Hogwarts Legacy: The Price of Power

A New Kind of Normal

Once Dracaena had shown Sebastian the other vivariums and introduced him to her Thestrals, Fwoopers, Diricawls, Hippogriffs, Nifflers and more, fending off his awed questions with minor success and finally admitting she used to raid poacher camps with her nabsack (which only set him off on another round of questions), they settled back on the sofa in the central room, just as Deek appeared, with a soft crack.

"Ah, Miss Dracaena! What a joy to see you again!" the little house elf hurried forwards, a smile on his face, his overlarge ears flapping. "And you have brought another friend with you!"

"This is Sebastian," Dracaena said. "Sebastian Sallow."

Deek's smile flickered for the tiniest moment, but he bowed graciously. "Deek thinks it's wonderful for Miss Dracaena to bring her friends to the Room of Requirement, and it's lovely to meet Mr Sallow. Can Deek get you anything to help you study?"

"I'd love a cup of tea, please," Dracaena smiled. Deek nodded, and disapparated with another soft crack. He returned less than a minute later, laying a silver tray upon the table, laden with a heavy teapot, three cups, and a wide selection of biscuits and cakes.

"Thank you, Deek, this looks amazing!" Dracaena said.

Deek smiled widely. "Deek added a third cup, as Deek presumes Mr Gaunt will be joining you soon?"

"I expect he will," Dracaena smiled as Sebastian reached for a cup. "Thanks again, Deek. Did you have a good summer?"

"Deek's summer was much the same as always, keeping the castle clean and in a good state, and caring for your beasts whilst you were at home," the house elf smiled, his hands behind his back. "It's always nice to see the students return. A busy, full castle is much nicer than a cold and empty one."

"Agreed," Sebastian said, helping himself to a cupcake. "Have you been here long?"

"Oh, Deek has been here for some years now," he replied. "Deek must get about Deek's business, but if you need anything, anything at all, just call!" and he disapparated again.

"Your own secret room, and your own house elf?" Sebastian shook his head. "What next? Are you going to tell me you can fly without the use of a broom?"

"Oh, I hope not," Dracaena giggled, tucking her feet under her on the sofa. "Can you imagine Imelda's face! And Deek isn't my house elf, he works for Hogwarts."

Sebastian laughed, and pulled out his Charms book, followed by a quill and ink. He tapped his quill on the parchment a moment, his smile fading as a vacant look rose over his face, his eyes turning hollow and unseeing.

"Aguamenti," Dracaena said, holding her own parchment. "Twelve inches."

Sebastian nodded absently. Dracaena frowned, and touched his arm.

"Are you alright?"

"Hm? Yeah. I'm fine. Thanks for asking." He smiled a little, but it didn't meet his eyes.

"Bassy, I know when you're hiding something," she pressed. "Tell me what it is, maybe I can help. Is it... Azkaban?"

Sebastian shuddered.

"I'd rather forget about that place," he said, darkly. "But no... I'm thinking about you, actually. More specifically, about what you can do." He turned to her, his dark eyes boring into hers. "Before I... well. Remember when we found the pieces of the triptych? And we saw Isidora's memory?"

"Yes..." she said, cautiously. "Bassy..."

"Look, I didn't want to ask you. Okay, I did, but... I didn't want you to think I was just using you. You've already done so much for me." He sighed, staring down at the parchment in his hands. "But... Anne's in St Mungo's. Ominis said her condition's worse, and it was frankly awful before. In Isidora's memory, we saw she could take away pain."