Warning: This chapter contains a brief depiction of interpersonal violence and discussion of associated injuries. Though it is not very descriptive, I know this can be troubling for some.

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The snow outside Cave Number 42 was trampled and mostly melted, causing the ground the become soft with mud. I saw any number of boot and beast prints around it, making me wonder if the witch or wizard who had kidnapped Sebastian was also the one responsible for the incidents in Hogsmeade and other hamlets. Perhaps they'd even been the one to set fire to Feldcroft? My mind worked through the possibilities, knowing that if that last part were true, then the message left for me might indeed be a trap and not a cry for help left by Sebastian.

My girlfriend, his voice echoed in my mind from the night of the Yule Ball. That had been the first time he'd ever put a name to what we were. I shook off the thought as I found the secluded entrance, knowing there would be plenty of time to figure all of that out later. Best to focus on the task at hand.

Like many of the others in the Forbidden Forest, this cave was more like a system of caverns. I pushed deeper into it, cautiously making my way through the narrow passage. My heart pounded in my chest as I searched for any signs of what had happened to Sebastian.

I heard a faint sound. It was a low groan, coming from deeper in the cave. My wand at the ready, I followed the noise until I saw a figure hunched over on the ground. It was Sebastian, bound and gagged. His eyes were barely open as he groaned again. I rushed to his side and quickly removed the gag from his mouth and began to untie him, hoping to get him out of there as fast as possible.

As I untied him, I asked, "Where are they? Are they here?" Deeper in the cave, maybe?

Sebastian shook his head, eyes still only half open. "I haven't seen him in days."

Days. Had he been without food or water for days? No wonder he seemed so weak. A voice in the back of my mind once again warned me this could be a trap, with Sebastian as bait. Still, I had to get him out of here.

As the last of the ropes fell, he twisted his wrists, rubbing them each with his other hand. "Oh, that's better. Thank you, darling."

I hugged him quickly. "Are you all right? Do you know where your wand is?"

"Physically, yes, and I'm sure it's around here somewhere. Wouldn't make sense to take it anywhere else." He followed me as I did a quick search of the cavern, finding nothing but a few errant Sickles.

"Follow me. We can look for it and make sure we've freed all the beasts he's been experimenting on."

"After you," he gestured, looking around the cavern, presumably to be sure we were alone.

The next few grottos were full of empty cages but nothing else. We came to a locked door. Casting Alohomora, we entered what appeared to be an office. On the desk was a stack of papers detailing the wizard's notes on his experiments, but I only glanced over them briefly. A small chest in the corner held several wands and other accessories, and after a brief search, I recognized Sebastian's green-handled aspen wand. I took it out and handed it to him.

"Thank you," he said as our hands brushed. As I pulled away, he captured my wrist, linking our fingers, slowly and carefully. Our eyes met only briefly before he leaned into me, capturing my mouth with his.

The sensation exploded through my entire body, and I moaned involuntarily as his tongue sought entrance. I was dimly aware of being pressed against the rock wall as one of Sebastian's hands cradled my neck. My own fingers tangled in his hair. I was left neither believing what was happening nor wanting it to stop. His lips were soft, but demanding, and I wanted more.

His hand curled around my throat, and he pulled away. His other hand aimed his wand at me. His smile became a scowl and his eyes glittered with malice. He had me pinned against the rock. I struggled but was no match for his strength.

Sebastian, I attempted, but no sound came out of my mouth except gurgling. Hurt and confusion overtook me as black spots overtook my vision. I found it harder and harder to breathe as the pain in my throat increased.

I tried looking into his eyes, but saw only a blank and soulless stare with a slightly glazed appearance. What was happening? I felt myself begin to lose consciousness, the peaceful feeling calling to me like an old friend. The black spots bled together as oblivion became more welcoming than the pain of being awake.

"Depulso!" A male voiced articulated from somewhere out of sight.

Sebastian disappeared from in front of me, and I fell into a heap on the floor. A searing pain ripped through my head as I grabbed my throat, trying to catch my breath. It was difficult and even though I felt I needed to cough, I couldn't. A hand landed on my shoulder, and I could see Natty beside me, looking very concerned. Poppy and Ominis had joined her, wands drawn.

I tried to speak—to tell her that he'd been Imperiused—but nothing came out. My breath came in short gasps as the pain in my head became too much and I sank into oblivion.

I opened my eyes to the brightness of the hospital wing; groggy, but awake. My head was pounding and my whole body hurt. I groaned, immediately regretting it due to the aching throb from my throat. I lifted my head slightly and tried to sit up, but failed.

"Now, now, Miss Jerome," Nurse Blainey assured as she came into focus, "No need to rush out of bed. You're safe now. Would you like some water?"

I nodded, and she turned to grab me a glass and fill it. Another student lay in the bed next to me. I couldn't see who it was, but I could hear soft snoring from the other side of the curtain.

Nurse Blainey held the glass of water to my lips, and I sipped it gratefully, wincing at the pain in my throat. "You and Mr. Sallow—" she tipped her head toward the curtain— "had quite the adventure it seems. From what Miss Sweeting and Miss Onai told me, you are both very lucky to be alive."

"What?" I croaked, confused.

She raised an eyebrow. "You did have quite bump on the head, dear. I'm not surprised if you find your memory a bit hazy," she said gently. "Perhaps this will serve as a reminder not explore caves in the Forbidden Forest. Rock collapses happen out there all the time. As I said, you are both very lucky."

I squinted at her, my head still hurting, but said nothing. She set the water down on the bedside table and handed me a Wiggenweld Potion, which I accepted gratefully, drinking it slowly.

"That should help your pain," she told me, "and any bruises and cuts should fade in the next few days." She glanced down at my throat. "And Miss Jerome, if there is anything else you would like to tell me about what happened out there, this is a safe space. I will ensure you get any help you may need."

What was that supposed to mean? Nurse Blainey patted my hand with a kind smile before standing to check on the patient in the other bed, presumably Sebastian. A few minutes later, she pulled the curtain back and flinched. I heard Sebastian's voice thanking her and looked over just as she moved out of the way. I wasn't prepared for the ashamed look in his eyes.

I sat up, reaching for the water and taking a few more sips. The ache in my throat was thankfully beginning to fade. Sebastian had turned to his side, facing me with his lower arm under his pillow. I mirrored him. His eyes met mine sadly before moving to my throat, which seemed to upset him more. He looked at the floor. We stayed like that for a long time, not speaking—though I wasn't sure I should, anyway—until my body drew me back into sleep.

When I awoke, Sebastian was sleeping peacefully in the next bed.

"Oh, thank goodness you're awake," Natty's voice drew my attention to a chair at the foot of the bed. She smiled.

"Hi, Natty," I greeted sleepily. My throat was a bit congested from sleep, but at least it didn't hurt anymore.

"Nurse Blainey said you would probably be able to come back to the common room tonight, so I wanted to see you back there," she explained simply.

As if on cue, Nurse Blainey leaned down to check me over. "Still a few bruises and cuts," she assessed, leaning my head forward to take a look at the healing wound on the back of my skull. "Perfect. How do you feel?"

I did a quick self-assessment. "My headache is gone and it doesn't hurt to talk anymore."

She nodded. "That's good. You're free to go, Miss Jerome," she said with a smile, before glancing toward Sebastian's sleeping form and meeting my eyes. "If you need anything—and I mean that, I'm here for you."

"Thank you," I said, returning her smile.

As Nurse Blainey walked away, Natty stood. "I'm ready when you are."

Slowly and somewhat gingerly, I swung my legs over and got up from the bed. The world was moving a bit more than I remembered, but after a few seconds the swaying stopped.

"Are you all right?"

I nodded, looking around for my robes, which were neatly folded on the bedside table. Grabbing them, I looked over at Sebastian, who hadn't stirred. Natty squeezed my arm, and I met her worried gaze. "I'll tell you later," she mouthed, and I followed her from the Hospital Wing to our common room. We took it slowly, my steadiness growing with each step.

As we entered Gryffindor Tower, I noticed a few people staring. Natty slipped her arm into mine. "Do you remember what happened?"

I looked at her. "Some of it."

She squeezed my arm. "Memento vivere," she told the Fat Lady's portrait, which swung open, and Natty gestured for me to enter first.

We made our way to the sixth-year girls' dormitory, which was blessedly empty. Natty sat beside me on my bed. "What do you remember?"

My brow furrowed as I thought back. "I snuck out to the Forbidden Forest alone. Sebastian..." I trailed off for a moment. "He tried to kill me."

Natty looked down at her hands. "When we walked into the chamber, we saw him—and you. Ominis reacted first with a Banishing Charm. You hit your head on a rock when you fell." She sighed. "I'm so sorry. We should have all gone together last night instead of trying to wait. I didn't realize how worried you truly were."

I took a breath, looking at the ceiling. "Did it stop him, at least? The charm?"

She shook her head. "No. He very nearly set Ominis on fire."

"Merlin."

"Even stunning him didn't seem to work. Poppy used an Exploding Curse, and the shockwave caused some rocks to fall and knock him out. We barely made it out before all of the caverns began to collapse."

"I remember his eyes. They were glazed over, like Professor Hecat explained in Defence Against the Dark Arts," I told her.

Natty's gave me a rueful smile, nodding her understanding. "I believe he was Imperiused. We found Professors Hecat and Weasley that night and told them everything, but I don't believe Nurse Blainey knows all the details."

I shifted uncomfortably. "She kept prying for more information."

She looked down briefly before holding up a small mirror. "This is probably why."

I saw my reflection for the first time since waking in the Hospital Wing. Tiny brown and red spots covered my eyelids and face, and my left eye was bloodshot; but those were hardly noticeable compared to the string of bruises circling my throat like some sort of gruesome necklace fading from reddish purple to blue. No wonder Sebastian had looked so troubled.

"The good news is, you look considerably better than you did last night. Most of the bruising should be gone by tomorrow."

I put the mirror down, drawing a shaky breath. I didn't even bother wiping the tears as they fell. I merely looked down at my lap as the feelings of frustration, anger, betrayal, and even shame overtook me. Natty's arms wrapped around me, but she said nothing. I reached for her, resting my head against her cheek while I sobbed.

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A/N: I hope you are all okay after reading this chapter. I tried very hard to imply without being triggering, and I am very sorry if anyone found it disturbing.

I also wanted to talk about the Imperius Curse for a moment, since I know the game shows a greenish expression in the eyes, which is definitely not book canon. The whole point of the Curse is to make others believe the Imperiused person is himself even when under the control of someone else, so it made more sense to make it not obvious until Eleanor looks into Sebastian's eyes and discerns it. Just my two cents.