Out of the Shadows // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Thirty-Two***

***Warning: This chapter contains scenes of trauma recovery and sexually explicit adult content.***

The only sound I could hear was my heartbeat in my ears.

I tried to slow it down by breathing deeply and slowly. My vision slightly coming back into focus. I was staring straight down at the cobblestone street of Hogsmeade. I was afraid to look up and see the damage I had done.

Suddenly, cheers erupted all around me. The crowd was laughing and clapping. They thought I was doing them a trick as part of the festivities. That must mean...

I looked up slowly to see all the people smiling and cheering toward me and going back to their activities. My eyes caught Seb's and he was looking confused. And frightened. He had ducked for cover behind a table and now emerged, trying to look cool like he was a part of the show.

He approached me quickly but cautiously.

"Home." I breathed out in a huff. My breathing still erratic and my heartbeat loudly banging against my chest.

He didn't speak, just wrapped my arm around his and practically dragged me away. I could feel Omi and Anne right behind us.

We entered Anne and Sebastian's house quickly and he shut the door firmly. He sat me in a chair by the fire and put a blanket over my shoulders. I just realized I was shaking violently. He must have thought I was cold.

"Tea, Anne. Please." Sebastian added quickly and then squatted down in front of me to look into my downturned eyes.

"Rach, what happened?"

"I... I don't know. I... I just... There was a man. I... he... " I couldn't find the words. I didn't know where to start.

The phrase. The innocuous phrase. It triggered me in some way. Then the all-consuming panic. And my out-of-control powers. I hadn't even held my wand since my release. I didn't even know where it was. I just lost control.

"Here, drink." Anne put a teacup in my shaking hand. The warmth of the cup seeped into my hand. It felt nice. I took a small sip, closing my eyes and relishing the chamomile flavor.

I exhaled deeply. Keeping my eyes closed.

It was quiet but I knew they were waiting for my explanation. So, I tried to start again. Slowly.

"We were walking. I slipped on the street and bumped into someone. He said... he said..." Peaches. Peaches. Peaches. It was still ringing through my brain but I couldn't say it aloud. I was terrified. "He just said something I'd heard before and suddenly I kept seeing de... dementors swarming through the streets." I paused and took a deep breath.

"I just wanted to protect them." I shut my eyes tight. I could feel a tightening behind them, the tears trying to spill out. "I just wanted to protect Hogsmeade... from... the de... dementors." I whispered, barely able to get it out. A tear squeezed out of the side of my eye and streamed down my cheek.

A warm thumb wiped it away. "It's ok, love. You didn't hurt anyone. It's ok."

I could tell he was just as confused as I was.

"I think I know." Ominis said from the kitchen. He approached the chair I was in slowly and began pacing in front of the fire.

"Know what?" Sebastian asked.

"Why she didn't hurt anyone. Rachel, you told me about your previous experiences with this new power. And each time, you annihilated your enemy. First, the poacher. Then, the troll. But in each case, was anything else ever harmed?"

I thought back. I tried to remember the events. All I ever recalled was deep rage. And an urge to protect. The first time, myself from the Cruciatus Curse and the second time, Sebastian from the troll.