SHADOWS OF SORROW [S.S]

3 - In the Shadow of Evil

"You really have a thing for getting yourself in trouble don't you Mister Sallow?" The wave of Sirona's Wand had a towel with ice cubes fly Sebastian's way to softly levitate on top of his head, cooling down his probable concussion. He just chuckled a little, suppressing a flinch at the pain and waved it off, placing his forearms on the counter. "Nothing a potion couldn't fix. I'll be fine." - "I have to say the fight was rather impressive from what I've heard. And there's a face I haven't seen yet. Who are you darling?" Sirona smiled as she looked at Amaya who has been looking around the interior of the three broomsticks in full fascination. "Oh, I'm new. Amaya Rosewood, nice to meet you." She stretched out her hand for the witch to take but immediately pulled it back as she realized that was very human of her to do. To her relief, Sirona just laughed wholeheartedly and flicked her wand for two cups of beverage to fly their way. "Butter beer is on me for our new hero and student. And I'm sure some beer wouldn't harm your state either Sebastian. That was a glorious defeat you had there on Hogsmeade Square." As the cups settled down in front of them and the Slytherin gulped down half of it in one motion, he just looked at Sirona. "Do it better yourself next time then." Amaya thought he was seeking to have a fight with their barkeeper but after a mere second of them both looking at each other like they were going to throw their wands at each other, Sirona started laughing again and a funny smirk appeared on Sebastian's face as if this was their way of dealing with each other every day. "We both know I would do a lot better than getting thrown out the way by a stone and being knocked out for the rest of the fight." She smiled but her expression got serious again as she contemplated the wounds and pain that would follow Sebastian for some days. "You were insanely lucky you know. They told me he was heading for you. You could have died Sebastian." Sallow just took another sip of his butter beer as it actually seemed to soothe the pain in his head. "I wouldn't have minded."

The doors of the tavern swung open, interrupting the serious conversation that was about to start, making Sirona head around the counter to meet her two guests. Guests she most definitely wouldn't serve. "Hmpf. How timely." She whispered rather to herself as Rookwood looked around the tavern, inspecting every face he could catch a glance of. As his eyes fell upon Sirona, his mischievous grin just widened. "Was that Lodgok I saw leaving earlier? Your clientele's not what it used to be, Sirona." He came to a halt lowering his voice dangerously, as if trying to impress or scare someone. Amaya's memories traveled back to when she saw this man talking to Ranrok in an alley before coming here. She didn't mention what exactly it was she wanted to investigate as she had pulled Sebastian behind her, careful of his wounds. They admitted to the troll attack and admitted to trying to capture her... Now Rookwood was here, and Sebastian was wise to keep his head low as much as Amaya was. "Not to worry Victor. Once the two of you leave, the caliber of my clientele will greatly improve." The sassy kindness Sirona used to speak to Victor Rookwood and his apprentice of some kind, dramatically reminded her of the way Sebastian sometimes spoke to her. Seemingly they spent a lot of time together if they were so similar. As the second man chose to draw his wand the only thing that happened was Sirona belittling him. "I wouldn't do that if I were you, Theophilus." - "Calm now... No need for theatrics." Rookwood motioned for his friend to put his wand back and slowly took another step closer to Sirona, a smile on his face as if he wanted to do no harm. "I'm only here for this one, anyway."

It didn't even take a second for Amaya to realize who he meant. She carefully looked over her shoulder at Rookwood who was pointing at her like this was some kind of theatre. No need for theatrics. Yeah she could see that. Sebastian took off the levitating bundle of ice cubes on his head while looking at the two men, threatening Sirona and Amaya. He recognized Rookwood of course, but he only realized now that it was Rookwood as well who they spied on earlier before coming here. As Victors grin grew it didn't even take a second for Sebastian to rise from his seat. He knew he was looking for trouble and trouble he could have. Amaya followed the lead of the Slytherin, keeping her gaze fixed on the man pointing at her. There was no way she would let them take her without a fight at least... "My friend is enjoying a well-earned Butterbeer." Sirona raised an eyebrow at the two but Rookwood just chose to ignore her. "I only want a quick word." As he tried to make his way through to her, Sirona stepped into his path with a serious almost angry expression. "Perhaps you didn't hear me." Sebastian automatically reached for his wand as Rookwood tried to get closer to Amaya and he wasn't the only one. The whole tavern had gone silent and because of his example suddenly 20 more wands were directed at Rookwood and Theophilus, ready to strike if they had to. Just one word from Sirona or a wrong move... Or maybe if it wasn't for Sirona, Sebastian would have already blasted the two out of the three Broomsticks. "I said: My. Friend. Is. Busy." Amaya gulped heavily, feeling her heart thrumming in her chest as Rookwood took a few steps back at the sight of everyone standing up to him.