A Troubled Time / Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 15

Fear flashed through Lucy's eyes. She didn't know if it was from the screaming faces moving over the veil-like door or the bright red Crucio etched onto the floor. Flashbacks from heard.

Lucy jumped, scooting back more, feeling a hand touch her shoulder. Fear flashed in her tear filled eyes as she looked in front of her. A concerned look was on Sebastian's face as he kneeled before. Without a word, he placed both of his hands over hers, helping block out the noise.

Lucy let her eyes close, letting the silence calm her racing heart calm. She felt her once heavy breath become normal once again. She slowly opened her eyes, letting her hand slide down resting on her lap. Sebastian kept his hands on top of hers, keeping an eye on her reaction.

The screams grew quieter, though they were still there. Lucy nodded to him, signaling she was alright. She couldn't find the words to respond to him.

"Listen to me, I'll make sure nothing happens to you." Sebastian kept his eyes locked on her, gently rising to his feet. He kept his hands overtop of hers, helping her stand as well.

Lucy only nodded once more, resting her back against the wall, attempting to regain control over herself.

"Ominis, I'm afraid we may be stuck here, but I do think I know how we can get out. But, you aren't going to like it." Sebastian kept an eye on Lucy as he spoke to Ominis. The night Marvolo decided to cast the curse on her rushed through her brain and body. She backed away from the writing, falling to the floor as she scrambled back. The hissing noise mixed with the agonizing screams filled her ears, numbing her to everything else.

She felt her whole body begin to shake, aching as if the curse was about to be cursed on her. She felt the tears come to her eyes as her hands instinctively went over her ears, attempting to drown out the cursed sounds. Her heart ached for Noctua, knowing this was the last thing she ever

"Merlin, I knew this was a terrible idea!" Ominis began pacing throughout the room, "What is it?"

"We need to cast the cruciatus curse. Otherwise we'll rot in here. I know it's a lot to ask, but you need to cast it on me." Sebastian pleaded with him.

"No!" Lucy and Ominis spoke at the same time, causing Sebastian to jump back.

"I'm sorry Sebastian, I'm not doing it." Ominis shook his head.

"I didn't know you knew how to cast it, Ominis." Lucy whispered, looking at him.

"It's rather unfortunate. Remember our talk in the undercroft? The only way I could stop the curse from being casted on me was to cast it on a muggle." Ominis's face contorted into a look filled with sadness and disgust for himself.

Lucy's face softened, "You didn't have a choice, it wasn't your fault, Ominis." She walked towards him, resting a hand on his shoulder.

"You don't understand!" His voice rose, jerking back from her touch, "I had to want to use it. You have to want the other person to feel pain in order to use the curse. I'm a monster who lived up to the gaunt name." Ominis's voice wavered slightly, his own flashbacks coming back to him.

"I understand Ominis, you don't have to cast the spell. We can find another way. I know you won't believe me when I say this, but you aren't a monster. Perhaps you didn't want to inflict pain on them, but you wanted the pain to stop for yourself and this was the only way." Lucy attempted to reason with him.

"Even if that were true, it doesn't take back what I did. If you cast Crucio, you will regret it. I have every second since." Ominis let his back hit the wall, "Just try and find something. I need a moment."