All The Magic We Made (Sebastian Sallow x Fem!OC)

It's Nice To Have A Friend/Are You Freaking Kidding Me Bro

After the troll attack, I obviously went to debrief with Professor Fig, as besties do. He showed me a map of Hogwarts he discovered from the locket we found, and I spotted a small trail of ancient magic going along the map that leads to the restricted section of the library. Fig had sent me to learn more, develop my skills, before continuing on. It is blatantly obvious that this quest is getting increasingly dangerous, and sorry guys, but the protagonist of this story is still a rookie.

So I spend the next while learning everything I can, staying up late into the night completing my official and extra assignments. Exhausted is an understatement, and there are still classes I haven't been to. Normally, I study in the library or the Common common room—a common room where all houses are welcome to be in. In the library, I found a study buddy in this Gryffindor girl named Hermione Granger. She's been really helpful in helping me catch up on everything I missed in five years. I've been meeting a lot of people, actually. In just a couple of weeks, I already know nearly everybody's name in my year, even some outside of my year—and trust me, it's not a small school.

But although it makes for a good distraction, I can't stop my eyes from constantly wandering to the restricted section of the library. Thinking about how easy it would be to slip past those gates, and see what is waiting there for me to discover.

Let's be so for real, I would probably get caught in two seconds flat and then burst into tears.

After the Transfiguration class of the day, I gather up my books and get up, wanting to get to my next class quickly. Ginny comes to me, since we both have Charms right after Transfiguration and usually walk together. We've been spending a lot of time together, walking together everywhere and even eating meals together—unless it's a special event, houses are allowed to intermix during mealtimes.

"Tie this around your waist, babes," she says, handing me her sweater.

I tilt my head, a question in my expression.

"You're leaking," she says more quietly.

"What?" My eyes widen and I groan, immediately tying the sweater around my waist. "God, you can't be serious. How long?"

"I only saw when you stood up," she assures me. "Nobody else saw. I've been covering you."

"Thanks," I sigh. "Crap, I only have one skirt. My other one is in the wash."

"Come up to my dorm. I got you," she says, gesturing for me to follow her. "I have a spare."

"We'll be late for class," I protest.

"Psh. Whatever." She grabs my wrist, dragging me along. "We'll just tell Flitwick that it was girl problems. Nobody wants elaboration on that."

She takes me to the Gryffindor common room, bringing me up the stairs to her dorm room. The common room feels cozy and grand, red and gold everywhere. The dorms aren't much different, with their four-poster beds and rich red curtains.

She shuffles through her closet for a moment before handing me a grey school skirt. "Here, we should be the same size. There are pads and tampons under the sink in the washroom, take as many as you need."

I thank her and slip into the washroom, changing my pad and putting on the clean skirt. I use cold water to get the stain out of my soiled skirt as much as possible, before folding it up and tucking it into my satchel.

When I leave the washroom, Ginny is waiting there patiently, leaning back against the wall. She smiles when she sees me, looking down at the skirt. "Perfect sizing. You could totally borrow my clothes if you wanted to." She smiles, looking down at the skirt. "Ready to go?"

I've heard of the girl code rules, the concept of girlhood. Sharing clothes, always having each other's back, looking out for each other. But until I experienced it for myself, I had no idea how powerful it really is. It really is good to have friends.

***

On my way to Professor Fig's office, I help a first year find her Gobstones, watch as a student casually floats around the school, get yelled at by a painting, and see a guy set his robes on fire (talk about a fire hazard). It's like the universe is throwing side quests at me that I can't ignore.

I did a pretty good job of keeping it down throughout the last couple weeks, but I was constantly anxious to learn what it is in the restricted section that calls my attention. Today, I will find out.

"I'm afraid we cannot explore the Restricted Section today," Professor Fig regretfully informs me as soon as I step into his office. "I want to know what lies behind those shelves as much as you do, but the Headmaster has called me to do a last-minute task that I cannot ignore. I will reach out the moment I am available."

Damn it.

"That's alright, Professor, I understand."

UGHHHHHH.

I leave his office, thinking up another plan in my head. I need to know what's in the restricted section, and I'm going to find out. I can't wait any longer, or so God help me, my ADHD fixation brain will drive me to commit a crime.

But wait, there is something that can get me in the Restricted Section, isn't there? An overly confident, rebellious, witty something that can be oddly comforting during panic attacks.

And I'm going to search this whole castle for him if I have to.