Chapter Text
There was chittering through the tables about a new student. It was unheard of, a new student that’s not a transfer? Let alone, not even a first year?
I heard this person was home schooled before being accepted at Hogwarts.
I bet the student’s parents bribed Headmaster Black to admit them in.
I heard that this is a charity admittance ….
Sebastian and Ominis were listening to their fellow Slytherins talk about this new mystery student. He quirked a brow, a smile in disbelief.
“Do you believe any of this, Om?” He says low enough for only his best friend to hear. “Or did you already do your digging and know who this mystery student is?”
Ominis gave a curt laugh - it was almost a scoff. “You know how I feel about using my family’s name in finding out information.” His tone was light, his chiding was in a teasing way. “Besides, apart from all these rumors , all I was able to find is this new student will be a fifth year.”
“A fifth year?!” Now both of Sebastian’s brows are raised. “That’s incredibly late.” Ominis shrugged, clearly not bothered by that small detail.
The two 5th years sat through the sorting. They cheered for those sorted into their group, clapped politely for the others. The group of unsorted children dwindled - all first years. Finally, after what felt like an eternity of clapping and cheering, the sorting hat was done. Majority of the tenured students looked around confused. Murmurs rippled through the grand hall. Where was the new student? Professor Weasley had the sorting hat in hand. She lingered, a glance towards the headmaster, unsure if they should wait just a moment longer. It was evident that she too was curious about this new person.
Ominis was the first one to look towards the grand central door. Sebastian caught his gaze and followed. He always had a weird way of sensing movement or even events before they happened. Must be a perk from being blind - enhanced senses.
The door creaked open and Professor Fig popped his head in. He looked around and then shrank away. Headmaster Black noticed immediately and practically ran to the man. Professor Weasley stood with the sorting hat in hand, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
They’re here.
A few moments later, the doors open again and out comes a girl. She was slow and cautious when she entered, she purposely cast her eyes forward so as to not interact with anyone. Once fully inside, you could sense her demeanor change. She looked around, her face filled with excitement and awe. Her gaze lingered at the starry night above the students.
For Sebastian, he remembered being in awe when he first looked at the ceiling too. He was eleven at the time. There was a sense of nervous excitement when he walked through those doors. The unknown was calling him and he was ready to answer. Looking at this new girl, he felt the same emotions from that time bubble up. He had accustomed to the starry ceiling quickly (he was in there daily for dinner) but seeing this new girl have such a raw emotion to it made him look up and appreciate his surroundings with a new light.
She’s slender with a petite frame. Her dark hair was up in a high pony tail, the ends curling around itself. She had bangs that framed her face, it was just above her piercing spring green eyes. Her complexion was light with a barely visible tint across her cheeks. Sebastian couldn’t look away. There was this … odd sense of mysticism to her. Perhaps it was the way she held herself.
The whispers began again as she walked through the hall and towards the front. Students turned around sharply as she walked past. She paid them no heed.
That must be the new student!
She’s super late.
What a bad look for whatever house she gets sorted in.
The crowd hushed to a deafening silence as this mystery student sat at the center of the stage. They leaned forward in attempt to gleam any of the words the hat was saying. The hat spoke low, grumbling to the girl, his brows (what else would you call it) furrowed as if unsure where to place her.
“I have decided!” The hat shouted in a clear voice. The announcement echoed through the hall, louder than any of the previous students. He paused, enjoying the lingering silence, the rising anticipation. “HUFFLEPUFF!”
The students in yellow jumped to their feet, cheering that they get to claim the new mystery transfer. The comments commenced again. Sebastian and Ominis shook their head, partly in slight disappointment, partly in slight relief, but mainly because of the comments that echoed through the Slytherin table.
Of course Hufflepuff took her in. They’ll take anyone.
-- * --
The next morning, Sebastian was able to finally meet the mystery student in person. They had Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Hecat together. He didn’t notice her at first, he was too busy sparring with another student to see her slip in.
It wasn’t until they were both were chosen for a basic duel that he realized that his opponent would be her. Standing at opposite ends of the table, Sebastian was able to get a good look at the girl. She stood sure and confident, her wand gripped tightly in her left hand. She had a determined look to her as she focused on him.
It was adorable. Sebastian knew she had no prior training to dueling. This was her first day at Hogwarts. She had just learned levioso, so he knew this would be easy. Maybe he should go easy on her - but that’s not a proper Hogwarts welcome.
“Begin!”
Sebastian stepped forward and opened his mouth, ready to yell his first incantation.
The girl beat him to it. Before he could even process what happened he was up in the air, his balance off kilter.
That cheeky -
There was a flurry of basic spells. One, two, three, four… he fell back down into a crouch position.
Ow…
“This can’t be your first duel,” Sebastian stood up quickly and threw a few basic spells her way. He was in utter disbelief, there is no way the student was already adept at levioso. She had just learned it not even 5 minutes ago!
“I’m a quick learner. Protego!” She successfully blocked his attack. With a fluid motion - almost dance-like she says, “Stupify.”
Sebastian is on his toes now, a rush of adrenaline filling his veins. He followed and casts protego with ease. He was able to deflect her parry.
“Levioso!” Her timing was impeccable, the shield had just dropped, there wasn’t enough time to parry. Once again he was up in the air.
Four more hits then a drop. A solid thud on the table reverberated throughout the surface. Students looked in disbelief, the undefeated duelist, Sebastian Sallow, just lost his first match.
“It’s looks like our winner is a clear choice! Lyra Dussard is our winner! Well done students.” Professor Hecat announced.
Lying on the table, blinking stars away, the Slytherin took a moment to assess what just happened. Sebastian wasn’t embarrassed, he was impressed. She was quick, adept, and most importantly unassuming. He underestimated her.
She walked past him, her head bowed slightly down as she gave him an apologetic smile. She mouthed the word ‘sorry’.
“See me after class,” Sebastian said smoothly. He ignored her sympathy. He didn’t need it. He knew he lost fair and square. Now he knows not to underestimate her. Right then, he decided he would need to keep an eye on this girl. She’s hiding something and he wants to find out.
--*--
“I invited her,” informed Sebastian to Ominis. DADAs class was over, the Gaunt boy waited for Sebastian so they could walk to their next class together. Sebastian sounded like an excited puppy coming off the high of playing fetch for the first time.
“You get beat by the new student and then invite her to the club?” Ominis shook his head, unsure of what to think. “You must have had a hit or two to the head.”
“She’s good, Om. I underestimated her and she got the better of me. That Hufflepuff has talent.” Sebastian insisted. “After classes today, come with me to Cross Wands, see for yourself.”
Except she didn’t show.
“Stood up on your first date, hm?” Ominis teased.
“Oh shut up,” Sebastian drawled, “I skipped detention for this.”
--*--
The boys were in the Slytherin common room. Sebastian was immersed in an ancient spell book. He scribbled some notes into a personal notebook of his. Ominis was by the window, encouraging first years to keep looking through the murky waters, mermaids were bound to come and say hello.
Grace Pinch-Smedley scurried over to Sebastian.
“Is it true?” She asked wide eyed and full of hope.
Sebastian looked up, confused by the sudden interruption. “What are you talking about?”
“The new fifth year, Lyra. I heard she took down a troll with Natty in Hogsmeade today. What a dreadful thing to encounter and on her first day!”
“I - I wouldn’t know,” Sebastian stammered, unsure how to process this information, “Why are you coming to me about this?”
“You’re friends with her, right? I heard about the duel and I know you have charms and herbology with her too. She’s already helped a few students, do you think she’ll be able to help me? “ the eagerness in her voice made Sebastian remember his sister, Anne. Wait - how did she know all of this?
Shaking his head, he gave a comforting smile, “I’m sorry Grace, I don’t know her that well, but if she’s helping students, I’m sure she’ll help you too. Besides, why aren’t you coming to me or anyone else about this? I would help you out.”
“And be in your pocket with an ‘I owe you’? No thank you,” Grace turned on her heel and walked away. Perceptive one she is.
--*--
The next day, Sebastian made a B-line to Lyra. There was a group of students surrounding her like a pack of piranhas chomping at a fish. He saw her uneasiness as she answered their questions. So she’s not one for the spotlight, good to know.
Sebastian slid in, his confidence shining through for the other students to see, “Okay okay, let her breathe! Acting like a niffler to a pot of gold.” The students dispersed albeit begrudgingly. “Only one day in and you’ve already made a name for yourself, Dussard.”
“Thank you,” Lyra smiled, it was genuine. Sebastian could see the tension lift from her shoulders and relief wash over her. “I’m not one for all this attention. It’s suffocating.”
“Well it’s not every day a student with no training defeats a troll.” He made sure to put extra emphasis on the last part. It was a bait lying out for her to catch.
“I never implied that I’ve had no training,” she defended quickly.
“Excuse me for misunderstanding,” Sebastian raised his hands in surrender, “but you have to admit it is unusual.”
She let out a sigh, “I’m sorry. I’m a bit on edge. I don’t mean to take it out on you.”
“I’ve got thick skin, you don’t need to worry. But I understand why you’re feeling as so, I’ve heard the rumors. How did you get Rookwood to go after you?”
There was a slight hesitation. Her lips parted slightly but nothing came out. Her shoulders tensed ever so slightly before she spoke, “I’d rather not say - or at least, not around all these people. There’s really a lot to unpack.”
“No worries, you can tell me after classes today. We can catch up at Cross Wands. You did skip it yesterday. Though I feel like fighting a troll would supersede a little bit of sparring practice.” Sebastian joked lightly. He gave her a charming smile to help break down the defensive wall he stupidly created between them.
She smiled back! It was an infectious smile, the type that caused her eyes to glint with emotion behind it, "We'll see..."