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The first Hogsmeade weekend of the year saw Antares back in the Three Broomsticks. Madam Rosmerta was delighted, offering him a private booth and a glass of Lichleaf — on the house. While he declined the booth in favour of his regular table, where Adrian sat in wait, Antares' wasn't one to turn down a free drink.
"Took you long enough," Adrian teased as Antares approached him.
Antares slid into the seat across from his friend. "I had to dodge a couple of enthusiastic first-years on the way here."
Adrian's eyes glinted with amusement. "You were on the cover of The Willow, mate. 'Pure-Blood Powerhouse: Antares Kelly Exposes Hogwarts Classroom Scandal' — you've officially made the tabloids exciting."
Antares chuckled, shaking his head at the headline. "What can I say; things were becoming boring. How's Wiseacre's treating you, Adrian?"
"Same as always," his friend said. "They have me doing more than stocking shelves and answering owls now, so I can't really complain."
Antares raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "You mean you have potential?"
Adrian leaned back in his chair, a grin playing on his lips. "I know, shocking, right? Turns out I'm not just a pretty face after all."
"I bet you managed to charm your way into it. Funny, considering you could never charm your way out of detention."
"I'd like to see you weasel your way out of a detention with McGonagall," Adrian snorted, taking a hearty sip from his glass.
Antares grinned. "Luckily, I will never have to. We're coworkers, and now that I have made front-page news, we're practically best friends."
Their banter continued effortlessly, a familiarity born from years of friendship. Antares and Adrian met in their first year at Hogwarts, introducing themselves during the boat ride. Where Antares was more formal and enjoyed his privacy, Adrian countered it with his laid-back nature, not afraid to stand in and speak up for his friend when needed. By the end of their second-year, Antares no longer felt the need to withhold his opinions, but that only doubled the amount of silvery barbs one heard from the duo. Throughout their education, along with Vita, they became inseparable.
"Do you ever miss being a student?" Antares couldn't help but wonder, starting his third pint. He switched his drink once he realized he had no intention of making curfew.
Adrian's eyes sparkled with nostalgia. "All the time, mate. The pranks, the Quidditch matches, sneaking into the Forbidden Forest—"
"— and nearly getting expelled," Antares added, smirking.
Adrian shrugged. "No risk, no reward," he declared happily.
"True. Back then, our biggest concerns were passing exams and dodging Filch," Antares nodded.
"You think Hogwarts will ever be the same?" Adrian asked after a moment, a hint of concern in his voice.
"Honestly?" the grey-eyed boy said. "I am not sure. It seemed to recover from the first war, but then again, it wasn't Hogwarts that fought."
Adrian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I miss the simplicity of it all. Just being students, learning magic, not having to worry about anyone's mess but our own." He paused before shaking his head. "Merlin, I sound selfish."
"No," Antares was quick to disagree. "I feel the same. Trust me, there is nothing I want more than to be back home, away from all these politics and pleasantries."
"Then why aren't you?"
Antares had to stop himself from accidentally spilling the truth. He took a sip of his drink, buying him a moment to gather his thoughts. The truth was that he joined the Order and now was the personal bodyguard to Harry Potter, but he couldn't say that. But he didn't want to lie to his friend either. Antares desperately wished he could articulate his feelings without compromising the security of the Order and, by extension, wizard society.
Instead, he gave Adrian a tight smile. "I couldn't find it in myself to leave. What kind of person would I be if I left all of you to deal with this on your own? I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you or Vi. Or Cass or Ernie."
Adrian hummed in response, looking down into the bottom of his glass. He took Antares' words to heart and mirrored his understanding.
"I've been thinking," Adrian confessed, his voice taking a more serious edge. "About what's happening with Umbridge and the Ministry. I mean, I work at Wiseacre's, and I see how the Ministry's influence is affecting things there, too. It's like a slow poison. A war is coming. When it does, I'll be forced to pick a side. I want to be on the right one."
"Why?" Antares inquired gently, genuinely curious about the motivations of his friend. "You could live a comfortable life, not getting involved, enjoying the perks of your job."
Adrian leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I suppose I could, but that makes me a coward. I can't just stand by and watch this happen. It's not right, and seeing you fighting makes me want to do something about it."
The two Slytherins met each other's gazes, serious and contemplative. "What exactly are you going to do, then? What can you do?" Antares questioned.
Adrian's gaze hardened, eyes alight with determination. "I don't know yet, Lu. The customers at Wiseacre's listen to me, and I know I can sway them. It might be a small, but it's something."
Antares admired Adrian's resolve.
The idea of Adrian joining the Order flitted into Antares' mind, startling him. He couldn't deny that Adrian would get what he wanted, and the Order would receive an extraordinary wizard. How could he deny Adrian the chance? If he did, Antares would be the world's greatest hypocrite. Antares knew the risks and joined the Order anyway. He understood the perils that came with being part of the secret organization. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that having Adrian's support could be a game-changer.
"You're serious," Antares said, needing one final confirmation.
"Did you think I was joking?" was Adrian's rebuttal.
"I didn't think you were joking. I just wanted to see if you had doubts," Antares explained, "because there is a certain point where you can't go back."
Adrian's jaw clenched. "I've made up my mind already."
Antares nodded, leaning in closer. "Alright. If you want to fight, I will find you a fight; granted, it may take some time," he accepted. "I do, however, have one condition."
"What's that?" Adrian asked, eyes narrowing.
"Vita cannot know."
Adrian's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You want me to keep secrets from Vita? Are you mental?" he exclaimed.
"Possibly," Antares said dryly. "I just don't want her worrying about us any more than she already does. We both know she's fiercely protective, and if she catches wind of this, she'll be breathing down our necks every second of the day."
"Mate, you remember that Vita has an uncanny sixth sense for lies, right? Trying to hide something from her is like trying to hide a Blast-Ended Skrewt in a field of daisies."
Antares casually ignored the mention of Vita's favourite flowers. "I'm not asking you to lie to her, Adrian," he clarified. "Just to omit certain details for her peace of mind."
"And you're okay with that?" Adrian scowled.
"Of course not," Antares bit, "but what is the alternative? Endangering her?" He felt a twinge of guilt as he glanced away, unable to meet Adrian's scrutinizing gaze. He hated keeping secrets from Vita — really, he did. However, after the holiday party at the Malfoy's, he started prioritizing Vita's safety.
It had been a plague on his mind — the idea of Vita falling victim to Death Eaters. And now that he had gone and made himself a target of the Ministry, Vita was at risk for simply being friends with him. She could lose her job and become an outcast of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. Vita would lose friends and family alike.
'But she would have you,' A part of him reminded, making him scoff internally.
Right, that's if she would ever talk to him again.
Adrian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine, but if Vita ever finds out about this, just know I'm not taking the blame."
"I don't expect you to," Antares drawled, ordering another round.
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The following Monday brought an abrupt — and frankly — shocking scene of events. Events that had Antares marching down from Study Hall, a pack of students trailing after him.
Ten minutes ago, he was calmly grading Herbology essays, waiting for Eleanor Branstone to arrive so that he may help her practice her pronunciation. She was already four minutes late, having agreed to meet at the very start of the period. However, Antares did not expect the little Hufflepuff to come rushing into the Study Hall, out of breath and with a worried look on her face, demanding he follow her.
"Antare-ths! Antare-ths!" Eleanor cried, her lisp shining through in her panic. Every student looked up, curious at the disruption of their studies.
"Eleanor," Antares called gently, immediately sensing something was wrong. "Has something happened? Why are you upset?"
"It's Profe-th-or Trelawney. Umbridge ith — ith th-acking her," Eleanor managed to convey between breaths, her eyes wide with urgency. "Ernie th-ed to find you."
Antares' eyes widened in disbelief. "Where's Ernie?"
Eleanor gulped. "The courtyard next to the Entran-ths Hall."
The Viaduct Courtyard.
Pushing himself up from his desk, Antares darted past Eleanor, ignoring the gasps and whispers of the students. The farther he got, the more students joined in following him. To anyone who saw, it looked like he was leading an army.
When he reached the Entrance Hall, he converged with a mass of students already waiting, watching Filch haul several bags of luggage to a whimpering and crazed Trelawney. Umbridge stood before her, a smug smirk on her toad-like face.
Antares felt only ire.
Trelawney was utterly terrified, pleading with Umbridge to rethink her decision. "Please. Sixteen years I've lived and taught here," she bawled. "Hogwarts is my home."
"It was your home," corrected Professor Umbridge.
Trelawney sniffled, shaking her head in denial. "You can't do this."
Umbridge gave a sickening grin, holding up a folded document for everyone to see. "Actually, I can."
Off near the opposite end of the courtyard, Antares saw Professor McGonagall push through the crowd of students, planting herself by Trelawney's side. She held the sobbing professor tightly, consoling her. McGonagall shot Umbridge a scathing look, clearly as angry as Antares felt.
"Something you'd like to say?" taunted Umbridge.
"Oh, there are several things I would like to say," Professor McGonagall fumed. Trelawney let out a short wail, which quieted when the Transfiguration professor wrapped her tighter in her arms. "There, there..."
Umbridge looked ready to taunt the other two professors further but stopped when the heavy sound of the large oak doors to the courtyard heaved open. The mass of students parted, revealing a less-than-pleased Dumbledore.
Antares wondered how he managed to hear about what was happening so quickly. Perhaps it was a portrait? Since no student could enter his office without invitation.
"Professor McGonagall, might I ask you to escort Sybil back inside?" he commanded calmly.
"Sybil, dear. This way," McGonagall led.
Then Professor Sprout hurried forward, grabbing the Divination professor's other arm to support her. McGonagall and Sprout guided Trelawney past Umbridge and back into the Entrance Hall. Professor Flitwick also came to Trelawney's aid, using his wand to make the almost-forgotten luggage follow them into the castle.
"Thank you," Trelawney whimpered, clutching Dumbledore's hands as she passed him.
Umbridge looked at the Headmaster with condescending authority. "Dumbledore," she giggled, "may I remind you that under the terms of Educational Decree Number —"
"You have the right to dismiss my teachers," Dumbledore interrupted. "You do not, however, have the authority to banish them from the grounds. That power remains with the Headmaster."
His words were cold, far colder than Antares had ever heard him speak, and they echoed in the open space of the courtyard. Dumbledore's eyes, which usually shined with warmth and wisdom, now held a steely resolve. The Headmaster's defiance was palpable to everyone who watched.
"For now," Umbridge warned. "And what are you going to do with her once I appoint a new Divination teacher who needs her lodgings?"
"Oh, that won't be a problem," said Dumbledore dismissively. "You see, I have already found us a new Divination teacher, and he will prefer lodgings on the ground floor."
"You've found — ?" said Umbridge, aghast. "You've found? Might I remind you, Dumbledore, that under Educational Decree Twenty-two —"
"— the Ministry has the right to appoint a suitable candidate if — and only if — the Headmaster is unable to find one," Dumbledore recited. "And I am happy to say that on this occasion I have succeeded. May I introduce you?"
Stepping into view was a figure that caught everyone off guard — a centaur with white hair and pale blue eyes. Antares felt Eleanor gasp in awe beside him as she grabbed onto the sleeve of his robe. She looked amazed like she saw a shooting star streak across the sky.
"This is Firenze," said Dumbledore to a dumbfounded Umbridge. "I think you'll find him suitable."
Merlin, Vita would have a field day with this, thought Antares.
Dumbledore, however, did not linger on the confrontation. He turned away from Umbridge, calling out harshly to the students, "Don't you all have studying to do?"
Immediately, the crowd started to disperse, and Antares gathered some students to lead back to the Study Hall. He was about to leave when he heard a familiar voice shouting.
"Professor Dumbledore. Professor!" Harry was calling, trying to catch up to the retreating Headmaster. "Professor Dumbledore!"
Antares watched as the Chosen One was ignored, eyes trailing as he ran towards the doorway of the Entrance Hall. He hesitated, torn between his duty as a teacher and the instinct to support Harry. Turning away, Antares ushered the students back to the Study Hall, leaving Harry alone in his pursuit.
He would simply have to find him later. Or Dumbledore — whichever came first.
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Don't you just love when the chapter titles align?
Also, I felt like we needed more soft Ares. Everything has been so depressing (and that's totally my fault).
Plus, more Adrian AAAH!
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~Hircines