POV ADA MARROW
The weekend came quickly and I found myself dressed down just a bit to enjoy the walk out to Hogsmeade with Sebastian. I was told to meet him at the front entrance of the school. I waited, staring at a statue, my hair was tied back, having it down was out of the question and I wouldn't dare take any sort of scissors to it. No matter how many girls offered to fix it up for me. I'd rather spend my money at the salon in town after I gather up my supplies. I pushed an uneven lock from my face and sighed, I really wanted to wear my hair down.
I heard a soft clearing of a throat behind me, I glanced back to see Sebastian standing there, the sleeves to his school uniform rolled up to his forearms and his tie loose, with his vest undone. I had just ditched my robe and tie for the day. Seems I wasn't the only one tired of the uniform.
"I would formally like to thank you for choosing me to escort you today to Hogsmeade, you saved me sitting in detention." His fingers intertwined and his thumbs fiddled a bit, I smiled at him.
"Oh so you're a trouble maker now as well? Tell me get in another spat with Leander or something else?" It was just a mild tease towards him. He seemed to chuckle,
"If my charge must know, I got caught sneaking into the restricted section. I'm sure our dear Librarian would be fuming if she found out I was tasked instead to escort you." He held a hand out opening the door for us to walk through. We walked past plenty of other students practicing hitting balls at each other in their Quidditch uniforms. There were no games but everyone still wanted to practice.
"There's a restricted section in the Library?" I looked at him and he nodded.
"It's filled with all sorts of books and spells they don't want students reading. Useful spells at that."
"What sort of spells?" He has piqued my interest once again, I am learning more every day and he is feeding my curiosity.
"It seems we may think more alike than I initially thought. I'll... Tell you about them another time." We stopped just outside the gate, he motioned to a large arena like structure.
"That is the Quidditch field, normally that's where people practice quidditch matches if it wasn't canceled for the year."
"I was curious, who was the person that got hurt?" We started walking down the path opposite of the quidditch fields.
"Victor Bratly, he's a pure-blood a Fifth year like us and is a Seeker for the Hufflepuff team. He wasn't really even hurt, see Victors a bit of a dare devil and loves doing dangerous stunts during quidditch matches. He dived off his broom after the snitch and a Bludger smacked into his stomach." I was nodding along, listening and after his explanation I asked,
"I'm sorry, what's a Pure-blood? Professor Fig didn't explain that much to me..."
"Oh well, a pure-blood is someone with two wizarding parents." He watched me expectantly, "You're not used to your world are you, why is that?" My back straightened a bit, not looking him in the eyes, it was hard to admit that you were an orphaned child.
"I am technically an orphan." I admitted, "I was just Ada when I lived in a 'muggle' orphanage but the Ministry workers that found me told me that my family name is Marrow." I was hesitant to explain further but Sebastian rested a hand on my shoulder.
"That is awful to hear, especially with magic I can't imagine how they treated you... You don't need to explain further if you don't want to. We have plenty of time to get to know one another before we dive into more personal thoughts." His words were comforting, I'd nod and not explain any further to the happenstance of why I was at the Orphanage. We crossed a bridge and it wasn't long after that that we stopped.
"Now that right there is the entrance to the forbidden forest. I would suggest not going in there. Especially if you don't like giant hairy spiders." My skin almost crawled at the mention of giant spiders, watching his arm sweep out to motion to the old wooden bridge that connected into that dark dreary forest.
"I shall heed your advice for the day, I have no interest in meeting any sort of Giant spiders; hairy or otherwise."
We didn't linger near the crossing and continued onward, he tried pressing me for information on how I became rather skilled at dueling which I artfully avoided answering by staying silent about the topic.
Though the silence didn't last long as he spoke up right after a carriage being pulled by some sort of skeletal horse.
"I find Thestrals pulling a carriage a bit grim... Though I suppose most can't see them.." I was watching the back of his head at the mention of it.
"And you can?"
"I can and I believe you're able to as well... Because of that Dragon attack." He was a bit quiet then, glancing back towards me.
"Yes you would be right..." I'd rather not remember the death of Fig's friend, the entire ordeal was traumatizing. The silence over took us again while walking up the pathed road towards town.
"So have you gotten a chance to explore around the Castle yet?" He asked, slowing down a bit to walk beside me. I didn't lie during our duel, he did like to talk but I suppose that's why he and Ominis work so well.
"Yes actually, I've been wandering around the castle searching for guide pages. I've seen quite a bit, they're at least making it a tiny bit fun." I held the guide book to my front. I bought it because there was a section about Hogsmeade that needed to be filled out.
"Guide pages?" He asked curiously.
"Well sense I'm so far behind and I barely know a thing about this world, our professors worked on a book to encourage me to explore the castle and to practice magic they teach me." I lifted the giant book up, it was obviously missing so many more pages.
"Is that what that is? Quite handy, wish I had something like that during my first year. My sister and I explored the castle halls for almost five years straight and we're still finding new hidden places."
"You have a Sister?"
"Yes, Anne. She's a Slytherin as well, my twin in fact. Ah well she was a Slytherin... She's sick at the moment but I hope she'll be better soon so she can rejoin me at Hogwarts." He looked sad, his eyes slightly closed as he looked down to his feet. I had that feeling that Anne wasn't going to get better any time soon.
We slowed to a halt at the bridge that would allow us passage into Hogsmead, he straightened back out and put on a hesitant smile.
"We're here, Listen I do need to stop by a shop to get something for my Sister. Will you be fine getting all the items from your list?" His hand sort of rested at his waist, the other rubbing at his neck.
"Oh, I don't mind at all but just a warning, some of the girls told me about the Tres Emporium in town so I'll probably be keeping you waiting on me." I gave him a reassuring smile and he nodded to me.
"After you finish just meet me up at town square, we can go to Honeydukes and then The Three Broomsticks to enjoy a pint of Butterbeer." He rocked on his heels then started to walk off. Leaving me at the entrance of the village.
I managed to get everything on my list and then some. I also almost gave Madame Snelling a heart attack when she saw the state of my hair. My pride and joy that I had grown down to my back was now cropped in a pin straight bob. The Madame had styled it in such a way to hide the now scarred cut on my face but it hindered my vision a bit. I tied the ribbon to my wrist that I had used to keep my hair back earlier so I looked at it and my new wand.
My experience picking out my first wand was definitely magical and as I felt over the sturdy grayish wood I smiled at it. It felt much different then the borrowed wand I used. It was mine and I could feel that it knew it belonged only to me. The grooves made it feel like it was specifically crafted for my hand. I felt a smile tug at my lips then pocketed it as I entered Town Square glancing around for Sebastian. He was standing off to the side staring off at the large tree in the middle of the square.
I slowly walked up to him to stand beside him, "I must say that is a very interesting tree that you're staring at." I hummed, hands clasped behind my back.
"Oh trust me there are much more interesting trees than that one." He turned to me, "Ready for Honeydukes?"
"That's a candy shop, correct?"
"That it is! You can find many sweet treats there, my favorite's the Fairy Floss." At his words I chuckled,
"I never would have guessed you'd like Fairy Floss."
"It melts once it hits the tongue and is pure sugar, who doesn't-" He looked around and I gripped onto his sleeve as I felt the ground shake below us just as a massive thing trampled through town destroying a few carts.
"Is that a Troll?" I heard the surprise in his voice and saw him start to unsheathe his wand, me doing the same as adults tried to get it's attention. A constable and a few others drew it away but right after they had left another Troll smashed through a set of houses, taking us by surprise as it began to charge at me.
I managed to duck away in time rolling along the ground and scrambling up to my feet. Sebastian tried taking its attention off me, hitting it a few times with some spells. It then swung its club at him, knocking him back against one of the shops. The Troll raised up its club over its head at the sight my body moved on its own, I flicked my wand the magic I saw grabbing hold of a barrel and smashing it into the side of the troll's head. With such force it teetered on its feet and pulled its full attention onto me.
That didn't deter me one bit as I swung the wand, smashing one item after another into the troll. Sebastian was staring in surprise, he hurried to his feet grabbing his wand.
"Ada, how are you doing that!" He was back to helping me fight now. I thrust myself out of the way again from another swing of that club, landing on my hands and knees.
"Questions later, more fighting!" I panted out, then rolled to get away from that damn club.
"Confringo!" He yelled out a burst of fire hit the Trolls face, it roared in rage trying to put the magical fire out as it fell to its knees, "It's weak! Get in a few more hits!"
I got to my feet and saw the magic built up at my wand tip, my body moved on its own again. I grasped that powerful magic and thrust it upon the Troll and like that we watched it practically disintegrate in front of our eyes. I was speechless, watching the spot the Troll had just vanished from, what had I just done?
"How did you do that Ada? That was amazing!" I looked up to Sebastian, his hands were on my shoulders.
"I... I don't know. Really." This was new, welcomed but unexpected. Sebastian's smile was gone, seeing my worry.
"Let's get Fairy Floss another time, let's just go straight to the Butterbeer." His face looked worried now. I nodded my hands holding my wand with a death grip, That troll had the same magic surrounding it as the Dragon and those Goblins. I felt his hand rest on my lower back, leading me out of the square, then halted at an alley way over hearing a familiar voice. Ranrok.
I stopped Sebastian and hid both me and him behind a wall to peek over the side of the building. Seeing two men talking and arguing with the goblin, about how he wanted the child. I sucked in a sharp breath as the Goblins eyes landed on mine and I pushed Sebastian down the road.
"Hurry, go."
"What in Merlins' name is Victor Rookwood doing making deals with a Goblin?" Sebastian sounded confused.
"He's making deals with Ranrok." I murmured to him.
"The Goblin from the daily Prophet? I thought he looked familiar. Did they see us?" He grabbed my hand and pulled me along in a hurry.
"I don't know and I don't want to find out." I murmured, following him into the pub to take cover in some safety among the many other adults. Sebastian seemed to relax as we took over two of the bars' stools.
POV SEBASTIAN SALLOW
Sirona, gave us two Butterbeers on the house having already heard word that we were the two that took the second troll down.
"She took down the Troll all on her own!" I nudged her shoulder and she flushed embarrassed by the praise.
"Sebastian, that's a lie, you had a hand in it as well." She sipped her drink, for the third time I saw her brush the longish part of her bob away from her face.
"Well I would have been flattened by that things club if you hadn't done what you did. Also why did Madame Snelling style your hair like that, it's almost covering your entire eye." It honestly looked ridiculous.
"She said it's to hide the scar on my cheek." She murmured and I couldn't help but scoff.
"What's wrong with the scar? I think it suits you quite well. Here let me have the ribbon and I'll fix it for you." I held my hand up to her, palm up and open as I slipped from the stool. She untied the ribbon from her wrist and handed it off to me.
"Do you suddenly know how to style girls' hair?" She asked her brow raised, I rolled my eyes.
"I have a sister, I'd help braid and put her hair up when she needed it done." I took a chunk of her hair and started to braid it along her scalp so it tucked behind her ear. She sat quietly while I worked on it. Once finished I tied it off with the ribbon making a small floppy bow that hung just behind her ear.
Her hand went to feel the braid then looked at me and smiled, those eyes showing appreciation for that one simple task I had done for her.
"Thank you Sebastian-" She was cut off by the sound of the doors being shoved open, my brows punched together as I moved to block her from Rookwood and Harlow's sight. Syrona came back from behind the bar to approach the two.
"Was that Lodgok Sirona? Your clientele isn't what it used to be." He stopped facing me down.
"My clientele will vastly improve once you both leave my pub." She held that deep seated frown towards him.
"Oh don't worry about that, we just want her, then we'll be on our way." His finger pointed towards me and I could feel Ada's hand hold onto my back. Something flared up in me and I already found myself pulling my wand out for the second time today.
"My friend is enjoying a well earned Butterbeer." Sirona crossed her arms, staring down at the man.
"We only wish to talk." Rookwood insisted, starting towards us then halted when he saw all of the bar patrons had gotten up, brandishing wands at him.
"She is not going anywhere with you, Rookwood." Sirona stated, Looking to Harlow as he held his wand as well itching to use it.
Rookwood pressed his hand to Harlow's arm, making him lower his wand. He was backing down and I couldn't be happier to have such decent folks in the bar.
"Fine, Harlow, let's take our coin elsewhere. This place isn't what it used to be." His eyes landed in my direction, body and head tilting to get a better look at Ada, I glanced back, Ada was watching them not really in fear of them like I expected but assessing the threat, her wand also out.
"Can't drink Butterbeer all night, child." That was a threat directed towards Ada, what had she gotten herself into? A dragon; trolls, Ranrok was hunting her down and now Rookwood was after her. Once he was gone I'd pocket my wand.
"That's our queue to get back to Hogwarts." I stated, she'd nod and get to her feet.
"You can both take my Personal Floo to the Castle it's much too late for you both to walk back. Especially since it seems our new friend has made a very dangerous enemy." Sirona motioned us to follow her up the stairs. I kept a hand on Ada's back leading her up. I was on edge and the little Hufflepuff was chewing at her lip with worry about what had happened.
We were still on edge as we arrived at the castle and she was about to bolt to her common room when I grabbed her hand.
"You're not going anywhere Sweetheart, I think I'm owed an explanation as to what happened." She looked at me with wide eyes, surprised I had grabbed her or maybe she had forgotten I was right behind her.
Her shoulders seemed to slump, "I can't say what's going on as I promised Professor Fig I wouldn't tell anyone, but when I'm able to you'll be the first I'll tell." She tried pulling her hand from mine, my grip tightened.
"I'll let you scamper off to your Badger Hole if you answer this last question." Her head did a slow nod.
"How deep are you? With whatever it is you can't tell me." Her eyes looked away from me.
"To put it briefly, I'm drowning in the lake and I don't think I can be saved." Her voice was soft and when she pulled away from me I let her and watched her run up the steps hurrying to her common room.
POV OMINIS GAUNT
I was unceremoniously pulled from our shared sleeping quarters to speak privately with Sebastian. I listened leaning against the railing in the hall. They were attacked by trolls; not to mention Victor Rookwood and Ranrok were after the new Fifth Year. My hand covered my mouth, my head bowed thinking to myself.
"She has some special magic I've never seen before, I think they're after her because of that. She disintegrated the Troll, the flecks of it got blown off in the breeze Ominis." He hissed out, "She wouldn't tell me what they want with her and when I asked how deep in she was she said she was drowning in the lake."
"That is concerning." I murmured out, "What do you mean by special magic?" I questioned straightening back, arms crossing as I leaned against the railing.
"I mean she picked up items and flung them at the Troll and her magic when she finished it off. I felt it, it sent a pulse over the area." I felt his hands rest on my shoulders, "She's in danger."
"How is this our problem? We barely know her." I countered, however once the words left my mouth I wanted to suck them back in.
"I know you don't mean that, you're terrible at hiding your feelings Ominis." His voice was quiet but not angered by my words.
"You're right, I don't mean it... To get involved with those two is a death wish. Even as I've briefly spoken with her I know she doesn't deserve such a fate." I reached and grabbed Sebastian's arms, "But that doesn't mean we should get involved. We shouldn't risk ourselves for a girl we barely know."
"What are you saying?" Sebastian murmured, he of course now was sounding a bit irate.
"I'm saying that we should keep contact with her to a minimum." I sigh and let go of him finally.
"Well I'm sure as hell not doing that!" he was getting louder, I should know better by now then to tell him not to do something, but I had to be firm about this.
"Sebastian!" I hissed out, "I've already lost Anne, I can't lose you as well. You're my dearest friend. If not for me then think of Anne. How would she feel if she found out her brother died protecting a random girl." I was attempting to stay calm but I was almost matching him in tone. I waited for an answer, an agreement, anything. I felt him move closer, feel the glare.
"She would be proud of me." His voice held a thick venom as he spoke to me. I felt my mouth press into a thin line,
"No you idiot, she'd lose you. She'd be devastated, left cursed and without her brother. What happens if something happens to Solomon? She'd be alone, no one to care for her." I heard his robes swish and what I assume was his shoulder bump into my chest.
"Then I suppose I'll have to fix that now won't I." The door opened and slammed shut to our room. I exhaled a deep breath, heart thrumming. He never listens, he doesn't think of what can happen to himself.
"Damnit Sebastian." I stayed standing there outside the door staring off to who knows where, "You're not invincible..." I murmured, trying to calm down after that little spat.