Heron

“I know, I know. That’s why I’m reading it, am I not? But still, you can’t deny there’s little point if the exams are cancelled.” Silas said, blankly staring at the penultimate chapter of his History of Magic textbook. 

“That doesn’t mean we won’t need to know this for next year.” Terry argued. 

“Ah, yes, because knowing what Sir Gardunkel-Marbunkel V proposed at the hearing of the three bearded old ground keepers will be crucial information.” Caspian was also bored out of his mind. 

The June weather felt more refreshing than ever. With exams over, and the constant source of worry that the basilisk was, gone, students found themselves enjoying the pleasant summer sunshine. They would go out and lie on their robes which were no longer needed, gazing at the clouds and joking as to what shapes they saw. 

‘Hehe, am I not the wisest man you’ve ever met.” Aurendale twirled his mustache happily. “Even in uncertainty my vast knowledge comes in useful.” 

“Even though it was a second-year that figured out what the creature was and a second-year that killed it?” Orion said, trying to bend the rock pillar he had raised from the ground even further. 

“I must ask; as a Ravenclaw are you not ashamed that a Gryffindor got to the answer before you.” 

The pillar crumbled.

“I had other things on my mind at the time. Plus, I believe she would be a better fit for Ravenclaw than Gryffindor.” Orion sighed at the failed attempt and once again conjured a pillar. 

“Hoh?” the portrait let out teasingly. 

“What now?” Orion looked confused. 

“To be young.” 

“And alive.” 

“BOY, IF I WAS THERE, I WOULD SHOW YOU JUST HOW ALIVE I CAN GET.”  

“I think this is enough for today.” Orion said, wiping his face after the three hour-long training session. 

“Ah, just when we were getting busy, I’ll have to return to waiting until your third year. Either way, you better prepare yourself. The trials that await are not to be underestimated, even with the progress you’ve made.” 

“Sure.” Orion said and gave a slight bow. He would have liked to take on the trials as soon as possible, but Aurendale wouldn’t let him, no matter how much he tried to convince him. (A/N: I would rather have used ‘gaslight’ but didn’t for obvious reasons) 

--- 

“Thank you once again for the wonderful year. I deeply apologize on behalf of the entire school to those who suffered during these difficult times. But let us not dwell on a terrible past, but instead enjoy the delightful present, and dive into a most pleasant meal.” Dumbledore said, sitting back down in his large chair. 

“Easy for him to say that. In just these two years there were two monsters in the school. A troll and a basilisk no less. It’s a miracle no one has died. Has it always been like this?” Terry asked Dorian. 

“Not at all. You guys seem to have terrible luck.” the prefect laughed. (A/N: I quickly read the summary of Hogwarts Mystery, and in fact, every year at Hogwarts is a nightmare, it seems. However, due to the fact I haven’t played the game, and have not found a hack that would give me infinite energy to speedrun through it, I will not be considering it canon, at least not the entirety.) 

Orion was examining Harry Potter who was (so far two-for-two) being praised by his housemates for single-handedly winning them the House Cup. Despite his success through constant adversity, he had yet to become full of himself. In fact, while he was looking at the boy, Orion noticed a visible bashfulness in him. Still, there was a stark difference compared to the beginning of first-year when Harry had hardly any idea what was going on around him. In such a short amount of time he had managed to match his confidence in the magical world with his unyieldingness.  

The events in the two years were not a coincidence, they were definitely connected to him. 

---  

“Can’t imagine what that feels like.” Silas said slightly sad. 

“This doesn’t feel right.” Terry said, uncomfortable. 

“’Cause it isn’t. It must hurt.” Caspian added. 

The three of them were watching Emer crying in Ingrid’s embrace. She had just admitted her feelings for the now ex-captain of the Ravenclaw team. Neither of the three knew what her response was, but the situation they were observing made it easy to guess.  

Their heartbreak was not the only one. Compared to last year, a lot more students had to say their farewells to dear friends. Dorian was doing his best not to tear up, as the many Ravenclaw students gave him gifts with cards reading “THE PERFECT PREFECT OF THE EAGLES.”. Paired with the sizzling sound of steam and the horn of the locomotive, the lively chatter brought a feeling of melancholy to everyone; the students knew the upcoming break would be separating them from their friends, some for a lot longer. 

“So, what are the plans this time around?” Caspian brought the question up once the train began heading for King’s Cross. 

“My parents haven’t got anything planned so far, so I assume we won’t be traveling.” Terry put his suitcase up. 

“Same here.” said Silas, stretching his arms. 

“This means all of us haven’t got anything to look forward to then.” 

“Where’s Orion, by the way?” Terry raised an eyebrow. 

Caspian shrugged. He had looked for the remaining boy of their quartet, which was more of a trio with an on-and-off fourth member, but hadn’t found him. 

The door slid, “Yep, couldn’t find him either.” said Cho, briefly sitting down next to Silas. “You don’t think he’s missed the train, do you?” 

“I didn’t see him at the station either.” Caspian recollected. 

The four of them shared a worried look. 

Indeed, Orion hadn’t taken the train. He had already gone home first thing that morning. 

---  

“Mr. Hawthorne, Professor Dumbledore wishes to speak with you.” Flitwick told the boy after the closing ceremony feast. 

Orion wasn’t sure what the headmaster could possibly want with him, but went to the Gargoyle statue, nonetheless. 

“Sherbet le-” he tried to say, though the statue had begun moving halfway through. 

Dumbledore was standing next to Fawkes, gently petting the phoenix.  

“A basilisk’s poison is extremely dangerous.” he began. “One vial would be enough to kill the whole school.” he finally turned; his expression almost unnatural for his face. He looked deeply worried about something. 

He pulled out the black diary which Orion knew quite well at this point. “Professor Snape and I have spent the last month or so analyzing this... item.” he offered the book to Orion. 

Orion didn’t break eye contact, as he picked it up. Dumbledore gave him a slight nod to let the boy know he should inspect it. 

It was just like every other diary Orion had ever looked at, excluding the disturbingly large hole in the middle, paired with the soot-black ink. Every page was blank, however. 

Orion looked up at the professor who seemed to be expecting something. “What is this?” he said and a tiny spark in Dumbledore’s eyes vanished. 

“I don’t know either.” he sighed, “All I know is it’s immensely dark magic. I was hoping you would sense something.” 

Orion looked at the headmaster confused. 

“It’s not like I know any other ancient mages.” Dumbledore explained, a faint smile curling up. He sat tiredly in his chair. “I’m glad to see you doing fine.” 

For some reason, Orion felt slightly worse after he heard those words. The following day he would meet Kassandra... and Casimir. The elder wizard noticed the change in the atmosphere and brought up the bowl of sherbet lemons. 

“None are ‘poisoned’.” he weakly chuckled. “I don’t yet know what the root of your worry is, but if it would help, would you like to return alone tomorrow?” 

Orion knew Dumbledore was well aware of the root. Even if they kept a relatively low profile compared to the Malfoy family and very little was known about them because of their position at the Ministry, his parents were still infamous among the few who knew them. He didn’t want to have to explain to his three curious classmates why he would inevitably look terrible on their way home, so taking Dumbledore’s proposal was in Orion’s best interest.  

“I imagine you’ve already stumbled across Ignatia Wildsmith’s busts over the school grounds. It’s a pity they had to be put out of use when I became a teacher. They would have come very useful. There are two still connected between here and King’s Cross.”  

Dumbledore then went on to reminisce on his days as a student. Orion, having nothing better to do, stood and listened. 

---  

“Oh! Master Orion!” Lulu jumped at the sight of the boy, “Lulu, did not expect you to come back home so early. Lulu will, erm, Lulu will...” she began frantically looking around the corridor, stopping mostly at Orion’s door. 

Once again there was a deep and loud laugh coming from the kitchen that made Orion feel sick. 

“No, err – no, Master Orion mu-mustn-” the house elf tried to warn Orion, as he pushed open his door. 

Kassandra was sitting on an armchair Orion didn’t know existed in his bedroom. From top to bottom her otherwise pale arms were full of bruises; her legs had many cuts and wounds; only her face was the same as Orion remembered – warm, with a genuinely kind expression; it was brimming with love, all of it currently directed to a small cloth wrap, from which a tiny face emerged, sleeping soundly. 

“Mrs. Haw-” the girl began, finally looking up, but her face immediately changed to one of deep horror when she saw Orion. “No, no, don’t lo-” she didn’t have to finish. Orion had already closed the door. 

“Ah, and who do we have here?” the white-haired boy’s shoulder was suddenly under incredible pain. “I don’t remember the Hogwarts Express being this quick.” 

“Truly a pity, not even with all that magic can Hogwarts afford a speedier method of transportation. Now, if you wouldn’t mind, release Master Orion’s shoulder.” Grimbly ordered. 

Though he was originally a house elf that served Orion’s mother Azalea, Grimbly had been freed by Orion after her passing. Even then, his natural instincts lead him to serve as a butler under the boy. Every time Orion’s stepparents saw the house elf in his uniform, they would throw the nastiest looks possible towards the creature. 

“You dare speak to me like that?” Kassandra’s father let go of Orion and started approaching Grimbly, who seemed unnerved. “A house elf? The lowest of the-” 

“Balthazar.” Lazarus came from the dining room. “I advise against that.” 

“You think a mere house elf can best me? I sincerely hope you are joking.” Balthazar’s face kept getting darker and darker. 

“He is a free house elf, so the law no longer protects you from harming him. Else, his head would be swinging from the ceiling instead of that chandelier.” 

“I still don’t see a reason as to why I shouldn’t.” 

“Be my guest, it will only end badly for you.” Lazarus said while eyeing Orion. “What are you doing here so soon?” 

Orion didn’t answer. His door once again swung open. This time Kassandra’s arms and legs were pristine like a goddess’s. 

“Kassandra, dear, would you mind?” Eris pushed Orion in. 

“Of course, Mrs. Hawthorne.” Kassandra grabbed Orion’s hand and pulled him in. 

Warm. 

Soft. 

They stood close, staring at one another, both unsure what the right thing to do or say was. Kassandra slightly twitched forward as though to go in for a hug but stopped herself. 

“Umm, I’m happy to see you.” she said hesitantly. 

Orion couldn't say the same thing. He tried to walk past her to leave his suitcase when his eyes were once again drawn in by the red cheeks of the otherwise snow-white face from the cloth.  

“He’s very calm, I can barely hear him cry... except when... father’s around.” Kassandra said, picking up the child and bringing it closer to Orion. 

As she had written in the letter (A/N: I originally wrote email, due to how much I use the word in my job, lmao), the baby’s hair was white just like Orion’s; however, once it opened its eyes from being disturbed, Orion noticed they were the same as Kassandra’s - beautifully black with a hint of mystery in them.  

Without him realizing, Orion brought up his index finger close to the baby’s face and in return, just as instinctively, a small hand came up and grabbed it.  

Orion hadn’t felt anything even closely as magical.