Up and Down

Blues and Greens

"Eminence."

The giant metal snake hisses and reveals the passage into the Slytherin Common Room. Sebastian pulls her in with a wide grin, even though Anna is apprehensive.

Too many people know she is a Ravenclaw, after all... She might have shed and hidden her blue-trimmed robes and bronze-and-cerulean tie, but she can't really deny she doesn't quite belong here.

The Common Room is full of jubilation. Shouting, yelling, and clinking of glasses fill the air. As Sebastian enters, he instantly becomes a focal point, with so many running up to him to shake his hand, slap him on the shoulder or offer congratulations in some other way.

His hand slips out of hers as he is carried forward by the tide of his housemates. Anna smiles, though her expression is more of a pained grimace. Beside her, Ominis frowns as well.

Despite it all, she can't help but gawk at the space before her, seeing the ceilings of rough-hewn stone and immense windows into the lake.

"Not sure what I expected, but it sure as hell wasn't this..."

"What is Ravenclaw Common Room like, then?..."

She thinks for a moment about what he might consider interesting about the Common Room.

"It's airy. Warm sunlight pouring through all the arched windows. Lots of comfy nooks and crannies to sit down with a book, an open hearth in the middle of one of the rooms. A spiral staircase leading to the roof... it's a beautiful place with a gorgeous view, but I don't think you'd be interested in that."

"Hmm..."

"Anna?" They both turn to the voice. Anne is standing there, a nervous smile on her lips reflecting Anna's own apprehension.

"Oh, hey Anne..." she shifts her weight from one foot to another awkwardly, "hope you don't mind..."

"Oh, of course not!" the girl comes to stand beside her, observing her twin in the middle of the excited crowd, "well, brother dearest seems to enjoy himself, huh..."

"Yeah..."

"I was certain you'd be the Champion, Anna."

"So did everyone else..." she grumbles, "never mind what I wanted..."

"So you didn't want to be the Champion? But I saw you putting your name in..."

Anna smiles and shakes her head.

"It doesn't matter. Sebastian has been chosen. Now we have to help him stay alive."

"Yes..." Anne's expression also darkens, "we have to."

Anne breaks off from them to offer congratulations to her brother, leaving Anna and Ominis still standing by the fountain at the foot of the stairs.

"... Anna," Ominis' hand brushes hers, "that Beauxbatons..."

"Alexandre, yes. He did not seem the least bit pleased to see Sebastian also being chosen..." she worries her lip, "Ominis, we don't know what the trial might entail but... but maybe he does."

"Wait. Are you suggesting..." He understands her instantly.

"I'm not suggesting anything yet... but. I can try to get closer to him."

Ominis chuckles, shaking his head.

"Sebastian is going to go insane."

"I'd rather he be mad than dead, Ominis. I promised Alexandre to show him unicorns in the Forbidden Forest. It would be a perfect opportunity to see if he takes the bait."