POV ADA MARROW
I cannot say the days after my second trial weren't exciting. I had found myself much more involved with helping Poppy and rescuing a Mooncalf called Biscuit. The Mooncalves owner Garnuff a soft spoken goblin was terribly grateful and even the mention of his faith in wizard kind being restored made my month.
I happened to be just South of Feldcroft, catching a devious pilfering niffler. I teased it with a pearl necklace I had worn today. It sniffed curiously at it, tiny hands trying to snatch it up with no avail. It was unbreakable so it could not be removed from my neck without undoing its clasp.
I had decided today to visit Anne. I was in the area after all and if I were to be honest I wanted to make sure he was visiting her more often because I hadn't seen much of Sebastian after he stuck that nose into the book. That curse did something to my body and the only person that was there that I could talk to was Ominis. Poppy and Adelaide knew something had happened. They knew because the pain had left me plagued with nightmares.
Ominis had said in time they will pass, it will all pass. I had to trust that he was right.
"Yes, you're such a cute little beast, my little Pilferer." I cooed at the Niffler, it was adorable and its fur soft to the touch.
I walked into the Hamlet, going straight for the Sallows' home. Elated to see Anne sitting out in the sun on a bench in the front garden.
"Anne!" I called out, waving. She looked up, shocked at first, smiling wide at me. I hurried up to her, the Niffler still trying to snatch my necklace.
"Ada!" She got up slowly, walking to me to give me a hug. I hugged her back, "I'm sorry I took so long to visit you, but I was in the Hamlet South of here and thought I'd visit."
"Do not worry about visiting me so often, I know you're busy with school work." I glanced to the window of the home and saw Solomon staring out at me.
"Now who is this little Niffler?" She asked, giggling as it fervently pulled at my necklace.
"This is Pilferer the Niffler. I just caught him at his den because the little scamp was breaking into people's homes and stealing things. So I'll be keeping him in line."
"Please come inside, Uncle Solomon was making me tea." I looked weary at the window seeing Solomon was gone from the window..
"Of course." I smiled at her and walked in keeping hold of the Niffler. I saw Solomon setting out three Tea cups, putting on a mit to lift the kettle. Pouring the steaming tea into their respective cups. Anne sat down in her chair and I sat down in the other. Solomon walked off to I assume get sugar cubes or honey.
"I don't mean to be a little down but is Sebastian still visiting you? I told him he should do it more often."
Annes' face fell, "No I'm afraid not, he hasn't visited me in a month and his letters had stopped coming."
My lips formed into a thin line, I could brush off him ignoring me but now he was neglecting his sister. Him and Solomon were all she had.
"I figured it was because midterms were approaching soon so he was studying." She didn't know if he had been studying or not, unless he had to go to class he had taken up permanent residence in the Slytherin Common room. I wouldn't tell her, I didn't want her to worry. Anne flinched, doubling over, her forehead pressed to the table and her hands gripped her stomach.
I reached out, lightly rubbing her back.
It was all I could do, came back, setting a bowl of sugar cubes down. His eyes fell onto Anne, brows furrowing. He rested the shawl that had been on the back of her chair over her shoulders.
"It's alright Anne..."
"I-It hurts." She whimpered, Solomon rubbed small circles on her back, trying to comfort her. It was different seeing him like this; so calm my only interaction was when he lashed out at Sebastian. I reached out and held onto Annes hand, letting her squeeze it. Soon she seemed to calm, the pain subsiding.
"I'm sorry..." Anne murmured,
"Don't ever apologize Anne, how many sugar cubes do you like in your tea?"
"Just one." I took her cup, dropping the sugar cube into it, then began to stir it with a spoon. Solomon sat down with us. Sipping his tea plain, so much like how Sebastian does.
"Anne told me you're starting out late, it's probably a lot to take in."
"Yes, I'm catching up rather quickly thanks to my extracurriculars."
"That's good, are you planning on going home to your family during winter break?" I was silent, I didn't want to admit anything, especially not an Ex Auror.
"No, As far as I'm concerned they're dead to me." His brow raised.
"If I may ask why?"
"They thought I was a squib and abandoned me in London. They don't deserve to know me now." Solomon seemed to nod.
"Yes, that is understandable. Perhaps if you want you can come here for Winter break. I can set up an extra cot for you." The offer was unexpected. I could feel a knot forming in my throat.
"I... I would accept the offer but I was told by Professor Fig that during the breaks I need to stay at Hogwarts. Since I don't have a family, the Ministry put him in charge as my keeper of sorts and I need to listen to what he says."
"Yes, I remember Fig." Solomon murmured, "He was always off in his own world."
"Yes, he does get like that sometimes." I chuckled, putting three sugar cubes in my tea. Anne took her cup and sipped hers.
"Well the offer still stands, I also ask if you could tell him to send an owl if he plans to come home for Winter Break or not."
"I will do that Mr. Sallow." He asked me about my school work, how my classes were. It was all incredibly mundane and I enjoyed it. Then once I got Anne to tell me more stories of Her time in Hogwarts he left us to return to his garden.
Anne held the Niffler, now laying on his back in her lap while she brushed over its stomach. We had talked for a few hours, laughing over all the misfit she got into when she was at Hogwarts.
"I was going to hide it in his robe pocket but I dropped it and it exploded in class!"
My hand covered my mouth, "How much detention did you get?" I couldn't contain my wide smile.
"Professor Sharp had to see my face every evening for two weeks." She was giggling now, looking elated. "Oh I wish I could go back." She glanced at the door as Solomon came back in.
"Alright girls, it's getting late and we don't want Ada breaking curfew."
I looked out the window, seeing that the sun was setting, "Oh I do need to get going." I got to my feet and took my brush and Niffler.
"I'll see if I can visit you again Anne."
"It was wonderful seeing you again Ada."
POV OMINIS GAUNT
Never have I ever been so irate with Sebastian. I sat on my bed, trying to feel over the braille of my history textbook. He was ruining everything with Ada. He hadn't talked to her since the Scriptorium and no matter how many times I confronted him and badgered him to talk with her. Anything to get him to stop reading that book.
"When was the last time you visited Anne?" I asked, my voice sounded a bit curt.
"A month ago." He drew the words out slowly.
"Have you spoken to Ada yet?" I heard him sighed, closing the book. Then he got out of his bed.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"Somewhere quiet." His response was short, I heard him open then slam the door shut. He was gone.
POV SEBASTIAN SALLOW
I left Omnis in our room in favor of continuing my reading in the Common room. I needed silence and to focus on this. Not him obsessively nagging at me.
"You! Wait!" A group of first years tried to stop someone from coming in. I looked up seeing Ada dressed in her adventuring clothes. She was taking off her mask, her soft face filled with fury.
"Sebastian Sallow!" She bit out, "Where are you dammit!" She shoved passed them hurrying down the stairs. I grimaced and saw a few other Slytherins peak side eye me or peek over their books. Fantastic they were going to get a show.
"Ada, calm down."
"Don't you dare tell me to calm down." She snapped, stopping in front of me. How was she a Hufflepuff? I'd never seen one be so angry, it was rather endearing.
"Why haven't you visited your sister? Or written to her? For an entire month!" I was being scolded, flinching back at the disappointment lacing her venom.
"I've been busy Ada... Also how do you even know that?"
"Because I visited her today, you're neglecting her again!"
"I am finding a cure for her!" I snapped out, glaring down at her.
"No, you're becoming an obsessive hermit! I told you I'd help you. I wasn't even mad when you stopped talking to me but now you're secluding yourself from ANNE."
I saw eyes all on us, she didn't seem to care,
"Ada, I have more important things to deal with then flouncing around with you. Now leave." I hissed out. Her face slackened, jaw clenched. She wanted to say something, wanted to yell some more, but I could see the tears welding up. No, no I couldn't give in. I cannot afford any distractions. Even if it was dear sweet Ada, I had to focus.
"You're not yourself Sebastian." Her voice was strained, I felt my hand move on its own and forced it back down to my side. She turned her back to me, stomping back up the stairwell out of the Slytherin Common room.
"You're an idiot."
"Shut up Imelda, this doesn't concern you." My eyes darted to her, her arms crossed as she gave me a sour look.
"It does because she's my friend."
I scoffed, "Since when are you friends with her?"
"Well Sallow, maybe you would know if you hadn't been avoiding her like she has Dragon Pox." Imelda bit out, glare narrowing on me. She huffed and turned going up the stairs to the girl dorms.
I gripped onto the book, eyes clenched shut, I had made her cry... I had made Ada cry. It had been right in front of me but the realization that I had done that to her, smacked me over the head. My hand went covering my mouth, I had fucked up.
POV ADA MARROW
I had barely stepped through the door of my Common Room when a note appeared before me. I dreaded who the sender was. It was either going to be one of my teachers or Sebastian. I picked it from where it fluttered down on the floor.
"Ada,
I need to speak with you, please meet me in the Undercroft.
-Sebastian"
I felt a weight dropped onto my shoulders, was it to talk about their argument or would he ask something more of me? I couldn't help but feel used after the Scriptorium, thrown out while I dealt with the loss of feeling in my hands and feet.
Ominis had stuck by me, Ominis was there helping me grow used to the feeling and he had reassured me that he would be there with me over winter break but I was already walking to the Undercroft. I was already standing at the entrance, hope bubbling in me that maybe Sebastian would apologize.
As I walked down into the Undercroft I saw him hunched over a small desk, looking over the book. Too engrossed in it to notice I had entered, I walked slowly up to him.
"Sebastian?" His eyes darted from the pages to me, those lovely brown eyes looking just a few shades darker.
"Ada..." He straightened and turned away from the book, "I didn't bring you here to apologize." I felt my lips drop.
"Then why am I here Sebastian?"
"To give you an explanation for my behavior the last few months."
I hugged myself looking away from him, well I was at least owed that, "Fine, just be quick about it."
"You... You distract me Ada." I couldn't help but scoff.
"What is that supposed to mean? Really Sebastian? I'm distracting you? Unbelievable, I can't believe I came here." When I turned from him his hands grabbed my shoulders.
"Don't." His voice was quick, "You distract me, I found myself less concerned about curing Anne and more concerned about being with you."
I was silent, eyes moving from the ground to meet him.
"From waiting for you to return late at night from those damn trials, worrying about those raids you go on. You are over taking my mind, i even found myself jealous that you went on a date with Leander and how damn close you've gotten to Garreth Weasley." I held my breath, I wasn't expecting this kind of confession.
"Anne went to being my night sky now covered and blocked by you. You had become my stars and moon, a blinding light guiding me around in what seemed like hopeless darkness."
"Sebastian..."
"I am falling for you hard and it scares me." His brow pressed together, staring down at me. No wonder it hurt, I was falling for him as well. My hand reached up to touch his face, thumb rubbing over his freckled cheek. I felt his hands slide to my neck, cupping my jaw and he leaned in so close. We kissed, the softness of his lips met mine and the hurt I had felt over the last month was gone. I am fully consumed by him again.
POV SEBASTIAN SALLOW
The kiss was much too brief and a long time coming but I felt more kisses would be shared in the future. She had pulled away first, her almost black eyes shined in the lamp light. I couldn't let go of her, I wouldn't let go of her. She was something more than somebody I was meant to meet, fate had tied us together and I was a fool for ignoring my own advice. I refused to continue my search alone.
"Ada..." I murmured, my thumb rubbed along the scar on her cheek, "I won't leave you behind again. I was a fool, you've helped me every step of the way and I shouldn't have left you behind."
"Have you found something?"
"I have, there's mention of an artifact that can reverse curses. I'm still looking into it but I think it's located in a catacomb near Feldcroft."
"We should tell Ominis."
"No, you heard him. He will be adamant to stop us. Once I have the artifact I'll tell him. Don't worry." I rested my forehead against hers, "Don't feel bad, it's for his own good."
"I will decide what's for my own good!" My head shot up.
"Ominis! We were just going out for a stroll, would you like to join us?"
"Don't lie to me Sebastian. You promised that you wouldn't meddle with dark magic!" I pulled from Ada, letting her step back from me as my best friend stepped closer.
"I did no such thing, I merely understood your perspective." I smoothly stated, he scowled at me, his nostrils flaring.
"Ada," I looked at her, "I also know where that portrait leads to. I can show you there before I leave for Winter Break. Meet me in our usual spot." I saw her nod to me, eyes glancing between Ominis and I. I took her hand and kissed her knuckles. Her eyes went off Ominis and rested firmly on me, her cheeks burning a lovely shade of red.
"Until then." I pushed past Ominis leaving them.
POV OMINIS GAUNT
I heard Sebastian leave us, the gate closing shut and the faint steps of his shoes trailing off up the stairs.
"Ominis, I'm sorry. Sebastian means well..."
"Ada, I appreciate that you didn't want to lie to me." My voice sounded curt, I shouldn't be mad at her. He finally took my advice and told her, spoke to her but now he was dragging her off into darkened territory again, "I don't want you to involve yourself with anything that book contains."
The curtness was gone, placed with genuine worry, "Dark magic isn't something to be used so flippantly. It can warp and tear you apart inside."
"The book is giving Sebastian hope Ominis and I'd rather be there with him than him doing it alone." My warning had fallen on deaf ears, she was blinded by her unwavering loyalty.
"Ada... Please keep me informed if he does anything." My voice was soft, "Despite my anger he is like a brother to me and I worry about him. I've already lost Anne, I can't lose him as well."
I felt her hands take mine, giving a comforting squeeze.
"I will Ominis, I promise." I felt my heart flutter, she may be his Stars and Moon but she is that flicker of light at the end of my wand. I couldn't be without her, I would only be wandering helplessly.
POV ADA MARROW
I met Sebastian out in the Flying Class lawn. He was leaning on his broom, no book in hand and when he spotted me his smile spread across his face. It made my heart flutter,
"There you are." I said, smiling back to him.
"There you are, I'm the one that's been waiting for you Sweetheart." I could already feel the heat spreading on my cheeks
"Well, I'm here. So are you ready to go?"
"I am, do you have that mask of yours?"
"Yes, I actually do. Why do you ask?"
"The mine that's part of that picture has been taken over by Ranroks lot. I'd feel better leading you in there if your identity is hidden. You're not exactly hard to miss." He murmured, his hand reaching out touching my hair.
"I didn't notice before but your hair is longer." I let him touch me.
"Yes, my hair always grows rather quickly. I can't really explain it:" my hair the last few months went from my chin to my shoulder.
"Mmm perhaps you're making it grow faster involuntarily."
"I suppose so, I prefer my hair long. I don't think short hair suits me."
"I think anything suits you, though that red is questionable." His eyes wandered down over my travel clothes, the red was the thickest material for the cold months and went well with the white cloak.
"Why not red?" I hummed, assessing him.
"Because I much rather see you garbed in green." His voice was smooth, I chuckled and hugged my broom to me.
"I'll see about getting a green vest next time I'm in Hogsmeade."
"Good, let's go."
–
Our arrival to the overlook was quick. The location was much closer than I expected, it was just up the mountainside North East of Hogsmeade. We walked the mountainside until we came across a camp, we both casted disillusionment; sneaking around the camp to petrify the Goblins. When we were caught, we fought them off with skill and vigor. When we were left alone in the camp, I looked at him. Mask covered my face but I could tell he knew I was smiling.
"We make a good team." sticking my wand back into its holster.
"That we do Miss. Marrow. I think I chose the best date for us."
I laughed, "This is a date now?"
"It may as well... Have I charmed you Ada?"
"You most definitely have, let's go. We have one more camp." I jerked my head off in the distance to the unexpecting camp of goblins. He nodded but put the charms back over us. I stuck close to him, even once we got through the second goblin camp I found myself digging through papers of Gobbledygook and through chests.
"Ah the fun is over." He sighed, leaning against a tent pole for me to finish.
"Fun is a relative term." I murmured.
"Yes and that was relatively fun." He grinned, eyes twinkling in amusement.
I groaned, "You and your jokes."
"Don't pretend you don't enjoy them." He got closer to me, my eyes looked up to him. Examining every freckle, and even the slightest hint of green in his eyes.
"I cannot lie, your jokes are what get me through most days." He touched me again, pulling me closer.
"Can I have just one more kiss, Ada?" The question sucked all air from my lungs.
"You can take as many of my kisses as you want Sebastian." My voice lowered, words trailing off as I took initiative. I leaned in and kissed him, I wanted to be sure it was a short one but when I started to pull away his hand held the back of my head. Arm wrapping tight around my waist and I couldn't help but melt into him.
He tried deepening the kiss and I forced my head back, "S-Sebastian not here..." I couldn't help the chuckle slipping through my lips.
"I rather like it here." He murmured.
"Yes, but we really can't be caught snogging in a Goblin camp." His hand squeezed my hip, then he let me go.
"You're right, as always." He sighed, a mischievous smile playing at his lips, "Later, for now the mine entrance is this way." He took my hand leading me off.
We tried to keep a low profile in the mine, fighting our way through Goblins and disgusting spiders. He made an unwanted descriptive comment on them to try and lighten the mood but I was having none of that. Then we arrived at the hidden room. Sebastian looked over the piles of books and papers, he found more of Isadoras' journal entries.
"Doesn't seem like her and the keepers didn't see eye to eye on the use of their magic." He murmured.
"Why on earth does she need so many different places to hide these portrait pieces." I murmured, digging through a trunk just up the steps from where Sebastian was standing. His fingers flipping through the stack of papers.
"I don't know." He murmured, "She's obviously hiding something."
I picked up the canvas roll, "I found it, Sebastian!"
"Perfect, now we just need to trek back out and return to the Undercroft." He started up the steps to me.
"Unless there's another way to the Undercroft from here." I murmured, glancing around until I spotted the back wall, "This way Sebastian." I took his hand, leading us through the way to the Undercroft.
"Lovely!" He stated, urging us to the tryptic, "You may do the honors."
I was almost skipping with excitement, unrolling the canvas I began to carefully tuck it back into the frame. Showing us yet another landscape,
"Do you recognize it Sebastian?" I asked him.
"Yes I do, we can leave for it now!" He looked eager to continue.
"Wait, perhaps we should take some time."
Confusion spread across his face, "Why should we wait?"
"Because Ranrok has been one step ahead of us this entire time, I think it could do us some good to get some help."
"From who?" He questioned, he wasn't exactly angry with me but I could tell he was a bit on the edge of it.
"A friendly Goblin named Lodgok-"
"A friendly Goblin!" He laughed, "Did you just forget the mines or even at Isadora's desecrated home? Did you forget about Anne, how she was cursed by one!" Hate filled his voice, pure unadulterated hatred.
"He's different from them Sebastian, please not all Goblins are the same."
"I can't believe you're aligning yourself with one of them!"
"Y-You're not listening to me!"
"Why would I listen to someone as ignorant as you!?" He had lost his cool, I could feel myself prickle.
"I'm the ignorant one? Perhaps I mistook you Sebastian, I thought perhaps you weren't so hateful. I thought you'd be different from other wizards that looked down on those they see as lesser!" My voice started raising, tears pricking at my eyes. "You're no different from the ones who abandoned me." I turned to leave, he didn't grab me and didn't try to stop me.
"Unbelievable." He hissed out, the gate closed behind me and I didn't look back.