Storms ⌲ Sebastian Sallow

21. ✭so i try to say goodbye, my friend✭

☼Modern Soundtrack: THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND by Bad Omens☼

~

After Potions class was over I walked up to Professor Sharp.

"You needed to speak with me, Professor?"

"Ah, yes. I need you to fetch me something. These past few years I've learned to trust you, and I need this done with haste..." he lowered his voice. "For class next week I need you to get a vial of the pond water deep in the Forbidden Forest."

"I'm not sure that is a good idea-"

"You're the only student here who is strong enough to do it. No one else has the magical abilities you have," he insisted. "And I saw you and Weasley there before."

"That! Th-That was nearly two years ago!" I exclaimed. "And why were you there in the first place?"

"I... I have a harboring secret over there. I mustn't get into it now..."

"Professor? Were you a centaur?" I asked and he chuckled - a quite evil chuckle at that.

"We will get into it later. For now, you must fetch me this water."

I finally agreed.

____

The Forbidden Forest at night was eerily magical. The different beasts and creatures that inhabited it brought me so much curiosity. The willow trees lined the winding pathways and the fireflies brightened every twist and turn.

I was greeted by a cold, fall breeze. I glanced around and watched the deer scurry away. I was completely and utterly alone out here.

But, there was an odd sense of comfort in these woods. A strong but sweet scent of amber and pine was carried with every step I took.

Finally, I reached the sparkling pond. I hadn't noticed how fast time went by because if seemed like an hour at most - but the sun began creeping through the clouds.

I trudged into the iridescent pond where the water went all the way up to my chest. It began hard to breathe, but I knew I had to do this. I waded around for a few minutes while it collected.

As the vial began to fill up I suddenly felt a slimy but rough texture at my feet. It felt like the skin of a Dugbog. And, that's when I knew... I was surrounded.

I began to panic, the water rising quickly and my feet dangling below me in the dark waters. The Dugbogs wrapped their long tongues around my ankles and began to drag me down. I took deep breaths in and struggled to keep my head above the water.

However, there was no use in struggling. I couldn't reach my wand and I could barely breathe. I was dead... I had to be. I started to cry, feeling as though I began to drown in tears.

For a few moments, I felt my lungs fill with water. My vision went black, about as dark as the starry night. Stars formed and twinkled around my field of view. Is this what death feels like?

As the seconds slowly ticked, I felt my body go limp, I couldn't move anything and could barely breathe. For a slight moment, it was as if the world crashed on me.

All I saw was a faint yellow light.

"AVADA KEDAVRA!" Then sudden fireworks of a striking green color. I couldn't remember much after this.

____

I woke up in the school infirmary. Three or four nurses stood over me in my creaky bed.

"What am I doing here?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

"What is anyone doing anywhere?" The nurses laughed. I sat and stared. "That Sallow kid saved you. He brought you here then transformed out. Doesn't get much more simple than that."

Sebastian?

"Wait, Sebastian saved me from the DugBogs?"

"I suppose so... Haven't you been told, little girl, that you shouldn't trek into the Forbidden Forest alone? Especially at night?" One nurse asked. I nodded.

"Professor Shar!- I do apologize... I really just was out on a night walk, I didn't realize how late it was and where I found myself..." I attempted to explain without getting Professor Sharp in trouble.

That's when I remembered the vial I needed to bring back to him. I frantically reached for my pockets, but it wasn't there. My eyes began to water. I had finally gained Professor Sharp's trust and now he is just going to be disappointed in me. Yet another professor to let down. I couldn't allow for this.

The nurses must have seen me in a state of distress so they decided to leave me alone for the night. I stared at the wooden ceilings. It was an empty infirmary.

I heard the violent winds outside bang at the glass-painted windows. I was alone with my thoughts once again.

As my eyes were about to shut for the night, I heard a voice in the distance whisper the disillusionment charm. I shut my eyes fast and lay still. Maybe it was Peeves playing a sick joke on me, but nevertheless, I played dead.

I opened my eye very slightly to see Sebastian at the foot of my bed. He was holding the vial I had lost. I wanted to talk to him, but our last meeting was not very productive.

Instead, I watched intently as he laid the vial back inside my open palm. I tried my hardest not to move.

"I'm sorry, Celestial..." he whispered so quietly that I could barely hear. He then cast the disillusionment spell again and disappeared into the night.

I opened my eyes and sat up in my bed. The vial had all of the pond water. I smiled to myself.

Maybe there was finally hope for us again.