Chapter Text
The pain that went through him was indescribable.
Just a moment ago, he had struck down some poachers and freed the confused and frightened magical creatures. Now it felt like thousands of knives were being rammed into his body, over and over again.
He wasn't sure if he was still screaming, he wasn't even sure if he knew who he was anymore.
The pain took him over and his thoughts were taken over by the desire to die. Whoever was torturing him had no intention of stopping.
He thought he heard laughter, but maybe he was all alone and just going mad.
Then suddenly it stopped.
He fell to the side, breathing heavily, holding his stomach and trying to think clearly.
Then an angry, raspy voice spoke, "I should kill you right now, but that would be half the fun. After all you've destroyed us, you don't deserve a quick death!".
BOMBARDA MAXIMA was then shouted and the young wizard's body flew a few feet until he landed back on the ground.
His head hit the hard forest floor several times and his forehead was hit by a stone. He was jolted until finally a tree brought him to a stop.
The strength to open his eyes or even to stand up had long since disappeared.
That was it, his end.
All he wanted to do was go to school. Learn what other students were learning, meet friends in Hogsmead and have a butterbeer, steal food from the kitchen and maybe even go out with someone.
It was then that he realised how much of this he had already achieved.
He was learning, even if he was a little more distracted than he would have liked.
He'd had a butterbeer with Sebastian once, even if it was interrupted.
He'd only been in the kitchen once, but hadn't brought himself to take anything with him.
And he had almost managed to get up his courage once and ask Sebastian if he wanted to go on a date with him.
But he didn't, insecurity had denied him that favour.
No wonder he didn't become a Gryffindor if he couldn't even manage that.
He had all the things he wanted, yet they had never been complete.
Now he lay here, on the cold forest floor, about to give up.
He heard the footsteps of the other person as they stepped closer to him. Instinctively, he flinched as he heard the voice again, "You're still alive, huh? You really don't make it easy. But your luck is running out, young Hufflepuff."
So he waited. But nothing came.
The pain didn't get worse, he heard nothing, there was nothing.
And then a short scream, right in front of him.
Was the person dead? What had happened?
The questions wanted answers, but he couldn't.
Eventually his strength left him and he drifted into an uncomfortable sleep that was too still to mask his pain.
~~~
"...Crucio. I... too slow...". "...Made...without...alive".
His head was pounding. His body ached. And his mind was a mess.
No matter how long he had slept, or been unconscious, it didn't help him.
He still had the feeling of being pierced, just not as bad.
He grumbled as he finally opened his eyes, the light of the sun burning in his eyes. "Ah, welcome back Mr Pendragon. Please don't be alarmed, I'm going to run some tests for a moment," the nurse said kindly.
Parzival did look at her, nodding also as a sign that he understood, but he somehow looked through her as if he wasn't quite there yet.
He looked around the room while the nurse got to work. He was back at Hogwarts, he knew that, but how he got here he couldn't explain.
Then he caught sight of someone, he would recognise that brown hair and those same coloured eyes anywhere, "Hey," he muttered.
Briefly he was startled though, he barely recognised his own voice. He felt as if someone had tried to rip out his vocal cords. "Wait," Sebastian said quickly, handing him a glass of fresh water, "Drink slowly."
And he did. Slowly and steadily he let the soothing liquid run down his throat.
When the glass was empty he tried again, "What are you doing here?" he was still quiet, but already clear enough.
Sebastian had sat back down on the chair next to the bed and looked kind of nervous, "Ehm, I found you and brought you here...".
Perplexed, Parzival looked at him, "You were in the Forbidden Forest?".
Sebastian seemed to find this amusing, for he had that grin on his lips again, "You're not the only one who doesn't follow the rules so closely." Parzival also had to grin now.
But the mood quickly subsided again, "I'm sorry I wasn't quick enough".
Parzival raised his hand directly, "No, stop. Don't say that. Don't say that. You didn't know I was there, how could you be faster? Besides, I'm still alive."
"Yes, you are alive. But...", Sebastian paused, "your screams could be heard for miles".
Somehow this embarrassed the fifth grader. But he took one deep breath and then answered again, "But I'm alive. Thanks to you. If it hadn't been for you, I would be dead now. I owe my life to you."
This time Sebastian said nothing, he just nodded briefly.
Parzival gave him an encouraging smile and his counterpart returned it.
"At least you owe me something again," Sebastian then finally said. "I suppose so," amused, he looked at him.
"So, Mr. Sallow you should give your friend some rest now. Why don't you come back tomorrow?" suddenly came from the other side.
So the Slytherin stood up and turned towards the door, but then faltered, "I'd like to redeem one thing already."
Curious, Parzival looked at him, what was he supposed to do in his current state?
"When you are feeling better, let's go for a butterbeer together, properly this time".
Parzival smiled broadly, "Definitely".