The Secrets I Keep (Ominis Gaunt X Fem MC)

I know you

Sebastian's POV

As I walked down the hall I gripped the sweater in my hands. I needed space to think, so I decided to hang around the undercroft since everyone would busy elsewhere.

The gate opened and I stepped inside. I had only made it in four steps before I was tackled. I grunted as we rolled all the way until we crashed into a pillar. I groaned rubbing my head as my eyes slowly fluttered open. On top of me sat Penelope. Her eyes filled with tears.

"What? What's wrong? I thought you were going to be with Poppy" I asked as my hands went to hold her arms.

"You're an idiot Sebastian Sallow! A big bloody idiot!" Penelope cried shaking her head.

"Penelope?..." I whispered trying to wipe her tears away.

"We lied Sebastian there is no Poppy and there is no Wendy. Ominis is in the room of requirement. We figured you'd either go there or here." She sniffled.

"What are you talking about princess?" I asked as my hands held her cheeks. "Did something happen?"

"You happened Sebastian. We know you. We know something is wrong, but you refuse to talk to us. So me and Ominis thought about the best way to confirm it. We knew if something wasn't wrong you would have fought back at us for saying such mean things, but you didn't you stayed quiet and left." Penelope's face was filled with worry and concern. It broke me to see her so sad.

"I see I figured you guys were up to something. You were extremely loud" I smiled up at her.

"Sebastian please tell me what's wrong"

"Nothing is wrong sweetheart. You two are just overthinking the whole situation" I laughed. "Now if you could get off of me so I can relax on the couch"

"No!" She said firmly.

"No?" I raised my brow and tilted my head to the side. "Princess you are a five foot tall little monster. I can easily throw you off if I wanted to" my eyes widened as I saw blue magic wrap around my body. "A five foot monster who can wield ancient magic" I chuckled knowing I couldn't break her bind.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for being cruel and saying those things I didn't mean any of it" she continued to cry.

"I know sweetheart. You are the sweetest most kindest person I know. I know you care about me but this is a fight I have to do alone"

"Sebastian you aren't alone you have me and Ominis please we want to help" I wanted to reach up and hug her but my arms were tied down.

"I've already burdened both of you with so much. I can't keep putting that on you guys"

"But we are friends Sebastian. Let us help you" she whimpered.

"Penelope everything will be okay. I will be okay" I smiled softly.

"Don't make me pin you against the wall again Sebastian I will not hesitate" she fidgeted with her hands. "I-it worked last time"

"Penelope... I am fine there is nothing wrong with me I've been doing the same things I've always done" I looked down and noticed her magic faltering.

"You are hurting those girls again because you are hurt. Stop lying!" She yelled as her ancient magic disappeared.

I sat up and hugged her tightly. "You can't fix every problem. You can't fix everyone." I began to cry on her shoulder. "I don't deserve this kindness. I'm still trying to forgive myself. Anne is suffering and I don't have time to sit around and get into a relationship." I felt her small hands around my cheeks as she moved me to face her.

"Is that why you are avoiding Wendy? Because you think you aren't good enough or something?" She said as her eyebrows furrowed. "Sebastian Sallow you are the most selfless person I have met and you protect all of us. Do you really think you don't deserve happiness?" She wiped some of the fallen tears off my cheeks.

"I don't have time to fall in love Penelope. Not when.... Not when my sister is suffering and dying. I have to find a cure she got worse Penelope" I tried to be strong but something inside me was faltering and cracking.

"Sebastian..."

"Look Penelope we've been over this already. More times than I can count. It's not easy to forgive what I did, yet you and Ominis stay regardless. Both of you stick to me and I appreciate everything, but I know I don't deserve it. I should be rotting in Azkaban" My grip on Penelope loosened. How could I be with someone like Wendy after everything I did.

"Seb. I love you so much, but you can be really stupid" Penelope said as she hugged me tightly on her. "We stay because we love you and you are our friend. We care for you just as much as you do for us. Do you really think Artie was the only one fighting those bullies off? I know Artie is strong and he can be intimidating but I know you were part of it as well. You deserve everyone's kindness just as much as everyone else" She kissed the top of my head and pulled back to look at me once more. "I know it's going to take a while for you to fight your inner demons, but you are not going to do it alone. We won't let you as much as you push us away" Penelope fixed my hair and smiled at me.

"You are a good friend Penelope. Both you and Ominis. When you came to Hogwarts I never imagined becoming your friend, but I'm glad we did" I smiled back even with all the built up pain inside me. "I can't be with Wendy. She's a wonderful girl but I can't fall in love with her. She deserves someone better. Someone with a genuine heart and not someone who would be hiding and lying about his past." I looked at the ground. "How could I be with her while my uncle and the dark magic is always roaming around me. All the bad I have done and to keep those things from her just feels so wrong" I cried as I should have never led her on in the first place. I never meant to hurt her.

"Look at me!" Her green eyes hovered over mine. "Stop making yourself seem like a bad person. I've been lying too and to everyone I love, and it's killing me inside." She cried louder as she looked up to the ceiling and back down to me.

"What? What are you talking about what lie?" I asked as I gripped her shoulders.

Penelope shook her head and her lip quivered. "Sebastian there is something I need to tell you about me. I'm not who you think I am" she stood up from the ground and fidgeted with her hands. "My real name is not Penelope"