"That's hilarious!" Natty said after I read Ominis' short letter. We were sitting together on her couch, dressed and ready to go shopping for school supplies. Thankfully, Professor Onai managed to get more than enough spending money for whatever it is I may need this year. "Admit it though, you were jealous when he brought up 'courting.'" She fluttered her eyelashes in an exaggerated manner. I stuck out my tongue and threw a mauve cushion at her. "Careful," she said, eyes twinkling as she threw the pillow back at me. "I'm a prefect now, so I can report you for misbehaving."

Before I could retort, Professor Onai was down the stairs and at the large fireplace. "Ready to do some shopping, girls?"

"Yes!" I said, glad for the change in subject. "Last year, my school shopping was rushed, and so much of what I purchased was lost in that dragon attack. I'd like another shot at the process."

Professor Onai smiled and shook her head before handing us floo powder. "You've got your schedules and the materials list?"

The two of us nodded, hands clasping our Hogwarts letters. I was a little relieved to not be chosen as prefect, and I was satisfied with the classes in my schedule.

"Alright. We'll get your robes and textbooks first, as both of you need those without question. Then we'll get the supplies from the classes you both have, and then we'll worry about what you need separately. We may split up at the end if we need to save time. If we get everything done before 5 o clock, I'll treat us to some ice cream or butterbeer."

"Thank you so much, Professor Onai! And not just for the ice cream, but for opening your home to me this summer. It's a kindness I can never repay."

Professor Onai turned to look at me, and her expression was one of sincerity. "Thank you for all you did for Hogwarts, and for Natty. I may have not approved of all your extracurriculars last year," she threw Natty a look, "but you have been a good friend to her – something I was hoping would happen when we first moved. I'm sure if the situation were reversed, you'd have done the same for her."

I returned her look in kind with a smile – she was right.

"All right, enough, you two, please," Natty said, "This floo powder is going to disintegrate if we don't get going."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Both Natty and I were taking Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Divination, and Potions. Natty had scored better than me in Herbology and Astronomy, so she was taking those classes while I wasn't. On the other hand, I had earned a spot in Transfiguration and Care of Magical Creatures class. We decided that after robes and books, we would get potion supplies together before splitting up for other materials.

I read the list aloud as we walked toward the shop. "A new cauldron is recommended, but not necessary. Required materials are shrivelfig – you'll probably need shrivelfig seeds for Herbology, now that I think of it – spider fangs, fluxweed – "

"Lyra! Natty!" We turned and smiled at the recognizable voice. "Garreth!" we said in unison and the three of us partook in a group hug. "Of course we would run into you outside the potion shop," Natty said, "are you going to leave any supplies for the rest of us?"

The tip of Garreth's ears turned pink, and he solemnly said, "Oh no, Natty, I plan on being a model student this year, no explosions included. Right, aunt Matilda?"

We spun around to see Professor Weasley giving her nephew a reproachful glance over our shoulders. "I hope so, Garreth. This is why I'm making you wait outside. Lovely to see you, girls," she said, shooting us a smile before walking in.

Garreth leaned in with an exaggerated whisper, "There will be SO MANY explosions."

We chatted about our summers before Professor Weasley came out of the potions shop, and then we parted our ways to continue our respective shopping. While Natty browsed for seeds and a new star journal, I had to purchase a brush and a handful of knickknacks to transfigure.

We reunited and showed each other our purchases, and Professor Onai made good on her promise to buy us some ice cream. As we made our way over to the creamery, Natty nudged my shoulder. "Ominis is here!"

My first instinct was to whip around and look for him, but I remembered his parents didn't (and shouldn't) know who I was. I casually turned around and saw him, using his wand to navigate alongside a man who must have been his father. His father had a similar build as him – tall and slim – and they both had blonde hair, but his face was something I had never seen in Ominis. While Ominis could be judgmental at first, his father's face wore a sneer that seemed permanent. His blue eyes were stone cold, and he didn't take his time as he walked; he moved like he hated the idea of being out in public and wanted to get it over with as soon as possible. His composure made me doubt that he ever smiled, let alone laugh. If he did I imagined it was more like a sharp bark with no emotion behind it – nothing like light sound of Ominis' laugh. Thankfully he didn't notice me staring, and, obviously, neither did Ominis.

I turned back towards Natty. "I can't say hi, but I can let him know I'm here."

"An undercover greeting? Like a secret handshake?" Natty asked, eager to see what I would do. I reached into my pocket and put a bronze knut in my hand. I walked like I planned to pass them by, but then 'accidentally on purpose' crashed my arm into his, dropping the knut. He stopped, frowning, and I remarked, "Oh, I'm sorry," I picked the knut up and held it in front of him, "did you drop this?"

I could tell he recognized my voice at once, because there was the slightest indication of a smile. But then it was gone. He took the knut, said "Watch where you're going," then kept walking. I did everything I could to walk and not look back.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Incoming, Ominis!"

"I forgot we agreed to that phrase," he said, but he returned the hug nevertheless.

We were on the Hogwarts express, and five minutes before the train departed, I saw him searching for an empty compartment. I had mixed feelings looking through the open door, excited to see familiar faces but dreading running into Sebastian. Thankfully he hadn't made an appearance, and I now had someone to distract me from the Sallow anxiety.

"Yes," I said, tapping him on the arm, "and it's too late to go back on your word now. Come inside. How are you?"

He gave me a sly grin as I slid open the compartment door for him, "Well, as of last week, I'm one knut richer," he said, procuring the coin out of his pocket and giving it a flip.

"Wow, the Gaunts truly are the wealthiest families of the wizarding world," I deadpanned jokingly as I caught the coin. "But really, how are you?"

"Fine enough," he said nonchalantly, "thank you for the letters, they gave me something to look forward to." He had a confused look on his face as he waved his wand once more. He gestured to Natty who was laying down on the seat across from me. "Is she alright?"

I looked back at my friend, who was wearing a sleep mask and snoring loudly with her mouth open. "She's fine," I reassured him, "she just gets motion sickness on trains. She took a sleeping draught, and I'm here to make sure everyone else leaves her alone until she's conscious. You can say whatever you want, she'll be out cold for the next few hours."

"Hm," Ominis considered, "whatever works, I suppose." He sat down next to me and gave a small laugh when Natty let out another rumbling snore. "Will you be able to hear me over that?"

I playfully swatted his arm. "It'll be fine. Now," I said playfully, "let me see your hand?"

I could see him growing confused (and probably regretting joining me, but it was too late leave the compartment now). "My hand?"

"Yes, silly," somewhat impatient, I took his left hand and, trying not to enjoy the contact too much, made a slight show of examining it. "No wedding ring, Ominis? You knew I would check."

He scoffed and pulled his hand away. "Of course not! Shall I assume, Leo, that you're bringing up the subject because want to talk about our prospective wives?" He asked jokingly, referencing his last letter to me.

"There's no need for that," I said solemnly, and he smirked.

"Oh? Because you're already engaged?" he teased.

I laughed aloud. "Absolutely not! I am interested in having a husband one day, just so we're clear, but not anytime soon. Do you need to check my hand too?"

I was joking, I really was, but something inside me wanted him to take my hand, even if it was just for the sake of our mutual teasing. I knew he would have to run his fingers over mine to check if they were bare.

His laugh made me focus on the situation again, and to my disappointment, he said, "No need, I believe you. Though I feel like I should be honest and say I technically have a ring on my right hand."

I knew what he was referencing, of course. I noticed it last year. "Yes, the ring with the G on it. I never asked about it, but I am curious. You've never seemed very enthusiastic about your family name, so why wear it?"

He toyed with it on his finger as he answered. "It's an heirloom, and the last person to have it was my Aunt Noctua. She had some choice words for my father when she learned I was forced to cast crucio on a muggle. She knew all the spots in the mansion I'd like to hide in when I felt like disappearing, and she found me in a very emotional state under our dining table. I told her that I hated being a Gaunt; that I wished I wasn't a Gaunt, because all they do is hurt people. As she comforted me, she gave me this ring. She said it was a reminder of how I could either hide behind my name, or I could be the Gaunt that turned things around. The Gaunt family can't change if I left it behind, but while I'm still in it, I can try to associate our name with something else." He shrugged. "She said one day, the name Gaunt might not mean the same thing it does today."

I couldn't help but picture the interaction – his aunt Noctua crawling under the table with him, holding him until the tears stopped, then brushing them away. I could see her giving him the ring, too big for any of his fingers, and telling him what it means.

"She sounded like a wonderful person," I said softly, "I wish I had met her."

"She would have loved you," he said wistfully, and, somehow, that bit of praise made me feel like I had a flower blooming in my chest. The moment was quickly dampened by one of Natty's cacophonous snores.

"Well, I am keeping her unicorn safe," I said after we both shared a laugh. "It's one of the nicest things I own. It actually looks a lot like Hazel."

He turned to me with such appreciation in his eyes. "Really?"

I'm not sure which of those statements in particular he wanted me to verify, so I chose all three. "Yes, it's white like her. I never had something so beautiful and fragile before – I put it on my dresser, as far away from the edge as I could. I wrapped it in two skirts when I packed it last night; I was just so paranoid about keeping it safe."

He was still appreciative, but also surprised. "You brought it back?"

Did he think I was too attached to it? I certainly was, now that I thought about it, but I didn't want him to think that. I gave a slight blush and leaned further back into my seat, just in case he could sense my nerves. "Erm, yes, yes I did. I couldn't leave it at Natty's house, especially when no one's there during the school year. Plus, I won't be returning there next summer – I should be in Professor Fig's abode by then."

"Ah," said Ominis, understanding the logical side of my decision "that makes sense."

I could have told him it's also one of the first gifts I've ever received from a friend, so it means much more to me than anything else I'll ever be given. I also could have mentioned that looking at it reminded me of him – of how he was still in my life, despite the hardships of last year. I could have said so much more, but I swallowed it all down so nothing would change, not even a little.

I thought of a way to change the subject. "What classes are you taking this year?"

He had his schedule handy, probably to compare with the other Slytherins in the common room later tonight, and he spelled it back from braille to English so I could read it. "Oh great, we have Defense the Dark Arts, Charms, Divination, and Transfiguration together. Natty is herbology too, but I didn't have the best green thumb, I'm afraid. I'm lucky I had the Room of Requirement to help grow things. Oh, and Muggle Studies! What did you need to buy for that?"

"What did you say?" Ominis had been frowning as I read his schedule, but he suddenly looked alert. "Muggle Studies?"

I double checked the paper, "Um, yes. That's what it says here."

"Excuse me," he said, snatching the paper from my hands. I saw him spell the schedule back into braille and read it, hands trembling. "It says Muggle Studies," he whispered, his voice filled with shock and awe.

I was confused. "Did it not-"

"No! It didn't say Muggle Studies when I first read it, or when my father…" Realization dawned on him. "Do you think Professor Chovick did that on purpose?" He was visibly excited at this turn of events, and I couldn't help but smile at his growing anticipation.

"I don't know the man, but if he knows about your family's… feelings towards muggles yet still wanted you in his class, this would be the way to do it. You should ask him when you see him – and then hopefully he'll tell you what school supplies to buy in Hogsmeade."

His smile grew bigger on his face. "I have a good feeling about this year."

Natty responded with a snore.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It was nice to actually sit through a sorting, as I showed up late for mine last year. I cheered with people at my table and felt a swell of pride whenever the Sorting Hat bellowed out "Ravenclaw!" The welcome feast was delicious, of course, and I enjoyed making small talk with familiar faces.

"Attention students!" Professor Black stood at his podium and cleared his throat, ready to give the welcome message. "Welcome back to another year at Hogwarts. When I prepared a speech to give today, I originally wrote how I hope to have a relatively normal and simple year after last year's…. fiascos." He clucked his tongue and sighed. "However, there has been a recent development that will unfortunately lead to excitement. But I'm hoping it will cause our school to rise above the rest. The Ministry of Magic and other organizations will have their eyes on me- us."

Murmurs broke out around the Great Hall during Professor Black's dramatic pause. "After a lot of both careful planning and decision making – which I did not participate in – Hogwarts will participate with Uagadou and Ilvermorny in a Triwizard Tournament!"

The Hall erupted in cheers and applause, which I joined in, regardless of not knowing what exactly a Triwizard Tournament was. It sounded exciting, at the very least.

"Yes, yes, settle down, settle down. Starting tomorrow, the Goblet of Fire will be here, and students in Fifth year and above can enter their name for consideration. I know you think this will make the school a hubbub of activity, so to speak. Fortunately, it will not."

An uneasy and confused silence descended upon the room. Black continued. "Once a champion has been selected from each school, they will all travel to Uganda, as Uagadou is the school actually hosting the competition."

A chorus of disappointed noises started, but Black didn't let it last. "So one student will accompany myself and a selected faculty member to spend the year at Uagadou. While I'm gone, Professor Weasley will be acting Headmaster."

Professor Weasley rose from her seat, smiled, and gave a slight bow as applause descended once more.

Samantha Dale nudged me with an elbow. "A whole year with no Black! This is going to be amazing!"

"Yes, thank you Professor Weasley," said Black, silencing the applause with an uncomfortable look. "Also, quidditch will resume this year. Now, everyone, back to your common rooms."

The loudest applause of the night erupted as Professor Black turned around, muttering to himself and retiring from the noise.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The next morning, Natty, Poppy, and I sat at a table in the Defense against the Dark Arts tower. Class didn't start for another hour, so we took the opportunity for the three of us to chat. We sipped on tea and nibbled on scones and pastries while we discussed our first night back at the castle.

"Leander enchanted a chalkboard and stuck it on the wall of the common room," Natty said, "it says: 'Days since last potions-related explosions' and then a space for whatever number we're on."

Poppy giggled. "What do you think the highest number on that slate will be this year?"

Natty thought for a moment. "Five."

I laughed. "I say seven. Poppy?"

She hummed. "Let's give him the benefit of the doubt. Ten."

After our laugher subsided, I decided to ask about the Triwizard Tournament. "So, could either of you explain how this Triwizard Tournament works? I don't know anything abo- Oh! There's Ominis!"

I saw him walking around the corner by himself, probably on his way to the library. We planned to meet in the Undercroft after we finished with classes for the day, but this was a way he could spend some time with all three of us. I turned back to my friends. "Okay, be nice. I have no idea if he'll come over here but let's give it a shot."

"Ominis!" I said, getting his attention. I saw his head turn in my direction and a small smile steal across his face as he made his way over. I saw it waver, however, when he realized I wasn't alone.

"Ominis, I'm happy to see you. You know Poppy and Natty?"

He nodded his head. "Of course. Hello. Poppy, Natty."

Both girls smiled and put as much warmth into their hellos as they possibly could.

"You actually got here at the perfect moment," I said. "Earlier, we were each talking about what happened in our common rooms our first night back, as we're all from different houses. If you sit with us, we have one of each!"

Poppy chimed in. "Gryffindor created an explosion countdown of sorts for Garreth, Hufflepuff tried to turn our houseplants into a jungle, and Ravenclaw, apparently, let off a lone magic flare that stayed fixed in the sky for twenty minutes."

Ominis raised an eyebrow at the end of that sentence. "What was the purpose of that?"

"Everett knew Amit would use his telescope, so it made him think he had discovered a new star," I explained.

He let out a small chuckle. "In the Slytherin common room, people were taking bets as to who would be the Triwizard champion, or at least which house they would come from."

"Oh?" Natty inquired. "What are they predicting?"

"Actually," Ominis responded, "they say it's either going to be someone from Slytherin or the savior of Hogwarts from Ravenclaw. No offense to Gryffindor or Hufflepuff."

I blushed. "I don't know about that. But now that you bring that up, can anyone tell me what this Triwizard Tournament is?"

"Basically, it's a competition among three different wizarding schools," Natty explained. "The Goblet of Fire selects a champion from each school to participate, and those three champions compete in three different tasks. The winner gets a trophy and a cash prize."

"Students who want to be the champion put their names in the Goblet of Fire," Poppy added, "and then the Goblet itself selects the one that is most worthy. Usually a group of students from the two visiting schools would travel to the hosting school, and the names get put in all at once. But, people are still a little nervous about students traveling after a certain dragon attack happened last year. They'd rather have the Goblet apparated to the different schools than putting children at risk."

Ominis snorted. "A little ironic, considering the tasks themselves are very dangerous."

I made a face. "Really?"

Natty nodded fervently. "The reward and prestige are great because it is extremely difficult. Putting your name into the Goblet of Fire is a serious decision to make. But," she chewed her lip, "I'm going to put my name in. I like a challenge, and I'm happy with my O.W.L. scores, even if I could've done better in Transfiguration."

I exhaled. "I'll always support you, Natty, and I'm sure it would be interesting to go back to Uagadou for a year, but goodness knows I'd worry about you."

Natty tsked. "And I wouldn't worry about you if you went?"

I shook my head. "No need. I'm not entering my name."

Poppy's hand holding her teacup froze in midair. "Really?" she asked, incredulous.

"Definitely not. I'm proud of all I did last year," I assured them, "but I didn't ask for it – I didn't have a choice. And because of my situation, especially after everything was over, I felt the eyes of the school watching my every move. Is it so bad for me to want a normal school year after what I went through?"

"No," Ominis responded quickly, "no, it isn't a bad thing."

I saw Natty try to hide a smile from me with her teacup.

"Thank you," I told Ominis, then quickly tried to get the attention off of me. "Do you know anyone else putting their name in?"

"I don't know many of the seventh or fifth years who are interested," Poppy said, "but I know Adelaide was considering it. She spent a large part of her summer working on dueling – I think after what happened with her Uncle, she wanted to be ready if she was ever in a similar situation."

"Call it stereotypical of my house, but SO MANY Gryffindors are entering," Natty admitted. "Even Leander, but I think he put his name in just to say he did. Could you imagine?"

"Samantha and Everett are entering," I said, "and poor Dunkin mentioned he might, and I think we know how that went."

My three friends nodded in agreement of Puffskein Dunkein's poor choice. The venomous tentacula leaf didn't exactly eliminate his nickname.

Ominis cleared his throat. "I know Imelda entered, but I didn't stick around to hear much else."

"What about Sebastian?" Poppy asked casually, then opened her eyes wide upon realizing the weight of her question. An uneasy silence fell upon our little table, and Ominis looked like he was about to speak, but changed his mind at the last minute.

"Um," I said, desperate to break the silence. "I suppose we'll have to wait and see, won't we?"

"Yes," said Ominis, "I suppose. Well," he said, getting up, "it was lovely chatting with you, but I must get to the library. Ms. Scribner has already told me that some new Braille scrolls came in."

"Of course," said Natty, "but Ominis, don't forget-" he turned to face her, "we have a gobstones game to play one of these days."

Ominis smiled at her. "Yes, we do. I hope you're prepared to taste defeat."

Natty laughed and shook your head. "My mother is the divination professor, so I'm confident when I say I foresee myself winning."

With a small laugh, Ominis departed and headed towards the library.

I looked at Natty with appreciation. "Thank you for that."

"Oh," Poppy squeaked, and I turned to her, alarmed when I saw tears in her eyes, "I'm so sorry, Lyra, I wasn't thinking-"

"There, there," I said, giving her arm a reassuring squeeze. "It's alright, really! I mean, he's back this year, isn't he? I'll admit I haven't seen him yet, but odds are that I'll have a class with him this year. I'm going to have to face him sooner or later. So will Ominis."