Hogwarts Legacy: The Price of Power

Desperate Times

On Christmas Eve, a scandalous rumour rocked Dracaena's hometown, and Gran wasted no time regaling them all with salacious gossip over dinner that evening.

"Oh, it's shocking," she said, her clever, grey eyes gleaming behind her oversized rainbow spectacles. "Mrs Eldam's youngest seems to have decided she doesn't want to play the waiting game anymore! Mrs Eldam was trying to set her up with Mr Valentine, you know, but it seems she's taken matters into her own hands!" She giggled as Dracaena, Ominis and Sebastian tried to look innocently intrigued.

"What happened, Nana?" Ominis asked.

She giggled again. "Oh, to be young again, to have such confidence! It seems she somehow found her way into Mr Valentine's house and waited for him, lying on his sofa..." she chuckled, pouring another gin for herself. "Completely naked."

"Oh my goodness," Ominis said, tilting his head towards Dracaena. "I do hope she was alright."

"Oh, she was fine," Gran said, tittering as Sebastian snickered. "Mr Valentine was a perfect gentleman, by all accounts. Still, if there's any way to make your interest known, that's it!"

"Here's hoping it all works out," Dracaena said, breathing a deep sigh of relief. Across from her, Sebastian and Ominis seemed to relax as well, and the conversation took a jovial turn, all four of them poking light fun and teasing each other until Gran shepherded them up to bed.

Upstairs, Sebastian sank down onto his bed, his head hanging as he placed his palms together, his elbows on his knees.

"What's up?" Dracaena asked, pulling on her pyjamas.

"Just thinking about Anne," he said. "She's going to be on her own for Christmas. I wish she'd let me see her."

Ominis sat beside him.

"If it's any consolation, I've already written to her," he said. "I sent her a scarf and some of her favourite sweets. I said they were from all of us." He sighed, softly. "I'm sure, considering the time of year, that she'd accept a letter from you."

"Really?" Sebastian looked up, hope in his eyes. "You're sure? I don't want to upset her."

"I'm sure," Ominis said, with a small smile. "If you're quick, you can get it to her for the morning."

Sebastian bolted up, rummaging in his suitcase for parchment and quill. While his back was turned, Ominis rose, passing by Dracaena and trailing his hand delicately over her cheek, his expression one of longing. It was extremely difficult to remain still and quiet as her eyes lingered on his profile and he headed for his own bed.

As Dracaena and Ominis settled down, Sebastian frowned over his parchment, chewing his lip, the quill hovering. Dracaena watched as he lowered and raised the quill, never quite managing to write something. After an age, he sighed, scratched something brief, then folded the note and went to the window, raising his wand, the note in the same hand. After a few minutes, an owl arrived to carry it away. Wordlessly, Sebastian returned to his bed and curled up under the covers, a small, sad smile on his face.

.-~*~-.

Christmas morning dawned bright, and Dracaena woke first, smiling as she saw that Gran had placed a small stocking at the foot of each of their beds, filled with little oddments. She grinned over at her friends, her gaze softening as she saw Sebastian huddled under the covers, holding Bear-Bear tight to his chest as he slept.

She sat up, took a pillow in each hand, and hurled them across the room. Her aim was true, and both men woke with startled yelps.

"Merry Christmas!" she laughed, jumping to her feet and grabbing her stocking. She tugged a befuddled Ominis out of bed and over to Sebastian, settling down on the covers. Sebastian groaned and tried to pull the quilt over his head, Ominis blushing as he tried to find his balance and accidentally put his hand on her thigh.