Chapter 33 - A story is born

"RILEY!"

Sebastian Sallow woke with a fright as he screamed her name out loud. Snow had started to coat his bedroom window as he stared out into the winter night. He dreamt of her. Not that he didn't always dream of her, but this time was different. He dreamt that she was in pain, more pain than he could even imagine. His head felt clearer than it had in months. The chain wrapped around his heart felt like it had snapped. He felt the weight of the curse lift from him. He was free.

Sebastian flung his legs from his bed and immediately began to dress.

Seconds later he heard hurried footsteps and both Anne and Ominis barged into his bedroom, both still in their sleepwear, panting from the run.

After Riley had left, Ominis had brought the Sallows back to their old home in Feldcroft, where now all three of them lived. Thanks to the influence of the Gaunt family, the three of them weren't bothered by the Ministry. They only interrogated Ominis for the location of Riley Dagworth initially, but they eventually gave up when it was clear that Ominis had no idea where Riley was. Since then, the original trio went back to Hogwarts where Professor Weasley welcomed them with open arms. Seeing as they had missed so much school it was agreed that they were to resume sixth year despite their age, only Ominis progressed to seventh year. It was hard for Anne and Ominis at first. They missed Riley and tried to remember the good times. Sebastian on the other hand, did not mention her once since returning to Feldcroft. No matter how hard he tried, he could not go in search of her. He was forced to ignore all his natural instincts to track her down. It drove him insane. He welcomed the distraction of returning to school, but everything about Hogwarts reminded him of Riley. The anger he felt was immense, but nothing compared to the sorrow and despair of losing the woman he loved. It was the winter break and the three of them decided to have Christmas together here at their home in Feldcroft. But it no longer felt like home to Sebastian. Not even Hogwarts did.

"Sebastian what is it? We heard you scream?" Anne spoke as Ominis scanned the room looking for any threats.

"It's Riley, I had a dream about her. She's in trouble. We need to go find her."

Both Ominis and Anne were taken aback. This was the first time that Sebastian had even said her name in months.

"What are you talking about Sebastian?" Anne looked confused, although she had a look of empathy in her eyes. Ominis on the other hand looked like he had seen a ghost.

"I don't know how, but I just know. She's in trouble and I'm going to look for her." Sebastian was already dressed and was now packing some of his belongings into a bag, his new wand included.

"Sebastian, Riley left to protect us. We shouldn't go against her wishes. Things are just starting to get back to normal." Anne looked timidly at Ominis as she spoke. Whilst Sebastian had been suffering with his own internal struggle, Anne and Ominis had grown closer over the last few months, making up for lost time. A part of Sebastian felt jealous.

"Things were never normal Anne, at least not for me." Sebastian's anger that he held all these months were bubbling to the surface.

"What are you talking about Sebastian?" Anne gave him a confused look.

"Why don't you ask him?" Sebastian glared at Ominis as he finished packing the last of his items.

"What is he talking about Ominis?" Anne gently touched Ominis' arm and it shook him out of his silent state as he finally managed to speak for the first time.

"Riley used the Imperius curse on Sebastian, to force him to stay away."

Anne gasped and looked at Sebastian.

"Oh Sebastian, I'm so sorry. I thought you were just dealing with saying goodbye to her in your own way."

Sebastian huffed at her. "Well, the curse didn't hold. I knew I'd be able to fight it off eventually. And unlike you two I can't just willingly stay here while she's out there on her own, possibly hurt. She needs me." Sebastian was now putting on his cloak as he gave his sister and friend an ugly look.

"That's not fair Sebastian," It was Ominis who spoke now. "Riley wanted us to have a normal life. She sacrificed a lot to make that happen. For all of us."

Sebastian stalked up to Ominis and was inches from his face.

"She also deserves a normal life. Happiness. And that's what we were supposed to do for her. I'll never give up on her." Ominis stood in the doorway, blocking the exit. Anne was quietly crying as Ominis and Sebastian just glared at each other.

"Get out of my way Ominis." For a moment Ominis looked like he may try to stop Sebastian. But then the look of determination on his face softened and melted into sadness. He reached down into his pocket and pulled out a small golden compass and held it out to Sebastian.

"What is this?" Sebastian just eyed the compass.

"It will help you find her."

Sebastian was about to ask Ominis if he had gone mad.

"Just take it. It was gift from Professor Onai. It's the one thing I managed to keep hold of during those months. It will point you to what you want most."

Sebastian took the compass from his hand and flipped it open. The arrow spun round a few times and then settled on an easterly direction.

Sebastian closed it and looked up at his friend. He still wasn't used to those bright green eyes he now had.

"Thank you Ominis."

Ominis just nodded and stepped aside to let Sebastian pass.

Sebastian placed a swift kiss on Anne's forehead and hurried out. Within minutes Sebastian had exited their home in Feldcroft and headed for the nearest floo station. Anne and Ominis made their way to the kitchen where Ominis stoked the fire and boiled some water to make some tea. Anne was still sobbing.

"Why did you let him go Ominis? If Riley is still on the run, and Sebastian joins her, we may never see him again. How could you do this?" Anne squeaked at Ominis between her sobs.

Ominis stared into fire in the kitchen with his back to Anne. As he said the words to Anne, the words he knew he couldn't say to Sebastian, a tear rolled down his cheek. His heart fracturing along with it.

"Because, if the Imperius curse has lifted from Sebastian, it means that Riley Dagworth is dead."

²

Sebastian followed that compass like his life depended on it. Without it he would've been searching for weeks, months. At least now he had a general sense of the direction he should be heading. Without a destination in mind he could not Apparate. He used the floo flames as much as possible, stopping in between them to readjust his course. He only stopped to eat and sleep. Even after just a few days, the snow had laid a thick blanket over the Scottish Highlands. Sebastian used his wand to summon a fire to keep him warm as he rested. It took him a few days, but he eventually found that the compass had led him to the Northern Hogwarts region, to a small village nestled near to the Forbidden Forest.

Sebastian had never felt so much determination in his life. Although he was angry at Ominis and Riley for conspiring together, for using the Imperius curse on him, his anger was quelled by the love in his heart. He was going to see her again. It didn't matter that he was leaving his life behind. Riley was his life. His future.

As he walked through the village the compass started to slow and point towards the church in the centre. Perhaps Riley was inside?

It was early in the morning, the sun had only just risen. The inhabitants of the village had not yet stirred. Sebastian walked along the path to the church, the snow crunching beneath his boots. He pushed the large wooden door and peered inside. There was nobody inside. He made his way inside and looked around to see if there were any hidden rooms. Nothing.

Sebastian looked down at the compass again and it pointed to the rear of the church, to another side door leading to an exit. Sebastian made his way to it, pushing it open gently as cold air met his face once more and he stepped out into the church gardens. His heart froze as he realised, he had stepped into, not a garden, but a graveyard.

"No," Sebastian whispered to himself. No.

The compass was vibrating in his numb fingers as he slowly walked through the graveyard, following its direction. The compass came to a halt in front of a grave with freshly laid flowers.

Sebastian dropped to his knees as he read the name on the gravestone.

Riley Dagworth

Nothing more.

Just her name.

She was dead.

Sebastian didn't speak, he didn't cry. He just stared at that gravestone.

He reached to touch the gravestone. He dipped his head in despair. He was in too much shock to cry. Flecks of snow settled in his hair, and he didn't care that his knees were aching from the cold snow.

Soft footsteps approached from behind. Sebastian didn't notice until a firm, but gentle hand was upon his shoulder. He lifted his head to find a man with brown hair and kind eyes behind glasses looking at him. The man's eyes widened when he saw Sebastian's face. Sebastian had no idea who this man was but saw that he had flowers in his hands.

"Did-did you know her?" Sebastian somehow managed to speak.

The man nodded and placed the flowers on Riley's grave.

"How? How did she-?" Sebastian couldn't finish his sentence as hopelessness strangled his throat.

"Let's get you out of this cold." Sebastian didn't object as the man helped him to his feet and led the way out of the graveyard to a small cottage nearby. The man pushed the door of the cottage open and gestured for Sebastian to enter. Sebastian's throat, his heart, everything felt raw inside. The cottage was warmed by a small fire in the corner, the coldness started to defrost in his fingers as he was invited to sit down at the end of the table closest to the fire. He took note of his surroundings and realised that this was a muggle home. Small, but inviting and warm.

As the man removed his cloak and scarf, Sebastian did the same.

"Who are you?" Sebastian's voice was low, but he managed to look at the man with kind eyes. Before the man could answer a woman walked into the room and her eyes fell upon Sebastian and she gasped.

"Oh my!" Tears started to form in her eyes.

Sebastian was very confused now.

"My name is Charles Granger," The man said as he placed a hand on the woman's shoulder. "And this is my wife, Ella Granger."

Sebastian swallowed, trying to get some moisture to his throat.

"My name is Sebastian, Sebastian Sallow." Mr. Granger hovered his hand over his pocket as Sebastian spoke. "I am-I was looking for someone. For Riley Dagworth."

Saying her name out loud brought tears to his eyes, but he managed to hold back the sobs in front of the two strangers before him.

Mrs Granger walked straight up to him and hugged him. She smelled like apple pie and her curly hair tickled his face.

"I'm so sorry my dear."

He couldn't hold it in anymore. The sobs came. Sebastian just wrapped his arms around this stranger and cried his lungs out. Mrs. Granger just held him whilst Mr. Granger came round and placed a hand on his shoulder. After a few minutes they released Sebastian and Mrs. Granger went about to making some tea for all of them whilst Mr. Granger sat in the chair opposite Sebastian. Mrs. Granger set down a cup for Sebastian and he drank deeply from it. The warmth coating his raw throat.

"Thank you." Mrs. Granger gave a small smile and sat next to her husband. "Please, tell me what happened to her?"

The Grangers exchanged a nervous look, but it was Mr. Granger who spoke.

"We found Riley just outside the village, she had been attacked by some men and she was badly injured. We brought her back here, we had to act quickly to save the baby."

Sebastian's eyes widened and his whole body went still.

"Baby?" his voice was barely a whisper.

Mr. Granger looked taken aback and looked to his wife for a reassurance. Empathy rolled over her eyes, and she gave her husband's arm a squeeze, urging him to continue. Mr. Granger returned to look at Sebastian.

"Yes, Riley was pregnant, but she wasn't yet at full term. As a result of the attack, she was haemorrhaging, and we had to perform a caesarean to get the baby out as soon as possible. It was a miracle that he survived the birth."

"A boy?" Sebastian didn't blink as he tried to unravel the words Mr. Granger had said.

"She was so brave throughout it. She was only concerned for his safety." Mrs. Granger had tears in her eyes.

"She went peacefully in her sleep late in the night after the birth. We didn't know who she was, we only knew her name. So, we buried her by the church." Mr. Granger's kind eyes surveyed Sebastian as he spoke.

"And what of her son?" Potentially his son. Or potentially Ominis' son. Sebastian wasn't ignorant to realise there was a possibility that Ominis could be the father. Ominis had told Sebastian that he was with Riley days before they rescued him from The Blackhand. Something that Sebastian tried not to think about often. As if on cue, Sebastian heard a baby cry from the room next door.

"Would you like to see him?" Mrs. Granger was smiling at Sebastian.

Sebastian only nodded. She left the table and went into the next room.

Mr. Granger spoke while his wife was out of the room.

"We didn't know what to do with him. The authorities came to investigate the attack and we told them everything. They were going to take him away to the orphanage. The children in that orphanage eventually end up in the mines to be used as free labour. We couldn't stand the thought. It seemed so unfair for this child to survive, only to be abandoned like that. So, we decided to legally adopt him so that they couldn't take him away. I just signed the paperwork this morning. That's why I was out. I planned to stop by Riley's grave after, and that's when I found you."

Sebastian couldn't believe these people and their kindness. Not only did they rescue Riley from those brutes, but they also protected her son, even after her death.

"I can't express in words how grateful I am that you helped Riley. And her son. There are not many people in this world that would've done what you did."

Mr. Granger retrieved a letter from his pocket, where his hand had subconsciously drifted to before, and he handed it to Sebastian.

"This is for you. Riley wrote this just before she passed, we found it next to her bedside."

Sebastian looked at his name on the letter, his heart ached as he recognised the familiar handwriting. He slipped the letter into his pocket, he would need a private moment to read it, in case he broke down again.

Moments later, Mrs. Granger appeared with a baby wrapped in her arms. Sebastian couldn't see him just yet. His heart was pounding as Mrs. Granger approached.

"Would you like to hold him?"

Sebastian's hands were shaking as Mrs. Granger handed the baby boy to him. Sebastian caught his breath and looked down at the tiny, but beautiful boy in his arms.

The brown hair and hazel eyes were unmistakably his.

Sebastian was holding his son.

The baby boy looked up at Sebastian and wrapped his hand around a Sebastian's finger. Tears escaped Sebastian's eyes once more, but this time they were tears of joy. Pride and love swelled in Sebastian Sallows heart.

It was Mr. Granger who spoke, "Sebastian Sallow, meet your son. Hector Dagworth-Granger."