The Sallow Saga - Vol. 2 - In the Shadows of Memories [A HL Fanfiction]

Chapter 8. Reunions, Revelations, & Reflections

Ominis smiled weakly through the pain, but as he opened his mouth he coughed, and a small pool of blood could be seen slipping from the corner of his mouth. Sebastian shakily pulled her back as Gareth and Natty hurried around Ominis' body, tending to his wounds.
"Sebastian? What happened?" Cassy sobbed, turning to look at him.
"Ominis has been hurt... badly..." Sebastian's voice cracked. He shook his head and refused to speak anymore. Together, they held on to each other in silent grief, helplessly watching on as Natty and Gareth desperately and silently tended to their wounded friend.

No one spoke for several hours. The only sounds to be heard were the rattle of potion vials, mixed with Ominis' laboured breathing. It wasn't until a clock outside tolled the hour of four, that Gareth heavily sat down on the floor next to Cassy and Sebastian. He looked exhausted, his hands and shirt were stained with Ominis's blood. Natty silently joined them with a strained look on her face, she quietly handed a ragged cloth to Gareth, who thanked her before wiping his hands mostly clean.

Cassy looked at them fearfully, anticipating the worst; "will Ominis be okay?"
"He is going to need a lot of rest and ample time to heal properly," Natty sighed, her voice thick with fatigue. Seeing Cassy's concerned expression, she smiled comfortingly.
"He will be alright, Gareth's essence of dittany potion, combined with a hefty dose of wiggenweld, should see him through the worst of his physical injuries. It is the unseen hurts I am more concerned about, but only time will tell as to how he will fare with those." She rubbed her eyes vigorously.

Without saying a word, Sebastian squeezed Cassy's shoulder comfortingly, as he stood up. Silently, he stepped around the group on the floor and picked up one of the unused chairs, moving it to Ominis's side. Cassy watched on as he rested his hand on Ominis's arm. The chair creaked as Sebastian relaxed back into it, closing his eyes with a long, ragged exhale.

Cassy chanced a glance at Natty, who was staring into space.
"What happened Natty?" She whispered sadly, "How did Ominis get hurt?"
Natty sighed heavily, "when you and Gareth left, Sebastian and I hurried to Ominis's side. Harsh words were spoken between the two brothers. Ominis insisted that his brother..."
"Marvolo?" Cassy asked, hesitantly.
"Yes... how did you?" Natty's eyes widened with surprise.
"Long story," Cassy sighed, "suffice it to say, I finally have enough of my memory now to recall the events of my fifth year at Hogwarts. One word has been lingering in the air for some time now between your hushed conversations around me, and in my mind; Marvolo. At first, I thought it was a code word for something, but I've since come to attribute it to... a new evil. As I can't think of anyone more evil than someone who would wish to inflict pain on Ominis, I can only conclude that Marvolo is his brother."
Natty nodded heavily, "impressive. Yes – Ominis insisted that Marvolo leave Feldcroft immediately. Naturally, Marvolo did not take well to receiving an order from his younger brother. The witch by his side..."
"Tempest Thorne." Cassy grumbled.
Natty closed her eyes with an agreeing look before continuing, tired yet relieved that she could use names once more without the fear of it sparking a negative consequence to her friend's memories.
"Indeed, Tempest spotted Sebastian and I approaching. She recognised me from our fight in the Great Hall those years ago. She cast a jinx in my direction, which Ominis deflected back at her. Sebastian tried to stop him, but Marvolo cast crucio on Ominis. Before we knew it, Tempest had summoned more of Marvolo's thugs – I suspect Feldcroft had been surrounded for some time. We had to duel so many! It was a small army, and we were vastly outnumbered – all the while Marvolo continued to torture Ominis...". She paused, sighing heavily. Cassy shifted closer to her old friend and slung her arm around her shoulders, comfortingly.

She hung her head guiltily as a snippet of her conversation with Marvolo came to the forefront of her mind.
"Marvolo told me he lived not far from Hogsmeade station! I should have said something sooner."
Natty glanced quickly at Cassy, "It is not something you should beat yourself up about, however it is disturbing news indeed. To know he's been so close all this time."
"It explains why Hogsmeade has seen a surge in his followers harassing store owners," Gareth sighed, as he tilted his head back heavily; "what it doesn't explain is how Ominis got so badly injured."