The Legacy • Sebastian Sallow

CHAPTER 10 - A Trip To Hogsmede

The rest of the week flies like a breeze. The same old cycle. Wake up, classes, study, sleep, repeat. Once the weekend finally arrives, I feel the weight lifted off my shoulders as the first week back concludes. I head to the common room after finishing my final class for the week. I enter the room and notice Imelda, Sebastian and Ominis sitting on the couches by the window.

I havent seen Sebastian since we last studied together in the room of requirement. Ive been so busy keeping up with my school work that I didn't even think to reach out to him about how he's going with his homework he was stuck on. I join them in the couches, taking a seat next to Ominis and resting my legs over his lap.

"Any plans for the weekend?" He asks me as he adjusts my legs for his own comfort.
"Nothing major. I need to visit Hogsmede and run a few errands. I might give Penny a visit and check in on how the shops running." I say, laying my head back on the arm rest behind me.
"Penny? Who's Penny?" Imelda asks, shooting me a confused look.
"My shopkeeper. I released her after becoming her Master but she chose to stay. Said it was her dream to run a shop with a friend."
"You have a house elf? Why am I just now finding out about this?" She replies.
"She's not MY house elf, shes a friend." I state, emphasising the fact that I chose to release Penny after the excruciatingly horrific encounters I faced with Fastido in the locked chest within our shop.
"I need to meet her immediately!" Imelda states, standing up from her position. "Youre taking me there now."
"Hold your horses Imelda. Its a little late. If you want to meet her and see the shop then we'll go tomorrow. I need to finish my homework so I can spend the weekend stress free." I reply.
"Ugh. Fine. But just know i'll be pestering you first thing in the morning. Will you lot be making an appearance too?" She asks, gesturing to Ominis and Sebastian.

I look over and see Sebastian lost in thought as he stares blankly infront of him. I follow the direction of his eyes and could swear hes staring at my legs propped on Ominis' legs. Perhaps hes off with the fairies in daydream land.

"Id love to come. Sebastian?" Ominis says, eyeing off his friend, awaiting his response.
Sebastian snaps out of his trance and bluntly replies "Yeah. See you in the morning." Before suddenly standing up and walking out of the room.
"That was weird." Imelda says. "Anyway. Enough chit chat. Go finish your homework!" She points to me and ushers me off with her hands. I groan in response and begin the trek to my room where I begin finalising my homework and drifting off to sleep.
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It's Saturday morning and Imelda was not jesting when she stated shed be pestering me the moment I woke. Within the five minutes I've risen from my slumber, shes already begged three times for me to hurry up. Someones eager for an outing I think to myself.

I get up and shower before heading back to the room and deciding on an outfit. As its still summer, and reasonably warm out, I decided on a black pleated skirt and sheer stockings paired with my trusty platformed boots. I placed on my usual white button up with a black knitted vest over the top. Once I brush my hair and add a smidge of mascara to my lashes, Imelda and I head down to the common area and wait for the boys.

Moments later the duo are heading towards us. I can't help but to notice Sebastian seems tense. Perhaps I'll speak to him if we get a moment alone today. Im worried about him.

I find myself staring at him, noticing his attire. Black trousers and a Slytherin sweatshirt thrown over a white button up with the collar peaking out through the sweater. I'd be lying if I said he didn't look ruggedly handsome.

Once we arrive at Hogsmede we complete the errands I needed to forsee. A quick stop at JJ's, a peak at Glazwigs for any new gear and the purchasing of some combat plants from Dogweed and Deathcap. We then headed to Vesters and Venum to introduce the trio to the infamous Penny. Imelda and Ominis explored the store, noting how unbelievable it is that a Hogwarts student has their own store in Hogsmede. They're already plotting ways they could start up their own wizarding businesses. On the other hand, Sebastian seems quiet. I watch as he kicks his feet around the floor, hands in his trouser pockets, staring off into space.
"Everything okay?" I ask as I begin to approach him. He looks over to Ominis and Imelda who are still going on about their business plans before locking eyes with me.
"You and Ominis then hey?" He says, eyes falling back to the floor.
"What?" I ask, confused as to what hes talking about.
"You and Ominis. I saw you getting all cozy and comfortable with him on the couch. Didn't know you had feelings for him in that way".

Is he crazy?

"Me and Ominis?" I scoff, laughing at the ridiculous comment. "Surely you jest."
"I am not." He replies, as blunt as a knife.
"Sebastian. Ominis and I are nothing but friends. I was simply making myself comfortable." I say, watching as his eyes find their way back to mine.
"Im sure thats all you two are."
"Sebastian I'm being awfully honest with you. Even if we were more than friends, why do you seem so distant? Do you think I'm going to steal your best friend? Is that what it is? Come on Sebastian. Youre being ridiculous now." I scoff.
"Whatever." He says, storming out of the store.

Ominis and Imelda notice his lack of presence and are quick to ask questions about what happened. I told them the truth and recalled the conversation we had just had. Ominis and Imelda give each other a look before reverting their attention back to me. "He's so jealous!" Imelda claps. "Oh my gosh. Sebastian has feelings for you" she cheers.
"Imelda I'm pretty certain he was merely concerned about me potentially stealing his best friend." I say, rejecting the claims she throws my way.
"Dont be so daft Rosie. Cant you see?" She replies.

I look to Ominis for his opinion but am greeted with nothing but a shrug of the shoulders. "Well thats not helpful" I say. "Enough of this, we need to go find him." I say, storming out of the store.

After twenty minutes of searching all of Hogsmede we decided to get ready to trek back to the castle. "I'll tell you what, I could go for a butterbeer after that wild goose chase" says Imelda.
"Couldn't of said it better myself" Ominis replies, "To the Three Broom Sticks!".

We head to the Three Broom Sticks and to our surprise, there sits Sebastian at a table by himself with none other than a butterbeer in his hand.
"Are you fucking kidding me. The one place we dont look , hes here. Twat" Imelda says, storming over to the brunette boy sitting lonesome.
"Weve been looking everywhere for you!" She spits at him.
"Well here I am" he says
"Sebastian why did you storm off?" Ominis asks.
Sebastian looks up from his jug and replies "It was nothing. I was being selfish. Im sorry Rosie. I didn't mean to cause a scene."
"Its okay" I say "just dont run off like that again. We were worried sick."
"I know. Im sorry. Butterbeers on me?" He asks sheepishly with a grin.
"Deal. You are forgiven. Now get me that butterbeer boy before I change my mind!" Ominis chants.

Hours pass and the four of us bond over the first week back. Weve had numerous drinks that started off with butterbeers and turned it to whisky. AT this point and let's just say its getting to our heads.
"Lets play a drinking game!" Imelda slurd.
"Seems fitting" Sebastian replies "what shall we play?"
"Truth or dare. Duh" she says in a mocking tone.
"What are we fourteen?" I giggle, mocking her choice.
"Sounds to me like someone's scared of a dare" she mimicks, smirking while taking a chug of her whisky.
"Please, unless you forgot. I singlehandedly took down Randok and Rookwood. Im not scared of a childish little dare" I laugh. It seems as if the drinks truly are getting to my head. Ive always been confident in my skills but never cocky like this.
"Okay then. I DARE you to go to the Forbidden Forest and you CANT use your broom to get out!".
"Pft. Easy." I say with ease as I down my drink and stand up from my chair. "See you twats later". I wink as I begin walking off.

"Wait!" Sebastian shouts. "Youre not going alone. Its dark out there. Who knows what's awaiting you in the forest at this time of night"
"Nothing I can't handle Sallow"
"I'm coming with you"
"I dont need you to come with me I'm more than capable of holding my own"
"Im afraid its non negotiable. I'm coming with you whether you like it or not".
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We arrive at the forbidden forest entry and begin our way through. We follow the path for a quite some time and are yet to encounter any danger.
"See. There's nothing out here. I didn't need you to accompany me" I say as Sebastian follows behind me.
"I'm that I wanted to make sure you're safe. Heaven forbid you have someone looking out for you". He says, radiating sarcasm.

We continue through the forrest in silence, the uncomfortable tension seeping through like fog.

"Are we lost?" Sebastian asks, breaking the awkward silence.
"No. I know where we are. Theres a puffskein den  just ahead and a treasure vault to our right."
"A treasure vault?"
"Yes Sebastian. Treasure"
"Well why didn't you say so? Lets go!"
"Fine" I sigh. Men are so easily pleased. "Follow me. Its just up this path"

We walk for a few more minutes before we reach the area. Its surrounded by water and deep fog and one wrong step would have either one of us denched in seconds.
"Be careful" I say as I begin climbing over the broken brances and rumbled rocks. "Its super steep here and one wrong step and you cou-" im cut off by the lound sensation of a rock crumbling beneath my feet and jolting me down the side of the ledge. Before I know it I'm embodied in water, my clothes sticking to my skin as I sink deeped into the lake.