The Conquest of the Ember Heart | F! OC x S.S. x O.G. x G.W.

Firemarks on Letters

Natty had been talking for what felt like half an hour about how excited she was that an Auror recruitment expert would be coming to school next week.

But I was aware that I had given up the dream of being an Auror the second I fell head over heels in love with Sebastian and walked the path to hell with him.

„...I want to make my dad proud, you know.." Natty didn't seem to notice that my mind was elsewhere. I walked with her to Hogsmeade where we would meet Poppy, Leander, Garreth, Sebastian, Ominis and Imelda.

But on our way there, disturbing images haunted me. In the Divination class we had read fire omens. At least most of the students tried to figure the omens out.

But the flames had ignited on my table and showed me pictures. Pictures I was sure I would never forget.

I saw snippets, brief images that lit up in the bright red and orange flames and were clearly visible.

The first picture showed a raven in a snowy landscape, carrying a brown letter with gold trim's. Then a bouquet of asphodels, decorated with drops of blood, lay in a meadow next to a fox that looked poisoned.

And then the flames became dark red and almost black, the room became smoky and stuffy. Professor Onai had wanted to rebuke me from across the room to stop playing with the fire.

I only heard the words she uttered muffled. The flames flickered wildly and uncontrollably. An image of a black tower rising out of cold, stormy waters came before me, showed dark figures with long black cloaks flying around the tower.

Overall, the whole lesson had left me feeling quite unsettled and a constant sense of fear and loss.

„Hey where have you been for so long?" Poppy greeted us and hugged us in front of the tree broomsticks.

„Professor Hecat still had something to discuss with Vera." Natty explained and looked at me with a mock accusatory look. Oh yes. There was the talk because of the time turner and whether I definitely refused to become an auror or not.

„We're here now and looking forward to the evening" I said smiling and looked at everyone who was already there. Almost complete. Only Garreth and Leander were missing.

At first, all I saw was a glowing red wand, but quickly recognized the stunning face of Ominis behind it, trying to weave his way to me.

„Little raven, nice to know you made it here safely." he smiled and stored his wand back in his jacket pocket just so he could take my hands in his.

„Hello Ominis, I'm glad that you are here too." I stated, while our friends stood beside us, listening to every word. It must have gotten around that me and Ominis had danced together since even Natty and Poppy were watching intently.

„Isn't it great? And I didn't even have to convince him very much." I heard Sebastian's deep voice and turned sideways to face him. Like the others, he was wrapped in a warm sweater, long coat, and scarf in the colors of his house.

„Sebastian!" I smiled happily.

The green made his fawn eyes light up, but they looked tired and drained. But his features made an effort to look content and happy. He too seemed just as happy to see me as I was to see them both.

I had used the last few days to gain some distance from both to clear my head. And a few points had become clear to me. They both liked me and I liked them back.