ALLURING || D.M.

Chapter 37

Soles hit the stairs, no sound besides that as they left the duelling room behind. The air in the ground floor was cooler, still silent as her pace quickened while Sebastian held a hand just above his ribs. She pressed a gentle hand on his shoulder, her own quiet way to encourage him.

His dark eyes didn't meet hers, his jaw was still tight. "Are you alright?" She asked finally, his head nodded. "I'm fine" He wasn't, he could feel the ache in his lower abdomen, a bruise probably already there. Her mouth closed until they reached the south wing, turning to him as soon as her door closed, "Sit" he didn't argue her, moving to the edge of the bed to sit stiffly.

Her eyes continued to flicker, anxiety bubbled but she blinked it away, this was not the time. "Where are you hurt?" She questioned as she opened her temporary wardrobe to get the blue purse she'd hidden her healing stuff in, "Bas" she called, his face was taut with embarrassment.

Dropping the bag by his side, she realized she did not know any diagnostic charm, why didn't I learn one, she fussed. "Tuck up your sleeve" She requested, if she couldn't do it the simple way, she'd have to guess her way around. There it was, a purple bruise starting to form on his right upper arm, probably from when he fell on his side. It was likely his ribs were hurt too.

"I said I'm fine" He hesitated as she opened a can. She looked at him, now sitting by his side, "Which means you aren't" she spoke, covering the bruise with a green paste, "Sebastian please" her tone softened as she went to check on his left arm and he pulled it away.

"I was weak" The boy whispered, as she confirmed his left arm was uninjured. "I have to check your stomach" She told him, watching him unbutton his white shirt, "And you were not weak" she told him before she gasped at the sight near his ribs. Dark, angry purple contrasted against ivory, splotches of bruising manifesting, she inhaled in silence, chose to say nothing.

"You were brave" She murmured as she picked up another cream to use in his abdomen, "And strong". He let out a breathless laugh, "I lost, he was better than me". Her jaw tensed, "You didn't lose to someone unskilled. Septimus is older, trained, and a complete idiot" his lips tugged up slightly. "You have to say that, you're my sister" the twelve year-old looked into her eyes, "But he won, that's what matters".

"He was using stuff far too advanced, you, that was not a fair fight" She opened a small pain numbing vial to make sure it didn't bother him at all. He was looking at her, her doubts coming back at once. Was it wise to have done that? In front of everyone, when she was set on not calling any attention to herself or her family, it must certainly not be wise to do something so visible. Travers was not a good adversary to have, he never played clean, and she'd gone and made an enemy of him. What were the chances he did not want to retaliate? Brave, reckless or foolish?

The door slammed open, both bodies jumped, "Thank Merlin" the witch behind it gasped, closing after she was inside. Grethel was breathless, eyes wide and alarmed, as they darted to both her children. The second she saw her youngest's bruise her body lurched, "Are you okay?" she asked, kneeling before him to check for any other damage, before their eyes met and she cradled the back of his head as she hugged him. "I'm so proud of you" She whispered into his hair as he let himself be held, swallowing hard.

"Are you good?" She looked up at Lilianne. "Mom" The girl whispered, letting her chest expand. "I know, I know" Grethel held her hand, "I... I wasn't thinking" her daughter whispered, making the woman's eyes sharpen, "The bastard deserved it". Her confidence was enough to make Lily's breath even, her next words made her hug tighter, "You were brilliant out there". They stepped apart, "It will be fine, okay?" Grethel assured her, taking her wand out her pocket to run a diagnostic.

"You did good" She complimented, eyeing the blue bag in quiet pride, "I have an oil to speed the whole process, I'll go bring it, don't move". It took not three strides before she was out, "You really did good" her brother spoke. "What?" She whispered as she rested against a small table.