Destined to be

TWENTY - DARKNESS

The Herbology class felt endless. When we were finally dismissed I had to fight with the urge to skip the Potions so I could go look for him. But my uncle would hear about it and it could create only more problems. I just had to wait until this lesson ended. I didn't have any more classes for the rest of the day.

"Welcome, everyone. Today we will be learning one of the most dangerous potions and how to brew a suitable antidote for it. I will divide you into two groups. Group one will be brewing Amortentia and group two...surprisingly...the antidote.

Properly mixed potion should have a mother-of-pearl sheen and spiralling steam. The scent is multi-faceted and vary based on what the person liked the most. If you will be able to name three different scents you will have a proper potion before you. Then we will check if the antidote works by combining a few drops of each potion. But I am warning you! If I catch anyone trying to sneak out just a single droplet out of this class...the person will spend the rest of his studies at the detention collection mooncalf dung for the Herbology class and scrubbing cauldrons from failed concoctions. Now, let's begin."

I was assigned to group one. So I began to prepare the potion. It was much harder than any other potion I tried to make. But I was glad we had a hard task like this. It helped keep my mind occupied, stopping me overthinking everything.

At the end of the class I had a cauldron full of mother-of-pearl sheen potion with spiralling steam coming out of it, smelling like old books, herbal garden and...hair pomade. The last scent was lingering in my nose even after Professor Sharp took my cauldron away to dispose of the content.

I remembered every moment I smelled this scent in the past. The moment Ominis was escorting me from the Hospital wing at the end of the last year. The moment I found him on the train at the start of this year. The moment he comforted me after the unpleasant encounter with Leander. When I showed him the baby unicorn. The first quidditch game. Our dance at the Winter Ball. His birthday. The walk in the garden this spring.

I smelt Ominis.

I sprinted from the class the second we were dismissed, grabbing Sebastian for his sleeve.

"Lynette? What happened?" He was stumbling behind me, following me to the Undercroft.

"I'm going to the Gaunt mansion to get Ominis. If we don't come back before curfew go to Professor Weasley and tell her where she can find us," I blurted immediately as the gate closed behind us.

"WHAT! No you don't. At least not alone. I am going with you," he shouted in surprise.

"No, Sebastian. I would not be able to do anything if I would worry for both of you. I don't know what happened and what they are capable of. I am not risking your life as well. I need you here," I said firmly.

"Fine. But be careful. Try not to use your magic, Ok?" He gave me a quick embrace.

I returned his hug, but just for a second. I have to leave immediately. So I ran. I sprinted from the Undercroft to the nearest exit from the castle. I have never ran that fast in my life. My legs and my lungs were burning like crazy. Every breath caused me agony. But I kept running. Through the castle, through the castle grounds...until I reached the magical barrier. I imagined the flower carpets surrounded with those beautiful magnolia trees and lilacs where I was just a few days ago. The memory of us two in the garden was still really vivid in my mind. I've never been so determined in my life. So as soon as I crossed the barrier I apparated.

It wasn't the best idea to apparate in the middle of running. I couldn't stop the movement when I appeared in the garden and stumbled over my own feet, hitting the ground really bad. My palms and knees started to sting immediately. It was clear I was bleeding but didn't bother checking the damage, jumped to my feet immediately and walked towards the back entry to the house. I was trying to calm my breath the whole way towards the mansion, fighting the urge to throw up from the exhaustion.