Legacy of Magic

Chapter 3

The morning sun streamed through the windows of the Ravenclaw common room, casting a warm glow on the walls adorned with stars and celestial maps. Eloise stood by her bed, her trunk packed and her belongings neatly organized. Today marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life, and she felt a mix of anticipation and sorrow. She took one last look around, then slung her backpack over her shoulder and headed for the door.
Outside the common room, Professor Weasley was waiting, her expression warm but tinged with concern. "Good morning, Miss Dawnson," she greeted, her voice soft and motherly.
"Good morning, Professor," Eloise replied, trying to muster a smile.
Professor Weasley studied her for a moment before speaking. "Are you ready to go?"
Eloise nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be."
The professor gave her a reassuring smile. "I'll be accompanying you to Lower Hogsfield, to Mrs. Bickle's house. But before we leave, I wanted to let you know that I've arranged for the Floo network in the Room of Requirement to remain open. You'll be able to visit whenever you need to, and Deek will take care of your magical creatures while you're away."
Eloise's heart warmed at the thought of her beloved Room of Requirement. It had become a sanctuary for her, a place of solace during the turbulent times she had faced. "Thank you, Professor. That means a lot to me."
Professor Weasley placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know you've been through a lot for someone so young, but I want you to know that we're all here for you if you need it, even if you're not physically at Hogwarts."
With those comforting words, they made their way to the nearest Floo Flame. Professor Weasley handed Eloise a pinch of Floo powder, and after a deep breath, Eloise threw it into the fire.
"Lower Hogsfield!" she called out, stepping into the swirling green flames.
---
When Eloise emerged from the fireplace in Lower Hogsfield, she was greeted by the sight of a quaint, cozy village bathed in the morning light. The scent of fresh grass and wildflowers filled the air, a stark contrast to the stone walls of Hogwarts. Standing in front of a small, charming cottage was Mrs. Bickle, a kind-looking woman in her late forties, and beside her was a young boy with bright eyes and a wide smile—Archie.
"Miss Dawnson, welcome," Mrs. Bickle greeted warmly, stepping forward to embrace her. "We're so glad to have you here."
"Please, Mrs. Bickle, just Eloise. Thank you for having me," Eloise replied, her voice sincere. "It's... It's really kind of you."
Mrs. Bickle shook her head, her eyes filled with a mixture of admiration and gratitude. "After what you did for us, it's the least we could do. Archie has been so excited to see you again."
Archie grinned, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "I've always wanted a big sister, even if it's just for a little while."
Eloise's heart melted at the boy's enthusiasm. She knelt down to his level, smiling. "Well, Archie, I'm happy to be your big sister for as long as you'll have me."
Mrs. Bickle chuckled, ruffling Archie's hair. "Come on, let's get you settled in. You'll have your own room upstairs, and we can show you around the village later."
---
Over the next few days, Eloise settled into life in Lower Hogsfield. The Bickle household was warm and welcoming, and Eloise found herself quickly becoming part of their routine. She helped Mrs. Bickle with chores around the house, played games with Archie, and explored the surrounding countryside. The simplicity of village life was a welcome change, yet despite the peaceful surroundings, Eloise couldn't shake the loneliness that crept in during the quiet moments.
Later that night, Eloise found herself back in the depths of the repository, the air thick with dark magic. Ranrok's twisted grin loomed before her as he unleashed the ancient power, his voice echoing with malice. Behind him, Professor Fig lay motionless on the cold stone floor, his eyes staring lifelessly into the abyss. Eloise screamed, reaching for him, but her feet felt like they were trapped in quicksand. Rookwood appeared next, his wand pointed straight at her, his face twisted in cruel delight as he cast a curse. The force of it hit her, sending her spiraling into darkness. She called out for Fig, for help, but the only answer was the hollow laughter of her enemies. Suddenly, the world collapsed, suffocating her in its weight. She jolted awake, her chest heaving, her cheeks wet with tears. Heart racing, Eloise clutched her blanket, shaking and terrified, the horrors of the nightmare lingering in the silence of the room.
After the battle underneath the school, the weight of her memories pressed down on her, bringing with them vivid nightmares that left her waking in a cold sweat, her heart racing. She missed her friends, missed Hogwarts, and most of all, missed Professor Fig. The house he had left her felt more like a ghost than a gift—a reminder of what she had lost.
Two weeks into her stay, Eloise was out for a walk near the edge of the village when she saw a familiar figure in the distance. Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized the silhouette—Sebastian Sallow, making his way towards her. Surprise and relief washed over her as she hurried to meet him.
"Sebastian!" she called, her voice laced with both astonishment and joy.
Sebastian looked up, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he approached. "Hello, Eloise. I hope you don't mind—I came to see you."
Eloise shook her head, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Mind? Of course not. I'm just... surprised. If anyone, I thought you'd be visiting Ominis, not me."
"Well, I can visit you too! Besides, Ominis's family would never allow a half blood such as myself inside their house." he replied
"Oh, right. I forgot about that" it was so easy to forget that the Gaunts were blood purists given how antagonistic to that Ominis was about that. "So, what brings you all the way to Lower Hogsfield?"
"It is awfully boring in the old Mrs. Hall's house. She sleeps almost the entire time." Sebastian's smile then faded slightly as he glanced around the quiet village. "I... needed to get away from Feldcroft. I really miss Anne and It's been... difficult, being there. Everyone keeps offering me condolences for my uncle, and... it's hard. Knowing what I did."
Eloise's expression softened with understanding. She gestured towards a nearby haystack, and they both sat down, the straw crunching softly beneath them.
"I'm so sorry, Sebastian," she said gently. "I can't imagine how hard that must be."
Sebastian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's more than just the condolences. It's... the guilt, Eloise. Every time someone says they're sorry, it's like a punch in the gut. Sometimes I think that you and Ominis did wrong in protecting me and that I should be in Azkaban, paying for what I did."
Eloise turned to face him, her gray eyes filled with empathy. "You're not a bad person, Sebastian. You were trying to save Anne. You were desperate... we all were."
He shook his head, the self-loathing clear in his voice. "But I crossed a line, Eloise. I did something unforgivable. And yet, you stood by me. You believed in me, even when I've been nothing but a jerk to you."
"Hey" Eloise reached out, putting her hand on his. "I stood by you because I care about you, Sebastian. You've been my friend since the day I arrived at Hogwarts. I would never be able to turn you in."
Sebastian looked down at their joined hands, his voice quiet. "You're the only one who's ever seen the good in me when I couldn't see it myself. I owe you so much for that"
Eloise felt awkward, that wasn't the entire truth. "Maybe... maybe I had my own selfish reasons too. For protecting you." She began to say
Sebastian's gaze shifted towards her "What do you mean?"
Eloise sighed "I've never had a family, never had friends who truly cared about me. And when I finally found that with you, with Ominis, with Poppy and Natty... I couldn't stand the thought of losing any of you. Especially not to someplace as dreadful as Azkaban."
Sebastian's hand turned under hers and he squeezed her hand gently, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "Wanting to have people who care about you could never be selfish, Eloise. You're the most amazing person I've ever met and if those muggles were unable to see that it's their loss."
Her breath caught as she looked into his eyes, noticing the way the afternoon light highlighted the freckles on his face. For a moment, time seemed to stand still, the air between them thick with unspoken words. But the intensity of the moment made them both suddenly self-conscious, and they awkwardly let go of each other's hands.
"Um... would you like to explore the village?" Eloise suggested, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Sebastian cleared his throat, grateful for the change in subject. "I'd like that."
They spent the rest of the afternoon wandering through Lower Hogsfield, exploring the fields and paths that surrounded the village. For a while, they managed to push aside their worries, laughing and talking as they walked.
As the day drew to a close, they found themselves back at the Bickle cottage. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the landscape.
"Thank you for coming, Sebastian," Eloise said softly, turning to face him. "It means a lot to me."
He smiled, a genuine smile that reached his eyes. "I'll come again, if you'd like."
Eloise's heart skipped a beat. "I'd like that very much."
With a final, lingering look, Sebastian gave her hand a brief squeeze before turning to leave. Eloise watched him go, her heart feeling a little lighter than it had that morning. She knew the summer wouldn't be easy, but with friends like Sebastian, she knew she would make it through.