Aftermath | Sebastian Sallow

2: Chapter 11

The air is cool but not quite as biting as it is further up North at Hogwarts. Manor Glen rests right off of the coast, on a cliff looking out at the water. When you're close enough to the cliff, you can hear the waves crashing against the sharp rocks below.

The Manor has been repaired, thanks to Sebastian and Felix. Although I do think a heavy amount of fixing up would still be needed. I cannot imagine that Xaiden had any keen eye for groundskeeping.

Anne has tagged along, riding with Felix on the back of Hades. This, of course, Sebastian had protested with me against. I was able to talk him down before he brought it up to Anne.

I've tried convincing him that the over-protective brother role is going to grow rather embarrassing quickly. We'll see how much he actually listens, as that character trait is quite in his nature. I suppose he took on that position in Anne and his lives after their parents passed away, despite their uncle being in the picture. No matter how everything unfolded the way it did between him and Sebastian, I never was really too keen of that man..

We land on the ground and Highwing trots up next to Hades. I think they might even be growing fond of each other as well. Sebastian and I dismount, Sebastian slumping against Highwing's side and taking a few deep breaths.

"You alright?" I ask him, smiling. For as good as he is with a wand, I don't believe flying will ever be his thing.

He straightens up and adjusts his jacket. "Yes, fine." He mutters, and walks past me, saving his ego I'm assuming. There's something a bit off about him today. Ever since interrupting his little quarrel with Felix last night.

Anne and Felix are already walking about the grounds outside. They're having a sort of lively, yet private, discussion with each other. They point and motion to different areas surrounding them.

Sebastian and I approach them, and they drop their conversation and turn to greet us. I feel as though we've interrupted something intimate between the two, and decide to go ahead and break the awkward silence.

"Let's go and have a look?" Felix nods to me and raises his slender arm to place his hand behind my back. We enter the Manor together, Anne and Sebastian engage in some conversation behind me. Whatever they're spatting about, I pay no attention to. I'm thankful Felix and I have enough differences to mind our own business and not get into it as much as they do.

I've seen this place in many states before. When it was just an abandoned Manor, the integrity of the building was falling and crumbling about around me. There were inferi infesting the grounds outside.

When I had come here with Felix to find Xaiden, I had just barely caught a glimpse of it somewhat shaped up and furnished. With life living inside the walls.

Now, it is lifeless once again.

We climb the stairs to the room that Sebastian had described to me, the one that holds countless treasures. Sebastian, Felix and I begin rummaging through the different scrolls and tomes. They're able to scan the words far quicker than I am.

We can only digest what is not either an unknown foreign language to us, or languages that are ancient no longer used. Some of the scrolls are so old, I feel as though they'll crumble between my fingertips.

I turn around to see Anne, walking past a few sculptures and paintings. She runs her fingers along the edge of one of them. I stand and walk over to her.

"It's beautiful." She says to me, looking up at a painting. I recognize the artists name, a muggle famous in their world for his pieces.

"It sure is." I say, standing next to her and admiring the work.