Acceptance: Hogwarts Legacy Continued

Chapter 85: MC- homework aid

"I think it should be illegal to give work over Holiday breaks." Sebastian had started complaining before they even made it out of their charms class.

"It is just the knitting spell though, so I don't expect it to be too difficult. I think Professor Ronan just figures we might have some down time to work on it while we are out."

Diana tried to sound encouraging, but she was also a little disappointed that she would have so much to do as well. She was hoping that if all went well, she would get to spend lots of time doing her research.

"Well it's better than the three foot essay for Potions" Ominis chimed in "I mean there can't really be that many negative side effects to a memory potion can there?"

"I think that one is just to deter us from using it"

"Yeah!" The brown haired boy agreed "I bet Sharp thinks that's a form of cheating or something. But I mean it's my memory, if it's there then there's no harm in being able to access it."

The other Slytherin had a retort to that, and Diana listened to them discuss it all the way to dinner. They were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't hear her say goodbye as she left them to sit at her house table. She found two empty seats, making sure she had room to sit with her friend if she came in.

As she scooped her food onto her plate she mentally went over all she had to do once Holiday break started the day after tomorrow. She had the memory potions essay, an essay on Wendelin the Weird, she had reading to do on the Whomping Willow, practice on using a handful of nonverbal spells, a dietary log to fill out on Knarls, and she had to make a star chart for the month of December, in a location besides Hogwarts. At least she didn't have anything for ancient ruins, but that was only because she was two months ahead on the curriculum- she really enjoyed that class.

She had too much that needed to get done though, even without classes she didn't know how she would find time for it all. She hoped that everything went well with their plan... she didn't really have time for another hospital stay with all she needed to do.

The hufflepuff had kind of zoned out as she felt the weight of everything that was before her. She hadn't noticed that someone had taken the seat next to her and was just staring, waiting for her to come to. When she didn't she got a tap on her shoulder that made her jump. She turned expecting to see Poppy, but was surprised to see a mop of bright orange hair and a face full of freckles.

"You look a little stressed out," he said with a kind smile.

"Ah Garreth, sorry I sorta spaced out there. But you're right, I've got my work cut out for me this break. Anyway, what are you doing here?"

"Well I was afraid I wouldn't catch you before I have to leave tomorrow. I am packing up tonight and since I don't have a class on Fridays I am leaving first thing."

"Your family must be very excited to see you," she said, matching his smile.

"Ha maybe, I think they mostly want to make sure we all spend time together since I will be coming back a bit early for the dance and all. But anyway, I want to give you your Christmas present before I leave, well part of it anyway." he held out a piece of parchment and she took it.

"Th-thank you, I'm sorry I don't have your gift with me. I was planning to give it to you on New Years Eve-"

"No, it's fine! This is only part of your gift anyway. I was going to give you your actual one when we meet up before the dance too. I just thought that maybe you could use this during the break."

She looked over the paper; it was a long list of side effects for the memory potions, with notes accompanying each one. Her eyes got big and she looked up at him, almost feeling like she could cry.

"I actually wrote most of that last year, I was erm helping out some of my friends by supplying a memory potion and I had well more than one complaint for them. I started making the side effects list and documenting what they said. Don't worry, I also cross referenced everything in the textbook- that's what all those little notes are. I figured you could use it to help you write the-"

He was cut off as Diana moved forward and swung her arms around him. Maybe it was because she was feeling so stressed about everything, but this seemed like a God sent. He could not have had better timing. The decision to hug him just came a bit out of the blue, but it seemed the right choice. It felt a little uncomfortable still, made even more so when he put his arms around her and brought her closer.

She stiffened a bit more, unable to relax in the right embrace. Thankfully the sentiment didn't last too much longer and he released her. They both moved away, her face feeling warm and his looking quite pink.

"I um" he coughed, turning away "I'm glad you like it and I hope it helps."

"It definitely will- thank you. It makes everything I have to do seem a bit more bearable." She tried to give him a genuine smile, but she was still feeling a bit uneasy.

"Well I better head over to my table now, I can see my aunt giving me eyes from the teachers table." Diana turned around and saw that the Professor was indeed staring at them.

"You're staying here over break right?" She just nodded her head in response.

"Great well I'll send you an owl- we can make sure everything is good to do for the dance."

She smiled and nodded again. Then he stood to go and they waved their goodbyes. Diana turned back towards her food, realizing that the professor's eyes were not the only ones on her. She felt a large portion of the students at dinner had been watching the interaction. She was feeling relieved just a moment ago but now she was stressed out all over again.

"Well apparently that was quite the spectacle" Poppy said as she floated in from who knows where and took her seat next to the other girl.

"I'm sorry Poppy" she started, not looking at her friend "You know I was really trying to get comfortable with physical affection, but I don't think I can do it anymore."

"AH BOO!" The girl called out dramatically "You can't let Garreth ruin things for me- when I slept over a few days ago I woke up to you cuddling up next to me and it was probably the happiest moment of my life- but don't tell that to Lucan."

Poppy added the last bit in a whisper, and Diana couldn't help but let out a laugh. Then they started giggling together and she felt some of the tension leave her body. Maybe she just needed to accept that in some cases physical touch felt okay and others just did not. She was going to stop forcing herself to do it just because it seemed like the right reaction. Feeling uncomfortable with physical affection may just be a part of who she was, and she didn't think she needed to keep fighting it.

"Okay- I'll just be more honest with myself about when I'm okay with it or not."

"Good. That's exactly how it should be." Her friend ended her triumphant statement by plopping some mashed potatoes down on her plate.

Diana turned back to her own food and tried to finally start eating. It was a little difficult though because she still felt eyes baring into her head.

"I wish people would stop staring though... I mean physical affection is weird for me to see, but I thought that others would be less dramatic about it."

Poppy turned around to look at the other tables "Oh I think most everyone has already moved past it... except..."

"Except?"

"Well it looks like Sebastian is quite a bit upset, and if Ominis could stare through your head I think he would be."