Rekindled Bonds

Chapter 1

Ash sat at her office desk in the DADA tower, staring at a piece of parchment as ink from her quill pooled onto the paper. While trying to write a letter to Ominis, her mind started racing with memories of their days at Hogwarts.

Talking to him was so easy then. Why can't I start this damn letter? Does he even want to come back to Hogwarts after everything that happened? It's not like we left things badly but...

Her thoughts trailed off as the pool of ink began to dry. She sighed as she placed her quill back into the bottle of ink on her desk. She rubbed her hands across her face in defeat before crumpling up the ruined parchment and tossing it into the bin at her feet. There were half-written letters and blank pieces of parchment spilling out of it and onto the floor of her office. She tucked one of her dark brown curls behind her ear. With another sigh, she placed a new piece of parchment on the desk and grabbed her quill to write.

Ominis,

I hope this letter finds you well. It has been quite some time since we last spoke, and I find myself reminiscing about our days at Hogwarts more often than I'd like to admit. Hogwarts has changed since we were students, and I find myself wondering if you would even want to come back after all that's happened. But despite the uncertainties, I can't help but miss the old times.

Her quill stalled again before she continued to write.

I hope your career at the Ministry is going well. Life as a professor at Hogwarts certainly keeps me on my toes. I have a better understanding now as to why Professor Sharp was always so grumpy. I'd love to hear about your own adventures at the Ministry, and if you ever find yourself with some free time, perhaps we could meet up sometime this summer and catch up properly. I'd love to reminisce over a Butterbeer or two. Until then, take care, Ominis. And know that you're always welcome back at Hogwarts, whether it's for a visit or something more.

Warm regards,

Ash Dubois

Taking a deep breath, Ash laid down her quill and sat back in her chair. Her back ached from the embarrassing amount of time she spent hunched over her desk attempting to write her sub-par letter. She sat up and stretched a bit before carefully folding up the letter to deliver by owl. Although Ominis would just use his wand to transcribe the letter, she still felt a pang of shame regarding her poor penmanship. As she watched her owl fly off to deliver the letter, her stomach churned with anxiety. She was sure she wouldn't be able to sleep until she received a reply, yet she still gathered her things and made her way to her room in the Faculty Tower.

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As expected, Ash got a pitiful amount of sleep. She sat in her office and anxiously picked at the skin around her fingernails as she stared out the open window. She wasn't sure if she wanted his reply to state that he could or couldn't visit. Maybe she had written the letter too hastily following a bout of nostalgia. What would she even talk to him about? She doubted that their interactions would be as effortless as they were during school. She was lost in worried thoughts as an owl returned with a letter. She tried to calm her shaking hands as she grabbed and opened the letter. Ominis will be coming to Hogwarts– tonight.

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Ash paced anxiously next to the Floo Flame by the entrance to Hogwarts. The sun was about to set, he should be here soon. Her stomach twisted into knots as she tried to rehearse what she would say to Ominis when he arrived. She rested her forehead against the wall and closed her eyes. Her mind was swimming with ideas of what to say upon his arrival, although none of the ideas were good. She was gently tapping her forehead against the wall when she noticed a flash of green through her closed eyelids. Her eyes shot open and she slowly turned around. It had been nearly four years, yet there he was.