The Serpent and The Bird

Human Shield

- I am definitely glad that you are both alright. Hogsmeade thanks you for your service today. But how exactly did you two manage to take on a troll by yourselves?

Officer Singer was looking at Sebastian and Everleigh like she couldn't believe two Hogwarts students were able to annihilate a troll, let alone without help. That was a fair point, considering that not a lot of witches and wizards could do so, even with an extensive knowledge and training.

- It was not a problem. Everything happened so fast, I guess we got lucky. - Everleigh blurted out a lie, hoping that the officer would let it slide.

Singer looked at Sebastian, searching on his expression for something more credible than "we just got lucky". The boy was standing next to Everleigh and hadn't said a single word since the fight was over. Everleigh's heart was beating so hard, she thought they would be able to hear it in the silence of the night. If he decided to talk about what he saw... she was done.

- Professor Hecat shall be proud of us today. Her hard work on Defense against the Dark Arts has done wonders with our education.

The lie came so natural from the boy's mouth, Everleigh could've swore he had rehearsed it dozens of times. Officer Singer seemed to gave up on her quest for answers.

- I shall let your Headmaster know about your heroism today. Thank you for all of your help.

With one smile, she walked away towards one of the shops, were the owner was casting a Reparo charm to send everything back to its place.

- I'd say we've earned a butterbeer or two, wouldn't you? It might help me forget I almost got pulverized by a troll. - Sebastian started walking down the cobblestone path, and Everleigh just followed him in silence. - The Three Broomsticks is just this way.

The village was awfully eerie after the troll attack. Everyone had gone inside of their houses and shops. There was not a single soul out in the streets. That's why they were able to hear the voices coming from a nearby alley.

- ...you said you could get to the girl when she came to Hogsmeade. That all you needed was a distraction. I gave you a distraction.

- I just watched a student take down your distraction.

Sebastian and Everleigh exchanged a look, and they both got closer to the alley were the voices were coming from, hiding behind a wall. A wizard and a goblin were the ones talking. Were they talking about her? Sebastian seemed unsettled once he was able to see their faces. He turned to her and mouthed a name. Rookwood.

Rookwood.
Rookwood.

She had heard that name before while walking through Hogsmeade in one of the villagers chatter. The man was very dangerous.

- Who is this girl? What are you not telling me? - Rookwood was looking at the goblin with a inquisitive face. He didn't trust him.

- All you need to know is that if you cannot get to the girl, you have no value to me.

The red eyes of the goblin seemed to catch a glimpse of them, because he leaned his head past Rookwood's figure to glance at their direction. Sebastian immediately grabbed Everleigh's waist and pressed her body against him.

- Let's get out here. - He whispered softly on her ear, closing his hand on hers to pull her away from the alley and into the main street. He was almost dragging her through the village, aiming his steps towards a big tavern at the end of the path. - You, miss Grayson, have a lot of explaining to do.

Damn it.

He didn't ask anything else until they were inside the Three Broomsticks, heading towards the wooden counter, where a woman in a very old fashioned dress was cleaning it. Everleigh realized Sebastian was still holding her hand, and a warm feeling spread throughout her whole body. He must've noticed, because he let go.