The Daughter of Valancaire

**Ominis’s POV**  

It’s nice to see Sebastian like this. It’s been a while—far too long, honestly.  

Ever since Anne, he’s carried this heavy weight on his shoulders. Always so determined, so singularly focused on finding answers for her. It’s admirable, sure, but it’s also been eating away at him. The constant stress, the late nights spent pouring over books and theories... it’s changed him.  

But lately, there’s been a shift. A lightness to him I haven’t seen in what feels like years.  

I sit in the common room, listening to him as he tries—and fails—to downplay whatever it is that’s put him in such a good mood. The way he talks, the subtle energy in his voice, even the rhythm of his movements—they’re all different.  

"Sebastian," I say, breaking the silence, "you’re terrible at hiding things, you know that?"  

He scoffs, but I can tell he’s smiling. "What are you on about now, Ominis?"  

I lean back in my chair, smirking. "I’m just saying it’s good to see you like this. You’ve been so... focused, so serious lately. It’s about time you let yourself breathe."  

He doesn’t respond immediately, which tells me I’ve hit a nerve. I press on, because that’s what I do. "Is it her?" I ask, tilting my head slightly. "Jessa, I mean."  

Sebastian doesn’t answer right away, but his silence speaks volumes.  

I smile faintly. "I’m not prying," I add quickly, "but... it’s good for you, whatever it is. Seeing you like this reminds me of the old you—the one who didn’t have the weight of the world on his shoulders."  

He chuckles softly. "You’re getting sentimental on me, Ominis."  

"Maybe," I admit, "but someone has to keep you in check."  

Sebastian doesn’t argue, and for a moment, there’s a comfortable silence between us.  

I can’t see his smile, but I can hear it in his voice when he finally speaks. "Thanks, Ominis."  

I nod, leaning back further into my chair. "Don’t mention it. Just... don’t lose yourself again, all right? You’re allowed to be happy, you know."  

And as we sit there, the quiet hum of the common room around us, I allow myself to feel a bit of relief. My best friend deserves this. Deserves to smile. Deserves to feel alive again.  

And maybe, just maybe, Jessa Valancaire is exactly what he needs. 


—————

A voice, far too familiar, drifted through the greenhouse as I walked past.  

“Now where in Merlin’s name am I? I need to go to Beasts class! Did that map lie to me?”  

I stopped, amused. A soft red flicker pulsed from my wand as it guided me forward, pinpointing her location. I already knew who it was—Jessa Valancaire, Hogsmeades Troll Slayer  and  geographically hopeless Ravenclaw.  

I followed the sound of her frustrated muttering, the red light from my wand illuminating the ground ahead of me. As I approached, her pacing stopped abruptly.  

“Lost again, Valancaire?” I called out, allowing the faintest hint of a smile to creep into my tone.  

There was a pause, and then she groaned. “Ominis,” she said, half-relieved, half-exasperated. “It’s not my fault! The map clearly pointed this way, but—”  

I held up a hand to cut her off. “Let me guess. The map led you astray, the corridors shifted, and somehow you’ve ended up here instead of near the paddocks.”  

She hesitated. “...Yes.”  

I chuckled softly, the sound bouncing off the greenhouse walls. “Jessa, at this rate, you might as well make a habit of carrying me around with you. My wand seems to know the way better than yours.”  

Her footsteps shuffled, and I could almost feel her pout. “Not all of us have wands that light the path, Ominis. Some of us have to rely on faulty maps and bad luck.”  

“That’s no excuse,” I said, smirking. The wand’s faint red light flickered toward her, confirming her location as she sighed heavily.  

“Fine,” she muttered. “Can you just point me to Beasts class? I’m already late.”  

“I can do more than that,” I said. “Follow me.”  

Her footsteps fell into place beside mine, and I couldn’t resist adding, “Honestly, Jessa, you’re a Ravenclaw. How is it that you’re so brilliant in the classroom and so utterly helpless outside of it?”  

Her laugh echoed through the greenhouse, and for a moment, the day felt lighter.

———-

“I’m heading to Beasts class too,” I told her as we started walking. “Sebastian and Natty will be there as well.”  

Her tone immediately brightened. “Really? Oh, that’s great! I haven’t seen Natty all day, and Sebastian—well, it’s always... interesting with him around.”  

I chuckled at her enthusiasm, the faint red light of my wand guiding us down the winding paths. “Interesting is one way to put it. Though I’m sure he’d say he’s simply charming.”  

She laughed, a sound that somehow managed to be both exasperated and fond. “Charming, sure. But also a trouble magnet.”  

“Then it’s a good thing I’ll be there to keep him in check,” I said with mock seriousness.  

“You?” she teased, nudging me lightly. “You’re the one who usually enables him!”  

I let out a dramatic sigh. “And here I thought I was the responsible one in this friendship.”  

She giggled again, and the sound lingered in the air, blending with the distant rustling of the greenhouse’s enchanted plants. Moments like this were rare, but they reminded me of the simple joys that could be found even amidst the chaos of Hogwarts.  

As we approached the paddocks, I couldn’t help but feel a small sense of satisfaction. Perhaps today wouldn’t be so bad after all.

——

We arrived at the Beasts class paddock, the familiar sounds of cooing Puffskeins and the occasional grunt from a Mooncalf filling the air. As expected, Sebastian was already there, leaning casually against the fence.  

He arched an eyebrow as soon as he saw us. “Well, well. What’s this? The two of you together?”  

I smirked. “I rescued a damsel in distress.”  

Jessa huffed. “I wasn’t *that* lost.”  

Sebastian’s grin widened as he crossed his arms. “Lost again, were you? Honestly, Jessa, maybe we should pop by Ollivander’s and get you a wand that specializes in navigation.”  

“Very funny,” Jessa said, rolling her eyes, but there was a hint of amusement in her tone.  

Before she could retort further, Natty appeared, joining us with her usual radiant smile. “What are we laughing about?”  

“Jessa getting lost again,” Sebastian said without missing a beat.  

Natty laughed, her melodic voice adding to the lighthearted atmosphere. “Perhaps she should carry a map enchanted to talk. It could remind her where she’s going!”  

“Oh, come on,” Jessa said, though now she was laughing too. “You’re all terrible.”  

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the exchange. Jessa’s indignation, paired with Sebastian’s relentless teasing, was endlessly entertaining. “At least she made it to class this time,” I pointed out.  

“Yes, credit where credit is due,” Sebastian said mock-seriously, giving Jessa an exaggerated nod of approval.  

She swatted at his arm, and he ducked out of the way, still grinning. It was moments like this, amidst laughter and banter, that made Hogwarts feel like home despite everything else.  

——

Class began with the usual bustle of excitement that Professor Howin brought to her lessons. Her passion for magical creatures was infectious, and it wasn’t long before she noticed the new addition to our class.  

“Ah, a new face!” Professor Howin’s voice was warm and welcoming as she approached Jessa. “You must be Miss Valancaire. A pleasure to have you join us.”  

Jessa nodded politely, offering a small smile.  

“Now, let’s see…” Howin looked around, her eyes scanning the group. “Poppy Sweeting, would you mind partnering with Jessa today? I think the two of you will get along splendidly.”  

Poppy, standing near a group of Bowtruckles, beamed at the mention of her name. “Of course, Professor!” She waved Jessa over, her enthusiasm radiating.  

Jessa joined her with a bit of hesitance, though I could tell she was intrigued. Poppy immediately launched into an explanation about the Bowtruckles they were working with, her voice brimming with excitement.  

I exchanged a glance with Sebastian, who gave me a knowing look. “Well,” he murmured under his breath, “if anyone can win Jessa over with pure enthusiasm, it’s Poppy.”  

I smirked. “They’ll be thick as thieves by the end of the lesson.”  

As Professor Howin began explaining today’s activity, I noticed how quickly Poppy’s infectious energy began to put Jessa at ease. It was refreshing to see her engaging with someone who shared such a deep passion for magical creatures.  

“Looks like she’s already making friends,” I commented to Sebastian, who nodded with a faint smile.  

“She’ll fit in,” he said confidently, his tone laced with a quiet certainty.  

I had to agree. Jessa, for all her quirks, had a way of drawing people in—even Bowtruckles seemed to lean closer to her as she carefully extended her hand toward them. If nothing else, she was certainly proving to be full of surprises.  

—

Today’s lesson was on Puffskeins—a creature I could only imagine through descriptions, but one I’d always heard was soft, round, and endlessly endearing. I couldn’t see them, of course, but I had always liked magical beasts. There was something grounding about their presence, a gentleness that seemed to reflect the intentions of those around them.  

At the far end of our table, however, the usual calmness of the lesson was overtaken by the sound of giggles.  

Jessa’s giggles.  

She sounded completely smitten, her laughter bubbling over like a first-year discovering magic for the first time. I turned my head slightly in their direction, catching Poppy’s equally amused voice as she added more Puffskeins to their growing group.  

“Isn’t this one just the sweetest?” Poppy said excitedly.  

“He is!” Jessa replied, her tone absolutely delighted. “Oh, look at this little one! Can I keep him?”  

I couldn’t help but smile at the sound. Jessa, so often sharp-tongued and quick-witted, now sounded utterly enchanted by the fluffy creatures. The contrast was… amusing, to say the least.  

Sebastian leaned closer to me and whispered, “Sounds like she’s found her match—a horde of round, fluffy creatures.”  

I smirked. “Careful, Sebastian. She might trade us in for a Puffskein army.”  

As Poppy and Jessa’s laughter grew louder, Professor Howin’s voice called out with a note of fondness, “Miss Valancaire, Miss Sweeting, do try to leave some Puffskeins for the rest of the class!”  

Their giggles quieted, though only slightly.  

“They’re good for her,” I murmured to Sebastian.  

He raised a brow. “The Puffskeins or Poppy?”  

“Both,” I replied.  

For the rest of the lesson, the cheerful sounds of their table filled the beasts classroom. And though I couldn’t see the Puffskeins, I could feel the lightness their presence brought—not just to Jessa, but to the entire class.

——

Beasts class had ended, and, as expected, Jessa and Poppy hit it off like a Hippogriff and fresh fish. I overheard them making plans to meet again and look at more creatures, their excitement echoing from the other side of the room.  

As we stepped outside, I turned my attention to Jessa, my wand’s faint red light guiding my steps. “So, Jessa, do you need me to guide you somewhere now, or has the map finally decided to cooperate?”  

She hesitated, looking a bit embarrassed. “Actually…” she admitted slowly, “I don’t know how to get back to the Ravenclaw Tower from here.”  

I stopped walking and turned slightly toward her, grinning. “You’re serious?”  

“Completely,” she replied, crossing her arms as if that might ward off my inevitable teasing. “This place is a labyrinth! There are moving staircases, vanishing hallways—and don’t even get me started on that lying map.”  

I chuckled, unable to help myself. “Well,” I continued, enjoying myself, “Sebastian’s off to the library, Natty has Arithmancy—something she enjoys far too much for my liking—and Poppy’s stayed back to look after the beasts. That leaves me. Shall I play knight in shining armor again?”  

She groaned dramatically but smiled despite herself. “Do I have a choice?”  

“Not really,” I admitted, smirking. “Though I could suggest Floo powder. A quick trip, but you’d arrive at your common room covered in soot and thoroughly disheveled.”  

“That’s not happening,” she said flatly, shooting me a mock glare.  

I chuckled again, gesturing for her to follow me. “Suit yourself. Come along, then. It’s not every day I get to guide someone else around the castle.”  

As we made our way back, I found myself enjoying her company more than I expected. It was amusing to see someone as clever as Jessa falter when it came to Hogwarts’ maze-like corridors. For once, again I was the one leading, and I didn’t mind it at all. 

——

As we walked through the winding halls of Hogwarts, I found myself curious. It wasn’t often I had the chance to talk with someone like Jessa—someone who seemed both brilliant and bafflingly lost at the same time.  

“So,” I began, my wand flickering faintly in the dim corridor, “how is it that someone so clever can be so hopeless with directions?”  

She let out an exasperated sigh. “Hogwarts is *alive,* Ominis. It moves, it tricks you, and sometimes, I swear it’s laughing at me.”  

I couldn’t suppress a grin. “It’s not laughing at you, Jessa. Though I might be.”  

She nudged my arm lightly. “Very helpful, thank you.”  

“Anytime,” I replied smoothly, my smirk audible in my tone. “But really, you’ve been here for a week. Surely you’ve figured out some of the shortcuts by now?”  

“Well, I’ve figured out how *not* to get to certain places,” she said dryly. “Does that count?”  

I chuckled. “Barely. Though I suppose I can’t fault you entirely. It did take me a while to memorize everything. But then, I didn’t have much of a choice.”  

Her tone softened. “You must have a sharp memory to navigate so well.”  

“Comes with practice,” I said, shrugging. “And necessity. But you—you’re a Ravenclaw. I’d expect a detailed mental map by now, or at least some creative strategy.”  

She groaned. “I’ve tried! I even charmed a parchment to help me once, but it somehow managed to lead me into a broom cupboard.”  

I laughed, genuinely amused. “That sounds about right for Hogwarts. Did you at least find something useful in there?”  

“No, just cobwebs and my own frustration,” she said with a laugh.  

We walked in comfortable silence for a moment before I asked, “So, why the sudden trip to Beasts class today? Didn’t seem like your usual route of confusion.”  

She hesitated, then admitted, “I’ve been meaning to go for a while. I’ve always liked creatures—just never had the chance to really learn about them. And Poppy seemed nice.”  

“She is,” I said, nodding. “Though I’ll warn you—if you hang around her too much, you might end up knee-deep in Puffskeins.”  

“That doesn’t sound so bad,” she said with a smile. “They’re adorable.”  

I shook my head, smiling faintly. “You’re a curious one, Jessa Valancaire. Lost in the halls but somehow perfectly at ease among beasts and chaos.”  

“I could say the same about you,” she replied, her tone light.  

By the time we reached the base of the Ravenclaw Tower, I felt like I’d learned a little more about the girl who had quickly become one of the most interesting people at Hogwarts. Guiding her was no trouble at all—it was, surprisingly, a pleasure. 

—- 

We arrived at the base of the Ravenclaw Tower, and Jessa turned to face me, a wry smile tugging at her lips. “Don’t worry,” she said, her tone teasing. “I’m perfectly capable of not getting lost on a non-moving staircase.”  

I couldn’t help it—I laughed again. “I’ll hold you to that. But if you end up wandering into another broom cupboard, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”  

She rolled her eyes but grinned. “Thanks for the help, Ominis. I owe you one. Next time we’re at the Three Broomsticks, butterbeer’s on me.”  

“Is that so?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “And when might this next time be?”  

She tilted her head thoughtfully. “If I didn’t have so much to do, I’d have dragged you there right now.”  

That caught me off guard. She was... adorable. There was no other word for it—her blend of confidence and endearing chaos was hard to ignore.  

“Well, I’ll await an owl, then,” I said with a faint smile.  

“Promise,” she replied, a twinkle of mischief in her eye before she turned and ascended the staircase.  

I stood there for a moment, letting the quiet settle around me. What a nice day, I thought to myself as I turned to make my way back to the Slytherin common room.

———

On my way back to the Slytherin common room, I spotted Jace lingering near the entrance, still looking a bit deflated from the howler incident. His usually composed demeanor was nowhere to be found; instead, he seemed uncharacteristically subdued.  

As I approached, he glanced up at me, his sharp green eyes studying me for a moment before he spoke. “You and Jessa seem to be getting close,” he said, his tone neither mocking nor accusatory.  

It wasn’t the comment I expected. I paused, tilting my head slightly as I processed his words. There was something in his voice—gratefulness?  

“Perhaps,” I replied cautiously, unsure where this was going.  

He gave a small nod, the corners of his lips tugging upward in a faint, almost reluctant smile. “She can be... a handful sometimes. But she’s a good one. Thank you for looking out for her.”  

I blinked, caught off guard by his sincerity. Jace Valancaire wasn’t exactly known for moments like these, and it left me wondering if the protective streak in their family ran as deeply as it seemed.  

“Someone has to keep her from getting lost,” I said lightly, attempting to deflect the weight of the moment with humor.  

Jace chuckled softly, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Fair enough.” With that, he straightened up and headed off, leaving me standing there, more curious than ever about the Valancaire siblings and their peculiar dynamics.  

As I continued to the common room, I couldn’t shake the thought: for all his composed and princely airs, Jace clearly cared deeply about his sister. It was... unexpected. And perhaps, a little admirable.