KEEP IT, LOSE IT (HOGWARTS LEGACY FANFICTION)

Chapter Fourteen

She shook her head gently. "No," she replied softly, her voice carrying a weight that silenced both boys instantly. "It's better if I show you."

Her response sent a shiver through Sebastian and Ominis. This was more than just words; it was something to see, something she had kept hidden until now. Their earlier tension melted away, replaced by a mixture of curiosity and concern.

Without another word, Mary turned and began to walk, motioning for them to follow. Sebastian and Ominis began to walk behind her. As they moved through the castle, the familiar corridors gave way to more desolate, less traveled ones. The stone walls seemed to close in around them, the light dimming as they descended into areas of the castle they rarely ventured into.

As they walked, Mary began to speak, her voice echoing slightly off the ancient stone. "When I first arrived at Hogwarts, most people heard about the encounter with the dragon. They knew about some of the events that happened, but Professor Fig and I kept the most important details to ourselves."

Sebastian and Ominis listened intently, their attention fully on her. The mention of the dragon brought back memories of the whispers and rumors that had surrounded her arrival. But this—this was something different.

"What most people don't know," Mary continued, her tone becoming more somber, "is that on that day, I discovered I had a unique ability—an ability to see and manipulate magic in a way that's completely foreign to wizards today. It's called ancient magic, a powerful and forgotten force."

Ominis felt a chill run down his spine at her words. Ancient magic. The very term was laden with mystery and danger, a relic of a past long buried. "Ancient magic...?" he echoed quietly, trying to wrap his mind around it.

Mary nodded, her gaze focused ahead as they descended further. "It's unlike anything we've ever studied. When the dragon attacked us, the only way we escaped was through a Portkey given to us by a man named Osric... before he was killed. That Portkey took us to a place hidden from the world, filled with trials and secrets."

The deeper they went, the less familiar the surroundings became. Sebastian glanced around, noticing how the walls changed in texture and design. These were parts of the castle he had never seen before—long-forgotten sections that felt almost otherworldly. Ominis, sensing the shift in the environment, ran his hand along the wall as if trying to ground himself in the strangeness.

Mary led them to a narrow staircase, one that spiraled downward into the darkness. As they descended, Sebastian and Ominis could feel the temperature drop slightly, the air becoming cooler and tinged with an old, musty scent. The flickering torchlight cast eerie shadows, making the descent feel even more surreal.

Finally, they reached the bottom, stepping into a vast chamber unlike anything they had ever seen. The room was made of ancient stone, its walls adorned with faded carvings and tapestries that told stories lost to time. A soft, blue light bathed the area, coming from an unknown source, illuminating the path ahead with a faint, ethereal glow.

"This place..." Ominis whispered, his voice filled with awe and trepidation.

Mary didn't respond, leading them further through another set of passages. They wound through the depths of the castle, the architecture around them becoming more grand and magical, with massive statues of armours similar to those in the corridors of Hogwarts and intricate, pristine decorations.

At last, they arrived at a massive set of double doors. The entrance was carved from dark wood and stone, towering above them with an imposing presence. The intricate designs on its surface seemed to pulse with a faint, hidden energy, beckoning them closer.

Mary turned to face them, her expression serious but resolute. "This is where it all began," she said quietly. "What lies beyond these doors is the truth I've been keeping from you... from everyone."

Sebastian's breath caught in his throat as he stared at the ancient doors. Whatever lay beyond them, he knew it would change everything. Ominis, standing beside him, felt a mixture of fear and anticipation, his heart racing as he tried to steady himself.

Mary reached out, her hand hovering over the door's surface. She looked back at them one last time, her eyes filled with both determination and a hint of vulnerability. "Are you ready?" she asked, her voice almost a whisper.

Neither Sebastian nor Ominis could speak, the gravity of the moment settling over them like a heavy shroud. All they could do was nod, their eyes locked on Mary as she prepared to reveal the secrets that had been hidden for so long.