Like Moths to a Flame // Sebastian Sallow [Book One]

Chapter Twenty: Searching for Ominis

Where in Merlin's ever-loving name was Ominis? By now, he ought to be back at Hogwarts! When Sebastian didn't need him, Ominis had an uncanny ability to appear out of thin air. But the moment Sebastian was desperate to find him? Nowhere to be found. Just his luck. It was almost comical. Almost. 

Sebastian had scoured the Slytherin common room, the Great Hall, even made a detour to the Astronomy Tower. He checked the Undercroft and Ominis's favorite secluded alcove in the library: second floor, tucked away in the shadows where no one would disturb him. Empty. Dammit!

Frustrated beyond measure, Sebastian spent an entire hour - an hour! - pacing outside Defense Against the Dark Arts Tower before finally admitting defeat. Ominis must still be stuck at Gaunt Manor. Under different circumstances, Sebastian might have spared him some sympathy. But unless Ominis was prepared to spill anything further about Slytherin's scriptorium, he had little patience left for him. No, he wasn't sorry one bit. 

Sebastian headed towards the lake, hoping to clear his head. As he walked across the bridge, he barely had time to register the blur that whooshed past him before it skidded to a halt and doubled back. His pulse, still wound tight from frustration, kicked up a notch before settling as he recognized the figure.

"Poppy?"

"Sebastian!" she gasped, slightly breathless, her cheeks flushed from exertion.

He arched a brow. "What's the rush?"

She hesitated for half a beat before tucking a stray curl behind her ear. "I found an injured Jobberknoll in the woods this morning. I just wanted to check on it." A faint blush crept onto her face, as if she hadn't meant to sound so eager.

"Don't let me keep you," he said, motioning for her to carry on.

Poppy took a step forward, then hesitated. "Oh! Actually, I wanted to ask if you've seen Damien."

Sebastian cocked his head. "Why?"

"No reason," she replied, a little too quickly.

His curiosity piqued, Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "No reason?" he echoed back at her.

Poppy shifted under his gaze, fiddling with the hem of her sleeve. "Well... I guess he mentioned wanting to meet the Jobberknoll," she finally admitted, though it sounded more like a question than a statement.

"Interesting," he said, "considering Damien was with me the entire morning. Unless he's perfected the art of being in two places at once," he added, half-jokingly, but not entirely discounting the possibility when it came to Damien.

Poppy's face reddened, and she stammered, "Oh! You're right. It must have been Amit who mentioned it. Silly me." She let out a nervous chuckle before hastily bidding Sebastian farewell and scurrying away.

Sebastian watched Poppy retreat, a crease forming between his brows. Amit taking an interest in a Jobberknoll? That seemed off. And Poppy's reluctance to answer only made him more suspicious. What was she hiding? More importantly, why was she asking about Damien? He considered pressing the issue, but his mind was already preoccupied. He'd have to shelve that mystery for now.

Arriving at the lake, Sebastian found it bustling with activity. The crisp morning had melted into an unusually warm October afternoon, apparently drawing students outside to bask in the fleeting sunshine. To his left, he spotted his roommates, Henry and Rupert, engaged in a game of catch. Rather quaint, really.

"Fancy seeing the two of you here," Sebastian called out.

"Seb! Think fast!" Henry shouted, hurling a ball toward him without warning.