Chapter 10 - Promises

I was so embarrassed that I just ran off to my dormitory, leaving Ominis standing there looking as green as the house colours. I collapsed onto my bed and screamed in frustration into my pillow. It was a miracle I was able to fall asleep as my head was still spinning. I dreamt of firewhiskey and Poppy twirling in her yellow flowered dress, which didn't help with the spinning in my head.

When I made my way down the next morning to the common area, I noticed the mess had magically been cleaned up, no evidence remained. Thank Merlin. Even though it was a late evening, I was up early, replaying the event over and over in my head. I had cleaned myself up and was dressed in my usual adventure gear, although it was a bit of a tighter fit on me this year. I had meaning to make a visit to Gladrags Wizardwear in Hogsmeade, as I needed some new clothes. I wore a black cloak and scarf, as it was a chilly morning, and I had my shoulder bag with me. No one else was in the common area, everyone was still sleeping and no doubt nursing their headaches from the night before. I still didn't feel one hundred percent, still a bit weak but the worst was now behind me, or rather out of me.

I made my way out of the castle onto the front lawn area. I summoned my broom and mounted it. The sun was just rising as I ascended, and I was glad I wore a scarf as the wind nipped at me. The flight was peaceful, there's something like rising with the sun. I flew at a steady speed over the Hogwarts region with the wind on my face. I knew the route off by heart by now, I had done this trip many a time last year.

It wasn't too long a journey, but I could feel my fingers were icy cold as I eventually started my descent. Winter was approaching and I could see there was frost on some the grass areas around me that had yet to melt.

As I landed in the familiar clearing with the well, I looked around at the quiet hamlet. Feldcroft was still the same as I last left it. I made my way towards the Sallow's house that still stood empty. Solomon's grave was to the right of it, the once fresh flowers had now withered away. No one had to come replace them. The thought made me sad. I bent down near the cobblestone path to the house and picked some orange flowers, I think they were poppy flowers to be precise. The vibrant colour reminded me of Poppy's personality and now I understood her namesake. I discarded the now dead flowers and replaced them with fresh ones on the grave. I was never fond of Solomon Sallow, he was tough on Anne and Sebastian, more so on Sebastian, but he didn't deserve to die, I knew that.

I made my way back to the front of the house and pushed open the front door which hadn't been locked since it was deserted last summer. I made my way in and noticed cobwebs in the corners and a thin layer of dust had started to settle on the furniture since my last visit. It had been a while since I last visited Sebastian's home. The last time I was here was shortly after Sebastian had killed his uncle and Anne had vanished. I remember finding a letter she had left him.

Sebastian,

Too much has happened. I needed to get away from here for a while.

I miss Uncle Solomon.

I need time.

I will always love you, but I don't know if I can ever forgive you.

Anne

The letter still sat on the table in front of me, I wonder if Sebastian ever actually read it, if he ever returned here. Even though I had tried to avoid thinking about Sebastian over the past few months, I needed to come here to be reminded of the good times. Without the good times there was just sadness, and I didn't want to remember him that way. I remembered the day Sebastian and I discovered Isidora Morganach's home a short distance away. I closed the door behind me and began the short walk to Isidora's old home just over the hill, it was still abandoned, and the main structure was barely intact anymore.

I would never forget the adventures I had with him, and the memories made me smile. I was done with my anger with him. I was done with my hate. I had forgiven him for leaving. The real purpose of my visit, it was my turn to say goodbye, it was time to move on. Anne's letter replayed in my head, I will always love you, but I don't know if I can ever forgive you. I had to forgive Sebastian, whether he was here or not, if I was ever to find peace and happiness again. I made my way to the edge of the hill that overlooked the hamlet. There were barely any leaves on the surrounding trees and the hamlet looked dry. It made me think of the drought hundreds of years ago in the pensieve the Keepers showed me. The drought that almost destroyed this hamlet, but the Keepers intervened and saved Feldcroft. Now it was just a dry season, rainfall would come again and with it, new blossoming trees.

"I forgive you Sebastian. I'll never forget you. I promise you will always hold a special place in my heart, but I have to say goodbye now."

I stared out over the hamlet for one last look, the people of Feldcroft were now starting to wake and begin their day. I heard a bird cry from above and saw that it was an eagle flying just above. Its long, beautiful wings were outstretched, and it had a white tail. I smiled at it and thought how quaint that I was about to join him in his flight. I turned and summoned my broom once more, ascending into the warmth of the day, back towards Hogwarts.

²

It was late morning by the time I had returned. I had missed breakfast, but I needed to find Ominis. There was no point in avoiding one another I had decided. I couldn't be the only one feeling embarrassed. Instinctively I made my way to the Undercroft, and I found Ominis sitting at the chess board playing by himself. He heard me enter and smiled in my direction.

"I was wondering if you were going to make an appearance today," he said in a relaxed tone.

I smiled. Why did I think this was going to be awkward?

"I've decided we need to be adults and just discuss what happened last night Ominis."

I made my way over to him and sat across from him over the chessboard. He started a new game and called out, "Pawn to F3." the piece magically moved into position, he was playing white.

"I don't want to play chess Ominis, I want to talk."

He folded his arms and sighed.

"I don't want to talk Riley."

"We need to talk Ominis, about last night I-" he interrupted me with a groan. I don't think I had ever heard Ominis groan, the sound was quite seductive.

"I'll make a deal with you, play one game of chess with me? If you win, we can talk. If I win, we get to do whatever I want."

I frowned.

"That's not fair Ominis, you always win at chess."

He smirked.

"I usually let you play white, today I start. You should be able to read my strategy from my first initial moves, you'll have the upper hand."

He had a point. His first move had already weakened his king's position.

"Do we have a deal?"

He held out his hand in front of me.

I had a feeling I could win this game.

"Deal," I shook his hand and made my called my move.

Ominis had me fooled. He made quick work of my chess pieces and won the game in only a few moves, if anything it was the fastest game we'd ever played. I was starting to think he was going easy on me before so as not to hurt my feelings. I was so frustrated.

"Check," he smirked at me once again.

"No, Ominis that wasn't fair, you are a much more skilled chess player than me. I want to talk," he started resetting the chess pieces.

"A deal is a deal Riley, and what are we if we do not keep our promises?"

He flicked his wand and the chess board and table had packed itself away and started to float to one of the corners of the Undercroft. We just sat there on our chairs with nothing between us. I wasn't happy about it, but we had made a deal. I had to stand up as the chair started moving from under me, evidently it was trying to follow the table, Ominis also stood.

"Fine, what do you want to do?"

I crossed my arms and huffed loud enough for him to hear my discontentment.

He stowed his wand and smiled at me.

"Thank you."

He reached his hand outward and managed to find my waist. He pulled me in quickly towards him, pausing only for a moment to bring his other hand to the back of my neck. I closed my eyes as his lips found mine and he pulled me even closer. He tasted so good. His lips were so soft, and his kiss was gentle. I tried to contain my eagerness, I wanted more. I put my hands on his chest, and he wrapped both arms around my waist now. It was everything I had imagined a kiss would be like. All butterflies and no vomit.