A Troubled Time / Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 8

Sebastian was out of the Hospital wing by the end of the night. Lucy never felt more grateful for magic medicine than she did now. Without thinking, she flew straight into the clock tower entrance, carefully avoiding the swinging chime, as she ascended into Hogwarts. She flew straight into the hospital wing. The last thing she wanted was to attempt to carry Sebastian up all the stairs if he were to pass out.

Fortunately for them, Nurse Bailey was quick to check him in, especially considering her entrance. She even checked on Lucy, seeing the blood that covered her uniform, though it was simply from Sebastian sitting in front of her on the broom. The downside of it all, was that, of all people, Headmaster Black happened to pass by at the perfect time, earning Lucy her first detention.

It was the next day and she was to serve her time that afternoon, once all of her classes were finished. She sighed, stirring her cauldron in potions. They were making wiggenweld potions... again. Apparently, the first time they did it, some students were under par with their potions, so everyone had to do it again.

She couldn't help but wonder if that was just an excuse for them to prepare this potion more. Professor Sharp was talking to Fig about the goblin attacks. Maybe he knew what was going on? Lucy thought to herself as she stirred.

"Lucy, you'll never guess my new potion idea." A voice broke her from her thoughts as she sat up more in her seat, turning her head to acknowledge the curly red head that approached her.

"Garreth, I'm sorry, but if you're asking me to break into Sharp's office to get you supplies, the answer is no." Lucy sighed, bottling up her potion as she finished early.

"Whoa, something is really bothering you, isn't it?" Garreth sat in the open seat near her, "What's going on?"
"I'm sorry. I'm a bit nervous to serve my first detention, and it's with the headmaster. That and I guess I just feel guilty." Lucy mumbled the last part, taking a peak at Sebastian who was focused on his potion. By looking at him, the students never would've suspected he was hurt yesterday. She also couldn't help but wonder how she would go on with these trials and stop Ranrok when she kept depending on her friends to aid her in battle. She knew the fight would be life or death and she didn't want to drag them into it.

"With the headmaster?" Garreth's voice sounded a bit distressed, "That's rather... uncommon. He usually passes students off to my aunt."

"Great. I'm going to die." Lucy let her head fall on top of her folded arms on the table. Who knew what Black would do to her. She remembered how Gwendolyn and her squad talked about Black and his own hatred for muggle borns. There was no doubt he knew what kind of witch she was, unless Fig had covered it up for her. Unfortunately for her, she would have to wait and see.

"Maybe you won't. Though it doesn't help that Gwendolyn and her goons parade around announcing you're a muggle born to the school." Garreth shook his head.

"I still don't see what the big deal is. I'm sure if we go back to the beginning of time, the first wizard was born from a muggle family." Lucy shook her head, letting her chin rest on her hands instead.

"Interesting theory. I truly don't know, but color me intrigued." Garreth's voice became bright, like it usually is.

Lucy couldn't help but smile, looking at the boy, "You think Black will kill me?" Lucy raised an eyebrow.

"Black would never do it himself, if he were going to. Though he is a lousy headmaster, he loves the fame that goes with it. If the ministry found out he killed a student, no doubt he'd be sent to Azkaban." Garreth shivered as he spoke.

"Azkaban?" Lucy lifted her head from its resting place, "What's Azkaban?" It seemed like there was still so much she didn't know about the wizarding world, but it's hard to learn everything so quickly.