Consuming Darkness: Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 40

-Ronnie-

"Hey Ronnie," Finnian called to me. I walked away from Sebastian and over towards him.

"I'm glad you guys invited me! This is the most fun I've had in a while," I told him with a smile and took a swig from my cup that Gareth had refilled for me.

"You're brave to drink that!" He let out a cheerful laugh. I just laughed, and shrugged in response. "I started the report for Magical Theory," he told me.

"When is that due again? We should probably get together and work on it. I don't want to be a bad partner!" I inquired and took another swing of my drink, hating and enjoying the slight burn in my throat.

"... Monday," he responded hesitantly as if he didn't want to inconvenience me.

"I totally forgot! Monday?!" I asked in disbelief. Professor Pierce had assigned pairs and told each of us to pick a topic that we had studied so far this year. He then instructed us to write a full report with different magical applications. We also had to present it in class. It had totally slipped my mind!

"You're fine! Don't worry about. You've had a lot going on this past week so I hadn't wanted to add something else to your plate," he told me quickly. He was so nice! Too nice!

"You shouldn't have started without me, I'm so sorry! What topic did you choose?" I asked frantically. I was horrible! It was one thing for me to be falling behind on my class work but I didn't want to bring anyone else down with me. Let alone leave him to do it all himself!

I started to walk away from the party because it was too loud and we needed to talk this over before I would be able to enjoy my night remotely.

We walked through the trees and along the shore as we talked about our report. He already gotten quite the head start on it and was more wanting me to handle the presentation portion of it.

"I swear, I just want you to go over the written part with me and help me figure out the applications and how to present it. It is no big deal at all, I like this stuff," he laughed and sat down.

I sat next to him and stared out and watched the moons reflection bounce along the water. I should get back to Sebastian. I wanted to spend tonight with him sitting on the shore but I felt terrible leaving Finnian after he had just told me that he'd do and had already done a bulk of the project. The wind coming in off the water was chilly and even with my cloak I was freezing. I pulled it tighter around me in a weak attempt to ward off the frigid air.

"You're cold! Here," Finnian exclaimed and quickly removed his Hufflepuff robes and placed them over my shoulders.

"You don't have to, but thank you," I smiled, slightly embarrassed.

"I think your beautiful Veronica," he admitted as he sat back down beside me. I know you're with Sebastian and the two of you seem to be really into each other... I just wanted you to know, just in case it doesn't work out."

I looked at him surprised by his confession. "Thank you Finnian... but I think I'm in love Sebastian," I mused. I squinted my eyes in confusion at the blunt honesty of my words. I hadn't even told Sebastian that I was in love with him. "I haven't told Sebastian that I love him though, so don't tell him," I added on. What was happening?

Finnian laughed lightheartedly. "Rather blunt, but I appreciate it. I'm happy for you. Both of you..." he told me honestly. "His sister's ailment was very difficult for him, and I was worried that the death of his Uncle would have impacted him even more."