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Sebastian Sallow seemed to be the only one who didn’t care much for the new fifth year. Sure, they came in through a billow of dragonfire and filled the Great Hall with the stench of smoke. It was certainly an entrance never to be forgotten when compared to the others who came by simple ground carriage or small boats. When he heard whispers that a severely late student was to be sorted, he barely gave a glance at first before his classmates prompted him to. So he did. And when he expected to see a short, wide-eyed first year glancing around in wonder, he saw instead a girl his age walking with disguised trepidation towards the stool where the sorting hat waited. He watched the hat mumble to her and her mumble back to it- repeating the process before the hat announced loudly:
“RAVENCLAW!”
Professor Weasley took the hat off of her head and gave a whisk of her wand to turn the girl’s robes a tinge of blue. In truth, he pitied her. He would have hated starting school so late (five years late, no less). When she disappeared into the thick of the Ravenclaw table, he went back to the object of his affection: a roast chicken sandwich with a side of roasted tomatoes and mash. As soon as Professor Black cleared his throat loudly and dismissed them, Sebastian forgot all about the new girl already.
Though of course, that changed the moment his feet were above him as he was being flung off the dueling strip in Professor Hecat’s classroom. More than that, though, was the small smile on that new fifth year’s face that he saw for a brief second (framed perfectly between the empty v-shaped space of his inverted legs) before colliding to the floor.
The dueling strip relinquished, leaving Sebastian to stare at the skull of the Hebridean Black. It’s toothy smile looked too much like it was laughing at his public demise. Before he could sit up, a hand hovered over his face. It was attached to that new student.
“I suppose I should thank you for that ‘proper’ Hogwarts welcome.” Her voice was low (he could almost describe it as pleasant). Soft-spoken and polite and barely perceptible against Leander Prewett boasting loudly at how Sebastian’s stance was weak, hence ‘why he was thrown off so easily’. Sebastian took her hand, and found himself pulled up with surprising strength.
He dusted off the front of his cloak. “Not bad for a beginner.” That was putting it mildly. He hadn’t been knocked off the strip. Ever (Though he sure he was never going to let her know that). Something about her wand work almost reminded him of a wild animal, untamed and though flourished in the movement- nothing was wasted. “You give as good as you get.”
There was that smile again.
Professor Hecat called over the new student, leaving Sebastian to wander over to Ominis who couldn’t help but smirk as soon as his footsteps neared. “Judging by your silence, I assume you were the one who lost.”
“Oh, shut up. Beginner’s luck, that’s all.”
Ominis’s grin grew wider until it rivaled that of the Hebridean Black. Even his eyes, the color of a milky puddle, twinkled with humor. “If I was granted the gift of a single moment of sight, I’d use it to see your face the moment you lose a duel. To a new student, no less.”
“She can’t be that new! I refuse to believe that was her first duel.”
“Careful. The more you whine, the more you sound like Prewett.”
Sebastian blinked. Offended that he was even being compared to the likes of that high brow, scarlet-and-gold wearing prick. He looked back and still saw Leander with his chin up in the air and wand out as if he were the winner. “Don’t take it personally,” Ominis continued. “I overheard that she bested Natsai Onai in Charms, too. So you shan’t be the only one crying tonight.”
Professor Hecat clapped her hands together. “That’s it for today. Class is dismissed- and don’t forget to do your reading on book five of Basics of Spellcasting. Remember: power is nothing without knowledge.”
Ominis nudged Sebastian and jutted his head to the door, his wand was already out and emanating a faint red ring around the tip. It hummed briefly, laying out the groundwork of the class so that he may get his bearings and navigate freely. “I want to have a few words with the professor. You go on,” said Sebastian.
Ominis gave a knowing smile. “Give the new student my best. She may be a Ravenclaw, but she certainly knows how to put up a fight.”
Sebastian almost hated how well Ominis knew him, but let him go without a comeback (This time, at least). He waited near the training mannequin, arms crossed and foot tapping against the wood. She was talking to the professor again. No doubt Professor Hecat was singing her praises and hoped that ‘all of her students were at least professional duelists’. Their conversation was soon over and she headed his way. He glanced at the floor before looking up to make eye contact and waved her over.
“Nice work,” he began.
She beamed. That smile, he thought, Merlin save me- why does she smile so much? “I enjoyed that.”
“Well that duel was quite something. Everyone will be talking about it.”
“It was certainly good practice-”
“ Practice?! Felt more like I was dueling an expert! Didn’t expect a new student to be so deft with a wand.” That’s it. He definitely wasn’t going to tell Ominis about this conversation. “Then again, perhaps this wasn’t your first duel.”
That innocent smile turned a shade mischievous as one side curled up higher than the other. It made his stomach flip. “I’ve dueled enough. Consider yourself lucky I held back.”
“Huh.” He cleared his throat. “Fair enough. You owe me an honest duel when you aren’t.” Alright, here’s the kicker. He glanced over her head at Professor Hecat and when he was sure she was out of earshot, he continued. “You know, you might be a perfect fit for a certain exclusive, unsanctioned dueling organization.”
“Exclusive and unsanctioned?” Sebastian held his breath as she spoke. “Count me in.”
Relief flooded him. Maybe the new girl wasn’t as bad as he thought her to be. “Excellent. Knew I was right about you. If you want to get the most out of your time at Hogwarts, you’re going to need to break the rules now and then. Whether it’s joining a secret dueling club, or sneaking into the restricted section of the library- you just have to be clever enough not to be caught.” He replayed the words in his head and wondered why he thought it was wise to brag so brazenly about things he shouldn’t be doing immediately after his first time meeting her.
“Thank you, Sebastian. I’ll keep that in mind.” He noticed how she held her hands clasped together in front of her as she talked, like a proper young lady. If he didn’t just get knocked back by her spellcasting minutes ago, he would assume she’d never seen a serious fight in her life.
“Good. Pleasure chatting with you. I’m sure I’ll see you soon.” He turned to walk away, but turned back shortly after to peer at her over his shoulder. “Perhaps somewhere ‘unsanctioned’?”
Soon became sooner. The large pendulum of the clock tower swung overhead, falling in a steady rhythm as it had been without fail for centuries. Sebastian leaned against the wall, his foot kicked up behind him as he waited for little Gryffindor Lucan to make his matches. Samantha Dale had already struck up a conversation with him about what they would need for their next potions class and he answered back lazily. His duel with the new student had soured his mood slightly and he needed something to wash the bitterness away. It was then he saw her stride in, her eyes first wandering to the large pendulum as his did when he happened upon it as a first-year. Then she saw him, and her face lit up.
She was making her way to him when Lucan called her over. He chatted her up in the excited manner that he always adopts when he’s talking about dueling. In fact, Sebastian can’t ever remember Lucan Brattleby getting excited by anything but dueling. Quidditch was perhaps a close second, but, Black made sure to shorten that list by one this year.
“If Sebastian vouched for you, then that’s all I need to know,” he overheard Lucan say. “I coordinate duels for Crossed Wands, a dueling club of sorts. It’s invitation only, so you must have really impressed him.”
“I’m flattered to hear that. Sebastian’s not a bad duelist either.” His ears felt hot at the compliments. Lucan agreed with her before going on to discuss the rules of Crossed Wands. When Lucan waved him over, Sebastian pretended that he was interested in the gravel underneath his boot and did his best to look like he wasn’t paying attention to anything beside himself. Lucan matched him with her for the first round. Their duel was against some second-year Gryffindor and a fifth-year Ravenclaw. He couldn’t be bothered to remember their names at the moment, but she nodded towards the Ravenclaw in recognition.
“We’ll make you regret signing up,” the other Ravenclaw had said, lashing out her wand. “How did you even get here? It’s your first day!”
Sebastian’s partner brandished her wand. “I suppose we’ll have much to discuss back in the common room when this is over, Astoria.” That’s right. Astoria something-or-other was her name! No longer after Lucan set the countdown did Astoria aim her cast towards his partner and he watched in surprise as she dodged it. She rolled out of the way, her wand tip glowing as she returned the favor with a hasty Levioso. In a duel, it only took a second for something to go wrong, and in Sebastian’s case, it was because he was paying attention to the wrong person. He felt his body being pulled against its will and soon dangling in the air as he was suspended by another spell. He saw his attacker, the Gryffindor boy, and the smug smirk on his face. Sebastian felt a bit peeved at the sight. He had enough of cocky Gryffindor boys for the day.
“ Finite !” Sebastian landed on his feet, his eyes now transfixed on his target. An all too familiar heat gathered at his palm. “ Confringo !” The second-year’s eyes bulged at the sight of a fireball headed his way and attempted to dodge. He failed. Miserably so. Sebastian made quick work of him just as Astoria fell onto one knee, her chest heaving in mounted breaths. When neither got up after a few seconds, Lucan’s voice rang out in the courtyard.
“We have our winners!”
Astoria pushed herself off the floor with an expression that wrinkled her round face. “I suppose that was a good fight.”
Sebastian watched the two Ravenclaws converse as he hung back, secretly glad that he wasn’t on the opposite end of her wand this time. Everyone gathered their things as the duels finished up and so did he. Before leaving the courtyard, he turned to look for her but saw that she was talking to Lucan once more. Any hopes of them making eye contact was soon vanquished when it was clear she wasn’t going to turn around any time soon, so Sebastian left. He wandered up the stairs to the Great Hall, his stomach rumbling and in dire need of sustenance. The thought of stuffing his face with a piece of roast chicken or a ham sandwich then washing it down with pumpkin juice instantly improved his mood, that was until he heard a voice he was all too familiar with.
“Mr. Sallow! Mr. Sallow, I know you can hear me! Turn around!”
Sebastian let the disappointed sigh roll from his lols before plastering a smile and turning on his heels. “Madam Scribner. How may I help you on this fine day?”
The Hogwarts Librarian, severe as ever, came marching down the hall with her white hair floating up and down to match the rhythm of her stomping. “Mr. Sallow. It came to my attention that you didn’t attend detention for your previous intrusion into the Restricted Section last week.”
“Oh. My apologies, Madam Scribner. I was busy with schoolwork.”
“As all students are, I imagine.” She sniffed, her aquiline nose poised high in the air. “Yet that doesn’t stop others from fulfilling their responsibilities.”
Sebastian rounded his eyes, channeling the innocence (haha) of the first year he once was. “Oh, come now Madam Scribner. I really was busy! What with Professor Sharp ordering at least twelve inches for our potions review, it’s been very hard to focus on anything else.”
The librarian’s eyes formed thin, horizontal slits as she eyed him suspiciously. “Your excuses won’t work on me this time, boy. You’re coming with me for your punishment.”
Sebastian resisted the urge to roll his eyes again in front of her and followed begrudgingly. From the corner of his eye, he saw a brightly colored hat manifest from the stone wall. That hat was attached to one of the most irksome things about this school. And the thing’s name was Peeves. Peeves the Poltergeist.
The wretched thing stuck his oblong shaped head out and saw Sebastian walking behind Scribner with a sullen face. A shrill sound came from the poltergeist as he pointed and laughed. Sebastian wondered if it was possible to kill something dead once more.
A pillar of smoke descended from the giant dragon mural that hung overhead the library entrance. It blew over his face, but didn’t bother waving it away from his face as he followed the librarian through the door and down the stairs. When they stopped in the middle row of the library, she turned on her heels and held her hand out.
“Your wand, Mr. Sallow.”
“Wh-”
“Ah-ah! Wand!”
Sebastian sighed, pulling his wand from his back pocket and handing it over to her. Madam Scribner examined it carefully, bringing it close to her face until the whorls of wood were perceptible in the lenses of her glasses. “I suppose this is the real thing. Very well. Wouldn’t want to make that mistake twice now, would we?” (Actually, it was three.) Madam Scribner made it a habit now to check if the wand he handed to her was real ever since she was fooled. Sebastian was getting really good at transfiguring twigs into look-alike wands. “As for your punishment.. I want you to dust the shelves. By hand.”
Madam Scribner handed him a feather duster and he picked it up with two fingers, looking at it as if it would strike at him. “All of them? Without magic?! But that will take forever!”
“Yes. All of them. By hand.”
There had to be at least a hundred or so shelves in the first section alone. In total, he heard that the true amount of shelves amounted to at least a thousand- if not tens of thousands with how the shelves switched back and forth depending on the reader’s needs. Without a wand, this wasn’t detention. It was actual torture. He was never good at Muggle cleaning.
“But I haven’t even had breakfast-”
“Well I suppose you’d have to start now if you want to make it to breakfast tomorrow!”
Sebastian opened his mouth to say something else until the library doors opened and Professor Weasley walked in. The red-headed woman didn’t have to search far and as soon as her eyes set upon Sebastian, her smile widened. “Good afternoon, Madam Scribner.”
“Professor Weasley. It’s a pleasure as always.”
“Thank you, Agnes.” She glanced at the feather duster in his hand before looking at him. “I must ask that I borrow Mr. Sallow from you.”
“But Matilda- Professor Weasley,” Scribner started. “The boy is due for detention. I can’t let him off so easily.”
Weasley turned her soft blue eyes on Sebastian and immediately he felt as if every rule he broke within the last week was being scrutinized. “I am aware of Mr. Sallow’s detention record.. That is why I’m letting him endure another chore. He will serve as a wayfinder and guide for the rest of the day.”
“For who?” Both he and the librarian asked at the same time.
“Oh, you’ll see.” With a wave of her wand, the feather duster floated from his hand and rested on a nearby table. “If you could follow me.”
Sebastian cast one more glance at Madam Scibner before rushing to follow Professor Weasley out. As he fell into the same pace as the older woman, she cleared her throat. “Try not to look too pleased, Mr. Sallow. At least until we’re out of Madam Scribner’s sight.”
***
Professor Weasley dropped him off at the door to Hogwart’s north exit and simply told him to wait there before walking off. He was almost tempted to wander off, but ultimately decided this was the safer bet. (There was a chance another professor would be waiting to pounce and deliver him news of another detention.) When the clock tower sounded off in the distance, he only had to wait five past to see who it was that he was escorting out to the village. Weasley never actually told him who it was he'd be meeting and kept it a secret as 'added punishment'. Deep down, he had a gut feeling as to who it would be that needed to go to Hogsmeade so urgently.
Priscilla descended down the stairs and honed in on him immediately. She flashed one of her smiles. “Hello, Sebastian.”
“Ah! My new charge. I’m told you’re in dire need of supplies and I’m to accompany you into Hogsmeade for them. Is this your first foray into the village?”
“It is. I haven’t left the castle since I arrived.”
“Well I shall endeavor to be the best of guides then! Hogsmeade is a charming little place- self-contained, too. We should be able to find you everything that you need. Shall we?”
Sebastian pushed the wide doors open, slipping behind them and holding it ajar for her to step through. He waited a moment to allow her to take in the view. In the distance, the Quidditch pitch was visible and some students were still flying around the pillars. Doing their best to keep the sport alive this year, no doubt. Before he started the year, he told himself he wanted to try out as one of Slytherin's two Beaters. But when that fire in Feldcroft happened, his dreams were postponed. Some things were just more important. “I was glad Professor Weasley asked me to join you today.” Brilliant. You sound like a simpering fool.
“As am I. Thank you by the way. I’m glad she wasted no time asking you.”
“You knew she was going to?”
“I asked for you specifically.”
He cleared his throat. “Well. I suppose it all worked out then. You’re the only one who’s ever bested me in a duel. The way I see it, it’d be wise to keep a close eye on you.” His breath hitched. So much for keeping that a secret.
They broke into a steady jog, just fast enough to outmatch other students traveling along the same path. Their pace was relatively similar, though he did his best to maintain his distance. There were times they bumped into each other and the back of her hand brushed against his, making him flinch. It seemed she noticed this and did her best to not be so close as much. He tried to ease the silence into a comfortable conversation as he told her about the detention this trip saved him from. He was more grateful than she realized, but was careful not to let that slip at least.
There was a hint of a laugh in her voice. “Glad I could be of service.”
“Madam Scribner, the librarian, was on the hunt for me.. As is often the case. Professor Weasley came to retrieve me and convinced old Scibner I had somewhere to be.” Sebastian slowed when he realized that she stopped for a moment, staring at the castle that was now a good distance away from them. He’d grown accustomed to the view, but if this was someone’s first time seeing it, it would indeed be due a moment of appreciation.
Their course was interrupted when Sebastian spotted a brightly hued bush with glowing orbs surrounding it in droves. “Oh! Just one moment.” He motioned for her to follow him towards the bushes. With a quick hand and a swoop of his wand, a glass bottle appeared with some of the lights now captured in the vessel. “This is an excellent spot to gather lacewing flies. They’re pretty to look at, but if you stew them long enough they make a powerful potion ingredient.”
They both stopped to gather more of the glowing insects and crowded around a single bush to try and get as much as they could in one scoop. Once again, their hands brushed against each other and once again, Sebastian shrunk from the contact. She seemed to notice this, too, and withdrew to another bush entirely to gather more on her own. When they departed, he noted that she took great care to maintain her distance from him. It was almost painful hanging there in silence until something loud had set off from deep in the Forbidden Woods. The sound of multiple branches breaking caught their attention and Sebastian squinted against the sun to saw two large, white creatures emerge from the tree-line.
“Merlin’s Beard!” He pointed. “Look!” The creatures let out a high pitched squawk that echoed over them. Pristine white wings spread far from their body, carrying their large equine-shaped body gracefully through the sky. “Quite a sight. You certainly don’t see that everyday.” He was starting to wonder if the new girl possessed a rare talent for having uncanny things happen often when she was present. The hippogriffs circled around them and over another group of students that watched from the bridge ahead. He recognized some, even one from his House and almost greeted them until he saw a certain Gryffindor.
“Do you think Poppy’s already seen the hippogriffs?” asked the Hufflepuff in the group.
“Absolutely.”
“Already named them, no doubt.” Leander Prewett cackled. It was a noise that tickled Sebastian’s ears and not in a good way. “‘Prancehoof’ and ‘Sugarfoot’.” The rest of their group laughed when Leander’s voice mimicked Poppy’s.
Priscilla slowed. Her face now devoid of any wonder or curiosity at seeing the majestic beasts. “Is he always that rude?”
“Unfortunately. Personally, I think the Hat should’ve sorted him into the garbage bin.” Her laugh erased the bitterness he held in hearing Leander. “Have you had much of a chance to explore the castle?”
“A little. It’s positively enormous.”
“It is that. I’ve been there five years and barely scratched the surface. Loads to see, places to discover.”
“Oh? Any you’d like to share with the class?”
He glanced her way and saw her grinning at him expectantly. “Perhaps one day. Can’t go around telling you all my secrets now, can I? You still haven’t told me how you became so good at dueling.” From further up the road, a carriage came rumbling their way. Sebastian had the unfortunate pleasure of seeing what pulled them. With bodies like emaciated horses and eyes like the surface of the moon, Thestrals would seem like the perfect omen of death had they not been gentle and sensitive creatures. One of them looked at Sebastian and while he felt a chill go over him, he also felt comfort. Those that witnessed death also had the privilege of seeing one of these majestic winged beasts and at first, he tried to avoid looking at them as much as possible. Though nowadays, he found a strange sort of companionship with them. He peered over the Thestral's bat-like wings and saw that her eyes were honed in on them as well, going over their details just as much as he did. Their eyes met and they understood.
“You too?” she asked softly.
He nodded. He didn't want to talk about it. “I suppose the dragon attack did a number on you. Hopefully the rest of your year isn’t as eventful.”
***
“There you are, I’ve been waiting for you all day. Where have you been?!” Ominis’ usually calm voice was precariously elevated, as it always is when he’s irritated.
“Sorry, mum.” Sebastian plopped onto his bed, taking off his shoes and cloak and tossing them aside. “I was at Hogsmeade.”
“Hogsme-” Ominis took a deep breath. “I thought you were in detention.”
“Yes, well. My schedule was suddenly free.”
“So you heard about the troll attack?”
“Heard?” he scoffed, undoing his tie and letting it hang freely around his neck. “I felt the troll attack.”
“What do you mean? Explain. Now.”
“I was with the new fifth-year helping her with supplies. We were finishing up wh-”
“When what?”
“When a troll came lumbering through the town square. Officer Singer handled that one, but then another-”
“ Another?! ”
“Are you going to keep interrupting me? Or do you want to hear the story?”
Sebastian waited a few moments before continuing on with his story. He told him everything (or close to it at least). He told him about how the second troll attacked the two of them. Sebastian did his best not to mention the strange magic he saw her use but he just couldn’t stop thinking about it. When the troll looked to be on its last legs, she summoned something from her palm. Glowing and bright, he couldn’t look away even if it was certain to blind him if he stared longer. The bright light shot forth from her newly acquired wand and the troll disintegrated as if the lumbering brute was a soggy piece of parchment. After that, they saw Rookwood and Harlow speak with that goblin he saw from the Daily Prophet, Ranrok, and after that they retreated into the Three Broomsticks where they were confronted by the two wizards who chased after them. Sebastian felt a little hot on his neck and refused to elaborate much in detail as to what happened when they were cornered at Sirona's bar.
“What’s this?” Rookwood sneered when Priscilla stood beside Sebastian with both of their wands out. “Already found someone you fancy?”
“Back off,” she spoke in a hushed whisper as if they stood in a library and not a crowded bar. Theophilus made a quick lunge to grab Sebastian and he made ready to reciprocate until she shoved his arm out of the way with her wand now pointed at his chest. “Don’t. Touch. Him.”
Harlow sniggered. “Or what?”
“You’ve seen what I can do with a second-hand wand. What do you think I could do with a wand that chose me?”
“As I said. My friend is busy.” Sirona never took her eyes off of Rookwood nor Harlow. Her hands remained fast on her hips where she wielded nothing but her uncanny courage. She didn't have to, not with several other wands from the other patrons pointed directly at the two vagrants.
Victor Rookwood stared daggers at both Sebastian and her. Rookwood's cold eyes focused on him for a moment before scoffing loudly. “Come, Theophilus. Let’s take our galleons elsewhere. The Three Broomsticks isn't what it used to be."
“Don’t worry.” Priscilla called after him. “I’ll be sure to find you later.” She turned to Sebastian, her face had lost the cool composure from earlier and was instead contorted with worry for him. “Are you okay?”
“Hmph.” Ominis smiled.
“What is it?”
“Oh nothing. Just didn’t think you’d be the type to be a damsel in distress. It’s rather endearing, but also, what could they want with a student?”
“I thought so too. It was rather odd that- hang on a minute. Damsel in distress? It was nothing like that, I had it handled. It was just..” Sebastian attempted to find the right words to say. From all the books he read, he would imagine he’d at least have some idea, some vernacular he could use to paint a better picture. When they finally came, he turned to Ominis only to see his friend tucked deep into emerald sheets and fast asleep. He gave up entirely after that and went to the basin to rinse his face before slipping into his nightwear and followed Ominis into a dreamless stupor. Sebastian needed rest more than anything, because when he awoke he felt soreness grip his body in a stiff handle. Trolls were more trouble than they were worth it seemed. Even after class, Ominis didn’t let Sebastian lie peacefully and instead demanded they go to Hogsmeade as soon as they were dismissed.
A bell jingling pleasantly greeted the two Slytherin boys into Honeydukes and Ominis made a beeline for the assorted fudge put on display near the front. “Chocolates?” Sebastian sighed. “Couldn’t we do this another day?”
“No.”
Sebastian gave a huff loud enough so Ominis could hear before stalking off to take a gander at the new batch of Pepper Imps. He could hear Anne’s distant laughter when he first took a handful of the mints and breathed out a stream of fire for a whole minute. Anne laughed so hard that day that tears formed in her eyes and despite feeling like his mouth had been completely disintegrated and made anew, it was worth it just to see her smile. After perusing the blood lollipops, cockroach clusters, and stared longingly at the chocolate frogs (This batch promised new collectible cards!), a new smell hit him and his stomach rumbled at the sight of all the freshly baked pasties and cakes lined with strawberries and cream. It took all of his will to look away. He didn’t need them (he also didn’t have the knuts nor sickles).
The door jingled to let another customer in and Sebastian heard a delighted ‘oh’ come from the direction of the door. “Sebastian, hello again!” Priscilla looked pleased that he was here. (Of course she did. It was him, after all. Who wouldn’t be pleased?)
He waved her over and nearly failed to notice the odd gait she had to her walk. “Well, well. If it isn't the pride of Ravenclaw herself. Patrolling the square for another troll to slay?”
“Not today, unfortunately. I’ve only come to run an errand.”
“That’s disappointing. And here I was hoping I would get a free chance to gather troll bogeys for Sharp.”
“There’s still time before curfew,” she laughed. “Best get to it.”
“Sebastian?” Ominis came his way, his wand out and searching. “Who’s this?”
“Priscilla Corvin. Charmed to meet you.” She took Ominis' outstretched hand. “I’m a new student.”
“I’ve heard of you. It’s a delight to finally meet face-to-face after all those stories I’ve heard.”
“I’d love to hear what sort of stories they were after I know your name,” she said helpfully and Sebastian saw a ghost of a smile play on his friend’s lips.
“I’m Ominis. Ominis Gaunt. Do let me know if you need any assistance navigating your first days here at Hogwarts, though, I doubt you’ll need it. It’s not everyday a student arrives in a Ministry commissioned coach.” Sebastian had the impression that he was impressed, but did well to hide it under suave enunciations.
“That’s still kind of you to offer,” she beamed (Even if Ominis couldn’t see her smile, Sebastian was sure he could hear it in her voice. “Perhaps I will take you up on that someday.” Her head perked up at something beyond the door of Honeydukes and she pressed her hand to her chest and bowed her head. “I have to go, I’ll see you both back in class. It was a pleasure meeting you, Ominis.”
“The pleasure was all mine.” Ominis waited till the jingling at the door was heard again. “Did you smell that?”
“What?”
“Blood.”
“I’ve not a keen sense of smell as you do. Besides that, she looked clean.”
“For someone gifted with sight, you put much of it to waste. Blood is unmistakable. Was she wounded?”
He thought of her limp earlier. Hogwarts was far from the safest place in Scotland, that in tandem with the fact that he knew some of the most dangerous criminals known to them were actively attempting to capture her, he’d expect to see her admittance to the hospital wing at least once a month. “I'm not sure,” he lied and made a mental note to check on her later.
“Hmm.” Ominis was unconvinced. He held up the sizable piece of chocolate in his hand. The sides were covered in swirls of pretty pink frosting and an array of blue dots and green hearts. “I’m finished. Let’s pay and get out of here.”
Sebastian crinkled his nose. “I thought you hated the strawberry ones.”
“It’s not for me. It’s for Anne.” The shopkeeper charged them appropriately and Ominis paid extra to have the fudge wrapped prettily in pastel pink paper. Sebastian opened the door for him as they exited and on the way back to the castle, Ominis spoke to him. “That new fifth-year seems all well and good, but..”
“But?”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be hanging about. Trouble seems to find her and if you’re around long enough, it will find you too.”
Sure enough, as always, Sebastian didn’t listen much.
***
Two prefects- (no, wait. Make that three), paced about in front of the library’s entrance. Sebastian crouched near the railing, watching them while listening to the ticking of the grandfather clock that kept him company. Half past nine already? She should be here by now . At this point, he wasn’t scared of the prefects catching him. It was Ominis’s wrath that worried him more. After he promised him that he wouldn’t go looking for more trouble, here he was. It wasn’t his fault Hogwart’s latest mystery sought him out, entreating him for help. But how could Ominis blame him? He hadn’t had this much fun since Anne was still here.
“Sebastian!”
He looked in the direction of the whisper with a finger to his lips. “Not so loud,” he warned before pointing at the stairs below them where another prefect patrolled.
She nodded her understanding and crouched beside him. Sebastian took care not to notice nor mention how disheveled she appeared (or the fact that it was obvious that she might have dozed off while waiting till night. Given her frazzled hair on the back and a speck of dried drool by the corner of her left lip.) She blinked the sleep from her eyes multiple times and even in the dim lighting he could see that they were streaked with red. As he pointed out more prefects and explained his plan for getting inside the library, he saw her slip on dueling gloves.
“Are you expecting a fight in the library?” he asked, amused.
Her expression was vague. “Perhaps a papercut.”
“Fair enough. Remember, those annoying prefects would love nothing more than to rat us out to Scribner. So don’t let them see us, understood?”
“I can be sneaky,” she whispered back and made for the stairs. “Let’s go.”
“Hold on now,” Sebastian motioned for her to come back. “There’s a spell you should know. The Disillusionment Charm. Good for getting into places you’re not supposed to be. Give it a try.” He worked her through the wand movement and in no time, he watched as her body became translucent with only a slight shimmer notifying him that she was still there at all. Satisfied that the student became the master, he cast the charm on himself and led her down the stairs past the prefect to the library entrance. They crouched behind the large fountain depicting a werewolf and unicorn prancing around each other until a red streak left the tip of her wand and hit a nearby wall. The prefects nearby investigated and they rushed down the stairs and through the door. As soon as they got there, Sebastian was alerted by the all too familiar head of gray hair and pulled Priscilla back by her shoulders until they were behind a bookcase.
“What is it?” she asked in alarm.
“It’s Scribner.”
“What? I thought you said she’d be gone by now!”
“I said usually!”
“But-”
For whatever reason, Sebastian was granted the extraordinary ability to sense when Scribner was about to look his way. An ability that alerted him at this very moment. Clamping a hand over her mouth, he pulled her further down the aisle of shelves. He was focused on how Scribner’s nose pointed in the direction of her searching the library for the noise she heard and not how he felt her stuttered breaths against the skin of his palm. When he looked back, he saw her looking straight up at him with her mouth still covered with his palm. It was now that he realized the warm air that flushed rhythmically against his hand where he also felt the tips of her lips brush softly against his skin. Heat bloomed against the back of his neck as chaste as a kiss and he immediately dropped his hand along with his eyes to find the floor instead of her face. He muttered a quick apology and she muttered back hers.
“See that desk behind me?” He did his best to recover even though the embarrassment had already rooted in his stomach and was like a gobstone ready to burst. It was unacceptable that he was less than his usual charming self right now. “There’s a large antique key there. You focus on grabbing it and I’ll draw her attention away. I’ll meet you outside the Restricted Section.”
“Wait, why do we need a key? I figured someone who’s repeatedly breaking in places he shouldn’t be would know a spell for locked doors.”
“ Alohomora ? That’s how I used to get in, but like you Scribner figured I knew that spell too and cast a charm to nullify that spell.”
“Alright. You can count on me.” She inhaled deeply and crouched just as her body turned as transparent as glass. “I’m ready,” said the air in front of him.
Sebastian did the same and made his way to the middle of the library where a large globe sat pretty on an oak desk as old as the librarian herself. A stack of papers lay assorted there just begging for Sebastian to whisk them away. And who was he to deny that request when they were just itching to be scattered all over the floors?
“Bombarda! ”
The papers and globe went flying everywhere with the splinters nearly missing him as he crawled away hastily. “Peeves?” he heard Scibner call from the front. “Is that you?”
Heeled steps followed the noise of the blast just as he escaped behind some shelves just in time to see another figure hurry towards him. The spell fell from her shoulders like a cloak as she stuffed the key in the large padlock and motioned for him to hurry in. Sebastian bumped into her when she suddenly stopped, her semi-transparent head focused on a large tome that sat by its lonesome on a shelf.
“Don’t be fooled,” he murmured. “That book has been charmed to look more useful than it seems. I fell for it twice already.” He didn’t see her face, but something told him that she was smiling. They both ran as quietly as possible to the bottom where a pair of ghosts haunted. Priscilla cast a spell that struck one of the armor pieces dangling from the wall and with the rattling to distract the dead, they ran for the stairs that led them deeper into the library.
“We should be in the clear now,” Sebastian’s voice was still barely above a whisper. “No need to be skulking about.”
“So,” she said as the spell vanished from her body, “you come here often?” Sebastian must have given her a look, because she hastily followed that up with: “You said you come to the Restricted Section as much as possible. What is it here that you’re looking for?”
Right . “I’m looking for a cure for my twin sister Anne, because Merlin knows everyone else has given up.”
“Why do you think you’ll find a cure for her here? Does the Hogwarts matron have nothing that can help Anne-”
The frustration built up within. He’d been asked this question time and time again and it never got better. “ No !” He regretted his tone immediately when she saw her eyes round a bit at his burst of irritation. Sebastian murmured a quick apology before continuing. “We’ve already tried everything from Nurse Blainey’s to St. Mungo’s. But no need to concern yourself with that now, let’s focus on what you’re after.. Which is, what, precisely?”
She bit her lip as she scoured the shelves one-by-one. “I’ll know it when I see it.”
“You’re being awfully cryptic.”
“That’s good for you then, isn’t it? Some of the Ravenclaw girls told me you love enigmas.”
Sebastian blinked. As he was about to ask which of the girls in the tower were talking about him, a large crash interrupted their conversation. She froze in her steps and Sebastian stepped in front of her to see who or what it was that caused the ruckus. A cloud of dust still hung in the air where the noise occurred and forced him to squint in the already dim dungeon they found themselves in. He turned to her with a finger across his lips.
“Let’s be careful,” he urged and stepped lightly amongst the mess of futile antiques and outdated books and covered statues that appeared like people wrapped in a funeral shroud. Towards the entryway on the other side of the dungeon, there was a large pile of armor pieces that hung in disarray on the floor in front of their exit. There were only two bad outcomes that were possible from this little foray into the library. One, it was old Scribner herself; two, it was that irritating, ghostly ball of pure chaos and color.
The latter happened.
“Well, well. What have we here?” Peeves stared at the both of them with eyes red as the devil. “Sebastian Sallow and his new little friend~ Out exploring where they shouldn’t be~”
“Peeves, no-”
“Naughty, naughty~” Peeves sung in his annoyingly high-pitched voice. “You’ll get caughty~!!!” He rose high in the air, floating over the two of them.
“Peeves, don’t you dare-”
“I’m going to tell~ I’m going to tell~ I’m going to tell~!!!”
“Agh, blasted Peeves! I’m going after him before he tells Scribner what we’re up to.”
Sebastian ran in the direction Peeves was floating to until he felt something tug his arm back. “Wait!” she whispered, her hand grabbing a fistful of his cloak. “I don’t want you getting into trouble on my account.”
He stared down at her hand and realized she wasn’t going to let go anytime soon as her face was creased with worry. “Scribner’s used to my antics,” he explained, unsuccessfully. “I have a hidden talent for getting out of trouble with faculty.”
“Is it because of your wit and charm?” She grinned when Sebastian opened his mouth but no words came out. “Let me take the blame. I was the one who asked.”
“No, I’ll do it. Trust me. I told you I’d help you find what you need and I always keep my word. Besides, I like having friends who are in my debt.” He didn’t know what possessed him to wink at her, but he did and now it was her turn to be mute. You right git. You're embarrassing yourself. This was as good of a time as any to be invisible. Casting the spell onto himself, he followed Peeves' direction upstairs. He heard something metallic being scraped across the stone behind him, assuring him that she found a way through the mess. Once he returned to the regular part of the library, that embarrassment he had earlier was quickly replaced by dread.
The ticking of the table clocks seemed to taunt him as he chased the sight of Peeve’s awful orange tailcoat disappearing behind shelves of books. It was a chore, he found, to attempt to move so quietly and quickly simultaneously. It was also maddening. Every time he thought he caught a glimpse of the poltergeist, he would follow it until he caught a dead end. Once more, he thought he saw Peeve’s head and followed him up the stairs towards the aisle that held Transfiguration books but saw nothing more than an empty, dark wall. Only one good thing came from this chase, and it was that it seemed that Scribner was nowhere to be found. This is good . It meant he could wait freely for Priscilla to come back. He returned to the Restricted Section and descended down into the dungeon once more. A part of him wanted to follow her in- only to see what lay inside of course. He didn’t expect it to be dangerous, it was a library after all. But something was odd at how he’d caught her slipping on dueling gloves before they entered. It was as if she was expecting to run into something below-
“GOT YOU~!!” Peeves jumped through the wall, his face mere inches from Sebastian’s. “Come chase me~ come chase me~~!”
By Merlin, let me strangle him once. I would gladly serve detention for the rest of my life if I was granted the chance.
“Peeves!!” Sebastian snarled, barreling after him into the library once more.
He was much easier to spot this time, a detail he didn’t think too hard on as he chased the poltergeist up and down the aisles. Until finally, Sebastian came face-to-face with Peeve’s abnormally shaped head. But Peeves wasn’t smiling at him, in fact, he was looking at something over his head and this forced him to do a quick turn just in time to run into the thing worse than Peeves in a library: the librarian herself. “Sneaking in the Restricted Section again!" Scribner's voice was shrill. "I thought we were through with this mischief. Clearly detention isn’t as great of a deterrent as it should be. This must go to the headmaster!”
“But-”
“That being said,” she clicked her tongue. “Peeves informed me that you were not alone.” Scribner’s posture relaxed slightly just as she adopted a softer voice. “If someone has coerced you, I’d have you tell me. You’re a bright boy, don’t waste this.”
He swallowed the lump in his throat. His thoughts wandered to Priscilla and hoped she found whatever it was that she was looking for in there. The least he could do was ensure that at least one of them survived this encounter.
“He wasn’t alone.” Another voice filled in the silence. It was loud and clear as Priscilla declared herself, standing up from where she crouched behind a small shelf. The first thing he noticed was how she appeared considerably more disheveled than before. There was a brush of dirt on her cheek and one sleeve of her cloak was tattered as if something sharp dragged through it in length. There was a cut on her face he hadn’t noticed before they snuck in and blood long dried speckled her skin like freckles. Something happened down there. Something must have attacked her. He thought of the look on her face when she slipped on her dueling gloves.
Why is she always covered in blood every time I see her?
“It was me, Madam Scribner.” It took all of Sebastian’s willpower not to have his jaw drop in dismay in order to pretend that this wasn’t his first time hearing this story. “I told Sebastian I wanted to go into the Restricted Section. He didn’t want to at first, but I couldn’t take no for an answer. I thought the books there could help me catch up quicker with my studies.”
Madam Scribner looked between the both of them and sighed. “Oh, Ms. Corvin. What will Professor Weasley and Fig say? This sort of behavior will not promise you an easy year, and if repeated then you might find yourself expelled from Hogwarts entirely.”
“I understand. I’m sorry.”
Scribner turned to Sebastian. “Head off to bed then, Mr. Sallow.” Then she turned to Priscilla. “I’ll be deducting ten points from Ravenclaw and tomorrow you’ll be serving detention straight after class.”
“But Madam Scribner,” Sebastian started. “I-“
“Hush now!” The old librarian snapped. “Or shall I deduct some points from Slytherin as well? Now, off you go!” Sebastian was rushed off before he could deny or even state his intention. He passed by her, her arm brushing past his lower arm, allowing him to feel the backs of their hand graze against each other once more. She felt cold. He looked back to see Peeves blow a raspberry in Priscilla’s face (damn ghost) and Madam Scribner giving her a stern talking to. Just before he left, they locked eyes and she gave a slight nod. By the time he descended the castle to find his common room entrance, Sebastian felt his pockets and pulled out a piece of parchment that wasn’t there before.
‘Thank you’
***
During dinner the next day, Sebastian ignored the sandwich and other foods he piled onto his plate from the feast. Instead, his eyes were focused on the Ravenclaw table, scouring each face with such scrutiny that other people couldn’t help but notice.
“Looking for someone, Sallow?” Imelda called across their table. (A little too loudly for his taste.) Some of the other Slytherin laughed alongside her, making his ears pink. Grabbing one of the hard-boiled eggs, he chucked it at Imelda. Imelda’s sneer widened. “I heard she’s serving detention in the library. You’re welcome.”
“Do I need remind you that Black is considering canceling Quidditch for the following years as well?” This shut her up, but not before she scowled at him in disgust.
“I’m going ahead to the common room,” Sebastian had polished his plate and goblet as fast as he could and nudged Ominis who was waiting for his enchanted knife to cut his meatloaf into thin slices. “I’ll see you later.”
Ominis just smirked. “Give Priscilla my best.”
When he was sure no one was paying attention, he headed out of the Great Hall and up towards the library. Much to his favor, it seemed that no one was guarding the doors this time. A cold chill greeted him as the library doors opened to him and allowed him into the darkness as the lights were mostly out save for a few candles that followed a single figure around. He squinted, not daring to cast a spell lest he be found out, and his vision came into focus slowly just in time to see the figure the candles kept company with. Priscilla was climbing a ladder with a feather duster in hand, dusting the shelves and books carefully by hand. A pit formed in his stomach when he realized this was supposed to be his punishment. Sebastian watched her dust the shelves one-by-one and even though they never seemed to end, he still heard her hum pleasantly to herself as if she didn’t mind at all.
***
Professor Fig,
My first few days at Hogwarts was eventful, to say the least. It was everything you described it to me! The view from the Ravenclaw common room is breathtaking, I feel as if we are suspended in the clouds! My roommates have been courteous and the classes enjoyable. I can fault nothing here except for the presence of some pesky spirits.
I must confess. There's a boy I met. Sebastian. He's from House Slytherin, but he's been very generous and helpful. He's the one who helped me find the book from the Restricted Section.
When I visited Hogsmeade, he accompanied me and though I enjoyed his presence. He didn't seem to like mine very much. Perhaps I'm overlooking things, but my very touch seemed to revolt him. I will have to make a mental note to not be so close to him next we meet. I must look like a fool to him
Guilt weighs me down now that I know Harlow and Rookwood have seen his face. What if he becomes a target and
He's helped me so much so far, I can't bear the thought of him getting involved in all of this so
it was very fun. I got to try Butterbeer for the first time! We must go when your duties at the Ministry are finished.
Yours truly,
Your 'Young Friend'