The Daughter of Valancaire

Jace’s POV

Of all the howler fiascos Jessa and I have been caught up in lately, I can’t help but notice something.  

She’s coming back.  

The real her. The feisty, witty, and kind but temperamental girl I grew up with. Not the shy, unsure version of herself that woke up after seven years of slumber. That girl was a shadow, a ghost of who my twin used to be.  

But now, I see glimpses of her returning. In the way she laughs, sharp and unapologetic. In the way her eyes light up when she talks about something she loves. In the way she stands her ground, no matter who she’s speaking to.  

Father was right.  

Being around people again—socializing, teasing, and just... living—it’s doing her good. She’s thriving, reclaiming pieces of herself that I thought might have been lost forever.  

And I’m getting my twin back.  

That thought settles in my chest, warm and reassuring. It’s been a long time coming, but it’s worth the wait.  

We’ve both been through so much, but seeing her like this... It gives me hope. Hope that we’ll find our way back to the bond we once had. Hope that, together, we’ll face whatever comes next.  

Jessa’s going to be okay. And because of that, I think I might be too.  

Now, I just need to find a way to apologize.  

That’s the tricky part. Jessa may be warming up to the world again, but her grudge-holding skills haven’t dulled one bit. Still, if there’s anyone I need to make things right with, it’s her.  

Because when it comes down to it, she’s not just my twin—she’s my other half. 

Jessa’s POV

The crisp parchment felt heavy in my hands as I unfolded the letter from Professor Fig. It had arrived during breakfast, his familiar handwriting neat and deliberate across the page.  

My Dear Miss Valancaire,

I apologize for not being available to meet after the events you described in your previous letter. The headmaster’s errand has kept me away longer than anticipated. However, I am both alarmed and intrigued by your account of the lightning bolt and the troll.*  

To answer your question, lightning spells of that magnitude are not common, nor are they typically taught at Hogwarts. If what you experienced was instinctive, it may be connected to your lineage. I would recommend delving into your family’s history further—specifically the magical nuances your father may be aware of. The Valancaire legacy has always been shrouded in mystery, and this may be another piece of that puzzle.*  

I hope to return soon to discuss this in person. Until then, exercise caution. Magic born of instinct can be as dangerous as it is powerful. If you experience anything similar, do not hesitate to write me immediately.*  

Yours sincerely,

Professor Eleazar Fig

I exhaled a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding, rereading his words. Connected to my lineage. Of course, that’s what I suspected, but hearing him say it made it feel more real.  

Lightning magic wasn’t something I’d ever heard of in common spellwork—or even in advanced studies. If this was something tied to my family, why had I never been told?  

The mention of my father stirred a wave of apprehension and determination. My relationship with him had always been complicated, especially after the accident, but if anyone could shed light on this, it would be him.  

I tucked the letter into my bag, resolving to write him again tonight. The first letter had been vague, a mere mention of what happened, but now I needed real answers.  

What was this magic inside me? Why now?  

And, perhaps most pressing of all—what did it mean? 

Another owl swooped in not long after, its talons clutching a letter I recognized instantly. My father’s wax seal stared back at me, and for a fleeting moment, I held my breath, bracing for another howler.  

But to my relief, when I broke the seal, there was no explosion of furious words. Just the quiet rustle of parchment.  

My Dearest Jessa,

Your letter reached me yesterday morning, and I must admit, I’ve been pacing ever since. Lightning magic? That is no ordinary feat, nor is it something to take lightly.

As you might suspect, our family’s lineage holds many secrets. I’ve always hoped that when the time came, we could uncover them together. It seems that time has arrived.*  

Your instincts during the encounter with the troll were remarkable, but you must understand the importance of control. Power without control is dangerous, and I would not see you harmed. If you feel this magic stirring again, seek guidance from those you trust.*  

When the term ends, we will discuss this more thoroughly. Until then, I’ll send a few tomes from the family library that might offer insight. Use them wisely, and be cautious who you share this with.

I am proud of your strength, Jessa, and your willingness to face challenges head-on. But remember, you do not need to face them alone.*  

Yours always,

Father

I felt a lump rise in my throat as I read his words. My father, usually so composed and distant, seemed... worried. Genuinely worried.  

The mention of tomes from the family library sent a chill down my spine. What was hidden in those old, dusty books that could explain this sudden surge of power?  

And his reminder not to face challenges alone—it felt almost ironic. I’d been so focused on keeping my secrets, yet here I was, now caught between trust and isolation.  

Sliding the letter carefully into my bag next to Professor Fig’s, I let out a sigh. Answers were coming, but with them, more questions would surely follow.  

The weight of it all was enough to make my head spin. But at least this time, I wouldn’t be receiving a howler at breakfast. 

As I folded my father’s letter to tuck it away, I noticed something odd. The parchment seemed... thicker than usual. Peeling it apart, I realized there was another letter hidden behind the first.  

Curious, I unfolded it, and my eyes widened as I began to read.  

P.S. Your mother told about a certain boy.

She seems quite eager, though I would remind you to exercise caution. The company you keep is important, Jessa, especially with everything going on. Not everyone will have your best interests at heart.*  

That being said, if this boy—whoever he is—cares for you and treats you well, I trust your judgment. But do not let your guard down. Your safety is paramount.

I couldn’t help it. A laugh escaped me, soft and unexpected, echoing in my quiet room.  

Leave it to my father to turn what could have been an ordinary warning into something vaguely intimidating. The protective undertone was clear, but it was the fact that he’d heard this from *my mother* of all people that made it amusing.  

She must have completely misconstrued my attempt to distract her. And now here I was, facing the consequences of my own deflection.  

Still chuckling, I folded the letter and set it aside. “A certain boy,” indeed. If only they knew the chaos that surrounded my new acquaintances.  

It was strange, though—a warming kind of strange—to feel my parents’ concern from afar. Even if it came wrapped in cryptic letters and veiled warnings.

I grabbed another set of parchment, already formulating the words in my mind.  

The first letter was simple and to the point. I didn’t bother with niceties as I wrote to *that prat,* Jace.  

Jace,

Meet me in the library. We need to talk.  

Jessa

No need for flowery language or explanations—he’d know exactly what I meant, and I wasn’t about to make it easy for him.  

The second letter, however, was a little more lighthearted.  

Dearest Ominis,

The knight in shining armor of lost maidens—are you free tomorrow for that free butterbeer I promised you? If you’d like to invite anyone else, that’s fine, but they’ll need to pay. I’m not running a charity here. 

Jessa

I set my quill down and leaned back, a small smile tugging at my lips. The thought of butterbeer and good company was enough to lighten my mood after all the chaos of the past days.  

Now all I needed was to send these off. One letter to the brother I couldn’t stay mad at forever, and another to the friend who had a knack for making me laugh at my worst moments.

——-

I had barely drifted off for a quick nap when I was jolted awake by the soft flutter of wings and the distinct sound of two owls landing on my windowsill. I groaned and rubbed my eyes. *Seriously? Do they carry their owls in their pockets or something?*  

Dragging myself out of bed, I trudged over to the window. One letter bore Jace’s familiar seal—the prat—and the other was neatly addressed in Ominis’s elegant script. Naturally, I opened Ominis’s first.  

As I unfolded the parchment, my eyes scanned the words, and before I could stop myself, a giggle slipped past my lips.  

Dearest Jessa,

Your invitation is accepted, and I will gladly escort you to the Three Broomsticks. However, I must warn you that if Sebastian comes along, I cannot guarantee he’ll resist calling you “the lost maiden” for the entire day. Consider yourself warned.*  

P.S. Don’t worry about who’s paying. It will be my treat—this time.*  

Your knight,
Ominis Gaunt

I chuckled, shaking my head. Only Ominis could manage to tease me and sound like a gentleman at the same time.  

Feeling a bit more cheerful, I turned to Jace’s letter. *Let’s see what the prat has to say.*

I turned my attention to Jace’s letter, unfolding it with a mix of curiosity and lingering annoyance. My eyes scanned the single word scrawled across the parchment:  

Alright.

That was it. No time. No clarification. Just “Alright.”  

I stared at the letter, my temper simmering beneath the surface. *Is he serious?* My grip on the parchment tightened as I let out an exasperated huff.  

“Of all the nerve,” I muttered, pacing my room. “He expects me to guess when to meet him? Does he think I’m some kind of mind reader now?”  

The irritation bubbled to the surface, but then something strange happened. I stopped pacing and caught my reflection in the mirror. My cheeks were flushed, my eyes alight with frustration, and yet... I didn’t entirely hate it.  

*I’ve been feeling so much lately,* I realized. It was overwhelming at times—the frustration, the joy, the laughter, the lingering sadness—but it felt alive, vibrant.  

I pressed my palm to my chest, where my heart thudded a steady rhythm. “I like it,” I whispered to myself, a small smile creeping onto my lips. “But... it’s so strange. Like I’ve been asleep for so long, and now everything’s waking up at once.”  

I glanced at Jace’s letter again and sighed, folding it back up. *Fine, I’ll figure it out. But I swear, if he’s late or makes me wait, I’ll hex him into next week.*  

With that thought, I sat down to scribble a quick note, this time to send him a specific time. If Jace wanted to play games, I’d make sure he played by *my* rules.


Jace’s POV

The owl landed gracefully on the windowsill of the Slytherin common room, carrying a letter I had been expecting—or maybe *dreading*. I unfastened the parchment and unfolded it, the corners of my lips twitching upward before I even read a word.  

Jessa’s handwriting was unmistakable, bold strokes mixed with a slight tilt that mirrored her fiery personality.  

“Since you can’t be bothered to provide specifics after agreeing to meet, I’m setting the time: Library. Three o’clock. If you’re late, I’ll personally drag you there by your ears. And don’t even think about skipping, Jace. You owe me.” 

I couldn’t help it—I laughed out loud, earning curious glances from a few Slytherins nearby. Her tone practically jumped off the page, full of irritation and that sharp wit I’d missed so much.  

“Trouble with your sister again?” Ominis asked dryly from his seat, his head tilted slightly in my direction.  

“Always,” I replied, grinning as I folded the letter and tucked it into my pocket.  

“She must have written something truly scathing for you to laugh like that,” he remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice.  

“She’s just... back to being her,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “Feisty, stubborn, and a bit of a menace.”  

Ominis smirked. “Sounds like someone else I know.”  

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t deny it. Jessa and I had always been two sides of the same coin, and now that she was finally finding herself again, I couldn’t be happier—even if it meant being on the receiving end of her wrath.  

I glanced at the clock. Three wasn’t far off, and I’d be damned if I gave her another reason to scold me. Folding the letter neatly, I stood up and headed for the door, already planning my defense for whatever fiery greeting awaited me.  

*This is going to be fun,* I thought with a smirk. 

—-

I arrived at the library at exactly three o’clock—*not a minute late, not a minute early*. I’d rather face a pack of angry manticores than Jessa if I kept her waiting, now that her fiery temper was back in full force.  

The library was quiet, the usual hum of whispers and rustling parchment filling the air. I scanned the room, spotting her near one of the far tables, arms crossed and eyes fixed on me the moment I stepped through the doors.  

She arched a brow, and I couldn’t help but smirk as I walked over. “Look at that,” I said, pulling out a chair across from her. “Right on time. No hexes necessary.”  

“You’ve learned well,” she quipped, her tone sharp but playful.  

I chuckled, leaning back in the chair. “What can I say? I value my well-being. So, what’s this about? More scolding? Another howler in the works?”  

She rolled her eyes but didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she slid a piece of parchment across the table. I glanced down and recognized her handwriting.  

“What’s this?” I asked, picking it up.  

“An apology,” she said simply, though there was a hint of something softer in her voice.  

I blinked, surprised. “An apology? For what?”  

“For snapping at you,” she admitted, though the words seemed to come grudgingly. “I overreacted with the howler.”  

I couldn’t help but grin. “You? Overreact? Never.”  

She glared at me, and I held up my hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. Apology accepted.”  

There was a moment of silence, and then she added, almost hesitantly, “You’re still a prat for eavesdropping, though—-And yes I know that it was Sebastian and Ominis’s conversation you eavesdropped in”  

I laughed. “Fair enough. But, to be fair, you’re not exactly quiet when you’re mad. Half of Hogwarts probably knows about that howler by now.”  

That earned me a small, reluctant smile. “Fine. Just don’t do it again.”  

I nodded, slipping the parchment into my pocket. “Deal and I apologize, I will talk to you first before going—she glared— and I won’t go to our parents again regarding you without your knowledge”.

She smiled. That’s the smile that I missed so much.

As we settled into a more relaxed conversation, I couldn’t help but think how good it felt to have her back—not just in Hogwarts, but as the sister I’d always known. And for the first time in a while, things felt... normal. Or as normal as they could be with Jessa Valancaire around.

—-

We spent the rest of the afternoon in the library, the air between us far less tense than it had been earlier. I took it upon myself to recommend books I thought she’d enjoy—or at least find useful. Jessa had always loved potions, so naturally, most of the titles I pointed out leaned heavily in that direction.  

“This one,” I said, sliding a thick, well-worn tome across the table. “It’s a classic. Advanced theories on brewing efficiency and ingredient interactions. A bit dry, but worth it.”  

Her eyes lit up as she turned the pages, her enthusiasm evident. “This is perfect! I’ve been wanting something like this. I’m really excited for potions class tomorrow.”  

I couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. It was so much like the old Jessa, the sister who’d dive headfirst into anything she was passionate about. But then, because I’m me, I couldn’t resist teasing her.  

“Well, if you’re excited about potions, let me offer you a piece of advice: avoid Gareth Weasley at all costs.”  

She looked up, confused. “Why?”  

I smirked. “Because if you want to keep that hair of yours intact, you don’t want to be anywhere near one of his ‘experiments.’ Trust me. The boy’s a walking cauldron disaster waiting to happen.”  

Jessa laughed, the sound light and genuine. “I’ll keep that in mind,” she said, still grinning. “But I wouldn’t mind meeting him. He sounds entertaining.”  

“Entertaining, yes,” I replied, leaning back in my chair. “But also hazardous. Consider yourself warned.”  

We continued to chat, the library growing quieter as the afternoon stretched on. For the first time in a while, it felt like we were just two siblings spending time together, no drama or howlers hanging over us.  

When the sun began to dip and the shadows stretched long across the library, Jessa finally stood, clutching the pile of books she’d chosen. “Thanks, Jace,” she said sincerely. “For everything today.”  

I gave her a small nod. “Anytime, Jessa. Just don’t forget what I said about Gareth.”  

She rolled her eyes, but there was a smile tugging at her lips as she turned to leave. Watching her go, I felt a quiet sense of pride. She was finding her footing again, and I’d do whatever it took to help her keep it.

Jessa’s POV

Jace insisted on escorting me back to the Ravenclaw Tower, which I found amusing. “You know,” I said as we walked through the dimly lit halls, “I never get lost going to the library after my first time going there. It’s just everywhere else that’s a problem.”  

He chuckled. “That’s because the library is practically your natural habitat. I’d be more worried if you *did* get lost on the way there.”  

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling. It was strange how easy this felt, walking and talking with Jace like we used to. After everything that happened, I hadn’t realized how much I missed moments like this.  

“You’ve really improved with directions, though,” he teased, a sly grin forming. “If only you could apply that same energy to the rest of the castle.”  

“Ha-ha,” I said dryly, nudging him with my elbow. “Not everyone was born with an internal map of Hogwarts, you know.”  

He shrugged, clearly enjoying himself. “Well, at least you haven’t fallen into a vanishing staircase yet. That’s progress.”  

I snorted, shaking my head. “Small victories, I suppose.”  

When we finally reached the entrance to the Ravenclaw Tower, I turned to him. “Thanks, Jace. For walking me back.”  

He gave me a small smile. “Anytime, Jessa. Just… try not to get lost before potions class tomorrow, alright?”  

I crossed my arms, pretending to be annoyed, but my grin betrayed me. “I’ll do my best.”  

As I climbed the steps to the tower, I glanced back at him. He was still standing there, hands in his pockets, watching to make sure I got in safely. For all his teasing, Jace could be remarkably thoughtful when he wanted to be.  

Once inside, I leaned against the wall, letting out a small sigh. It felt good to laugh again, to feel at ease—even if it was just for a little while. Things weren’t perfect, but maybe, just maybe, they were getting better.