Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The Snow Maiden, Op. 12, No. 10, Melodrama (Arr. by Vasa Laub)
The Snow Maiden, Op. 12, No. 12, Act III Round Dance (Arr. by Vasa Laub)
The Snow Maiden, Op.12, No. 17a, Act IV Entr'acte (Arr. by Vasa Laub)
Celia
The long tables that had once been laden with lovely meals were now bare, save for a few diligent elves scurrying about, tidying the remnants of the evening's celebrations. As she caught sight of them clearing away the last of the dishes, a pang of disappointment tugged at her stomach—she had been hoping for a few leftovers to savor, a little indulgence after a long day. She considered sneaking into the kitchen for a late snack but ultimately decided it was best to head over to Lower Hogsmeade to meet up with Natty.
She looked forward to spending time with her as they both faced the challenges of being new students. Natty's mother was the new Divination professor, having transferred to Hogwarts from Uagadou. Celia found it comforting to have someone who understood her struggles in adapting to a new environment. It felt a bit silly, really, how much she depended on that connection.
She had spent a significant part of the evening on a delightful adventure with Amit Thakkar, assisting him in locating the astronomy table. He had generously given her his old telescope—though calling it "old" hardly seemed fair, as it was practically new and equipped with all sorts of enhancements. Accompanying him felt like a small but meaningful gesture in return for his kindness.
She reflected on their time together and couldn't help but smile. Amit was a true Ravenclaw, he virtually exuberated excitement when he spoke about the stars. His passion was infectious, she was surprised by his enthusiasm. She admired his intellect, feeling a hint of envy, not out of bitterness but from a pure sense of admiration. While she excelled in her own way, she wondered what it would be like to possess such a sharp mind. She couldn't help but think how useful that intellect would have been whenever she was stuck in a cave, grappling with a puzzle to escape or trying to solve one of the many keeper's trials.
She had been managing a whirlwind of friendships lately, and with them came countless requests and favors. She was always willing to help—part of her found fulfillment in being needed. Some days, the weight of it all felt overwhelming. Yet, she'd much rather exhaust herself than grapple with the guilt of turning someone away.
Natty's request felt like an important turning point in her ongoing search for the Final Repository, especially compared to the other favors she had been taking on lately. Natty had been hot on the trail of Harlow, Rookwood's right-hand man. Rookwood and his gang uncovered numerous repositories and practically drained them out of their power. As he was a descendant of one of the keepers, he possessed an intimate knowledge of their whereabouts. Tonight, she hoped that by assisting Natty, she might gain valuable insights or clues to finally turn the tide in her favor.
As she turned to leave, a familiar voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Ominis, please."
"Anything to do with the Dark Arts should be avoided. It's too risky." Ominis's tone was firm, unwavering.
"Anything tied to Salazar Slytherin is worth the risk." Sebastian reasoned. She peered around the tall stone column that shielded her from view, catching a glimpse of the two boys locked in a heated debate. It felt wrong to listen in like she was intruding on something intimate, but the intensity of their discussion compelled her to lean in.
"I can't agree, and I'll not say a word more. I'm sorry." Ominis's resolve was clear, tension simmering between them. He walked away, stopping momentarily, almost as if he could sense her despite his blindness.
"Saravia." He said coldly, acknowledging her presence.
"Gaunt." Celia replied, her tone warm, yet her tongue struggled with such stern formalities. There was a moment of silence, then he pushed the heavy wooden door open and exited into the courtyard.
Celia hesitated and then approached Sebastian.
"What were you and Ominis speaking about?" she asked, slightly wary he might think she was eavesdropping.
"He's being ridiculous. Apparently, Salazar Slytherin had a secret scriptorium here in Hogwarts. Ominis swears it was used for the Dark Arts, so he wants nothing to do with it." he explained without hesitation. "I reminded him that Anne needs a cure. This 'scriptorium' could hold the answers we need." his voice bubbling up with frustration.
Celia felt out of her depth. Although she wasn't particularly knowledgeable about the wizarding world, she knew enough to steer clear of dark magic. She had even declined Sebastian's offer to teach her Confringo the night he brought her to the Undercroft. As she glanced around, she couldn't help but wonder if that was the reason Sebastian had been spending so much time in the library—maybe he was trying to dig up more information about the scriptorium.
"Maybe Ominis has a point," she said slowly, "The dark arts can be really dangerous, and we don't even know if this scriptorium would involve the use of dark magic." She bit the inside of her cheek, noticing the disappointment wash over Sebastian's face. She could tell he was hoping she would back him up.
"There's more to Dark Magic than people realize." he shot back defensively. "The Gaunts know this– better than most." Realizing the weight of his words, he quickly added, "Perhaps I spoke out of line. Omini's family history is personal to him." Celia's curiosity was peaked but recognized that it would be inappropriate to pry into Ominis's history.
"I'd rather not pry; I don't think Ominis would appreciate having his private matters shared, especially with someone he hardly knows." she replied.
"Ominis trusts me. And more often than not, he winds up listening to me." he said, "I hope you can trust me on this as well." he said earnestly. As he placed a hand gently on her shoulder, Celia felt a warmth spread through her. His touch made her heart skip, and she couldn't help but feel her legs go weak beneath her. When their eyes met, his softened. She'd never really noticed before, but his eyes reminded her of dark honey— rich and sweet.
"Watch for my owl, I'll have news soon enough. I'll make Ominis understand. He'll change his mind." he added. She wanted to argue, to urge him to steer clear of the Dark Arts, but it was clear he was set on this. He squeezed her shoulder for a moment before letting go. "I'll see you around." He said as he turned to leave. The door creaked open and he was gone.
She brushed her fingers over the spot on her shoulder where Sebastian had held her, his warmth still there. She shook her head, trying to dispel the confusion swirling inside her and clouding her thoughts. As much as she wanted to deny her feelings for Sebastian, it was difficult to stop her body from betraying her.
She wasn't sure when it happened; it almost felt like she had woken up one day with these feelings toward him. Maybe it was that night in the Undercroft, where he had offered for her use for her training, or perhaps it was when he brought her to Feldcroft to meet his sister. Sebastian was the first person to welcome her into Hogwarts, offered her friendship and companionship. He was aware that she was five years behind her peers, and would help her in ways he could.
She had never encountered a man so oblivious to social customs and norms; he would sneak in touches and linger longer than appropriate, and she often found herself alone with him— something that, at least for Muggles, would be considered quite improper. But a part of her did not mind it, she'd found herself looking forward to it.
This made her question whether she was confusing platonic affection with intimacy. She couldn't risk jeopardizing their friendship over what might be a fleeting crush. It was probably just adolescent hormones, right? For now, it was best to keep it to herself.
She ran to the courtyard to shake off her bubbling emotions, the chill of the autumn air wrapping around her like a cool embrace. Inhaling deeply, she let the crispness fill her lungs, then exhaled slowly, watching her breath form a faint white cloud that dissolved into the air.
He's a good friend. A very good friend. She repeated.
With her mind gradually clearing, she took a moment to ground herself, feeling the crunch of fallen leaves beneath her shoes. Subdued by the calm, she set off to meet Natty.
Celia barely made it back to the Hogwarts grounds as dawn broke over the horizon. Behind her, Natty soared through the sky on a brown Hippogriff. Leaning forward, Celia rested her head against Highwing's neck, adrenaline still coursing through her veins after their narrow escape from Harlow. The frigid wind chilled the sweat on her skin, but she embraced it; nothing could dampen her exhilaration. It felt as if she were on top of the world. The lush green fields below them shone brightly despite the approaching winter, and the breathtaking sunrise silhouetted the castle.
As the Hippogriff swooped down, Celia tightened her grip on his white feathers, bracing herself for the descent. Highwing skimmed just above the surface of the Dark Lake, his talons barely grazing the water. Celia longed to touch the cool surface but decided it was safer to hold on. Amidst the rush of the wind, she could hear Natty's delighted laughter beside her. Moments later, they landed just east of Hogsmeade Valley in an open field. They glanced at each other, laughter bubbling over in joyful relief.
"How exciting!" Natty exclaimed, still giggling.
"It was exhilarating, wasn't it? I wasn't sure we were going to make it out alive." Celia admitted, catching her breath.
"There was no need to worry. I had it all under control." Natty replied with a puckish wink.
"Were you able to find the letter?" Celia asked.
"Summoned it straight out of Harlow's hands." Natty said, a grin spreading across her face. A wave of relief washed over Celia; their escape had been so frantic she'd feared they might have left it behind.
As Natty affectionately petted the brown Hippogriff, she added, "I will say I did not expect to see him cast the Killing Curse at us. He won't forget this. Be on your guard." Her tone shifted, seriousness seeping into her voice.
"Of course, I'll be careful," Celia bit her lip, her voice a little shaky. She knew all too well that trouble had a way of finding her, no matter how hard she tried to steer clear of it. For a brief moment, she thought about sharing everything with Natty—the situation with Rookwood and Ragnar, the secrets locked away in the repository, and the strange, ancient magic that felt like both a gift and a burden. Natty would understand, she thought, and maybe even Poppy would be a good choice too.
But the urge to confide faded, and she decided it was best to keep it to herself, at least for now. "So, what did the letter say?" she asked, eager to change the subject and distract herself from her own troubles.
"That Rookwood's looking for a phoenix. Not sure where he will find one." Natty chuckled incredulously, "But it also included Harlow's orders to inspect the castle for the poachers. Enough to connect Harlow to the crimes. I shall deliver the letter to Office Singer. She'll have to do something when she sees it." she added.
Celia wanted to believe that Officer Singer would be more proactive this time around. She had taken down poacher camps numerous times, only to be told that no arrests could be made without evidence of a crime. If Officer Singer would truly do her job, she would find all the evidence needed, hidden in plain sight. Celia had grown accustomed to searching the camps before calling the officers; she would deliver the unconscious criminals and their crimes hand in hand.
"Let's hope Officer Singer listens." Celia sighed. Her friend gave her a reassuring nod.
"My mother will be worried. I must go. Seek me out soon; I shall have much to tell you," Natty said, gently patting the Hippogriff. The creature unfurled its wings, caught the wind, and glided into the sky.
"Alright, Highwing, let's get some well-deserved rest!" Celia laughed.
After saying goodbye to Highwing, she slipped quietly into the Hufflepuff common room, making her way to her dorm. Her dormmates were still fast asleep. Trying not to disturb them, she moved as quietly as possible to her bed.
Once there, she glanced over at her owl straddling his perching branch. "Good morning, Spook," she whispered. The brown owl ruffled his feathers, blinking at her as he settled in.
"Did you bring something for me?" she asked, reaching for the scroll tied to his leg. She carefully unwrapped it, recognizing the familiar handwriting right away. It was a note from Sebastian.
I pressed Ominis regarding Salazar Slytherin's scriptorium, but my efforts were in vain. Meet me outside the Slytherin common room. We need to talk.
-Sebastian
"Oh, Sebastian, what are you doing?" she whispered, her voice barely audible in the quiet room. She sighed, feeling the weight of exhaustion tugging at her eyelids. As she wrestled with the choice between catching up on much-needed sleep or supporting her friend, she convinced herself that showing up, even for a little while, was the right thing to do.
She decided, first, to freshen up, so she carefully gathered her clothes and headed to the faculty wing. Unfortunately, Hufflepuff didn't have its own bathroom, which meant she had to make the daily journey to use the facilities elsewhere. On the bright side, since the boys' bathroom was out of order, she felt somewhat fortunate that she didn't have to walk all the way to the DADA tower. Most of the time, she went unnoticed, but on the rare occasions when someone questioned her presence in the hallways, she would mention her 'feminine woes'. That usually discouraged any further inquiries.
In the heart of the chamber, she encountered a massive stone serpent, its presence dominating the space. The cold, dark stone of the walls and floor amplified the chill in the air, a stark contrast to the warm, inviting atmosphere of the Hufflepuff dorms.
Torches flickered green and orange flames. As she descended the stairs, a figure came into view at the entrance of the Slytherin common room.
"You actually made it! Brilliant!" he exclaimed, a broad grin spreading across his face. Sebastian leaned leisurely against the stone wall, his hair a tousled mess, tie askew, and shirt half-tucked.
Celia felt a flutter of nerves as she approached him. "I received your owl. What happened with Ominis?" she asked, her voice temperate but laced with urgency. The absence of sleep left her with a restless energy she couldn't quite shake.
Sebastian shrugged slightly, the grin fading a bit. "I told him none of us can avoid Dark Magic forever. The more we know about Salazar Slytherin and the Dark Arts, the better prepared we'll be." His tone was defensive.
To that, Celia sighed softly. "Sebastian, have you considered that maybe your approach is… a bit off? Ominis needs to feel—"
"Feel what?" he cut her off, a hint of frustration mounted in his voice. "Look, it's not my fault he's too scared."
Celia felt an ache of sympathy for both boys, but thought that Sebastian was being too irrational.
"I think he might just be trying to protect you," she said gently, placing a reassuring hand on Sebastian's arm. "Maybe if you… approached him differently?"
He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, his expression softening momentarily. "Unfortunately, only a Gaunt knows the entrance to the scriptorium, and Ominis won't tell me," he confessed, his shoulders slumping, revealing a vulnerability she hadn't noticed before. The sadness in his gaze tugged at her.
"Hmmm, perhaps I should speak with Ominis," she suggested, although immediately regretting it.
For a brief moment, hope blinked in Sebastian's eyes before disbelief took over. "You? Really? I suppose it's worth a shot, but don't get your hopes up. Ominis is annoyingly stubborn. It's practically his specialty." he offered her a faint smile.
Two peas in a pod, she thought.
She nodded. "Just lead me to him, and I'll do the rest." She saw a hint of reluctance in his expression but didn't dwell on it.
As he took her arm gently, guiding her through the dimly lit corridor, her heart beat against her ribcage. She tried to steady her breath, but the intoxicating blend of eucalyptus and bergamot enveloped her, making it harder to focus. She hadn't noticed before just how captivating Sebastian's scent was.
"Keep an eye out—we never know who's watching," Sebastian smirked, his earlier buoyancy returning.
"Strictly speaking, it has stopped us," she teased back, her voice soft and light.
"Damn poltergeist," he said with a laugh, recalling their notorious library escapade. "Such a nuisance."
As Celia turned the corner, they spotted Ominis pacing, impeccably dressed. His blonde hair was slicked back, his shirt perfectly creased, an embodiment of propriety. But it was the look on his face that froze Celia in her tracks—annoyance, etched so clearly that it sent a ripple of unease through her gut.
The memory of their last encounter lingered painfully in her mind, cold and uncomfortable—a chasm between them that felt insurmountable. She swallowed hard, doubt creeping in. Would he even care to hear her out?
She felt a gentle push from Sebastian. It was as if he could sense the turmoil brewing inside her. "There he is. Good luck." he said, his tone shifting, easing into something more genuine.
Celia took a deep breath as the warmth of his encouragement invigorated her legs to move. You can do this, she reminded herself. She stepped forward, no more second-guessing.
"Thanks, Sebastian," she murmured, her voice steadier than she felt.
As she approached Ominis, Celia felt the corridor stretch before her. It felt almost wrong to do this, yet her desire to help Sebastian propelled her forward. Just ten feet away, Ominis suddenly jerked his head in her direction, causing Celia to freeze. An inexplicable fear gripped her; she wanted nothing more than to vanish, be swallowed by the floor beneath her.
"What are you doing here?" he snapped, annoyance clouding his voice. Celia summoned all her courage, taking a deep breath.
"Hello, Ominis. I hope you have a moment to talk?" she said softly, brushing off his rudeness with a warm smile.
His brow furrowed even deeper. "What is it? What scheme have you and Sebastian concocted this time?" His tone was laced with weariness.
Celia hesitated, then spoke fervently. "I owe you an apology, Ominis. I wasn't completely truthful before about the Undercroft. Sebastian did show it to me." She paused, her heart swelling in remorse at the thought of the damage her lies had caused, even if it was an innocent white lie.
"He just wanted me to have a safe place to practice my spells. He thought you wouldn't mind..."
For a fleeting moment, she thought she caught a glimpse of softness in his expression, a vulnerability that quickly vanished behind his familiar mask.
He let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his temples as if trying to ward off a headache. "I suppose that makes sense. It's just… Sebastian's been relentless about something, and it's driving me mad." His voice eased, worry beneath the annoyance.
Celia nodded, "I can understand that. Sebastian can be… very determined when he wants something. But I think he is just very passionate about this."
Ominis glanced away, his annoyance creeping back in. "Sometimes I wonder if he even considers what that means for me. It's always about what he wants."
"Don't tell me he's still going on about—what was it—his 'scriptorium'?" she asked, a small smile tugging at her lips in an attempt to share a light moment with Ominis.
"He told you about that?" Ominis replied, his surprise evident. His eyebrows knitted together, a blend of shock and irritation crossing his face.
"He did. We were discussing the Hogwarts founders, and he brought it up. But he was rather tight-lipped after that," she added quickly, biting her lip. It wasn't exactly a lie, she reassured herself.
"Yes, well, he seems to believe it holds the key to saving Anne," Ominis said, his voice laced with bitterness, "I think it's likely full of dark magic that is better left untouched." Celia wanted to nod in agreement but forced herself to continue prodding.
"Wait, you've never actually been inside?" she asked gently, her eyes searching his.
"Of course not," he retorted a bit too loudly, then damped his tone, aware of his own intensity. "I only know about it through my favorite aunt—Noctua. She thought like I do. She didn't see eye to eye with the family on their use of dark magic." His voice dipped.
"In fact, she hoped to convince my family that there is way more to Salazar Slytherin than worshipping pureblood status," he continued, his gaze drifting. "She'd heard of this 'scriptorium' and thought its contents might shed some light on him. She even discovered the hidden entrance—" he paused, looking past her, his pupilless blue eyes were striking "—right here in this very corridor."
Sebastian had touched on the Gaunts and their use of dark magic, yet here was someone who could easily have followed in the shadows of his family, and yet he chose a different path. There was something deeply admirable in that resilience. What must it be like to have that kind of strength?
His gaze dropped back to the floor. "She wrote regularly to my father about her efforts to gain access, and then… she simply vanished. No one else ever dared to seek it." His voice faltered. Celia felt a surge of empathy for him and instinctively reached out, wanting to offer some comfort. She could relate to the ache of losing someone dear and the inner turmoil that brought.
"That is unsettling," she said gingerly, her voice steady. "It must be incredibly difficult knowing that she was searching for something—something that ultimately led to her disappearance. I can relate to the pain of uncertainty you must feel."
Ominis sighed, "Aunt Noctua went down this path with good intentions and lost her life. I don't want the same to happen again."
Celia's thoughts turned to Sebastian, wondering if his relentless pursuit of the scriptorium could lead him down a similarly dark path. She could feel the weight of Ominis's words. "You're right; it sounds perilous," she said, her brows narrowing. "But think about it—if we all join him… if we stand together, maybe we can prevent that same fate from repeating itself."
She hesitated for a moment, collecting her thoughts before speaking again. "Feeling loss is something I've come to know all too well. My mother passed away when I was an infant, and my father became my entire world. We moved from Galicia to Wales, being a coal miner was the only job he could find. One day, he went to work and never came back; everything changed that day."
She took a deep breath before continuing, "They never found any of the bodies, and his absence follows me." Her fingers traced the necklace around her neck, the coral beads warm from the heat of her skin, "Each day, I hold onto the hope that I might one day search for him and give him the peace he deserves. I pray for that constantly."
She paused, her gaze steady on Ominis. "I want you to know that I truly understand what you're feeling. The fear, the longing… it's all-consuming sometimes. But you know what? This journey could honor your aunt's memory. It's a chance for closure, both for you and for Sebastian. We could uncover something meaningful together and perhaps find answers about your aunt and even help Sebastian discover a cure for Anne."
Ominis fell silent, chewing over her words. "I see what you've done here," he said. "And, I confess. You've convinced me. I didn't think it possible."
With a milder tone, he continued, "Very well, I'll share what I know. Fetch Sebastian. I'll be here." He took a deep breath, his voice barely above a whisper. "I hope I—we don't regret this."
Celia darted off to find Sebastian, anxious to inform him before Ominis could change his mind. But as she reached the corner, she spotted Sebastian already strolling toward them, clearly having overheard.
"Now you're willing to share?" Sebastian quipped, a smirk on his face. "You wouldn't tell me when I practically begged."
"It wasn't you who told me what I needed to hear," Ominis shot back, annoyance creeping back into his voice.
"These braziers grant access to the scriptorium." He gestured in a general direction. Celia noticed towering stone columns, each summit adorned with a bowl that held remnants of what looked like charred kindling. She's faced similar puzzles before during her time outside of Hogwarts.
"Opening the entrance has something to do with threes—" Ominis mentioned, brow furrowing in concentration.
"Well, three heads are better than one." Sebastian jested.
"It's two heads are better than one" Ominis replied, rolling his eyes.
"And by that logic, three is better than two. Simple mathematics, Ominis." Sebastian shot back. Ominis let out an exasperated sigh, his frustration discernible.
"I think we need to light the braziers. Perhaps Incendio would do the trick." She said. She and Sebastian aimed their wands and lit the three stone columns.
"Something is happening." Sebastian remarked as the floor trembled beneath them. A crack echoed as the wall behind Ominis began to shift. "I hope we're ready for this." Ominis said with trepidation.
They walked into a dark room, the only light from outside, and stairs that led into a pitch-black abyss. With a steady hand, Celia lifted her wand, whispering, "Lumos." The tip blazed to life, casting a glow around them. As they entered, the door sealed itself shut behind them.
"Dark, ominous corridors. My favorite." Sebastian joked, glancing at Ominis.
"No comment." Ominis muttered.
As they approached an imposing door, rubble littered the ground around them. "Looks like a locked door. We may want to look around." Sebastian suggested. Celia nodded, lighting her way as she moved thoughtfully. "Hold on, what's this?" she exclaimed, uncovering a folded note tucked away in a recessed wall niche. She read it aloud. "A journal entry... signed by Noctua Gaunt."
"Gaunt? Ominis—your family was here," Sebastian said, eyes wide with disbelief.
"I know. She was my aunt." Ominis responded.
"You knew, and you didn't tell me?" Sebastian barked.
Celia stepped in quickly, sensing the tension, sparing Ominis the need to justify himself, "Ominis– the journal mentions many challenges ahead."
"That's why I said this could be dangerous." he said, his voice heavy with regret, "Aunt Noctua kept my father informed until she vanished."
Celia reached out and placed her hand on his arm, hoping to offer some comfort, but he instinctively stiffened at her touch. She could see the turmoil in his face, a storm of emotions battling beneath the surface, and her heart ached for him.
"We will be fine, Ominis. Trust me." she said, attempting to keep her voice collected though she was quite terrified. Celia couldn't shake the oppressive feeling that the scriptorium was alive and only watching her.
"There's a stone etched with the image of a person facing a snake." Sebastian uttered.
"That must be the voice I hear," Ominis whispered loud enough for Celia to hear. "The voice is ancient – sinister," he added.
Celia raised an eyebrow, "You hear a voice?"
"It started when we entered the scriptorium. I hear a whisper saying, speak to me." he replied, a whiff of unease flashing in his otherwise stoic gaze. "I'm a Parselmouth— I can hear and speak to snakes. Nearly all Parselmouths are descended from Salazar Slytherin." he finished.
"I think that's incredible! I would love to talk to snakes." Celia responded.
"You might not want the ability to speak Parseltongue. It's often associated with dark wizards." Ominis cautioned, his tone serious. "I haven't spoken it in ages, but I'd wager if I speak it now, the door will open." He attempted to move away from her grip. "I'm hoping you are having second thoughts."
"Believe me. I am having thoughts— but I'm still convinced we should go ahead." she said.
"It's ironic. When I left home, I vowed to leave the dark arts behind. Yet, here I am." his voice trailed off, Celia wanted to tell him they could still turn back, but deep down, she knew he might be their only way out of this forsaken place. "Stand back." Omins said, pushing her hand back to her chest and stepping away from her.
A series of unsettling hisses and deep, guttural sounds emerged from Ominis' mouth, sending a shiver down Celia's spine. The sound felt almost tangible, prickling her skin as if it reached into her very being. The air around them thickened, heavy with an unnerving tension.
Just as the last echo of his voice faded into an oppressive silence, the door began to transform before their eyes. Its stone surface twisted and shifted, the grain contorting as though responding to an invisible force. With a slow, deliberate creak, the door seemed to come alive, unwinding itself.
"It worked! Ominis, you possess a rare ability indeed." Celia said, her voice tinged with excitement.
Sebastian shot a glance between them, his brow furrowing slightly. "Between the two of you, I'm starting to feel left out." he said loudly.
"Between the two of us?" Ominis echoed, raising an eyebrow at Sebastian's choice of words.
"Uh, never mind," Sebastian quickly backtracked, his expression shifting "There's no clear way forward."
"Like a maze. Salazar Slytherin most likely wanted it to be difficult to solve." Ominis added, his fingers tracing the intricate designs on the walls. Celia noticed a dial near one of the many doors in the room and stepped forward, matching the symbols diligently. As she did, the door creaked open.
"Matching the symbols opens the door." Celia informed them.
"Was about to do that myself, but you got to it first. Nice work." Sebastian quipped.
Celia's attention turned to a weathered note she found underneath a loose stone. "This journal entry— it mentions being lost and unwelcomed." she said, hesitating at the weight of her words.
"Poor Aunt Noctua," Ominis murmured, his expression darkening. As Celia worked through another puzzle to unlock yet another door, Ominis added, "Seems Slytherin really enjoyed his little games."
"Must run in the family." Sebastian smirked.
"Look in the mirror, Sebastian." Ominis replied tersely, clearly annoyed.
Celia flipped through the journal. "Noctua references painful and arduous challenges but also rewards." she read aloud, her voice steady despite the unease settling over her. She was beginning to think Ominis, there was something sinister about this place.
"Painful— that's the part I'm wary of." Ominis said, exhaling heavily.
"All I heard was rewards." Sebastian chimed in.
They stepped into the next room, and the atmosphere shifted dramatically. A skeleton lay slumped in a corner, the door inscribed with screaming faces. The sinister word "Curcio" was painted ominously across the floor.
"Ominis. A skeleton. And Noctua's last journal entry. She mentions being trapped here—blocked by an Unforgivable curse." Celia said, her voice faltering as the gravity of the situation sank in.
"This is where she died. This is where we'll die," Ominis said, frustration lacing his words. "I shouldn't have listened to either of you!" His voice echoed in the chamber, thick with anger.
"Ominis, I'm truly sorry about your aunt," Sebastian responded. "But I think I know what we need to do."
Sebastian approached the door, examining it carefully. "It's going to be difficult…" he warned, his voice low.
"You said you know what to do?" Celia pressed.
"Tortured faces on the door and 'Crucio' etched into the stone," Sebastian whispered, his resolve hardening. "I'm guessing if we cast the Cruciatus Curse, the door will open. Noctua couldn't do it. She had no one to help her. Ominis is the only one familiar with this spell, but he will likely refuse to cast it." He glanced at their friend with intensity. "You seem to have Ominis' favor; could you ask him about this?"
Celia felt a surge of indignation and caution. It wasn't right to pressure Ominis into something so against his beliefs. "You know him better than I do," she replied quickly, shaking her head.
Sebastian sighed. "Very well. Wish me luck," he said, turning towards Ominis, who was pacing anxiously by the entrance.
"Ominis, I know this is the last thing you want to do—"
"Yes! It is! I thought you knew me better!" Ominis exploded, the anger spilling out, thick and scalding. Celia held her breath, fearing what would come next.
"But this is different. Whoever you cast it upon will have agreed to it first. It wouldn't be an innocent victim. We have to open the door." Sebastian tried to justify.
"The spell won't work unless you truly mean it!" Ominis shouted, pacing faster, his frustration palpable. "That's the nature of all Unforgiveables," he added.
"What other choice do we have?" he insisted.
"You had plenty of choices, and you chose the wrong one—" he shot back.
"We could die here!" Sebastian yelled, he took a breath to calm his frustration and signed.
"Give me some time to think of another way out." Ominis finally replied through gritted teeth.
Sebastian grabbed Celia by the arm, pulling her into a shadowed corner where Ominis couldn't hear them.
"What do we do now?" Celia's voice trembled slightly.
"Ridiculous. As if dying here is a better option than casting a damn spell." Sebastian scoffed. Celia felt like the only one being ridiculous was Sebastian, although she knew he was right. The instructions were clearly marked on the door.
"It's up to us. I can teach you Crucio, or…" he hesitated, trying to find the words he wanted to say. "I can cast it on you." he continued, his tone dark.
Celia felt her chest go cold. The thought of forcing Ominis into something he didn't want was unbearable, yet she sensed the weight of the decision pressing down on her. Taking a deep breath, she found her voice.
"Wait— you didn't say you knew how to cast it." she said.
"Because I'm not sure I do," Sebastian replied, trying to defend himself. "Ominis knows that, yet he's left us no choice." He strained.
"I don't want to learn the curse," Celia admitted, her voice barely a whisper. She bit the inside of her cheek, fighting back the flood of fear that threatened to overwhelm her. "But if it's our only chance... I can endure the pain. Just do it. I need you to cast it on me."
He let out a heavy sigh, her words sinking in. "I shan't forget this," he replied slowly, his gaze locked on hers, searching for any sign of hesitation.
Celia closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to calm herself. She placed her hand on her forehead, then slowly traced it down to her stomach and across her shoulders, sensing the tension in her body. "In nomine patris, et filii, et spiritus sancti," she whispered. She kissed her thumb and prayed for her safety. "Amen."
"I'm ready." She took a deep breath and opened her eyes, meeting Sebastian's gaze. Her heart raced, the moment heavy between them. She searched his eyes, yearning for a sense of comfort and reassurance. As their gazes locked, his expression soft. He mouthed, "I'm sorry."
He raised his wand and aimed it at her. Red light erupted from his wand as he shouted, "Crucio!"
Celia was engulfed by a pain that defied comprehension. Her body twisted in agony, her skin felt as if it were being scorched, and she sensed her bones splintering within her. She collapsed to the floor, her bloodcurdling screams echoing off the stone walls. It felt as though her skull was fracturing, a hot pressure oozing from her ears. Tears streamed down her face as she cried out, the torment so overwhelming that she pleaded for it to stop.
The door glowed brightly for a moment before crumbling away before their eyes.
"What have you done!?" Ominis shouted, rushing to her side. He placed his hands on her shoulders. "Are you alright?"
"That pain—" she gasped, her voice strained and low as she fought to keep herself composed, "it was excruciating." Each word felt like a battle, but she was determined not to succumb to it. "But I'll survive. We need to keep moving." She took a shaky breath, struggling to mask the sharp pangs coursing through her.
"We made it! We actually found Salazar Slytherin's scriptorium!" Sebastian's tone was lively, her condition momentarily slipped from his mind.
Yet the relentless ache throbbed within her. Clutching onto Ominis for support, she leaned into him, using his solid form as a crutch to lift herself off the ground. The contact grounded her.
"Celia. Ominis. There's a book, just here!" Sebastian called them over, he was already feverishly thumbing through the pages. "Looks like a spellbook of some kind. This is incredible. A Hogwarts founder's possession– what an honor…" his voice began to face. Sebastian was weaning in out of vision as Celia struggled to focus. She pushed herself away from Ominis.
"Sebastian… leave that."
"Are you insane… went through…"
"…you won't use it…"
As she stepped forward, the room got dark, and she lost her footing.
"Celia!" A loud thump followed by struggling footsteps moved towards her. Her thoughts began to fray, and her consciousness started to slip away, fading into deepening darkness.
Celia felt a gentle warmth brush against her face; a sharp scent of antiseptic stung her nostrils. A dull pain ached from the back of her head. As she tried to open her eyes, a flood of light poured in from a nearby arched window, momentarily blinding her. Surrounding her were elegant tiffany blue drapes, and she found herself nestled on an exceptionally soft mattress. A plum-embroidered blanket rested lightly over her.
She searched for her hand, a figure focused into view. She gasped, then felt her cheeks flush and her heart beat fervently.
"Sebastian?" She breathed. His brown hair was in his usual shaggy mess, and the freckles on his face scrunched as he struggled to wake up. The robe he often wore was draped over a chair nearby, his tie missing, and his fingers were tightly clasped around her right hand.
As he caught her gaze, he jumped up from the bed, quickly letting go of her hand. "Celia! You're awake!" he scratched the back of his neck.
"Where am I?" she asked, reaching for her necklace and clicking it together.
"The hospital wing," he replied. "Nurse Bailey said you passed out from exhaustion. I didn't mention the scriptorium; I thought it would be unwise to do so."
"Unwise?" she chuckled, "Didn't realize you had any wits to begin with?" she jest. A smile crept onto his face, "I guess sleeping for two days brought the jester out of you, huh?" he chaffed.
"Two days!?" Celia exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief. She had been asleep for two days, she could not believe it. Panic surged; she needed to move and return to Professor Rockwood in the Map Chamber. Not to mention, she was supposed to meet up with Poppy—she hoped her friend hadn't gone ahead without her and found herself in a difficult predicament. Plus, there was Lodgok waiting for her near the goblin mines. Two days wasted was too much; she couldn't afford to lose any more time. She started to throw off the covers, but then she felt a hand gently push her back down into bed.
"What are you doing?" Sebastian asked, "You need to rest–"
Celia cut him off, "I don't have time–" she said, biting her lip, cautious not to say anymore, "I have important matters to attend to."
"What matters? What can possibly be more important than getting rest–" Before he could finish, Nurse Bailey walked in, rolling a tray of food.
"Oh good, you are awake, Miss Saravia." She smiled warmly, pushing the cart to the bed. "Mister Sallows, I don't appreciate you accosting my patient, I will have to ask you to leave so she can get some proper rest." She walked over, wrapping the blanket around Celia. "And you need to get some rest. I can discharge you early tomorrow morning. But we need to make sure you don't have any residual effects from the concussion you suffered."
Celia reached for the back of her head. "Concussion?" she asked. Had the Crucio spell caused that much damage, she wondered.
"According to Mister Sallows, you hit your head rather hard after passing out." she said, shaking her head in disapproval, "Honestly, what are you doing to push yourself to such exhaustion?" Celia felt as though she were back in the orphanage, recalling memories of the nuns scolding them whenever they caused trouble. Made her felt like a child, it wasn't a very pleasant feeling.
"Never mind that," the matron gestured, "get some rest. After I deliver this food to Mister Otto, I shall head back to the kitchen and fetch you a nice warm bowl of soup." Her earlier haughtiness was replaced with a kindly face. She rolled away towards what looked like a sheep. She could hear her say to it, "Alightly, Georgie, time for lunch."
Celia glanced incredulously at Sebastian to see if he knew what on earth a sheep was doing in the hospital wing. He simply shrugged, and they both erupted into laughter.
"I'm leaving you to rest, I'll let Ominis know you woke up," he said, grinning. "But if I catch you sneaking out of the school, I'll make sure you sleep for another two days."
She let out an exaggerated gasp, "Sebastian, are you threatening me?" trying her best to suppress her laughter.
"Threaten is harsh; I think intimidate or even bully might be a better-suited word." he teased.
"Oh, you didn't complain the last time we snuck off to Feltcroft." She giggled.
"I'll see you later." He ruffled her hair playfully before moving toward the door.
"Wait, Sebastian." She called out. "Would you be able to ask Amit to come by?" She asked him. His face flashed with a bit of irritation before returning to his normal temperament.
"What do you need him for?" he asked, his voice a little more brash.
"I just need to ask him for a favor," she said quickly, biting her lip again. "Please?" she pleaded, hoping he wouldn't ask any further questions.
"Alright, I'll mention it when I see him." he said. Celia smiled, "Thank you." He walked out of the room, waving goodbye to her.
She needed to talk to Amit about Lodgok. The last time they spoke, he had casually mentioned his ability to speak Gobbledegook. It struck her just how valuable that skill could be for their mission to explore the goblin mine.
As her head sank into the soft pillow, she settled that tomorrow would be the day she resumed her quests. One more day of rest should suffice.