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CHAPTER NINETY SIX - 🍂 ୧ minds . . .
merged & past unfolded ও🦌

AUTUMN LOOKED AROUND, disoriented. She knew this place, but she wasn't sure where exactly she was. The room was familiar, yet different somehow.

She looked down at her hands, relieved to find that the magic-nullifying cuffs were gone. Glancing down at herself, she realized she was dressed in a simple white dress, barefoot on the cold marble floor.

Autumn walked around the room, taking in the eerie feel of the surroundings. She knew she was in a dream or vision, but the sense of unease was undeniable.

As she continued to explore the room, her footsteps echoed eerily off the walls. She was about to head towards the door when a sudden sense of dread washed over her. An overwhelming feeling that she was not alone in this place.

Her heart began to beat faster, her senses on high alert. She slowly turned around, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of movement or presence. But the room remained still and silent, its lifelessness only adding to the tension.

Despite the silence, Autumn couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. She took a few more steps, her mind racing with the possibilities of who or what could be lurking in the shadows.

Suddenly, a faint whisper echoed through the room, chilling her to the bone. She stopped in her tracks, her heart racing. It sounded like a voice, but the words were unintelligible, blending into a low murmur.

Autumn looked around, trying to locate the source of the voice. But all she could see was the faint glow of the moonlight streaming through a window. The whisper seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

She tried to call out, to speak or make any sound, but her voice caught in her throat. The room seemed to grow colder and darker like a sinister presence was closing in around her.

Autumn's heart raced as the floor beneath her feet unexpectedly vanished, and she found herself plummeting. She tried to reach out, to grab onto something, anything, but there was nothing to hold onto in the vast darkness.

The air rushed past her, and she struggled to keep her wits. Panic gripped her as the floor seemed to recede further and further away, like a never-ending pit. The silence only added to the terror.

Just as suddenly as she had fallen, she landed with an impact, causing her to gasp as the air left her lungs. She looked around, disoriented, trying to understand where she had ended up.

Her eyes slowly adjusted to the dim light, and she realized she was standing in a long hall. The walls were lined with tall windows, each one showcasing a different scenario. Some showed scenes of beauty and tranquillity, others depicted chaos and destruction.

Autumn's heart skipped a beat as she spotted the first door on her right. Without conscious thought, she stopped in her tracks, her gaze fixed on the door. Despite her better judgment, she couldn't ignore the strange pull she felt towards it.

Hesitantly, she took a step closer to the door, her hand slowly reaching out. Part of her was screaming at her to stop, to not open it, while another part was filled with a burning curiosity.

Autumn's heart raced as the vision enveloped her, finding herself suddenly standing in Hogwarts with students all around her. She couldn't make out any faces, they were all blurred out of focus. She shook her head, trying to clear her vision and understand what was happening.

Suddenly, she spotted James pushing through the other people, a smile on his face as he made his way towards her. He finally reached her and exclaimed, "Finally found you, Rivers!"

Despite the strangeness of the situation, she just stood there, waiting for whatever was happening next. Her eyes were fixed on James, taking in his grin. There was something off about this situation, but she couldn't put a finger on it.

James chuckled as he approached her, a charming smile on his face. "So, my lovely autumn leaf," he began, "have you finally given in to my charms and agreed to go on a date with me?"

Autumn's heart sank as she heard herself respond, as if on cue. "I already told you, Potter, I will never go on a date with you," she heard herself say, her words filled with cold indifference. "Not now or ever. Can't you get it through your thick skull? I will never like someone like you."

Autumn's heart ached as she heard the cold words that were coming out of her alternative self's mouth. She wanted to scream, to say that wasn't true, but she was powerless in this vision, stuck watching the events unfold. It was like watching a movie but with no control over the plot.

She wanted to reach out, to shake sense into her alternate version, to tell her to open her eyes and see the person James truly was. But all she could do was silently watch as the scene continued to play out.

Raven, sitting across from her, looked up from her book and rolled her eyes, her gaze flickering over to the Gryffindor table where James was sitting next to Lily. "Huh," she mused, "I've been wondering why Potter has been so quiet lately. I guess he finally got the message and moved on," she quipped.

Autumn nodded silently, her eyes falling back down to her book. For some reason, her heart ached at the mention of James moving on. It was strange and confusing.

She couldn't understand why her alternative self had rejected James when it was clear that she liked him. It didn't make sense. Her thoughts were interrupted as she was suddenly transported to another place.

Her eyes widened as she recognized this setting. It was the first time she had witnessed another reality. Her eyes fell on James, sitting next to a visibly pregnant Lily.

Autumn's heart lurched, and she felt a pang of sadness mixed with disbelief. This was a reality where James and Lily were together, expecting a child.

Her heart dropped as her vision changed once again, and she found herself in a small cottage. Panic and terror seized her as she saw the lifeless body of James lying on the floor.

Autumn dropped to her knees, desperately gathering James in her arms. She ignored Severus, who dashed past her, screaming Lily's name over and over again.

As she held James's cold body close, her tears fell, and she let out an anguished cry. Suddenly, her vision cleared, and she was back in the long hall, left alone with the memory of James's lifeless body.

She stood there, her heart racing and her body shaking. The door she had stood before was gone, replaced by a new one further down the hall, beckoning her forward. With a sense of dread and resignation, she moved towards the new door, her mind reeling from the vision she had just witnessed.

Suddenly, deciding she had enough, that once vision is enough. She woke up in a cold sweat, gasping for air. Sitting up in bed, her heart still racing, she shook her head, trying to shake off the horrors from her vision.

She glanced around the room, noticing that the bedroom door was slightly open. She sat up and couldn't repress the sudden urgent need to see James, her husband.

Without a second thought, she got out of bed and rushed out of the bedroom, desperate to be close to him, to feel his comfort and reassurance.

She practically ran down the hall, her heart pounding in her chest. Images from her vision kept flashing through her mind, and she needed James. She needed to see him, to feel him.

Finally, she saw him in the living room, sitting on the couch, reading a book. Upon seeing Autumn rushing towards him, his face immediately filled with worry.

"My Love, what in the world is wrong? What happened?" James asked, immediately setting his book aside as he stood up. His eyes scanned her face, taking in her dishevelled appearance and the panicked look in her eyes.

Autumn practically jumped into his arms, wrapping hers tightly around his neck. Her body trembled as she held him close, tears streaming down her face. She buried her head into his chest, breathing in his comforting scent.

James held onto her just as tightly, his arms encircling her in a protective embrace. He stroked her hair gently, trying to soothe her. "It's alright," he whispered, "I'm here. Just breathe, I'm right here."

She clung to him, her fingers digging into his shirt as if trying to anchor herself to reality. "I had a dream," she managed to say, her voice trembling. "A horrible, horrible dream. I can't-" She broke off, another sob escaping her as the memory of the vision seared through her mind once more.

James just held her tighter, his grip on her unwavering. "Shh, it's alright," he repeated softly, his fingers gently combing through her hair. "It was just a dream, my love. You're here, in our home, safe and sound. I'm here, holding you. You're okay."

Autumn's sobs slowly subsided as she drew comfort from James's presence and his soothing words. She took in deep, shaky breaths, feeling his solid chest rise and fall with his steady breaths.

"It felt so real," she mumbled against his chest, her voice hoarse. "It was so horrible, so terrifying. I thought... I thought I lost you."

James gently pulled her away just enough to look at her face. His thumb wiped away a tear that was slowly rolling down her cheek, staring into her eyes with an intensity that only further comforted her.

"You will never lose me," he promised firmly. "I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere. You're safe. We're safe. It was just a dream."

Autumn felt the urge to correct James, to tell him that it wasn't a dream but a vision of another timeline. However, as she looked at him, his arms still holding her securely, she realized something.

This was her life, the life she had chosen. A life filled with love, family, and happiness.

She smiled faintly, a mixture of relief and gratitude, and mumbled against his chest, "You're right, it was just a dream."

"Just a dream," James echoed, his voice a whisper as he gently kissed the top of her head. "A bad dream, and it's over now."

He pulled her back into his embrace, his chin resting on top of her head. They stayed like that for a while, just the two of them in their living room, the only sound being their soft breathing, the ticking of a nearby clock, and the creaking of the old house.

Autumn's heart rate began to slow down as she lay there, her face pressed against James's chest. His steady heartbeat was a soothing rhythm, a constant reminder that he was there, he was alive, and he was hers.

She closed her eyes, feeling safe and secure in his arms. A part of her still wanted to recount the vision she had, to tell him every horrible detail, but she didn't.

She knew it was pointless to dwell on something that didn't exist in their reality. Instead, she chose to focus on the present, on the feel of James's strong arms around her, the steady rise and fall of his chest, and the familiar scent that was uniquely his.

As Autumn began to calm down, her thoughts drifted to another problem they faced: Elliot, the relentless enemy who continued to plague them. She grimaced, frustrated and fearful at the thought of yet another threat.

She wasn't sure why, but there was something about Elliot that felt more sinister, more dangerous than Voldemort. Maybe it was his unpredictability or the fact that he seemed to have knowledge and abilities that they didn't fully understand. Either way, Autumn felt a sense of impending doom whenever she thought of him.

Pushing the thought of Elliot to the back of her mind for the moment, she let out a weary sigh and burrowed her face further into James's chest. She didn't want to think about danger and enemies right now. She just wanted to savour this feeling of safety and comfort for now.

The world could wait, the battles could wait, the threats could wait. Right now, she just wanted to focus on the feeling of James's arms around her, his steady heartbeat under her ear, and the quiet comfort of their living room.

Gradually, her muscles relaxed, and she felt her body grow heavy with exhaustion. The adrenaline from her vision, and the fear from thinking about their enemy, began to subside, and she found herself growing sleepy.

James's hand absently rubbed her back, and his chin was still resting on top of her head. Despite her efforts to stay awake, her eyelids drooped, and a deep yawn escaped her. She was too tired to fight to sleep any longer.

"Are you still awake?" James's whispered question pierced through the silence. She made a small 'mmhmm' sound in confirmation, her voice muffled against his chest.

His chuckles vibrated against her ear, and he tightened his hold around her slightly. "You look awfully sleepy," he teased gently.

"Mhm," she murmured, her eyes still closed. "But I don't want to sleep."

She knew she was only delaying the inevitable, but part of her was reluctant to let go of this moment, of this feeling of security and warmth. But even as she thought that she could feel her eyelids growing heavier with each passing second.

James chuckled softly, amused by her reluctance to sleep. His smirk widened as he leaned down, pressing his lips against the top of her head.

"You know," he whispered teasingly, "I do know of some very effective methods in making you fall asleep."

Autumn chuckled against his chest, her exhaustion making her even more playful. "Oh, is that so?" The words came out as a mumble, her voice laced with mock challenge. "And what might those methods be, Mr. Potter?"

James's smirk transformed into a sly grin. He gently shifted them, guiding her so that she was lying on her back and he was hovering over her. His fingers lightly traced the line of her jaw, his touch sending a shiver down her spine.

"Well, it involves a lot of touching, " he drawled, his voice low and rumbling. "Gentle, tender touching. In all the right places."

Autumn's breath hitched at his words, her heart beating faster. She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. "Is that so?" she managed to reply, her voice strained.

His fingers continued their path along her jaw, moving down to her neck, and caressing her sensitive skin. She shivered again, her eyelids growing even heavier.

"Mhmm," James hummed in affirmation, his eyes darkening as he watched her reaction. His hand moved lower, trailing over her collarbone, his touch leaving a trail of heat in its wake.

"Gentle touches that make your body respond in ways you never thought possible, " he continued, his voice dropping. "Touches that make you surrender completely, mind, body, and soul."

Autumn's eyes fluttered, her breath coming out in short gasps. His words, combined with the feel of his touch, were driving her wild. A part of her wanted to resist, to prolong this a little longer, but the rest of her was responding to him, her body seeking more of his touch.

"You'll be so relaxed, so at ease," James murmured, his lips brushing against her ear, his warm breath sending tingles down her spine. "All you'll need to do is let yourself go, trust me to take care of you."

His hand slipped under her shirt, his fingers tracing patterns on her bare skin, making her arch into his touch involuntarily.

The next few days passed, and Autumn returned to assisting the Order once more. During this time, a significant revelation was discovered; Severus, along with Elliot and Regulus, had been a part of the Order all along. However, the truth about Elliot's affiliations became clear – he had betrayed them and was no longer aligned with the Order. This revelation caused surprise and questions even among Dumbledore, who hadn't anticipated the betrayal.

As for Regulus, Autumn's input about speaking with him in a dream was acknowledged, but until he was found, his exact loyalties remained uncertain.

The knowledge of who to trust had completely shifted, and the situation grew even more complicated. Autumn felt a mix of hope and anxiety, knowing that Regulus was potentially a valuable ally but not knowing when or how he would join them.

Despite the uncertainty, the Order continued their operations, keeping a close eye on the developments. Autumn's heart was split between her duties and her worries for Regulus' safety, hoping that he would one day be reunited with them.

With the major transformation that the Order took place; although Severus had been a part of the group all along, Autumn had feared how others would react, given their rocky history with him. Surprisingly, Severus' act of rescuing Autumn changed everyone's perspective. His heroic action was enough to win over the Order, and they welcomed him with open arms.

Despite the Order's acceptance of Severus, he still had a personality that made it difficult for most members to interact with him. No conversation ever seemed simple or light-hearted with him; he either insulted them, abruptly ended the conversation, or simply remained brooding and unapproachable.

No one could fault Severus for his demeanour. While others in the Order had been significant parts of Lily's life, none of them shared the same bond she had with Severus. Their once-strong friendship, before it crumbled, held a special place that no one could replace.

Autumn understood his pain and the depth of his grief. She knew that no one could truly comprehend the bond he had shared with Lily. Despite the Order's acceptance of him, there was an underlying understanding that some wounds were simply too deep to heal.

...

One day found Autumn and Severus alone at the Order headquarters. The two of them sat quietly together in a study, each engrossed in reading their respective books. There was a rare moment of peace, and both of them were appreciating the silence that often didn't come easily.

Surprisingly, it was Severus who broke the silence first. Despite their usually quiet demeanour, he spoke up, interrupting the gentle peace that had settled between them.

"You've become quite skilled in the arts," Severus spoke, his voice soft yet cutting through the silence. He didn't look up from his book, his eyes slowly scanning the page as he continued. "It is rare to find someone with such a natural affinity for Legilimency."

"Well, perhaps my...uh, foresight plays a role," Autumn mused, lowering her book as she replied. "Speaking of my foresight, Isn't it somewhat similar to being a Seer, though?"

Severus lowered his book and refuted, "Seers foresee prophecies. I wouldn't say it's quite the same. You have the ability to predict more than they can. For those who don't understand either of your abilities, they might think it's the same, but it's not. Seers predict a limited spectrum of future events based on specific visions or prophecies. Your ability seems more versatile."

"I can get glimpses," she said, her eyes far away. "Flashes of things that could happen, like pieces in a complicated puzzle. But they are just pieces, and trying to piece them together, it's not easy. And most of the time, my visions are more about the present, what's happening now, and not always the future."

He studied her closely, his obsidian eyes taking in every aspect of her as he listened. There was a certain keenness in his gaze, a curiosity that often lurked beneath his usual stoic expression.

"That's the thing, though," she continued, her tone growing more contemplative. "It's never clear. I see things, but there are so many layers to them. It's like navigating a maze where you can see the twists and turns but can't quite tell where the end is. It's confusing, and often, it feels like I'm missing something like there's a crucial piece of the puzzle I'm not seeing."

Severus tapped his finger against the table, his voice low and measured. "Perhaps it's enough. Seeing glimpses of the future is undeniably advantageous, but isn't knowing the entire picture equally limiting? If you could see every moment, every step of the way, you would be bound to follow what you've seen. Take, for instance, the vision you had of your husband and Black in a fight. If you or anyone you'd sent was given specific instructions on how to assist, their minds would be too focused on what they were meant to do. I believe your power shows only the most important part, allowing space for free will to lead the actions."

Autumn considered his words, her mind replaying the visions she'd had. Severus' perspective made sense, even if it was an unintentional comfort. The idea that she only saw what she needed to, that it was enough, was a strange reassurance. For so long, she had felt frustrated at her lack of foresight, her inability to understand fully.

"So I'm not broken," she muttered, a bitter smirk on her lips. "Just slightly defective"

Severus looked her up and down, his dark eyes searching hers. For a moment, she braced for a cutting remark or sharp jab, but his voice remained neutral. "There are worse things to be than 'slightly defective' as you call it. Your abilities make you useful, even if they aren't perfect."

She arched an eyebrow at his lack of scathing rebuttal, a small part of her surprise. Most of the time, the word 'defective' around him was met with scathing remarks or biting sarcasm. To hear him respond so calmly, almost reassuring, was slightly off-putting.

"That's almost a compliment, coming from you," she said, her voice dry.

Severus' lips hinted at a smirk, his head tilting slightly. "Don't get used to it," he replied a hint of condescension in his tone. "And I simply stated a truth. Your abilities make you a valuable asset, even if they aren't as precise as they could be."

Autumn leaned back in her chair, an amused look on her face. "Ah, there's the Severus I know. Can't resist the chance to remain condescending, can you?"

With a snort, Severus rolled his eyes. "Don't flatter yourself; condescension is a speciality of mine, not an occasional choice."

Autumn chuckled dryly, her eyes glittering with mirth. "I never doubt it. Condescension and you are practically inseparable."

Severus abruptly changed the topic, "Now then, how about a session on refining your Legilimency skills?"

Autumn let out a defeated sigh. "Do you really think that's necessary?" she whined.

Severus nodded sternly, "It's crucial. Given your physical limitations in combat, having the ability to use your mind will provide a vital layer of defence. With your ability, it's exceedingly dangerous for anyone to gain insight into your future-sight. So while you go into their own mind, you are preventing them from going into your own."

She begrudgingly agreed, rubbing her temples as she prepared for another gruelling lesson. "Fine, let's get this over with."

Severus gave a curt nod. He stood and placed his chair before her, sitting down and fixing his gaze on her. "Alright. Brace yourself."

Autumn mentally braced herself. She knew these lessons were important, even if they drained her. With a deep breath, she met his gaze, preparing herself for the mental toll.

"Ready," she said determinedly.

As Autumn focused her mind on Severus, a thought crossed her mind. He was willingly allowing her into his mind to practice Legilimency. She wondered exactly how much he was comfortable with her seeing if she ever somehow breached his mental barriers.

Severus observed her lack of intense concentration and guessed her thoughts. He knew what was bothering her.

"You have a question," he said flatly. Autumn hesitated.

"I..." she started, then sighed. "I just wonder why you're so willing to let me delve into your mind. What if, however unlikely, I see something you don't want me to?"

Severus held her gaze, his usual stern exterior softening a bit. He replied truthfully, "I have nothing to hide, at least not this time. If it were different circumstances, with someone who truly didn't know me, then perhaps I would resist more. But we've known each other for years, you're aware of my life before Hogwarts, which means there's nothing I have to hide from you."

He paused, his voice growing quieter. "Although I admit, I'm curious about what you might see in my mind."

Autumn's curiosity was piqued. Severus' willingness to allow her access to his mind, coupled with his admission of curiosity about what she might see, was intriguing. She nodded, refocusing her attention on the task at hand.

"All right then," she said, determination in her voice. "I'll proceed, but please don't hesitate to put up your mental shield if I see something you're not comfortable sharing."

Severus gave a single nod, a silent consent to continue. He mentally prepared his usual barriers, leaving a slight opening to let her in.

"You may begin."

Autumn took a deep breath and reached out with her mind once more. She closed her eyes, letting her mental magic flow towards Severus' mind.

The moment she reached the outer layer of his barriers, it was clear that he was allowing her in. There was a distinct opening as if he had granted her access.

Gently, Autumn delved into his mind.

As Autumn delved deeper into Severus' mind, she began to see a vision that neither of them had anticipated. It was a glimpse of a different reality, a life filled with regrets and loss. Yet, unlike the fleeting glimpses of her usual visions, what she saw in his mind was more intense, more detailed.

It was their life, a life that had taken a turn for the worse.

Confusion flickered across Severus' face as he realized that this wasn't something even he was familiar with.

But before he could react, the vision continued to unfold. Images flashed by, each more vivid and heartbreaking than the last. It was a version of their lives that no one had ever expected—a universe where they had lost James and Lily and were grappling with the consequences of their actions.

Shock washed over Autumn's face as this vision continued. She was seeing far more than just a glimpse of a potential future; she was witnessing a fully-fledged alternate reality.

Severus stood beside her, taken aback as he struggled to reign in the vision in his mind. He had no control over the images that were unfolding.

Autumn's grip on his hand tightened, her voice low and grave. "I think you're seeing what I did."

He turned to her, realization dawning in his eyes. "This is the life we lived before," he said quietly.

She nodded, a distant look in her eyes. "I think... this is the life before the many we lived—it was our first one."

Suddenly, both of them witnessed a glimpse of their past lives as teenagers, young and carefree in their first year at Hogwarts. Despite being in separate houses, young Severus and Lily were deeply bonded. This vision was a stark contrast to the complex, present-day relationship between Severus and Autumn.

Severus watched, momentarily stunned, as young Lily laughed gleefully at something, young Severus standing next to her said.

As the vision continued to unfold, Severus found himself pulled along, watching a parallel version of their life play out. Just as in their current life, Autumn and Raven became friends. However, as they observed this, Autumn suddenly frowned, a puzzled expression on her face.

"Did we not meet Elliot in this life?" she asked, her tone tinged with confusion.

Severus likewise began to search for Elliot within the vision. However, try as he could, he couldn't find any trace of him.

The revelation that Elliot was nowhere to be found was disturbing. Severus furrowed his brows, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of this alternate reality.

"No. He isn't anywhere," he stated, the gravity of this fact weighing on both of them.

The implications were profound. If Elliot didn't even exist in this life, how many other differences were there?

The vision continued to unfold, and Severus and Autumn followed along, observing the course of their past lives.

They watched as Autumn was chased for years by James, with Severus a target due to their close friendship.

Autumn's dislike for James was unwavering, but her interactions with him showed her glimpses of his true nature. Despite James' relentless pursuit, Autumn refused him steadfastly, a rejection that marked a turning point for him. He then shifted his attention to pursuing Lily, a move that puzzled Autumn, not knowing the reasons for her friend's acceptance.

Severus observed the swift development between Lily and James with a puzzled expression. He turned to Autumn, his eyes furrowed in thought.

"Something isn't right," he said, his voice tinged with confusion.

Spring looked at him, her confusion mirrored in her expression. "What do you mean? Nothing seems unusual."

Severus looked back at her, his expression slightly sceptical. "Autumn, you know how loyal your husband is. While he can fall for someone else, it wouldn't have been this fast. Just like in our current life, he pursued Lily but then ended up with you. It took time, and what he felt for Lily was very different from what he felt for you."

Autumn's expression grew more puzzled as she processed Severus' words. It was true, her husband had always been fiercely loyal and his feelings had developed over time, not so quickly. The contrast between their current life and this timeline was stark, yet eerily similar.

Autumn furrowed her brows, a deep frown settling on her face as she considered Severus' observation.

"This timeline is similar to ours," she said slowly, the cogs in her mind turning as she tried to make sense of the situation. "In our life, he chased Lily but ended up with me. But in this one, it's the opposite. Is that what you meant by something not being right?"

"Exactly," Severus agreed, his eyes fixed on Autumn's face. "James is loyal to a fault. He may have been interested in Lily, but his feelings developed over time. Here, it seems that it progressed at an unnatural rate. Like someone," he paused for effect, "Forced them together. Do you not think so?"

Autumn's eyes widened as realization dawned upon her. The pieces began to fall into place, creating a chilling narrative. The rapid progression of James and Lily's relationship, combined with the lack of Elliot in this reality, pointed towards a sinister possibility.

"You think someone interfered," she said slowly, her voice laced with unease.

Severus and Autumn were abruptly thrust into a whirlwind of memories. The past lives they had glimpsed before came rushing back, but this time with a starker contrast. Again and again, they witnessed the same scenario, where Autumn and James were consistently torn apart, their love constantly thwarted by an invisible force.

Death repeated itself as if destiny was cruelly playing a game with their destiny. One of them always died, leaving the other with a broken heart.

The realization was chilling.

Severus finally understood. Allowing Autumn to delve into his memories had allowed them to merge with hers, unlocking the truth trapped within their shared past.

His gaze became distant as he reached out, grabbing onto Autumn and pulling her towards the moment that held the answer. She followed willingly, curiosity and trepidation fueling her.

When they found themselves at the moment that revealed everything, they saw Elliot. As they watched him, their eyes widened in realization. It was him. It had always been him.

The twist, however, was unexpected. They discovered something about Elliot that neither of them had ever anticipated.

"Elliot." Severus voiced in disbelief.

Autumn stood next to him as they both watched Elliot in complete shock, trying to process what they were seeing.

"He's the one doing it?" Autumn asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Severus nodded, his mind still trying to comprehend the extent of Elliot's involvement. "He's the reason our lives have been messed up. He's been tearing us apart."

"But why?" Autumn's voice was filled with confusion, and she turned to Severus seeking answers.

However, as the memory shifted, both their expressions changed to one of pure shock. They gasped, their minds grappling with what they were witnessing.

"No... but how? All this time?" Severus exclaimed, disbelief coating his voice.