*Sebastians POV*
What I would give to go back.
Go back to the time where the only thing we had to worry about was if we studied hard enough to pass the O.W.L's. A time where I only had to think about where I was serving my next detention. Or go back to the times where I would sneak out of the dorm rooms, meeting Alora underneath the moonlight, to share a long, good night kiss.
Hell......... I'd even shamefully settle going back to looking for a cure for Anne. But not this............ not this.
I looked into the eyes of the jury, the ones who decided my ultimate fate and I began to wonder....... how can you simply convince someone that what you thought you were doing was........ right. When in their eyes it only seems like murder.
Maybe...... if I pleaded my case enough and tried to make them understand, they would see it from a family point of view.
Maybe luck might be on my side, with the support that stood behind me. With there testimonies, I might just slip by the trip to Azkaban.
"Sebastian Sallow."
I looked up, breathing out the last final hard breathe.
The dark black pews stood tall around me. The engaging fire behind, the first row of people in red while the others continued all the way in the back in black. Looking down at me with harsh eyes. Already judging me for the fact I was here on charges that haven't been said yet.
It was like their eyes were wandering around me like a fishbowl, and I was the fish, trying to hide.
I gulped.
He banged the gavel on his stand, bringing all eyes to him. The prosecutor.
"Let's now begin....." He coughed, clearing his throat, "Offensives committed by Sebastian Sallow, accused of Murder, of Soloman Sallow, within your fifth year at Hogwarts. Evidence brought forth by Ms. Imelda Reyes, student at Hogwarts, who has stated she has evidence against the accused."
Imelda.
That fucking bitch.
How the hell did she even know. I never told her a damn thing.
Did I seriously upset her that much?
We left on, decent terms,...... at least from what I thought.
I swallowed hard, looking behind me, my eyes immediately metting with my family.
Ominis sat in between both Alora and Anne. Holding onto their hands tightly as Anne's silent tears flew down her face. Wiping them as she gave me a short smile. Trying to hold on to whatever courage she had left.
Alora leg was bouncing up and down, biting on her lip as the anxiety was washing over her. Her breath coming out in harsh waves as her nostrils flared.
She knew.
She knew it was Imelda.
Alora nodded to me quickly in acknowledgement. Confirming that it was indeed true.
The prosecutor coughed again, forcing me to turn. His hard eyes beaming down at me in clear disgust.
"The charges, is that you knowingly and purposely, used the killing curse on your uncle, and sought to hide it from the Ministry that these events ever happened," He leaned forward in his chair, his dark eyes following me slightly, "Do you deny these charges?" He asked.
The entire area in which the room went quiet. All eyes fell on me, my world about to come crashing down in fire.
I had a lot time to think about what happened that day when I was in that cell, and maybe down the line I knew I was going to have to face my actions head on. I just didn't think it was going to be this soon.
I wanted to turn...... to face my friend, my sister...... the love of my life.
To tell them......... tell them I was sorry.
But if I was going to crash in fire, then I'll make sure it burns to oblivion.
"No."
Gasps, small talk, confused faces surrounded the room as the others looked down at me in shock. That me, little, small me, would even have the capability of using a killing curse or welding the dark arts.
The gavel banged on the stand again in three's, the echo flooding our ears.
"Silence!"
A relief, a head wracking, spinning relief washed over my shoulders. That I...... no longer had to hide the truth.
I was set free.
"Sebastian Sallow, you are aware in which these spells are considered as "Unforgiveable", in which, any person who uses this curse is dealt with the highest punishment allowed. A full life sentence without parole, to Azkaban?"
"Yes, I'm aware but-"
Anne's cries got louder, the ringing in my ears, Alora's foot tapping on the floor, the sound of my own breathing deafening.
"Then you aware that we simply have no choice but to-"
I stood up, no longer being able to take it. Gasp sounded around the room at my actions.
"You weren't there! You don't know what happened! Solomon fought against me, and I had no choice!"
My voice travelled along the room. The whispers in between the deciders.
"Are you suggesting that this curse was used as, self-defense?" One spoke up in the crowd.
I breathed in air through my lungs, "Yes, and my family can attest to those actions." I said, pointing to them in the back.
The prosecutor sat back in his chair, rubbing his chin in thought.
"For arguments sake, Mr. Sallow, plead your case. But know-" He said, leaning forward again as he grasped his gavel, "these charges will not be easily waved."
I nodded, "I understand, sir."
"Very well."
Here goes nothing......
"Anne, my sister, received a curse by no other than Victor Rookwood. They cursed her....... with something that in which would have led to her death........."
My eyes met with her, her smile beaming into me. Giving me a slight courage to keep going.
"Solomon knew this, but yet after multiple tries of medicines, trips to healers, going to Saint Mungos, tonics, potions, anything and everything! He gave up!" I yelled, standing in front of the men and woman I pleaded my case to.
"I......... a loving brother, one that was ready to do anything and everything was not ready to accept that! She deserved every chance, every opportunity possible to live on a precious and peaceful life and Solomon............ wanted nothing more than to squash Anne's dreams into the dust."
I sighed, looking down at my hands that I knew where the same hands that used the curse, "I know deep within, that resorting to the dark arts now was wrong...... but it shined a small light, a bleak of hope, in a darkness that was drowning everyone here. In. This. Family."
My eyes met with Alora again, seeing her eyes shine brightly, a small tear had escaped her cheek as she squeezed onto Ominis hand. I knew she was trying everything she could do to stay quiet, but she would get her time to explain. I swore I'd let her get her recognition for Anne.
"I found something, deep within the dark arts that would have saved my sister. But Solomon.......... came and ruined it! Once again, he took our only hope away, and then proceeded to use magic against us!"
They all listened intently, some going pale, some sorrowful, some looking disgusted. I didn't know where to turn.
"I know what you all must be thinking....... that I am wrong for my actions, that I am wrong for resorting to the dark arts........... And your right. I should have never gone down a path that led me there...... but you have to understand. I was willing to do anything, everything. To save, my sister. She is the only true family I have left. Don't you think that if you were watching the one person in your life suffer, and they were looking to you for answers, that you would resort to any type of measures!"
"Mr. Sallow, the killing curse is still forbidden-" One spoke up.
"I will not! Be sorry..... For trying to save my family from death. And any true individual that had to watch them diminish to almost not being able to move would understand that. I'd rather, forever, be remembered, of the person who gave up everything instead of watching my sister be put in the fucking ground."
Some shifted in their seats uncomfortable, thinking over my words.
"It almost sounds like, Mr. Sallow, that this..... was more a revenge plot compared to actually using the killing curse in part of defense-"
"I guess you didn't hear Sebastian correctly the first time!"
I turned quickly, seeing Alora stand, her head held high as she faced head on the person who had made the comment.
Ominis tugged on her hand, trying to get her to sit back down, but Alora wouldn't budge.
The prosecutor stood, "And who are you ma'am? Are you speaking on behalf in defense of Sebastian Sallow?"
She gritted her teeth, her bright eyes looking down at me. Slightly grinning.
"I am." She said confidently, "My name is Alora Circe. And I was there........ I stand with him."
I smiled.
Thats my girl.