Consuming Darkness: Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 33

-Ronnie-

   I arrived in the common room and saw Ominis sitting on the couch near the fireplace with Imelda and Holland Oaks. He was a 7th year prefect and a Beater for the Quidditch team.

   "Veronica? You're back," Ominis called out as I got closer. My eyes began welling up with tear again at the sound of his voice. My body was shaking and I had no way to control it. "Where's Seba-"

   "Bloody hell!" Holland exclaimed cutting him off. His eyes were wide when he saw me. He quickly jumped up off of the couch. I probably looked like bloody hell.

   Imelda turned. "Ronnie!!" She yelled out in shock and ran over to me.

   "What? What happened?" Ominis asked frantically as he rushed over to me with Holland at his side.

   "She's covered in blood!" Holland explained.

   "Are you hurt?! What happened?! You need to go to the infirmary!" Imelda exclaimed as she reached me, looking me over for injuries.

   "Ominis..." was all I could get out as tears ran down my face.

   Ominis reached out and touched my cheek gently. "Veronica....! What happened?!" He exclaimed as he touched the blood and tears that soaked my face.

   "Sebastian..." I started. "It's not my blood... I just... He was shot... I couldn't help him... Professor Pierce almost didn't help... He was dying! I watched him! I couldn't help!" I cried, hyperventilating as I struggled to get out a coherent sentence. Ominis pulled me in quickly for a hug.

   "Is he okay?" His voice pleading.

   I didn't know how to answer, I barely heard his question.

   "Ronnie! Is he okay?!" Ominis shouted, panic rising. He pulled away from me slightly and shook me to snap me out of my shock.

   "We made it to the infirmary just in time... Nurse Blainey said he would be okay... She said she could heal him... Said I had to leave him... I couldn't... I..." I could barely form a coherent thought. My body still shaking. Ominis pulled me back against his body as I tried and failed to gain control over myself.

   "He'll be okay? This is his blood all over you?" Ominis asked in shock, holding me tight.

   I nodded against his chest, unable to speak anymore.

   "I need to go to him!" Ominis said backed me away from me.

   "You can't, it's almost curfew," Holland reminded Ominis.

   "Screw curfew! You heard what she said! He's my best friend!" Ominis shouted angrily.

   "I want to come!" I said quickly.

   Ominis turned to me and his expression softened. "You're in shock Ronnie, you need to go clean up. I'll go be with him," he said calmly.

   "It's my fault... I.. I have to..." I begged in a desperate whisper.

   "Come join me when you're cleaned up," he replied softly and hugged me again tightly. I felt my body relax slightly. Knowing that Ominis would be there brought my mind a semblance of comfort.

   "Imelda, help her?" His voice pleading.

   "You don't need to beg, Ominis. Of course I'll help her," she said back annoyed.

   "Thank you," he sighed, and started walking out of the common room.

   "I'm at least going to come with you," Holland spoke.