In the last week before term ended, Poppy met me in the central hall. "Lyra! There you are! I want to make sure you get my address so you can write me over the summer!"
"Oh, that's lovely, Poppy, thank you!" I said, taking the slip of paper from her hand and putting it on my pocket. "I take it you're with your gran as usual?"
She nodded, then handed me a small piece of paper so I could write down the address of my foster home. "Now that we have nothing to fear from the poachers, she can rest easy and relax. As for me, I got a summer job working at a beast reserve!"
"That's perfect for you!" I said enthusiastically, "You – all of us, really – deserve a good summer after all the chaos that happened this year."
She sighed. "That's for sure. I have to run to class, but if you see Natty, do you think you can give this to her for me?" she slid me an additional address.
"No problem. See you later!"
She smiled and walked off, and I took the opportunity to look for Natty. I found her in the viaduct courtyard talking to Garreth about his latest concoction in potions class. After a quick hello to Garreth (along with a refusal to give him fwooper feathers again) I passed along Poppy's address. She vowed to find Poppy and do the same, but she furrowed her brow when I told her the address I gave her was my foster home. "Lyra, do you really have to go back there?"
"It's not the end of the world, but, I mean, where else am I supposed to go? I had hoped to spend another summer with Professor Fig, but…" I trailed off and shrugged, giving her a small, sad smile. "Did you know he left his estate to me? But I can't actually live there without a guardian until I'm 17. It's being looked after by Gringotts this summer, and ministry officials will only meet with me on my next birthday."
Natty scoffed. "Stay with us!" She said it like it was an obvious option, as if she was a little insulted I didn't consider it in the first place.
"Are you sure- can I really do that?"
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It turns out, I could! It took a very long meeting with the headmaster, but Professor Onai didn't back down. Not only did she emphasize how much I did for the school, she also mentioned how Fig was more than likely going to be my guardian before he died. This was Hogwarts staff looking out for one of their own. Besides, would Professor Black really want to deal with the paperwork of putting me back for two months and then taking me out for the next school year? It sounded like a hassle.
After all was said and done – with Professor Onai appealing to Black's nature – I was all set to spend the summer with Natty and her mother. I was initially dreading the summer, but now – I saw it as an adventure waiting to happen. At least, an adventure without dark magic or a goblin uprising.
"Your mom is the best! Now I just have to tell Poppy not to write to the address I gave her earlier. I haven't reached out to anyone else yet…" I frowned. I turned to Natty as we walked towards the greenhouse to collect the last of our plant materials. "Do you think I can write to Ominis? We've become really good friends this year, and I don't want to ruin it, but I don't know if he corresponds to anyone over the summer."
Natty smiled. "Just ask him, I'm sure. There's got to be some spell to turn writing into Braille." She nudged me with her elbow. "Has anything changed since we talked about him last week?"
I willed myself to act normally. "No. It's still the same. Truthfully, sometimes I find myself looking at him more often than others, like, let's say, Leander-"
"Everybody looks at other people more often than Leader." Natty cut in.
"That's fair. But either way, I don't think it means I should pursue anything further. I remind myself how, when I felt Sebastian start slipping away from us, Ominis and I were on the same side. The situation itself was absolutely terrible, but I felt better knowing he was there with me. We weren't even that close, and his support made everything bearable – that's what a friend does. Now, we're much closer than we were before, and I imagine he would still help me get through tough times. I don't want to lose our friendship for what might just be butterflies in my stomach."
Natty nodded. "That's understandable. Plus, I'm sure Ominis appreciates your friendship too, even though he probably wouldn't come out and say so."
I laughed. "Oh, he would never. But anyways, I'll ask him for his address. Can you pick up my fluxweed for me?" I asked her as we parted ways.
"No problem," she said amiably, and I realized there was something more I wanted to ask of her, and I hoped it wasn't too much.
"Natty, wait!" I asked, turning back around.
"Hmm?"
"Listen, next year, when we're all back at Hogwarts, do you think he could hang out with us? And Poppy? I don't want to force friendship on anyone, and you've already done so much for me, but I think you two would get along."
Natty smiled again, and I saw her get that determined look in her eye, fitting of a Griffyndor, "Let's make it happen. Next year."
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After departing from Natty, I found Ominis in the Undercroft, searching for anything he needed to take home over the summer. "Ominis, I have a question that might be insensitive," which was the phrase I used when I was asking him something that involved being blind.
"What is it?"
"Can I write you over the summer?"
He looked bewildered. "That's not what I was expecting. Why- oh. Right. Yes, of course you can write to me. I know a spell to turn writing into Braille. Wait," he turned toward me, arms crossed, "how do you think I read things that were assigned to me?" He waved his hand in the air before I could answer. "I guess it doesn't matter. And I use a self-writing quill that records what I dictate. It won't be a problem. Oh, hold on a moment." He tapped his wand against his hand, which he did when he was nervous.
"Um, do you think you could…" he ran his hand through his short, blond hair and turned his face away from me. "I'm so sorry to ask this of you, but do you think you can sign your letters under 'Leo'?"
"Sure, but why? Your family?"
He nodded. "Yes. There's no nice way of saying this, but if they think there's a girl writing me, which has never happened before, by the way, aside from Anne," he added hastily, "they'll think we're… courting. And when they thought Anne and I were doing that," he shook his head at the memory, "the things they said about her just because of her blood status were truly terrible. Not to mention the lectures I got from my father about 'upholding the family name' were utter nonsense. When they realized I… wasn't Anne's type, they relented, but I'd rather they not attack you."
It sounds horrible, but for the millionth time, I'm glad Ominis couldn't see me blush. "Oh," I said as eloquently as I could, "that does sound horrible. Leo it is."
He looked visibly relieved when I agreed, like a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. "Fantastic. And, just in case I don't meet you before we depart… I wanted to say thank you."
I looked inquiringly at him. "Whatever for?"
"For coming to the Undercroft that day. For becoming my friend at a time when I thought I really would spend the rest of my Hogwarts education completely alone," He was tapping his wand again. I could tell he wasn't used to having these conversations, and it endeared me to him even more. "Our friendship means a lot to me, and I don't want to lose it," he said, echoing the conversation I just had with Natty.
Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around him in a hug. "I'm glad we're friends too. We still have two years of adventures to go – you're not losing me anytime soon."
He tentatively patted my back. "Lyra, I didn't anticipate that hug coming. You really have to give me a warning if you want to do that again."
Embarrassed, I pulled away. "Oh, sorry, I wasn't thinking. I won't-"
"No, don't… not. Just warn me."
"Okay. Incoming, Ominis!" I gave him a second hug, praying he couldn't feel my heart pounding in my chest.
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Ominis,
I hope you're doing well! Natty and I have spent the past week in Uganda visiting her extended family, and I got to see Uagadou! I have to say I prefer Hogwarts castle, but I can see why Natty was reluctant to leave - it really does look like the mountain is floating in midair. She pulled a prank on me – she told me that the zebra outside her friend's home was their pet, so she asked me to feed it some grass. Imagine my surprise when the zebra turned out to be an animagus, saying "Excuse me!" as they changed back. Everyone was friendly afterwards, and we got along just fine. Magic hasn't been in my life for a long time, and it's amazing to see how different it is from place to place. Natty and her friends can cast without using their wands, and I'm a little jealous. They tried teaching me, and I thought I successfully cast alohomora without aid, but I had a feeling the door was already unlocked and they were just trying to keep my morale up. I'll be sticking to my wand – it chose me, after all.
How is your summer going? Have you been able to practice gobstones? Natty is wonderful at it, and I hope you try to challenge her next year! She's kind but can be competitive, and I haven't been able to take her down yet.
Sincerely,
Leo
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Leo,
Thank you for your letter. I am doing well. I hope you enjoy your summer.
Ominis
Lyra,
Sending this while the household is asleep, hopefully you get it quickly after the brief statement my father approved. While I normally don't have much to say, I promise my real letters will last longer than a sentence or two.
I might have felt slighted if I was a victim of that animagus prank, but it did get a peal of laughter out of me when I read it, so I say it was a success. Anne once said if I became an animagus, I would probably take the form of a toad, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. What do you think? I've read about Uagadou and all its wonders, and I'm jealous you had the opportunity to visit. I have to admit it does sound fantastic to cast without a wand, but because I need my wand to navigate the world around me, it would feel almost silly to put it away to do real magic.
I'm glad you're spending time with friends and exploring the world instead of being in your foster home this summer. My summer has been as dreadful as I expected, but I've convinced my brother Malvolio to let me fly on a broom with him when he visits. I think he sees me and remembers his childhood was rather gloomy too. It's a step in the right direction. I don't have as many opportunities to practice gobstones as you do, but I'm confident I'll hold my own. I'll play if she's willing.
Ominis
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Ominis,
I'm not going to lie, now that Anne has said it, I can see you as a toad animagus, but that wasn't my first choice. My first choice would have been a bat, of course! They're often misunderstood, but I find them to be fascinating creatures. Natty and I talked about what mine would be, and she said she could see me as a cat. I always thought I'd be something that could fly, like a sparrow. It would be nice to be able to fly and sing.
Poppy came over for a visit this week, and she took us to the Beast Rescue she's working at this summer. She's absolutely in her element there, and she enjoys every part of it – including harvesting toad warts, though I can't imagine how. Merlin knows it gives me gooseflesh when I have to do it in the Room of Requirement. After Poppy gave us a tour, I got to hold and feed a bowtruckle, and Natty nearly got her watch stolen twice by the same niffler. I said she should adopt him, but she quickly disagreed. I'm happy with the beasts I care for at Hogwarts, and thankfully Deek is looking after them while I'm away. I can't imagine keeping one in a home as a pet. Have you ever had one?
I hope your brother has been visiting often and you're having a little bit of fun. Have you gone anywhere exciting this summer?
Sincerely,
Leo
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Leo,
Thank you for your letter. I'm happily spending the summer in the Gaunt mansion, where we do not have any creatures. For amusement, I'm reading up on our family history.
Ominis
Lyra,
I'm currently chuckling and kicking myself – a bat! I don't know why I didn't think of that before. In my first year at Hogwarts, I tripped over a cat and received a nasty scratch for it, so I don't like to think of you as one. I have to agree with you, I can imagine you as a bird. You should pick a linnet or a thrush, as they have the best songs.
I was always forbidden from having pets, but when I was six, I tried to sneak in and take care of a niffler. I loved petting it, but Natty was right to not bring one home. Mother was in a fury when she realized why her jewelry kept disappearing, and it was difficult to actually capture it in a large house with several shiny objects.
My brother has come over a few more time since I last wrote you, and I managed to fit in one game of gobstones – our question and answer version. It's difficult for both of us to open up now that we're older, but at least I know what his favorite color is (black).
I'd say my parents confine me to the mansion each summer, but in all fairness, I never ask to go anywhere anymore. My father and I go to Diagon Alley to shop for supplies, and that excursion usually makes me cringe, as he's not exactly a gentleman to anyone working. If I went with him to a beast reserve, he'd probably be miserable – I can see myself enjoying that, as horrible as it sounds.
Our Hogwarts letters should be sent out in the next two weeks. Do you think you'll be a prefect?
Ominis
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Ominis,
A part of me will feel bad if I'm chosen as prefect – I only started attending Hogwarts last year, while other students have been working towards that since age 11. That, and if I'm being honest, I had to sneak behind a couple of prefects last year while helping Mr. Moon. I can see you as a Slytherin prefect, though, so hopefully I'd get some leniency if I needed to do after hours exploring.
Talking about this reminds me that summer is coming to an end. It's a bittersweet feeling, as I've enjoyed this summer, but I am eager to see everyone at Hogwarts again. I'm also a little nervous about getting my O.W.L. scores and how those will affect my schedule. I did my best on all of them, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if I somehow couldn't take an advanced History of Magic with Binns. I'm fully convinced he only stays on as a teacher because the school doesn't have to issue him a salary. That being said, if I wasn't getting paid, would I really care about doing a good job either?
Professor Onai has to meet with ministry officials to get funds for my school items. I didn't have much muggle money to convert last summer, and Professor Fig left me his estate and a small inheritance that I'm not supposed to touch until I turn 17 this October. However, he left a stipulation in his will for 'necessities' prior to then. It touches my heart to know he was thinking of me, even if the worst should come, and it makes me melancholy when I realize I won't see him next year. But that's enough sadness for one letter. How are you doing?
Sincerely,
Leo
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Leo,
Thank you for your letter. I am doing well, and I am doing my best to uphold the Gaunt name as I meet with other esteemed families and talk business. It wouldn't be a surprise if I was made Slytherin prefect, and I hope I can follow in Malvolio's footsteps.
Ominis
Lyra,
My family is completely unfathomable and unbelievable and all the other negative words with the 'un' prefix. Thankfully I've still been spending some free time with my brother, but I'm not kidding when I say I'm forced to meet with other families. I met three before I realized why - each of them had a daughter my age. This is what happens when you're in the Gaunt family, I suppose. Malvolio was betrothed only a month or two after his graduation, if I remember correctly. He doesn't speak about his wife or children when he visits. I don't know whether I should be disgusted or grateful at the fact that none of the girls I've met have been deemed 'suitable' by my parents. I can't wait to go back to Hogwarts.
I suppose if I was expected to teach without pay, I would do whatever was easiest for me. That being said, if I was a ghost like Binns, I would probably spend my time haunting people that deserved it. Maybe give Professor Black a scare or two.
Professor Fig was a good teacher and a wonderful person. You two were undoubtedly close, but his absence will be felt by all of us when he gets back. Although he's gone, I can say with conviction that he would be proud of all you accomplished last year, even after Ranrok. Some days I forget last year was your first year of exposure to magic, as you took to it so well. I know you'll continue to do so this year and next – whatever comes your way (although hopefully that doesn't include more uprisings).
Ominis
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Ominis,
Your last letter made me smile at a time I really needed it – thank you. I'm unsure how to comment on your family business, only that I hope it gets better. You're the strongest, most stubborn individual I know – I can't see that changing anytime soon. I can't wait to see you at Hogwarts, with or without a wedding ring! (kidding)
P.S. Sorry for the short message – we've been running a lot of errands with Professor Onai as she gets ready for the upcoming school year. The scent of tea is constantly in my nose, and my head is spinning with all the different divination orbs we've had to browse through.
Sincerely,
Leo
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Leo,
Thank you for the compliment, but I don't appreciate the joke. This is a serious matter. We can talk about your potential wife as well when we return to Hogwarts.
Ominis
Lyra,
Thank you for the compliment, and it was a funny joke. Thankfully my parents are 'looking' but they also know it would raise eyebrows to have a engaged STUDENT in the family, of all things. We can still discuss your potential wife when we return to Hogwarts, but I'll admit I would be surprised if that's something you desired at this time.
Ominis