Run Away ✧ Hogwarts Legacy

chapter seventeen

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Early November had confirmed Antheia's fear that the Astrology Tower was in fact getting colder each class. Even with her mittens, scarf, and heavy cloak, she was still freezing from the drifty air that blew through the stone during class. There was a handmade hat shoved into her pocket that her mother sent with her last letter, but Antheia wasn't going to risk wearing a hat and disrespecting Shah's class. 

Once again, Antheia couldn't focus on the lecture. The current chart of the stars in the winter sky had no interest that night. Her mind was more centered on the empty seat across the room where Anne Sallow was supposed to be.

It had been almost a week since Antheia spoke to the demon in the maze. She was beginning to worry that maybe she was foolish to trust it to cure Anne, Sebastian thought it possible, so she had just trusted him. What if they were both wrong? Did demanding a cure for Anne put a target on her back?

Antheia had been thinking back to everything Sebastian had said during the fifth year. There was a lot she wished she could go back and change. 

There were greater worries in the world than the stars and sitting in the classroom had put that in perspective. She began listing everything that she saw in the room in an attempt to calm her anxious mind. Ten quills, but only eight pots of ink. Shah's owl sitting between her desk and watching us. Then her mind began to drift again when she looked out the window. How long until the sun rises? 

"Miss Wytners," Professor Shah called out, "Can you recall for the class which warrior of the night will appear in the sky this month?"

It was almost the same question that embarrassed her at the start of the year. Anne had said the answer months ago. "Sagittarius," Antheia recalled.

It was difficult to say who had been more surprised, Shah upon hearing the correct answer or Antheia for remembering it.

"Exact job, Miss Wytners!" The Professor smiled back.

At least she could say that she had learned something that semester, even if it was dumb luck on her part. It was too bad Anne hadn't been in class to witness the moment. Antheia needed to figure out why Anne hadn't been in class. 

"There will be another charting class later this month for Sagittarius, the archer. It will be getting colder each night. It is best to prepare for snow so please come dressed warm!"

The moment class was officially dismissed, Antheia basically ran from her seat glowing. When Professor Shah only gave her a nod of approval it only boosted her ego more. No need to discuss her plan for improving in the course that night. It was a small victory, but anything was needed after weeks of uncertainty.

"Have you been in the Undercroft today?" Antheia asked when she found Desmond waiting for her. A shy smile greeted her as he waited in his normal spot.

There was still tension between the couple that hadn't been worked out. At first, it didn't seem like a fight, but even after their Halloween disagreement, they couldn't see eye to eye as of late.

Mostly it had felt like her fault. None of her friends were aware that she found the demon that night. No one had known of her deal or the fact she had spoken to him at all, when she arrived back that night she had lied. When Desmond asked, she told him that besides candy apples, nothing noteworthy happened. 

If she had been honest then she'd have to tell them about the ancient magic under their feet and that vow she would not break again.

"Yeah, I was just working with Ominis before I came to find you." Desmond greeted, his voice was exhausted. She was surprised that he was still waiting for her after class this late, it sounded like he should be in bed.