KEEP IT, LOSE IT (HOGWARTS LEGACY FANFICTION)

Chapter Thirty-nine

the trio passed through the portal, they felt a strange shift in the air, like a gentle tug guiding them forward. When the light from the portal faded, they found themselves in a dimly lit corridor, its walls a blend of natural cave stone and smooth, ancient architecture. The torches lining the walls flickered with warm flames, casting long shadows that danced across the rough stone floor. Ahead of them, another bridge spanned a chasm, leading to yet another door at the far end.

Sebastian's eyes widened in awe as he took in the sight. "This magic... it's unlike anything I've seen before. It's like the castle, but more... primal."

Ominis nodded, his expression tense as he focused on the new surroundings. "It feels different, doesn't it? "

Mary walked ahead of them, her eyes scanning every detail. "It's strange," she admitted. "This magic feels so natural to me, like breathing. But at the same time, it's unsettling, as if it's constantly testing me."

Sebastian's curiosity flickered as he glanced at Mary. "Testing you how?"

Mary hesitated, trying to find the right words. "It's hard to explain. it's like it knows me as well as I know it."

They stepped onto the bridge, the soft echo of their footsteps bouncing off the walls. The air grew heavier with each step, a sense of foreboding creeping into the back of their minds.

Suddenly, Ominis froze, tilting his head as he strained to listen. "I don't want to alarm you," he said cautiously, "but I can hear something... like water rising."

Sebastian's eyes darted around as he noticed the water beginning to pour down from above, cascading over the sides of the bridge. "Maybe because it is rising," he muttered, the urgency in his voice unmistakable.

Panic flashed through Mary as she saw the water surging toward them, violent waves crashing and filling the corridor with terrifying speed. Her heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing for a solution. Then, instinct took over. 

Without thinking, a shimmering field of white energy erupted around Mary, forming a protective barrier. But there was a catch—the shield was just large enough to envelop her. Acting on reflex, she grabbed both Sebastian and Ominis, pulling them close. The field expanded just enough to include them, creating a tight, cramped space between the three.

The water slammed against the protective barrier, swirling around them in a chaotic torrent. But inside the shield, they were safe—breathing, albeit in close quarters. The space was so confined that they could hardly move without bumping into one another.

Ominis let out a shaky breath, his relief evident. "I guess I shouldn't complain about being cramped, considering the alternative."

Sebastian smirked, trying to lighten the tension. "A bit cozy, isn't it? But hey, we're still breathing."

Ominis, ever the sarcastic one, added, "I'm just relieved you didn't conjure a tighter space. Though, I might reconsider if Sebastian continues to crowd me."

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, his voice playful yet challenging. "Crowding you? I'm just making sure Mary doesn't feel too squished."

"How considerate," Ominis retorted, though his tone was more amused than annoyed.

Both boys lifted their hands slightly, trying to avoid any accidental contact with Mary. But with the field so snug, every small movement seemed magnified. Sebastian's fingers twitched, while Ominis kept a firm grip on his wand, his knuckles whitening slightly as he tried to manage the tension.

Mary's voice was steady but strained as she focused on maintaining the shield. "I... I didn't know how to make it bigger," she admitted. "This was all I could do."

"It's enough," Ominis reassured her, despite the closeness. "More than enough."

Sebastian nodded in agreement, though he couldn't resist adding with a playful grin, "Can't say I mind the company."