Out of the Shadows // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Seventy-Two

*Warning: This chapter contains heavy emotions and dark magic.*

The gardens were large. Expansive. Beautiful. Just beginning to bloom since it was just barely spring. The fragrance of the different plants was overwhelming. It was making me a little queasy. I swallowed hard, trying to concentrate.

The overlarge manor loomed up before our eyes. Classic Italian pillars framing the front door. Large windows. So many windows! There were at least five on each side of the front door. And three floors high. I almost couldn't see the top the of the manor looking up. It disappeared into the sky. I couldn't believe this was where my mother grew up. It was intimidating.

We walked down the long path from their gate, through the stunning gardens, up to the front door. I was shaking. This was a huge moment. I clutched Will's hand tightly. He squeezed back. His hand was shaking as much as mine.

He released Vicky's hand and grasped the door knocker. He took a deep breath, pulled up the knocker and set it down firmly, twice.

We waited for what felt like a century.

The door creaked open slowly. A pair of little ears peaked out of the crack. A house elf.

"Yes?" A small, croaky voice called out from the area of my knees.

Will cleared his throat. "Yes, hello. We're here to see... Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass. I'm... William. Avery. And this is my sister Rachel Bennett." He nodded in my direction. "And my fiancé Victoria Abbott."

The door slammed shut.

Will looked at me, stunned.

"Is... that it?" I said softly to him. Were we rejected already?

"Maybe... we should have written a letter first? These old wizarding families don't necessarily like to be called on without notice." Vicky said.

"That would have been good to know before we did all this. Thanks for your enormous help, Vicky." I said, sarcastically.

She glared at me.

We all stood for a minute longer. And I started to turn to go back home. I sighed. "Come on, Will. We'll write them first, like Vicky suggested."

Just then the door creaked open wider to reveal a small, old elf who looked like it should have died about a hundred years ago.

"This way." He croaked out again.

Will shot me a quick smile and we all entered together. Vicky slightly behind us as I refused to let go of Will's hands. I had them both and I was squeezing them, holding on for dear life.

"They're having tea in the library. Come, come." The old elf called briskly. And we hurried our steps to be right behind him.

The manor was certainly old! And big! The entrance was huge alone. With a big glass-looking chandelier hanging overhead and stairs directly ahead leading up so high I couldn't see where they ended. The carpeted rugs on the floor were old and somewhat worn but I could tell they were valuable and that's why they'd never been replaced. The Greengrass Family Crest adorned one and it felt stiff as we walked over the top of it.

The hallway we were walking down was long, with many large wooden doors leading to mysterious rooms, all adorned with large golden doorknobs. I could only imagine how much this manor was worth. It had probably been in the family for centuries.

We reached a door somewhat in the middle of the hallway and the elf creaked open the door for us to enter. The first thing I saw was floor to ceiling shelves simply packed with books! I had the urge to lose myself in this room for the rest of my life! It smelled like cigar smoke and expensive liquor. I could imagine how the pages of all these old books would smell... like heaven, I supposed.