Unspeakable

Chapter 39: Hewn

You'll notice this year is going at a lot slower pace than in the last book. There's a reason for that. We're finally getting up to Christmas break.

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Diane sat with Poppy in the common room, snacking on some caramels as they studied. Her thick herbology textbook smelled of dirt and moss, while Poppy was studying mating habits of exotic magical creatures.

"So, how have you guys been doing? We haven't had much time together so far this year." Poppy smiled.

"It's been wonderful." Diane said happily. "We don't have much time with all of us during the day, but we have dinners together each night, and we can spend weekends in Feldcroft. I really look forward to the weekends." She sighed wistfully.

"I bet you do." Poppy giggled in amusement, making Diane blush softly.

"Sebastian even made a truce with Garreth! Can you believe that? I thought for sure it would take longer but he seemed very keen on making peace with him."

"I know, I was surprised too!" Poppy said, "those two have been bickering since 1st year, it's kind of strange to see them getting along."

"I think they did it mostly for Anne's sake." Diane smiled. She was proud of Sebastian, that had been a big step for him.

"Still, it's very impressive for either of them to set their pride aside like they did." Poppy wondered if maybe there was something else they had agreed on in order for that to happen, but there was really no way of knowing.

"Do you have anyone interested in you?" Diane smiled coyly as she leaned toward Poppy.

"Oh no, I'm usually too busy with creatures to pay much time with that anyway." Poppy shrugged. "Plus a lot of guys are intimidated by me"

"How ridiculous." Diane scoffed. "I don't understand why anyone would be intimidated, you're so nice!"

"Oh, but I did get a chance to update my address book! I found a place just outside Hogsmeade, so I'll be living there from now on. I even get to move in before Christmas break." She smiled happily.

"Oh that's amazing news!" Diane smiled. "Hogsmeade isn't too far from Feldcroft, we'll be able to hang out sometimes, too!"

"Only if the guys are alright with it, Diane. I don't want to interrupt things." Poppy insisted, hitting the breaks on how enthusiastic Diane always was.

"I'm sure they'll be fine with it." Diane chuckled. "Besides, you can help me find rare herbs and I can help you with growing plants for your creatures. It'll be great!" She smiled happily.

Poppy watched her for a moment, realizing something. "Diane... is something going on? You're being very cheerful today." She asked softly.

Diane seemed to break through her mask for a moment, her pale green eyes going wide before she smiled again. "No, it's nothing. I'm just being paranoid is all."

"Paranoid about what?" Poppy insisted. Something was definitely up.

Her smile seemed to falter. "Oh... I just... have a bad feeling about something." She said softly. "Which is stupid, there's nothing to be worried about. Everything is going so well." She sighed in frustration.

"Hmm." Poppy tilted her head curiously. Diane had fairly good instincts when it came to this kind of thing. "Sebastian hasn't been up to anything lately, has he?"

"No, not at all." She shook her head. He had said something about a trial though... maybe that was what she was nervous about. They didn't even know what it was, though! Or when!