Light in the Dark // Sebastian Sallow

I Think We Know Where She Is

(Athena)

It's getting close to the holidays. As we near closer the classes begin to end exam after exam. My mind was far from the exams because I've been dreaming of Poppy none stop. Professor Weasley has assured us that Poppy is not at Feldcroft, but they are still searching. With my dream they are now searching nearby castles to Feldcroft, unfortunately they only know where Poppy's gran lives, as she is her guardian.

I sit starting at my charms exam tapping my foot. Every now and then I see Sebastian peak at me, knowing I'm anxious about Poppy. Poor Natty is my partner at my desk, she is just as worried about Poppy as I am. We all are. Having us take exams right now just doesn't seem fair.

'Athena, try and focus.' I think to myself.
"What charm is used to dry up small bodies of water?" I know that one "the drought charm" I start to read each question and recognize the answers. I finish just in time, the Professor takes all of our exams in one swoop, and we are dismissed.

Sebastian takes my hand and we walk out of the classroom I say to him "I actually think I did okay on that exam..."

Sebastian smiles "oh really? I also think I did rather ravishing work myself."

I roll my eyes "ravishing.. really?" I say with a small laugh

He shrugs. "Anything to make you smile."

Imelda, Natty, and Ominis are walking behind us "ew, god you guys can you stop alright before I puke." Imelda says behind us.

"Im actually with her on this one. I may not be able to see it but Merlin I can still hear" Ominis says displeased.

"Oh, leave them be. I think it's cute." Natty says passing us.

We all laugh and keep walking to the great hall. Natty goes to her table at the Gryffindor table.

We sit at the Slytherin table, I stare across to the Hufflepuff table getting upset again. I'm always scanning for Poppy even though she's not there. I feel Sebastian hand on my thigh and calm down. "You need to eat, you've barely ate anything these past couple days. Please eat.. for me?" I grab some Vegetables and soup and nibble at it. It's hard to eat when I know my best friend is getting tortured.

"Hey I'll meet you guys back at the common room. I have some studying I have to do before our defense against the dark arts exam." I say getting up from the table.

"Well, your a natural at that, surely you can eat a little longer." I kiss Sebastian cheek.

"I'll see you back at the common room. Ominis make sure he stays and eats with you all, will you?" I say with a smile.

Ominis looks up from his soup "sure thing, Johnson."

I make my way back to the empty common room and sit in my favorite seat. It's on the sofa facing the lake. I take my shoes off and put my legs up, making sure my legs are still lady like. I am wearing a skirt. I open my DATDA book and grab my ring on my neckless. I feel at peace reading in silence in front of my favorite view.

I look at my watch and make my way to Herbology. I head out of the common room and decide to take the floo powder to Herbology.

- - - - - - -

Our class ends and I tell Sebastian I'm going to head to the library, I really need to study for my DATDA exam. "Alright, let me come with you. I actually need to study that too. We'll study together." I say feeling him brush up against me.

As we walk into the Library we head up to our normal spot on the second floor in the corner so no one can distract us.

"Have you study up on apparition?" Sebastian asks me.

"Yes I believe its Destination, Determination and Deliberation are the three indicators. However I have no tried it yet. I can't wait to learn it. Im mean I've tried it with you, but ... how did you learn how to do apparition?...." I say excitedly.

"You know I'd be more than happy to help you. Books of course my dear, my parents use to do it all the time... in there library they had a ton of books on it. I was very young but I read them out of curiosity. When they passed away I just had to figure out how to do it. So I would practice in my back yard. I definitely was afraid of Splinching myself. I've had a couple of missing hairs off my head a few times, but I was pretty successful."

I look at him confused "splinting?"

He says laughing a little "it's when you aren't successful at apparating. You can hurt yourself or leave a body part behind. It's no big deal really."

My eyes widen. " oh merlin...I'm not ready for this."

He laughs "you'll be fine, your a brilliant witch. I'll help you."

I smile at him "thank you." I put my hand on his and we kiss softly. I put my head back into my book.

Amit Thakkar walks over to our table. I can tell he's definitely been looking for us. "Sebastian, Athena, why in the world do you sit all the way up here it's such a walk." He says out of breath.

I smile at him "Amit, care to study with us?"
Sebastian looks annoyed. "No, no, however, I've been talking to Natty. She's very concerned that Poppy is missing and I just want to help the best I can. I hate seeing her so upset.." at the mention of Poppy tense up.

"Amit, do you know something?" I say concerned.

"Well, I've been doing research about the Sweetings. I think I found out where they might be." He puts a book on our table it's called "Poachers, what they know and understand."

I try to slow down my breathing "Amit, how did you know about Poppy's background..."
I say looking at him suspiciously.

"Oh I didn't, Natty told me, so I starting digging in the library.. and when I couldn't find anything I went into the..."

Sebastian and I say at the same time "restricted section."

He looks up at us "yes.. well I found this book." Opens up to bag 140 and he reads aloud..

' The Sweetings live in a castle near Clagmar Coast. They have never been prosecuted for pouching. However it is believe that this family has been the ring leaders for the poaching community. They are the richest people to live in Clagmar Coast. The Sweeting have been known to socialize with Malfoys, and the Gaunts.'

Amit says "it goes on and on about them... but they live in mansion somewhere near the Clagmar Coast."

I get up instantly using a spell I taught myself yesterday "Multicorfors" I say to myself walking and my clothes instantly change into my Adventure clothes.

Sebastian thanks Amit and follows me "Athena, first off I'm impressed you can change you clothes like that." He's struggling to keep up and takes my arm to stop me "so we're going to Clagmar Coast. Okay but then what. Shouldn't we let a professor know..."

I look at him with Daggers. "Clearly the professors can't handle this. Let me use my magic against these fuckers. I can do this on my own I don't need a whole arm." I spit out with fury in my eyes.

"Okay, let's go. You stood besides me for all my battles. Let's go save Poppy. I'm with you." At the words I kiss him passionately.

"Let's go save Poppy!" I exclaim!