Felicity Mallory

Potions wasn’t Cal’s strongest suit, but it also wasn’t his downfall. Thankfully, his extensive knowledge of plants seemed to be his saving grace when it came to the class, as ingredients posed less of a challenge for him because of such a thing. His steady hand and nature were also helpful for the practice. “Miss Mallory,” he said with a little respectful incline of his head towards her, almost as if he were tipping a non-existent hat. “Looks like we’ll be working together for this class. Have you mixed this one before?” he asked, squinting a little at the book. His reading was improving, thankfully. 

He chuckled once more, shaking his head at her. “It is no hardship to help a pretty woman.” Dayo was such an easy-going man, he treated all people equally until he had a reason not to. That meant being good humoured and a little charming. “Felicity, I don’t think you could ever offend anyone.” He caught her hand and lifted it up to his lips, kissing it lightly before releasing it. “Please give me the honour you of walking with you, since you looked like you were in such a rush. That way, if you fall again, I can catch you.” He winked at her. “I won’t let it go to my ego, having you fall at my feet.” 

Bri waved off the compliment. “I’m a talented seamstress, that’s all, really.” While she was good enough at wandless magic, she didn’t consider herself a brilliant witch, just one that had been lucky enough to get a good education. Even with fighting, unless she was challenging someone, she didn’t make claims she couldn’t live up to. 

“Please call me Bri.” At home, with so many siblings, it got confusing when people referred to “Miss Shacklebolt” as there were several of them, so none of them ever insisted on formalities. “I’m trying to share my work with everyone, I swear. My prices are very fair.” She didn’t just sew for the rich, she’d also done repairs and basic designs for those with less money. Everyone deserved nice clothes. “Oh, Dayo. My eldest brother, he’s a student here as well. If you haven’t met him yet, I’m sure you will. Everyone does.”

“Don’t be modest, really.” No, really, don’t. Felicity grinned and looked at the dress she was wearing, “Your dresses are the height of fashion! I’ve seen pictures of them in letters back in London!” She clapped her hands together as though too excited at the prospect of having met a celebrity, “You have such a talent!” 

Wanting to give her the same benefit of the doubt that he could not give himself, his expression softened. “I think you will like it here. I have learned so much more magic than I could possibly have dreamed of.” Safe havens were something he was not used to, and even Hogwarts didn’t quite feel like that for him, but he hoped it could for her. 

Her mention of the things he’d seen made him shake his head. “Miss Felicity, you and I were doing our duty. There is nothing more to say on the matter.” James knew she was smart enough to know that meant he didn’t want her to talk about his own actions. While he wouldn’t betray her, even if she told others about his past, he did hope she would keep quiet. It was easier to leave the past unsaid. 

“I hope so.” Felicity said, smiling as though relieved. She gave him her doe-eyed smile, “I’ve met so many wonderful people already. I can’t wait to really test my skills.” In reality, Felicity was sure she could charm circles around every miserable student in this school maybe even the founders themselves. “I finally feel like I’m home.” 

Leila didn’t even notice the difference in common rooms. Nothing was familiar, but nothing registered behind the fogginess. Her body felt heavy, fingers fumbling as they tried to undo the braid in her hair. “I can’t undress in front of you.” She mumbled, her hair tumbling as she managed to dislodge the pins keeping it neat. “s’not proper.” Since there seemed to be a logical solution, she turned around. “Don’t look.” 

Worried over Luci and George, Leila hadn’t protested much as Felicity gave her drink after drink. It hadn’t taken long for her to be thoroughly drunk, leaning into her friend for balance. “Okay.” Voice slurred, she followed her without noticing the direction they took. “My head feels funny. All… cloudy.” She looked over at Felicity with a lopsided smile. “It feels weird.”

For a second, James thought he saw a ghost from his past, come back to haunt him. Surely he hadn’t drunk that much, he still had full control over his facilities. But no, she was here. Guiltily, he glanced around, but so late at night - it’d soon be morning, really -, it was just the two of them. “Miss Felicity.” He looked back at her, not quite sure what to make of her arrival here. 

They had worked well together, but this was a piece of his past he didn’t want reminders of. What he’d done in the name of his country, he bore no guilt over, and that was what he considered to be worse than the actual acts themselves. “I - I honestly never thought I would see you again. What are you doing here?” Too many times, he had seen her lull their enemies into complacency, so he could not trust that look in her eyes, as much as he wanted to. “Have you left our work behind as well?” 

She looked down at her hands like a schoolgirl when he said her name. As though the mere fact that he’d remembered her was flattering. Pathetic. That was what men wanted, though right? And men like James--despite all his knowledge--were the easiest to play. He wanted to be a good man and believed that he never could be. He still didn’t realize that ‘good’ and ‘evil’ were relative terms. 

Leila stilled as Felicity reached out, not used to being touched, at least not since the convent, and there, it had been very different. No kindness, only sharp slaps and sharper words. With a hint of colour in her cheeks now, she chose not to address it, her hand reaching up to where Felicity’s hand been a second ago. “I - uh, yes, once a week works for me. Perhaps Tuesday afternoons? If that works for you?” She couldn’t quite keep the nervousness out of her babbled answer. 

“In that case, welcome,” he greeted her with a smile. He shuffled the basket of plants that he had gathered for a moment, before accepting the hand offered and he shook it. “It’s not a problem. Pleasure to meet you Ms. Mallory. I am Holden Hufflepuff.” A strong wind blew pass and he had to make sure the items he was carrying didn’t drop. “It’s a bit cold out here. Shall we head inside?”

Thank you for being so understanding. You’re a good friend. 

Merry Christmas. 

Leila 

(comes with a basket of baked goods)

[Delivered during breakfast on the morning of the feast, a black box with a silver serpent broach, a leather bound journal, a quill and a bottle of ink is delivered with a note attached]

Felicity, 

Merry Christmas, welcome to Slytherin House. I hope you enjoy your first Christmas as a member of the best house in Hogwarts. In the box you’ll find a number of gifts that I hope you will have use for in the coming year. It is not much, but consider it a token of my affection.

Sincerely,

Salazar Slytherin.

Felicity rolled her eyes at the gifts. She would use them, of course, but the entire christmas thing was ridiculous to her. Here they were exchanging gifts like Pagans. There was no Christ in this holiday. 

Grateful for the understanding, Leila felt a little more at ease. There was no pressure anymore, which took off one layer of the stress. Of course, there were lots of others. “Oh, I’m used to being alone.” She had plenty of experience with it, having spent most of her life fairly isolated. “But thank you. I don’t want to bother you, but maybe when I’m helping you with charms, we can talk.” She was scared of pushing away her new friend by making it all about her. She hated to be so selfish.

“Italy? Really?” she asked matching the girl’s pace, deciding she was going to accompany the girl to her destination and get as much information as possible. “Where else? Have you ever been outside of Europe?” practically bouncing on her feet, Bella continued asking questions, “Who invited you?”

“Another time that is very late.” she chirped back teasingly. “You are? Have you moved around a lot?” the strange woman, Felicity, immediately became leagues more interesting in Bella’s eyes.