Sebastian was looking at her as if her hair was on fire.
- Excuse me?... Obliviate?
MC kept her mouth shut.
- MC! How much did they take?
- Not… not much, I think -her hands started to shake-. I must go.
Sebastian grabbed her arm before she could run away.
- Woa, woa! You are not leaving! You can't just say something like that and leave!
MC was feeling a bit dizzy, shaky, and her heart was trying to find itself a new home. But she understood how worrying this was. She couldn't let anyone find out. Not yet.
- You are right. I am sorry. That was a bad joke.
Sebastian's mouth was hanging low.
- Excuse me. Did you just say I am right?
- An astonishing occurrence.
She turned around and tried to reach the gate, but Ominis stood in front of her.
-Step aside – she growled.
- Sebastian is right – said while folding his arms over his chest -. You are not acting like yourself. If something really happened…
- It's none of your business! And nothing happened! – she was frustrated-. I thought to play a joke on you guys. I didn't expect you to take it at heart's value.
She walked around him and finally reached the door.
- How are you planning to leave?
Sebastian said contemptuously.
MC twisted her neck to look over her shoulder and noticed her wand between his fingers. He made it dance around like it was a toy, trying to tell her there was no opening that door without it.
- Right – she whispered.
She went back to take it, but he pulled away from her.
- First, we talk, then I give it back- he smiled with confidence.
- I don't want to talk – she tried to reach for the wand.
- Tough luck.
- Perhaps you should kiss her, Seb- Ominis shimmed in.
- What?!
-WHAT?!
- She turns pliable whenever you do – he was mocking her in a husky voice-. Give it a try.
- Sebastian, don't you dare kiss me in front of him – she threatened when he turned his attention back to her.
- I… I wasn't going to! – he said in a panic, which was also surprising to her. Since when was he shy?
- Good. Now give me that! – he jumped away from her.
- Wait! Please, wait. I am really worried right now. Can't you please give me a moment?
MC felt the urge to confide in him, but… Her eyes shifted to the figure standing behind her.
- Some other time.
Instead of trying to grab her wand again, she walked straight to the gate and with a gesture of her hand she let a humming flow of magic travel from her core to the tip of her fingers. She visualized the spell in her mind like Natty showed her and the gate opened seconds later with a rusty sound.
When she turned around to look at them for the last time, she saw Sebastian with his mouth slightly open and Ominis with an amazed expression.
*#*#*#*#
- How did she do that? – Ominis got close to the gate to feel the bar with his fingers.
- Hell if I know- he was looking at the wand still in his hand, almost willing it to disappear in the air.
Ominis went back to him.
- That was weird, right?
Sebastian nodded his head pointlessly.
- Do you think she was joking? - he lifted his misty eyes from the wand and spoke softly- She must have been.
- It didn't feel like it- he signed-. She just didn't want to talk to you while I was here.
Sebastian swallowed hard. A knot was forming in his throat.
- Obliviate- he murmured-. That is an Auror-level type of spell.
- Or a dark wizard, with enough experience to pull it off.
Sebastian sat down on the floor and saw Ominis do the same across from him. He was annoyed with him.
- Why did you attack her like that? She was mauled.
Ominis lowered his eyes while keeping his expression schooled.
- I really was expecting her to fight back – said while playing with the red pulse of his wand-. I wasn't thinking rationally, Seb. I just heard her coming in and thought… I thought…
Sebastian understood Ominis' position, but he was still upset. The damage she had suffered at Ominis hands was heartbreaking.
- Then, why did you ask me to kiss her? - he could guess the answer but needed to fill in the silence.
- I was testing her. I wanted to see if she would let you.
- But she didn't let me -his voice caught up in his throat-. Therefore, she must remember.
- Maybe – Ominis was tired and let his head fall against one of the barrels behind him-. But I couldn't hear any disgust in her voice.
Sebastian gave up on his reputation and let his head fall on his hands. Ominis closed his eyes while hearing his best friend muffle his cries. He took a deep breath and prepared himself for a night of sleep in the Undercroft. Neither of them was going back to the common room tonight.
*#*#*#*#
MC reached the door of the Room of Requirements and was met with the smell of incense and old books. It took her a moment to adjust to the darkness as she turned around, and was startled at the changes inside the room.
What used to be an open space filled with plants and rows of tables crafted for potion making, was now an almost library. Hundreds of passageways that didn't seem to end were branching from the center of the room in a starry manner. The room's ambience was more muted; more apt for a quiet library but still bright enough to read without the need for a lamp. A single and simple table sat in the center of the room, and books of all sizes and colors were piled next to the chair.
Occasionally, the room would pull books from the pile and return them to the shelves, just to replace them with another title.
There was no evidence of a garden or vivarium. Just a small potion-making section next to the door.
- Welcome back.
MC turned to see Deek jump from the top of a mahogany bookcase.
- Hello Deek.
- Hello – his eyes got that exciting twinkle in them-. As you requested, I found all the magic applications for Dragon Scales. At least a couple dozen books on the subject. I am glad you came back because this will be extensive reading.
- Thank you, Deek – she didn't know what else to say.
Deek finally looked up from the book in his hands and when he repaired on her state his eyes threatened to leave its sockets. It was comical, in a cartoonish way.
- Did you go to the Forbidden Forest again? You look as if you had a rough night.
- Indeed, it was a long night.
MC walked to the table and let her weight fall on the chair. She looked at the room with tired eyes, and although she missed the portraits on the walls and her plants, this felt cosier. How long did it take for the room to evolve into this?
She looked at the table and found an illustration of a dragon's anatomy. Perhaps she had an assignment due.
- Deek.
The small elf stood on top of the table.
- Is there something Deek can do for you?
- Yes. I need your help –she whispered with her eyes closed-. But you must promise not to tell Professor Weasley.
- Of course. Deek is the best at keeping secrets.
She was tired beyond words, but she needed answers.
- Good – she opened her eyes-. Deek, today I was attacked inside the castle.
The elf's eyes were focused on her with an innocent expression.
- I believe they used the Obliviate spelling on me. I think I might have forgotten some valuable information.
- Who could do such a thing?
- I don't know. I didn't see them.
- How can Deek help?
- First, I need you to fill in the blanks of my mind. Give me as much information as you can about myself. I need to know how much he/she took. Secondly, I need you to find out if anyone or anything saw something. In a castle of this size, someone must have seen something.
Deek was shaken, but he said yes, nonetheless.
*#*#*#*#
They had been going at it for hours, with only a small plate of biscuits and coffee provided by the room. MC looked up and saw the clock hidden on one of the shelves.
3: 43 AM
- Um, should we stop for today?
She yawned but said "No". Even though her body was giving up on her.
- Just let me take it all in – she looked down and saw her notes while massaging the side of her head-. So, I am currently missing 1 year and four months of memories. However – she flipped a page-, I still remember the spells I learned during that amount of time. At least most of them.
- Deek also believes your knowledge of potions for defence and offence is still intact.
- Yes, thank you for quizzing me by the way.
- It was a pleasure – he meant it. He had a knack for teaching.
- What is this spell for? – she signalled one she had forgotten about.
- Aqua Eructo – he pronounced-. This spell is used to create, and control, a jet of clear water from the tip of the wand. It's one of your favourites in fact.
- Huh, sounds like fun – murmured.
She looked around the table, amazed.
- I can't believe you keep track of all my classes – she was impressed-. These are almost three years' worth of classes, Deek.
- You did mention you wanted to keep track of it all for future reference.
- But Deek, that is supposed to be my job. Not yours- after dealing with the hate of Goblins for so long, she was careful not to disrespect any creature. And Deek was a good friend to her.
- Do not fret. Deek is the one that insisted on it since it keeps me occupied. And besides, it gives me great pleasure to see how much you have grown since I met you.
She smiled softly.
- Can you tell me more about the room? – she looked around the library-. What happened to it?
- Well, you have been more absorbed in your studies and could not take care of the vivarium for too long. Poachers still roam around the castle, so you gave all the creatures to Professor Bai Howin. She takes really good care of them, I assure you.
- And I see the potion-making section is smaller.
- You don't use it as often as you would like.
- Then, I don't go into the Forbidden Forest anymore?
- You must certainly do, Um. We couldn't keep you away if we tried.
- So, no more fights then.
- Fights are part of your daily routine.
- But, how…?
- You mastered healing spells. Way more powerful than potions if you ask me.
- And are those spells in the list of the forgotten ones?
- Am afraid they are.
Following his words, the room shifted around them. The star pattern of the library was pushed further in, and the same tables she remembered were relocated in front of the entrance. The room even threw in her old potting table with the exact same plants.
- Thank you! - She called to the room-. Now I feel so much better.
- Is there anything else that Deek can help you with?
- No Deek. You have done enough- another yawn-. Tomorrow I am going to speak with Sebastian. He can help me reconnect with my peers. At least until I find a way to get my memories back.
- Mr Sallow?
She smiled. It seemed she had shared some things with Deek.
- Yes – she stood from the chair and stretched-. Don't worry. He won't tell a soul.
Deek seemed preoccupied.
- Is there a problem?
- Deek is just surprised that you would mention him – he jumped from the table-. You haven't mentioned him in a long time.
MC felt a twist in her gut.
- Well… maybe I was just being secretive – Deek tilted his head-. He is… certainly he is still…
Deek seemed to understand her dread.
- I am afraid he is no longer your boyfriend…, nor your friend.
Her face turned pale. Sebastian had just saved her from Ominis's outburst.
- Are you sure, Deek?
Deek thought his answer thoroughly.
- You two had a falling down. Last time I heard his name was during the beginning of your Sixth year. You came in crying and berated him all night.
She sat down again and looked him in the eye.
- Why?
-Um, Deek refrained from asking personal questions but he kept you company.
She was now looking down at the floor.
How could that be possible? After everything they went through, she thought that their relationship was strong. Unbeatable. They had been tested every step of the way from the moment they first locked their lips. How could she just let him get away?
- How…? I don't understand- her throat was closing on her.
Deek fidgeted with his hands before he pulled on her until she stood up.
- If I may, it would be better for you to clean up, and go to bed. Tomorrow… we can continue tomorrow.
A single tear threatened to show up, but she cleaned it away before the elf could see it. She was done being so pitiful tonight. Enough was enough.
- Deek?
- Yes?
-I am skipping class tomorrow… today. I only have a couple of hours left of sleep, and I don't think it is enough.
- Deek won't wake you up.