#and the plot thickens...

You sat at the fountain in the Bell Tower courtyard and told Sebastian everything that had been going on since being back at Hogwarts. The nightmares, the Legilimens, the lessons with Professor Sharp. He sat quietly and listened through it all, just like this summer on the Hogsmeade bridge.

You even confessed about the silence from your ancient magic and how you had been scared to use it again.

"...but I guess I have no choice, now," you sighed. "I need to regain control of my ancient magic if I'm going to defeat this Legilimens."

"It'll probably greatly aid in your Occlumency, too, if you can manipulate it into a mental shield," Sebastian suggested. "Or if you could imbue it into the locket to make Fig's protective charm more powerful...we'll have to do some further research into Legilimency and enchantments."

You whirled to Sebastian and shook your head. "No, no, you swore off anything to do with the Dark Arts. I already feel bad enough talking to you about it."

"Legilimency is hardly dark magic," Sebastian rolled his eyes. "Besides, I have no intention of learning it myself. This is strictly to help you, so it gets a pass."

You shot him a hard look but relented. "I can't believe I managed to perform Legilimency...it wasn't a pleasant feeling."

"I wouldn't think so," Sebastian shivered, both from the thought of Legilimency and the brisk night air. "I have no interest in poking around in another's mind. No telling what you'd find in there."

"I saw what looked like a wand, that must be what they're looking for," you said. "I know I've seen its shape before, but I can't place it."

Sebastian stifled a yawn. You'd been sitting out here for a while now, and it was well past curfew. "If only these heroic quests came with some bloody directions and a map..."

A map...

You shot up. "Sebastian, you're brilliant!"

"Uh, thanks?" He responded, raising an eyebrow at you. "I mean, I know, and it's great to hear you say so, but why–"

"Meet me outside the History of Magic classroom tomorrow after dinner. There's someone I'd like to introduce you to."

⋆｡°✩

As you walked through the halls between classes the next day, you bumped into someone as they rounded the corner.

"Pardon me," you murmured, staggering backward.

"My apologies," an unknown voice said at the same time. They had an odd accent and you looked up to see none other than the mysterious Gryffindor Seeker.

The seventh year Ilvermorny transfer...an American...

He was tall and lean. His dark hair was slicked back in an elegant fashion, but a few pieces fell freely. His green eyes observed you cautiously.

You both just stared at each other in silence.

"You're...the new Ilvermorny transfer, aren't you?" You asked politely.

"Did the accent give it away?" He joked. "Uh, yes, that's me. I'm Emrys."

"Emrys, as in Merlin?" You said in fascination.

He chuckled and scratched his cheek. "Yes, embarrassingly enough–no relation, though. My mother was an admirer."

Was, you noted. You quickly changed the topic.

"How're you enjoying Hogwarts? I'd imagine it's quite different here in Scotland than in the Americas."

"I actually travelled here a lot growing up, so I'm familiar with the area," Emrys replied. "I have family in Godric's Hollow."

Godric's Hollow...he comes from a wizarding family, then...

"But it's nice to be here permanently," he continued. "I've always wanted to attend Hogwarts, even if it's just for one year. It's definitely been an adjustment, though."

You nodded in understanding. "I can sympathize...I just started here last fall, as a fifth year."

"You started wizarding school as a fifth year?" Emrys said, astonished. "I've never heard of such a thing, even at Ilvermorny..."

Realization washed over his features.

"Wait a moment, you're Hogwarts' Savior!" he laughed. "I thought you'd be taller."

You cringed at the title. "So you've heard the rumors, then?"

Emrys smirked at you, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall. "Well, when you're a hero, people tend to sing your praises. They say you encountered a dragon, is that true?"

"Multiple, actually," you chuckled, adjusting the books in your arms. "It's kind of a long story."

"I'd love to hear it sometime," the Gryffindor replied, pushing off the wall. "See you around, Savior."

With a parting nod, Emrys continued past you. You rounded the corner, resuming your own path and cursed whoever came up with that ridiculous nickname.

⋆｡°✩

"So, who is it we're meeting? It better not be Professor Binns," Sebastian called out as you walked toward him.

"No, he'd bore us both to death," you laughed and gestured for him to follow you.

You both walked downstairs, past the sleeping dragon statue, and into the Bell Tower dungeons.

"I don't think I've been down here before..." Sebastian said as you continued to walk deeper into the dungeons.

"I'm not sure anyone else has," you answered. "I discovered it last year, with...Professor Fig. Think of it as my Undercroft."

Eventually, you came to the ornate arched doorway.

You pushed open the heavy doors and heard Sebastian gasp, "This is much more grand than the Undercroft."

"This is the Map Chamber," you declared, gesturing to the space. "It's where I met with the Keepers last year."

"The Keepers? That's who you're introducing me to?" Sebastian said in alarm.

"Don't worry, they're nice," you smirked at him, patting his shoulder. "They're also just portraits."

You walked down the stairs, across the map-floor, to the left-most portrait. Sebastian followed, surveying the chamber in quiet awe.

"Professor Fitzgerald?" You called to the empty portrait.

After a lingering moment, the former headmistress appeared. "It is good to see you, young friend. I was aware of the new school term starting from my portrait in the headmaster's office and wondered if we'd be seeing each other again.

"However, I do hope your visit doesn't suggest trouble is afoot," Niamh concluded.

Sebastian gulped at her towering image and leaned to you to whisper, "Now that's a portrait."

"And who is this?" Niamh questioned when she noticed Sebastian's presence.

"This is Sebastian Sallow, a close friend," you introduced. "He knows...about what happened last year. He helped me find the triptych and Isidora's memory."

Sebastian inclined his head, "Nice to meet you, Professor Fitzgerald."

"Unfortunately, our visit is due to some trouble at Hogwarts," you admitted to the former headmistress. You explained what had been going on with the Legilimens, and how you had discovered what he was searching for.

"This wand...I believe you showed it to me before, Professor, during your trial," you concluded.

Her portrait's expression was grave.

"The Elder Wand..." she sighed. "The most powerful wand to ever exist. If this Legilimens seeks it...this is a most precarious situation, indeed."

"Does it actually exist?" Sebastian asked, stunned. "I thought that the Hallows were just an old fable."

"The Hallows?" you turned to him, confused.

"The Deathly Hallows," Niamh confirmed. "The three artifacts I showed you during my trial. When united, one can become the Master of Death."

"The Cloak of Invisibility, the Resurrection Stone, and the Elder Wand," Sebastian explained further. "I read about them in The Tale of the Three Brothers, when I was searching for a cure for Anne. I was convinced it was just a children's story, so I never pursued them."

Niamh nodded and said, "They are real, and so is their power. The Elder Wand shows loyalty to any witch or wizard who disarms its previous owner. If this Legilimens is searching for it and believes you to be its current Master, you must be careful."

"But...what makes them believe I have the wand?" You pondered aloud.

"That, you will have to discover on your own," Niamh shook her head. "The only thing I have heard from the whisperings of other portraits is this: the last known owner of the Elder Wand was a wizard named Loxias.

"He's since been defeated, but no one is certain by whom," Niamh went on. "If I discover anything more, I will be sure to let you know."

"Thank you, Professor Fitzgerald," you said gratefully.

"Remain vigilant," Niamh warned. "The Deathly Hallows will only attract danger."

⋆｡°✩

Sebastian and yourself sat in the Undercroft, mulling over what Professor Fitzgerald had shared earlier in the week. You had spent the last few days collecting any information you could find in the library about the Deathly Hallows, which wasn't much.

You rubbed your eyes, tired. You'd had another nightmare last night, about a dark figure shattering your mind. Not a particularly comforting omen.

Perhaps I should ask Nurse Blainey for a stronger sleeping tonic...

"We're getting nowhere with this," Sebastian sighed in frustration. "Maybe we should start asking around, see if anyone knows anything about Loxias."

"That might attract unwanted attention," you replied, already having considered that yourself.

Sebastian closed the book he was reading. "Maybe, but it could be worth it. Maybe it would attract some wanted attention, someone that could help."

He had a fair point. The only other option was waiting around for the Legilimens to attack and hope you could use Legilimency on him again to learn more.

"I've got to get to practice, want to come watch?" Sebastian asked as he stood and stretched his back.

You shook your head. "I'm meeting with Natty and Garreth in the library to work on our Potions essay. After his last one became ashes, I think Garreth's a bit more motivated."

Sebastian laughed and bid you farewell. You collected your things and headed to the library.

Once you arrived, you saw the two Gryffindors at a table towards the back of the first floor, books already strewn across it.

"Hello," you greeted as you sat across from the pair. "How're the scrolls coming along?"

"Not good," Garreth groaned, head resting on the table. "I thought writing an essay on Felix Felicis might actually be interesting, but...it's still schoolwork. Which is boring."

"He's barely written half a page, and we've been here for over an hour," Natty clarified.

"I'd rather be playing quidditch," was his retort.

The three of you worked the next half hour in comfortable silence, until Garreth spoke again.

"By the way, have you met the new transfer student? He was at quidditch tryouts the other day, playing Seeker for our house."

"I have, actually," you replied as you finished inking your paragraph. "We ran into each other in between classes the other day. Emrys, right?"

Natty nodded, "The two of us have had lots to discuss, coming from similar situations and all of that. He is very kind."

"We spoke rather briefly, but he mentioned he has family in Godric's Hollow," you said.

"He and his father moved there over the summer to live with his grandparents," Garreth chimed in. "His father's originally from England, but took a job as a professor at Ilvermorny. Not sure why they ended up back here, though."

You all resumed your work before you spoke once more.

"Have either of you heard anything about a new wandmaker in London?" you asked. "Sirona said Mr. Ollivander was peeved about it back in Hogsmeade."

"My dad was telling me about that this summer, actually!" Garreth exclaimed, obviously excited for another distraction from his schoolwork. "Says the fellow is barely twenty years old, crafting wands. He's from Germany, goes by the name of Mykew Gregorovitch.

"He's already got a good reputation, though," Garreth went on, hand propping up his chin. "Some of my friends back home in London say his wands are pretty powerful."

You hummed a response and stored the information away for later.

⋆｡°✩

You trudged up the stairs of the Grand Staircase, hand hurting and full of ink stains. You had stayed late in the library to finish your essay and some other assignments, until Scribner kicked you out for curfew.

Natty and Garreth had left earlier for dinner in the Great Hall, but you hadn't had much of an appetite. You were waiting for the moving stairs to lead you toward Ravenclaw Tower, when you heard a small voice whispering.

"Psst, you there," it said.

You whirled around, but there were no other students about.

"On your left!"

You looked to the wall and came face-to-face with a landscape oil painting. Peeking out between the grass at the foreground was the watercolor image of a fairy.

You blinked at it in surprise. "Are you...talking to me?"

"Obviously," the small fairy said in a cheeky manner. "The former headmistress sends word: find the tombs of Arcus and Livius."

"Who's that?" you replied.

"How should I know?" the fairy hissed, clearly annoyed.

Rose was bundled in a long woolen coat, scarf, and cap to take Canine out. The little terrier was thrilled to be let out on the first sunny day in weeks despite the bitter chill. Rose, lost in thought, slowly wandered up the path to the gate. In two days it would be her birthday- the first one she would celebrate without her mum.  She missed her mum terribly, but the circumstances she had been living under were much…improved.

Rose bit her lip against a smile. The Doctor had changed so much. Where he had once been gruff, bitter, and unwelcoming, he now sought her out, wanted her to share in his work. He seemed genuinely delighted with her. What does that even mean, Rose Tyler? You’re just an ordinary shop girl from Powell, and he’s a brilliant doctor, scientist, lover of literature- ugh, he’s nigh superhuman. …And he’s still hurting.

The sound of an engine broke Rose’s reverie. She looked up to see an automobile idling at the gate. A military courier came up to her with an envelope. “I have a message for Rose Tyler.”

“That’s me.”

“Well, that was convenient! Good day to you, miss.”

“And you,” Rose mumbled. What in the world could this be…MUM. Rose hurriedly ripped at the envelope, crumpling the contents in her haste. She scanned it quickly, praying that her mother was all right. She was. Relief hit her and she wobbled a little on her feet. The letter detailed that she would be travelling with some civilians and American military and would be arriving home to London within a month. Rose grinned at the prospect of seeing her mum again and then paused. One month. She would be leaving the castle in a month. Actually, it would be shorter than that, as she would need to prepare their home for her mother’s return. Leaving…

“Rose? It’s time for dinner! I’ve got Canine!” Luke’s voice echoed across the yard.

She stuffed the letter in her pocket, not sure how she was going to break the news.

She wasn’t sure how she was handling the news.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The day of Rose’s birthday rolled around, and Rose still hadn’t told anyone about the letter. She only told Sarah Jane about her birthday a few weeks ago when Sarah had asked. Sarah Jane had made up a small cake for her for lunch- at which the Doctor oddly was not present. In fact, she hadn’t seen him all day. Oh, well. Rose hadn’t told the Doctor about it, anyway. She thought that he would find her announcing her birthday a childish frivolity.

Later that evening, Rose was cleaning up for their evening meal, when a soft tapping came from the door. “Rose?”

“Come in, Sarah Jane.”

She came into the room bearing a long garment bag. “Why don’t you wear this tonight?” She hung the bag up on the outside of Rose’s wardrobe.

Rose looked at her quizzically and then went to unzip it. As the bag opened, she gasped. Inside was a gold silk evening gown. The dress had a halter that led to either side of a sweetheart cut bust. The bust was ruched and went to a large band around the waist, while folds of silk draped to the floor in the flowing skirt.  

“Happy birthday, sweetheart!”

Rose hugged Sarah Jane. “It’s gorgeous! It’s just too much! How did you-?”

Sarah Jane smiled. “It’s from all of us.”

Rose blinked back tears. “Thank you so much.” She again pulled Sarah Jane into a hug.

Sarah patted her back and then pulled away.  “We haven’t much time to get you dressed!”

“What’s going on? Are we having some kind of party?”

Sarah Jane just smiled and ignored the question. “Now, let’s see about your hair.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rose stood in front of her full-length mirror. She didn’t look herself! Her mum was a hairdresser, so she ended up fixing it herself, with Sarah Jane to help pin up the back. Her hair was parted to the side with the front sweeping above her forehead, curls loosely pinned to either side. The length of her hair was twisted up into a full bun.

The dress fit her perfectly, expertly tailored by Sarah Jane. There were matching gold peep-toe pumps that completed the ensemble. Rose twirled around once, feeling like a princess. Sarah Jane had told her to just come down to the ballroom when she was ready. She took a deep breath and exited her room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rose was about to reach the main staircase to the ballroom when she saw movement from the opposing hallway. The Doctor. Rose was glad he was turned to the side fiddling with buttons and hadn’t noticed her gaping yet. He was dressed in his full dress uniform, which was a deep, rich green. The cut enhanced his slim figure. Instead of his usual trainers, he was wearing polished black shoes.

What shocked Rose the most was his hair and face. He had brushed his hair back neatly off his forehead. And, for the first time since she had arrived, he was clean-shaven. The lean, angular look of his face was more pronounced, but Rose felt it made him all the more handsome. Not to mention how much more noticeable his dimples were.

Rose softly cleared her throat, and the Doctor looked up. Warmth spread in her chest as she saw his eyes widen and mouth open slightly. She could have sworn she heard a “blimey.”

She lifted her skirt and descended the stairs from her side that led to the main staircase. The Doctor half-stumbled down his side, and she giggled. He came to stand before her, eyes taking her in. “You look beautiful! Considering.”

“Considering what?”

“Considering that you always look lovely, especially covered in mechanical grease.” Rose blushed and laughed.

The Doctor offered her his arm, and they descended into the ballroom. A full-length table was lit with candelabras and was covered with all of Rose’s favorite foods. The Doctor let go of Rose’s arm and quickly went around to pull out her chair for her. She instead walked to the other side of the long table and picked up the chair, bringing it back. “I’m not going to yell across a table at you all evening.” She set the chair down and finally accepted the chair the Doctor was still holding.  

Luke served them their dinner, dressed in a suit that was slightly too big. Rose and the Doctor talked through each course, often teasing each other. When the meal was finished, Rose noticed the console radio sitting in the corner. She went over and turned it on. After scanning through news and static, she landed on a station playing Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood.”

“Doctor, come dance with me.”

“What?” he squeaked.

“Come on, will the universe implode if you dance?”

“Well,” he said, straightening his collar. “I may have the moves, just wouldn’t want to boast.”

“So, show me your moves.” Rose beckoned him to her.

The Doctor’s uncertain gaze became intense, and he rose to stand in front of her. He slid a hand around her waist and took her left hand into his right without breaking eye contact. After a couple of hesitant steps, he began expertly leading them around the floor.

Of course he would be perfect at this, too. Rose used the opportunity to look closer at his uniform.

“So, what do you think?”

“Hmm.” Rose quickly scanned her eyes over him. “You clean up nice.” She looked up to his hair and then ruffled it a bit. “Although, I think I prefer the hedgehog look. Suits you.”

“Oi! And after all that hard work cleaning up for you. Ungrateful, Rose Tyler. Simply ungrateful.”

Rose laughed, and then her smile faded. She lifted her hand that had been around his shoulder and slowly slid her index finger down the slight cleft in his chin. “I could definitely get used to this, though.” She lifted her eyes to his as the music changed to Billie Holiday’s “The Very Thought of You.” The Doctor’s adam’s apple bobbed, and he pulled her closer to him. She laid her head on his chest, and after a moment, he leaned his cheek to her hair while they continued to sway to the music.

The song ended, and the Doctor stepped back. They were close to the outer doors to a balcony. He took her hand and murmured, “Let’s get some air.” The night was clear, and thousands of stars shone in the midst of the velvety black of the sky.

Rose felt Doctor step up behind her, and she turned to face him. He smiled softly. “Happy birthday, Rose.”

Rose couldn’t say what possessed her in that moment. All she meant to do was say, “Thank you.” Instead, she found herself cupping the back of his head and pulling his lips to hers. After a quick moment, she broke away and took several steps back, realizing what she had just done. “I’m- I’m so sorry, I-“

Before she had even finished her sentence, the Doctor took two long strides towards her and covered her parted lips with his. His fingers threaded into her hair, and he used his other hand to pull her closer. Rose slid her hands up his chest and wove her fingers into his hair.

Suddenly, the Doctor pulled back. “I can’t do this.”

Rose shook her head to clear it. “What?”

“I can’t do this,” he repeated, almost to himself. “I swore I would never do this again.”

Rose shook her head in confusion. “But it’s obviously too late for that!”

“No, Rose.” He laughed mirthlessly. “You’re young and really don’t know any better. You don’t know enough to understand that I’m no good for you. I just got caught up.”

Rose began to tremble. “You can’t mean that.”

“I’m old and lonely, what did you expect?”

Rose’s voice kept an eerie calm despite how she felt that her world was crashing down around her. “But I thought we were- well, I obviously got it wrong.”

The Doctor’s face slid into that familiar mask that Rose had thought had been eradicated. “I’m sorry.”

Rose gathered up her skirts and began walking back to the ballroom. She then stopped and abruptly turned back to him. “I got a note two days ago that my mother is returning to London. I wasn’t sure how to tell you, but obviously it’s much easier than I anticipated. I’ll be packed and ready to go in the morning.”

The Doctor’s mouth moved for a second before he said, “I didn’t mean that you had to leave…”

“I think it’s best, considering.”

He nodded without looking at her.

Rose entered the ballroom and tried not to fall as the tears began to blind her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rose didn’t sleep at all that night as she packed. The Stewarts each took their turn trying to convince her to stay, but Rose stayed resolute. The Brigadier had a car called for her, and Rose tearfully hugged them all. As she walked up the path, the Doctor came running out of the castle towards her.

“Rose! Rose!”

She kept her pace without turning around. He grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him. “Rose, please don’t go.”

“Why shouldn’t I?”

“Because- it’s not safe. Your mother won’t be there for a few more weeks.”

Rose looked up at his disheveled appearance. He no longer had on his uniform coat, and his oxford was not tucked. His hair was manic where he had obviously been pulling at it.

“Doctor, I love you.” His eyes widened impossibly further at her declaration. She kept on. “I love you, but I can’t stay if we are just going to go on like nothing happened.”

“But-“

“No. I can’t do it. I know you love me.”  He refused to meet her eyes. “Go on, say it,” she dared.

The car pulled up to gate. The Doctor’s eyes met hers. “Rose Tyler-“ and then he stopped.

Rose’s eyes searched his face. “I’m sorry.” She then climbed into the car.

The Doctor stood stationary as Rose Tyler drove away.