#unseenchanges

But as they approached their station, Sebastian stopped dead. The space felt... empty. He looked down. His cauldron stood alone. He looked up, scanning the room, and saw her. She was already at a different station, laughing softly with Garreth Weasley, their heads close, a familiar warmth in their easy camaraderie. And Ominis was now at his former station from the last year, alongside Amit and the new addition of Poppy.

The familiar rhythm of their trio, the unspoken understanding of their shared station, was gone. He was alone.

"Mr. Gaunt," Professor Sharp's voice, dry and precise, cut through the low hum of the classroom. "As Mr. Sallow was... unavailable during the beginning of the year, I trust you will assist him in catching up. Return to your usual station with him."

A wave of profound relief washed over Sebastian. He didn't deserve to be working alone, a solitary fate he thought more suited to a walking explosion hazard like Garreth. Ominis, with a subtle, almost imperceptible wave, bid farewell to Poppy. Amit, ever oblivious, waved enthusiastically back, prompting Ominis to roll his blind eyes. Yet, a faint, genuine smile touched Ominis's lips as he heard Poppy's soft chuckle beside Amit.

Professor Sharp, his voice as dry as powdered mooncalf horn, began to address the class. "Today, we shall be brewing a basic Memory Potion. A simple task, for those who possess adequate focus…"

Sebastian tried to focus on Sharp's droning, but his gaze kept drifting to her and Garreth. They were both intently focused on Sharp, her head tilted slightly as she leaned against Garreth, a comfortable familiarity radiating between them.

"So…" Sebastian whispered toward Ominis, his voice low, trying to sound casual, "She's... working with Garreth?"

Ominis, already meticulously arranging his ingredients, gave a subtle nod. "Yes. Professor Sharp reassigned partners after you left... Apparently, and in Sharps words, your absence unbalanced the layout of the classroom." He paused, then, with a faint, almost imperceptible smile, added, "And he moved me back to Amit's station, where he'd been working with Poppy since the start of the year." Ominis's faint smile deepened at the mention of Poppy's name.

Sebastian's jaw tightened. He watched Garreth lean in, whispering something to her cheeks blushed as she playfully swatted his arm. A quiet jealousy, sharp and unwelcome, began to simmer within him. He hated it. He hated that he was noticing it.

"They seem... close," Sebastian murmured, the words tasting like ash. He tried to gauge the depth of their bond, unable to admit the discomfort twisting in his gut.

Ominis turned his head slightly, his blind eyes seeming to pierce through Sebastian. "Are you jealous, Sebastian?" he asked, his voice flat, devoid of judgment.

"What? No!" Sebastian retorted, perhaps a little too quickly. "Don't be ridiculous. It's just... Garreth's not exactly known for his academic brilliance, is he? He's going to make her fail. He's a disaster waiting to happen."

Ominis sighed, a long, exasperated sound. "She's been getting top grades since she moved to his station, Sebastian. Even completing every extra credit assignment Sharp has assigned. Her grades have improved since she paired with him."

"Pff…" Sebastian scoffed, "He's probably-"

"Mr. Sallow!" Professor Sharp's voice, sharp and immediate, cut through their whispered exchange, making them both jump. "Perhaps you will find this Memory Potion useful to remember that there is no talking allowed in my class, not until the brewing begins! Five points from Slytherin for insubordination, and another five for disturbing Mr. Gaunt's concentration." He glared, his eyes narrowed.

Sebastian bit back a retort, his face flushing. He closed his fists, forcing himself to focus on the cauldron.

The brewing began, and the dungeon filled with the soft bubbling of potions. At their shared station, Garreth and she worked in comfortable rhythm.

"Pass the Alihotsy, love?" Garreth asked, his hand outstretched, his eyes twinkling.

"Here you go." she said, handing him the ingredient. "You know," she began, her voice low, as they stirred their potion, "I wanted to thank you properly. For the other night. For coming to Rookwood Castle. You didn't have to." She watched him carefully, her gaze earnest.

"I couldn't stay behind as my favorite potions partner was at risk," he declared, puffing out his chest with mock heroism.

She simply smiled "Oh, Gar…" she said, deflecting his compliment

Garreth grinned, a faint blush warming his cheeks. "I mean it. But more seriously, anything for you, love. Just being a friend. That's what we do, right?" He paused, stirring his own potion.

"I know…" she agreed, a soft smile touching her lips. "And I appreciate it. More than you know. But please, Garreth," her voice dropped, becoming serious, "never do something like that again. Never risk your life like that. Your... your normal friendship, your chaotic presence. It's exactly what I value. You don't need to go charging into dark wizard strongholds to prove anything to me. I already have enough on my plate with this ancient magic thing; I just want a normal life with normal adventures like hiding behind the greenhouses to test your alcoholic brews, or sneaking into Sharps office in search of ingredients, I don’t mind some occasional explosions, or having weird hair colors and other hilarious potions side effects."