Up and Down

Observed and Unseen

The Trial is set soon after the winter break is over. Sebastian mostly spends time practising his navigation and survival skills, as there is a hint the challenge will lead them all into the Forbidden Forest.

Anna takes him into the wilderness with her, and they roam around the Highlands until the late rosy dawn breaks the darkness, fighting and exploring. Sometimes they would snuggle into Highwing's warm feathery side to rest, other times they set up camp, something Sebastian had a good deal of practice with during the summer.

"It will be fine," Sebastian stretches out on the frozen grass, looking up into the night sky as Anna throws another branch into the campfire.

"Hmm."

"You don't believe in me?" There is a mock hurt in his voice and she shakes her head, twirling her spiralling wand.

"It's not the beasts I'm worried about, Sebastian. You'll be in the forest alone, with the other Champions. They can attack you..."

"I dare them to try," his lips pull back in a snarl, "forget that, I want Alexandre to try. We have a score to settle."

"Don't do anything reckless..." she says softly, knowing full well it's pointless. But at least she tried, "don't forget, they can-"

"See our previous spells with Priori Incantatem, yes," he drawls, and she can hear the roll of his eyes in that voice, "I'm not an idiot, Anna."

"Sometimes I forget," she chuckles and he makes an indignant noise. She giggles at his reaction.

The Trial will begin tomorrow.

The exact objective isn't known to them but whatever it is, it will probably be guarded by dementors. Anna exhales, seeing her breath in the freezing air.

The soft rustling of paper makes her look up. Sebastian rolls a cigarette and lights it with the tip of his wand before taking a drag.

He first reached for tobacco when Ominis was taken from them, probably to cope with the stress. But it's been getting more frequent lately. He is more on edge than he lets on. Anna sighs as Sebastian exhales a stream of dark smoke and watches the flames in front of them licking the logs, making them crackle and pop.

"Come here," he says softly, beckoning her closer, "it's a cold night."

"We should probably head back to the castle. We've stayed out too long, you need rest."

"Just for a moment, love."

She can never resist those dark eyes when he looks up at her like that and the curve of his brow is just so. It would be like kicking a stray dog.

"... alright."

She sits beside him and he pulls her down to watch the stars with her, and his kisses taste like tobacco, ash and regret.

In the morning, Ominis makes a strange noise as they are having breakfast, the whole hall abuzz with excitement about the upcoming Trial.

"Something wrong, Ominis?" She looks over to find him frowning deeply.

His nostrils flare as he leans closer to her, sniffing her hair. Anna nudges him under the table.

"Ominis, please, everyone can see..."

"Right..." he pulls back, his fingers drumming the scratched wood of the table, "right..."

"What's wrong?"

He sighs, a small grimace running through his fine features.

"I don't like that smell. Tobacco."

"You don't complain about me," Sebastian pipes up from the other side of her. Ominis chuckles.