The Sallow Saga - Vol. 1 - In the Shadows of a Legacy [a HL fanfiction]

Chapter 8. Aesop Sharp

One week had passed since that revealing evening at Feldcroft. During that time, Natty and Cassy had successfully convinced Minister Spavin that Sebastian Sallow was maintaining a healthy, docile, and relaxed life in the small hamlet. However, while Natty had pushed for his rehabilitation period to be approved sooner, even Minister Spavin had declined; stating that he would agree to reduce the period by two months, 'if Mr Sallow proves himself to be a valuable asset to his local community.' He did, reluctantly agree to reduce the number of aurors who resided in the hamlet though and granted Natty the right to assign her own preferred team. This she undertook with great relish and wasted no time in bringing her force up to speed with the matters at hand. It transpired that many of them were familiar with Sebastian from school! Leander Prewitt in particular had jumped for the opportunity to witness his old duelling nemesis in a witch's attire. Much to Sebastian's chagrin.

Cassy, meanwhile, had put forward a request to investigate the rumours of the missing muggle born witches and wizards. While stressing that she had to maintain a vigilant watch on Sebastian, Spavin had reluctantly agreed that it would be best to make it appear as though the ministry were actively addressing these unsettling rumours. Upon this approval, Cassy had wasted no time in sending an owl to Aesop Sharp to request a meeting. Overall, the result of just one week's work, ensured that not only did Sebastian have the chance to spend more time in Hogsmeade, but he could also meet with Ominis at Hogwarts in his office space in the Faculty Tower on Sundays, when the Hog's Head was closed for business.

It had been with a small sense of satisfaction therefore, that Cassy had gone to bed Sunday night. She had witnessed Sebastian through the kitchen window apparate back to his cottage's front door at nine thirty after his visit to Hogwarts; wave knowingly in the direction of her home, before turning in for the night. The last thought she had, before closing her eyes, was that the morning would hopefully provide a response from her old potion's teacher Aesop Sharp, who had still not responded to her owl sent the previous Monday.

It felt like she had hardly closed her eyes for a minute, when Cassy jolted awake, barely hours later. Someone was heavily beating down on her Cottage's door. Hastily wrapping a tartan dressing gown around herself, she cast 'lumos' and looked at the clock. It was three in the morning!

The banging on the door became more insistent. Approaching it cautiously, she enquired; "who is it?"
"Miss Weaver, if you do not open your door this instant, I will blast the damn thing down, myself!" Came the agitated response.
Recognising the owner of the voice, Cassy hastily unlocked the door and had barely turned the handle when Aesop Sharp limped heavily in. his shoulder length dark hair was as unkempt as ever, the deep scar that ran down the left side of his face, stood out pink in contrast to his pale complexion; his expression was – as always – stern and unapproving in equal measure.
"P-Professor Sharp!" Cassy stammered, still shaking the tiredness from her mind, "please take a seat." She offered, as she accio'd a chair from her small kitchen space.
Aesop Sharp sighed and shook his head.
"They really have laxed their training of auror's at the ministry..." quickly pulling out his wand, he pointed it threateningly at Cassy's throat.
"What was the first potion I asked you to brew in your first potion's class with me?"
"Professor I..." Cassy gasped
"Answer?!" Sharp snapped.
"Er... a... err... Wiggenweld! It was a wiggenweld potion, sir!" Sharp lowered his wand but nodded to Cassy to invite her to mimic his action.
Snapping to attention, Cassy aimed her wand at him.
"What was the first spell you helped to teach me?"
Sharp smiled crookedly, before calmly answering "depulso."

Both former tutor and former student breathed out steadily before sitting down heavily.
"My apologies for being so abrupt Weaver. There is more afoot right now than one would think, it is always best to remain vigilant." From inside his travelling cloak, he pulled out Cassy's letter and placed it on the foot of her bed.
"I don't suppose you would like to bring me up to speed on all affairs here, and explain why I witnessed Mr Sallow entering his home, disguised as a witch? The disguise which, if reports are to be believed these days, is supposed to be donned by yourself! Furthermore, I might also enquire as to why half of your hamlet is made up of a biased group of ex-school friend-trainee aurors?" Sharp asked with a hard glare.