Legacy Disowned - Book 1

Chapter 29 - The Tale of Maggie Darling

The castle's stone walls echoed with the sound of footsteps as Sebastian and Ominis made their way through the dimly lit corridors. The air was heavy with the weight of Sebastian's thoughts, the note Anne had left him playing over in his mind. "I will always love you, but I don't know if I can forgive you."

He was glad Ominis would be keeping her company most of the summer but still, the thought of spending the long days ahead alone in the castle made him feel more lonely than he had ever thought possible.

More time to research, he mused, trying to convince himself that solitude might be a blessing in disguise. Ominis, ever perceptive, offered a sympathetic squeeze of his shoulder, but it did little to ease Sebastian's troubled heart.

As they entered the Slytherin common room, Ominis suddenly stopped. "Is that...?" His voice trailed off, as if listening to the gurgling fountain near the stairs. Then Sebastian heard it too. Alongside the gentle plucking of the usual harp strings, an accompanying melody floated through the air. And with it singing— a voice he knew at once.

"No–" Sebastian whispered with disbelief. They descended the staircase, each step bringing them closer to the source of the enchanting music. There she was, standing before the flickering fire, her wand weaving ribbons of iridescent magic that danced around her like a rainbow symphony, producing otherworldly sound from the undulating and pulsing wisps of magic.

A half-empty bottle of wine sat on the table beside her. But what drew Sebastian's gaze was her body, barely concealed by a thin chemise. The firelight behind her clung to every curve, casting a warm glow that revealed the contours of her body all too clearly. He quickly spun around, face burning furiously.

"Darling? What are you doing here?" asked Ominis, completely oblivious to her state of undress.

The music stopped abruptly. "Ominis? What are you–? Sebastian—?"

"–Bloody hell Darling," Sebastian stammered, trying to maintain his composure. "Will you please, put some clothes on!"

"Ugh, for fucks sakes," she muttered. Sebastian heard the rustle of silk as she grabbed a robe. When he turned back around, she was tying the sash with an exaggerated flourish. "Better?"

"Much," Sebastian replied, still slightly red-faced, as he repeated Ominis' earlier question: "Why are you here?"

Before she could answer, a voice spoke up from the armchair by the fire, causing both Sebastian and Ominis to jump. "I think I should give you lot some... privacy."

The ghost of Richard Jackdaw floated up from where he had apparently been 'sitting' shooting Darling a playfully meaningful look.

"Jackdaw," she hissed, her pleading gaze following him. But the ghost merely smirked and floated backwards through the wall, leaving the three of them alone in the common room.

"Urgh, damnit Jackdaw! If you weren't dead, I'd kill you!" she grumbled at the spot he had vanished, stamping her little foot indignantly.

Sebastian cleared his throat. She turned back to them, looking positively cornered. "So?" he asked, trying very hard now to keep the hurt out of his voice.

"You first," she demanded, crossing her arms defensively. His emotions were dangerously close to turning to anger so he was relieved when Ominis answered for him.

"Sebastian and I are staying here for the summer," Ominis explained. "It's difficult to be in Feldcroft right now."

Sebastian noticed the hurt flicker through her own expression as her eyes darted to him. But she owed him –them– some answers too; "Now, why are you here? Why haven't you gone home?"