After apparating and disapparating for a few times in different places, I was sure I wasn't being followed.
It was late afternoon when my front door came into view, and I let out a sigh.
Carlisle Anderson, Head of the Auror Office, appeared to be in league with Thompson.
The Oliver Thompson, who apparently wanted to kill me to, take the Ancient Magic for himself. Who knew what those bastards were planning?
Damn, we couldn't stay here at my home any longer! I had secured the house with several protective spells, but they'd only last so long.
What had my life come to?
I looked at the little Runespoor resting in the cage in my hand. All of its three heads had fallen asleep and were hissing lowly.
I'll need to check you for injuries later… I thought, knitting my brows in concern.
I knew I needed to contact Poppy somehow. She was the expert on magical creatures, after all, but who knew which den or nest she was currently exploring, or if she even was in the country, for that matter?
The shrunken Opaleye was flapping her one uninjured wing while perching on my shoulder as if to tell me to keep walking.
"You're a cheeky one, aren't you? You'll fit right in." I joked, trying to distract myself from the thoughts of worry rising inside me.
Merlin, I just hoped that Sebastian and Ominis had made their way back safely.
My hand was already at the entrance's doorknob when the door was torn open.
Sebastian glared at me, prodding his wand against my chest before I could even pass the threshold.
"What—?" I began startled.
"How many giant spiders did we fight in your first year at Hogwarts?" He growled.
I furrowed my brow.
"That's one stupid question, if there ever was any, Seb. Countless, I'd say." I answered, wondering if he had finally lost his mind. It was a long time coming.
"Now lower your wand, lest some Muggle sees you," I added in a low voice while pushing past him into the hallway.
Sebastian shut the door behind me with a grunt.
"Only the Ryna I know would have answered the question that way and with a hidden insult."
"Congratulations, you're only half the idiot I thought you were," I rolled my eyes at him.
Sebastian gritted his teeth at me in anger. He still didn't like me to talk that way to him. Good.
When his eyes fell on the cage I was holding and the hissing dragon on my shoulder, he drew a sharp breath.
"What—? You freed the Runespoor from the taproom? And is that— a miniature Opaleye on your shoulder?" he breathed.
He appeared torn between being furious at me and confused at what I had just brought home.
"Well, you know I always liked shiny things," I imparted, the little dragon flapping its good wing in agreement.
Auryn… yes, that would be a good name for her.
The look Sebastian was giving me was nothing short of icy.
" 'I'm right behind you', huh?" he growled, following close behind me as I walked to my study, setting the Runespoor's cage down on the desk.
Auryn hopped off my shoulder, helping herself to some dried dates sitting in a bowl on my desk.
I smiled briefly at her munching sounds while pleasurefully gulping down the fruit.
Sebastian grabbed my shoulder, harshly turning me around to face him.
"Damn it, Ryna, you promised! I wouldn't have left otherwise," he yelled, his fingers digging into my shoulders.
"Exactly. It was a necessary lie. I thought you, of all people, would understand that," I retorted.
Didn't he lie for three years straight? To protect Ominis and me? What was the big deal,
"No, three years ago, I needed to protect you. I still do. And I cannot do that if you keep pushing me away."
The desperate sound in his voice almost softened me up. Almost.
"Merlin's flaming pants, Sallow! I sent you away to protect you!"
I could tell he was taken aback by the look on his face.
"What?"
I let out a ragged breath as a wave of tiredness washed over me. The exertions from using the Ancient Magic were taking their toll. I steadied myself on the desk behind me, hoping he wouldn't notice.
"When I saw those cooped up creatures and then witnessed what Marvolo did to Ominis… I— felt control slipping. The Ancient Magic… I've been struggling to control it for some time now. Things get nasty once I lose control of it, and I felt that was about to happen when we were within that cell. I needed an outlet for it, and I was afraid I'd hurt both of you in the process, especially with the state Ominis was in." I concluded, looking at my feet.
"Does Ominis know?" Sebastian breathed, letting go of my shoulders.
"He does," Ominis answered for me, entering my study and navigating his way towards us.
Sweet Merlin, he looked terrible.
"Om! How are you feeling? You should rest." I told him, willing my hands not to tremble as they found his face.
"How could I with the two of you being at each other's throats again? Hell of a déjà vu," he groaned, dropping into the chair in front of me.
"Sorry?" I mumbled.
"No need. You did free me. But staying behind by yourself? Ryna…"
"I was... not thinking straight... but I got you your wand back," I said, handing him his wand.
A weak excuse, if any.
Sebastian took a step back. "So, you knew about her „control problem"? For how long?"
And here we go… I thought, sighing.
"It started during our N.E.W.T.'s. I don't know if it was due to the stress or something…." I began.
"What?! Why didn't you tell me?" Sebastian exclaimed, staring at me.
I pressed the words over my lips. "Back then, I didn't want to bother you. You were so tense all the time, and I didn't want to put that burden on you too. I didn't tell Ominis until after you… left."
Sebastian looked at me, an apologetic look on his face.
Damn, how I hated to be reminded of that day. It brought back only pain and sadness, feelings that…curse inside me was feeding off.
That day I had found Sebastian's stuff missing, everything except for his locket…
Until that day, I didn't know what heartbreak felt like; that it genuinely felt like someone was physically trying to rip out your pounding heart while you still clung to it for dear life.
I made my way up to the little cottage the three of us called our home for the summer after we left Hogwarts behind for good.
The basket dangling around my arm was filled to the brim with raspberries and blackberries, Sebastian's favourite. I had even discovered a patch of Squill flowers Omnis could definitely use in his potions.
I knew Ominis was most likely still out. He had made plans to meet up with Poppy a few miles up north. Probably trying to talk her into providing him with information about gathering some of the more dangerous ingredients. Graphorn horns and such.
But Sebastian was probably there, nose buried in yet another tome or trying to decipher one of the ancient tablets we've found in a cave not far from here.
He had been reticent and distant all week, which bothered Ominis and me.
Sebastian's head seemed to be somewhere else entirely, no matter how close the three of us got physically. I could sense Ominis' genuine desperation at the change in Sebastian's nature.
It had gotten so bad that Ominis once suggested slipping some Veritaserum into his pumpkin juice. He played it off as a joke afterwards, but I knew him too well to see that he wasn't averted to the idea. Nor to the idea of using his Legilimency skills on him. Of course, he'd never try that without Sebastian's consent. He'd never get that from Sebastian for that, however.
Thus, we both remained in the dark about what seemed to be happening inside our partner's head.
At least this morning, Sebastian had appeared to be his old self once again and almost chipper during breakfast. When Ominis was about to leave for his meet-up, Sebastian had pulled him back into a deep kiss, leaving Ominis surprised and breathless for a second.
Once Ominis was gone, he had turned his attention towards me, a broad smile on his lips but mischief in his eyes, and for the first time this week, I really felt that he was in it: body and mind. Just remembering the touch of his hands, the lustful look in his eyes when he took what he needed, and the sound of his voice made shivers run down my spine.
Frankly, it was the reason why I came back earlier from my walk than intended. Despite Sebastian being very generous this morning, my body was still hungry for more.
"Seb, look what I found—" I began as I entered the cottage.
It was empty.
A cold shiver befell me all of a sudden. Something felt wrong, very wrong.
"Sebastian…" I called out once more, only to be answered with silence.
His tomes were gone, as were his clothes and his suitcase.
When my heart started threatening to burst out of my chest, I darted into the small living room.
When I saw his bracelet lying on the table, I froze. I stared blankly at it while the world around me began swimming. I steady myself on the desk, clutching the bracelet firmly to my chest.
My chest felt like a giant had punched inside it, leaving a gaping hole where my heart had been beating mere moments ago.
I felt the Ancient Magic roar inside me; no, I heard as it fed off my feelings of sorrow and despair.
Breathing became impossible as I went down to my knees.
'Sebastian, why…'
The lighting left my fingertips, leaving scorch marks on the wooden floor beneath me. I could hear the cottage's stone walls crumbling around me as the magic wreaked havoc in its path.
"Ryna!" I heard Ominis' voice call out.
I could see that he had cast a shield around him as he approached.
'No, stay back!' I wanted to call out to him, but nothing escaped my lips.
Ominis kneeled before me, debris and bolts of ancient magic flying around us. Then he took my face into his hands, his shimmering shield now protecting both of us from the mayhem I was causing.
"I- I can't control it anymore. Get away from me, please. I don't want to hurt you!" my voice quivered.
"I know, but I'm here now, Love. And I won't leave. Let me help you., he whispered reassuringly, his voice alone calming me down tremendously.
"I need access to your mind. Are you willing?"
I nodded, letting out a breath. I trusted him wholly.
It wasn't the first time he used Legilimency on me. This time, however, it felt different. When Ominis' magic went through my mind, it pushed the dark and angry magic into a far-off corner, urging it to be quiet.
And the Ancient Magic relented, for now.
When the debris around us had settled, Ominis dissolved his shield, still holding me by the shoulders firmly.
"Are you alright? What happened?" He asked.
Taking his hand into mine, I put Sebastian's bracelet into his palm.
There was a moment of silence in which Ominis' trembling fingers traced the outlines of the bracelet. He swallowed hard, and I could tell he was struggling to breathe as the weight of the situation slowly settled in.
That look on his face… I couldn't take it.
I flung my arms around him, pulling Ominis into a tight embrace.
"He'll find his way back home, I'm sure," I muttered into his ear.
Hope… hope can be more potent than any potion or spell.
Now, within my study, I could feel the Ancient Magic starting to roar inside me once more.
Please, no…
I went down to my knees before Ominis, trying to breathe calmly. His hands were quickly on each side of my face, massaging my temples.
"Breathe, Love." He whispered softly.
"P-please, Ominis…" I stammered, trying to push the rising tide of magic inside me away.
When I felt his magic enter my mind, I welcomed it like a cool gust of wind on a burning hot day.
His magic put out the flames of rage that had started burning within me, not with ease, but with determination.
I knew it was taking a lot of him to practice his Legilimency on me in his current state, but I saw no other way around it.
My body eased at his touch, my head resting on his lap while his magic left my mind again.
"Thank you…" I whispered.
"What just happened?" I heard Sebastian's voice sounding from above.
Ominis exhaled a ragged breath before answering, "Legilimency helps her regain control over it. But it's getting harder…."
I felt Sebastian go down to his knees beside me, laying his arm around my shoulder protectively.
"I- had I known… I would never have left. I'm so, so sorry, Ryna."
"It's fine. You're here now," I reassured him, feeling my strength returning to my limbs.
"But we cannot stay here. I'm afraid we have more enemies than we initially thought." I concluded.
"Who?" Ominis inquired.
I grimaced. "It seems the British Auror Office has been compromised."
Sebastian sighed in defeat, "Of course it has…."
After I had told the two of them about my suspicions concerning Carlisle Anderson, they grew quiet.
Especially Ominis was deeply buried in thoughts while I started packing up anything I thought I might need on our… unwilling excursion.
Ominis knew he couldn't head to his apartment after Thompson's thugs had surprised him there.
Good thing a lot of his stuff was already here. His apartment was more of a workplace. Most of the time, he was at my place if he wasn't working on a case.
Still... so far, we didn't call it our place because it wasn't... it didn't feel like home, not really. Something... someone was missing.
I exited the bathroom, thoughts circling around what might help keep me occupied this… difficult weekend, when I bumped headfirst into his chest. Startled, I took a step back.
"O-Ominis, Merlin's beard, where did you come from? You gave me a bloody scare!" I gasped, clutching the damp towel to my chest.
I was standing there half naked with my hair still damp and messy, while he was looking quite dapper in his dark-grey three-piece suit.
Not that it mattered much. Ominis looked good in anything he was wearing... or not wearing.
"What? Now I'm not even allowed to sneak up on my favourite person in the world anymore?" He complained, pursing his lips. "Also: language, Love!" he added, pulling me towards him.
I smiled against his lips as he kissed me lovingly.
"Sorry. But seriously, what are you doing here? I thought you were swamped with work?" I asked once he let go of my lips.
Ominis' fingers found their way into my still-damp hair.
"Nothing that can't wait till Monday." he purred.
I bit my lip in excitement. "So... you're staying for the weekend?"
He nodded. "Unless you don't want me here..."
I rolled my eyes at him, letting out a huff. "If you want me to beg, you just have to ask."
"There's no fun in that. It seems I've been away too often lately. You've grown bold, pet." Ominis' hands were now running along my neck and to my collarbones.
When he reached the place where my collarbones met, I saw his smile vanish, and his expression grow serious.
"Oh..." I exclaimed when it dawned on me. "I was having a bath, and I didn't know you were coming, so I took it off…." I stumbled over the words awkwardly.
Whom was I trying to kid here? Ominis could tell when I was lying just by the sound of my voice or my wording.
Without another word, he took out his wand. "Accio necklace," he called.
It took quite some time for the necklace to land in his palm. It had been buried within my nightstand, after all.
"Come here and turn around," Ominis spoke softly, and I did as I was told, holding my hair up for him to fasten the necklace.
"It's ok, but please, no more lies, Ryna," he whispered into my ear. I could tell he was still hurt, which made my heart ache.
'Stupid witch!' I cursed at myself.
"Yes, I'm sorry," I replied. "How can I make it up to you?" I inquired, turning around to face him.
I was more than pleased to be met with a sly smirk on his lips.
"I think you can make it up to me the whole weekend if it's that important to you…."
My face broke into a grin. "Nothing would please me more," I replied, running my hands down his back.
Omnis was in thought for a moment. "We'll see if that will indeed be the case," he stated.
He pulled me close, bending down so his lips were at my ear and inhaled profoundly, making my skin tingle.
"First: lose that towel."
I dropped it before making it fly into the bathroom with a flick of my wrist.
"What should I put on?" I breathed as he started kissing and sucking on my neck.
I could feel the necklace tighten itself around my throat ever so softly.
"Hmmm… I think your necklace will suffice this weekend. Agreed?" Ominis growled, his question sounding more like a statement. Even so, I couldn't agree more.
I moaned as he pushed me against the wall harshly, his teeth softly tugging at my breasts; the gentle pain emptied my mind of any worries that might have plagued me this weekend.
My breath stuck in my throat as he made his way downwards, slinging one of my legs over his shoulder to gain better access to my tender flesh.
"Oh f—" I barely stopped myself from cursing as his tongue skilfully flicked over the sensitive little knob.
My fingers curled into the thick of his ash-brown hair.
Ominis' tongue danced over my now-drenched folds while his fingers entered my core.
"O-Ominis…" I stammered as I felt my body getting close to its release. With his full attention on me, it never did take me long.
Ominis peeled his mouth from my wetness, nibbling at the insides of my thighs.
"Did you touch yourself while I was gone?" He asked, tracing his fingers playfully over my flesh, denying me the friction my body needed.
"N-no," I muttered, fighting to catch my breath as the wave of electricity that had been about to drown me was slowly ebbing away.
Ominis sighed softly in agreement, running his fingers teasingly over my now overly sensitive flesh.
"It's hard not to notice your need—such a well-behaved witch. Maybe I should grant you release? To ease the tension inside you?" Ominis suggested, spreading my folds with his fingers and breathing kisses on my tingling knob.
My knees almost gave in.
"Y-yes, please." I gasped, grabbing his shoulders for support.
He stopped his sweet fondling abruptly, grabbing me by my bottom and slapping it twice.
Ominis got up, pressing me against the wall forcefully, turning my head around, so his mouth was at my ear.
"No. I'll tell you how this weekend will be, so listen closely, my sweet witch."
The stern tone in his voice made peasant shivers run down my body.
"You want to make it up to me, you said? Good. Because this weekend, I will use every inch of your body for my pleasure only. But don't fret. Of course, I'll play with you. I'll tease and tickle all your sweet spots until that sweet tingling feeling between your legs becomes unbearable, only to stop and leave you aching for more. I'll watch you touch yourself until you scream for that needed release, only to stop you from going over that tormenting edge. Come Sunday, you'll be on your knees begging me to release you from your torment. The generosity of my answer depends on how well you behave yourself until then, pet."
I let out s shaky breath. How in Merlin's name was his voice having this effect on me?
A blush shot into my cheeks.
Oh, I knew I would beg like a starved woman came Sunday.
"Are we clear?" Ominis' voice brought my attention back to the present.
"Yes, my Lord," I whispered.
Ominis' lips curled into a wicked smile. "Good witch."
His hands were at the fastenings of his belt. "Now, I think I'll start with that bold mouth of yours. Down, witch." He hissed, and the collar pulled me down to my knees.
I looked up at him freeing his hardened length from the confinements of his trousers, and swallowed hard.
"I want you to touch yourself while I'm using your mouth. Get yourself to that tormenting edge, but don't dare overstep it," he warned before he started thrusting in my already awaiting mouth.
When I eagerly sucked on his member, I thought maybe this weekend wouldn't be so bad after all.
Merlin, had I been wrong.
Once Sunday afternoon came around, my mind was blank.
No, not blank...
My brain was marinating in a mixture of electricity and desire. Nothing else mattered except Ominis' touch, his kisses, his scent, his voice, his very being.
It didn't matter that my muscles were sore, my legs shaking, my holes aching, or that my voice was hoarse from screaming out his name like an incantation.
Whenever his hands got hold of my body, bolts of lightning danced on my skin in sheer anticipation of what that man would do to me.
The two of us were now lying in bed, my legs intertwined with his, while he caressed my hair.
I could feel that he was smiling when he kissed my forehead softly.
"You were incredible this weekend, my Love." He whispered, snaking his arm around my waist and pulling me closer to him.
I smiled warmly, catching his lips with mine with a deep, longing kiss.
Hell, how I needed him.
His fingers were now travelling down my waist again, his hands willing my legs to spread to give him access.
Ominis didn't so much as merely brush over my sensitive flesh, but the moan escaped my lips, nonetheless.
Merlin, what sweet torture…
"My lovely pet, what do you want?" He purred into my ear, his fingers brushing softly over my tingling wetness.
"I—" I breathed, trying to untangle the words still stuck in my brain.
"I-I want to please you, my Lord." I moaned, arching my back as his fingers continued their torture.
Ominis chuckled softly. "You know what would please me most right now?"
I shook my head, pressing my eyes shut, holding my body back from going over that final edge.
"Come for me, Love," he whispered.
Instantly my body heeded his order.
The bolts that now shot into my brain shook me to the core. I felt my wetness pulsating as his fingers found their way inside me, claiming my orgasm for what it was; his.
Before Ominis appeared on Friday, surprisingly and unannounced, I had dreaded this weekend. I had feared for the emotions it could stir up inside me.
Ominis had done it, however.
He made me forget that this Saturday, two years ago, was the day Sebastian had left us.
I'd love Ominis even more for that, if that were even possible.
Still, Sebastian was never truly out of our minds and never would be.
As much as the two of us were trying, we didn't feel whole without him.
Merlin, how I hoped this torture would end one day so that the three of us could finally call this place, or any place for that matter, our home.
I watched Sebastian make some tea in the kitchen. Unlike Ominis and me, he didn't need to pack his things.
Knowing Sebastian, I knew he was trying to keep his hands busy in our… tense situation.
"What about the two creatures?" He asked, without looking up from the teapot.
"What about them? They need to heal. They can do that on our… travels." I replied.
Sebastian let out a joyless chuckle. "You're taking this unsettlingly well. But I guess you never were one to lose your head in the face of danger," he imparted.
"Neither were you," I told him, a weak smile forming on my lips.
There were countless things left unsaid in the silence that befell us. But now wasn't the time for that. We had to be out of here before—
The intrusive knock on the door made me whip my head around.
It was well past dark.
There were seldom friendly, well-meaning visitors after dark, especially when our enemies appeared to be multiplying like puffskeins in heat.
I saw Sebastian reach for his wand and shook my head at him.
"Ominis is still in the study, come!" I told him quietly, grabbing him by the arm and dragging him with me.
"What—?" Ominis began.
Merlin's beard he still looked weakened.
"The two of you will stay in there. I'll handle whatever this is. Don't make a sound!" I whispered hastily.
"Are you mental? What if—?" Sebastian began objecting when another, louder knock interrupted him.
"Shut it!" I snarled, ignoring his disgruntled expression and throwing the door shut with a flick of my wrist.
There would be time to deal with his temper later.