A Day of Firsts
Charms class went by in a blur, thanks to Professor Ronen's engaging teaching style. He created a game inspired by Gobstones to review the students' Accio ability. Theowen found the class relatively easy and seized the opportunity to befriend Natty once again. Natty was just as Theowen remembered—warm and fun. The two had kept in touch as adults, though their physical meetings were rare since Natty had taken a teaching position back in Uganda at Uagadou. Theowen knew from experience that Natty made an excellent teacher.
It was oddly exhilarating for Theowen to re-experience her school life with the knowledge she now possessed. Things felt simpler, as at that moment, she only had to care about assignments and preparing for the OWLs. But after the class ended, she was reminded yet again of the weight of responsibility she had chosen.
She was deep in conversation with Natty, answering questions about the dragon attacks and how she was holding up on her first day. However, she kept getting distracted by Ominis sitting with Sebastian on the grassy fields, waiting for class to be over.
"Theowen, are you there?" Natty called out, waving her hand in front of Theowen's face.
Theowen blinked, giving an embarrassed smile. "S-sorry, I was distracted. Where were we?"
Natty followed Theowen's gaze, smirking. "It seems the new student was more than just 'distracted'."
Theowen's stomach sank. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"So, which of the two caught your eye? Or maybe it's both?" Natty teased, earning a groan of embarrassment from Theowen. She couldn't believe she was ogling Ominis like a teenager with a crush. Her emotions were running more wildly, likely because she was currently in the body of a hormonal teenager.
"None of them caught my eye," Theowen replied, wanting to end the conversation.
Natty caught the cue and stopped teasing. "If you say so. Well, one of them that you were not eyeing earlier is coming here."
Theowen's eyes widened before she turned toward the approaching footsteps. Her blush deepened, grateful that Ominis couldn't see it. With the sun shining behind him, his platinum blonde hair glowed even brighter, giving him a radiant aura akin to an angel. If no one knew who he was, they wouldn't pinpoint him as the direct descendant of Salazar Slytherin.
"Hello, Natsai," Ominis greeted with a nod. "May I speak to Theowen, please?"
Alone. The word echoed in his tone. Natty shrugged before smirking at Theowen. "I'll see you later."
Ominis angled his head slightly, ensuring Natty was out of earshot before continuing. "I hope I wasn't interrupting your conversation."
Theowen raised her brows, knowing Ominis would wait and eavesdrop slightly before intruding. It was just in his nature. "Not at all. We just finished," she said promptly. "Was there something you needed from me?"
Her heart pounded, praying Ominis couldn't hear it. He sat beside her, adjusting his cloak. "I was requested by Professor Weasley to accompany you to Hogsmeade as your chaperone."
Theowen was grateful that Professor Weasley made it sound like it was her idea and not Theowen's. She wondered if she should play daft and continue the act. "Ah, yes. Only if you do not mind, of course."
Ominis raised his brows in surprise. "I was about to ask you the same thing. Seems we both had the same thoughts."
Theowen, now confused by his reaction, questioned him. "You offered before. Why wouldn't you think I would be alright if you were recommended to be my guide?"
"Well," he hesitated, "my family does not have an exactly—stellar reputation. Being a direct descendant of Salazar Slytherin himself would stoke fear in some. Many prefer to keep their distance."
Theowen had forgotten that most students feared him due to his family. She had always seen Ominis just as he was, without attachments to his blood relatives. "Right. But I do not mind it since their stellar reputation has nothing to do with you."
"Nothing to do with me?" He questioned, a hint of outrage in his voice.
Theowen flinched, wondering if she had crossed another line. "I-I mean that in the nicest sense! It is only natural that one must be judged by their own actions, not what any of their family members have done. I apologise if my words offended you."
Ominis laughed, confusing Theowen further. He composed himself, clearing his throat. "I apologise for my earlier outburst. Honestly, it was the first time someone said that to me."
Theowen sighed in relief. "I'm just glad I didn't offend you."
"Not at all. Quite the contrary, actually. I am glad you see me in that light," he admitted.
"What are you two laughing and smiling about?"
The pair whipped their heads in shock, finding Sebastian crouching behind them with a sulking face.
"Sebastian! What in Merlin's name are you doing skulking around like a rat!?" Ominis exclaimed, annoyed.
"I have been right here for the last five minutes. It's not my fault that you two were so engrossed with yourselves," he explained. "You nitwits realise Professor Ronen dismissed us ages ago. Now we are going to be late for our Defence Against the Dark Arts class."
Theowen's eyes widened. She and Ominis promptly got up, and the three rushed towards the Astronomy wing, making it just in time before any Slytherin points were deducted.
"Today we will review a spell that has saved me from death at the hands of Dark wizards more times than I care to remember: Levioso," Professor Hecat began, addressing her students. Theowen leaned by the table with a smile, happy to have met her mentor again in the past. She recalled the numerous times Professor Hecat had reprimanded her for her rash and dangerous behaviour in the aftermath of Professor Fig's death. Knowing that Theowen had been sneaking out to clear out Poacher and Goblin camps around Hogwarts by herself. With that, she had taught her the art of nonverbal magic and how to effectively duel advanced opponents.
The class proceeded just as it had in the past, starting with the basics of surprising the enemy with a levitation spell while practising on a feather and then a training dummy. But the time came which Theowen dreaded most—the duel.
"We'll start with you two," Hecat gestured to both Theowen and Sebastian. She cursed under her breath and approached Hecat, trying to plead with her to pick someone else. "Um—excuse me, Professor."
"Yes?"
"I was wondering if it would be possible for me to not duel at this moment," Theowen pleaded.
Hecat gave her a disapproving look. "And why not?"
"You see, I am still using a borrowed wand, so I might not be able to cast the spells as efficiently. Would you find it unfair under such precedence?" Theowen asked, hoping this excuse would work.
Instead, the Professor chuckled at her. "Ms. Thorne, I assure you when you face a real enemy later on in the future, none of them will play fair. Besides, I saw you cast Levioso perfectly on your first try. Please get to position before I take points off Slytherin."
Theowen frowned at her reply, sighing before going to her end of the duelling table.
"Now, I want a fair duel using only Levioso, Basic Cast, and Protego."
"Don't worry, I'll go easy on the proper Hogwarts welcome," Sebastian teased, confident in his abilities. Theowen initially planned to let Sebastian hit her with all his might just so she could get out of the situation as fast as possible. Though the moment she saw the devilish smirk on his face, she saw flashes of the same man who had threatened her in her kitchen.
Theowen gasped, shaking her head out of her reverie before casting a shield out of instinct when Sebastian attacked her. The crowd gasped in awe as the battle continued with Theowen struggling to not attack and focusing on defending herself while Sebastian kept bombarding her with a variety of attacks, trying to find an opening. Her breathing turned ragged, and with each attack, flashes of the nightmare kept appearing in her vision, slowly clouding her judgment. She held on despite the painful visions—Ominis threatened with a wand to his neck, and Sebastian casting Crucio upon her without mercy.
"Stop defending and attack, damnit!" Sebastian exclaimed, clearly frustrated at being unable to find any opening in her defence.
"I don't want to fight, alright? You win, please can we stop," Theowen pleaded, earning the laughter and giggles of some students.
"Come along now, Ms. Thorne. Enough with the shield, or else this duel will never end. Do not be afraid and find an opening in your enemy," Professor Hecat instructed, clearly annoyed at Theowen's stance.
That's not the bloody problem right now! Theowen thought, still parrying and deflecting Sebastian's spells with ease. Then one of Sebastian's attacks deflected off her shield and almost dangerously hit Ominis, who skilfully managed to avoid it. Though Theowen's subconscious immediately took it as a threat. With that, something inside her snapped and took over. She couldn't understand what it was, but she was immediately transported back to her home in Marylebone, screaming in pain under the accursed spell.
Without realising it, she instinctively cast a nonverbal explosion spell. Sebastian, being just a fifth year and not yet learned in advanced nonverbal spellcasting, was taken aback and managed to block in time. But the blast was too strong, shattering his shield in an instant. His arms flailed as he fell backwards, trying to regain balance. She then cast a powerful nonverbal Depulso, sending Sebastian flying back against the wall. The students panicked as Professor Hecat and Ominis rushed to see if Sebastian was alright.
Theowen breathed raggedly, finally shaking off the reverie. She blinked, not fully remembering what she had done. When her eyes landed on Sebastian's limp body, her heart sank. She had done the very thing she wanted to avoid. She immediately ran to Sebastian's side, profusely apologising. She noticed her classmates were promptly keeping their distance from her. She could see it in their eyes—fear.
"I'm so, so sorry. I swear I didn't mean it! I-I didn't know what came over me... I," Theowen pleaded to Sebastian as he slowly regained consciousness.
Ominis stayed silent, worried for his best friend while checking the back of his head for any injuries. Sebastian then opened his eyes and started laughing incredulously, causing uncertainty among the students about whether the hit had made him mad.
"That was insane! How in Merlin's name did you do that? Non-verbal spells as a fifth year!" he exclaimed in excitement, like a Muggle boy seeing magic tricks for the first time. He then looked at Ominis. "You saw that, right?"
Ominis sighed in relief. "I swear, Sebastian, you are invincible. Probably due to that stubborn head of yours."
Theowen still felt anxious. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it! Are you hurt?"
"Woah! No harm done, it was a duel after all. First time I was knocked back that harshly, I would like lessons though," Sebastian joked before getting up and dusting himself off. "See. No harm done."
Theowen sighed in relief. "Thank Merlin."
"Ms. Thorne. A word," Hecat said sternly, causing Theowen to flinch. She looked at the Professor meekly before nodding and following her to a more secluded corner.
"Class is dismissed!" Hecat announced. The students hesitated to leave, mainly due to curiosity about what would happen to the new fifth year, but one glare from Hecat sent them promptly away.
Now alone with her mentor, Theowen shrank, feeling small in the presence of the elderly woman. "Care to explain what just transpired, Ms. Thorne?"
"I-I'm sorry, Professor. I do not know what came over me. I swear it will never happen again," Theowen stumbled, her hands clasped tightly together.
"See to it that you do," Hecat replied. Theowen knew better than anyone that Hecat hated excuses and preferred results. "You still haven't explained how you are able to perform non-verbal spells that are yet to be taught."
"I...I had practice. Very much so, Professor," she explained, hoping that would satisfy her for the time being.
"Only a very experienced duellist and fighter can cast non-verbal spells as efficiently and quickly as you do. It almost seemed instinctual for you," Professor Hecat observed, knowing Theowen had not told the full truth.
"I'm sorry, Professor. I'm afraid I cannot reveal further," Theowen answered, bracing herself for any punishment. She knew she wasn't the best at making excuses.
Hecat sighed. "Very well, if that's how it is, I cannot force it out of you. But you did not duel fairly with the spells I instructed. Twenty points off Slytherin. If there's nothing else, you're dismissed."
Theowen sighed in defeat, feeling awful about her lack of self-control. "I understand, Professor."
Without further words, she left the classroom, her steps echoing against the wooden floor. Theowen felt she wanted to bury herself and never be found again. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Ominis leaning against the wall, waiting for her. Theowen felt further shame and embarrassment. Now their relationship would surely be strained since she had just pummelled his closest friend.
She quickly rushed past him, not wanting to face his ire.
"Where are you going?" he called out, surprising her.
"O-Ominis! I didn't see you there," she said nervously, gritting her teeth through her lie.
With her response, he scrunched his brows in disapproval. "You do realise that even though I may be blind, I can still technically see," he explained, gesturing to his 'sentient' wand.
Right...
With an exasperated sigh, "I-I'm sorry. After what I did to Sebastian—I didn't think you would—"
"What?" he asked impatiently.
"Talk to me," Theowen finished.
Ominis sighed, crossing his arms. "I admit I was cross momentarily when Sebastian was flung like he was made of feathers," Theowen flinched at his confirmation that he was mad at her, "but you did it unintentionally, and Sebastian didn't get hurt. I believe the madman was actually grateful."
"But if I had hurt him, then we would definitely be having a different sort of conversation...if at all," Theowen finished, her face downturned.
He didn't deny it, his lips pursed into a thin line. "Yes, I suppose so. But the fact remains you didn't. And that is all that matters," he said, giving her a reassuring smile. "I don't know why, but my senses tell me if you truly wanted to hurt him, you could have, but you didn't. Though it is understandable why you could lash out like that."
His last statement confused her. "What do you mean by that?"
"You just went through the most traumatising event just a fortnight ago. I believe being attacked by a dragon and almost being near death's door would cause some...mental distress," he explained.
Theowen's eyes widened. With everything that had happened, she didn't realise the dragon attack was just yesterday. She felt guilty that she was grateful he pinpointed the dragon attack as the reason for her lashing out, rather than something else.
"Now, are we going to keep wasting our time here, dawdling in the hallway, or are we going to Hogsmeade?" he asked, his tone laced with amusement.
Theowen chuckled. "I guess we better get going."
He then gestured for her to walk first, an appropriate behaviour from his upbringing. Theowen turned ever so slightly to look back at him. "Ominis?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you," she said with a smile, her cheeks tinted with a rosy hue. She hurried to look forward again to hide her expression. She couldn't see his reaction, but she had a feeling it was a warm smile.