Children of Sin

Chapter 31

There were two weeks until the Yule Ball, and the schools were filled with teenage love. You couldn't have one day without someone getting asked out, and it began to grate on Victor's nerves.

"Are they ever going to stop?" Victor whined as he collapsed on his bed, "Maman, I'm telling you, it's like they've all forgotten reason."

"I'm sorry about that," Larissa's voice rang through the communication device, "try your best not to let it get to you. I'd love to talk more, but Leopold and I have a conference we have to get to. I'm finally releasing the communicative devices, and the ministry has scheduled a conference to take place."

"Au revoir," Victor sighed as Larissa's face disappeared. 

"Victor?" Boaz Cartier stuck his head into the room, "can you give me a hand with my transfiguration homework?"

"Sure," Victor follows his cousin, "let's get to it."

"Their bond is sweet," Lillian coos, "look how he went to help Boaz with no complaint."

"We can see Lillian," Lyra rolled her eyes at her overdramatic older sister, "no need for dramatics."

"Hush," Lillian shushed her sister, "I'm watching my son."

"Hey Layla," Cesare approached Layla carefully, seemingly planning something.

"Oh," Layla looked up from her book. She was sitting on a windowsill overlooking the Great Lake, her long feet neatly crossed in a pretzel. "Bonjour Cesare."

"Room for another?" Cesare squeezed next to her, glancing over her shoulder, "is that Fantastic Beasts?"

"Yeah," Layla blushes, "Selena lent me her copy yesterday. It's truly a remarkable piece of literature."

"It is," Cesare agrees, "revolutionary as well. Until Mr. Scamander wrote it and brought attention to the plight of magical beasts, people couldn't care less about what happened to them. Mr. Scamander changed the way people saw magical creatures."

"He's quite incredible," Layla smiled, "and also very kind."

"Newt is definitely kind," Fleamont agrees with Layla's statement, "sometimes too kind."

"Like you," Cesare flattered, "although you're much prettier." Layla turned as red as her hair. She knew she was pretty, she looked far too much like her gorgeous Maman to ever doubt that, but this was the first time someone other than family had said as much.

"Thank you," Layla responded unsurely. She had a feeling about what was going to come next, and she didn't know how to feel about it. 

"Would you like to go to the ball with me?" Cesare finally blurted out, his true intentions finally coming out.

Layla considered the offer she had seen coming. She liked Cesare a lot; he was a great friend and handsome to boot. However, she'd never gone a date before, let alone gone to a ball with someone. She was a little nervous; it was a big first to take. However, she'd never get another chance to give it a shot if she said no. Worst comes to worst, Damian will hex him. 

"Sure," Layla smiled at Cesare, "I'd be happy to go with you."

"Cute," Lyra declares, poking Daniel on the cheek, "Dan, did you watch that?"

"Yes Lyra," Daniel rolled his eyes exasperatedly, "you know, sometimes I feel like I'm the older sibling and not you."

"Ouch," Lyra feigned insulted, "I can't believe you say such a thing to your big sister."