Sound of Love

1: An Impromptu Lesson

After what seemed like a lifetime, Professor Binns' class finally concluded, and classes were over for the day. You started to pack your books and papers away when you let out an exhausted sigh.

"What's wrong Y/N?" a Hufflepuff girl asked. It was Poppy Sweeting, a good friend you had made during your previous year of Hogwarts.

"It's nothing, really. I'm just tired. And bored." you replied. You were telling the truth. It was your second year at Hogwarts, your first being much more eventful. With no Ranrok loyalists or Poacher camps to fight, you could only really focus on your studies (which were not nearly as interesting).

"I hear that." Poppy said, nodding in understanding. "Well, I would have asked if you would like to go and spend some time in Hogsmeade with me, but I'm afraid I have some Herbology homework that I've got to do.." she looked down, as if ashamed to not be able to help her friend, in typical Hufflepuff fashion.

"It's fine, Poppy," you reassured her with a hand on her shoulder. "I'll just go relax somewhere. Good luck with your homework!" You and Poppy exchanged goodbyes, and with that you were off to find a good place to doze off.

Unfortunately, since classes were done for the day, all the corridors were pretty populated, so you couldn't seem to find a place to space out. Suddenly, you remembered the Undercroft – a secret room that your friend Sebastian Sallow had shown you last year. It had been the Gaunt family secret. Ominis Gaunt wasn't at all pleased that Sebastian showed you the Undercroft, but after the two of you became friends, he didn't seem to mind it anymore. No one knew about it except the three of you, making it the perfect spot for your current need.

You walked down the shiny, polished corridors of the Defense Against the Dark Arts Tower and made your way towards the Undercroft entrance. Upon reaching it, you checked over your shoulder to see if anyone was looking, entering when the coast was clear.

As you came in you smelled the familiar scent of the room. Namely, ash. The whole room reeked of ash and cinder from Sebastian casting Confringo in here whenever he was bored, restless, or upset. He was restless and upset quite a lot last year because of everything going on with his sister Anne. You felt a little sad just thinking about it. After he used an Unforgivable curse on his uncle, all his research, hard work, and suffering was for nothing, as his sister Anne refused to speak to him anymore. His relationship with Ominis was severely damaged as well. Even you were hesitant to speak to Sebastian after that, but you couldn't find it in yourself to cut him off. He was special to you. He seemed to connect with you in a way that no one else could. Recently, the three of you were slowly beginning to become more comfortable around each other again.

You shook your head, clearing your mind of the past, and went to find someplace to sit. Except... There was no place to sit. Every time you put your hands down below you to have a seat, you would pull them back to discover they were coated in a thin layer of black soot. It's not like there was a couch in here, either. You huffed in annoyance when you were suddenly hit with the greatest idea.

During the last year, Professor Weasley had introduced you to the Room of Requirement. It was a private room that you had all to yourself. You spent hours conjuring all sorts of furniture and items, decorating the room thoroughly. It was very fun for you, and you had a knack for it. You had quickly gotten very skilled in conjuring.

Looking at the room around you, it was not at all like your Room of Requirement. It was a dirty, drab room covered in dust, soot and old boxes. In all honesty, it was depressing – just like the events of last year. But you wouldn't let this year be the same.. Washing away all this dirt would symbolize a new start, and wash away thoughts of the dark past.