Garreth stared intently at the card I flipped over. "So this is the… hermit! It can mean either resourcefulness or poor planning?" He spoke like he was asking a question rather than giving an answer to our Divination classwork. Professor Onai was walking around the classroom, observing us in pairs as we practiced our tarot reading. There was certainly a reason Garreth was partnered with me – Professor Onai knew I was proficient with the cards, and it was very evident that Garreth was… not.

I gave him a polite look and shook my head, then straightened. "Actually, that's the meaning behind the magician card," I said, finding it in the pile. "See how he's surrounded by his tools? The hermit card can mean self-reflection or isolation – the good side and the bad side of being alone for a long time."

Garreth groaned and threw the card back down on the poorly-made tarot formation he set up. "I'm never going to get this right! And how can there possibly be opposite meanings on each card, anyway?" He ran his hand through his curly red hair as he scowled at the mess on the table between us.

I tried reassuring him, "It really is a lot, I know. The reason I'm a bit more proficient at tarot is because I spent the summer with Natty and Professor Onai. We did tarot readings three times a week. As for the multiple meanings," I explained, "those with the Sight can see which one is the true outcome." I collected the cards and shuffled the deck again. "Believe it or not, some muggles do this for fun, or fraud 'psychics' will charge others for a reading. They can look at either meaning and just pick the one they like best, regardless of accuracy."

Before I could decide on a formation for the cards, Professor Onai clapped her hands. "That's our time, everyone. Class dismissed. But the room will be open if anyone needs any extra practice," she raised an eyebrow at Garreth before entering her office.

Garreth cringed, but then looked at me with a pleading expression, his blue eyes asking the question he didn't say aloud.

I sighed but I smiled, showing him I really didn't mind as I continued shuffling. "Sure, I have some free time before charms anyway. Before we begin-"

"Are you and Sallow together?" He asked bluntly.

I deflated as I lost my train of thought, shooting him a glare at his interruption. "Garreth, do you actually want my help with this or not?"

He waved his hand in the air with a side-to-side motion. "Eh."

"No, we are not together. Now, please ask yourself a question – a better one – so we can pick a formation."

"Fine," he said, resting his chin on his hand. "Will I become a famous potioneer?"

I pushed a loose strand of my brown hair behind my ear. "If it makes you feel any better, I believe that's in your future without using these cards," I said honestly. "Now, which formation should I use in order to answer that question?"

He thought to himself. "Five card spread?"

"Correct!" I praised as I started spreading out the cards.

"So you know how when you're in a room full of people, you happen to look at them? Especially if they're talking or making noise, like answering a question?"

I paused again, unsure where this was going. "Um, yes?"

"Right," Garreth continued, making me question my decision to help him. "If I ever happen to glance at you during potions class, Sallow gives me a death glare. I swear, I'm not leering or staring at you," he said, putting his hands up in defense, "but it's freaking me out."

I rolled my eyes and finished arranging the cards, gesturing for Garreth to pick five. "I highly doubt his 'death glares' have anything to do with me." I said, using air quotes as Garreth made his selection. "Have you considered simply asking him about it?"

Garreth tsk'd. "I already did. He told me to piss off and said it was all in my head, but I don't buy it. Okay, is this the chariot?"

I nodded. "Yes, good job! The first card represents your current situation. So what are the possible meanings of the chariot?"

I saw him desperately search his mind for an answer. "Going for a ride?"

I winced, and he conceded. "Okay, that was a shot in the dark. Truth is, I can remember how to deal the cards and what they are, but not what they mean."

I considered a different course of action. "Then I hate to say it, but I think you just need to sit down and commit them to memory before we do another practice reading. I'm sure Natty could help you in the Gryffindor common room, but I can also loan you my old notes if you want."

"Both of those sound good, thank you," he said sincerely. "But back to the Sallow thing…"

I rolled my eyes yet again as I put the cards back into the box and offered it to Garreth. "I don't really think that's where your priorities should lie."

"Humor me, will you?" He asked, freckled face pleading.

I silently crossed my arms, but allowed him to continue.

"We had words, and long story short, I called him jealous and he vehemently denied it. I just want to call him out on his bluff."

A part of me wanted to know the long story behind the conversation, but I thought it best not to encourage him. "Have you considered the possibility that he denied it because it's not true? Because that makes a little more sense to me."

"If that's the case," he said, taking advantage of my logic, "what I'm about to propose has no drawbacks!"

I sighed, realizing there was no way he was letting this go. "Alright, I'm listening."

"While he's nearby, let me offer to buy you a butterbeer in Hogsmeade this weekend, just as friends. I'll even say it's a thank you for lending me your tarot notes."

I gave him a confused look. "What do you think he's going to do?"

Garreth shrugged. "No idea. Yell at me? Convince you it's a bad idea? But I have a feeling he'll do something before the week is over, and then I can prove I was right."

I was skeptical. "And if you're wrong?"

He gave me a bemused look. "I highly doubt it, but if I'm wrong… I won't bother either of you about this again, and I'll even buy you some Honeyduke's chocolate as an apology gift. But.." he said, considering, "maybe if I'm right you'll buy something from Pippin's store for me?"

I scoffed. "Garreth, there's a poster with your picture on it inside the store under the phrase 'Do not sell to this student.' No way. Plus, I am now much more terrified of your aunt."

He opened his mouth to argue, then closed it. Upon further reflection, he admitted, "It scared me a little bit, too. Fine. How about you pay for the butterbeers?"

That sounded innocent enough. "Fine. But if something goes horribly wrong I'm blaming it on you."

He cracked a smile, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Fair enough."

After classes were over, I stopped by Ravenclaw tower to pick up my old Divination notes, then Ominis, Sebastian, and I went to the library to study the different types of healing potions Sharp discussed in class. Knowing wiggenweld wasn't enough when there were potions for several specific ailments, apparently.

"Lyra!"

I turned toward the recognizable voice among the bookshelves, and waved Garreth over. "Hello Garreth. Here for the tarot notes?"

"Yes, thank you!" He said, taking the roll of parchment from me. "You were right – Natty said she'd give me a hand, but I think I just need to commit these to memory. I owe you one."

I casually waved my hand in the air. "You don't owe me anything, I wasn't using those notes anyway. Keep them as long as you like."

"I really appreciate it. Can I at least treat you to a butterbeer this weekend as a thank you?"

I pretended to consider the option while trying to gauge Sebastian's reaction out of the corner of my eye. To my satisfaction, he didn't seem to react at all. "Actually, I haven't gone to the Three Broomsticks in a while; that sounds nice. Sure."

"Cheers. See you later."

I waved goodbye as he left the library, then returned to my book. I don't know if Garreth was waiting behind a shelf or nearby decoration to watch Sebastian's response, but I doubt he would see anything.

"Does he really need help in Divination?" I heard Sebastian ask. Not with contempt, but more with genuine curiosity.

I sighed and briefly looked up from my book. "He struggled as my partner in class today. I stayed back for a little bit afterwards to give him a hand, but unfortunately, yes, he could use the help. He can identify the cards, but can't recall what they mean. After spending the summer with Natty, I could do a reading with my eyes closed, so I really don't mind."

"Oh," he said, "that was really nice of you."

I made a noncommittal noise as I turned my attention back to the text with a smile on my face. I was looking forward to some chocolate this weekend.

xxxxxxx

The only other time Garreth came up in conversation that week was two days later, yet again in the library.

"Lyra, are you still meeting Weasley for butterbeer this weekend?" Sebastian asked as we worked on our essays.

This came up out of nowhere, as the three of us had been sitting in silence for half an hour, and it caught me somewhat off guard. "I imagine so, he hasn't said anything otherwise. Why?"

Sebastian stayed staring at his parchment. "Is it, like, a date?"

Was Garreth right? No, I don't think that question constitutes jealousy. It was just curiosity. If Natty didn't know where my feelings actually stood, she probably would've asked me the same thing when I told her about the outing. "No," I said honestly, "we're just friends." I didn't think I needed to elaborate any more on the subject.

Sebastian squinted at his work as he wrote some more, saying "Hm. Just curious."

I couldn't help but look at Ominis, and saw the ghost of a smile on his face as he used his fingers to proofread his essay. He clearly found the situation amusing, without any hint of jealousy in his demeanor. Why did that bother me?

xxxx

"Really? He just asked you that one time?" Garreth and I were at the Three Broomsticks, and I was basking in my triumph as he bought us some butterbeer. He was genuinely surprised Sebastian didn't 'act jealous,' but I wasn't.

"You don't think I'm lying, do you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He looked at me with surprise, as if he was shocked I suggested it. "Of course not. I don't think you would ever lie to me, at least not for this. I'm wondering if maybe he said something jealous-y to you and you didn't realize it, but that's neither here nor there. He technically spoke to me, but.."

I sat up straight, trepidation in my chest. "What?"

Garreth made a face. "He asked if this was a date, I said no, he said 'okay, don't try anything then.' I asked him what would happen if I did, which may have upset him, but Ominis cut in and said something like 'then Lyra is more than capable of kicking your ass.' "

I laughed at that, grateful that Ominis knew I could handle myself.

Garreth couldn't hold back his grin. "Anyway, after that, they walked away. If I were in front of jury, they might rule that as friendship, not jealousy, so I concede. After these butterbeers, I'll get you that chocolate, just like I said."

I clinked my glass against his. "Thank you, Garreth."

He smiled before he took a sip. "I'm a man of my word."

"But are you a man who's ready to show what he knows about tarot?"

He coughed. "Wait, you brought the cards with you?"

I shook the box of cards in my hand. "Might as well quiz you, since you've had my notes all week. I'll show you a card and you tell me what it means."

"You Ravenclaws don't mess around," he muttered, but he allowed me to see how much he'd improved. Much to our mutual delight, he had improved significantly, mixing up only a handful of cards. He may have been annoyed when we started, but he was grinning ear to ear by the time we went through the deck.

"You did amazing! You're going to do great on the quiz next week," I said, giving his hand a squeeze, "now just put that Gryffindor determination towards behaving in Sharp's class," I said teasingly.

"Lyra, you can help me study, but you're not a miracle worker. And I'll have you know it has been eight days since my last potion-related incident. Wait," he squinted at something he saw behind me, "is that Sebastian's owl?"

I slowly turned around, afraid to see Sebastian's barn owl enter the building. Instead, I let out a breath of relief and smiled as a black owl perched in the designated mail area of the Three Broomsticks. "No, that's actually Ominis' owl. Let me see what it's about." I walked over to check, and the envelope in his beak was indeed for me. "Thank you, Penumbra," I said, stroking his feathers. I returned to the table with Garreth, note in hand.

Garreth rested his cheek on his hand, while he used the other one to drum his fingers against the table. "Interesting."

I opened it up and read it out loud. "Lyra, Sebastian is in a mood, so please disregard anything he may do to distract you. Hope you're having fun. Tell Garreth I say hello." I frowned. "I'm not sure what that's about, but apparently Ominis says hi."

Still looking at me, Garreth cracked a smile. "Maybe I was wrong."

I rolled my eyes. "Surely you're not going to tell me Ominis is jealous now," I said in a disbelieving tone, but I felt a small thrill run through me at the prospect, and I tried not to look pleased.

Garreth didn't move a muscle. "I wasn't going to say that. But I have a feeling you're going to get another message soon enough."

Before I could respond, another owl flew to the mail perch, and Garreth's smile grew wider as he sat up, looking triumphant. "That is Sallow's owl, I'm sure of it."

Sure enough, it was Sable, Sebastian's barn owl. I got a bad feeling in my stomach as I approached the mail, and I saw that this envelope also had my name on it.

I brought it back to the table and opened it. I didn't want to read it out loud, but I heard Garreth tapping his foot expectantly, waiting for me to share the letter's contents. "Lyra, I think I might need to go to the hospital wing. Come back to the school as soon as you can."

I frowned at both letters, resting side by side on the table.

"Sounds like he wants to cut our date short, doesn't it?" Garreth asked, taking another sip of his butterbeer.

I snorted and crossed my arms. "This isn't a date."

Garreth put his hand over his heart in mock horror. "You wound me, my dear!" Then he chuckled. "I know that. Does he?"

"Of course he does!" I said, reading his letter again. "He asked us both, and we both said no! He knew we'd be here, but that doesn't…"

I turned my gaze toward Garreth, who was shooting me a sympathetic look.

I scoffed, looking for another reason for the message. "What if he's really sick?"

Garreth sighed, and talked to me as if he were dealing with a child. "So he asks for help from the one friend that's not actually at the castle right now? And right after Ominis' letter? I think we're both more inclined to believe him over Sallow."

I had to admit, I couldn't fault that logic. I realized I had a brand new problem on my hands. My shoulders slumped, staring at the letter again. "I was really looking forward to that chocolate."

I heard him utter a soft laugh, and there was a thunk as he put a chocolate bar on the table and slid it over. "I feel a little bad now," he admitted, "I actually bought this ahead of time, and figured I would eat it later if I was right."

Grateful for the treat despite my loss, I opened up the chocolate bar and split it in half. As I offered the other half to Garreth, an idea seized me. I flipped Sebastian's letter over and pulled a quill out of my bag. "Are you writing him back?" Garreth asked with a mouthful of chocolate.

"No. But if I know Poppy, she'll drag Sebastian to the hospital wing to make sure he's all right, and will probably even fluff his pillows for him when he gets there. She's extremely loyal – she won't leave a friend's bedside if they're sick."

Garreth threw his head back and laughed. "You're an evil genius!"

xxxx

Garreth and I continued chatting, and I begrudgingly bought us another round of butterbeers. As our cups ran low, I was just about to say I needed to head back to the castle when his attention turned toward the door behind me once more. "Ominis is here!" He started waving his hand until he realized what he was doing, and I saw his ears turn red.

I instead called out Ominis' name, and I saw him smile and walk towards us. "Hello Lyra, Hello Garreth," his expression suddenly changed to one of embarrassment as he started to stammer, and I saw his face heat up. "Oh my, I just realized… Forgive me, I didn't come here to – I didn't mean to interrupt anything. I, ah-" he held up a package in his hand, "Garlik asked me to give this to Teasdale, but he wasn't at the Magic Neep. I figured out there was a sign on his door that said he was getting… I checked the Hog's Head first – is he here?"

Garreth and I looked around, and sure enough, we found him having some firewhiskey. "He's at the bar having a drink with Beatrice Green," Garreth said.

"Thank you – I'm so sorry. I'll hand this over and be off."

"Don't be silly," said Garreth, carefree. "Hand that over and join us. You're not interrupting anything. I'll pull up a chair for you now." He reached out to snag an empty chair form a nearby table as Ominis stood there, looking nervous.

"No, no, really, I-"

Garreth shot me an expectant look as Ominis fiddled with the package.

"He's right," I reassured him, "please sit with us for a little bit."

Ominis cleared his throat. "Well, if you're sure, then all right. Please give me a moment." He turned to go meet Teasdale at the bar.

Garreth was looking at me, and something compelled me to defend Ominis. Maybe it was because of the reason we had met at the Three Broomsticks in the first place. "I believe him, you know," I said, feeling myself start to sweat, "I don't think he's here because of jealousy. He didn't meant to run into us or disturb us in any way."

He raised his eyebrows. "I believe him too – he clearly felt bad, and we were the ones who called him over. He wasn't trying to pull you away, at least." He looked at our empty mugs then gave the table a light tap. "I'm going to get us all a round," he started to get up, but I wouldn't let him go before giving him payment, since he had bought me the chocolate anyway.

He returned with two mugs, while Ominis followed carrying his own. "Thanks, Lyra," he said as he placed mine in front of me.

"Of course," I said, taking a sip as the boys sat down.

Garreth took a big swig and, wiping his mouth, turned to Ominis. "So, any word on how Sallow is faring? Shortly after your letter, he sent Lyra an owl saying he might have to go to the hospital wing."

A faint smirk crept on the side of Ominis' face, but then it turned to a frown. "After I sent my letter I went to the library. As I returned, I overheard Poppy dragging Sebastian to the hospital wing, despite his protestations. Apparently someone had forwarded his letter to her. She said he looked a little pale and was shaky, so I accompanied them. He told Nurse Blainey that he thought he swallowed a bad potion, and she confirmed his suspicions. He'll be fine after drinking a lot of water."

I sat up in my chair. "He was sick?" I asked in alarm.

Garreth pursed his lips. "Well," he said, "at least this time everyone knows I wasn't responsible for a potion fiasco. Any idea what he was trying to do?"

Ominis shrugged. "He said he added fluxweed instead of knotgrass by mistake. Anyway, Garlik was in there when we walked in, getting some plant-induced injuries taken care of, and she asked us to deliver the package since she was indisposed. Well," he scratched the back of his neck, "she actually asked Poppy, but she insisted on staying with Sebastian until he felt better."

"Oh dear," I said, resting my chin on my palm, "Now I feel bad for not taking that letter seriously."

Garreth chewed his lip, then reached across the table and touched my hand. "I wouldn't," he said. "Remember, the castle is filled with people." He withdrew and then picked up his mug. "Any idea what was in the package?" he asked.

Ominis tilted his head to the side, miming holding the brown paper parcel, as if he was trying to remember how heavy it was. "It didn't make a rattling sound, so I don't think they were seeds, and the package was fairly heavy, so maybe some shrivelfig? I'm not sure…"

I was only half paying attention to Ominis as I was staring, mouth ajar, at Garreth. He was taking the largest sips of butterbeer possible, chugging the beverage down in record time. He slammed the mug down on the table. "Good talk," he said, then gave a small burp. "Excuse me, I may have drank that too fast, but I need to get going now. I didn't finish that reading for Hecat's class yet, and I'm hoping to sleep in tomorrow. I'll see you both around." With a round of farewell, he left the Three Broomsticks. Now it was just myself and Ominis.

Ominis started apologizing again immediately. "Lyra, I am sorry if I interrupted anything, that really wasn't my intention-"

I saw my opportunity and I took it. "Relax," I said, gently touching his hand, "we meant what we said. This wasn't a date." I sighed, withdrawing my hand and missing his. "Actually, this was more of an… experiment of some sorts."

Ominis raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Apparently this all started with what happens in potions class…" I launched into the tale of how Garreth and I ended up here, and as the words left my mouth, I started to feel ashamed. I really didn't think there was any merit to Garreth's words at the time, but was I hurting Sebastian with this antic? Was Ominis going to think I was a horrible person? He listened intently, nodding occasionally, and as I ended my story, I had to ask. "Was this terrible of me to do?"

He snorted. "No. You didn't do this to cause any damage."

I exhaled in relief. "Thank you. But, Ominis…" my heart was thumping with nerves. I didn't want to have this conversation. A part of me just didn't want to know the truth, and claim ignorance. But the words were out of my mouth, and I knew I couldn't ask Sebastian outright – this was the next best thing. "… do you believe Garreth?"

I heard him start to tap his wand, but he was slow to answer, considering his words. "Sebastian is very protective, to say the least. When Anne was attending Hogwarts and he thought someone had their eye on her, he acted rashly. When he was grumpy and short with me this morning, I thought it was something of that nature, which is why I sent the owl. But I can't say the idea of him being jealous is something I can easily discredit. He…" Ominis took a pause, wondering how to further answer my question. "…he once said that he wishes you would look at him the same way you did last year, but didn't say anything further."

If I had a galleon for every time I was glad Ominis couldn't see the color of my face, I could probably purchase the Three Broomsticks. So Sebastian did see the difference – he must have known, on some level, that I had felt more than friendship beforehand. I don't know why he didn't comment on it while we spent all that time together last year, but it seemed like a lifetime ago. "Well," I said, hoping those thoughts didn't create too long of a pause, "that's… not going to happen."

"I didn't tell him what you said," he said quietly, "but can I be honest with you?" He was looking at me so intently, and my heart started thumping for different reasons.

"Of course – always," I said, bracing myself for whatever was coming next.

He took a deep breath. "If he saw that you fancied him last year and he did nothing about it, he's an absolute ignoramus. This year, after everything we went through, he should be happy you even look in his direction, let alone with feeling. Now, it seems he's only taking action because he recognizes a change in you, and he observes that someone else can care for you. He creates barriers and blockades to make things easier for him, regardless of how it impacts you. I don't know if he drank a bad potion on accident or on purpose, but Garreth was right; he could've asked anyone else for help. Hell, he probably could've walked to the hospital wing himself. But he didn't. He wanted you there, and he didn't care how that affected your life. That's wrong, regardless of whether it's protectiveness or jealousy." He sighed before continuing. "I'm not a mind reader, but if he fancies you and does nothing about it, he shouldn't feel entitled to manipulate the world around you. If he's not willing to tell you how he feels, he shouldn't stand in the way of others who are. You don't deserve that – nobody does. I –" he swallowed. "I think that if someone truly cared about you, they wouldn't play games with your feelings. They would want you to be happy, even if they knew their feelings wouldn't be reciprocated."

I sat in stunned silence, but I could feel something in me positively glowing. It would have felt heartwarming to hear that speech from anyone, but coming out of Ominis' mouth, it was something else – something more. When care comes from the person that matters most to you, it lifts you up higher, it holds you tighter, and carries you farther than anything else. It wasn't just a light in the darkness, it was a supernova that made you forget the darkness was there in the first place.

"I-" I knew I had to say something – anything – than let the silence drag out, lest he regret his words. "I don't know what else to say, besides thank you. I don't think I'll ever have the words to describe how much that means to me."

He gave me the smile I loved so dearly. "Those are enough," he said simply, then turned to his butterbeer. This time the silence was calming, and I finished my drink with a sense of ease.

Ominis must have realized I was finished – maybe he could hear that the mug was empty – for he said, "If you're done, you might as well head out now. Teasdale said he would need to give me something to bring back to Garlik when he was done with his break, and I'm not exactly sure when that will happen."

"Oh, alright then. I hope he at least pays you a delivery fee for your services," we both chuckled as I stood up, but then time slowed down. His words made me brave. Before I passed him by, I leaned down and placed a soft, quick kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, Ominis," I half-whispered before losing my nerve. Bravery quickly fading, I turned and exited the building before he could say anything more.