The Potion of Life

Chapter 8: What a Day

Once I heard that Professor Fig had returned to Hogwarts, I wanted to visit him as soon as I could. Which unfortunately meant I had to wait through a whole day of classes. 
   On a Tuesday morning in November I heard students gossiping about his return in Divination class. The excitement that I felt to finally -hopefully- get some more information made me bounce in my seat to the point that Professor Onai gave me a dirty look when the teacups at my shared table with Poppy had rattled. 
   I had sheepishly apologized and tried to pretend I saw something interesting in Poppy's cup. Honestly, I never had any 'sight' in terms of Divination so all that I could make out of the drab at the bottom was something that could be seen as a wonky cross. And maybe the sun. 

"Hm." I looked into the book which held the explanations of the signs. Professor Onai was looking over my shoulder, making me put on a little bit of an act in hopes to sound convincing. "It looks like you're going to suffer, but... you're going to be happy about it." 
   Poppy looked like she could burst out laughing any moment while I felt my cheeks turn red. So much for trying to be convincing. 
Thankfully the Professor made no comment, but she did shake her head in disapproval and walked on.
Oh well, I never cared for the subject anyway. 

"I know you want to go to Professor Fig, but there's a whole day of classes left." My Hufflepuff friend looked amused. 
   "Actually, I was hoping you'd accompany me during lunch. It's important I talk to him as soon as possible. He might have new information."
   There was a tinge of empathy in her eyes before she blinked it away. "Tessa, don't you think he'd have owled you if that was the case? He's usually very quick to summon you when he's got something to tell you."
   I sighed. She did have a point. "I know. Maybe I'm just impatient, but I still want to go to him during lunch. Will you go with me?" 

Poppy looked uneasy for a bit. "I- I was hoping to spend some time with Sebastian and Ominis..." She sensed my sudden interest and quickly continued. "But I can talk to them later. I'll go with you alright?"
   It was too late; I had heard the longing in her voice. "What's that about Ominis and Sebastian? I was under the impression you guys were attached to the hips." 
   She blushed prettily and tucked her hair behind her ear. "Yes, well.. I mean, since they started dating I gave them some space, but now I would wish to be with them more often."

"Be with them?" Something in the way she said it, was peculiar. Then it suddenly clicked in my mind. "Poppy, are you by any chance- " I looked around to make sure the Professor wasn't near, then leaned closer to her and lowered my voice. "Do you fancy them? Like, both of them at the same time?" 
   It was almost funny to see how quickly her face went from flushed to full on tomato in a second. I would not have been surprised if steam would come out of her ears any moment now. 
   "I- I don't, uhm, it's just..." Her stuttering died down and she started fidgeting with her hands. I placed my hand on hers to make her stop.  
"It's okay if you do." I told her gently. 
   Poppy quickly looked up at me and I could see shame, hesitance and a hint of hope in her eyes. "It is?"

I nodded. "I mean, I can't say it's happened to me before and I know it is unheard of in Muggle society, but in my mind you can't choose who you love and if you love both of them, then that's just how you feel." 
   The smile she gave me was filled with warmth and I could tell I had eased her mind a little. "Thank you Tessa. They don't love me the way I do them, so it's not like we'll ever be in such an... uncommon relationship, but I'm happy to know that at least one friend doesn't judge me for dreaming about it." 
   "You're welcome Poppy. They seem to care a great deal about you and I hope one day they'll see you in the same light that you perceive them." 
"Thank you Tessa."
"Of course. But do keep me updated if anything ever does happen in regards to your relationship with them!" I wiggled my eyebrows at her and she gave me a shove, which only resulted in the two of us giggling loudly.
Needless to say, Professor Onai was not happy with us.