After Louis' magnificent birthday celebration, summer truly began in earnest. The days slipped by quickly, marked by laughter, exploration, and deep magical inquiry.
Louis spent the following weeks dividing his time between relaxation and scholarly pursuit. Much of July was devoted to working alongside Nicolas Flamel. Louis returned often to the master alchemist's tranquil countryside estate, where the two immersed themselves in magical theory. The wide stone walls of Flamel's home were lined with shelves that bowed under the weight of ancient tomes, and its gardens were rich with alchemical herbs, glowing faintly under the summer sun. In this idyllic setting, they refined earlier discoveries, focusing on the stabilization of magical emotions and the further purification of mana.
In the cool silence of Flamel's vast library, Louis began drafting full chapters for the magical research book he had started with his friends the previous year. The scratch of his quill echoed beneath vaulted ceilings as he carefully etched complex theories into parchment—pages filled with elegant runes and diagrams that pulsed with meaning.
By the third week of July, Louis left for London, where he met up with Cho. The two then traveled together to visit Evangeline and Charles at their family residence just outside the city. Nestled in a quiet, leafy wizarding community, the home had a rustic charm, with ivy-covered chimneys and a garden teeming with fluttering magical creatures.
"This is our garden," Charles said, gesturing grandly as he led them through an elaborate hedge maze.
"And over there," Evangeline added, pointing at a crooked tree, "is where Charles tried to fly with cardboard wings when he was six."
"That never happened," Charles muttered, blushing.
"It absolutely did," Evangeline said with a smirk.
The sibling bickering was relentless, but it only made the visit more entertaining. The group explored lesser-known magical corners of the city—hidden spell-stone circles in suburban parks, underground wand artisans, and even a floating tea house tucked behind an old brick wall.
Their bond grew stronger with every shared laugh and discovery. When it was time for Louis to return to Versailles, Cho chose to remain behind with the siblings, planning to spend the rest of her summer holiday with them. Before parting, Louis and the other agreed to reunite before the school year began for supply shopping.
Back in the grand halls of Versailles, Louis spent two days at home with his family before departing for another adventure. This time, he was traveling far across the world, to Polynesia. The Delacours had recently acquired a summer home along the sparkling coast, and Fleur had invited Louis and his parents to join them.
The Polynesian landscape was breathtaking. Warm golden sand met crystal blue waters, and palm trees swayed lazily under the breeze. Louis and Fleur explored every inch of the island—its rainforests bursting with life, its enchanted waterfalls whispering ancient magic. The local magical community welcomed them with hospitality, sharing old customs and recipes and inviting them to participate in nightly luaus adorned with enchanted lanterns.
During one of their strolls through a vibrant open market, Louis paused in front of a stall draped with shimmering robes.
"That color would look perfect on you," he said, motioning toward a dress dyed in oceanic hues and embroidered with moon-thread.
Fleur's cheeks turned a deep rose. "Louis…"
"I'm serious."
Despite her embarrassment, Louis bought the dress for her, making her parents smile as they watched the two from a distance. The days were filled with joy, and the nights with stargazing and quiet heartbeats shared beneath glowing palms.
After three unforgettable weeks, the families parted ways. Louis and Fleur embraced one last time at the dock.
"Promise we'll keep the bond active?" she whispered.
"I promise," Louis replied, gently resting his forehead against hers. With that, the familiar thread of their mental connection pulsed softly back to life.
Louis returned to Versailles, spending the final days of summer resting among the whispering trees of the DeVersailles estate. The gentle hum of cicadas and the golden light filtering through the hedgerows provided the perfect backdrop for quiet reflection.
Then, without warning, it was time.
The morning of the Hogwarts Express day had arrived. The sun filtered softly through a hazy sky as Louis met his friends in Diagon Alley. The street was alive with chatter and excitement, robes swishing and spell lists unfolding in every direction.
"Where's your cauldron list?" Evangeline asked, nudging Charles.
"Right here," he said, waving a crumpled piece of parchment.
They roamed from shop to shop, ticking off supplies: textbooks, potion ingredients, wand polish, and protective charms. The shops bustled with other returning students and their parents.
"I still can't believe how quickly the summer flew by," Cho said as she tucked a newly purchased flask into her satchel.
"Fast and brilliant," Charles agreed. "Feels like we barely blinked."
Louis excused himself and slipped down a narrow alley behind the apothecary, entering a dimly lit shop filled with rare magical supplies. The air smelled of parchment and mystery. He purchased luminescent glyph ink, a sealed crystal of emotional resonance, and two aged artifacts believed to assist in mana purification. They would be essential for his experiments this term.
He returned to find his friends clustered around a stand selling magically chilled ice cream.
"Strawberry ripple or elderflower mint?" Cho offered.
"Strawberry," Louis replied with a smile.
With cones in hand, the group made their way to a discreet taxi waiting near the Leaky Cauldron.
"This is it?" Evangeline asked, wide-eyed at the sleek black car.
"It's enchanted," Louis said. "It'll take us straight to King's Cross."
"I've never taken a taxi," she murmured.
"It's a Muggle thing," Charles said with a wink. "You'll love it."
Inside the taxi, the group laughed and reminisced about their summer adventures. The car purred softly as it sped through the city, and soon they arrived at the familiar platform. The Hogwarts Express stood proud, steam hissing from its engines.
As they crossed the barrier into Platform 9¾, Louis paused. He looked at each of his friends—their faces excited, their eyes filled with dreams—and felt a rush of gratitude. Their journey was just beginning, again.
"Ready for year two?" Evangeline asked.
"More than ready," Louis answered