In the Shadows of a Legacy // A Sebastian Sallow story

Chapter 1- Haunted Memories

I walked briskly down the dimly lit corridor of the Ministry, the sound of my footsteps echoing against the cold stone walls. The weight of my responsibilities as an Auror bore heavily on my shoulders, a constant reminder of the world's expectations. Five long years had passed since the events at Hogwarts, yet the memories still haunted me, refusing to loosen their grip. I had helped defeat Ranrok, but everyday new dark wizards were appearing on the horizan, fueling the nightmares that plagued my sleep every night.

The Ministry was buzzing with activity, filled with hurried Aurors preparing for a meeting of great importance. News had spread like wildfire—an unprecedented mass breakout had occurred at Azkaban, releasing dark wizards into the world.

"Ah Ophelia" Jeffrey Burbank, Head of the Auror office greeted me as I sat down at my desk. "My best auror." He smiled plopping a thick folder onto my desk. "I have your next assignment here." I inwardly groaned, my heart sinking at the thought of yet another dangerous mission. The life of an Auror had consumed me since I was a teenager, and while I longed for peace and an escape from this relentless world, the weight of the powerful ancient magic I possessed kept me bound to it. I wished for nothing more than to spend my days in the solace of my vivarium, away from the constant battles and haunting memories. But the guilt of my past decisions, especially the one that led to the death of my mentor, compelled me to continue fighting for justice. I had to atone for my sins and this was the only way I knew possible.

"Are you alright?" Jeffrey asked, his voice filled with concern, as he noticed my distant gaze.

"Yes," I murmured, attempting to refocus my attention. I opened the folder, expecting another routine assignment, but what I saw nearly caused my breath to catch in my throat. A black-and-white photograph was sprawled across the documents, depicting a boy I had once known all too well. He wore a striped prison jumpsuit, his eyes filled with fear and desperation. Freckles adorned his face, and his unkempt hair fell messily across his forehead.

I gasped, my hand instinctively covering my mouth in shock. It couldn't be true. Sebastian Sallow, the one I had loved and believed to be lost forever, had escaped from Azkaban. And now, I was tasked with hunting him down.

My mind spun with a whirlwind of emotions. Memories of our shared past flooded my thoughts, intertwining with the guilt and confusion that still plagued me.

My heart wavered between the love I had felt for Sebastian and the duty I held as an Auror. I knew I couldn't ignore this assignment, even if it meant facing the person who believed I had betrayed him. Closure beckoned on the other side of our reunion, and I couldn't ignore the opportunity to uncover the truth and untangle the web of lies that had entangled us.

Taking a deep breath, I steadied my trembling hands and pushed aside the overwhelming surge of emotions. Sebastian's escape demanded my attention, my skills, and the strength to confront the haunted memories that had haunted both of us for far too long.

I closed the folder abruptly, my heart racing with anticipation. The weight of the task ahead bore down on me, threatening to consume my every thought. Sebastian's escape from Azkaban had ignited a firestorm of emotions within me, and I needed someone who could understand the turmoil swirling in my heart. Without a second thought, I practically ran through the corridors, nodding hurriedly to the familiar faces of my coworkers.

Upon reaching the door of my friend's office, I knocked briefly, my fingers tapping against the wood in a rhythmic succession. The voice from the other side called out, granting me entry. I turned the doorknob and stepped inside, finding solace in the presence of my best friend and the best curse breaker of our generation, Ominis Gaunt.

"Ah, Ophelia, how are you, darling?" Ominis greeted me, his words laced with warmth and understanding. Despite his blindness, he possessed an uncanny ability to recognize people without seeing them, a mystery that always fascinated me.

I walked up to Ominis, leaning in to kiss him gently on the cheek. His familiar scent of pine and vanilla was a comforting presence offered a momentary respite from the swirling chaos within me. "I'm fine, thank you," I stammered, my voice betraying the true weight of my emotions. Ominis raised an eyebrow, his intuition keen as ever.

"I think I can tell by now when you're lying, my dear," he remarked gently, his tone filled with empathy and concern.

"It's the breakout, Ominis," I confessed, my voice trembling slightly as I struggled to articulate the jumble of thoughts and emotions. The feelings I had suppressed for years were now surging to the surface, threatening to overwhelm me. "My assignment, it's... it's..." I choked on the words, my eyes welling up with unshed tears.

Ominis regarded me with understanding, his expression serene yet filled with an underlying wisdom. "Your assignment is Sebastian," he stated simply, his words cutting through the air like a dagger. The truth of his statement hit me like a wave, crashing over me with a mixture of nostalgia, heartache, and unresolved questions.

I sank into a nearby chair, the weight of the revelation pulling me deeper into the abyss of my emotions. Ominis remained beside me, a steady presence that provided me with the strength to confront the past. The memories of Sebastian, our love, and the shattered trust echoed through my mind, leaving me vulnerable and exposed.

Tears finally spilled down my cheeks, the dam of emotions breaking free. Ominis placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, offering silent support in my moment of vulnerability. "I'm sorry," I sniffled. "I should be over this by now, it's been so long."

Ominis's touch provided a much-needed anchor as I struggled to regain my composure. His voice carried a soothing reassurance as he spoke. "There's no timeline for healing, Ophelia," he said, his tone filled with understanding. "The wounds of the heart take time to mend, and some scars may never fade completely. It's okay to feel the pain, even after all this time."

I wiped away my tears, the warmth of Ominis's words offering a glimmer of solace amidst the storm raging within me. Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself and looked into Ominis's sightless eyes, searching for strength. "He already blames me for betraying him. How can I face him after all this time, just to send him back to that soulless place."

"I don't know Ophelia. I don't know." He admitted, his own voice choking. "We'll figure it out I promise." His hand reached out for my shoulder in comfort and I covered his hand with my own. "But please be careful, I can't lose you again to the darkness that consumed you. Wherever you and Sebastian went a dark cloud followed."

"I'm terrified of losing myself to the darkness once again. I've tried so hard to bury my past, to escape the haunting memories that plague me." I confessed, my voice quivering with fear.

"I won't let you," his voice filled with emotion as he gave my hand a squeeze. "I will never let you fall into darkness like you did."

For a moment we sat in silence. Memories of the past swirled around us.

"Thank you Omni," I forced myself to smile, trying to forget the memories that burned my mind, "You have been my greatest friend through all these years."

"and you mine."

Ominis and I shared a moment of silent understanding, our bond forged through years of friendship and shared experiences. We were no longer children running around Hogwarts getting into mischief. No longer the Shadow Trio, but adults forced to live with decisions forever we made as mere children.