The Forgotten Keeper
Friday had finally arrived, and with it came a sense of both eager anticipation and unease that settled deep in Astoria's chest.
The week had flown by, filled with classes, Crossed Wands duels, and stolen moments of studying in the library, but no amount of distraction could keep her from thinking about the map of Isidora Morganach.
She and Sebastian had spent an evening earlier in the week studying its intricate markings, finally pinpointing the entrance to the forgotten tunnels of Hogwarts. Surprisingly, the entrance was hidden within the Mirror Passageway, a little-known corridor lined with enchanted mirrors on the fourth floor. The passage seemed to lead nowhere, its reflections merely bouncing back at unsuspecting students—but the map told a different story.
Astoria had a promise to keep. She had sworn to Professor Fig that she would not bear this burden alone, and in time, she would open up to her friends. But she needed to know more first—needed to understand what Isidora had truly left behind.
As dusk fell, she made her way to the entrance, her heart pounding in anticipation. Sebastian was already there, leaning against the stone archway, arms crossed, his wand twirling between his fingers.
"You're late," he teased, though his smirk softened when he took in her expression. "Ready for a bit of spelunking?"
Before Astoria could answer, a voice—faint but piercing—echoed through her mind. A sharp pain lanced through her skull, forcing her to her knees as she clutched her head.
"Astoria!" Sebastian was beside her in an instant, gripping her arms, his usual bravado gone. "What's wrong?"
She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the pain away. The voice was indistinct, warped, but insistent. She could feel her Ancient Magic stirring, responding to something deep within the tunnels.
Astoria took a shuddering breath, blinking rapidly as the sharp pain gradually dulled to a throbbing ache at the base of her skull. Her hands trembled slightly as she clutched Sebastian's sleeve for balance, her vision still swimming.
Sebastian's grip on her arms tightened. "Astoria, talk to me. What happened?"
She swallowed hard, her voice quieter than usual. "It was... a voice. It wasn't clear, but it was calling to me, almost pulling me toward the tunnels. And then it felt like my skull was splitting in two."
Sebastian frowned, concern swimming in his eyes. "That doesn't sound good. Are you sure you want to do this tonight?"
Astoria exhaled slowly, shaking off the lingering dizziness. "I have to, Sebastian. I need to know what's down there."
His jaw clenched, searching her eyes, still trying to make sure she was certain about this. But as usual they held nothing but unwavering determination and he finally nods, releasing her only when he was sure she was steady. Then, flicking his wand, he cast Revelio on the nearest mirror. The glass shimmered before fading into mist. It was only for a moment but Astoria caught the tell-tale sigil of Ancient Magic through one of the mirrors and beyond it, a stone passage leading downward.
"There!" Astoria jumps up, as if the jolt of pain didn't just almost knock her out a few moments ago. "Through here, I can see a way forward!"
"Bloody hell," Sebastian murmured, his excitement barely restrained. "Let's see where this takes us."
The tunnels were old—far older than Astoria had expected. The walls pulsed with residual magic, dust swirling in the air as their footsteps echoed. The deeper they went, the more Astoria's vision blurred at the edges, flashes of something unfamiliar flickering before her eyes.
The first trap caught them off guard. As soon as Astoria stepped forward, the floor beneath her feet vanished, and she let out a sharp gasp as she plummeted.
Sebastian reacted instantly, diving after her. "Arresto Momentum!" he cast, slowing her fall just enough for him to grab her from behind before they both landed—hard—on a lower ledge.
Sebastian barely had time to think before instinct took over. He wrapped his arms around her waist as they fell, his back colliding with the rough stone below with a painful thud. Astoria landed atop him, completely unscathed, while a sharp groan escaped his lips from the impact.
For a moment, neither of them moved. Astoria blinked, realizing where she had landed. "Sebastian! Are you alright?"
He exhaled a low chuckle despite the pain, wincing. "You know, it's starting to become a habit that I'm always taking the fall for you, Blackwood. First the Restricted Section, now this. I should start charging you for damages—or at least keeping a tally."
Astoria frowned, quickly reaching into her satchel. "You just broke my fall and you're the one making jokes? Here, drink this."
She pulled out a Wiggenweld Potion, uncorking it and pressing it into his hand. Sebastian eyed her for a moment, then smirked faintly. "Didn't know you cared so much."
"Shut up and drink it," she huffed, watching as he took a sip. When he finally sat up, rolling his shoulders, she let out a relieved sigh. "Lucky, you're annoyingly durable."
Sebastian grinned, brushing dust from his robes. "You love it."
The second trap came in the form of a sentient suit of armour, similar to those that guarded Percival's first trial. Awakened by their presence, it lunged at Astoria, its blade slicing through the air.
But this time, she was ready.
With a flick of her wand, she summoned her Ancient Magic. The armour barely had time to complete its attack before she lifted her hand, and with a powerful blast, she sent it shattering against the chamber wall, pieces clattering to the floor in a heap of useless metal.
Sebastian, who had instinctively drawn his wand, let out a low whistle. "That was...impressive."
Astoria smirked, brushing dust from her sleeve. "I've had good practice."
Before he could respond, a sharp glint caught Sebastian's eye. Without thinking, he lunged forward. "Depulso!"
A rusted blade, previously lodged in the wall, hurtled toward Astoria, but Sebastian's quick spell sent it flying into the shadows. He turned to her with an exasperated look. "You were saying? I'd say 'you're welcome,' but at this point, saving you is almost a full-time occupation.'
Astoria huffed, but there was an undeniable warmth in her gaze. "Fine, I admit it. You're useful."
They finally reached a dead end, an ancient chamber carved into the stone. At its centre lay a pedestal, and atop it, an old, worn diary.
Astoria approached it cautiously. The moment her fingers brushed the cover, a surge of energy crackled through her. The vision came suddenly—
She was no longer herself, but an apparition, moving through the tunnels at an impossible speed. The walls blurred past her until she reached a hidden chamber. Inside, a desk covered in old scrolls and books, and at it, sat a person - Isidora Morganach. In front of her, the diary lay open.
She could see the ink scrawled hastily across the pages.
The others do not see it. But Professor Dainforth does. He understands.
The power is not simply to remove pain—it is so much more. It is a conduit. A force that can be wielded.
They do not trust me. But Professor Dainforth... Caen, he knows.
Astoria gasped as the vision faded, her knees weak. Sebastian steadied her again, his grip firm. "Astoria, what did you see?"
She swallowed, staring at the diary in her hands. "This...belonged to Isidora. It's her diary." She quickly flips through the pages and points at the hand-writing she saw in her vision. "Here. She says there was...another professor. Another person who knew about Ancient Magic...Professor Dainforth."
Sebastian blinked. "What?"
She flipped through the pages, her heart racing. "Caen. Isidora mentions another professor. But in the Pensieve memories, there were only ever four."
Sebastian frowned. "That's not possible. Pensieves show exact memories."
Astoria's stomach churned. "Unless... unless something—or someone—erased him."
"Is that even possible?"
"I guess we'll find out."
A sudden shifting of stone broke the silence—a deep, groaning sound as though the very walls were stirring. A trickle of dust fell from the ceiling, and Astoria instinctively tensed, glancing at Sebastian.
Sebastian's wand was in his hand instantly. "That doesn't sound good. Let's get out of here."
Astoria scanned the chamber. The room felt wrong, as if the magic embedded within it was unsettled.
"This cannot be a dead end." she murmured, running her fingers along the walls. "There has to be a way forward. I saw it."
Sebastian exhaled sharply. "Maybe, but I think we've had enough surprises for one night. Let's not push our luck."
Astoria nodded, tucking the diary safely into her satchel as they made their way back through the maze of tunnels. She glanced at Sebastian, a teasing glint in her eye. "You know, I never thought you'd be the responsible one."
Sebastian huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "Don't get used to it. I have a reputation to maintain. But with your unnatural magnetism for danger, someone has to be."
Astoria smirked. "And here I thought that role was permanently reserved for Ominis."
Sebastian shot her a sideways glance, grinning.
Sneaking back into the Slytherin common room was easier said than done.
Under the Disillusionment Charm, Astoria and Sebastian slipped through the corridors, their breaths unsteady after their trek through the tunnels. The weight of the diary was heavy in her satchel, but heavier still was the knowledge they had uncovered.
They had just managed to sneak past the final staircase when—
"I'd ask where you two have been, but I'm fairly certain I already know."
Astoria let out a tiny scream, spinning around to find Ominis lounging in an armchair near the fireplace, looking entirely too amused.
Sebastian exhaled through his nose. "Merlin's beard, Ominis. Could you not?"
Ominis smirked. "You're lucky I don't have the patience to wake the whole house." He tilted his head toward them. "You're filthy. Your robes are torn. If I didn't know you two, I'd assume you'd been off snogging on some midnight tryst."
Astoria choked, her face turning crimson. Sebastian let out an incredulous laugh. "Really? That's where your mind goes?"
Ominis shrugged. "I simply call it as I see it."
Astoria buried her face in her hands. "I'm going to bed. Goodnight."
She turned swiftly, making a hasty retreat toward the girls' dormitory. Sebastian watched her go, rubbing the back of his neck, the tips of his ears still red.
Ominis leaned back, satisfied. "Interesting," he mused. "Neither of you seemed particularly opposed to the idea."
Sebastian scowled. "Go to bed, Gaunt."
Ominis chuckled. "Sweet dreams, Sallow."