With my filled inkwell resting in front of me and armed with a freshly sharpened quill, I sat myself down at my desk.
Three years had passed since I graduated from Hogwarts, and still, I hadn't gotten the chance nor the time to write it all down. Everything that had happened since I found out about my rare ability.
Three years ago, those years of late-night studying, Professor Weasley's extracurricular assignments, and, more importantly, extracurricular activities had finally paid off. I, Irene Wright, the once mysterious fifth-year witch, left those sacred halls of learning and wisdom behind to move forward, to become the Auror I always wanted to be.
"' Even though I have left those halls, they apparently never left me...' Well, that just sounds like lazy writing," I groaned, crumpling the parchment and throwing it over my shoulder and into the fireplace.
Tea, I thought, getting up from the chair and walking into the kitchen.
Tea always helps, Ominis' words went through my mind making my lips curl into a warm smile.
It had been far too long since we had seen each other. My best friend was currently working on a confidential case for the Auror Office and thus quite elusive at the moment.
Ominis had always been like this. Once something needed to be done, he submerged himself in his work, tuning out the rest of the world in the process. Even back in school, I wouldn't see him for weeks during examination times. I guess that's what you got when you chose to become friends with a fellow ambitious Slytherin.
Of course, things could be worse.
My mind seemed to enjoy torturing me these days, reminding me of good days that were long gone.
Brown tousled hair, dark yet warm eyes, and a mischievous grin on the lips.
Sebastian Sallow watched me over the Duelling Table, like a fox, attentive and ready to pounce any time.
I knew that there were quite a lot of eyes fixed on us, but it mattered only little.
Professor Hecat's voice reached my ears. "On my mark, and remember no lasting injuries. I've no intention of running to the Hospital Wing on the first day," she warned.
"Of course, Professor, nobody wants to scare our new fifth-year off," Sebastian asserted, the smirk still plastered on his face.
'Right…' I thought, my senses being on high alert.
"One, two ―"
"Ascendio," Sebastian interrupted Hecat, aiming the spell at me.
"Protego!" I shouted, just in time, feeling my lips curl into a smirk now. If that boy wanted to fight dirty, so would I.
"Depulso!" I yelled, destroying his shield and throwing him back over the edge of the Duelling Table.
I could see Professor Hecat rolling her eyes at us out of the corner of my eye.
"Ten points will be taken from Slytherin for casting before I ended my countdown," she scolded, eying Sebastian, who was rubbing his back.
"Also: ten points will be given to Slytherin for casting the Banishing Charm perfectly. Class dismissed."
"So, the Sorting Hat seems to have put you in the right house, Wright," Sebastian's voice sounded from my left as I left Hecat's classroom.
"Likewise," I replied, walking towards him. "I'd say sorry, but you somehow earned that bruise," I added with a smirk.
"The only thing you bruised is my ego. Which I didn't enjoy the slightest, mind you," he asserted.
"Still, not sorry."
Sebastian's face lit up as he grinned at me from ear to ear.
"Good. So, how about some pumpkin juice in the Great Hall? Meanwhile, you can tell me if there's anything true to the rumours circling around you? Something about a dragon attacking you on the way to school?"
I thought about it momentarily while eying the young wizard in front of me intently. He was too charming for his or anyone else's good.
"How about no?" I replied, about to turn on my heel.
"Hmmm, yeah… didn't think so. Then how about I tell you about one of my secrets first?"
I stopped in my tracks as he drew closer, his mouth at my ear.
"Meet me after dark next to the Clockwork Tower. And try not to get caught by anyone. Would be a shame…" he whispered, giving me a mischievous wink before vanishing around a corner.
Sebastian Sallow: confident, partner-in-crime, and best friend. Former best-friend, I corrected myself instantly.
Now it was more like: Sebastian Sallow, former best friend turned manipulative liar and murderer, who delved into the Dark Arts way too fast and way too deep, almost sacrificing his only real friends in the process.
But this wasn't the whole truth either.
Six years ago, that fateful night within the Feldcroft catacombs, Ominis and I had decided to give our friend one last chance, despite everything he had done, to redeem himself. And for at least two years during our time together at Hogwarts, Sebastian was making good use of the time. Concentrating on studying and duelling, only occasionally breaking some minor school rules. He wouldn't be Sebastian Sallow otherwise, I guess. The three of us became friends, and more, once again.
Those were the happy days.
However, not even a week after graduation Sebastian disappeared; without a word and without a trace. To say that hurt wasn't even beginning to describe it...
I took a sip of tea, exhaling sharply.
Merlin's beard, why was I torturing myself like this? Especially without Ominis around to talk about it?
The loud and impertinent knock on my front door made me almost drop the cup to the ground. My eyes switched to the dial of the grandfather clock in the living room. It was well past ten p.m., Far too late for friendly visitors or good news.
Summoning my wand into my hand, I moved towards the door slowly. Even with Ranrok and Rookwood gone, one could never be too careful, especially late at night in London.
"Who is it?" I inquired, reaching for the handle with one hand while aiming my wand with the other.
"It's me. Please open up, Ryna." A deep voice sounded through the door.
My whole body froze over instantly. There were only two people who ever called me by that name, one of them being Ominis and the other being the person who was now standing in front of my door in the middle of the night after disappearing for three years.
Three bloody years…