The Sallow Saga (Volume 3) A Hogwarts Legacy Fanfiction

Chapter 5. An Unexpected Surprise

Niamh Fitzgerald's portrait glared fiercely down at the group below her. Her gaze rested on Natty who looked up at her fiercely.
"I suggest everyone take a moment to gather yourselves. There is still residual negative energy rising from the caverns below – it's only natural that we would avoid lingering in such confines as this; when we have alternative frames in more accommodating environments." She sternly explained, with a forced calm.

Sebastian glowered, "what made you answer our call?" He grumbled, biting back on the thoughts he desperately wanted to share.
Professor Rackham shrugged, "you said Cassy needed our help, we came to help." The elderly wizard's features seemed peaceful, serene, genuine; yet there was something about it all that seemed forced and faked.

Sebastian looked down at Cassy, in his arms. Speaking to Rackham would offer them an idea as to how to help her, maybe. Now they were here however, looking up at the portraits, he couldn't help but feel like he'd have more success drawing blood from a stone.
"Is that so?" He hissed, viciously.
"Indeed, Sebastian." Niamh smiled, kindly; "we and Hogwarts, owe Cassy a great debt – if there is anything we can do; we will!"
Sebastian bit at the inside of his cheek, as frustration boiled inside him. Forcing control over his emotions, he gently lay Cassy down on the ground for the Keepers to observe.

"Does she respond to you calling her name?" Rackham asked, hesitantly.
Sebastian shrugged, dejectedly; "the most I got was a murmur, a frown – we have apparated into Hogsmeade, traversed a series of tunnels to get to Hogwarts, used floo powder to get to this chamber and she is still out for the count. I can't see my calling her name is going to offer anything further to wake her."
Rackham folded his arms and gave Sebastian a long and hard look; "young man, I lived my entire life generating and wielding an ancient magic that few knew of, let alone comprehended. Do you really believe this phenomenon to be completely alien to me? How often did you call her name?"
"I... I dunno," Sebastian puzzled, "twice? Three times, maybe? She's normally a light sleeper..." he shrugged.

"Hm," Rackham shook his head, solemnly; "Niamh informed us all, of the events that transpired in the caverns below, last year. Has anything else calamitous happened since then, that might have impacted on our mutual friend, here?"
The hall filled up with sound as Natty, Garreth, Ominis and Sebastian each burst into a torrent of explanations detailing the events that had transpired since. The keepers stared first in surprise then in outright disgust upon hearing of Marvolo's curse. When Sebastian shared the details of the ancient magic taking over Cassy, Rackham held up his hands. The hall fell silent in an instant. The excitement of the shared events seemed to have allayed the negative atmosphere that had impacted on each of them as they had entered the room. In the sudden silence, tense insecurities began to creep back, unpleasantly, weaving webs of despondency over Sebastian and his friends.

Bakar turned his attention from Cassy to Rackham with a worried look; "have you come across this before Percival?"
"Only once," he nodded, curtly; "has Cassy ever detailed visions to you? Images that have been conjured in her mind, by the magic she imbues?"
Before the group could answer, Cassy stirred. Sebastian hurried to her side, as she propped herself up on the floor in a daze.
"Sebastian," Rackham spoke softly, "do not get too close – look!"
As the group watched on, an ethereal hue began to glow around Cassy. At first dim, it grew into a light so bright, her friends were forced to shield their eyes.
"I've seen her like this before!" Sebastian shouted, as the energy in the room resonated with a deep hum that reverberated around the hall; "the night terrors she's been experiencing of late... this light exudes around her, just before she wakes up, screaming and lashing out!"
To everyone's surprise, Rackham began to chuckle softly. Even as Cassy started to whimper, raising her hands in the air to defend herself from an unseen force; his joviality continued.
"Percival!" Niamh hissed, "I hardly think this is the time for frivolities..."
Rackham massaged his sides, "my apologies Niamh, my young friends. Bakar, you are quite right – I have heard of this phenomenon before. I also happen to know, just how to rectify it."