Me and the Devil: Sebastian Sallow

Chapter TEN - Kissing Poltergeists

I threw my book bag over my shoulder and raced out of my room, nearly tripping over Natty's boots in the process. Breath held, I crept across the common room, through the portrait hole and down the halls and stairs, careful to avoid eye contact with the walls for fear of coming face to face with the mirror from my nightmare.

There were a lot more prefects out tonight than there had been the other nights I had explored, timing each sprint behind their backs was eating up more time than I could spare.

I couldn't let Sebastian leave without me. I needed to get into the restricted section tonight.

I finally reached the stairs down towards the library entrance, turning down the last landing to spot a dark figure slouched back against the overlooking railing, elbows on either side and facing me. His legs were crossed and his neck was tilted ever so slightly to the right as he watched me intently.

"Now what did I say about being late?" Sebastian grinned.

"I am SO sorry." I whispered.

"I'm just teasing Barlowe. You aren't even really that late. Not by my standards at least."

Sebastian playfully pushed my shoulder. "Here, I brought you this." He reached deep into his school robe pocket and pulled out a brown bag with a little black bow and an owl drawn onto the side.

My smile grew ear to ear.

"Picked it up from the kitchens on my way over. Noticed you didn't eat much at dinner so I thought you could use it."

I accepted it graciously.

"Thank you Sebastian."

"Don't mention it. Now... for the fun part!" He turned back to the overlook and I placed the food into my book bag, feeling my stomach grumble a bit.

"We have to get in there, without running into any of them." He pointed to four Prefects as they paced the room.

"FOUR?" My whisper was hoarse as I tried not to speak too loud. "Why don't we just break into the headmaster's office - that would be easier!"

"Don't tempt me with a good time Barlowe."

"Seriously... how in Merlin's name are we going to get to the library? And what about the librarian?"

He waved it off. "She should be long gone by now. We'll just use the disillusionment charm."

I shifted uneasily.

He rolled his eyes and took out his wand.

"No time like the present! Watch me." He waved his wand gently and a cool, sheer mist covered him until I could no longer see his body aside from a slight shimmer in the right light.

I gawked.

"Alright your turn." He re-appeared and motioned for me to try.

Following his wand movement as close as I could, I copied and waited for the familiar tingle of magic but nothing came.

"Here, like this." He stepped close to my side and held his hand out over mine, directing my mind- WAND, in the correct pattern.

He released my hand and leaned back against the railing, watching expectantly.

I took a big breath and shook the warmth down my spine before trying again.

This time, it worked.

"Brilliant! Let's go!"

He didn't give me another moment and had cast his own charm. I strained my eyes to watch the faint glimmer as it rushed around me and down the stairs.

"Just follow me." His whisper wound around my ears.