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gyattoru · 24 days ago

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the apparition - a hogwarts legacy fanfic (s.s)

title inspired by the apparition by sleep token.

• chapter two - the unsanctioned duelling club.

summary: After a much-needed rest from the whirlwind of yesterday's events, the first day of the semester is finally here, filled with potential and excitement. Aiden heads out to run errands, leaving Ellise to contemplate the intriguing dreams that have been haunting her nights. As if fate had a hand in it, she receives an invitation to join a mysterious ‘secret’ dueling club, stirring her curiosity and hinting at the thrilling adventures that lie ahead.

cw: 5k(ish) words, hogwarts legacy fanfiction, female MC, sebastian sallow x female!MC, poppy sweeting x male!MC, muggle raised MCs, eventual pining & romance, eventual fluff & angst, minimal lore alterations, dialogue alterations, added events, sebastian sallow x seer!MC, multiple OCs, will add more as the chapters go on.

a/n: I know, it took me SO long to have time to sit and write this, but if things go to plan updates should be more consistent. I also wanted to thank my close friend for helping me create one of the OCs that will be introduced, as she is here as a homage to her, love you bestie 💗

- xxx, lola.

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ELLISE.

To my dismay, I quickly learnt that a good night of sleep after restless years had its price—not waking up on time.

As I opened my eyes the next morning, I noticed that all the beds in the earth-toned female dormitory were empty and neatly made. I hurried through the castle, preparing myself as best as I could in the little time I had to get ready.

I have difficulty recalling the path taken yesterday with Professor Weasley; my quick steps do not aid my memory. As I carelessly round a corner that leads into another long hallway, I accidentally bump into someone.

I stared in surprise at the three girls in front of me, their expressions mirroring my own. I clamped my mouth shut and noticed the books I had accidentally knocked from the hands of the girl on the right. She had dirty blonde hair and striking green eyes, which were framed by an oval pair of glasses. As I knelt to pick up her books, she also knelt, and we clumsily collided foreheads—an amazing first impression.

She winces, and I place a hand on my head. “I’m so sorry.” I gather her books, and one of her friends, a blonde girl with a neatly trimmed fringe, gently takes them from me. “I should have watched where I was going better.” The third girl, who has dark raven hair, helps us back to our feet.

“It's alright, you're one of the new fifth-years, aren't you?” the girl with green eyes asked as her blonde friend handed her books back. Her accent was thick and somewhat difficult for me to understand. “You made quite an entrance yesterday,” she said with a smile.

“Is it that obvious that I have no clue where I’m headed?” I ask nervously.

The girl with raven hair stifles a laugh “A little bit, but we can’t blame you, we’ve already had five years to adapt. We can help you, if you’d like, of course.”

“That would be highly appreciated.” I sigh “I’m Ellise, sorry for my manners, Ellise Villin.”

“Don’t worry about it!” she says with a cheerful wave, brushing off my lack of politeness. “I’m Isla Sterling from Ravenclaw.” She gestures to the blonde beside her. “This is Saoirse Dillon from Slytherin. She’s a bit quiet, but she’s really lovely once you get to know her!” Finally, she points to the girl I bumped into. “And this is Jasmina Čajkovska from Gryffindor. Her accent might take a little getting used to since she transferred from the Balkans with her brother a few years back, but she’s super friendly!”

The girls smile gently as they explain that they are on their way to the kitchens to try and sneak some of the best pastries before breakfast. They invite me to join them, but I politely decline, mentioning that I need to meet with Professor Weasley by the Slytherin common room before class.

“We can take you there.” Saiorse suggests as the other two girls nod.

“If you don’t mind.” I give them a cheeky smile.

“Can you believe him?!” Jasmina exclaims continuing our conversation as we arrive at the Slytherin corridor.

“I don’t know if it’s my place to speak.” I ponder “But I think he’s quite rude for that.”

“I agree with Ellie!” Isla exclaims, then gasps “I can call you Ellie right?”

“I don’t mind.”

“Girls.” Professor Weasley greets us when we get to her, my brother engaged in a conversation with a dishevelled-haired brunette and a blonde just behind her, both guys clad in Slytherin robes “I see you’ve acquainted yourselves with Miss Villin.”

“Good morning professor.” Saiorse gives her a shy smile “We sure did.”

“So did him with Gaunt and Sallow.” Isla points to the boys talking to brother and they turn to us.

My heartbeat slows as I lock eyes with the brunette; his gaze is the same as the one from my dreams.

“I’ll be taking that as our queue to depart.” He says with a charming smirk, not taking his eyes off mine “Until later, Villin.”

My brother bids him goodbye, but by the look on the guy’s face, I have no clue as to whether of us that was directed towards.

His eyes leave mine as he and the blonde turn to leave, the girls wave to me and tell me I can join the next breakfast heist, leaving me, Aiden and Matilda by the common room door.

“I trust you’re both ready for your first day at Hogwarts?” She smiles at us.

“I’ve been dreaming of this day for a long time.” My brother chirps, like we had a clue the school even existed a month ago “Can’t believe we’re here.”

“Well, you are here.” She emphasizes “Make the most of it. You only have one first day.”

We both give her curt nods.

“In light of your unique situation, joining us as fifth years, you’ll need to catch up with your classmates without falling behind.” She explains “Especially as you’ll be expected to complete your O.W.L.s at the end of the year.”

“O.W.L.s?” Aiden questions “Owls?”

“Yes. Your ‘Ordinary Wizarding Level’ exams.” She smiles “They will determine what type of career you can have when you leave here.”

“No pressure.” I remark.

“After much discussion with the Headmaster and the Ministry, we’ve devised something extraordinary to ensure your success.” She signals with her hands and a thick book appears out of thin air “Here you are.” She hands me the book.

The leather-bound tome suddenly escapes my grip, soaring through the air as if possessed by a life of its own. It snaps open with a flourish, pages cascading like shimmering leaves caught in a whirlwind of golden magic. The room is filled with a soft, radiant glow as the illuminated words dance across the fluttering pages. Just as quickly, the book comes to a graceful halt, its pages folding back with reverence before settling gently into my waiting hands, as if acknowledging my presence.

“What is it?” I inquire, my fingers gliding over the intricate design of the cover. The surface is adorned with a myriad of delicate engravings, each one telling its own story. In each corner, I can see the distinct insignia of the four Hogwarts houses—Gryffindor's lion, Hufflepuff's badger, Ravenclaw's eagle, and Slytherin's serpent—each beautifully rendered in a way that showcases their unique characteristics. At the center of it all looms a grand, bold ‘H,’ its elegant curves commanding attention, symbolizing the very essence of the magical school.

“It’s a Wizard’s Field Guide!” She exclaims giddily “It will help you both keep track of what you’re learning so that you master what’s expected of fifth-years.”

“We can share it?” Aiden questions, since she’s only presented one tome to us.

“You shall. Since the book appears when you need it that should be no problem. You would be wise to take full advantage of this exceptionally valuable resource.”

I put the book under my arm to hold it better and to my utter surprise, it disappears just like explained by Professor Weasley.

“Thank you, professor, but what do you mean it will ‘keep track’ of what we’re learning?” I arch an eyebrow

“Perhaps seeing it in action will answer your questions.” She invites us to walk with her.

As we ascend the winding staircase, each step echoing softly against the stone walls, we finally reach a landing adorned with an intricately carved stone statue of a kelpie. The statue looms large, its fluid form capturing the essence of a water spirit, both enchanting and somewhat foreboding. We come to a pause, taking in the beauty and mystery of the figure before us.

Our professor, with an air of wisdom, elaborates on the purpose of the tome. She explains that the guide is specifically designed to assist us with a plethora of knowledge—everything from the many creatures that inhabit the wizarding world to the rich tapestry of wizarding lore that has been passed down through generations. Moreover, she emphasizes the importance of being continually vigilant and attuned to our surroundings, hinting at the potential wonders—and dangers—that may lie ahead. This guide will not only enhance our understanding but also deepen our connection to the magical realm we are about to explore.

After using the guide on the statue by casting Revelio, I was pleasantly surprised to learn its full background. She then taught us about the castle’s Floo Flame network, which is designed to facilitate fast travel—a feature I will greatly appreciate in the future.

We use the Floo flame network to head to the Central Hall, which Matilda describes as the ‘King’s Cross’ of Hogwarts—the heart of the hive.

We make our way to the heart of the Central Hall, where the pristine white marble floors gleam under the soft overhead lights. A few students congregate around a stunning indoor fountain, its gentle flow creating a calming ambiance. The fountain boasts a beautifully crafted statue of sirens, their graceful forms intricately carved from stone, adding an air of elegance to the space. Soft whispers and laughter fill the air as the students chat, their excitement blending harmoniously with the serene sounds of the water splashing gently below.

“That should be all for now.” She shrugs and comes to a halt “You’re both expected to attend Charms class later today. And while Ellise attends Defense Against the Dark Arts, I’ll ask you to come with me for now, your sister can meet me in my classroom after the end of classes today.” She directs towards Aiden.

“Thank you for the help, Professor Weasley.” I smile at her.

“A lot to absorb on your first day. And you have much to learn.” She shrugs “You’re both expected to complete extra assignments made by your professors to help you with prior knowledge.”

Aiden winces at the mention of extra work, but giving Fig will assist us, I pay it no mind.

“But, judging by your adept use of the Field Guide and Revelio, I’d say Fig had no issue teaching you both the basics.” She frowns “He’s been terribly vague as to the events preceding your arrival, specifically about the dragon attack.”

I give Aiden a sideways glance to remind him that Fig asked us not to mention the events to anyone so he could discuss them with the Ministry without causing panic or spreading meaningless rumors. Aiden understands my look and gives me a nearly imperceptible nod in response.

“I’m afraid there’s nothing for us to share on the matter, professor.” He gives her a faint smile.

“Fair enough.” She gives us an unapologetic shrug “I presume Professor Fig has his reasons to keep the details to himself. For now.”

As if magically summoned, Eleazar Fig walks down the main stairs of the hall towards us—speak of the devil. Matilda greets him with a comment about how his ears must have been burning just a moment ago and chuckles softly. She praises him for his excellent job teaching us the basics of spellcasting and for volunteering to help us throughout the year.

“I’m afraid I can’t take all the credit, they’ve appear to have a rare aptitude for learning magic.” He dismisses her praise.

“Hm, well, I’m just glad the three of you’ve arrived in one piece.” She narrows her gaze on him “Perfectly good boats and carriages to Hogwarts and you chose to fly in the path of a dragon.”

“I wouldn’t say I chose it.” He shakes his head, by the tone in his voice I can tell it’s too soon to talk about the matter with him “Rather unfortunately it seems the dragon chose us.”

“Very well. Enough chit-chat, I need to direct Aiden to pick up his supplies and I’ve got class to get to.” I bid my goodbyes to Aiden and Matilda as they walk off, leaving Fig to explain the rest of the Field Guide to me.

He asks if we told her about our dragon encounter, and I just shake my head in response. He hums in appreciation and directs me to class.

As I approach the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, apparently known as D.A.D.A., an electrifying energy buzzes in the air. The vibrant chatter of students spills out, mixing with the exhilarating whoosh of spells flying through the room. I can hardly contain my anticipation.

I push open the imposing double doors, wincing slightly as they creak on their hinges, and step into the bustling classroom. The atmosphere is thick with tension; students instinctively part, forming a wide circle around the chaos at the centre. There, the dishevelled brunette from earlier stands poised, his brow furrowed in concentration. With a swift, fluid motion, he unleashes a spell that crackles with energy, hurtling toward a ginger-haired boy positioned just a few meters away. His eyes widen, but he reacts with remarkable reflexes, flicking his wand with precision to deflect the spell at the last moment, the magical energy dissipating into harmless sparks.

“Stupefy!” The ginger yells, the brunette blocking his spell with much more ease and sending more spells back at him in response.

“Is that all you’ve got?” He mocks with false worry towards the red-haired boy “Bombarda!”

The ginger boy deflects the spell, causing it to ricochet upward. It strikes the enormous skeleton of what appears to be a dragon hanging from the ceiling. We all look up in astonishment as the dragon's skull becomes dislodged, and a few people gasp as it plummets toward the red-haired boy.

“Levioso.” An older woman, seemingly the professor, keeps the skull from barely crushing him.

“Professor Hecat!” Saoirse exasperated, I give her a small nod, which she reciprocates. Thankfully, there's at least one friendly face in this class.

“Perhaps you’d be good enough to blast each other to pieces on your own time. I get new students every year, but I only have one Hebridean Black skull.” She reprimands, walking down the stairs that I assume lead to her private office “It was a token from the Great Poacher Raid of 1878. No doubt you’ve heard of it.”

I had in fact, never heard of that before my studies with Fig in the month before the first semester of my fifth year in Hogwarts—thank the heavens for the power of studying. My mouth hangs agape as she easily hooks the dragon skull back in its skeleton, I step a little closer to her.

“Now, you may be asking yourselves how an old woman like me single-handedly took out the largest poacher ring in eastern Wales and lived to boast about it.” She does a dramatic pause “Knowledge.”

She walks towards us and stops by the middle of the classroom.

“To the wise, age matters very little.” She tells us “So today we will be learning a spell that has saved me from death more times than I care to recall. Levioso.”

The ginger guy scoffs and she turns towards him.

“Seriously? Levioso, a levitation charm?” His brows furrow in disbelief.

With a swift flick of her wand, she utters the incantation, her voice resonating with a powerful energy. In an instant, the boy was lifted off the ground, flailing his arms and legs in a wild panic as he rose higher into the air, his startled expression mirroring the shock of his sudden ascent.

“A surprised opponent is a weak opponent.” Hecat tells him “Care to defend yourself, master Prewett? No?”

She flicks her wand again and releases him. I let out a low snicker; it served him right for mocking a professor in her classroom.

I suddenly realize that my laugh carries more weight than I ever imagined. The moment the sound escapes my lips, the brunette boy glances over his shoulder, a smile spreading across his face. He casually crosses his arms over his chest, and for a brief second, our eyes connect before he turns back to focus on the professor. It's as if a rush of air has been knocked out of me; my chest tightens, and a flurry of nervous excitement dances in my stomach, leaving me breathless.

What the hell is wrong with me?

“Now, let’s practice what we’ve just learned starting with something small.” Shit, I completely forgot to pay attention to Professor Hecat. What the hell is wrong with me?

I settle in front of one of the many tables in the room and, thankfully, Saoirse takes the spot beside me, the brunette at a table on the other side of the room from us.

“I think she’s pretty badass.” Saoirse whispers to me “Only her to put Leander in his place.”

“He seems like a proper prick.” I scoff

“He can be,” she replied with a knowing smile. As she spoke, she reached for her wand, and I was taken aback by its unique appearance; it was crafted from a beautiful, pinkish-hued wood that glimmered in the light. “Cherry tree wood,” she continued, her eyes twinkling with enthusiasm as she noticed my curiosity. “I think it’s pretty sweet.” With a shy nod, she stepped closer. “Come on, let me help you with the spell.”

And she does. To my complete satisfaction, I effortlessly cast it on the first try after watching the demonstrations from Hecat and one from Saiorse herself. She smiles at me as my feather responds perfectly to my command, floating gracefully in the air.

“Now, let’s try something a little larger,” Hecat declared, her voice resonating with authority. With a deft flick of her wand, the tables in the classroom glided smoothly to the walls, creating a wide, open space. As the furniture settled, a training dummy, crafted from sturdy wood, glided gracefully into the centre of the newly cleared corridor, poised and ready for whatever demonstration was to come.

Hecat looks around the room and stops when her gaze reaches me, signalling for me to take place in front of the dummy.

I clutch my second-hand wand and stop in the signalled spot—If I embarrass myself in front of everyone I’m going to be so mad.

“Levioso!” I flick my wand and thankfully the dummy floats away.

“Well done.” Hecat smiles as I clear the corridor for other students to have a turn. After everyone has a go at the dummy, she approaches us again.

“Very good everyone, but the best way to practice is by duelling.” She looks my way and a little bit to my right “We’ll start with you two.”

I turn to look at who exactly I’m going against and, of-fucking-course it’s the brunette boy who was practically demolishing Leander the prick in a duel minutes ago.

Just my luck.

“Duelists, take your marks.” She says and steers clear of us.

“Time for a proper Hogwarts welcome.” He flashes a grin so smug it practically radiates confidence as he strides past me, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished stone floor. He comes to a halt at the far end of the ornate, lengthy rug that stretches beneath us, its intricate patterns swirling and merging in hues of deep indigo and gold, evoking the grandeur of the ancient castle surrounding us.

I walk to the other end of the rug, his teasing making me sure of one thing—I want to wipe that shit-eating grin off his handsome but annoying face.

I nearly topple over as the so-called rug, which is actually a sturdy platform, begins its ascent into the air. Instinctively, I stretch my arms wide to steady myself, feeling the rush of air around me. Once I regain my equilibrium, I draw my arms back in, relief washing over me as I find my footing once again.

“Now, I want a fair duel using only Levioso, basic cast and Protego.” She looks at us “You may begin.”

“This should be easy,” the boy sneers, a glint of mischief dancing in his eyes as he grips his wand tightly. With a swift, almost casual flick of his wrist, he sends a burst of shimmering energy hurtling toward me. I respond instinctively, my wand moving with precision as I conjure a barrier that absorbs the vibrant spell, the clash of magic crackling in the air around us.

“Protego? That complicates things.” He chuckles.

“Levioso!” I pronounce the incantation with conviction, my voice echoing through the air. In an instant, my opponent is lifted off the ground and propelled backwards, his body arching involuntarily. He tumbles briefly before landing deftly on his feet, determination flashing in his eyes as he quickly regains his composure.

“Lucky.” He says.

“Nothing lucky about it.” I utter defiantly, my wand raised as I flick a spell in his direction. He reacts swiftly, expertly blocking my attack, and retaliates with a flash of his own. “Stupefy!” he shouts, and I can feel the force of the spell rush towards me. Well, I guess the rules are out the window now. Within just a few minutes, I’ve managed to gain the upper hand again, sending him soaring into the air, his surprised expression a mix of frustration and awe.

“Good form.” He looks down at me with a smirk.

“I know.” I mirror his intensity, and I can see the surprise flicker across his face. Gathering my focus, I unleash another spell, swirling with vibrant energy, and my breath catches in my throat as I watch him lose his balance. He topples off the edge of the platform, landing with a resounding thud that echoes in the tense atmosphere around us.

As the platform descends, I come to a halt beside him, extending my hand toward him as a gesture of support. He reaches for me, his fingers enveloping mine, and I feel an unexpected warmth radiate from his touch that sends a delightful shiver coursing through my body.

“Not bad for a beginner.” He releases my hand and brushes his shirt with it “You give as good as you get.” He says with a chuckle and walks by me to stand by the back of the room—I can’t believe this guy.

“Congratulations on your victory over Sallow, he’s one of the best here.” Saoirse approaches me with a beaming smile “Professor Hecat wants to talk to you it seems, I’ll wait for you outside the classroom.”

I nod at her and walk over to the woman.

“I put you on the spot and you rose to the challenge.” She congratulates “Points to Hufflepuff.”

“Thank you, professor Hecat. I was a bit nervous, but glad to have the opportunity to practice.”

“If what I’ve seen today is any indication, we can expect great things from you. A pity your brother couldn’t join us, for now.”

I give her a curt nod.

“I demand excellence from my students. They are capable of achieving it—and they must achieve it.” She furrows her brows “I’d advise you to keep practising whenever you can. Perhaps Mr. Sallow will have some ideas for you.”

She dismisses the class and I turn to walk to the back of the class, stopping briefly as I catch the so-called ‘Mr. Sallow’ already staring at me with an arched brow. I walk over to him.

“Nice work.” He crosses his arms over his chest.

“I enjoyed that.” I say to him, savouring my victory.

“That duel was quite something.” He chuckles “Everyone’ll be talking about it.”

“It was certainly good practice.”

“Practice?” His brows shoot up “It felt more like I was dueling an expert. Sebastian Sallow, by the way.”

He extends his hand toward me, an invitation for a handshake, a gesture that feels remarkably unfamiliar. Back home, such a display—especially toward a woman—would be unthinkable. I can’t help but chuckle at the contrast, a warm smile spreading across my face as I reach out and clasp his hand.

“Ellise Villin,” I say, extending my hand firmly. I let the warmth of our connection linger for a moment before releasing my grip. “I presume you’re already acquainted with my brother.”

“I am,” he replies, a soft smile breaking across his face. My stomach does a little flip as I take in the way his dimples deepen, perfectly accentuating his freckled cheeks. His warm brown eyes draw me in, sparkling with mischief and kindness—get a grip, Ellise—I remind myself, trying to regain my composure despite the fluttering sensation inside me.

“Didn’t expect a new student to be so deft with a wand” He continues and drops a hand to rest on his hip “Then again, perhaps this wasn’t your first duel.”

“I’ve had my fair share.” I tease as I remember the knights from Rackham’s vault “Consider yourself lucky I held back.”

“You owe me an honest one when you don’t.” He laughs “You know, you might be a perfect fit for a certain exclusive, unsanctioned dueling organization.”

“Not intriguing or suspicious at all.”

“If you want to get the most out of your time at Hogwarts, you’re going to need to break the rules now and then.” He says quietly and chuckles, of course, he’s that type of guy “Whether it’s joining a secret dueling club or sneaking into the Restricted Section of the Library—you just have to be clever enough not to get caught.”

He gives a playful wink, and a flutter of excitement rushes through me, making my stomach feel like it's somersaulting. It’s strange how his demeanor shifts—he didn’t exhibit this ‘friendliness’ when Aiden was nearby.

“Thank you, Sallow. I’ll keep that in mind.” To my dismay, there’s a flustered undertone in my voice.

“Good. Pleasure chatting with you. I’m sure I’ll see you soon.” He smiles “Perhaps somewhere ‘unsanctioned’. We’ll see if your performance today was sheer luck—or actual skill.”

I struggle to suppress the warm blush that rises to my cheeks at the playful double entendre in his words, but my efforts only seem to entertain him further. His eyes spark with mischief, clearly reveling in my flustered reaction, as I attempt to compose myself in the midst of this teasing exchange.

“Meet me near the Clock Tower in a couple of minutes if you’re interested.” And just like that, he walks off and I meet Saoirse outside the classroom.

“Sorry for taking so long.” I tell her.

“No worries.” She smiles “Want to have lunch with me and the girls later?”

“I’d love to.”

As I step into the shadow of the Clock Tower alongside Saoirse, the infamous ‘unsanctioned’ duelling club feels far less clandestine than Sallow had portrayed it. The air buzzes with excitement as I survey the scene: clusters of students gather in animated groups, their voices rising and falling like a chorus. Laughter mingles with the sharpness of competitive banter as they exchange stories of recent matches and engage in lively bidding on one another, eyes gleaming with adrenaline and ambition. The warm glow of lanterns illuminates their eager faces, casting flickering shadows that dance across the cobblestone courtyard, setting the stage for an evening filled with rivalry and camaraderie.

Saoirse quietly excuses herself to talk with a boy with ginger curls and I spot Sallow leaning on a wall, I walk over to him.

“I knew I was right about you, I’m glad you could make it.” He uncrosses his arms and pushes off the wall as he greets me “I’ll take you to Lucan.”

He leads us to a Gryffindor boy whose tight black curls shimmer in the light, framing his freckled, boyish face that suggests he’s likely younger than both of us. As I take him in, I feel his gaze sharpen, narrowing in on me.

“Hey, Sebastian.” He greets and turns towards me “Hello, can I help you…?”

“Hi, Ellise Villin, pleasure to meet you.” He shakes the hand I give to him, a custom I’ve already come to enjoy “Sallow brought me to see you about a club.”

“If Sebastian vouches for you, that’s all I need to know.” He smiles “I coordinate duels for Crossed Wands, a dueling club of sorts. It’s invitation only, so you must’ve really impressed him.”

Sallow clears his throat softly beside me, the sound drawing my attention. I glance over to find him giving me a small, almost shy shrug, his lips curling into a gentle smile that lights up his face for a moment. But just as quickly, he shifts his gaze away, looking off into the distance as if he’s suddenly become absorbed in the scenery. I take a breath and turn my focus back to Brattleby.

“I’m flattered to hear that, he’s not a bad duelist either.” I chuckle.

“I’ve heard it is quite something to see both of you duel.” He comments, word surely travels fast around here.

“How does the club work exactly?”

“You show up on the designed meeting date and time, I match you up with other duelists and whoever is last one standing wins.” He explains giddily “It’s our way of determining the school’s greatest duelists once and for all. And to liven things up, the winner of it all is awarded a prize, interested?”

Given the sizable number of students gathered here, it stands to reason that the experience must be somewhat enjoyable. The allure of additional dueling practice, as Hecat proposed, adds an enticing layer to the opportunity—it's hard to resist the thought of sharpening my skills alongside others who share the same passion.

“Of course.” I made my mind up “Dueling’s an interesting past time.”

“I agree!” He exclaims “Besides, in Crossed Wands, you can duel with a partner if you’d like.”

“Do you already have a match set up for her?” Sallow breaks his silence.

“Of course.” Brattleby nods.

“Since it’s your first time, I figured I could partner with you.” Sallow turns to me “If you’d like, of course. I’m sure you can handle yourself all the same if you decide to go alone.”

I give him a small nod in agreement. Surely, I won against him, but I don’t know how many people I’m up against.

“Sure thing. Brattleby, get us in the ring.” I turn to the younger boy, he smiles and clasps his hands together.

“Spectacular! Feel free to call me Lucan and welcome to Crossed Wands.”

As we stroll down the stone corridor toward the Great Hall, the air buzzing with the chatter of students, Sallow glances at me with a smirk. “I’m glad I wasn’t the target of your wand this time,” he quips, his voice laced with a mixture of admiration and relief. “It’s almost as if I didn't need to lift a finger; you absolutely wiped the floor with them.” His words hang between us, a testament to the thrill of the recent duel that still crackles in the air.

“You flatter me,” I reply, dismissing his compliment with a wave of my hand. My gaze drifts forward to where Saoirse strolls gracefully, her quiet laughter mingling with the soft sound of our footfalls on the floor. Beside her, the curly-haired ginger leans in, his animated gestures drawing her attention as they share a moment filled with lightheartedness.

The sweetness of my victory lingered longer than I had anticipated, growing even more intense following my triumphant debut in the Crossed Wands duel. We faced off against a younger boy from Gryffindor and a spirited Ravenclaw girl from our year, and the thrill of that moment surged through me. To call Sallow and me mere partners would be a disservice; we were a formidable duo, a pair of menaces that chaos seemed to follow. Together, we unleashed our talents, much to the dismay of our opponents.

As we enter the Great Hall, the enchanting atmosphere envelops us, but my focus narrows as I search the Slytherin table for Aiden’s distinctive tuft of white hair. My heart sinks slightly when I realize he’s absent; could he still be in conversation with Professor Weasley? I pause, feeling a mix of concern and curiosity. Beside me, Saoirse halts her steps, glancing back at me and Sallow. The chatter and laughter of fellow students swirl around us, but my thoughts are solely on where Aiden might be.

“You’re eating with us, right?” She asks me and I nod, looking back at Sallow.

“I’ll be sitting at the Slytherin table with Ominis,” he says, gesturing towards the blonde boy who had been chatting with him and my brother. He takes a few steps away, his robes swirling behind him, but then pauses and turns back to me, a faint smile playing on his lips. “I’ll see you around, Villin,” he adds, his voice carrying a hint of promise.

Now I’m sure his quote is directed to me, and I can’t help but smile at him.

“You might just earn that reward if you keep up the good behavior, Sallow,” I say with a playful grin. He lets out a light chuckle, his eyes sparkling with amusement, before turning on his heel and sauntering away.

As I stroll alongside Saoirse and the ginger-haired guy, we make our way to the lively Gryffindor table, a hub of chatter and laughter. The other girls are already deep in conversation, their voices blending together like a vibrant melody. Suddenly, Jasmina catches sight of me from across the table, her face lighting up with a welcoming smile as she lifts her hand in a cheerful wave.

I flash a warm smile at her, and an overwhelming sense of belonging washes over me. For the first time in what feels like an eternity, I realize that I am enveloped by a supportive group of people, their laughter and camaraderie wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. It's as if I'm finally part of something special, a vibrant tapestry of connection and warmth that makes my heart swell with gratitude.

a/n: I love my baddie queen Hecat

next chapter (to be added)

#hogwarts legacy #hogwarts legacy sebastian #sebastian sallow #hogwarts sebastian #hogwarts legacy ominis #seb sallow #ominis gaunt #sebastian sallow x mc #sebastian x mc #hogwarts legacy mc #hogwarts legacy oc #hogwart legacy #hogwarts fanfiction #hogwarts oc #hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry #ellise villin

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gyattoru · 4 months ago

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the apparition - hogwarts legacy fanfic (s.s)

title inspired on the apparition by sleep token

• chapter one - the dire journey

summary: After arduous magic lessons during the summer, it’s finally time for Fig to escort the twins to Hogwarts for the new beginning of term in the school, but a sudden twist of events turn the journey for the worst.

cw: 5,5k words, MENTIONS OF DEATH, hogwarts legacy fanfiction, female MC, sebastian sallow x female!MC, poppy sweeting x male!MC, muggle raised MCs, eventual pining & romance, eventual fluff & angst, minimal lore alterations, dialogue alterations, added events, sebastian sallow x seer!MC, will definitely add more as the chapters go on.

a/n: thank you all for the support on the prologue!! now the fun is really getting started 😉 enjoy!

- xxx lola

prologue | masterlist

ELLISE.

Something was different this time.

It was the roar of an animal, but it was loud, louder than my usual dream, reverberating in my brain. I see a red glow of magic but can’t figure out where it came from.

I know something is wrong, in my gut there is a feeling I can’t figure out, but I’m certain of one thing - this is not a mere dream.

A strong jaw with big, terrifying sets of teeth closes on me.

Aiden’s eyes snapped towards me as I awake with a start, the usual now. I must’ve fallen asleep at some point during the carriage ride, the steady flying of the vehicle rocking me into a light slumber.

I was glad she didn’t accidentally lay my head on our sudden acquaintance’s shoulder, George Osric. The high-ranking Ministry of Magic official surprised us, asking to accompany us on the journey with “urgent matters” to discuss with Fig.

He sat beside me, opposite my brother and the professor, they talked about the newest journal rumour - sources mentioned a goblin, Ranrok, posing as a looming threat to the wizarding world.

“It was your wife, Eleazar, who alerted me to his activities months ago.” George said softly as Fig’s brows wound tight together.

“Miriam? How?” The professor questions.

“She wrote to me about Ranrok before she died - wondering what the Ministry knew of the extent of his activities” George sighed “Before I could respond. I received this. It was the last thing she sent me.”

The official grabbed a cylinder-shaped container from his bag. As Aiden looked out the window, I studied the mysterious object residing in George’s hands. It had a stonish-esque pattern on its exterior and the intricate pattern carved into its front resembled an intricate swirling flame.

“It came to me via her owl.” He continued “But with no correspondence, I can only assume-“

“-That she had to get rid of it quickly to keep it safe.” Fig cut him off, grabbing the artefact to look closely at it.

“Presumably from Ranrok.” George commented “I cannot open it. Whatever magic protects this is powerful indeed.”

“It looks like goblin metal, George.” Eleazar inspected “That symbol-“

“What’s that glow?” I interrupted, piquing my brother’s interest, who also stopped to take a look at the artefact.

“I don’t see a glow.” Fig said, confused.

“Nor do I.” George agreed.

The professor then passed the cylinder onto my hands, I noted it wasn’t as heavy as I thought it would be and the metal felt cold and sturdy.

“I see the glow too.” Aiden commented, “I can hear a sound coming from it.”

Suddenly, a click was heard and the small frontal opening of the artefact was unlatched, revealing an intricate key posing of the same design which was carved onto the cylinder.

“Merlin’s beard! How did you do that?” George asked surprised.

I reach for the key inside the container, just to be stopped by the professor’s word of caution.

“Wait! We do not know what-“

A roar of an animal.

Everything happened quickly, too quickly. Aiden’s head snapped to the side as he saw something approaching from the corner of his eye.

“Leesie, look out!” He pulled me towards him without even thinking twice, just fast enough to avoid me being taken along with George as a dragon gnawed on our half of the carriage, breaking it off and dragging the man away.

One of her my dangled from the new sudden opening made into the carriage as brother held onto me as tight as he could, preventing me from falling like the artefact that fell from my hands towards the clouds that painted the morning sky. We watch with horror as the dragon held the other half of the vehicle in his mouth, suddenly chomping down on it, crumbling all its remains and, consequently, George.

I turn my head over to the front of the carriage and see the coachman urging the now visible thestrals forward as he tries to get us away from the angry winged beast. Aiden saw the dragon open its mouth and a fiery glow burned in the back of its throat as he urged for us.

“Jump!” Fig yelled over the hiss of the wind as he pulled both of us forward, jumping off the carriage as the dragon spit fire towards it.

Falling.

We were falling at rapid speed as Fig swam across the air, trying to reach for the mysterious key which fell out of the cylinder container and me and Aiden hold tight onto each other, the icy wind feeling like blades cutting our faces.

“Give me your hand!” Fig warned Aiden, who tightened his hold on me with one arm and held onto the professor with the other. “Accio!” The key flew towards Eleazar’s hand.

Nausea.

I hit the solid ground with a thud, pain shooting from my side. My brother quickly got up, anxiously scanning their surroundings, it seemed as if we were in some sort of cave.

“Are you both alright?” Fig asked worriedly as he got up as well “You’re hurt Miss Villin.”

“Perhaps a bit.” I wince as brother's worried gaze found mine once again. “I must’ve hurt my leg in the fall.”

“Take this. It's a Wiggenweld potion.” The professor said as he uncorks and hands me a vial with a green liquid in it. “That stuff’ll right you in a second.”

Unfortunately, I sniff the potion before drinking it, the smell reeking of mucus mixed with a berry-ish scent, which only worsened the churning in my stomach from the sudden Apparating trip. Without thinking too much, I downthe contents of the vial in one big gulp, fortunately feeling immediate pain relief.

“What happened?” Aiden asks as he helps me get up from the floor, keeping close by in case I topple and fall over.

“Poor George- I can’t believe he-“ Fig sighs, one of his hands brush through his dishevelled ash hair. “What the hell got into that damned thing?! Attacking a carriage mid-air? A typical dragon would never!”

“Professor?” Aiden questioned “Sir- Where are we?”

“I’m not sure, but that key Ellise discovered was clearly a Portkey.”

“A Portkey?” I ask, confused.

“An item enchanted to bring anyone who touches it to a specific place.” The professor explains.

“I’m feeling better, sir- If you’d like us to look around a bit.” I say, the pain in my leg had immensely subdued and I felt as if I could certainly walk normally now.

“I would, but stay close, both of you.” He urged us forward, towards the opening of the cave “We’ve no idea who created this Portkey- or why.”

Aiden kept close beside me as I follow Fig out of the mysterious cave, which led to a bright open area, it seemed the hole was on the side of an island and miles of sea were all that could be seen besides-

Abandoned ruins. Just like the ones in my dream. I can’t help but question what in the world was going on, why did I dream about these things countless times before?

“How far did that Portkey take us, professor?” I question, shielding my eyes from the rapid wind that blew my hair.

“Farther from London than the carriage travelled.” He asserted “We’re somewhere in the Scottish Highlands.”

“Do you think we were supposed to be sent to those ruins up ahead?” Aiden points, catching Fig’s attention.

“I do.” Fig asserts “This has not been the day any of us expected. But Miriam sent that Portkey to George for a reason, and I believe they died in pursuit of what it was meant to lead to.” He paused, both of us listening intently to his words.

“If you both are sure you’re alright and wouldn’t mind indulging me- I’d like to have a look around.”

Aiden eyed me carefully, he figured it’d be best for me to choose since I was the one hurt in the first place. I meet his eye with understanding and give him a small nod.

“Absolutely, sir.”

“Good!” He didn’t hide his excitement “Let’s see if we can find a path- however faded it may be.”

Along the mountain's edge, I minded my step not to trip in the rigged path. The wind bled through my coat, making me shiver slightly.

“Where do you suppose your wife got the Portkey?” Aiden asks, both of them walked just ahead of me, engaged in conversation.

We soon found out Miriam spent years looking for signs of another form of magic, a rather ancient one which was long forgotten since its prime. This magic could only be wielded by a rare few people, who seemed to have been lost to time. Eleazar presumed his wife’s research led her to the Portkey, which certainly played a big part in it.

The path flowed downwards and upwards, leading us to do some climbing and jumping, which was something none of us imagined would be required today.

We reached a dead end, a wall which looked as if made of ice blocking them from pushing forward. The professor saw it as a learning opportunity- as he saw most things -and told them to use the, in my opinion, overly practised, basic wand cast to break the wall. That task was no hard feat for the us, whom quickly brought down the wall and kept going forward once again.

“We’re close now.” Fig encouraged “It’s just ahead.”

As we reached a fully open area, the wind seemed stronger than before, me and brother having to steady ourselves to not be blown away. The bridge that led to the ruins seemed to be broken, but it was fixed with a quick ‘Reparo’ from Fig himself. Finally, we reached the ruins, each of us going off in one direction to find clues about the creator of the Portkey quickly.

“Lessie! Professor Fig!” Aiden calls from the back of the ruins

As we arrive, I see a weirdly transparent wall, which seemed to have a room behind it, the same glow from the cylinder container emanating from it. We got closer to it.

“An enchanted wall?” Ellise questioned, “But what’s that room behind it?”

“Room? What room?” Fig asks, confused.

We all exchange skeptical looks before reaching out to the wall, as we came in contact with it our surroundings seemed to change, we were now inside the mysterious room.

“What in Merlin’s name?!” Fig exclaimed.

“Where are we?” Aiden asks.

To say I was tired of being suddenly teleported was an understatement, this was enough teletransportation for my whole year already. We seemed to be in some sort of lobby, a snoring figure lying down at some sort of reception desk.

“Hello?” I ask as I carefully approach the desk. The figure doesn’t bulge, Fig clears his throat in an attempt to wake it.

The figure awoke with a startled yell, now we could make out that it was a goblin, given his pointy ears and black sclera eyes, his nose was big and round and his nails were as long as they could be grown out. He blinked, confused, and suddenly his eyes popped out at the sight of the people in front of his desk.

“It can’t be.” He exclaimed, we just looked at him with arched eyebrows “Ah, just a moment.”

The goblin turned around as he mumbled to himself, getting down from the place he sat in to go around the tall desk.

“Welcome to Gringotts Wizarding Bank.” He said with a bow “Vault number twelve, I presume?”

I look around the fancy lobby once more, Gringotts? Why would we be in a bank?

“Precisely.” Fig disguised his confusion quickly.

“The key?” The goblin said as he presented his hand, waiting for the item to be given to him. The professor just looked at him, confused once more.

“Your wife’s Portkey.” Aiden whispers as he nudges the man.

“Yes, of course” Fig took the key out of his pocket, placing it in the goblin’s big hand.

“This way then.”

We follow the goblin towards what looks like a train platform that had wide rails in front of it, the creature whistled a tune and a cart came quickly, stopping with a half right in front of us.

“After you.” The goblin signalled for us to sit down.

Aiden said he would’ve rathered Apparating a million times before having to ride this hellish cart again. As he focused on the path ahead to not throw up his breakfast, I admired the length of the tunnels of the bank, the cart bringing us lower and lower into the ground as the minutes passed, it tossed and turned and I noticed brother was more pale than usual, the water from the waterfall that cleanses enchantments only making his sickness worsen as his clothes were clinging onto him.

The goblin explained how the vault was commissioned shortly after Gringotts was founded, so it resided in the lowest part of the bank, a long ride ahead of them.

After quite some time, the cart stopped to a halt after a goblin security guard on a platform signalled for them to break.

“Vault number?” His voice was deep and dry, I could tell he wasn’t as nice as the goblin that was guiding them.

“Vault twelve!” The nice goblin answered “Momentous day!”

The guard goblin groaned.

“On your way.”

As he signalled the path ahead with his long hand, I noticed he had a band on his arm which had the same red glow of the collar the dragon that attacked us wore, I eyed their professor apprehensively as the cart took off again, to Aiden’s displeasure. I quietly nudge Fig, who questioned me with a soft hum and quietly told him about the glow of the band.

“Like the glow you saw on the Portkey container?” He asked

“No, darker. I saw that glow on the dragon’s collar.” I whisper, worried.

“What was that?” The nice goblin interrupted us, Fig asks about the guard.

The goblin told them that the grumpy guard watched over the eldest section of the bank, but rarely anyone went there anymore. Me and Aiden exchanged an alarmed gaze over the cart.

With a few more tosses and turns, the cart came to a final stop, and Aiden already took it as a prize that he managed to keep the contents of his stomach on the inside. We got up from our seats and followed the goblin towards one single door on the furthest wall in front of the rails.

The goblin grabbed the key from his pocket and inserted it into the keyhole of the heavy metal door, he turned it and the heavy metal locks groaned and they unlocked themselves. The goblin stood aside to let them get through the now-opened passage, and we thanked him as they stepped into a short candle-lit stone hallway.

“What do you suppose we should be looking for?” I ask as I look around our new surroundings.

“I’m not sure.” Fig says as he turns towards the goblin who was now standing in the doorway “Sir, I wonder if you might-”

“The instructions for vault twelve indicate that I am to grant access to the holder of the key - and then close the door.” He says with a smile, signalling with his hand and, in a swift motion, locking us in the room. “Best of luck!”

“Great.” Aiden complains “Professor?”

Fig didn’t hide his surprise, we certainly weren’t expecting to be locked in an unknown vault for God knows how long.

“Revelio might help us here.” The professor rubs his chin “A revealing charm, no time like the present, ready your wands.”

We both raise our second-hand wands and copy Fig as he shows us the movement of the spell. As we cast revelio, a door appears on the other end of the small hallway, it had the same blue glow as the container of the Portkey and we got closer to inspect it.

As the we touched the door, the corridor around us vanished and we found themselves in a vast, dark room.

White flashes of light

That’s all me and Aiden saw for the past 30 minutes, which felt more like hours of my life. We had to battle knights, a safety matter, the boy presumed, and amidst the chaos we lost their professor, having to battle on our own.

Short of breath, we crossed a portal that led to a room full of grandeur with a basin in the middle of it. If the day hadn't already been weird enough, there was a small vial floating above said basin, we approached it and I reached for the weird container and took it. The door at the far end of the room opened and luckily Fig was just behind it, looking confused.

“There you are!” Fig looks around the room “How did you-? What is this place?”

“I don’t know.” I sigh as we approach him “But we found this floating above that basin.” I show him the vial.

Professor Fig takes a closer look at the said basin curiously “That is no mere ‘basin’. That is a Pensieve - for viewing memories.”

I hand the vial to him and he opens it “I wonder-“ He tips the container over the basin, a glowing liquid falling from it swiftly and making the water below it swirl with black.

“Follow my lead.” He puts the upper half of his face in the murky water.

I look over at brother, confused, he just shrugs “I guess we have no choice.” He chuckles and dips his head in as well. I take a deep breath and follow.

As the cold water swirls around my vision, I see the room we are in, but it was like watching it from behind a foggy glass. A man resided in the middle, he looked a little past Fig’s age and swished his wand around as he finished building the room, the same blue glow me and my brother saw earlier enveloped the pillars he conjured. I notice another wizard is on the other end of the room, seemingly helping with the room’s architecture, although he is quite shorter and fuller than the other man.

They approach each other close to the Pensieve “All is in place.” The shorter one says.

“The Portkey is well hidden?” The tall one questions.

“Perhaps too well, I wonder if the path we created-“

“May be impossible to follow?” The tall wizard completes his mate's sentence ”It will only be impossible for one who cannot see traces of ancient magic - as I can.”

“Your ability to see what others cannot will not be enough, Percival.” Percival, that was the tall wizard’s name, I make sure to keep it in mind as the memory unfolds. “We are entrusting the one who embarks on this path with powerful secrets - with knowledge others will do anything to obtain.”

“Yes, and if we are correct, Charles, the person who completes the trials will have proven themselves worthy of the knowledge and the responsibility that accompanies it.” Percival says, final.

“We’ve done all we can.” Charles agrees.

They both gazed at the far wall for a second. Then, Percival places the tip of his wand to his temple as he pulls out the string of glowing magic that was poured onto the Pensieve.

The memory ends and we pull out our heads from the water of the basin. “That’s what you’re seeing?” Fig questions “The glow that surrounded them?”

“Yes Sir.” Aiden answer as he rubs water from his face “That blue glow.”

“Can we see magic?” I ask, puzzled.

“Traces of ancient magic, to be precise. The magic that Miriam had always believed existed but could never-“ The professor trails off “Miriam, and perhaps George, died in pursuit of knowledge that has been dormant for centuries - And you both, it seems, are the key to understanding why. We wou-“

We hear the voice of the nice goblin banker coming from the other side of the door, accompanied by heavy metal footsteps “It all looks rather different than it did a moment ago.” He chuckles awkwardly.

“Someone’s coming.” Fig warns, turning towards the door.

“Who were they?” A deep voice asks.

“I don’t know - but sir, you shouldn’t be in here.” The nice goblin insists.

The door opens, a red glow coming from the other side. Ranrok. He walked in front, a rookie and the grumpy guard beside him, the nice goblin followed frantically after them “I was right.” Ranrok said in a menacing tone.

“Ranrok.” Fig spat at him, anger evident in his voice.

“Seems my reputation precedes me. I was beginning to think no one was ever going to visit Rackham’s vault.”

“And why are you here?” The professor pulls out his wand, and we follow, pointing them at the goblin.

“No need for that.” He puts out his hand urging us to stop “Just give me whatever it is you found here and we can let bygones be bygones.”

We all stare each other down with icy gazes as the nice goblin places a long hand on Ranrok’s shoulder “Sir, they had the key to the vault.”

“Choose your next words wisely.” Ranrok warns as he side-eyes him.

“- I only meant that the instructions for vault twelve were quite clear.” He mutters carefully and fists his hand to his sides “Sir, I must insist. I was to grant access only to one with the key. And you didn’t have-“

With a flash of red, Ranrok levitates the nice goblin banker with an angry grunt. He holds him in the air for a second before descending him towards the ground with full force. The goblin’s spine snaps with an audible ‘crack’, and I let out a trembling breath as brother steps a little bit more in front of me.

“I have no patience for traitors.” The goblin says, his gaze snapping back to us “Now, where were we?”

“I’m not giving you anything.” Fig barks back at him.

Ranrok hums, annoyed. “Well - Perhaps your young friends here will be more helpful.”

The professor’s wand lights up as he sends a spell towards Ranrok, who blocks it effortlessly with his own and overpowers it. He sends us flying to the back of the room, making our backs hit the floor with a painful thud.

The floor under the Pensieve starts to swirl as if it turned into water. A knight emerges from it, it is big, too big, and it charges for Ranrok and his comrades, barely missing him with his sword. Professor Fig gets up with a cough and I help brother get on his feet.

From the corner of my eye I notice a portal to our right and walk over to it, on the other side lay a forest, seemingly peaceful. “I know a way out!” I yell as Fig and Aiden kneel to dodge a swing of the guardian’s sword, who cuts a pillar in half “Professor!” I scream to get their attention.

They run over to the portal as a pillar that was cut in half falls right in our direction, each of us held one of Fig’s shoulders and place our free hands on the portal, the three of us lower our heads and I squeeze my eyes shut as the pillar gets dangerously close to crushing us. A light flashes and the portal does its job.

The professor whoops at our sudden teletransportation and I abruptly open my eyes. I look around, dark trees being all that was around us.

“Are you both alright?” Fig asks.

“Fine, sir.” Aiden answers “Ellise?”

“Me too.”

“I’ve never seen so powerful a goblin.” Eleazar exclaims as he studies our surroundings “He seemed wholly unaffected by my magic.” He turned back to us.

“Where are we?” Aiden asks. a hint of concern in his voice.

Fig looks around once more and chuckles “It can’t be.” He says marvelled “It seems those who set up the Pensieve, the locket - and the path to both - wanted someone with your abilities to end up here.”

We walk towards a lamppost with multiple path indicators on it, Fig stops right under it “Come. We’ve a Sorting Ceremony to get to.”

The walk to Hogwarts grounds was far from short, and the staircase to the entrance hall was so long that my calves hurt after climbing them. We stood in the hall as Fig placed his ear on the heavy wooden doors.

He walked back to us “We haven’t missed the Sorting Ceremony” He pulls his wand out “I’m no expert, but that seems more appropriate.”

With a swish, Fig changes our clothes to plain black Hogwarts uniforms. The cloak is velvety smooth and the button-up fitted me perfectly. “I need to study this locket as soon as I can, but first I’ll contact the Ministry” He explains “They need to know about Ranrok, and what happened to George. For the moment I ask that you both keep what’s happened only between us.”

The professor walks back to the door and opens it slowly, loud chattering and laughter burst through the small opening and Fig peeks into the room, quickly turning back to us once more.

“Phineas Nigellus Black” He sighs with disdain “Prepare yourselves to meet the Headmaster.”

As if his entrance was timed, a man walks through the doors. He was tall and dressed with splendour, but, in my opinion, he looked much like a cranky goat. I had to hold back a snicker. Aiden noticed and grasped my thought immediately, covering his mouth with his fist to muffle a chuckle.

“Fig - Nice of you to join us.” The Headmaster reprimands “The Sorting Ceremony’s over.”

“There were - complications.” The professor tried to reason “It seems that the goblin problem-“

Nigellus groaned “Enough. Goblins?” He asks amused “I’ve no time for rumours, Fig. And I’m rapidly losing whatever patience I had left.” He turns towards me and my brother “If you’re lucky, we might still get you sorted this evening. Come.”

We both quickly follow the Headmaster, waving Fig a small goodbye with our hands. As we got through the grand doorway, I notice heads turning towards us; not knowing if it was curiosity over our tardiness or late sorting age.

“Professor Weasley, we’ve two more to get sorted” Nigellus exclaims dryly as we reach the front of the room, where a single stool was, ready for whoever to sit on “Go on.’

Aiden notices my apprehension “I can go.”, he reassures. He sat on the stool as the feast hall slowly got quieter, everyone now watching curiously. A woman, seemingly Professor Weasley, placed a hat on his head and as much as I tried to listen in, their mouths moved but no audible sound came out, was the conversation with the hat a private one?

The hat closed its cloth mouth looking deep in thought “You belong in - Slytherin!” The hat yelled through the hall, the Slytherin table bursting into loud cheers and whistles. Aiden got up and Professor Weasley changed his robe accents to his house’s, he walked towards me.

“Good luck, Leesie.” He gave me a reassuring smile and I watched as he walked over to stand beside the woman who was waiting for me to sit down to place the hat on my head.

The hall got quiet again as I sat down on the stool, I look around and-

Brown eyes

The same pair from my dream, I caught a glimpse of them and my heart leapt in her chest for some odd reason. I try to find the gaze again but can’t seem to, my thoughts being interrupted by the weight of the hat being placed on my head.

“Ah, another one of you.” I hear the hat say “Twins I presume?”

“Yes, I’m the oldest.”

“You both are a bit older than the others, aren’t you?” The hat comments, “You come here with preferences and preconceptions - certain expectations.”

“I’m looking forward to exploring Hogwarts and the world beyond the castle and grounds” I chirp at the hat.

“Indeed. Much can be gleaned by having an adventurous spirit. But your professors certainly have a great deal to teach you as well.” The hat stops to think for a bit “You do not give up easily, do you? You are undaunted to challenges that lie ahead, and your loyalty to a friend and your brother delayed your arrival here this evening. I’ve made my mind about you, child.” I fidget with my hands and count down the seconds until the hat announces my house.

“Better be - Hufflepuff!” The hat’s voice echoes down the packed hall, the Hufflepuff table cheering as the woman takes the hat off my head and changes my robe accents to a yolky yellow colour. Dread fills my gut as I realize I was placed in a different house from Aiden. That made me a bit anxious at the least, I hoped I could befriend anyone soon, but I had no clue how different witch children were from muggle-borns, not like I had muggle friends anyway.

“Anyway, I’m sure you all have plenty to do before classes begin tomorrow,” Nigellus speaks out, the students just stared at him, which seemed to annoy the man “I said - I’m sure you all have plenty to do before classes begin tomorrow!”

Students roll their eyes and groan as all of them get up and exit the hall one by one, I figured I wouldn’t be able to talk to anyone from my house tonight, which bothered me even more.

The woman turned towards me and Aiden “Quite an entrance! It’s lovely to meet you, I’m-”

“Professor Weasley,” The Headmaster interrupts “- Would you be so kind as to show our new students their common rooms?”

“I shall see to it, sir.” she nods and turns back to us “As I was saying - I’m Matilda Weasley, a pleasure to meet you.”

Aiden shakes her hand “I’m Aiden Villin, this is my sister Ellise. A pleasure to meet you as well professor.” I also shake her hand and give her a soft smile, which, to my relief, she returns.

“As Deputy Headmistress, it is my distinct honour to show you both to your common rooms. Right this way.”

Finally, me and Matilda get to my common room, we made sure to drop off brother first in the Slytherin common room, the snake door leaving the my mouth agape.

The Hufflepuff common room entrance was less extraordinary, consisting of what seemed like a wine cellar full of huge barrels “Now, here we are at the entrance to the Hufflepuff common room.” Matilda gestures to a couple of stacked barrels on the far end of the cellar.

“This is the entrance?” I ask, puzzled.

“Indeed! I will explain what to do, but I hesitate to do it myself as one errant knock leads to being doused in vinegar. Most unpleasant.” She lets out a low chuckle “You must tap the barrel, two from the bottom, middle of the second row, in the rhythm of Hel-ga Huff-le-puff”

I approach the barrels, the last thing I need this evening is to be doused in vinegar, having to wash myself and my new uniform. I tap the barrel in the rhythm, thankfully in the correct way, and the biggest barrel in the cellar reveals a tunnel, I can’t hide my relieved smile, beaming with a little bit of pride.

“Well done! Now you go in and get some sleep, you have a big day ahead of you tomorrow.” The professor says and I climb into the barrel entrance “In the morning, please make sure to find your brother in his common room if you can, I’ll meet you both there to collect you for your first class.”

“Thank you, Professor Weasley.” I say, feeling grateful that not all faculty is like the goaty Headmaster.

“You’re welcome. I hope you enjoy your first night at Hogwarts. Sleep well.”

As I reached the room of the fifth years, I notice everyone is already asleep, so I’m careful to be as quiet as possible. Waking sleeping colleagues had to be an awful first impression. To my surprise, my tawny owl, Harriet, made it from the dragon attack. I change into the pair of pyjamas that were neatly folded on a bed, seemingly mine, and scratched the owl’s chin, muttering a low “Good girl.”

When I let myself fall on the bed, I feel the heavy exhaustion on my sore muscles, I can’t help but hope tomorrow will be more peaceful, and I can’t help but feel giddy to start classes and meet all sorts of people, people like me.

That night, for the first time in ages, my dreams don’t haunt me.

a/n: Finally I finished this!! I have so much planned for the next chapters, if you read this far, I hope you enjoyed my writing and the next chapter will come soon!

ps. I hope you guys noticed I didn't cancel Quidditch 😉

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