Out of the Shadows // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Forty-Five

Wandless magic was the performance of magic without the use of a wand. Such magic was often difficult to perform for those who didn't take the time to learn the skill and could have unexpected or volatile results if not done properly. Usually, witches and wizards accustomed to using wands could only reliably perform wandless magic if they possessed great skill. However, within regions of the wizarding world that historically did not use wands, wandless magic was considered the norm, and using one was optional.

Wands were used by witches and wizards to channel their magic, making their spells more accurate and potent. Within cultures where wands were ubiquitous, only the most powerful and disciplined wizards and witches could perform wandless magic reliably. Transfiguration and charms were particularly difficult to perform without a wand.

Wandless magic could also be performed nonverbally, but this increased the level of difficulty to the point that only practitioners of exceptional skill could perform more than the most basic magic....

"How's the homework, darling?" Seb sat next to me, pulling me close to him on the couch. I had my book open on my lap but my feet curled up under me so I slid gratefully into the circle of his warm arm.

"Oh, actually, I've stumbled upon some research with my expanding powers. I thought I would read into this wandless magic thing... I wasn't aware... I'm doing wandless magic. And nonverbally, too."

"Of course you are, love. It's immensely powerful magic indeed. Only the most powerful witches and wizards can do that sort of magic to level that you are. I'm surprised you hadn't realized it. With Natty around. She can do some too as they don't typically have wands at Uagadou."

"I guess... since what she can do and what I can do are so different, I just didn't connect it."

"Well, I'm glad you're figuring it out. Once you harness this, you'll be so incredibly unstoppable!" He said, in awe.

"...I don't want to be unstoppable..." I mumbled.

"What? What do you mean?" He asked looking puzzled.

I sighed. "I mean... I didn't ask for this. I don't know what this is... I don't even really want it. It just takes over me like it's controlling me not the other way around. Plus... everyone wants it. Everyone wants to use me for it... or punish me for it. I wish..." I took a deep breath. "Sometimes, I wish I could have just stayed a muggle, alone in my orphanage and sent to a workhouse once I was old enough."

"Darling. Come here. Look at me." He pulled me close and grasped my chin so our eyes could meet.

"If your magic had never come, we wouldn't be together. You wouldn't have saved me... from myself. Besides, it DID manifest. And it is part of you. It is part of what makes you special and amazing. Without it, you wouldn't be you. We wouldn't be us. You will figure it out. You will get a handle on it. And then no one, NO ONE, can ever use you for it or punish you for it. Again. THAT is what I meant by unstoppable."

My heart felt full. He was so good with words.

"Thank you. For... being you I guess." I chuckled and smiled at him.

"You're welcome, darling. I love you."

"I love you, too, Seb."

He leaned in and softly kissed my lips. Soon, our lips were moving passionately as we cuddled on the couch. He broke away suddenly. "Not here, love." He looked around... "Do you want to go somewhere and...."

"Seb. I really need to finish this." He sighed. "But you can stay and cuddle me... It's nice." I snuggled into his side. He smiled and pulled the book over so he could read with me. I felt comforted.