sallow simp

Ominis Gaunt arrived seven days after you and Sebastian had settled in Professor Fig's house. He was dressed in black from head to toe and there were dark circles under his eyes, as if he hadn't gotten a wink of sleep. Still, when Sebastian opened the door and Ominis sensed his best friend and you, relief washed over him. Pale face brightened up, taut shoulders grew slack, as if a huge weight had been lifted off his back. 

“Hello, you two, glad I didn't end up in the wrong house.”

Sebastian grinned. “Good to see you again, Ominis.”

You opened the door wider for him. “Come in, Ominis, we've been waiting for you.”

Slowly, the blond-haired boy stepped into the house, halting just after a few steps inside. You looked at him curiously, wondering why he hesitated. 

“This house feels warm,” Ominis murmured. “And welcoming.”

Your eyes widened ever so slightly. “It is, isn't it? It's what I felt, too, the first time I came here,” you softly said. “Ah, your room is upstairs. It's the largest in this house. Sebastian had been generous.”

“No more sleeping in the same bed, Ominis. Ain't that fun?” 

The blond boy smiled. “What a pleasant surprise. I can sleep peacefully knowing I no longer need to hear your snores.”

“Hey! I didn't snore!” Sebastian protested, his face reddening as he turned to you. “You've never heard of me snoring, did you?”

You tried to stifle a laugh. “Well, no…”

“See? I told you!”

“But I am a heavy sleeper and we slept on different floors, so… I don't know, maybe you do snore but I didn't hear it, Sebastian.”

“No, nope, you can't pull that on me. If you didn't hear anything, then I didn't snore. And don't forget how you slept soundly on our first night here,” the brown haired boy retorted defensively. 

No longer able to hold back yourself, you threw your head back and laughed, the sound rang pleasantly across the living room. You couldn't help it, Sebastian was just too fun to tease. 

“What happened on your first night here?” Ominis curiously asked. 

“Neither of us could sleep so we read some books in the living room and fell asleep there,” you explained. 

“Oh,” the blond haired boy hummed, a thoughtful expression settled on his face. 

“Ugh, instead of bullying me, why don't we go to your room, Ominis? Unless you don't want it, which I'll gladly take,” Sebastian spoke, still pouting. 

“There's nothing more dishonorable than someone who goes back on their words,” Ominis sighed. 

After a few more banter, the three of you finally climbed up the stairs to the second floor. Hobbs dutifully followed behind, using his magic to make Ominis' belonging float and follow their owner into the room. Much to your relief, Ominis seemed to be satisfied with his accommodation. A soft smile bloomed on his lips, followed by an appreciative nod, after he spent a few seconds standing in the middle of the room, his almost sentient wand stretched out and emanated the usual crimson glow. 

“This is a good place, thank you.”

*

Professor Fig's house became a lot livelier since Ominis' arrival, mostly thanks to his bickering with Sebastian. They did it almost all the time and you treated it as free entertainment, switching sides every now and then depending on how interesting the topic was and whose opinion resonated the most with you. They'd bicker about school, about which was worse — bubotuber pus or troll booger, about the feasibility of owning a pet niffler, and so on, and so forth. 

“You need to learn to pick a side,” Sebastian said one day, as the three of you went out and took a walk along the small creek near the house. “This morning, you supported me, but then you were Ominis' most passionate supporter by lunchtime. Disloyalty is a bad trait, you know.”

“I am simply a humble critical audience. It is bad to blindly accept anything that was given to you without critical thinking, you know,” you replied lightly.

“In other words, you have terrible opinions,” Ominis piped in. 

“Great people don't become great by conforming to the standards of society,” Sebastian retorted, kicking a small pebble that fell into the river with a satisfying wet sound. 

You let out a laugh, slowing your steps while the two boys continued walking and arguing to themselves. Something warm spread in your chest as you watched the two of them walk side by side, shoulders brushing occasionally and still very much engrossed in their conversation. Faintly, you wondered if this was what they were like before. If it was, then you were glad they could have a semblance of normalcy back. Heaven knew both of them needed it. 

The long walk led you to a small green field. It wasn't anything impressive, but green enough that the three of you decided to lay down on the grass and watch as the pure white clouds passed you by. Soon, you and Sebastian began to bicker about the shapes of clouds in the sky, with Ominis giving dry comments every once in a while, before the conversation halted to a stop. 

Silence stretched for a while as you enjoyed the breeze, the smell of the grass and river, and the sound of chirping birds. You thought you could drift away to sleep like this and you wondered, it wouldn't be so bad if you never woke up.

And that caused you to open your eyes, surprised by what you were thinking. 

“I'm thinking of finally visiting Professor Fig's grave,” you finally spoke, announcing your plans to your friends.

Sebastian's eyes snapped open and Ominis turned his face to your direction.

“You hadn't visited him at all?” the blond haired boy asked.

“No, I… I wasn't ready.”

“We can go with you if you want,” Sebastian offered. “Three is better than one, don't you think?”

You had never considered visiting your mentor's grave with Sebastian and Ominis. Neither of them were close enough to the late Professor and you were more worried about them feeling awkward as you cried your eyes out in front of the grave. But perhaps… it wasn't such a bad idea. It would be nice to have friends by your side while you did something daunting. 

“I'd like that,” you finally said, smiling. “Perhaps next week? I still think I need more time.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

*

Eleazar Fig was laid to rest in a public cemetery not too far from his house. His grave was on the right side of the cemetery, seven rows from the entrance gate, right next to Miriam Fig. 

As promised, Sebastian and Ominis went along with you, the two boys flanking your side as you stood before the grave. 

You had expected many things, to be honest. Had imagined that you'd break down into tears as soon as you arrived. Had prepared a speech or a prayer you'd deliver to your mentor and his wife. But now, as you traced the carvings upon the tombstones, you felt… nothing. 

You figured your brain was struggling to equate this gray stone grave to your professor. Once again having trouble that he was truly gone and you could no longer hear his wise counsel. Such a strange thing, death, you thought with the inevitability of it all, it'd be easier to comprehend, to accept. But it didn't. 

The silence continued to stretch. You lifted up your wand and tried to cast a spell you taught yourself before school ended. Softly, you whispered it to the wind and a single white rose began to materialize, followed by other buds, stems, and leaves. The roses began to gather, forming a simple little bouquet wrapped in paper wrapping. Carefully, you brought the bouquet to your nose, relishing the smell, before lowering it to Fig's grave. 

“Hello, Professor, it's been a while.”

The words felt foreign in your mouth. Pretentious and out of place, because neither Fig nor his grave could hear you and be moved by your greetings. So who were you talking to? What was the point, if neither the sentiment nor feelings could reach the person you intended? 

You didn't realize that your breathing had become shallow and hurried. Your knees buckled, eager to run back home. 

But then, Ominis did something you didn't expect. 

He lifted up his wand and conjured a bouquet of gardenias. You could only watch in silence as the bouquet floated mid-air before it descended right next to yours. Not a moment later, Sebastian did the same thing. This time, a white daffodil bouquet. They all laid side by side right below Professor Fig and Miriam’s tombstones. The white petals brushed against their names.

“Thank you. I… I know I should say something but I just couldn't,” you admitted in embarrassment. “Can we sit here for a while instead?”

“Of course! You don't even need to ask,” Sebastian said in surprise. “We can stay here for as long as you need.”

Once again, a huge wave of gratitude washed over you, almost big enough to bring tears to your eyes. But you stubbornly held on. The three of you then sat together in front of the grave, shoulders brushing against each other to protect yourselves from the cool wind. 

“Sorry, I reckon a cemetery isn't exactly the best place to hang out.”

Sebastian let out a chuckle. “You're saying that as if we didn't spend most of our time exploring decrepit ruins, goblin factories, and catacombs.”

“Sebastian's right. You're never one to be conventional.”

That caused you to laugh. “It wasn't up to me! I very much prefer exploring flower fields.”

“I’d give it five minutes before you're raring to go back to the Forbidden Forest to find buried treasures.”

“Oh, hush, Sebastian.”

More laughter. You noticed Ominis tracing the edges of Fig's grave with his fingers, as if studying the shape and texture. 

“This is nice,” the blond-haired boy quietly said. “My aunt Noctua, she… My family wasn't really interested in holding a proper burial for her, so… last week, I decided to make some sort of a memorial for her in a secluded corner in my garden. To this date… I still couldn't give her a proper eulogy.”

You kept your gaze at Ominis as he spoke, holding onto every word. It was then you were reminded of how death had been present among both you and your friends. You turned to look at Sebastian, who had been staring at the grave with an unreadable expression on his face. 

Sensing your gaze, he looked at you and smiled. “I don't think my uncle would've appreciated me giving him a speech, let alone visiting his grave.”

“Merlin…” you muttered under your breath. “What is it with us and our families, or lack thereof…” 

You furrowed your eyebrows as a sudden heaviness settled on your chest, weighing you down. 

“Things like this are more common than they should, as unfortunate as it sounds,” Ominis said with a rueful smile on his face. 

“You know, I…” you stammered, trying, despite the great difficulty, to get the words out. “I've always dreamed of having a family. A mother, a father, perhaps also a sister and a brother. God, I've always wanted a sister…”

You paused when your voice began to shake and you could almost feel the burn in your eyes. But you took a deep, steadying breath, still trying as best as you could not to cry. 

“But when you've lived all your life in a sad, dilapidated orphanage where more children came instead of being adopted… growing older and older each year, watching as others were chosen instead of you, you would… you'd… you'd give up that dream altogether…” 

You took another breath, the first drop of tear started to roll down your cheek. And another. And yet still, stubbornly, you tried to preserve your dignity. Still, you tried to hold back. You didn't know why you did it, unable to find the reason behind your aversion to letting your friends see you cry, but you couldn't resist the urge. You couldn't help but hold yourself back. 

“But then the letter… Professor Fig's letter…” a sob tore its way out of your throat and you closed your eyes. Your shoulder began to shake as you remembered your deceased mentor’s face. The patience in his guidance. The encouragement you had never received before. “It is so, so cruel. I… I had never known that my dream was so— so close. It was almost within my grasp and… I would've had… would've had a— a father if he… if he—”

You couldn't take it anymore. You broke down. Wept into your hands as the grief you'd held back for so long finally wrecked your soul, tearing its way out of your shoulder, your spine, your chest. 

But then a hand, strong and steady, wrapped itself around your shoulders, pulling you to the left. Your face was met with Sebastian's shoulder as he held you closely and securely. Another hand touched your back. Ominis. And you cried there, burying your face in Sebastian's shoulder. You wept so hard you almost forgot to breathe, if it weren't for Ominis’ soft, soothing reminders. 

“He was… the first person that showed me kindness…” you sobbed. “I should've done more…”

“There's nothing you could've done!” Sebastian looked at you with surprise. “You told us everything happened so quickly. Ranrok came. The ceiling crumbled down. It was an accident… you… you can't blame yourself.”

“But if I had been quicker—”

“It wasn't your fault…” Ominis gently reminded you. “You've done the best you can, don't torture yourself with what-ifs.”

More tears rolled down your cheeks and you realized you had made Sebastian's shirt wet. Reluctantly, you pulled away and rubbed your eyes. 

“I've made a mess on your shirt, I'm sorry.”

The boy let out a sigh, a mixture of amusement and exasperation. “You really shouldn't worry about me right now, ace. I'm fine.”

You furrowed your eyebrows, biting your lip as you tried to stop yourself from crying again. You failed. You sobbed into your hands. 

“I'm sorry… I don't know why I can't stop, I—”

“You probably haven't quite given yourself the time to mourn for Professor Fig and it blew up on you now,” Ominis said in sympathy. 

“It's okay… just let it out.”

It took around fifteen minutes before you could finally stop crying. You could still go on, you knew, for the wound was still fresh. Yet you didn't want to trouble your friends any longer, so you wiped your tears away and took several deep breaths to calm yourself. 

“Thank you.”

“That's what friends are for, right?” Sebastian smiled.

Yet it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

*

Sebastian did not seem himself the next day and the day after that. He was quieter, his sarcastic and witty jabs were awfully weaker than they used to be, and whenever you and Ominis tried to include him in conversations, he would take a few seconds longer to respond, as if he hadn't been paying attention. 

His silence, you realized, was so… palpable. Perhaps it didn't help that Ominis had always been more reserved and the fact that the house was a bit too large for three sad teenagers and a house-elf made every absence of spoken words so obvious. 

By the third day, you decided you've had enough and, once again, you turned to Ominis for help. 

“I think he's grieving,” the boy said as the two of you sat on the back porch while Sebastian napped the afternoon away in his bedroom. 

“Anne?”

“...Naturally,” Ominis replied, though he didn't seem sure. His eyebrows were furrowed and he appeared to be deep in thought. “Although, I have a feeling he's also mourning his uncle.”

“Solomon?” you lowered your voice to a whisper. Cautiously, you looked back at the house, making sure that Sebastian was still asleep before scooting closer to Ominis. “To be honest, I've been thinking about that, too. The day we honored Professor Fig's passing in the Great Hall, he mentioned wishing the same could've been done to Solomon…”

“Our last visit to Feldcroft… he just stood over the grave, didn't say a word.”

“Well, what could he say?”

Ominis grimaced. “This situation is just so complicated. Too heavy. Solomon had never been nice to him, but he also…”

The blond boy let out a heavy sigh. 

“If you were Sebastian, how would you grieve?”

You stayed quiet, eyes staring at the bees buzzing above the pot of hydrangeas as you pondered Ominis' question. 

How do you mourn a person you hate? A person you've murdered?

The answer comes to mind much faster than you had liked. 

You don't. 

Suddenly, your hands and feet felt cold. You remembered the sea, the salt in the air, the rolling waves. You balled your hands into fists, nails digging painfully into the palm of your hands. 

“What are you doing? What's wrong?”

Ominis' voice pulled you back to earth, just like a drowning person being pulled back to the surface. 

“Nothing. I'm fine,” you lied. “I just… got a bit emotional.”

“...Huh,” the boy murmured with a strange look on his face. 

“A- at any rate… what if we just ask him?”

“What if he refused to talk?”

“I'm good with persuasion,” you responded. “And if he still refuses, we'll give him space but remind him that we're here for him, ready to listen.”

Ominis pondered over your words for a moment. “You know… sometimes I feel that you're too pure for this world.”

“What?” 

The boy shifted awkwardly as if regretting what he said. “It's just— each time you see a problem you itch to solve it, even if you don't have to.”

Hugging your knees close to your chest, you took a moment to answer. “I… feel like I really exist when I could be of help to other people.”

“Huh?” Ominis furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

“I know, it's confusing, I just—”

But Ominis suddenly turned towards the direction of the house, looking alarmed. “Hush, Sebastian has woken up and is on his way here. Let's talk about something else.”

“Oh! Um—” you thought hard, glancing around your surroundings in panic. Your eyes stopped at the flowers. Immediately, you rambled. “Soo, each flower has its own meaning. Like the hydrangeas! It is said that they're a symbol of heartfelt emotion and apology. But daffodils, on the other hand, symbolizes rebirth, hope, and new beginnings—”

“What have you guys been up to?”

At Sebastian's voice, you turned around, pretending to be surprised. “Oh! Sebastian, you're awake.”

“She was explaining to me the different meanings of flowers… even though I don't know what flowers looked like,” Ominis answered. 

The realization struck you a moment too late and you could do nothing but let out an awkward, sheepish laugh. Sebastian stood at the doorway, his hair all messy from sleep and his eyes were staring at the two of you in curiosity. 

“You sure do pick interesting conversation topics when I'm not around.”

“Well, without you constantly rambling, we quickly ran out of things to talk about,” you replied with a small smile, hoping that the message would, somehow, get across. 

Sebastian's eyes widened ever so slightly. Then, he gave you a smug smile. 

“Are you saying you enjoy talking to me, ace?”

Your heart skipped a beat. “I didn't say that. Don't jump to conclusions.”

He let out a chuckle. “Whatever you say, ace. Whatever you say.”

*

The opportunity to talk to Sebastian presented itself two days later, when the three of you finally decided to sort through Professor Fig's belongings. It had been a long afternoon and you had lost count of how many objects, artifacts, and books you had sorted through, particularly because you and Sebastian kept getting distracted by the magical artifacts, trying to figure out their purpose and how they work. 

Eventually, the sun started to set and the three of you decided to call it a day. Dinner was served and everyone gorged on the delectable meal. Afterwards, the three of you sat side by side on the back porch, gazing at the stars, with a cup of hot chocolate in your hands. 

You decided to speak first.

“It's been a long day, isn't it?”

“I'm not protesting. Fig had so many peculiar items, it's fun going through them,” Sebastian replied with a soft chuckle.

“We could've finished two rooms if the two of you aren't so easily distracted,” Ominis spoke, amusement lacing his tone. “But it was quite the experience.”

“I'd rather we take a month to finish sorting through the items, if it meant we can study each of them.”

You held back a grimace. As much as you love magic, spending an entire month covered in dust and sifting through Professor Fig’s near-infinite amount of belonging wasn't something you'd love to do. Perhaps two weeks. You found that to be a bit more tolerable. 

Still, you straightened your back and managed a smile. “Yeah, we noticed. You've finally cheered up a little.”

Sebastian's eyes widened ever so slightly and for a split second, you could see it. The vulnerability flashing in his eyes. But he quickly masked it with a wide smile. 

“What are you talking about? I'm fine.”

“I've known you for over five years, Sebastian, I can tell when you're lying. Frankly, she can tell, as well,” Ominis said in a calm voice. 

You nodded. “Honestly, we're a bit worried, Sebastian. You don't need to keep everything bottled inside. We're here if you need to vent. Someone to listen to your problems and worries.”

Perhaps unused to the amount of worry directed to him, Sebastian began to shift uncomfortably. “I'm fine, though,” he insisted, still maintaining the smile on his lips. “Like I said, both of you needn't worry about me.”

“But of course we're going to be worried about you. You're our friend,” you said incredulously, eyebrows rising in surprise. “If you don't want to talk, we won't pry. But we'll always be with you if you need us. We've always managed to figure something out, haven't we?”

Sebastian stared at you with wide eyes, his breath hitching on his throat. “I—” he tried to come up with a reply. Perhaps a witty remark, perhaps an evasive joke. But the words you said had struck him to his core, hitting too close to home than what he preferred. 

And with worry etched all over your face, how could he deny you? 

A defeated, heavy sigh fell from his lips. He shifted his gaze from you to Ominis and smiled ruefully. “Honestly… aren't you doing too much?”

Ominis frowned. “What—”

“I killed my own uncle, remember?” Sebastian whispered. “My own sister left me for it but everyone else came to me, expressing their condolences. Professor Weasley, Garreth, Poppy, and Natty… the folks back in Feldcroft…”

The boy's freckled face contorted in pain, as if everything was too big and too paradoxical for him to comprehend. A concept too bizarre for him to grasp. His mouth opened and closed several times, but no voice came out as he didn't know what to say to properly put his feelings into words. Not when he himself was unable to understand and compartmentalize what he felt.

“You asked me what's bothering me, but I don't even know what I'm feeling most days. My head's a mess. My thoughts are like tangled threads in my head and I don't know how to sort them out.” 

The sight pained you, urging you to gingerly reach out to him, placing your hand on his shoulder. 

“We'll do it one by one,” you said. “Tell us everything, Sebastian, even if they made no sense. Even if they're a mess. We can take it.”

Sebastian drew in a sharp breath and buried his head in his hands. 

“I thought about Solomon,” he finally said and the words sounded like they were being punched out of his chest. Ragged and pained. “I keep remembering how he— how I…” the boy paused. Drew in a breath. “How Anne buried him all by herself. No memorial. And I… I wish he could have one. A proper funeral where people could bid farewell. He was… he was the one who took care of us all this time.”

He barked out a sardonic laugh, eyes wild as he stared at the starry sky. You opened your mouth to speak, but shook his head, squeezing your hand from behind Sebastian's back. Not yet. Not now. 

“But at the same time, isn't it strange? I… I hated that man. Always so angry, so full of rage. The smallest thing would set him off. Always sneering at me and telling me I'm too much like my father. Hah, he didn't even lift a finger to protect Feldcroft from the goblins even though he could. He gave up so quickly on Anne, always shooting down my attempts to cure her… at least I tried. I tried as hard as I could!” Sebastian gritted his teeth, his words dripping with venom. “I used to look forward to the day I left that dreadful house. I'd be free of him. But it turned out he still haunted me even after— everyone remembering him as some hero, some… some father figure… I know I deserved it but I… oh…”

Sebastian blinked, his fingers trembling as they touched the wetness in his cheeks. He didn't realize he had begun to cry. The boy shivered.  

“Sebastian…”

But the boy frowned, gritted his teeth, and wiped his tears away. 

“And Anne,” he said with a trembling voice, eyes red with unshed tears. “She was the only one I had left. I only wanted to see her happy. I'd do anything for my sister, you know I would— what I did is inexcusable, I know… but I was the only one who never gave up on her. I was the only one who kept trying… Yet still, she… she left. Wouldn't speak, wouldn't even look me in the eye. She abandoned me…”

As his rage and grief halted into silence, you and Ominis continued to wait, the only sound you could hear was Sebastian's heavy, ragged breathing. Even at this moment, he was still holding himself back. 

“You're probably thinking I'm irredeemable, aren't you?” Sebastian finally asked, his voice devoid of any feelings. 

You let out a heavy sigh. “No, Sebastian, you're not irredeemable,” you said in a low, quiet voice. “We wouldn't have prevented you from going into that place if you were.”

“...Maybe you should've,” he said. “Be honest with me, you can't seriously think I deserve… all this, can you? This normalcy, this… fresh start.”

“Condemn you to a life in Azkaban? Where the dementors suck all the happiness in you until you become nothing but an empty shell? Robbing you of any second chance to live and learn?” you hissed. “We could never do that to you.”

“Why couldn't you? You had every reason to,” Sebastian asked again, this time with a shakiness in his voice. 

“Because we care about you!” Ominis said sharply. “Sebastian, you're allowed to feel both sadness and bitterness towards Solomon and Anne, especially your uncle. Those feelings are not easy to bear, I know, trust me, I know how bad it is. I've been feeling the same way about my family for years, although the magnitude and situation may not be as similar to yours, but I understand how painful they are.”

Sebastian opened his mouth to argue, but Ominis cut him off. 

“No, listen to me for once. You can feel all of those feelings and even more all at once. Merlin knows how cruel life has been to you… But as to whether you're irredeemable or not, it depends on what you're planning to do now, does it not?”

“But I don't deserve it. Those genuine condolences, the help from Weasley and Feldcroft, this friendship—”

“If you think you're undeserving then put in the work until you deserve it!” Ominis replied. “Redeem yourself. Get better. Learn from your mistakes and don’t repeat them ever again!”

An abrupt silence fell around you, almost as if the night swallowed your voices. You watched your friends with wide eyes, almost intimidated by the heated exchange. 

“Sebastian,” you tried to speak. “Remember our first day here? We strolled around the city center the entire day and you told me you're trying hard to be better. You've taken the first steps, Seb, I… I know I may not be able to understand how you feel, but I do know how easy it is to get lost in the pain, how sometimes it feels impossible to get out. But you have been trying. I told you I can see your efforts, right? Don't forget that…”

Another silence. Sebastian rubbed his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt and took a long, deep breath. “Right,” he said in a hoarse voice. “Both of you are right. I’m sorry, I…” he tried to finish his sentence, to say something meaningful, yet unable to find the right words. Eventually, he only let out a sigh and shook his head.

Neither you nor Ominis took offense to it. You reached out your hand and gingerly placed it on Sebastian’s back, fingertips just barely grazing the fabric of his shirt, but you knew he could feel them. To your surprise, Ominis mimicked your action, offering his unspoken support. 

Another unexpected tear rolled down Sebastian’s reddened cheek. He shut his eyes and buried his face in his hands again, but he didn’t shy away from his friends’ touch. He welcomed them.

The three of you sat like that for a while, finding a sliver of peace and refuge amidst the quietness of the night.

Professor Fig’s house was the same as you left it a year ago. Neat and tidy, despite the absurd amount of tomes and magical artefacts that seemed to cover every surface. Warm and welcoming, as almost every room seemed to smell like cinnamon and tea. Comforting, as you could almost feel traces of your mentor even though he was long gone. 

You stood in the foyer, taking in the sight. Suddenly, you could remember everything so vividly. The day Fig brought you to this house after taking you out of the orphanage, how you still had a hard time believing that magic truly existed. The fear and surprise you felt when you first saw Hobbs. The feel of Fig’s wand in your hand — foreign, like it didn't belong, yet you managed to cast your first magic. 

“It's… bizarre, isn't it? Death,” you softly spoke. “One minute they're there, the next, they're not. Yet the world still retains traces of their lives. The clothes they wore, the books they loved to read. Makes it hard to accept their passing, don't you think? It's so easy to believe they never really left. That they'd return.”

Sebastian stared at you — had been since the first time you walked through the door. He was silent for a moment before letting out a small sigh. “It is.”

Somehow, his voice snapped you from your stupor. Quickly, you turned to face him, panic etched all over your face. 

“Sebastian, I'm sorry, I—”

“Hey, it's okay, you don't have to apologize,” he said, eyes widening in surprise. “You are grieving, so you needn't worry too much about me.”

You forced yourself to smile. Took a deep breath. Nervously straightening your coat. 

“Thank you,” you said in a thick voice. “I'm alright now.”

If Sebastian could see through your lie, he had the decency not to point it out. For that, you were grateful. Taking a few deep breaths, you walked deeper into the house, him following quietly behind you. 

Fig’s living room came into view, dominated by dark blue and wooden accents. You briefly wondered if he used to be a Ravenclaw and it dawned on you that you had never once thought to ask him. Once again, your heart got swallowed up by grief, bitter from your own helplessness.

“Seems empty, this house,” Sebastian thankfully spoke, giving you something to focus your attention on. “You said there’s going to be a house-elf?”

“Yes, he’s a bit older than the other house-elves I met though,” you explained. “Perhaps only Deek was older than him.”

“Deek?”

You blinked, realizing you had never once taken Sebastian, or any of your friends, into the Room of Requirement. “A house-elf friend of mine. When we get back to Hogwarts, perhaps I’ll take you to meet him.”

“Should’ve introduced us when you took us into the kitchen,” he replied, chuckling to himself.

“Oh, he’s not usually in the kitchen. He’s… somewhere else.”

“Somewhere else,” he repeated, curiosity shining in his eyes. “Is this another secret of yours I'm aware of?”

You couldn’t help but smile. “Perhaps.”

A snort. “Alright, then. I’ll hold on to your word for it,” he grinned. “So Fig’s elf. Where do you think they might be?”

“I’m not sure..” you murmured as you looked around the room, even taking a peek at the empty, spotless kitchen the house-elf usually frequented. “Hobbs? Hobbs, are you in here?” you decided to call out.

Almost immediately, you could feel a strong gust of wind and a loud crack echoing throughout the house. A house-elf wearing a pleated robe had materialized out of thin air in the middle of the living room. Its eyes, almost the size of a teacup plate, were staring at you in surprise.

“Missus!” Hobbs croaked with a loud, hoarse voice. “Missus is here.”

You smiled. “Hello, Hobbs. How have you been?”

The house-elf blinked rapidly before tears welled up in his eyes. The next moment, he wailed.

“Oh, Missus! Please forgive Hobbs for not welcoming Missus and her friend! Hobbs was cleaning Master Fig’s room… Hobbs knows Master is no longer… no longer here, but Hobbs simply cannot leave it be. Poor Master Fig, Hobbs misses—”

Neither you nor Sebastian could understand the rest of Hobb’s sentence because the house-elf had cried so hard he had lost the ability to speak. You couldn't take it anymore. Without thinking, you rushed forward and hugged the elf’s frail body. 

“I know, I know,” you said. Stammering. Still trying hard to contain your tears. “I'm sorry, Hobbs, I missed him, too.”

The house-elf continued to cry, smearing his snot and tears all over your shoulder but you couldn't care less. You knew he had served Fig for a long, long time, and your mentor had been nothing but kind to him. 

“Poor Master Fig… first it was Missus Miriam and now Master…”

Behind you, Sebastian was standing awkwardly, unsure of what to do. Your shirt had gotten so wet but pointing it out would no doubt be a dick move given the moment. So he decided to slip away to the kitchen. 

You didn't notice that Sebastian was no longer in the room with you. Not when you were so focused on not allowing yourself to cry. You could do it later, you thought, when you were alone and nobody could see you.

For now, you must comfort Hobbs. 

“Hey, Hobbs, it's okay,” you softly said, rubbing his back. “I'm here now… you won't be alone anymore.”

“Hobbs knows,” the house-elf said as he rubbed his eyes with the hem of his plaid robe. “A good witch lady came here a few weeks ago. The deputy headmistress of Hogwarts. She told… she told Hobbs what happened to M- Master Fig and that Missus is now Hobb's… Hobb's master…”

“Professor Weasley,” you said, nodding. “Yes, she's a good witch, Hobbs. A very good witch.”

The house-elf continued to cry. “Hobbs has been grieving. T- The last time the Master was here, he t- told Hobbs that he would b- bring Missus here to visit, b- but… but Master—”

“I know,” a treacherous tear finally rolled down your cheek, rebelling against your desperate attempt. You immediately looked up and took a deep breath, exerting any strength and willpower in you to stop yourself from crying. “I know… I miss him, too, Hobbs.”

For a while, the two of you sat on the living room floor, huddled together. The house-elf was still sobbing, though not as hysterical as before. You felt numb. You could feel guilt sinking its teeth into your limbs as you recalled your mentor's death, scrutinizing every small detail, pinpointing moments where you should have been able to save him.  

Sebastian walked in a few moments later and you hurriedly wiped away any traces of tears from your face. He brought two cups of tea with him and carefully placed them on the coffee table. 

“Warm tea,” he said. “My… mother used to brew one for me and Anne whenever we were feeling sad.”

You nodded, giving him a weak smile. “Thank you.”

Awkwardly, Sebastian returned your smile and took a step back, giving you space. You gently pat Hobbs’ back.

“You've been crying a lot, Hobbs. Here, have some tea. My friend Sebastian made it for you.”

“Oh,” he gasped. Sebastian's kind gesture snapped him out of his misery. The elf looked at Sebastian timidly. “Thank you, Missus, kind sir, Hobbs is sorry he failed to give you a proper welcome.”

“It's alright, Hobbs, you don't need to apologize,” Sebastian replied, sounding almost bashful. 

For a moment, a soothing silence fell over the room as you and Hobbs drank Sebastian's tea. It was just the right amount of sweetness, and the heat did wonders for warming your chest and delicately calming your frayed nerves. You could taste a hint of mint, too, and you wondered if he added it using magic. 

Sebastian took his time marvelling at your mentor's living room. Brown eyes tracing over every object and tome in wonder. You wondered if he could decipher their usage if he stared hard enough. Suddenly, he let out a gasp. Freckled hands grabbed a thick, leather-bound book from the top of the fireplace. 

“I can't believe this! I can't believe Fig had this in his house!” he exclaimed with an excitement akin to a kid discovering a hidden treasure.

“What is it?”

He held out the book to you, grinning from ear to ear. The wording on the book cover was fading, but you could still read it: 

Uncovering the Secrets of Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades

“This is one of the rarest books about the history of magic. The only time I saw it was in the Restricted Section!”

“Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades?” you frowned. These names weren't foreign to your ears. “The Greek Gods?”

“Or extremely powerful wizards of the past,” he clarified, a conspiratorial smile blooming on his lips. “There were rumours that the gods the people of Ancient Greece worshipped weren't exactly gods. Rather, they were wizards and witches. It had some merits, don't you think? Zeus could conjure lightning through magic—perhaps a bit like your power… and Aphrodite may be extremely irresistible because she developed a potent love spell, some food for thought.”

“Huh, and why would Hogwarts put the book in the Restricted Section?”

The smile on Sebastian's face disappeared. “Is that a real question? Zeus and his promiscuity? The creation of the Minotaur?”

You paused, remembering all the concerning things you had read about the gods of Ancient Greece. “Ah… not the best book to be read by first-graders, isn't it?” 

“Definitely not,” he chuckled, shaking his head. “Still, I'm surprised Fig could get his hands on this. Like I said, this book is extremely rare.”

Seeing the wonder in his eyes comforted you, somehow—so much so that you didn't realize you had been smiling. 

“Professor Fig told me he used to travel a lot with his wife before he joined Hogwarts. Most of the objects you see here are memorabilia from their adventures.”

“Huh,” Sebastian hummed as he picked up a glass box which contained a large scale. It had such a pretty colour. Dark purple, but it reflected the light just like how a galaxy should. Holographic and mesmerizing. 

“That was a mermaid scale, gifted to his wife when she saved the mermaid from some dark wizards.”

“A mermaid scale, a rare book,” he cast his glance around the room one more time, before meeting your eyes. “I may not know much about your mentor, but it seemed like he had lived a wonderful life, didn't he? Seeing the world, exploring every secret it had to offer…”

You let out a chuckle. “Yes, I suppose you're right,” you smiled, remembering the serene look on Professor Fig's face when he drew his last breath, Miriam's wand secured in his hand. “I suppose it is only right that we celebrate his life.”

*

Once you had finished your tea and Hobbs began to feel better, he immediately fussed over you and Sebastian. He didn't seem to mind or look surprised when you told him of the boy's long-term stay in this house, though you wondered if it was because Hobbs was simply too nice to comment on it. 

“Today has been an awfully long day, isn’t it,” Sebastian muttered as the two of you sat in the dining room, stomachs full and content from roasted chicken expertly made by Hobbs.

You glanced outside the window, at the view of the night sky and cheddar tree covering the horizon. 

“Goodness, it’s so late, isn’t it? We should get some rest,” you said, pushing yourself off your seat. “Oh, which room would you like to stay in? There are two on the second floor, one’s more spacious but it’s facing the east so… if you’re not an early riser, the sunlight will be a bit of a bother in the morning. The other one’s smaller but it’s got a nice sunset view.”

“The smaller one,” he said without missing a beat. Let’s leave the bigger room for Ominis; he deserved it. When he stayed over in Feldcroft, we either slept in the same bed or I slept on the couch. The first time we had a sleepover, he told us he had a good sleep, but I could sense him twisting and turning the entire night.”

“I can imagine,” you laughed. “Come on, then, let me show you your room.”

You took Sebastian up the stairs to the second floor, to the room on one corner of the hallway, next to the library. The door opened with a faint creak and the smell of wood and tea greeted you. The room itself was rather cosy, with striped, dark blue wallpaper. There was a single bed in one corner of the room, followed by a bedside table and a desk. On the other corner of the room stood a wooden wardrobe and a standing mirror. 

“Ah, isn't this a nice room?”

Sebastian seemed satisfied with his choice and you immediately felt a sense of relief. Hobbs seemed to know where the new guest chose to sleep, because the next moment, Sebastian's belongings started to materialize next to the wardrobe. 

The boy walked inside, taking a closer look at the interior, before turning to look at you. 

“Where will you be sleeping?”

“Downstairs, it's in the hallway next to the living room.”

“Ah,” he muttered, appearing to be strangely flustered. Awkwardly, he rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, see you tomorrow?”

“Right. See you tomorrow. If you need anything, just call Hobbs. Or me. I'm a light sleeper so… yeah,” you lamely explained. Faltering, as you realized you had been rambling. You shook your head. “Well… I better get going.”

“Wait!”

Sebastian's voice caused you to halt. You looked back at him, unsure. The boy himself seemed to mirror your reflection, mouth opening without any words coming out. In the end, he sighed and gave you a small smile. 

“Thank you,” he said. “For giving me a place to stay. Good night, ace.”

Your heart leapt in your chest. 

“Good night, Sebastian.”

*

Much to your dismay, sleep seemed to be adamant to evade you that night. You had been lying on your bed for over an hour now, sprawled in an ungraceful position, staring at the ceiling. 

Every time you close your eyes, you see your mentor's face. Nightmares didn't come often, but returning to Fig's house evoked a deeper sense of grief inside you. Even more than you expected. Hobbs had cried so much, the poor elf. When you remembered him, guilt flared inside your chest like a dry bush caught fire. Incendio swallowing a forest. 

He could've survived, you thought to yourself. I could've saved him. 

Because you really could, couldn't you? If you had been faster or stronger. Perhaps a single Bombarda would have destroyed that boulder to pieces. Or your Ancient Magic! You could've done something.

You could feel your throat constricting. Air trying to claw its way into your lungs. A tightness in your chest that felt so real you could've sworn there was a real wound there. With a sharp inhale, you sat up. Kicked the blanket off of you before getting out of the room. Desperate to take your mind off of your grief and guilt. 

The house was deathly quiet. Not even a faint snoring could be heard. In that silence, your own rapid breath sounded so loud. You wiped your face with your hands and tucked your hair behind your ears. Still wide awake. Aimlessly, you padded towards the kitchen. Perhaps tea would help, so you decided to make yourself a cup. 

You moved like you were a mindless Inferi under a spell, every action made was more from muscle memory rather than a conscious effort from your brain. Yet after a while, the mundane actions seemed to help. You found consciousness seeping back to you as you lit the fire to boil water. Placing trembling hands on the kitchen counter, you closed your eyes and took a deep, grounding breath. Once, twice, thrice.

“Seems like someone's unable to sleep.”

Sebastian's voice caused you to flinch. With a soft gasp, you turned around and found him leaning against the kitchen archway, still in his pyjamas, looking at you in amusement. 

“Merlin's pants, you surprised me,” you sighed. “And no, I couldn't, but it seemed like you couldn't either.”

“Merlin’s pants? That's new,” he chuckled. “And you're right. I can't sleep either. What are you making?”

“Tea. Want some?”

“If it's not too much trouble,” he said in a soft voice as he approached you. “So, what's bothering you?”

You paused, linking your fingers together. “...Grief,” you answered. “What about you?”

Sebastian let out a soft sigh. “Grief.”

Warm brown eyes met yours in the dark of night. You should look away, you knew, but they were beautiful, his eyes, shining like a dark lake under the moonlight. Realizing your treacherous thought, you took a deep breath. Your body moved on its own accord, shifting awkwardly to the right, widening the distance between you and him.

“Anne?”

You didn’t dare ask about Solomon. Wouldn’t even dare to wonder if he grieved his rage-filled uncle.

“Mhm,” he replied, head hanging low. “Do you think she’s okay, wherever she is?”

You furrowed your eyebrows. Truthfully, you didn’t know how to answer his question, but you’d be damned before you allow him to slip again.

“You know, when Professor Fig first taught me about the curses in the magical world, I asked him if these curses would be broken should the caster die.”

His eyes snapped back to yours. Hopeful. 

“And?”

“He said it depends on the curse. Some could be broken. Some stayed the same. But some could become weaker. I’d like to believe that… if Anne’s curse continues to persist, it would at least be weakened after Rookwood’s death.”

“I’ll hold on to that hope,” Sebastian whispered. “Whether it’s broken or not, she should be… marginally okay right now, isn’t she? I mean… even if she couldn’t forgive me, she… she would’ve let me know if she’s not okay, wouldn’t she?”

“Of course,” you answered. You couldn’t resist it, you placed your hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Of course, Sebastian, she would’ve let you know.”

The brown-haired boy nodded. Took a deep breath before shaking his head. Clarity made its way back into his gaze. 

“You’re right. She wouldn’t have kept such important information a secret from me, right? If she still doesn’t want to contact me, then… at least Ominis.”

“Yeah…”

Right at that moment, your kettle began to whistle. You moved to pick it up, but Sebastian was quicker, turning off the stove and picking the kettle up. He told you he got this so you grabbed two cups from one of the shelves.

“I could do it myself, you know.”

“But it’s hot.”

You stilled. Treacherous heart waiting with bated breath. “Has that ever stopped me?”

“No,” he looked up, pushing one of the filled cups towards you. “But come on, we’re on a break and you’ve had a busy year.”

You wanted to tell him that has nothing to do with the tea, but you relented.  “Come on, let’s go to the living room, it’s too cold here,” you said.

“Speaking of which, you wouldn’t mind if I read some of Fig’s books, would you?” Sebastian said, looking much better than he did a few minutes ago.

“Eager to get your hands on the Uncovering the Secrets of Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, are you?” you said with a teasing smile. “I don’t mind. Although I’d rather none of us go into Fig and Miriam’s room and their study… I’d like to preserve everything there as best as I could.”

“Duly noted.”

Quietly, the two of you walked into the living room and turned on the lights. With a soft ‘Incendio’, Sebastian lit up the fireplace, spreading much-needed warmth into the space. You sat on the nearest sofa, taking a sip of the tea and letting the heat cauterize the hurt that had been flaring in your chest. 

“Oh, Merlin's beard, I can't believe this,” Sebastian muttered in awe.

The boy was standing in front of one of the shelves with a book spread open in his hands. He looked at you with an excited grin. 

“The author of this book was talking about his time exploring Athens and stated that there were traces of magic in the spot where the Statue of Zeus used to stand,” he explained in excitement. 

“Mm, so it was destroyed by magic.”

“Destroyed or hidden away?” he answered in excitement. With large steps, he crossed the room and sat next to you, placing the book on his thigh so you could read it. His finger was pointing at a text saying Possible Locations For the Entrance to Tartarus.

“Take a look at this part. This guy theorized that the entrance to Tartarus was hidden in a lake somewhere in a region called Lerna in Greece. The hydra was said to guard the lake and some believed that this was where Hades abducted Persephone!”

He got your full attention.

“Oh, I love the tale of Hades and Persephone,” you said with a sigh.

Sebastian’s eyes were on you. “You know, some people believed that Hades didn’t actually kidnap Persephone.”

Blinking rapidly, you looked up at him in curiosity. “What do you mean?”

“Well, some said that Hades and Persephone started out as friends after Hades sought her from the Underworld. As time passed, they fell in love and decided to elope, with Penelope following Hades and eating the pomegranate seed which bound her to the Underworld, so that they would never be separated.”

You listened to his explanation with rapt attention. You never even entertained such a crazy idea before, not when the books you read told you the same thing: that the god of death tricked and kidnapped the Greek goddess. 

Somehow though… you found yourself not minding this version at all.

“I like it. I think I like this version better.”

Sebastian looked perplexed. “Because it’s less macabre?”

“Hmm, no, not that,” you paused, pondering the story and formulating words inside your head. “This one felt… purer. Hades was always depicted as this cold deity and people fear him because he’s the God of Death, yet Persephone didn’t seem to mind. In your version, it sounded to me as if she loved him for who he is, undeterred by the darkness and even embraced it, as she became the Queen of the Underworld in the end.”

“Oh…” Sebastian murmured, lips parting open as he looked at you with what seemed to be amazement and surprise, mixed with something else you couldn’t quite put your finger on.

You smiled and tucked a wild strand of hair behind your ear.

“What about you? Are there any Greek mythology that you liked?”

The boy blinked. Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “Uh…” he averted his gaze and straightened his back. “I think… Odysseus?”

“Ahh, the cunning and intelligent Odysseus. The one who defeated Cyclops, angered Poseidon, and the reason why the Greeks managed to win the Trojan War,” you laughed to yourself. “Very fitting, actually.”

“You make it seem like I’m a warmongering wretch.”

“I’m not! But those are the things Odysseus is known for, no? Well, aside from leaving his wife Penelope for 20 years and still testing her even though she had shown unwavering loyalty to him.”

“Heh, yeah. Well, guessing he’s not too smart when it comes to love, isn’t he?”

“Definitely not,” you nodded. “I’d be so angry if I were Penelope.”

Sebastian’s expression softened. The corner of his lips curled into a crooked smile. “Yeah, I can see why. But anyway, to stop you from teasing me, there’s another Greek mythology that I really like.”

“Oh? Do tell, Sebastian.”

This time, Sebastian averted his gaze, as if finding his toes to be much more interesting than anything else in the room. 

“Orpheus and Eurydice,” he answered. “The man whose determination and love could soften the hearts of the King and Queen of the Underworld that they granted him one thing that had never occurred in mankind’s history before: to bring someone back from the dead.”

You hummed. “All he had to do was not turn back.”

“And he almost made it!” Sebastian said with wide eyes, wonder dripping in his tone. “No, he made it! Just one more step before Eurydice could leave the Underworld. But in his eagerness to be reunited with her, he looked back, forgetting that Eurydice had not yet crossed into the overworld and… because of that, she vanished for the second time. Forever.”

There was something in the way he spoke that moved you and enabled you to mourn for the doomed lovers in ways you never had felt before. 

“I didn’t expect you would pick such a sad tragedy,” you said with a voice no louder than a whisper.

Sebastian rubbed the tip of his nose. “I don’t know. Something about it resonated with me, I suppose. Failing at the very last moment. Losing someone you cared about because of your own foolishness.”

“Do you think Orpheus failed because he was foolish?”

“...Yes.”

You hummed. “Perhaps he was. But I remember reading this book. It was a retelling of the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice, so it wasn’t meant to be true to the source at all. Yet the author did a spectacular job of exploring their love for each other. Basically, the author said… perhaps Orpheus wasn’t to be blamed for looking back. He did that because he loved her. He loved her so dearly, so how could he not look back?”

Once again, Sebastian looked as if he was at a loss of words. He shifted in his seat, one hand rubbing the back of his head. You wondered if it was because of the dim lighting of the room or because of the glow from the fireplace, but his cheeks seemed to be a bit pinker. 

“Mistakes that were made because you love someone, huh?”

“Yes, I guess you can say that.”

“Hm,” he smiled, nodding to himself. “I suppose that's one way to look at it. A gentler way. I must say, though, I didn't expect you to be such a romantic, ace.”

You rolled your eyes and let out an undignified snort. “If you tease me about this, Sebastian, I swear—”

“I won't tease you! Who do you think I am?” he retorted, pretending to be offended by your words. “Your secret is safe with me, so relax.”

“You better keep your word or you'll wake up with vines growing out of your nose!”

Sebastian winced. “It's that another one of your ancient magic tricks? I thought being transformed into a chicken was the worst.”

“No, it's a stupid spell I learned from Garreth.”

“Why is he teaching you spells? I thought he was busy concocting another death potion.”

“It was an exchange,” you explained. “I help him gather ingredients, he teaches me new spells or shows me another one of Hogwarts' secret passages.”

“Pretty sure you can find half, if not all, of those passages on your own, considering how much time you spent exploring.”

“True, but sometimes I like having someone show me the way.”

Sebastian snorted. “You, my friend, are missing the point of secret passages. The most exciting thing about a secret is unravelling them.”

“Not everything needs to be trials and tribulations,” you laughed, before pushing yourself up and walking towards the bookshelf. “Now, let's see if I can find something as interesting as your book.”

“I surely hope you can, more for me to read!”

You run your fingers through the rows of book spines before you before stopping on a title that caught your eye. 

“Ah, History of the Pure Blood Families of Great Britain,” you read aloud. 

“That is the most boring title I've ever heard. You can just ask Ominis about the pure-blood families if you're so curious about them.”

“Well, I grew up in the muggle world so I knew nothing about you wizards strange blood types,” you said as you picked the book up. “I’ll read this one.”

Sebastian gave you an exasperated look that turned into a chuckle when you plopped down beside him with a bright grin, as if utterly proud of your choice. Soon, a comfortable silence fell over the room, broken only by the crackling of the fire and the sound of pages being turned. 

Ten minutes into the book and, with a heavy heart, you had to admit that Sebastian was right. The book was indescribably boring. So boring that it should've been a crime. It talked about the pure-blood families in flowery words while putting down half-bloods and muggles. However, curiosity pushed you to continue reading, even if you had to repeat the same paragraph over and over again to understand what it meant. 

Still, the room was warm and you could smell the faint scent of pine needles and caramel in the air. When you tilted your head towards Sebastian, the scent grew stronger. You breathed it in. It was familiar and reassuring. Slowly, the words on the pages began to blur and, before you could stop yourself, you dozed off.

“Oh, look, there's a chapter about the Minotaur,” Sebastian said, blissfully unaware that you've drifted off to sleep. When you failed to give him an answer, he turned and found you fast asleep, head hanging low in an awkward position that would surely give you a pesky headache in the morning. 

Soft smile bloomed on rosy lips. Sebastian let out a soft chuckle. 

“Alright, then, let's get you to bed.”

*

The distant, yet jubilant chirping of birds was what woke you up the next morning. The delightful sound seeped into your mind and slowly roused your consciousness. When you opened your eyes, you were surprised to find yourself on the living room sofa with a warm, wool blanket covering your body. Blinking drowsily, you found Sebastian on the sofa right across you, still fast asleep, body curling into a fetal position, with half of his blanket having already slipped to the floor. 

‘Can’t imagine what Ominis would say if he knew what happened,’ you thought to yourself, half from amusement, half from embarrassment. 

Still, sleeping Sebastian was quite the sight. He looked so peaceful. You usually saw him sporting a smug, teasing smirk or with his eyebrows furrowed in indignation when things did not go his way or with a downcast expression on his face. Presently, though, he looked as if whatever burden that had been chasing him during the day failed to capture him while he slept. 

“Missus, Hobbs is sorry for bothering you, but… is there anything you want for breakfast?” Hobbs peeked his head from the kitchen, speaking in a high-pitched whisper as if he could wake an entire village if he was louder. 

“Hmm, pancakes sound nice. But wait there, Hobbs, I'll have a look at what we have,” you said. 

“Oh, very well.”

You stretched away the remaining drowsiness on your body like a cat before standing up and adjusting Sebastian's blanket so it properly covered his body. Stifling a yawn, you headed to the kitchen, where Hobbs was already waiting. 

“We have bread and butter, some bacon and egg… Hobbs can also make Missus and her friend pancakes if you like.”

You frowned. It would be nice if Sebastian could have what he liked for breakfast, but then you realized you didn't know his favourite food. Or drink. 

“Um… I suppose we can settle with the pancakes?”

The house-elf nodded vigorously, ears flapping around his head. “Hobbs will do that right away.”

“I'll help.”

“But Missus—”

“I wanted to, Hobbs. Back at my old place, we would take turns cooking meals for the children in the orphanage, so I know a thing or two about cooking,” you grinned at him. “It may not be the best but it's at least decent.”

“Very well,” Hobbs said, though he still looked slightly unsure. 

You two worked quickly though you ended up contributing little because Hobbs was just too good at what he did. You had never seen a pancake so round before, so unlike the crooked ones you used to make. 

“You have to teach me how to make such a round pancake one day, Hobbs.”

Hobbs looked at you, bewildered. “Hobbs doesn't mind but Hobbs actually did it with magic.”

“Oh, it's too bad house-elf and humans have different magic. I'd love to learn a spell that can make me cook the roundest pancakes.”

“Maybe there is a spell for that! Who knows, wizardkinds are resourceful with their magic.”

Soon enough, the sweet smell of pancakes, maple syrup, and berries filled the house, making your mouth water. Sebastian peeked into the living room not long after.

“Seems like someone has been busy! You should've woken me up, I would love to help.”

He looked absolutely adorable with his hair all tousled up and messy. You let out a chuckle. 

“Was worried I was going to be a bad host if I disturbed my guest’s sleep. But thanks for letting me know. Tomorrow, Hobbs and I are definitely going to enlist your help,” you said as you sprinkled berries on top of your pancakes.

“Good. I'm actually quite good at cooking, you know,” Sebastian replied, swiftly grabbing the plates of pancakes and setting them on the table. 

A teasing reply had been sitting on the tip of your tongue, but part of you worried you might say the wrong thing. You always did, whenever it came to his family and what happened just a few weeks ago, before your fifth year at Hogwarts ended. 

You decided to go for the safest answer. “Had a lot of practice?”

“Ominis is a disaster in the kitchen—don’t tell him I said that, Anne was slightly better than me but after she got cursed… well, I try doing most of the house chores whenever I can.”

He mentioned nothing of Solomon. You knew better than to ask. 

“Alright, breakfast is done. There are three plates so I assume Hobbs will be eating with us?” Sebastian asked once he was done setting the table. 

“Yes! We used to have meals together with Professor Fig, don't we, Hobbs?” you kindly asked the house-elf. 

“Hobbs had a hard time accepting it at first. Most wizardkinds thought sharing a meal with house-elves is scandalous and dirty,” Hobbs explained. “But Master was very kind towards Hobbs, and now Missus, too.”

Sebastian caught your eyes and grinned. “Alright, let's have breakfast!”

*

Days in your mentor’s home seemed to stretch longer than usual. After breakfast, you took your time getting ready before inspecting the house. Hobbs had been cleaning every room thoroughly, but nobody knew what to do with Fig's personal belongings. 

“I should probably give them a look or tidy them up, I know,” you said, while you and Sebastian sat on the backyard porch, watching bees and butterflies swirling around Miriam’s knotgrass bush. 

“But you can't do it,” Sebastian finished.

“I can't. Not yet, at least,” you sighed. 

Each item held a memory. Or, at the very least, the expectation that the owner will return and use it. It was an uncomfortable feeling and you weren't exactly keen on facing it. 

“Well, then, we should probably put a pin on that plan for now,” Sebastian said with a knowing look. “You know, I don't often go to this part of London. Where should one go for sightseeing?”

You found yourself smiling. “Is this your attempt to get me out of the house even though we've only been here for a day?”

“Perhaps. What do you say?”

“Well, first of all, don’t get your hopes up because there isn't much to see here. There's a forest to the south and if we head north, we'll find some markets and shops and… that's it, honestly. They do sell great toffees and pastries, though.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad. Certainly, it’s much better than Feldcroft.”

“Well… it is livelier.”

The two of you broke into a peal of laughter and the gentle wind carried your voices to the edges of the garden. Smiling, you pushed yourself up, dusted your trousers, and grinned at him.

“Alright, let's go.”

*

Professor Fig’s house was located in a wizarding neighbourhood, so you didn't have too much difficulty in finding other wizards and magical items. The market you and Sebastian were heading to was just fifteen minutes walk away and it was pretty much a winding, cobbled street, lined by shops, taverns, and housing. Still, it was lively. The air smelled like toffees and freshly baked bread, while the townsfolk often stopped to chat with one another. 

“This is no Hogsmeade, but…”

“What do you mean?” Sebastian snickered. “This place looks lively. A lot livelier than Feldcroft, that's for sure. Come on, show me where you usually go.”

First, you took him to the local candy shop, Cat’s Tail, where the two of you bought boxes of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans, Sugar Quills, and Caramel Cobwebs. 

“You know, I've always known you as a very courageous and daring person. Coming from a Gryffindor, this should be high praise, don't you think?” you told Sebastian as you led him through a stall full of candies. 

The boy laughed, brown eyes fixed solely on you as if no amount of sweets could steal his attention. 

“I'd argue that bravery isn't a trait solely reserved for Gryffindors, but go on.”

You showed him a basket full of  Cockroach Clusters. “Go on, buy this and have a bite!”

“Hah, I knew you were up to no good!”

You were horrified to see him buy five of the disgusting-looking sweets and eat them all in front of you. 

“While I appreciate your efforts in making our excursion more… entertaining, I need to remind you that I grew up with a twin sister who’s even more mischievous than I am. Cockroach Clusters were nothing to me, ace,” Sebastian explained with a triumphant smile as the two of you walked out of Cat’s Tail.

“That is unfair. I only knew wizards regularly eat cockroach-shaped sweets last year.”

“Aw, chin up, you still have much to learn, my charge.”

Rolling your eyes at his teasing smirk, you grabbed his elbow and pulled him towards a smaller one that strayed from the main street. 

“You know how I spent most of my life in a Muggle orphanage?” you asked, turning at him.

“Yes, what about it?”

“Well, not every kid was sweet and friendly. Some of them were heinous, to say the least. I thought I had seen how mischievous or obnoxious children can be in that place, but then I went to Hogwarts, I met Garreth and you—”

“You think Garreth belonged in the same league as me? I should be a few levels above him, ace,” he snorted.

You winced. “Well, you’re not wrong, but that’s beside the point. My point is, I thought the kids at my orphanage were the pinnacle of mischief. That is until I met you and now I thought you’re the pinnacle of mischief—”

“High praise.”

“—But you just said that Anne is even more mischievous than you? I can’t believe it. I think I’m having a culture shock.”

“Surprised by the wizardkinds’ mischief, aren’t you?” he grinned. “Perhaps one day I shall tell you about our misadventures.”

“Uh oh, why does that intimidate me somehow.”

“A Gryffindor feeling intimidated? How uncommon.”

“Don’t.”

You stopped in front of a shop with purple panels and golden signage saying ‘Herta’s Vault of Curiosities’. It looked fairly humble at a glance until you saw the assortments of magical trinkets and items displayed on the window — a dragon scale armour, a skull embedded with emeralds and rubies, a set of daggers made of obsidian, and more.

Sebastian was looking at all of these items in awe. “What is this place?”

“A magical antique shop,” you grinned at him. “Herta’s the owner. Fig told me she used to be an esteemed professor in France and, after retiring, she travelled the world to collect magical artefacts. It was the first place I visited after I got here and it stunned me.”

“Well, right now, it’s stunned me, too.”

“When I first found this shop I was so amazed… I mean, all I knew was the walls of my orphanage. The children, the caretakers… I sort of had an imagination of what the outside world would be but… never this. Never magic.”

Sebastian was listening to you with rapt attention as if imagining the vastly different childhood you had. 

“And now, you’ve become the hero of the wizarding world.”

You let out a laugh, shaking your head. “I know, what a twist, isn’t it? Anyway, let’s get inside.”

The shop was the same as you left it. It smelled of herbs and old books, and every item seemed to call out to you. Sebastian, on the other hand, looked like he was Alice and he had stepped into Wonderland. He wouldn’t stop ‘ooh’-ing and ‘aah’-ing, calling out your name every few minutes to show you the cool items he spotted. First, it was a set of jewellery that was said to belong to Helga Hufflepuff, next was a potion book that was believed to be written by Rasputin himself (“Garreth would’ve shit his pants if he finds this,” you told Sebastian), and a unique looking curved dagger that was said to belong to a fierce general from Southeast Asia.

“Don’t even think about buying Rasputin’s book. It costs a fortune,” you reminded Sebastian when he cast one, longing glance at the book as you were on your way out of the shop.

“Wait for me, book. I shall come back to you in two years.”

You didn’t have the heart to tell him that the book would probably have a new owner by the time he graduated from Hogwarts.

“Right, where to next?” Sebastian asked.

You glanced at the clock inside the shop.

“It’s almost lunchtime. Shall we find something to eat? I know a good place not far from here. It’s cheap, too!” 

The boy grinned. His brown hair caught the sunlight in the prettiest way possible. 

“Lead the way.”

*

The place you had in mind was a restaurant called Angel’s Share, which had an outdoor dining area facing the forest. The sun was nice and warm today, so the two of you picked an outdoor table. When the waiter gave you and Sebastian a curious look, you gave her a polite smile and told her that your parents were still caught up at some shop.

“What are we now, siblings?” Sebastian asked once you two were out of the waiter’s earshot.

“Siblings, cousins, whatever as long as nobody paid too much attention to us.”

“Fair enough.”

Lunch was served in no time and by this time, you realized you had been starving. You figured Sebastian must’ve been hungry as well because the conversation soon ended and both of you were far too engrossed with each other's meals. Within minutes, the plates were emptied. You found yourself slouching on your seat, still savouring the taste of roasted bacon in your mouth, while Sebastian patted his stomach in satisfaction.  

“That was a good meal.”

“Very.”

You cast your gaze towards the forest, spotting a group of birds flying overhead. 

“Reminds you of the Forbidden Forest, doesn't it?” you softly said. 

Sebastian followed your gaze. “A thinner, lighter version of it. Hopefully with fewer spiders, too. Or… at all.”

That brought a smile to your face. “Yeah, I've had enough of them.”

The boy let out a lighthearted chuckle, his eyes snapping back to yours. “You know, I didn't know you liked caramel that much. And chocolate,” he said, gesturing at the full shopping bag from Cat's Tail. 

“Hah, what do you think I like?”

“...I don't know, actually. It's kind of strange, isn't it? We've slain dark wizards and goblins and other monsters but I don't even know what your favourite snack is.”

You tilted your head to one side, a grin spreading on your lips. Elated at the idea that Sebastian was interested in what you liked and you didn't like. 

“Don't look too glum. I don't know what you like either. Hobbs asked me earlier if we should make something you like but I was at a loss,” you explained.

“Apple pies,” he answered. He had a smile on his lips, though it looked rather dim. “I suppose we were too preoccupied with the dark wizards and goblins and your magic and finding the cure for Anne, I…”

You waited, briefly wondering if it was better to stop him and tell him it was alright. 

“I'm sorry. I was such an ass towards you… sometimes I wished I could go back in time and kick myself in the butt.”

You stilled. It wasn't the first time he apologized for everything that had transpired during the fifth year and each time, you told him it was alright. Water under the bridge. All's forgiven and forgotten. 

Nevertheless, a part of you also felt a sense of relief each time he apologized. Quite like changing a bandage on a healing wound. 

“It's alright, Sebastian. I've forgiven you.”

“...Even for what happened in the Scriptorium?”

Once again, you felt a faint prickling sensation all over your skin. A flash of green, a thousand invisible needles digging their way into your flesh. Sebastian's worry had been quickly replaced with awe when the wretched scriptorium opened up for them.

“Even what happened in the Scriptorium,” you nodded. 

“Why did you make that choice? Why not…” he lowered his voice. “Why not cast it on me?”

This caused you to pause. Pondering what led you to make that dreadful choice of him casting Crucio on you. 

“Well, first of all, I just started my year in Hogwarts, I have no idea what consequences I would face if I chose the other option,” you slowly explained. “A part of me did consider casting it on you, though, I admit… but then I looked at Ominis and… I don't know, I thought he probably wouldn't want to see his best friend going through the same experience.”

Sebastian hummed. Calloused fingers idly fiddling with the napkin on their table. 

“Thank you.”

“You're welcome, Sebastian.”

He trained his gaze on you for a moment before he shook his head and laughed. 

“I didn't expect you'd want to learn it though.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. You could already do much more terrifying things with your… special skills. I thought you'd think you're above learning… you-know-what.”

Why indeed, when you could blow up your enemies into smithereens like confetti, lift them up into the air and slam them over and over again to the ground like toddlers roughly playing with their toys, turn them into mindless chicken or sheep? Why should you mess with the Unforgivables? 

“Curiosity,” you softly answered, averting your gaze from him. “That's one part. The other…”

Water. Suddenly, you could see water around you. Cold and salty. A pair of wild, desperate eyes had been searching yours.

You took a deep breath, grounding yourself back to the present, where Sebastian was sitting across you and looking at you with curiosity.

“Let's just say, I'm not above using less respectable methods for the greater good. I've learned it the hard way.”

The boy stared at you in surprise. He opened his mouth, searching for words. 

“I mean, I suppose this wasn't too surprising, you never hesitated when you… you know,” he said, making gestures with his hand. 

“...Turn them into confetti?”

“...Yes, that,” he cleared his throat. “Look, while I appreciate you telling me this — honest to Merlin, I didn't expect this turn of events at all — but I just want you to know that I am immensely curious.”

“I knew you'd be,” you said with a laugh. “Want to know what happened?”

“Yes— ahem, but… only if you feel comfortable.”

The smile on your face faded ever so slightly. You ducked your head, fingers toying with the hem of your shirt. 

“One day,” you said, giving him a smile that didn't quite reach your eyes. “It's not that I don't trust you. I trust you. But it is not something I'm keen on recalling.”

“Right. Of course,” he quickly replied. Casting you an apologetic look. “Forgive me.”

“There's nothing to forgive, Sebastian. You didn't do anything wrong,” you said in a gentle voice. 

When your eyes met, he cracked a smile, which you returned. 

“There's something else I'm curious about if you don't mind me asking.”

“Mm? Ask away.”

He took his time, slanting his gaze towards the forest before looking at you. “What you just said earlier… was that the reason why you… persuaded Ominis, and by extension, Anne, not to do what they wanted to do?”

“Ah…” you blinked, biting your lip. This question was even harder to answer than the previous one.

Indeed, why save him? Why save a boy who had murdered his own kin? You could say that it was all a mistake. A mishap made in the heat of the moment. 

You could say that his fate was not yours to decide, not when you had cast spells more terrifying. Not when you had killed more. 

You could say that Azkaban was too cruel of a fate for him. For a boy who had repeatedly been sidelined, scrutinized, and belittled by the only caretaker he had in his life. 

But there was something more. Something bigger. Something deeper. 

Ultimately, you settled with, “Yes. I suppose you can say that.”

The answer was undoubtedly too vague for someone as curious as Sebastian. Yet he didn't pry. He only nodded, humming in acknowledgement. Brown eyes seeking yours and you met him in the middle. 

“I understand,” he said. “Thank you. Really, I couldn't thank you enough. I think I owe you my life.”

A soft laugh fell from your lips. You shook your head. 

“No, don't do that,” you gently reprimanded him. “What's important is that you live a better, safer life, Sebastian. If not for me, then for Ominis. For Anne.”

He was stunned at your choice of words. You watched as a million emotions flashed in his dark eyes. 

“I will. I am doing that now. You can see that, can't you?”

“Yes,” you nodded, reaching over the table to hold his hand, you couldn't resist the urge. “Yes, I can see that, and you don't know how relieved I am because of it.”

Sebastian’s eyes flickered towards your hand. You could feel his fingers trembling, but he made no other move. 

“Good. That is all I want now,” he smiled.

“Seriously Sebastian, how many times has it been this month?”

“It’s not my fault this time, I swear!”

“So, you slipped and somehow ended up in the Restricted Section? Is there some secret passage I hadn’t known about? Care to share to the class?” Ominis pinned him with a look and despite knowing his friend was blind Sebastian still raised his hands in surrender. Ominis sighed, there was no point really. When he had agreed to be friends with the troublesome boy in their first year he had signed up for this. It’s his fault for not seeing the mischievousness in those innocent brown eyes.

“I’m surprised,” Ominis continued as he started the trek back to their common room, the painful small talks he had with the headmaster in order to prevent anything getting sent to Solomon already fading as he got further away from the office. He could only imagine the absolute hell the old man would’ve sent their way if he had heard of his rendezvous in the Restricted Section. “It just isn’t like you.”

Sebastian scoffed, “To be in the Restricted Section? Where have you been the past year?”

“No, you idiot,” he hissed. “It isn’t like you to be caught.”

The falter in Sebastian’s steps had him raising an eyebrow, neck snapping back in accusation. “I’ve been caught once,” Sebastian reminded him quickly of the time Scribner first put the anti-Alohamora charm in the doors of the Restricted Section.

"I'm not finished," He’s hiding something. “It isn’t like you to be caught twice.”

He stopped on his track at the sound of Sebastian’s wince. “Okay, don’t be mad –”

“Oh no.”

“The new fifth-year needed some help to get in the restricted section because – well, I actually can’t tell you, she made me swear – and it’s bigger than the both of us and it was going so well! But Peeves caught just as we were about to –”

“Honestly, Sebastian, enough!”

He didn’t need to hear any of this.

Sebastian was right. Whatever great big mess that new kid was in the middle of was bigger than the both of them. And he has had more than enough on his plate trying to keep his friend out of trouble without the additional presence of another mysterious adrenaline junkie being thrown in the mix – one who was worryingly a magnet for big trouble. It was no wonder Sebastian was transfixed; he was looking at the damn mirror.

“Whatever fascination you have with that girl ends now,” It doesn’t escape him how much he sounded like a father getting in-between two lovers. He would’ve laughed in incredulity at the current situation he had found himself in if he wasn’t so bloody frustrated. “You get in enough trouble on your own, she doesn’t need to be sucking you up in her own problems.”

Sebastian makes a sound that doesn’t sound like a ‘yes, Ominis’ and the blond’s blood vessels nearly pop. He cannot believe this.

“Come on, it wasn’t like that. Honestly, she was brilliant! You should’ve been there; she took to the Disillusionment spell so quick that if we hadn’t let out guard down, we –”

“Oh, Merlin’s Beard, why don’t you marry the damn girl and the both of you leave me out of your tomfooleries!”

That would be ideal, he thinks. In a perfect world, he’s going to lock the two of them in a room and eat the key. There he would have no daily nuisances, won’t have to worry about sneaky Slytherins and the explosion of troubles they bring with them, and won’t need to suffer through Headmaster Black’s presence to get them out of it. A thankless job that brought nothing but headaches.

It was only when he was out of his blissful reverie that he realized his headache had stopped walking behind him seemingly lost in his own thoughts.

No.

“Sebastian … “

The other boy audibly flinched, his breath now irregular, and Ominis will bet all the galleons in the Gaunt’s vault that if he could see his old friend’s face would be as red as a Gryffindor’s arse right now.

He could almost cry, his palms producing embarrassing cold sweats at the absolute worst-case scenario unfolding in front of his unseeing eyes. “Please – I am begging you – not this one.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Oh no, no, no.

Suddenly, the prospect of Sebastian and this troublemaker getting together was not that idyllic. In quick successions, all possible worst-case scenario popped in Ominis head. Sebastian was bad enough, if he had someone who was equally as reckless and rash as him it would be something out of his worst nightmare.

Ominis is a good person. This can’t be happening to him.

“Sebastian, listen to me –”

With only a breeze as his answer Sebastian skipped right past Ominis and up the grand staircase. Ominis could feel the heat of his face. “No time to talk. Got somewhere to be –”

“Sebastian, no!”

Why must it keep happening to him?

Sebastian was pretty sure the house in Feldcroft has not heard Anne’s laughter in a long, long time. Yet, here you were, huddled together with his sister, whispering giggle-worthy stories about him no doubt by the way your gaze kept fluttering back to him, and lifting the dreadful ooze that has monopolized the small space since his sister’s illness.

“Nice girl,” He had nearly jumped out of his skin when he realized his uncle had been sitting on the spare bed hidden by a curtain.

“Y-Yeah,” Merlin’s beard you even got his unpleasant uncle’s favor in such a short time – a miracle worker, truly. “She’s … quite something.”

Talking to him has always been awkward.

Even before Anne had gotten sick, he found it difficult to converse with the man who looked too much but was simultaneously nothing like his gentle, kind father. And maybe it was also the childish insistence that if he had let the man into his heart, he would betray his parents – his father – that he just couldn’t let him in. It would feel too much like replacing him so he just opted in letting Solomon linger at the precipice of his life and the man was more than happy to do so.

After all, if Solomon was nothing like his father, Sebastian was everything that reminded Solomon of his dead brother. And those were holes none of them could fill for each other.

“You know, your mother was the same,” Sebastian’s eyebrows raised, never hearing Solomon talk about her till now. “When she was a 7th year I was just starting in Hogwarts and let me tell you, I had little hope for that brother of mine of ever getting her attention.”

His uncle continued to stare at you like he was seeing a ghost – the good kind – not the kind he sees when he looks at him. “She was brilliant, loved by even the firmest professors. And was always willing to hold out a helping hand, even to lost first years whose ass of a brother left to go fend for himself in the confusing moving stairs of Hogwarts.”

Even Sebastian let out a chuckle at that ridiculous image. Sometimes he forgets that even his old uncle had once been a child. The thought is uncomfortable, especially looking at the man he is now. “I always told him he was out of his mind for courting your mother but did my crazy brother listen? Absolutely not.”

Where was he going with this?

Sebastian returned his eyes back to you.

Brilliant, admirable, courageous you.

With your bright smile that feeds his ego by always shining brighter with him. The recklessness that never fails to infuriate and impress on his last nerves. The kindness you innately had in you that makes him want to wrap you up in the finest silk then lock you up in an impenetrable room so nobody else may ever touch it – so nobody else may have you.

That would be best, he thinks.

“It would seem even that insanity he had passed on to you.”

Sebastian’s eyes widened, forcing himself to take slow, deep breaths so all his blood doesn’t go to his face, unable to look at the older man. “It’s not like that,” he cleared his throat, now unable to look at you. “We’re … friends.”

“A good … companionship is built upon friendship,” Sebastian’s head whipped to this uncle as if to say ‘how would you know?’ but his uncle just grunted, shrugging before standing up to busy himself in the kitchen, calling you out to assist and telling Anne to take her medicine.

A good companionship. He knows it’s a bit too early but the thought of it wasn’t as horrifying as he thought it would be. The budding interest he had in his new friend was pushed and shoved into the deepest nook of his brain – he had more pressing things to tend to, one that was more important than discerning why he could recognize the sound of her laughter in the middle of dinner in the Great Hall.

But if he really thinks about it, takes a moment to breathe and considers it … it would be nice. She’s had research interest but with her grades and skill being a renowned curse-breaker or even an auror isn’t out of the question. If he works hard, he knows he’d be able to keep up and support her and Anne – maybe even set up an apartment in the city, they can just visit his sister when they have the chance.

Of course,he will try to encourage her to settle back down in Feldcroft if Anne still lives here but Irondale is quite beautiful too, a good place to practice flying when they have a family, let his children experience a true childhood surrounded by peace and quiet – two kids would be nice. Twins run in the family so maybe he could convince her for another one if their first pair are of the same gender. He would really like a daughter who looks just like --

 “I like her.”

“Bloody hell!” Sebastian jumped when he realized his twin sister was now right in front of him while he was deep in his embarrassing delusions. (When did the members of his family become so sneaky?) She grinned at him as if she knew exactly what had him so distracted. To avoid her piercing stare, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders as he guided her in the little nook of her bedroom where all the vials full of her medicines were stored.

“I knew you would. ‘s why I brought her here.”

“Oh?” Anne nonchalantly drank a disgusting-looking fluid in one gulp. “So, it wasn’t cause you wanted to monopolize her and get ahead of your competition back at Hogwarts?”

Sebastian gawked, his entire body heating up from the accusation. “What – no, it’s not – I thought she would cheer you up!”

He quickly took a quick peek at the corner, relieved that you were too busy charming his uncle off to hear such absurd allegations against him. He wouldn’t want you to get the wrong impression of him at all. After all, for how wondrous those visions are, he puts your friendship on a pedestal above anything else.

He thinks he’ll be more than content to be just your friend. Maybe.

“How gracious of you, brother,” Anne smirked, in this light it was almost like the old Anne.

Sebastian smirked at her, masking indifference, “I try.”

He should’ve known. Anne would be the one who might just see through all of him, even the things he likes to keep from his head. Even his most impossible dreams of cozy cottages and soft days.

“Sebastian!” The twins straightened up at your voice, both felt like they had been caught red-handed as you cheerfully rounded the corner. “Oh, was I interrupting –”

“No, not at all!” Anne pushed Sebastian firmly, making him stumble and catch himself just as he was about to crash into you. The proximity forces him to stare as your eyes crinkled when you smiled. He stops breathing.

You’ll look dazzling in white; he thinks.

“Your uncle told me your neighbor had some mint in their garden, said you could help me find it? It would go well with the juice.”

Sebastian’s eyes fell to your lips as you spoke before physically ripping his eyes out to look at your eyes, nodding, as his brain tried to keep up between his imagination and the reality of your face in front of his.  You grinned, already walking towards the door. He lets out a breath, the faint traces of your perfume that he gave you wafting an enchanting trail that kept his gaze on your retreating back.

“Get on with it,” Anne pushed him again and this time he gave her his deadliest glare as he followed after you. “You can’t hide her in Feldcroft forever.”

“Zip it.”

Solomon stood next to Anne as they stared at the two sweethearts in their own worlds as they made an adventure out of the small trip. Anne couldn’t help but giggle when Sebastian tripped because he was too busy looking at you instead of the road.

“Are men always this stubborn and stupid?”

“No,” Solomon grumbled, heart aching fondly when in a blink he could almost see a different mirage of figures that were both familiar and strangers at the same time. “He’s just his father’s son.”

“It’s over.”

Sebastian turned his head, straying his eyes away from the night sky framed by the room’s glass ceiling to look at you.  “It’s over.”

The two of you lay down on the floor of the room of requirement, sneaking away from the graduation party to spend the last moments of your life as a student in Hogwarts together. It wasn’t intentional, you had sneaked out for a proper goodbye to the sentient room and thanked it for everything it had provided for you but, like always, Sebastian had gotten ahold of your sneaking form before you could take two steps away from his side.

Sebastian can see that the inevitability of it all is making you emotional, a Hogwarts-shaped hole already forming in the crevices of your heart. The thought of no longer having this haven to escape the world's cruel realities makes him sigh.

“I’m terrified,” your whispered confession surprised him.

His gallant darling? Scared?

“What for?”

You smiled at him sheepishly. “It feels stupid but … I’m scared of things changing. I feel like that little girl again – 15 years old and alone in this great, big world I was thrust into.” Sebastian noticed a shudder crawl over your body. “And this time I won’t have a cheeky Slytherin lad to show me around.”

Sebastian frowned, unsure if he was more disappointed at you for thinking you would lose him that easily or at himself for not nailing that the two of you were tethered forevermore in that bright head of yours.

Instead, he took your shaking hands that you tried to hide and held on to it tight.

You smiled up at him. “Promise to stay in touch?”

He could almost scoff at such an understatement of a request. Do you know I’m never letting you go?

“You’re not getting away from me that easily,” he grinned, hoping to charm the rest of your remnant fears away. “I expect weekly letters while I’m away from training.”

You scrunched your nose, which he thinks is just adorable “What? So you can brag to your fellow trainees you have a lovesick lady waiting for you at home?”

He laughed at that, eyes crinkling and heart racing, “Maybe I should keep a photo of you plastered on my wall then, really commit to the part. A pretty face like you on my walls should make me the envy of my entire group.”

Her laugh came out nervous, her grip on his hands tightened. She’s still scared.

If only he had been sorted in Gryffindor maybe then he would’ve been daring enough to say something. To fall to his knees in this room and let his forehead kiss the ground and beg you to stay with him, run away with him, marry him. To let him spend the rest of his lowly life making sure you will never be lonely again.

But the fates were cruel and for all his pretense of confidence, the gods’ honest truth is he is a coward. A coward with no prospects.

If he wants your hand he needs to prepare, to follow the plan he had mapped out since the night he had realized he would very much like to spend the rest of his life with you or die trying. He might not be worth anything for now but he’ll make himself enough.  He just needs to hold on … just two more years – it’s all he asks.

Just two years for him to establish himself, to become someone, to earn the right to ask you. He knows it will be hard, you’ll be engrossed in your own research and won’t be able to see him as he trains to be an auror. And there was always a risk of you meeting someone else but he’s already made Poppy swear to report everything to him while she accompanies you in your travels, a contingency plan for any hurdle that may put a wrench in his plans.

If all of this fails then so be it, but he won’t lose you from a lack of planning or trying.

“Why are you looking at me like that?

He didn’t realize he was staring at you while his thoughts ran wild. The dark of your eyes reflected the ceilings you had charmed with the sky of the Forbidden Forest. The dim hue of the room made you look ethereal, like a forest fairy sent to lead him to a beautiful doom. He’d follow you anywhere.

Is it too soon to tell you I love you?

Is it too late?

“Have I ever told you that you’re the only one I need?” Sebastian suddenly whispered, vulnerable.

It’s the closest thing he’ll allow himself to say for now, placating the intensity of his need to be close to you by properly laying on his side and pressing a firm hand on your cheeks as you followed his lead, your own loosely dangling on his waist.

“Don’t you think Ominis will be quite offended by that?” you teased, your fingers tracing patterns on his spine.

He couldn’t help but match your grin, “He’ll live.”

“Sebastian,” your words quiet but he moved his hand at the back of your head to pull you in closer, muffling your following words on his chest. “Promise me nothing will change?”

Sebastian’s hold on you tensed, pressing the gentlest kiss at the top of your head to silence his protests.

No, he wants to scream. Everything has to change.

He’ll change everything for you.

“I promise,” he lies.

He’s no Gryffindor, after all.

[ 5 years later ]

“I almost fucking killed you!”

You rolled your eyes, which was a bad idea considering the curse that malfunctioned in Gringott’s brought upon a gaggle of Inferis along with a mutated one that grew about ten feet tall. Before it could lunge straight at your head, Sebastian – Merlin’s beard, he was still as handsome as the day you had left Hogwarts – pulled you into him before casting a Protego followed by a Confringo, blasting the undead’s arm away.

Still his favorite after all these years.

“What? You become a bigshot Auror and forget my face?!”

With an Incendio, the rest of the Inferis were now weakened enough that Sebastian was able to finish them all in one go (bloody hell!). Giving you time to gather yourself and lash out a heavy burst of ancient magic to take care of the giant Inferi once and for all.

You wobbled from the effort but firm hands and a chest caught you. When you looked up you were greeted by a cantankerous Sebastian covered in dust and dirt.

“As if I could see your face in those ridiculous glasses you’re wearing. Is that a lizard’s eye?”

You pulled on the offending thing, turning and standing on your tiptoes to put it on him, then he could see that it helps with seeing the traps laid out around the vault. “Satisfied your inquiries, Mr. Auror?”

He pushed the glasses to the top of his head, still looking down at you with a suspicious glare. Damn him and damn the entire male race for their inability to stop growing their limbs. “I should have you arrested. Illegally breaking into Gringots? What were you thinking?”

“Please, any curse-breaker you sent this way would’ve been eaten by that curse, I barely got out with my life if not for my ancient magic.”

Sebastian’s eyebrows twitched in the familiar way when he wasn’t particularly fond of you – which usually only happens when you throw yourself in danger … like today. Old habits die hard.

“I –”

“Save it,” he raised a palm. You sucked your lips into a thin line comically – it has been half a decade since you last saw him after all, you’re not entirely quite sure If this Sebastian in front of you would hesitate in throwing his prodigal best friend into the cold stone walls of a ministry ordained prison. “You owe me.”

Before he could, you fired off a blast of ancient magic behind him, crushing the lone Inferi that was bidding its time under a rock. You smirked. “Are we even now?”

“Not even fucking close,” His face was blank, unamused. Sebastian’s patience has never been the longest but this is one of the few times his ire was aimed at you, the novelty of it would make you blush if you weren’t so guilty. “Where have you been?”

This time it was your smile that fell, eyes dropping with it in shame. Straight to it, huh.

“Sebastian … I left a lett –“

“A letter! You call that a letter?!” He guffawed, turning his back on you and started pacing just at the ledge that led to a very, very, long fall to the bottom of Gringotts. Your fingers twitched to reach out for him but you had a feeling he wasn’t particularly interested in getting mothered right now as he spiraled out the words you’re sure he had surely been holding the past years. “My dearest friend, one who fights trolls for practice and is the most wanted woman of all dark wizards in the country disappears without a trace even when I spent an entire year searching for her –”

He looked for you?

“—but oh no! All is well Sebastian, she left you a bloody note!”

You felt like a reprimanded toddler but maybe (just maybe) you deserved it. “It wasn’t my finest moment.”

Something in your words snapped the last of Sebastian’s nerve. The gall of you – to stand here like it was nothing. The days he had spent tracking you, dreading the moment he would be greeted by your corpse.

How dare you leave? How dare you leave him? Of all the people in this world you were the one who was supposed to stay on his side.

‘I’ll be back. I promise. I just need time’

He marched to where you were standing, cupping both of your shoulders so you can look at him. “I will be given an explanation.”

Instead, your eyes fell on his left hand. He followed your line of sight, the gold band around his finger making all your cruelest nightmares come true.

How did it come to this? You scoured your memories of your entire friendship – how had the two of you come from being unable to keep a single secret from each other to strangers that have too many unspoken grievances in between them?

Was this inevitable?

Finally, you gathered your strength. He did deserve the truth from you of all people. And you could truly never keep a secret from Sebastian even now – which is also why you left. The shame, the unjustified anger, the hurt in your chest when you looked at him – you couldn’t handle it.

“I … I heard from Leander.”

His frown deepened. What does Leander have anything to do with this?

“I was going to visit you on the last weekend of your training. Then Leander caught me in town and he said … he said that after you had finished your auror training you were planning to propose, that you were already looking for a ring.”

He is going to kill that orange blabbermouth fuc –

“I couldn’t – surely, you couldn’t be that daft. I … I loved you, Sebastian! And I know I’m your friend and I should’ve been there for you. And I really am – I am happy for you,” you took his hand, your gentle touch shakily running through the gold band around his ring finger as you tried to hold back the tears. It felt like it was mocking you, like it could burn a mark on your skin. “If anyone deserves to build a family it would be you. I just … in that moment I couldn’t be happy for you. I needed to remove myself from the situation and I couldn’t say goodbye – you wouldn’t have let me! I panicked and I was hurt and … I really am sorry. I’m so sorry, Sebastian.”

As humiliating as it was to say all the hurt that you were carrying with you as you traveled the world to escape your love for him it did make you feel lighter. Were you a coward? Maybe so. But you will not shame your past self for what she did out of hurt and fear. It was painful but necessary.

It wasn’t until Sebastian was cupping your face and wiping your cheeks with his thumb that you realized you had been crying.

“Darling, who did you think the ring was for?”

You blinked, “What?”

You could tell he was trying to lengthen his patience with you, clearly as he was the more emotionally stable one at the moment even though it looked like he was at the precipice of choking you. "Have I ever told you that I was courting anyone?”

The conversation was taking a turn you weren't expecting. “N-No, but Leander and Everett used to keep teasing you about the Ministry girls that was always at your tail so I just assumed …”

He raised his eyebrows, holding onto your cheeks tighter so you had to look at him. For the first time in your entire friendship, you couldn’t read him at all. “I assumed you became interested in one of them.”

He sighed, “No, sweetheart. I did not become interested in any of them.”

You frowned, still feeling the cold ring on your cheek. “Then who did you marry?”

“I’m … not married.” This time it was him who seemed to blush, actually breaking eye contact to chuckle. When he looked back at you it was like you were getting a peek of the boyish Sebastian you once knew. “I would have been if the beautiful witch I had been chasing did not disappear on me right when I was about to propose.”

His words sunk into you like molasses, the wrinkle in between your eyebrows disappearing as your eyes widened in realization. Surely, he doesn’t mean –

“I just wore it since I would’ve been wearing it either way if someone had said yes. And it’s a more effective way to ward off any hopefuls. A little white lie to cover up my bruised heart and spare their egos”

“Wait, wait –“you tried to push him away but one of his arms just wrapped around your back, pushing your chest to his. He wasn’t going to let you get away this time, if he has to cast a binding spell on you without your knowledge then so be it.

The past five years had been torture enough.

“I guess it’s what I deserved. Letting the love of my life wait around just because my pride wanted me to earn the right to ask for her hand. The Hero of Hogwarts, the brightest witch of our age – surely, I couldn’t just ask her, could I?”

The abundance of information threatened to drown your head in. Pieces of the grand puzzle that never seemed to fit right clicking and clacking in your head as you slowly pieced together the blanks in the history of your relationship because you didn’t bother to ask and he didn’t bother to say anything.

He means you right? He was going to propose to you? The bloody ring you’ve been having nightmares about was for you?!

But he had never … I mean sure you flirted here and there but it was nothing … official. No words were ever shared, no announcements, nor formality.

It was all very … murky and ambiguous.

“Hey, back to me, darling,” he gently pressed his thumb that was still holding on to your cheek. “I swear even when we’re together it’s like you’re still running away.” As if suddenly lost in thought himself he murmured, “Should I charm a chain on you, after all?”

You blinked and the dark glint in his eyes that you had only seen in his darkest moments in your fifth year disappeared, now replaced with a small cheeky smile.

“Sebastian, the ring was it – surely it wasn’t –”

“For you?” He was so close now that you could count all the freckles in his face, his lips running through your cheeks, even pressing a kiss on your temple. “Then riddle me this, my love – if not for you then who else would it be for? Hmm? Who else would I be begging to be my wife if not my most treasured friend? The one person who stood beside me through it all?”

Another kiss on your cheeks. “The only light in my life?”

The underside of your jaw. “The beautiful witch who had rudely stolen my heart when we were children then had the nerve to run away with it just as I was able to gather all the courage I had to ask for hers in return?”

He moved both of his hands to wrap around your waist, pulling and pulling and pulling as if he wanted to meld the two of you together. “Who else but you? There was and would’ve been nobody else but you.”

A shadow of a kiss at the edge of your lips. “You’re the only woman I have ever loved.”

Your heart threatens to explode.

“And you’re the only one I will ever love,” he whispered, but the quiet of the caves of Gringotts made his voice echo inside your overheating skull.

You had been aware of Sebastian’s charms when you were younger but now that he was using his pretty face and raspy voice at its full extent while professing his love for you in the murky caves of Gringotts and pieces of Inferi corpses scattered on the ground – you could almost feel your brain malfunctioning.

“I had resigned myself to a life of isolation if you had never come back,” he declared. “But you did. Why?”

He was not going to accept anything less than the truth. The intensity behind his eyes, the grip he has around you was so firm you were almost hanging off the ground. The unbearable weight of your guilt for almost driving this man to insanity even if it had not been your intention had you letting go of your defenses.

“Because I missed you,” you admitted, eyes looking straight at him to finally bare your soul. “And I couldn’t find anything the world could offer that could compare to you. Even if we just remained friends I –”

His chuckle cut you off.

“We could never just be friends,” he whispered, you couldn’t agree more. “We were never just friends. Darling, I’m not a religious man but if soulmates are real then yours and mine have always been tied to each other. And if whatever god is up there was cruel enough not to have done that then I would’ve knotted it myself.”

You giggle through your tears – you had played out so many fantasies of Sebastian’s confessions and yet now that you were living your wildest dreams it felt like your heart was trying to escape your chest.

“If you hadn’t come back, it would’ve done nothing short of killing me, you have to know that,” a ragged breath escapes him as if the mere memory of your escape were enough to cause him physical pain. “Because I love you and I have always loved you even back when I didn’t know what love is. Even when love was a mere flutter in my chest every time I looked at you. Even when I was a fool in a path to destruction I … I have always, always loved you.”

You nodded, almost gasping at the intensity of his words. “I love you too, Sebastian. So much. I would’ve always come back. I couldn’t – I would’ve honestly poisoned your wife if you had married another.”

A laugh exploded out of his mouth at your sudden proclamation, echoing through the eerie corners of the caves. “And I had more than enough daydreams of torturing any lovers you might’ve taken in your travels.” The sickly-sweet tone that contrasted such horrid words had you giggling.

“Think we should stick to each other then?” You roped an arm around his neck, letting him carry your dead weight. “Spare some poor suckers from poisons and murders.”

He grinned, leaning in closer and closer, “You always had been the one with bright ideas.”

You smiled just as he finally pressed his lips into yours. Even your wildest dream couldn’t compare to this. Sebastian’s greedy grip on your waist, his familiar scent, his taste – him. It wasn’t perfect – a bit too rough, too needy yet somehow never enough – it was better, a perfect amalgamation of your entire relationship.

“Marry me,” he commanded in between kisses, too desperate to separate from you for more than a second. “Tell me you’ll have me.”

“You’re mine,” You gasp when he suddenly turned you around and pressed you on the jagged wall of the cave. “Always been mine.”

You’ve never not been mine.

Suddenly, Sebastian ended your kisses, a whine slipping out of your throat which he placated with a quick peck before he haphazardly pulled a necklace of some kind around his neck, snapping it to let the pendant fall into his palms.

Only it wasn’t a pendant. It was a ring. The ring.

“Oh my, Sebastian,” your vision blurs with tears as he gently takes your shaking hand, slipping the beautiful jewelry on your ring finger where it shall sit forever. “It’s beautiful. I can’t wait to marry you.”

He groaned, pressing his forehead to your temple as you continued to admire the ring on your finger.

“You keep buttering me up like this and I’ll have to kidnap the first priest I see when we get out of here.”

“I wouldn’t object to that, we’ve never been one for propriety.”

“I can’t believe we had our first kiss in Gringott’s of all places,” he muttered, the vibration of his voice tickling your chest as he buries his face in it.

“That wasn’t my first kiss.”

That had his head snapping, eyes murderous at your words. "What?”

“It wasn’t yours either.”

“Huh.”

You nodded slowly, not breaking eye contact as he tries to scour through his memories.

“Remember our fight in the Room of Requirement? About the Triwizards game?”

He winced. “I’d rather not remember that.”

You shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

You settled back, knowing him well enough to know his mind was rapidly working through his memories to figure out the cryptic declaration you had confessed.

It had been frustrating when you had remembered such important event days after it happened. All it had taken was a faint whiff of Sebastian’s shampoo in your pillow in the room of requirement before you were shooting up in your bed at the memories trickling in your brain as you tried to figure out if it had been one of your more apparent daydreams only to scream when you had realized it had happened and the two of you completely forgot about it.

You had become wary of Sebastian then, staring and studying his face at any hint that he also had the luck of remembering such bold confessions from you. You aren’t sure if you were more relieved or disappointed when he showed no inkling of gaining the curse of such knowledge like you.

But at your sudden engagement to him, you believe you have suffered enough of such vexations alone. You are to be married after all which means the two of you shall share every burden from now on -- even the most embarrassing and frustrating ones.

Sebastian’s muscles locked, pushing himself up to cage you in bed as his frantic eyes widened.

You grin. He remembers.

“No fucking way.”

“Yes way.”

He slumps back down in your chest, groaning. “Are you sure you're okay with marrying a bloody idiot?”

It had been over a week since Spring arrived, melting white snow to make way for verdant green and vibrant colors. Hogwarts was lovely this time of the year, with blooming flowers and swirling butterflies softening the solemness of the castle. It was almost hard to believe that just a few weeks ago, you had been fighting for your life against Ranrok, shaking the very foundation of the castle. Yet Hogwarts still stood tall and majestic. Unshakeable. 

Everyone called you Hogwarts’ Hero, but you wondered if they knew that your sleep had been plagued with vivid dreams of bright flashes of red, the memories of the Keepers, and the light fading from your mentor’s eyes as he drew his last breath. Who would've expected that you'd have trauma by the end of your fifth year? Certainly not you.

The teachers, bless their hearts, seem to be paying more attention to you these days. Even more than before, when they used to give you tasks and extra lessons to make up for lost time. Among them, Professor Weasley was the one who often reached out to you to inquire about your O.W.L preparations. 

Curiously, though, the deputy headmistress didn't seem interested in your O.W.L or Field Guide today. Instead, she regarded you with a gentle, sympathetic expression as she handed you a thick envelope. 

“I know the grief of losing Professor Fig must be too fresh for you, but with the year ending and… in light of everything that has happened recently, I'm afraid this cannot wait.”

You stilled in your seat, immediately assuming the worst. Had the remaining goblin forces taken arms again? A new enemy entering the fray? Or perhaps you weren't meticulous enough when locking away Isidora’s repository and some of the magic had leaked away?

Professor Weasley cleared her throat. “This is Professor Fig’s will. He'd entrusted this to me the night you fought Ranrok. I assume you knew that Professor Fig and Miriam had no children?”

“Yes,” you slowly replied, thinking back to the months before Hogwarts where Fig patiently taught you everything you need to know about magic. 

What Professor Weasley said next made your eyes widen in surprise.

“Well… Professor Fig had decided to list you as his beneficiary. This means all his possessions now belong to you, including his house in London.”

“I— what?”

“It’s all stated in his will,” Professor Weasley nodded at the envelope before you, urging you to open it.

You hesitated. Eyebrows furrowing in confusion and disbelief. You wondered if this is a setup. Perhaps Professor Weasley decided to give you a surprise test before O.W.L to really gauge your readiness? But what purpose would it serve? The deputy headmistress has no reason to trick you and even if she did, she wouldn’t resort to using Fig, wouldn’t she? It would be too cruel.

Still, the deputy headmistress was silent while you mentally hyper-analyzed your current predicament. Nervously, you reached out for the envelope, pulling out its contents with trembling hands. Complicated words jumped out at you when you unfurled the parchment. You weren’t really well-versed in legal phrases and languages, but as you read through the pages and saw the stamps and signatures that belonged to Fig, you realized that everything Professor Weasly said was true.

Professor Fig left you everything.

“I… This is…”

You could feel your eyes getting wet with tears but blinked them all away, refusing to let out even the smallest sob or sniffle. Not in front of Professor Weasley, at least. Professor Fig never really expressed any sort of familial affection to you. Any praise and encouragement mostly only came because of your aptitude for magic and quick thinking. Because of that, you assumed he only saw you as his student. You two hadn’t known each other that long, after all.

You flipped the pages and began to reread everything from the beginning and, to nobody’s surprise, nothing’s changed. The content of his will stayed the same. 

But why, you found yourself thinking. A big wave of grief swept over you. A part of yourself secretly wishing Fig could’ve told you all this on his own. After all, despite everything, he had been the closest thing to a father that you’ve ever had. 

Not for the first time, your chest swelled with rage towards Ranrok, though you know it was futile.

“I had the pleasure to talk with Fig not long after he discovered you,” Professor Weasley finally spoke with a gentle voice. “He told me how gifted you are, how he had never seen someone learn magic so quickly. He was very proud of you, dear. And I’m sure that sentiment only grew bigger until the very end of his journey.”

“I… I don't know what to say, Professor, I…” you stammered. 

With a flick of her wand, a cup of warm tea appeared on the desk and Professor Weasley offered it to you. “Fig also told me that you were living in an orphanage. I suppose he hoped that, though he’s no longer with us, you can now have a home to return to aside from Hogwarts.”

You sobbed, unable to hold back the tears. Without wasting a beat, Professor Weasley was already at your side, rubbing soothing circles on your back. The warm gesture was appreciated, of course, but you tried your best to stop crying. 

“Your mentor is a good man,” she said. “He had made sure that you’ll never live in want.”

“Truthfully, Professor, I don’t know if I deserved this. I…” you paused, rubbing your eyes with the sleeve of your cloak. 

“Nonsense, you’ve done so much for the wizarding world. I know Fig, he wouldn’t have made this decision if he wasn’t sure,” Professor Weasley reassured her. “But… it's up to you, in the end, whatever you want to do with Professor Fig’s possessions. I advise you to sleep on it tonight before coming up with a decision.”

Your nose flared as you took a deep breath, blinking away the burn in your eyes. “Alright,” you said, suddenly feeling more exhausted than ever. “I'll give it a thought. Thank you, Professor.”

The deputy headmistress nodded. “Well, I shan't keep you any longer. You still have classes to attend, after all. But rest assured, I'll always offer you my assistance should you need it.”

“Thank you, Professor.”

*

Try as you might, you couldn't stop thinking about Fig’s will. You barely paid attention to whatever Professor Sharp was saying (you were pretty sure he was giving you disappointed looks the whole time) and, when class was finally over, you began walking aimlessly around Hogwarts, hoping the excursion could help you process everything that had just happened. 

Of course, you had been giving some thought as to how you were going to spend the term break before your sixth year began. Natty and Poppy had also invited you for a sleepover at their houses. But, ultimately, you thought you were going to spend most of your time back at the orphanage, though you absolutely did not look forward to it.

But now, things have changed drastically.

You weren't trying to be ungrateful or petulant but… how many fifteen-year-olds out there got entrusted a house and a certain amount of wealth all of a sudden? 

The details of Fig’s home trickled back into your brain as you recalled the few times you had been there. It was a simple two-story house with brick walls, cobblestone roofs, a garden filled with peculiar magical plants, and a chipper house-elf named Hobbs. The insides of the house were filled with books and knick-knacks from Fig and Miriam’s adventure. It was warm there. And quiet, detached from the hustle and bustle of London’s city center.

‘Wouldn't it be so empty if only Hobbs and I lived there? How can I even stay there when Professor Fig is already gone?’ you wondered, uncertain. 

You were so caught up in your thoughts that you didn't realize that one of the armors in the corridor had already broken down into pieces, its parts strewn messily across the floor, no doubt it was because of their usual fight. But this detail slipped your mind and, the next moment, you found yourself falling down to your knees after you tripped over what seemed to be an iron breastplate. 

“Ow!”

“...Is that the Hogwarts' Hero I hear stumbling down the corridor?”

Cheeks reddening, you looked up to see none other than Ominis Gaunt standing in the middle of the corridor with his wand stretched forward, glowing red.  

“Yup, it's me. And don't call me that,” you sighed before pushing yourself back up and casting Reparo to fix the armor. “Fancy seeing you all by yourself, Ominis, Sebastian's not with you?”

“He’s being held back by Professor Garlick.” 

“What, did he make a student faint with a mandrake?” you asked as you inspected the repaired armor, satisfied with your work. 

“Almost lost an arm from accidentally dropping his Chinese chomping cabbage.”

You winced. “That… didn't sound good.”

That did not quite sound like Sebastian as well. You may not have known him long enough, yet Sebastian was not exactly someone you'd call clumsy. No, he had always moved with certainty and confidence, with intentions behind each of his actions. Needless to say, he wouldn't have done something as foolish as accidentally dropping a magical cabbage that could tear one's limbs. 

You turned to look at Ominis, half-surprised that he was still there. 

“How is he doing?”

“He’s… managing, though I can sense that Anne's situation still bothers him greatly,” Ominis quietly answered, carefully picking his words. “But I believe that he has come to terms with it. Slowly making peace with everything.”

“That's good to hear,” you nodded. 

Of course, like Ominis, you had been witnessing Sebastian making good progress. He seemed to be fully committed to the promise he made to you in The Undercroft a few days ago, and for that, you couldn't have been more relieved.

“Speaking of Sebastian, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about,” the blond-haired boy spoke again and it piqued your interest. 

“Mm?”

“Not here, let’s go somewhere quieter.”

“...Alright, lead the way.”

You assumed he would lead you to The Undercroft, yet it seemed Ominis had a different plan in mind because the two of you had just made a turn that certainly did not lead to your secret base. 

“Where are we heading?”

“The Black Lake,” he answered and your eyebrows shot up. “I’m unsure if this is something Sebastian should hear. Not yet, at least.”

You tilted your head to the side. This was certainly unexpected. After all, a good portion of your fifth year was spent doing unsanctioned and dangerous things with Sebastian, away from Ominis’ disapproving gaze. Now it was you and Ominis who were scheming together while keeping Sebastian out of the loop.

“This… was certainly a surprising turn of events.”

“You’re the only one I can turn to. And as to why, I'm sure you don't need a reminder.”

That shut you up. “Fair enough.”

It didn't take long before you reached the Black Lake. You held back a shiver when a chilly spring wind blew, mussing up the strands of hair that escaped your braid. Still, the sight of a verdant meadow after four months of pure white was very much welcomed. When you squinted, you could see the silhouette of the giant squid that lingered in the murky depth of the lake. 

Ominis led you to a quieter, more secluded part of the lake and you followed, sitting next to him on the grass. 

“So, what is it?”

“I know I said that Sebastian seemed to be doing alright, but… with the term break approaching, I can't help but worry for him. Anne is keeping her distance, Solomon's gone. Sebastian will be all alone.” 

“Ah… that,” you hummed. “I've been wondering about that, too, actually. Of course, I don't know Sebastian as well as you do, but I wondered if he'd be okay going back to an empty home. I figured the grief would be too much.”

He let out a heavy sigh. “I will just say it as it is. Aside from the grief, I worry he would try to do something stupid. Something we've agreed we'd help him put a stop to.”

An uncomfortable sensation pricked your skin, trailing down your spine. The faintest echo of Crucio that Sebastian cast on you back at Salazar’s Scriptorium. It was consensual, yes, you had asked for him to do it, but the pain was unbearable. It was as if you were being burned from the inside. As if a thousand knives pierced your skin over and over again. Your throat constricting on its own and breathing had been impossible.

Still, some days you wondered what was worse, the consensual Unforgivable curse or the anger he lashed out at you whenever he got too frustrated about his quest to find a cure for Anne.

‘Water under the bridge,’ you thought to yourself.

“I suppose you couldn't take him with you?”

“With me,” Ominis repeated slowly. “You’re suggesting that we bring Sebastian to a house where children are not taught but also encouraged to use the Unforgivable curses.”

“Right. Sorry.”

“Curses aside, you know how I preferred not to stay in that house. I used to visit Feldcroft in the past, but now…” 

There was an awkward silence for a moment as you realized it wasn’t just Sebastian who lost his family and home. Ominis also lost a shelter. You looked up towards the blue sky, wishing you could find someplace for your two friends. Perhaps the three of you could sneak and hide in the Room of Requirements for the entire term break. That wouldn’t be too much of a bad idea, would it? Wild, but… plausible? You certainly wouldn’t have any problems with it.

Absent-mindedly, you put your hand inside the pocket of your cloak. It was at that moment your fingers brushed against an envelope. 

Professor Fig’s will. 

Suddenly, another idea popped into your head. 

“Something happened to me earlier.”

“Yes…?” Ominis arched an eyebrow, unsure of what it had to do with your current predicament. 

“Professor Weasley gave me Professor Fig’s will. He had listed me as his beneficiary… which means all of his possessions, including his home, are entrusted to me. I’ve been to the house a few times before and… it was quite spacious. There were spare rooms available.”

Ominis immediately turned to face you. “Are you suggesting that Sebastian could live with you during our term break?”

“I— well…” 

Now that you had said it, you realized how ridiculous you may have sounded. 

“I know that you tend to come up with bizarre ideas, but would your family even be okay with this? Can’t imagine they’d be pleased if you suddenly came home with a boy.”

‘They probably wouldn’t… if they existed,’ you thought to yourself. 

“Um… I sort of don't have one…”

“What do you mean you don't— oh,” Ominis immediately fell silent when he understood what you implied. The blond shifted awkwardly. “I must admit I have heard some rumors regarding your… family, but I didn’t dare to ask I…” he faltered. “Sorry.”

“No, it’s fine. Don’t apologize. Really!”

An awkward silence stretched for a brief moment before he finally let out a sigh. “Well, that’s even more bizarre, then. A girl and a boy living together. Did it ever cross your mind that your idea is rather unconventional, if not, inappropriate?”

You could feel the heat rushing to your cheeks. Ominis did not have to make it seem more serious than it really was. The three of you were just friends and nothing more. You highly doubt that Sebastian would do anything weird. Besides, it’s not like any of you had a lot of options.

“I know… it was just—” you took a deep breath. “Look, I just thought we could all stay there. Yes, you included. There's enough room for everyone to have their own privacy and there’s also a house-elf, so it’s not like it’s going to be just us.”

Ominis still looked like he suddenly got his vision and saw that you actually have three heads instead of one. 

“I don’t know what to say, thank you for the invitation? But have you considered the fact that there’s a possibility that something unwanted could happen?”

“Sebastian wouldn’t do that! And neither would you!” you replied with wide eyes, perplexed. “And even if any of you somehow did, which I highly doubt, I'm perfectly capable of defending myself.”

You were quite certain that Ominis didn't doubt you. After all, you did have the ability to wield ancient magical power and have successfully thwarted a goblin rebellion.

“Besides,” you took a deep breath. “I really don't know if I'm going to be able to live there with only a house-elf to keep me company.”

He paused. “Why is that?”

A rueful smile bloomed on your lips. “The silence would be too much for me to bear.”

“Ah…”

“A- anyway, you don't have to agree to my idea if you're uncomfortable about it. I was just thinking out loud… we need a place where one or the two of us can keep Sebastian company and you need a place to escape your family. I thought the house could be a good option.”

Ominis finally let out another defeated sigh. “You’re not wrong.”

Biting your lower lip, you inched forward, not wanting to put more stress on him. “I suppose there is a possibility that Sebastian would be completely fine living in Feldcroft alone and things would be the same despite… what had happened. At any rate, we wouldn't know unless we talked to him about it, no?”

“Yes, I suppose you're right,” he muttered. “We should talk to him tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

The Slytherin boy arched an eyebrow. “We're going to Feldcroft with him tomorrow, remember?”

Right. You remembered Sebastian asking you to go with him and Ominis to his cottage in Feldcroft. This would be his second visit after Solomon’s death and Anne’s disappearance. The first happened just moments after he learned of his sister’s disappearance. Suddenly, your chest felt heavy.

“Alright. We'll talk to him tomorrow.”

Ominis nodded. “I have to go back, Sebastian is probably searching for me already. Talk to you soon.”

“Me, too. I promised Natty we’re going to Hogsmeade together. See you, Ominis.”

He stood up and dusted his robe. His expression was unreadable. 

“Despite everything that had happened,” he spoke again in a soft voice. “I’m grateful for all the help that you’ve done for Sebastian. I reckon it must’ve been hard for you, too, back then. I’m sorry, I realized there were times when I was being too harsh on you.”

The heaviness in your chest grew and though Ominis couldn’t see you, you still hid your face from him. A small part of you worried he could somehow sense the relief you were trying to suppress. Still, a treacherous part of you continued to wonder if Sebastian would still do what he did if you had made different choices. Had you, despite your best intention, unknowingly and foolishly led him into darkness?

You took a deep breath. 

“Thank you, Ominis.”

*

That night, you dreamt about Isidora’s final repository, tucked deep beneath Hogwarts. Yet instead of locking it away, you absorbed it. Unknown, unlimited power coursing through your veins, taking you to a greater height. 

You dreamt that you found Anne and, with that treacherous power, you broke her curse. 

*

Feldcroft was as humble and quiet as the first time you visited it. The evening sun bathed the little hamlet in a warm, golden hue, enhancing the colors of the daffodils that grew all over the grassy field. It seemed to be more alive, with villagers loitering around merchants and children running across the meadows. With the goblin forces gone, peace had returned to the hamlet.

Beside you, Sebastian was staring at the idyllic sight with a hollowness in his eyes. The price of freedom surely had never been so steep. Feldcroft was safe, but Solomon was gone, Anne did not want to speak to him, and some villagers were eyeing him warily. There were rumors that the young Sallow boy had cast one of the Unforgivable curses during the last goblin attack. Opinions were divided, some thinking he should be thoroughly investigated, while others thought “Well, good riddance! He saved his sister!”

“Sebastian…”

“Come on,” the brown-haired boy said. “All this walk is making me tired.”

You glanced at Ominis, who seemed to be holding back as many emotions and thoughts as you did. Sighing, you followed Sebastian as he made his way home. 

The Sallow cottage was in a slightly worse state, which wasn’t unreasonable, considering nobody lived there anymore. Sebastian hadn’t said anything about his desire to return, but the three of you came to the house anyway to keep it clean and well-maintained. 

Solomon Sallow was laid to rest in a simple graveyard in the back of the cottage. Anne had told everyone in the village that he died peacefully in his sleep. Silence stretched as Sebastian stood before the grave, while you and Ominis stood a few feet behind him, watching. The brown-haired boy was still as a statue and you wondered what went through his mind.

But then he sighed and turned to face you, his face calm and eyes clear without a hint of tears. 

“I'm done here. Let's get inside.”

With a flick of his wand, the door to the cottage opened easily. Inside, it was as if time was frozen. There was a glass on the table where Anne used to sit, the bed was unmade, an opened letter sitting on top of a nearby fireplace, and the windows were starting to collect dust.

“Well… let’s get to it, then. Nothing a few Scourgify can’t solve,” Sebastian said, trying to maintain a carefree attitude.

The three of you worked in silence, repeating the spell to clean any dust and dirt you laid your eyes on. You turned your attention towards the bookshelf by the window, noticing more opened letters were scattered on the shelves and the floor around it. You averted your gaze, not wanting to take a single peek at the content. One of them caught your eye anyway because it had your name written on it in handwriting you had grown familiar with. 

Unable to resist the urge, you carefully picked it up from the floor. As you suspected, it was Sebastian’s letter to Anne, and he was talking about you.

Dear Anne,

Do you remember the new fifth-year I brought with me during my last visit? I forgot to tell you this, but she’s very strong. She’s capable of magic beyond our comprehension and she agreed to help us find a cure. I couldn’t be more grateful that I met her. 

Wait for us, Anne. We will cure you, no matter what.

Sebastian

“You know, reading someone else’s letter is considered a breach of privacy,” Sebastian’s voice almost made you jump. You turned to find him already standing next to you, eyes fixated on the letter in your hand.

“I’m sorry. It had my name on it, I got curious,” you shook your head before tucking the letter back into the first empty envelope you could find and stuck it between the books.

“It’s fine. There wasn’t anything scandalous there anyway, thankfully. It was just me singing your praises,” he replied, a faint hint of playfulness lacing his tone.

You bit your lower lip as you looked up at him, uncertain. You never did manage to use your power on Anne. It wasn’t like you knew how to reverse or break a curse — the Keepers didn’t give you much knowledge beyond how crucial it was to use your power responsibly — but you wished you could’ve at least tried.

“I’ve been thinking about reaching out to the Keepers again, now that they’re all present in The Map Chamber,” you finally confessed, picking your words carefully. “These past few weeks I… I’ve been trying to practice the ancient magic on my own, but it proved to be a bit difficult without a mentor. I just…” 

You sighed. 

“I still wanted to try, if you’re alright with it. To cure Anne, I mean. We… I… didn’t manage to try it before.”

Sebastian's eyes widened as he stared at you in surprise. “If I’m al— of course, it is alright with me! Goodness, after everything I’ve done you still—” he stopped himself, taking a steadying breath before continuing. “Thank you. I… you don’t know how much this means to me.”

A soft smile curved on your lips. “I’ll start working hard, Sebastian. Of course, I have to remind you that there is no guarantee that it will work. Isidora tried to remove pain and ended up creating a destructive force that she could not control. But I promise I will try. Figure something out. Find a middle ground that Isidora couldn’t.”

“And that is enough for me. Really,” he says, half-laughing, averting his gaze because he just couldn’t look you in the eye. The gratefulness he felt was just too great and raw he feared that you could spot it with just a glance. “Though, I suppose… we can only do that if we know where Anne is, can’t we?”

Your smile faded ever so slightly. “Yes, you’re right…” you trailed off before shaking your head and giving him a bright grin. “I believe she’ll come around. You didn’t lose hope back then, so let’s not lose it now.”

The weight of the unspoken fact laid heavy between the two of you: there was a solid chance that Anne wouldn’t return. Yet you chose to gloss over it for Sebastian’s sake. You also would like to believe that the bond between the twins was stronger than any adversities thrown at them, including their current predicament. 

It seemed that Sebastian thought of the same thing because he smiled at you and nodded.

“I won’t.”

*

It took around three hours to clean the Sallow cottage until it was spick and span. By that time, the sun had set and the three of you decided to make use of the dining room to eat some desserts you had stolen earlier from Hogwarts’ kitchen. 

“I find it a sacrilege that you knew how to get into the kitchen and not tell us,” Sebastian said with a mouth full of bread. 

“Sebastian, for the sake of decorum, please swallow your food before you speak,” Ominis lamented, his face contorting in disgust. 

“With all due respect, you cannot see me, Ominis.”

“But I can hear you, Sebastian, I'm not deaf.”

You found yourself smiling at their bickering. At moments like these, it was so easy to slip back into your normal routine, so easy to believe that everything was alright. No dark arts. No curses. No forbidden artifacts. 

“I have to agree with Ominis on this one, Sebastian, it's gross.”

“See? She has spoken. Listen to her.”

The brown-haired boy rolled his eyes. Still, he finally swallowed his bread and you were grateful for that. 

“You're saying that as if I never listened to you.”

Ominis let out a sigh that sounded as if he was a 500-year-old vampire who had grown extremely tired and weary of life.

“Cases where you listened to me are, unfortunately, rare.” 

“Alright, alright. We can go to the kitchen tomorrow, I'll show you the way,” you interjected, worried that the discussion would lead to sore topics. “The house-elves were very friendly, I'm sure we won't have any trouble getting there.”

Sebastian grinned. “I know I can always count on you.”

Perhaps it was the playful glint in his eyes or the carefree smile on his lips, but his words made you smile. You tried to mask it by eating another mouthful of your cream puff. 

“Though I have to say, bit of a shame I knew about Hogwarts' kitchen so late… but there's always next year, I suppose,” he spoke again.

You glanced at Ominis, and, as if sensing your gaze, the blond boy spoke. 

“Speaking of Hogwarts, are you planning to stay here for this term break?”

There was a short silence. Sebastian leaned back on his chair and stared at the ceiling. 

“I dunno,” he answered. “I suppose I could… but without Anne this house just felt…”

A pause. He shook his head. 

“Well, if you're planning to stay here for the entire break like you used to, I guess it wouldn't be so bad,” he finished, nudging Ominis with his knee. 

“I can't. Not for the entire period. The last time I did that, my lovely mother and father had been even more unbearable than they used to be,” Ominis said in disdain. “I must spend a few days or weeks at home, unfortunately, to prevent them from going rabid.”

“Darn it. I'm so sorry, that sounds horrible, Ominis,” Sebastian sighed. 

“I agree, some people just… shouldn't be allowed to become parents,” you muttered. 

“It was nothing I couldn't handle, as unfortunate as it sounds. But if it does get worse, I won't hesitate to make my escape. You’ll probably find me on your doorstep, Sebastian.”

The brown-haired boy let out a hum. “Escape, huh? These days I've been thinking about that, too. Going somewhere far away from Feldcroft, leaving this place for good…” he said with a faraway look in his eyes, imagining his perfect paradise. “But I couldn't abandon this place when I still don't know where Anne is. Feldcroft is… Feldcroft is the last thread that connected me to my sister.”

“Are you going to stay, then?” Ominis quietly asked. 

“I dunno. Frankly, I don't like being here without Anne,” he replied before locking eyes with you. He smiled. “What about you, ace? I reckon you'd go somewhere fun after your heroic deeds this year?”

Your heart leaped ever so slightly at the nickname. ‘Ace’, Sebastian often called you, because you always bested him in a duel, because of your terrifying and extraordinary skills. He used it teasingly at first. A way of getting under your skin or initiating a friendly banter. Now, there was a softness to it.

Though, you probably only imagined it. 

“Oh, she's definitely going somewhere alright. Somewhere better than ours,” Ominis muttered. 

“Somewhere better? What do you mean?”

“It's a bit of a long story. To keep things brief, Professor Fig made me the beneficiary of his will, meaning, all his possessions are now mine,” you explained. “I now have my own house.”

Sebastian's eyebrows shoot up to his forehead, brown eyes widening in surprise. “Beneficiary?” he repeated, utterly bewildered. “Woah, who would've thought? But I suppose it's not too outlandish, you were quite close with him and you saved Hogwarts. Well deserved!”

“It's a bit strange though, isn't it? I thought he would've picked a relative.”

“Maybe he doesn't have one and that's why he chose you. Could be anything, really,” he shrugged. His gaze momentarily shifts from you to Ominis. “Hold on, I didn't expect you'd tell Ominis before me. You wound me, ace.”

“This isn't a competition, Sebastian,” Ominis replied coolly, though you could sense a bit of amusement seeping into his tone. 

“You were still caught up in Herbology class yesterday,” you explained with a shake of your head. “Didn't realize you're quite possessive.”

“I mean, I saw you first,” he said with a low chuckle, the simple action successfully made your treacherous heart race. “And I was the one who dragged you into this circle, so… without me, you wouldn't have been friends with Ominis.”

You let out a laugh and you could hear the other Slytherin boy let out a bored sigh. “It doesn't work like that.”

“Ominis is right. Besides, I remember you made him mad at me for a few days because you told me about The Undercroft. So, the way I see it, you sort of ruined Ominis’ first impression of me.”

“It was a betrayal of our pact,” Ominis nodded dramatically.

“The end justifies the means!” Sebastian retorted, raising both of his hands, a cheeky grin curving on his lips. “Anyway, Fig’s will. What are you planning to do with them?”

Holding his gaze, you sat up straighter, somehow feeling nervous about what you were about to say. 

“This is just a thought. A random idea that came into my mind,” you started, greatly intimidated by the innocent way he tilted his head. “Fig’s house is rather spacious and… I don’t know if I could live there alone. Well, I suppose I won’t be alone, there’s a house-elf there, too. But I figure it would still be very, very quiet, with Fig already gone and all… I don’t know, the quiet just… unnerves me lately. So I thought… I’d like to invite the two of you to stay there, with me.”

“You’re asking us what?” Sebastian blurted. 

Had this been another one of your mindless, silly discussions, you would’ve laughed at his dumbfounded expression. But unfortunately, it wasn’t. 

“But we’re…” he took a panicked look at Ominis. “We’re boys!”

You let out a groan. “You’re saying that as if we hadn’t explored Salazar’s Scriptorium and spent who knows how long exploring goblin camps together!”

“That’s different!” he spluttered, absolutely flabbergasted. “This is… this is living together! Do you not have other friends?”

“I do, but they all have a loving and functional family, so I can’t exactly ask them!”

“I—” he was ready to retort, but you knew he knew there was no arguing that fact. Still, he shook his head. “And what about your family, huh?”

This time, Ominis spoke. “She’s an orphan.”

“She’s a— hang on. Again, how could you know this but I don’t?!” 

“You never asked!” you quickly replied, almost impatiently. “But that’s beside the point. You asked me what I wanted to do with the house, well, that’s my idea, but it doesn’t mean I’m forcing any of you to do it. It’s just… a wild, random thought.”

Sebastian was still staring at you as if you had just encouraged everyone to learn Avada Kedavra and insisted that it was actually an ethical spell.

“I mean, I think you'd benefit from being a bit more cautious and careful,” he carefully said. 

“Sebastian, I have the ability to turn you into a chicken. No offense, you're a great duelist, but I don't think you can harm me even if you wanted to. And I trust you wouldn't.”

“Of course I wouldn't!” 

An awkward silence fell. You couldn't help but glare at Ominis for being awfully silent and unhelpful, before realizing he couldn't see you. Mentally cursing yourself, you began to speak.

“Anyway, it was just an idea,” you waved your hand flippantly, now eager to return to Hogwarts. 

Yet Sebastian seemed to have a different opinion. “But you said you couldn't stand the silence and you're still grieving over Fig's passing.”

Your eyes met his and, for a moment, you feared he could look into your soul. He couldn't have possibly found a spell that gave him Dementor’s ability, could he? 

“Yes,” you admitted anyway. 

You and silence never really went hand in hand. The orphanage had been noisy most of the time. Bustling with a cacophony of children's screams, cries, and chatters. Silence used to be a respite you had often chased yet eluded you. 

But things had changed. When the noises receded and the room grew quiet, your mind became unbearably loud. There were so many sounds and thoughts echoing in the back of your head. The sound of Avada Kedavra cutting through the air, the deafening crack as the stone ceiling collapsed above you, burying Fig’s body under its colossal size, the roaring of a dragon. Each night a different memory.

Before you, Sebastian shifted on his seat, his eyes carefully searching yours. “Well, it can't be helped, can it, ace? We'll go with you. Though, Ominis would probably tap out every once in a while because he has such a pleasant family.”

“I'll try to make my family visit as brief as possible,” Ominis murmured. “Anywhere is better than home.”

You stilled, not at all expecting them to agree. A part of yourself wanted to laugh at the turn of events. You and Ominis should've been the one giving support to Sebastian, yet the tables turned and now you were the one being cared for. Perhaps Ominis had orchestrated the flow of the conversation to keep Sebastian in the dark. You found yourself not minding it, though. 

For now, you let yourself revel in the rare feeling of your friends coming to your rescue. 

“Alright. It's a deal. No going back on your promises.”

“Of course,” Ominis replied, his voice soft, a gentle smile curving on his lips. 

Sebastian locked eyes with you again and he grinned. “Wouldn't even dream about it.”

*

Time went by in a terrifying sleep. Somehow, you finished your O.W.L exams and your last day at Hogwarts had arrived. The Gryffindor table erupted in a loud, booming cheer when Phineas Nigellus Black, without masking his disdain, announced that they had won the house cup. You couldn't help but revel in your fellow housemates’ euphoria. 

“Imelda Reyes was talking about how Slytherin would win the house cup,” Nellie Oggspire said conspiratorially. “I told her if Gryffindor didn't win, then the system is rigged and Hogwarts’ integrity should be questioned! You have saved this school and the wizarding world! I say that should warrant a permanent house cup victory for Gryffindor until the next seven years!”

It was a wild idea, but you found yourself not minding it. Besides, you agreed with Nellie.

“What's important is that we won,” Natty said, a satisfied smile blooming on her lips as she sat straighter than usual. She started picking up pastries from the table and placed them on your plate. “Now, I believe our hero should have her own feast!”

“Hear, hear!” Garreth whistled. 

You let out a hearty laugh, happy at the absurd amount of pastries and desserts filling your plate. However, when your eyes caught the empty seat where Fig usually sat, an emptiness crept its way into your heart. Grief had been woken up from its slumber. You tore your gaze away and, somehow, it landed on the Slytherin table. Meeting with Sebastian's. He gave you a knowing smile and raised his glass. A silent acknowledgment, which you returned. 

Still, the emptiness clung to your figure as you dragged your feet back to your room, where your neatly packed trunks had been waiting. For a moment, you stood there, casting your gaze around the room, determined to memorize every detail even though you would return in a few months. 

“Hey, don't look too sad.”

You turned around to find Natty leaning against the doorframe, a sympathetic smile curling on her lips. 

“We'll all see each other again in a few months.”

A sigh. You let out a low chuckle. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right. I’m being sappy, aren’t I?” 

Natty’s dark eyes crinkled in delight. “You’re not, this school tends to have that effect on people. And don't worry. I'll make sure to write you lots of letters. That way, you won't feel too lonely.”

The smile on your lips grew. 

“Thank you, Natty.”

The journey to Hogsmeade train station was loud, as the students' chatter filled the air like the humming of a thousand bees. You managed to claim an empty thestral carriage for Garreth, Natty, Poppy, and yourself. As other students began to fill the remaining carriages, you spotted Sebastian and Ominis in the crowd. Quickly, you raised your hands, calling out to them.

Soon enough, your carriage was filled with familiar faces. The faces of your first friends in Hogwarts. Some roped you into trouble, some helped you achieve the unimaginable. All of them you cherished.

“Huh, I think this is my first time seeing you joining the train ride to London, Sallow,” Garreth was the first to speak, eyeing the brown-haired boy curiously. 

Sebastian's eyes locked with yours for a fleeting second before he cleared his throat. “I'm moving somewhere closer to London this year.”

Garreth hummed in acknowledgment. Silence blanketed the carriage for a moment, only broken by the huffing of the thestral and the sound of the wheel grounding against wet soil.

“I'm sorry about your uncle,” Poppy finally spoke with a gentleness akin to the caution one might show when approaching a wounded puppy. “First Anne and now your uncle… you've been through a lot.”

This time, Sebastian avoided your eyes, but you could somewhat feel the tension in his body. Feldcroft was not at all far from Hogwarts and words traveled far. Condolences had been given, as everyone, just like the villagers in that little hamlet, believed that Solomon Sallow died of natural causes. The gruesome truth was only known by you, Sebastian, Ominis, and Anne, and all of you guarded it close to your chests. 

“Thank you, Poppy, I appreciate it,” Sebastian replied with a hollow smile that did not quite reach his eyes, an expression that could be easily mistaken as grief. 

“How's Anne? Is she coming with you to London?” Natty asked. 

You opened your mouth, wanting to interject, worried that the innocent question would only rub more salt into Sebastian's wound. But to your surprise, the boy was smiling earnestly. His eyes reflected just the right amount of sadness. Enough to make everything believable.

“Anne is in France with one of our great aunts. She moved there after Uncle Solomon passed away. It was a tough decision, but… we agreed it was for the best.”

“I see…” Natty replied, completely none the wiser. “Well, I wish only the best for you, Sebastian. I know how much you care for your sister. I hope that one day, you'll be able to find a cure for her.”

This time, Sebastian faltered. From his side, Ominis inched forward, opening his mouth, no doubt eager to change the topic, worried about how it would affect Sebastian. 

Yet before he could say a word, Garreth spoke.

“I believe you will find that cure, Sallow,” he said plainly, simply, as if stating that anyone with a brain can brew an Edurus potion. “What? This world is a big place and magic is a boundless thing. I'm pretty sure it's out there somewhere. If not now, perhaps sometime in the future.”

“I think this is my first time hearing you saying something so wise, Garreth,” Natty said in amazement. “I did not know you had it in you.”

“Rude!” Garreth retorted, feigning a hurt expression. “I'll have you know that this brain of mine contains a multitude of new potion recipes ready to be tested! You think I am incapable of weaving pretty words?”

“It's a bit hard to imagine that when you regularly blow up your cauldron, to be honest,” Poppy said, grimacing. 

“And stealing from Professor Sharp's ingredients vault,” Ominis spoke for the first time, half-amused, half-relieved to fuel a new topic that did not concern Sebastian, Solomon, or Anne. 

Garreth protested, yet his voice was drowned by Natty and Poppy’s laughter. As your friends recounted more of his shenanigans, you locked eyes with Sebastian once again. His expression was soft, akin to relief. You tilted your head to one side, pink lips curling into a lopsided smile, which widened when he mirrored your actions.

No words were spoken, but you knew he found comfort in Garreth's words, and for that, you couldn't have been more relieved. 

*

It was almost sunset when the train arrived at King’s Cross Station in London. Students flooded out of the train, ready to be reunited with their families, ready to go home. Poppy found her grandmother in the crowd and you could hear her delighted squeal as she wrapped the older woman in a big hug. Garreth went his separate way not long after. You noticed him being welcomed by a group of people, all having almost identical red hair and the same kindhearted look. Must be the Weasleys. 

“Well, here we are, London,” from your side, Sebastian hummed. “Where to now?”

“The house is on the outskirts of the city. I think it's best if we take a carriage there. What do you think, Ominis?” you asked, turning to the blond-haired boy who had been rather quiet throughout the entire ride home. 

To your surprise, Ominis looked exhausted. You looked down to find him nervously fiddling with his wand.

“My mother’s helpers are here. I can sense them,” he quietly said, dipping his head low. “I suppose this means I have to go see my parents first.”

“Oh…” you stilled, unsure of what to do. 

If it were up to you, you'd waste no time whisking him away and maybe transfigure this helper into a chicken. The rest of his family, too. Good riddance. Yet you knew it wasn't what Ominis wanted. You probably couldn't do it either. Plus, you'd rather not get involved with the authorities, lousy as they were. 

“We understand, have a safe trip, Ominis,” Sebastian said, patting the boy's back. “Let us know if you need us to kidnap you from that hell hole.”

Ominis tried to smile, but it came out strained. 

“Thank you, but I'd rather you not go anywhere near my family. I don't want them to taint any of you,” he turned towards your direction. “Especially you, since we know nothing of your blood status.”

“...I understand. Please, be careful, Ominis.”

He nodded. You couldn't help but find how drastically Ominis changed in a matter of seconds. The sweet, gentle Ominis always seemed to glow when he was in Hogwarts. His smile was relaxed and his voice soft. A serene look on his face whenever he dozed off in class. Yet now, his light had been dimmed out. Eyebrows furrowed, hands couldn't stop picking on his fingernails. He looked terrified. 

“I will,” he said anyway. “Be on the lookout. I honestly do not know how long I must stay at that torture house… but I'll try to join you as soon as I can.”

Sebastian patted Ominis' shoulder once again, this time giving it a firm squeeze. “Stay safe, and I mean it, call us if you need some help to escape.”

“I will. Don't worry. I have my ways,” the blond-haired boy said, relenting. He took a deep breath and placed both hands on his trolley. “See you again. And don't do anything weird when I'm gone.”

“We won't. Not too much, at least,” Sebastian replied, amusement lacing his tone. 

“I'm going to pretend I didn't hear the last sentence,” Ominis huffed. He stood there for a moment, still facing the two of you. “Well, I better get going.”

“See you, Ominis.”

The Gaunt boy nodded. His expression was grim. But he adjusted his bag handles and pushed his trunk towards one of the exits. True to his words, you could see about three wizards waiting there, all dressed in black. They crowded around Ominis as soon as he was close enough, taking his belongings away from his hands to carry them on their own. No doubt it was how the heir of an important, old-money family should be treated. Yet you couldn't help but think your friend looked like a caged dove. There was a weight on his shoulders that wasn't really there before.

“He'll be alright. We've done this a couple of times before. Don't worry,” Sebastian said, nudging you with his elbow. 

“Right,” you sighed and looked around the still-crowded station. “Let's go, then, but make sure nobody sees us. I'd rather them not ask any questions or worse, spread gossip.”

He let out a low chuckle. “Bit too late to consider that detail, don't you think?”

“Oh, shut it.”

Quietly, away from everyone's eyes, you and Sebastian slipped away, but not before casting one last glance at the view behind you. At the train, at Natty, Poppy, and Garreth, laughing as their families welcomed them home, hands laced together. At Ominis’ disappearing figure. 

“You coming? I don’t mind leading but I kind of don’t know the way.”

You turned to find Sebastian leaning on his trolley, looking at you with an arched eyebrow, a playful smile tugging on his lips.

“I’m coming, I’m coming. Follow me, country boy.”