Storms ⌲ Sebastian Sallow

16. ✭i did not deal with the road✭

☼Modern Soundtrack: In This Shirt - The Irrepressibles☼

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The next morning came fast. I knew at any moment in time I had to have my guard up. But, at the same time, I was completely and utterly terrified. Of losing Sebastian, of losing Professor Fig - my one true mentor -, and worst of all, of losing the woman I have become.

I sat in my Hufflepuff dorm contemplating what to do. I had finished my studies for the day and it was a Saturday, meaning there was no class to attend. I just knew this was the perfect opportunity to pay a visit to Professor Fig.

"Professor?" I called out to him in the early hours of dawn. He was most definitely awake. I'm not quite sure if the man ever sleeps. I stood at the entrance to the Magical Theory classroom with my arms crossed in defeat.

"If it isn't my most promising student..." he sighed as he swung the door open. He looked a bit disheveled and disheartened. I mean, to be quite frank, he often carried a despondent frown and exhausted demeanor, but not to this extent.

"Are you alright?" I asked quietly, genuinely concerned.

"Of course, Celestial. To what do I owe the pleasure of our meeting today?"

"I'm frightened, Professor. Every hour of fear I spend my body starts to cry. I'm worried I won't make it through the war to tell the story..." I looked up at him bashfully.

"There's nothing to be afraid of. You are the most powerful and talented witch in the entirety of the school," he explained with a gentle smile. I just looked at the ground.

"I don't want to lose the people I love the most - the only people I have left. This situation is all my doing."

"You are a blessing, Celestial - the chosen one - the vessel to a better society. I suppose I'm nearing the end of my life's journey, but I certainly can't be the one you are frightened of losing," he spoke in a dreary tone.

"Professor-"

"Please, call me Eleazar."

"Fine, Eleazar-"

"Suppose it is the Slytherin boy you are often seen around with." I froze in place. "It's nothing to be ashamed of. You two are quite literally the talk of the town."

"I really don't like the sound of that," I scoffed in discontent.

"A charming young man, Mr. Sallow. Little mischievous, but a talented wizard nonetheless..." he said, smiling to himself as if he were a proud father.

"You are quite close with him?" He nodded.

"Not quite, but I observe. Life is ever-changing, my dear. In 100 years your names will be nothing but dust, scattered in the ocean for lifetimes past. You mustn't dwell on this negativity," he looked at me with a spark in his eye. "Live life every day as if it were your last."

For a moment I stood and pondered over his words. I realized that he was the first professor in this school to speak positively about Sebastian. He seemed to believe in him as a father does in a son. Unconditional love.

Within seconds I ran up to him and embraced him. I wanted to cry, but I knew I shouldn't. I needed to compose myself and take his advice as if it were the last thing I'd ever do.

"You are truly a gift, Celestial. Don't let people dull your light. You're bright. You're beaming. You are as radiant as the sky during the daylight and as celestial as the moon," he said and I chuckled to myself.

"Thank you, Eleazar."

____

Later that day I found myself in front of the Slytherin common room. Ominis stood there, staring pensively into the distance.

"If it isn't Celestial..." he spoke quietly and curtly.

"How do you know?" I asked him.

"I have a certain knack for these things," he laughed. "It's the way you walk; your steps make the smallest amount of noise." I scoffed curtly.

"I do not-"

"What is it you need, Cel?" he asked abruptly.

"Nothing. Just worried for Sebastian."

"I was hoping to speak to you about that, quite frankly - but, I wasn't sure where to find you, so I decided to sit here and wait for you to come here," he huffed arrogantly. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"What is it?"

"I'm afraid he's gone off the deep end. Even Anne is quite worried. You must accompany me to the catacombs in order to find him," Ominis' voice cracked and I could tell he was desperate. "He persistently speaks about some sort of elixir... I'm terrified."

"If you insist. But, I won't be able to change his mind. It's been made," I spoke sullenly and he  nodded in agreement. What elixir did he mean anyway?