A Cruel Fate of Endless Devotion

Chapter eleven: Nightmares and Thestrals

Melody's gasp was so sharp and sudden that it felt as though the air had been forcefully sucked out of the room. Feeling too suffocated by the warm air in her dorm, Melody put on a floral silk robe over her nightgown and ballet flats. She needed to get out. She craved the cool breeze and the comforting sounds of nature to ease her troubled mind. The trials had taken a toll on her mental state, and the serenity of the night provided a much-needed respite from the chaos that consumed her thoughts.

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"What am I going to do? How could the Keepers keep this from me? Why wouldn't they warn me about the dangers of this magic? What if-"

Soft whispers came from behind nearby trees. Gripping her wand tightly, Melody carefully crept closer to the whispers, ready to take down what she assumed was another poacher camp. As she snuck up behind the large tree, Melody saw the one person she wasn't expecting to see.

"Sebastian?"

There he stood with the thestrals, their skeletal bodies and leathery wings, exuded an eerie beauty as they gracefully accepted the offering of raw meat from Sebastian's outstretched hand. Despite their intimidating appearance, Sebastian moved with a calm and tranquil demeanor, his presence seemingly in harmony with the magical creatures.

The bucket that stood by his feet was knocked over as he jumped around. He felt the beating of his heart echo against his palm as his hand slapped over his chest. "

Blimey Sterling! Are you trying to kill me!?"

"What are you doing out here?" they asked each other at the same time.

"I couldn't sleep. I um... well I had a nightmare. The castle felt suffocating, I just needed some fresh air" she told him. While she desired to be honest with him, her overwhelming fear of his reaction kept her silent about the memory.

It was clear to Sebastian that Melody wasn't telling him everything. Since returning from the second trial, she had been acting distant and strange. He wanted to ask her about it, but didn't want to push her too soon.

"I know what you mean," Sebastian said. "I come out here every once and a while to feed the thestrals. People tend to avoid them due to the circumstances of why you can see them"

"I didn't know you could see thestrals" Melody softly asked as she moved closer to him.

Sebastian pursed his lips. He hadn't spoken about the incident for so long. Although he didn't want to open old wounds, it felt wrong that Melody didn't know.

"My parents," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I saw my parents die,"

"They were professors here at Hogwarts. They were young, got married right after school, and had me and Anne a few years later. My parents were doing some research. It was all hush hush, but these men came to our home and killed them as they stood outside gardening. I saw through the window" Sebastian explained, his voice growing shakier with each word as he tried to hold back his tears. "They were good people"

Sebastian's heart ached. He had come to terms with the devastating loss of his parents years ago. But the pain of their untimely death left a void in his life that could never be filled, and the memories of that tragic day haunted him, forever etched in his mind.

"Oh Sebastian..."

In a comforting embrace, she wrapped her arms around his neck. While his face nuzzled into her neck his arms wrapped themselves around her waist. Their physical embrace acted as a safe space for him to release his emotions, providing comfort and solace in a moment of vulnerability. It was a powerful reminder of the healing power of human connection and the support they offered each other.

"I can't lose anyone else" he cried into her shoulder, the emotions he buried deep down were now unleashed.

"You won't Sebastian. It's all going to be okay. We'll find a cure for Anne. You won't lose her"

You won't lose anyone.