Someone To You | Sebastian Sallow

Trials and Tribulations

"Through trials, a true heiress sheds her old skin, emerging stronger, wiser, and ready to wield the power that was always hers. Like a snake, she navigates the challenges, embracing transformation, until triumph crowns her journey."

TW: Mention of blood and torture

"Sebastian..." I gasped, my voice barely above a whisper as exhaustion weighed heavy on me. Without hesitation, Sebastian wrapped his arm around my waist, steadying me.

"Mia! Are you alright?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

The pulsing of magic in my veins, coupled with the overwhelming anxiety and stress, left me feeling utterly drained.

"Yes, I-I just need to rest," I managed to mumble, my eyelids growing heavy with fatigue. It felt as though every ounce of energy was being sapped from my body by some unseen force.

With Sebastian, Ominis, and Imelda by my side, I stumbled towards my room, barely aware of my surroundings. The world seemed to blur around me as I fought to keep my eyes open.

"I need to sleep," I murmured, my voice barely audible.

"We're almost there, Mia. Don't worry, you'll be fine," Imelda reassured me, her words offering a sliver of comfort amidst the exhaustion.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity but was likely only a few minutes, I collapsed onto the cool sheets of my bed. Sleep washed over me like a tidal wave, pulling me into its embrace within seconds.

As I drifted off to sleep in my Slytherin dormitory, the world around me subtly shifted. I had no idea how long I was asleep for. I awoke to a dim, unsettling green mist that seemed to seep from the very walls of my room. Feeling the cool, dense fog curl around my fingers, I rose from my bed, feeling a pull towards the Slytherin common room, yet nothing was as it should have been. Where grand windows once revealed the depths of the great lake, a dark, ominous stairway now stood, beckoning me downward into the unknown.

Sebastian POV

As I sat at a table near the crackling fireplace, engrossed in a game of wizard's chess, my eyes kept drifting to the clock perched atop the mantel. Its hands were inching closer to midnight with each passing second, and a knot of worry twisted in my stomach. Imelda remained in the bedroom with Mia, and the decision to skip the feast weighed heavily on all of us. It was more than likely just Black berating us, but my concern for Mia overshadowed any thoughts of food or festivities. Curfew had now passed, and everyone was in their respective dormitories for the night.

"Ominis, it's five to midnight," I said, breaking the heavy silence that hung in the air.

"Is it?" he replied, his tone absent-minded.

"Yeah, I'm starting to get worried. What if she doesn't wake up in time? We don't even know what we're supposed to be looking for or how she'll get there," I fretted, feeling a surge of anxiety rising within me. It felt like a lump had formed in my throat, and the rapid thudding of my heart reverberated in my ears.

Before Ominis could respond, Imelda descended the stairs. I shot up from my seat, desperation evident in my voice as I inquired about Mia's condition.

"How is she?" I blurted out, my words tumbling over each other in my haste.

"She's still resting," Imelda replied calmly as she settled into a seat beside us. "But I'm puzzled. Mia told me about her trials for ancient magic back in fifth year. She had to visit specific locations; each one tailored to the keeper's unique challenges. But this time... it feels different."