Unspeakable

Chapter 9: Nightmares and Dreams

As soon as he impacted the ground he found himself on his hands and knees, staring down at black marble. He was shaking from what he'd seen, his eyes wide as he tried to register what had just happened to him.

Do you understand now? The sweet voice of Love purred to him.

He looked up as he realized where he was, reality shifting back to what he remembered. Was this real? Or had that been real? It had certainty felt real.

You chose the hard way. Love said in amusement as he was still grappling with reality.

It hadn't been real. It hadn't been real. Did that mean Diane was alive? She was safe? Ominis wasn't trying to kill him? The memory of how he'd felt for all those years, with nothing but pain and anger...

"I understand." He said in a strained, wavering voice. Without her... he was lost. She was his light. The light in his darkness. He knew how easily he could fall to it, now. It had been so fast... so easy...

It has hard to reconcile with what had happened, it had felt like years had passed, but it had somehow only been a short amount of time. There was no amortentia on him, and his clothes were dry, yet he remembered drowning.

He looked up to see Love sitting on the side of the basin, her legs crossed as she watched him.

She is necessary for the protection of Hogwarts, and the Wizarding world as a whole. You are their protector, and without them you are lost.

Sebastian nodded gravely. He understood that perfectly now.

This is your first step in the right direction, my young soldier. The path will not be easy, but you will grow stronger.

He started breathing heavily as it really came to him that Diane was alive, tears coming to his eyes. He still had her.... He still had Diane. He hadn't killed her.

You are lucky, because most who have experienced a broken heart were not just in dreams. She said solemnly. It is my one weakness. Despair.

He looked up to her in surprise that she would reveal such a thing to him, her eyes looking down to the pool of amortentia as she stroked a finger through the liquid idly.

Go see your love, now. Rest. I will be merciful this time. She gave him a small smile. I do not enjoy breaking people. When you come back, make sure it is after you have healed.

He didn't have to be told twice. He got up on weak legs and ran from the room, bursting through the door and slamming it shut again. He sprinted past Archinald who didn't seem at all phased by an Unspeakable running like his life depended on it from the rooms.

Back inside the room Love sighed, hating to cause such pain like that. Sometimes it was necessary, though.

That was skirting the line, Love. A smooth, harsh voice echoed through the room.

Oh hush. It turned out fine. Nothing is altered. Love scoffed.

Do not step out of your place. The smooth voice snapped back.

Love rolled her eyes and smiled. You know what they say, Time. All's fair in love and war.

—————-

As soon as Sebastian was outside the Ministry he darted into an alley and apparated, falling to his knees as he landed on the grassy hill outside the house.

He looked around with wide eyes when he saw Feldcroft intact, his heart slamming in his chest as he looked up at the house. It wasn't burned down. It was intact.