The Daughter of Valancaire

(Valor and Vix Valancaire)




The Great Hall was nearly empty, the echoes of applause still ringing in my ears as I walked beside Professor Weasley. The walls of Hogwarts loomed tall, casting long shadows across the stone floors. Professor Weasley’s gentle voice filled the silence, offering a few kind words about Ravenclaw Tower.

“Ravenclaw Tower is just ahead. It’s one of the most beautiful places in Hogwarts, if I do say so myself,” she said, her round glasses perched at the end of her nose as she smiled at me. “Your fellow housemates will be excited to meet you. But I know it's been a long day, so I’ll leave you to get some rest soon. I imagine you’ve got a lot on your mind.”

I nodded absently, though I wasn’t sure I could process any of it. Sorting into Ravenclaw had been overwhelming, and the eyes of so many students had been on me, especially after the whispers about my blue eyes. Then there was the strange feeling of being watched by that boy in Slytherin, the one with the burning stare that made me feel as if I were being pulled toward him. But my thoughts were scattered, too many unanswered questions, and no way to make sense of them.

Before I could focus on anything else, I heard a voice that froze me in place.

“Jessa!”

My heart skipped a beat, and I turned instantly. I knew that voice. It had been years, but I would never forget it.

There they were. My brothers.

Valor, Vix, and Jace.

No words were exchanged. None were needed. The space between us closed in an instant, and before I knew it, I was wrapped in their arms, pulled into a hug that felt like a lifeline. 

Valor, my older brother, was the first to pull me into his embrace. His arms were strong, warm, protective. His face was etched with emotion, the strain of years apart visible in his eyes. When he pulled away slightly to look at me, I saw the relief, the joy, and the unspoken questions. The longing. He didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to. 

Vix, my other brother, was next. His usually calm and composed demeanor cracked as he stepped forward, his arms finding their way around me in a hug so tight it almost felt like he was afraid to let go. His lips barely lifted in a smile, but his eyes spoke volumes. There was something unspoken in that hug. Something deep. A quiet sadness, maybe. 

And then, there was Jace.

Jace.

He stepped forward, his green eyes—so much like our mother’s—watching me with an intensity I couldn’t quite place. His blonde hair, lighter than hers, fell over his forehead. He looked so familiar, yet so distant at the same time. He wrapped his arms around me and I felt the comfort of his embrace. The familiarity. The bond between us, no matter how far apart we’d been, was still there. It felt like home.

No words passed between us. There was no need. The years of separation, of confusion, of uncertainty—all of that melted away with that one simple gesture. My heart felt full. The distance I’d thought existed between us wasn’t distance at all. It was longing. Longing from my brothers. Longing from me.

Tears pooled in my eyes, and I felt Valor’s voice cut through the silence.

“We thought we lost you,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

I could barely breathe, let alone speak, but I managed to say, “I’m here now.”

Time seemed to slow as we stood there, huddled together. The world could have fallen apart around us, and I wouldn’t have cared. The years of not knowing, of being lost, of feeling like I didn’t belong anywhere—all of that vanished with the warmth of my brothers' arms around me. I wasn’t alone anymore. I was home. 

But it didn’t last forever. I felt a soft cough, a gentle reminder of the outside world, and pulled back reluctantly from the embrace. Professor Weasley was standing a few paces away, watching us with a soft smile.

“Perhaps you’d like to continue to your common room now?” she asked gently. “I’m sure you’ll want to get some rest.”

I nodded, my heart still racing. “Yes, thank you, Professor.”

Weasley gave me a kind, knowing smile before she stepped back, allowing us one more moment together. 

Valor smiled at me, but there was an edge of concern in his eyes. “Get some rest, little sister. We’ve got plenty of time to make up for.”

Vix’s usual smirk was replaced by a softer, more sincere expression as he gave me a small, reassuring smile. “We’ll be here when you wake up.”

Jace didn’t say anything at first, but when he looked at me, his green eyes were filled with that same unspoken understanding. “We’ll catch up tomorrow,” he said quietly. “You need to rest. I’ll come to get you in the morning. Sleep well, Jessa.”

I felt my chest tighten, and for a moment, I didn’t trust my voice. I could only nod, swallowing the lump in my throat.

“Thank you,” I managed to say, my words heavy with gratitude.

We shared one final look—just a moment, a small comfort—and then I turned to face the door to the Ravenclaw common room. It was an odd feeling, walking away from them, but for the first time in what felt like forever, I knew I wasn’t alone. My family was here. And tomorrow, we’d begin to rebuild what had been broken.

I took a deep breath and stepped forward, knowing that whatever the future held, my brothers would be by my side.