Consuming Darkness: Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 35

-Ronnie-

   Ominis and I stayed in the Infirmary all weekend and both of us decided to take a sick day on Monday. Nurse Blainey did not let us stay there with him over night again though. She told us that it had been a one time exception, but now that we knew he was stable, we had to sleep in our own beds. My nights were filled with nightmares, if I was able to sleep at all. I woke up screaming more than a few times, much to the concern of my roommates. I felt myself falling apart, and everyone could see. Everyone had been nice enough, and I tried not to believe my own ideas of what they really thought about me. 

   Nurse Blainey made sure to be on top of his care, yet Sebastian did not wake. Ominis and I tried to  help Nurse Blainey with whatever she asked us to, both of us feeling useless and desperate. She had a list of spells, charms, tinctures, potions, and other various concoctions that she used in healing Sebastian, and insisted that keeping him asleep was for the best. Had he been awake, he would have been in excruciating pain as she worked to heal him from the inside out. He needed a few days without waking in order to ensure that the healing process would get a good head start. 

    Rumors and speculations of what had happened to him spread like wildfire. Rumor of me completely falling to pieces spread just as fast, much to my annoyance. There were way more people than I expected who came to visit him. The Sebastian that I had grown to know last year seemed to not have very many friends but from what I gathered, that had been completely by choice. Apparently, he had made many friends throughout his years at Hogwarts. They came and brought flowers, cards, treats, and gag gifts from Zonko's to cheer him up when he finally did wake. No one stayed long, they would say nice things about the boy that lay silent in the bed, give a gift if they brought one, and leave.

   It also seemed that every girl in school was concerned about his well being. I decided to bite my tongue and not scream at every girl that had goo-goo eyes for him. I tried really hard not to scoff at those that came in and cried, but when a few of them tried to grab his hand or touch his face, all attempts at civility were lost. Ominis eventually just started telling people that they couldn't touch Sebastian because it might wake him, and he needed his rest to recuperate. We both knew it was a lie but it was better than having me snap at every girl that fawned over him. How funny, how kind, how dark, how mysterious, how athletic, how handsome and how attractive, he was... I will admit I considered the dark arts a few times. Also... when Ominis was distracted, I tossed a few cards and gifts from the girls who seemed too into Sebastian. I'm not saying that I'm proud of all of my actions but I did what any self respecting girl would have done... at least that's what I'm going to tell myself...

   Natty, Imelda, Poppy, Gareth and even Finnian, all came to to sit with us and keep us company. They had all be nice distractions but my heart ached to be able to talk with Sebastian.

...

   Nurse Blainey made us go to class on Tuesday, promising that Sebastian would wake up later in the day. It was impossible to stay focused. I didn't learn a single thing. Ominis grabbed make up work for Sebastian and we both met back up in the Infirmary as soon as classes were over, hopeful that Sebastian would wake soon.

   "I'm glad I've had you to keep me company. I cannot bare the thought of leaving him here but I am glad I do not have to do it alone," Ominis said as we resumed our usual spots. He sat in the chair and I sat on the bed.

   "Same," I replied with a smile. "Nothing heals a friendship like forced approximation."

   Ominis laughed. "Apparently!"

   I needed to talk to Ominis about something that was nagging at my mind. I stood up, looking around,  I saw that Nurse Blainey was preoccupied with another student who was throwing up slugs. It was horrid to have to listen to. Thankfully she had put him in the farthest bed from us.

   "I need to tell you something," I said in a hushed tone and picked up a chair from its usual spot around the table at the back of the room and set it next to Ominis.

   "Oooo... a secret I'm guessing," he mocked as he raised the pitch of his voice.

   I rolled my eyes. "Yes, a secret. Only Sebastian... and Natty know this, so you must swear not to tell a soul," I prefaced.

   "Another secret that the pair of you have kept from me," he huffed out. "He swore no more secrets..."

   "Don't pout..." I laughed. "Most of the secrets we keep from you are for your benefit."

   "I feel like I should be able to decide that," Ominis responded shortly.

   "You cannot mean that," I said with teasing tone and a sly smirk.

   He hesitated, considering what my words had meant, before covering his ears. His cheeks flushed red. I laughed as he replied. "Nevermind... Keep your secrets!"

   I laughed so hard at his reaction that I had to hold my stomach. "I figured!"

   "What did you want to tell me then?! Do not let me sit in this discomfort!" He exclaimed in a whisper.

   "Alright," I laughed out. I got control over my laughter before responding again. "You know about ancient magic right?" I whispered.

   "Yeah. Wasn't that what Ranrock was in search of last year?" He whispered.

   "Yeah..." I confirmed. I proceeded to tell Ominis about my ability to use ancient magic, how I'd discovered it, what had happened with the Keepers and Isadora. I relayed what Ranrock had been after, all of it, pausing a few times when Nurse Blainey came over to give Sebastian his potions and tinctures. 

   "Wow Veronica... That is... a lot!" he responded as he reflected on all the information I had given to him. 

   "Yeah... and the relic that we had to grab for Professor Pierce was in a room that I believe could only be accessed through ancient magic..." I informed him. "I didn't think much about it before entering the room. After leaving, I didn't have time to think about anything afterward other than getting Sebastian to safety. I think that Professor Pierce may know that I can use ancient magic, and if he didn't know for sure, he does now."

   "Are you sure that only Sebastian and Natty know? They didn't tell anyone else? Maybe Natty told her mom?" Ominis suggested.

   "No," I said firmly. "The reason I told both of them was because I knew I could trust them not to tell."

   "Hmmmm... Seeing as you still aren't sure the extent of your powers or it's source then there is a possibility that he knows of the Keepers? We would just need to get more information on what he knows. Did you see who the tomb belonged to when you went?" he wondered.

   "Archibald," I responded with a slight laugh, remembering kissing Sebastian on top of the coffin. 

   "Did you see a last name?" he asked.

   "No, Sebastian did though."

   "Hopefully he remembers something when he wakes up," he answered. His eyes widened and his brow furrowed in concertation. "Anne?" he asked.

   "What?" I asked confused.

   "Hello Ominis," I heard a familiar voice greet.

   I turned and sure enough, there was Anne.