Helena Hawthorne, Sebastian Sallow, and Ominis Gaunt were inseparable in their final years at Hogwarts-until everything changed. After graduation, Sebastian vanished without a word, continuing the search for a cure for Anne. Seven years passed in silence. Now he's returned, stepping into his new role as Arithmancy Professor, while Helena teaches Defence Against the Dark Arts and Ominis in the Ministry. Old wounds linger, and trust is not so easily mended. But as rumors stir of a dark wizard rebellion on the rise, the trio must navigate buried feelings, broken friendships, and a threat that could consume the wizarding world once again.

When Sebastian heard about the arrival of the new fifth-year, he hadn't paid it much mind. So if you told him that she would soon best him in a duel, cure his sister of her curse, and completely and utterly steal his heart-well, he wouldn't have believed you, quite frankly But, here he is.

Violet Foxglove never saw Sebastian Sallow as an ally in the Slytherin house. In fact, she thought he was nothing but ignorant. But when hushed rumors spread about Sebastian meddling with dark magic, he becomes somewhat of an outcast, and Violet can't help but wonder if the rumors are true. With a wedge between Sebastian and Ominis, Violet finds herself in a surprising friendship built on a mutual grudge. She eventually realizes Sebastian isn't as unlikeable as she initially thought.

"Rookwood has discovered the repository. The order of things has changed in the magical community. I was supposed to save the world from dark wizards, but I was defeated. And now, I'm in chains. I am no more than an object they would like to see broken. Especially him. Him, who I now belong to. He who betrayed me. He that works for Rookwood. Sebastian Sallow is his Commander. And I am his favorite toy."

Sebastian Sallow is a tortured soul with the world on his shoulders whose only mission is to save his sister Anne - at any cost. Atley Barlowe is a budding new witch who also carries the world on her shoulders as she travels the road less traveled to unlock the secrets of her connection to ancient magic. Will the burdens of their lives, minds and souls prove to be too much or can they save each other? Sebastian Sallow x Fem!oc (but please feel free to replace "Atley" with your oc's name and "Barlowe" with your oc's last name in your mind if you'd prefer to read it that way.) Slow burn romance but will slowly become a deep and dark fic filled with heart swelling fluff, chaos, angst, magic, dark magic, romance, friendship, family, twists, turns and all sorts of soul crushing. This will be a LONG fic in order to keep the entirety of the story together - but for new or slow readers - do not worry, chapters are fast paced and kept at a manageable length. Will contain spoilers from the Hogwarts Legacy game. Characters aged up to year seven (18 years old). - *SPOILERS - There will be MANY spoilers for the HL game so read at your own risk ** TW: This story will contain themes of death, struggles in mental health, depression, PTSD, anxiety, violence, a bit of intimacy, terminal illness, blood, alcoholism, injury, self harm, "foul" language - if you are uncomfortable with any of these, please do not read! *** All characters aside from Atley and their likeness are owned, created and trademarked by Warner Bros, Portkey Games, the Wizarding World, etc... all rights to them. Story / original character owned by me. Occasional scenes be taken from the game and use quotes, but my own additions will be added to them. Lastly, thank you for reading and all your support! I don't plan to add many notes of my own but I would LOVE if you would leave your own thoughts, commentary and votes. It's always exciting to feel like I'm reading an annotated book passed around among friends! :)

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Sebastian, Ominis, and Eleanor (MC) deal with the fallout of actions taken at the end of their fifth year. With a new school year starting and new secrets bubbling to the surface, the unlikely trio finds themselves juggling schoolwork, demons, and friendships that have been changed forever. Sebastian/MC romance, Ominis/Sebastian/MC friendship with some adventure thrown in. Other pairings shown/mentioned: Ominis/Anne, Garreth/Cressida, Sebastian/Imelda, Garreth/MC Extensive SPOILERS for Hogwarts Legacy Main and Sebastian Sallow quest lines! WARNINGS: violence, death, depression, trauma, mentions of child loss, and other dark themes, though it should not venture into mature territory for this story only.