Trial of Time: A Hogwarts Legacy Story

(P1) Chapter 22 - And Everything Changed

Third Person Perspective

It happened more quickly than Sebastian Sallow ever anticipated.

Of course he had called on her, the only person he could rely on, the only one who has been here with him through everything. Cirilla.

But now, he was realizing that he shouldn't have brought her down here. To witness the Inferi he had been able to control, thus putting her directly in danger if anything were to go wrong.

Sebastian was angry. Beyond angry, he was livid that his uncle would come down here and destroy the relic that could've held the key to curing Anne.

"I won't let Anne suffer! Not anymore!" he yelled at the man, fighting off the swarm of Inferi. Upon making the comment, Sebastian was momentarily blinded by a Depulso blast, courtesy of his uncle.

Wiping the sweat from his eyes, Sebastian was completely taken aback by the scene unfolding before him.

Solomon had Ciri suspended in midair, holding her up by throat. Her pale skin starting to grow blue, her green eyes bloodshot and bulging as he choked the life out of her. Sebastian wasn't sure what brought him to react the way that he did. Maybe it was the months and years of repressed resentment that he felt towards his uncle. Maybe it was the fear of losing both Anne and Ciri, two of the people he loved most in this world.

All he knew is what happened as soon as the words left his mouth.

"Avada Kedavra!"

Solomon crumpled to the ground lifelessly, Ciri herself falling closely behind with a large thud. She gasped, struggling to catch her breath again.

Sebastian started to run toward Ciri, hearing the sound of what seemed like someone apparating behind him. Before he could turn to see who it was, he was being thrown away from Ciri and against the wall by yet another Depulso blast.

"What have you done!?" Anne cried, her face red with anger. She looked around the room, mustering up all of her strength to snuff out the remaining Inferi with a single sweep of Incendio.

"Anne, I can explain! He was-"

But Sebastian didn't get to finish his sentence. Anne cast Bombarda on Slytherin's spellbook, destroying it.

"No!!" Sebastian sobbed. Anne shook her head, leaning over Solomon's body.

"You made your choice. Goodbye, Sebastian."

She apparated away from the catacomb, taking Solomon with her. Sebastian abruptly stood up, his face streaked with tears. He ran, as fast as he could from the crypt with Ciri following closely behind him.

(author's note: I apologize for the long delay and short chapter! I've been in and out of the hospital over the last month with serious health issues. Hoping I can find some answers and relief soon. The next chapter will be the last of Part 1 and then we can move on to the fun that is in store for Part 2! Thank you for staying tuned in)