End of Sallow

It's not a weakness to share all of your burdens

It was odd. He was floating. Felt like he was floating. Like he didn't quite belong to his surroundings. Surroundings he couldn't see. He couldn't open his eyes.

But he heard Podex's voice.

Rest when needed, then begin again. Bring me ancient magic or find me the repository. Do not stop until you've succeeded.

Repeatedly.

Theo knew absently it was the imperio he had him under. Podex was angry. They were too close to the end of winter holiday and with no answers. And he decided to run Theo into the ground. He hadn't told Theo to eat, only rest when needed. And Theo had no idea how long it'd been.

The dark hissing and screaming were quiet when he was asleep apparently. But since he'd regained some type of consciousness, he knew it was a matter of time before his physical body opened it's eyes and began a new.

But he wasn't ready when he opened his eyes and the green haze cleared away enough to see his surroundings.

Sallow household. Sebastian and Malfoy in the back, Charlie and Tessa and Alec leaning over him.

His imperio'd hand grabbed Tessa's hand.

The Hero of Hogwarts. Ancient Magic. Podex would want her brought back.

He started screaming, to become louder than the screaming in his head. He had to beat it, he had to be louder. He had to control himself. Regain control of himself.

But he was so fucking tired.

That confession of thought made his imperio'd body sit up to get better leverage to drag Tessa away, but then Sebastian was dragging both Tessa and Charlie away. Good.

BRING THE HERO OF HOGWARTS BACK.

NO.

Charlie was fighting against Sebastian, and Theo wanted to shake her, but he was too busy screaming, too busy making sure his imperio'd body didn't move like it wanted to.

Alec was there then, slapping his impero'd face, but he couldn't feel it. Alec was saying something. He couldn't hear it.

Malfoy was on his bloody knees, head to the ground in obvious pain.

GET THEM AWAY. GET THEM AWAY. GET THEM AWAY.

He hoped his mind was open to him. For once in his fucking life, he wanted Malfoy to hear every thought in his head.

Charlie was above him again and he struggled harder to control himself.

ANOTHER ANCIENT MAGIC WIELDER, BRING HER TO PODEX.

MALFOY, GET HER THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME! He begged. He wasn't sure how long until he lost control. No, he couldn't lose control, it would fuck over everyone, everything would be ruined, none of the last few months would mean anything if Podex got his hands on the Sallows.

Malfoy must have been talking. They all turned to look at him as Theo struggled to take control. Then Tessa was looking at him again, determined. Like she knew what the hell to do in this situation. He still couldn't hear anything, but he saw a shield of ancient magic go up around everyone in the room except for Tessa, and that seemed to excite the imperio. She was left unprotected.

But then Tessa's wand was up and the imperio grew louder, more agonizing. What the fuck was she doing!?

And then it was silent. Blissfully silent. The green haze was gone. The curse was gone. The exhaustion hit him full force. And he stared at Tessa in wonder.