DELGADO || Sebastian Sallow (Hogwarts Legacy)

Part 45 - Breath and Watch

ꕀꕥ〡~𐀔~〡ꕥꕀ

❝Love... he called me love.❞

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"I'm glad someone was by your side who knew that spell. It's a difficult one," Marvolo said with a nod, releasing me from his embrace.

He turned to Sebastian, hesitating for a brief moment before stepping forward. Extending his hand, he offered a small, rare smile. "I suppose a thank you is in order."

Sebastian glanced down at Marvolo's outstretched hand, his expression unreadable. A deep frown creased his brow.

Marvolo chuckled, unfazed, keeping his hand extended. "I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I'll try to accept you. We don't have to be friends, but we need to work together."

Sebastian remained impassive. Ignoring the gesture, he brushed past Marvolo, his gaze sweeping over the rest of us. "We didn't need your help, Gaunt. We had it covered. Now, leave our cabin before I lose my patience."

Marvolo merely inclined his head. "Of course."

As he turned to leave, he cast me a glance over his shoulder. "Let me know when..."

"I will," I assured him with a quick nod.

And with that, he stepped out, the Dementors nowhere in sight. The eerie stillness returned, and for the first time, the cabin felt at peace.

The adrenaline began to fade, and my mind finally had a chance to process everything that had just happened. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but my lungs still burned from the lingering smoke. I inhaled again—too quickly—triggering another round of coughing. Each attempt to breathe left me gasping for air.

"She's hyperventilating," Ominis noted with concern. He guided me to sit on the floor while he perched on the bench behind me, lifting my arms gently to rest in his palms. "This will help get you more oxygen, Ella. Stop fighting me—I just want to help."

"I—I can't—breathe..." My voice trembled between ragged breaths.

"Just do your exercise, El," Anne encouraged, sitting beside me. She placed a firm yet gentle hand on my stomach. "Breathe into my hand."

They were trying. And it was sweet. But it wasn't working.

My breaths remained shallow, desperate. Panic clawed at my chest. I coughed, struggling to free myself from their hold, before staggering to my feet and fumbling for the window latch. I needed air—fresh air.

But before I could open it, Anne quickly slammed it shut. "We can't, not with the Dementors still out there!"

I pressed my forehead against the cold glass, my voice barely a whisper. "I—need—more—air... this—isn't—good..."

Then, firm hands gripped my shoulders, turning me until my back met the window frame.

"Look at me."

I kept my eyes shut.

"Look at me," Sebastian repeated, his voice calm but unwavering.

I couldn't.

"I promise, you're safe," he murmured. "Just follow my lead."

He took a deep breath, inhaling through his nose, exhaling slowly. The sound of it was steady, controlled.

I tried to mimic him, but my breathing remained erratic, my chest too tight to follow his rhythm.

I felt him shift closer. Anne moved aside, giving him more space.

His fingers brushed against my chin, gently tilting my face up. "You're safe," he whispered.

I squeezed my eyes shut tighter.

Then, the world tilted.

I barely registered it before I collapsed into his arms.

He caught me effortlessly, lifting me as if I weighed nothing. Settling onto a seat, he cradled me against his chest, one hand cupping my cheek.

"Come on, Delgado, stay with me," he murmured, his breath warm against my skin.

A moment of silence.

Then—

"Sweetheart, you have five seconds to open those remarkable eyes of yours before I call for a medic," he snapped, his voice edged with frustration.

"No," I croaked between shallow breaths. Hospitals, medics—I hated them all.

"Then open your eyes, love, and look at me." His voice dropped into a whisper.

Love.

He called me love.

My lashes fluttered open, and my gaze locked onto his. Brown eyes—deep, intense, filled with a mixture of relief and concern—held mine captive.

I melted, completely boneless in his embrace.

His breaths slowed, deep and steady, pressing against me with each rise and fall of his chest. Instinctively, I tried to match his rhythm.

"I'm here," he whispered near my ear, holding me close. "Just follow my breathing, alright?" His fingers traced light, soothing patterns along my arm.

"You're doing so well," he murmured.

"It's working!" Anne's voice broke through, laced with enthusiasm. "Sebastian, whatever you're doing, keep going! Her breathing is slowing!"

Ominis exhaled softly. "He's not using any magic, Anne..."

"But how?" she asked, bewildered. "He's doing the exact same thing we did—the only difference is that he's holding her and staring into her eyes."

A small, knowing smile crossed Ominis's lips.

"Love," he said simply, "is the most magical healing spell of all."

Written and published on christmas eve 2024. Merry Christmas everyone 🎄🩷

(Short but a magical chapter)