Chapter 26 - Run

Anne rested most of the afternoon and I also tried to catch-up on some much-needed sleep. Ominis and Sebastian offered to take watch, but I suspected they both wanted the time to talk in private. Part of me didn't want them to, but I knew I wouldn't be able to stop it. Sebastian knew that I had slept with Ominis, but he didn't know the details of our relationship. He is also didn't know that Ominis had ended things with me. My mind was overwrought with these kinds of thoughts, but exhaustion took over and I drifted into a shallow sleep.

The familiar nightmare washed over me. I was hovering over a bed, the old witch speaking her incantations. I could feel the ancient magic being peeled from my skin, the pain was unbearable. The scene was slightly different than before, this time there were members of The Blackhand around me, their faces covered with those masks that looked like hands, they were whispering some sort of chant. A tall, hooded man stood at the foot of the bed, I couldn't see his face, but as he chanted his voice reminded me of the parasite that now lived within me. Their chants intensified and the witch was shouting her spell, wand pointed at me. My screams rebounded in my ears, the pain was deep, and I felt as if it was tearing my soul apart. The spell ended and the air stilled, and I remained floating above that bed, arms spread and mouth open in agony, but no sound escaping me. With a powerful force I was thrown back onto the bed.

I woke up with sweat dripping down my neck and my breathing frantic. I tried to calm my thoughts, using the meditation techniques Sharp had taught me. My breathing steadied and I made my way to the wash basin to freshen up. I could hear Anne quietly snoring from the other bed, I looked through the gap in the tent and the sun had appeared to be setting. I splashed my face with water, the coolness bringing my temperature back down. I dabbed a washcloth over my face and stared into the small mirror. Eyes of red glowed back at me.

"There are those that wish to take that which is ours."

The parasite spoke to me as I stared at myself in the mirror, and I swear I could see my reflection speaking back to me. The look on my face was one of resolute and it barely revealed any emotion. "Our power is not for them to behold. We must destroy all that wish us harm."

My eyes started to fade back to their usual blue colour.

"For once I think we can agree." I said softly to my reflection. It nodded back at me at our unspoken understanding. I knew what needed to be done. I had to destroy The Blackhand, before they took my power, before they could hurt anyone else.

"But we do this alone. As much as my friends want to help, I will not put them in harm's way."

I tied my hair back in a braid and I dressed myself in my usual navy-blue trousers and leather boots I wore a cream-coloured linen shirt which I had tucked in. I welcomed the soft touch against my skin as the evening air was still warm. I made my way out the tent where I found Ominis and Sebastian engrossed in conversation. They stopped talking as soon as I stepped out of the tent, and I knew instantly they were talking about me.

"Sleep well?" Ominis asked me.

"Uh, sort of. It's getting dark, I don't know how long we've been here, but we should move to a new location so that we can't be tracked." Ominis nodded and walked towards the tent.

"I'll wake Anne and get us packed up." As he passed me, he placed a soft hand on my shoulder and gave me a reassuring smile. I turned to look at Sebastian who was watching me intently.

"What were you and Ominis talking about?"

Sebastian put his hands in his pockets as he spoke. "Just guy stuff. I also apologised again for breaking his nose, although he said it barely hurt. Should've hit him harder come to think of it."

I let out a small smile.

"That's the first time I've seen you smile since you rescued me. I'd forgotten what your smile looks like."

I felt embarrassed at his words and pretended to busy searching for something in my bag.

"Ominis says he has learnt to Apparate, that's a really useful skill to have. Anne also knows how to do it, I've seen her Apparate twice before."

I nodded in agreement, not taking my eyes from the contents of my bag.

"I wasn't old enough to take the class at Hogwarts, I wish I had learnt." A small sadness swept over me, realising that I'd never be able to return to Hogwarts, that I'd never learn to Apparate. Sebastian seemed to sense my despair.

"Ominis or Anne can teach you, they can teach both of us. You'd be surprised what we can learn from our friends." I raised my head to Sebastian at his words,

"Professor Fig once said something similar to me." Sebastian smiled that cheeky smile of his and I realised how much I had missed it.

"He was a smart man Fig. Although no idea how he managed teaching Magic Theory, couldn't think of a more boring subject."

I let out a small laugh. "You didn't take History of Magic with Professor Binns, now that was a boring class." Sebastian's smile reached his eyes, and I could feel the grin appear on my own face.

"I've missed you, that smile of yours. I've missed this, Sebastian." I don't know where my blunt confession came from, but Sebastian just continued smiling at me.

"Ditto."

Our moment was interrupted as Ominis returned with Anne at his side and she smiled softly at us, but she still looked tired even after hours of rest. My heart sank as I took in her appearance.

"I think we will need to venture on foot to our next destination. I don't think I will be able to Apparate all four of us. I know Anne is able to Apparate, but I think she needs some more time to regain her strength before she does." Ominis began packing up the tent and I gave Anne a hug.

"How are you feeling Anne?" Her smile didn't fade from her face, but I could hear the strain in her voice.

"I'm fine, please do not worry about me. We should get moving."

I exchanged a nervous glance with Ominis, but he didn't say anything further.

"Let's go, I suggest we head west. There's an old, abandoned village if we follow the stream. If we continue further west, we should make it towards a path through the mountains that we can take through to Wales. Once we're at the coast we can take a ferry across to Ireland. We could use some Irish luck." Sebastian led the way as he supported Anne with an arm. Ominis and I followed a few metres behind as we hiked through the forest. We were just out of earshot, but I kept my voice low as we spoke.

"How is your nose?"

Ominis let out a small smile. "It's fine, it didn't really hurt to be honest with you." Even though it was a warm spring evening, Ominis still wore his usual black cloak.

"What were you and Sebastian talking about at the fire, before I interrupted?" Ominis looked ahead to his friend.

"I told him the truth about our relationship. There was no point in hiding it from him. He was furious, but more with himself than anything else I suspect." I didn't say anything as we continued through the forest, leaves crunching beneath my feet.

"I also told him that we ended things, but I didn't tell him why. I said that it wasn't my story to tell." I looked at Ominis as he spoke.

"Thank you Ominis, I appreciate that. You seem to be very calm about all of this." A sad look appeared in his eyes, and I regretted my words immediately.

"Trust me Riley, this isn't easy for me. It's taking all my willpower not to hold your hand right now. But I need to be strong for all of us, and there are more pressing matters at hand. Anne isn't going to make this journey, as much as she wants us all to stick together, it's not realistic."

It had only been a few hours since our conversation, but the reality of the hurt Ominis was feeling only hit me now. I felt like a horrible human being.

"I'm sorry Ominis." It was all I could manage.

We continued to walk in silence, only the giggles from Sebastian and Anne could be heard.

"What you said about Anne, you're right, it's not fair on her. Ominis, I know you're not going to like what I'm going to say next, but I know you'll understand where I'm coming from." Ominis looked at me as we spoke. I could see Sebastian peering over his shoulder at us, trying to listen to our conversation and I lowered my voice even further.

"There's going to come a time, where you're going to have to make a hard decision Ominis. When that time comes, I need you to do as I say. Not for my sake, but for theirs, and for yours." We walked in silence for a few more steps before he finally responded.

"I understand." I nodded at his acceptance. Sebastian was obviously getting frustrated at not being able to hear us and stopped ahead, waiting for us to join him and Anne.

"What are you two whispering about? Would you like to share with the class?"

"Stop being so nosey Sebastian." Anne nudged him the ribs.

Before Sebastian could react, I turned my head swiftly to the path behind us. I could sense something further in the forest. Something was following us.

"What is it?" Ominis asked me, as I tried to focus my eyes into the darkness beyond the trees. A small light floated in the air and my skin prickled with fear. I could hear faint voices and they were getting louder. More floating lights appeared, and they appeared to be getting bigger. No, not bigger but closer. I realised too late that the floating lights were the wand tips of the Ministry Aurors who had managed to track us.

"There, up ahead! Seize her!"

My chest heaved with panic.

"Run!"

I shouted at my friends as we turned and sprinted down the path and deeper into the forest. Ominis held Anne tight in his grasp as he pulled her along. Sebastian was just in front of me, both of us panting as we sprinted through the trees. I could hear the Aurors shouting at us from behind, thankfully they weren't throwing curses at us, but we didn't wait around to test their patience. Ominis was almost carrying Anne now as we ran, she couldn't run on her own. We were losing pace, and it wouldn't take long for the Aurors to catchup to us. Ominis slipped in front of us from trying to sprint whilst carrying Anne. Sebastian and I helped them both to their feet, we couldn't outrun the Aurors, not at this rate. Ominis and I exchanged a look and he nodded at me in silent agreement.

"Ominis, you need to Apparate now, take Anne and Sebastian with you, you can manage two people. They'll try to follow me, it's me that they want. I'll lead them away. I'll meet you all at the path near the mountain tomorrow at midday."

Sebastian's eyes were wide, but he surveyed the situation, and he knew we wouldn't all be able to outrun the Aurors.

"I'm staying with you," he declared.

"No, you're not Sebastian, you are going with your sister and Ominis."

Ominis was already holding Anne, readying his stance to Apparate. I just needed to get Sebastian to him.

"Don't fight me on this Sebastian."

He glared at me as I spoke, I glanced at Ominis and gave him the signal. Before Sebastian could object, I tackled him towards Ominis. Ominis just needed to grab his arm so that he could Dissaparate. I felt like time slowed down, as I pushed Sebastian towards Ominis he anticipated my move, dodged, and grabbed my arm pulling me down to the ground with him. I could see Ominis' arm outstretched, reaching for Sebastian, but he had already started to Apparate and the last thing I saw was Anne's petrified face. With a popping sound both her and Ominis were gone, leaving me and Sebastian on the ground, with me on top of him.

"You idiot!" I punched at his chest, but he just remained on the ground, just allowing me to hit him. Eventually he grabbed my wrists and spoke with such a firm voice it shocked me.

"Are you just going to lay here and hit me until we get caught by Aurors? We need to run Riley, you can punch me as much as you want later."

Within a second, he heaved me off him and he was holding my wrist tightly as we continued sprinting through the trees. He was right, and now the Aurors were so close I could hear their voices clearly. We had wasted so much time.

As we came into a clearing Sebastian dodged quickly to the left, pulling me behind me. I realised what he had spotted, a large tree with its roots uplifted slightly and there was a small gap. We reached the opening and Sebastian went in first squeezing his way through, widening the space for me. He pulled me in quickly and we landed on the hard ground. Sebastian had his one arm around my waist to cushion my fall while his other hand was over my mouth to muffle my moan. I could feel the tree roots had scratched at my arms when we fell, and the pain brought tears to my eyes.

Thank Merlin Sebastian found this space, because moments later the Aurors were in the clearing before us. They couldn't see us through the tree roots, thankfully it was dark and covered in moss.

"Did anyone see where they went?" There were at least ten Aurors scouring the area. I tried not to breathe in case it gave away our position. There were footsteps above us which disturbed the soil and small spiders fell from the ceiling of the space and landed on my face. My breathing picked up as a result and Sebastian only held me tighter to him, I could feel his own chest breathing heavy into my back.

"They must've Dissapparated. We've lost them." It was a witch who stood above us from what I could hear. The others murmured in agreement.

Another wizard spoke, "I saw the Dagworth girl, but I didn't see who else was with her." The witch moved closer to the edge and specks of dirt fell from the ceiling of our hideout beneath the tree roots. I tried to still my breathing.

"Probably Ominis Gaunt, his family have urged the Ministry to find him, he's apparently been held against his will by the girl. There were others with them, but they seem to have separated whilst trying to flee.

"I suspect they were other members of the Blackhand. Let's continue our search further into the forest. They wouldn't risk the nearby village, too obvious." The footsteps above us receded and my shoulders dropped in relief.

We didn't dare move for a few minutes until the voices had disappeared fully. Eventually Sebastian released his hand from my mouth but kept his other hand around my waist. The spiders had scuttled away but I could still feel their legs crawling all over me.

"I think they're gone. Are you ok?" Sebastian whispered.

I nodded.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you when dragging you in here, they were so close behind us." I looked down at my arms and noticed the scratches, small trickles of blood flowing out of them.

"It was a smart move. Do you think it's safe to leave?"

Sebastian loosened his grip around my waist but left his hand resting there. The feeling of his fingertips was making my heart race pickup. I took notice of his breath against the back of my neck and suddenly I didn't mind being in this tight enclosed space.

"I think so, let's head to the abandoned village. It seems as though they wouldn't bother to look there from the sounds of it."

"They think that I've taken Ominis against his will? And that I'm part of the Blackhand? So not only I am apparently now part of that sick cult, but I'm also wanted for murder and for abduction now too." I said in disbelief. What would my parents think of me? The scary thing was that the murder part of it was true. I was a murderer on the run.

"The Gaunt family have a lot of sway with the Ministry, they have likely convinced them that is the case just to protect the family name. I doubt they even care where Ominis is." I could sense Sebastian was trying to distract me from where my thoughts were heading.

With difficulty I managed to squeeze through the opening in the roots once more, Sebastian followed behind me. As we stepped into the clearing, I scanned surrounding area just in case any Aurors decided to hang back, but we appeared to be alone. I looked at Sebastian who was covered in soil and had even more scratches along his arms than me. He had taken the brunt of that fall for us. He reached his hand up to my face and pulled a small spider that was dangling in my hair.

"I think we've seen enough spiders to last a lifetime."

As much as I wanted to laugh, I was still angry with Sebastian for not escaping with Ominis and Anne, I merely folded my arms at him.

"Oh, come on, don't look at me like that. Did you really think I would let you go alone? I heard you and Ominis whispering about something, I couldn't make out exactly what you were saying, but I could piece together what was going on. Anne was in no state to travel, I'll agree on that and Ominis needed to escape with her quickly yes, there was no other way. But don't you dare think for one moment that I would leave you behind like that."

I grinded my teeth in frustration and glared at him. "You're still an idiot." I walked off and started for the path we were once on.

"Well, this idiot just saved our arses from those Aurors. A little thanks would be nice."

I kept my mouth shut, Sebastian did save us back there, but I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of admitting he was right. I could hear him following behind me as we walked, and I let the silence build for a few minutes before speaking again.

"Where is this village anyways?"

Sebastian walked up so that he was beside me now.

"Ah so she speaks. For a moment there I thought you had lost your voice."

I rolled my eyes at him, and I smiled secretly to myself. As infuriating as Sebastian was for not listening to me, I was glad to have his old sense of humour back.

"I'm afraid I won't be able to provide directions until I receive thanks for my valiant bravery and quick thinking back there."

I scoffed at his remark and his eyes twinkled with delight. The trees started to thin, and we came to a fork in the path. I didn't know which route to take, so I turned to Sebastian who was pretending to be very interested in his nails all of a sudden. When he glanced his eyes at me, I could see the smirk forming on his face.

"Fine. Thank you, Sebastian, for saving us."

He folded his arms and took a step closer to me, even with his hair covered in soil I still pictured running my fingers through them.

"And?" I rolled my eyes once more at his tease.

"And you are very brave and smart for getting us out of a sticky situation." A full smile formed on his lips now.

"There, was that so hard? It's left here by the way." He led us to the left of the path, and he had more of a skip in his step now.

We came to the border of the forest and found ourselves at a small stone wall where I could see a few old houses scattered across the hill. We made our way up the hill and found a cottage that seemed to have been abandoned many years ago. The vegetation around it had overgrown and there was nobody in sight.

"Why was this village abandoned?" I asked Sebastian as I scoped out our environment.

"Rumour has it that there was a spirit that terrorised the inhabitants. Eventually the muggles fled this area. Anne, Ominis and I always used to sneak off from our campsite and come play here in the summer. We did end up finding said ghost, he was actually a really nice guy, can't remember his name but he definitely liked to play tricks, which would frighten any muggle of course."

Sebastian struggled with the door and tried pushing it with his shoulder, but it wouldn't budge. I cleared my throat as he struggled.

"If you'd allow me."

I whipped out my wand and pointed at the lock on the door.

"Alohomora."

The lock on the door clicked and the door swung open slowly.

"I would've done that if I had my wand."

I just raised an eyebrow at him and strode through the door. The cottage was dusty and there were cobwebs in the corners which made me shudder. It was small, there was a quaint kitchen and washroom, but only one bed in the corner. I tried not to look at it as we inspected the house.

"Well, it's not exactly what I'd call homely, but it will have to do for the night."

Sebastian swatted away some more spiders.

"It just needs a tidy-up. Watch this. Scourgify!"

I waved my wand and the house started to clean itself. Brooms appeared from the cupboards and started to sweep the floor and dust the corners. Dirty dishes that were sat in the sink started to clean themselves. A mop started to follow behind the brooms giving the wooden floors a slight sparkle. I could see even some sponges were making their way around the bath and washbasin. Even the bed linen had been replaced and neatly made. Within minutes the house was sparkling, and the smell of lavender seemed to fill the air. I gave it a final touch by lighting some candles with a flick of my wand.

"Now that's the way to do household chores." Sebastian inspected the tables by running his finger along it checking for dust. "I'm quite impressed."

I smiled at him and eyed the bath.

"Would you mind if I cleaned myself up, I can still feel those spiders' legs crawling all over me."

Sebastian stuttered as he spoke, eyeing the bath too.

"S-sure. I'll see if I can gather us something to eat. Then I'll get cleaned up after you." I grabbed some spare clothes from my bag and handed it to Sebastian.

"There should be some spare clothes in there for you. Try looking for some rations too, I think I had placed most within the tent though." Sebastian took the bag from me, his fingers grazed softly across my knuckles, and I hitched a breath. I quickly turned from him and closed the bathroom door behind me.

Get it together Riley, you can't react like that every time he touches you.

I summoned some water in the bath, undressed myself and lowered myself in. I scrubbed at my arms where the spiders had been, the scratches stinging a little as I did so. Eventually I cleaned my hair and there was no trace of soil on me. My clothes were ruined, so I decided to give them a quick wash in the tub and hung them over the railing. I realised the clothing I had managed to grab from my bag was in fact just a light blue nightgown. It was a hot evening, so I didn't mind, but I felt a bit self-conscious walking out in a nightgown in front of Sebastian. Stop being silly, I said to myself.

I brushed my hair, quickly dressed, drained the bath, and summoned fresh clean water for Sebastian. When I entered the main room, I saw Sebastian had laid out some muffins and apples on table, along with some glasses of water. He had even set down some candles on the table, in a way it felt quite romantic, minus the haunting ghost now doubt patrolling outside.

"I know it's not much, but it was all I was able to find."

I smiled down at the setting.

"It's perfect, why don't you go get cleaned up, I summoned clean water for you." Sebastian was staring at me in my nightgown.

"It's all I have to wear, I had to wash my other clothes, they are hanging up drying." Sebastian gulped and grabbed the set of clothes he had taken from my bag.

"Good idea." I noticed that Sebastian had managed to find my mokeskin pouch from the bag and it was laying on the table. He noticed my gaze.

"Mokeskin pouch? I couldn't open it."

"Yes," I said as I moved towards it and opened it up. "It was a gift from Professor Onai." I put my hand in the pouch and revealed the large opal necklace.

"Wow. That's an impressive necklace, didn't realise Professor Onai was rich."

I tried to swallow my guilt.

"Actually, the necklace was a birthday gift from Ominis." I said quietly.

"Oh, well that makes more sense," Sebastian said in a cold tone.

I quickly stuffed the necklace back into my mokeskin pouch and into my shoulder bag. Sebastian didn't say anything further and made his way slowly to the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

Well, that was awkward! I groaned internally and slumped into one of the chairs. I sat at the table sipping some water, patiently waiting for Sebastian before I started eating.

A welcomed cool breeze flowed through the kitchen window into the cottage. I disappeared into my own thoughts as I sat at the table. I didn't expect the Aurors to find us so soon, but evidently travelling by foot made us easier to track. I knew that I needed to continue this journey alone and without my friends. I just didn't expect it to happen so soon. Sebastian really messed up my plan. I'll need to somehow ditch him, but I need to make sure he finds Anne and Ominis first. Perhaps once we get to the mountain pass, then I'll make my escape then. I'll say I need to be excused to relieve myself, or something like that, and then I'll have to make a run for it. There's no point in trying to reason with the Sallow twins, I know how stubborn Sebastian can be, I suspect Anne will be the same. After that then I will track down The Blackhand. Knowing that my friends will be far away and safe is all the assurance I need. Even Ominis had said my powers had grown and with this new reservoir of power I'll be able to destroy all The Blackhand. Including Ulric Rookwood.

"I like this plan." The voice inside of me spoke with excitement in its voice.

"I will call on you when I need you. But for now, fuck off." I guarded my mind against the voice as I closed my eyes. I closed my mind just as Professor Sharp had taught me. It went quiet and dark inside my head, it was peaceful.

I was awoken from my meditation with a hand on my shoulder. I awoke with a freight and Sebastian was standing beside me. His hair was still damp from the bath, and he was wearing beige trousers and a shirt that wasn't buttoned. I looked down at his torso peeking through and he noticed my stare.

"Oh, I tried to button it up, but it's a bit small, I think it's one of Ominis' older shirts."

He demonstrated by trying to pull the shirt closer into his chest and the fabric groaned and stretched against his back and shoulders. I smiled at his attempt to prove his point. He sat across from me and started digging into one of the muffins he had laid out and so did I.

"Where were you there? I called your name, but you didn't respond." I finished my mouthful of food before answering him, I didn't realise how hungry I was.

"I was calming my mind, blocking out the voice."

Sebastian was slowly chewing as he spoke, "What's it like? This voice inside of you?"

He seemed genuinely curious, not frightened. I took a moment before I answered him.

"Well, it sounds similar to Ranrok's voice, but it's not him. I can't describe it, but it also sounds like me. It speaks to me when I'm in a very emotional state, like it feeds on my pain and hurt. It reveals my darkest and worst kind of thoughts, but it also makes me feel powerful." I eyed Sebastian carefully as I spoke. At least the awkwardness from earlier had evaporated.

"Is it here now?" I smiled at his question.

"No, I pushed it into the deepest part of my mind for now. I needed some peace and quiet." Sebastian helped himself to another muffin and so did I.

"So, the next time you're in a grumpy mood we can blame it on this thing." He had a cheeky grin on his face.

"The only thing that puts me in a grumpy mood, is you Sallow. Especially when you don't listen to me." Sebastian laughed as he inhaled the last of his muffin.

"I listen to you. I always listen to what you have to say. I just chose not to adhere to your instructions."

I scoffed as I ate the last few bites and took a sip of water.

"So, nothing's changed then?" Sebastian also took a sip of water and gulped at my question.

"Well, some things have changed. There's something I've been wanting to tell you and now seems as good a moment as any." The air went quiet at his words, and I placed my glass on the table.

"Go on." I said and he sighed and set his glass down, leaning back into his chair now, his eyes pinned to the table.

"About this prophecy Riley, I think it's very likely true, I can't stop thinking about it." I shook my head as he spoke.

"Ominis says prophecies can always be misinterpreted, it's best not to dwell on it." Sebastian's hands clenched into fists.

"I don't care what Ominis says, just listen to me Riley. Please?" I was taken aback by his firmness, but he was staring at me intently now. I nodded slowly, gesturing for him to continue.

"The part of about the ancient power corrupted bringing death and ash. I think that's the voice inside of you, it was corrupted by Ranrok and because of it, death has followed. I'm talking about Poppy and Oliver." I gulped at his words. "I'm sorry Riley, I know this is difficult to talk about, but we can't ignore the reality of the situation." I placed my hands in my lap.

"Professor Onai warned me to stay away from Natty, because she foresaw death in my path. She thought Natty would be in danger, turns out she was partly right. I didn't tell the others this, but I think my dreams are trying to forewarn me about what is to come. Before the explosion at Hogwarts, I dreamt of The Blackhand infiltrating the school. Before Poppy died, I kept dreaming of yellow flowers withering away and dying as I came closer to them. I saw those same flowers outside your home in Feldcroft and I realise now they were Poppy flowers." Tears were gathering in my eyes, and I let out a shaky breath before continuing. "My dreams have been trying to warn me Sebastian." He stared wide eyed at me, still sitting back in his chair, his hands spread out on the table.

"If that's true then the rest of the rest of the prophecy doesn't bode well. A dark curse forms with a final breath? I have no idea what that means, perhaps an Unforgiveable curse?"

I could see Sebastian's eyes darken at the mention of an Unforgivable curse and I knew he was thinking about the killing curse he had used on his uncle Solomon. Perhaps even the torture curse I had once endured from him, or that he had endured all those months.

"I don't know Sebastian, the ending talks about an ultimate sacrifice that has to be borne, which will lead to my downfall. Either way I don't think there's a happy ending at the end of all this." Sebastian sat up straight now, his knuckles white from clenching his fists.

"Like you said, we don't know that for sure. One thing I will say Riley, is that it's important to have hope. Hope that everything happens for a reason. Hope that it will all work out in the end."

I did find some comfort in his words, but in the back of my mind I knew that the prophecy potential meant the ultimate sacrifice was for me to bear, alone. Hazel eyes would bring about my downfall, and as I stared at those hazel eyes peering deep into my own, I knew that the prophecy was either about Anne or Sebastian and it made my heart ache.

"You forgot one line in the prophecy, the 'love of the eagle shall bring balance.'" Sebastian's expression had softened now, and his hands had relaxed.

"I'm sure that line was just added for dramatic affect. You know Seer's have a flare for such things." I shrugged it off, but Sebastian kept his eyes on me.

"Riley there's something I need to tell you." His breathing slowed and I could see tears were forming in his eyes.

"Sebastian, you're scaring me, what is it?" My voice was barely a whisper.

"While I was away those first few months, I spent weeks trying to find a cure for Anne. I poured through numerous books about curses and the dark arts, I'm not proud of it, but I was grasping at straws. I happened to stumble upon a book that taught you how to become an Animagus. I needed to achieve something, I had felt like a failure, and I didn't want my leaving Hogwarts to have been for nothing. It took me two attempts, but I succeeded."

I blinked several times as this news.

"That's very complicated magic Sebastian. What form is your Animagus?"

He didn't say anything for a moment and then realisation snapped in my mind. He saw my eyes widen as I comprehended what form his Animagus was. We both sat in silence for a few moments.

"It's an eagle, isn't it?"

He just nodded at me.

"There's more." Sebastian's fingers were tapping nervously on the table.

My heart was racing now, I did not expect this. The love of the eagle shall bring balance. Love? I knew Sebastian and I had something between us, that was more than friendship, but love?

"It was around mid-October when I decided to visit Feldcroft, I wanted to visit Anne as she wasn't responding to any of my letters. At that stage I didn't know she wasn't living there anymore. It was early morning, and I was about to land and change back from my eagle form into human, but I saw you. I saw you, Riley. You were there at my old home. You put flowers on Solomon's grave. I was so tempted to talk to you. To hold you again. I followed you high above so that you wouldn't notice a random eagle following you, but I heard what you said on that hilltop by Isidora's old house."

My eyes were wide, and I could feel whatever colour I had in my face had drained and my breathing was shallow. Sebastian's breathing was as shallow as my own.

"You said that you forgave me and that you would never forget me. You said that I would always hold a special place in your heart."

The tears were now flowing freely from my face, I hadn't said a word as he continued.

"I was furious when I heard about you and Ominis. Jealous. I didn't think that you would wait for me, I couldn't expect that rightly so, but it still hurt knowing that I wasn't your first. I know I hurt you by leaving, but I stand by my reasons. I don't deserve happiness. I don't deserve you. But I want you to know that I thought of you all the time. I wrote you letters every week, I just never owled them. I wanted you to have a life without me messing it up. I don't expect anything, I just wanted to be honest with you. You deserve to know the truth."

The tears were also now falling down Sebastian's freckled cheeks and my heart was wrenching. It was everything I had wanted to hear from Sebastian. The truth about how he felt about me washed over me and I couldn't handle it, I struggled to breathe. I quickly rose from the chair and walked briskly over to the kitchen sink, my hands resting on the counter as I tried to steady my breathing. I could hear the chair scraping behind me as Sebastian approached me from behind.

"Riley, please say something?" I took a deep breath and wiped my tears before turning to him, but more tears replaced them as I spoke.

"I hate you, Sebastian. I hate you for leaving. I hate you for not owling those letters. I hate that your stupid Animagus form is an eagle. I hate that Anne is still cursed." My emotions were all over the place and I could feel the static in the air as my magic trickled from my fingertips. Sebastian didn't retreat, he just stood there eyeing my hands.

"I hated Ranrok for what happened to Fig. I hate The Blackhand for killing Poppy. I hate that you consume my every waking thought. I hate that I still thought of you even when I was with Ominis. I hate myself for being that person. I hated seeing you hanging in those chains. I hated myself for not reaching out to you sooner." The magic started to spark at my hands, and I could feel it building inside of me.

"You are allowed to feel all those things Riley. Don't hate yourself because of it." Sebastian tried to grab my hands but winced and retreated his hands as the heat singed his fingertips. The pulsating magic started to intensify, and panic swirled inside of me.

"Sebastian- I can't stop it." I could see the panic in his eyes now too.

The house started to vibrate, cutlery was crashing to the floor and the tears kept on flowing. I needed to release this energy, I couldn't hold it anymore. I couldn't focus my mind, I was too far gone. "Sebastian, you need to leave. Please, I can't hold it in any longer."

Sebastian didn't move, his eyes now remained focused on mine. He reached for my hands once more and winced at the pain but didn't let go this time.

"I'm never leaving you again Riley. I will always be here."

Before I could argue with him, he leaned in, and his lips found mine.

Our eyes closed instinctively, and I couldn't help but moan at the taste of his mouth. The kiss was gentle but firm and I could feel Sebastian gripping my hands tightly. Everything stilled around us, cutlery floating in the air and my hairs stood on end. Time stood still for that serene moment.