Green is the Color || Ominis x OC || Hogwarts Legacy

Of Tempting Light

The entire school was abuzz with excitement. The Goblet of Fire now sat in the Great Hall, burning bright and blue each day. It drew a crowd of excited students that each tried to find ways to cross the unflinching Age Line. Several 16-year-old Hogwarts students complained that they should be allowed through, that their birthdays were only a month or so away. These complaints fell on deaf ears. Students who were 16—no matter how close they were to being of age—were repelled by the Goblet's Age Line, earning a few bruises from being flung away.

Headmaster Black announced that the participating schools, Durmstrang and Beauxbatons, would be arriving in October. Champions would be drawn on the night of Halloween.

Ominis was mildly intrigued about the whole thing, but Sebastian wouldn't shut up about it. In the light of the early morning, the two boys lounged in their dorm, poring over their new schedules. Sharp had allowed Ominis into his advanced Potions classes. It only took the grace of his connections and a well-placed pair of puppy eyes.

"Our—my birthday's only another week away," Sebastian kept gushing. "The moment I turn 17, I'm heading straight for that Goblet, Ominis."

"Yes, Sebastian," said an exasperated Ominis, "I know. You've told me a thousand times."

"Won't you try it?" Sebastian asked. "You'll be coming of age just in time."

Ominis snorted. "Between the two of us, you're the only one willing to throw yourself into danger," he drawled. "For fun."

"Not the only one," Sebastian said with a laugh. "You should've seen how Allegra's eyes shone."

Ominis sat up in his bed. "She wouldn't," he said hotly.

"Are we thinking about the same girl? The girl in Gryffindor?" he started to snicker. "Maybe I should go over to her instead, use her as a sounding board."

"You won't encourage it!" Ominis snapped, grabbing a pillow and smacking it against Sebastian, who was shaking with laughter. "The both of you are acting like you didn't spend days unconscious in the hospital wing! Have you forgotten about your four broken ribs?"

"Well," Sebastian drawled, "at least I've had practice." He cried out when Ominis hit him hard with the pillow again, causing a scuffle of soft thumps, punches, and plenty of yelling.

In Gryffindor Tower, Allegra, Natty, and Garreth were sitting in the crowded common room. Allegra was sitting on the floor poring over a book of Charms. Garreth and Natty sat behind her on the plush sofa, where Natty was working a braid into the other girl's hair. Each one of them had recently come of age. The thought of entering the Triwizard Tournament was a very real thing.

"I'm putting my name in," Garreth was saying excitedly. "Will you join me, Natty?"

Allegra yelped as Natty pulled her head back. "Don't move," she reprimanded. "I want to, Garreth, but my mother would never dream of letting me."

"Auntie isn't exactly giving me permission, either," Garreth said. "I'm going to sneak my name in there tonight." He gave Natty a wide grin. "What do you say?"

Natsai's smile matched his. "Very well. Tonight. What about you, Allegra?"

Allegra groaned. "I really shouldn't."

Garreth snorted. "There's a blonde little angel whispering in her ear," he said in a sing-song tone, leaning over and fluttering his fingers in her face. He cried out when Allegra reached around to smack him, which in turn prompted Natty to yank her back by the hair.

"Ouch, Natty!" Allegra whined.

"Stop moving!"

As Natsai finished off Allegra's braid, she couldn't help but sink into her thoughts. The Triwizard Tournament was a tantalizing idea. She could win that glory, win that gold. She could imagine being Hogwarts' champion —hadn't she done that before? But Garreth was right: Ominis wouldn't be pleased, not at all.