Chapter Text
Sunday, October 31st, 1886
The morning was gray as Sebastian stormed outside to the castle grounds, cloak pulled tightly around him, the letter from their uncle still ringing in his head, no matter how much he willed himself to think of anything else. He kicked a stick down the path as he headed towards the forest, putting as much distance between him and Anne as possible.
It wasn’t her fault, he wasn’t even really angry with her–but he knew if he had to listen to his sister defend Solomon’s stance or try to reason with him, he would lose his temper with her. And he didn’t want that. Anne didn’t deserve that.
Apparently in her last letter, Anne had told him about the Quidditch match, and mentioned that the two of them wanted to try out for the Slytherin team next year. Solomon’s response was less than encouraging, and Sebastian left the Great Hall without a word to Anne or Ominis. He was grateful neither of them had followed.
Seb shoved his hands in his pockets. The wind was bitter today, and he hadn’t originally planned on being outside until it had warmed up. He kept wandering down the path, not paying attention to where he was going until he passed the beast paddocks. He didn’t intend on stopping until he heard a soft voice murmuring in one of the pens. The boy glanced over and caught sight of a short brunette girl, messy braid running down her back, softly brushing a large thestral mare.
Carefully, so as not to spook either of them, Sebastian inched closer to the fence. He leaned over and watched Poppy’s gentle motions as she soothed the creature. The thestral leaned down, nuzzling into the girl’s shoulder. He observed her quietly for a moment or two as she combed through what little mane the beast had. The boy exhaled slowly. “You know,” he spoke quietly, “they’re not as scary as everyone makes them out to be.”
Poppy turned towards him slowly, a little surprised to see anyone at the paddocks. Most weekends, she wandered down to the paddocks before the rest of the school woke up. She would grab some toast from the kitchens and spend her mornings brushing the puffskeins or tending to the diricawls. It was quiet here, away from the crowded halls, and Professor Howin told the girl she was welcome to come down here when she needed a break from people. Poppy didn’t smile at him, but her expression softened into something of understanding.
“You can see them too,” she asked, her voice barely audible. Sebastian nodded. Poppy grabbed another soft brush, then gently tossed it over the fence to him. Surprised, he caught it as the girl turned back to the thestral. Not bothering with the gate, Seb clambered over the paddock fence, stumbling a little as he landed. He stood beside Poppy, who quietly continued brushing the thestral’s neck. “Their hide’s sensitive,” she said gently. “You’ll want to brush down her body softly, not up.”
Sebastian nodded, and for a while neither of them spoke. They worked in silence, other than Poppy occasionally murmuring to the creature in a soothing voice. Seb had to admit, his initial anger with his uncle was subsiding. He wasn’t sure if it was the monotony of the task, or if calming the thestral calmed his own spirit, but after a while, the letter was but a distant thought.
“Does she have a name,” Sebastian whispered, softly brushing behind the thestral’s leathery wings.
Poppy shrugged. “Officially, no. But I’ve started calling her Danu…”
Sebastian chuckled. “One of the Celtic goddesses, right?”
She blushed, but nodded. “She’s a death goddess, but also of nature and rebirth. I guess… I wanted to name her after something that would remind me that we can keep going. That… maybe…” She shook her head and went back to brushing, feeling a little silly for rambling.
The boy just smiled at her. “Yeah…” he said before going back to the thestral. He sighed, running the brush along the creature’s spine, Danu nudging his arm in approval. He looked at her, regal and terrifyingly beautiful. “It was my parents,” he said, not looking at Poppy. The girl inclined her head towards him. “I found them in our cellar library–some sort of gas from the lamp. I woke up and it was too quiet. No kettle, no talking as they made breakfast. Anne was still asleep–and I went downstairs to see if they were down there…”
Poppy nodded, knowing there wasn’t anything she could say that would make a difference. Instead, she gently placed her hand on his arm. Sebastian cleared his throat. “Sorry,” he mumbled, “didn’t mean to go on like that.”
The brunette girl set her brush down and turned to face him. “I thought you said not to apologize for things like that,” she said softly. The boy snorted, the corners of his mouth twitching a little. She looked back at Danu, gathering her own courage. “I… I guess I’m fortunate. I haven’t lost any family like that. I… my parents are…”
Poppy stopped, crossing her arms in front of her chest and swallowing hard. Sebastian watched her struggle and shook his head. “You don’t have to tell me, Pop, it’s okay.”
She shook her head. “No… I can do this–” her voice cracked.
“I know you can,” he said. “But you don’t have to–just because I said something doesn’t mean you owe me an explanation.”
Poppy nodded. “Thank you,” she whispered. “But… I do want you to know… I just worry about what you’ll think when I tell you–”
“Don’t worry about that,” Seb said as a small, cheeky smile found his face. “We’re friends–you’re stuck with me.”
The girl laughed–even though her throat was thick with unshed tears–before taking another steadying breath. “I didn’t… things with my parents weren’t great, and that’s why I live with Gran. And… I saw a lot of things I probably shouldn’t have…”
Sebastian nodded. “I’m sorry,” he said sincerely.
“Seb, you don’t have to–”
“No, I’m serious, Pop. I’m just… I’m glad you’ve got your gran. That you’ve got someone who cares about you…” The last part came out like a whisper, tinged with longing.
She smiled weakly. “I’m sorry, too. I hate you had to walk in on…”
“It’s okay,” he said quickly. “I’m glad it was me and not Anne.”
“How old were you?”
Seb looked at his feet. “Seven…”
Poppy hesitated only a moment, shivering at the thought. “It’s not okay,” she whispered, her hand finding his. “I… I saw a lot of creatures hurt and… and killed growing up. I’ve been able to see thestrals since I was four…”
Sebastian looked up to see that the girl in front of him was gazing once again at Danu, and his heart constricted. “Four?” Poppy nodded, and the boy squeezed her hand. “Hell, Poppy, that’s…” He didn’t know what to say, and neither did she. They stood in the paddock, side by side and hands clasped. It was quiet, but not uncomfortably so.
It wasn’t until the thestral nudged Sebastian’s arm that either of them moved or spoke. Poppy gently pulled her hand away, gathering the brushes out of the paddock. Sebastian opened the gate for her and followed her to the beast sheds where supplies were kept. “So,” he asked, “you gonna be out here much longer?”
Poppy shrugged. “Probably,” she said. “It’s… quiet out here. I like it better than being in the castle sometimes.”
Sebastian quirked an eyebrow at her, but thought back to the Great Hall, and how he would rarely see her there on weekends during meal times. He’d glance at the Hufflepuff table for her, then go back to talking to Ominis and Anne. And all the times the three of them would sneak to the Undercroft… had Poppy been spending that time out here alone with the thestrals and other creatures? “How often do you come out here,” he asked.
“Just… whenever I need to get away from everyone,” she sighed, carefully putting the brushes away in the cabinet. Poppy turned back towards him. “What about you?”
Seb frowned. “What about me?”
“I mean… What are you doing out here in the first place? I thought you usually spent the weekends with Ominis and Anne?”
The boy suddenly became very interested in a rock on the ground, and prodded at it with the toe of his boot, hands shoved in his pockets. “Oh…” he said, trying for ease and failing. “I just… wanted a little space is all.”
Poppy didn’t buy it at all, but said nothing. She watched him–the way he stared at the ground and wouldn’t meet his eyes. The silence grew between them, stretching, but it never turned awkward. It was several moments before Sebastian dared to glance up. Her large hazel eyes just shone patiently, waiting for him to trust her.
He sighed. “My uncle… Anne wrote to him yesterday after the Quidditch match. She mentioned that she and I wanted to try out for the team next year.”
Poppy shifted a little closer to him. “He doesn’t want either of you to, does he?”
Sebastian scoffed. “No… Anne can. I haven’t proven that I can handle being at Hogwarts yet with my disciplinary record and grades.”
“What record? And you have some of the highest marks in our year,” Poppy said indignantly. Then her face fell. “You… you only have the one detention…” The one he earned from Howin for defending her.
Sebastian crossed his arms, looking at his feet once more. “Yeah… but my grades aren’t as high as Anne’s are, except in Hecat’s class. I mean… I guess I could do better but–”
Poppy shook her head, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from saying something she’d regret. After a moment, she exhaled slowly. “If you want my opinion,” she said slowly and decidedly, “I don’t think it’s right. It’s not like you’ve been going around and getting into trouble on a weekly basis. And… does your uncle know you got detention because you were helping me?”
“Anne told him,” he said. “She thought it would help, but he said I should know better, and that there’s no ‘noble reason’ to break school rules.” He found Poppy’s face again and saw how angry and troubled she was on his behalf. “I don’t agree with him–”
“Yeah, but it’s like you’re being continually punished for being kind to the weird girl–”
“Weird girl?” Sebastian looked at her confused. “You’re not–”
“Yes, I am,” Poppy laughed–a sound tinged with melancholy as well as absurdity. “I like creatures better than people and I talk too much. I know I’m a bit odd and it’s okay–”
“Do people say that to you?”
The girl swallowed, unable to bring herself to answer. Sebastian sighed and shook his head, thinking about the girls calling her “Peculiar Poppy” when they passed or teasing her in the hallways.
“I’m not ‘being kind to the weird girl,’ Poppy.” She nodded, but he could still see the hesitation in her stance. “Are you just being nice to the two orphan kids,” he asked bluntly.
“What? No, of course not–”
“And Ominis,” he challenged. “You think we’re just taking pity on the blind kid?”
Poppy shook her head. “No! I know you wouldn’t–”
“Then please believe me,” Sebastian said. “I’m not just being nice to you. None of us are.”
The girl shyly smiled back at him. “I believe you,” she replied, whispered and sincere. “I just… I don’t like that you’re in trouble because of me.”
“Poppy, I already said–”
“That you’d do it again, I know. That doesn’t mean I have to be happy about you being punished. And I can still think your uncle is being unfair.”
The boy huffed a laugh. “Well, that’s something we can agree on.” He caught Poppy’s eye and the two of them started laughing, breaking the tension of the moment. Each time one tried to stop, the other would laugh a bit harder, until they were consumed with the giggles. Poppy wiped tears from her eyes as she tried to calm down.
“Come on, Sweeting,” Sebastian said, his grin wider now. He glanced up, the sun straight up. “Have you gotten your potions homework done yet?”
Poppy sighed. “I… haven’t started yet,” she admitted, glancing back at Danu. “But… some of the creatures may need another brushing–”
“Nope, not a chance,” he teased. “I still have to finish mine. We can go to the library and work on them? Help each other out before the feast?”
“Oh… the Halloween feast is tonight, isn’t it?” She frowned, not looking forward to how crowded the hall would be that evening.
Sebastian watched her face as she thought about it. “Sneak over to the Slytherin table.”
Poppy’s jaw dropped. “I… I can’t do that… right?”
“Why not,” he asked with a nonchalant shrug. “I doubt anyone would notice. The headmaster definitely won’t. And then you could sit with us.” When she didn’t answer, he gently elbowed her arm. “You’d have more fun at our table.”
The girl smiled, rolling her eyes. “Fine,” she said. “But if I get detention, you’re going with me.”
Sebastian held up his hand. “On Merlin’s beard, you have my word. If you get detention, I will make sure to earn one too.” Poppy laughed and playfully shoved him as they walked back towards the castle, where potion research and pumpkin pasties awaited them.
~~~~~
That evening, the Great Hall buzzed with more energy than usual. Hundreds of bats fluttered against the enchanted ceiling in patterns and formations that delighted most students, and the castle ghosts waltzed overhead as part of the entertainment. In all the bustle, very few people noticed a tiny brunette being shuffled over to the wrong house table.
“Sit between me and Anne,” Sebastian whispered. “That way no one else will notice you. And act like you’re supposed to be here.”
Poppy laughed as he gently pushed her over to his sister’s seat. She was trying to blend in rather than shrinking back–knowing that too much hiding would draw even more attention. Anne saw them and waved before it registered what stunt her brother was trying to pull.
“Sebastian,” she whispered. “Poppy’s supposed to be at her own table–”
“And as long as you don’t say anything,” he whispered back, “no one will notice.”
Anne looked as though for a moment she was going to argue–but seeing how resolute her brother was, she sighed and gave up. Ominis smirked from his seat across from them. “Anne, give her your scarf,” he said with a grin. “She’s less likely to stick out.”
“Are you encouraging them,” Anne asked incredulously, yet she removed the scarf from her neck and handed it to Poppy.
“I wouldn’t say encouraging,” he replied, filling his goblet with a flick of his wand. “But I certainly prefer Poppy’s company to some of our housemates.”
Anne snorted, raising her own goblet. “I’ll toast to that. Besides, it seems she can’t stay away from us either. We really do make great companions.”
Poppy giggled and clinked her glass with theirs. “You really do,” she admitted. “You’re all… easier to talk to.”
“I knew you couldn’t stay away from my charm and wit,” Ominis said dryly with a smile.
“Wait a minute,” cried Sebastian. “This was my idea, and yet the three of you are acting like I’m not even here.”
“Jealous,” Anne asked, flicking her eyes between her brother and the Hufflepuff with a knowing smirk. To her satisfaction, Seb’s cheeks flushed and he turned back to his plate. Before Poppy even had a chance to notice, there was a small roar from the Gryffindor table. Everyone turned around to see a grinning Garreth Weasley in a violent shade of orange.
“That’s… different,” he said, the smile not leaving his face. “But we can work with that!”
Matilda Weasley grabbed her nephew by the arm, carting him out of the hall and muttering under her breath. They could barely hear the redhead doing his utmost to convince her he was just trying to add “seasonal charm.” The Slytherin table tried to stifle their laughter, but to no avail. Sebastian relayed what he saw to Ominis, who shook his head with either amusement or exasperation.
“What do you think was supposed to happen,” asked Anne, a fond smile on her face.
Poppy shrugged. “I’m not sure, but I’m grateful he tested it on himself instead of us for a change.”
Sebastian and Ominis both laughed and agreed with that. The rest of the feast was uneventful–they ate, they teased, traded stories and desserts. By the time the feast rang to a close, the group was tired and contentedly full. Students began clearing out, heading to their respective common rooms to sleep off Halloween before resuming classes the next day. As they left the Great Hall, the Slytherin trio bid Poppy goodnight as she snuck back into the sea of black and yellow. The young girl raised her hand and waved at them one last time before getting swept along with the rest of her housemates.