A/N: I'm not exactly to satisfied with out this starts out, but it gets better later (hopefully). Boggart closet photo found on Pinterest, Sebastian & Aurora are screenshots I took
Spoilers if you haven't finished the game‼️
TW: mention of death & Isidora Morganarch slight angst kinda
Chatter & footsteps filled the large hallways of Hogwarts. Students scattered around the premises, some relaxing in the mid-day spring sun, others rushing to their next class. Professors teaching in their respective subjects, as the day progressed, slowly but steadily.
“Please stand, & gather in a line.” Professor Hecat’s voice would echo through her classroom, in the Defense Against the Dark Arts. Her students quickly jumped to their feet as Hecat moved the desks to the side & out of the way.
Once the classroom was cleared, Hecat brought over an old dusty cabinet that seemed to move & shake every other time - & placed it in the center of the classroom. Some looked confused, others knew what it was as a chill ran down their spine. “Can anyone tell me what a boggart is?” She asked, putting her hands behind her back as the cabinet would shift & tilt.
Aurora, who was standing in line with the rest of her classmates, raised her hand. “Ms. Foster?”
“It’s a shape-shifting non-being that can turn into one's worst fear.” She started. “Usually associated with the boogeyman, it hides under furniture or cabinets.”
“Very good Ms. Foster, 10 points to RavenClaw.” Hecat praised. Aurora & some of the other ravenclaw students in line smiled, & gave each other a look of gratitude. Sebastian, & some other house students sighed & crossed their arms, before returning their attention back to Professor Hecat. “Now, please repeat after me, the incantation for banishing a boggart.
Everyone would say, repeating again a few more times until they were able to say it. “Well done.”
“Should you ever encounter a boggart, you must imagine & concentrate on something that could make your fear less fearful. Whether that be by banishing it completely, or turning it into something more humorous, perhaps. Now who would like to go first?”
With her final word, students shifted in line, until someone was forced upfront. One by one, students would go up to the boggart cabinet, & utter the incantation to either be rid of their fear, or make their classmates laugh. Some turned into spiders, intimidating teachers, family members or something else entirely.
Finally, Aurora stepped up front. Facing so much during her 5th year, it was difficult for her to think about who or what she feared. “I must say, I am very curious as to see what it turns into, Ms. Foster.” Professor Hecat would say, standing on the side with her hands behind her back. “As am I, professor.” Foster replied, turning back to the cabinet.
Aurora had taken only a few small steps, before the boggart began to shape-shift once more. Her remaining classmates & friends behind her, all looked around each other to see just what exactly Aurora Foster feared the most. Ranrok? Rookwood? A family member? What would the boggart turn into, they wondered.
What felt like forever, what was really only a minute, the non-being took its form. Standing tall in ancient clothing, & hair tied in a side bun - it looked down at Aurora.
Aurora flinched slightly, & her classmates began to mutter to each other. A former Hogwarts professor, & another who could see traces of Ancient Magic. But how could Aurora fear someone who was dead? “Well that’s certainly something, Ms. Foster. Go on & chant the-”
“It’s changing again!” Poppy shouted, pointing.
Professor Hecat, & the others all looked back at the boggart, watching it shape-shift again. It didn’t take nearly half the time it took before to change, its new form leaving everyone shocked. Aurora went rigid, & her stare hardened golden yellow eyes meeting with its new dark endless brown ones.
The room fell silent for a moment. Student’s quickly began to mutter to each other - some had turned to Sebastian, who hadn’t gone up yet, & was standing just a few students behind Aurora. He was silently shocked. Now she knows.
“Riddikulus!” “She’d say without hesitation, putting the boggart back in the cabinet.
Silence coated the room once more, & the whispers began to break out amongst the line again, Professor Hecat stepped in between the students & the cabinet. “That’s enough, that’s enough.” She’d say in a raised voice gathering their attention.
“I believe that's all we have time for this afternoon. Class dismissed.”
Hecat turned around, & moved the cabinet back in the corner, where it once sat - Aurora didn’t hesitate to be the first to leave the classroom, grabbing her robe she exited the classroom swiftly. Those who witnessed her, barely got a glance at her unreadable expression. Sebastian stood in the classroom, in his spot in line - for a moment as it slowly began to empty, his expression a mixture of slight shock & confusion. “What did it turn into?” Ominis asked as he approached Sebastian with his wand in hand.
Sebastian remained silent for a moment. Thinking he didn’t hear him, Ominis spoke again. “Sebastian?”
“Well no I mean-.. First it turned into that Hogwarts professor she told us about, Isidora Moganarch. But then it shape-shifted again, & it–” He stopped himself replaying the vision in his head once more.
“It turned into you?” Ominis finished.
Sebastian hummed & nodded.
This made Sebastian’s mind race & think in so many ways. Was it really him, or Isidora? Did she really fear him? Did Aurora fear him because of what happened in 5th year? To be fair, he hadn’t really thought much about the last thought.. Perhaps she did fear him because of the whole, ‘healing Anne with the relic’ thing. He wasn’t in the best state of mind, all he wanted was to help his sister, & prove to his uncle that Anne could be healed, she knew that.
He believes it doesn’t exactly help that cause, knowing all three unforgivable curses, something he shouldn’t even know the wand movement to, let alone casting it. Is that why she’s frightened by him? Was she more than scared of him? Had she only remained friends with him because she thought he’d do something if she’d begun to drift? All these thoughts upset him, angered a little even. Just why?
He finally moved his body, & began to walk out of the now empty classroom. As he left the room, he began hearing small chatter of how, ‘Professor Hecat’s Boggart turned into Sebastian Sallow when Aurora Foster went up to face it’ around the halls. “Sebastian-? Where are you going?” Ominis asked, hearing his retreating steps.
Sebastian didn’t respond, & only looked around seeing if he could spot her at all in the DADA Tower. Not surprisingly, she was already gone - but Natty was still present, just down the stairs, & across the hall talking to another Gryffindor student. He quickly made his way over to her, Ominis trying to keep up with the sound of his footsteps. As he neared the girl, she noticed him walking, & stepped aside from the person she was talking to.
“I am sorry Sebastian, but I do not know where she is.” She said, knowing what he was going to ask. He huffed & turned to glare down at the floor, before looking back at Natty without glaring at her as best he could. “Do you know which direction she left in at least?” He tried to ask. Natty shook her head. “I am sorry my friend. She pretty much just disappeared, but it might be the best for her right now.”
He sighed. As much as he wanted to confront Aurora about the Boggart, he had to be patient. Perhaps he’ll wait till after dinner to speak with her.
“Alright, Thank you, Natty.”
“Of course, I shall inform you if I hear anything from her at all.”
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Although he had told himself he wouldn’t be looking for her until after dinner, he couldn’t help but check every corridor, classroom, & staircase wherever he walked. He even checked the Undercroft more than 4 times - & although Ominis wished to check in with her as well, he was getting slightly annoyed with Sebastian's constant wandering, or stopping to check another classroom. After a couple of seemingly long agonizing hours, & checking the library, & RavenClaw tower (AGAIN), Sebastian made his way to the great hall to retrieve the night’s feast.
With his head hung low, Sebastian pushed the large double doors open - his mind still thinking of where else she could be. He’d heard of rumors of Aurora having a whole room in the castle to herself to practice magic & where she supposedly keeps a Phoenix, but no one knows where this room is. He was so deep in thought he almost didn’t catch the reflective light of her pendant. He ceased his movements, & turned around, only to be met with the door closing. Quickly, he stepped towards the doors again, holding it open for himself, as he caught a quick glimpse of her flowing robe. “Where are you going now?” Ominis called for him.
“Save me some food, I’ll be right back.” he said, hearing Ominis muffled huff & his low ‘are you serious?’ as the door began to close. Sebastian quickened his steps, as he closed the distance between Aurora & him.
“WaH-hey what’re you–” Grabbing her wrist, he dragged her out of the grand staircase, & towards the Dark Arts Tower. “Undercroft. now.” Letting out a heavy sigh, she didn’t resist. She knew she wouldn’t be able to avoid him forever, she’s surprised she managed to avoid his sights up until now. Barging through the doors of the tower, he led her down the stairs, & towards the corner where the entrance to the undercroft was.
With the soft click & chime of the cabinet door opening, he continued to drag her inside, still holding onto her wrist as they walked down the winding staircase. When they reached the bottom, & the gate raised open, he allowed her to go in front of him. Harshly pulling away from his tight grasp, & rubbing her wrist.
“Did anyone ever tell you to be gentle with a lady?”
“What the hell was that during Hecats class?” He demanded, not wanting to waste any more time.
“..It’s not what you believe it to be, I promise.” She tried to ease.
“Oh really? So you're telling me that the Boggart didn’t turn into me when you walked up to it? That you aren’t scared of me?”
“I’m not scared of you Sebastian, just listen-”
“Clearly you are. Is it about 5th year? Because you know what I was going through, you were there.”
“No- well.. Not entirely.”
“So you do fear me! I knew it. Merlin's beard Aurora, why would you-”
“Can you let me speak for one minute!?” She shouted.
Loud silence filled the undercroft for a moment, then another .. until she finally spoke.
“I-.. I don’t fear you, Sebastian.” She started.
“Then what is it, Aurora? Tell me.”
She opened & closed her mouth a few times, trying to find the right words to say, averting her gaze every now & then, until her eyes landed on the tryptic that still hung on the wall. Breathing in, & letting a shaky breath out, she spoke once more.
“I fear that.. that you could be a descendant of Isidora.”
Silence once more filled the room for less than a moment before Sebastian spoke up again. “Seriously? Is that really what you’re scared of?” She nodded. “When did-.. why would you..- How did you suppose that?” He asked.
Aurora stayed silent for a moment, as she walked towards the complete tryptic of all the portraits they chased after together during 5th year. “I know it sounds.. Odd but, it almost makes sense.” She’d say, & Sebastian would give her a look, “Excuse me?”
“It’s just-.. Your both from Feldcroft–”
“So you think we're related just because we're from the same Hamlet?”
“You both had a motive to remove pain from the ones you loved, Though you tried using dark magic, you also didn’t hesitate to ask me if I could use ancient magic to heal Anne. & another thing,"
Aurora turned to face her friend, & took slow steps toward him. When she found herself right in front of him, she tilted her head up to get a proper look at him. His face was slightly darker, covered by few shadows due to the dim lightning. Hesitantly & slowly, she lifted a hand up to the side of his face. Sebastian flinched at her movements - Aurora paused for a moment.
“What’re you..?” He said lowly, though he made no effort to stop her.
Her hand continued upwards & only hovered over his features, his dark endless brown eyes, the countless, scattered freckles that littered his cheeks, traits that differed yet somehow..
Lowering her hand down back to her side, she averted her gaze once more to the side, as she spoke her words.
“You look similar to her.”
He inhaled a sharp breath. She didn’t say anything more, letting them sit in the still undercroft. When the boggart had first changed into Isidora, Aurora was confused for a moment, however in that moment, she had a feeling of what her ‘fear’ was - but didn’t think it was something she was truly, & deeply afraid of. Being completely honest, it was a total longshot thought. There was no confirmation if Isidora was ever married let alone had any children. Considering how young she was when she died, it’s likely she didn’t have any or wasn’t. Not to mention her brother had passed away when he was quite young too. Aurora doesn’t know the full extent of the Morganarch Family, & it’s still a striking possibility. But when she thinks again, it could still be a possibility.
She was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Sebastian’s voice.
“I’m not,” he says again.
“Or at least I’d like to say I’m not.”
Aurora turns her gaze to him again with a blank expression. “I can’t confirm with you that I am or am not - but I can promise that I will not, end up like her. Though I don’t possess Ancient magic, I can tell you with certainty that I will not allow myself to go off into the deep end again.”
Truth be told, it might’ve frightened him just as much as it did for Aurora. The possibility of being related to a once powerful witch was intimidating, but he’d do anything in his power to assure himself & Aurora that he wouldn’t corrupt himself as Isidora had.
Looking up at him with an unsure & slightly sad eyes, she bawled her hand into a fist, but immediately relaxed.
“I know you Sebastian, I know how you are. & I need you to be completely honest with me, when you answer.
“I promise.” He said without hesitation, staring into her golden yellow eyes.
He truly did mean it, she could tell. Even if it was just a few words to some, the way he didn’t hesitate to speak, verified more than ever that he was being truthful & he’d keep his word. She could feel a small tear begin to form in the corner of her eye. Quickly whipping it away, she gave Sebastian a small smile, one of relief, gratitude.. & adoration for her closest friend.
They stood in each other’s presence for a moment.. until a sudden growl or rumble rang between them. The two stood slightly shocked, before Aurora erupted into laughter due to Sebastian - his stomach growling once more, this time slightly louder.
“...Suppose we should get back to dinner.”
