🥀 Roses and Novels | Hogwarts Legacy Fanfic | Sebastian, Ominis and Evander

🥀 - Chapter 11 -🌹

(Helena's Perspective)

The village of Ambrose stood nestled deep within the forest, its charm unlike anything I had ever seen. White-washed houses framed in stone and wood lined the cobbled paths, each one blooming with ivy and old-world grace. The townsfolk wore garments that blended dark academia with a touch of historical flair—corsets, cloaks, tailored coats. It felt like stepping into another era.

As we walked past a cozy bar with a carved wooden sign reading The Rose, I spotted children playing in the street while diners chatted at terrace tables under soft candlelight.

In the distance, a woman stood near a bookstall—wrapped in a brown coat, two books clutched in her hands. The closer we got, the more familiar her features became. My heart pounded in my chest.

*It can't be...*

"Back from our round, Auntie," Raphael greeted her with a kiss on the cheek.

"Ah, boys," she said warmly. "Thank you for helping today. I see you've brought company."

Her gaze landed on me.

"Hello, dear. I'm Guinevere Ambrose. A pleasure."

"...Mom?" The word slipped out before I could stop it.

I reached for her hands, locking eyes with her—those same piercing blue eyes from the photos in my album.

"I'm sorry," she replied gently, though her tone held a strange finality. "You must be mistaken. My daughter passed away many years ago."

She pulled two apples from her bag, handing one to Ominis and one to me. "Fresh from the orchard. I must be off—I have a meeting."

"See you tonight, Guinevere," the brothers chimed together.

As she walked away, she turned back just once—eyes meeting mine with a flicker of something I couldn't place.

Evan leaned closer, a smirk tugging at his lips. "So, you're searching for your mother? Intriguing."

Before I could reply, he slipped an arm around me, steering me toward the grand manor at the center of the village.

We were offered a room on the top floor for the night. Once inside, I closed the door and collapsed onto the bed.

"Helena?" Ominis asked softly, concern in his voice.

"That woman... Ominis, I know she's my mother. She looks exactly like the woman in my childhood photos."

"Maybe she's in denial," he offered, shrugging off his coat. "But we're in the right place. I can feel it."

He lay beside me. "Let's rest. It's been a long day."

🙟•◦ 🎕 ◦•🙝

But I couldn't sleep. My mind spiraled with questions and the gnawing hunger for answers. Ominis slept soundly, so I slipped out of bed, dressed quickly, and crept into the hall. Family portraits lined the walls—faces frozen in time. I paused near a heavy black door when sudden footsteps startled me.

I turned, only to collide with a broad chest. Two hands steadied me before I fell.

I looked up into familiar bright blue eyes.

"Well, freckles," Evan said, smirking. "Caught sneaking around, huh?"

"Oh—Evander. I didn't hear you coming."

"I move like a shadow," he said, voice low. "Were you looking for me, mi amor?"

"I wasn't looking for you," I snapped. "I just wanted to explore."