Different Worlds

SIXTEEN - MEMORIES

Sophie's POV

My head was spinning with the speed at which my memories were changing.

I saw Alex as a child. It was the day they brought us to the orphanage.
I saw us growing up together.
I saw him climbing the tree because of that stupid cat.
I saw him leaving me there because he was accepted to some school. I even felt the same way I felt when he left me. Sad and scared.
I saw every time he visited me in my small apartment.

And then I saw the day I met Sebastian and the pace of memories rapidly slowed down.

I had to relive the moment I almost died because we got attacked by wolves. Only now when I saw it again I realized that those wolves definitely weren't some ordinary wolves. I saw the flickering lights on the hill above me. Spells. Sebastian fought the beasts and I was sure he killed them.
I saw every moment when Sebastian forced me to cover up my eyes so he could cast another spell without me knowing.
I saw Thestrals again and they were as scary and beautiful as the first time I saw them.
I saw every moment he told me that he had secrets, that he is from another world but couldn't tell me.

He never willingly told or showed me anything he shouldn't. He always did everything he could to protect me and his secrets. I saw that and the old lady had to see it too.

But that wasn't the only thing I saw. I noticed how our relationship changed through our little adventure. How at the beginning we almost couldn't stand each other but at the end it was him who I sought for comfort every time. How I hated him at first but actually loved every day we spent together. I saw his real self.

Our retrospect ended at the moment when Carman attacked us and when the lady finally got off my head I realized I was crying. I was completely sure that they didn't have anything they could use against Sebastian. He didn't tell me about magic and it was Carman who showed me the magic first by attacking us. Sebastian was only protecting us and I hope that there was some kind of exception from the secrecy law which allowed wizards to use magic in front of muggles in self defense. If it was, he actually didn't do anything wrong.

The reason why I was crying was because I realized how much I care about him. And I was sure I won't leave this place with a single memory about magic. I locked my eyes with Sebastian and I could see he was battling his inner fight because he wanted to go comfort me so badly. I tried to put on a reassuring smile but I was sure it looked fake.

"Thank you, Miss Stark. Your testimony was really helpful. Now please excuse us for a moment," she gestured towards the door.

Me, Ominis, Alex and Sebastian stood up and two men who looked like some kind of police escorted us from the room.

Ominis was the first one who broke the deafening silence. "That went well."

"How is your head, Sophie? I know that Legilimency can be quite aggressive sometimes," Sebastian looked at me with concern.

"Just a small headache. I am sure it will pass in a few minutes."

"Could you please give us some water?" He asked one of the men.

He didn't answer but with one quick flick of his wand he materialized glass and filled it with water with another flick. I eyed it suspiciously.

"Drink, it will help the headache," Sebastian reassured me and I took one careful sip. After a few more moments I realized it was really just water and gulped it down in a second and the dull pain slowly faded.

"Thanks," I gave the policeman a small smile and he just curtly nodded.

After that we sat on the bench that was conveniently right in front of the interrogation room and just waited. I squeezed myself between Alex and Sebastian, holding one of each hand in each of mine. I was sure I was cutting the circulation in their palms but I didn't care. I just had to make sure they both are still here with me. I could feel Alex's eyes on me when I put my head on Sebastian's shoulder but he decided to not comment on it. And I was glad because I wasn't quite sure what I would tell him.