Me and the Devil: Sebastian Sallow

Chapter SEVENTEEN - Riddikulus

I dropped the book off with Professor Fig first thing in the morning. He was less than pleased by my ability to find such a rare book on the "regular" library shelves. I knew he didn't buy the story, yet he held his tongue and the glint in his eye gave away his amusement. I'm not sure when, but Professor Fig had wedged himself behind my walls. Sure, he was a professor and would scold me for getting into trouble if need be, but there was always that fun side lurking just underneath. He was the kind of man who would splash in the puddles after the rain because something in his soul told him to. I admired that about him. How he could be so professional, but so down to earth and human.

He promised to read through the entire thing as quickly as he could, translating for me as he went, and would be in touch as soon as he found anything we could dive into. He also sent me on my way with a heavy book on ancient runes that I accepted graciously and tucked into my bag alongside my other class texts.

The sun warmed my skin through the windows as I left his office, its warm embrace on my arms reminding me of Sebastian's touch last night. I shook off the rather abrupt, intrusive memory. 

I met Natty and Marlene at their usual spot at the Gryffindor table for breakfast and immediately dished up some oatmeal into a bowl. The center of the table was scattered with different toppings and spices. Strawberries, cinnamon, sugar, toasted walnuts, chopped pecans, maple syrup, brown sugar, diced pears, blueberries, raspberries, coconut shavings, bananas and even a small bowl of chocolate chips. My eyes grew wide and my heart skipped looking over all the options. 

I wasn't sure why I didn't come to breakfast more often - this was the sort of food I always found myself drawn to when hunger did strike.

I ultimately decided to grab a bit of brown sugar, cinnamon, toasted walnuts and diced pears and stirred them to my bowl. The warm, sweet smell made my stomach grumble in anticipation and I scooped the gooey goodness into my mouth as fast as I could.

The screech of a dozen owls scratched the air in the room and I watched in awe as brown, black and white feathers swept over the tables. Packages, parcels and letters gently- or quite violently- plummeted down in front of the respective students, occasionally knocking over a bowl or flinging a spoon across the room. I couldn't help laughing at the happy chaos. 

Something small, stiff and beige fell down from above my head, grazed my nose and landed just left of my oatmeal. I had never received owl post here at Hogwarts and was entirely too eager to open the letter that I nearly missed the writing on the outside, over the flap on the back.

To, the Fun Sucker. Albeit a slightly less, Fun Sucker after our recent escapades.

The words were scrawled out in semi-neat, semi-sloppy handwriting and sketched just to the side of that, in rather impressive detail, was a little owl. Just like the one Tooby would draw on my bags.

I was careful not to rip the envelope as I opened it, fiddling with the paper between my fingers before unfolding the parchment.

Due to my ever professional nature, I am writing to formally challenge you to a duel. 

Not just any old duel though. A duel of fates. A duel of all duels. A duel to prove who is the best of the best, a champion of champions.

Exploding Snap.

Meet me inside the Undercroft tonight, should you accept.

Sincerely,

The incredibly dazzling Slytherin

My eyes rolled of their own accord.

"OOOOOO!" Marlene poked me playfully. "Whose the letter from? What does it say?!"