Me and the Devil: Sebastian Sallow

Chapter EIGHT - Potions and Heart Attacks

After practically throwing on my uniform, robes and book bag, I ran as fast as I could up the stairs to Professor Fig's office. By the time I reached his door, my lungs were scraping my ribs and my heart was thrashing at my brain. I took a moment with my hands on my head to breath before pressing inside.

Professor Fig was standing at his desk, brows furrowed and fingers pressed against the parchment in front of him. He scanned back and forth with his eyes as he read.

"Hello Sir."

His expression instantly softened at my voice and he looked up quickly, eyes sparkling with excitement. He was a wonderful man with a kind heart and I was glad to have him on my side.

"Ahhh! My young friend! Thank you for stopping by. Just in time! I wanted to check in. I hear good things about your first few lessons!" He wiggled his eyebrows dramatically. "Looks like all that training is paying off."

"It is sir." I couldn't help but chuckle a little at his overzealous antics.

"Good! Good good good." He trailed off as he looked down at the book in front of him, his train of thought derailing in front of my eyes.

"Have you found anything...er- useful yet?"

"Not yet. I imagine we will have to look deeper than your everyday surface level texts."

"Like the restricted section?"

Without lifting his entire head, he looked up at me and smiled. "Now now Miss Barlowe. Don't go getting any ideas. I'll see what I can find when I have the chance and let you know. Until then, I suggest you take some time to really dive into your studies, mingle with your classmates! I don't want you missing out on your first- and only year here at Hogwarts. Keep an eye out for my owl alright?"

"Yes sir." My heart sank a bit at the prospect of having to wait longer to understand what was wrong with me. I had been waiting two years for answers and after finally finding the smallest of hope in the recesses of the Gringotts vault I was itching for more.

I left his office head up but heart low. The lack of sleep was slapping at my eyes now but there was no time to rest, it was time for potions. I pulled my enchanted book from my book bag and let the golden, sparkling, flying page guide me through the corridors.

——

Perhaps it was luck, or maybe it was magic, but I arrived just in time. Gryffindors and Slytherins piled into the class, chatting wildly with each other and tossing their bags and books next to their respective cauldrons. Silently, I took my seat in the corner of the room - I didn't know any of my house mates in this class but was almost thankful for it. There was no pressure to make small talk when there was no one to make small talk with.

Professor Sharp walked briskly into the room a few minutes later, a slight limp to his step. He held a thick and tattered purple book under his arm and an apple in his hand. After setting the book down on his desk he leaned back and crossed his legs before taking a bite of the bright red apple.

"Alright, settle in class."

The room quieted on command, his presence rocking the air.

"Today we will be brewing two potions of equal importance. Each of these will be pertinent to your success going forward in the wizarding world. First up, Wiggenweld. A handy tonic when you're in a pinch- heal injuries, replenish stamina... For this, you'll need horklump juice and dittany. Go ahead and take out your ingredients and follow the instructions on page 32." He took another bite of his apple and began walking around the room slowly, watching each student work as he passed.