Ashes and Dust

As the first rays of sunlight streamed through the window, Ash slowly blinked her eyes open. She feet surprisingly refreshed and yet apprehension tugged low in her gut. The events of the previous night lingered in her mind, their conversation leaving a mark on her thoughts and emotions.

"I missed you too."

Did she dream his words? Most likely. She was half asleep when she thought she heard the low timber of his voice. She sat up in the bed slowly, her gaze moving from the wall down to the spot on the floor where he had slept.

Empty.

Her heart sank at the sight. It must've been a dream then, those words. Perhaps he was still upset with her, her mind whispered, reminding her of how she had thoroughly betrayed him. Of course he wouldn't miss her. She had come into his life like a maelstrom and left all the same. No one missed a storm once it had passed through.

A knot tightened in her stomach as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed, her bare feet touching the cool floor. The harsh sunlight hit her right in the eyes and she squinted towards the window. What time was it? It had to be late morning at least. Possible later than that.

She groaned as she realized it was a Wednesday. Only Slytherins would throw a party on a Tuesday night.She had Advanced Transfiguration today, and she could probably make it if she left now. Or she could skip, Merlin knows she wanted to.

She huffed a breath and stood from the bed. Professor Weasley taught transfiguration, and though she had been lenient so far, that letter a few days ago proved that wouldn't continue forever.

She rubbed a hand across her face and looked back at the bed, the sheets messy and hanging off the side. She should probably straighten it back up. She reached for her wand at her side and— Fuck. She let out a sigh. Where had she put that damned thing? Maybe it was in her dorm where she had gotten ready for the party.

She felt her anxiety creeping under her skin at the thought of either Natty or Cressida asking about last night, especially since she was still in her dress. She glanced down at herself, another reason to go to the Tower— she needed to change. She shook her head slightly. It shouldn't be such a struggle to go to her dorm, she shouldn't dread it this much. And yet she did, nearly as much as she dreaded attending her classes.

She needed to go— needed to find her wand and change for class so there was no room to fight herself on this.

She moved to the bed and straightened it up by hand, something she hadn't done in years. She ran a hand over the pillow at the top, his scent still clinging to it— and clinging to her now. She pulled away from the bed quickly, her stomach dropping again as her eyes moved around the empty room. She should go, lingering would do no good. It wouldn't make him appear.

Ash let out a breath and walked towards the door, scooping her heels from the floor as she went. Her eyes roamed over the room again, stopping on Ominis' pristine bed. She needed to speak to him soon, needed to find out what that warning was he had come to deliver that day with Sebastian. Another thing to add to her ever growing list today— owl Sebastian and Ominis to meet. The thought of speaking to them both again... God she needed a drink already.

She slowly peaked outside into the hall, assuring there were no students roaming. She wouldn't be able to cast a disillusionment charm— not without a wand. Once she scanned the hall she slowly stepped out and began creeping along, her footsteps silent against the cold floor. She just needed to get out of the Slytherin common room, find her wand, send the owl, and change— no big deal. She'd had longer to-do lists, and yet exhaustion weighed on her at the thought of half of her tasks.

She quietly moved down the stairs, her eyes moving around the common room as she descended. Only one student near the large windows, head buried in a book. Good. She crept down the stairs and kept her head low as she passed by the student. She slipped out of the Slytherin common room and let out a sigh of relief. That was much easier than she thought it would be.

As the large serpent re-covered the hidden entrance Ash turned from the door—

and saw Imelda Reyes smirking at her.

Ash's breath caught in her throat, that raw magic coiling within her gut at the unexpected encounter. She clenched her fist, trying to suppress the burning surge of magic that threatened to consume her.

"Looks like the little lion is lost."

Imelda's words were dripping with disdain and amusement as she looked Ash up and down.

"What do you want Imelda?" Her voice was low as she spoke and she crossed her arms over her chest. Her and Imelda were never close, though she thought they had become amicable in fifth year. She apparently thought wrong.

Imelda's smirk widened, clearly enjoying the discomfort she was causing. "Oh, nothing," she replied, her tone dripping with faux sweetness. "Just heard a few interesting whispers floating around about your adventurous night. Seems like someone couldn't keep their mouth shut."

The words washed over her like a deluge of ice water, leaving her chilled to the bone. Ash's jaw clenched, her fists tightening at her sides. She knew better than to let Imelda get under her skin, but the taunts struck a nerve. She had hoped last night would remain her own private affair. The realization that her actions had become fodder for gossip shot through her and she felt the magic burn through her veins. Another reason the 'hero of hogwarts' was just a disappointment.

She let out a breath, the hallways seemingly pressing in on her with every beat of her heart. Not the time for this— she needed to go. She didn't even know what to say— her heart was pounding in her ears, the magic burning in her veins, and her eyes focused on a purple love bite on Imelda's neck.

She couldn't do this.

She pushed past Imelda and heard her coy laugh as she rushed up the stairs, her bare feet padding against the cold stones. In fifth year she wouldn't have hesitated— fists or hexes, it didn't make a difference really. She would've left Imelda a bloody mess. But now—

She felt sick, her footsteps felt loud in her ears as she strode down the corridor, barely taking in the faces around her. Too many faces for mid-morning, first classes of the day must be over already. She wouldn't have much time then before Transfiguration.

That mark on Imeldas neck, the words she said, her wand, Sebastian leaving, Garreth and Oliver telling everyone—

The magic pressed against her skin, pushing out out out—

Ash threw herself into the next corridor. Just a few more halls, a couple stairs and she'd be there. She ignored the stares thrown her way as she took the stairs two at a time. Her breathing felt erratic now—almost there.

The portrait came into view and she spit out the password and rushed through into the common room.

The silence of the space was a stark contrast to the magic screaming inside of her, to the sound of her blood pumping so hard in her ears she thought she'd burst. Such a disappointment— what was wrong with her?

She ignored the look Cressida threw her from her seat in front of the fireplace and pushed herself up the stairs, just a few more steps and she'd be alone. That mark on Imelda's neck—

The magic surged through her and she gripped the edge of the banister so hard her knuckles turned white— not here, she couldn't lose control here.

She pushed herself further— her door in sight. Ash threw herself through it and slammed it behind her. Empty. Natty wasn't here. God it burned— burned like hellfire and she couldn't— couldn't breathe.

She had to stop— had to get it under control. Losing it here was different than the Room. People would see— things would be destroyed—

Ash sank to her knees in the middle of the room, her hands bunched in the rug as she tried to shove it back down— back into the abyss inside her.

One breath

Two breaths

Three-

With each exhale, she visualized a barrier forming around her, a shield to contain the seething energy— locking it tightly inside. She focused on the image, imagining the icy waters of a tranquil lake washing over her, soothing the fiery tempest within. She concentrated on the room around her, the soft rug clutched in her hands. The scent of rose water drifting from Natty's desk.

The room began to cool as the torrent of emotions subsided. The air, once charged with volatile energy, regained its calmness. The burning magic settled, and she took another shaky breath.

Her eyes focused on the rug bunched in her hands and she relaxed her tight grip, releasing the tufts of fabric back to the floor. Ash sucked in a breath—

Burn marks. There were handprints burned right into the carpet. Fuck. She scrambled from the floor, her eyes staring at the damaged rug. She needed her wand— now.

She quickly ran to her side of the room, digging through her trunk, her nightstand— even throwing all of her sheets on the floor in case it somehow was in her bed. Nowhere. It was nowhere. She checked again, twice more. Even going so far as to look in her dormmates' belongings. Nothing.

Ash slid to the floor against the side of her bed with her head in her hands. She was a fucking mess.

She took in shuddering breaths. It was fine. No one would know she burnt the rug— no one would know how. She'd find her wand later, somehow. She'd just have to make do for now. She slowly stood from the floor her fists clenched tightly at her side. She needed to get ready for class— and hopefully keep her head down enough that Professor Weasley wouldn't notice her lack of a wand. What a witch she had become.

Ash moved towards her trunk and quickly changed from her black gown and shoved it to the bottom of the trunk. No parties for a long time. She slipped into trousers and her button up shirt and quickly threw her Gryffindor tie on.

She ran a hand over her face. She was already exhausted. Her eyes fell on the owl perch in the middle of the room and she let out a breath. At least she could check this task off her list. She moved to the perch, giving the owl a quick brush on the head with her fingers. She picked up the quill and parchment and began to scribble a note.

Sebastian and Ominis,

We need to talk about the 'warning' you came to give me. Meet me in the Room tonight at nine o' clock.

-Ash

She penned the note quick enough to where she couldn't change her mind on it. As she handed to letter to the owl, her eyes caught an enclosed letter in her mailbox. Her eyebrows furrowed as she reached in to grab it. She pulled it out and flipped it over, the name 'Oliver' written in elegant script across the front.

Her stomach dropped at the name and she groaned audibly. She hesitated for a moment, her fingers trembling slightly as she tore open the envelope. Unfolding the letter, her eyes scanned its contents.

Asha,

You seem to have left something in my room. Meet me outside of the Slytherin common room after classes.

-O

Her breath caught at the words and she ran a hand through her tangled hair. Did she leave her wand in Oliver's room last night? Fuck. Now she'd have to see him and speak to him and that was the last thing she wanted— especially if he was telling his friends all about their night—

She groaned. Maybe she could just get a new wand. No— that was irrational. He was just a stupid boy, a stupid boy that now knew her in the most intimate ways and was probably sharing all of the details—

She wanted to rip her hair out. She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. Fine. She'd meet him after class— why not. Her owl was waiting patiently with the letter clutched in its talons and she whispered a quick, "To Sebastian or Ominis."

She turned from the perch as the owl flew out the small window and sighed.

Ash left her dorm room, the lingering anxiety still simmering beneath her skin. She took measured breaths, determined to keep her magic in check. The last thing she needed was a surge of unbridled power wreaking havoc within the confines of the dormitory. With every step she took, she focused on the floor beneath her.

As she walked the corridors toward her class, she couldn't help but notice the shift in atmosphere around her. Heads turned in her direction, whispers carried on the breeze, and she felt the weight of judgmental eyes fixed upon her. She bit her cheek and kept her head low. Whatever Garreth or Oliver said must have spread like wildfire. It shouldn't bother her, she had defeated monsters wearing the skin of men. Had absorbed the kind of magic mages dreamed about. Had grown up in a hell most people wouldn't have survived. And yet—

And yet she was a still a girl, and gossip tore at her like the worst kinds of hexes.

Entering the Transfiguration classroom, Ash found a seat and tried to distract herself in the lesson. However, her ears continued to pick up whispered comments. She tried to tune it out, keeping her eyes focused on Professor Weasley who was demonstrating a particularly challenging wand movement. Ash heard a student murmur something behind her and she barely caught the end of it—

"—in the infirmary."

She furrowed her brows. Had Imelda somehow imploded after their conversation? She knew she couldn't be that lucky. Maybe the hushed whispers weren't about her at all then. The weight leaden in her stomach eased ever so slightly, and she let her shoulders drop from where they'd been perched near her ears.

The rest of class was uneventful, minus a small reprimand by Professor Weasley as she left the classroom for not "being prepared for class" which resulted in a deduction of points from Gryffindor. At least Professor Weasley had waited until after class—

a small mercy.

She wanted nothing more than to slink back to the Room, sit in her armchair, and drain a bottle of firewhiskey. But instead her feet took her further down into the castle, towards the Slytherin dungeons. She couldn't help her eyes from wandering the space, couldn't help but stare at the archway tucked underneath the staircase. She shivered as she stared at it.

She could hear Sebastian's laughter as she lit the final brazier, opening the archway, could see Ominis' strained face as they entered the Scriptorium.

The sound of the Slytherin common room opening pulled her from her memories.

She turned her head towards the sound and found Oliver Lockheart smirking at her, "Asha," he greeted, a charming smile playing on his lips. "Glad you could make it."

Ash nodded, her gaze assessing him. "So, you have something of mine?" she asked, keeping her tone neutral.

Oliver's eyes lingered on her, his gaze intense. "You know, I've been thinking about our time together," he said, his voice lowering slightly. "It was quite an unforgettable night, wouldn't you say?"

Ash's eyebrows furrowed, a wary look crossing her face. Unforgettable was certainly a word she wouldn't have used, considering the gossamer haze over the entire ordeal.

"Sure Oliver." Her voice was hard as she crossed her arms over her chest. This was not what she wanted to discuss. "So do you actually have something I left or are you just wanting to talk?"

Oliver's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. "I do indeed." he reached into his back pocket and pulled her wand out. She released a breath and relief flooded through her. She stepped closer and reached to grab it from him— her fingers caught nothing but air as he pulled the length of wood back slightly.

"I noticed something so interesting about you last night."

She watched him twirl her wand between his fingers and her magic burned in her veins at the sight. Her jaw clenched as he gripped her belongings in his grubby fingers. He was mocking her, looking at her like she was nothing but a piece of meat he’d already had the privilege of tasting. It made her skin crawl, made the old part of her rage in defiance— and the girl she was now, it made her feel small.

"And what was that?"

She tried to keep her tone neutral, tried to keep her voice from shaking at his words but by the gleam in his eyes she could tell he noticed. The smirk grew on his face as he spoke, "That back of yours is exquisite you know?"

She sucked in a breath at his words and knew exactly where this was going.

He twirled her wand through his fingers again, running his thumb along the twisted wood as if it were her body. He continued, "Though you had some pretty intense sca-"

"—I don't know what you mean."

Her words were rushed as she cut him off. No. No. No. Not something she ever wanted to talk about. She was so fucking stupid for last night, she had barely avoided Garreth's questioning in the past, why did she think— well she didn't think that was the problem. She had wanted to not be so fucking alone and this was the outcome of her poor decisions.

"You were drunk last night, so you must have me confused with another girl."

Her tone was sharp and she felt that magic throb in her veins. She stepped forward and grabbed her wand quickly, causing a chuckle to leave his lips. She stepped back and turned on her heels, her heart pounding in her chest at his words. He would tell, he would tell and that would be one less private thing about her, more ammunition for someone like Imelda against the fallen 'Hero.'

"Oh by the way," his voice rang out in the silent hallway as she stalked up the stairs, "You should keep your little attack dog on a shorter leash."

She didn't turn, didn't take the bait, and didn't even know what the hell he was talking about. She just clenched her wand tighter in her hand and left the dungeons.

Her body trembled as she stepped into the Room. She still had a few hours until Ominis and Sebastian were supposed to meet her. She could get one drink, to calm the magic. Just one to get Oliver's words from her mind.

___•___

Three glasses of firewhiskey later, Ash was curled up on the armchair staring at the ceiling.

Lost in her thoughts, Ash didn't notice the door opening until the rumble of the archway and the creak of the wooden door pierced through the haze. She blinked, her bleary eyes focusing on the figure that stood in the doorway.

It was Ominis, only Ominis.

Confusion flickered across her face. She stood from the armchair, the glass in her hand shaking as she set it down. Maybe she shouldn't have said that she missed him.

Ominis cleared his throat as he walked into the room. The air between them felt charged with unspoken words, the tension thick enough to cut through. She contemplated the idea of breaking the silence, but she didn't know what to say— didn't know how to start this.

"Asha..."

His voice was strained as he spoke and he ran his fingers over the hem of his grey uniform jacket. He clearly didn't know how to start this either.

"Where's Sebastian?"

Ominis shifted at her sudden question, his face tense, "Sebastian is— well he's going to be... late." he explained, his voice tinged with a hint of unease and ire. Ire towards who, she wasn’t sure.

Ash furrowed her brows at his words. Did something happen to him? Or was he caught up with Imelda again. Her stomach turned at the thought and her eyes fixed on Ominis. She wanted to ask— but she shouldn't. She shouldn't have expected him to come at all—

"Why?"

The word bubbled from her lips before she could stop herself. Her eyes danced across Ominis' face and she could see the hesitation written there.

"He's been in detention." His words were laced with frustration and he ran his hands over the hem of his suit jacket again.

Detention?

She felt the silence fall over them for a moment and she could already feel the words in her mouth— what did he do this time?

She noticed the crease between his brows deepen as he faced her direction, his sightless gaze pointed above her left shoulder. Ominis let out a breath and opened his mouth—

The door groaned open again and both of their attention snapped to the direction of the sound.

Sebastian stepped into the Room, and her eyes darted from his black eye down to his mouth— to his split bottom lip that was pulled into a smirk.

"Sorry I'm late."