The Daughter of Valancaire

Professor Weasley walked me through the different parts of the Room of Requirement, her voice filled with the same warm enthusiasm she carried in every lesson.

“As you can see,” she gestured, “the room provides a variety of resources to aid you in your studies.”

She demonstrated several spells, teaching me how to adjust and personalize the space. With a flick of her wand, a loom appeared, perfect for upgrading my robes. Nearby, a series of enchanted planters shimmered into existence, ideal for growing potion ingredients.

I turned, eyes widening at the massive desk that formed in the center of the room—an enchanting station. Books, quills, and ink floated onto the desk, settling neatly in their places.

Then, my gaze landed on it.

A potion station.

A cauldron rested atop an elegant stand, steam curling from its surface as if it were already waiting for me. Shelves of neatly labeled ingredients materialized against the wall, and a set of empty vials gleamed under the warm glow of floating lanterns.

I nearly sighed in relief.

This would be perfect.

I was still admiring the potion station when the ground trembled slightly beneath me. A new section of the room unfolded, revealing a sprawling outdoor-like space, bathed in soft sunlight.

A vivarium.

“A sanctuary for magical creatures,” Professor Weasley explained. “Should you ever find yourself in need of space to care for any… rescued companions.”

I turned to her. “Professor… why are you showing this to me?”

She smiled. “Because Professor Fig requested it.”

My breath hitched.

“He mentioned you would be assisting him with his ‘research’ and that you might need a space to work,” she continued. “This room will allow you to not only help with his studies but also keep up with your own coursework.”

I nodded slowly. Research. So that’s what we’re calling it.

Professor Weasley gave me an encouraging smile before introducing me to Deek, a small house-elf with large, intelligent eyes.

“This is Deek. He will be here to help maintain the room and assist you with anything you may need.”

Deek bowed slightly, his ears twitching. “Deek is honored to help Miss Valancaire.”

I smiled warmly and bowed my head slightly in return. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Deek.”

After answering a few more of my questions, Professor Weasley left, reminding me to reach out to Deek if I ever needed help.

As soon as the door shut behind her, I turned to the house-elf.

“Deek,” I said, “how can I make the room change? How do I… ask for something specific?”

Deek clasped his small hands together. “Miss Valancaire must think about what she needs, in detail. The room will respond to what is most essential.”

I took a deep breath.

I needed a place. A place where moonlight could pass through, where it could envelope me fully. A room designed to brew under the full moon.

A place of power.

I closed my eyes and imagined it clearly in my mind. The cool glow of the moon, stone floors etched with runes, a potion station in the center—open to the night sky.

The room shifted.

The walls rippled like ink spilling across parchment. The air buzzed with ancient magic, responding to my call.

Before me, a new door emerged—a grand, arched entranceway leading to a circular chamber. The stone walls were ancient yet polished, runic symbols carved into their surface, glowing faintly with golden light.

Above me, the ceiling had disappeared.

Instead, there was the night sky.

The stars shimmered bright and clear, and the full moon’s silver glow bathed the entire room. It was a sanctuary of stillness and power, the cool moonlight touching everything like a whispered secret.

The potion station stood in the center, perfectly aligned beneath the moon’s gaze. Shelves lined the walls, stocked with fresh ingredients. A quiet hum of magic filled the air, as if the room itself were alive, waiting.

I swallowed hard.

This… this was perfect.

Deek watched with wide eyes. “Miss Valancaire’s request was very… detailed. The Room of Requirement has never created something quite like this.”

I took a slow step forward, the moonlight casting a soft glow on my skin.

This was where I would do it.

This was where I would brew Essentia Veritas.

I placed a hand on the potion station, breathing deeply.

It was time.

____

I left the Room of Requirement with excitement thrumming in my veins, eager to begin the brewing process. The room had given me everything I needed, a space unlike any other—a sanctuary bathed in moonlight, a place of magic and purpose.

As I turned a corner, I found Ominis, standing stiffly with a troubled expression.

Something was wrong.

I frowned, quickening my pace. “Ominis? What happened?”

His lips parted slightly, as if to answer, but he hesitated.

“Come,” I said instead, grabbing his hand, pulling him with me. “Let’s talk somewhere private.”

Without giving him a chance to protest, I led him to the Astronomy Tower, where I once again revealed the hidden door to the Room of Requirement.

As we stepped inside, I watched his expression shift—from concerned to completely bewildered. His wand flickered softly as he turned, taking in the space through his senses.

“Jessa…” His voice was filled with awe. “How long have you known about this?”

I grinned. “Just a little while ago. And you, dear Ominis, are the first person I’ve shown it to.”

A soft smile crossed his lips, momentarily washing away his worry.

“Come,” I said, guiding him further in. “The room provided everything I need to brew the potion. Not just a place, Ominis, but—” I lifted my arms toward the moonlit ceiling “—even a moon.”

His jaw slackened in awe and relief.

“That’s… incredible, Jessa.”

But then—his face darkened again, the weight of his troubles returning.

“What’s wrong, Ominis?” I asked, tilting my head.

He swallowed, then pulled a leather-bound journal from his robes.

“I…” His fingers tightened around the book. “I was able to copy the spellbook.”

I stiffened. “How?”

“There was a spell my Aunt Noctua once taught me—a recreation charm. She used it often when copying library passages.”

“And Sebastian just… let you?” I asked suspiciously.

Ominis shifted uncomfortably.

“…He might have been asleep,” he muttered.

Something in his tone made me narrow my eyes. “Ominis—”

“I might have… spiked his pumpkin juice with a Sleeping Draught.”

I gasped. “Ominis!”

“Desperate times call for desperate measures, Jessa,” he said flatly. “And this is one of those times.”

I sighed, crossing my arms. “You’re not usually the type to slip someone a potion, you know.”

“Trust me, I know,” Ominis muttered, clearly not proud of what he had done.

He handed me the book, his face grim. “I didn’t just copy the book’s contents. I copied Sebastian’s notes too.”

I froze.

“He lied. He was able to decipher it,” Ominis continued in a low voice. “The book speaks of a relic, something that can cure curses. He’s now figuring out where exactly it is.”

My stomach dropped.

Sebastian… had already found something. And he hadn’t told us.

We were running out of time.

I inhaled sharply, clutching the book. “Then we need to hurry, my knight. Let’s brew the potion.”

Ominis nodded, his expression determined.

—-

The Brewing of Essentia Veritas

The Lunar Room (I decided to call it) pulsed with magic, responding to my intent. The enchanted ceiling overhead bathed the chamber in soft moonlight, illuminating the work ahead.

At the center, the cauldron stood waiting, its polished surface reflecting the shimmering silver glow of the runes embedded into the floor. Around it, a carefully arranged ring of powdered moonstone gleamed, amplifying the potion’s potency as required.

Ominis stood to the side, his fingers trailing over the spine of the copied spellbook, his expression still troubled. He had already told me what Sebastian had deciphered—and it was worse than we expected.

A relic. Something that could cure Anne’s curse.

Sebastian was keeping it from us.

That thought burned in my mind, but I had to focus. I inhaled deeply, shaking off the anxiety pressing against my chest.

This potion came first. If it worked, then we wouldn’t need to rely on whatever dark magic Sebastian was chasing.

“Are you sure about this?” Ominis asked quietly, sensing the weight of my thoughts.

I nodded, rolling up my sleeves. “We don’t have a choice. We need to act before he does.”

Ominis hesitated, then finally said, “Then let’s do it.”

I placed my hands on the edge of the cauldron and whispered the first incantation. The runes on the ground flared, and the potion’s base liquid began to shimmer.

The process had begun.

Step One: The Foundation

I reached for the Fluxweed Sprigs and Silvervine Sap, carefully measured and cut. Their delicate leaves curled slightly under my fingertips, pulsing with latent energy.

I gently dropped them into the swirling liquid, watching as the potion’s surface rippled and turned a faint silvery-blue.

Ominis tilted his head slightly. “That… felt like a shift in the air.”

I smiled. “That’s the Fluxweed and Silvervine Sap activating. It’s the foundation. Now for the strengthening agent.”

Step Two: The Core

I grabbed a small mortar and pestle and took out the Ashwinder Eggs. Their delicate shells were still warm, pulsing faintly like embers.

Grinding them down, I watched as wisps of red smoke curled from the powder.

Carefully, I added it to the cauldron.

The moment the powdered eggs touched the liquid, the potion deepened to an iridescent opal hue. A faint pulse of heat radiated outward, and I saw Ominis flinch slightly.

“That…” he murmured, “felt almost alive.”

“Because it is,” I said. “This potion needs to adapt to the curse’s magic—Ashwinder Eggs help create that reaction.”

I reached for the next ingredient.

Step Three: The Balance

The Nightshade Bloom lay in a delicate glass vial, its violet petals almost glowing under the lunar light.

Nightshade was a dangerous plant—lethal in large doses, but in this case, it was necessary.

As I let the petals drift into the cauldron, the potion swirled violently, deepening into a rich indigo color.

The air became thicker, as though something unseen had been summoned.

Ominis exhaled sharply. “That was… unsettling.”

“It’s stabilizing the core,” I explained, though my own hands trembled slightly. “Nightshade forces the other ingredients to blend properly. It’s why this potion is so rare—one mistake, and it could be dangerous.”

Ominis didn’t speak, but his fingers curled slightly around the spellbook, holding it tighter.

We were walking a thin line.

Step Four: The Feather of Time

Next, I took out the Jobberknoll Feather, its soft blue strands shifting under my touch.

Jobberknolls were known for perfect memory, and their feathers were often used in truth serums and diagnostic potions.

If the Essentia Veritas was going to reveal the nature of Anne’s curse, this ingredient was vital.

I let the feather fall into the mixture.

The potion stilled.

For a brief moment, everything went completely silent.

Then—a soft pulse echoed from the cauldron, as if the potion itself had acknowledged the memory infused within.

Ominis tensed.

“That felt… like a heartbeat,” he said quietly.

I swallowed. “We’re almost there.”

Step Five: The Essence of the Moon

I uncorked a vial filled with Starlight Essence, a rare ingredient that could only be collected on clear, moonlit nights.

It shimmered between my fingers, like liquid stars.

Ominis leaned forward slightly, his sightless gaze fixed in my direction.

“I can feel the magic from here,” he murmured.

I carefully tilted the vial, allowing the Starlight Essence to slip into the cauldron.

The moment it touched the surface, the potion flared to life—shifting into a brilliant silver, pulsating like a living thing.

Ominis gripped the table. “That—”

“I know,” I whispered. “It’s working.”

But we weren’t done yet.

Only one ingredient remained.

Final Step: The Blood of Anne Sallow

I reached for the small glass vial, my fingers shaking slightly.

Inside, Anne’s blood gleamed under the moonlight, dark yet strangely luminescent.

Ominis stiffened beside me. “Jessa…”

I inhaled deeply.

The final step.

The blood of the afflicted.

I uncorked the vial and slowly tilted it over the cauldron.

A single drop fell.

The second it touched the potion’s surface—

A shockwave of golden light erupted outward.

The force sent papers flying, the air crackling with energy. The potion shimmered, shifting violently between silver and gold, as though caught between two worlds.

Ominis stumbled slightly, gripping the edge of the table.

“Merlin—”

I didn’t dare breathe.

The cauldron was glowing, magic spiraling upward, dancing through the air in delicate golden threads.

Then—just as suddenly as it began—

The room stilled.

The liquid inside the cauldron settled into a deep, luminous gold.

Ominis exhaled, his shoulders relaxing slightly.

“…We did it,” I whispered.

He nodded. “We did.”

I reached out, taking a single glass vial and carefully dipping it into the Essentia Veritas.

As I sealed the vial, I felt a deep pull within my chest.

This potion… it was different. Stronger.

I held the vial up to the moonlight, watching it catch the glow.

This was it.

The moment of truth.

____

I barely breathed as I set down the vial of Essentia Veritas on the worktable, my hands trembling slightly.

The cauldron’s golden glow pulsed softly, illuminating the dim chamber like a captured star. This was it—the moment of truth.

I reached for a fresh parchment, my fingers steady despite the storm of thoughts racing through my mind. Ominis stood beside me, his grip still tight on the spellbook, his entire posture rigid.

Slowly, I uncorked the vial and allowed a single drop of the shimmering liquid to fall onto the blank page.

The reaction was immediate.

The potion sank into the parchment, and for a moment, nothing happened. Then, ink bloomed across the surface like creeping veins of light, twisting and curling into elegant script—

—revealing the secrets locked within Anne Sallow’s blood.

My stomach dropped as the first words burned into existence:

❝ Subject Afflicted: Anne Sallow

Primary Status: Cursed

Nature of Curse: Blood-binding Malediction (Archaic Origin)

Date of Infliction: Unknown

Culprit: Unknown (Not Goblin in Origin)

Curse Classification: Ancient Witchcraft / Hexcraft ❞

The blood in my veins turned ice-cold.

“It’s—” My voice caught in my throat.

Ominis, who had remained eerily silent, finally spoke. His tone was deadly calm, but I could see the tension in his clenched jaw.

“It wasn’t goblins.”

I shook my head, unable to tear my eyes away as the parchment continued writing itself.

❝ Curse Type: Corporeal Binding

Description: A punitive affliction used in the past by certain old witch covens to discipline ‘disobedient’ children.

Effects include:

•Gradual constriction of blood vessels

•Organ failure due to prolonged restriction

•Chronic pain flares as punishment “reminders”

•Lethargy and magical atrophy ❞

I felt sick.

This—this was an ancient punishment curse. One used by old, cruel witches to keep children obedient.

A curse meant to control and silence.

And somehow, Anne had been its victim.

The ink shifted again, forming new words that sent a fresh wave of horror through me:

❝ Curse Activation & Worsening Factors:

•Stress-related triggers (Emotional spikes intensify effects)

•Exposure to high-magic areas may cause rapid deterioration

•Direct familial grief/fear amplifies affliction ❞

“Sebastian…” Ominis whispered.

My stomach twisted.

Sebastian was constantly around Anne. His desperation, his grief, his overwhelming emotions—

They were making her worse.

I felt like I couldn’t breathe, but the parchment wasn’t done. The ink shifted once more, revealing:

❝ Potential Countercurse Identified.

Curative Spell Required: “Medimorfius”

(A lost restorative incantation that requires a live subject to channel the afflicted’s magic back into balance.)

Magical Catalyst Required: Direct Wizarding Bloodline Infusion ❞

“Bloodline infusion?” Ominis asked sharply.

“It—it means the spell won’t work unless someone directly related to Anne is present to channel it.” I swallowed hard. “Sebastian…”

Ominis looked grim, but I forced myself to keep reading.

❝ Potion Supplement Required: Medimorfius Restorative

(A restorative potion to counteract curse degradation—requires rare alchemical components.) Full Ingredient List:

•Dragon’s Breath Resin (extracted from a live dragon’s exhalation, stabilizes deteriorated organs)

•Frozen Mallowroot (a rare herb found in only one location—the Forbidden Cliffs   of the Hebrides)

•Phoenix Ash (a rare byproduct of a Phoenix’s rebirth, restores magical atrophy)

•Elderwood Infusion (absorbs residual dark magic, prevents reinfection)

•Moonstone Core Essence (synchronizes blood flow and repairs restricted vessels)

•Essentia Veritas Base (binds potion to the afflicted) ❞

I stared at the list, feeling my blood drain from my face.

This was almost impossible.

A Phoenix’s ashes? Dragon’s breath? Frozen Mallowroot? These weren’t just rare—some of these ingredients were nearly extinct.

I gritted my teeth.

No. I wouldn’t back down.

I would find a way.

Ominis was silent for a long time before he finally spoke. His voice was tight.

“Sebastian can’t know about this yet.”

I turned to him, startled.

“But Ominis—”

“Not yet,” he repeated firmly. “If we tell him now, he’ll stop at nothing to get those ingredients immediately. He’ll throw himself into dangerous places—places he shouldn’t go.”

I wanted to argue, but the truth was written in his expression.

Sebastian was already chasing a relic.

If he found out about this cure before we had everything ready, he’d destroy himself trying to get it.

“…Then we have to work fast,” I murmured.

Ominis nodded. “And we do it together.”

I looked at him—the only other person who understood this weight—and exhaled.

“We don’t let him fall into the dark,” I promised.

We both stared at the parchment, the list of impossible ingredients, and the spell that could finally save Anne.

But deep in my gut, a cold realization settled.

____

The ink shifted one final time, revealing another section of text beneath the extensive list of potion ingredients.

❝ Temporary Alleviation Methods Identified:

1.Modified Invigorating Draught – Formulated to counteract chronic magical fatigue, temporarily enhancing stamina and suppressing pain responses.

•Key Ingredients: Ashwinder Eggs, Crushed Valerian Root, Unicorn Horns, Powdered Opal

2.Localized Pain Suppression Spell: Remedium Doloris – A targeted charm that blocks pain receptors for a limited duration.

•Warning: Overuse may cause sensitivity backlash once effects fade.

3.Calming Tonic Infusion – A potion blend of Hellebore, Moondew Essence, and Salamander Blood to reduce stress-related curse triggers.

•Effects: Slows curse progression by minimizing flare-ups induced by heightened emotional states. ❞

I exhaled sharply.

Relief flooded me. This was something.

This was something I could do now while we worked towards the permanent cure.

I looked up at Ominis, who had remained rigidly silent, his jaw locked in tension.

“I can brew this,” I said, determination settling into my bones. “If we find a way to get all the permanent cure’s ingredients, this will at least ease Anne’s pain and stop Sebastian from spiraling further.”

Ominis released a breath, nodding. “Then we start with the draught. How soon can you brew it?”

I turned towards my cauldron, already scanning the list of ingredients.

“If I work through the night, I can have it ready by tomorrow morning.”

“Good,” Ominis said, his tone still carrying the weight of everything we’d just learned. “Then after that, we plan for the rest.”

___

The Lunar Room hummed softly with magic as Ominis and I set to work. Moonlight streamed down in gentle beams, illuminating the large brass cauldron before us. The scent of crushed herbs, faintly metallic from the unicorn horn, mixed with the simmering potion’s soft, golden glow.

Ominis stood beside me, sleeves rolled up, stirring carefully while I crushed the ingredients with my mortar and pestle.

“Where in Merlin’s name did you even get Unicorn Horn and Opals?” Ominis asked, voice tinged with skepticism.

I sighed, already anticipating his disapproval.

“Well… The opals came from my jewelry,” I admitted, grinding the shimmering stone into a fine dust. “My mother gifted me an absurd amount of blue gems after she found out I was sorted into Ravenclaw. Some of them were opals.”

Ominis let out a small huff of amusement. “That is… excessive. But fitting.”

I chuckled, then hesitated before answering the second part.

“As for the Unicorn Horn…” I trailed off, focusing very intently on stirring in a clockwise motion.

Ominis’s brow furrowed. “Jessa.”

I swallowed. “When I went to the Forbidden Forest with Garreth—”

Ominis’s entire posture stiffened.

“Jessa.”

“—the Starlight Essence we found was in a clearing where a unicorn had been, well, gather.”

“Gather,” Ominis repeated flatly.

“…Fine. It was also a graveyard.” I winced. “But I swear I only took a broken horn from one of the remains! I even thanked it properly before leaving!”

Ominis let out a long, suffering sigh.

I braced myself for his inevitable chastisement, but instead, he just shook his head, muttering, “Of course you did.”

After a beat, he asked, “Did Garreth ask what you needed it for?”

I exhaled. “He was curious, but we… had an unspoken agreement. He didn’t pry about my potion, and I didn’t pry about his.”

Ominis tilted his head slightly, as if trying to gauge my honesty.

“You’re trusting Weasley a lot,” he murmured.

“He’s been a good friend,” I defended, turning back to the cauldron. “Now, are you going to scold me, or are we going to finish brewing?”

Ominis sighed again but nodded.

“Well then, my knight,” I smirked, nudging him playfully. “Let’s get to work.”

The Brewing Process

We worked in perfect tandem, the potion slowly taking form.

•First, I added the Powdered Opal, the fine dust shimmering as it swirled into the liquid, giving the potion a pearlescent sheen.

•Next, Ominis carefully measured the Unicorn Horn powder, letting it cascade into the mixture like silver snowfall.

•Ashwinder Eggs followed, bubbling dangerously before settling into a smooth consistency.

•Crushed Valerian Root gave off a soft, calming scent, balancing the potion’s potency with a stabilizing effect.

The potion thickened, shifting from translucent gold to a deep, glowing amber.

“Almost there,” I murmured, stirring precisely three times counterclockwise.

Ominis leaned in, tilting his head slightly as the potion shimmered with finality.

“A bit thicker than a standard Invigorating Draught,” he observed.

“Because it’s meant to last longer,” I explained, ladling the potion into small glass vials. “This should be enough for a few weeks at least.”

Ominis exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Let’s hope it gives Anne some relief.”

I nodded. “Now… time for the letter.”

Dear Anne,

First, thank you—for trusting me. I know I asked for much, and you gave it freely. That means more to me than I can ever put into words.

I wish I could have written to you with better news, but the truth is… the potion’s results were not what we expected.

We tested it with your sample, and what we found… Anne, it wasn’t a goblin that cursed you.

It was something old.

An ancient witch’s curse, meant as a punishment for children who misbehaved. It wasn’t meant to kill—just to inflict endless suffering. It disrupts blood flow, causing your organs to constrict, which is why the pain is so unbearable.

I know this is horrifying to hear—but please, don’t panic.

There is a cure.

The problem? It’s incredibly complex. A long list of rare ingredients and a spell to cast.

Ominis is with me now. He knows. And we are going to work together to fix this.

But, Anne, I need you to do something important.

For now, you cannot tell Sebastian about any of this.

The potion results showed something else—your condition worsens the more he worries. His stress is affecting you. So if we want to buy time to find the cure, we need him to believe you are stable.

Enclosed in this package are several vials of an improved Invigorating Draught.

If you feel an attack coming on, drink one immediately. It will ease the pain and help your body fight off the symptoms. It’s not a cure—but it will help.

Please, Anne. Let me handle this.

Rest, recover, and let me and Ominis do what we must.

With all my love and loyalty,

Jessa

I sealed the letter, enclosing the vials carefully.

Ominis watched me closely, his fingers lightly tracing the edge of the desk.

“You meant every word,” he said quietly.

I swallowed. “Of course I did.”

For the first time, I wasn’t just helping Sebastian.

I was helping Anne.

____

We sat down on the floor of the Lunar Room, parchment and quills scattered around us.

Ominis rolled up his sleeves, expression grim as he pulled out his wand and began tracing lines into the air, forming a floating strategy board.

“Alright,” he said, voice calm but firm. “Let’s go down the list.”

I took a deep breath.

First ingredient:

Dragon’s Breath Resin (extracted from a live dragon’s exhalation)

I groaned. “Right. Because casually walking up to a dragon and asking it to breathe on us isn’t suicidal at all.”

Ominis snorted. “The best way to get Dragon’s Breath Resin is from dragon sanctuaries—but those are Ministry-controlled and heavily protected.”

“…Or,” I hesitated, thinking about the forbidden areas of the Forbidden Forest, “we find a way to track wild dragons.”

Ominis frowned. “That’s even worse, Jessa.”

“Maybe, but it’s an option.”

He sighed. “Fine. What’s next?”

Frozen Mallowroot (only found in the Forbidden Cliffs of the Hebrides)

Ominis’s lips pressed into a thin line. “That’s practically suicide. The Hebrides are one of the most dangerous magical territories.”

“But it’s possible,” I said, writing it down.

Phoenix Ash (a rare byproduct of a Phoenix’s rebirth)

Ominis’s brows furrowed. “The only Phoenixes that exist now are either in private collections or wild territories.”

I bit my lip. “We need to find a Phoenix—a real one.”

Elderwood Infusion (absorbs residual dark magic, prevents reinfection)

“That one might be possible to buy,” I mused, tapping my quill against my lip. “If we check Knockturn Alley’s more reputable sources.”

“Reputable?” Ominis raised an eyebrow.

“Well… less criminal, at least.”

Moonstone Core Essence (synchronizes blood flow and repairs restricted vessels)

Ominis brightened slightly. “That one we might actually have a chance at. Moonstone can be harvested—we just need the right location.”

“That’s a relief,” I muttered, writing it down.

We sat back, staring at our insane, impossible plan.

Ominis ran a hand through his hair, sighing deeply. “We’re going to die, aren’t we?”

I smirked. “Not if we plan this right.”

Ominis shook his head, exasperated. “What’s the first step?”

I leaned back, stretching my aching arms. “First, I brew the modified draught for Anne.”

Ominis nodded. “And then?”

“And then…” I bit my lip. “We find a dragon.”

Ominis groaned. “Of course. Of course that’s the first thing on your list.”

I grinned. “Come on, Knight. Where’s your sense of adventure?”

Ominis muttered something under his breath but smirked despite himself.

And just like that, the mission to save Anne Sallow truly began.
_____

The warm glow of early dawn began creeping into the Lunar Room, casting long shadows over the workbench where Ominis and I had just finished our task. The last vials of the improved Invigorating Draught were carefully packed away, along with the sealed letter to Anne.

Cleaning up took longer than expected—sorting out ingredients, scouring the cauldron, and ensuring every trace of our work was erased from the room. No one could know about this yet.

Ominis stretched, rolling his shoulders back. “We spent more time on this than I thought… It’s almost morning.”

I sighed. “Yeah, it did take a while, but it was worth it.”

Ominis turned toward me, something unreadable in his expression.

“Why are you doing this?”

I blinked. “What do you mean?”

“You’re putting yourself in so much danger for Anne, for Sebastian—” He hesitated, his voice quieter now. “For me.”

I met his gaze, unwavering.

“Because Anne is my friend. Because Sebastian is too. And you—”

I stopped short, suddenly unsure.

Ominis tilted his head slightly. “Me?”

I swallowed. “You love them, Ominis. They are important to you… and so are you—to me.”

A soft blush dusted his cheeks, barely noticeable under the dim moonlight. He looked away for a moment, adjusting the sleeve of his robe, composing himself.

“But you’re not obligated to do this, Jessa,” he murmured. “This curse… the dangers involved… even I almost gave up on Anne.”

He winced, his grip tightening slightly on the worktable.

“…I was asleep for seven years, Ominis,” I said softly.

He stilled.

“But I woke up. It seemed impossible, but I did. And unlike the others, the daughters before me—I didn’t die.”

Ominis inhaled sharply. I knew the mention of the Valancaire curse made him uneasy, but I had to say it.

“That gives me hope,” I continued. “That everything—everything—has a way.”

Ominis’s face was unreadable, but there was something vulnerable behind his expression.

“That curse,” he murmured. “Was it really healed? Are you sure you’re never going to…”

His voice trailed off, hesitant.

I exhaled slowly. “I don’t know.”

Ominis’s expression flickered with sadness. He reached out, hesitating for a moment, before taking my hand in his.

For a brief second, we just stood there, connected, our fingers laced together in silent understanding.

We were both carrying so much.

I looked up, and for a moment, I could almost put a name to this feeling—this something unspoken between us.

Then—

“Miss?”

We jerked apart, startled.

Deek, the house-elf, stood near the entrance, his large bright eyes blinking up at us.

Oh crap.

How much did he hear?

Deek gave me a small bow. “I am sorry to interrupt, Miss, but I heard you mention a Phoenix.”

Ominis and I exchanged wide-eyed glances.

“…Yes?” I said cautiously.

“No worries, Miss,” Deek reassured quickly. “Deek’s ears do not work when they are not meant to! Your secrets are safe with Deek.”

I let out a relieved breath.

“I merely want to help,” Deek continued. “Deek knows of a Phoenix nest. My old master spent years searching for it, but before he could find it, he… ah… fell off a cliff.”

Ominis and I blinked.

“…That’s… unfortunate,” I murmured.

“Indeed,” Deek nodded solemnly. “But Deek knows where the nest is. And—” his voice dropped slightly—“the Poachers do too.”

Ominis immediately tensed.

I stiffened as well.

A Phoenix nest in the Forbidden Forest—and poachers hunting it?

Deek pulled out a small map, his hands shaking slightly. “Deek wants to save the Phoenix. And you need the Phoenix too.”

He held the map out to me.

“Please, Miss. Save the Phoenix.”

I took the map carefully, exchanging a look with Ominis.

“Looks like it’s not a dragon first, my knight,” I smirked.

Ominis sighed dramatically. “Looks like it isn’t, my damsel.”

I turned back to Deek. “We’ll do it.”

Deek’s ears perked up. “Really?!”

“Yes,” I said firmly. “We won’t let the poachers get to it first.”

Deek beamed and rummaged through his pockets, pulling out a worn satchel and handing it to me.

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

“A nab sack - poachers use these to capture beasts,” Deek explained. “However, they can also be used to rescue them.”

I nodded, gripping the bag tightly.

“Alright,” I said. “We’ll save the Phoenix.”

Deek bowed deeply. “Deek believes in you, Miss!”

After thanking him, Ominis and I stepped out of the Lunar Room, exhaustion finally catching up to us.

“We should meet up again soon to plan the Phoenix rescue,” Ominis said. “But first, we need rest. It’s almost morning.”

I groaned. “Ugh. We still have classes.”

“History of Magic,” Ominis grumbled.

I laughed. “Well, that will be fun.”

He groaned again, and I grinned.

As we parted ways, I couldn’t shake the lingering warmth from our earlier moment.

Nor could I shake the heaviness in my chest.

Another mission.

Another battle ahead.

But this time—I wasn’t fighting alone.

___

I hurried back to the Ravenclaw Tower, my limbs heavy with exhaustion, but my mind still sharp with urgency. The letter and package for Anne needed to be sent immediately.. I ran my fingers over the soft feathers of my trusted owl, whispering, “Be swift. Be safe.” The owl hooted softly in response before taking flight, disappearing through the morning sky.

I exhaled deeply.

Then, my stomach dropped.

Oh bloody hell.

I forgot about my training with Grandfather.

I groaned, rubbing my face. How am I going to explain this? Another strike against me, another lecture on discipline and responsibility. I already had enough to deal with. I’d have to face the consequences later.

For now, I needed to survive breakfast.

I grabbed the vial from Garreth, his “stronger” version of the Invigorating Draught, and downed it in one gulp. A rush of energy pulsed through me, warming my veins like liquid fire. Oh. That actually worked.

I hurried down to the Great Hall, formulating excuses in my head, rehearsing my most convincing expressions.

The moment I stepped in, I spotted my friends already at the Ravenclaw table. Ominis had just arrived too, about to take a seat. The moment Sebastian saw us, his gaze narrowed slightly. The girls turned, immediately fixating on me.

“Where were you so early in the morning?” Samantha asked, her brows furrowed. “I thought you’d be here already.”

I forced a casual shrug. “Library,” I lied smoothly.

Natty, Poppy, and Sam exchanged glances—they weren’t entirely convinced, but they weren’t about to pry.

Sebastian, however, was still watching me. Then, he turned to Ominis.

“And you?” Sebastian asked. “You weren’t in the dormitory either.”

Ominis barely hesitated. “I was… tending to my dittany plants early.” He lied effortlessly.

Sebastian huffed, shaking his head. His sharp eyes moved between us, scanning our tired faces.

I knew what he was seeing. The dark shadows under our eyes, the slight slowness in our movements, the way Ominis and I refused to meet his gaze for too long.

“You two look like you swam through the Black Lake.” Sebastian said dryly.

Ominis twitched.

I nearly choked on my pumpkin juice.

Oh Merlin. He knows.

No—not about the potion, but he could tell something was off.

I forced a laugh. “We don’t recover as easily as you do, Bas.”

Sebastian smirked. “That’s funny, because I feel amazing. Best sleep I’ve had in weeks.”

Ominis’ jaw tightened ever so slightly.

I hid my amusement, remembering exactly why Sebastian had such a good sleep. Ominis had laced his pumpkin juice with a sleeping draught to copy the spellbook.

“Good,” I said smoothly. “Then save your energy for later. We have History of Magic today.”

Sebastian groaned. “Ugh. I take it back—I’m exhausted.”

The table erupted in laughter.

And for the moment, our secrets remained safe.

____

History of Magi is a Torturous Affair

Professor Binns’ droning voice filled the classroom, his words blending into an almost hypnotic hum.

“The Goblin Rebellion of 1612 was centered around Hogsmeade, where goblin insurgents—”

I zoned out.

I already knew this.

This entire lecture was shallow compared to the lessons my grandfather drilled into me at the Valancaire Keep. He had been right—Hogwarts was hiding things. They taught watered-down versions of history, careful not to expose too much of the truth.

I sighed, shifting in my seat.

I was seated between Sebastian and Ominis, and I could feel the tension thickening beside me.

Sebastian was stiff, jaw clenched, hands curled into tight fists on the desk. His quill had stopped moving minutes ago, frozen in his grip as if he was barely restraining himself.

Of course. The mention of goblins always sent his temper spiraling.

Oh, how I wish I could tell him the truth—that goblins had nothing to do with Anne’s curse. That it had been something else. But we still needed proof. And without that, telling him now would only make things worse.

Meanwhile, Ominis was losing his battle against exhaustion.

I noticed it just in time—his head slowly dipping forward, seconds away from face-planting onto his desk.

Before he could smash his nose into his parchment, I reacted instinctively, my hand shooting out to gently cup his face, stopping him from slumping forward completely.

His skin was warm beneath my fingertips, and I felt the slight hitch in his breath as he realized what had happened.

Ominis immediately sat up, his entire face turning red.

I giggled.

“You really should’ve taken that nap earlier,” I whispered teasingly.

Ominis cleared his throat, looking everywhere but at me as he straightened his robes. “I—I was simply… closing my eyes to process information.”

“Sure,” I mused. “Because you nearly processing information straight into the desk.”

Sebastian was no longer listening to the lecture.

I felt his gaze burning into the side of my face, his mood already on edge from the goblin discussion, but now it had intensified.

He was already frustrated, and now he was irritated for an entirely different reason.

The moment class ended, the girls stretched and yawned, looking far too well-rested for students who had supposedly sat through an hour of History.

Poppy, blinking sleepily, rubbed her eyes and let out a small yawn. “That was… actually the best nap I’ve had all week.”

Natty stifled a laugh. “I think I fell asleep three times in a row, and he never even noticed.”

Samantha, stretching her arms above her head, looked entirely refreshed. “If they let us nap through all of our classes, I think we’d actually perform better.”

I gave them a pointed look, crossing my arms. “So while I suffered through Binns’ lecture, you all just…slept?”

Natty grinned. “Not our fault the class was a lullaby in disguise.”

I shook my head, mock-disapproving. “Unbelievable.”

Before I could continue scolding them, Sebastian suddenly stood up, shoving his chair back.

“I’m heading to the library,” he said shortly. His voice was tight, his movements rigid.

He wasn’t in the mood to talk.

Ominis subtly tensed beside me.

I opened my mouth to stop Sebastian, but Ominis was already one step ahead.

“I’ll keep an eye on him,” he whispered so only I could hear.

I turned to face him fully. “Ominis, if he—”

“I know,” Ominis cut in, voice firm. “If he tries anything…you’ll be the first to know.”

I sighed in relief. “Thank you.”

Ominis nodded, squeezing my shoulder briefly before following Sebastian out of the classroom.

As I was about to leave, Samantha gave me a very particular look.

It was smug.

Knowing.

As if she was about to say something dangerous.

I raised an eyebrow. “What?”

She tilted her head, smirking. “You and Ominis seem… close.”

I froze for half a second, immediately realizing what she was trying to do.

She wanted to tease me.

So, before she could, I beat her to it.

“You know,” I said, my voice casual and nonchalant, “I’ve noticed you and Leander have been spending a lot of time together.”

Her face dropped immediately.

“Absolutely not.”

I grinned wickedly. “Come on, Sam. You both love Herbology. You’d make a perfect—”

“No.” She looked physically pained. “I would rather let a Venomous Tentacula strangle me than listen to another one of his unsolicited Herbology facts.”

I giggled, my revenge complete.

Samantha had relentlessly teased me about Garreth, Ominis, and Sebastian. It was about time I got back at her.

“You two do bicker a lot,” I pointed out, slyly.

“Exactly!” she said exasperatedly. “I don’t fancy him, I despise him.”

“Sounds an awful lot like attraction to me.”

Samantha gaped at me, face twisted in sheer betrayal.

Poppy and Natty laughed so hard that Professor Binns floated back into the room, glaring at us.

I took Samantha’s hand, tugging her out the door before she could properly hex me.

Victory was mine.
____

The rest of the day passed in a blur—classes, teasing Samantha about Leander, avoiding her relentless prying into my “situation” with Ominis, and enduring stolen glances from Sebastian whenever he thought I wasn’t looking.

Samantha had been persistent all day, trying to get a confession out of me.

“So, you and Ominis have been spending quite a lot of time together,” she hummed casually during Charms, twirling her quill between her fingers.

I didn’t even bother looking up from my parchment. “Oh? And Leander has been looking at you a lot longer than necessary whenever we pass by.”

The ink from her quill splattered across her parchment as she snapped her head toward me, eyes wide with horror.

“Excuse me?!?”

I smirked, tilting my head. “Did I stutter?”

Poppy and Natty burst into laughter, earning a glare from Samantha before she hastily returned to her essay.

Samantha Dale: zero. Jessa Valancaire: victorious.

After our last class, we parted ways—Samantha stormed off to the Greenhouses to “tend to her plants” (which earned another round of merciless teasing), while Poppy and Natty went off to the courtyard.

I was about to go find Sebastian and Ominis when—

“Ms. Valancaire!”

I stopped mid-step, my heart leaping at the familiar voice.

I turned around, my face lighting up in relief and delight.

“Professor Fig!”

Finally, finally—he was back.

He looked a little tired but pleased to see me. “Apologies for my prolonged absence. Our dear Headmaster Black took his sweet time sending me on errand after errand.” He exhaled in mild exasperation, shaking his head. “But at last, I’ve returned.”

I smiled. “It’s good to have you back, Professor. I—”

“We need to talk,” he cut in, his voice lower, more serious.

That immediately sobered me.

I nodded. “Of course.”

He led me through the corridors, back toward his office inside the Magical Theory classroom.

Inside, the familiar scent of aged parchment and ink surrounded me. Scrolls, letters, and stacks of books cluttered his desk, along with several maps and documents that looked… important.

He motioned for me to sit, and I complied, still feeling a bit on edge.

Then he looked at me, studying my face carefully.

“How are you?” he asked, and the question carried more weight than it should.

I hesitated. I couldn’t tell him everything.

The training with my grandfather. The battles. The secrets. The potion.

I forced a small smile. “I’m… fine. I’ve been adjusting. And I think I’m gaining better control over the strange magic I conjured in Hogsmeade.”

He hummed, nodding as he sifted through some papers. “That’s good to hear. Because you may need that control sooner rather than later.”

He took out a stack of parchment—aged, delicate—and spread them before me.

“My wife’s research,” he said quietly.

I stilled.

“She was killed by Ranrok,” he continued, voice heavy with quiet grief. “A goblin. A very dangerous one. A name you will likely hear more of in the coming days.”

I swallowed. “I… I’m so sorry, Professor.”

He gave a small nod, collecting himself before continuing.

“The Ministry refuses to acknowledge the truth,” he said bitterly. “But I know what she was looking for, and I know what she died for.”

He tapped one of the documents.

“A repository.”

My breath hitched.

“The Repository.”

The one my grandfather and the pensive had told me about. The one Ranrok wanted.

“The Portkey you arrived with was also part of Miriam’s research,” Fig went on. “And it only activated in your presence.”

I tried to look surprised. “What does that mean?”

Fig leaned back in his chair. “It means, Ms. Valancaire—Jessa, that you are connected to something very ancient. Something… long forgotten.”

He paused. Then, softly:

“Your magic—the strange light you saw at Gringotts and Hogsmeade—is what we call Ancient Magic.”

I already knew this from my grandfather.

But I feigned shock, my eyes widening. “Ancient Magic…?”

Fig nodded gravely. “Yes. And there has been a surge of it recently.” He pushed a Hogwarts map forward.

“This map should show me something, but I see nothing.” His eyes flickered to me. “I was hoping you could see what I cannot.”

I looked at the parchment.

At first, there was nothing.

But then, a soft glow flickered—

And a point of light formed.

It pulsed faintly, marking a location.

The Library.

Specifically, the Restricted Section.

Fig let out a breath, eyes sharp with realization. “I knew it.”

He turned to me. “We need to get in there.”

I hesitated. “I can sneak in—”

“Absolutely not.” Fig cut me off, shaking his head. “I will not have you risk getting caught and given detention. I will procure permission.”

“But—”

“No arguments.” His expression softened. “Let me handle this, Jessa. You’ve already been dealing with enough as it is.”

I bit my lip.

He wasn’t wrong.

Fig sighed. “We need to act fast. Ranrok is moving. And if that weren’t enough…” He hesitated before saying, “…it is rumored that Victor Rookwood and Theophilus Harlow are among his associates.”

I stiffened.

Harlow. Rookwood.

I knew those names— they were referenced in our DADA class.

Victor Rookwood—the leader of the Rookwood Crime Syndicate. A former Unspeakable who had been kicked out of the Ministry for shady dealings with Dark Wizards.

And Theophilus Harlow—his second-in-command. Known for his brutality.

“These two,” Fig said darkly, “are far more dangerous than any goblin. They have the connections, the power, and no moral limitations.”

A chill ran down my spine.

It was too much.

Sebastian. Ominis. Anne’s cure. The spellbook. The goblins. The rebellion.

The war was closer than I had thought.

Fig must have noticed the tension in my face, because he spoke gently.

“Jessa,” he said, “you don’t have to carry this burden alone. I will be with you every step of the way.”

It was meant to comfort me.

It didn’t.

I simply nodded, swallowing the anxiety threatening to choke me.

Fig sighed, rubbing his forehead. “I will contact you the moment I have secured access to the Restricted Section. Until then…” He hesitated. “…stay vigilant.”

I stood. “I will.”

And then I left, stepping out into the corridor with a weight in my chest.

Another burden. Another secret. Another battle on the horizon.

I needed to move fast.

____

Everything had been swirling in my mind again—the pensive memories, the weight of my responsibilities, the secrets I was keeping, the war that seemed to be looming closer every day.

I was walking through the corridors, absentmindedly, my thoughts tangled in a thousand different directions.

And then—

Thud.

I stumbled over something solid, nearly losing my balance.

“Careful there, sweets,” a teasing voice chuckled.

I looked up, still dazed. A pair of green eyes stared down at me, amused.

“Gar…” I said absentmindedly.

Garreth Weasley.

His expression shifted from amusement to concern.

“You alright?”

I blinked, as if snapping back to reality. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

He didn’t believe me.

Garreth’s gaze narrowed slightly, studying my face like he was trying to read something between the lines. Before I could make some excuse and say goodbye, his hand caught my wrist.

“Come with me,” he said, his voice light but determined.

“Gar—what?” I tried pulling back. “Bloody hell, I’m busy! Where are you taking me?”

He only grinned. “Come on, trust me. I think you’ll like it. I promise it’ll cheer you up.”

Oh no.

I knew that look.

That mischievous, knowing, adventure-seeking look of his.

I sighed, half-annoyed, half-intrigued. “This better not get us detention.”

“Would I ever let that happen?” he smirked.

“Yes.”

“Fair enough.”

I reluctantly let him drag me through the castle, past students, past classrooms.

At one point, we passed Poppy, Natty, and Samantha.

And oh no—not just them.

We also passed Sebastian, Ominis, and my brother Jace.

Bloody hell.

The way they all turned to stare, their eyebrows shooting up simultaneously—I wanted to turn and hex Garreth on the spot.

Jace crossed his arms, watching me get pulled away. “Oi, where’s he taking you?”

“Nowhere!” I called over my shoulder.

“That doesn’t look like nowhere—”

But Garreth sped up, laughing, and we quickly disappeared around the corner before I had to endure any further interrogation.

He led me toward the back of the Herbology garden.

“Gar?” I asked warily as we ducked beneath some overgrown branches. “Are you going to murder me? Because if you are, I’d rather it not be in a place with this much Devil’s Snare.”

Garreth chuckled. “Sweets, if I murdered you, Hogwarts would never let me live in peace. Your ghost would haunt the castle for all eternity, probably hexing my potions and setting my bed on fire.”

I snorted. “Exactly.”

We stopped at what seemed to be a solid wall.

It was covered in Devil’s Snare, thick and curling, writhing as if sensing our presence.

I raised a brow. “Really? A wall? This is what you dragged me here for?”

Garreth simply lifted his wand.

“Lumos.”

The Devil’s Snare shuddered, recoiling from the light.

And then—

A doorway appeared.

My breath caught.

“Garreth,” I murmured, stunned.

He grinned. “Come inside.”

He stepped forward, casting Confringo at the torches mounted along the stone walls.

Flames flickered to life, illuminating the space.

And I gasped.

It was a hidden underground corridor—vast, untouched, and overgrown with plants.

Not just any plants.

Rare ones.

Some I’d only read about. Some I’d never even seen before.

Some so dangerous, I couldn’t believe they had been allowed to grow unchecked beneath Hogwarts.

“Garreth,” I whispered. “What is this place?”

He turned, his expression glowing with excitement.

“This, my sweets, is a hidden Herbology garden.”

I stared.

“It was owned by a previous Herbology professor,” he explained. “Took me ages to dissect the rumors and track it down, but—I finally found it.”

I shook my head in awe.

“This is… incredible,” I murmured, running my fingers lightly over a cluster of Moondew blossoms.

Garreth grinned. “I thought you’d like it.”

I turned to him, eyes narrowing slightly. “But why show me?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Well… you’re one of the most passionate people I know when it comes to potions.” His voice softened. “And… I dunno. Maybe I just thought you needed something good today.”

His words hit me deeper than they should have.

I felt my chest tighten, and before I could stop it—

My eyes watered.

I quickly looked away before he could notice.

“I—thank you, Garreth,” I whispered. I cleared my throat, forcing a smile. “This did cheer me up. So many plants! So many ingredients!”

His smile grew. “Yeah?”

I nodded.

“Good.”

“Keep this a secret between us, yeah, sweets?” Then he winked.

My heart did a stupid, unhelpful thing and skipped a beat.

I smiled. “I promise.”

We spent the next hour exploring, weaving through the untamed corridors, trying to identify the plants.

Some were obvious—like Puffapods and Gillyweed.

Others were so rare, even I had to squint at them for several minutes.

And then, of course—there were the ones that tried to eat us.

“Garreth, that’s Venomous Tentacula!” I hissed as he reached toward a cluster of thick vines.

Garreth paused. “…Oh.”

“Do you want to keep your fingers?”

“I mean, ideally—yes.”

“Then let’s not test Hogwarts’ medical capabilities today.”

He laughed, holding his hands up in surrender.

Eventually, after giving up on some of the more mysterious plants, we made our way back to the entrance.

The Devil’s Snare slithered back into place, sealing the door shut behind us.

I turned to Garreth one last time.

I wanted to thank him properly.

So I smiled at him—as sweetly as I could.

“Thank you, Garreth. Really.”

And oh—he noticed.

His mouth parted slightly, his usual cocky expression wavering.

His ears went bright red.

“Any—” He coughed. “Anytime, sweets.”

I giggled. “I’ll hold you to that.”

He blinked.

Then, realizing he had no comeback, he simply rubbed the back of his neck and muttered something unintelligible before walking away.

I watched him go, smiling to myself.

And with that—feeling just a bit lighter than before—I went off to find my friends.

_____

Still giddy from what Garreth had shown me—the hidden herbology garden, the rare ingredients, the secrets I could now use for brewing—I was already planning how I could transport a few samples to the Room of Requirement when I made a fatal mistake.

I smiled to myself.

I should not have smiled.

Because standing above me, along the stone railings of the staircase, were my friends.

And they saw everything.

Samantha, who I had relentlessly teased earlier, looked like she had just won the bloody lottery.

Poppy and Natty’s eyes gleamed with mischief.

Ominis stood unmoving, arms crossed, his face utterly unreadable.

And Sebastian?

Sebastian wasn’t looking at me at all.

His hands were balled into fists, his jaw tensed so tightly, I thought it might snap.

Oh.

Oh, no.

I barely had a second to brace myself before the onslaught began.

“Well, well, well,” Samantha crooned, tilting her head in mock sweetness. “Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence.”

Natty let out a fake gasp, clasping her hands over her chest.

Poppy snickered into her tea.

Ominis was silent, but his wand twitched slightly.

And Sebastian?

Sebastian finally spoke—sharp, clipped, and annoyed.

“Where,” he said slowly, dangerously, “did Weasley take you that required him to grab you by the wrist?”

I blinked.

“I—”

“I mean,” Poppy cut in cheerfully, “it’s not every day a boy physically drags you away, is it?”

“Oh,” Samantha sighed dramatically, “to be courted so passionately.”

Sebastian made a low sound of irritation in his throat.

Ominis’s jaw ticked.

I groaned.

“You lot are ridiculous.”

“Oh, are we?”

Sebastian’s voice was mocking.

I turned to him, glaring.

“I was just—”

“Oh, I’m sure it was completely innocent,” Ominis cut in smoothly, voice cold as ice. “Weasley seems like such a… charming companion.”

Sebastian exhaled sharply, pushing off the railing.

“You know what? Forget it.” He turned away.

I grabbed his sleeve.

“Oh, no you don’t, Sebastian Sallow!” I snapped. “You don’t get to act like I did something wrong!”

His eyes flashed, and suddenly, we were standing too close, too much tension crackling between us.

“And you,” I turned toward Ominis, “you’re not helping!”

Ominis arched a brow, an infuriating smirk on his lips.

“Me? I’ve done nothing but observe,” he said mildly. “I’m just trying to understand… the nature of your relationship with Weasley.”

I wanted to scream.

“You all need to get a bloody grip,” I huffed, crossing my arms. “Garreth is just a friend. Like all of you!”

Sebastian scoffed.

“Oh, sure. A friend who—”

And then—

Sebastian’s eyes locked onto my neck.

And the world stopped.

Sebastian’s expression went blank.

Ominis’s smirk disappeared instantly.

The girls went silent.

“What?” I asked suspiciously.

Sebastian took a step forward, his brows furrowing deeply.

“Is that… a bruise?”

I blinked.

“What?”

Ominis’s jaw clenched.

“That mark,” he said flatly. “On your neck.”

I froze.

Oh.

Oh.

No.

No, no, no.

It was from the garden.

Some bloody doxy or stupid billywig must have bitten me, and now there was a mark—a very, very misleading mark—on my neck.

Sebastian’s breathing slowed.

Ominis exhaled through his nose.

Poppy whispered something frantically to Samantha.

Samantha gasped loudly.

“Oh. My. Merlin.”

“It’s a BUG BITE!” I yelled.

Sebastian’s eye twitched.

Ominis crossed his arms tighter, saying nothing, but his silence was deafening.

“Looks like a bruise,” he murmured.

“It’s a bug bite!” I repeated desperately.

Sebastian let out a short, humorless laugh.

“Oh, sure,” he said sarcastically. “Because Weasley is known for taking girls on nature walks.”

Ominis tilted his head.

“Did he offer you sweets afterward?”

I gasped in outrage.

“Oh, shut up, Ominis!”

Sebastian ran a hand through his hair, glaring at me.

“So, you’re telling me Weasley just took you for a nice stroll through the woods?”

“Yes!” I snapped. “That is literally what happened!”

Sebastian’s jaw clenched.

Ominis sighed dramatically.

And then—

Jace arrived.

Jace, The Chaos Incarnate

Jace took one long look at the scene.

The blazing glares.

The simmering jealousy.

The tension crackling between me, Sebastian, and Ominis.

And then…

His smile stretched.

“Oh, this is excellent.”

I groaned.

Sebastian looked like he was about to explode.

Ominis was eerily silent, his fingers drumming against his arm.

Jace clapped his hands.

“My twin sister,” he mused loudly, shaking his head. “First Sebastian, then Ominis, and now Weasley?”

The entire place went dead silent.

Students were watching now—Adelaide, Nerida, even a few younger students.

Jace wasn’t done.

“One brunette, one blonde, one redhead,” he counted, tapping his fingers. “Are you… collecting a set, Jessa?”

Sebastian made a low noise of rage.

Ominis exhaled sharply, looking away.

Valor and Vix?

They were merrily eating flavored beans.

“For Mother,” Valor murmured.

“Absolutely,” Vix nodded, scribbling notes.

I wanted to die.

Sebastian turned back to me, eyes blazing.

“Just tell me, Jessa,” he said, voice low and sharp. “Are you—”

I cut him off, furious.

“You know what, Sebastian?” I snapped. “I am so bloody tired of you acting like you have a right to be mad at me!”

His eyes flashed.

“I—”

“You want to act like I did something wrong?” I challenged. “Then maybe you should look at yourself first.”

Sebastian froze.

Ominis’s lips pressed into a thin line.

I exhaled sharply.

“This conversation is over.”

I turned and walked away.

Ominis hesitated for a moment, then followed.

Sebastian, for once, said nothing.

And as I left, I felt his burning gaze on my back.

__

Ominis Gaunt’s POV

I was a bloody idiot.

For someone who valued his restraint, who prided himself on being the level-headed one, I had certainly made everything worse.

Sebastian was already on edge, and instead of diffusing the situation, I had fanned the flames.

Because I was angry too.

Angry at the way she had been dragged off by Weasley like she belonged to him.

Angry at the way she smiled to herself after their little adventure, as if content, as if lighter—and I hated that.

Hated that someone else had put that expression on her face.

And then…

That damned mark on her neck.

A bug bite, she had said.

But the irrational part of me—the part I couldn’t name, didn’t want to name—had spiraled.

It was stupid.

I was stupid.

And now, she was furious with me.

I hurried after her, ignoring the way my stomach twisted uncomfortably, ignoring the looks from the other students as I called out to her.

“Jessa! Jessa!”

She stopped.

Spun around so quickly, I almost ran into her.

And then—

“WHAT?”

I stilled.

She had never spoken to me like that before.

Never.

For the first time, I felt a strange, unfamiliar sting.

Jessa was angry at me.

Properly, furiously angry.

And I hated it.

She folded her arms, eyes blazing.

“Do you have any more passive-aggressive comments for me, Ominis?” she snapped.

I opened my mouth—then closed it again.

Because what could I say?

That I hadn’t meant it? That I had been stupidly irritated? That I felt like shoving Sebastian off a tower when he lost control of his temper, but somehow, I was just as bad?

I exhaled sharply.

“I’m sorry.”

Her eyes narrowed.

She was not going to let me off that easily.

“I really am,” I added, softer this time.

Jessa crossed her arms tighter.

I could tell she was fighting herself, debating whether to continue yelling at me or accept my apology.

Then, after a long silence, she sighed.

“…I don’t know what to say, Ominis.”

She sounded tired now, as if the fight had left her all at once.

And for some inexplicable reason, I had the strongest urge to reach for her hand.

I didn’t.

I clenched my fists at my sides, grounding myself in the cold reality of what I had just done.

This was Jessa.

Jessa, who had spent yesterday holding onto me.

Jessa, whose fingers fit so perfectly in mine, who I had never minded touching me, who I had even reached for before without thinking.

Jessa, who had let me hold her when she needed comfort, let me guide her when she felt lost.

And yet, when I thought about it—really thought about it—I never let anyone else do the same.

Why?

Why was she the exception?

Why was she the only one I let into my space like that?

And more terrifyingly—when did that happen?

I inhaled, forcing my voice to steady.

“…I wasn’t trying to be cruel.”

She looked at me for a long time, then sighed again.

“Just…” She rubbed her temple, looking exhausted. “Meet me in the Room of Requirement later. We need to talk about yesterday’s plans and get updates on Sebastian.”

I nodded.

Jessa hesitated—then reached out, lightly touching my wrist.

Not my hand.

Just my wrist.

But it was enough.

A silent way of saying, We’re okay.

And then she turned and walked away, leaving me standing motionless in the corridor, feeling something I did not have the courage to name.

—-

Jessa’s POV

Ominis’s apology did little to settle my temper.

Even as I stormed away from the disaster that had just unfolded, I could hear the whispers behind me—students gossiping, sharing knowing looks, and even a few professors eyeing me warily.

Merlin’s bloody beard, that was not how I wanted to start my afternoon.

The girls caught up with me, their faces guilty.

“Jessa…” Samantha began hesitantly.

“I—I didn’t think it would escalate like that,” she admitted. “I was just—”

“We were just—” Poppy tried.

Natty nodded, her expression sheepish.

“I’m sorry,” she said quietly.

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.

“It’s not your fault,” I muttered.

We were friends—we teased each other, pushed each other’s buttons—it was normal.

But Sebastian and Ominis…

That was different.

That was something else entirely.

“But—” Natty hesitated.

I held up a hand, cutting her off.

“Well, if you lot want to help me get rid of my annoyance over those two idiots,” I said, my voice dangerously sweet, “help me find Jace.”

Poppy perked up.

Samantha grinned.

Natty’s eyes sparkled.

“Oh, we’d love nothing more.”

We searched the courtyard for my troublesome twin, and it did not take long to find him.

Jace was leaning against a fountain, looking far too pleased with himself, undoubtedly relishing the absolute chaos he had just fueled.

Oh, he was about to suffer.

The moment he saw me, his grin vanished.

“Oh. Sh—”

“JACE!” I shouted.

Valor and Vix, who had been standing beside him, took one look at my murderous expression and immediately bolted.

Cowards.

Jace, now realizing he was on his own, turned on his heel and ran.

“Oh, no, no, no—get back here!”

Me and the girls chased him down the courtyard, darting between students, nearly toppling over a first-year (who yelped in terror).

Jace was fast, but I had rage and vengeance on my side.

With a flick of my wand—

“Colovaria!”

A brilliant pink light shot from my wand—

And Jace’s blonde hair instantly transformed into a garish shade of bubblegum pink.

“HAH!” Samantha cackled.

“OH—OH, THAT’S PERFECT!” Poppy doubled over laughing.

Natty clutched her stomach, wheezing.

Jace skidded to a stop, touching his now-pink hair in horror.

“Oh, come on!” he groaned. “Jessa!”

I smirked.

“Payback, brother.”

His shoulders slumped in defeat, but his lips twitched, knowing he deserved every bit of it.

With Jace sufficiently hexed, the girls and I decided we needed a break.

—-

“I need to detox after that public disaster,” I declared, brushing stray hairs from my face.

“Oh?” Poppy grinned. “From the disaster, or from the tension between you and Sebastian?”

I whipped my head toward her.

“You—!”

She giggled and skipped ahead.

“You love us, Jessa,” Samantha teased.

I huffed, but a smile tugged at my lips.

We reached Madam Snelling’s Beauty Emporium, and I suddenly remembered my mother’s letter to her.

The moment we stepped in, Madam Snelling herself—a refined, elegant woman with a keen eye for beauty—saw me and beamed.

“Ah! Miss Valancaire!”

I nearly jumped.

“You—you know me?”

Madam Snelling gave a knowing smile.

“Of course! Your mother sent word ahead. She insisted that you and your friends be treated to a proper pampering session. On her.”

The girls squealed in excitement.

“Oh, your mother is officially my favorite person,” Samantha gushed.

Madam Snelling ushered us inside, where house-elves and her assistants immediately got to work.

First, they led us to velvet chairs, where they applied soothing face masks, enchanted to refresh our skin and restore our energy.

Then, a house-elf named Tiffy guided us to the hair-styling stations, where our locks were washed, softened, and enchanted to stay perfect for the rest of the week.

Poppy’s hair was braided intricately, adorned with tiny, shimmering charms that changed color under the light.

Natty’s curls were enhanced, glowing softly with a golden sheen.

Samantha had her hair styled into elegant waves, giving her a regal aura.

And me?

I let them trim and shape my hair, adding subtle enchanted highlights that gleamed sapphire blue under the light.

“Oh, Jessa, you look stunning!” Poppy beamed.

“More than usual,” Samantha teased.

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop smiling.

Next, we were escorted to the wardrobe section, where we were fitted into luxurious robes for the afternoon, each enchanted to perfectly complement our complexions.

Finally, light, shimmering makeup was applied—nothing heavy, just a subtle glow that made us look like absolute royalty.

When we stepped out of the salon, students turned to stare.

Even Madam Snelling looked pleased.

“You look radiant, dear,” she said. “Your mother will be pleased.”

I grinned.

Oh, my mother would be thrilled.
___

As the sun began to set, we made our way back to the castle, thoroughly pampered and rejuvenated.

I parted ways with the girls and headed to the Ravenclaw Tower, feeling lighter than I had earlier after that stupid public spectacle.

But as soon as I stepped into my dormitory, my heart raced.

There, on my bedside table, sat a letter.

From Anne.

I snatched it up, fingers trembling slightly as I opened the envelope.

Her handwriting was neat but shaky, and my heart clenched as I read her words.

Dearest Jessa,

I cannot find the words to properly express my gratitude—how does one thank someone for granting them even a moment of relief? For the first time in a long time, I woke up without the weight of agony pressing into my bones. The draught you sent worked. It wasn’t just a fleeting sensation or a trick of the mind—I could breathe without pain, move without feeling like my body was fighting against itself. I almost wept at the sheer normalcy of it.

But that moment of joy came with an equal measure of fear. You and I both know Sebastian. If he knew what you had done, if he knew what you were capable of—he would stop at nothing to force you down a path neither of us want for you. He cannot know. He must not. I do not say this lightly, Jessa. I love my brother, but I fear what desperation does to him. You must promise me that you will not tell him—not yet. Not until we are sure of the path forward.

I also need you to promise me something else. I know you, Jessa. I know how you push yourself beyond your limits, how you throw yourself into battle without considering the toll it takes. If this draught came at a cost to you—if it drained you in ways you are too stubborn to admit—I need to know. I will not allow you to suffer for my sake. I would rather endure this curse than see you break yourself trying to fix it.

But… if there is a chance, a real chance that this can become more than just a temporary remedy, I am willing to fight alongside you. Tell me what you need, and I will do everything in my power to help.

You have already given me more hope than I dared to dream.

With all my love,

Anne

I exhaled sharply, relief flooding through me.

It worked.

At least for now.

I will not allow you to suffer for my sake.

I read that line again

I swallowed against the lump in her throat, her hands tightening around the parchment.

That wasn’t a request. It was a demand. A plea.

Anne wasn’t just asking me to save her.

She was asking me to save herself, too.

I shut my eyes, my grip loosening.

Anne…

Anne was suffering, and yet she was still worried about me.

And that thought—that realization—was almost too much.

I forced herself to breathe, to pull herself back from the edge. I couldn’t afford to spiral now.

The letter didn’t change anything.

It didn’t change the fact that I would do anything to save Anne. It didn’t change the fact that I would keep this from Sebastian, no matter how much it hurt. It didn’t change the fact that the battle ahead was only just beginning.

But it did change something else.

My hands steadied.

I wasn’t doing this alone.

Anne was fighting, too.

I ran a hand through her hair, her fingers brushing against the quill resting beside her unfinished notes.

I had a letter to write.

A response.

And maybe, for the first time in a long time, I wouldn’t just be writing instructions or reassurances.

Maybe, just maybe—she would let herself be seen, too.

—

The sun had barely begun its descent when I slipped away from the castle.

I had sent an owl to Ominis earlier, giving him the time for our meeting in the Room of Requirement later that night. There was still time before then—just enough to handle what needed to be done.

I had to.

Because I had skipped training yesterday, and I knew—I knew—what awaited me at the Keep.

I inhaled sharply, squared my shoulders, and stepped into the shadows.

The world shimmered around me. The stone walls of Hogwarts blurred and faded, the warmth of the castle replaced by the cold, unyielding air of Valancaire Keep.

And immediately—

I was under attack.

Instincts roared to life before thought could catch up.

A bolt of magic came hurtling toward me, crackling blue—a Stunning Hex.

I twisted, throwing myself into a roll just as the spell sliced through the air where I had stood moments ago.

Another came from the left—fast, precise.

I snapped my wand up. Protego! The shield flared to life, absorbing the impact before I countered with Expelliarmus, sending one of my attackers staggering.

But they didn’t stop.

Another spell from behind—

I ducked.

A second spell from the side—

I deflected it, but the force knocked me back, my foot hitting uneven ground.

Damn it—

The third spell struck before I could react.

A sharp, concussive force slammed into my ribs, the impact stealing the breath from my lungs as I went flying.

Pain exploded through my back as I crashed against the stone floor. I gasped, the impact rattling through my bones.

The bruises would last.

I clenched my teeth, forcing myself up on one arm as my vision steadied.

Three figures stood above me, their gazes unreadable beneath their hoods.

I knew the drill.

If you skipped training, you suffered the consequences.

And my consequence?

Fighting at a disadvantage.

I exhaled sharply and forced myself to my feet, ignoring the sharp ache in my chest.

Again.

Again.

I moved.

Pain. Precision. Power.

My muscles burned, my limbs ached, and every dodge, every counter, took more from me. I could feel the punishment for yesterday’s absence, and so could they.

Still—

I didn’t stop.

A sidestep here. A precise deflection there.

One of the warriors aimed for my legs—I flipped, landing on the opposite side before striking back.

But my spells weren’t as sharp as they should be.

I was paying for my mistake.

And then—

A sharp, deliberate halt.

“That’s enough.”

My grandfather’s voice cut through the air like a blade.

The warriors stepped back instantly, lowering their wands.

I straightened, my chest rising and falling with heavy breaths, sweat slicking the edges of my hair.

I turned, locking eyes with him.

His arms were crossed, his expression unreadable, but his gaze was sharp—like tempered steel.

I swallowed.

“Why?” His voice was even, quiet.

I didn’t pretend to misunderstand.

I took a slow, measured breath. “I was occupied.”

His expression didn’t shift. “Occupied.”

“Yes.”

A pause. Then, “And what was so important that it took precedence over your training?”

I could lie.

I could come up with an excuse, a half-truth, an easier justification.

But I had already broken a rule by missing training.

I wouldn’t add cowardice to that list.

So I met his gaze and told him the truth.

“I brewed Essentia Veritas.”

Silence.

He didn’t scold. Didn’t berate.

He simply regarded me, his gaze sharp, calculating.

Then—

“So.”

His voice was calm. Careful.

“…How was it?”

I hesitated.

Because he wasn’t asking about the potion itself.

He was asking about me.

My limbs still ached from training.

My mind still spun with Anne’s letter.

My heart still felt heavy from everything I had learned.

And for once—

I didn’t hide.

“…It was heavy,” I admitted.

My grandfather exhaled, like he had expected that answer.

Like he had known I had taken on too much again.

He nodded once, then turned.

“Rest,” he said simply. “Then we discuss.”

And just like that, the conversation ended.

But the weight of it stayed with me.

The tension hadn’t left the air.

Even after the bruises settled into my skin, even after the weight of training bore down on my bones, I still felt it.

That unspoken something lingering between us.

So I asked.

“…Essentia Veritas.” My voice was steady, though my fingers twitched at my sides. “I have to ask… have you used it on me?”

My grandfather remained silent.

“If that potion reveals truth hidden in blood,” I continued, my throat tightening, “then surely—”

I inhaled sharply.

“I was asleep for seven years.” My voice dropped to a whisper. “Surely you tried to identify the curse.”

The silence stretched.

Then—

“…Yes.”

A quiet answer.

My stomach twisted.

But then—

“We did not see anything,” he said. “Nothing at all.”

I stilled.

“…Nothing?”

He nodded. “The potion did not reveal anything hidden within you. No curse. No affliction.”

I swallowed hard.

But that doesn’t make sense.

If nothing was there—

Then what had happened to me?

Why had I slept for seven years?

I hesitated. Then, carefully, I asked:

“…Do you think it will happen again?”

My grandfather exhaled.

“I don’t know, granddaughter,” he admitted.

And that—

That terrified me more than anything else.

“We don’t know,” he said.

I felt something sink inside me.

And then—

His next words.

“Your existence is a purpose,” he said. “That we know for sure.”

I blinked.

My… existence?

Not my choices. Not my life.

But my existence itself.

I thought about that.

I existed for a purpose.

Only for a purpose.

I exhaled slowly.

“…I see.”

I smiled, but it was sad.

My grandfather didn’t comment.

Instead, he straightened, his tone shifting back into something familiar.

“Let’s proceed with your training.”

And just like that—

The conversation ended.

But the weight of it remained.

Control and Power

We continued.

Training blurred into movement, power, precision.

I refined my lightning—

Channeled raw magic—

Honed control, flow, technique.

There was no time for hesitation.

No room for uncertainty.

My body moved on instinct, each motion sharp, each spell measured.

And when I landed the final strike—knocking my opponent flat with a precise burst of energy—

I felt it.

The control.

The power.

But also—

The exhaustion.

The Room of Requirement

By the time I finished, I was heavy-limbed, but steady.

I skipped dinner, but I could sneak something later.

For now—

I had a meeting to attend.

I marched toward the Room of Requirement, my mind still whirling with everything that had transpired.

Anne’s letter.

My grandfather’s confession.

The unknown still haunting me.

But I pushed it aside.

Because Ominis was waiting.

And there was still so much left to do.___

The moment I stepped into the Room of Requirement, I was met with warmth.

The golden glow of floating lanterns bathed the space in soft light, the scent of parchment and faint traces of crushed herbs lingering in the air. It felt safe, like a sanctuary carved from time itself.

A quiet, familiar voice greeted me.

“Miss Valancaire,” Deek said, bowing slightly. “You’ve returned.”

I barely had time to nod at the house-elf before my eyes flickered to the couch.

Ominis was already there.

His posture was relaxed, his hands loosely folded in his lap, but there was something unreadable in his expression—his brows drawn ever so slightly, his lips pressed into a firm line.

Even without sight, he had already noticed me the moment I entered.

He always did.

“…Jessa.”

There was something quiet about the way he said my name.

Not cold, not distant—but restrained.

And just like that, I knew.

He was still thinking about earlier.

Sebastian’s temper.

The stares.

The accusations.

It lingered between us, unspoken but still there.

For a moment, I thought he would bring it up.

But instead—

“You weren’t at dinner,” he said, voice unreadable.

I blinked, momentarily caught off guard.

“Oh.” I paused, only now realizing just how empty my stomach felt. Between the confrontation with my grandfather, the training, and everything in between—I hadn’t even thought about food.

Ominis let out a quiet sigh.

“So,” he continued, his tone shifting into something softer, something almost resigned, “I bought you some food.”

I stilled.

It was only then that I noticed the small table beside him.

A tray sat atop it, carefully arranged with warm food—roast chicken, buttery potatoes, and even a small serving of blackberry tart, plated neatly as if someone had taken the time to select each dish with care.

I inhaled sharply, my chest tightening.

I looked back at him, my heart suddenly too full.

“Ominis…” My voice was barely a whisper.

His expression didn’t change, but something in the way his head tilted—just slightly—told me he understood.

“It’s nothing,” he murmured, his voice impossibly gentle. “Just eat, Jessa.”

But it wasn’t nothing.

It was everything.

It was quiet consideration.

It was wordless understanding.

It was him knowing me—knowing that I would push myself too far, knowing I would forget to take care of myself.

And choosing, once again, to do it for me.

Something inside me ached.

I didn’t think.

Didn’t hesitate.

I closed the distance between us, stepping in front of him, the warmth of the room folding around us like a second skin.

He stiffened slightly at my sudden proximity, but he didn’t move away.

Didn’t pull back.

I reached up, my fingers ghosting along the sharp angles of his face—tracing the line of his jaw, the curve of his cheekbone.

He inhaled sharply.

It had become a habit—this touch.

A silent language between us, something that spoke louder than words ever could.

I felt the tension in him ease, his shoulders relaxing under my fingertips.

“…Thank you,” I whispered, my thumb brushing lightly over his cheek.

Ominis didn’t move.

Didn’t speak.

But the way he exhaled—the way his breath came just a fraction unsteadily, the way his head leaned—barely—into my touch…

It was enough.

He felt it, just as much as I did.

His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something—

But no words came.

Neither of us broke the moment.

The room was utterly silent, save for the faint flickering of enchanted lanterns, the distant hum of magic that curled around the space like a quiet embrace.

I didn’t know how long we stood there—how long I let my fingers linger against his skin, how long he allowed himself to lean into it.

But eventually, I let go.

Slowly.

Carefully.

My fingertips brushed against his jaw one last time before I pulled back.

His expression remained unreadable, but I didn’t miss the way his hands flexed slightly, as if resisting the urge to reach for something unseen.

I swallowed.

I had to look away.

“…Eat, Jessa,” Ominis murmured again, his voice softer than before.

I nodded, even though he couldn’t see it.

Then, finally, I moved to the table, settling onto the couch beside him as I reached for the plate.

The warmth of the food seeped into my fingers, grounding me, but my mind was still spinning.

Because even as I ate—

Even as I let the flavors settle against my tongue—

I could still feel the phantom imprint of his face beneath my fingertips.

The way he hadn’t pulled away.

The way his breath had hitched.

The way he had leaned in.

Neither of us spoke.

But we didn’t need to.

Because in that moment—

We were okay.

___

By the time I set my fork down, warmth had settled into my bones, pushing away the aches of the day.

I turned to him, gratitude swelling in my chest. Without thinking, I reached out, my fingers brushing over his cheek—an instinct, a habit I had developed without realizing.

His breath hitched slightly at the contact, but he didn’t pull away.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I murmured.

Ominis’ lips quirked slightly, though his expression remained unreadable. “You weren’t at dinner. It wasn’t difficult to figure out.”

I huffed a soft laugh. “Still… thank you.”

I let my hand linger a moment longer before dropping it, curling my fingers into my lap.

Something shifted between us—something unspoken, something dangerous.

And then, as if sensing the weight between us, Ominis cleared his throat.

“Sebastian was looking for you,” he said casually.

The lightness in my chest vanished.

I exhaled sharply. “Of course he was.”

Ominis hesitated for a fraction of a second before continuing. “You were nowhere to be found. Though, I did hear that you and the girls went to Hogsmeade after hexing Jace.”

A slow, smug smirk curled his lips.

“Which, by the way, was brilliant.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “Jace had it coming. I hope he enjoys his new hair color.”

“Oh, I’m certain he does,” Ominis mused. “Last I heard, Valor and Vix were already making plans to immortalize this moment. I expect a full painting of him with pink hair will soon be hanging somewhere in the Ravenclaw common room.”

I grinned. “I wouldn’t put it past them.”

The warmth between us returned, the earlier tension fading—until Ominis’ expression shifted once more.

“Slytherin dramatics aside, Sebastian wanted to see you,” he said, his voice quieter. “To apologize.”

I stiffened.

Sebastian? Apologizing?

That wasn’t something he did lightly.

Ominis studied my reaction carefully before adding, “His mood changed after receiving a letter from Anne.”

I inhaled sharply.

“She wrote to him, saying she felt better today,” Ominis continued, his voice unreadable. “That the pain wasn’t as bad.”

I swallowed hard.

“She felt lighter,” Ominis said softly. “And Sebastian… he believes it.”

My chest ached.

“His mood lifted immediately,” Ominis went on. “He was different afterward—better.”

I clenched my hands into fists, trying to steady my emotions.

“I received the same letter, Ominis,” I finally admitted.

His lips parted slightly in surprise.

I met his gaze, my heart thudding softly.

“It worked,” I whispered. “At least for now. Anne and Sebastian will be okay. Temporarily.”

Ominis exhaled, a small, relieved smile tugging at his lips.

“That’s more than we could have hoped for,” he murmured. “At least for now.”

I nodded, releasing the tension in my shoulders.

It wasn’t a cure.

It wasn’t a permanent fix.

But it was something.

And that was enough—for now.

But even as relief settled over me, a part of me twisted painfully.

Sebastian was happy.

He believed Anne was healing.

And he had no idea that it was all a fragile illusion.

He didn’t know the truth of her curse.

He didn’t know the impossible path ahead.

And when he found out?

Would he hate me for keeping it from him?

Would he hate me for this temporary peace?

I didn’t know.

I didn’t want to know.

So instead, I forced a breath, straightened my spine, and pushed forward.

Because there was still work to do.

Ominis smirked slightly, sensing my determination.

“Well,” he said, shifting back into his usual self. “Now that we’ve bought ourselves some time, how exactly do we plan on obtaining Phoenix Ash?”

I groaned, running a hand down my face. “This is going to be a nightmare.”

“Undoubtedly,” Ominis agreed dryly.

He sat up straighter, unrolling the map Deek had provided, spreading it out on the table between us. His fingers skimmed over the parchment, tracing the carefully marked locations.

“We know the Phoenix nest is deep within the Forbidden Forest,” he said, slipping into strategy mode. “The problem is, so do the poachers.”

I leaned in, studying the details. “What else did Deek say?”

“The nest is high up—on a rocky outcrop near the cliffs,” Ominis explained. “It won’t be an easy climb.”

My brows furrowed. “And the Phoenix?”

“If it is there,” Ominis murmured, “it won’t be willing to part with its ashes so easily.”

I exhaled sharply.

A legendary creature. A near-impossible climb. And poachers already tracking it.

Oh, this was going to be fun.

I smirked. “Sounds like an adventure.”

Ominis groaned, shaking his head. “That’s one word for it.”

I nudged him playfully. “Come on, knight. Where’s your sense of noble duty?”

He sighed dramatically. “Why do I feel like this is going to involve me nearly dying?”

I grinned. “Because it probably will.”

Ominis muttered something under his breath but didn’t protest.

“We’ll need to move fast,” he said, regaining his focus. “The poachers have already been spotted near the nesting grounds.”

I nodded. “Then we can’t go in unprepared.”

We began planning in earnest.

•We’d need broomsticks—traveling through the forest on foot would take too long.

•Wands at the ready, of course—there was no doubt the poachers would be dangerous.

•A containment satchel—Deek had given us a special bag used for safely transporting magical creatures.

•Disillusionment Charms—to avoid detection.

•Flame resistance potions and healing potions—in case the Phoenix did get aggressive.

I sighed. “This feels like a full-scale operation.”

Ominis smirked. “It is.”

Then, a thought struck me.

I arched a brow at him.

“You do realize you’re riding with me, right?”

Ominis blinked.

“What?”

I grinned, leaning back. “You can’t fly a broom, Ominis. You’re riding with me.”

He stiffened.

“I—” His mouth opened, then shut again.

I smirked. “Try not to grab onto me too hard, will you?”

His face burned.

“I—I wouldn’t—” He exhaled sharply, jaw tightening. “That’s hardly—”

“Oh, I insist,” I teased, grinning. “Hold on as tightly as you need.”

Ominis groaned, dragging a hand over his face. “You infuriate me.”

“I delight you.”

He shook his head, muttering under his breath.

But I caught the faintest trace of a smile.

The mission to save Anne wasn’t over.

Sebastian was happy now, but he wouldn’t be when he realized the truth.

And when that moment came?

When the illusion shattered?

I needed to have the cure in my hands.

So I inhaled, pressed my hands firmly against the map, and whispered:

“We save the Phoenix first.”

___

Sebastian’s POV

I was a bloody prat.

I had messed up—badly.

And I knew it.

I had been on edge for days now. Between deciphering that spellbook, keeping it to myself, and watching Anne’s condition worsen, my patience had worn thin.

Ominis and Jessa would never approve of what I was doing—so I hid it.

I had tried to keep everything under control, but instead—

I had let it slip.

Publicly.

Like an idiot.

Jessa had looked at me like I was impossible.

Like I wasn’t worth the effort.

Like she was tired.

That look sat in my chest like lead.

I needed to apologize.

So, after the public spectacle that had been my humiliation, I caught up with Ominis, hoping—praying—he’d tell me where she had gone.

But all I got was a sharp shake of his head.

“I don’t know.” His tone was clipped, irritated.

“She went with the girls after hexing Jace.”

At another time, I would’ve laughed. Would’ve made a joke about how brilliant that sounded. But Ominis’ expression—

His expression bothered me.

Ominis didn’t look irritated because he was tired of dealing with me—he looked gloomy.

And Ominis Gaunt didn’t react that way to just anyone.

Not even to Anne.

I swallowed, a strange unease settling in my gut.

I didn’t have time to dissect it, though—I needed to find Jessa.

I searched the castle, my steps hurried, heart pounding harder than it should’ve. My words needed to be perfect when I found her—I needed her to know that I was sorry.

That I had let my frustrations get the better of me. That I had never meant to look at her with anything but admiration.

That I—

I’d barely made it halfway across the castle when a letter arrived.

A letter from Anne.

The moment I finished reading her words, I didn’t hesitate.

I grabbed my broom and took off toward Feldcroft, the wind whipping at my face as I pushed forward.

Anne was better.

She was feeling better.

The relief in my chest burned so fiercely that I could barely breathe.

I landed outside the house, barely giving myself time to catch my breath before I burst through the door.

“Merlin, Sebastian!” Anne yelped, startled. “You nearly gave me a heart attack!”

I barely heard her.

Because—

Because she looked better.

Brighter.

Stronger.

She was sitting comfortably in an armchair, a book open in her lap—one of Jessa’s books.

Her voice—there was no strain in it.

“You’re okay?” I asked, my voice hoarse.

Anne blinked at me before her lips curled into a smile.

“Yes,” she said simply. “The new medicine from St. Mungo’s did wonders. It takes away the pain far better than the last one.”

Her smile widened. “I finally feel like I can breathe again, Sebastian.”

My legs nearly gave out.

I collapsed onto the nearest chair, running a hand over my face.

“Thank Merlin.”

The relief was so sudden, so overwhelming, that I felt like I might sink straight through the floor.

Anne was okay.

At least for now.

Anne—my twin, my other half—was sitting in front of me, smiling, reading, living.

“Don’t worry so much, hmm?” she said gently.

I let out a breathy chuckle, shaking my head.

Anne didn’t know.

She didn’t know how much weight had been crushing me. How much I had needed to hear those words.

She was okay.

Which meant—

I had more time.

More time to research the spellbook.

To find a way to end this permanently.

Anne studied me carefully, her keen eyes sharp as ever.

“Sebastian,” she said flatly, “if you’re planning something reckless, stop.”

I stiffened.

“Anne—”

“I know that look.” Her voice was firm. “Yes, this might only be temporary, but at least I can do my day-to-day tasks more easily. That’s enough for now. Don’t drag Jessa and Ominis into whatever madness you’re plotting.”

Jessa’s name made me twitch.

Anne noticed.

She tilted her head.

“How is Jessa?” she asked.

I swallowed.

Then, hesitantly, I told her everything.

About the fight. The stupid, public fight. The argument. The jealousy. Ominis’ reaction. How I had snapped at Jessa. How she had turned and left—how she hadn’t even looked angry, just done.

By the time I finished, Anne was pinching the bridge of her nose.

“You’re a bloody idiot, Sebastian.”

I groaned.

“I know.”

“No, I don’t think you do.” She leveled me with a look. “Because if you did, you wouldn’t be sitting here right now—you’d be chasing after Jessa and fixing this mess before she decides she’s too tired of dealing with you to bother.”

That stung.

But—

I couldn’t argue.

Because Anne wasn’t wrong.

“I just—” I hesitated.

“You just what?” Anne demanded.

I exhaled sharply, shaking my head. “It’s Ominis.”

Anne blinked. “Ominis?”

“His reaction,” I muttered. “When I asked him where Jessa was—when he told me he didn’t know. It wasn’t just irritation. It was…”

I struggled to find the words.

“It bothered me,” I admitted. “He looked… off. Like something about this hit him differently.”

Anne studied me for a long moment.

Then, she smiled.

It wasn’t a mocking smile.

It wasn’t even a knowing one.

It was… amused.

“I see,” she murmured.

“What?” I frowned.

“Nothing,” she said lightly. “It’s just—Ominis has always been careful with Jessa, hasn’t he?”

I stiffened.

Anne continued, voice casual. “He’s different with her. Even when he’s angry, even when he’s irritated—there’s… something else.”

I scowled. “What are you getting at?”

Anne hummed. “Just something to think about, that’s all.”

I stared at her.

Anne—who always saw right through me.

Anne—who never said anything outright unless she wanted me to figure it out myself.

A strange sensation curled in my chest.

I didn’t like it.

Ominis had always been careful with Jessa, hadn’t he?

I didn’t like how that made my stomach twist.

I didn’t like that she was hinting at something I couldn’t fully grasp.

And I definitely didn’t like that she was sitting there smirking at me, like she was enjoying my internal struggle.

I scowled at her.

“Brother,” Anne said, leaning forward, “I know you’re smart, but really—you can’t name what you’re feeling?”

I opened my mouth, but—

Nothing came out.

Because—

I didn’t know.

Not fully.

I knew I felt something—something sharp and frustrating every time Ominis got too close to Jessa, every time she smiled at him in that particular way, every time he touched her without hesitation.

I knew I had always felt something around her—since the moment we met.

But I had never let myself put a name to it.

Because if I did—

If I did, then that meant—

“I—I don’t know,” I admitted, my throat suddenly dry.

Anne laughed.

“Fine,” she said, shaking her head. “It’ll come hitting you like a boulder one of these days, and honestly? I’m feeling well enough now to sit back and enjoy it.”

I glared at her.

“How can I apologize to her, Anne?” I asked, desperate to steer the conversation away from… whatever this was.

“Grovel?” Anne suggested, barely suppressing her amusement.

“I can kneel, you know?” I said seriously.

“For the love of Merlin, don’t disgust her.” She rolled her eyes.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

“Anne, I need her to forgive me.”

Anne’s gaze softened slightly.

“I know,” she murmured. “And she will. But Sebastian—” she hesitated for a moment before continuing, “I’ve been reading some of the books Jessa sent me. And I just know that girl is a romantic.”

I frowned.

“Romantic?”

“Yes.” Anne gave me a pointed look. “And from what I also know, you have the romantic instincts of a turnip.”

I scoffed. “That’s not true—”

“Sebastian, you publicly fought with her like a jealous boyfriend without even realizing why you were upset. And then you chased after Ominis about it.”

I scowled. “That’s—that’s not—”

Anne smirked.

“Listen, you stubborn idiot,” she said, “do you want my help or not?”

I grumbled but gestured for her to continue.

Anne leaned forward, her tone suddenly conspiratorial.

“Alright, here’s what you’re going to do…”

And then—

Anne’s advice had ruined me.

But I did it anyway.

I spent the entire night scouring the Greenhouses, sneaking into the Forbidden Forest, and even bribing the house-elves for the rarest potion flowers I could find.

Because if I was going to grovel, I was going to do it properly.

These weren’t just ordinary flowers—they were practical. They had purpose.

The bouquet I held was a collection of rare potion ingredients, chosen with care:

Moonlit Lilies – Only bloom under the stars, their petals shimmering like silver. A   key ingredient in calming draughts.

Starfire Blossoms – Deep crimson with a faint golden glow, often used in strengthening potions.

Wraith’s Breath – Pale, near translucent, known for its ability to enhance clarity of mind.

Frostbloom Petals – Ice-blue flowers that thrive in winter magic, used in healing elixirs.

It was beautiful—but more importantly, it was useful.

And if all else failed—I was fully prepared to kneel.

I had been waiting outside the Ravenclaw common room for two bloody hours.

Two. Bloody. Hours.

Ravenclaws passed by, snickering, whispering, sending me amused looks—but I ignored them.

Then, finally—

The door swung open.

Samantha stepped out first, chatting away—

And then Jessa emerged.

I froze.

She had changed her hair.

It looked like they had gone to Madam Snelling’s yesterday, and—Merlin help me—I did not think she could look more beautiful, but I was wrong.

Her dark locks framed her face perfectly, her sapphire-blue eyes sharp and bright. The way the strands shifted in the light, the way she held herself with quiet confidence—

I forgot how to function.

Then—

“Sebastian.”

Flat. Cold. Not Bas. No warmth.

I flinched.

Samantha eyed me, then the ridiculous bouquet I was holding.

Jessa arched a brow at it, unimpressed.

And that’s when I realized—

I was standing there, holding flowers like an idiot.

The Ravenclaws passing by slowed to watch.

Some were already snickering.

Brilliant.

I cleared my throat. Time to commit.

“I, uh—” I straightened my posture and launched into my rehearsed speech.

“Jessa, I was a bloody prat—a reckless, jealous, idiotic prat.”

Her expression didn’t change.

I swallowed, pushing forward.

“I let my temper get the best of me, and I shouldn’t have said half the things I did.”

A Ravenclaw nearby snorted.

I pretended I didn’t hear it.

I clenched the bouquet tighter, my pulse hammering.

“So,” I exhaled sharply, reaching into my pocket. “I made a list.”

Jessa blinked.

I pulled out a crumpled piece of parchment.

“Every idiotic thing I said to you.” I unfolded it dramatically. “And I swear—I won’t do it again.”

Sebastian’s List of Idiocy:

1.Jumping to conclusions when I saw her and Garreth in the greenhouse instead of trusting her.

2.Losing my temper in public—not once, but twice.

3.Making a complete scene at the Three Broomsticks because of my jealousy.

4.Storming off instead of talking things out like an actual adult.

5.Not listening to Ominis when he told me to stop being an idiot.

6.Letting my own frustration ruin a perfectly good day.

7.And most importantly— forgetting, even for a second, that Jessa owes me nothing but still chooses to be in my life.

Silence.

Samantha visibly struggled to contain her laughter.

I ignored her.

I cleared my throat again.

“If all else fails—” I squared my shoulders. “I will kneel.”

Someone actually cackled.

Jessa’s lips twitched, like she was fighting a smile.

I seized the opportunity.

“So, I’m forgiven?” I asked, hopeful, desperate.

Jessa exhaled, her arms crossed, her blue eyes piercing into me like she was weighing my fate.

She let the silence stretch, torturing me for a few more agonizing seconds.

Then—

Her expression softened.

She reached forward and plucked the bouquet from my hands.

“Bas,you..” she said, her voice finally calling me Bas again, “are someone who endured two hours of public attention and snickers just to apologize.”

She examined the bouquet, fingers tracing over the petals.

“This is actually beautiful,” she admitted.

Her voice was softer now.

“You really went all out.”

I huffed, rubbing the back of my neck. “Yeah, well. I didn’t want to do this twice.”

Her lips curled into a smirk.

“Alright, Bas,” she said softly.

“You’re forgiven.”

I nearly collapsed in relief.

But then—

Jessa tilted her head, blue eyes gleaming.

“But don’t do it again. Any of it.”

I swallowed. “I won’t.”

She narrowed her gaze.

“Ever.”

I nodded immediately. “Never.”

She held my stare for a moment longer—then, satisfied, she looped her arm through mine.

“Now,” she continued, leading me forward, “let’s go have breakfast.”

I blinked.

“You… aren’t going to put that away first?”

Jessa arched a brow.

“No,” she said simply.

And then—

She smirked.

“I’m going to show it off.”

I groaned.

The entire castle was about to witness this.

And the teasing—oh, the teasing—was going to be unbearable.

But she had forgiven me.

So I gritted my teeth, prepared for the incoming torment—

And walked with her to the Great Hall, secretly happier than I had been in days.

______

Jessa’s POV

Me, Sam (who was still barely containing her laughter), and Bas made our way toward the Great Hall.

He had apologized so sincerely that I almost forgot the absolute nightmare he had put me through.

Almost.

I knew he was still hiding something about that damned spellbook.

Just like me and Ominis were still keeping Anne’s permanent cure a secret from him.

But at least now we could focus on things that actually mattered.

No more ridiculous jealous outbursts. No more dramatics.

I glanced down at the bouquet again, brushing my fingers over the delicate petals.

These weren’t just flowers.

They were rare ingredients.

Some of them only grew in the deepest parts of the Forbidden Forest.

Which meant…

“Merlin, you actually snuck into the Forest for these, didn’t you?” I muttered, shaking my head.

Bas rubbed the back of his neck. “Would you believe me if I said no?”

I gave him a pointed look.

He sighed. “Yeah, didn’t think so.”

Hopeless. Absolutely hopeless.

Still—

I smirked. “Well…I love them.”

And just like that—

Bas blushed.

Properly.

A true flush of red creeping across his freckled cheeks, spreading to his ears.

I had to bite back my grin.

We made our way to the Ravenclaw table, and the second I sat down—

The teasing began.

Natty and Poppy were already grinning.

Jace, my traitor of a twin, sat across from them, his pink hair still intact—and worst of all? It actually suited him.

Valor (Gryffindor) and Vix (Slytherin) were snickering from the other table, scribbling furiously.

I swear to Merlin, I am dreading our mother’s next letter.

And Here Comes the Teasing

I had barely taken a seat when Sam, who had been waiting for an audience, dramatically recounted Sebastian’s apology.

“—and then he just STOOD there, waiting for TWO HOURS, holding that bouquet like a desperate man—”

Sebastian groaned. “I wasn’t desperate.”

Jace leaned forward, smirking. “You sure? Because that sounds a lot like desperation.”

Sebastian shot him a glare. “You’re one to talk, Pinkie.”

Jace looked entirely unbothered. “Correction: Handsome Pinkie.”

Natty snorted. “You two are hopeless.”

And then Poppy, bless her, added with a knowing smile—

“He knows exactly what you like, Jessa.”

I blinked.

Bas stiffened.

The entire table ooh’d.

Sebastian turned beet red.

I decided to ignore the implications of that statement and took a deliberate bite of toast.

Ominis had been quiet until now, his fingers slowly tracing the rim of his teacup.

And then, finally, he spoke.

“I’m glad you two are okay now” he said softly.

His voice was measured, careful.

Bas, still clearly recovering from his humiliation, glanced at him.

Something in his expression flickered.

A moment of hesitation.

And then, quietly, he replied—“Thank you.”

I arched a brow.

Bas? Being polite to Ominis?

That was new.

But there was still something tense between them.

A silence just heavy enough to feel…off.

Not a fight, not hostility—

I made a mental note to dig into that later.

For now?

I was content to enjoy my forgiveness, breakfast, and the fact that I now had a ridiculously beautiful bouquet to show off.