POV SEBASTIAN SALLOW

I arose early in the morning to get ready for detention, not bothering with the school robes as I figured Professor Sharp would have us do some hard manual labor. Ominis sat at his desk, fingers running over the braille dressed down for the day.
"I can't believe Professor Sharp wants me to write twelve inches on the uses of Troll Boogie." He wasn't too pleased to be reading about it.
"Again writing about it is better than having to use it." I stated, fixing up my tie then rolling my cuffs up to my elbows, "And it's extra credit to be sure you pass this class."
"I much rather be practicing my spell work." Ominis murmured.
"Yes we'll you're a step behind me with your wand combat." I drew out a breath, stepping behind him to mess up his hair.
"Hey! Hey, Sebastian fuck off it takes me ages to do my hair!" I couldn't help but laugh as he smacked at me with his book,
"Be happy you're in Sharps' good graces. I'm sure he won't be happy to see me again so soon." I stepped away, fixing up my tie, watching my friend try to fix his hair.
"I'll see you at dinner, try and save me a seat."
"That I will, you insufferable twit." It was all in good fun of course, he gave up trying to fix it and went back to reading. I hummed a soft tune making my way out of the common rooms and through the relatively quiet halls. Everyone was still asleep at this hour, my steps bounced off the walls of the castle, making my way up the stairs, just outside the great hall then to the right towards the kitchens.
Perhaps I could grab something from the kitchens before she showed up the last step down. I saw the fruit portrait swing open and saw her step out holding pastries in each hand.
"Well, I must say you beat me to it. I was planning on grabbing something for us." She glanced at me and smiled, walking over.
"I was rather hungry and my friend Deek heard I was going to detention today so he set aside some pastries for me to grab. Which do you want? Cherry or Lemon?" She held the two out, small brown papers wrapped around their bottoms.
"I've always been a fan of Cherry." I took the Cherry pastries from her and took a bite, letting out a hum. "Thank you for grabbing me one. I'm starving."
She chuckled, taking a bite from hers, "I figured they don't serve breakfast yet and we have to report to detention before it's available. She started up the stairs and I quickly followed after, watching her walk up ahead of me.
"Shouldn't I be the one leading us to it?" I wiped off the cherry filling from my cheek and sucked it from my thumb.
"You can lead once we get up these stairs." She still had her hair braided back showing off that scar on her face. Though it wasn't as neat as the one I did for her at Hogsmeade it seemed she took my words to heart. I finished off the pastry once we got up the steps and grabbed her hand to lead her off towards the castle entrance.
"You don't have to lead me by my hand!" She whined softly, "I feel like a child."
"Professor Sharp gets testy if we're late." I wasn't lying about that but I really just wanted to hold her hand, it really wasn't as soft as I'd imagine it being. She had the hands of someone who worked but that was fine, I didn't care about stuff like that. I only cared that she was following me and that I could touch her hand without questions arising. Once we were going down the stairs to the Dungeon, she started speaking again.
"Ominis was quite angry at me yesterday after I left." Her voice was soft.
"Oh Ada, no he wasn't angry at you. He was peeved at me." I stated, glancing back at her, "He was very angry when he came down but I smoothed it over."
"So I can still go to the Undercroft?" She asked.
"Yes you can." I could hear her sigh in relief.
"I must say he can be quite scary when he's angry." She murmured, her hand squeezing mine.
"I hope you don't see him any differently than you had before. He values the fact you're not scared of him like everyone else." I slowed my pace down to walk beside her.
"No, I don't see him any differently. I can understand why he was so upset." She stared at her feet, "though I should scold him for grabbing my arm like that." Her lips pursed.
"He grabbed you?" I looked to her eyes widening, "I'll be the one scolding him for that he knows better than to grab a girl in a fit of anger."
"Oh please, you don't have to. He let go right after he had done it. In fact he looked regretful that he had even laid a hand on me." Her words calmed down to bristling along my spine.
"I still need to have a talk with him about that." I murmured and stopped us in front of a door, I let go of her hand then.
"Here we are! Detention!" I announced opening the door for her, allowing her to walk in first. Though my eagerness to spend time with her was short lived, seeing Professor Sharp stacking dirty cauldrons up on the desks and a house elf appearing to wash buckets and brushes for us to supposedly clean with.

POV OMINIS GAUNT

Even after sitting in the silence of our dorms to read over Troll Bogies, I was painfully aware of how badly I messed up that encounter with Ada. She hadn't trembled when I touched her but her voice said it all. I had scared her, I didn't want her scared of me. I didn't want that at all but here I sat, recalling the tremble in her voice as I practically threatened her to keep silent about the Undercroft.
I really was no better than Morvolo, nor better than my family. What I did was inexcusable and I wouldn't blame her for not wanting to go near me again. I had to at least apologize for what I had done. I don't even remember how hard I grabbed her. I could have left a bruise on her. Merlin's beard I hope I didn't... my worry had seized my attention. I had lost my place in my book.
"Take note." I stated, hearing my quill spring to life from its stand.
"Troll Bogeys, obtained from a trolls' nostrils..." the quill started scratching away my words on a piece of parchment. I went on about the different potions and what about the disgusting item makes it so important and useful. While I tried to think of what I could do for Ada to make up for my awful behavior yesterday.

POV ADA MARROW

I was shoulder deep in one of the larger cauldrons scrubbing away at the grime coating the bottom of it. Whatever had stayed at the bottom after its use smelled truly awful. I had abandoned my robe to throw it across a chair, sleeves rolled up just like Sebastian's and my tie tucked into my collar to keep it clean. However my vest was covered in gunk.
"Excuse me you two, I need to deliver something to the headmaster. Remember I will check if you used magic to clean anyone of these cauldrons." His voice was cool as he got up, walking out of the room carrying a small crate of potion bottles.
"Yes Professor." my lips pursed, when the door closed behind him I groaned.
"I hated washing dishes when I was considered a muggle but I hate this even more." I said to Sebastian.
"Tell me about it, I'm betting half of these are Cauldrons Garreth used and never cleaned out after borrowing them." He grumbled, he had a curved stick to scrape away the charred bits.
"I'll have to buy a new uniform after this." I stopped looking down, my crisp white button up was dirty and more likely stained now. And the yellow vest had charred streaks and water stains.
"Give it to a house elf to clean after we finish with this, I swear they can get stains out of anything."
"I'll see if Deek can get the stains out then." I murmured looking at the stack of Cauldrons I had managed to clean.
"How many more do we have?" Sebastian asked me, that's when I started counting,
"Thirty more not counting and grand Cauldrons..." I could hide in those they were so big. I could hear him groan, "I'm not sneaking in there for awhile, can't imagine what he wants us to do tomorrow. He dunked the Cauldron, he finished scraping clean in the water bucket then started scrubbing it clean.
"Whoever leaves their borrowed cauldrons like this is disgusting." I scraped out the Grit and grime into a bucket at my feet. I at least drain the contents out after using it.
"You're telling me, I think I'll gag trying to clean out that failed invisibility potion one. They added in too much troll bogey, it's just one giant... Ugh." I could hear his gag.
"Please don't gag, if you gag I'll gag and I can't promise I won't throw up." I whined to him, lifting the cauldron into the dish bucket to start scrubbing that one clean.
"I'll do my best Ada." Sebastian shuddered, he had been avoiding that one like it was plague infested, "This is why I told Ominis that he was lucky he only had to write about them and not actually use them."
"It's for that extra credit report isn't it?" I asked, scrubbing the inside of the cauldron.
"Yes he was working on it this morning before I left our dorm." He poured the water from his cauldron and set it on the stack he had started to accumulate.
"Sebastian, can you help me move one of the Grand Cauldrons? I don't think I can lift it on my own and I'd like to get it out of the way." He nodded walking over to said cauldron, I went to move it with him but he had so effortlessly lifted it. He grunted softly, arms straining then set it on a wooden stand next to me.
"There, not too heavy." He exhaled, grinning at me.
"Flirt on your own time Mr. Sallow, you and Miss. Marrow still has quite a few cauldrons to clean." Professor Sharp limped back into the room, holding a newspaper.
"Yes Sir." Sebastian smiled at him and went back to his station. It was going to be a very long day,
"Miss. Marrow I'm going to take this chance to teach you a few practical charms, I don't expect you to clean these ones by hand." I felt a wave of relief overcome me.
"I'm happy to hear that Professor Sharp I'm afraid I wasn't looking forward to crawling into these."
"Yes well, I'm not that cruel." He gave me a pointed look and started on with the impromptu lesson. Cleaning charms, something every Witch and Wizard will learn eventually. It was even something he used to clean his cauldrons and dishes. I tried it out on my scrub brush, watching it float off and start scrubbing the large cauldron vigorously. Today wasn't so bad...

POV OMINIS GAUNT

It was late evening. I had brought dinner to my room and while I had finished my potions writing assignment I had to read over my herbology book about Dittany and how to properly grow and care for it.
I could hear the door creak open and one of my roommates walk inside. The steps sounded tired and sluggish, then the creak the bed made when he fell onto the bed and the groan that came from him was enough for me to identify Sebastian.
"Ah Sebastian, how was detention?" I asked him, marking my spot in the herbology book.
"Awful, truly awful. Sharp had us clean out his supply of spare cauldrons. I swear if I find out who leaves them so disgusting i'm going to shove their face into the next concoction they make." His bed creaked as he rolled over on it, I slid my chair away from the desk to get up. Walking carefully to my bed to sit on it.
"Also we need to have a talk about you grabbing Ada." He huffed out, "I can't believe you grabbed her like that, you know better." The words hurt and I felt my mouth slip to a grimace.
"Yes I'm well aware, I'm planning to apologize to her... I'm really no different than my family."
"Oh Ominis not this again..." Sebastian groaned, "I know for a fact you're different from them because everyone else in your damn family wouldn't regret grabbing her, in fact they'd gaslight her into thinking it was her fault in the first place."
I slouched, forearms resting on my knees, "Doesn't make it any better... If she wasn't scared of me before she is now..."
"Please, she's not scared of you."
"She was when it happened..." My voice was soft, "She didn't tremble but her voice sounded scared."
"Well she's not scared of you now, she's at her Common Rooms.. You can go and pay her a visit to apologize. There's still some time before curfew."
I chewed my inner cheek, "Perhaps I'll do that, it's best I get it done now then wait it out any longer."
"I'll be here, hopefully when you get back I'll be fast asleep." I stood again, picking my wand up from my nightstand.
"I'll be back, get some rest."
"That I will." I heard him sigh as I left the room. I knew the Slytherin Common rooms like the back of my hand and didn't need my wand to guide me where I needed to go. Only when I stepped out into the dungeons did I raise my wand. Having it led me a bit of ways across the school down towards the kitchens. I could hear talking between Hufflepuffs, though when I passed the kitchen they started to go quiet.
"Is he lost?" I heard one ask.
"He can't be lost. I hear his wand leads him around." Another said.
I walked past the group stopping in front of the barrels, I was half urged to put in their rhythmic code. I knew how to open the hidden door but I had a feeling they wouldn't be so keen to know that I knew how to access their dorms.

First years were so loud, some had even taken to practicing the rhythm on their desk or table so they wouldn't get drenched in Vinegar. Though why would I care what they thought? There wasn't a rule stating I wasn't allowed in other common rooms. I hummed feeling the barrels then landed on the correct one. Knocking the rhythm on it, I heard the Hufflepuffs gasp, as the door opened and I started walking inside.
Now the Hufflepuff Commons was uncharted territory. I wasn't expecting the entrance to be curved like this, or to hear the sound of beasts wandering around in the main room. Once in I heard conversation go to a dull murmur. Oh I had disturbed their peace.
"I need to speak with Ada Marrow, she's here correct?" I asked out loud.
"Oh... Um I'll go grab her for you, I think she's in her room." That would be the voice of Poppy Sweeting. I pocketed my wand arms crossing as I waited by the entrance. I could hear them all murmuring, hesitant and worried to know that the Heir of Slytherin knew how to get into their common room. I heard steps being taken towards me.
"Ominis... What are you doing here?" Ada was there.
"I'd like to speak with you alone." I stated, I reached out feeling her arm sliding down to grab her hand. I pulled my wand out.
"W-Wait Ominis-'' She was so quiet, why was she sputtering like that?
"What?" I stopped feeling her dig her heels into the ground.
"Ominis, I'm in my bed robes. I can't leave the Common room like this." She hissed out, it took a second for me to process her words.
"Oh... Well... Is there somewhere private here that I can speak to you."
"Well..." She was silent then and I'm sure she was assessing her fellow housemates, "No I'm afraid not." I straightened a bit, I didn't want to admit this in front of people. So I lowered my voice to a murmur.
"I just wanted to apologize for what I did the night before. I should have never grabbed you like that. My actions are inexcusable and I came here tonight to see if there was anything I could do to earn your forgiveness." The room was silent, you could hear the fire roaring at a fireplace and a purr of a house cat.
"Ominis..." I could hear the smile in her voice, it made my heart flutter and the weight on my shoulders lift, "I forgive you... You don't need to do anything for me, I know you were just upset..."
"I insist." I fiddled with my wand a bit, waiting for her.
"Well perhaps we can get together next Sunday, you can help me with something."
"What time and place?" I asked, leaning forward just a bit more.
"Morning Breakfast in the Great Hall. Also stop looking so serious, when your brows press together like that you look awfully frightening." She chuckled at me and I couldn't help but relax my face and smile. Listening to her laughter was rather relaxing.
"I'll see you then Ada."
"Yes now please go, I think you've surprised everyone enough for one day." I turned and she lightly pressed on my back, urging me out of the Common Room.
"Sweet Dreams." I said, lifting my wand again to lead myself out.

POV ADA MARROW

Last night had been hectic after Ominis left. I was bombarded with questions about if I had told Ominis how to access our dorms. I had not. Was I dating him? I was not and what did he mean by him grabbing me? I avoided answering that question. I heard too many speaking ill of him and his family. I did not want his name to be further smeared because of a one off incident.
This Morning Sebastian and I were being led by Professor Sharp to his potions supply closet. We were to restock and organize the entire thing, I almost groaned seeing the stack of crates outside the door. I was happy this was a one off thing and I'd hopefully never have to serve detention again. Professor Sharp expected us to have this done by Noon, stating he'd be back by then to check on us.
So now it was just Sebastian and I. He sat on the ladder organizing the items I handed to him, I was also in charge of refilling the bottles and vials that were empty.
"Listen, I have some news about those missing pages." I told him it had caught his attention.
"Really? What did you find out?" He asked, sliding vials onto the shelf in front of him.
"Word travels around between the portraits. A Portrait of a previous Minister of Magic told me he had an idea where those pages could be. I was thinking you could come with me after detention to talk with an Ex-Auror that lives in a Hamlet North of Hogsmeade. It has something to do with a murder of a boy that happened quite a few years ago."
"Now you have my attention, I would be honored to join you on this little murder mystery hunt."
"Perfect, we can leave after we have lunch then." I smiled up at him.