Natty was sitting alone in the viaduct courtyard, looking absolutely defeated. Her mood seemed to match the overcast sky, and I walked briskly toward her, eager to discover what was wrong. Her hands were clasped in her lap, and she was staring at the ground. When her letter reached me, saying that she needed a friend, I assumed it might have something to do with missing her father, like last year.

I sat down on the stone next to her, but she made no reaction to my presence. "I just got your message. What is it?"

She still didn't meet my gaze. "I had my career meeting with Professor Weasley."

My eyes opened wide with shock. "Already? She just announced she would be sending letters for meeting times today!"

"I think she made an exception for me because my mother teaches here – I saw Ronen's niece waiting in her classroom when I left. But my mother was actually at my meeting too. I wasn't expecting that."

That felt like a breach of privacy, and I could forsee Natty and her mother disagreeing on her ambitions to fight dark wizards for a living. "I wouldn't have expected that either," I said sympathetically, "What happened?"

Natty still looked in her lap, but her hands started fidgeting. "I was on guard at first. You know I want to become an auror, and when I saw my mother there, I immediately thought she was there to talk me out of it, like with the Harlow incident last year. But she wasn't. She admitted that she knew if she tried to stop me, I'd probably just do dangerous things behind her back, so she might as well let me follow the career I want."

I have to admit, I could see that happening too. "But that's good, isn't it? It might not be an ideal way for you two to agree, but it's something, right?"

"Yes, but…" she seemed to struggle to find the words. "They were there to warn me that it would take me awhile to get any experience, even for my seventh-year internship."

"What? Why?"

Without saying a word, she lifted up her hand and tapped the skin by her knuckles, and I felt my heart plummet. I didn't know how to respond.

"Oh."

We didn't speak for a moment.

"I'm not an idiot. I know how it is in the muggle world. But I thought… things would be different for me here. Even in the hamlets and Hogsmeade, you see all sorts of people running shops and making a living. But in the Ministry, it's already difficult for women to become aurors, let alone a woman who looks like me."

"But that's ludicrous!" I said. "You're doing amazing in class, and you took down a dark wizard last year, even bearing the front of the cruciatus curse!"

"Professor Weasley said that she, Professor Hecat, and Professor Sharp will all write glowing recommendations for me. She's going to reach out to Officer Singer too, because of my involvement with taking down Harlow. She and my mother insisted that they will support me and will do whatever they can to help, and to not give up if I'm put on a waiting list. But I'm feeling hopeless, angry, and too many other things to put into words."

I took her hand, and she finally looked at me. There were tears in her eyes, and I hoped I picked the right words to say. "You're my best friend, and I will always be here for you, but I know you're facing something I can never fully understand. I'm sorry I can't make this situation any better. But I think they're right – you should keep trying for the job, no matter what. Because when you get your shot, and I know you will, you're going to prove all those assholes at the ministry wrong."

A tear escaped and ran down her cheek, but she laughed. "Thanks."

"Of course." I put my arm around her, and she leaned in to me. "Now," I said after a moment, hoping to change the subject for the better. "Care to share how you know the Uagadou champion?"

Natty's face flushed and she looked sheepish. "The truth is, I used to fancy Ejau when I attended Uagadou," she admitted, "we were more acquaintances than we were friends, so I don't think he would remember me if he saw me again."

I stared at Natty and put my hand on my chest in mock shock. "How could anyone possibly forget you?"

Natty chuckled and said, sarcastically, "Obliviate, I guess?"

I was happy I could alleviate her mood, and I was surprised to hear Oscar's hoot yet again as I enjoyed her company.

"Two in one day? You're quite busy, Oscar." I took the envelope, and this time it was a letter from Professor Weasley saying she'd like to meet tomorrow during transfiguration class. "I guess she's going to give us all some busy work while she meets us in her office." Oscar was still looking at me expectantly. I crossed my arms. "I don't carry treats in my pocket, you know. You just ate in the vivarium, remember? Don't look at me like you're starving."

Oscar gave a hoot that sounded more like a humph and flew away.

My mentioning of the vivarium triggered the memory of being in there with Ominis, and I thought about how much I was willing to share. My first instinct is that I would keep it buried in my chest until the day I die, and maybe on my deathbed admit to having a crush during my school days. Knowing how stubborn my best friend can be, however, I figured she would pick up on it eventually and get me to admit the truth. But surely Natty wouldn't laugh at me, would she? She certainly wouldn't tell Ominis, right? They've become close, but I was her friend first, after all.

"Lyra, are you alright?"

My inner monologue was too long and bleeding into real time. I looked at Natty and realized if she could tell me about her feelings for someone with barely any prodding, I could be honest with her. We were best friends, and we trusted each other.

"Okay, so before I came here, I was in the vivariums, worried about what to do for the rest of my life, and I saw Ominis there, so we sat and chatted. Long story short," I felt my face flush and I couldn't look at her. "Our hands touched and I knew… I have feelings for him, Natty."

I managed to look her in the eye, but she was just sitting there patiently, no judgement on her face, but clearly expecting me to continue. "And?"

"And?! That's it! This isn't easy for me to talk about. Wait – you knew?"

Her face grew a someone sympathetic expression. "Yes."

"Does Poppy know?" I asked, my heart slowly filling with fear.

Natty tilted her head in thought. "I can't say for certain, but probably."

"Oh my god!" I put my face in my hands before I felt myself go pale when another question entered my mind. "Does Ominis know?!"

"Of course not. Boys are idiots," she said bluntly.

"I can't argue with that," I conceded. Then I grew serious. "He can't find out, okay?"

Natty looked at me in confusion. "Why not? What if he likes you too?"

"If that were even possible," I said, blushing once more, "we would eventually break up because Merlin knows I'm not what his family wants, and that would ruin the friend group! We have such a nice thing going right now," I pleaded, "and I really don't think he fancies me at all, anyway."

Natty sighed. "Lyra, if he doesn't fancy you, he's a bigger idiot than I thought. Who wouldn't fancy you? You're gorgeous, smart, crazy powerful, and I could go on, but" she held her hands up in defeat, "I promise I won't say a word."

I let out a breath. "Thank you."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The next day during Transfiguration, Professor Weasley called me into her office as planned. "Hello Lyra. This isn't meant to be a formal interview, but just a chat as to what you'd like to do after graduation. Some jobs will give sixth-years patrial internships or summer work so you could get experience soon, but it's not required until next year. So, what are you thinking?"

I felt my hands clam up, even though I trusted Professor Weasley. I could hear a clock ticking in my mind, even though she assured me I didn't have to make a choice this very second. I swallowed. "I think a lot of people expect me to be an auror after last year," I said, "but that's not the life I want. The truth is, I really don't know," I admitted. "I don't even know all the jobs that exist in the wizarding world; I've only been aware of it for less than two years. Up until last summer, I expected to have a low paying job until I was married, like all lower-class muggle women." I threw my hands up in defeat. "I could really use some guidance."

Professor Weasley smiled at me. "Thankfully, that's what I'm here for. I had to admit, I also assumed you would want to continue fighting dark wizards, but that's mostly because the classes you're taking right now are also the requirements for the position. Let's talk about your interests. What do you like to do in your spare time?"

At that moment I felt like the most boring individual on the planet, and I couldn't make eye contact as I struggled for a viable hobby. "I like spending time with my friends, I enjoy the occasional book or puzzle… if I'm being honest, I did like traveling last year, to explore the hamlets around Hogwarts, and I also liked helping people."

"Hmm." Professor Weasley tapped her chin. "Maybe a reporter? They do get to travel for work. In terms of helping people, a healer is an option. You'd also be surprised how many departments and positions are available in the Ministry of Magic. For now this is what I'd like you to do." She adjusted her glasses, then took a quill and wrote something down on a piece of parchment, which she handed to me. "This is a book all about occupations in the wizarding world. It's in the library. Read through it, and then we can meet again. You might find something you like, or at least something in the right direction." She pursed her lips. "I feel obligated to mention that there are young witches, usually from wealthy families, who meet with me to say they don't desire to join the workforce. Their internship is just spending time at a Finishing School. You do have that option if you want."

I shook my head rapidly. "No, I'm not interested in that."

Professor Weasley exhaled. "I had hoped not. But like I said, read the book and then we'll talk. If you want to work towards a career that requires a change in schedule, I'll see what I can do – you have leniency, as this is only your second year here."

I smiled. "Thank you, Professor Weasley. For everything."

She returned my smile with one of her own. "It's my pleasure. Now return to the room and complete your classwork."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Could you please help me locate this book, Ms. Scribner?" I showed the librarian the piece of parchment I got from Professor Weasley.

"Let me see," she put on her round reading glasses. "Ah, no problem. It's actually on the third shelf of that bookcase around the corner," she said, pointing. "Bring it back here if you'd like to check it out."

I gave her my thanks and walked in the direction she indicated, but as I turned the corner, just out of her range of vision, I stopped in my tracks.

Poppy and Dunkin were kissing in between the bookshelves. For the first moment, they didn't realize I was there. Poppy had her arms around his neck, and his were lying gently on her waist. Thankfully I didn't seem to be interrupting anything further than a kiss, but I still tried to move away as fast as possible. Unfortunately, the movement made them realize I was present, and they immediately jumped apart.

"Oh," Poppy said, her face turning beet red as she smoothed her cotton shirt where Dunkin's hands were. "Hi there, Lyra. Dunkin was just… helping me find a book."

"In his mouth?" I quipped. "Did you find it?"

Dunkin fixed his hair and scratched the back of his neck. "We actually were looking for a book on beast keepers," he said, now suddenly interested in the floorboards, "but she said something cute, and I…"

Poppy poked his arm. "You're not blaming this on me, are you? Because you-"

"Poppy, are you happy?"

My question caught her off guard. She stopped scolding Dunkin and looked at me. She looked at Dunkin, then back to me, and answered with an honest face, "Yes, I'm really happy. I was going to tell you and Natty this weekend… Dunkin and I are dating."

I walked up to her and gave her a hug. When I pulled away, I met her gaze and said, "If you're happy, that's all that truly matters. I've seen how kind Dunkin is, and as long as he treats you right, I wholeheartedly approve."

Poppy's body visibly relaxed, along with Dunkin's. "Thank you. Can you not tell Natty yet? I'll tell her the next time I see her."

"You've got it. Now, I'm going to take my book and go," I said, finding it on the third shelf as predicted, "See you later. Dunkin."

I gave him a friendly hug, but whispered in his ear. "I like you, but if you break her heart, I will tell everyone who really got that tentacula from the secret herbology classroom."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Poppy and Dunkin were the talk of the school for the next couple of days, along with the results of the first quidditch game in two years – Slytherin beat Gryffindor 380-290. Being a Ravenclaw with friends in both houses, I had to flip a knut to determine where I was sitting. "Alright, boys, it landed on heads, so I'll cheer with you this game, and I'll sit with Natty at the next Gryffindor-Slytherin match." Sebastian pumped his fist and all but dragged me and Ominis to a Slytherin box, and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed my first quidditch match. It helped that Sebastian was there to explain any plays I didn't understand. I cheered alongside my friends, and Sebastian gave me a bear hug when the victory was announced. With an "Incoming Ominis!" I hugged him too, selfishly taking the opportunity to lean in to his touch.

Of course, this news was completely forgotten when the week of the first task approached. The school was buzzing with excitement, and everyone threw out theories as to what the trial would entail. I was also excited, but for a bit of a different reason.

The clocktower courtyard rang out with cheers of "Happy Birthday, Lyra!" My friends had all come together to have a small party on October 19th. Poppy had gotten a cake from the Hogwarts kitchen, Garreth brewed some delicious drinks (after I made him swear up and down that there was nothing wrong with them), and Adelaide Oaks helped set up decorations. The boys moved some furniture so people could sit and chat if they wanted, and Natty led us in some games. I teared up when I saw so many people there to celebrate me, and I thanked everyone profusely for being there. It was so nice to have normal conversations with my classmates, and I'm sure everyone appreciated a nice distraction from our studies.

As the party died down and I started the clean-up process – yet again thankful for magic – Natty tapped me on the shoulder. "When we're done here, we're going to the Room of Requirement."

"What for? There can't possibly be more, can there?"

She rolled her eyes. "We got you presents, obviously."

I bridged my hands over my nose. "Really?"

"Of course!" She gave me the same look from when she said I could live with her this summer, like it was a given fact.

Sure enough, when I entered the Room of Requirement, there were four gifts waiting for me, along with my four friends. "Happy Birthday, Lyra!" They said again, and the room started to shake. Suddenly, streamers, balloons, and confetti appeared – lining the columns, on the floor, and hovering in midair. A cake appeared on a table.

Sebastian put his hands on his hips as he stared up at the ceiling. "Looks like we've got a second party! Shame the clocktower courtyard can't do that. Anyways," he gestured to a chair, "sit down. Time for presents!"

Sebastian handed me a small, blue velvet jewelry box.

"Sebastian, I'm flattered, but I'm not interested in getting married anytime soon," I joked.

"What!?" Ominis asked, flustered, clearly confused why I had made that comment.

"It's a small jewelry box, like a ring box, Ominis. That's why I made the joke."

"Oh," he said in relief, "I swear, sometimes you all forget I'm blind over here."

"Sorry! Okay, I'm opening it now," I narrated. "Oh, wow." Inside the jewelry box was a necklace. It had a gold chain, and its pendant was a large oval-shaped piece of resin. On display inside the resin was a yellow, egg-shaped dandelion. It was surrounded by small pieces of gold leaf floating inside the resin. It was obviously expensive, but it was also… somewhat gaudy. I felt like the worst friend in the world for thinking it, as he didn't need to get me anything, let alone jewelry, but it felt too showy for me. I always wore silver hoop earrings, not gold, and it wouldn't match any of the outfits I usually wore. I almost forgot to narrate for Ominis. "Sebastian got me a lovely necklace with a dandelion pendant. I'll put it on right now." As I fastened the chain around my neck, I sent Sebastian a convincing smile, and he beamed back at me. "It's lovely. Thank you, Sebastian."

I looked at that huge grin and I realized – other than Anne, he probably didn't get gifts for women. He saw what he thought was beautiful and bought it for me. With a pang of shame, I understood that this was the equivalent of a toddler giving his mother a piece of art he created. It wasn't perfect, but it meant a lot, and it would be proudly displayed because it was a thoughtful gift. I could do the same.

Poppy was next, and she eagerly gave me a red gift box about the size of a textbook. I untied the silver ribbon and removed the lid to find a silver frame resting inside. My mouth opened in surprise, and I felt tears well up in my eyes yet again. The frame itself was sparkling and elegant, but it was the picture inside that pulled at my heartstrings. It was a magical picture of the five of us, taken by Dunkin last week in the front gardens. He told us to all to look at each other, talking and laughing like someone had just told a joke, then to look at the camera and smile and wave. He knew what he was doing, because even though the photo was staged, it looked natural, like someone was walking by and had casually captured an everyday moment in our lives.

"It's a picture of all of us, that one Dunkin took last week, inside a lovely silver frame. I've never owned a magical picture before, and now I have one of my favorite people in the world," I hugged it to my chest. "I can't wait to put it on my dresser. Thank you, Poppy, this was so thoughtful!"

"You're welcome! Dunkin has really enjoyed using his new camera, so hopefully we can capture and save more memories this year!" She gave me a hug, but she whispered in my ear, "open the back when you get back to Ravenclaw tower." She pulled away, nothing in her demeanor indicating that she had told me anything cryptic.

Natty clapped her hands. "Me next!" She handed me a blue bag with tissue paper. I removed the tissue paper and pulled out a brand new Ravenclaw cardigan. It was navy blue with bronze buttons, and there was a small bronze eagle on the breast pocket. The final decorative flourish was a bronze filigree trim by the sleeves.

"A gorgeous new cardigan! And you know how much I love the Ravenclaw colors." I immediately tried it on, and of course it matched my uniform. "It fits perfectly!" I hesitated and felt my heart falter. I had been wearing the same plain blue cardigan since last year not because I couldn't afford a new one, but because it was the last thing Professor Fig gave me before he died. I couldn't bear the thought of getting rid of it just yet, even though it's got some wear.

Natty sensed my hesitation and gave me a reassuring smile. "Check the inside on the left side."

I opened the cardigan to find a small pocket sewn inside, back to back with the breast pocket on the outside. "What's this for?"

Natty took a deep breath. "With your permission," she reached behind her and pulled out my rumpled old cardigan, "I was going to cut a part of this and sew it into a small heart that you could keep in there. That way, there will still be a piece of him with you, in the pocket close to your heart."

I think it was my friends' mission to make me cry today. This was one of the most meaningful gifts I had ever received, and never wanted to take it off. We both knew it was time to retire the old sweater, and now I could do so without losing the memories or sentimental value. "That's perfect. Of course you have my permission."

Natty sighed in relief. "Good, because I already did while you were distracted at the party," she said, revealing the heart-shaped hole she initially concealed. I couldn't help but give a watery laugh. "I shouldn't be surprised, you know me so well." She walked over to me to give me the heart, but I enveloped her in a hug first. "I love this so much. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Happy Birthday."

Ominis coughed and turned an adorable shade of pink as I put the heart in my inside pocket. "I have no idea how I'm supposed to follow that up, but here's mine. Ominis handed me a flat package, like a large envelope. "Careful," he said as I took it, "it's delicate."

I opened it carefully and uncovered a record. I beamed at him. "Is this the Coleridge record you told me about in Hogsmeade?"

Hearing the excitement in my voice, he smiled. "Yes. I actually enchanted it. One side is the muggle music you like, and the other side is the wizard music. Now you get the best of both worlds."

"That's fantastic! Let's play it!"

The table in front of us grew and a phonograph appeared, ready to be used. I installed the record and placed the stylus on. Soon, the melodious sound of violins filled the Room of Requirement, and the shape of the room seemed to accommodate the sound, making the music all-encompassing. Just like that day in Hogsmeade, I started to slightly sway to the music.

"Do you have a phonograph outside the Room of Requirement?" Sebastian asked, nodding his head in tune.

"There's one in the Ravenclaw common room, and students are free to play whatever they want. So they'll be hearing it as soon as I get back, of course. Thank you Ominis, I love it. I loved all of your gifts today," I said, addressing them all, "you guys are the best friends I could ask for."

I sat back down to avoid becoming a blubbering mess. "Well, we shouldn't let this second cake go to waste."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

True to my word, I played my new record when I entered the Ravenclaw common room. I looked around to see if anybody was troubled by this change in tune, but nobody seemed displeased. Then again, everyone in the common room was usually focused on a book or schoolwork, so I shouldn't have expected people to be actively paying attention to the background music. A cat jumped on my lap as I sat on the couch next to a tea set, so I got to sip on chamomile while I gave it a good pet. With the cat purring in my lap, I felt so relaxed, and it made me grateful I got to have moments like this. I allowed myself to close my eyes and take some deep breaths. Last year, I don't think I could've had, let alone enjoy, some time to just exist. I would've felt unproductive, I would've been paranoid that I was forgetting something that needed to be done. Right now reminded me of when I was on the broom with Ominis, floating about the castle, away from everyone else. The only thing I was missing right now was his arms wrapped around me.

I shook my head and opened my eyes, and then suddenly remembered what Poppy told me earlier. I kept the record in the phonograph, but labeled the envelope with my name so my housemates knew it was mine, then went to my bedroom. I couldn't help but grin again when I looked at the photo, but then I flipped over the frame so I could undo the back. To my surprise, there was a second picture there, hidden behind the one visible from the front. I pulled it out and flipped it over to see what it was.

I gasped. It was a regular photograph, so it wasn't moving, but it was a true candid shot of me and Ominis. I don't know when it was taken, but I could tell it was daytime and we were outside, feeling a breeze. The two of us are in our uniforms, sitting on some sort of stone ledge or bench, looking at each other and laughing. Our eyes are slightly squinted from our smiles, but our gazes were locked on each other. If you didn't know Ominis was blind, you would've thought he was staring into my eyes. And while I obviously couldn't hear it, I could tell that the laughter we were sharing was genuine. But the best part was Ominis' smile, directed at me.

I knew I couldn't put it up anywhere, or else my roommates would see, and Merlin knows what would happen next. While I was mesmerized by the picture, I regrettably put it back inside the frame. But I could picture that photo in the future with frayed edges, the image a little worn, with some folds and creases – all from me taking it out of the frame, time and time again.