Chapter 31 - A difficult choice

I awoke to find myself in an unfamiliar tent, lying in a bedroll on the floor. My throat was dry and when I saw a pitcher of water next to the bed I immediately leaned over and drank deeply from it. The cool water caressed my throat as I gulped all of it down. I lay back down on the bed panting. How as I alive? I shouldn't be alive. How did I end up here? Footsteps approached and I turned my head to find Sebastian Sallow standing before me. His freckled face looked older, like he hadn't slept in days. His eyes were wide with surprise as I sat up in the bed and smiled at him.

"You're awake!" Before I could respond he pounced on me, his weight almost crushing me as he hugged me tightly.

"Sebastian! You're heavy." I laughed as he just squeezed me tighter. He finally released me and kissed my forehead as he sat on the bed beside me.

"You're awake…" I could see the relief release into his shoulders as he stared at me.

"You said that already. How long was I asleep? How did you find me?" Sebastian held my hand tightly.

"Riley, you've been asleep for almost three days. We worried you wouldn't wake up. We were going to take you to St. Mungos today because we didn't know what else to do."

I could hear the panic is his voice and I caressed my hand against his cheek. He closed his eyes and leaned into it.

"I'm ok now Sebastian. I promise. But how did you find me?"

He stilled at my question but continued, "Well, it wasn't that hard to be truthful. It was a couple of hours after we left you." I could hear the guilt in his voice. I just squeezed his hand in reassurance. "We heard an explosion and then the ground started shaking like there was an earthquake. Ominis had managed to Dissaparate us a few miles south. But we could see it, Riley. We saw the massive smoke cloud in the sky from miles away." I gulped. Wondering if Sebastian knew that the cause of that explosion was me.

"I begged Ominis to Apparate me back, I knew something bad had happened. He finally agreed. We left Anne at a nearby village, and I'm glad we did. She didn't need to see what we found."

Guilt started to form in my heart. I didn't see the damage that I had left. I could still see the blaze of silver fire, the screams, the smell. A shiver ran through me. I had never felt so powerful in my life.

"Sebastian…"

"It was carnage. There were just burnt bodies everywhere. The entire encampment was destroyed. I was so scared that one of those bodies belonged to you."

"Sebastian, listen to me-"

"But then I found you. Right in the centre of it. You were lying on the ground, but you didn't have a scorch mark on you. I tried to wake you, but you wouldn't stir."

He knew it was me. I tried to pull my hands away from Sebastian, but he only pulled me back and closer to him so that his face was so close to mine that we shared breath.

"What you did Riley, the world owes you nothing but thanks. You rid the world of The Blackhand, Ulric Rookwood along with it."

Tears formed in my eyes, "Sebastian, what I did was unhinged. I'm a monster. I wasn't planning on living after an ordeal like that."

Concern flooded his eyes.

"If you're a monster Riley, what do we call people like the Ulric Rookwood? Like Ranrok? What you did was a necessity. The Blackhand would've used your power to do far worse things."

Although his words made sense, they didn't make me feel any better.

"What I am Sebastian, the power I possess. It's dangerous. I am dangerous." My head dipped in despair. Sebastian placed his fingers under my chin and lifted it so that I was looking at him again.

"This power is only dangerous in the wrong hands. And I for one would trust only you with this kind of power Riley Dagworth. If anyone is worthy to behold it, it's you." Sebastian's face was serious as he spoke, he almost had me believing every word he spoke. Almost. I knew deep down inside that no person should ever behold this kind of power. Even me.

"Besides, I like dangerous, it's always more fun." He said with a smirk, and I couldn't help but let out a breathy laugh. Even in a serious moment such as this, Sebastian Sallow could always make me laugh.

It was enough for Sebastian to press his lips gently against my own and I couldn't help but revel in it. I didn't think I would ever get to taste him again, and by body ached for him, even at the tenderness of his kiss. My hands instinctively wrapped around his shoulders as I pulled him closer. The moment was interrupted by a cough from the tent entrance. We broke apart to find Anne Sallow grinning at us.

"Do you mind little sister? Kind of in the middle of something here." Embarrassment flooded my face, but Anne's grin only grew wider.

"Glad to see you're awake Riley. Tell me brother, how long was she awake before you were locking lips." I could feel the colour of my face changed from red to crimson.

"Give me some credit. But either way it's none of your business."

Anne merely stuck her tongue out at him. Despite the embarrassing moment, it was good to see the Sallow twins back at their usual teasing. Anne's complexion was healthier than I had ever seen it, and she had more of confident stance now. Not only was there likeness in their looks, but I could see the similarities in their personalities more than ever now.

"Well, you two best cut it out, Ominis should be back any moment now. He'll be relieved to know that you're awake. You gave us a real scare there Riley." Anne started to make her way out of the tent.

"Anne, wait." She stopped near the entrance.

"Thank you. Thank you for taking care of me, just thank you for everything."

I noticed that my clothes had been changed and any trace of that night had been washed from my body. I knew that would've been Anne.

Her expression softened, "It's me that should be thanking you, Riley. I will be forever grateful to you for relieving me from Rookwood's curse. I am indebted to you forever."

²

Ominis returned to our campsite from a village nearby, trying to secure some more supplies as we had started to run low. When he saw me standing near the fire where Anne was making us all some food, he stopped dead in his tracks. He dropped the supplies and marched over to me. He gripped me in his arms and ended up lifting me from my feet due to his height. He just cradled his face in my neck, and I squeezed him back. I could sense Sebastian shuffling uncomfortably behind us, but Anne just elbowed him in the side. Ominis eventually set me down and he went to pick up the supplies he dropped, trying to hide the tears that had formed in his eyes.

"Who's hungry? While we eat, Riley perhaps you can tell us what happened?" Anne gestured for us to all sit and started dishing us food.

I realised how hungry I was when I scoffed down the stew Anne had made in a matter of minutes. She offered me a second bowl and about halfway through the hunger had subsided and I started to tell them all that had happened. The utter shock in their faces as I went on with my story was undeniable. I tried to not to dwell too long on the topic of me blowing up with silver wildfire.

"And then I blacked out. That's the last thing I remembered before I woke up here with you three."

Nobody spoke for a while, the only noise was the ladle in the cauldron of stew magically stirring and clanking against it now and then.

"So, Ulric Rookwood is-was your father?" Ominis was the first to speak. "That means Victor Rookwood was your uncle?" I just nodded. Realising that I had killed not only my father, but my uncle too. I looked at Sebastian at this point, he only looked at me with empathy.

"How did you not die with the Unbreakable vow?" Anne asked.

"I adhered to the vows I made. I did the ceremony. I said that I stole this power from the Rookwood, which technically wasn't a lie because I come from the Rookwood family. And I vowed to serve the Blackhand until the end of its reign." I was still surprised I had lived. Every breath I took still felt like stolen time.

"What about the necklace? Was it destroyed?" Anne asked nervously.

I didn't even think about that.

"We should go back and find it, to make sure it was destroyed, and if not, then we must destroy it so that no one can ever use it." I said immediately.

Ominis and Sebastian glanced a nervous look between one another.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Riley, by the time we got to you, the Ministry was already surrounding the area. We had to Dissaparate with you quickly before they could find you. We can't go back. No doubt they've got the area locked down for investigation." Ominis said quietly.

Disappointment swelled within me. If that necklace wasn't destroyed, it made me shudder to think of the harm it could cause.

"I'm sure it was destroyed Riley, there was barely anything left when we found you," Sebastian said in a low tone.

Ominis and Anne just awkwardly played with their food as Sebastian spoke.

"I'm sorry you had to see that. Both of you." I said as I looked between Ominis and Sebastian. "But thank you for coming back for me. If you hadn't, I'd no doubt be in the clutches of Ministry."

Ominis only nodded his head in acknowledgement.

"That being said, we should probably think about moving camp. We've been at this spot for nearly a day now, we need to keep moving so that they can't track us." Sebastian started gathering our bowls and cleaning up around us. I could see Anne's annoyance at her brother as she hadn't even finished her food and she cursed at him, which I was surprised at, as she always came across as polite and calm. Perhaps now that the curse had been lifted from her, her fire had returned.

"We have time Sebastian, just let me finish my food!" Anne yelled snatching the bowl back from him.

"No, we don't Anne! We cannot afford to let our guard slip. Besides at the pace that you eat the Ministry would've caught us, published newspaper articles about it and managed to throw a celebratory party. At which stage you might've finally finished your damn food."

Things escalated quickly and the siblings went into a full-blown argument whilst Ominis and I just awkwardly watched them. The amount of swear words that were being thrown around would've given Professor Weasley a heart attack. Was this what it was going to be like for them? Forever on the run, because of me. That was no life. Especially now that the Blackhand was gone, that there was a possibility for a normal life for them. Ominis just looked at me with a knowing look as the two siblings argued. He was thinking the same thing as me. And as sad as it made me, I knew that I would eventually have to say goodbye to my friends. My burden would not become theirs. They deserved so much better.

²

After Anne had thrown her bowl at Sebastian, Ominis eventually intervened and broke their fight apart. Anne was put on cleanup duty while Sebastian was to pack away the tent. None of us had our wands anymore after the Blackhand had captured us, so all tasks had to be done by hand. Ominis had managed to secure a tent from one of the markets in a nearby village. It wasn't an enchanted tent like the one we had previously, so Sebastian had to manually take it apart. Whilst the twins begrudgingly took to their tasks, Ominis and I went to refill the pouches with water from the stream. Ominis and I filled them up one by one in silence. I took my time filling up the pouches, stalling the conversation I knew I needed to have not just with Ominis, but Sebastian too.

"You're going to leave, aren't you?" I didn't notice Ominis had stopped to stare at me. I avoided his eyes and secured the last of the water pouches. I set them down beside us and stood to finally look at Ominis. His beautiful green eyes never left mine as I nodded in response.

"It's the right thing to do Ominis. You saw what I'm capable of. The Ministry will never stop trying to find me. No doubt they figured out that I was the cause of that explosion. And with no body they will know that I'm still alive. This is my life now, my burden. I cannot bring any more harm to any of you. Anne has been healed of her curse, she has a chance a normal life again, you all do. I need to do this. Alone." Ominis didn't look away from me once as I spoke.

"The Ministry knows that I fled with you that night. There's no chance of going back now. We are in this together, all of us. We've all said this before Riley." He said calmly.

"Your family has sway with the Ministry, they've managed to convince them that I've taken you against your will. We heard the Aurors say so when we ran from them a few nights ago. They don't know that Anne and Sebastian have been with us. They'll think that they've been in mourning over their uncle this whole time. You can all go back to Hogwarts, finish school. Live." I could hear the own desperation in my voice and I could see Ominis piecing it all together in his head. "You know this is the right thing Ominis, you've always known what the right thing is. Tell me I'm wrong here."

Ominis sighed and stepped closer to me and placed a hand on my cheek. I didn't move as I stared up at the tall man before me, pleading in my eyes that he wouldn't disagree with me.

"You're not wrong Riley, but it's not easy to say goodbye."

"I need you to be strong Ominis, for the others, for me."

Tears had formed in his eyes, and I tried to keep my own from falling. Ominis stepped towards me and planted a brief, tender kiss on my lips. I didn't pull away, knowing that this would be the last time. As he pulled away he said, "Thank you for everything you have done for us Riley. For ridding Anne of her curse. For rescuing Sebastian. For curing my blindness. For letting me love you."

I pulled Ominis in for a hug and my tears pressed into his shirt. I felt his arms close around me tightly. "You are a good man Ominis, no matter your family name. Please never forget that."

Eventually I let go of him, the sound of laughter from the camp stirring us. Ominis looked with sad eyes towards the sound of his friend's laughter. "I'll convince Anne, but it won't be easy with Sebastian. He will not let you go Riley."

I scooped down to pick up the water pouches. I had thought long and hard about how to do this with Sebastian. I knew he would not let me go, which meant that I had to force him to. And there was only one way I knew how.

"I know. You're not going to like it, but I have an plan."

²

By the time we had returned with the water, Anne and Sebastian had completed their tasks and were friendly with one another again. Their laughter was so contagious I couldn't help but smile as we approached them. I had to convince Ominis of my plan, eventually he agreed, but he wasn't happy about it. I warned him that he needed to keep a cool head so that Sebastian wouldn't suspect anything. Everything was packed up and ready for our departure. I maintained a calm composure as we all started to walk to the nearby village. I couldn't let Sebastian sense that anything was off. We agreed that we would try gather more supplies at the village before we headed to Wales, our original plan from before. Ominis managed to secure a second-hand wand from one of the back-alley stores in the village. Although not perfect, it was enough for what Ominis needed to Dissaparate. The Sallow twins all looked at Ominis with his wand with a bit of envy. No doubt they felt lost without their wands. In time they would secure new ones. In my case, I no longer felt like I needed one. The power surging through my veins was wholly part of me. A wand was now meaningless.

It was quite a distance to walk from where we were to our destination, so we all agreed that Ominis would Dissapparate us in turns to get us to the border. We knew that Sebastian would not be fooled so easily. As we expected, Sebastian suggested that Ominis travel with Anne first, then come back for himself and me. The plan that the Sallows didn't know was that Ominis would indeed Dissapparate with Anne, but he would actually be going straight to Feldcroft, to take Anne back home. There he would explain everything to her. Thereafter he would contact his family, confirm their suspicions that he was indeed held against his will and that he managed to flee. He would tell them that I tried to convince him to join the Blackhand, and that he had managed to escape shortly before the explosion. Once he was sure that the Ministry were satisfied, Ominis would return for Sebastian later that evening to bring him back to Feldcroft. Whilst Ominis was away, I was to conclude the rest of my plan with Sebastian.

As we exited the village, we came to a meadow filled with sunflowers, a stream trickling alongside it. It was a beautiful sunny day, and I felt the warmth of the afternoon sun on face. As they prepared to Dissaparate I pretended to fuss over the tent Anne was carrying, adjusting it at her back.

"Riley, I'm fine. No need to fuss, I can manage with the tent. Ominis will be back shortly for you and Sebastian."

I hid the guilt from my face, forced a small smile and gave her a swift hug.

"We may be a few hours, I want to find a secure location for Anne as she'll be left alone. Then I'll return for you two." Ominis said to Sebastian, who nodded in agreement.

"Thank you mate, please make sure she's safe," Sebastian gave him a handshake as he spoke.

"Always," Ominis responded.

Sebastian moved towards Anne to give her a big hug, and I heard him whisper an apology for their fight earlier. Ominis and I exchanged a look and nod. Nothing more. We had said our goodbyes earlier by the stream with that kiss. Neither of us would be able to maintain appearances if we attempted to say goodbye again now. Sebastian let go of Anne and stood beside me as Anne and Ominis held hands to Dissaparate. I took one last look at those green eyes of Ominis Gaunt before he and Anne Dissapparated with a pop, taking a small piece of my heart with them.

Sebastian suggested we go relax by a large tree in the sunflower meadow, nearby the stream whilst we waited. The shade was a welcoming reprieve from the suns heat and the grass that we laid upon was soft. I was also happy to stall and enjoy the afternoon with Sebastian for one last time.

We both lay lazily on the grass underneath the Birch tree, the sun peeking through some of the branches and dancing on Sebastian's face. I was on my side, watching him doze off as his breathing slowed. Even though I had slept for three days, I was still so tired. But all I wanted to do was take in all of Sebastian, as much as I could before I left. My eyes traced from his hair to his freckled nose, to his defined jaw and to his lips. Merlin what I wouldn't give to kiss those lips right now. As if he could read my thoughts Sebastian grinned, his eyes still closed.

"Stop looking at me like that Dagworth. That look means trouble."

I couldn't help but grin.

"I thought you were sleeping Sallow. How could you see me?"

He opened his eyes and rolled over to face me now.

"I've always seen you, Riley Dagworth. I've seen your bravery, your kindness. I've seen your strength, your beauty. I've seen you put everyone before yourself. I've seen the person you are, every part of you. And I love every part of you. I love you, Riley."

My heart was racing, aching.

"I'm just sorry for not telling you sooner. I've been in love with you since fifth year. And I want you to know that I will always be there for you, in this life and the next. I will forever be yours."

I didn't know if it was his words, my wanting of him, or that fact that I knew these few hours would be our last, but I lifted myself on my elbows and pushed Sebastian so that he was flat on his back once more. I was leaning on his chest and my lips smashed into his. I didn't care that this wasn't part of the plan. I didn't care that we were in a meadow where anyone could see us if they walked past. I needed this. I needed him. One last time. As if he could sense my desperation Sebastian leaned down to pull my leg over him so that I was straddling him, our lips never parting. His hands were on my waist, then sliding down my thighs and squeezing as they explored. I responded by grinding my hips against his and he moaned into my mouth. His mouth pulled away slightly from mine.

"Tell me." He groaned at my lips as his tongue caressed them gently.

"Tell you what?" I whispered at his gentle kisses.

Sebastian placed a hand at my neck and held my face in his hand, staring deeply into my eyes.

"You know what…"

I knew exactly what he was asking for. I could see the torture in his eyes. He needed to know if I felt the same. Gods. Of course, I did. Of course, I loved him. I just didn't want to say it to him now, knowing that I would be breaking his heart soon. But something in those hazel eyes snapped all reasoning within me.

"I love you Sebastian Sallow." I could see the worry leave his eyes and fill instead with that familiar sparkle. "It's always been you, Sebastian. My heart is, and always will be, yours."

Sebastian pulled me into his mouth and kissed me like he had never kissed me before. We only parted to remove our clothes and shoes as quickly as we could. Within a minute we were both naked lying in that soft grass entangled in one another's arms and legs. Sebastian made his way on top of me as he trailed soft kisses along my neck and down my chest, gently nipping at my breasts causing me to burn with desire. My hands were gripping as his hair as he did so. His fingers made their way down and teased me at my opening. I didn't care if I was loud as I let out a moan. His fingers circled me as he continued with his tongue on my breasts.

"Sebastian please…" I couldn't take much more of his teasing.

I could feel his grin on his mouth.

"Say it again," he growled, and I peered down to see him staring at me.

"Sebastian. I'm yours." I said in a breathy voice.

He moved back up to kiss me once more, his hands cupped around my neck as I dug my fingers into his back. I felt him spread my legs with his knees and I felt his hardness at my entrance.

"And I'm yours."

He slammed into me.

And I exploded as he filled me completely. My release didn't stop, but only intensified as he thrust in and out of me, grinding me as he did so. My magic glowed around me as it did before that night in the cottage, the feeling of ecstasy encasing me. It eventually calmed again as I felt Sebastian pick up the pace, and I could feel the build-up starting within him. I wrapped one of my legs around his and spun us over, forcing him onto his back so that I was on top of him. He looked both surprised and impressed at me taking control. But I soon lost control again as I grinded on top of him and release found me once more. Sebastian watched me with a hungry look in his eyes as his hands guided my hips onto him with each thrust. My magic was now glowing so brightly that I was sure anyone walking past in a mile radius would see it. But I didn't care. I only cared about the man before me. I only cared about making him feel as he had made me feel. I moved harder, faster, my breathing becoming heavy. Sebastian threw back his head and let out a groan as he gripped my hips so hard with his fingers as he stilled and poured himself into me. The sound of his moan sent me over the edge once more and I collapsed onto his chest as my body shattered around him.

²

I was standing in front the sunflower field watching the sun set behind it. The shades of orange and pink reflected against the sunflowers that had started to close as the sun shifted into slumber for the night. It was beautiful to behold. Sebastian and I had fallen asleep in one another's arms after we made love that afternoon. It took all my will power to untangle from him and get dressed. I covered him with his cloak as he lay there peacefully sleeping on the grass.

If all went well, Ominis would return soon. Time was running out. I was in such deep thought that I didn't hear Sebastian approach. I only knew he was there when strong arms wrapped from behind me around my waist and he snuggled his face into the crease of my neck. I smiled and raised a hand to caress his face behind me. I needed to do this now, before Ominis returned. I turned to face Sebastian, he kept his hands wrapped around me. He managed to dress himself, but his white shirt was only half buttoned, and I had to restrain myself from touching his bare torso. A frown formed on his face when he saw the tears falling from me.

"What's wrong Riley? What is it?"

I held his face in my trembling hands and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.

Forgive me Sebastian.

I placed my hands on his temples, as I pulled away and said the curse that would break not one, but two hearts tonight.

"Imperio."

Sebastian stilled in my hands, his arms dropped to his sides and a glazed look appeared on his face. His eyes vacant.

I knew I wouldn't need a wand to succeed, the ancient magic within me was strong enough.

"Sebastian Sallow, I am leaving tonight, never to return. You shall willingly let me go. You will not try to find me. You will not try use any method to try and locate me. You will carry on your life without me." My voice felt cold as I said it, but I needed to be clear and firm with my instructions, otherwise this would've all been for nothing.

"Do you understand?"

"I understand," his voice was dull, almost like he was half asleep and I could feel my heart cracking. I heard a popping sound in the distance, and I knew that Ominis had returned. He had accomplished what he sought out to do.

I placed a hand on Sebastian's cheek one last time.

"Goodbye Sebastian."

I released him just as I saw from the corner of my eye Ominis walking over the hill looking for Sebastian. I closed my eyes and focused my thoughts. Ominis had taught me what I needed to do to Dissapparate, even without a wand I could feel my insides being sucked in as I vanished through the air.

I opened my eyes at feeling of the sea breeze on my face. I fell to my knees and vomited. It had nothing to do with the fact that I had just Apparated by myself for the first time.