Chapter Text
It wasn't unusual for Ashton to receive an owl from Ominis telling him it's an emergency and to quickly come. He knew the drill by now. Ominis's definition of 'emergency' was something trivial. Ashton had learned the hard way, rushing to his side only to find Ominis in a state of mild distress over a misplaced quill or, as had happened most recently, a chocolate frog that had taken an unfortunate tumble into the dirt.
"Right," Ashton muttered to himself, glancing back down at the terrified man on his knees. It was particularly tricky to track this murder down. Couldn't abandon this 'job' now.
"It's probably nothing important, but I'll go." He sighed to himself before smirking slightly " After I'm finished with you sir."
Finally, with job complete, Ashton made his way to where Ominis usually was. As he rounded the familiar corner, his usual tensed expression softened. Ominis sat alone on a stone bench, his head bowed and hands covering his face.
He looked... small. Vulnerable.
He noticed one of his hands was in a bandage.
"Ominis?" Ashton approached cautiously, his earlier annoyance fading completely away. He knelt down in front of him. "What's wrong? I got your owl. What was so urgent?"
Ominis didn't immediately respond, his shoulders shaking slightly. Finally, he lowered his hands, revealing red eyes and a face with genuine worry.
"Why didn't you come?" he choked out, his voice thick with unspoken fear. "I said it was an emergency."
Ashton rolled his eyes, a flicker of his initial frustration returning. "Well, I am here now. So what was so urgent?" He tried to keep his tone light, but he felt a knot forming in his stomach.
This was different. This felt real.
Ominis sighed,shaking slightly. "It's Sebastian," he whispered, the name barely heard. "He's injured."
Ashton’s eyes widened. All thoughts of trivial emergencies vanished.
"Injured?" he echoed, his voice suddenly tight.
He swallowed hard, trying to keep his composure. He wanted, needed, to ask a million questions, but he knew better than to bombard Ominis when he was clearly in distress.
"Where is he?"
He didn't dare ask what had happened, he would though the moment he makes sure Sebastian is fine.
Ominis shook his head, his hands trembling again.
"Hospital wing." He took a shaky breath. "It was so sudden . I couldn't..." He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.
Ashton stood up abruptly, his legs feeling weak. He glanced at Ominis, taking in his pale face nd traces of tears.
"Stay here," he said firmly, his voice regaining its usual strength. "I'I go see him."
He didn't wait for a response. He knew Ominis couldn't see him, but he still offered him a small, reassuring nod before turning and sprinting towards the hospital wing, his mind a whirlwind of fear and unanswered questions.
What had happened to Sebastian?
How badly was he hurt?
And why had he hesitated? He should have come immediately. He could have been there, he could have helped.
Aston's boots echoed on the stone floor as he navigated the Hogwarts infirmary. The air was thick with the scent of dittany and other healing herbs, a fragrance that did little to soothe the knot of anxiety twisting in his gut.
He finally found him. Sebastian, lying in one of the beds. Bandages covered his torso and arms, his face pale, almost translucent.
He looked... fragile. If Ashton's heart was beating, it would have definitely skipped a beat now. Taking a deep breath, he crossed the remaining distance and sat carefully on the edge of the bed. He reached out, hesitant, and gently touched Sebastian's hand.
It was cold.
"Sebastian?" Ashton called, his voice barely a whisper.
Sebastian's eyelids fluttered, and then, slowly, they opened. His eyes, usually so vibrant and full of mischief, were dull with pain and exhaustion. But then, a flicker of recognition sparked in them, followed by that familiar smile. It was weak, strained, but undoubtedly Sebastian's.
"Ashton.." he murmured, his voice raspy. "You came back from the vacation?"
He attempted to sit up, wincing. Ashton reacted instantly, placing a hand gently on Sebastian's back to support him. He felt the bandages beneath his fingers, a grim reminder of the severity of his friend's injuries.
"Here, let me." Ashton said, helping Sebastian upright. He propped some pillows behind him to provide support. Sebastian nodded as thanks before smiling weakly again.
"When did you come back? Sorry I couldn't welcome you properly.."
Ashton bit into his cheek. "Stop it, Sebastian. It's not like you are in any position to welcome someone. Look at you...what the hell happened?" Ashton's question lingered in the air because Sebastian stayed silent. "Sebastian. I asked you a question."
"I-I don't know... some dark wizards I am not..." Ashton interrupted him.
"What do you mean you don't know?!"
He was starting to get angry, not at Sebastian, but at himself. He should have been here. He should have come the moment he received an owl from Ominis.
"I... I don't remember much," Sebastian whispered. He winced again, shifting slightly. "It was... sudden..”
Ashton leaned closer, his anger momentarily eclipsed by concern. "What did they want, Sebastian? What were they after?"
Sebastian's brow furrowed, and he closed his eyes for a moment, as if trying to dig up a memory from depths.
"They just bumped into us," Sebastian had started, a weak smile playing on his lips. "A bit of a misunderstanding, really. A few shoves, a few spells thrown…nothing I couldn't handle."
Ashton for a moment believed him, wanting desperately to cling to the image of Sebastian, courageous and strong. But when he took a second to better look at Sebastian's hands, he noticed that he was playing with his fingers, twisting and turning them nervously.
That nervous tick, Ashton knew it well. It only surfaced when Sebastian was deeply uncomfortable, when he was hiding something big.
"Sebastian, stop it. Stop lying to me. Tell me what really happened. I won't be mad or anything, just please..." Ashton sighed, the weight of the unspoken settling in the air. "Tell me the truth."
Sebastian sighed in defeat. "Ashton, I" He frowned and closed his eyes, a slight shake running through his body.
"They were looking for you... I was with Ominis outside of Hogsmeade when they approached us. I tried my best to protect Ominis, but this is the result... He says he's fine, but I am certain he's injured as well.." Sebastian continued to talk, his voice a low rumble filled with guilt and a strange, protective anger.
But Ashton's brain couldn't understand anything past” looking for you." He was injured..because of him?
Was he the reason?
The air suddenly thick and heavy in his lungs.He replayed the last few weeks in his mind. He had been reckless, consumed by his own business, for power, perhaps.
And now, that recklessness had spilled over, poisoning the lives of those around him.
"Who?" Ashton finally managed, his voice barely a croak.”Who was looking for me?"
Sebastian opened his eyes, a flicker of pain in their depths.
"It doesn't matter, Ashton. What matters is that you're safe. And...and that Ominis is okay. We managed to drive them off." He tried to force another smile, but it didn't last.
"It does matter, Sebastian!"
Ashton's voice rose, the controlled calm he usually possessed shattering into a million pieces. He stood up abruptly, pacing the small space.
Sebastian winced, looking at unfamiliar reaction from him.
"Ashton, calm down. I don't like seeing you like this. I-“ He was interrupted by a violent coughing fit that racked his body.
Ashton froze, his inner turmoil momentarily suspended. He rushed to Sebastian's side, kneeling beside the bed.
"Sebastian! What is it? Are you alright? Should I call for help?" Sebastian waved him off weakly, his face flushed and pale.
"Just...just a bit of a cough. Don't...don't worry." He gasped for air between coughs, his words fragmented.
"Don't tell me not to worry! You're in a hospital bed, coughing up a lung, because someone was looking for me!"
He tried to keep his voice down, but the fear coiled tight in his chest, urging it higher.
Sebastian gently placed his hand on Ashton's.
"I am fine, exhausted but fine."
Ashton took a shaky breath as he looked down at their hands. He should calm down, he's obviously stressing Sebastian.
"Sorry... I-I should clear my head a bit. " He moved his hand,even though he wanted to keep it the way it was just for a little longer. Ashton stood up and ran his fingers through his hair.
" Rest Sebastian, we will talk later." not wanting to see his reaction, Ashton quickly turned around and left the room.
"Ashton." Sebastian quietly called his name but there was no one to hear it.