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

🥀 - Chapter 27 -🌹

(Third person Perspective)

After the holidays, students returned to Hogwarts from all corners of the world. Some walked up from Hogsmeade, others arrived by enchanted carriage. A few soared in on brooms, boats, or thestrals, their cloaks fluttering in the cool breeze.

The castle stood tall and majestic under a blanket of white snow. Dark green pine trees lined the grounds, their branches dusted with frost. The bare trees had already lost their autumn leaves, and though winter still lingered, the winds had softened the first hints of spring in the air.

Around the castle, students gathered in laughter and embraces, exchanging stories, passing out parcels and snacks, delighted to be back.

In the middle of the courtyard, six familiar faces stood waiting.

"Ah Ominis! Helena! There you are!" called Garreth, his red hair unmistakable in the crowd. "Come quickly!"

It had become a tradition for the group not just to exchange Christmas gifts, but to reunite after the holidays around the Gryffindor common room campfire, sharing stories and memories from the break.

They made their way up to the common room, which had been transformed with oversized cushions scattered across the floor. Each person held a steaming cup of tea, cocoa, or coffee as they took their seats.

Imelda was the first to hop onto the table, striking a dramatic pose.

"My dear children, as you know, I spent my vacation at Quidditch training camp," she began, smirking. "And surprise! I'm officially the new captain of the Slytherin team!" Cheers erupted from the group. "Got a new broom and uniform from my parents for Christmas... oh, and I stopped by to see my family, too."

She jumped down and flopped next to Amith and Garreth, proudly adjusting her new team pin.

Amith, trying to steady his nerves, climbed carefully onto the table.

"Er... well, I visited my uncle in India. Took a tour of the mountains to study the stars. And, uh... turns out I'm a Libra," he said, blushing. "Which, coincidentally, is a perfect match for Aquarius."

He glanced quickly at Imelda and sat down with reddened cheeks.

Garreth sprang to his feet, theatrical as ever.

"As always, I spent Christmas at my aunt's house... but this year I was utterly heartbroken, because my eternal love Helena was not with me." He placed a hand dramatically over his chest. "To cope, I consumed an unhealthy number of chocolate frogs. But! I've come up with a new potions experiment I'd love to test—if you're brave enough!"

He bowed toward Helena with a mischievous smile, who shoved him playfully off the table with a laugh.

Poppy caught him before he hit the floor and climbed up.

"This year," she announced proudly, "I rescued six hippogriffs. Six! My grandmother and I cared for them all break, and one of them gave birth. We released them into the Scottish highlands after they recovered."

She reached down to Natty, who took her hand and stepped onto the table next.

"I had... a strange holiday," Natty admitted. "I kept having nightmares about ghosts and demons. Ate way too much food, yet somehow didn't gain a single pound. My mum kept preaching about Animagi and safety. Oh and I fell for the boy next door."

The boys all let out playful whistles as Natty twirled once and then flopped onto the floor, laughing.

Anne climbed up next, more hesitant than the others. She looked down as she spoke.