The Daughter of Valancaire

Sebastian’s POV

Frustration clawed at me as I trudged back to the common room, my thoughts swirling with equal parts irritation and disbelief. Caught by Peeves AGAIN, a guaranteed detention hanging over my head, and all of it for nothing—no leads, no useful information, just another fruitless trip to the Restricted Section.  

But even as I tried to stew in my frustration, my mind kept drifting back to that damned cupboard.  

Her smell lingered, light and fresh, like something floral with just a hint of sweetness. It had wrapped around me in that cramped little space, making it impossible to ignore. And then there was the way her silky black pajamas brushed against me. They shouldn’t have been memorable—they were just pajamas—but somehow, they were. I couldn’t stop thinking about how soft they looked, how they seemed to catch the faintest slivers of light.  

And then, of course, there was *her*.  

The closeness had been unbearable and thrilling all at once. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been so acutely aware of someone’s presence. Every small shift of her body, every tiny breath she took—it had all seemed amplified in that tiny cupboard, like the world outside had faded away and left only the two of us.  

Which, of course, had been the problem.  

I’d felt my thoughts wandering somewhere they shouldn’t have gone, and in a panic, I’d done the only thing I could think of to keep myself in check: I thought about dragon dung. Yes, dragon dung. I replayed every dreadful moment of cleaning it up during detention, every vile whiff of its smell. Anything to keep my mind off the way her hair brushed against my cheek when she shifted slightly or the way her voice had sounded so close to my ear when she’d whispered, “Is he gone yet?”  

I groaned aloud, running a hand through my hair. What kind of gentleman thinks about a cupboard moment like that? I was better than this. I had to be. She was my friend—or at least, I thought we were becoming friends. And I was supposed to be focused on Anne, not… this.  

But no matter how hard I tried to shove the memory aside, it lingered, stubborn and unrelenting. Her scent, her voice, her presence—it was all burned into my mind, and I hated how much I couldn’t stop thinking about it.  

By the time I reached the dormitory, I was more frustrated than ever, but for entirely different reasons. I flopped onto my bed, staring up at the canopy above me, and tried one last time to banish the memory of that cupboard.  

“Dragon dung,” I muttered under my breath, squeezing my eyes shut. “Dragon dung, dragon dung, dragon dung…”  

But even as I chanted it to myself, her face—bright, curious, and just a little mischievous—floated back into my mind, and I knew there wasn’t a spell in the world that could make me forget the way she’d made me feel in that moment. 


—-

The morning light filtered into the library, but I wasn’t there. Not today. After last night’s chaos in the Restricted Section, I needed time to think. My mind kept circling back to Jessa—her determination, the way she clutched that journal, and that moment in the cupboard. It was distracting, to say the least.  

But my train of thought was interrupted when I saw him.  

Vix Valancaire. One of Jessa’s older twin brother. 

He was sitting in the common room as I walked past, his sharp green eyes tracking me with an unsettling calm. I hesitated for half a second, considering making a quick exit, but before I could take another step, he stood and approached.  

"Sebastian," he greeted, his tone even but unmistakably pointed.  

“Vix,” I replied, trying to keep my tone light. “Good morning.”  

He didn’t bother with pleasantries. “I hear you had an eventful night in the Restricted Section.”  

My stomach twisted slightly, but I forced a smirk. “Word travels fast. Prefects really can’t keep secrets, can they?”  

He raised an eyebrow, not amused. “Let’s skip the jokes. What were you doing down there—with my sister?”  

I fought to keep my expression neutral. “We were researching,” I said, keeping it vague.  

Vix crossed his arms, his stance calm but commanding. “Researching,” he repeated, as if testing the word. “In the middle of the night. In the Restricted Section.”  

I shrugged, trying to downplay it. “She had something she needed to figure out. I just happened to be there at the same time.”  

“And you just *happened* to help her?” he asked, his sharp tone making it clear he wasn’t buying it.  

I met his gaze, refusing to back down. “Look, Jessa’s perfectly capable of making her own decisions. She’s smart, determined, and more than capable of handling herself.”  

Vix didn’t react right away, his green eyes studying me intently. Finally, he exhaled, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “I know that. Believe me, I know how strong my sister is. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to look out for her.”  

I nodded slowly, unsure of where he was going with this.  

“I’m glad she has someone like you as a friend,” Vix continued, his tone softening but remaining firm. “She needs people she can trust, people who’ll stand by her. But you need to remember something, Sallow.”  

“What’s that?” I asked cautiously.  

“You’re a young man, and she’s a young woman,” he said plainly, his gaze steady. “You may be friends now, but lines can get blurry. Just… be mindful of that. For both your sakes.”  

I blinked, caught off guard by the honesty in his words. He wasn’t accusing me or threatening me—he was simply stating a fact, one I couldn’t deny.  

“I hear you,” I said finally, my voice quieter than I intended.  

Vix gave a short nod, his expression softening slightly. “Good. She’s my sister, Sebastian. I trust her judgment, but that doesn’t mean I won’t step in if I think something’s amiss.”  

“I understand,” I said, meeting his gaze.  

He studied me for another moment, then added with a wry smirk, “Also, I don’t think this is the last conversation you’ll have with a Valancaire today.”  

I sighed, running a hand through my hair in frustration. “Of course not,” I muttered.  

Vix’s smirk grew. “You’ve still got two brothers left, Sallow. Good luck.”  

With that, he clapped a hand on my shoulder—a gesture that felt both reassuring and cautionary—before walking away, leaving me alone in the corridor.  

I stood there for a moment, his words and that smirk lingering in my mind.  

Be mindful of the lines.  

And apparently, prepare for another interrogation. Wonderful.

——

Ominis was probably already at the Great Hall, but I wasn’t in a rush to join him. I’d slept in, still groggy from last night’s escapades and the conversation with Vix earlier. As I stepped out into the corridor, ready to head for breakfast, my luck took a turn.  

There he was.  

Valor Valancaire.  

Vix’s twin brother and yet another Valancaire sibling I needed to face. Unlike his twin, Valor had an easy-going air about him—or so most people thought. But for some reason, it was him I was the wariest of. Maybe it was his confidence, the way he carried himself as if he had nothing to prove to anyone. Or maybe it was the fact that this was the same Valancaire who’d forced the Sorting Hat to place him in Gryffindor. Valor didn’t follow rules, not even the Hat’s. He was something else entirely.  

He met my gaze, and I knew there was no avoiding this. He motioned to the bench beside him, his expression unreadable.  

I took a steadying breath and walked over, sitting down next to him.  

“I heard from Vix,” he started casually, though his sharp green eyes betrayed the calm exterior. “And the loudmouth prefect.”  

Of course, he had. The prefects had been gossiping about last night’s adventure as if it were the talk of the year.  

“So,” he continued, leaning back slightly, “exactly what happened?”  

I repeated the explanation I’d given Vix, keeping my voice calm and steady. There was no point in embellishing anything—Valor was sharp enough to see right through that. He listened in silence, his eyes never leaving mine, his expression giving away nothing.  

When I finished, he didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, as if studying me.  

“Alright,” he said finally, his tone lighter than I expected. “I believe you were… researching.”  

I frowned slightly, not trusting the casualness in his voice.  

“But here’s the thing, Sallow,” he continued, his tone shifting, a subtle edge creeping in. “I know how you look at her.”  

I blinked, caught off guard by his directness.  

“Don’t bother denying it,” he said with a smirk, though his eyes were far from amused. “I’ve seen it. Hell, I’ve seen how *other* young men look at her too. My sister tends to leave an impression.”  

I opened my mouth to respond, but he held up a hand, cutting me off.  

“I’m not here to accuse you of anything,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “I’m just here to tell you this: Be careful. Jessa’s got a good heart, and she’s got enough to deal with without someone complicating things.”  

The warning was clear, though his tone remained even. It wasn’t the fiery protectiveness I’d felt from Vix—it was colder, sharper, like the edge of a blade pressed just close enough to remind you it’s there.  

“And if I find out you’ve hurt her—” He paused, leaning slightly closer, his smirk fading into something far more serious. “Let’s just say you don’t want to know what a Valancaire is capable of.”  

I swallowed, feeling the weight of his words.  

Then, as quickly as the tension had thickened, it lifted. Valor leaned back, his smirk returning as if the last few moments hadn’t happened.  

“Anyway,” he said, standing and brushing imaginary dust from his robes. “Enjoy your breakfast, Sallow. And remember what I said.”  

He walked away without another word, leaving me sitting on the bench, my mind racing.  

Two down, one to go.

——

I entered the Great Hall, and the stares began almost immediately. Whispers followed, growing louder as I passed clusters of students. Clearly, news of last night had spread like wildfire. It wasn’t hard to imagine how—Peeves likely wasted no time gleefully recounting the spectacle of Jessa and me getting caught by the prefects in the Restricted Section.  

As if the humiliation wasn’t enough, I still had to face her *brothers*.  

I scanned the tables, but Jessa and Jace weren’t there. Maybe that was for the best; I wasn’t sure I could handle another round of questioning just yet. Instead, I made my way over to Ominis, who was already seated with his usual dignified posture.  

The moment I sat down,I  felt it—that look. The one that practically radiated disapproval. It was eerily similar to the one Anne used to give me when she wanted to hex me into next week.

Fantastic. Apparently, it wasn’t just the Valancaire brothers I needed to watch out for. There was another one ready to let me have it.

“I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU, SALLOW,” he hissed, his voice sharp enough to make me wince.  

I groaned, leaning back in my seat. “Morning to you too, Ominis.”  

“Don’t you dare try to brush this off,” he snapped, his pale eyes narrowing as if he could see straight through me. “Sneaking into the Restricted Section again? And *with Jessa Valancaire*? What in Merlin’s name were you thinking?”  

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Look, I didn’t take her there, alright? She was already there when I found her. Peeves just made sure we didn’t leave quietly.”  

“You *both* got caught, Sebastian,” Ominis whispered harshly.  

“Do you think I don’t know that?” I shot back, keeping my voice low. “I wasn’t about to leave her there alone, Ominis. What was I supposed to do? Let Peeves call the entire staff on her?”  

Ominis shook his head, his tone exasperated but quieter. “You could’ve told her to leave before it got that far. Do you even realize how reckless that was? For both of you?”  

“I wasn’t going to abandon her!” I argued, frustration creeping into my voice. “She’s new here—she doesn’t know the risks like we do.”  

“And whose fault is that?” Ominis countered, his voice soft but cutting. “You should’ve sent her back to her common room the moment you saw her.”  

I clenched my jaw, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. “She’s not just some naïve first-year, Ominis. She’s capable—more than you realize.”  

“Maybe,” he admitted grudgingly. “But that doesn’t mean she belongs in situations like *this*. She’s not Anne, Sebastian.”  

Those words hit like a Bludger to the chest. I looked away, suddenly finding my plate very interesting. “I know,” I muttered.  

Ominis softened slightly but still didn’t let up. “Look, I’m not saying you don’t care about her. I know you do. But this isn’t the way to show it. If something happens to her because of one of your schemes…”  

“It won’t,” I interrupted firmly, meeting his unseeing gaze. “I won’t let anything happen to her.”  

Ominis sighed, his expression somewhere between exasperation and reluctant acceptance. “I hope you’re right. Because if this happens again, her brothers won’t hesitate to make you regret it. And, frankly, I wouldn’t stop them.”  

I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. “Don’t remind me. Vix and Valor already cornered me this morning, and I’m pretty sure Jace is next in line.”  

Ominis smirked faintly, clearly amused. “You’re in deep now, Sallow. The Valancaires don’t play around.”  

“Yeah, I’ve noticed,” I muttered, sinking lower in my seat.  

“Well, on the bright side, you’ve certainly left an impression,” he said with a dry chuckle, leaving me to stew in my own misery.

——————-

"Where *is* Jace?" I asked, scanning the Great Hall, already feeling uneasy after my earlier conversations with Vix and Valor.  

Ominis sighed, setting his goblet down with a soft clink. “Someone mentioned seeing him leave early this morning. He looked absolutely fuming—like a Graphorn on a rampage—and was heading toward the Ravenclaw Tower.”  

My stomach twisted uncomfortably. “The Ravenclaw Tower? He went to see Jessa?”  

“Who else?” Ominis replied, arching a brow. “It’s obvious he wants to talk to her about what happened last night. I doubt he’s too thrilled with either of you right now.”  

I groaned and rubbed my temples. “But I didn’t *sneak her in*! We just… ran into each other. I didn’t even know she was going to be there!”  

Ominis gave me a flat look. “Do you think Jace cares about the specifics? You were both caught in the Restricted Section. And as far as he’s concerned, *you* were there, so naturally, it’s your fault.”  

“That’s not fair!” I protested. “She’s the one who decided to go exploring on her own!”  

“And you could’ve sent her back,” Ominis countered calmly. “But instead, you stuck around, didn’t you?”  

I glared at him. “She was already there. I wasn’t about to leave her alone in the middle of the Restricted Section with Peeves prowling around.”  

Ominis smirked slightly, sipping his pumpkin juice. “Very noble of you, Sebastian. But you should’ve known it would come back to haunt you. Jace isn’t exactly the forgiving type, especially when it comes to his sister.”  

I slumped back in my seat, staring at my untouched breakfast. “Do you think he’s angry at *her* or just me?”  

“Does it matter?” Ominis asked, raising an eyebrow. “Either way, you’ll have to deal with him eventually. And if he’s anything like Vix or Valor, you’re in for a rough time.”  

I groaned again, pushing my plate away. “Fantastic. As if dealing with Vix and Valor this morning wasn’t enough.”  

“Well,” Ominis said, smirking faintly, “at least Jace doesn’t need an audience like Peeves or the prefects to make his point. He’s a bit more… direct.”  

“Thanks, Ominis,” I muttered sarcastically. “That’s really reassuring.”  

“You’re welcome,” he replied, completely unbothered.  

I sighed heavily, my thoughts racing as I tried to figure out how to navigate the inevitable confrontation with Jace. If he was already storming up to see Jessa, it was only a matter of time before he came looking for me. Something told me I wasn’t going to escape this unscathed. 

——-

Jessa’s POV

I knew I was in trouble the moment I woke up. The events of last night were bound to catch up with me, and today would be the day I’d face the consequences. As I was pulling myself together, a fellow Ravenclaw approached me, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern.  

“Jace is waiting for you just outside the common room door,” she said, her tone wary.  

I froze. Of course, he was. I’d been bracing for this since the moment Peeves and the prefects caught us in the Restricted Section.  

I took a deep breath as I approached the door, my heart pounding louder with each step. As soon as I opened it, there he was—my brother. Jace stood there with his arms crossed, his green eyes flashing with a mix of fury and something else I couldn’t quite place.  

“Jessa,” he said sharply, his voice low but firm. “We need to talk. Now.”  

I stepped outside and closed the door behind me, the cool morning air doing nothing to ease the tension crackling between us.  

“Jace, I—”  

He raised a hand, cutting me off. “Do you have any idea what kind of position you put yourself in last night?” he began, his voice tight with frustration. “This isn’t about you sneaking into the Restricted Section—though I’d like to know what you were thinking. It’s about you getting caught with a *man*—alone—in the middle of the night.”  

I blinked, caught off guard by the direction of his anger. “Jace, it wasn’t like that! I didn’t even know Sebastian was going to be there. We just… ran into each other.”  

He narrowed his eyes. “That doesn’t matter. Do you know what people are saying about you now? A proper lady doesn’t find herself in situations like that, Jessa. You’ve put your reputation on the line!”  

I crossed my arms defensively. “I’m not some helpless girl who needs her reputation protected, Jace. I can handle myself.”  

“Clearly, you can’t,” he shot back, his voice rising slightly. “If you could, you wouldn’t have gotten caught! And why, *why*, didn’t you come to me for help if you needed to sneak into the Restricted Section? You knew it was dangerous, and yet you went alone. That’s what disappoints me the most.”  

I flinched at his words, the sting of his disappointment hitting harder than I expected. “I didn’t want to burden you,” I said softly. “I thought I could handle it on my own.”  

Jace ran a hand through his blonde hair, his frustration evident. “Jessa, you’re my sister. It’s not a burden to help you. But instead, you went off on your own and ended up in a situation that could’ve been avoided. I expect better from you.”  

I bit my lip, the weight of his words sinking in. I knew I needed to tell him the truth—about why I was in the Restricted Section and what I’d found. But this wasn’t the right place or time.  

“You’re right,” I said softly. “I should’ve come to you. There’s… something I need to tell you, but not here.”  

Jace’s frown deepened, suspicion flickering in his green eyes. “What is it?”  

“I can’t explain it now,” I said quickly. “Meet me later—down by the Slytherin dungeons. I’ll tell you everything then.”  

His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “The Slytherin dungeons? What on earth are you doing down there?”  

“I’ll explain later,” I insisted, holding his gaze. “Just trust me, Jace. Please.”  

He studied me for a long moment, his jaw tight. Finally, he sighed, his frustration giving way to cautious curiosity. “Fine. But this better be good, Jessa.”  

“It will be,” I promised, relief washing over me.  

Jace nodded, though the tension in his posture didn’t fully ease. “Alright. I’ll see you later. Just—try to stay out of trouble until then, will you?”  

“I’ll try,” I said with a small smile.  

He gave me one last look before walking away, and I felt the weight of his concern settle over me. I knew I owed him an explanation—and I hoped that what I had to share would help him understand why I couldn’t stop now.



Jace's POV

The morning air did little to cool my temper. As I made my way to my first class, my thoughts were still on my conversation with Jessa. I was frustrated—at her recklessness, at the situation, and, if I was being honest, at the *idiot* she’d managed to get caught with.  

And then, as if summoned by sheer irritation, I spotted Sebastian Sallow down the corridor. He looked pale, like he’d seen a ghost, his usual cocky demeanor replaced by what I could only describe as nervous guilt.  

As soon as he spotted me, he froze. I didn’t even have to say a word before he started talking.  

“For the record,” he said, raising his hands defensively, “I didn’t sneak her in! She was already there. I was just trying to help!”  

I stopped in front of him, arms crossed, and stared him down. “I know,” I said flatly, watching as a flicker of relief crossed his face.  

“But,” I added sharply, my green eyes narrowing, “seeing your face still irritates me.”  

Sebastian blinked, taken aback. “What? Why?”  

“Because,” I said, leaning in slightly, “if you’re going to sneak into the Restricted Section with my sister, at least be *good* at it. Peeves? Really?”  

He grimaced, rubbing the back of his neck. “Okay, fair point. But for the last time, I didn’t sneak her in. We just… bumped into each other.”  

“Convenient,” I muttered, my tone dripping with sarcasm.  

Sebastian sighed, clearly exasperated. “Look, Jace, I didn’t ask for her to be there, but when I saw her, I wasn’t about to let her wander around on her own. She could’ve gotten into more trouble without me.”  

I raised an eyebrow. “And you didn’t think maybe *not being there at all* was the better option? Merlin’s beard, Sebastian, you just got detention for this last week!”  

He opened his mouth to respond, then closed it, realizing he didn’t have much of a defense. “Alright, fine,” he muttered. “It wasn’t my brightest moment. But she’s fine, isn’t she? No harm done.”  

“No harm done?” I repeated, my voice rising slightly. “Do you have any idea how this looks for her? You might not care about rumors, but Jessa doesn’t need people talking about her like that.”  

Sebastian’s expression softened, and for a moment, he looked genuinely apologetic. “I didn’t think about that,” he admitted quietly.  

“No, you didn’t,” I said firmly. “So do me a favor, Sallow. Next time you feel like playing the hero, think twice before dragging my sister into your messes.”  

He held up his hands again, nodding. “Alright, message received. Loud and clear.”  

“Good,” I said, stepping past him. But before I got too far, I glanced back over my shoulder. “And Sebastian?”  

“Yeah?” he asked, looking wary.  

“If I hear about this happening again, you won’t just be dealing with prefects. Understood?”  

He swallowed hard, then nodded. “Understood.”  

I turned back around and continued walking, feeling a bit more satisfied—but not entirely. I’d be keeping a closer eye on both of them from now on. 

———-

Jessa’s POV

Because of last night’s escapade, Sebastian and I were summoned to Professor Weasley’s office first thing in the morning. The scolding we received was nothing short of legendary. Her sharp tone echoed in the room as she reprimanded us for what felt like hours. By the end of it, even Sebastian, who usually had a witty retort for everything, looked utterly defeated.  

“As punishment,” she declared, her stern eyes locking on both of us, “you will each spend the next three evenings in detention, copying by hand *ten times* the entirety of the Hogwarts rule book.”  

Sebastian and I groaned in unison, the weight of the punishment sinking in immediately.  

“Perhaps this will teach you to respect the rules,” she added pointedly, dismissing us with a wave of her hand.  

As we left the office, still reeling from her lecture, I turned to Sebastian, guilt heavy in my chest. “Sebastian, I’m so sorry,” I said, my words spilling out quickly. “I didn’t mean for you to get dragged into this. And I know my brothers gave you an earful this morning—”  

“Oh, trust me, I got more than an earful,” he said, cutting me off with a smirk, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “But it’s fine. I’ve survived worse.”  

I shook my head, determined to make it clear. “No, really. I told them you didn’t sneak me in. I made sure they knew it wasn’t your fault.”  

He paused, looking at me for a moment before a small, genuine smile crept onto his face. “Thanks, Jessa,” he said softly. “I appreciate that.”  

I nodded, relieved that he wasn’t holding a grudge. “Still, I feel awful about all of this. You were just trying to help, and now we’re both stuck with this ridiculous punishment.”  

Sebastian shrugged, his usual cheekiness starting to return. “Oh, come on. It’s not so bad. Think of it as bonding time.”  

I rolled my eyes, unable to suppress a small laugh. “If by bonding time you mean endless hand cramps and boredom, then sure.”  

“Exactly,” he said with a grin. “I’ll bring the snacks; you bring the quills. Deal?”  

“Deal,” I said with a chuckle, feeling a bit lighter despite the long week ahead.  

As we headed down the corridor, I couldn’t help but think that, detention or not, Sebastian’s humor might just make this punishment a little more bearable.

———

**Jessa's POV**  

After the long scolding and grueling start to the morning, Sebastian and I hurried to Transfiguration class, trying not to think too hard about the fact that our detention involved copying the entire school rulebook ten times over.”  

We entered the classroom just as Professor Weasley was preparing to start. Our usual group—Poppy, Natty, and Ominis—were already at their desks, and as soon as they saw us, they exchanged glances.  

I made my way over to them, dropping into my seat. Ominis didn’t even wait for me to settle before leaning toward me, his expression stern.  

“Jessa,” he began in a sharp whisper, “what in Merlin’s name were you thinking sneaking into the Restricted Section? And with *him* of all people?” He shot a pointed look at Sebastian, who merely smirked and took the seat beside me.  

“I didn’t sneak in with him,” I whispered back quickly, trying to placate him. “We just… ran into each other.”  

“You’re lucky all you got was detention,” he continued, his tone exasperated.  

Natty leaned in from the other side, her brow furrowed with concern. “Are you all right, though? That must have been terrifying, getting caught like that.”  

Poppy nodded, her voice soft. “We were worried when we heard.”  

I smiled, trying to reassure them. “I’m fine, really. It’s just a bit of detention, and I promise I’ve learned my lesson.”  

“Doubtful,” Sebastian muttered under his breath, earning a glare from me.  

Before Ominis could launch into another lecture, Professor Weasley clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention.  

“Today, we’ll be working on *animal-to-object* transfiguration,” she announced, her voice bright with enthusiasm. “It requires focus, precision, and an understanding of the fundamental connection between living and inanimate matter.”  

She waved her wand, demonstrating on a small bird perched on her desk. In an instant, the bird transformed into an elegant teapot, its porcelain surface gleaming.  

“Now, it’s your turn,” she said, gesturing to the cages of small creatures in front of us. “Choose your subject and attempt the transformation.”  

I shared a look with Poppy, who was already reaching for a fluffy white rabbit. “This should be fun,” she said with a grin.  

Natty chose a frog, her expression determined as she concentrated on the spell. The frog shivered before turning into a lopsided vase that let out a faint croak. She laughed, shaking her head. “Well, at least it’s... functional?”  

I focused on a small sparrow, determined to turn it into a glass bottle. At first, I only managed to give it shimmering wings that reflected light like glass. After a few tries, though, the sparrow transformed completely, becoming a beautifully crafted bottle that sparkled in the sunlight.  

Sebastian, of course, made the task look effortless. He turned a hedgehog into a sleek inkwell on his first try, though the inkwell still had faint quills sticking out of it.  

“Not bad,” I teased. “Though I think your inkwell could use a bit more polish.”  

“Creative flair,” he retorted with a grin, clearly pleased with himself.  

Meanwhile, Ominis worked silently, his usual precision evident as he turned a mouse into a polished brass bell. It rang softly when he picked it up, earning an approving nod from Professor Weasley.  

The classroom buzzed with laughter and excitement as everyone practiced their transfigurations. Despite the chaos of the morning, I couldn’t help but feel lighter, the tension easing as the lesson went on.  

By the end of class, as I admired the glittering glass bottle on my desk, I couldn’t help but think that moments like these—amidst the chaos and challenges—were what made Hogwarts feel like home.

———


After class, I said my goodbyes to everyone, assuring them I’d see them later. Sebastian gave me a quick smirk and said, “See you in detention.” I rolled my eyes, trying not to smile, and hurried off toward the Slytherin dungeons.  

Surprisingly, I didn’t get lost this time. The cool, damp air of the lower levels seemed to guide me as I wound through the corridors. When I reached the spot Jace and I had agreed to meet, I found him leaning against the stone wall, arms crossed, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.  

“So, what’s this all about?” he asked as I approached.  

“Follow me,” I said, motioning for him to come along.  

I led him down the corridor until we reached the spot where I had first encountered the chest. I stopped and turned to him, pointing to the now-empty space.  

“In this spot,” I began, “I saw a chest appear after a ripple of magic. It’s gone now, like it was never here. But inside… there was a journal.” I pulled the leather-bound book from my bag, holding it out for him to see. “It’s completely blank, except for the name *Isidora* etched on the cover.”  

Jace took the journal from me, turning it over in his hands, his brow furrowing. “Isidora?” he muttered. “Never heard of her. But a blank journal? That’s odd.”  

“That’s why I went to the Restricted Section,” I said, my voice quieter now. “I was hoping to find something—anything—that could explain the strange magic I saw. Not just here, but also the lightning I conjured in Hogsmeade. It feels like they’re connected somehow.”  

Jace frowned, clearly deep in thought. “You’re saying this magic… the lightning, the chest, and this journal… they’re all tied together?”  

“I don’t know for sure,” I admitted, frustration creeping into my voice. “But it feels like there’s a thread connecting them. I can’t just ignore it, Jace.”  

He studied the journal for a moment longer before handing it back to me. “And it’s completely blank? No markings, no hidden text, nothing?”  

“Nothing,” I said, shaking my head.  

Jace paused, his expression thoughtful. “Have you tried writing in it?”  

I blinked. “Writing in it?”  

He nodded. “Some parchment is enchanted to respond to the one writing. It’s rare, but I’ve heard of it before. Maybe this journal is waiting for you to use it.”  

The idea hadn’t even occurred to me. I looked at the journal in my hands, my curiosity reigniting. “That… makes sense. Let’s try it,” I said, pulling out my quill and ink.  

I opened the journal to the first blank page, the parchment smooth under my fingers. Carefully, I dipped the quill and wrote, *Hello*.  

We both waited, holding our breaths, but the page remained blank. I sighed, my shoulders sagging slightly. Jace frowned, clearly disappointed.  

“Maybe it’s not that kind of enchantment,” he said after a moment. “Don’t lose hope, though. I’ll try and look into more tomes about enchanted objects. There has to be something we’re missing.”  

“Thank you,” I said sincerely, slipping the journal back into my bag.  

He gave me a reassuring smile. “Just don’t go sneaking off again without me, okay?”  

“Deal,” I said with a small laugh.  

We parted ways, and I hurried off toward my dreaded detention with Sebastian. The thought of spending hours copying the school’s rulebook was almost unbearable, but my mind kept drifting back to the journal.  

As I walked, I reached into my bag and pulled it out again, flipping it open to the page where I had written. For a moment, I thought it was still blank—but then, faintly, words began to appear.  

*Finally, we are alone.*  

I froze mid-step, my breath catching in my throat. My heart pounded as I stared at the words, the ink curling across the page as if written by an unseen hand.  

What in Merlin’s name had I just uncovered? 

——

I found a hidden corner in the castle, a quiet alcove shrouded in shadows where I could be alone with the journal. My heart pounded in anticipation, and my hands shook slightly as I pulled out my quill.  

I opened the journal again, staring at the words that had appeared: *Finally, we are alone.*  

Taking a deep breath, I dipped the quill in ink and wrote: *Isidora?*  

For a moment, there was no response. Then, the ink swirled on the page, forming a single word: *Yes.*  

I swallowed hard, glancing around to ensure no one was nearby before I wrote again: *What do you want?*  

The reply came almost instantly, the letters dark and deliberate: *I have something you want.*  

My hand hesitated over the page, my thoughts racing. I wrote, *What?*  

The response chilled me to my core: *Your memories.*  

My memories? I frowned, writing quickly. *My childhood memories? Before I went to sleep?*  

The journal answered with eerie precision: *No. All of your memories. From the life you have lived... and the life you will live.*  

I felt the air leave my lungs as I stared at the page, my pulse pounding in my ears. My grip on the quill tightened, and my mind reeled. What did it mean, *the life I will live*? How could a journal—an inanimate object—know something like that?  

I stared at the journal, my mind racing. The cryptic message about my memories was still sinking in when I wrote, my hand trembling slightly: *How will you give me that memory?*  

The ink swirled again, forming words that seemed to materialize with purpose: *The ancestral family tomb is located east of Brocburrow, where I hid my Pensieve. Only you can see it. Go there, and bring this journal.*  

I read the words over and over, my breath catching in my throat. East of Brocburrow... the family tomb? A Pensieve?  

This wasn’t just some cryptic clue or idle game. Isidora—or whatever force was guiding this journal—was leading me somewhere specific. Somewhere hidden. Somewhere that held answers about my memories, my magic, and perhaps the strange lightning in Hogsmeade.  

——

I hurried into the detention room, slightly out of breath. Sebastian was already seated, casually flipping through a book, but he looked up as I entered.  

“Late again,” he said with a smirk. “Let me guess—you got lost?”  

I rolled my eyes, though he wasn’t entirely wrong. “Not this time. I just got held up.”  

We settled into the monotonous task of copying the school’s rule book by hand. The repetitive scratching of quills filled the room, broken only occasionally by Sebastian’s muttered complaints about the absurdity of the punishment.  

As we worked, he glanced over at me. “Don’t forget your promise to visit Anne in Feldcroft.”  

I looked up, startled for a moment before remembering. “Oh! Of course. When are we going?”  

“Tomorrow,” he said, dipping his quill into the inkpot. “I already asked permission to move our detention to a later time tomorrow. I need to check on Anne anyway, and this seemed like a good chance for you to meet her.”  

I smiled. “I’d love to meet her. I’ve heard so much about her. Thank you for inviting me, Sebastian.”  

He nodded, though there was a flicker of hesitation in his expression. “It’s not much of an invitation, really. She doesn’t get many visitors. I think she’ll appreciate the company.”  

As we continued working, I hesitated before asking, “Sebastian, do you know anything about an ancestral family tomb east of Brocburrow?”  

He frowned, leaning back in his chair. “East of Brocburrow... Hmm. That sounds familiar. Oh, wait—Samantha Dale mentioned something like that once. She said her family tomb is located there. Why do you ask?”  

“I just... heard about it. Thought it might be worth looking into,” I said, trying to sound casual.  

The name Samantha Dale sparked a thought. I’d sent her a letter recently, but she hadn’t responded yet. Maybe I needed to write to her again tonight and press her for more information. She might know something that could help me understand the journal’s cryptic messages.  

Sebastian raised an eyebrow at my silence but didn’t press further.  

The rest of the detention passed uneventfully, the two of us finishing our task while occasionally exchanging a word or two to break the silence. As we stood to leave, Sebastian grinned at me.  

“Don’t forget—meet me tomorrow morning, and we’ll fly to Feldcroft together. You’ll love it out there, and Anne will be thrilled to meet you.”  

“I’ll be there,” I promised.  

As I walked back to my dorm, journal clutched tightly in hand, my mind swirled with thoughts of what lay ahead—the mysterious tomb, the secrets of the journal, and the meeting with Anne in Feldcroft. I made a mental note to write to Samantha again tonight. Little did I know, the answers I sought were only just beginning to unravel. 

---

I returned to the Ravenclaw common room, and to my surprise, I found Samantha sitting near the fireplace, her head bowed, shoulders trembling slightly. Relief and concern washed over me in equal measure.  

“Samantha!” I exclaimed, rushing toward her. I was so happy to see her that I hugged her without thinking. She hugged me back, but weakly, her arms trembling as soft, stifled sobs escaped her.  

I pulled back, gripping her shoulders gently. “What’s wrong? Samantha, talk to me.”  

She wiped at her tear-streaked cheeks and took a shaky breath. “It’s my brother... William. He’s been cursed.” Her voice broke on the last word.  

My heart sank. “Cursed? What happened?”  

Samantha hesitated before pulling a small, ornate crest from her satchel. It gleamed faintly in the dim light, intricate engravings etched into its surface.  

“It’s because of this,” she whispered. “The Marmaduke family crest. He... he moved it from our ancestral tomb, and now...” She trailed off, tears spilling again.  

I crouched beside her, trying to steady her as her voice cracked. “Now what?” I pressed gently.  

She sniffled, clutching the crest tightly. “Now he’s been cursed. It’s bad, Jessa. Really bad. My family’s forbidden me from trying to put it back—they say it’s too dangerous. They’re waiting for the Aurors, but they’re overwhelmed and might not come for days. I’m scared, Jessa. I’m afraid William won’t make it that long.”  

Her despair was palpable, and I instinctively reached out to wipe away her tears. “Samantha,” I said firmly, “then let’s do it. Let us put it back.”  

Her eyes widened in shock. “What? Jessa, no! It’s too dangerous! My brother said there was a troll guarding the tomb—he only managed to sneak past it because of sheer luck. What if something happens to us?”  

“I’m not going to stand by and let your brother suffer while we wait for help that might not come in time,” I said, my voice steady with determination. “We’ll prepare. We’ll gather the potions we need, practice the spells that can protect us, and when we’re ready, we’ll go to that tomb and put the crest back where it belongs.”  

Samantha looked at me, stunned. Her lip quivered as fresh tears welled in her eyes. Then, suddenly, she threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly this time.  

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. “Thank you, Jessa.”  

I hugged her back, a small spark of resolve igniting within me. I wanted to help my friend, and I couldn’t ignore the opportunity this presented. The journal’s instructions about the tomb loomed in the back of my mind. This could be my chance to follow its lead.  

As Samantha pulled away, I looked her in the eye. “We’ll do this together. But first, we need to be ready. We’ll prepare for anything, and once we’re sure, we’ll face whatever’s guarding that tomb.”  

She nodded, her expression still hesitant but filled with hope. “Okay,” she said softly.  

That night, I resolved to gather everything we needed—knowledge, supplies, and courage. This wasn’t just about the crest or Samantha’s brother. It was about uncovering the mysteries that had been tugging at the edges of my world, waiting to be revealed. 


——-

Morning came early, the soft glow of the sun spilling into the Ravenclaw tower. Samantha was already up and bustling about, gathering supplies. She caught my eye as I sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.  

“I’ll gather potions and anything else we might need for the tomb,” she said determinedly.  

I nodded, stretching before standing. “I’ll be heading to Feldcroft today, but once I return, we’ll sit down and come up with a proper plan.”  

Samantha smiled faintly. “Thank you, Jessa. For everything.”  

With that, she hurried off, leaving me to prepare for my day.  

---

I dressed carefully, choosing a pair of fitted trousers perfect for flying and a soft jumper. As usual, all my clothes were my mother’s choices—practical, but tailored in a way that made me stand out more than I cared to. I sighed, smoothing the fabric as I packed my satchel with a few books I thought Anne might enjoy.  

When I stepped outside, Sebastian was already waiting, broom in hand. He grinned the moment he saw me, his sharp green eyes twinkling with mischief.  

“Looking sharp, Jessa. Ready to wow all of Feldcroft with your wardrobe?” he teased, his tone light.  

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. “Let’s just hope my flying is as impressive as my jumper,” I shot back, earning a chuckle from him.  

“Fair enough. Ready?”  

“Ready,” I said, gripping my broom tightly.  

---

The journey to Feldcroft was nothing short of breathtaking. The crisp morning air rushed past as we soared over rolling hills, Sebastian pointing out hamlets and landmarks along the way. He was animated, sharing bits of trivia about each place, his enthusiasm contagious.  

“That’s Bainburgh,” he said, gesturing toward a quaint little village nestled in a valley. “They have the best butterbeer outside of Hogsmeade—trust me.”  

I laughed, marveling at the peaceful beauty of the countryside below. The vast fields stretched endlessly, dotted with cottages, streams, and the occasional wandering animal.  

Finally, we descended toward Feldcroft, and the view took my breath away. The village was small but picturesque, a collection of stone cottages surrounded by lush greenery. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys, and the faint sound of laughter and chatter carried on the breeze. Beyond the village, the land opened into vast fields bordered by dense woodlands, with a distant river glinting in the sunlight.  

“It’s beautiful,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper as we landed.  

Sebastian smiled, his expression softening as he looked around. “It is, isn’t it? It’s even better when you get to explore. Come on, I’ll show you the house.”  

I followed him, excitement and nervousness bubbling within me. This wasn’t just a visit—it was a step into Sebastian’s world, and I was eager to meet Anne and learn more about the place he called home.