Acceptance: Hogwarts Legacy Continued

Chapter 16: MC- bumps and bruises

Spring quickly turned into summer, and before Diana knew it, the world began to show the signs of fall. The summer spent with Natty and her mom went by faster than she would have liked. Sure she was excited to go back to Hogwarts, but she felt like for the first time she got to feel what her future could look like- a home of her own with people she felt safe with.

They had spent time visiting her actual home, the one that now belonged to her. She, Natty, and Sebastian carefully packed away things Diana wanted to keep safe- and prepared it to be empty for the next school year.

It was a beautiful little home, Diana had spent her previous summer here with Fig, as he taught her in preparation for Hogwarts. It was the first place she had ever felt accepted, and she was so grateful that it would be hers to live in next year. Until then though she worked hard with her friends to make sure there would be nothing to worry about.

Sebastian had spent a lot of the summer tagging along wherever she went. With both Natty's and Sebastian's homes being in Feldcroft, it felt like most mornings began with his knock at the door. Their time together was much more mundane; with Anne still away, and both Ranrok and Rookwood gone, there wasn't much to drive them to adventure. Not to mention Diana had sworn to herself she would take the summer to enjoy her new found life, before having to dive into a life as a Keeper.

So outside of visits to her home Hogsmeade Valley there was lots of reading, walks around Feldcroft, visits to the beach, and unwilling quidditch scrimmages. Unwilling because neither girl was very willing to play, but Sebastian insisted he needed to practice to prepare to make the Slytherin team this year. He played as a beater in his fourth year, and was adamant he would need to prepare to secure his place again.

Unfortunately for him Diana still knew almost nothing about the game, and Natty didn't enjoy her time on the broom. But they did their best as they let him chase after them in the air, trying to hit them with padded bludgers. Even with a thick covering Diana thought those balls still packed a punch, or maybe Sebastian was just really good at the position.

It was late in the afternoon when they finished their last practice. Summer was just at its end, but the sun was still hot and the three kids were worn out. Diana stepped off her broom and collapsed under the large tree that stood tall at the end of the field where they played.

"I still can't believe that none of you flying around the pitch wear any protection from those bloody balls. I have been nursing bruises all week. Surely this is not how you want to spend your free time at school"

"I will not be the one getting hit, I'll be doing the hitting," Sebastian countered, walking over to her and tapping her lightly with his bat "besides there's nothing nurse Blainey wouldn't be able to fix after the match is done."

"Speaking of which, why aren't you taking a wiggleworm for those bruises? '' Natty asked, taking a seat on her other side.

"Oh... I don't know, I guess I'm just not used to using them just for day to day things. Sure I'd use them in a fight, but I've dealt with the pains of bumps and bruises my whole life with nothing but a salve to help. And really even that didn't do much. They're uncomfortable but not something I can't deal with."

In response Natty shot her a stare that Diana knew meant she was going to get a talking to. She closed her eyes, laying back, waiting for the start.

"Just because you can or have gone through something uncomfortable doesn't mean you NEED to go through it again. If help is available you should take it. How many times do I need to remind you, getting help-"

"Getting help is not a weakness." Diana finished for her. "I know Natty, and I'm working on it."

"Prove it" she countered, and grabbed a wiggleworm potion from her bag and tossed it to her.

Diana caught it, and looked at the small glass vial containing the glittery green liquid.

"You know Diana, I don't really understand you." Sebastian stated as he sat next to her. "You go around all year wanting to help everyone around you, yet you have trouble asking for any help yourself. Seems like you're quite the hypocrite if you ask me."

She sent him a glare but he just gave her a devilish smile in return. Natty started to chastise him on his choice of words, and he held up his hands in mock defense.

Diana huffed, looking again at the container in her hand. As annoying as he was, he was technically right. She wouldn't fault anyone for asking for help when they needed it. In fact she loved getting to support others in their needs. But the thought of making her needs known and asking for someone to help her with them... it still felt so discomforting.

With a sigh she uncorked the bottle and raised it to her lips. Sebastian reached over, giving a playful tap to the bottom, making some of the contents slash out in her face. Diana gave him a wack on the arm and downed the contents before he could spill any more.

"Well she's not going to get any better if you dump it on the ground!" Natty chided him, throwing one of the bludgers for good measure.

Sebastian dodged the ball, sensing the retaliation coming. He got up to run away as the Gryffindor reached for the other ball to have another go at him. Diana laughed as Natty chased him around the field, throwing at and hitting him more than once.

She looked down at the empty vile one more time, re-vowing to herself that she was going to make changes. She would learn to ask and accept help when she needed it, no matter how uncomfortable she got. She was going to trust her friends.