Mama Henry

"Henry, Henry, Henry, Hen, mate, Henry, my darling charg-," Henry huffed sharply and stepped on Sebastian's foot beside his brewing station.

"What?" He hissed, ears burning and blaming the volume of his tone. He hadn't meant to be so loud in potions, but the boy had been calling his name all morning, and he'd just about enough of the distractions. Henry really did enjoy this class, out of all of them. When he glanced over, he was even more irritated to find a slightly pensive look on Sebastian's face. Henry rubbed one of his temples and finally turned his attention to Sebastian. "I'm sorry, I've a headache. What, Sebastian?" 

Henry barely got the question out before Sebastian launched into whatever he was going to say, blessedly, with a lower voice than before and less poking or pet names.

"I think I found something! To help Anne- or well, I have an idea about someplace that might have answers." Henry hummed to give his friend his fullest attention despite the persisting headache. "We'll talk about it after school, okay? Take a trip to Hogsmeade with me?" Henry only hummed again, agreeing to the trip as he stared off at the slightly bubbling potion before him. Edurus potions were gone through on Henry's adventures quickly (embarrassingly more because of his clumsiness on steep rocky slopes than anything), so he wanted to ensure this was a good batch.

Merlin's beard, even in the dim lighting of the potions classroom, Henry's headache pulsed behind his eyes. It tightened around the ring of his head, squeezing and aching.

"Are you alright?" Sebastian asked, leaning down slightly to look Henry in the eyes. The Gryffindor looked away and shrugged.

"Tired, is all, not to worry."

"Stayed up late in your study space?" This was what they'd all taken to calling the Room of Requirement. Sebastian, hilariously, had a hard time getting in on his own despite swearing that he was focusing on what he required. Henry believed it had something to do with how fast Sebastian's big brain constantly moved. His focus was either pinned or all over the place, taking in stimulus and information at a constant rate.

Ominis, however, said that it was because the Room of Requirement understood when to keep troublemakers out of its space.

"Henry?" Blinking, Henry looked up to Sebastian, who was watching him expectantly - right the question.

"No, not really, well- sort of," Henry admitted as he glanced at the brewing potion, the murmur of his classmate's voices around him pulling his already threadbare attention. "Amit wanted a companion to go with him to an astronomy table on the outer walls of Hogwarts right after Professor Shah's class." Passion must be a warming device because he didn't seem the slightest bit cold as he told Henry about all of the stars seen from Hogwarts or the tables' history. Perhaps Amit didn't know how long he ranted on for, or maybe he was just comfortable enough with Henry to let out his stream of thoughts and findings.

Henry hoped it was the second one. He thought about how his younger brother may get along with Amit. Liam was eager to learn about things that interested him, which were far and few between, but stars were one of them. The thought suddenly saddened him.

His siblings would have loved it at Hogwarts, but Henry was the only one to receive a letter, and even his was late. Maybe they would all present magical abilities during the fifth year as Henry did. Still, his father suspected Henry might be the only one to attain the dying magical gene out of all the siblings. There was still time, however. Because of Henry's unusual case, there was still hope that one of his siblings would get a letter.

Having one of them here to teach and guide would be nice.

He missed them like someone did when they turned to tell a joke to their best friend and remembered that their best friend had moved away. All the time, Henry found himself turning to call to Liam or Arthur with a jest or call to little Rose when cooking to see if she wanted to help. But they weren't there, which both saddened and worried him. Were they okay back in Dunkeld? 

The move from London to the Scottish Highlands came right after Mum died, but that was three years ago. They'd settled then, so there was nothing to worry about. If Father needed him, Henry hoped he'd send an owl. He found life off without little ones(even the ones that weren't so little), getting underfoot and needing something from their big brother, even if that something was company, help, guidance, comfort, or food.

That may be why Henry spent so much time with those seeking his company.

"Stay out too much in the chill, and you'll catch one," Sebastian waggled a finger at him as Henry zoned out again. He snapped back to reality when the Slytherin poked his arm. "Seriously, though, mate, stop putting your day on pause simply so you can aid some poor soul, you bleedin' heart." Henry huffed.

"It almost sounds like you care, Sebastian. Look out, people might think you're soft." Sebastian looked confused before utterly affronted.

"People might - Henry, I do care, and blast what people think." He paused, "Are you up for Hogsmeade?" Henry drew his eyebrows together, trying to fight off a yawn.

"Yes, of course? I'll see you there after I feed the beasts, okay?"

"I'll meet you by the front gate."

"Deal." Henry agreed before turning to bottle his potion. It was ready, and hopefully, Professor Sharp would release them early for having done a productive set. 

❈✢❈

When Henry was young, a dog would roam the streets of London near his family's house. He remembered how its ribs stuck out and how it would stagger toward the rubbish bins for waste or leftovers. Its pitiful whines to those that would pass by with food in hand. He winced whenever he heard it yelp in pain when someone kicked it away. Eventually, the dog stopped asking for food and ran amok in the rubbish bins or stole whatever food it could. It became a menace around the blocks. After a few days of not seeing the dog, he changed his daily routine slightly.

 Henry would walk home from classes, take a roll in his hand from his lunch, and keep an eye out for the pup. He never told anyone about his hunt, feeling foolish for spending so much time looking for a dog to feed it, nothing genuinely sustainable.

Typically, Henry would find the dog and then leave the roll on the ground before continuing on his way, hearing it approaching the food and snapping it up behind him. One day, he decided to get closer. This time, he'd had some ham and a roll to give the dog. He didn't want to toss the meat on the ground if it got the dog sick, so he found it in an alley a block from his parent's house. Glancing around, 12-year-old Henry had found nobody out in the windy chill as the overcast day was dreary. So he freely crouched down when the thing trembled in the corner of the bricks, eyes locked onto him, and hackles raised. Henry knew a warning when he was given one.

"It's alright," he called out quietly, voice pitched a little higher, "I have some more food for you." Holding out the meat, he watched as the dog sniffed the air, eyes pointed towards the ham. It staggered forward, and Henry's eyebrows drew together with concern when he spotted red matting on one of its hind legs. Henry really should've just left the food there for the dog so it could come at its own leisure. But with winter beginning in a few weeks, he was worried it wouldn't survive with the injury.

The dog staggered a few more steps, and Henry tossed the roll towards it. It flinched back as the bread hit the ground but immediately wolfed it down as soon as it finished moving. His heart hurt for the creature, as it was so terrified that it feared the movement of a dinner roll. Sympathetically, he held the meat out, too, beckoning it closer until the dog came out of the shadows.

Before, Henry guessed it was a smaller breed, but it was too starved to tell. Now, he could see the beagle in broad daylight, its floppy ears and white-tipped tail. Most of the white on its fur was caked in dirt, but Henry could tell it would be white. Its eyes seemed to outline its skull, for the skin was so sunken that Henry tightened his jaw at the greed of humans and the disadvantage of nature. Mother nature was a mistress of favoritism, as the Fates fashioned the paths of lives to fit the roles of humanity. It is not fair, even as 12-year-old Henry knew at the time, seeing Mum breathe heavily simply by folding the laundry, watching her face pale from traveling outside, or trying to pick up one of his younger brothers. No, the world was not fair.

But Henry could spare kindness in these times nonetheless, should the Fates keep him safe enough to do so.

Unfortunately, kindness in cruelty is not without withstanding pain. So, as the beagle inhaled the meat, Henry found a sharp wire tied tightly around its hind ankle. Henry reached around while the dog was focused on its meal, as he was focused on granting this pup some semblance of relief. Quick as a grass snake, Henry hooked his fingers under the wire and pressed the pup into the ground as gently as possible.

It yelped and snarled, scared and desperate. Henry sunk his teeth into his lip as he maneuvered the wire as gently as he could to loosen it while the pup thrashed under the weight of his other arm. It was so small that holding it still didn't require any strength. He huffed and tugged lightly once the wire was loose, grunting and sucking in a breath when sharp teeth sunk into his arm.

He allowed the pup to tear through his school shirt in its struggle and finally freed the wire. The beagle wasn't too terribly wounded. Henry saw that the wire was simply chaffing into its leg, wearing down the skin. From what little Henry could see, the blood was minimal as he let the pup loose, yelping himself when a clawed paw swiped across his face, catching him on the nose.

He fell back, catching himself on his uninjured arm as the dog fled in a staggering run, hind leg free but still sore. He inhaled sharply at the sting across the bridge of his nose, but it faded away in the heightening burn of his forearm. Henry gasped as he fully sat up, cradling his arm as the blood coating his white sleeve and grey sweater. The puppy's teeth were small but sharp, and the blood was warm. It dripped to the ground, and the sudden scent of metal made Henry turn to the side and let some of his lunch come up. It wasn't much, such a small amount of sick, but it exhausted him nonetheless.

Eventually, after the puppy had long left, Henry stood, holding his arm close to his chest and sucking in a deep breath before trying to clamp his own down on the injury to keep his blood in. It didn't last very long, as the pain was unbearable. So, against his better judgment, he simply let the wound in the open air as he held the limb close to his chest. He could taste blood on his lips from his cut nose when he finally made it to the door of his house.

Father answered the door and immediately demanded to know what happened. Henry told him as he stitched up his arm. A healer, his father was. Arthur wanted to see the wound while Liam adverted his eyes, looking a little green, and going to tell Mum what had happened.

That night, as he lay next to Mum, head tucked under her chest and sniffling slightly from the throbbing of his arm, she ran weak fingers through his hair. After a few moments, she had spoken quietly but clearly as her fingers combed through his dark hair.

"I am so glad to have a son like you, my love. So proud of the compassion you carry. But one cannot afford compassion when he destroys himself to befriend it." Yes, had Mum been a witch, Henry was sure she'd been a Slytherin. Deeply, fiercely protective, but ambitious, and valued self-preservation before compassion. Empathy was no good if it got you killed. Henry felt too many emotions for a boy. He felt pathetic at times because of this. But his Mum had soothed those worries.

"I just want to be like you," Henry murmured. "You can keep your feelings away."

"No, my love, I am glad you are not like me," she said firmly, coughing a little before straightening herself on the bed. If there was one thing I'd have you know, it is that you must protect yourself or surround yourself with those who will protect you so you are safe in your kindness, Henry. Tell me you will—" she stopped to clear her ragged throat. Tell me you will remember this." He nodded quickly.

"I will, Mama."

However, Henry was not a Slytherin and could not protect himself against the pain that choosing the right path gave him. But he would endeavor to make himself stronger in the aftermath.

So as he walked with Sebastian to Hogsmeade, rubbing a hand over the scars on his left forearm, Henry thought about the pursuit of kindness. Humans will constantly quarrel and engage violently with one another. It is in the nature of those so vastly different in varying power stages. Everyone believed the best version of the world was their own image of it. Henry wasn't interested in creating the best version of the world; he was in the business of protecting what already was. The world may be flawed, even the wizarding world, but it was not without compassion and wonder.

"-always wanted to be on the Quidditch team, though I think I'm decent enough on a broom, I think I'd be a beater, protecting my teammates from that bonkers bludger. I'm not very good at sitting in one place, so a goalie wouldn't suit me. I think Ominis would be a good announcer, though, if someone told him what was going on, he could sass the opposing team until their morale was low. Nobody's ego survives a tongue-lashing from deal old Ominis, I would know-."

Henry smiled as they passed under the cool canopy of trees, nearing Hogsmeade village. Talked a lot, Sebastian did, but his endless stream of thoughts and pondering was welcome. It filled the air jovially, and Henry could pretend he was simply going to Hogsmeade with his friend. His biggest problem was the upcoming N.E.W.T.s at the end of the year. He and his friend were taking a stroll to enjoy the free afternoon, not planning to sit down somewhere and talk strategy and plans, no doubt dangerous.

His shoes crunched against the leaves and rocks of the dirt-trampled path, and Henry found the sound soothing. It allowed him to feel real. His ancient magic connected him to the world around him, and Hogwarts, with its surrounding areas, was soaked in magical aura. He felt the magical beasts when he neared their dens or the hopping toadstools as he strolled by. It was all so connected.

A blessing to be so connected to the world in this one life he has, but a curse to get lost in it as he loses his sense of self. His body and soul are a conduit for magic, and Henry walks heavy-footed to remain on this planet next to a dear friend.

The feeling intensified as they neared Hogsmeade, but Henry was getting used to pushing it away to the back of his consciousness. Passing across the bridge, they enjoyed the sunlit sky as Henry listened to the ramblings of an intelligent Slytherin.

That was until he saw a puppy slinking around the edges of alleys and buildings with a limp. He furrowed his brow, pausing to watch it for a moment. His left arm ached from the feeling of teeth sinking into it, and he barely recognized it as Sebastian asked him if he was alright.

"Oh, it's a dog. It looks injured," Sebastian commented when he, too, spotted the puppy—a beagle. Let's take it to Ellie. We rarely see dogs around Hogwarts, but I'm sure she could help anyway," Sebastian said as he stepped forward. Henry grasped his wrist, staring at the dog as Sebastian turned a curious eye towards him. "Henry?"

The Gryffindor swallowed.

"Be careful." Sebastian raised his eyebrows, watching Henry for a moment more before a slow smile reached his face.

"Henry… mate, are you afraid of dogs?" Henry was quick to shake his head, glaring at his friend. "It's alright, I won't tell anyone," Sebastian grinned as he leaned down and beckoned the beagle closer, cooing at the puppy as it sniffed his hands and let him pet it. Much calmer than the terrified one Henry had met as a child. Sebastian lifted the puppy into his arms, and something warmed Henry's heart, even as he huffed.

"I'm not afraid of dogs-." He abruptly stopped talking when voices sounded down the alley.

"-saw 'im walking along the bridge- that friend- alone- get 'im now… why not?... Before 'e- that blasted pub-."

Henry quickly grasped Sebastian's arm, eyes locked on the alleyway where, if he strained, he could see three shadows. A thick tone reached his ears and sent uneasy shivers down his spine. He tugged his friend farther along the cobblestone streets when the footsteps started. They couldn't return the way they came, or Harlow would see them. No, they needed to get to the Three Broomsticks. Sirona would help. Her patrons didn't like Rookwood's lot; they'd protect them surely.

When a green hat appeared around the alley out of the corner of his eye, Henry yanked a protesting Sebastian into one on the side himself. "Shhh!" Henry hissed as he pulled his friend behind the back of a set of houses and found an opening onto the streets again, ears straining. Thankfully, Sebastian had gone quiet, and Henry could strain his ears to hear anything.

Nothing.

People were walking past, very fast paced. Students were rushing back to Hogwarts. A slight breeze bristled the tree leaves, and Henry felt his senses sharpen. The magic of Hogsmeade always felt like drinking a particularly earthy butterbeer. Comfortable, festive, homely—these were the things that flowed through Henry in Hogsmeade.

But he could sense the mal-intentioned stain that walked the streets. He'd yet to meet Professor Fig at the second Trial, as they were supposed to do in a couple of days after he returned from the Ministry. Henry considered going alone but found it too dangerous to go without backup.

He was considering going into it once more alone when Theophilus Harlow passed by their small nook, and Henry yanked Sebastian down behind a couple of crates. He could feel them. Their presence was uncomfortable, and Henry wanted to tear at his hair simply to re-ground himself. 

Unfortunately, in the sharp movement in which Henry pulled his friend down, the puppy that still curled up in his arms took less than appreciation. In the sudden movement, Henry let out a loud yip! It made Henry freeze when he felt the air around him do the same. He shot a glare to the thing, though it had no idea what it had done, and hoped to all hopes that perhaps the noise would go unnoticed.

It did not.

"Well, ain't we lucky?"

Eyes wide, Henry didn't take any time to snatch his friend up and make another sharp turn behind the building. They had been so close; the Three Broomsticks were just down the path, but they had to go around now! Help! A voice cried out in his mind when he saw the dark wizards give chase. Sebastian was sprinting beside him, the menace still tucked against his chest. 

"Take a right!" Sebastian told him, and Henry immediately obliged, following behind his friend until he realized he knew this town better.

That much was proven when they found the backdoor to the Three Broomsticks and crashed into it. Henry immediately grasped the metal handle and yanked, yanked, yanked. Nothing. How had nobody come to their aid? How-.

Sebastian swore when the pup bit his finger and ran for it. Henry winced at his own experience. Wounded animals acted out of fear. Cornered and wounded animals acted out of desperation. 

When Harlow appeared, Henry found that the only ones causing a scene were himself and Sebastian. Harlow and his lackeys had easily slithered through the town, drawing no attention. Certainly, nobody wanted to take part in whatever the bad men were doing. Henry felt his jaw creak from the sudden anxiety as he drew his wand aimed at Harlow. Sebastian smashed his fist against the wooden door repeatedly, most likely in hopes that someone would hear them.

But it was the end of the day, and most of the town was at home or in the Three Broomsticks after work. The pub would, no doubt, be loud no matter how much they hit the door.

"Giving me a workout, boy?" Harlow asked leisurely in his approach. "C'mon now, you didn't think you'd be able to stay hidden for long, did'ya?" Henry grits his teeth, pressing back against his friend as if it would do much of anything if Harlow chose to kill him now. 

"Where is everybody?" Sebastian whispered sharply in his ear, and Henry jerked his head in similar confusion.

"Oh, you mean all of the people who 'eard there was a troll attack down by that damned school? Ran into battle, ready to fight for the students, and they did. Soon as we caught sigh 'o ya, had old Ollie here play a good act." Harlow smacked the shoulder of one of the Ashwinders, who looked on smugly behind the bone mask he had. 

They weren't here? They weren't-? Fuck.

Fear. Fear poured into Henry's bones and had him nearly desperate for escape. This was it, this- Merlin's beard, they had no use for Sebastian. What would they do to him? Clearly, Harlow had no problems killing. Henry wouldn't put it past him to kill his friend. Shit, shit, shit. Sebastian had drawn his own wand and said no words. There was no questioning from his companion, and Henry knew- he knew that if he fired off the first shot, Sebastian wouldn't question it.

Sebastian would willingly go toe-to-toe with Harlow and his Ashwinders for Henry if Henry chose to attack first. He would have no problem killing one of them for Henry or engaging in an unfair fight of 2v5 instead of throwing Henry to the wolves. Henry wouldn't even blame him if he backed down and allowed Henry to be taken to flee, getting help. It would possibly be the better plan.

But that wasn't Sebastian. He didn't believe in people, adults specifically, fighting his battles for him, and he considered Henry's battles his own. Sebastian had told him as much when Henry tried to separate himself from his two Slytherin friends a week ago. How calmly, with coffee-stained eyes, Sebastian had cornered Henry in the Room of Requirement. He pinned him with a stare, firmly disagreeing.

With trembling fingers, Henry spoke.

"I'll go quietly if you allow my friend to leave safely." A heavy hand snagged the back of Henry's robes and tugged. The message was received loud and clear. Wherever you go, I go.  Unfortunately, Henry had gotten very good at breaking rules and ignoring demands.

"Your heroism amuses me," Harlow mused, "What if we say no?" Wands pointed at them - pointed at the fierce Sebastian that stood almost next to him.

Henry's wand tip blazed bright as he felt the ancient magic grow in his chest and spark through his veins.

"Then- then you will die." His voice trembled, and he flushed with humiliation when Harlow paused only to bellow out a laugh. His Ashwinders croaked their own laughter. 

Henry was scared. He was scared and, for a moment, he wanted Mum. He wanted her strong words and her unwavering protection. He wanted her to run her fingers through his hair and tell him what he was doing wrong and that she was proud of him for trying. He wanted her smell and her marbled eyes crinkling with joy at one of his brother's jokes. Henry didn't think about Mum openly as longingly as this, often. But now, he just wanted to hide under her arms and soothing sternness.

But he couldn't, and Mum would be disappointed to find that he allowed his fears to stop him from fighting. He pressed Sebastian back against the door, ignoring his protests. Enabling the power well up in his chest, Henry straightened himself and snapped his wand down. For what was the point of ancient magic if he couldn't defend himself from those who wished to abuse it?

A bolt of lightning shot down and cracked between the two parties, sending Harlow and his lot staggering and stumbling back to escape it. Henry felt his wand-hand fritz with electricity from the power and felt like a piece of himself was burning.

At that moment, magic came from elsewhere, shooting at the dark wizards. Sounds like much of Hogsmeade had returned.

This has never happened before, Henry felt his mind fade a little at the sheer exposiveness of his attack. So much so that Henry was startled when Sebastian gripped the back of his robes and pulled him away from their corner and along the walls while their enemies recuperated.

It didn't take long for a bolt of fire to snap the ground next to them and send the duo stumbling momentarily. They grasped one another, pulling and pushing the other to safety as they whirled around the front of the Three Broomsticks. In the hurry, they found that the only person that had appeared was Sirona Ryan. She stood at the side of her restaurant, wand raised and a glare in her usually kind expression.

"Reducto!" Henry pivoted, holding up a barrier from the attack, shielding himself and his friend as Sirona called to them.

"Get inside, boys!" At that, she raised her wand into the air, and a blast of yellow light appeared over Hogsmeade. The sounds of apparation snapped around the streets only a few moments later, and Henry was more than confused.

As soon as they got inside, Sebastian explained that, in the event of an emergency, Hogsmeade would shoot off yellow lights into the sky. Henry found it clever for only a few seconds before he was snatched up and yanked into a tight embrace. Henry blinked, staring over Sebastian's shoulders as he spotted many children sitting at the surrounding tables. Was… Sirona babysitting or something?

Then, he was face-to-face with Sebastian again. Looking back on it, it was the most austere Henry had seen Sebastian Sallow towards him since meeting him.

"You say something as barmy as that again, and I'll tell Professor Weasley exactly what you get up to outside of school!" Henry opened his mouth. "No! We are in this together, Henry, together! I don't want to hear shit like that again." For some reason, hearing Sebastian swear made him pause. "You will not have no regard for your own life over me, do you understand me? Of all the stupid-!" Henry felt warmth flood behind his eyes. He was safe. They were safe. Sebastian was cross with him but in safety. "...Henry?"

He tried to suck in the hiccupping breaths.

"Are you injured somewhere? Henry!"

"We're safe." He stated. Sebastian stared at him for a moment and nodded.

"Yes, we're safe." Henry's lips trembled, and he drew his friend into another embrace. Feeling the stress of it, he started to break apart and leave through his tears. Gods, what was he doing? To think he could have friends when he kept putting them in danger just by existing? Henry sucked in another breath, his hair sticking to his cheeks as the tears flowed. He felt like a mess, but his friend said nothing about it, only wrapping tight arms around him.

He tried to apologize, but Sebastian had none of it.

The comfort was… well, comforting.

"Thank you," Sebastian murmured when Henry pulled away, wiping his warm, wet cheeks and running nervous fingers through his own hair. "I shan't forget what you did for me today."

"They're still after you because of me," Henry protested, returning to himself.

"And your brilliant magic protected us, my friend." The Gryffindor stared at the wooden floor, asking himself how in all the world he had been put in his house. He wasn't brave, nor was he heroic. He was shaking in his boots and trembling at the words. Merlin's beard, Henry had just cried because his friend was nearly captured with him. "It is not often that I'm the damsel being kept safe, I must admit." A startled laugh burst from Henry's lips as Sirona entered the large swinging doors, other patrons of Hogsmeade behind her.

"Are you two alright?" She asked, pressing a hand to each of their shoulders. "I don't want to assume, but… I found it odd that there was a sudden troll attack near the most protected place in the valley." Henry didn't say anything, just kept ahold of Sebastian's sleeve, feeling exhausted and weary.

"Yeah," Sebastian started, "Harlow doesn't like Henry."

"I should wonder why, but I find it is not my place to ask," Sirona commented, trying to catch Henry's attention. Henry simply stared at her, chin slightly raised and lips sealed. She nodded, very possibly to herself, and squeezed their shoulders. "I didn't tell the others about their target, but I worry for you, my friend." 

Henry could only feel like he owed her an apology for worrying her.

"Sorry, Miss Ryan."

"You needn't apologize," she reassured him, "just…" It was odd to see Sirona Ryan at a loss for words despite how little Henry really knew her. "Come to me if you need help, will you? After getting my box of letters for me in a spider den, I'd be glad to help." Ah yes, a spider den, that's what Henry had told her rather than the troll. He shivered thinking about the troll bogeys.

He nodded firmly before turning to Sebastian.

"We're spending the night in the Room of Requirement."

"Now?"

"Yes."

"But I wanted to talk to you about-." Henry cut Sebastian off.

"Seriously? It can wait until tomorrow." Henry pinned Sebastian with a 'we nearly just died' stare. "I will spend all day tomorrow listening to whatever it is you have to tell me, just…" the words were stuck in his throat. Henry badly wanted to say, 'Please, Sebastian. Please humor me this once. I'm scared.' But he didn't finish the sentence.

Henry only turned to Sirona and nodded to her.

"Thank you, Miss Ryan." She shook her head at him (for what Henry couldn't say) and guided them to the pub doors.

"I will walk you two back to Hogwarts. It's dark, and I would be foolish to let you go alone."

Sirona did walk them all the way out of Hogsmeade once she got Officer Singer to watch over the pub in her stead. Sebastian asked her about the Three Broomsticks and if she were to ever sell it or give it away. They continued like that, passing the looming trees that lined the path to Hogsmeade.

Straightened shoulders were a sign of someone who was not quite settled. It was the lack of comfort and serenity. Even closing his eyes now, Henry could not imagine he was walking with a friend back to Hogwarts after an enjoyable day at the Three Broomsticks. Maybe he wouldn't ever be able to again. A sudden grief overtook Henry for that loss. He desperately wanted to reach out and grasp Sebastian's sleeve again, if only to comfort himself.

He did not.

When reaching the gates of Hogwarts as Sirona spoke with a pacing Professor Weasley, he desperately wanted to tell the Professor all that was happening.

He did not.

They crossed the halls as the red-haired woman commented on taking them to the hospital wing(they didn't need it) and how much trouble they got into. Henry had the sudden urge to go to the Astronomy Tower after they parted. He wanted to lean as far over the rail as possible to remind himself why he did this.

He did not.

When he led Sebastian to the Room of Requirement, opening the doors and pulling him over to the bed the boy had previously slept in, he wanted to tell him to steer clear of Henry.

He did not.

When Henry finally forced Sebastian to lie down, he assured the other that he just needed to brew a new set of potions for the upcoming Trial Trial. He'd kept an eye on the Slytherin as he slept only in a white long-sleeve shirt and some pants. Before Sebastian fell asleep, he asked Henry if he was okay, and Henry agreed. This happened every other day with him. Sebastian made him promise to get some sleep, too.

He did not.