Amit 💫

"Don't worry about it." Stephen says calmly. "Our parents like it when the house is full, and I'm glad I get to meet my little brother's friends."

Then, a woman came out of the house. She had long, black hair put up and an apron covering her dress, she looked older than Stephen, so it was safe to assume she was their mother. "Oh! Ming Te's friends!" She said sweetly. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. Please, come in!"

Amit offered Mrs. Kang a warm smile, adjusting the gift bags in his arms before inclining his head politely. "Thank you for having us, Mrs. Kang. It is a pleasure to meet you." The nervous formality from earlier lingered, though it had softened considerably now that the introductions were underway.

Beside him, Isla brightened immediately. "It's lovely to meet you!" she said warmly. "We've heard so much about Theo and his family."

Beatrice offered a graceful smile and a small, elegant curtsy. "Thank you for welcoming us into your home, Mrs. Kang. And happy birthday, Theo." Her gaze briefly swept over the gathering with quiet appreciation. "Everything looks wonderful."

"He writes a lot about all of you." Stephen continues, seemingly more calm. "A certain name showed up more than the others. I suppose I now know why." With the exact same stern expression like he was trying to burn a hole through Amit with his gaze, he extended his hand, although his tone softened a little. "Welcome to the family. I can tell you that our parents will be pleased. He gave us two conditions about dating and you meet both. They'll be relieved just laying eyes on you."

"I can tell you sir... uh... sir Stephen? That Amit and Theo are perfect for each other." Lyra chimes in, slowly coming next to Amit and gently putting her arm against his shoulders. "Not only are they really adorable, but Amit is a Virgo sun, which fits nicely with Theo's Tauro."

"Ah, astrology?" Stephen let out a chuckle. "I suppose you are Lyra."

Her eyes lit up, a wide smile curving his lips. "Oh, he talks about me a lot?"

The moment Stephen extended his hand, Amit straightened almost instinctively, still looking slightly overwhelmed by the entire interaction despite the obvious warmth beginning to settle into his expression.

Relief flickered across his face as he accepted the handshake. "Thank you, sir— Stephen," he corrected quickly, a faint blush immediately following. "That is… genuinely very reassuring to hear."

At Lyra’s sudden defense of them, Amit let out a quiet laugh under his breath, some of the earlier tension finally easing from his shoulders.

"You see?" he said softly to Stephen, gesturing lightly toward her. "This is why she remains my best friend. She appears whenever I am moments away from a complete social collapse."

"Just my parents and siblings. The one playing must be my sister, though. I'm getting these to my room." He adds, taking the luggage upstairs.

"So..." Stephen starts. Entering the estate and closing the door behind him amd looking down at the group. "Theodore's friends... Which one of you is it?"

Amit blinked once in mild surprise before realizing, a second too late, that Stephen was most likely speaking about him. A faint flush immediately rose across his face, though he still managed a polite smile as he adjusted the gift bags in his arms.

"That would be me," he admitted, voice warm despite the slight nervousness lingering beneath it. "Amit Thakkar. It is very nice to finally meet you."

Beside him, Natty’s expression softened with visible amusement.

"Oh dear," she murmured lightly to the others. "He has started speaking formally. That is how you know he is trying very hard to make a good impression."

"Of course we will." Seb smiles proudly, taking a bite of one of the tea cakes. "We're the smartest people in Hogwarts. No matter how much some portraits of dead keepers make us endure."

Under the table, Theo kept his fingers laced with Amit. A quiet promise for so much deserved private time later.

Their lunch passed calm, allowing them to feel like mormal teens who didn't have the weight of the most powerful magic in the wizarding world on their shoulders, and at the end, they managed to catch one of the Hogwarts express runs, where Theo ended up napping with his head on Amit's shoulder.

Sebastian give Bea a knowing look. Theo was never forward anout what their relationship entailed, but this whole trip made it painfully obvious.

Beatrice smiles at Sebastian's confidence, indulging in a tea cake between sips of her warm mocha coffee with a smile. She laughs softly, agreeing with his take on the Keepers. "They are rather elusive, but that will hardlybe an issue with the best team Hogwarts has ever seen." She later catches the knowing look Sebastian sends her and immediately understands exactly what he means. A small smile curves at her lips as her gaze drifts briefly toward Theo and Amit across from them, Theo asleep against Amit’s shoulder at last, the guarded sharpness he carried so often softened entirely by exhaustion and comfort.

"…I think this may be the most relaxed I’ve ever seen him," she whispers quietly. There’s something fond in her voice then, something touched by the quiet intimacy of the sight before looking back toward Sebastian beside her. "And I think," she adds softly, with her hand in his and their fingers interlaced, "that you’re rather pleased with yourself for finally dragging him out into the world."

Beside them, Amit remains very still so as not to wake Theo, though the faint warmth lingering across his expression makes it obvious he does not mind the weight resting against him in the slightest. Carefully, almost absentmindedly, Amit tilts his head just enough for his temple to rest lightly against Theo’s hair.

For once, no looming danger waits around the corner. Only the steady rhythm of the train beneath them, the fading glow of London behind the windows, and the quiet comfort of not being alone.

Sebastian smiles, turning his head to give Bea a kiss. "It's certainly easier dealing with everything together."

Theo felt some sort of dull ache in his chest. He was happy for Seb and Bea of course, but it felt unfair not being able to be equally affectionate with his boy. Damn, if only they weren't in public.

Soon enough, a kind waitress brought the drinks and food they ordered.

Amit was paying more attention to Theo, noticing the subtle shift in his eyes and clocking the unspoken sentiment. If only they didn't need to be so discreet. His gaze fell to Theo's lips and lingered for a moment, then back to his eyes deliberately as if to say, I know. I thought the same thing. Perhaps when they return to the castle...

There's the faintest curve of a smile at the corner of his lips at the thought.

Bea presses her lips against Sebastian's, her kiss soft and sweet. "I couldn't agree more. And I'm sure we'll figure things out even faster together, knowing us," she smiles, just as their orders arrive: a spiced chai for Amit and a couple of sandwiches, a warm and sweet coffee drink for Bea with some tea cakes to share.

Theo didn't have to be told twice. This time, the stram of magic danced around his fingers, settling on Amit's as he reached for his hand.

"I'm still not sure what it means or what's all it can do. It's already pretty weird three of us can see it." His eyes remained on their joined hands. It felt like if he looked Amit in the eye his heart might burst.

"And we are helping them find out." Seb adds with a hint of pride. "Maybe they can help Anne feel better. Isn't that incredible? Welding the most powerful magic there is. Isn't that right, Bea?"

Amit feels the silvery strands of magic weave carefully between their hands, the faint warmth pulsing against his skin unlike anything he had ever studied, categorized, or attempted to understand. For once, words fail him. His fingers tighten slightly around Theo’s almost unconsciously as he continues watching the glow drift across their joined hands. "It’s beautiful," he says quietly at last, the usual analytical certainty in his voice replaced by something softer—something openly awed.

At Sebastian’s mention of Anne, Amit’s expression shifts further, thoughtful seriousness settling gently across his features. "If this magic can heal…" he begins carefully, his gaze lingering on the silver-blue light for another moment, "…then I think it deserves to be understood properly." Only then does he finally look up toward Theo again. "And I think," Amit adds more softly, warmth returning faintly to his expression, "that you may be understating just how extraordinary this actually is."

Beside Sebastian, Beatrice’s features soften as she watches the glow flicker between them. "I agree," she nods to Theo. "I do think it's worth more observation." She's been wondering about this herself—what else the ancient magic is capable of, inspired to study it a bit more, and she doubts the Keepers will tell either of them but she prefers to keep an open mind.

"Well," she muses lightly, leaning a little closer into Sebastian’s side, "if love truly is the most powerful magic there is… I suppose the four of us are doing rather well so far." Her lips curve into a playful smile and she tilts her face to press a soft kiss to Sebastian's cheek.

Sitting beside Amit, Theo took his wand under the table directing it at his hand. Amit could feel the energetic warmth of that magic, invisible to everyone but Beatrice and Theo, she saw the silvery blue glow on their faces across the table.

Theo closed his hand on itself, taking the magic back and turning towards Amit, waiting for a reaction.

"Oh, you did the thing?" Sebastian asks, his arm coming around Bea's shoulder, gently caressing it over the lilac fabric.

"I did the thing." Theo confirms softly.

Amit stills almost immediately at the subtle warmth brushing against his hand beneath the table.

At first, his expression shifts with quiet surprise, his gaze lowering instinctively as though he might somehow see the traces of magic lingering there despite its invisibility. Then the realization settles in. His eyes lift slowly back toward Theo, unmistakable intrigue softening into something far warmer as he watches him reclaim the spell with that same quiet care.

"…That," Amit says after a brief pause, his voice softer than before, "was amazing." He sounds faintly awed. Carefully, almost experimentally, Amit brushes his fingers lightly against Theo’s beneath the table where the warmth had lingered moments before.

"…Do it again," he murmurs, quieter this time.

Across from them, Beatrice can't quite conceal the amusement flickering in her eyes as Sebastian settles his arm around her shoulders, leaning into him slightly with a content smile at his touch. "You’re both being terribly subtle," she muses lightly, recognizing the bright bluish magic from her own experiences. "Nice touch," she adds with a faint nod at Theo, glancing between them knowingly before her attention turns back to Sebastian with an affectionate smile.

Theo brought them to a warm coffeehouse near the Tamesis' side. The lights of the city creating a mesmerizing spectacle on the surface of the water.

There were various tables, some occupied by people reading, a couple sharing some photos from one of those new portable cameras, even a lady calmly painting a portrait with watercolors by the window.

The warm scent of coffee and baked goods filled their noses as they stepped inside and followed Seb's lead, eho took a seat near a corner of the room.

The warmth of the coffeehouse settles over them almost instantly after the chill of the London streets, carrying with it the rich scent of coffee, pastries, and something faintly sweet lingering beneath it all.

Beatrice’s gaze drifts briefly toward the windows, taking in the shimmering lights dancing across the Thames before a soft smile touches her lips.

"Oh, this is lovely," she muses, genuine delight warming her voice as she follows Sebastian toward the quieter corner of the room. She slips easily into the seat beside him rather than across from him, the lilac fabric of her new dress settling around her as her fingers instinctively find his again beneath the table.

Nearby, Amit pauses for a moment to admire the atmosphere properly: the scattered books, the quiet conversations, the painter near the window capturing the city in watercolor. "It feels…" he begins thoughtfully before a faint smile appears, softer now as he glances toward Theo. "…peaceful."

The word lingers gently between them as Amit takes his seat beside him, visibly more relaxed than he had been amidst the noise of the city outside. "And significantly less dangerous than our previous conversations," he adds lightly with a hint of a smile.

"Oh! Are you cold? You want my sweater?"

In front of them, Seb chuckled. He remembers the first time he gave Bea his jacket, especially the way her cheeks flushed and how she would bring the sleeves to her face every so often to smell his scent.

"I know a place, actually," Theo continues, almost unaware of the meaning behind his offering. "My brother is even worse on crowds than I am, so he did anything he could to find a calm place to wind down after work."

Amit blinks at the immediate offer, visibly caught off guard by the sincerity behind it. "I spend most evenings in the Astronomy Tower," he points out softly, amusement warming his voice. "Compared to that, London is practically mild."

Still, he doesn’t dismiss the gesture. His gaze lingers briefly on Theo’s sweater before lifting back toward him again, something quieter settling into his expression now. "…Though I admit," he adds after a moment, "I rather like that your first instinct was to offer."

A faint warmth rises to his cheeks almost immediately afterward, as though he only realized how honest the statement sounded once it had already left him. "But your brother sounds wise," Amit continues, gentler now. "A calm place does sound nice."

Meanwhile Bea smiles softly and casts Seb a knowing glance, reminded of them, as if they're on the same wavelength (and most of the time, they are). She moves closer to him when they walk together as the night air cools, more sensitive to the falling temperature.

"Right? I'm just saying," Seb continued as the four walked, searching for a place to eat. "If I was Amit and the boy I spend the most time with kept dissapearing and then coming back covered in bruises and took me to fight some goblins one time even, I'd worry at least a little bit-"

"Yes! Alright, you made your point!" Theo cuts, sighing as he made his way behind Seb and Bea. He turned towards Amit, his demeanor softening, and how could he not? It's Amit. "Are you craving anything?" He asked.

A soft warmth settles across Amit’s face almost instantly at Theo’s words, subtle but impossible to entirely hide. For a moment, he looks down briefly, as though gathering himself beneath the weight of that quiet, unguarded fondness before lifting his gaze back toward Theo again.

"…I should hope you would worry at least a little," he murmurs, the teasing note in his voice far gentler than sharp. His expression softens further after a beat.

"Though I admit the image of Sebastian attempting to behave rationally out of concern for someone else is perhaps the most surprising revelation of the day." A faint laugh escapes him then, easier now than before.

At Theo’s question, Amit grows thoughtful for a moment, glancing around at the lively London streets before answering: "Somewhere warm," he decides softly. "And preferably quiet enough that we are not overheard discussing trolls, goblins, or ancient magic every five minutes."

"Does he know about the ancient magic?" Sebastian asked, daring drowning his tone.

"Let's- Let's just get back to the castle." Theo answered softly.

The shift in Theo’s tone is immediate enough that even Amit stills slightly beside him. Whatever ease had lingered between them moments earlier softens into something quieter, more careful.

Before the silence can settle too heavily, Beatrice steps smoothly back into the conversation, her fingers still loosely intertwined with Sebastian’s despite the pointed look she sends him at the mention of ancient magic.

'"Perhaps," she says lightly, though there’s a knowingness beneath the softness of her voice, "we should save life-threatening adventures and magical crises for after we’ve escaped the middle of London." A small smile curves at her lips as she glances between them all, gentler now. "I’d quite like at least one outing with minimal catastrophe."

Beside Theo, Amit remains thoughtful, his curiosity very clearly sparked despite his restraint. His gaze lingers briefly on Theo before shifting toward Sebastian. "…I am beginning to suspect," he murmurs carefully, "that all of you have been omitting rather alarming amounts of information from your conversations."

"We had to tire him, he was not happy with us entering his home." Theo said calmly. "He's part of a loner story... The goblin mine and the gigant drills were part of it too. You needn't worry though, the biggest threads have been dealt with and, belive it or not, you were an important part into preventing a reign of terror."

"Yeah," Seb chuckled. "Your boy is way more adventurous than he lets on." He smiled mischievously. How much did Amit know? He was going to find out. "Have you seen him fight?"

"Sebastian!" Theo uttered through gritted teeth.

"What?" He laughed. "I'm helping! Does your boy really don't know how brilliant you are? You're my friend for a reason, Theo."

Theo let out a soft groan.

"…A troll?" he repeated faintly, as though trying to determine whether Sebastian was exaggerating or if Theo had simply neglected to mention half his life. The answer, judging by Theo’s expression, seemed increasingly obvious. A quiet laugh escapes Amit before he can quite stop it, softer than mocking and fond, if anything.

"I am beginning to understand why Sebastian appears so determined to advertise your accomplishments for you," he murmured, the amusement lingering gently in his voice. His gaze drifted back toward Theo fully then, steadier now, touched with unmistakable admiration beneath the curiosity.

"You continue to reveal increasingly improbable things about yourself with alarming consistency." A brief pause follows before the corner of Amit’s mouth lifts slightly.

"…Though I confess I am rather glad you do."

The air on the great hall seemed to thin, leaving Talbott lightheaded. Every word of Amit feeling like a physical touch, a gentle pressure against his skin that left him more breathless than a sprint through the dungeons.

It was then when it hit him how silly he was being. He was the one everyone came to when they needed to face ugly monsters, to perform the most dangerous tasks, one of the two confidants of the keepers, one of two ancient magic carriers. And he was anxious about a boy?

The sentiment hung between them heavy like the scent of expensive inciense.

Then Sebastian gave him a look, the same type Ominis and Talbott himself gave him when he couldn't stop rambling about Beatrice that gave Tal a surge of adrenaline, the kind he usually reserved for high stakes duels but with a hint of something different. The jagged spike of combat was replaced by a slow, honeyed warmth that settled deep in his bones.

"No," Talbott beathed. "I don't think we would have." A moment passed, just long enough to start feeling awkward. "We... We were thinking on going to Hogsmeade in a moment. Perhaps you'd like to come..?"

Amit hadn’t quite realized he’d been holding his breath until Talbott spoke again. Hogsmeade. For a moment, the word seemed to settle somewhere deeper than it should have, echoing faintly with something dangerously close to anticipation. He exhaled softly, the tension in his shoulders easing just enough.

"No," Amit said quietly at first, almost to himself, as if agreeing with something unspoken. "I don’t think it would have been." His gaze lifted again, more openly this time, whatever hesitation had lingered before giving way to something warmer.

At the invitation, something in his expression shifted, subtle but unmistakable. Surprise, yes, but beneath it, genuine and unmistakable interest. The idea of joining Talbott delighted him. Please at least try to act normal, Amit, he thought to himself, maintaining his best effort at composure. "I would like that," he said, and this time there was no careful deflection, no overthinking to soften it. Just honesty.

A small smile followed, a touch brighter than before, though still tempered by that familiar gentleness. "Very much, actually." There was a brief pause, as if he might add something something clever, perhaps, but whatever it was seemed to slip away, replaced instead with something simpler. "I’m glad you asked."

Talbott felt a strange, dizzying sensation, as if the floor of the Great Hall had tilted just a fraction. When Amit spoke of credit and of Talbott's own courage the Slytherin felt a swell of something fierce and terrifying in his chest.

He didn't look at Sebastian this time. He didn't need to. The smugness of his friend was a distant hum compared to the magnetic pull of the boy across from him.

"It's a terrible habit of mine," Talbott murmured, his voice a low rumble that felt grounded despite the flutter in his stomach. "Being too blunt when it actually matters."

He watched the way Amit leaned in, a movement so subtle it might have been imagined, yet it felt like a landslide to Talbott's senses. The warmth Amit mentioned seemed to radiate across the gap between them, a tangible heat that made Talbott's skin prickle. He felt a sudden, impulsive urge to reach out to bridge the distance, to touch the hand that had so carefully folded the message but he held himself in check, his fingers curling into the fabric of his robes beneath the table.

Instead, he let his gaze linger on Amit's face, tracing the line of his jaw, the softness of his expression. The shyness was still there, a knot in his throat, but it was being overtaken by adrenaline fueled boldness. "I'm glad you didn't. Because if you had... well, the walk back to the common room would have been dreadfully long and terribly awkward."

He offered a small, genuine smile, one that reached his eyes and softened the sharp lines of his face. For the first time all evening, the weight of the stares around them felt unimportant.

Amit felt it too, that shift. Not in the room, not in the noise around them despite a quick glance at Sebastian and Beatrice, who were looking far too amused with themselves, but in the space between them. Something had settled there, quiet but undeniable, like a conversation neither of them was quite finished having.

Talbott’s words lingered, more than they should have. Amit let out a small breath, something softer than a laugh, his gaze lowering for just a moment as if to collect himself... though it didn’t quite work.

"That would have been unfortunate," he said lightly, though the warmth beneath it gave him away just enough. His eyes lifted again, steadier this time, meeting Talbott’s without faltering. "I imagine I would have noticed."

The faintest flush touched his cheeks then, subtle but impossible to entirely hide, though he made no real effort to turn away from it this time. "And," Amit added, quieter now, something more thoughtful threading through his voice, "I don’t think I would have enjoyed leaving under those circumstances."

There was a shift then, not in distance, but in presence. Something more intentional in the way he remained where he was, in the way his attention didn’t waver, and the hint of a smile. "…So I’m glad we’ve avoided that outcome."

The sound of Amit's voice clear, steady, and carrying that terrifyingly gentle warmth cut through the din of the Great Hall like a spell. He swallowed hard, his throat feeling suddenly dry, and forced himself to meet Amit’s gaze properly.

The challenge in Sebastian's gaze was visible even through the corner of his eyes, a silent nudge that made Talbott want to both punch his friend and thank him. But Amit wasn't teasing. There was no mockery in those words, only a quiet, expectant vulnerability that mirrored the frantic thrumming in Tal's own chest.

"You haven't..." Talbott started, his voice cracking slightly. He cleared his throat, a fierce blush staining his pale skin from his jaw up to the scar on his eyebrow. He wasn't good at this, the talking without a wand part. He was used to the structure of a duel, the clarity of a charm. This was messy.

He straightened his shoulders, trying to reclaim some of that poise, though his hands were still trembling slightly where they rested on the table. He ignored the stifled snickers from Beatrice and the triumphant glint in Sebastian's eyes. For once, the audience didn't matter.

"You haven't misunderstood," Talbott said, his voice gaining a sudden, uncharacteristic gravity. He leaned forward just an inch, his green eyes searching Amit's. "If anything, Sebastian has merely... simplified the sentiment. It's quite accurate."

A small, tentative smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, a rare crack in his usual mask. "And if you feel fortunate, then the note was... well, it was doing its job."

For a moment, Amit simply looked at him. Really looked.

Whatever lingering nerves had been tangled in his chest seemed to quiet, not disappear, but settle into something steadier, warmer. Talbott’s words, hesitant at first and then certain, had a way of cutting through the noise far more effectively than any spell.

It’s quite accurate.

Amit felt the faintest breath of a laugh escape him. Not out of amusement, but something softer, almost disbelieving. "I see." he said quietly. There was no teasing in it, but no retreat, either. Only understanding. His gaze didn’t waver this time, unable to help noticing the telltale flush of color upon Talbott's features momentarily.

"Then I suppose I owe Sebastian some credit," Amit added after a beat, the slightest hint of a smile touching his lips. "For once." A pause, brief, but deliberate. "…And you," he continued, voice gentler now, but no less certain, "for saying it plainly." That, perhaps, was the more difficult part.

Amit shifted just slightly closer—not enough to draw attention, but enough that the distance between them felt… intentional, rather than incidental. "If that was the intent," he said, softer still and feeling a similar warmth dusting his cheeks like a secret he hadn't meant to share, "then I’m glad I didn’t ignore it."

Sebastian watched the exchange from the corner of his eye, a sharp, lopsided smirk tugging at his lips as Amit’s reaction played out. He leaned back, watching Amit fold the parchment with a reverence that made Sebastian want to chuckle or perhaps provoke him further.

Beside him, Talbott was still muttering something about 'unnecessary theatrics,' but Sebastian barely heard him. His focus was on the subtle shift in the air, the way the tension around the table had pivoted from mere chatter to something more charged.

It wasn't that he cared deeply for Talbott’s romantic entanglements, but he enjoyed the power of orchestrating the chaos. He caught Amit’s fleeting gaze and offered a slow, knowing blink, his dark eyes gleaming with a silent, mischievous challenge. 'Don't just sit there looking flustered' his expression seemed to dare. 'Do something about it.'

Amit felt it the moment he stepped closer. The shift in the air, subtle but unmistakable. It wasn’t just the proximity. It was the attention. And, apparently, the silent challenge from across the tables. His gaze flickered briefly, involuntarily toward Sebastian, catching that knowing look, that barely concealed amusement. Right. Of course he noticed.

Amit exhaled softly through his nose, steadying himself. If he hesitated now, he suspected Sebastian would only take it as an invitation to make matters worse. So, better to act.

"I wasn’t aware my presence inspired such enthusiasm," he said, his words measured but with a quiet warmth that hadn’t quite been there before. His attention shifted, settling this time on Talbott with more intention than before.

"…Though I suppose I should consider myself fortunate."

There it was again—that faint, almost thoughtful softness, threaded now with something a touch more certain than before. "Unless, of course," Amit added, just slightly quieter, "I’ve misunderstood."