The Fervorous Prince | Ominis Gaunt

Ch 1. Mists of The Mind's Eye

A sea of misty clouds protected the blue that laid above it, shading the carriage that MC was riding up to Hogwarts in. It didn't look like rain, but rather bright white misshapen polka dots. It was still warm for early September and looked like summer's final farewell to Scotland.

MC sighed with bittersweet excitement. 7th year was minutes away from commencing and her brief exploit at Hogwarts was already nearing its end.

We all know the story. Hell, everyone in the wizarding world knew the story: MC's late arrival at Hogwarts two years ago was accompanied by her unique ability to see and wield ancient magic. By year's end, she had put a stop to the rising Goblin Rebellion along with the Ashinders and Poachers that were in league with it.

Despite the loss of her mentor, Professor Eleazar Fig, she had managed to make a handful of new friends and have a productive 6th year afterward: no drama, good marks, and no enemy rebellions, thank Merlin.

MC smiled at the memory, hopeful to have yet another uneventful year this go around. She stared back up at the clouds, the soft light blue mist fogging over the sky that lay behind it.

It reminded her of someone.

"MC?!"

She jumped at the sudden sound of her name and looked across the carriage from her seat. "Hm?"

"I said, 'Can you believe it's our last year?'"

"Oh! Sorry, Poppy. Well, no not really. But I suppose it's more surreal for you guys considering you've all been here for six full years, eh? This is merely my third." MC gave a half chuckle.

Poppy Sweeting was her closest friend. After enlisting MC's help against the poachers and being understanding of her poacher upbringing, Poppy was so grateful for her friendship that she had offered for MC to stay with her at her grandmother's cottage over the previous two summers. Her grandmother was more than willing seeing as how Poppy had never made any human friends over the years at school.

But MC was equally grateful for Poppy. She had kept her centered and remained empathetic as MC's world came crashing down around her in the span of a year. Much less while she had been introduced to this entirely new world of magic as a muggle-born. Poppy knew everything about MC's story as it was being written, never being kept in the dark.

"True, but it's like you have been there with us the whole time, MC. The last couple of years have been wonderful having you around. Y'know, saving Hogwarts and all that," Poppy said with a laugh.

MC smirked back. "Thanks, Poppy. I wish I could have been there with you all in those initial years. I can't imagine how much closer I would be to everyone now, especially-"

MC paused and looked back up at the clouds, resting her head on her arms on the carriage window.

"...especially...?" Poppy continued for MC.

MC raised her head back to the carriage's interior. "Nothing, just a thought." That was the first time she had ever lied to Poppy.

And Poppy knew it. She raised a brow at her friend but opted for swallowing the question that was no doubt to follow.

The carriage had finally arrived at the North Gate, a few others trailing behind. MC and Poppy gathered their luggage and said their goodbyes before walking to their respective common rooms.

MC had made it down to the dungeons and the Slytherin serpent arched upward to make way for her entrance. She smiled at the greeting and made her way down the stairs to the common room with her luggage. As she neared the bottom, she began to hear the familiar voices of some of her friends and acquaintances. She was hoping everyone would already be there: Imelda, Nerida, Sebastian, and-