Harlequin Hypnosis in the face of the enemy; how he lost it all.

~

"Ominis,

I hope this finds you well.

I wanted to talk to you about something that happened with Sebastian yesterday, but every time I saw you today we were surrounded by classmates. This isn't something I want gossipped about.

Now he has requested my help tonight in this mad quest of his, despite us coming to blows yesterday. I will not be able to speak to you before I leave.

We embarked on a search through a mine last night and discovered another piece of the triptych from the Undercroft at the end of it. It was a perilous journey. I'll tell you more later. But it ended with me suggesting the help of a goblin friend of mine, and him calling me ignorant in response. Tonight he wants to meet outside the Feldcroft catacomb to search for the relic...or something involving it.

I promised I would not tell you, but the truth is I am afraid for him and the path that he is on. I don't feel equipped to alter it alone.

Will you help me?

I am no stranger to a catacomb, but I fear he may be losing his mind and can not protect himself adequately.

I hope to hear from you soon,

Emma."

The pink howler, speaking softly to him, gently withers into petals at the conclusion of the letter The sound echoes off the empty bathroom of the dormitory. Ominis is glad that he opened it in private. He's not sure if Emma knows the implication of a pink howler, or if it were the only one she knew of, but he didn't have time to fuss over it.

Sebastian was making another mistake he had to fix.

Still, the gentle and concerned tones of her voice made him blush. He could have used the braille spell to translate a written letter, or the read aloud spell to have it recited in his own voice, but he much preferred this form of communication.

He wished it would have lasted.

Meanwhile, Emma begrudgingly leads Sebastian through the catacomb.

It was hard to get over his insult for a few hours in terms of things she had to swallow during her time at Hogwarts.

Someone she had come to care about so deeply calling her 'ignorant' seemed pale in comparison to witnessing murder and fighting evil.

It's what helps her get past it, with the acceptance of two things; enough with her flirtations of Sebastian and their little moments, and she needed to bring Ominis into the fold.

He told her Ominis has been asking about her and questioned if she had told him anything.

Emma lies through her teeth, telling him no.

She flatly refused to engage in his petty commentary, speaking only when strictly necessary and resisting any baiting from him. He notices, but pouts about it without confrontation.

She'd like to assume he knows he made a big mistake.

Bones glow purple over their heads as she levitates them through the room to form a barricade. Sebastian watches in awe. He makes jokes and light-hearted remarks, but Emma only gives a tight-lipped smile in response.

He seems to notice eventually that their current bond is strained by tension. His face is saddened. She tries not to feel bad for him. After all, he still thought he was in the right.

Once all the bones are formed around the door, it opens, changing his mood.

"You've done it!" He exclaims, "I knew we'd get through. I felt it in my bones."

It catches her off guard as she ducks into the next room.

"Nice," she smirks.

The same sort of cobweb-covered, stony, dripping room awaits them. Emma moves to cross it quickly.

"Before we trudge on further, I've just realised something," Sebastian suddenly announces, bringing her to a stop. She wonders if responding to his joke was a mistake, inviting him to talk when it's not wanted.

She faces him in silence, only raising her eyebrows at him.

"The student's diary mentions the Imperius Curse. I wouldn't be surprised if we're going to need it here," his tone and face are serious, eyes dark on her as he slowly approaches, "It's Unforgivable, but useful when you're outnumbered. Places the victim completely under the caster's control. So...if you'd like to learn Imperio, I can teach you."

Emma eyes him suspiciously, "Where did you learn the Imperius Curse?"

"I taught myself," he declares proudly, tapping his own chest. Emma finds herself repulsed by it. "Don't tell Ominis that I've told you," he adds quickly, "It's not exactly something I can brag about, but it may come in handy. I think you ought to know it."

She shakes her head no quickly, "As with the Cruciatus Curse, I've no interest in learning it, nor a need for using it."

"Really?" He looks taken aback, "But we've no idea what may lie ahead? You have a lot at stake. You have an ability that evidently no one's seen for centuries."

Emma shrugs, "I don't need such a spell in my arsenal.."

Sebastian looks perplexed, but lets it go, "I shan't press you. I'll have your back no matter what we face in there."

A bolt of guilt strikes Emma's chest. She glances wearily over her shoulder, feeling something off.

They fight their way through hordes of spiders and burn away all the cobwebs in their way. Emma can confidently say their prowess in battle together had not changed, though it felt even more awkward with her rejection of the second unforgivable curse he had offered.

It doesn't hold them back though. The adventure through the catacomb with a familiar ease.

"You are head and shoulders above these bones. Nicely done," he comments cheekily when she completes the next bone barricade.

Emma side-eyes him, amused.

They do battle with spiders again in the next room. This time it includes two venomous matriarchs; Sebastian takes the chance to show off.

"Imperio!" He shouts, pointing his wand at one of the big reds. It sways in a strange sort of slump, before suddenly turning and attacking its fellow spider.

Emma fights off the smaller ones as the controlled matriarch defeats the other. She and Sebastian descend upon the cursed once the spell is broken, defeating her with fire.

Once the dust settles, the sense of danger does not dissipate from Emma's mind. Sebastian says something about spiders, but she doesn't register what. Something is simultaneously drawing her in and pushing her away at the head of the room.

She hurries toward it, ahead of him, hoping she is wrong.

"Dead end. Lovely. All that for nothing," Sebastian grumbles from far away.

"Hold on," she responds, "Don't give up yet."

Sure enough her eyes find a morbid looking antique on a study desk, next to a note and a drawing.

She reads it out.

"The relic contains abundant potential. Its possibilities could benefit not only Wizardkind, but the world. But the Dark sacrifice involved to realise its intent may be too great. Until we know more, please, do not remove the relic."

With a tentative hand, Emma nudges the bone-like pyramid.

"Sebastian, this is the relic," she whispers when he reaches her.

"Could it be?" He says, his excitement palpable.

"The note and the rendition of the relic; it matches. This must be where the student left the relic," Emma holds up the drawing to him.

"I can't believe it. After all this, it lines up!" He grins. "We've really found it!"

Emma frowns at the letter, unable to share in his joy.

"What do you suppose is meant by 'the Dark sacrifice required to realise the relic's potential'?" She wonders aloud.

"I have no idea, but we're here for the relic."

A sudden horror washes over Emma as she realises he wasn't on the same train of thought as her. To her, a macabre warning about leaving a Dark Magic artefact where it is should be followed, nose for mystery be damned.

"The note advises that we leave the relic alone," she begins carefully.

"I assure you, we were meant to find this. For Anne's sake," he places his hand over it heavily. Emma cringes, automatically squeezing her wand. "I'm taking it."

He puts it away and steps around her.

It felt as if he were daring her to protest. She feels her little crush drifting further away from him.

"Let's get to Feldcroft. I must keep this relic a secret. Especially from my uncle-" Sebastian suddenly halts his walking and talking. "Ominis!"

Emma's heart gives a thump and she whips around to see the blonde lingering at the other end of the room.

"The sounds we kept hearing. It was you."

She vaguely remembers him asking if she could hear someone.

"You gave me no choice. I had to follow you," Ominis responds. He doesn't mention her part in it. "Sebastian, please. Leave the relic alone. We can find another way to help Anne."

Emma glances between them, panicked.

"I'm sorry, Ominis, but I'm taking it," Sebastian responds darkly. She quickly runs between them.

"No you're not. If you won't put it back, then I will," there is a genuine threat in Ominis' words.

"Hold on, both of you!" Emma snaps at them. She nudges Sebastian back with a gloved hand against his chest, "Sebastian, please, take a step back."

"Fine," he glares over her shoulder at his best friend, "But Ominis knows, I won't step back from a fight."

She rolls her eyes as he storms away from them back towards the study.

"I can't believe this," Ominis mutters incredulously, his pacing making Emma nervous.

"How much did you hear?" She asks.

"Everything. I was glad to hear you tell Sebastian to leave the relic," he sighs, stopping to face her, "We need to stand together, convince Sebastian this is wrong."

"I agree, but remember what I said before," she glances back at him, "Nothing is going to change his mind."

"Something has to," Ominis says, "I need your help."

Sebastian is studying the relic intensely, insanely.

"You're right. This seems far riskier than Sebastian realises. Than I realised..."

"You mustn't blame yourself," he begins gently, "I'm glad we agree. We don't allow him to leave here with the relic."

It's easier said than done. Emma knows it.

"I do think we should talk to him, but I fear we won't stop him from taking the relic."

Ominis begins pacing again, "What are you suggesting?"

Emma sighs, eyes closed, ordering her thoughts, "He's found it. He won't let go. But we can prevent him from taking this any further. We allow Sebastian to leave with the relic under one condition: after this, no more."

He shakes his head, coming back to her, "Emma, that's what we agreed to in the Scriptorium. He takes me for a fool!"

"He might but I don't, Ominis," she declares, stepping closer to him, "I know you understand the effect this will have on your friendship. This may be the only way to keep it intact. He has the relic. We can only protect him from the outcome now. I know you'd prefer that to the opposite."

It takes much of her strength not to reach out to him, but with Sebastian behind them and the situation tense, she knows it won't help.

"Sometimes we have to protect the people we care about from themselves. You and I protect others...even when they might not deserve it," she continues, speaking warmly. It's a comfort to him.

"Fine," he mutters quietly, just to her, "If I trust him on this, I'm trusting you, too. The Dark Arts seem harmless until it's too late."

"It wasn't too late for me," she responds quickly. "Just recently, I declined learning the Imperius Curse, too."

His face scrutinises her words and Emma realises she has exposed Sebastian again.

"I have no interest in the Dark Arts," she tries to salvage herself.

"I know," he says softly. Emma smiles at him. "Go, then. Leave with the relic. I'll not say a word more."

She nods, "Thank you."

He raises his wand and turns, heading back towards the exit of the catacomb. Emma waits a minute to give some space.

"Sebastian, we're ready," she calls out half-heartedly after a while. He jumps, rushing over as she moves to follow Ominis.

"What is it?" He asks warily, "I haven't changed my mind."

Disappointed with him, Emma is short, "Ominis has. Let's go." She speeds up, almost causing him to trip.

"What? Ominis?" He sputters.

"I'll explain if you keep up. Come on."

They continue on running, tracing their steps back through different rooms and hallways.

When they slow down he prods again.

"Well? What happened back there?" He asks suspiciously.

"Ominis and I found a compromise," Emma sings back, liking the sound of those words.

His eyes are very unhappy, "Ominis simply needs a moment with you and he'll change his mind. Is that it?"

She snorts to herself, enjoying his jealousy.

"I told him we ought to give you this chance; that the relic is too important to you to ignore. That your stubbornness would overpower his friendship with you if he let it."

The remark goes unanswered, sinking down on them heavily.

"There has to be more to it than that," he stops abruptly amongst the rubble behind her, his face angry, "Tell me."

She eyes him up and down with distaste, "We agreed on what was needed, Sebastian. You have my word."

"What good is your word when you're clearly lying to me?" He glares, "I know there is something going on between you and Ominis. He doesn't let anyone change his mind like that. Not even me..." His eyes are saddened. "And you and I don't feel the same as before."

Rage bubbles in her chest.

"That has nothing to do with Ominis," she declares firmly, "You insulted me and are yet to apologise. It's the greatest form of disrespect to a friend. Yet here I am trying to keep your friendship intact and help you on your quest." She breezes past him, resisting shoving his shoulder.

They run in silence again, at least for a few different rooms before she hears him muttering again.

"I never wanted to keep all this from Ominis...He just doesn't understand...And I didn't want to worry him all over again..."

Emma ignores him, as does Ominis when they catch up to him outside.

Sebastian complains about it loudly when their friend is out of earshot.

"He's understandably troubled," she frowns at him, "Even though we agreed to it, it's been a lot to take in."

"I thought he understood," he continues grumbling as they head to Feldcroft, "He knew we couldn't give up. All of this is too important. For Anne."

Emma runs as fast as she can down the hill, basically trying to lose him. He keeps up in silence but continues when they're on flat land and she has to slow down.

"When we get to Feldcroft, I'd rather Anne not know what had to be done to get this relic," he decides. "She thinks like Ominis. It'd only upset her."

She doesn't respond.

Her sense of danger starts ringing again as they come up over the hill.

"Oh no," Sebastian moans, "This isn't good."

"What is it?" Emma asks, but when she sees Feldcroft, she understands.

"Smoke. Over there, by the Hamlet."

There are several fires dotted around the town, spewing black smoke over the snow. Emma and Sebastian hurry down the hill then up the stone steps.

"Feldcroft's in trouble. They're under attack!"

"Let's hurry," Emma calls back.

Sounds of intense battle beckon them to the town centre.

As soon as she enters the battle, Emma begins to dominate. An intense combination of barrel throwing, fire, ice and ancient magic carried out on several enemies one after the other puts her skill on display. She disposes of each goblin quickly, dodging around the battlefield without using her shield once.

"Glacius! Diffindo! Confringo! Incendio!" She shouts, moving swiftly and aggressively, connecting each attack with casts in between. Every now and then she lets her ancient magic loose, protecting Anne and the townspeople.

People shout things all around her, but the sounds lessen as she shrinks the opposing forces.

Her back is to Anne when she hears the scream. It distracts Emma, who glances over her shoulder to see the cause of the cry. Her first thought, when the goblin started running towards the girl collapsed on the ground, was I'm too far away.

The second was pain as Emma felt the second last goblin take a cheap shot at her. The axe of Dark magic slices across her chest. Her front splits with agony as she furiously casts her ancient magic back at him. He bursts into pieces.

She catches Sebastian casting the Unforgivable curse she had refused to learn.

Bad move.

The battlefield is frozen in shock at the spell, Sebastian's eyes the same Harlequin green as the goblin under his control. Emma frowns at him.

She holds her gushing wound together and starts to make her way towards the goblin, to take him out at least when he wakes up.

Suddenly, in an unexpected move, he turns his own dagger on himself and slices it across his own throat. Emma's blood runs cold, the world truly turning silent. She does not hear the goblin fall to the ground, or Anne's whimper. Only the gentle ever present wind in the trees.

White noise.

Emma feels impossibly heavy, stuck standing there, watching Sebastian run to his sister and hold his hand out.

"Boy, what have you done?"

Solomon Sallow's voice is muffled, but it startles Emma enough to realise her ears are now muffled and ringing. Everything is greying.

Automatically she reaches for her handy Wiggenweld, blood spilling from the giant gash beneath her collar bones. It could have been much worse. She drinks quickly.

"Saved my sister! I-"

"With an Unforgivable Curse, from that damned book no doubt!" Solon snaps as he helps Anne to her feet. "Your father would be ashamed. You've gone too far, Sebastian. Stay away from her ...From all of us."

Emma feels the sting of his words even though they are not for her. If anything, she envies Solomon. She can not turn her back on Sebastian in such a fashion. If she could, perhaps that relic would still be in the catacomb.

She waits for Anne and Solomon to enter their home before approaching Sebastian cautiously.

"What did my uncle expect me to do?" He exclaims. Emma winces. "The Imperius Curse saved Anne's life. That goblin was going to kill her."

"You didn't have to kill him like that," she blurts out, regretting it instantly.

Sebastian glares at her, "You're right, I guess I should have slammed him into the ground until he was mush. That's much better."

Emma feels herself close to snapping. She wishes Ominis had stayed with them.

"There's a difference between ending someone who is trying to end you, and forcing someone to take their own life, defenceless, with an Unforgivable Curse. It was a mistake to use the spell, especially in front of them. But...I understand why you did it. You saved your sister."

He continues to stare at her scrutinizingly.

"Exactly. I just want to save her. My uncle can not banish me from my own home. From my sister."

I think he can .

"It...might be best to let him calm down a while," she reasons. Then she gives him a warm smile, hoping to win him over. "May I speak to him? Perhaps I can help to ease the tension a bit."

With a sigh, he seems to give in.

"You may be right," he wipes his hand over his face, "Very well. Probably best I get away from here for a while."

Later, when recounting the story to Ominis as they paced the viaduct courtyard, she'd tell him about her encounter with Solomon. How he was suspicious of her until she expressed her distaste for the Dark Arts, how he pleaded for her help in getting his nephew back on the right path.

"But he warned me too," she adds, arms folded tightly around herself against the winter chill. "Said Sebastian isn't allowed anywhere near Felcroft or Anne. It seems his anger comes from the use of the curse, not just his quest for a cure."

"I'm not surprised," Ominis sighs, "Solomon was an Auror, after all."

Emma nods, looking glumly down at the pavement melting away the snow with magic.

"He's already asked for my help again," she admits, stopping next to the werewolf statue they had sat near before.

Ominis stops immediately after her, frowning over his shoulder before coming to face her very closely.

"He's using you," he declares quietly.

"Well..." Emma begins sheepishly, "Yes, when it comes to Anne and the relic and such. But where he wants to go now is in fact for my benefit. It involves the past of another like me...another Keeper of Ancient Magic. As cross as I am with him, I have to go."

It begins to snow more and more, the magic of Hogwarts only protecting them from so much. But Emma didn't want to go inside. She wanted to stay out with him and huddle for warmth.

"I'm not bothered by the cold," he states primly. She smiles, wondering if he were keeping some legilimency a secret.

"I am, but a good duel gets my blood pumping and I'm off into the night. I simply can't with scarves and hats, they get in the way of my movement."

Ominis smiles adoringly at her, "I figured you weren't one for bundling up. You are unmistakably light on your feet."

Emma rocks on her tippy toes, elated.

"Can I ask you a question?"

Ominis suddenly mutters a spell and waves his wand, which turns into a large black umbrella over the top of them.

"Of course," he responds lightly.

Emma laughs breathlessly, their position suddenly feeling very intimate.

"Your wand can tell you where my wound is and how light my footsteps are and which seat is empty at the Great Hall...I suppose my question is, what is it like? How is this information given to you?"

His eyebrows raise at the innocent question, "No one has asked me that before."

Emma gulps, "I didn't mean-"

"No no," he interrupts softly, "I wasn't complaining."

His head turns, causing Emma to do the same. There is no one else let on the rooftop, she observes. There is snowfall, but it's so quiet. The torches and braziers are glowing and dusk is settling in the distance.

"I'm not sure I really know how to describe it. It's a feeling...like another sense that can only be experienced, not explained," he says carefully. He gives a little chuckle, "I know that probably fails to satisfy your thirst for mystery."

Emma returns the laugh, "Not at all. I appreciate your attempt either way."

Ominis smiles, eyes travelling over Emma as if he were seeing her plain as day, "What I can tell you, is that I know you're not in uniform. That means despite having no sleep due to the catacomb and going to class all day, you still went on your solo adventures after class and before dinner. You hair is tied back. You are wearing new shoes." He nods over his shoulder, "There is a lizard in that pot."

She can't help but giggle, highly impressed.

"So what you're saying is you can sense things better than me?" She grins.

"Correct," he smirks, "But it's better to leave others guessing."

"Oh," her voice drops comically to a whisper, "Your secret is safe with me. I'm so very fascinated and impressed."

Ominis gives her a warm smile.

"Of course...it's no substitute, but I can hear better than others and often fight better than others, too," he adds, feeling a burst of confidence with her admiration. "If it exists I can sense it. But I can't know its texture or its separate parts until touching it."

Emma glances down at her quest gear.

"What...does my clothing sound like?" Her gaze drops to her shoes. "You knew my shoes changed?"

"These have a harder heel," he explains quickly.

She hums in amazement, "They don't sound different to me, but they are in fact new."

Ominis nods, "Your long overcoat is very sleek. It doesn't make as much noise as a school robe. And your outfit is..." He turns away from her, "It creaks."

Her eyebrows shoot up, glancing down at the debonair ensemble she wears for questing underneath.

"It is rather tight," she admits, "But it helps with my movement. Better than a skirt or dress. That's for school only."

An idea crosses her mind, too fast for her to refuse.

She places her hand gently over Ominis', "May I?"

His brow furrows, but he nods permission anyway. Emma gently removes his glove, feeling guilty for exposing his skin to the cold.

"Those don't feel like Winter gloves," he observes of the gloves she wears on her own hands.

"That's because they're duelling gloves," she responds. Ominis smiles.

She places his left hand over her left arm, "My overcoat is a crimson check. It's equipped with enchantments which protect me, increase my combat ability and my ability to use Expelliarmus." Ominis lets her guide his hand up her sleeve. "My gloves are the same, except they increase my ancient magic ability."

The ruffles at the collar of her blouse tickle the back of his hand, as she glides his fingers over the embossed lapels of her coat. Emma feels breathless, reverent, unsure of how she managed to get them this far.

"My blouse is white," she continues softly, "My vest is a cobalt leather, as are my..."

She trails off when Ominis' index finger lifts, tenderly rubbing along Emma's jaw. His expression is gentle, adoring. She leans into the touch ever so slightly, closing her eyes.

His fingers are supple as they venture slowly, delicately, across to her lips. Emma can't help but sigh warm breath lightly against his thumb.

Her eyes open to stare at his lips. She begins to lean towards him...

"There is a snow storm coming!"

Professor Garlick's voice slices through the moment, jolting the two blushing Slytherins out of their tender moment.

"All students inside!"

She comes running into their space from behind Emma, who helps Ominis get his glove back on with saddened eyes. Professor Garlick looks between the two of them and seems to notice how unwelcomed her presence was.

"Sorry!" She chirps, hurrying away.

Emma shakes her head, "Let's go to dinner."

She moves to stand beside him so they can walk into the hall together.

Her heart flutters when Ominis offers her his arm. She latches on, probably a bit too eager. What can one expect; they were about to kiss.

"Thank you," Ominis whispers to her, just before they go inside.