Classes had been cancelled the next day while students were asked to stay in the castle. Teachers were out en force, patrolling the entire thing over and over. I wondered if they thought that would keep people from going into a panic, when it had the complete opposite effect. Instead of people quieting about the whole incident, the rumors just continued to fly.
Halfway through the day the biggest one going around was that a dragon had its nest under Hogwarts and something bothered it, causing a massive battle to ensue.
"A dragon?" Sebastian snorted into his cup of tea. "What absolute rubbish."
I leaned against the back of the couch I was sitting on, Ominis's head in my lap. He had a book out, fingers running across the braille as he read, though every so often he'd reach down toward his stomach, where a small bag of chocolates sat, taking a piece or two and bringing it up to my lips.
Chocolate usually made most things better but I was still in a bit of a foul mood from the night before. Nothing was mentioned about it that morning, but they way Sebastian looked at me and the way Ominis hovered continued to make me nervous.
Only the three of us knew what I had done.
But what if someone wound up figuring it out?
Truly it...Wouldn't really matter. I knew what I was capable of, but I didn't want to drag anyone else into that mess, especially Ominis and Sebastian.
But I knew they'd follow.
Everything was canceled for one more day, and the rumors did quiet down, if for no other reason than the fact nothing was found. At least, that's what Ominis gleaned from eavesdropping on teachers, especially Professor Weasley and Sharp. They'd been there when everything happened, and though they weren't present for the last bit of it, they knew more than enough to be the ones searching the most thoroughly for signs of anything shady.
We were in the library, the three of us, and I was trying to focus on homework but instead found myself just...shoveling chocolate into my mouth.
"Aria. Slow down, you're going to make yourself sick."
"Are you eating more chocolate?"
"I know you're worried, but-"
"Can I get you anyth-"
They both started talking at me at once and I...just couldn't right then. I stood up, bawled up the wrapper in my hand and put it in a pocket before just turning and leaving.
They both were up and after me the second I got a few feet away. My fists clenched. "Both of you need to leave me be for a bit. Please. I need to think and I haven't been able to for the past two days. Just. Stay here."
"Aria I can't do that."
"Sebastian. Let her go."
"But-"
"Look. I'm not thrilled about it but she's not wrong, we've been a bit over the top. Aria you take whatever time you need just...keep a sharp eye out just in case, okay?"
"I will. I promise."
He pulled me to him and kissed me deeply for a moment before whispering that he loved me and taking Sebastian back to their seats.
I left the library, and started toward the dungeon area of the castle. I didn't make it too far before I heard someone call for me. "Miss Aves! A moment!"
I stopped and turned around, seeing of all people, Headmaster Black walking up to me. I honestly was surprised he even remembered who I was, distracted and uninterested as he seemed to be most of the time.
"Yes, Headmaster?"
"Ominis Gaunt, are you aware of where he is at the moment? I have it on good authority the two of you are close. I must speak to him."
"He's in the Library with Sebastian, Sir."
"Wonderful. Now off you go."
I just sort of shook my head a little as he left the way I had come, and continued toward my destination without much other thought to the interaction.
I managed to make it down to the map chamber with no interruption, though I admit I might have hid out of sight of a teacher or two still patrolling around.
I don't know what I was expecting. The portraits were still empty, the room still and quiet, but the serenity I felt before coming here was gone, replaced by an unease. A fear.
Was it because I remembered what happened in the caverns underneath my feet? Was it because I watched Professor Fig die before my eyes? Fought a demonic dragon who had been filled with the same magic I now was?
Maybe. Maybe it was one or the other. Maybe it was all of it. Maybe looking at the empty portraits of the Keepers were just a stark reminder that despite my friends, despite Ominis, and my teachers who had watched out for me this whole time, I was...completely and utterly alone.
The only Keeper. The last Keeper.
"I was wondering when I'd find you down here."
I whipped around and saw Professor Weasley walking down the stairs toward where I was on the map floor.
"I..."
"You're not in trouble. I saw you sneak down here and just wanted to make sure you were alright. Are you alright?"
I nodded. "I think so. I just...I needed to check for myself, I suppose, that everything was okay here."
She continued to walk down the stairs until she was only a few feet away from me. "...Whoever was there, didn't find what they were looking for. I suspect...I know why."
I was at a loss for words, really. I know Professor Fig told Professor Weasley most of what was going on back then, I apparently just didn't realize how much 'most' entailed.
I sighed a little bit and shook my head. "Are you going to report me?"
"Report you? Aria my dear whatever would I report you for?"
"Oh. I don't know. Being filled to the brim with dangerous and near uncontrollable wild magic comes to mind."
"Ah. But you are not dangerous and uncontrollable, therefor, there isn't anything to report. If anything you seem...more subdued? Reserved? You're certainly far more quiet than you used to be. I assume there's a reason for that as well."
"I did not do what I did without consequence. But it was the only option. I only wish I could have...explained myself to Professor Fig and the Keepers beforehand."
"Then explain to me."
So I did. I explained everything. After everything I wound up being put through my fifth year, knowing something that could cause so much chaos and bloodshed was at my fingertips and mine alone, sort of...forced my hand. Obviously this type of magic had a near endless amount of potential, but after seeing the types of things most wanted to get their mitts on it for, I couldn't abide it.
I didn't know at the time, that it would horribly mess with my head. I should have, I was smarter than that. But at the time I was panicked and just knew I had to get it completely away from anyone or anything else that might try to use it in the destructive capacity Ranrock had tried to.
Professor Weasley to me entirely and simply nodded her head. "Selfless as ever."
"And mad to boot."
Her face twisted into a look of concern, but if she was truly upset, she didn't say anything. We talked a little bit longer before the both of us left to go back upstairs, with her swearing to me that she'd not breathe a word about this to anyone. Though in the same breath, she made it very clear that she would also be keeping a watch on me. Not because she thought I'd do something insane, but because she was worried.
I headed toward the great hall for dinner to see Sebastian rushing out of it. He seemed panicked and his cheeks were stained. Had he been crying?
"Sebastian, what on earth is wrong?"
"I...Aria, Ominis."
My blood ran cold. "What happened!? Is he okay where is he!?"
Was I ever going to get a break?
Sebastian took me by the hand and pulled us into a little alcove. "Ominis's older brother...He came to the school today and demanded Ominis come home. Said his parents didn't want him here anymore. I guess Black had told them about the explosion and they'd had enough."
Tears were already welling in my eyes. "That's absurd! He's an adult, they can't do that!"
"That's what I thought. That's what he thought. But according to Black, while he's a student in this school, he falls under his parents guardianship. They didn't really have a good enough reason to pull him out before but I guess this was the final str-Aria. Aria, hey. Hey! No no no, not out here, Aria...Aria!"
I was barely aware of Sebastian snapping his fingers in front of my face.
I was barely aware of dropping to my knees.
Then...I wasn't aware of anything.