Relinquishment

The Undercroft

Helena's stomach plummeted with anxiety as she turned around. "What conversation?" Her face burned, the memories of how the two boys' lips felt against hers still fresh in her mind. She considered their current positions and the likelihood she would be able to successfully fire two Obliviate spells in quick succession. The odds were not in her favor. Memory spells were not her strong point, and she was more likely to wipe the entire past week from their minds rather than just the memories of her indiscretion.

Ominis managed to throw a withering look back at her despite his unseeing eyes. "There are several things we need to discuss. One being Solomon's case. There supposedly is a plan to thwart the Aurors, but you have frustratingly kept us both in the dark."

Helena stifled a sigh of relief. This was a relatively safe conversation topic compared to the one she was dreading. "I have been working on it. I had the beginnings of a plan. But-things came up."

"Things came up?" Sebastian looked annoyed. "You seemed singularly determined to help me last time we spoke. Did these things change your priorities?" Sebastian's eyes flicked be tween Helena and Ominis and back again. The unspoken "or did someone" hung in the air.

"Don't be cross with her," said Ominis. "She wouldn't have to sneak around like this if it wasn't for you." At least Ominis is irritated at the both of us, she thought with some consolation.

"Helena, care to share about the letter?" Ominis prompted with his eyebrows raised at her.

She swallowed nervously. "I don't know if I should be telling Sebastian this, Ominis. He can't be distracted by my problems when he's walking this tightrope of an investigation."

"That letter threatened to expose the truth about Solomon. As much as this mysterious figure may be from your world, Sebastian is involved, whether you like it or not."

"But I don't get the sense they actually want anything from him. Their intent is to threaten me, and are using him as leverage."

"Their ultimate goal doesn't change the fact that Sebastian is in harm's way."

"He is not in harm's way-I will deal with the problem. You two-need to focus on getting him off the hook with the Ministry."

Ominis let out an exasperated huff, causing a lock of his bangs to flutter away from his face. "Why do you act this way? This resistance against including us in your plans is ridiculous. Even in our fifth year, you ran off to fight trolls and poachers alone, when Sebastian and I were both capable and willing to help."

Helena clenched her teeth. It felt as if Ominis was encroaching on a deep and secret place within her heart. She turned away, not wanting to meet his eyes. "I-I don't know. This person feels dangerous, so I will handle--"

"Would someone just explain what the hell is going on?" Sebastian burst out, his anger radiating off of him. His face flushed red and the veins at his temples throbbed. "Who is this person? And how do they know about Solomon?"

Ominis clicked his tongue in frustration.

Helena jumped at the opportunity to escape Ominis's line of questioning. "If you insist, I'll tell you. But let's not continue to stand here."

Quickly brushing past the two men, she walked to the center of the Undercroft and conjured three green velvet armchairs. The mahogany frames were polished to a high shine, showcasing the natural beauty of the wood grain. The armrests were rounded and the back was high and padded, providing a comfortable place to nestle oneself when facing difficult questions. The chairs were a far cry from the splintered furniture that littered the Undercroft.

The three took their seats in a circle. Helena jolted as she accidentally scraped her chair against the cold stone floor of the chilly Undercroft. Ominis lowered himself silently with his usual grace. Sebastian sat with impatience, flopping himself down roughly and crossing his arms. But the irritation on his face faded away as Helena explained the letter. Using her hands she demonstrated how the ancient magic had poured out of the paper as soon as she broke the wax seal, then came together to form the words that threatened to reveal Sebastian's dark past. After she finished recounting the letter, Ominis and Helena sat in silence to grant Sebastian time to absorb the information.