Trinity~A Raven and Snakes story

Lost years, part two

Iris sat in a courtyard, she always managed to find her way to this one. She was staring blankly at the tree in the center, she had been up again really late into the night, and had not awakened in time for her first class. She felt someone settle in next to her.

"We missed you in Astrology, Iris. Would you like to my notes?". Amit asked gently.

"I guess, thanks Amit".

He put his arm around her, the first time since they dated, that he had initiated contact. "I'm worried about you, we are all worried about you, even Garreth is worried about you. You cannot let your schooling end like this, intelligent one".

She didn't answer, her eyes were beginning to well up.

"I see how you put all your effort into pretending to be ok for the hour at lunch time you see Ominis, then fall right back into apathy. I've said it before, I will say it again; you are the greatest witch of our generation, you must pull out of this. We broke up, but I care about you". Amit said.

She leaned into his shoulder. She knew he was right, she was letting down Professor Fig every single day. "I don't even know where to start."

"Let him go. He is lost to you two. Take a bath", he said with a teasing smile on his face.

She pushed him away and said, "ya that's a good place to start. Then what?".

"Be Brilliant. I can't even begin to imagine where your mind will go". He said softly.

She smiled, remembering why she had cared for him. She didn't want to be a burden to Ominis, or her friends, and that's all she was doing right now. She had 3 more months of school, she could pull it together.

She began focusing on her studies, and specially in care of magical creatures. She wasn't fighting anyone in that, she was nurturing and caring for other beings. Poppy and her had come a long way with the dragon and her baby they had rescued. She felt some accomplishment at that. All her beasts in the vivariums were moved back to the wild safely, all except the thestrals. They held a special place in her heart and she was dragging her feet on them.

During one of their lunches, Ominis made a keen observation. "You are coming back to life, slowly but surely".

She blushed, "I've been fine, I've been telling you I am ok".

He for once glared at her, she never got one of his signature glares. "Merlin, my dear, have more faith in me than that. I've known you have been in grief and despair beyond measure. I just didn't need to call attention to matching ailments".

She hung her shoulders, of course she hadn't been able to act well enough to trick him. He knew her better than anyone, even....him.

"I'm sorry Omni, you are right, it was silly of me. Amit told me I need to get it together, it helped I guess".

A slow smile reached his face, she basked in it, he so rarely smiled. "Amit, huh? Didn't know that was happening again".

She jumped, "oh no, not like that! He has just been helping me with my classes, making sure I eat dinner, things like that".

Ominis laughed! Laughed, out loud. It was music to her ears. "Oh ya, just little, very boyfriend-like things". After his laughing died down, he quietly added, "it should be starting up again, I believe he is good for you. Keeps you grounded, my dear".

Her heart soared a little, his approval was of utmost importance to her. "Well, I have been wondering if maybe it was starting to be like that again. You know I am rubbish at these things!".

He wrapped his arm around her. "I am worried about you after school ends. You are welcome to be with me when I go to Auror training, however I will be most likely a sorry excuse for a friend the entire time."