The Unexpected PV Closed

Howie made his way up the stairs to the owlery, the parchment held tightly in his hands. A pang of guilt flashed through his chest as he reached out for the door. He had never been one to lie, but he just couldn’t bring himself to tell his parents that he was still struggling. They boy had been away from Hogwarts for a few months. The nightmares robbed him of sleep and had put him in a mental crisis. His parents had rallied behind him, scraping together whatever they could to take him to the doctors, however nothing worked. The demon still came every night. It was only then that Howie realized that no muggle treatment would work to cure him. Magic had damaged his mind, and it was only at Hogwarts that he would find the solution. So the boy lied, told them everything was fine so they would allow his return. Now it’s was time to keep up the facade with his latest letter.

The door swung open and Howie was bombarded with noise. The owlery was never a quiet place, but the birds seemed much more boisterous than normal. When he passed through the doorway he spotted a young witch swinging a file at a particularly aggressive owl. “Hey. You alright? These damned owls...” Howie stopped mid sentence. It was none other than Aurelia. “Oh, hey Aurelia. It’s been a while.”

With a few swings of her file, the bird eventually flew off to join the other hooting owls. Aurelia lifted her arm to examine it. The cuts and scrapes left by the owl's talons stung but the Gryffindor had faced much worse in her time in Hogwarts from having an incendio cast at her to almost drowning in the Great Lake once and even though it had drawn some blood, it wasn't that bad compared to the other things she had faced.

Aurelia heard footsteps from a distance followed by a voice asking if she was alright. "It's just a scratch," Aurelia had answered but the familiarity in the voice caused the brunette to turn around. Surprised she was when she was met with the face of Howie. She hadn't seen him in school since Halloween, the cut on the back of her left hand that he had indirectly caused had long faded leaving a noticeable discolouration of a scar slit across her palm. After Halloween, he had simply disappeared. Honestly, his disappearance it wasn't much of a surprise than his appearance since there were many other Muggle-borns like him who returned to wherever they came due to the unfortunate events that happened in the school the last year. Now Howie has seemingly appeared out of thin air in the Owlery of all places.

"Howie? You look different." She took no effort to conceal her surprise in her voice as her lips widened into a smile, revealing her pearly whites embedded with gleaming metal. As usual with most blue eyed, she fixed her gaze on the skin where his eyebrows met. She had learnt that trick the hard way without having to awkwardly avoid gazes every single time or suddenly becoming extremely anxious. Howie surely looked different, it wasn't just his buzzed head or the fact that he grew a few inches taller but it was his eyes, they reeked with weariness like those of one who got absurd hours of sleep. Aurelia at times woke up to dark circles under her eyes, the cause of staying up hours past curfew to complete articles for the Gryffgazette. Admittedly, Howie's condition seemed worse than she ever seen herself in. Perhaps it was because Howie had the traits of a typical Hufflepuff and that she wasn't used to seeing a lively Hufflepuff like him in such a condition. Aurelia decided to ignore that matter, it was none of her business to put her nose in how much sleep someone got.

"A while? It's been a long time. Where have you been the whole time?" She asked but it was barely a few seconds before she switched the topic and glanced down at her arm which was dotted with crimson liquid from the scratches. Damn that owl, she thought.

Aurelia took a fistful of tissue from her bag and began blotting the blood away. "It's nothing really, just a bald scratch." she assured Howie.

"Neither is it the owl's fault. I might have accidentally threw a paper ball at it. Maybe not accidentally, I wasn't... in the best of moods then." She admitted before walking across the room to pick up the crushed parchment she had first intended to send to her parents and smoothed it out. She still had to come up with something to write to them or else her mailbox would be inevitably spammed with letters sooner or later and she'd most likely have to deliver a convincing excuse for why she had not sent a single owl earlier.

Howie's hand moved to the top of his head as Aurelia spoke of his changed appearance, rubbing the spikey hairs of his crew cut. However he knew that would not be the only difference she spoke of. Howie knew he looked terrible, and the surprise in her voice told him that she must have noticed. At least the young Gryffindor smiled at his presence. A glint of metal on her teeth caught his eye. Braces? He couldn’t remember ever noticing crooked teeth on the girl, but then again, he couldn’t remember ever paying attention. 

Her actions snapped him out of that train of thought. He attempted to smile back as he spoke. “Yes. A long time indeed. I’ve been away at home. There was an incident last year that spooked my parents and myself to if I’m being honest, but I convinced them to let me come back.” Howie didn’t tell her the full story, not yet atleast. “Cut my hair off. What do you think? Too extreme? And when did you get braces?” He hoped the subject wasn’t sore for her.

His eyes would be drawn down to her arms as she wiped away the blood from the scratches, that’s when he spotted it. The discoloration on the back of her hand, the scar from the last time they had run into each other. The memory came flooding back. The terror in her eyes, the smashed vial on the floor, the gash on her hand, and the potion that she was attempting to drink. The Forgetfulness Potion! It clicked in his mind, this could be just the answer he was looking for. Howie was terrible at the subject, no way he could do it himself.

Aurelia crossed the room to pick up some crumpled parchment, he would have to go about this carefully. “Oh, not to worry, we all lose our temper from time to time. Plus owls can be such a pain to deal with. Are you sure those scratches are ok, those talon can cut deep.” He approached her to try and further examine. Howie cleared his throat as he awkwardly tried to divert the conversation. “So...I noticed that you still have that scar on you hand. I don’t know if I ever really apologized for that. Do you...um...still use that potion?” He looked around as he spoke, doing a poor job of trying to hide his intentions.

"No, no, your hair looks just right, neater than the goldilocks style you had during the Oktoberfest." She said laughing lightly.

Aurelia subconscious lifted her the fingers of the hand that wasn’t clutching on to the piece of parchment up to her lips as if remembering that her braces was there. During the first few days past the Winter Holiday period, Aurelia had trouble getting used the the foreign metal pieces in her mouth, they were very much uncomfortable and kept clipping her tongue. Now, with almost three months since she had the braces and taken a few trips to the orthodontist to get it tighten, she had gotten so used to it that at times like this, she had forgotten it was even there. Though, a few mean students had serve reminders occasionally, bluntly saying that they were ugly (*cough*Emma*cough*).

"Since the Winter Holidays. My mother insisted. They were fine just the way they were but apparently she though my smile would be more presentable if they had some work done on." She gave her shoulders a small shrug as if it wasn't much of a deal but her tone of disgust when she had used 'presentable' said otherwise.

The scratches on her arms were no longer bleeding as soon as she dabbed the remaining blood away. The bunch of tissue was now dark red with the same crimson. "Yes, really, it's nothing," She tilted her arm for Howie to see as some sort of proof all though about all of the half a dozen scratches were still Very visible.

However, she instantly regretted turning her arm that way when Howie had let out a cough that might had seem a little too forced for that matter before being up the healed up scar across her palm. It had happened a long time ago, in October and she was sure Howie had apologised during the baking workshop. Aurelia couldn't help but purse her lips tightly together in disapproval the way she usually did when the Hufflepuff mentioned about the potion.

Anything to fill a conversation with but the potion. Speak. Nothing. Of. The. Potion. Since January, a handful of nosy students had intended to put their nose into her business, and it never turned out well. Anastasia, Elena, Emma, they all had made assumptions to why she used the potion. Elena had some how got some information from some other student that she was consuming a potion every now and then, then Anastasia got hold of that information. Of course, the prissy Gryffindor prefect who was very much delusional and unreliable had attempted to make some article about it on Aurelia working with the mask man. It was fortunate, lucky even that Aurelia managed to take that article down in time. Then there was Emma, it gave Aurelia a headache to even think about the Ravenclaw's existence, she had once walked in on Aurelia brewing the potion and had attempted to destroy it. Thankfully, a professor appeared in time, they had then served their first detention together.

It was like a bad omen to speak about the forgetfulness potion as nothing good seem to come with it. It was also much of a personal topic to pry on, no matter how much she convince herself she wasn't, she knew deep down that she was indeed addicted. In addition, the reason for why she needed it in the first place was a sensitive topic itself. Currently, no body but her parents knew about her condition. Emma Hill surely has her assumptions but they were most likely wrong.

"There's no need to apologise, really. Like what my Mother always says, there's no point dwelling in the past, it's always best to move on." She said uneasily. A little lie slipping effortlessly from her lips in hopes that they'd move far far away from the potion. She never ever quoted her Mother and her Mother had never said anything like that. Deliberately avoiding Howard's other question, Aurelia continued, " Had not you came up here to send an owl?"

"I have to get on with working on my letter to my parents which is precisely what I came here for. Doubt my parents would be happy with that I have to tell them." She had said before glancing down at the parchment in her hand as if it was suddenly the most interesting thing in the world.

His hands too would subconsciously move to his head as she complimented his new look. Howie was so used to gliding his fingers through the long curls, constantly moving hair out of his eyes. The prickly hairs he felt now was still odd to him. 

Howie narrowed his eyes as Aurelia spoke of her mother, and the presentable smile. That all seemed quite foolish. She was always a pretty girl, a few slightly crooked teeth shouldn’t be looked down upon. However, Howie remembered from last year that Aurelia came from a strict, well to do, pure blood family. It was always odd to him the old traditions some families still held onto. Fortunately Aurelia did not seem to hold on to those traditions so tightly. She was bold, and very straightforward, but had always been kind to Howie, a muggleborn, and for that he was grateful.

“I never would have noticed you needed them.” Hoping to remedy the situation if he had brought up a sore subject.

He grinned as she told him there was no need to apologize for the old scar. She was a strong willed girl, something he had always admired about her. That grin would quickly fade as she reacted to his question of the potion. Aurelia quickly changed the subject. He remembered the panic in her eyes when he had knocked the potion from her hand that day in the bathrooms. He felt a similar emotion now. Howie was desperate to find some way of riding himself of the nightmares, and the memories that came with it. 

He hadn’t told anyone at Hogwarts of the incident over the summer. In fact, he wasn’t sure anyone would believe that he was attacked by a dementor.  Thinking of it now, it seemed a tall tale. The wicked creature had descended upon him, nearly performing it’s kiss. The creature had used it powers to unlock a repressed memory in the young boys mind, and a terrible memory it was. The first time Howie had used magic was violent. He had lashed out against his long time bully, cursing him as his magic manifested. Not only was it that he had used his magic for harm, but the feeling of power and elation that came with it is what truly haunted him. He feared himself broken and potentially evil.

Howie would not press the subject further, not yet anyways. Maybe if the conversation continued, they could open up to each other and become allies in their quest to forget their pain.

“Oh, yes. The letter. More lies to keep the parents happy. What news do you have for them, surely can’t be that bad.”

How bad of a situation she was in? Very. Her parents weren’t at all lenient but it was expected for parents of such status, upperclass and pureblood. At least she had an excuse for the the detention she had with Emma Hill earlier in the semester. Emma has attempted to destroy her potion with a spell and Aurelia had simply countered it, had the professor not walked in on them.

However, to explain the latest detention, with the same person, was more complicated than it would seem. Emma had stole her book, not just any book, Raphael’s diary, the only possession she had left of him it had made Aurelia so upset that she went as far as jinxing Emma. At least she got what she deserved. That wasn’t the only thing that needed explaination, she had been spending a lot of galleons on potions supplies which had concerned her parents.

“Lies...” She muttered.

She new her parents well and they knew her too. They could sniff out any lie in the matter of seconds. They knew her ways, how she wrote her letters, and if she missed out a part, they’d definitely knew something was indeed wrong. “If only you knew. I’ve been detained twice for this semester both times with the same person and part of the cause wasn’t even my fault.”

“That’s not all, my parents aren’t too happy of the galleons I use for potion ingredients. What can I say? The ingredients aren’t very cheap.” Aurelia let out yet another exasperated sigh. Honestly, the Ingredients were affordable except most 12 year olds do not usually consume 2-3 vials of potions a week. “Your not a pureblood, I suppose you don’t have the same expectations as I do.”

Aurelia spoke of detainment and detentions, Howie’s eyebrows would raised in slight surprise. She really didn’t seem the type, prefect and all. He had always known her to toe the line at Hogwarts. Although she never held her pure blood status over his head, he could tell she came from a strict and proper upbringing.

“Detentions?” Howie let the word drag out in a questioning manner. “My my Aurelia. Wouldn’t have expected that from you. They might be mad initially, but if it wasn’t your fault, I’m sure they will understand. Who’s this person? Maybe they deserved whatever trouble you brought their way.” This statement might seem out of place to most that knew Howie before. Usually Howie would have done everything to avoid conflict, a lover not a fighter as they say. However, the boy was thinking differently these days. Whatever this other girl may have done, if it was out of order, did Aurelia not have the right to use her power? 

She would go on to discuss her spending habits. Galleons? As in plural! On potion ingredients! Howie’s eyes would narrow. Must be nice. The few bits of gold locked away in his trunk was all the money he had to his name. It was typical among these pure blood families. Riches and status defined them, and with this came power. A flash of angry jealousy would course through him. He quickly shook the ugly thought from his mind. Why was that happening so often? The dark thoughts were coming more and more these days.

On a brighter side, she had mentioned potions, perhaps the subject was not completely unapproachable. “Well, everyone has expectations, but yes, I’ve no idea what it’s like to be a pure blood. You need your ingredients though, surely they know that. Potions aren’t made from nothing. Even if you may use a little more than most. Plus it’s your business what you do with your supplies, isn’t it?” He would gently push the subject, hoping she might discuss it further. 

What Howie said was true, Emma deserved more than a just simple detention. The Ravenclaw was always one for mischief and had a habit of dragging down victims like Aurelia in and to taking the brunt of the consequence. With almost two years spent in Hogwarts, Aurelia became more convinced that Emma existed just to make her life miserable and she wouldn’t be in this situation, having nothing good too write to her parents, without that blasted Emma. Aurelia wanted justice or better, to have revenge but that of course, would have to wait.

“None other than that blasted imbecile of a Ravenclaw, Emma Hill.” Aurelia said as if announcing the winning team of the quidditch cup and hadn’t made attempts to phrase the content of the introduction any more pleasant.

“She once attempted to use Flipendo on me in the potions classroom which I deflected. The professor just had to walk in and considered us breaking the rules by duelling. Recently, she had enough guts to take possession of something she knows I treasure dearly.” Aurelia could continue her rant and state a about half a dozen more reasons but that was not necessary.

“I doubt my parents would. Apparently, I dealt with the latter in a rather unsophisticated approach. So it was also... partially my fault.” She said, looking down at her feet, hating to admit that she was in fact at the wrong. At least that happened before she became a prefect. It was unexpected that she would have gotten the position seeing that she had two detentions in a row.

“My business, their money. Also, they know what I do with the ingredients, which I guess, is what makes them worried.” Her Parents knew. They aware that the potion suppressed her anxiety, allowed her to use it in hopes that her condition might improve. It had, but not much, most it did was make her very reliant on the doses of orange liquid.

“Parents are parents and it’s in their nature to be concerned.” She had told him with a shrug, this time, avoiding eye contact. To keep looking at a the centre of a blue eyed eyebrows took much effort and was almost exhausting for Aurelia. So she decided not to take her chances, never know when the anxiety would bubble up and create a scene.

Hmm. Emma Hill? Howie racked his mind, but could not remember ever meeting her. Not that he would have cared if he had. Friendships and community were meaning less and less to the boy as his state of mind slipped further and further from what he used to be. However, Aurelia had something that Howie wanted, and it would do him well to get in her good graces.

“I’ve never met her.” His eyebrows would raise again as she spoke of Emma’s transgressions. Attempted cursing? Theft? This Emma seemed more than just an annoyance. “Well, I would surely say you had the right to defend yourself...and she stole from you?” Howard briefly thought of what he would do in that situation. It wasn’t pleasant. “Pshh.” He scoffed at the word sophisticated. “And how might one be expected to handle that situation? Pure blood or not, if she attempted to curse you, you have every right to defend yourself.” Howie attempted to catch her eye, trying to decipher if his attempts to sweeten her up were getting anywhere, however she never really seemed to make eye contact during their conversation. He shrugged off the thought.

“Hmm. I suppose you’re right. It is their gold so they do have the right to know how it’s being spent, but if it’s for something helpful, what’s the issue? Don’t see how they would be worried if it’s doing you no harm.” He took a moment, trying to come up with the right words. Howie decided to take his chances once more. “I mean, it’s just for that potion you take, right? Doesn’t seem to effect you negatively.”