All Roads Lead to Hogsmeade
The sounds of birds chirping happily filled the air, their wings flapping as they journeyed to their next destination. Bees buzzed around nearby flowers, while the echoes of students' laughter accompanied the road to and from Hogwarts. The laughter died down, however, as the students' eyes fell on the pair, their giggles turning to whispers. Theowen sighed; her plan to avoid unnecessary attention was a bust—news of her duel with Sebastian had spread through the school like wildfire. She sneaked a glance at Ominis, who wore his usual neutral expression, but she knew he could hear every conversation, no matter how hushed.
"Are you uncomfortable?" Theowen asked, her question catching Ominis off guard.
He quickly regained his composure with a reassuring smile. "You mean the constant stares and whispers? No, I am not."
She cocked an eyebrow, her steps slowing. "You don’t mind it?"
"I am quite used to it. Before you arrived, I was often the topic of conversation," he explained nonchalantly. "Both children and adults seemed entertained by speculating about the goings-on of my family behind closed doors."
You are still a child yourself... Theowen mused. He always acted far more mature than his age.
"I'm glad then. N-not that you are the centre of gossip—well, you know what I mean," she grumbled, annoyed at her inability to speak properly to him. She cursed her teenage hormones for making her feel like a bumbling idiot.
Ominis chuckled as they continued towards Hogsmeade in comfortable silence. Still thinking about her blunder in the common room, Theowen spoke up again, "I want to apologise."
He turned towards her, clearly confused. "Whatever for?"
"About my behaviour this morning. I was too forward with you after you extended your hand—it was most inappropriate of me. I apologise for making you uncomfortable," she explained, her voice shaking with nervousness.
Ominis touched his chin, reminiscing about the morning's events. "I admit, it was quite shocking." The word 'shocking' made Theowen flinch. "But it was mainly because no one had been so direct with me. I simply didn’t know how to react. People usually keep their distance due to my family's name."
His expression turned sad before he quickly composed himself. "The only ones who have ever been so comfortable with me are Sebastian and Anne."
Ah, Anne Sallow. Theowen thought, remembering how Sebastian had told her long ago that he and his sister were the only ones who befriended Ominis, regardless of the rumours about his bloodline. The Sallow twins had become Ominis's sanctuary during Hogwarts breaks when he refused to return to Gaunt Manor.
Theowen smiled, glad that in the five years before she arrived, he was not alone. "They are great friends, aren’t they?"
He smiled warmly, probably reminiscing about his childhood memories with the Sallow twins. "Yes, they are."
She realised that he wasn't ready to talk about the problems plaguing their friendship, specifically Anne's curse. Theowen decided not to press the matter, and they both silently agreed to enjoy the comfortable silence as they continued their trek to Hogsmeade.
Hogsmeade was as magical as Theowen remembered. The bustling town was alive with vibrant colours and whimsical architecture that seemed to defy gravity. Cobblestone streets wound through the village, lined with charming shops, each with its own unique character. The Three Broomsticks, with its inviting glow and enticing aroma of butterbeer, stood prominently at the centre. Honeydukes, a riot of bright colours, displayed a dazzling array of sweets in its windows, while Zonko's Joke Shop attracted a crowd with its array of mischievous gadgets. The post office, with owls fluttering in and out, added to the sense of bustling activity. Theowen's heart warmed at the sight of the familiar village, filled with fond memories and the promise of new adventures.
Ominis had been the perfect gentleman throughout their visit, accompanying her every step of the way and advising her on which products best suited her needs. Though he couldn't offer much help at Ollivander's—better to leave the choosing of wands to the professional—he gave her a tour, sharing interesting information and histories about the owners and buildings around the magical town. It almost felt like a dream she never wanted to wake up from. They had just left Honeydukes after 'taste testing' all the confectioneries possible, leaving with a few sweet treats of their own.
"So, where to next?" Theowen asked, excitement still present in her voice.
"We should go for butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks," he suggested with a smile that faded instantly. He gripped her sleeve. "We should leave, now."
She looked at him, perplexed, before her eyes widened in realisation. The events were playing out slightly differently from her memory, but she now understood why Ominis felt suddenly alert. Giant footsteps shook the town with fervour. A large armoured troll appeared in the middle of the square, destroying parts of the shops and nearly crushing civilians in its path.
The Aurors appeared swiftly, capturing the troll's attention and leading it away to ensure the locals could evacuate. But Theowen knew there was not one but two trolls, the second arriving just as the Aurors were distracted by the first.
"Be on your guard," Ominis warned. "I trust you are more than capable of defending yourself?"
"Yes," she confirmed with a nod, assuring him he didn’t need to worry about her. His question reminded her of the times they fought Inferi and later, as adults, duelled Dark practitioners. She was relieved to have her original wand again, feeling its familiarity and ease as she cast her spells more efficiently than before. They dodged and attacked the troll, slowly weakening the giant. Out of habit, Theowen flung heavy debris with ease whenever the troll came close, while also preventing herself from casting non-verbal magic.
"How did you manage to do that?" he asked, sensing no normal spell was cast when she flung heavy crates at the troll.
She wondered whether it was a good opportunity to introduce Ominis to her abilities, unlike her previous time when she kept it secret at the behest of the Keepers. "I'll tell you about it later," she replied, still casting as many spells as possible.
Noticing the troll's slowed movements, she decided it was time to put it down for good. Hoping not to scare Ominis too much, she raised her wand to the sky, feeling the power of ancient magic coursing through her veins, and released it, summoning a great lightning bolt that destroyed the troll, reducing it to ashes.
The ultimate spell greatly weakened Theowen, causing her knees to buckle slightly as she breathed raggedly with exhaustion. She felt a warm touch on her shoulder and looked up to see Ominis beside her, supporting her.
"I... I just need a moment," she reassured him through bated breaths.
"Take all the time you need," he confirmed, still holding her. She felt warmth spread from her cheeks throughout her whole body.
"Oh, are you sure you're alright? I can feel you heating up," Ominis questioned with concern, causing her to blush even more.
Damn hormones! she thought, slowly pushing him away. "I'm perfectly fine now. Thank you."
She noticed a slight frown on his face before he returned to his neutral expression. She sensed he was about to question her magic when an Auror approached. The Auror's face showed shock as she saw the two young students standing near the ashes of what had been the troll.
"Merlin's beard! Are you alright?" the Auror called out.
"We are. We're glad to help," Ominis stepped forward, to Theowen's surprise.
"I'd say 'help' is a bit of an understatement. Nerve like that? The makings of an Auror if you ask me."
Theowen smiled knowingly, finding it amusing that this was the line of work Ominis chose in the future. She recognised the Auror as Officer Singer, who she didn’t remember fondly. Singer had refused to act despite ample evidence against the Ashwinders, leaving Theowen and Natty to solve the case themselves.
Ominis took over the conversation, eloquently explaining how two fifth-year students managed to take on an armoured troll without major injuries. Thanks to Ominis's social stature, Singer was unable to press for further information, aware of the trouble she could face with her career if she inconvenienced a member of the Sacred 28. Theowen sighed in relief when the Officer finally left, not asking for help to clean up the mess the troll had made, likely due to Ominis's presence.
He turned towards her, his sentient wand notifying him of their surroundings. "Shall we get some butterbeer?"
Theowen sighed with a giggle. "That would be a great idea."
The Three Broomsticks was a warm and bustling tavern with a rustic charm that immediately enveloped visitors in a sense of comfort. The main room was filled with worn, smooth wooden tables and chairs, and the air carried the rich scent of butterbeer and hearty food. A large fireplace crackled in the corner, casting a welcoming glow and adding to the cosy atmosphere. Shelves lined with bottles of various magical brews and ales adorned the walls, while lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting a soft, ambient light that danced across the room. The tavern buzzed with the chatter of patrons, the clinking of glasses, and occasional bursts of laughter, making it a lively hub for both students and townsfolk alike.
As Theowen and Ominis entered the tavern, she sighed with relief at the warm lighting and crackling fire, finding solace in the familiar surroundings. Ominis guided her towards the bar area to introduce her to Sirona Ryan, the proprietor of the establishment.
"Now there's a face I haven't seen before," Sirona greeted with a warm smile.
"Sirona, may I introduce you to our new fifth year, Theowen Thorne," Ominis said, gesturing for Theowen to take a seat.
"Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Ryan," Theowen replied with a curtsey before settling into her seat.
"Just Sirona will be fine, dear. Butterbeer's on me in honour of the new student," Sirona said with a smile, using her wand to summon two frothy mugs of butterbeer and placing them in front of the students.
"Thank you," they chorused gratefully. Theowen wasted no time in taking a long sip, her throat parched from the earlier events, while Ominis savoured the drink more slowly.
"I heard about the troll attacks earlier," Sirona began, her tone concerned. "Trolls in Hogsmeade? That's very unusual."
Theowen choked on her drink at the mention of trolls, knowing their presence was directly related to Ranrok and Viktor's sinister plans to capture her. Ominis and Sirona looked at her with surprise as she coughed, patting her chest.
"Yes, very strange indeed," she managed to croak out.
Deciding not to eavesdrop on Ranrok and Viktor's conversation this time, Theowen felt drained from the earlier ordeal with the troll. She listened intently as Sirona warned them to be more careful, sensing a rising danger in the air.
All three nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of the situation, though only Theowen knew the true extent of the danger that had already arrived. Before Sirona could continue, she was called away by another patron, leaving Theowen and Ominis to themselves.
"Does your abilities have something to do with the trolls appearing in Hogsmeade?" Ominis asked abruptly, causing Theowen to choke once more on her drink.
Ominis quickly helped her by patting her back, and she pushed the drink away, finding it hazardous at this point. "Right in the jugular, Ominis," she managed to joke weakly.
He chuckled, "My apologies, I didn’t mean to startle you. But it wasn't difficult to connect the dots."
"I can see that," she replied, impressed by his perceptiveness. She sighed, preparing herself to reveal some of her secrets. "Yes, there's a correlation."
"How so?" Ominis inquired, leaning in attentively.
"Well," she began, turning to face him, "I can’t say much here, but I wield a different form of magic—Ancient Magic."
Ominis remained silent, his expression unreadable as she continued, "From the dragon attack and today's events, I've been targeted because they believe I possess information they need."
"And what information could that be?"
Theowen hesitated, considering her next words carefully. "I don't know exactly. But I do know who's after me."
His brows furrowed with concern. "Who's after you?"
Resting her head on her hand, she leaned on the bar table. "You've probably read about him in the papers. A goblin named Ranrok."
Ominis's eyes widened in alarm. "He's after you!? Do the professors know about this!?"
"Only... one," Theowen replied hesitantly.
"It's Professor Fig, isn’t it?" Ominis guessed, hitting the mark perfectly. Theowen fell silent, unsure whether to confirm or deny it. He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, a few strands falling out of place.
"I'll speak to Headmaster Black tomorrow; perhaps he can offer more support," Ominis suggested, but Theowen panicked.
"No!" Her outburst startled him. Realising she needed to clarify, she continued, "It's just... Professor Fig instructed me not to involve anyone. Also, my type of magic is not well-known, and involving the Ministry could complicate things. Please understand why I can’t involve the other professors, especially the Headmaster," she pleaded, inadvertently holding Ominis's hand in desperation.
Ominis's expression softened after a moment, and he sighed. "Very well. I'll keep this between us. Everyone has a right to their secrets," he assured her with a gentle smile, promising to respect her wishes.
Realising she was still holding his hand, Theowen quickly withdrew hers, apologising nervously for overstepping. It was challenging to act like strangers when she still felt the connection they once shared, even though it seemed like yesterday they were married.
Ominis was about to start a new conversation when the sound of wings flapping caught their attention. It was none other than the Hogwarts Owl that had been gifted to her by Professor Fig as a welcoming present upon her acceptance to Hogwarts. Unfortunately, she had to part ways with the owl after Fig's death, unable to bear its reminder of her lost mentor. She was glad to see Nimbus was doing well under Professor Hecat's care and still visited from time to time. The name Nimbus was apt, given by Professor Fig for its swift and cloud-like appearance.
Nimbus held a letter from Hogwarts, and Theowen wondered who could be writing to her at this moment. She opened the letter while rewarding Nimbus with treats, as she had done with Alaric. It was from Professor Fig, requesting her presence in his office tomorrow. Her heart sank momentarily; she had been actively avoiding the professor in hopes of preventing him from becoming further involved, but it seemed more drastic measures were needed.
Ominis noticed Theowen's silence and tried to divert her attention from the contents of the letter. "Shall we start heading back? We wouldn’t want to get into more trouble, especially on your first day."
She noticed his playful smile and giggled. "That would defeat the purpose of being inconspicuous, wouldn’t it?"
"Indeed," Ominis agreed with a smile. "Although you'll be Sebastian's entertainment during detention hours," he teased, standing and inviting her to do the same.
"That would be a nightmare, wouldn’t it?" Theowen laughed.
"Yes, it would," Ominis joked as they exited the tavern. The cooling afternoon air greeted them, and she took a deep breath, her mind still consumed with thoughts of strategies to dissuade Professor Fig's interest in Ancient Magic.
As she looked at the pink sky, the sun slowly setting, she clenched her hand into a fist, resolving to take action. She hoped her mentor would forgive her after everything was over.