Teach Me, Professor

Lyra

I couldn't imagine. Losing not only your only sibling but also your best friend in the same year. But in truth-.. maybe I did understand. For I lost my family and my best friend too. But it was worse. Looking for a cure and never finding one. Watching that one person you care about most fade away.... would break any fiery spirit. Even one as feisty as Sebastians. 

I begged him with my eyes to continue. For I needed to know if they rumors were true. Not that I would tell anyone but for my own sanity. 

"What did he do Professor? Please-... I must know-."

He bit the inside of his cheek, looking away into the fire. "I've already said too much." 

He rose from his seat, going over to the fire, resting his arm just on the mantle and leaning into himself. His large and firm frame would tower over me, but I couldn't help but chase after him. Needing to know the truth about the one who was supposed to help me through my own struggles, my own demons that I needed to vanquish. 

I started to run through all the scenarios. But only one to came to mind. 

"Did he-.... he did--.... kill her?" I said shakily. 

Oh gods.

Ominis turned almost immediately, catching my shaking voice. The blur of tears threatening to fall. 

"He did....... didn't he?" I asked again, sniffling. "He killed her for her power.......... didn't he? To save his sister?"

He grabbed me, pushing me into his chest as the tears fell. 

I felt his lips on my hair as he breathed deep, "No...... he didn't kill her."

What-...

He pulled me back as my heart started to quieten. Bringing his thumbs to push the tear that fell down my cheek. 

He let me sit down, coming down before me as he grabbed my hands. Warming them from the fire he had just sat in front of. "Sebastian felt everyone and everything was against him when he came to finding a cure for his sister. Including his Uncle. So when the time came, and he thought he had something to help her, his uncle came and tried to take it away from him. And in the end..... he claimed his life."

I sat quietly, waiting for him to continue. So it was true, Sebastian did go to Azkaban. For the murder of his own family. 

"Lyra-...... you don't need to fear him-"

"I'm not afraid of him Professor." I spoke up. But now I understand, he's in pain. So much pain that when he looks at me, he sees her. He sees someone helpless, losing control of the things he can't control. He's lost. ".....were much alike, which is why you put him with me... didn't you?"

He nodded.

It was starting to come together. But there were still a few puzzle pieces missing. The ancient magic, the people after me, and.... her. I wanted to know more about her. 

"There are things he will teach you that I will never grasp, just from the experience he's had in dark places most don't want to see. If this is ancient magic Lyra..... he will be the best person to know more about it than anyone else. I promise, trust the process." I nodded, grasping his hands just a little tighter in mine to make him understand that I now know I get it. "But in the mean time... you need to stay where we can keep an eye on you. It's too dangerous for you to be out here alone."

I sniffled, nodding in acknowledgment. "I still think you were the best person to teach me Professor. You understand emotions a little better than he does."