Turn Back Time // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Ten- Meet not so Cute

After dinner, Imelda led the way to the Slytherin common room, which was unfortunately located in the dungeons. I was so used to the warm ambiance of the Gryffindor common room, I wasn't sure what to expect, but was dreading it nonetheless. 

We approached a blank stone wall and Imelda looked at me in anticipation. I looked at her confused. "What are we looking at exactly?" I asked. Imelda laughed. "The entrance to the common room of course," she answered confidently. I looked again and still saw just a wall. "Is this the first challenge or something?" I went on, almost annoyed. "Oh c'mon Miss Slytherin, I know you can figure this out." Imelda replied. I rolled my eyes and looked at the wall again.

I stepped forward, ready to just walk into the wall like platform 9 ¾ , but then from the ground, a golden slithery snake arched its back forming a door. I looked at Imelda and gave a smirk. "See, I know what I'm doing." Maybe I really was a Slytherin. It had only been an hour and I found my sarcasm shining. I reached for the door, but it was locked. "Oh.. maybe not."

"Close Moody. Now give it the password," Imelda raised a smug eyebrow. "Let me guess, something basic like "aspiration"," I joked with air quotes.

The door opened. "Oh." Imelda laughed at this and linked her arm with mine. "C'mon roomie, let's get this party started."

Imelda and I walked arm and arm down the spiral staircase into the Slytherin dormitory. It was surprisingly not as cold and dark as I imagined. In fact, it was rather beautiful. The main common space was surrounded by large, long windows that looked into the black lake. I released from Imelda's arm and slowly walked to the middle of the three windows in awe. Being from California, water always fascinated me, I had quite missed the ocean.

The common room was bustling with lots of welcome back greetings, but it all stayed muffled in my mind as I stared out into the water. I didn't miss the Gryffindor common room so much anymore, I could stare out into the open water for hours.

"Looking for mermaids?" a soft voice interrupted my train of thought. "I'm sorry?" I questioned looking from where the voice came from. A tall sort of pale-ish blonde boy facing me, a couple beauty marks beautifully sat on his face, but that wasn't what drew me to him. It was his eyes. The palest shade of blue, but misty at that. They were so mysterious, yet beautiful. 

"I was only asking if you were looking for mermaids like the other new students," he smirked. I looked passed him at two first years excitedly looking out the window, waiting for something to appear.

"I didn't know there were mermaids in the black lake, but I doubt they would find us very interesting if they really did exist," I answered plainly. He laughed at this. "Stole the words right out of my mouth. Ominis Gaunt," my heart stopped as he reached his hand out. "Ominis," I repeated shaking his hand, still unable to form a coherent sentence. My mind flashed back to the graveyard where I first saw his name. I had almost forgotten I was meaning to find him, but here he was finding me first.

"And.. You must be the new fifth year," he answered before I could even get another word out.

"Is it that obvious," I chuckled still shaking his hand.

"Let's just say I have certain heightened senses," I looked at him oddly, what did he mean by that. "Well you certainly had a memorable entrance." I was glad Ominis continued the conversation as I still found myself at a loss for words. I had been thinking about him for months and I was finally meeting him for the first time.

"Well, if I'm going to make my mark here, I had to start right away," I joked not wanting to reveal too much. Ominis laughed. "Ha, you're definitely in the right house."

There it was again. Seemed like every Slytherin I met felt like I belonged here. Confidence and a witty sense of humor was all it took I suppose. "What was your name again dear?" he spoke to me. Dear. I don't think any boy our age had ever called me that, it was cute, so very 1800's of him. "Madeline, Madeline Moody." I smiled at him.