Trial of Time: A Hogwarts Legacy Story

(P1) Chapter 24 - The Final Act

Ciri POV

Natty and Sebastian both offer to go with me to see Ollivander. Although circumstances are dire, it's nice to know that I'm surrounded by people who genuinely care and want the best for me.

Upon leaving the shop with the wand, I notice that the normally bustling streets of Hogsmeade are eerily quiet. Natty and Sebastian must sense the same, as they both look around and draw their wands.

"I wouldn't do that, if I were you. I'm afraid you children are on your own."

Turning around, we're confronted by a most hideous familiar face. Victor Rookwood.

"I wanted to ensure we'd have a moment alone to speak. You can lower your wands, no need for theatrics," he hisses. Natty and I lower our wands. Sebastian glares at Rookwood and doesn't move. Rookwood notices this, and narrows his eyes at Sebastian.

"Fine, have it your way. Expelliarmus!"

Sebastian's wand flies into Rookwood's hand. I quickly shove my wand and the Keeper wand into my enchanted purse. Out of the corner of my eye, I barely catch a glimpse of Natty stealthily tucking hers into the holster underneath her robes.

Rookwood turns from Sebastian to me. "Now, in light of what Ranrok knows, I think you may agree that our interests are aligned-"

"Our interests will never be aligned!" I cut him off abruptly, the initial shock of seeing him wearing off as a cold rage starts to flow through my veins.

Rookwood stares at me in disbelief. "You'd rather goblins take it?! That power belongs to wizardkind! That repository is my birthright!"

"Charles Rookwood wouldn't have wanted you anywhere near it," I say through gritted teeth, my face flushing red with anger.

Rookwood simply looks at me and laughs menacingly. "I should've known better than to try to reason with children. As I've always said... children should be seen, not heard."

My mouth falls open in shock, as I turn to see Sebastian's face grow dark at the realization.

"It was you? What have you-" Sebastian starts angrily. But before he can finish his sentence, before I even know it, I feel someone grab me from behind as we apparate away.

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Sebastian POV

I fall face first into the ground as we land, my unknown kidnapper stumbling over with me. I turn to see Ciri several feet away from me, as Rookwood's henchmen both release us from their grasp. I'm not sure exactly where we've landed, though it appears to be some sort of large Dark wizard camp hidden within the ruins of an old castle.

Where the hell is Natty? I wonder, before remembering how Ciri told me about her wandless magic. She must've been able to redirect the cast of whoever grabbed her and apparate to another location.

"Rip her apart, do whatever you'd like. Just make sure you get me the wand," Rookwood instructs his men before turning to me, "I'll take care of her friend. Perhaps he can be more... easily persuaded for information about our little repository. Incarcerus!"

My limbs are tightly bound as Rookwood's men start firing away at Ciri. Rookwood flicks his wand, levitating my body over just outside another tent.

"You will never get answers from me, you prick! You cursed my sister!" I spit at him, rage coursing through my veins.