It was sooner, as the three of us had Defense Against the Dark Arts together on the first day. It felt like something out of a book. Sebastian and I came from separate directions to enter the classroom and didn't realize it until we faced each other. We both halted in our footsteps, arms outstretched to open the classroom door.

Like Ominis, he had grown taller over the summer. His hair was longer but not unkempt. The last time I really looked at him, he was cold and full of disdain, but firm and resolute. He never wavered when he told us goodbye. Now, he didn't seem as harsh, but I didn't exactly see the friendliness I once knew in him, just acknowledgement. It was also obvious that he was fatigued, like his determination had suffered a blow. I saw some circles under his eyes, but not so severe to suggest he never slept all summer. Maybe just not since he came back to the castle. I could tell he was sizing me up too, and I wondered what he saw.

I could feel eyes on us as other students neared the door. "Hello, Sebastian," I said, not risking any more.

"Hello, Lyra," he replied. He opened his mouth to say something else, but then he closed it and walked inside.

"Our first interaction went basically the same way," said Ominis, appearing out of nowhere behind me.

"Holy-" I put my hand on my heart in surprise as we walked into the classroom. "I didn't see you there."

"Yes, well, technically I didn't see you there either."

I closed my eyes for a moment and chuckled. "Good one."

"I simply couldn't resist. Are there two seats open for us?"

I smiled as my eyes were drawn to two vacant chairs near the front. He didn't ask, he just assumed we would sit together, the way Natty and I did in Charms last year. "Follow me."

As the rest of the class trickled in, Professor Hecat descended from her office and greeted us at the front of the class. "Welcome back, everyone! Congratulations on your qualifying marks on your O. . But there's no time to rest on your laurels – this year gets much more difficult." She seemed to hone in on each of us as she spoke, as if she could read our minds and judge if we could handle it. "Many of you, but not all of you, are interested in becoming aurors after graduation. You should be aware, then, that this will not happen if you do not pass this class." She waved her wand, and a narrow dueling court appeared. "That being said, we will be practicing duels a lot more often than we did last year. Ah," her eyes alighted on Sebastian. "I'd like to see if history repeats itself. Sallow and Bloor, let's see how you fare."

My heart stopped. It was awkward enough greeting Sebastian, but now I have to duel him!? The room had gone silent, and it took a moment for my body to tell my brain to stand up. As I pushed out my chair, I heard Ominis whisper to me, "Give him hell, Lyra."

There was no snarky "Time for a proper Hogwarts welcome," from Sebastian this year. We bowed, both of us clearly uncomfortable with the situation, and Professor Hecat was oblivious to it all. "Begin."

I swallowed and rolled my shoulders back, getting into a fighting stance. I don't know if he was as nervous as I was, but both Sebastian and I hesitated to cast the first spell. After what was probably ten seconds, but felt like an eternity, I made the first move.

"Expelliarmus!"

"Protego!" Both of us were quick, and I was unsurprised to see that Sebastian easily blocked my spell.

After that, we flung spells at each other like our very lives depended on it. A part of me wanted to keep pushing, to give him hell, like Ominis said, for throwing our friendship away last year. Another part of me thought it was too much – he wasn't hostile in his greeting just a couple moments ago, when could have flat-out ignored me. But then I remembered every concession I gave Sebastian last year; how I gave him chance after chance to stop using dark magic, only to end up getting hurt. I could feel my pale face starting to burn as the memories came rushing back. Saving Sebastian from inferi, talking to him about Anne in Feldcroft, shuddering on the ground of the scriptorium. I gave in to the anger I never truly let out, and pressed forward, putting everything I had into the fight in front of me.

Sebastian seemed skeptical at first, but I saw his eyes widen when I felt my expression change. He did his best to match me as I cast, but it was soon obvious he was slowing down. Eventually, I saw an opening. "Descendo!" Sebastian was on his knees, and I pointed my wand between his eyes as I stood over him. We were both breathing heavily, but we knew I was the victor. I didn't know if I should say "good job" or something of the sort, so I just turned on my heel and walked away.

Only to hear "flippendo!" I flinched, expecting to go soaring through the air, but nothing happened. I turned to face Sebastian, who had a look of shock on his face, as if he didn't mean it. I hated how that was a face I was familiar with. Professor Hecat must have blocked the spell, and she finally spoke. "I didn't care for that last part," she said, glaring at Sebastian and then the audience, "but let this also be a lesson for you, Ms. Bloor." She walked to where I was standing. "Points to Ravenclaw for your performance. But dark wizards will do exactly what Mr. Sallow did. Duels are not over until your opponent's wand is out of their hands."

I gave a wordless nod and returned to my seat. Ominis let out a low whistle, "Thank you for considering my advice. Are you okay?"

"I'm awfully sweaty," I replied, "but I have to admit it felt like I just let go of a lot of negative pent-up feelings. I don't think I'll ever be able to do that again."
"Good," said Ominis, "then I might have a fair shot of beating you when it's my turn."

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"Can I sit here?"

I was sitting by the divination ladder, waiting for class to start. I looked up and nearly did a double take, not believing my ears had heard right. But it was indeed Sebastian standing there, waiting for my answer.

"Um, sure," I said, not knowing where this interaction would lead. He still hadn't spoken to me since our duel this morning, and my performance then was not one of an approachable person. But in all honesty, I felt like our duel was my way of yelling at him, my way of showing him how angry and hurt I was after everything happened. I think he understood. Now that it's done, I felt an odd mix of calm and numbness.

He sat down and began to speak. "I wanted to talk to you before we fought today, but let me first apologize for what happened with the duel. I saw a possibility and I took it, but it was a dirty move. I'm sorry. Thankfully Ominis blocked it. I would've felt terrible…"

I cocked my head to the side. "Ominis? I thought it was Professor Heacat."

He shook his head. "No, it was Ominis. I owe him an apology as well." He cleared his throat. "Look, I don't know how to say – ask – this, so it may sound a little blunt. I, uh," he gave a small cough, "I left last year very angry. I understand if I made you upset, and if you didn't want to speak to me again. But," he hesitated, "did you flood the Undercroft?"

"What?" I asked, still processing the fact that Ominis defended me and never said anything about it, "The Undercroft is flooded?"

He nodded. "At least two feet of water. I already asked Ominis, and he was just as surprised as you. Did you tell anyone else about it?"

I shook my head. "No, I knew it was a special place for you two – especially Ominis. Remember how upset he was when he found out I had been there?"

Sebastian's mouth cracked into a small grin. "I remember. So, no idea how it happened?"

I shook my head again. "Sorry, no. Is there a spell that can eliminate the water at least?"

"I'm still looking in the library," he replied, "but right now I only know a spell that can move water, and not a lot of it. I wouldn't know where to send the flood right now. I can't even ask anyone else for help, because I don't want more people knowing about it."

"I… I can also check the library the next time I'm there, if it helps," I offered. I hoped he knew what I was really saying. I don't think things could ever go back to the way they used to be, at least not for a long time. But after everything we went through, I didn't want him to treat myself and Ominis like strangers.

He gave me another small smile. "Thank you," he said carefully. "Well, I won't keep you from your book," he said, gesturing to the text in my lap, "thanks for letting me talk."

I returned his smile with one of my own. "You're welcome. See you in class."

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"Lyra? Are you in here?"

I turned away from the loom to see Ominis at the entrance of the Room of Requirement. "I'm back here! I figured I could enhance my new robes. Come in, I unfortunately expected we'd have to meet here."

He walked toward me with a melancholy air. "So Sebastian did talk to you then? After that first time, I mean."

I sighed. "Yes. He talked to me yesterday. It was an… odd conversation. Last year he made it sound like he would just ignore us, but now I get the feeling that doesn't actually want us out of his life."

Ominis snorted. "I understand what you're saying, but he didn't exactly apologize for it – it's more like he's dancing around his mistakes."

"Yes, I noticed that too. He also told me… did you know my back was turned when Sebastian cast flipendo?"

He raised his eyebrow, seemingly unbothered. "I couldn't tell. Why do you ask?"

I let out a breath, unsure of how to say what I was feeling. I hated how small my voice sounded, but I had to ask, "Was it you?"

He didn't need to clarify what I was asking him. His mouth was set in a grim line, but his voice was also small when he responded. "He shouldn't have cast flipendo. It was a dirty move."

It was him.

I put my hand to my chest, and I could feel my heart accelerate, just a little bit. He protected me. I knew Ominis would support me with whatever I was going through, but I didn't expect this.

"You didn't need to do that. But I'm grateful you did." I resisted the urge to hug him, thinking it might make him feel odd or uncomfortable after helping me. He clearly didn't care if I knew of his actions or not, or else he would've told me. I just hope one day I could return the favor.

"You're welcome," he replied. "but I get the feeling Hecat will be mad if it happened again."

I nodded. "Probably. Now, back to what we were talking about earlier – Is the Undercroft really flooded?"

He nodded his head solemnly. "I went there myself and sure enough, my trousers got soaked immediately. I have no idea how dirty or infested the water is, but I used my wand to search for some sort of drain to use, to no avail. Neither did I find a crack or point of entry for the water to have gotten in." He paused. "I know I didn't flood it, and I trust you didn't flood it…" he didn't need to finish the rest of the question.

"Do you really think he would? What would Sebastian gain from ruining his favorite place at Hogwarts?"
Ominis shrugged. "To further upset us? But then again I suppose he wouldn't ask us about it if that were the case. Unless it was to detract suspicion from himself?"

"Woah, slow down there, Ominis. It's still our first week back at Hogwarts. Maybe something wasn't… maintained during the summer holiday and that's what caused it. Merlin knows this school is full of secrets and surprises – maybe we should just wait a couple of days. Plus, a part of me wants to give Sebastian the benefit of the doubt. He's not the person I expected him to be this year. You're always free to spend time here," I added.

He sat himself down in an armchair with its back towards me. "Yes, I know, thank you. Maybe I'm just cautious because of everything that happened last year." I heard him tapping his wand against his leg, as if he was nervous about something. "This isn't my business," Ominis said slowly, despite the quick tempo of tapping, "but I have always wondered… do you, or did you, fancy Sebastian? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," he added hastily.

I felt my stomach plummet. Is that what he thought? Is that what other people thought? Sebastian and I were often doing things together, so it wouldn't surprise me if some people had picked up on the embarrassing crush I had last September. I've always been honest with Ominis, and I decided I wasn't going to stop now, even if it made me uncomfortable. "Truthfully… at one point, I did. It was at the very beginning of the year – Sebastian had protected me from getting into trouble, he fought the troll with me at Hogsmeade, he introduced me to crossed wands, he showed me the Undercroft, and his wit made me smile." I sighed. "But, that day we discovered the scriptorium… you remember how he cast crucio on me?" I think I heard Ominis swallow, but then I heard his voice clear as day: "Yes, I remember, although I'd rather not."

"Agreed. Anyway… right before he cast it, he said 'in order for it to work, you have to mean it.' It was so painful, Ominis…" my voice caught as I inadvertently relived the moment, "that it made me wonder if there was a part of him that hated me. Or, that a part of him was glad it was hurting so much. When it was done – and I know this may be such a minute detail – he didn't help me up. He quickly asked me if I was okay and then just walked in to the scriptorium. Things were never the same after that. Then… when he used imperio on that goblin, whatever romantic feeling I had for him died." I braced both my hands against the smooth wood of the loom as I relived the memories. "Crucio was the only spell that would have saved us in the scriptorium. I know that. But that day in Feldcroft, I fought countless goblins alongside him, and not once did I feel the need to use an unforgiveable curse. It was then I realized that he would, in his mind, justify anything he did, unforgiveable or not."

I cleared my throat. "So," I turned around, prepared to face the back of his chair, only to find Ominis standing next to me, a look of concern on his face that I had never seen there before. "So," I repeated, "no, I do not fancy him anymore. I truly don't think I'll ever fancy him again. I don't… hate him, but maybe we can all eventually be friends again. Or maybe, just, not strangers. Does that make sense?"

Ominis didn't answer right away. When he spoke, the words that came out of his mouth were heavy with emotion, and it surprised me. "Ever since that day in the scriptorium… I've regretted my actions. It's bad enough I didn't offer you help after the cast, but if I could go back in time, I would tell Sebastian to cast it on me instead." I instinctively covered my mouth with my hand, unexpectedly touched and dismayed at those words. Ominis kept talking. "I heard your screams in my nightmares for weeks. I'm so sorry – I was too much of a coward to do anything, and I've felt guilty about your pain ever since."

Ominis grew blurry as tears flooded my eyes. "Incoming, Ominis," I choked out, before enveloping him in a hug, my reservations from before nowhere to be found. "I never once blamed you for that night," I said into his shoulder, and I felt his body relax against me as he hugged me back. "After everything you told me about your family, I was surprised Sebastian even considered having you cast it." I gave a wry laugh. "I felt terrible for asking you in the first place, and I was fully prepared to lie to Sebastian if you agreed to do it. I was relieved when you refused."

"It may take some more time for me to forgive myself, but I appreciate you saying those things," Ominis said as we pulled apart, "It means a lot."

As a tear rolled down my cheek, I sniffled. I couldn't really help it – it's just what happens when I cry – but when Ominis heard me I saw a look of alarm grow on his face. "Oh Lyra, please don't-"

He reached out and wiped away my tear with his thumb as the rest of his hand cradled my face, and the both of us stilled. With his mouth slightly open, I could tell he was surprised by his actions; as if it was pure, unthinking instinct to reach out and comfort me, and he didn't know where to go from here. I was just as surprised by his touch, and I was further bewildered by how soft and tender it felt. In the next heartbeat, I realized how much I didn't want him to pull away. How could such an innocent gesture feel so intimate?

I saw his adam's apple bob as he swallowed, but he kept his hand there, on my cheek. "I was going to ask you one of these days," he said quietly, breaking the silence, "but… could I touch your face? It-" He turned slightly pink "-helps me better understand what you look like."

I felt my heartbeat quicken with both excitement and anxiety. Before this moment, I had felt a victory in that Ominis couldn't, technically speaking, think negatively about my appearance. Now, I was nervous that he would find some sort of defect on my face that would make him recoil, ruining whatever façade I projected. Despite this, I said, also quietly, "Of course."

He offered me a nervous smile, and he placed his other hand on the opposite cheek. He started moving his fingers gently across my face, and I closed my eyes. His touch was featherlight, as if he was afraid to leave bruises, but it was also comforting, like his actions reassured me that he cared. He touched my forehead and nose without incident, but when his fingers grazed my lips, ever so softly, I couldn't help it – I felt my face heat up. Was it the touch itself that made me react? Or was it the awareness that he knew what my lips felt like – something nobody else knew? Would he ever imagine… I had to mentally shake myself. Thankfully he didn't go back to my cheeks, so he probably didn't feel the warmth that I did. I opened my eyes as he started to withdraw his hands, but then he paused. His hands moved forward again, but this time, he ran his fingers through my hair. I wasn't expecting that at all, and I did not expect to like it as much as I did; I gave an involuntary gasp. He withdrew his hands immediately, and his face turned a darker shade of pink.

"Sorry, I should've given you a warning about the hair. It helps add to the mental image."

"No," I said in a breathy voice before fixing it, "No, it's fine. It's nice to think that you can see me, in some way."

He smiled and let out a relieved breath. "Yes, thank you for letting me do that. You're-"

There was a snap and Deek appeared in the Room of Requirement. "Oh, hello!" he said, his expression happy to see us. "Deek was hoping he would see you soon! Welcome back to Hogwarts, both of you! Deek has been looking after the beasts you saved, and they're all doing well."

Despite the interruption, I beamed at him with genuine feeling. "Deek! It's so good to see you! I missed you this summer, and yes, I spent time in the vivariums earlier today – thank you so much for looking after them! Oh! I actually have something for you!" I slid my hand into my pocket and then pulled out a small carving. "I went with Natty to Uagadou this summer, and I got to see some different magical creatures. My favorite was an erumpent so I got this wood-carved one for you." I presented it to him, and he looked at it in wonder before taking it out of my hand.

"Deek loves it," he said with a voice filled with awe, "it has been so long since Deek has been given anything, thank you!" I saw his eyes start to brim with tears.

"You're welcome. I'm happy to be back." I gave him another smile and then turned to Ominis, who was still frozen in place. "Potions starts in about fifteen minutes, I'm going to start walking there now.

Ominis nodded. "I'll meet you there."

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She was soft.

I knew my eyes did nothing for me, but I rubbed at them, as if it would help take away the mental image I had stupidly created.

She was so soft. I had an inkling she would be after the few hugs we shared, but it was one thing to know. She had smooth skin, a small, delicate nose, and soft, soft lips.

For fuck's sake, I now know what her lips feel like. Does anyone else?
I found myself touching my own lips, as if to compare. Do hers feel like mine? What would they feel like, pressed together?

I felt my face grow hot and yanked my arm down by my side, mortified at what I was imagining, as if I wasn't in control of my own thoughts. I tried physically shaking my head, to no avail. I should have left it alone, I should have kept my hands away so I could entertain the possibility that she had some sort of deformity. It would be so much easier if I could convince myself she wasn't perfect.

I groaned, knowing damn well I could have felt a third eye on her face and I'd still consider her perfect.

And why on Earth did I run my fingers through her hair? And without asking? It's like I couldn't resist learning more about her, and again, her hair was soft. I usually pride myself on having a more diverse and eloquent vocabulary, but that simple word is all I can focus on. If she didn't make that small sound – that little gasp – I would've done it again. I had to convince myself that it wasn't a gasp of disgust or anger, but one of surprise. I couldn't accept the fact that I loved – enjoyed – a noise she made if it was one she made while feeling unpleasant.

And she was warm.

People are warm, I know that. It's unavoidable. It's literally in our blood. But when I felt her face get slightly warmer under my touch, it reminded me of the warmth I felt in my own face when she held my hand in the vivariums last year, the warmth in my face I felt right now. Was she embarrassed? If she was, she'd be too nice to tell me. But, was she blushing? Did she like it?

As much as I did?

I was late for potions.