you're trying to do and Vanessa and her masterful charmwork can just go and suck.. Fuck, there I go now. Damn it, Cam!"

Camille giggled. "Success!" She shouted before running out of the classroom, still giggling madly like a gender-bent Mad Hatter.

Alcina sat there, unsure what to think of Camille's very bizarre new behavior. Until, that is, she felt the sudden heat from between her legs, making her curse and do everything she could to stop the otherwise impure thoughts in her head and regain herself.

Flashback End..

So now, Alcina couldn't get any sleep, mostly because as soon as she started to drift off the thoughts in her head whirled into those Alcina figured Camille had been talking about, but wouldn't confirm for herself in the fear of how she would change with her thoughts. Then she saw Vanessa enter the dining hall and shoot a sad, frustrated look at her sister, Saryna returning it with twice the hostility. "Oh? Trouble in paradise, it seems."

Professor Fontaine stood from his seat at the staff table and addressed the students as Nessa took her seat at the table. "As you all may have heard, we will have a transfer student from Hogwarts joining us next week along with a special guest professor in the form of Harry Potter himself. I hope we can all at least act like we're all on our best behavior for that time." There were nods all over the dining hall as Alcina saw Nessa adopt a worried, maybe even fearful expression. Hmm. What could that mean, I wonder? Filing it away for later, Alcina ganced at Nick and his girls again, her eyes staying on them longer than she wanted before she looked anywhere else in the dining hall.

That day, Lizzie found herself asleep in Ancient Runes, glad beyond anything that Nick had the class with her. And now that the school saw them together more often than not (and knowing why Jack Looper was currently going through a mental break), he was able to cover her in the exhaustion she felt. Of course, the professors didn't know the reason why she was exhausted. Nick leaned into her ear as she snoozed lightly. "Liz, wake up or you'll miss class."

Lizzie's head shot up with a quiet gasp. "I'm up! Wait, what'd I miss?"

Nick chuckled as she frowned at him. "Nothing, love. Just don't want you missing the class. How is it you're so tired when I did most if not all the work last night?"

"Because I never got to sleep last night, even afterward. I was kinda still in the mood.. I think that's how Laura must feel most of the time."

Nick nodded. "So, what did you talk with Nessie about?"

"Hmm? Oh, nothing important really. She wanted to talk to you when you got a spare minute, actually. Did Saryna explain her mood yet?"

Frowning, Nick shook his head. Saryna had been in a right hostile mood since she entered the dining hall that morning, and it hadn't faded at all as of yet. "No, she hasn't said a single word to me all day. I worry about her, sometimes. Ever since I got her back, there's been an odd sort of distance between us. You joining this family calmed her back down a bit but now it seems there's more to her anger."

Lizzie nodded. "Maybe you should go talk to Nessa about it then. Those two are sometimes more like twins than just sisters."

Nick chuckled. "True enough. Who knew you were so smart?"

Lizzie rolled her eyes. "Maybe if you weren't always so goddamn oblivious about us girls' feelings, you might know us better than to just start judging."

"You know? You are right. If I had noticed the signs with Laura sooner, maybe I wouldn't have taken her so badly last year. Even in a bad place, I shouldn't have done what I did. I started this, and being totally honest, Laura was the victim in the long run." Lizzie could see the regret in his eyes as she smiled softly at him.

"Nick, don't. Yes, this was definitely not what I was expecting I would find when I found you two-timing Saryna in the first place, but I like it. You have the biggest heart, Nicky, and sometimes it's as much your greatest weakness as it is your strength. This whole harem adores you for one reason or another, and that'll never change. We don't want it to, Saryna included. Hey, maybe she's pregnant? I mean, her mood has been pretty shifty the last week or so, being honest."

"You're right about that, but I don't know.." Nick suddenly realized maybe that was why Saryna really came to her room earlier, to reveal her own pregnancy in some bout of fear only known to Saryna herself. "I'll go talk to her after Runes. Do you know where she'll be? Seeing as how she's actively ignoring and avoiding me?"

Lizzie giggled, getting scolded by professor D'ni in response. After several moments of silence, she whispered. "She might be in the Serpent common room. I'll check myself and get her alone with you in one of the empty classrooms."

"Bet. Our best chance is the one near the secret passageway leading from your common room." Lizzie nodded as they focused on the day's lesson.

As the period ended, Nashrah sped through the halls of Ilvermorny with every intention of not bumping into Nick. When school had started a month earlier, she had admitted to herself that the boy did in fact mean a lot to her. Despite her popularity, a lot of that stemmed from the fact she had helped Nick fight Sayle along with the rest of the gang since their first year. Now, however, she hated the thought of her friend, and not because she hated Nick himself. No, it was the opposite in the extreme way that only Nick would have something to do with.

It had been getting harder and harder for Nashrah to control herself and her thoughts the last week or so, specifically. She could see in Jasmine's eyes that she was feeling close to if not exactly the same as she did about Nick now as opposed to before finding out about the twisted and possibly still expanding situation they found their friends in this year already.

"No matter what happens, nothing will top this year as the most ridiculous in terms of event explanations." She had said to Jasmine the week before, to which the black girl nodded as they shared a laugh.

It wasn't like Nashrah hated how she was feeling. Despite the attitude she had given at finding out about both Nick and Saryna's engagement and subsequent reveal of the harem now forming only a month after that, Nashrah found herself proud for not just letting the crush she had for Nick get to her. Now, though, just two oddly short months later and she was doing everything in her power to avoid the subject of every impure thought going through her head. The real reason it scared her, however, was that she was starting to enjoy it, to the point where she felt proud for even the choice to be married as her parents had been. Yes, those decisions weren't always made from love like Nick and Saryna's originally had been, but even the fact that her body and mind were both somewhat forcing her to act on those bottled up feelings made her want it more. Hence why she never allowed herself to be within the vicinity of Nick these days. Nashrah was determined to fight herself if it meant she didn't spiral out of control and join the harem growing seemingly week by week.

I wish I knew how Jasmine keeps herself so controlled while it is way too obvious I'm fighting myself.. She shook her head as she ducked into an empty classroom, just wanting to avoid seeing Nick as he and Lizzie left the Ancient Runes classroom.

Nashrah was panting hard as she had effectively been running for the last full two minutes through the massive castle. She leaned against the door and listened to the chatter of the other students all migrating between their last classes and wherever they all decided to go for relaxation. She heard Nick and Lizzie as they got closer to the room she had hidden in, talking about having to find Saryna. Nashrah felt the flash of jealousy rush through her, making her ball her hands into fists at her sides at the mention of the girl who, even being her friend, was being a loose cannon lately and had apparently hurt Nick's feelings by avoiding him all day. Just like me.. I shouldn't fight this anymore, it's so hard to but I have to. The more of us who let ourselves fall before this mess can be cleaned up means the more trouble it is to Nick after the fact, not that he really minds it.. Ugh, what do I do?! She sat at a desk and just put her head down as she heard the door open and close.

"Oh, of course. What the hell is one of Nick's gang doing holed up in my hiding place?" Came Alcina's voice.

Nashrah managed to flip her the bird. "Fuck off, Alcina. Let me hide in peace, please." She requested, her voice muffled from the table.

Alcina frowned, eyes softening. "What's wrong?"

Nashrah picked her head up, eyes narrowed at the older girl. "And just what the fuck do you care for? Knowing your parents, I shouldn't even speak to you in general."

Alcina flinched, her eyes showing how much that actually hurt her. "My adopted parents, I never wanted anything to do with Auron Sayle and his goddamn cult. I only go along with those other Children idiots to stay safer than I would openly opposing the Blythes and the Puritans. What?" She suddenly asked, looking at her foot where the floor glowed yellow and red.

Nashrah noticed this and gasped. "That glow.. No fucking way, you're an Heir? To which House?"

"I have no House association, alright? According to the school itself, I'm not an heir, but the heir. And every time I wind up talking to one of you nymphomaniacs, it gets fearful as all hell. Why is it always so scared of you guys when Nick himself seems like he has this.. Situation under some semblance of control?"

Nashrah laughed dryly. "You think Nick has actual control over this harem thing? Oh, no there was only control before it grew past the group without me and Jasmine. Once Lizzie admitted she wanted in, others at school became affected. First it was Camille then you started showing some form of interest, always asking us what's going on. Unless Nick, Saryna and Nessa can figure out whether Sayle did something to their contract to make the situation spiral soon, I'm afraid Nick is going to fall into it just as badly."

"It does sound like some kind of trap, but how would Sayle even get the chance to mess with something I know Vanessa keeps on her at all times, since it's actually her altered marriage contract that's apparently in question?"

"I don't know how you know that, since that's a newer piece of news even to me. Sayle would have authority to affect the contract after it had been changed from Nessa to Saryna, Sayle being Saryna's biological father and all. But the opportunity, as you already know, would have been more or less impossible."

"Either way, I can find the appeal for Nick. I mean, he gets the chance to have any girl willing to sleep with him. What's the worst that happens? It adds your name into the contract and you at the least have -in Camille's words- ascendant-level sex."

"Be careful. That's how it gets you. First you think about how great it sounds but then the thoughts don't leave your head. Ever. I have been fighting myself a shit ton harder than Saryna, Laura and Nessa combined. You know what happens after you're inducted, so to speak? It varies, but the main similarity is us women are basically whores after. Laura became obsessed with whatever Nick's working with until she intentionally cast fertility charms on herself. For a while everything was fine this summer, until they revealed the harem. Nessa fell next but she had surprisingly been hiding some form of crush on Nick."

"Not too surprisingly. In my time here with her, as short as it was, she never even showed interest in guys. Made me think she was lesbian, honestly."

"Not anymore. If she was, now she's bisexual. Anyway, Saryna isn't a whore, don't get me wrong. But, she is twisted ever since the spell on her mind was broken. She planned what happened with Looper, Alcina. And that's not even the best part. Lizzie, Looper's fucking girlfriend, apparently not ony lived down the street from Nick but she had been crushing on him since elementary school. She helped Saryna in that twisted plot."

"Serves Jack right. Even the other Children think he's a pompous asshole who needed to be taken down a peg. I guess having your girlfriend ravished by your nemesis with absolutely no resistance and under- mostly- no outside influence would do that. But, then why are you seemingly so in control of yourself still? Wouldn't it be better to stop fighting yourself in general?"

"I want to, Merlin knows I do. But I'm not joining in on this shit until after the contract is checked out. I'm not trying to become anything like Saryna or Laura specifically. And I can guess the school's afraid of it because it knows something's not right with the situation. Fontaine said the Halliwell Marriage Clause has been seen in Ilvermorny before, so the school would know when the situation occurred again. But why would it project the fear so strongly for.. Oh God, how close are you to breaking?"

Alcina looked away, biting her lip. This year wasn't going how she thought it might, Sayle being alive once again not included. Yes, she wanted what Camille kept trying to drill into her head, what the girls involved had that she had always been missing in some capacity: the devotion of a man as strong as Nick's had been proven for any of his loved ones. After a lengthy silence, she sighed. "Close. I can feel the unnatural levels of desire bubbling closer and closer to the surface whenever I see Nick with the others. I've only found solace in this classroom."

"I'm sorry, Alcina. I forget that what I'm feeling isn't much different than what some of the other girls are. You know, despite the school being afraid of it, you'd be safe being in the harem."

"What do you mean?"

"Nick wouldn't let anyone touch you, hurt you. Even without that level of friendship, that's one of the most appealing things about it. And I mean, being honest, Nick has been filling out more and more the last couple years."

Acina nodded. "You're right about that. I mean, he's no John Cena but you can tell he has strength hidden."

"He can pick up Lizzie while having Saryna hanging on his back."

Alcina's eyes widened, thoughts racing with that new information. "Well, I think I need to step away from the conversation before I do decide to just give in. That and you have a point about waiting until this contract issue is figured out.." Without waiting for Nashrah's reply, Alcina left the room and hurried back to her dorm, new thoughts of Nick carrying her in a few compromising ways now springing up here and there.

Three Days Later, Ilvermorny Quidditch Pitch..

Nick breathed a sigh of relief when he set his feet back on the ground after the grueling debacle that was Quidditch practice. It hadn't been all bad, other than the several students sporting now broken arms due to the overenthusiastic nature of Reggie Palmer, the senior of Thunderbird House's two beaters. "Good job out there, Negron. Good thing we wouldn't dream of replacing our star seeker." Came the voice of the seventh year Keeper and Captain, Julia Richards.

"Thanks, Jules." He said, careful to watch what he said around the older girl. "I gotta go shower and get back to the dorms. Laura's waiting for me."

Julia smiled, a flash of what Nick could only figure out as possible jealousy showing in her eyes. "You two are lucky to have each other, you know? Despite the teenage pregnancy."

Nick shrugged. "It isn't all bad. Laura's just much more outspoken these days, you could say."

Julia laughed, shaking her head. "True. Well, get some rest. We need to try and rein Reggie in before the games start, or we'll be disqualified from the House Cup."

Nodding, Nick walked off, Julia following him with her eyes until he entered the locker room. God do I want a piece of whatever he gave Laura. Especially since she can't shut up about how great it is.. She thought with a sigh as she walked off to the girls' locker room herself.

Several minutes later, Nick walked out of the locker room and performed a drying spell on his hair. Turning towards the school, he was stopped by a voice. "Hey, Negron!"

The sharp tone of the voice startled Nick, the boy clutching at his robes above his heart as he saw Alcina standing there, leaning against the stands with her arms crossed. "Jeez, Alcina! Give a guy a heart attack, why don't you?"

Alcina smirked. "Maybe it would jumpstart this fucking shit to end." She straightened herself, but didn't dare move any closer.

Nick hadn't seen the older girl afraid to approach him, ever before, so he was curious as he took a small step towards her. "Well, you have my attention. What do you want?"

Alcina took an identical step back, knowing getting closer would only complicate things further. "We need to talk."

Nick was genuinely confused now as he cocked his head to one side. "Huh? About what, now?" He tested his thoughts again, ending the gesture with another small step forward.

Another step back. "About all of this shit that's encompassing us. Stop coming towards me before I hex you into the Wampus bathrooms!" She said, wand in hand.

Nick smirked. "You wouldn't be able to touch me. I can wandlessly cast a shield charm before you could even begin the incantation. Now why exactly are you acting like I have the plague?"

"You kind of do, Nicky!" Alcina covered her mouth, shocked she had even used Nick's usual nickname.

"Oh, this is about that. Alright, fine, I'll stand right here. Now what made this so important you had to find me?'

"First off, it wasn't hard knowing where you were. Julia's been scheduling practice on Saturday for years. However, you deserve to know what I've been spending so much time avoiding you for, although I feel you already know."

"I can hazard a guess, yeah. Why come to me, though? Honestly, Nessie's the best choice out of the bunch."

Alcina scowled. "I will not ask Vanessa for help on this. She is the only student to ever graduate early, and that makes her very low on my list of liked people."

Nick frowned. "Well, be that as it may, I still recommend talking to her about this. Talking to me, as I'm pretty sure has been mentioned to you at some point, kinda makes this whole joining process quicken. Like hella boosted."

Alcina sighed. She already knew, her mind racing as she did all she could to keep her focus. "I understand that, but that's more of a reason to speak to you, not one of your harem. Now can we talk about this or are you going to brush me off like an asshole about it?"

"Fine, fine. You have my undivided attention, Cina. Now what made it so important to talk to me?"

"Well, because of the outcast in your group," She rolled her eyes at Nick's usual clueless expression. "Alright, a couple of them. Nashrah and Camille specifically."

"Oh no. What is Camille up to now? Is she still going out of her way to try and turn this into a school-wide cult?"

"Sort of. I mean, she's been going out of her way to me, not sure of anyone else from the school personally. Literally yesterday she ambushed me on my way back to my dorm from the duelling room and my God can she paint a picture with her words."

Nick nodded. "It's a talent for her, something of a curse with what's going on these days. Alright, now what about sweet little Nashrah?"

"Nashrah is sweet, but she isn't little by any means. I mean, all the girls you've gotten close to are pretty stacked, and that spicy pepper is no exception. Granted, that can be chalked up to how the world is these days. And she isn't as innocent as she wants you all to think she still is. In fact, you may have to break her in to rein her in soon."

"What? What did she say to you? She didn't kiss you, did she?"

"Thankfully, no. Otherwise I would be hard-pressed to find the focus to talk to you civilly. No, but she did put an interesting image in my head and it's been haunting my mind." She said, looking away.

"Like what? Alcina, you may not like me, especially after your obvious struggle with my current situation, but connections to the Children of Purity or not, I have never had a reason to truly dislike you. And despite the fact I could be an asshole and just kiss you right here and possibly help your mind regain itself, I won't and you know that. So please, just tell me what's going on."

"Answer me this then. Is it true that you can carry both Lizzie and Saryna at the same time?"

Nick nodded. "Despite the fact I look like a twig, that's actually pretty easy. I mean, I doubt I would have much trouble if it was you and Lizzie, seeing as how you're definitely a bit heavier than Saryna is." He smirked, making a lifting motion at his chest.

Alcina, despite the shock from his statement, giggled at the obviously playful joke. "Such a stud and still such a kid all at once. I guess I can see the appeal."

"Now that is purely unintentional. So why did you feel so compelled to ask me that of all things?"

Alcina blushed, realizing she really was pretty much grilling him over what would seem to be nothing. "I.. I don't really know. I know I want you, don't get me wrong. But, I am more mature than most of your little harem, hence why despite struggling, I am still in total control of myself." That's a total lie. Said the voice of Ilvermorny in her head, the grass beneath her feet glowing slightly.

Nick noticed and his eyes widened. "I don't think the school agrees with you on that one, judging by how angry that glow is."

Alcina sighed. "Being able to communicate with the school was hard enough before it started warning me and trying to scare me off from joining your group. Now, it's just unbearable."

"I could imagine. So, go on."

"Ugh, really? It isn't already blatantly obvious? Nick, I will eventually join you, I've already decided that. But this is on my terms, whatever I have to do to keep it that way."

"Alright.. And your terms are..?"

"Simple. I will not make any sort of move until whatever issue with your contract exists is resolved. That goes for you too, obviously. I do not want to be part of this shit if I'm going to be out of control, and Vanessa even said once the contract is taken care of, then the control issues such as what Laura apparently dealt with would be little to nothing more than a nuisance."

"Alright, I can at least get behind that. I mean, I for one don't want a school full of Laura's on the loose." He laughed. "But, you need to remember something, too. If you really do want to go through with this, you're gonna have to start getting along with Nessie. She's done everything thinkable to help this situation not be a total nightmare for everyone involved. Frankly, I just don't like your attitude towards her. It needs to change."

Alcina sighed. She had known something like that was coming. "I guess so. You are right, I shouldn't take my stress out on Vanessa for any reason, let alone something I know she couldn't help herself from doing."

"I know I'm not the only student with shit to deal through this year. Sometimes, it's just harder to see when you're otherwise preoccupied with not dying at the hands of your significant others' father."

"I get it, Nick. Knowing that fact must be hard, given how Saryna was outcasting herself last year and how everyone's been taking it since Sayle declared you both his primary targets.." She looked away again, doing her best not to meet Nick's gaze as she sighed. "Listen, I know no one seems to really give two shits about it, especially the Children roaming around, but thank you. For always fighting that tyrant's sick plans and allowing all of us to continue living without too much fear about our futures."

Nick smiled at that. Those words were quite easily the nicest Alcina had said to him, and it did feel good to get some form of recognition. "Of course. I just don't want to see another Wizarding War or even something as horrible as genocide like the Holocaust in World War Two. And, it does kind of help motivate me knowing there's an army of strong, sexy witches behind me and supporting me. Even if it was kind of a last-minute deal."

"Well, this was good, actually. I should get back. Just, keep me in the loop about whatever you find out, yeah?"

Nick nodded. "Of course, love. And please, for your own caution, see Nessie about a bracelet?"

Alcina frowned but nodded anyway. "Fine, I'll swing by her classroom later during free period. By the way, did you ever figure why Saryna was giving you a subzero cold shoulder?"

Nick laughed. "Yeah, actually. She's jealous of Nessa, cuz of some news she found a little.. betraying, I'd say."

"Betrayal? From Vanessa? What the hell could you.. possibly.. Oh. Oh! Damnit, Nick, really?"

Nick put his arms up in surrender. "That's my bad. She was just as immoral in forgetting the spells herself, but I really should have thought it through a bit more. Not my fault they can't get enough of me. See ya, Alcina." With that, Nick walked off towards the school.

Alcina sighed exasperatingly. "That boy is a real charmer and he barely sees it even after all this.. Eh, fine, another point for him in the positive category. And you can't rule my life." She said, pointing to the still faintly glowing red light at her feet. "If I want to have the next generation of heirs with him, so be it. You, as this school, know how powerful Nick Negron can be, has been in the past. It would only seem logical to help keep magic in the world longer, don't you think?" The light pulsed once before fading to nothing, allowing Alcina to start making her own way to the school. "I thought so." She said, smirking as she decided to take a walk by the lake.

Late That Night..

Nick felt his shoulder being pulled back and forth. Opening his eyes, he was surprised to see Nessa there. "Finally! Come on, Nick. Cornelius is waiting for us in the library. And it was not easy to get that access this late."

Nick nodded, groaning sleepily as he got up and stretched, following Nessa down to the Ilvermorny library. They arrived and came to a table, where Cornelius sat. The man who had penned numerous marriage contracts including each and every document pertaining to the last two generations of Halliwell witches, smiled at the sight of the boy. "Ah, Nick. It is so lovely to see you again."

"You as well, Cornelius. Please tell me you have some form of good news, although the time of execution would suggest otherwise."

Cornelius chuckled nervously with a shake of his head. "Very perceptive of you, Nick. But, it isn't all bad news, I am happy to say."

"What a relief. So, what did you find out, Cornelius?" Nessa asked, just as nervous about the sudden meeting as Nick was.

Cornelius cleared his throat. "Well, as you initially told me, the marriage contract has in fact been altered. However, I could not conclusively deduce whether or not Auron Sayle himself made said alterations. I will admit, however, that the intent behind the enchantments is not as dark as we would all expect from the leader of the Puritans.

"Now, the list of names involved as per the contract has indeed grown. I'm guessing that hasn't been entirely intentional."

"No, but as it turns out, some of those newer names happen to be Children of Purity, meaning that Sayle's plan is already backfiring on him, According to Alcina."

Nessa looked at him. "Oh? Is Alcina readily admitting she's involved now?"

"Somewhat. She's doing this on her terms, and with her leaking Puritan information like the fact that Sayle seems to not give a shit about anyone other than himself." Cornelius eyed Nick curiously. "Alcina Blythe, adopted daughter of the Moraire family, told me her father warned her that something was already starting to affect the school, and it would only get worse. He doesn't want Alcina involved, but she decided long ago that she didn't feel for the Puritan prerogative. And as much as I don't understand about the inner workings of enchantments on documents like marriage contracts, I think I can safely asse that because I am involved directly with the contract itself, that has warped whatever Sayle originally intended with the enchantments.

"From how the situation has.. escalated in recent weeks, I can figure that the enchantments that keep altering the contract were only intended to be limited to those close to me, meaning no one outside of my friend group should have really been affected at all. Instead, the spell was warped to include women whose ideal align with mine. Hence, why Alcina and several other Children of Purity are being affected, like Lizzie or Camille."

"Lizzie is a point of contention, though. She admitted to crushing on you for years even before Ilvermorny. But, the ideals idea does have merit, especially if it's affecting those like Alcina. You have to remember, her father looks out for her because despite killing her parents, Alcina is his daughter and the Moraire's adore her. He would warn her that she might be involved whether she wanted to be or not."

"Exactly, and while she doesn't really want it, even she knows she would rather be against Sayle then support him destroying everything the Wizarding World fights to keep, especially after people like Voldemort and Sayle mess with that order."

"And not to mention that Alcina just happens to be a Descendant and therefore the only Heir of Ilvermorny we know that currently exists. The school itself is scared of whatever is going on because of the contract, even though in a twisted way, this harem is actually trying to protect the future generation, not hinder it. Cornelius, can this be reversed? Or at the very least halted before it gets any worse?"

"Yes, I have the top Curse Breaker in the UK coming to take a look and hopefully break the extra enchantments made. They should be here within the week. Supposedly accompanying Harry Potter, as well."

"Really? Seems an odd coincidence, her coming with the guest professor. Anyway, so this mess will be cleaned up soon, is what we're settling on, yeah?"

Cornelius nodded with a laugh. "Indeed. I will contact you when I have further news."

"Thank you, Cornelius. Taking care of the contract issue will go a long way towards at least stopping Sayle's master plan this year. Come on, Nick. You need to get some rest. First quidditch match is tomorrow morning, after all." Nessa said, noticing Nick yawning.

Nick nodded. "Sure. See you later, Cornelius. I'll tell my mom to send some cookies your way next time I write to her."

Cornelius smiled heartily. "I will never turn down some cookies from Cordelia Negron. Keep your studies up, boy." The older man left the library before Nessa brought Nick back to the Thunderbird dorms. Despite the good news, Nessa had a feeling the contract and it's changes weren't finished just yet..