The Daughter of Valancaire

Jessa's POV

Sebastian led me through the winding paths of Feldcroft, pointing out the fields and homes along the way until we reached a charming little cottage. It was quaint but beautiful, surrounded by a small garden filled with vibrant flowers and plants. Pots hung from the windows, with ivy climbing the stone walls. The warmth of the place immediately made me feel at ease.  

“Come on,” Sebastian said, holding the door open for me.  

Inside, I was greeted by a warm, welcoming voice.  

“Hello, Jessa! It’s a pleasure to finally meet you!”  

Anne stood in the doorway, her smile bright despite the frailty in her figure. She was as tall as me, with the same chestnut brown hair as Sebastian and warm brown eyes. But there was a paleness to her complexion and a weariness in her movements that caused a pang in my chest. Though I didn’t feel the same instant connection with her as I did with Sebastian, there was an undeniable sense of dread in my stomach seeing her condition.  

“The pleasure is mine!” I said, smiling warmly. “I’ve heard so much about you from Ominis and Sebastian that I feel like I already know you.”  

Anne gestured for me to come in, ushering me to a cozy sitting area. She poured tea into delicate cups and handed me one.  

Sebastian excused himself, saying he’d head to the village to pick up fresh fish for lunch.  

Once we were alone, Anne smiled at me. “Thank you for the quill,” she said softly. “It’s my favorite thing now.”  

I grinned. “Well, hold your thestrals, I might have something that can top that.”  

I reached into my satchel and pulled out two books. Anne’s eyes widened as she shook her head.  

“Oh no, no more gifts! I think I’ve received too much already!”  

“Nonsense,” I said with a wave of my hand. “Don’t worry; I didn’t spend a Knut on these. They’re from my family’s library, and I thought you’d enjoy them.”  

I handed her the first book. “This one is *Practical and Whimsical Charms from Ancient Civilizations*. Ominis mentioned you like using charms for odd reasons.”  

Anne giggled. “He’s not wrong.”  

“And this one…” I hesitated, lowering my voice. “Well, don’t tell your brother.”  

Anne raised an eyebrow as I handed her the second book.  

“It’s for entertainment purposes only,” I said with a laugh. “It’s a romance about a powerful witch who falls in love with a Muggle merchant. My mother adored this book, and so do I. It’s a little indulgent, but I thought you might enjoy it too.”  

Anne blushed, laughing softly. “I can’t wait to read it! Thank you so much.”  

We spent the next hour chatting over tea and muffins, talking about everything from classes to my night with Ominis at the Three Broomsticks. Anne was bright and easy to talk to, her laughter infectious.  

---

The door opened, and Sebastian walked in with a broad smile. “Looks like you two are having fun.”  

Behind him was a tall man with a commanding presence. Anne quickly introduced him.  

“This is our uncle, Solomon Sallow.”  

I stood up and extended my hand. “A pleasure to meet you, and thank you for letting me visit your home. I’m Jessa Lia Valancaire.”  

Solomon’s eyes widened briefly at my name but quickly composed himself. “The pleasure is mine. You’re welcome here. Please, stay for lunch. We’ve just got some fresh fish.”  

“I’d love to,” I replied with a smile. “I adore fish dishes.”  

Just as I turned to sit again, Anne suddenly let out a cry of pain, clutching her side. The color drained from Sebastian’s face as he rushed to her side, panic etched across his features. Solomon moved quickly, too, his face tight with worry.  

“You need to rest,” Solomon said firmly.  

“Wait,” I interjected, stepping forward. “May I?”  

“What?” Solomon said sharply, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.  

I pulled out my wand, my hand steady.  

Anne whimpered softly, her pain clear in her trembling form. Without hesitation, I pointed my wand at her abdomen and chanted an incantation. A warm light enveloped her, and her face began to relax.  

“The pain…” she murmured weakly, “it’s still there, but the sharpness is gone.”  

Sebastian and Solomon both let out relieved sighs.  

“What did you do?” Sebastian asked, his voice filled with both curiosity and gratitude.  

“It’s a spell I learned from our family Mediwitch,” I explained. “She used it whenever I had piercing headaches. It’s an old spell, passed down in her family. It doesn’t remove the pain completely, but it makes it bearable.”  

“Can you teach us?” Solomon asked, his tone softening.  

“Of course,” I said. “Anything to help.”  

Sebastian hugged me tightly, catching me off guard. “Thank you,” he whispered.  

I smiled, hugging him back. “You don’t need to thank me.”  

I helped guide Anne back to her seat, where she sat more comfortably now, her breathing even. Solomon’s expression softened further as he glanced at me.  

“You have my gratitude, Miss Valancaire,” he said, his voice low but sincere.  

I nodded, grateful to have been of help, but my mind was already turning. Anne’s condition wasn’t just an ailment—it was a burden that weighed on everyone here, and I couldn’t help but wonder if there was more I could do. 

—-

After Anne laid down to rest, I joined Sebastian and his uncle in the kitchen to help prepare lunch. It was a simple meal, but the warmth and chatter made it feel special. The fish was delicious, the vegetables fresh, and the atmosphere comforting.  

After lunch, the three of us worked together to learn the pain-relief spell I had used on Anne earlier. Both Solomon and Sebastian picked it up quickly, and though I had little doubt in their abilities, seeing them practice so intently for Anne’s sake filled me with admiration.  

Soon, it was time for us to return to Hogwarts for detention. We decided not to tell Anne about it, not wanting to give her more reason to worry.  

As we said our goodbyes, Anne hugged me tightly, whispering in my ear, “Thank you for everything. I know it’s too much to ask, but… please, take care of my brother.”  

“I will,” I whispered back.  

When she let go, her tone brightened. “And write me back! I’ll make sure to write soon.”  

“I will, I promise,” I said with a smile.  

Sebastian and I readied to leave, our brooms in hand. Just as we were about to take off, something caught my eye—a ruined castle off in the distance. A strange pull stirred within me, and for a moment, I felt a faint light, barely noticeable but distinctly there.  

“What’s that castle?” I asked, my voice filled with curiosity.  

Sebastian followed my gaze. “That?” He tilted his head. “It’s been abandoned for centuries. Why? You look… interested.”  

“I am,” I said honestly. “Can we go closer?”  

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, but a small grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Sure. Let’s have a look.”  

---

We flew closer to the ruined castle, landing at its crumbling entrance. The stone walls, weathered by time, loomed above us, and vines crept along every surface. There was a stillness to the place, as though it was waiting for something.  

I could see it again—a faint light flickering in the distance, like it was calling to me.  

“I feel something here,” I murmured.  

Sebastian studied me for a moment and nodded. “You’re sensing something, aren’t you? I won’t pry, but I’ll come with you.”  

We ventured deeper into the ruins, the air growing colder. The silence was broken only by our footsteps echoing off the stone walls. Soon, we came to a passageway choked with Devil’s Snare.  

“Lumos,” we cast in unison, the soft light from our wands keeping the writhing vines at bay.  

The passage opened into a room. The air felt heavy here, and in the corner of the room, a burned portrait hung on the wall. The painting depicted a woman, but her face had been destroyed, leaving only the outline of her figure in an elegant dress.  

Sebastian stepped closer. “Wait,” he said, narrowing his eyes. “I remember now. My uncle mentioned this place. It used to be the home of a former Hogwarts professor.”  

I looked around, but there was no sign of a name or any other clue about the owner. Then, something caught my eye—a mirror in the corner of the room.  

“There’s a light,” I said softly, stepping toward it. A ripple of magic emanated from the mirror, shimmering faintly.  

Sebastian frowned. “I don’t see anything.”  

I reached out instinctively, placing my hand on the mirror. “Hold my hand,” I said.  

Sebastian hesitated for only a second before gripping my hand tightly. The moment his fingers wrapped around mine, the mirror responded, pulling us into it. The world around us twisted and blurred, and when it stopped, we were standing in a different place entirely.  

“Bloody hell,” Sebastian muttered, looking around in shock. “We’re in… we’re in…”  

“Where?” I asked, glancing at him.  

“This is the Undercroft,” he said, his voice filled with awe and confusion. “But… how did we get here?”  

___

Suddenly, the sound of metal clacking echoed through the Undercroft, sending a chill down my spine.  

"Sebastian?! Jessa?!" a familiar voice called out, tinged with annoyance.  

“Ominis?” Sebastian said, clearly startled.  

Footsteps approached, and soon, Ominis emerged from the shadows, his wand raised slightly. “What are you two doing here?” he demanded.  

“I… where are we?” I asked, confused and still processing how we had ended up in this strange place.  

Ominis crossed his arms, looking in Sebastian's direction. “You know, Sebastian, if you’d just asked me first, I might have *gladly* allowed Jessa to come here. But no, you never bother to ask.”  

Sebastian rolled his eyes. “I didn’t exactly plan this, Ominis.”  

“Well?” Ominis pressed, raising an expectant eyebrow.  

Sebastian sighed and explained, “This is the Undercroft. It’s a secret room beneath Hogwarts—kind of like a family hideaway for us Gaunts. It’s been here for generations. Ominis and I use it sometimes to practice spells or just get away from everything.”  

I nodded slowly, taking in my surroundings. “It’s incredible,” I murmured, though the faint pull of magic I had felt earlier still lingered in my chest.  

Ominis turned his gaze toward me, his expression softening slightly. “How did you even end up here?”  

I explained everything—the castle ruins, the light I had seen, the mirror that reacted to my touch, and how it transported both Sebastian and me to this place.  

When I finished, Ominis shook his head in disbelief. “I can’t believe it,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair. “Well, our family *does* have many secrets…”  

He trailed off, clearly deep in thought, while Sebastian looked at me, his eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of excitement. “What do you think it means?” he asked.  

“I don’t know yet,” I admitted. “But something led me here, and I intend to find out what it is.”  

Ominis sighed, his annoyance melting away into mild concern. “Whatever it is, be careful, Jessa. There’s no telling what kind of magic might be at play here.”  

“Careful is her middle name,” Sebastian teased, earning a sharp look from Ominis.  

—-

Ominis sighed, his annoyance finally giving way to calm understanding. “Well, Jessa, you can use this place. I was planning to introduce you to the Undercroft eventually, but… it seems fate had other plans.”  

I smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Ominis.”  

He gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable. Ominis wasn’t the kind of person to pry, and I appreciated that. I knew he probably had a lot of questions about what brought me here, but he respected my silence on the matter.  

After that, Sebastian and Ominis helped me explore the Undercroft. It was a fascinating space—an ancient hideaway steeped in history, filled with untold potential for discovery.  

As we looked around, Sebastian shared stories from our visit to Feldcroft, mentioning how Anne had insisted Ominis should come along next time.  

“She’d love to see you, Ominis,” Sebastian said with a smile.  

“I’d love to see her too,” Ominis replied softly.  

Then Sebastian turned toward me, a teasing glint in his eye. “Oh, and Anne also mentioned the books you gave her. She tried to hide the other one, but I saw the title of that *other* book, you know.”  

I froze for a moment before my face turned crimson. “I… It’s a *good* book!” I stammered, defending myself.  

Sebastian and Ominis burst into laughter, and despite my embarrassment, I found myself laughing along.  

_____

Suddenly, a thought struck me, and I perked up. “Ah! Can you two teach me some offensive spells? My father only taught me practical spells since we didn’t have much time. I was hoping you two could help me catch up, especially now that I have a place to practice!” I clasped my hands and gave them my most pleading look.  

They both raised a brow, and I quickly added, “I’ll treat you to ButterBeers!”  

Ominis sighed, and Sebastian chuckled, both shaking their heads. “Deal,” Ominis said. “But you need to promise that you won’t use these spells without guidance unless you’ve truly mastered them.”  

“I promise,” I said earnestly.  

“Fine, I’ll teach you *Confringo*,” Sebastian offered, stepping forward. “It’s a long-range blasting curse—perfect for keeping your enemies at a distance. You focus your energy, point your wand, and imagine an explosion. It’s powerful, but you have to be careful—it can cause some serious damage if you’re not precise.”  

“And I’ll teach you *Bombarda*,” Ominis added, his tone calm but firm. “It’s a spell for controlled destruction—excellent for breaking barriers or clearing obstacles. But it’s just as dangerous if mishandled, so control is key. You’ll need to channel your magic carefully to avoid unintended consequences.”  

As I listened, my excitement turned into a mix of awe and apprehension. Both spells sounded complicated—and dangerous. But I was determined.  

“I’m ready,” I said confidently. “We still have some time before detention… can we start now?”  

Sebastian grinned, his eyes lighting up. “Alright, let’s see what you’ve got.”  

Ominis sighed again but couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Fine. Let’s begin.”  

And just like that, the Undercroft transformed into a training ground as I prepared to learn my first real offensive spells under the guidance of my two closest friends.

——

We practiced until it was time for detention. I had another class later in the day, but since it was Astronomy, it wouldn’t take place until night, so I still had time.  

Ominis walked with us to the detention room, his presence calm and grounding as always. As we neared the door, he slowed his pace, turning to me with a thoughtful look.  

“I’ll leave you two here,” he said, his tone gentle but firm. “But remember, Jessa, our promise. Tomorrow, we’ll continue practicing. And please…” He hesitated briefly, then added, “Don’t overexert yourself.”  

I smiled at him, touched by his concern. “Yes, My Knight,” I said teasingly, giving him a playful bow.  

He chuckled softly, his lips curling into an amused smile. “Knight, is it? I suppose I’ve been called worse.” He shook his head, a glimmer of warmth in his usually serious demeanor.  

“Fitting though, don’t you think?” I teased, nudging Sebastian. “Every hero needs a knight.”  

Sebastian groaned dramatically. “Oh, so he gets the knightly title, and I get nothing?”  

Ominis smirked, his sharp wit returning. “Perhaps you’d like to be the court jester, Sebastian?”  

I burst into laughter as Sebastian muttered something about “traitorous friends.”  

“Until tomorrow, Jessa,” Ominis said, giving me a slight nod. “Don’t forget our deal. And remember, no practicing without supervision.” His tone was serious, but there was an unmistakable kindness in his words.  

I gave him a mock salute. “I hear you loud and clear, My Knight.”  

He chuckled again, shook his head, and headed off down the corridor.

As Sebastian and I continued walking to the detention room, he glanced at me with a raised brow. “A nickname, huh? I’m jealous. You don’t have a nickname for me.”  

Curious, I looked at him. “Well… what do you want me to call you?” I teased, smirking.  

He smirked back. “Oh, I don’t know. Surprise me.”  

I pretended to think deeply. “How about… Peeves’ Favorite?”  

Sebastian groaned.  

“Or… My Brother’s Thorn in His Side?”  

He burst into laughter, shaking his head. “Okay, you’re just being mean now.”  

“Alright, alright,” I said with mock seriousness. “How about *The Other Troll Slayer*?”  

Sebastian laughed harder, his voice echoing in the hallway. “That’s horrible!” he managed to say through his chuckles.  

“Well,” I said, softening my tone, “what about… *Bas*? It’s simple, part of your name, and… well, it could also mean a fish. You *did* make one hell of a fish dish today.”  

Sebastian shook his head, still laughing. “Alright, fine. Bas it is. At least that one’s tolerable.”  

We reached the detention room, still laughing from our banter. After detention, we parted ways, as I needed to prepare for Astronomy.  

Before we separated, Sebastian surprised me by pulling me into another hug. “Thanks for everything today,” he said quietly, his voice laced with sincerity.  

I hugged him back, smiling warmly. “You’re welcome, Bas.”  

As he walked off, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for both of them—Ominis and Sebastian. They had quickly become more than friends.