The Daughter of Valancaire

Ominis and I made it back to Hogwarts just in time before curfew. The halls were quiet, save for the faint echoes of our footsteps and the occasional flicker of torchlight.  

“I had so much fun tonight,” Ominis said, his words slightly slurred with exhaustion but no less sincere. “We must do that again, my damsel in distress.”  

I chuckled softly. “Yes, my dear knight. Now off to bed before someone catches us wandering the halls.”  

He let out a laugh as we parted ways, heading to our respective common rooms.  

When I arrived at my dorm, the familiar comfort of the room wasn’t enough to shake the worry that had plagued me all day. I had been hoping to find Samantha there, but the room was empty. Instead, on her neatly made bed, I noticed an envelope with my name written on it in her tidy handwriting.  

I tore it open quickly and read the letter:  

Dear Jessa,

I’ve had to leave for the Dale family home due to some urgent family matters. Don’t worry—it’s nothing serious. I’ve included the address so you can owl me whenever you want. Just make sure to keep out of trouble, alright? And don’t let anyone convince you to smuggle anything from a storage room!

The teasing tone of her words brought a faint smile to my face, but the worry lingered. Without hesitation, I grabbed a piece of parchment and sat at my desk.  

Dear Samantha,

I just read your letter. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything. I mean it—anything at all. I’m here for you, no matter what. You’ve been so kind to me since I arrived at Hogwarts, and I’ll gladly return the favor however I can. Let me know if there’s something I can do, or if you just need a friend to listen. I’ll write again soon, but for now, take care.

Your trouble-prone friend,

Jessa

I folded the parchment and carefully sealed it before walking over to my owl, Nyx, who was perched on her stand by the window. “I need you to deliver this to Samantha Dale,” I said, tying the letter securely to her leg.  

Nyx gave a soft hoot, nuzzling my hand affectionately before spreading her wings and taking off into the night. I watched her disappear into the starry sky, a sense of relief washing over me.  

With a quiet sigh, I sat down on my bed, the room feeling emptier without Samantha’s presence. I hoped my letter would bring her some comfort, just as hers had eased my worry.


—-

The weekend arrived, bringing a stillness to the room that felt unfamiliar. Without Samantha’s presence, the silence was unsettling, and it made me miss her even more. Nyx perched by the window, having returned from delivering my letter last night. I hoped Samantha would write back soon.  

My head was pulsating as I sat up, a dull throb that made me wince. I couldn’t tell if it was the aftermath of five butterbeers or just a restless sleep. Either way, the idea of descending to the Grand Hall for breakfast felt overwhelming. Instead, I made my way down to the Ravenclaw common room, seeking solace in its peaceful ambiance.  

I brewed myself a cup of tea, the aroma comforting as I settled near the large window overlooking the grounds. On the small table beside me sat a stack of parchment and my quill. Letters needed to be written.  

I started with my mother, folding the edges of the parchment absentmindedly as I thought of what to say:  

Dear Mother,

I hope this letter finds you well. There’s so much to share already, though I must admit, my heart feels a bit heavy. Samantha Dale, my roommate and dear friend, has left for her family home due to personal matters. She’s assured me she’ll write, but I can’t help worrying about her. I do hope she’s all right.*  

On a lighter note, I’ve made some truly wonderful friends here. Natty Onai is wise beyond her years, always full of insight and kindness, while Poppy Sweeting has such a caring heart, especially when it comes to magical creatures. Ominis Gaunt and Sebastian Sallow have become close companions as well, though Sebastian’s knack for finding trouble is a bit… impressive. You’d find him amusing, I think.*  

As for adventures, I recently had my second trip to Hogsmeade with Ominis. We shared butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks, and it’s just as delightful as you’ve always described. 

I’m doing my best to balance my studies and the occasional misstep—like when Everett Clopton convinced me to fly around Hogwarts during Flying class, earning us both a scolding from Professor Kogawa. I promise I’m learning from my mistakes, though! The lessons are challenging, but I feel like I’m growing with each day.*  

Please write back soon. I’d love to hear how things are at home.

With love,

Jessa

Satisfied with the letter, I set it aside and reached for another sheet, this one addressed to my father.  

My Dearest Father,

Hogwarts has been nothing short of fascinating. The library, as you might imagine, is my favorite place. I’ve been pouring over books on potions and curses, but I feel there’s still so much to learn. If you could send me more texts on those subjects, I’d be ever so grateful.

Anything about advanced brewing techniques or ancient curses would be especially helpful.

I also wanted to mention that the professors here are excellent. Professor Sharp’s Potions class has been particularly inspiring, though it’s clear he doesn’t suffer fools lightly. I’ll write again soon.

With love,

Jessa

Finally, I penned a short note to Professor Fig, my curiosity about the mysteries surrounding my arrival still lingering in the back of my mind.  

Professor Fig,

I hope you’re well. I was wondering when we might have time to speak. There are things I wish to discuss, and your guidance would mean a great deal.

Sincerely,

Jessa Valancaire 

As I sealed each letter and sipped my tea, a sense of accomplishment settled over me. For now, I could only wait for replies, but at least the words were out there. With any luck, the day would bring something to distract me from the quietness of Samantha’s absence and the dull ache in my head.


—

I sent the letters with Nyx, stroking her soft feathers and feeling a pang of guilt. She’d been working so hard lately, carrying my endless letters. Perhaps it was time to find her a companion. I’d have to keep an eye out for one—maybe on my next trip to Hogsmeade.  

As Nyx disappeared into the sky, Jace’s owl swooped in, dropping a letter into my lap. I opened it quickly, the worry in his words immediately apparent.  

“Why aren’t you at breakfast? Are you unwell? Please write back as soon as you can. Your friends—Natty, Ominis, Poppy, and even Sebastian—have been pestering me all morning, asking where you were. It’s as though I’m your personal messenger now!”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought of Jace trying to fend off my friends’ questions. Despite his teasing tone, I could sense his genuine concern, and it warmed my heart.  

I grabbed a fresh piece of parchment and quickly wrote a response:  

“Jace, I’m fine, just feeling a bit off this morning—perhaps too much butterbeer yesterday, or maybe I didn’t sleep well. Tell everyone not to worry, and let them know I’ll be up and about soon. Thank you for checking in, brother. It means a lot. I’ll see you later today.”

I attached the letter to his owl and sent it off, watching it soar out of the common room window. Then, with a deep sigh, I returned to my tea, letting the warm liquid soothe my mind and body.

—-

Jace POV


Jace held the letter up with a dramatic flourish, clearing his throat as if preparing to address a great audience.  

“Alright, alright, everyone settle down,” he teased, glancing at the small circle of curious faces around him. Natty, Ominis, Poppy, and Sebastian all leaned in, waiting for him to share the contents of Jessa’s response.  

“She writes,” Jace began in an exaggerated, formal tone, “‘Jace, I’m fine, just feeling a bit off this morning—perhaps too much butterbeer yesterday, or maybe I didn’t sleep well.’” He paused, looking over the letter at the group with raised brows. “Butterbeer, hmm? Seems someone had a bit too much fun.”  

Poppy giggled, while Ominis smirked knowingly. “Five mugs, if I recall correctly,” Ominis quipped.  

Sebastian shook his head with a grin. “Five? Ominis, why didn’t you stop her after one?”  

Ominis threw up his hands in mock defense. “Do you have any idea how strong her arm is? She was the one who carried all five mugs including the other mugs from the tables near us. —back to Sirona! I think she even scared her a little!”  

The group burst into laughter, picturing Jessa confidently hauling the mugs back like a determined barkeep.  

“Well, that explains it,” Sebastian said, leaning back in his chair. “Next time, you’re in charge of damage control, Ominis.”  

Jace shook his head with a smirk and continued reading. “‘Tell everyone not to worry, and let them know I’ll be up and about soon. Thank you for checking in, brother. It means a lot. I’ll see you later today.’”  

He folded the letter neatly and tucked it into his pocket. “There you have it. She’s alive and well, just recovering from her self-inflicted butterbeer hangover.”  

Natty smiled warmly. “At least she’s resting. That’s what matters.”  

“And she’ll be up and about later,” Poppy added, looking relieved.  

Jace stood, stretching his arms behind his head. “Right, then. I’ve done my part as the messenger. If you all have more questions for my sister, you can take it up with her yourselves.”  

Sebastian smirked. “Oh, don’t worry, we will.”  

The group chuckled, the worry about Jessa replaced with lighthearted amusement, and they went back to their breakfast, eagerly awaiting the moment she’d rejoin them.

——

Jace's POV

After breakfast, I made my way to the hospital wing, still concerned about Jessa. It wasn’t like her to just stay in the common room all morning, especially when she had so many friends to keep her busy. I decided to grab a headache potion from Nurse Blainey—just in case—and picked up a few pastries from the Great Hall to send to her later.  

I’d let her settle in on her own for the first few days, figuring she needed time to find her footing, meet new people, and start building her own experience at Hogwarts. But there were questions I couldn’t shake—ones I was determined to ask her soon.  

Why had she arrived late to the Sorting Ceremony? What really happened during the troll attack in Hogsmeade, and how had she conjured that lightning magic? And then there was Sebastian Sallow.

The more I thought about it, the more I felt all of these things were tied together somehow. And as her brother, I couldn’t let it go unanswered—not because I didn’t trust her, but because I needed to know she was safe.

——

Jessa's POV

I received a small parcel from Jace—inside was a vial of headache potion and a few pastries. I couldn’t help but smile as I uncorked the potion and drank it in one quick gulp. Almost instantly, the dull throbbing in my head began to fade, the medicine working its magic. Feeling more like myself again, I got dressed, ready to explore the castle grounds and maybe run into some of my friends.  

As I pulled my cloak on, ready to head out, a faint whisper brushed through my mind.  

*“You’re weak.”*  

I froze, my hand hovering over the clasp of my cloak. The voice was soft, almost mocking, but it carried an unsettling weight. I glanced around the room, my heart racing, though I was clearly alone.  

Shaking my head, I muttered to myself, "Just my imagination." But the unease lingered as I stepped out of the Ravenclaw Tower, the whisper looping faintly in the back of my mind, refusing to be ignored. 

——

Sebastian's POV 

I was still fuming over that detention. Peeves had outdone himself this time, tattling to Madam Scribner and ruining my plans. I missed the chance to go to Hogsmeade with Ominis and Jessa because of it. Bloody arse. And to make matters worse, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy at the thought of the two of them sharing what seemed to be a rather enjoyable outing.  

I sighed, shoving my hands into my pockets as I made my way to the library. It wasn’t as though I hadn’t spent enough time there lately, but I didn’t plan on sneaking into the restricted section again—at least, not today. No, today I needed to recheck the books I’d skimmed over. Maybe something I’d missed could finally offer a way to help Anne.  

The usual quiet hum of the library greeted me as I walked in, rows of shelves towering like silent sentinels. I made my way to the Healing and Curses section, determined but weary. Every dead end, every failed lead... it was all starting to wear on me. But I wouldn’t stop. I couldn’t. Anne needed me to find a cure.  

Even as my thoughts were consumed by Anne, my mind wandered briefly to Jessa. Her bright curiosity, the way she’d seemed to fit so effortlessly into our little group... I shook my head, focusing on the task at hand. There were more important things to think about right now.

——-

As I scanned the library shelves, my eyes caught sight of someone in the corner, hunched over a book. Jace. He was deep in focus, his brow furrowed as he read. It didn’t take long to recognize the book in his hands—*Curses: Different Kinds and Their Origins.*  

I’d noticed it before. He always seemed to have a book about curses nearby, different volumes and variations each time. It was becoming a pattern, one that was hard to ignore. My thoughts drifted back to the secret he’d shared with me not too long ago—the Valancaire curse.  

It wasn’t something easily forgotten. The weight of it, the way he’d spoken about it, haunted my mind almost as much as it seemed to haunt him. And judging by the determined look on his face, it was clear he wasn’t settled with it. Not yet.  

I couldn’t blame him. If my family were plagued by a curse, I’d be doing the same thing—digging through every book I could get my hands on, searching for answers, hoping for a way to break free of it.  

For a moment, I debated walking over to him, maybe offering help or just some conversation to ease his mind. But I hesitated. Jace didn’t strike me as the type to want pity or unsolicited advice, especially not from me. So instead, I stayed where I was, turning back to my own search while keeping him in the corner of my vision.  

Whatever he was looking for, I hoped he’d find it. Some answers, some relief. Anything. Because no one should have to carry that kind of burden alone. That I know quite well.

Jessa’s POV

I know I have a knack for getting lost, but this was getting ridiculous. One wrong turn, and I found myself in a dimly lit corridor that reeked of damp stone. The air was cooler here, and the faint echoes of my footsteps made it clear I was somewhere deep—likely the Slytherin dungeons.  

I paused for a moment, glancing around. It was strange, really. My feet had led me here, almost as if I was being pulled by some unseen force. I didn’t recognize this part of the castle, yet something about it felt oddly... familiar.  

“What am I doing here?” I muttered under my breath, trying to shake the uneasy feeling creeping over me.  

The corridor stretched endlessly ahead, its flickering torches casting long, wavering shadows. There was no logical reason for me to be here—I wasn’t even sure how I’d gotten this far. But something in the pit of my stomach told me I needed to keep going.  

It wasn’t curiosity driving me. It was something else entirely.

——

Just as I was debating whether to turn back, a faint flicker of light appeared in front of me, hovering like a candle’s flame in the dim corridor.  

Then, a whisper: *“Follow me.”*  

My heart quickened, unsure whether to retreat or obey. Against all logic, my feet moved forward, trailing the light as it weaved its way further into the dungeon. It led me to a corner—a dead end.  

I hesitated, glancing around. “This doesn’t make any sense,” I murmured.  

The light floated toward the wall, settling over one of the blocks. Almost instinctively, I reached out and pressed my hand against it.  

The moment my fingers brushed the stone, a wave of magic rippled through the air. The ground trembled softly beneath me, and the cold, damp walls shifted and twisted. In an instant, the dead end was no more.  

What replaced it was a small alcove, bathed in a soft glow, and at the center of it—a chest.  

I stared at it, my breath caught in my throat. This wasn’t just a misplaced piece of furniture. No, this chest was meant to be hidden... and now it had revealed itself to me.  

—-

I approached the chest cautiously, its intricate carvings drawing my attention. My fingers traced the leather etchings on the cover of a journal tucked inside. The name etched into the surface sent a shiver through me: *Isadora Morganach.*  

My curiosity overpowered my hesitation as I opened the journal. To my surprise, its pages were completely blank.  

“What in the world…?” I muttered, flipping through the empty parchment, expecting something—anything—to appear.  

Suddenly, a familiar ripple of magic surged through the air, pulling me off balance. The dungeon around me twisted and blurred as though I were being Apparated. Before I could catch my bearings, I landed with a soft thud.  

When my vision cleared, I found myself standing in the middle of... the beast paddock?  

I turned in place, bewildered by the vast, open field, with its tranquil surroundings and the gentle rustling of leaves. “What is happening?” I whispered, gripping the journal tightly as if it might somehow anchor me to reality.

—-

Bewildered as I was, my thoughts were interrupted by two familiar voices calling out to me.  

“Jessa!”  

I turned and saw Poppy and Natty running toward me, their concern evident on their faces.  

“Did that magic send me here because they were here?” I wondered, clutching the journal tighter against my chest.  

“What are you doing here?” Natty asked, her brow furrowed. “Are you feeling fine now?”  

Poppy nodded in agreement, glancing me over as if trying to detect any lingering signs of discomfort.  

I smiled, trying to steady myself. “Yes, I’m fine now, thank you. I just needed some fresh air, and I was hoping to run into you two.”  

Natty and Poppy exchanged a look, their expressions softening into smiles. “Well, it’s good to see you up and about,” Poppy said. “We were just about to check on the newborn Kneazles. Would you like to join us?”  

Grateful for their presence and eager for some normalcy, I nodded. “I’d love to.”  

As we walked, I couldn’t help but glance back toward where I had landed. Something about this journal—and the magic that brought me here—felt like it wasn’t done with me yet.