The Legacy of Our Love

Chapter 17*

*A/N* Inspiration for this chapter comes from the song Rule #34 by Fish in a Birdcage. Can be found on Spotify. Enjoy.

Asra

***Mature content warning***

 "Care for a drink?" I asked as we had settled into the room. Upon our arrival, it seemed the room knew that we had no intention of returning to the common room for the evening, as we were now presented with an archway leading into a rather large bedroom. I moved to bring out the bottle of Firewhiskey I had been sent by Sirona as thanks for helping Lodgok in finding the helm.

"Please." Ominis replied, conjuring three glasses for us on the table. Sebastian remained wordless in his seat, staring off into the distance as if he hadn't heard me.

He clearly wasn't all right, none of us really were. We nearly died today. Ominis took to pouring our drinks as I made my way towards Sebastian, and taking a seat beside him on the chaise lounge. He looked tired, and conflicted as he stared ahead, not making any indication at noticing my presence.

"Hey." I whispered softly, working gently to unclench his fist and pull his hand into mine. "We're alright. We made it out."

"How can you even look at me after what I did?" His voice was wary as he looked at me, visible pain behind his gaze as his eyes flitted between my face and our connected hands.

"Because you had my consent Sebastian, I practically goaded you into it." I replied, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "We're sitting here now, alive only because of what you did."

"You're far too forgiving for your own good." The corner of his mouth twitched slightly with restraint as he spoke.

"There is nothing to forgive, Sebastian." I repeated, turning his face to mine with a gentle pull of my finger against his chin. "I do not fault you for what happened tonight, and I need you to understand that."

"You can't tell me I shouldn't feel responsible for being forced to cast the curse, then turn around and blame yourself when you're in the same position." Ominis added as he approached, passing each of us a glass of whiskey before taking a seat beside me. "While I'm not pleased with having to resort to the use of an Unforgivable, you two were right. We didn't have a choice."

"I would never hurt you, Asra." Sebastian replied softly, taking a deep drink from his glass. "I need you to know that."

"I do know that Sebastian. Believe me." I smiled before taking a drink and getting to my feet. I enjoyed the burn of the whisky as it warmed my throat, providing sweet relief as I finally felt myself begin to relax. I did a small twirl, gesturing silently to my perfectly healthy body in order to make a point. "I am completely fine! And remember; we managed to find a spell book from Salazar Slytherin himself! Surely there has to be something in there that can at least lead us to a cure for Anne."

"You're right Asra." Ominis held out his glass in toast to me. "While it may have given me a fucking heart attack, we succeeded on more than one front today."

"To us." I flushed when they echoed my sentiment, and we finished our glasses. I returned to my place nestled between them, and with a flick of Sebastian's wand, the bottle floated over in our direction before refilling our drinks. The whiskey had seemed to lighten his mood considerably.

"To surviving the challenges of Salazar Slytherin himself. May the devious, blood-crazed bastard rot in his watery grave for creating that absurd maze." Sebastian continued, taking a deep pull from his glass.