Chapter 327: Then There Were Two

Quinn watched from the far side at the two girls who seemed to be in deep discussion. . . at least he hoped it was a discussion and not an exchange of scathing words.

He focused on their lips, alas, they were neither facing him, nor it would've helped as he lacked the skill to read lips. Quinn's magic twitched under his impulsive commands, ready to launch a number of nifty spells ranging from enhancing his ears to picking up distant voices or sound magic to snatch their conversation and carry it over to his side.

He contemplated, but he rested his magic after a moment of thought. It was difficult going against his own 'flawed' nature. . . but unlike his 'brothers,' he was capable of restraining himself with some effort— all thanks to the contribution of his two very generous brothers.

His thoughts took a walk to distract himself from the honestly nerve-racking conversation before him and wandered to wondering what was happening inside the soulscape. The 'original' was bound there with the help of magic. . . .

'Ah, magic. . . it's so wonderful,' Quinn breathed a sigh of contentment. The range of magic under his fingertip was absolutely exhilarating and ecstatic. It couldn't, in a thousand years, compare to what he had when he was nothing but a voice in the back of the head.

. . . . Back to the 'original.' He had bound him up as a punishment for trying to the unsightly assault. He had been nothing but kind to the original. The additional penalty was blocking the original's view outside.

Quinn's brow furrowed. The original was as resourceful as a handyman's tool kit with a cockroach's persistence. The original didn't have the assortment of magic usually available to him in the soulscape. . . an advantage for the Sins. . . despite that, he had been able to get his voice project out of the soulscape while they were in control— it had been the downfall of two of his brother: Wrath and Envy.

But that much wasn't enough to surpass expectations. What actually surprised him was the control over soul magic that seemingly came out of nowhere. The stab in Envy's back was sudden enough to send a tremor in the remaining Sins— causing him to go ahead with his plan of subsuming Lust and Gluttony. A wise decision as the original's access to magic jumped when he subsumed his brothers. He wasn't as strong as three Sins, but enough that he could keep the original down.

'Maybe I should try telling him that Daphne broke up with me,' he thought. Contemplating how the pros and cons of the situation— on the one hand, it would definitely be a substantial hit on the original's mental state, putting a hamper on his abilities, but on the other hand, he will have to block the view every time Daphne was as much as mentioned in a conversation. . . too much blocking would only serve to raise the original's suspicion.

He clicked his tongue. If he could get rid of the original this instant, he would've deceived him about Daphne to strike when the target was at its weakest. But he had no method to get rid of the original— he was a prisoner that couldn't be executed— beat up, sure, but not executed.

The risk wasn't worth the unguaranteed returns, he decided. He would leverage another situation when one came in the future.

He was brought out of his thoughts when he saw Daphne walking towards him. He straightened up. Her every step was more nervewracking than facing the angry original's barrage of soul-shearing blades.

"What do you like about her?" The question came even before Daphne's feet stopped on the ground.

He gazed at Daphne, a flash passing through his eyes. He studied her, mulling his answer for the best effect.

"I need someone who questions me and can keep me in check," he said. "The dynamic between Ivy and I is such that she doesn't take my words as right as many do. She will question me until she's satisfied. Call me out if something doesn't make sense. I need that."

"And you're saying that I can't provide that?"

"Our relationship dynamic is different. In my heart, you represent a pillar of support— who I know will back me with whatever I do. Something I also so dearly need. But I also think that more often than not, you will support whatever choice I make. . . and those times when you do are enough for me to be worried. She's the anchor I need to ensure that I don't end up going down a path with no returns."

Daphne glared at him, her face becoming colder by the second. "Is that it? You need her because she is of some use to you? Then she can be a confidant, why does she need. . . ." her tempo rose until Daphne breathed to calm herself down and stared at Quinn.

"I'm attracted to her, and she is to me," he said, maintaining firm eye contact. "Will you be comfortable with her close to me?"

Daphne closed her eyes: scrunched up in a frown. She took a deep breath before opening her eyes.

Slap!

She slapped him tightly with a wide swing. Quinn made no efforts to stop dodge it, taking it as intended. He didn't lower his head and stared at her with his intentions clear for her to see.

Daphne turned away and walked back to Ivy, who was looking at them from a distance. Her eyes widened when she saw and 'heard' the slap.

Quinn raised his hand and caressed his cheek. It stung. But he felt good about it. It was always better when Daphne showed more heated emotion than withdrew into her icy shell.

He got back to watching the two girls. It was a risky move on his part. He could lose both— Daphne could dump him; Ivy might not like his choice and approach and finally decide that she wasn't interested. The original would've never gone through this, not in a million years. This desire had stemmed from the original, but something that was fated to stay dormant until forgotten.

But he was different. If Quinn West wanted something, no one was going to deny him.

Quinn waited for what felt like close to three-quarters of an hour. It looked like the discussion had been reached its conclusion because Daphne and Ivy walked to him.

He studied their face. Daphne looked like she had a lot to say while Ivy's lips were stopping themselves from curling up.

He knew that instant that his bid had been successful.

"I'm in a mood where that face of yours irritates me." Daphne's words made him restrain his expression. She continued, "I should dump you here and now, but I just. . . can't" — Daphne's face was a strange mix of sharpness and vulnerability — "I do not if this is even something I should entertain. . . but I'm going to give this a chance," she looked into his eyes, "so please don't make me regret this. . . please."

Quinn stepped close to her in an instant and grabbed her hand. "You will never regret this, I promise," he said sincerely; his greed had obviously hurt her.

"I love you," he said.

Daphne stared up at him with her blue eyes full of emotion. For a moment, when Daphne's reply didn't come, he felt his heart drop, but it was only a moment as she raised her hand and softly stroked the same cheek she had slapped.

"I love you too," she said but then followed with. "I need some time."

Quinn's grip on her hand tightened. He didn't like the sound of that.

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"It's not like that," she said with weakness in her eyes. "I am tired, with what happened yesterday and now. . . I'm going back to the dorms and. . . talk to Tracey about what happened here. You can expect her to come blowing steaming with her wand."

He gazed at Daphne. He raised her hand in his hand and kissed it. "I am very lucky, aren't I?"

"Yes, you are," she said. Daphne tipped-toed and kissed him on his cheek and then whispered into his ear, "If you leave me for her, I will do everything in my power to make you regret it." She moved away and gave him a good long look before walking away towards the castle.

He gazed at her all the way until she was no longer visible. Only after that did he turn to Ivy, who was staring at him with a complicated gaze.

"While I'm grateful," he spoke, "may I know why you agreed. . . I was expecting you to curse me for even bringing it up."

"It happened so suddenly that I didn't get the time to think that," said Ivy.

"If you need more time, you can take it. Making a decision in a hurry to regret it later will not do any of us good."

Ivy shook her head, "I have decided to give this try. . . . It's strange, you know. At first, I never thought I could ever look at you with anything other than dislike, but here we are; I'm in a relationship with you who already has a girlfriend— and it's Daphne, no less. Never thought my first relationship would be like this."

". . . I sprung this on you without warning. Are you sure—"

"Yes, I'm sure," she cut him off. "I don't know if this will be a success or if this is a good idea to start with— I don't know why I agreed; there's no reason expressible for it— it is just what is." She shrugged, "If I feel like this is not working, I will walk away as if it was any other relationship."

"I said this before; I will say it again. You're not going to regret it."

"I really hope so," Ivy said with a blooming smile.

He stepped forward. Ivy's eyes widened as her body language turned shy. She didn't move away. He drew her toward him with his eyes; she inclined her face toward his, and he laid his mouth on hers, which was like a freshly split-open fig. For a long time, he kissed Ivy and conveyed his feelings to her about how he thought of her decision to be a wise one.

"O-Ok, ay. . ." Ivy pulled back, her palm on his chest, slightly out of breath. She had her head dipped away from Quinn.

"Can we dub this our first kiss rather than the last one?" he asked, smirking, wondering if absorbing Lust had some pleasant side effects.

Ivy nodded absentmindedly before she realized what she had affirmed, and the blush turned to a burning red.

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After a while, the time to part had come.

"Can I also expect Hermione to come after with some nasty surprises?" he asked. "Maybe even Harry?"

"No. . . I'm going to keep this under wrap for now," Ivy continued when she saw his expression. "I'm not hiding this because I'm not sure of this. . . it's just that I don't want to listen to Hermoine harp. . . and I don't want this to go to Harry, dad, and especially mum just yet. Probably after we have spent more time together. . . are you fine with that?"

"You're making a compromise here. I'm going to follow whatever you want."

After working out a few details, Quinn bid Ivy goodbye. She went to the castle, leaving Quinn still on the grounds. He waited a while before finally opening the block over the soulscape.

"Hey, so I have some good news," he said. "I was able to—"

He stopped when he saw the original standing with no chains on his body, staring at him with a dull expression.

"How—" He felt a tap on his shoulder and on extinct, he turned, and the sheer shock wasn't the word enough to describe his feelings as he saw Severus Snape standing behind him.

"You're in my way to attaining my needs, and I can be very greedy."

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Quinn West - MC - I have attained my greatest achievement.

Daphne Greengrass - Girlfriend-A - Is pouring her heart out to her best friend.

Ivy Potter - Girlfriend-B - Got questioned why she was so in such a joyous mood.

Severus Snape - Dead - Boo!

FictionOnlyReader - Author - LALALALALA!!! I can't hear you! I can't hear you.

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