✓ | STRANGE, albus severus potter

12 ── wildfire

CHAPTER TWELVE

Word of Nova's departure spread like wildfire throughout Hogwarts, reaching Albus quickly, who instantly took responsibility and blamed himself. Realizing that his words were spoken out of jealousy, an overwhelming sense of regret immediately washed over him.

Before learning of her transfer, Albus hadn't felt any remorse, as his emotions had taken over. When Nova had a heart-to-heart talk with Tobias towards the end of the previous year, he had jumped to the worst conclusion.

It was precisely because of this assumption that Albus detested and despised this particular aspect of his emotional nature.

Albus had firmly believed that Nova and Tobias had developed a romantic relationship, fueling his jealousy and assumptions.

However, his assumption backfired on him, causing him significant distress. As the new term commenced, it became evident that his jealous thoughts were unfounded, leaving him with a bitter realization.

It was an inexplicable aspect of his demeanour, one that he had no command over, mirroring the same trait in his father. He despised how he would impulsively react without any way to curb it, yet he couldn't deny that Nova was the one who effortlessly brought out this side of him. It wasn't necessarily a flaw; rather, it meant that Albus felt comfortable enough to exhibit this facet of himself solely with her.

Albus knew that he had no regrets for the statements he had made earlier, as his jealousy had clouded his judgment at the time. However, he was acutely aware that their lack of resolution had resulted from this incident.

Meanwhile, Nova was relieved for the outcome, as it had prompted her to embark on a journey of self-reflection. If Albus had continued to remain complacent, her ego would have only grown.

Their separation had become their last hurdle, their final lesson.

...

Over the following years, both of them observed a transformation within themselves. Albus had undergone a significant alteration, as he no longer allowed others to dictate his actions and had mastered the ability to say no without remorse or guilt.

When Albus freed himself from the constraints that had bound him previously, he came to truly appreciate what Nova had done for him. Although her self-centred remarks were a source of annoyance, they also instilled in him a newfound self-assurance.

Nova discovered that being kind did not equate to vulnerability. Allowing herself to express her feelings, particularly the pain she harboured, became pivotal in healing her weary heart.

When those constraints were removed, Nova appreciated the value of Albus' quiet and stoic remarks. Although they occasionally frustrated her, they bestowed upon her an inner strength and resilience.

Initially, they appeared to be stark opposites in various facets, but upon further examination, they discovered that their differences were actually mutually supportive. With their end-of-term swiftly approaching, Nova chose to make the declaration that she was now emotionally prepared to return to the Hogwarts grounds.

Yet, she envisioned a fresh start, a metamorphosis.

With her father and brother by her side, Nova made her way to the platform where the Hogwarts Express stood ready to accept them. Despite the impending departure, she did not feel frightened or anxious. Rather, she felt a sense of calm, an invitation for a new chapter in life.

As she spotted Albus in the crowd, her heart thumped with familiarity, but this time it was not clouded by uncertainty. She stepped closer, moving into his blind spot before gently tapping his shoulder. He turned to face her, and instead of reacting with surprise, he met her with a warm smile.

In perfect harmony, they greeted each other with a simple 'hey.' A delightful chuckle followed as their unified voices ended in unison.

Once settled in a compartment together, they launched into a leisurely discussion about the past few years.

Nova observed the transformation in Albus, noting how he had shed his previous cautious behaviour. He no longer shied away from expressing himself, speaking with increased confidence and no longer holding back in an attempt to avoid potential complications. He had grown more assertive, unafraid to stand his ground.

Albus observed an unfamiliar characteristic of Nova; she no longer concealed her tender and empathetic nature, a vulnerability that he had only caught fleeting glimpses of before. He glimpsed the smile of a confident woman, unafraid to showcase her fragility without any sense of shame.

After their private exchange, the two of them reconnected with their friends and found that everything was gradually falling back into alignment.

The atmosphere on the Express was lively as the students in their final year enjoyed their final evening ahead of the start of school. The chatter and laughter filled the carriage, creating a sense of excitement and anticipation.

Meanwhile, Albus and Nova sat together, sharing a comfortable silence as they watched the countryside blur by through the carriage window.