A Legacy of Pain: Rising from the Ashes

Chapter 11: The Secrets We Keep

Last Time: Elizabeth dreamed of the Ravenclaw Common Room before following after someone and entering her mental library. There she conversed with the other her about Callista and Anne. Ultimately the two decided to deal with Callista if a threat arose and to take Anne to a place where her abilities could be tested. That morning Elizabeth went over her schedule, discovering that she would have a double block of classes with Callista on Thursday before spending breakfast with her friends and making plans with Anne. Later that day her and Anne traveled alone to the Athenaeum beneath the restricted section. There Anne attempted to open the gateway only for the process to go wrong and drain Anne, who revealed that big spells had been making her faint for some time. Angry, Elizabeth admonished the other witch before agreeing to take her to the Undercroft to rest. There they came upon Poppy and Ominis discussing having hidden something from Elizabeth as they stood before the pensieve.

***Trigger Warnings*** Emotional distress,

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Poppy

Poppy watched as Lizzy and Anne walked off to experiment with whatever was happening to the Sallow twin. She didn't know exactly what the two were going to be doing, yet with what the ravenclaw had told her of Anne's condition it was likely ancient magic related. She just hoped that whatever it was; it wasn't too dangerous and that Lizzy would tell her about it afterwards. At that thought though, she felt the guilt that had been building within her for over a month flare. Her girlfriend had been making a very noticeable effort to be more open and truthful about everything over the summer and the fact that the hufflepuff herself had been moving in the opposite direction... It made her doubt if she was really doing the right thing.

After the other two witches disappeared at the top of the stairs leading from the greenhouses, Ominis spoke up from his position at her side. "Would you care for some help with the Kneazles? I must admit working to establish the reserve has fostered a certain fondness for magical creatures in me." The blind slytherin offered with a smirk before wrinkling his nose. "Can't say I care much for the smell, but it makes telling them apart even easier." He shrugged.

Poppy lightly chewed at her lower lip while listening to her friend. The two of them had grown much closer over the summer, deepening the bond which had begun when they took care of Lizzy last spring. "I'm glad you are finally starting to see the appeal of beasts. They have so much to offer to the world than most give them credit for. Especially those who see them only as potion ingredients." She didn't bother to force a smile despite her inner turmoil since she knew her friend wouldn't be able to see it. "Are you still planning to become a healer once we finish school, or have I convinced you to join me in magizoology?" The brunette asked in an effort to distract herself.

Ominis frowned beside her as they stood beneath the large tree near the stairs. His sightless eyes looked straight at her as if he were searching for something in her expression despite obviously being unable to do so. "I'll admit, it has crossed my mind. My ... familial abilities-" He began in a tone that displayed his contempt for his family. "Have always been a part of myself which has brought me suffering as they have little use beyond the dark I wish to avoid." A small smile crept upon the pale blonde's lips. "However, finding a way to use them that can do some actual good in the world like I have this summer... It helps me believe that perhaps there is some hope for someone like myself, even with my lineage."

The heartfelt admission startled Poppy as she listened to Ominis. It was rare that he would speak of his family like this or his thoughts on his connection to them. "Well it has been very helpful having you around. If you hadn't been there then we wouldn't have been able to secure the horned serpents and help to revive the species in Europe. Who would have thought the inner sanctum of their sanctuary would only be able to be opened by a Parselmouth." She had leaned in to whisper the last part since she knew the blonde didn't wish for knowledge of his ability to become widespread.