HP: The Arcane Thief
HP: The Arcane Thief - Chapter 88: Daphne Fainted

"Ready to go to my home?" She asked excitedly.

Axel shook his head, "Actually, I have one more thing left to do before I'm ready," he told her. In their last meeting, Daphne had strongly requested he spend his train ride with just the two of them. She refused to even tell him why. A bit bewildered, Axel had still agreed since he saw no problem in agreeing. With the door clock and blinds drawn, no one would be able to see them together anyways.

Just as Axel was about to leave, someone unexpectedly showed up.

"Hey Martina." It was Damien Malcolm, someone who had all but disappeared ever since his last confrontation with Axel.

"What do you want?" Asked Martina a bit impatiently.

"Nothing much…Just some payback," said Damien with a dark chuckle.

Martina frowned, "What is that supposed to mean? What kind of payback?" Even she was understandably surprised. Damien had never been so openly rude to her before.

Damien shook his head, "I was sincere, Martina. You are younger and yet I treated you with respect. Time and time again, I expressed my love to you. But you never gave me a second glance. You just had to go ahead and choose this bastard instead," he said, glaring at Axel hatefully.

Martina took out her wand, "I'm warning you, Malcolm. You'll regret it if you ever involve Axel."

Damien chuckled darkly. I'm also warning you, Martina. Merry Christmas." He said as he left.

Axel sighed, shaking his head. He had beaten up the guy a few times under stealth and even emptied his room several times before, and Malcolm had stopped bothering him altogether. But it seems people just can't change, huh?

"Any ideas what he was talking about?" He asked Martina.

Martina only shook her head, "No idea. But don't take him too seriously. He's always overly dramatic."

Axel shrugged, "Whatever. I'll go now."

"Oh, alright, let's meet at the station then," said Martina.

After separating, Axel activated his Stealth as he joined the crowd of Students heading out of the school, picking a carriage to the Hogsmeade station. After boarding the Hogwarts Express, he activated Arcane Eyes and began searching for Daphne.

He found her sleeping inside a compartment locked with a charm. Opening the door with just a little of his [Lockpicking], he quietly closed the door behind him. Axel sat down beside her, observing her sleeping form. Strands of blond hair covered some of her face, her hands were hugging herself, maybe due to the cold, and she had a bit of drool leaking from the corner of her mouth.

It was the first time he was seeing her sleep since usually it's the other way around. Daphne has always been the one taking care of him. But she's been pretty tired and stressed lately, working really hard to improve. Axel is afraid she might burn herself out. Even now, dark circles were visible under her eyes due to the lack of sleep.

Axel casually removed the strands of hair off her face. He felt quite sorry for her. She's been going through all this due to him. Daphne shifted uncomfortably in her seat, trying to get into a better position.

Shaking his head, Axel gently lowered her head to let it rest on his lap. But, the movement woke her up. Her eyes flew open as she tried to sit up.

"Ohno! I slept?!" She asked in a half asleep state as she saw him, not even realizing she was lying in his lap. "I needed to spend the last few hours with you! I need to refill my Axel energy before the Holidays!" She said dazedly with sleepy eyes.

Axel raised an eyebrow at her behaviour. He made a mental note to himself that Daphne can talk nonsense in her half-asleep state. He pushed her rising head back down, using his jacket as a pillow. His ripped thighs cannot be the best pillow. "Stay asleep. You need rest," he told her. Spend time with him? They meet daily in her training sessions. Daphne should instead save her energy to spend it with her family, whom she only meets occasionally.

In her half asleep state, Daphne took a deep breath, burying her head back in his lap as she fell asleep once again.

Hours passed, and Daphne seemed to have found the best sleeping posture as she slept like a baby. And from the way she'd smile and snuggle further up to him, it seemed that she was having pleasant dreams. Axel didn't wake her up, who knows how little the girl must have slept in the last month, always looking tired. And the less time she wastes here the more time she'll be able to spend with her family.

Only when they had almost arrived did Daphne stir. "Hmm…Axshhe' I wuv u…" murmuring incoherently, her eyes slowly opened.

And she saw Axel reading a book, making her realize that she was actually lying in his lap.

Daphne smiled blissfully. "What a dream…" she mumbled, before snuggling back into his lap. With her head buried in his jacket, she took a deep breath, inhaling his scent. "It's almost real…"

"It's good that you woke up. We're almost at Kingscross," said Axel, closing his book.

"….???" Daphne froze and her eyes opened as her mind came out of the sleepy haze. Her head mechanically rose from his jacket as she took in everything around her. One of her hands touched the slight traces of drool at the corner of her mouth while the other hand touched her hair which was a mess. Her eyes went back to Axel before looking back at her position, her head unable to properly comprehend the situation. Finally her eyes closed again as she fainted.

"Well, she must be really tired," muttered Axel.

…

"Hey," said Axel as he appeared beside Martina, making her jump.

"It's you! Sorry, I didn't see you approach," said Martina. She had just alighted the train and was about to call Axel through the Magi-mirror. "Let's find my brother. He's here to pick us up," she said, walking together with Axel. Martina seemed really happy right now, maybe because she was excited to go home.

But before Axel and Martina had walked much, they were ambushed by a bunch of reporters, who blocked their path.

Click click!

"Miss Valentino, and Mr. Hunt, you two are walking together. Does that mean you're going to be spending your Christmas Holidays together?!"

"Mr. Hunt, we've never seen you with any guardian. Is it possible for you to tell us about your living conditions?"

"Miss Valentino, does your family approve of your 'close' relation with Axel Hunt?"

A lot of questions were thrown their way. Axel was a bit annoyed. If he wasn't Martina he would have left without giving answers. But Martina was too kind. The girl was trying to actually talk to the buggers. "Excuse us please. My brother is here. It'll be good if you guys leave before he comes…"

Of course, the reporters wouldn't listen if you're so nice to them. The crowd only increased. Just when Axel was wondering if he'd have to wait forever, a few rowdy looking wizards in black suits barged in as they roughly shoved the buggers aside, creating a path for Martina and Axel to walk through. And leading these men was of course, none other than Enzo, Martina's brother.

"Lil' sis," he said spreading his arms.

Martina smiled, hugging him. "You have a bruise on your cheek," she couldn't help but point out.

"Oh-no, don't make wrong assumptions here! I haven't been in any fights. It's from Maria."

"Then you must have deserved it," she said, lightly hitting him. "Maria is Endo's fiance," she informed Axel.

Enzo then turned his attention towards Axel. "And here is our guest of honor, huh?" He said, offering his hand.

"Axel Hunt," said Axel, shaking his hand.

Enzo looked down at Axel's hand, "No longer injured, eh? I need a rematch," he said, tightening his grip to test Axel out. Axel's hand, of course, didn't budge at all, but he didn't do anything either. He still needs to get his wand fixed after all.

Martina, who had seen him fight XXXXX level creatures, and exacting vicious revenge on those messing with him, quickly separated their hands for her brother's sake, "Enzo, can you please behave? He is our guest!"

Enzo laughed, releasing Axel's hand. "Relax sis, I know what I'm doing," he said as he grinned at Axel. "You already passed the first test…"

Axel furrowed his brow, "What test?"

"Nothing!" Said Martina, giving Enzo a warning glare. "Enzo likes to play around. Now, can we go already?"

Enzo nodded, grinning teasingly at Martina, "Right, let's go. mom and dad are waiting," he said, taking out a ring from his pocket that expanded in size. "Grab on."

Martina turned to look at Axel. "You still have the Valentino knife, right?" She asked.

Axel nodded. The knife is always in his pocket.

"Hold the ring then. It's a portkey," she said, gripping the ring.

'A portkey…' Axel looked at the ring curiously. Of course knew of portkeys, but he had never actually tried one himself. So he was, without a doubt, curious to try one.

"Is this your first time?" Asked Martina, observing him.

Axel shrugged.

Endo was surprised, "You've never portkeyed before?"

Martina hit her brother on his shoulder. "It's not that uncommon." She then smiled reassuringly at Axel, "You just have to grip the ring tightly. It's very safe, so you don't need to be worried."

"..." When did he say he was worried?

"Ready?" Asked Endo, when everyone's grip was secured. "Here we go." he said, pressing a button.

Axel felt as though a hook just behind his navel had been suddenly jerked irresistibly forward as his feet left the ground; he could feel Martina and Enzo on either side of him; they were all speeding forward in a howl of wind and swirling color; his hand was stuck to the ring as though it was pulling him magnetically onward and then, they were suddenly ejected, out into Italy.

Martina staggered a little, ending up holding onto Axel, who had landed quite stably. "Oh, sorry. That usually does not happen!" She clarified, feeling embarrassed about her earlier reassurances. In the end, she was the one who ended up needing help.

"It's fine," Axel already knew how steady Martina was based on the number of times she had ended up flashing him.

He took a look around the surroundings, and even if he was expecting it, he was still surprised. He was currently standing in a magnificent garden, which seemed to stretch behind him endlessly. In front of him was a cobble-stoned pathway, leading to a giant manor, which shimmered due to the magic surrounding it. Men in black suits were stationed everywhere around the place, armed and dangerous.

"Welcome home, princess!" said Martina's dad, Alessandro, who was walking towards them with several other individuals.

"Dad! Mom!" Martina quickly got away from Axel as she embraced her parents. "Maria! You're also here." said Martina, hugging a girl who had come to stand beside Endo. Maria was brunette with an athletic figure. She was wearing a similar punk outfit like Endo and her nose and ears had piercings.

Maria nodded, "Yeah, I thought I might come and help out, you know, with the ongoing situ—" she couldn't continue, as Enzo cut her off. "She's here for Christmas, of course. She's helping out with the party organization."

Maria realized her screw up as she quickly caught up, "Yeah, you know how onerous our Christmas parties can be," she said, forcing a smile.

Martina was going to ask questions, but Alessandro shifted everyone's attention to Axel as he approached.

"And here is your boyf—"

"Dad!"

"Alright, alright, here's your friend from last time. Axel Hunt, right? I've heard a lot about you," said Alessandro, looking at Axel with the intimidating air of a Mafia boss as he held out his hand.

Axel clasped the offered hand with some exasperation. 'Are we doing this again.' He thought, feeling Alessandro applying pressure as soon as he shook it. Trying to crush the hand of someone with an inhuman level of dexterity is not a good idea.

At this moment, Axel happened to yawn. Watching Daphne sleep had made him sleepy as well.

"Nice to meet you, sir," he said, stifling his yawn with the back of his other hand.

The rest of the people: "..."

"Damn sonny, you sure you're only 13? Your hand wouldn't budge," he said, squeezing it further.

"Leave it, dad. I've already tried. The guy has a grip made of iron," said Endo, really empathetic with his father's situation. Being bestest by a 12 year old sucks. He had already experienced it twice, counting what had happened last year.

At Alessandro's question, Axel shrugged, "Not my fault if you guys squeeze like little girls."

—silence—

There was a moment of silence as everyone stopped what they were doing. Only the sounds of birds and fountains in the distance could be heard as everyone looked at Axel with surprise.

After which, Alessandro burst out into a raucous laughter, followed by Enzo. Alessandro thumped Axel's shoulder pleasantly, "You do have balls, kid. Much better than the sissies of today."

Axel inwardly gave himself a thumbs up. As someone who's been in the company of crooks, and one himself, he knows that showing weakness and politeness in situations like this is even worse. It makes you a pushover and puts you in a weaker position. It only invites them to push you further. Besides, Martina is right here. She wouldn't let her father hurt their enemies, let alone her friend Axel who saved her life.

Axel turned towards Francesca, Martina's mother who had been observing the whole scene and bowed slightly. "Thanks for inviting me, ma'am," he said politely. Different people need different treatment. From what he knows from Martina and what he has observed, Martina's mother is a very uptight woman. And she's one who's going to help him out with his wand so of course he has to behave.

Francesca nodded in approval, "It is our pleasure. I've long wanted to know more about Martina's first friend," she said, studying Axel with a critical eye.

"Mom! I have many friends! I've just never invited them!"

"Exactly my point, dear."

Losing the argument, Martina looked at the sky in exasperation.

At this moment, one of the men in black came to Martina's parents and whispered something in a hushed tone. Hearing it, their expressions became somber, as they exchanged glances, talking in low voices.

Alessandro turned back to Martina and smiled, "Martini, you show Axel around. We have some work to do, okay?"

Martina scowled at her parents, "Mom, dad! You're doing it again. Why can't you guys just tell me the problem?"

"Because no matter how mature you are, you are still too young to know about some things," said her mother

Martina's further protests fell on deaf ears as everyone left to deal with whatever problem they were facing. Left alone with Axel, Martina stomped her feet. "They always do this!" She whined.

Axel shrugged, "Why would you even want to know?" He was just fine that they had left. Now if only they deal with the problem quickly and get around to fixing his wand, he'll be relieved.

Martina shook her head, "You don't understand. They think—"

"—Of you as a child? While you think yourself far more mature? Tell me about it," said Axel with a scoff.

"You—how—?" Martina sputtered but she sighed as she sat down on the bed of lush grass and small flowers beneath her. "You wouldn't understand. I have always had a very high IQ. But in other things… I've always struggled. And my family's overprotection and deciding everything for me hasn't helped me at all."

Axel sat down beside her. "Parents making decisions for you, that's gotta suck," accepted Axel. "But you are still quite lucky." Her parents decided for her to have an easy, struggle free life, and a happy life. That can't be such a bad thing, right? The decision his parents made for him was that it would be better for him to stay at an orphanage rather than with them.

Martina looked at Axel and suddenly realized what an absolute bitch she was being, whining about a perfect life in front of Axel, who must have had a very tough life, especially considering the state he was in when he arrived at Hogwarts. "I'm SO sorry, that was so insensitive. You're right, I'm already lucky."

Axel shook his head, "I am right. But, I didn't say you were wrong. You do need to experience some hardships, and start helping out with your family's problems." Martina's parents' method might have been great in normal circumstances, but the fact was, Axel could see war in the future. And Martina as his ally, having so much power without knowing how to properly wield it, was a huge waste of war potential.

Martina sighed, "But what can I even do? My parents wouldn't tell me anything. I've never seen them so tense in ages. It has to be something really bad," she said worriedly.

Axel put his hands in his pocket. "Well, I might have heard a little of what they were talking about."

Martina looked at him in surprise. "You did? What did you hear?"

Axel nodded but instead of replying, he asked his own question. "You guys are the most powerful magical mafia in Italy, right?"

Martina nodded.

"Well, then what do you know about the Russian Magical Mafia?"

Martina's eyes widened.

"It's them?!"

…

A.N.: Daphne almost confessed lol.

And Axel mocking a mafia boss in his own house.

POWERSTONES!!

: The Russian Mafia, and Martina Flashes again

Next next: Avoid Sleeping with our daughter from now on

Next next.... next: Angry Axel—Going Super Savage mode!

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