Families are like branches on a tree. We grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one.
Chapter 2
POV Ominis
- « Ominis ? Is that really you ? » said the student.
I knew that voice, I would recognize it from a far, but that can’t be. Could it be him ?
- « Sebastian ? Is that really you ? » I asked in disbelief.
- « Yes, it’s me … I didn’t think that my Brother, would be … well, you. » Sebastian was puzzled.
- « Well, it was part of our plan to come to this school, if you recall, to become aurors. So here I am. » I said with a slight accusing tone.
- « Of course I remember, but I thought, well, that you might have abandoned this dream, because … Because of me » replied Sebastian sounding guilty.
- « Well I didn’t ». I replied harshly. I was kind of still uneasy around him, not because of what he did, who am I to judge, I was raised in the ways of the dark arts, but because he never replied to my letters after a while.
- « I see you two are already acquainted. Good. Well I’ll leave you to it then. » and Professor Radagor walked away.
There was an awkward silence between us both, maybe for a bit too long. Then I broke that silence.
- « Well, as my brother, you are supposed to show me around the school ,so let’s get started shall we ? » I suggested.
- « Ominis, I ... » Started Sebastian sounding troubled.
- « Let’s go » I said, interrupting him. I was fearing what he might say, to find out the truth as to why he stopped writing to me.
So Sebastian showed me around the school, as well as could be expected, describing me where every room was, what it looked like and it’s purose. His descriptions were very accurate, he was accustomed to do so. It enabled me to picture the school pretty well. He then suggested we went to the gathering hall as the headmistress was about to give a welcome speech. So I followed Sebastian ithere. He knew I didn’t need any help. In a way, it was nice to be reminded that some people knew me, and knew I didn’t really need much assistance. Because I knew he was the only one that was aware of my capabilities. Unlike my new fellow mates.
We gathered with all the other first year students, I was following Sebastian when I smelt that delightful smell, a smell of Ginger. But it only lasted for a brief while. Then the smell was gone. I wondered who could smell that good. It was intoxicating. I wanted to follow that sent, find out who this person was. But Sebastian cut me off short.
- « Are you coming ? The headmistress is about to give her speech ».
I followed him to the hall, which seemed to be quite near to where the professors had gathered. Sebastian gave me a clear description of the headmistress, she was quite old, had long white hair, always looked passive, never showing any emotions. He said she was strict enough, but fair.
- « She is also Professor Radagor’s mother » he explained.
The headmistress started her speech .
- « Welcome, welcome to our first year students. We are delighted to have you among us. You have been selected to study in the best school to become aurors. Know that this is a chance of a lifetime. Only few pupils are chosen. But being chosen won’t be enough.
You’ll need to demonstrate the ability to react well to pressure and so forth. You must show perseverance and dedication. not to mention very high skills in practical defence.
It will mean a lot more study, even after you’ve left school . You must commit 100 % to your studies. 3 years is what it takes to prepare you. By the end of those 3 years, you shall pass the aurorial appraisal exam. Only the best will become aurors. » explained the headmistress.
I had heard that only 2 or 3 students were successful at becoming Aurors every 5 years.
The competition was formidable.
« Your timetables will be given by your prefects in your dorms. Good luck to you all. »
- « Come on, I’ll show you to our dorms. » said Sebastian. His voice sounded very low, sad as such, like life had drained everything out of him. I felt a slight moment of guilt, but then I remembered that it was HE who didn’t reply to my letters. So I followed him. When we arrived in our dorms, there was a living room, quite big, Sebastian told me that on the left were the boy’s rooms, and to the right the girl’s rooms. We each had our individual rooms. So he took me to my room. It was on the first floor second door to the left.
- « Ominis, I… I hope we can talk, soon. » said Sebastian hesitantly.
I paused for a moment, feeling irritable.
- « Look, I get that you needed some space, but I’m your best friend, everything I did was to help you, I tried so hard not to let you go down the dark path, you know I know what it’s like, dark magic is very alluring, but dark magic always comes with a price, and now, you know that too. » I replied bitterly.
- « That I do. And I have been spending the last 3 years remorseful, trying to atone for my sins. I will never ever use dark magic again, you have my word.» Answered Sebastian.
- « You said that last time, and the time before that, I want to believe that you will finally stay away from dark magic for good, that you have finally learnt your lesson. But how can I be sure ? Can I even trust you again ?» I scolded.
He said nothing at first.
- « I think I have learnt my lesson the hard way, I killed my uncle, although we didn’t get on, he didn’t deserve to die. I sincerely regret my actions Ominis. But there is no way for me to change what I have done. I have tried to live with it for the past few years. Do I hate my self ? Absolutely. I can’t even look at myself in a mirror. And because of my poor actions, now Ann hates me too. I will never see my sister again. I have lost her for good. And I thought I had lost you for good too. » he snapped.
His voice was trembling. He was / is my best friend, and I have missed him. Should I forgive him ? I don’t think anger is the solution. That would be the « Gaunt » way after all, and I will not follow into their footsteps, ever, I will never be like my family.
- « I wish you hadn’t stopped writing to me, that’s all. We were friends. We have been for a very long time. You have always been there for me, I tried to be there for you, but you wouldn’t let me. » I told more calmly.
- « I know. I’m sorry. I’m so… so sorry, Ominis. I thought you might hate me, for what I had done. I know how much you despise dark magic, and I felt I let you down. I couldn’t possibly even consider the idea that you would hate me. So I stopped answering your letters, because I thought it might be easier this way.» he admitted remorsefully.
- « You are right. I hate dark magic , I understand you were desperate to save Ann, I was too, but not to the cost of your soul. You have crossed the boundry between light and dark magic ! » I tried to calm myself before I continued.
« I too care about Ann. You know it. »
I paused. I could feel his shame.
« I will admit that I have missed you my friend. I just don’t know if I can trust you again. » I said honestly.
- « I understand. Then I will work hard to deserve your trust again. » he pleaded.
No one spoke for a moment.
« I… I was wondering if you could tell me any news of my sister ? Don’t be annoyed . I don’t even know if she’s alive or dead. » he said. He seemed so frightened, desperate.
- « Anne is … She is alive, for now. » I confided.
- « Thank god, it still leaves me more time to ... » he started.
- « No ! » I shouted, angry. « You don’t understand, she has little life left in her, she is going to die Sebastian ! And we have tried literally everything to save her, but … » and I could feel the corner of my eye dampen. « Anne was also my best friend ». Life just seemed unfair, she was the kindest person on this earth, why her ? « It’s time to let her go, to let her die in peace, this is what she wants Sebastian. She wants her suffering to come to an end. She wants to see your parents and uncle again. She is ready to move on»
- « I can’t just let her die, I can’t accept that. She’s my sister, my twin » he said in a desperate attempt to talk because his voice was broken. « We are 2 halves of one soul, her pain is my pain, her joy is my joy. » His voice sounded distant.
- « I know, but time has run out, and it’s time to let her go » I said full of sadness.
Sebastian dropped to the ground, his face into his hands, sobbing. He knew deep down the time had come. At that moment, I truly wished he could see his sister one last time. As I watched him, I bent down, where Sebastian was, and I hugged him. I let him pour all of his tears as he struggles to breathe and he raised his arms around me, hugging me back. He needed his best friend right now. And I needed him too, because Ann was going to abandon us to this cruel world, and we will only have each other soon, we will be the only ones to remember her soon.