Me and the Devil: Sebastian Sallow

Chapter ONE OH EIGHT - Ill Informed

I wished I could bottle up Sebastian's grin and the slight red across his cheeks. I don't think I'd ever seen him blush quite this way, he'd always been the one to push the limits of acceptable conversation.

Perhaps our talk last night had done him some good, given him some hope. He'd explained to me in detail of the relic he had mentioned earlier and that it looked incredibly promising. That he might know where it was, that it was worth looking into and he was doing all the reading he could on it to keep us prepared. I'd promised to help, needing any form of consolation for him after watching his body wretch up air.

His eyes were far less swollen now but the bags under them crept up like the night sky shortly after sunset. I doubted he'd slept at all last night.

"Can't say I know what you're talking about mate." He hummed back into the pages of his book.

"I smelt you that night Sebastian... this- how? Ancient magic-?"

Ominis lifted the hand that had been on the table only moments before and pinched the bridge of his nose. He took a deep breath and then nearly smacked his fingers against the wood as he flung them back off, lip curled in disgust, hand hanging loose out away from his body.

"I think I may be sick."

"Just don't throw up on my table." Sebastian raised a finger back up above his head.

"...I am desperately in need of a subject change... Atley, please tell me there is some sort of plan for today..."

"I- uhm. I brought breakfast?"

"Wonderful. I knew something smelt delectable when I walked in."

"That was me."

"That was not you Sebastian."

Sebastian shrugged and gently tucked his book onto the pillow beside him, sitting upright and grabbing for his bag with a gracious tip of his head.

Ominis made his way back to us and slowly knelt down, lowering himself to one of the big pillows aside me.

Sebastian quirked a mischievous brow.

"I wouldn't sit on that one."

The poor boy nearly fell on his face in an attempt to toss his body from the pillow.

"Kidding!" Sebastian sung.

"I should have really picked a better friend."

"You're in too deep now mate. I think you're stuck with me."

Though he groaned, the little grin on his lips was unmistakable.

The three of us nibbled on the oatmeal, pancakes and toast Tooby had prepared for us. Sebastian hadn't eaten much aside from the entirety of the extra pear I had handed him but I was thankful for that at the least.

We tossed around ideas on what to do for this last day of break. Sebastian was adamant on wanting to stay in the Undercroft to "read" but Ominis was insistent on spending the day preoccupying our minds, suggesting perhaps we learn some new spells.

"Atley dear, what about your ancient text. Does it have anything Sebastian and I could try with you?"

"I don't- think so?" I reached back to where my book bag was leaning and tugged out the thick text. The little poem book toppled out too and and I was quick to snatch it up, making sure none of the pages had been bent on impact with the floor. Thankfully all was well and I carefully set it back in my bag alongside my camera at the bottom.

I caught Sebastian's freckled smile.

Flipping open the cover of the ancient text quickly, I nearly missed the glowing symbol inside.

Sebastian's eyes grew wide.

"Oh shit."

"What?" Ominis leaned forward, brows pulled center.

"The symbol. They are ready for the next trial." I slammed the book shut and tapped the cover. "You two don't have to come this time if you don't want to."

I secretly hoped they did though. I couldn't imagine leaving them today.

Sebastian looked back to Salazar's spellbook, fingers worrying over the folds in his trousers. He froze there and my heart sunk in the silence.

"Guess that solves the problem of what to do today."

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding and caught his eye as he nodded ever so slightly. I smiled a silent thanks.

"Wonderful, count me in. I'm quite pleased I chose to wear these particular trousers today then." Ominis pulled himself up without another thought and Sebastian grabbed my hand so that we could stand together.

"We will meet you outside the map chamber. You better go see if Professor Fig is around."

----

He hadn't been.

According to one of the house elves, he, professor Weasley, the Headmaster and a few of the other professors had left for the day and weren't due to be back until nightfall.

I had scribbled out a quick letter, practically tossing it at the nearest owl and scrambling back to my room for my small bag filled with Wiggenweld, tintype still tucked into the little mesh pocket. I took a moment to smile at it before folding up Sebastian's "I miss you" envelope and tucking it in behind the cool metal. I tossed the entire thing over my shoulder and raced down to face the Keepers.

Niamh Fitzgerald had been kind enough though the air of Keeper still clung behind her every word. I had been surprised to find the next trial was right here in the castle - in the headmasters office no less. She'd warned that it may be difficult to gain access and though I doubted that Phineas Nigellus Black would truly be able to keep out one determined 7th year let alone three of them, I'd listened to her closely.

"I had hoped that when the time came, the occupant of that office would be of help to us. Unfortunately, this headmaster seems wildly unconcerned with anything but himself."

Glad we're on the same page.

"You'll have to access his office while he's away."

"I'll find a way."

She'd nodded, a hint of a smile over her otherwise blank features.

"Good. I shall meet you in my portrait there."

I'd hurried back out of the map chamber, toes dusting the constellations of light below my feet, thoughts and ideas whispering between each one.

----

"The HEADMASTERS OFFICE?" Ominis bellowed.

Sebastian chuckled. "Oh this will be fun."

Ominis smacked his wand over his shoulder.

"Someone, has already tried- and failed might I add, to intrude that office before for a rather ill informed prank with Anne..."

"Oh please Ominis. This will be a piece of cake. I never make the same mistake twice."

"Correct. You insist on making it four or five times."

Sebastian scowled to the boy's blank eyes.

Ominis smirked.

"Boys I'm serious, with the three of our heads together I'm sure we can think of something."

Sebastian turned back to me though he still side-eyed his best friend.

"As a matter of fact- this ill informed Slytherin does have an idea. And a bloody good one at that."