An overwhelmingly loud cheer struck through the air as Sebastian scored his first point by shooting the quaffle through the center loophole. The game has been going on for barely over 10 minutes and the emotions were already over the roof.

Emilia cheered with everyone else, despite presenting herself with the blue scarf that Ash had given her the day prior. Since it was Sebastian’s first Quidditch game ever, she wanted to show her support for her friend as well, not just her boyfriend. Although she did spend most of her time searching for Ash, who was circling around the rest of the players, searching for the golden snitch, only ever looking back at what was actually happening with the rest of his team to send signals to Mattias, who was Ravenclaw’s keeper.

He looked so handsome in his blue, fitting uniform that was showing off his fit body and muscles perfectly. She did see him in his Quidditch attire many times before, but seeing him in action for the first time, his dark hair sweeping off his forehead as he struck through the air like a lightning, the playful smile he would send to her whenever he got close to where she was sitting, and his hands operating the broom so skillfully, it just did something to her. Watching him play was weirdly addictive.

‘Emilia!’ – Ominis pulled on her robes and got her out of the trance as he heard the crowd cheering once more. – ‘Just tell me what is happening? Who scored?’

‘Oh, Sorry! It was Sebastian, he scored for the second time already, this time for 15 points.’ – she corrected herself quickly and looked left at her Slytherin friend as he smiled, hearing about his house team triumphing.

The girl felt bad for Ominis. She saw his excited expression, how excited he was listening to her describing what was happening in the field and he cheered especially loudly with the other students whenever Sebastian succeeded. She knew how badly he wanted to be able to participate in this event more, be able to actually see the match. He was usually the most quiet one in their trio, he was always the most responsible and reserved out of all of them.

He could sometimes be slightly harsh whenever Emilia and Sebastian would take it too far with their mischief but she knew that he only did it out of pure worry. Despite sometimes having trouble expressing his feelings correctly, he was obviously a great friend and he was so supportive, helpful and caring to them both.

He would always help Emilia with her studies, since he was effortlessly excelling in his studies, no matter the subject. And he was a great listener, although, he had significantly more patience for her, rather than Sebastian, but that is mostly because he had to put up with his recklessness for much longer than she did. From what they had told her, they had known one another since they were kids and spent the past 9 years of studies at Hogwarts together. The girl would sometimes worry whether she was pushing herself into their friendship but they both always reassured her that that wasn’t the case.

She considered both Sebastian and Ominis to be her closest friends, just like Rosie and Jaz, or Elle, or Atticus. She was so overwhelmingly grateful for all of them and always felt the need to thank them or compensate them somehow for all that they have done for her.

The girl considered her helping Elle fix her eyesight to be a good start. But that was not enough. There was so much that could have been done with her abilities, she just needed to practice more to be able to treat more severe or serious injuries. For example, Sebastian’s sister, Anne.

Ominis told Emilia about her once, since for Seb it seemed to be too sensitive of a subject. Anne was his twin sister, and she used to attend Hogwarts with them, also as a Slytherin. But something bad happened to her the summer before their 10th year and she ended up being cursed, which left her constantly ill and weak, unable to do almost anything, which led to her having to stay home and not go to the school to continue her education.

Despite being in a very fragile state she and Sebastian still exchanged letters regularly and supposedly he had told her about Emilia and she invited the three of them to visit her in Feldcroft where she was staying with her and Sebastian’s uncle, their legal guardian.

At first she was unsure about this trip since she was always anxious about meeting new people but the drilling need to help her that she felt anytime she saw Sebastian wandering around all sad after receiving another letter from her, informing him about her worsening state was much stronger so she agreed to go and visit her before their Christmas break.

Until then, she had lots of time to prepare and practice as much as possible with Professor Crane and make sure she will be strong enough to treat Anne. And not only her.

‘Ominis?’

‘Hmm?’ – he turned to her, trying to make it seem as if he was looking directly at her but his head was a little off to the side.

‘I was just wondering… haven’t your parents or anyone ever tried to fix your eyes? Surely there must be something that can be done about it…’ – she nudged him, trying to find out more.

He only laughed sadly and shook his head.

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‘My parents aren’t really the most caring people in the world… at least not to me.’ – the faint smile on his face faded. – ‘Mostly because of my despise for the dark arts. They call me a ‘disgrace’ to the Gaunt name. Yet I admit, they did try to find a way to restore my vision when I was a child. Although, nothing ever seemed to have worked. But, I’ve made my peace with it a long time ago, so it doesn’t bother me for the most part.’ – he forced out another faint smile. – Why do you ask?

‘I just cannot believe that there is not a single spell or potion that could do something about it.’ – the girl replied with frustration in her voice.

‘Sebastian used to think so as well. He was determined to help me gain my eyesight back, he tried so many charms on me and forced me to drink his brews just for it to never do anything besides making me ill.’ - he chuckled at the memory and paused for a moment before continuing. – ‘If there was a solution to my disability, I’m sure someone would’ve stumbled upon it by now. Many people have tried.’

‘But I haven’t.’ – she stated.

‘Well… no, but really, Emilia, you mustn’t trouble yourself with this…’ – the boy tried to discourage her but she interrupted him:

‘I want to try, Ominis. I think I actually could help you, at least partly.’ – the girl pressured him even harder.

The crowd cheered loudly once more but this time he ignored it, just raised his brows and shook his head in what seemed to be disbelief.

‘But… how?’ – he asked, unconvinced.

‘I have my ways.’ – Emilia decided not to tell him the truth just yet, as to not accidentally reveal her secret to any students around them, so she answered mysteriously.

Ominis opened his mouth to reply to her but suddenly a collective scream, louder than any other before, stormed through the crowds as the announcer screamed triumphally:

‘Ashton Evergreen has caught the golden snitch! Ravenclaw wins!’

The students created a wave, standing up and waving their flags, scarves and hats, representing the blue and silver colors of Ravenclaw and kept on cheering whilst running down the shaky wooden stairs onto the field in a rampage.

Ominis’ face dropped in disappointment and he pulled out his wand to navigate his way out of the sitting area.

‘Wait…’ – Emilia grabbed his wrist and stopped him. – ‘Listen, I really want to try and help you. Can you meet me tomorrow before breakfast in that small corridor in the Astronomy Tower?’

His face expressed confusion and resignation.

‘The Astronomy Tower? But why? Emilia, I truly appreciate you wanting to help but I assure you, there is no cure…’ -he shook his head, his voice barely audible in the storm of cheering students around them.

‘Just please… I’ll explain everything tomorrow. Just come. And don’t tell anyone.’ – she paused for a moment and bit her lower lip. – ‘Not even Sebastian.’

‘I… alright, fine, if it will make you happy. I’ll come. I’ll keep it between us. But we should really get down now, I want to talk to Sebastian about the game, he will probably feel terrible now, you know he struggles with accepting defeat.’

The girl agreed and helped Ominis get down. There, in the crowd they tried searching for the defeated Slytherin and after a moment she spotted him, alone on the side. He tossed his broom onto the ground angrily and started pacing while having his hands buried in his hair, visibly emotional over the loss of his first ever Quidditch match since joining the team.

‘I see him. Come on.’ – she pulled on Ominis’ robe and walked with him towards their friend.

But before they approached him, she heard a voice calling her name. She turned her head and saw Ash, running up to her with his broom in hand, his sweaty hair waving in the air.

‘I’ll go check on Sebastian, you go congratulate your boyfriend.’ – she couldn’t decide whether that comment was sarcastic or not, but she just shrugged it off, agreed and turned back around to meet up with the winner Ravenclaw.

He ran up to her and embraced her in a tight hug, she felt his hot sweaty skin against her which seemed weirdly attractive.

He leaned back whilst still having his arms around her waist and looked down at her, grinning from ear to ear, unusually but understandably energetic. She smiled seeing his joy and raised her hand and moved one of the sweaty strands of her out of his forehead, tucking it behind his ear gently.

‘Did you see me catch it?’ – he immediately questioned her, full of excitement.

She had just then realized she missed it.

‘I did, I’m so proud of you, ‘boyfriend’.’ – she forced a smile but felt ashamed by lying, yet she would probably feel even worse if she had to disappoint him by telling him the truth.

He smiled even wider and pulled her closer once again.

‘I can’t wait to celebrate with you. Our house is having a party after we get back, you must come with.’ – he grabbed her hand and wanted to pull her to come along.

Just then they had both noticed Ominis and Sebastian walking by, making their way back to the castle, both quiet and tense.

‘Hey, Sallow.’ – the freckled Slytherin raised his head as Ash called him. – ‘Don’t sweat it, you did a great job out there, for your first match ever. If it wasn’t for the snitch, you would’ve won.’ – he smiled at him sincerely and reassuringly.

‘Yeah, thanks.’ – he replied, still feeling down, and turned back around to head inside of the castle.

Emilia and Ash looked at one another.

‘I don’t think he took that loss very well.’ – the girl said, looking at the shrinking figures of her friends before they disappeared in the crowd of returning students.

‘I guess so…’ – he glanced that way as well before looking back at her. – ‘But he will be fine, I’m sure of it.’

She didn’t seem convinced and stared at her feet. Strangely enough, she felt guilty.

He raised her head by her chin and smiled at her warmly.

‘Hey! Evergreen! Come on, everyone is waiting!’ – Mattias stood out of the crowd, being significantly taller than everyone else, and waved at his best friend to call him over.

‘Coming!’ – he yelled back and grabbed Emilia’s hand again. – ‘So, are you coming?’

‘Ash… I’m sorry but you know I’m not good with people. Or crowds. Or parties. Is it okay if we celebrate alone together? Maybe tomorrow or something. I don’t want to be a killjoy and prevent you from enjoying your own victory party…’

He looked at her with disappointment but after a moment his eyes lit up and a playful smile came back onto his face.

‘Okay, love. Let’s meet up after the party then, say… around 11?’ – his green eyes hid something that she couldn’t quite resolve.

‘Of course. Where do you want to go?’ – she asked, her eyes meeting with his.

His smile grew different from his usual one.

‘Have you ever been to the Prefect’s bathroom?’