Chapter 15: A promise kept

The castle was quiet for a change. With most of the students in Hogsmeade for the day, the usually lively corridors of Hogwarts felt unusually still, as though the walls themselves had settled into a state of rest.

Ava for once, welcomed the silence.

Instead of joining the other staff in their day off or heading to Hogsmeade herself, she had chosen to stay behind. Resting, as Headmaster Stonemire suggested, wasn't exactly her strong suit, but there was work to be done—lessons to plan, content to review. More importantly, it was something to focus on.

The library was blissfully empty when she arrived that morning, her arms laden with texts on alchemical theory and scrolls of intricate diagrams. She settled into a far corner near a window where sunlight spilled onto the table, warming the worn wood.

She cracked open the first book, determined to immerse herself in the one thing that made sense to her right now—her work.

Time slipped by unnoticed, broken only by the scratching of her quill and the shifting of parchment. Ava was mid-sentence when a familiar voice startled her.

"Well, look who decided to take an entire day off," Juniper Merriweather said softly, though her teasing tone carried through the stillness.

Ava's head snapped up, her dark eyes narrowing faintly. Juniper stood a few paces away, arms folded across her chest, a small smile tugging at her lips. Her red hair caught the light streaming from the window, practically glowing.

"I'm working, not resting," Ava said dryly, though her expression softened as she returned to her quill.

Juniper didn't move. "You know, there are other ways to spend a holiday. Hogsmeade, for instance."

"I have no interest in Hogsmeade."

Juniper raised a brow. "Then perhaps another walk through the greenhouse would have suited you better?"

Ava shot her a flat look, though the edges of her mouth twitched slightly.

Juniper chuckled, stepping closer. "At least you sound like yourself again."

Just as Ava was about to respond, the librarian's stern voice cut across the room. "Silence in the library, Professors!"

Juniper froze, her face brightening with suppressed laughter as she glanced sheepishly at Ava. Ava's lips pressed together as though she were trying—and failing—not to smile.

"We've been scolded," Juniper whispered, covering her mouth dramatically.

Ava shook her head, exasperated but amused. "Don't look at me, it's your fault."

"Come on, let's leave" Juniper said, gesturing to the door. "Before Madam Pince throws us both out."

To her own surprise, Ava didn't argue.

The Astronomy Tower was empty when they arrived, save for the faint sound of the wind sweeping through the open archways. Ava leaned against the cold stone parapet, arms crossed as she stared out over the grounds. The view was breathtaking—the forest sprawling like a green sea, the rooftops of Hogsmeade just visible on the horizon.

Juniper stood beside her, her posture more relaxed. She didn't speak at first, letting the quiet settle between them like a welcome friend.

After a few minutes, Juniper glanced at Ava and spoke softly. "You never told me what happened at the Ministry."

Ava stiffened slightly. "It doesn't matter."

"It matters to you," Juniper countered gently, glancing at Ava's hands and the scars that they now carried. "And I was there when you left, remember? I care, Ava."

The sincerity in Juniper's voice gave Ava pause. She looked down at her scarred hands, flexing her fingers slowly. "It was the Aetherial Prism," she said finally. "An artifact of ancient magic—volatile, alive. It nearly destroyed me before I could destroy it."

Juniper watched her carefully, staying quiet.

"You see, I come from a lineage of alchemists and handlers of ancient magic," Ava continued, her voice low. "Some of them were great. Some of them…" She hesitated. "Some of them twisted that power into something terrible."

Juniper frowned. "But that's not you."

Ava let out a bitter laugh. "The Prism thought otherwise. It tempted me. It showed me what I could do if I gave in." She looked away. "I nearly did."

Juniper's voice was steady. "But you didn't."

Ava's throat tightened, her dark gaze still fixed on the horizon. "I didn't because of you. Your voice—my promise to come back in one piece." She turned to look at Juniper, her expression soft but haunted. "I don't know why, but it's you that kept me grounded when I couldn't trust myself."

Juniper stared at her, something unreadable flickering in her green eyes. "Ava…"

There was silence, then Juniper spoke again, her voice quieter. "Do you remember the kiss?"

Ava blinked, her heart skipping a beat. "Yes."

Juniper shifted, rubbing her hands together nervously. "I don't regret it," she admitted. "I didn't even think about it—I just did it. But… I've been trying to understand why it's so hard for me to be around you." She exhaled. "I think it's because I've developed feelings for you, Ava. And I hate that I do. Not because I don't want to feel them, but because we're colleagues. It's… complicated."

Ava said nothing. She watched Juniper, unreadable, though something in her eyes softened.

Juniper, mistaking Ava's silence for rejection, sighed and looked away. "Never mind," she muttered, her voice tinged with frustration. "Forget I said anything."

Ava hesitated, something on the tip of her tongue, but she turned abruptly and left the tower without another word.

Juniper watched her go, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "Why do you always walk away?" she whispered to the empty tower.

Dinner that night was missing one person, and Juniper noticed it immediately. She looked around distractedly, wondering where Ava had gone, when a small house-elf appeared beside her.

"Professor Merriweather, Miss," the elf squeaked, handing her a folded note. "From Professor Blackthorn."

Juniper frowned, taking the note and unfolding it quickly.

Juniper,
Come to my quarters before dinner starts.
—Ava

Juniper stood outside the entrance to Ava's quarters in the dungeons, her heart beating harder than it should have. When the door opened, she found Ava waiting for her, the room softly lit by candlelight and decorated with strands of glowing ivy hanging elegantly from the walls.

Juniper blinked. "This is…"

Ava gestured to a small table set for two, plates already laid out with food. "I thought you might appreciate the Luminescent Ivy. The Hufflepuffs seem to love it."

Juniper smiled faintly, her heart softening. "It's beautiful."

Ava pulled out a chair for her, and Juniper sat, still a little stunned. Ava knelt beside her, her dark gaze unwavering despite the faint tremor in her scarred hands as they came to rest gently on the table, the candlelight catching the faint lines etched into her skin.

"I walked away earlier because I didn't know what to say," Ava admitted quietly. "But I feel the same way, Juniper."

Juniper's breath caught as Ava placed a hand on her thigh. With the other hand, Ava took Juniper's hands gently in her own, the scars faintly illuminated by the soft ivy glow.

"I promised to come back," Ava said softly, her voice carrying weight. "And I did. To Hogwarts, yes—but also to you."

Juniper swallowed hard, her heart full. "I'm glad you kept that promise."

Ava leaned forward, and Juniper met her halfway. Their lips brushed softly at first, then deepened as both let the walls around them fall away.

When they parted, Juniper ran her thumb gently across the scars on Ava's hand. "You're stronger than you know, Professor Blackthorn."

Ava smiled faintly. "Not as strong as you, Professor Merriweather."

For the first time in a long while, Ava felt grounded—like she had truly come home.