Legacy of Magic

Chapter 5

The days had started to blend together for Eloise. Ever since that afternoon in July when Sebastian had first come to visit her in Lower Hogsfield and the visit to Professor Fig's house, time had felt like a warm, lazy river, winding gently through the days. His visits had become a daily ritual, a part of her summer she couldn't imagine going without. The small village seemed more alive with him around, the flowers more vibrant, the sky a deeper blue. His company eased her loneliness and her grief over professor Fig and even the nightmares bacame more sparse. She had come to treasure every moment spent with him, each laugh shared, every story exchanged.
Sebastian had taken to calling her just "El." The first time he said it, her heart skipped a beat, and the warmth of a blush crept up her cheeks. It was a simple nickname, but coming from him, it felt like the most intimate thing in the world. He never failed to notice her reaction, his smirk always growing a bit wider whenever she flushed.
As August crept in, with only a month left before they would return to Hogwarts for their sixth year, Eloise found herself growing more attached to him. They shared everything: their worries about the upcoming school year, the burden of their pasts, and the simple joy of summer days. They spent hours walking through the countryside, practicing dueling spells, or simply lounging in Mrs. Bickle's garden, where the woman would bring them lemonade and snacks while they worked on their summer homework.
On one particularly sweltering day, the three of them—Eloise, Sebastian, and Archie—sat together in the garden, trying to escape the relentless heat. The sun hung high in the sky, baking everything it touched. Mrs. Bickle's lemonade was a refreshing respite, but it did little to cool the oppressive warmth.
"It's insufferably hot," Sebastian groaned, leaning back in his chair, wiping sweat from his brow. "I'd give anything to jump into the lake right now."
Archie's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "Let's do it!" he exclaimed, already on his feet, ready to dash toward the water.
Eloise laughed, her spirits lifting at the idea. "It does sound lovely," she agreed, setting her glass down. "But shouldn't we change into something more appropriate?"
But Archie was already halfway to the pier, his excitement getting the better of him. "Too late!" he shouted, before leaping straight into the lake, clothes and all. The splash he made was tremendous, and both Eloise and Sebastian burst into laughter at the sight.
"Well, I guess there's no point now," Sebastian chuckled, standing up and pulling off his shoes.
Eloise's laughter faltered as she watched him. Her heart fluttered as he removed his shirt, revealing a slender, yet surprisingly well-defined torso. She'd never seen him without his shirt before, and the sight of his bare skin, glistening with sweat under the summer sun, made her cheeks burn. Since the day they met, Sebastian had changed a lot—no longer the scrawny boy she once knew, but growing more like a man with each passing day. He had grown taller, his shoulders had become broader and his jawline stronger.
Sebastian caught her staring and raised an eyebrow, his signature smirk forming on his lips. "Enjoying the view, El?"
Eloise's eyes widened, and she quickly turned away, her face a furious shade of red. "A little warning next time, maybe?" she mumbled, flustered by how intensely her body reacted to him.
He chuckled, clearly amused by her discomfort. "Is this the first time you've seen a chap without his shirt?"
"N-no! Of course not!" she stammered, but her voice betrayed her. It was the first time it felt so different—so intimate.
Sebastian's grin widened, teasing her further. "Really? I find that hard to believe."
Eloise huffed, still refusing to look at him. "Just—turn around, would you? I'm not going to undress with you staring at me."
"As you wish, El," Sebastian said, giving her a wink before turning his back and jumping into the water with a splash. "But don't take too long!"
She let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding and quickly shed her outer layers, leaving herself in just her undergarments. The cool air on her skin was a welcome relief from the heat. She glanced around to make sure Sebastian was still facing the other way before dashing to the edge of the pier and leaping into the water.
The lake was a blissful escape from the heat, the water cool and refreshing against her skin. She surfaced to find Sebastian and Archie splashing each other, their laughter infectious. Eloise couldn't help but join in, sending waves of water at them both as they laughed and played like children.
Hours passed in what felt like minutes. The three of them took turns diving off the pier, floating lazily on their backs, and splashing each other until their arms were too tired to continue. The sun began to dip lower in the sky, painting the horizon with hues of pink and gold.
Eventually, Archie grew tired and wandered off along the shore, collecting stones and skipping them across the water's surface. Eloise and Sebastian were left alone, treading water near the pier.
She noticed that Sebastian's usual smile had faded, replaced by a faraway look in his eyes. Concerned, she swam closer, her voice soft. "Sebastian, what's wrong?"
He hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice quiet and tinged with sadness. "I just... I miss Anne," he admitted, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "We used to come down to the lake and skip stones like this... before everything changed."
Eloise's heart ached for him. She knew how much he cared for his sister, and how deeply he was hurting. She wished she could do something—anything—to take away his pain. "I'm sorry, Sebastian," she said gently. "I wish there was something I could do to help."
Sebastian shook his head, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "It's not your fault, El. None of it is. I'm the one who—" He broke off, his voice catching in his throat. "I don't have the right to ask for her forgiveness. I don't even know if I deserve it."
Before Eloise could respond, Archie came bounding back, holding a handful of flat stones. "Sebastian! Show me how to skip these!"
Sebastian forced a smile, his expression softening as he turned to the younger boy. "All right, Short Stuff. Let's see what you got," he said, taking the stones from him and moving to the water's edge.
Eloise watched them from a distance, her mind heavy with thoughts. Sebastian's guilt weighed on him like a stone, dragging him down no matter how much he tried to hide it. She wanted to help him, to ease his burden somehow. But she knew this was something he had to face on his own.
That night, long after they had dried off and said their goodbyes, Eloise lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling of her small room. Sleep eluded her, her mind racing with everything that had happened. She couldn't stop thinking about Sebastian's pain, about how much he missed his sister and how deeply he blamed himself for everything that had gone wrong. It was really sad. Eloise had always wanted to have a sibling, someone to share things with and to always be by their side, but she never had that luck. It was heartbreaking to see such fate befall twins like Sebastian and Anne, who were even born together.
In the silence of the night, a decision formed in her mind. She would write to Anne. Perhaps it was foolish, perhaps it wouldn't change anything, but she had to try. Eloise sat up and lit a candle, pulling out a piece of parchment and a quill. She hesitated for only a moment before she began to write.
Dear Anne,
I hope this letter finds you well. I know we haven't spoken since... since everything that happened. But there's something I need to say to you. I'm sorry, Anne. I'm so sorry for my part in what led to your uncle's death. I'm sorry for the pain it's caused you and Sebastian. I know I can't undo what's been done, but I want you to know that I never wanted any of this.
If you're willing, I'd like to visit you. I want to apologize in person and... and maybe try to mend some of the hurt between us. But only if you're comfortable with that. I'll wait for your response, but if one never comes, I'll understand.
With sincere apologies,
Eloise Dawnson
She sealed the letter and set it aside, feeling a mix of anxiety and resolve. It was a small gesture, but it was something. She only hoped that Anne would be willing to hear her out.
A few days later, a small brown owl arrived at her window, carrying a letter in response. Eloise's heart raced as she opened it, her hands trembling slightly.
Eloise,
Thank you for your letter. I've been thinking a lot about everything that happened, too. I'm not sure how I feel about seeing you, but... I think it might be good for both of us to talk. You can come to St. Mungo's, but please, don't tell Sebastian. I'm not ready to face him yet.
Anne Sallow
Eloise let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. She had permission—now all she had to do was find the courage to follow through. The next morning, she told Sebastian that she had some errands to run in London and would be gone for the day. His brow furrowed in concern.
"Do you want me to come with you, El?" he offered, ever the protector.
"No," she said quickly, shaking her head. "I'll be fine. I just have a few things to take care care of at the orfanage I used to live in." Eloise smiled, hoping it didn't look as strained as it felt. "I'll be back by evening. Promise."
Sebastian studied her for a moment, his gaze searching hers as if trying to read the thoughts she was keeping from him. "If you're sure," he finally said, though his tone held a note of hesitation. "Just... be careful, okay?"
"I will," she assured him, feeling a pang of guilt for the half-truth she was telling. She didn't want to lie to him, but she also knew how important this visit to Anne was—and how Sebastian might react if he knew.
After saying goodbye, Eloise took a deep breath and stepped into the fireplace in Mrs. Bickle's sitting room. "St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries," she called out, her voice steady despite the nervous flutter in her chest. Green flames roared to life, and within moments, she was whisked away.