THE KEEPERS: A Hogwarts Legacy Story

Chapter 2

Sunan had missed this feeling.

He tightened his grip on the broom and leaned forward. The broom listened and accelerated through the air. He closed his eyes and smiled, feeling the cool wind whip against his face. After breathing the hot humid air in Siam all summer, the crisp air in the high altitude of the Scottish Highlands felt a welcome change.

But he couldn't get carried away - not today. He looked down to gauge his whereabouts. The familiar view of a high mountain and the Rookwood Castle ground spanned beneath his feet.

Perfect timing. He tilted his broomstick downward and descended until his feet hovered right above the ground. He swiftly pulled the broom and dismounted with a light hop.

It was a nice, leisurely day in Feldcroft. Sunan made his way across the town circle, taking in the view. Townspeople were tending their crops and enjoying afternoon tea in their gardens. Children were running around and play-flying with brooms between their legs.

It was hard to believe, for all its storybook charm, how much violence and loss the hamlet had endured for years from Ranrok's Loyalists and their incessant invasions.

Sunan reached the doorway to the Sallow home. He rested his broom on the fences and ran his hands over his windswept hair and the creases on his trousers. He felt nervous.

He had sent owls to both Sebastian and Ominis over the summer, but only the latter had responded. Sebastian would be glad to see you, Ominis had said in his letter. Sunan wasn't so sure. Given how he had left things with Sebastian last term, he knew to brace himself against his cold shoulders.

Sunan hadn't had a choice. He'd seen what Sebastian had not in the memories shared by other Keepers. Isidora's father staring blankly at the wall, deprived of all emotions, after the pain-extraction spell. Isidora using the spell on many more, pulling out the strands of emotions and storing them in goblin-silver jars. The self-content smile on her face, breathing in the strands of human emotions, relishing the new stroke of power absorbed to her magic.

The Keepers' message through the memories had rung clear: to never use ancient magic on such a spell. Yet, Sunan felt a pang of guilt when he recalled the look of utter despair on Sebastian's face.

He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. A moment later, the door opened and a familiar face emerged.

Sunan grinned. "Wotcher, Ominis."

"Sunan. Glad you came." Ominis half-smiled. "Come on in."

The Sallow home was a humble cottage - small enough for curtains to replace walls and divide the space into private nooks for beds and bath. In the center of the cottage was a round table and spindle chairs that served as both the parlor and the dining area, backdropped by an array of cupboards, countertops, and a large, soot-covered fireplace.

Sunan's heart sank when he found Sebastian sitting at the table. He seemed thinner and more listless than Sunan remembered. His face seemed scruffy and pallid, with dark circles under his eyes. His hair was disheveled and his shirt wrinkled like he'd just left the bed.

Sebastian scoffed. "What? You look like you've seen a Dementor."

Sunan swallowed a lump in his throat. "Sallow. It's been a while."

"Sure." Sebastian leaned back in his chair. "I'm surprised you bothered to come all the way here, given school starts right next week."

"Sebastian," reproached Ominis, to which Sebastian simply shrugged. Ominis sighed and turned to Sunan. "Tea?"

Sunan forced a smile. "Sure. Thanks."

Ominis and Sunan settled themselves at the table. Silence stretched as the enchanted teapot filled their cups. Sunan took a sip of the tea, his eyes flicking between the hosts.