POV ADA MARROW
With my Mother's quick hugs to all three of us and promises to send me a letter by the end of the week, we were trailing in on the train. My holding onto Ominis hand as Sebastian trailed behind us.
"Poppy said she's come find us once the train started moving so let's just find a cart." I told the two looking for an empty cart. Though looking around proved rather futile as every cart was either filled with people I didn't really know or was full with friend groups. I had even spotted Septimus Malfoy talking with a wide block-like boy and a very uniform girl. I quickly moved us along until I came across Imelda shoving her carry bag on top of the rack above one of the seats.
"Imelda!" I smiled wide as her head practically snapped my way.
"Ada! Finally, you know I was looking out for you!"
" Sorry, we arrived a bit late. How'd your tryouts go for the Holly Head Harpies?" I pulled Ominis in with me and Sebastian followed, Imelda was trying out for the team and she had the most smug grin on her lips.
"I got an owl last night stating that they'd love to have me on the team! Though it's as a beginning seeker position, not that I blame them I didn't even put my best in. Wanted the other girls to get a chance as well."
"Congratulations Imelda!" I took her hand a squeezed it, while Ominis sat down near the window and Sebastian started putting our bags up. She gave me a thankful smile then looked to the ring on my hand a gaped.
"Is that?!"
"Oh! No… Imelda I'm not engaged." Yet… The thought of being engaged to Ominis sent butterflies through my stomach.
"So it's a promise ring?" She mused, looking it over, "It's kind of ugly if you ask me."
I scoffed, pulling my hand away from her, crossing my arms as I sat down beside Ominis, Sebastian plopping down right beside me. Both boys looked wholly amused by the conversation.
"It's his Family Ring Imelda."
"Still an ugly ring." She grinned at me, obviously teasing me. Knowing Ominis couldn't see what the ring looked like and that he didn't care for his family at all. The door rattled open, seeing a heavily freckled ginger smiling wide at us.
"I found them Poppy!" He called out, lugging two bags along with him into the compartment.
"Fuckin' Weasley." Sebastian murmured out, annoyed by the boy's appearance.
"Don't be so jealous, Sallow! If you must know Natsai and I are official so you don't gotta worry about my fiery self stealing Ada away from you-" Poppy knocked into him carrying her bag in her arms.
"Oops. Sorry Garreth."
"Just fine, here let me get that for you." He lugged the bags above in the racks then took Poppy's bag, settling it up there as well. Sebastian offered Poppy a seat next to me but Poppy shook her head, settling across from me next to Imelda.
"Oh no, I was practically attached to her hip all Summer. Don't distance yourself from her on my account." Garreth then sat himself down beside me while Sebastian had been about to close the distance.
"How was your Summer Ada?" I laughed softly seeing Sebastian face twist to an offended scowl, looking disbelieved that Garreth sat down beside me.
"Oh it was… Fun… As fun as it could be." My voice went soft, Poppy looked down to her hands, eyes sad now.
"Right… I'm sorry." Garreth murmured to me, hand taking mine with a friendly squeeze then he noticed the ring. "You cheeky thing you! You're engaged!" He piped up, I pulled my hand from him.
"I'm not engaged! Yet…" Ominis face turned a deep red as his head snapped over to me eyes wide. His mouth could catch flies.
"Oh fuck Ominis mate, you need to close your mouth!" Garreth laughed, Ominis covered his mouth, head turning back towards the cool glass. I leaned in and kissed his jaw softly.
"It's okay Ominis." I could see his smile forming under his mouth, he normally wasn't this shy but I suppose I caught him off guard.
"So you two are officially a thing?" Garreth mused, brows wagging at me.
"Yes but we're not going to be very vocal about it… Just want to focus on our studies and go on from there after school."
"Well congratulations to the both of you and my condolences to Sallow here." His voice was laced with a bit of sarcasm towards Sebastian. Sebastian merely rolled his eyes, glanced at me. Having a bit of heat in his gaze, Sebastian would never change. I don't think the dynamic between the two boys and I would ever change. Garreth once the train started moving moved to sit next to Poppy talking about his plans to have honey dukes sample his Fizzing Wizzbeer and also planned to have Sirona Sample it to see if he could get off on his drink brewing business before graduating. He was a man of many aspirations and dreams.
"Well from what I tasted either would be a fool to not consider it! It's literally fizzing liquid candy."
"When did you taste it?" Ominis asked, his brow raised up.
"I was his one and only taste tester." Garreth looked between the two and held up his hands,
"I taste tested it first, she never drank anything that I didn't personally test." I looked at the two sitting beside me, Sebastian had his eyes narrowed on Garreth but Ominis seemed placated by the fact that Garreth tested it before me.
"You both act like he'd purposely poison me. I think the worst I got that year was a toothache."
"By the way I tone down the sweetness a tad to avoid tooth aches. More fizz, less sweet."
"Will I get to try that?" I perked up.
"You'll get the first batch after I finish brewing it-" The door shuddered open, another Ginger peeking his head in and his smile wide when it landed on me.
"There you are Ada! Hector and I have been looking for you!" Leander's voice carried a bit. I looked past him to see Hector Fawley standing off to the side dressed in his Ravenclaw Prefect Uniform already, though it was the three piece suit; he had always been flamboyant.
"Oh… Why?" I asked, brows raising.
"Well Arthur told me that you're replacing Esme as the Seventh Year Prefect and I thought we could invite you out to the Prefect cart to meet the others!" Leander stepped in as did Fawley. Leander grabbed a leather strap to keep himself steady in front of me and Fawley did the same just smiling.
I could feel both boys tense beside me, Sebastian looking irritated that they were crowding me now.
"Wanted to tell you about my Summer as well. Father took me with him to check out the Ministry." Leander and I had stuck to being friends and he was a friend but we weren't as close as say the other three sitting across from us. Imelda looked bored out of her mind and Poppy looked as if she was assessing if I needed help.
Garreth was looking between the two Prefect Boy's.
"Corvus wants to meet you as well." Hector piped up, "Said he didn't get the chance to meet you last year."
"Yes well I was rather busy… Listen-"
"Well great you can meet him now!" Hector interrupted me, causing my brows to raise up. I needed to reject it now, Sebastian was getting antsy glaring at the two. While Leander and Hector pointedly ignored him and Ominis.
"As nice as that would be, I was informed via the letter I received that we'll ride a carriage together to the castle. I can meet him then-" I was cut off again Hector grabbed my hand, causing me to stiffen up.
"Nonsense, come on!"
"Ah, Hector Bud you shouldn't-" Leander was cut off by him.
"Don't call me that, come on Ada." He pulled me up from my seat, my initial shock starting to wear off and two things happened. Imelda and Sebastian stood up, both outraged that I had been grabbed and Ominis had a firm grip on my sleeve.
Poppy and Garreth looked shocked by Hector's brazen behavior and Leander looked nervous. It was obvious he hadn't expected Hector to grab me. Before Sebastian or Imelda said a word I yanked my hand out of Hector's grip.
"Never grab me again." I gave him a pointed look, "Next time I'll report you to the teachers for inappropriate behavior." Hector looked annoyed by my words and looked as if he'd argue but Imelda and Sebastian started pushing them both out. Sebastian muttering angry obscenities to the two of them. I sat down as Imelda slammed the sliding door shut and locked it. Leander gave me an apologetic look and mouthed a 'I'm Sorry.' through the door while Hector stomped off. Then he followed after him.
"I can't believe he grabbed you like that!" Poppy was a bit shrill, getting up from her seat to look at my hand.
"Are you hurt?"
"Poppy, I'm fine." I reassured her, "He didn't grab me that hard."
"The nerve of him!" Imelda was seething now settled back in her seat.
"He's lucky I didn't bruise his face up." Sebastian was equally if not more angry about the whole thing. I lightly smacked Sebastian's arm and he'd rub the spot looking at me.
"Don't get expelled on my account." I chastised him, "I'm not worth that sort of hassle."
"You are." Sebastian stated, "Don't ever think that you aren't because you are." His words made my heart throb, Ominis was now holding my hands as he leaned in to murmur.
"Are you sure you're alright?" I nodded, forgetting for a second that he couldn't see me and confirmed verbally for him.
"Yes, Ominis I'm fine really."
"I think you should report him what he did wasn't very Prefect-Like." Garreth interrupted the moment between the three of us.
"If he does it again I will." I repeated, "At least he backed off."
"Yeah after Sebastian and I forced them out." Imelda stated dryly, rolling her eyes, "Prat."
"That's what happens when you let Blood Status go to your head." Garreth drawled out, "i know you consider Leander your friend Ada-"
"He's nice…"
"Yeah but he makes friends with the wrong people." Garreth stated, "The fact Corvus Lestrange wants to meet you, tells me they plan to incorporate into their circle."
"Circle?"
"Yeah, their Pure-Blood superiority club. They tried getting me to join it a few years back but I have zero interest in attending those meetings." Garreth rested back against his seat, arms crossing.
I glanced at Ominis, he looked uncomfortable about the whole thing. "Did you?" I asked softly and Ominis sighed.
"When I was younger I partook to keep up appearances but when my family disowned me they kicked me out. I was ecstatic that they did."
"When was that?"
"Summer before you arrived… They said very unsavory things about… Anne and Sebastian's Mother…" His face seemed to tighten up, everyone was rather quiet including Sebastian. "About her being a Mudblood…" Saying the word made his face twist up, "I lashed out at them both and was promptly punished and when I left for Hogwarts I planned not to go back. Took anything of value I owned and abandoned the rest."
His words trailed off and I wove my fingers with his comfortingly rubbing his knuckles.
"I promptly sent a letter once I arrived that I didn't plan to return home and a week later my father sent a Howler. Calling me all sorts of vile things. Then they kicked me out of their club and it was just Sebastian and I… Then you came along and touched me… You didn't treat me like a pariah."
"I didn't realize that…"
"I had my reservations about you, don't get me wrong. I'm naturally untrustworthy but your kindness drew me in." He raised my hand to his mouth and kissed it, I flushed and heard Poppy and Imelda absolutely losing their minds at how sweet he was being with me. Garreth rolled his eyes and Sebastian looked at us, a smile clear on his face. Taking the two of us in, I could see the adoration in his eyes; for both of us. How his previous anger slipped away and he relaxed beside me, arm resting over the back of my seat.
I had changed into my Prefect Uniform pinning the badge to my robes and braiding my hair over my shoulder. I awkwardly tugged a bit at the tie to loosen it, as I left the express with my friends but we were soon separated as I was directed to the very first carriage marked with an elegant P on the door.
The door was opened and I stepped into the magically expanded space. Seeing eyes flick onto me, only two spots were open. One next to Arthur and one between Leander and Hector, I decidedly sat beside Arthur and talked quietly with Leander. Hector was glaring at Arthur and a pale boy with dark eyes and hair stared at me with no care about how uncomfortable it made me. Then the appointed Head Boy, Vincent McLaggen stood up once the carriage started and started off by introducing me and Leander to the others. He looked rather focused on the words at hand quickly skipping over introductions to get down to business.
"Natsai will show Leander the ropes and Arthur will do the same with Ada. We'll have patrol schedules posted up in the Seventh Year Prefect Dorms; they will be adjusted according to everyone's schedules of course." He looked pointedly around, "Be sure to keep your grades as they are! We were chosen as sensible role models." He looked at me, gaze a bit scrutinizing. Then let his eyes focus back down to his notes.
"Please remember to sit at the head of your table for the opening ceremony and that it is your job right after to escort the First years to their dorms and to introduce the entry point and password." I glanced at Arthur and he was all smiles as he nodded away, then he noticed my hesitance and lightly took my hand and patted it to calm my nerves. I had never been in a position like this before. I felt a glare on me and glanced at the other occupants, seeing the Dark Haired boy glaring at Arthur and I's hands as if it personally offended him.
I focused back on McLaggen as he went on and one about duty and responsibility to upkeep appearances. Perhaps I should have declined the offer. I really just wanted to focus on my school studies and the fact I'd be restricted away from my boy's-Ominis and Sebastian didn't sound very appealing.
I'd have to mull it over, maybe it wouldn't be so bad; I could probably ask Arthur about it later.
POV SEBASTIAN SALLOW
Nothing special happened at the feast besides the normal introductions to the new students and that Quidditch was fully back in competition wise. So I'd have a fun time dragging the other houses through the dirt. We ate dinner and the others at our table and afterwards Ada came to us quickly and apologized that she wouldn't be able to hang out because of all the Prefect Business she had to do but promised that she'd sit with us tomorrow for Breakfast.
She then went running after Arthur Plummly, Arthur was fine he was a very nice individual if not a bit of a go getter. However, keeping an eye on the other Prefects didn't hold the same opinions. Hector Fawley had watched Ada through the entire ceremony and didn't stop until he needed to escort his new house members and Corvus Lestrange held too much of a heated expression her way, having even stopped her when she approached us to introduce himself. I couldn't help scowl as he kissed her knuckles while he watched her so fucking eagerly and she looked incredibly uncomfortable by the entire interaction.
"We need to keep an eye on Lestrange." I told Ominis walking with him towards the Dungeons.
"Yes, I can most definitely keep an eye on him." Ominis rolled his eyes, lips in a tight frown.
"I meant it metaphorically Ominis."
"I'm aware… I'm also aware he was flirting with her."
"He was undressing her with his eyes." I growled out, some of the younger years steered clear of me. Obviously intimidated by my anger, I tried to reign myself back in. Taking in deep breaths.
"Calm yourself, she can handle herself."
"I'm aware she can… It's just." I looked at the ring gifted to me by Nox, "I wish Nox had given me more information on him instead of being so damn cryptic."
"Cryptic as in?"
"As in I'd ask how he knew Lestrange and he'd only say they used to be friends and that was that." I made Ominis hold onto me as we walked down the steps with a crowd of Slytherin's. Then made a quick turn towards the Seventh Year Dorms.
"Annoying and frustratingly cryptic does sound like Nox." Ominis murmured, his eyes closing while he held onto my arm while I led us up the steps to our dorms. It felt particularly odd knowing we'd be in the dorm that Nox stayed in, it felt like to me at least I'd be filling in his shoes. He had been determined for me to be a dedicated tool to Ada, like him. Nox was a tool Ada could use if she needed him.
Odd as it is he grew up thinking of himself as her protector, but needed someone he could trust to take his place if he died and I had ultimately failed him by hesitating to cast an Unforgivable.
My eyes flicked to see who our third roommate would be and I groaned.
"What?" Ominis asked.
"Last fucking snobbish prat I'd want to share a room with for a year."
"Who?" Ominis reached out to feel over the engraving, then his face twisted in distain, "Pyralis Parkinson? You got to be kidding me." Ominis hissed out.
"Oh I'm not happy about it either!" I looked back seeing Parkinson giving us a unamused and snide smile, "Sharing a room with a Half Blood and a Blood Traitor won't look good for my image! Though if you'll be having Ada Marrow over for some quick fun don't hesitate to include me~" The boy was slender, jaw square nose straight and his hair tied back in a braid that would otherwise be pin straight and brown.
"Or does her reputation precede her?"
"It's fanciful rumors spread by people with too much free time." Ominis drawled out, hand resting on the door opening it with a push. We walked in together and Parkinson followed in behind us then went to his designated bed to start unpacking his things.
"Such a shame, I was hopeful to see some-"
"Sweet Salizar please shut up." I rasped out, "Can you stop talking about our girl like that-"
"Our?" Parkinson looked back, his brow raised and lips uptilted into a snarky grin, "You sharing her?"
"I didn't mean it like that." I stated, Ominis just looked exasperated shaking his head as he worked on organizing out his school supplies. "She is our friend." I stated, fixing the words quickly then focusing on unpacking my things. When he tried to continue talking I flicked my wand towards a Gramophone on a small table and had it start playing music to drown out his incessant vile words.
The look he gave us was annoyed by the interruption but he relented not speaking to us anymore.
POV OMINIS GAUNT
I have never felt such an unsavory hatred for my own house, I did my best to keep my cool when I overheard Corvus flirting so blatantly with Ada but also felt so proud when she quickly excused herself from him without commenting on his advancements. Then I had to share a space with Pyralis, whose tongue wagged on talking obscenities about MY Fiancé- She is not my Fiancé… but she is mine. Ours… Not yet she was not ours yet. I have to convince her somehow.
That's what I had told Sebastian, those thoughts overcame me as I laid out my books over a writing desk beside my bed. Feeling over the bumps on one of the covers. Advanced Potions. It's laughable to think I could ever dream to pass this class, let alone the N.E.W.T. for it but it is a requirement to be an Auror. Ada said I should do my best, that she'd be there to help me study so it wouldn't matter if I didn't pass Potions' I'd have every other job open to me if I could get Outstandings.
"Ominis." Sebastian piped up, hand on my shoulder. "Let's nab some snacks from the Kitchen."
I knew what he meant, he wanted to visit the Undercroft for some private time. "Fine, it's not curfew yet right?"
"Not for another few hours." Sebastian hummed, and led me out of the room, to the bustling Slytherin Common Room and soon up the stairs to the exit.
"So… We hadn't talked about it but what are your plans after school?" I asked, letting go of Sebastian in favor of using my wand to navigate us to the Undercroft.
"Hmmm." He walked silently beside me and blurted out, "Professor! Doesn't matter if it's Potions, Defence Against the Dark Arts or Charms but I really want to be a Professor!" He sounded so sure of himself and I wasn't surprised by his choice one bit. He loved teaching people, giving them advice. Even when he was part of Cross Wands, he'd always give our younger classmates pointers. He always had some sort of overwhelming pride in his voice when he witnessed someone take his advice to heart.
"What about you?" He asked me, sounding eager about this new topic. I rubbed my hand along my neck.
"It's stupid…" I murmured.
"I doubt it is." He quipped back.
"Auror."
"I was wrong!" He held an exuberant amount of amusement in his voice, my lip twitched up and I felt a sneer form across my mouth.
"Fuck off Sebastian." The words came out less of a growl and more of a grumble, then his elbow nudged my side.
"I'm just playing with you Ominis, you'd be a great Auror. If your survival of the Triwizard Tournament says anything you're incredibly resourceful and powerful."
"You could be less of a kiss up."
"I'm offended Ominis! I'm not kissing up, I'm complimenting you!
"It's the same damn thing." I rolled my eyes and stopped as we reached the entrance and flicked my wand, hearing the clocks wind up then the door pop open. Sebastian opened it more for me.
"After you, your Majesty~" I could hear how thick his amusement was.
"Don't start with that." I groaned, stepping down the steps; hand sliding along the wall to keep myself steady.
"Oh I'm sorry shall I get your… Betrothed." His voice went dramatic and breathy.
"She's not my Fiancé Sebastian."
"Yet." I raised my hand to my face, rubbing over my eyes and the bridge of my nose.
"Your constant teasing is bothersome."
"You love it." He broke off from me, his foot fall echoing along the stone walls and floors of the Undercroft. I assumed he was going to our table, so I put my wand away and followed. Stepped by close enough to hear him scourgifying the dust off everything. I reached out feeling the back of a chair and pulled it out to sit down.
"Before you start teasing me again, I still haven't thought about how to bring the subject up to her."
"Understandable, incredibly delicate subject." I could hear him kick his feet up onto the table, his shoes thumping on the wood.
"More than delicate, I worry because of my adamant statement I made last year… She may just think I feel guilty for making her choose." I drummed my fingers along the table relaxing back into the chair.
"Don't do that." Sebastian stated.
"Do what?"
"You look all brooding doing that, positively evil looking."
I scoffed, arms crossed now head resting back over the back of the chair, "I'm not evil, but stop getting off topic. How the hell do I bring this up to her?"
"I'm just as clueless as you are." Sebastian drawled out, I clenched my jaw feeling the frustration building up, I rubbed over my face and pushed my hair back. Nails dragging over my scalp.
"I think there is no good way to tell her." Sebastian spoke up, "I understand you gave her a lot of grief over it last year but she is very forgiving-"
"Sebastian I gave her more then grief my constant anger and jealousy over the entire ordeal caused her to loose-"
"Oh no you're not taking the blame for that, we're both to blame for what happened; me more than you actually. She wouldn't have lost control if I had conceded like I had promised."
"Yes but I lost my cool and…" my brows pressed together, I had said some very unsavory things towards him during my flash of anger.
"You didn't mean it-"
"I actually did, I was so angry and hurt that I wanted you to feel what I was feeling. I apologize for that."
"Mate I understand, besides I bruised up your face real good for that one. I say you got what you deserve."
"Don't remind me." I murmured, he sighed, his feet scraped against the table and landed onto the floor.
"Listen, there's no way to suggest it to her. There will be no perfect moment, just take your time and when you feel it's right tell her. Then we'll go from there." I could hear his chair scrape then the creaking sound of rocking.
" The Prefect uniform suits her well." Sebastian murmured, "Absolutely beautiful. She was wearing the jewelry we got her as well. Those earrings and necklace."
I relaxed, "Describe her to me?" My voice was soft, "What did the uniform look like?"
POV ADA MARROW
Natty walked with me talking about her Summer as we started arriving back to our Perfect Dorm. She had changed a bit more, her hair was extravagantly styled in thin braids tight along her scalp then flowed down over her shoulder, she grew out more looking quite gazelle-like. Neck thinning out and limbs thin and elegant. We walked down the hallway past the Niffler Painting that had hidden my dorms before to an ocean landscape with a mermaid running her fingers through her hair.
"Siren Song." Natty stated, the mermaid splashed down into the water out of sight, the portrait swinging open to see the inside of a dorm similar to the other students. It had a shared bedroom, desks, wardrobes and a sitting area with a fireplace included. Each bed was decorated with the colors of a corresponding house. There I could see Violet Mcdowell and Justine Knight already unpacking their things and talking. It was a bit odd sharing a room with girls from other houses and I especially worried about leaving Poppy alone but hopefully Adelaide could provide her with some comfort.
The other two girls nodded their heads to me and continued talking about their Summer, Violet hanging her skirts up in her claimed wardrobe.
I followed suit unpacking everything I needed for tomorrow's classes.
"So you and Garreth Weasley!" I hummed to her, eyeing her to see her reaction. She flushed a bit, her brown cheeks darkening from the blush.
"Ah yes, we are seeing each other." She murmured, "I met his family over the summer actually. Was invited by him, they're something. Very loud and wild."
"You don't sound very enthusiastic." I commented.
"Well my Mother and I went back to Matabeleland briefly to visit family and saw an old friend of mine. I'm thinking of moving back after Hogwarts and I don't think Garreth and I are a good match. Don't get me wrong, he's sweet but really not my type."
"Oh…" I hummed, "Well don't break his heart too much."
"I'm going to talk to him about it sometime this week." She shrugged, but smiled at me, "So you and Ominis Gaunt." Now it was my turn to blush.
"I haven't even told you yet!" I gaped at her, surprised that she already knew.
"The ring, remember you told me it was his." She tapped a finger along her opposite finger where the ring snuggly rested on mine.
"It's a promise ring… I'm not engaged to him-" A knock sounded out over the wall, Natsai raised a brow and walked to the entrance opening it to peek her head out.
"Oh Arthur!"
"Evening! The boys and I are inviting you four to our dorms for some drinks." Arthur's voice sounded out, thankfully not as nasally as he had been during my first encounter with him. "Introductions and all that since we'll be doing rounds and stuff together."
"Oh that sounds wonderful." Violet let out, walking to the entrance to look out, "When is it?"