endgame // sebastian sallow

twenty four

TWENTY FOUR
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"Should I expect a return from you before the holiday?" Natty questioned.

I buttoned up my last piece of material, adjusting my belt and taking a sigh.

My mind couldn't wrap around the fact that I'll be sneaking off the castle at late hours. I could barely sneak off my own common room without questions.

"Of course...it's just a quick trail, you know?" I lied.

I hated lying to my friends. Of course, they would understand that I really am just going for Sebastian Sallow, but in any case of my disappearance, professors would not hesitate on the Veritaserum potion on them.

"Okay, Y/n! I'll make sure to cause a distraction in case you don't come back on time." Natty smiled.

I grew a smile back.

I respected my friends for always covering for me, even if they didn't have to.

They spent all fifth year trying to curve answers with the prefect on my whereabouts, while I was out across the region killing villains with Sebastian.

"Battling gear," Ominis noticed the sound of my boots clicking through the Undercroft's floor that night.

I just stood in the middle of the space, looking down and adjusting my dark gloves.

"Well, I can't use my broom until I'm out of Hogwarts grounds, so I would need to walk through the endangered zones until an exit." I sighed.

"I apologize." Ominis looked down.

"It's okay, Ominis. This was my choice." I reminded.

It was my choice.

Sometimes, I wondered if Ominis calling me for help was the best decision.

I waited for signs to have an excuse to see Sebastian, but failed them all, and now that I might potentially have one, I couldn't decline. No matter the risks.

"Alright, then. Well, I should perform the counter-spell now," Ominis revealed his wand, "The anti-tracking spell should take effect right away, but it might take me a few tries until I know it's successful."

I nodded, but forgetting he couldn't see my expression, I spoke, "It's okay. Got it."

"I cannot see you, so if you can step forward—"

I felt myself get near the tall man across from me.

Ominis Gaunt was tall. I must've spent my time flaunting over his best friend, Sebastian Sallow, but Ominis also took growth this summer.

His voice pitch lowered compared to how he sounded in the fifth year. His height was probably near Sebastian's — if anything, taller. And his personality, well, was more kind.

Ominis spent all fifth year almost disliking me for, I quote, "encouraging Sebastian", but after several deep talks, he must've trusted me more than Sebastian now.

"Okay," Ominis said, "Give me a moment."

I watched as his light eyes closed before his lips began to mumble a few language words that I couldn't really put together well.

"Non-apparebit Vestigia,"

His blinking wand motioned above my head, traveling slowly down my body as he repeatedly said the incantation