A Hogwarts Mystery: Talbott Winger x Reader

Indenial

Note: I'm excited for this part! Enjoy~ Please leave a vote or comment!

Hit with the sudden realisation

Talbott glanced up from his books as Y/N approached and took a seat across from him at the Ravenclaw table. Her cheeky smile caught his attention, and he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the playful aura she was exuding.

"What brings you here?" he asked curiously, taking note that all her friends were gathered, chatting happily at Y/N's usual spot at the table.

"Oh, nothing; I just saw you alone," Y/N replied with a playful tone. Her grin remained as she continued, "So, as your 'friend,' I just wanted to know how you're doing." She emphasised the word 'friend,' a title she knew Talbott had been reluctant to accept before.

He looked up at her with a confused look. "Hm, I'm doing alright. I'm just reading some books on birds and writing some poetry. Why do you ask?" His tone remained cool and composed, but there was a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Y/N's smile widened as she leaned in slightly, her eyes sparkling with genuine interest. "Wow, I would love to read some of your written poetry! After hearing some of your stories about your father sneaking your poem into the Daily Prophet when we were looking for your feather necklace, I've been wanting to read it."

Before Talbott could respond to her, someone shouted Y/N's name, and it turned out to be Barnaby Lee, the Slytherin friend she had worked with when they had faced a Boggart earlier that week. "Oh, sorry, Talbott. I have to help him. See you later, though?" she apologised before quickly leaving.

Talbott nodded slightly. "Yeah, see you later," he replied, though he couldn't help but watch her as she left, a slight frown forming on his face.

He returned his attention to his books and quill, trying to continue what he was doing, but something was off, and it's bothering him. He doesn't know what it was, only that he knows it has to do with y/n.

He tried to focus his attention on his book once more, but the words jumbled before his eyes. Absentmindedly picking up his quill, he started tapping it against the pages.

His thoughts kept drifting back to y/n and their recent interaction. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was different—weird. And he couldn't put his finger on what it was that was bothering him.

He was frowning as he had unconsciously glanced back in the direction y/n had disappeared, his brows furrowed with the unease he couldn't explain. He needs to find the answers, at least for his peace of mind.

Sighing in frustration, Talbott gathered his books and left the Great Hall. Deciding that the library might offer him peace—to clear his mind and make him identify the strange emotions.

~~~

The day went by, and Talbott couldn't help but notice the merry excitement among y/n's friends and acquaintances. It didn't take long for him to learn the reason for their bright moods: a celebration—a birthday party for none other than Barnaby's pet, Knarl—that y/n had volunteered to help organise.

When Talbott still couldn't identify the unfamiliar emotions he'd been experiencing, he opted to go from one place to another. Every time he goes to another place, he can't help but find himself encountering y/n with Barnaby. Every time he saw them happily chatting with each other, that unfamiliar emotion surfaced, especially whenever he witnessed her radiant smile and the sparkle in her eyes, the same way her eyes shone when he admitted to her that she was his friend.

Each time he saw her smile and her eyes light up for someone else, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of something he didn't quite want to acknowledge—jealousy.

No, he told himself. He wasn't jealous. She was a friendly person—sociable, and naturally, people would gather around her even with her reputation. She gives her attention to everyone who seeks it; he can't expect her attention to be solely focused on him just because she did it once when he was having trouble with his necklace.

But even as he says that to himself, he couldn't help but want to be the reason to make her smile like that or for her eyes to sparkle with happiness.

Then, as he was back at the library again, y/n approached him with a cheerful grin. "Hey, Talbott! Barnaby and I are planning Knarl's birthday party, and I came to ask if you would like t-"

He cut her immediately, his emotions mixed with nervousness and embarrassment; he didn't know the reason. "It's a No," he said tersely, trying to hide from a book before he felt more confusing emotions. He really needs to solve the reason why he was getting all of these emotions in her presence.

"No, wait! You didn't even let me finish," Y/N protested, following after him. "I was just asking if we could use your knowledge of magical creatures."

Talbott peered up on his book to glance at her with raised eyebrows, finally calming down. "Why would you assume that I would be of help with knowledge about magical creatures?" he asked, sarcasm lacing his tone, while mentally irritated at himself for how he can't seem to ignore her more than usual.

Y/N's playful smile remained unchanged as she responded, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "A little birdie once said that to me."

Talbott quirked an eyebrow in amusement. "It must be a liar then," he retorted with a hint of a playful grin, glad that Y/N didn't mind his initial tone.

Y/N chuckled, and the sound was like music to his ears. "Funny! How can an eagle joke about something like that?"

Talbott couldn't help but smile back. The conversation between them seemed to had relax him a little.

"Ugh, fine. What do you need?" he relented; his tone warmer now. Spending time with her, even if it was just helping with a birthday party for a Knarl, was something he was secretly grateful for. And maybe, just maybe, he was beginning to like it that way.

~~~

"Great! Thanks, Talbott!" Y/N exclaimed with excitement, her grin widening. "We're thinking of including some magical creatures in the party decorations, and I thought your expertise could come in handy. Plus, with how to handle magical creatures well."

He could only nod, embarrassed and a bit proud for being able to help her in some way. "Alright, but I still think you shouldn't talk to some strange eagle, telling stuff you don't know is true." He joked with a faint smirk.

Y/N's eyes sparkled with happiness as she clapped her hands together. "Well then, the party won't start if I don't work!" She gave him a wave goodbye, as Talbott watch her retreating form, his heart beating a little faster, the emotions he had been feeling beginning to make sense.

It was becoming undeniable. He liked her.

"I like her..." he whispered to himself, his confession hanging in the air, sealing the deal on the emotions he had been wrestling with.

To be continued.

A/N: FINALLY!!! BEST PART OF THIS STORY FOR ME!!!

See you next part~