Entombed // Sebastian Sallow

fifty two - corrupt

Ominis,

I'm sorry to write to you with such urgency. I have news about Sebastian. I'd love to meet up with you soon, if you'd like. No pressure. I hope you and Poppy are doing well.

Lara.

I sent Petey on his way, letter in his mouth to deliver it to Ominis. Our correspondence had dwindled lately, just like it did when I lost Sebastian after our fifth year so I was shocked to get a response that same afternoon.

Lara,

I can be in London by 6pm. Leaky Cauldron?

Ominis.

Perfect.

I twiddled my thumbs all day and had to convince my mum to let me go out at night unattended. I had sworn Louis was taking me, though he wasn't, but I knew he'd cover for me if she asked.

I entered the pub a little early and grabbed a table and two butterbeers and waited for Ominis' arrival. To my surprise, he entered alone.

"Ominis." I said, pulling my old friend into a warm hug. He wasn't used to this type of physical affection from me. "How are you?"

"I'm alright, but how are you?" He said, letting me go and taking a seat at the table.

"I'm fine. Where's Poppy?" I asked, peering around his shoulder to see if she was following.

"Poppy and I actually broke up."

"What? Oh, Ominis. I'm sorry." My face dropped at the revelation in pure shock.

"It's fine. Truly. It turns out we have differing opinions on what we want in life. She wanted something I couldn't give her."

"Well, I really am sorry." I said, laying a reassuring hand on top of his.

"Thank you, Lara. You said you had news about Sebastian?"

"I do. I've had my brother using some connections from his job to try and push his trial ahead and we've discovered discrepancies in his paperwork. There's no evidence or anything to support his arrest as a suspect."

"Really? I thought the Ministry would really be on top of that, they've just opened themselves up to a whole lot of trouble."

"I know. And... I also went to see him."

"You? Went to Azkaban?" Ominis looked shocked.

"I did. With my brother."

"How... how did it go? How is he?"

"It's not good, Ominis. He told me he wants to die. I convinced him to keep trying, that we were close to getting him out and bringing him home."

Ominis twitched in his seat a little, he was clearly uncomfortable.

"So what do we know so far?"

"Not much. Louis is waiting for more information and in the meantime I'm stalling my mother on trying to get me married."

"Oh yes, you muggles do arranged marriages too. Sounds like my family."

"Yes, I suppose it is quite similar. We aren't as concerned about blood status though, it's more about staying popular and rich."

"Well, I'm not sure Sebastian would be able to help with that."

"I know. It's my mother... but my father is more than happy for me not to go ahead with it. He's concerned about me having to hide my magic from a muggle husband. He thinks I'm better suited to marrying a wizard."