A Legacy of Pain: Rising from the Ashes

Chapter 13: Dancing with Delusion

Last Time: After playing a game of tag while using the disillusionment charm in Charms class; Poppy and Elizabeth headed to lunch where Lizzy learned that Callista had been paying special attention to Annie in class. With her nerves fully frayed; the ravenclaw headed to her Magical Theory class after lunch where she found Sebastian who hadn't been in the Great Hall with everyone. He revealed he had gone to Hogsmeade during lunch to buy her a calming Draught and gave it to her. Thankful to her friend the ravenclaw downed the potion so that she could make it through class without breaking down. Callista played the role of doting teacher perfectly as she revealed their project for the year was to modify an existing spell. Following the end of class Callista asked Elizabeth to stay behind and took her into her office. It wasn't long before the two came to blows as Elizabeth attacked the woman who had given birth to her. After several minutes of fighting Callista finally put Elizabeth under the Imperius curse after the teen tried to use the killing curse on her. While threatening Annie she made Elizabeth dance for her before making her promise to enter the Funder's festival and remain in class before returning her mind to her and sending Elizabeth away for the night. Outside of the classroom she broke down in front of Sebastian who promised to take her out to fight to feel better.

***Trigger Warnings*** Hallucinations, Blood, Murder, Unforgiveable Curses, Emotional manipulation.

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Sebastian

It hurt to see Liz in so much pain like this as he held her in his arms before helping her back to her feet while keeping a grin upon his lips for her sake. Though he couldn't deny that part of him was happy that in this moment where the witch he cared for so deeply was hurting, she had chosen to lean on him. "Don't worry Liz, I know what you need right now and I will make sure you get it." He whispered into the purple and auburn haired witch's ear as they walked down the hall, the ravenclaw clinging to his robes like a lifeline. Without thinking he reached out to gently caress her cheek as they walked, enjoying the way she shivered at yet leaned into his touch.

"Thank you Sebastian..." Liz whispered softly while keeping her gaze mostly downward yet leaning more deeply into his side. "I don't want to be alone." The witch admitted, making him grin more as he looped an arm around her waist. The ravenclaw beside him now reminded him of how she had been after the Ranrok debacle; but not quite as despondent. Instead she seemed broken in another way; one that he could actually work with this time.

Unfortunately as they rounded the corner to go down the stairs a familiar bob of medium length brown hair could be seen ascending the stairs until Liz and him stood in front of a distraught looking Poppy who was clutching a pendant around her neck in one hand while the other was raised to stroke the ring on said hand. "Lizzy!" The hufflepuff shouted the moment her eyes fell upon them, relief evident on her face as she dropped her hand from the pendant and opened her arms wide.

Before Sebastian could react; he felt Liz instantly pull away from him and looked down at the witch to see her with a fragile smile on her face. "Swee-" Liz began only to flinch and clamp her mouth shut briefly before continuing as she pulled away from him to find her way into the waiting arms of the other brunette. "My badger, what are you doing here?" The ravenclaw asked in a small and frightened voice that somehow held a happiness that had not been present only moments ago. The realization of why his friend's spirits had immediately lifted somewhat irritated him; yet he tried not to let it show.

"I knew you had her class today and when I felt your heart beating so powerfully I grew concerned My Love." Poppy spoke softly as she held Liz close while gently rubbing her back. Of course the Hufflepuff had felt something was wrong through that annoyingly useful pendant they both wore. Why did Liz trust the other witch so much when she wouldn't share in anything similar with him after all they had been through together? "My clever eagle, you don't look well. Do you want to go rest with me a bit before dinner? We can discuss what happened and figure out how to proceed." He averted his eyes as the shorter witch leaned in to kiss Liz, not wanting to see that. "I am here for you Lizzy, always."