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

Chapter Twenty-Six: Discovery

As Sebastian turned to another page in Salazar Slytherin's spellbook, he heard the gate to the Undercroft rise up behind him.

"You really don't have to keep sending me owls," Damien said as he entered the room. "We were kissing in here less than twelve hours ago." He flushed at that, an adorable quirk of his that Sebastian never ceased to revel in.

In fact, there were plenty of little things Sebastian had noticed about Damien lately. How he'd tap the tip of Sebastian's nose when feeling particularly playful. The way his fingertips would absentmindedly trace Sebastian's freckles when lost in thought. Even the way his face flushed when frustrated, somehow a different shade of red than when he was flustered. And so on. Not that Sebastian allowed himself to dwell on these observations too much. He had other matters on his mind, after all. Like the spellbook. Naturally. 

"You know you love my letters," Sebastian countered, dragging a finger down the page in front of him. "They're very romantic."

Damien guffawed and peeked over Sebastian's shoulder to peer at the page he was currently studying.

Sebastian, so engrossed in his research, didn't even acknowledge Damien with a quick glance. "You'll never believe what I've learned."

"What did you discover?"

Sebastian finally tore his gaze from the book and stepped back from the standing desk. He began to pace the room. "It's a little difficult to interpret but fascinating. Evidently, Slytherin encouraged teaching Dark Magic at Hogwarts. Neither the Imperius Curse nor the Killing Curse was unforgivable during this time."

The expression that crossed Damien's face was hard to read, but Sebastian assumed it was curiosity. That, or confusion. Definitely not judgment. He had said he wanted to learn more about Dark Magic...

"I can guess what the Killing Curse entails, but the Imperius Curse?" Damien said.

"It's a powerful spell that allows the caster to control the actions and thoughts of the person they cast it on as if they were a puppet."

"Oh."

That was it? Just oh?

Sebastian narrowed his eyes, watching as Damien absently toyed with a button on his shirt.

Wait a moment... was he bothered by this?

Why?

Damien had learned the Cruciatus Curse, after all. It wasn't as if this was all that different. Not really.

"He believed students should be prepared to use Dark Magic when necessary," Sebastian resumed, "not to fear it. That's why we had to use Crucio to gain access to the scriptorium. He didn't want his knowledge shared with anyone who was afraid of the power of Dark Magic."

Damien glanced down at his feet.

Sebastian folded his arms, tilting his head as he studied Damien's downcast expression. Oh yes, he was definitely bothered. Oh, for Merlin's sake!

"It was hard to do," Damien murmured, still looking at the floor. "But casting Crucio was our only option."

"And I'm glad we did it." The words left Sebastian's mouth before he could stop them, and for a brief moment, he almost winced. But it was the truth. They were alive, their feelings laid bare, and now... now, he had something even more important to share.

"Because," he continued, his pulse quickening, "in the spellbook, I also found something else. References to a lost relic which, from what I can tell, grants the holder the power to reverse Dark Magic curses." Sebastian couldn't hide his excitement if he tried. This was it, the most promising lead in his search for Anne's cure yet.