The Plot Thickens
Odelia and Sebastian made their way across the front courtyard of Hogwarts, and out of the gate in the stone wall. They were by no means alone, it seemed as though many students had decided to take advantage of the weather and lack of homework to take a trip to town with their friends.
Sebastian kept in step beside her, even though Odelia could tell that they were walking slower than his usual pace. She really wanted to ask him why he had been so unfriendly earlier, but didn’t. He was being nice now and that’s what mattered.
He nudged her with his elbow. “That duel was quite something. Everyone’ll be talking about it.”
Odelia smiled a little. “It was certainly good practice.”
“Practice? It felt more like I was duelling an expert. Didn’t expect a new student to be so deft with a wand. Then again, perhaps this wasn’t your first duel.”
“I’ve duelled enough,” she said teasingly. “Consider yourself lucky I held back.”
“Ha! Fair enough. You owe me an honest duel when you aren’t.” Sebastian paused. “You know, you might be a perfect fit for a certain exclusive, unsanctioned duelling organisation.”
“Exclusive and unsanctioned? Count me in.”
He laughed, “Excellent. Knew I was right about you. If you want to get the most out of your time at Hogwarts, you’re going to need to break the rules now and then. Whether it’s joining a secret duelling club or sneaking into the Restricted Section of the Library - you just have to be clever enough not to get caught.”
Odelia took a few steps ahead, and turned so that she was facing him and walking backwards. “But you did get caught, didn’t you? You mentioned that this trip to Hogsmeade got you out of detention.”
Sebastian shrugged exaggeratedly and sighed. “That’s old Scribner for you.”
Scribner? Oh yes, she remembered now, the librarian. “So how did you manage to get on the librarian’s bad side?”
“Well, I suspect it’s a matter of differing opinions. She thinks I shouldn’t be allowed in the Restricted Section, and I, on the other hand, am inclined to disagree.”
A certain venom had entered Sebastian’s voice. Odelia wasn’t quite sure how to reply, so she just kicked one of the stones that lay on the path. To the left of them was the lake, sparkling under the autumn sun.
He seemed to realise how his tone had changed, and made an effort to resume the conversation. “Speaking of Weasley, she seems to have taken quite a shine to you.”
“Has she? That’s nice to hear.”
“I’m still surprised that a professor would entrust me with anything, given my detention record.”
“Spend a lot of time in detention, do you?” Odelia asked, laughing,
“Just enough to keep me well-rounded.”
She laughed again - Sebastian was beginning to have that effect on her. It was easy to see why Imelda liked him so much.
“Merlin’s beard!” He had stopped in the middle of the road, looking up with his hand shielding his eyes from the sun. “From the Forbidden Forest! Look!”
Odelia squinted, but couldn’t tell what he was looking at. “What’s going on?”
He turned back and put his hands on her shoulders to point her in the right direction. “See for yourself! Quite a sight, isn’t it?” She could sense his voice quite close to her ear. “You certainly don’t see that everyday.”
Oh! Two white Hippogriffs were soaring through the sky, from the forest on the left of the path to the lake. They were beautiful. Ahead of them was a leading over a stream which ran into a lake, and beyond that a red brick ruin was nestled into the landscape on the edge of the trees. Some students were sitting on a bench to the side of the bridge - they were also watching the hippogriffs. Odelia recognised some of them from her classes. And the red-headed boy who had duelled Sebastian before the lesson was there too. He was no longer watching the beasts, but glaring in their direction.
Sebastian still hadn’t removed his hand from her shoulder; if anything his grip tightened, drawing her away from the Gryffindor boy and closer to him. He made no attempt to exchange pleasantries, merely led her across the bridge. It was only when they had gone around the bend that he let her go, and stepped away a bit.
“To the left is the Forbidden Forest. Out of bounds to all students.”
“Hence the name,” said Odelia, rolling her eyes.
Sebastian laughed. “Precisely! They think it’s too dangerous. I think they need to have more confidence in our defensive abilities.”
They wandered a little further in a comfortable silence. It was clear that he was not going to address his situation with the Gryffindor. “You know,” he mused, “you still haven’t told me how you became so good at duelling.”
Odelia hesitated, unsure of how to reply. Any version of the truth would incriminate her, whether it be details of the journey to Hogwarts or what she had learned in her youth. For some reason, she did not want to lie to Sebastian - but still -
Just then a carriage passed them, pulled by four Thestrals.
Poor George Osric.
She blinked a few times, and looked away.
Sebastian stepped closer again. “I’ve always thought Thestrals pulling a carriage a bit grim.” He waited for a reply, and then went on. “Though I suppose most people don’t actually see them at all.”
She looked up at him. “But you can see them?”
Now it was Sebastian’s turn to glance away. “Unfortunately.”
By now they had reached a hill, and the path was steadily beginning to climb. A few hairpin bends later, and the path levelled out again. There was a man leaning against a broken tree trunk by the side of the road, mumbling to himself.
Odelia shrank away, but Sebastian waved an arm and yelled, “Mr Moon!” Then lowering his voice, he said, “He’s the Hogwarts caretaker. Looks a bit worse for wear.”
They walked up to him, and Sebastian continued in a friendly, and unusually polite fashion. “Hello Mr Moon. Have you met our new Fifth-Year?”
Mr Moon raised his head - his eyes were bloodshot and he was hiccoughing quite badly. Odelia wrinkled her nose at the strong smell of spirits that hung around him.
“You might want to turn back Mr Sallow. Turn and run.”
No matter how frightened the man seemed, Sebastian was in no way affected. “Is everything all right, sir?”
The caretaker proceeded to launch into a long-winded explanation, which Odelia did not listen to. Something about demiguises? She was surprised at the amount of patience that Sebastian was exhibiting. When they finally got away, he explained placidly, “Mr Moon is quite the character. My sister Anne thinks he’s lovely, but I’d say he could improve a bit as a caretaker. Besides, there’s nothing dangerous in Hogsmeade at all.”
Odelia frowned slightly at this new piece of information. Thankfully Sebastian had gone ahead now, so he did not see. “Oh, is your sister in Slytherin too?”
“She is - or rather - she was. She’s not well at the moment, but she’ll be better soon and back at Hogwarts.”
Odelia remembered the empty bed in her dorm. ‘You have Anne’s old bed,’ was what Violet had told her.
They came up to another bridge, only this time it joined onto an arched gateway, on the far side of which was a bustling little village. Hogsmeade. Sebastian smiled as they walked in, he clearly liked the place.
“So how would you like to do this?” he said. “Weasley told me you had a list of things to get - a wand and some other bits?”
“Yes,” replied Odelia, trying to remember. “Dittany seeds, some spellcrafts and some potion recipes.”
“Perfect. Can’t wait to see what you do with a new wand. And a short list gives you plenty of time to poke around the village. I just have to pop into a shop to find something for my sister. Let’s meet up in the town circle when you’re finished. Remember, have fun. It’s Hogsmeade!”
And he gestured up the busy main street, so Odelia followed his advice and set off. As she glanced back to see where he was going, she saw him slipping away between a gap in two buildings.
How odd.
But there was not much time to consider the reasons behind his actions. She found J. Pippin’s Potions relatively quickly, and Parry Pippin was a nice man, if a little passionate about the art of potion making. However The Magic Neep took a little longer to locate, and it was only after wandering across one of the bridges by accident that she was able to purchase her dittany seeds. By this point Odelia was beginning to wish that Sebastian had not left her, for she had no idea where Ollivander’s was. It was a small village - she had expected to bump into her companion on his own errand - but he was nowhere to be seen. Eventually she happened upon the shop, frustratingly, it was hardly a few metres from where Sebastian had originally led them. The bell tinkled as she stepped across the threshold.
-----------------------
Many strange things had happened in Odelia’s life, but if she had to rank them then being matched with a wand by Mr Ollivander would have to be up there. He was an enigmatic old man, clearly very good at what he did - rather like Professor Fig. After declaring that he had found her perfect pair - Eleven inch Blackthorn with a Dragon Heartstring core, Slightly Yielding - the wandmaker simply stood back and watched her with an assessing gaze.
‘Do not be surprised at your new wand's ability to perceive your intentions, particularly in a moment of need.’ His parting words played through her head over and over again.
From her accidental exploration earlier Odelia knew the town square to be just up the main road, so she hurried there at once, eager to get back to a familiar face. Sebastian was standing there, waiting for her. He gave a little start as she appeared from behind him, not having heard her approach.
She giggled at having caught him off guard. “I officially have all of my supplies. Did you get what you needed for your sister?”
“I did. So, I suppose the world is our oyster now.”
Something caught Odelia’s eye over his shoulder. The square was mostly empty by now, but a grey-robed witch with a tall hat had appeared from behind a wooden cart, and was looking around expectantly.
Sebastian tugged at her sleeve, drawing her attention back to him. “Let’s see what else we can get up to.”
But as they turned to leave, heavy footfalls echoed through the air and a troll thundered down the path into the square, clad in red-glowing armour.
Clad in red-glowing armour?!
It swung its club through the air, and brought it down hard on the cobblestones, roaring deafeningly. The ground shook.
Odelia drew her wand and Sebastian did the same, then sent a bolt of magic at the creature as it stampeded towards them.
It raised its club, preparing to smash them into the ground.
Shield! Now!
“Bombarda!” A blast hit the back of the troll's head. It was that witch! “Draw it away from the buildings!” she cried. “Away from the village!”
The surrounding villagers rushed to join her - firing at the troll as they led it away and out of sight.
Odelia exhaled shakily through her mouth. It had all happened so quickly. Sebastian was licking his lips nervously. “Well -” he began.
The house to their right burst open, fragments of stone flew outwards. Another troll had burst through the wall.
Sebastian grabbed her arm and pulled her behind him. Odelia looked desperately around - there was no one left besides them.
The troll charged towards them. She and Sebastian dived in opposite directions, its momentum carried it to the edge of the square where it lumbered round, ready for another pass.
Sebastian unleashed a barrage of spells from his wand, only for them all to glance off of the armour. Odelia aimed for the head - this only enraged it. The troll swung its club, smashing through the carts next to where she had rolled and catching her hastily raised shield, sending her tumbling across the cobblestones back to where she had first stood.
It hurt to breathe, like long spikes pressing through her chest. Sebastian ran over, still throwing magic furiously at the creature, then knelt down, pulling her arm across his shoulders.
The troll roared, waving its club in the air.
It was no use, she could not stand. There was Wiggenweld potion in her bag, but she had dropped it when the attack first began.
Sebastian stopped casting spells, and raised a shield. The club smashed against it, but it held.
Next time it won’t. The next blow will kill you both.
And as the troll raised its weapon for a final swing, Odelia gripped her new wand tight.
Blue light shone from within the cracks of the armour as it charged forward.
And all at once, it was gone.
It had imploded, leaving no trace of its existence save some black matter, which floated gently through the air and landed on the ground, delicate as a snowflake.
Sebastian was frozen in shock. Odelia was shocked too, though for a different reason. The blue light had left her in no doubt as to what happened.
No kidding, Mr Ollivander. That really was a moment of need.
She felt surprisingly calm considering the events that had just transpired. “Sebastian.” She winced.
“Yes! Of course,” he cast his eyes about the square, still dazed. “Accio Wiggenweld potion!”
Instantly Odelia felt the pain in her chest subside. She placed the stopper on the now empty bottle and stood up, still leaning on Sebastian for support.
They heard a faint roar in the distance. It sounded as though the other troll had been dealt with.
The gray-robed witch from earlier ran back into the clearing, making a beeline for them.
“Goodness! A second troll? Did you two take on a fully grown troll - by yourselves?”
Sebastian was still in shock. Odelia prayed that he would stay silent.
“Yes,” but then she hesitated. The grey robes that the woman wore were a uniform, and a silver badge gleamed on her chest. She was an Auror. “Yes, officer.”
She must have had advance warning of the attack then. That’s why she was loitering.
“Singer,” the witch supplied. “Officer Singer. Are you all right?”
This time it was Sebastian who answered in the affirmative. Thankfully, he related nothing else.
Officer Singer nodded. “Thank you for your help,” she remarked curtly, then apparated away. Odelia supposed that she would now have to go and track down whoever it was who had unleashed the trolls. Hopefully she caught them soon.
“Hello there!” a rather uppity voice called at them from the doorway of one of the shops. “A moment if you would.”
Sebastian gently dropped his hands, now assured that she could stand on her own. “I’ll go and see what he wants.”
It was Odelia’s turn to stay silent. The danger was over, she was beginning to process the events.
You blew apart that troll like it was nothing.
Poor troll.
No, not poor troll. It was you or it. You made the right choice.
But I didn’t even make a choice. It just happened.
Foolish girl. Of course you chose. You chose a long time ago.
Her vision was a little fuzzy around the edges. She walked over to where Sebastian was talking to the shopkeeper. Augustus Hill, he introduced himself as.
What a pathetic excuse for a man. He stayed in his shop and let two students fight.
Odelia turned away, she had had enough. Her hands were shaking, so she hid them in the pockets of her robe.
The discussion ended, she didn’t even notice. Sebastian guided her out of the shop, and they made their way slowly down the street. He attempted some conversation to lighten the mood.
“I’d say we’ve earned a Butterbeer or two. Might help me forget that I was almost pulverized by a troll.”
Odelia was far from forgetting the troll, but it was easier to relent. “I’d say that I agree with you.”
He smiled. “Perfect. The Three Broomsticks is just this way. Assuming it isn’t utter bedlam in there, you might even meet Sirona, the owner. She’s a good one to know.”
They continued walking, when a man in a top hat and purple coat appeared, then quick as anything snuck down the stairs of a side alley. Sebastian’s eyes widened and they exchanged a glance, then ran to the side of a building, where they could hide behind a wall and see where the man had gone.
Peering around the corner, they saw him with his back turned, talking to someone. A goblin.
Ranrok.
He snarled. “You said you could get to the child when she came to Hogsmeade. That all you needed was a distraction. I gave you a distraction!”
The man was equally as angry. “I just watched a student take down your ‘distraction’.”
Ranrok growled, the man narrowed his eyes.
“Who is this child? What are you not telling me?”
The goblin did not oblige. “All you need to know is that if you cannot get to the child, then you have no value to me.” Then looking past the man in front of him, his gaze fixed on the place where Odelia and Sebastian were standing.
Her heart nearly beat through her chest as she flattened herself against the wall. “Let’s go.”
They rushed down the street. Sebastian knew where to go, so she followed. “Did they see us?” he asked.
“I don’t think so.”
He exhaled in frustration. “What was that goblin doing with Victor Rookwood?”
Odelia stopped still in the middle of the street. “Ranrok is working with Rookwood?”
“The goblin from the Daily Prophet? I knew I’d seen him somewhere!”
Something moved behind them. In unison, they turned to look up the steps, but there was nothing there.
“Quickly,” Sebastian said, “Let’s get inside the Three Broomsticks!”
-----------------------
It seemed that Sebastian was right, Sirona Ryan was indeed ‘a good one to know’. She was friendly - chatted kindly but uninvasively to Odelia when she and Sebastian settled themselves at the bar; and what’s more, Sirona protected her from Rookwood and Harlow when they barged through the door demanding that she be handed over at once. In fact, the whole pub stood up in her defence. It was clear that the clientele of this establishment were the best that wizardkind had to offer.
She and Sebastian finished their drinks, thanked Sirona again, and stepped outside the door. The temperature had dropped a few degrees, and Odelia pulled her robe around herself, shivering. She did not want to have to think through anything, she just wanted to crawl into her warm bed and stay there, preferably forever.
But alas, it was not to be. Sebastian’s curiosity had been stretched to such a point that he could not resist an interrogation.
“Trolls, Ranrok, and Rookwood? What are you not telling me?”
She sighed, this really wasn’t the time. “I promise to tell you everything, but it’s perhaps best I do that later.”
“I think you’ll need to tell me why Victor Rookwood has you in his sights.” He stopped, perhaps noticing how cold and pale she must’ve looked. “But we can talk later. For the moment, we should return to the castle. Professor Weasley’s certain to hear about the troll attack soon if she hasn’t already.” He smirked and poked her arm. “Don’t want to risk another detention for getting back after hours.”
Odelia swallowed past the lump that was growing in her throat. Despite everything, he was still trying to make her smile. “Okay.”
And so they headed back to school.