So while vacationing in California last summer, I had a thought and started to write it out for fun, found it again recently and thought, why not? It'd be fun!

So, Ruffled will be my HP AU for ML! At least, taking place in the same world, will not be set or happening anywhere near Hogwarts or have anything to do with HP plotline, and there are no miraculouses and... could it still be called HP AU? Maybe wizarding AU instead? Idk, same world setting as HP for sure, taking place in France, and mainly exploring my headcanons for Veelas!

This'll be a bit drabble-y for a few chapters before any plot picks up.

Enjoy~

When the clock struck one in the morning, Gabriel Agreste had to stop. His eyes were heavy from staring at paper and ink for so long, the soft flicker of candles left him sleepy, and the repetitive scratch of quills on paper was turning into a pleasant white noise that he could lull too.

Willing for the pale feathers to drop, he brought his hand to his face, smoothing over his exhausted features and trying to wipe the drowsiness away. Not that it did much for him. He felt he could fall asleep into his palm.

He needed retire.

Minister Borgeois was expecting him at nine am sharp tomorrow morning, presenting the finest designs for a future robe for him.

With a halfhearted wave of his hand, one quill jotted down Have coffee ready, and sent the note flying to the kitchen where his house elf could see it.

He was going to need something strong for his appointment tomorrow. Making sure the ink was sealed, and the papers were neatly stacked, Gabriel got up with a tired hum, ready to retire to the awaiting master bedroom.

He just stepped out of his office when he was called out too.

"Sir!" his steward cried out, hurrying to him, carrying something in her arms.

"Nathalie," he started tiredly, only to blink at the bundle of blankets in her arm. "What's that?" he asked.

Nervously she fluttered before him, looking away and biting her lip. She cradled the bundle delicately to her chest. "For you sir," she uttered breathlessly, adjusting the bundle so that Gabriel could see it.

Gabriel stared down at it, long and hard.

He never thought he'd see those eyes again.

Eyes that were the lightest green, like the shade of a new spring leaf. That shone like the sun itself gleamed from those orbs. Eyes that should've only belonged to one.

One he never should see again.

And yet here they were.

Staring right back at him.

Stiffly, he echoed, "For me?"

Nathalie nodded, wincing. "He came with a note. He's, he's three months old. He, he can't go back, wherever he's from, he can't go back. It said his name is Adrien. And he's yours."

Gabriel's mouth set at a firm line, now finally more awake as he stared down at the wide eyed babe.

This, this was impossible.

This, this had to be some sort of mistake.

There was nothing visibly him in this child's face. It was all her. This couldn't be his.

But he's spent time with only one partner in this last year.

A partner who had the same brightest eyes.

The sweetest smile.

And the most melodious voice he could not help but submit to it. And when she beckoned him to share the eve with her, he came willing like the charmed fool. That was the trick of Veelas. No one could refuse them. A single smile, look, or touch; and their prey was at the mercy of their whims.

Gabriel wasn't the first pureblood to spend a night with a Veela, and he certainly wasn't going to be the last.

But it looked like he was going to join the rarity that had a child with a Veela.

Something flickered in Gabriel.

He had a child.

That was his child in Nathalie's arm.

That was his child quietly staring back at him.

His child that was half Veela.

His child that was half human.

He finally got an heir like his father so desperately wished, and it was a half magical being.

Gabriel grabbed the door frame, steadying himself as he stared down at the baby.

It's green eyes started to water, his face pinching up. Gabriel figured he must have been picking up on the negativity drifting off of him. Nathalie held the tearing child closer, eyeing the pureblood warily. "Sir?" she asked once more.

"It can't be sent back?" Gabriel finally asked.

"No," she said, tightening her grip as the child emitted a mournful whine. "He can only be raised by you. The note said that Veela children respond best only to their parents and family. I… I don't know if he'd do well in an orphanage sir."

Gabriel tightened his grip on the frame, making the wood squeak.

"Take it away," he ordered.

"Sir?"

"I don't care where, or what room, take him away."

Nathalie hurried away, the boy finally breaking and wailing in her arms. Gabriel slipped back into his office, waving one of the quills to life and writing a quick letter. He needed answers. He needed to know why.

Why send him here?

Why couldn't she take care of him anymore?

Why did he have to learn about his half human heir?

Gabriel pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing.

How could this happen?

Gabriel stared at the letter in his hand, rereading it for the fifth time. Particularly one sentence.

"…was sadly killed by harpy…"

"…killed by a harpy…"

That's why she couldn't take care of him.

And why he was sent to Gabriel.

Veelas did not care to extend help to half breeds. Especially a half human.

He's quite aware of how the race looks down on humans. How they snicker and chortle at the wizarding world and their "arrogance", yet so easily fell for their charms and whim. For a long, long time they've treated wizards and witches as means of amusement and use. A half between the two…

If the boy was full Veela, perhaps one would care for him.

But he was half, he had no place with Veelas.

Technically, he had no place with the wizarding world either.

At least being half Veela, the boy had the best chance of simply blending in. He would have a better chance here than with the Veelas. He could live his whole life here and no one would be the slightest suspicious of his blood.

But that didn't change that Gabriel knew.

That he had a half blood son.

His mother would be turning in her grave if she knew.

The Agreste bloodline was ruined.

If his father ever found out...

Angrily Gabriel threw the letter aside, turning in his seat and glaring out the window. Single wizards with a child were less ideal. He had a slimmer chance of finding a bride, of fathering other purebloods, securing that his family line continued. He was stuck with a half breed.

Half magical being.

Half inhuman.

He rolled his fingers over his pinching brows, his glasses squeaking in protest as they were lifted. The scandal of the world if they found out he had a half human illegitimate child. He could be ruined. The Agreste name could be ruined.

What could he do?

A knock drew him out of his muse. Not glancing at the door, he called, "Enter."

Nathalie slipped in, a tired frown on her face. Standing poised before him, she reported, "He barely eats."

He hummed.

"We've tried a variety of formulas these past few days. He seems to like having sugar mixed with his milk most, but he'll only drink a little."

"How unfortunate," he offers.

She sighed, "With all due to respect, sir, he's your son."

Gabriel turned his icy eyes to her. "A son I never asked for."

"He is still your son!" she responds boldly, "And he's starving himself sir! You, you should see him before you decide you don't want him."

"He isn't a pureblood Nathalie. I could end up ruined!"

She grimaced at him, blue eyes darting about as she scrambled for a reply. Gabriel turned away from her, glaring down at his desk. Perhaps he should contact an orphanage. It would be difficult for the child, but it'd be better. And he was due for a public donation. He was fine with offering a little extra for discretion.

"In all of Paris," she voiced, "wizarding and muggle included; it's been found that seven percent of the populace have Veela heritage." He glanced up at her. She continued, stoic and sure. "Only three percent of that is known to have Veela heritage. Paris lives on unaware that four percent of the citizens here have Veela heritage."

"You really think he could pass off as a pureblood?" Gabriel demands.

"He can," she insisted. "Studies show that out of all magical races, half humans included; Veelas have the most success in thriving in human societies. If you can look past their… scales, and… natural abilities; they can blend in easily. They're very adaptable. For your son, Adrien, it would simply be a matter of control. He'd be able to blend in Gabriel. He could do it. You could pass him off as your heir and none would be aware of his blood."

He turned away, considering.

She adds, "Veelas all have a natural charm as well, sir. It would be easy to secure ties with another pureblood family."

The Agreste line could be secured again. It would take a few generations to breed out the Veela blood; but it could be done.

Finally he spoke. "His mother was a pureblood. We met on business I had in Romania. I did not get her name, first or family. We enjoyed each other's company and went our separate ways. Three months ago she died in an accident, and her family refused her son. I accepting him as my heir…"

Gabriel breathed, declaring, "Adrien is my son and heir. He is Adrien Agreste."

Nathalie gave a relieved, "Sir."

"I expect you get books on Veelas. Discreetly."

"Of course sir." She paused.

"Yes?" he asked impatiently.

"I am delighted that you have accepted your son, sir, but you won't have an heir if he continues to starve himself. You should see him."

…He should.

He dismissed her, staring at his desk, frowning.

The room was quiet when Gabriel slipped into the hurriedly made nursery. The wizard wondered if it was because he was a naturally quiet child, or if it was the exhaustion that kept his cries muted.

Gabriel suspected a bit of both.

From what he knew of Veelas, they were naturally pleasant to be around. Even the least sociable Veela could be very appealing and sensitive. Even when they looked down on humans, magical and non, it was in their magical nature to be pleasing and charming in human company. It's how they got their desires. And being naturally sensitive to the emotions humans around them feel, they are conscious on how to approach each human and react to them.

Which likely lead to the baby starving himself.

He knew he wasn't wanted.

Gabriel wondered if the child even knew for sure that he was his father.

Was that why the rejection was harsh enough to starve away?

Gabriel came up to the crib, meeting half lidded eyes peering at him. Gabriel stared down at him, taking in his… his son.

He really couldn't see anything the baby inherited from him. It looked to be all his mother. The little bit of hair he had was a golden color, and Gabriel knew from memory that it would be soft in his fingers. He had her bright green eyes, still so lovely to peer into. He had her nose. Her rounded face. Her gentle presence.

"I'm sure she wanted to keep you to herself," Gabriel murmured to the baby. He recalled that Veelas were very nurturing and loving to their children and mates. He doesn't doubt that she loved Adrien.

Adrien blinked at him, shooting him an odd look.

Gabriel guessed he didn't know how to respond to what wizard was feeling; if he even knew what the man over him was feeling.

Gabriel didn't know either.

Most new fathers were delighted to have a child, or pleased at least.

Gabriel didn't plan for this child.

And honesty, still didn't want him.

"You're not going to make this easy," Gabriel told him, putting his hand in the cradle, in Adrien's reach. Adrien's eyes widened at the offered hand. He reached for it, touching it in wonder and tracing the fingers. He gave one a hard squeeze, cooing as he looked up at him. Gabriel wrapped that finger around the tiny hand, frowning.

"It's not going to be easy," he repeated.

Adrien blinked at him.

Gabriel withdrew his hand, stating, "You should eat Adrien. How can you be my heir if you starve yourself?"

Adrien twisted about on the small mattress, swinging his arms wildly before mashing them against his face, giggling.

Satisfied, Gabriel left.

The next morning, Nathalie was happy to report that Adrien was eating.