Passionate Professors || Sebastian Sallow

Part 1 | Ch. 47 - Exhausted Explanations

"What the fuck was that?" Sebastian yelled into the air as he emerged from the pensive.

Ominis had been leaning against a the sole rickety table and me, a column as the two of us awkwardly watched Sebastian witness the memory I saved for him. This newest bout of Legilimency I went through was alarming to say the least. It showed just how deep the secret ties of the Flavia's and Gaunt's went, which were much deeper than I'd imagined.

Master Gaunt clearly had his hands all over his son's and Willow's relationship. I didn't want to ask but now I wondered if it was ever real love between them. Or if Ominis was trying to make the best out of an awful situation.

"So that's why you can't talk about it. Because they made you take an Unbreakable Vow under a fucking love potion?" Sebastian came to the conclusion quickly and full of rage.

Ominis stared beyond us, seemingly afraid to even nod or shake his head, any confirmation of the memory could potentially break the vow and kill him immediately. Us finding out about it through my accidental ability to infiltrate minds was a mere coincidence. As Herita Longbottom mentioned, even memories that were locked away were accessible by a Legilimens. Typically, a skilled one could navigate even the most complicated webs inside someone's mind but with my untrained abilities, I was shocked I did it. It was as if Ominis himself pointed me in the right direction, desperate for someone to understand his pain while I dreamt.

A grim sadness enveloped both Sebastian and Ominis and they hugged like brothers. In a blink, I saw them as young boys again. Silly fifth years with messy hair and cracked voices, a determination to help me discover my ancient magic and find a cure for Anne. Snarky sixth years with dark circles under their eyes from studying and cracked lips from constant belly laughs. Exhausted seventh years savoring every moment together before being thrown into the real wizarding world, teenage years slipping away.

Then suddenly they were in their late twenties again and reality came back. The years had not been fair to either of them, they both suffered in their own ways. Had they known true happiness? I questioned whether I could answer that about myself too.

Sebastian patted Ominis on the back endearingly, a notable thud with each pound of his palm. Ominis sniffled, swallowing any tears he was about to shed. I'm sure he had cried enough about his fate because of the Unbreakable Vow.

"We need to tell the Ministry, we need to tell Garreth." I urged, their embrace ceasing at the reminder that I was still present.

"Hold on, we need to gather ourselves before we jump too fast." Sebastian furrowed his brows, pinching in between with his forefinger and thumb.

"For what? I have proof of everything." I threw my hands up in the air. This memory was damning for both sides, it was time to put an end to everything.

"What if they don't believe you're a Legilimens? You can't prove that you've done it outside of a dream. What if they think what you saw was all in your head?" Ominis said softly and unchallenging. He had a valid point. Who knows if either family had an insider on the Ministry too. Willow was a member of the Wizengamot for Merlin's sake.

A familiar surge overtook my vision as it faded into a black void. I dropped to my knees, the stone floor slamming into my bones as I pressed on my temples. A pulsing sensation slithered up and down my spine, swirling in a building pressure.

This time I recognized it, I knew Willow was trying to access my memories again. An audible grunt came from my mouth as I clenched my teeth, bracing my insides. She was frantically searching inside my mind, I could feel her moving about. I pushed and pushed, clenching harder to block her out. Waves of nausea weakened me as I squeezed my eyes shut despite not being able to see anything.