A Troubled Time / Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 40

Lucy had shaky steps as she walked down the stairs. The knocking didn't stop and she had no choice but to go answer. She sent a wary look to Reese and Carter now on their feet by the couch, staring down the hall at the front door.

Lucy held her wand as she felt time slow down. The lock slowly began to turn as she approached, unlocking it. The door creaked as it opened slowly. Lucy felt her heart begin to race as an unknown woman entered.

"Heavens, it is you." A sweet, feminine voice spoke as she walked in, "I was wondering when I'd see you again." The older lady stuffed her own wand into her pocket. Her long wavy hair was tucked back into a styled bun as she wore a very nice blouse and skirt. She had a small satchel in her hand, reminding Lucy of the one she received.

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I've never met you." Lucy carefully lowered her wand.

"Ah, so this is the last time then. Well, for right now, I am the Minister of Magic. I was notified of magic use here in front of muggles. When I saw it was you, I decided to come myself." The strange woman spoke as she closed the door behind her.

"He was going to kill something important to me. I couldn't stand by and watch. I'm still learning to control my powers." Lucy sighed, staring at her hands.

"Ah, your ancient magic? Perhaps I should send you lot to Hogwarts. Perhaps you can learn to control it there. It will come in handy." She spoke again, smiling as she approached the girl.

"I'm sorry Miss, but how do you know about my ancient magic?" A chill went down Lucy's spine that this random stranger knew so much about her.

Jess's eyes widened as realisation flashed through her "Wait, I've heard of you. You're-"

"Ah, Lucy. I know you have many questions, but I think I shall escort you to Hogwarts myself." The woman smiled, clasping her hands in front of her, "Of course we could talk to your parents as well, Jess. You lot can have tonight to pack and I can come retrieve you in the morning."

Talking could be heard from outside before the door opened. The chattering came to a halt as Lucy's parents entered the room, staring at the unknown woman.

"Who the bloody hell are you?" Lucy's father had a hard glare at his face, eyes widening as he saw the two boys before him as well.

"Well, since you two are her parents, you should know as well. Your daughter is a witch and I plan on having her study at Hogwarts." The woman pulled out a letter, handing it to her father, since he stood closest to her.

Her mother and father shared a bewildered look on their faces, eagerly opening the letter. Their eyebrows scrunched as they read the beautifully written letter, "Yeah, right this has to be a scam." Her mother scoffed.

"Mom... it really is true." Lucy couldn't help but chew on her bottom lip, "I was only gone for five minutes here, but I had an adventure for a year."

Her parents looked at each other skeptically before looking back at her. Lucy let a sigh escape her lips and pulled out her wand, "I know it's hard to believe, but I almost died. I even have a scar on my face." Lucy let her hand touch the faded mark that stretched down her face.

"Wait, that's a scar!? I thought you cut yourself somehow?" Jess cupped Lucy's face, looking at the new mark that had stretched down her face.

"I say it's an improvement." Reese crossed his arms, glaring at the group from a distance.

Lucy smiled and gently moved her hands from her face, "I'm okay. That was the least of my problems."

"Where on earth did you get that scar?" Her father stared at his daughter, concerned.

"It's been a long year. I learned I had magic, I made some amazing friends, I had a wonderful mentor... that I miss dearly," Lucy's voice broke for a moment, remembering Professor Fig, "I fought so hard."

"If I may," Sebastian interjected, "I'm known as the best duelist in school, but your daughter truly is an incredible fighter. You should be proud. She's been through so much during the school year, some stuff I hate to say she went through because of me. But she was able to persevere."

Lucy couldn't help but grin, seeing Sebastian look from her parents to her with a smile, "You've never said that to me before."

"Sorry, but who are you?" Her mother's eyes formed slits as she glared at the two boys.

"We would love to explain, but it will be even more unfathomable than finding out your daughter possesses magical abilities." Ominis held his wand in his hand, tilting his head towards where everyone was.

"Jeez, where did you get these guys, the 1920s?" Reese scoffed, stepping closer to the circle that had formed.

"That was a good guess. I'm surprised you aren't too far off." Sarcasm laced Sebastian's voice as he glared at the boy beside him. Despite Lucy's brother being older, the two were the same height.

"What the fuck?" Reese raised an eyebrow, taking a step forward,his fists clenched and ready to be thrown.

 A loud hiss erupted near Lexi as Reko appeared beside her, sending Reese flying back.

A loud screech sounded from her mother as she went to go check on her son.

"What was that!?" Her father yelled, flicking his eyes between Reese, Lucy, and the snake that appeared on the ground, "Get that thing out of this house!"

"Reese tried to kill him. He's only protecting himself and me." Lucy defended, "Him and Carter tried and failed."

"Because you used that thing to throw us off! You nearly killed us." Carter was also at Reese's side, helping him stand.

"I told you to stop and not to hurt him, but you were going to regardless of my wishes." Lucy shouted, eye's narrowing.

Amidst the chaos, the lady who had come to visit suddenly vanished. No one heard the door open nor saw her leave.

"You threw your brother and Carter at the wall!?" Her mother shouted, turning to her.

"Reese has been nothing but mean to me my entire life, but the one time I fight back, you get mad?" Lucy scoffed in disbelief. She took a moment to close her eyes and attempt to calm the anger that flowed through her.

"That is enough. You know violence isn't allowed in this house." Her father crossed his arms.

"But sir, Reese and Carter were about to hit the poor thing with a baseball bat." Jess pleaded with them.

"Yes, I saw it too." Sebastian quickly chimed in.

"I don't know what to believe anymore. It seems like you lied about having those boys over, how do you expect me to believe you?" Her mother crossed her arms, walking closer.

"Fine, after today, you won't have to. We'll be going to Hogwarts and perhaps you won't have to see me again." Lucy felt tears well in her eyes as she looked around the room.

"If you're going to have that attitude, you can leave this house tonight."

A/N

Im so sorry for the wait. Been a long two weeks but continuing to write!

thank you for all your support