Legacy Disowned - Book 1

Chapter 9 - Away From Prying Eyes

"Sebastian! —Sebastian! Oi, Sallow!" Sebastian's eyes snapped open and he sat up abruptly, causing his book to topple to the floor with a thud. Warm embers still glowed in the fireplace near his armchair, he must have fallen asleep.

"Wha—?" Sebastian rubbed at his eyes, trying to shake off the sleep as he looked up. Imelda was standing over him, hands on her hips.

"You really shouldn't sleep like that," she chided. 

Sebastian shot her an irritable look and glanced back at the stone steps. "What time is—?"

"Six thirty in the morning," Imelda replied crisply. "I'm heading out for an early flight." She paused before continuing, her tone softening slightly. "She is in bed. Stumbled in about an hour ago."

"She got in at five-thirty in the morning!?" Sebastian blurted out in disbelief. An annoyingly knowing smirk tugged at Imelda's features.

He looked grumpily up at her, irritation overpowering his grogginess.

"She'd just come from the bath, exhausted but otherwise fine. I imagine she's going to be out for a while. You ought to get some proper sleep too." Imelda said seriously.

He sighed. She was right...he hated to think he might be wasting a chunk of the day, but his head felt like it was full of bees. He would never be able to retain any information. No matter how much he wished to stay awake and work, he knew he needed rest.

"Hold on a moment—" Sebastian said, looking around for his bag. He pulled out some parchment and scrawled a message. He hesitated for a moment, then crumpled the paper and started again. And again. He could feel Imelda's impatience growing but couldn't help himself; he wanted to get the message just right.

"Try not to overthink it. I haven't got all day," Imelda drawled. She sounded impatient but he could still detect a hint of amusement.

He gave her a withering look, folding the note, and sealing it with a dab of green wax with a wave of his wand. She held out a hand and he handed it over.

"Thanks," he muttered as Imelda took the note without a word. Sebastian watched her double back to the girl's dorms as he gathered up his things, his head buzzing. The moment his head hit the pillow he was out.

***

It was mid-afternoon when Maggie finally woke. She glanced around the room as she stretched, her attention landing on two letters that lay waiting on her dresser. It struck her as odd how much mail she'd been receiving, given her situation. She did hope that whatever these were about, it wouldn't be anything too taxing. She needed to get her school work done, but more importantly, she had to get to the grotto. Jackdaw had seemed rather anxious about showing her the cave, and she wanted to let him know that she had made it out safely.

Maggie hopped out of bed and picked up the first letter, which bore the crimson Hogwarts seal. Tearing the envelope open, she read:

"Miss Darling,

I sincerely hope you have been enjoying your first week of classes. Your professors, myself included, have been very impressed with the work you have done so far. Natural talent, while certainly helpful, is not all it will take to get you up to speed and prepared for your O.W.L.s. I believe you could benefit from a place away from distractions and prying eyes to practice and keep up with your school work.

Please meet me in the seventh floor corridor of the Astronomy Wing at eight o'clock this evening after you have eaten a proper dinner. We will also be going over a few more useful spells that are sure to turn up on your exams.

Deputy Headmistress,

Professor Matilda Weasley."

Maggie's eyebrows shot up curiously. It seemed an odd hour for Professor Weasley to want to meet, perhaps she wanted to avoid too many other students being around. Maggie also hadn't missed the comment about dinner – apparently, her lack of time spent in the Great Hall hadn't gone unnoticed. The fussiness irked her, but she was intrigued all the same.