Passionate Professors || Sebastian Sallow

Part 1 | Ch. 52 - Caverns & Curses

After Sebastian and I's heartfelt promises to each other, I took the lead walking into the Map Chamber. There was an oddly comforting, yet heavy uneasy feeling as we entered. The twisted arched opening welcomed us into the familiar vast rotunda. Two marble staircases on each side of the balcony curved down to the sparkling floor below.

Memories flooded back too easily. Suddenly, it was our fifth year, right after Sebastian and I had seen Isadora Morganach's memory about using ancient magic to take the pain away from her father. He demanded that I take him to the Keepers to tell them about Anne, even though I assured him that they couldn't help him. But at risk of losing someone who had quickly become my closest friend and ally, I obliged.

"This is a bad idea," I stated, holding onto the braided iron railing of the staircase in the map chamber, pausing at the top.

"Please, G. It's all I've got." Sebastian held my hand between his, his pleading eyes burning a hole into my heart. I sighed and nodded, slowly descending the marble stairs.

As we approached the center of the room, Sebastian was in awe of what we stood on. The map of Hogwarts came to life underneath our feet, each step warranting a new area to brighten or dim itself. "You've been holding out on me, G! This is brilliant!"  He hopped from place to place, pointing out recognizable parts of the castle and grinning broadly.

I offered a smile that didn't reach my eyes, trying to mask the nerves of what I predicted the Keepers would say about his request. Only Professor Fig and I were to know of the map chamber, the Keepers were adamant about that. I'd hoped they'd still allow me to complete the rest of the trials after blatantly breaking their wishes.

"Miss Eversley?" A tall, thin man appeared within the ornate, golden frame between the other empty ones on the wall. "You aren't due back for your next trial yet."

"Professor Rackham, I'm sorry to bother you." I wrung my clammy hands together, hoping the fidgeting would help with the tightness in my chest. He glanced back and fourth between Sebastian and I, annoyance creeping through.

"I see you brought a friend?" He smoothed his long white beard, his eyes now following Sebastian who was squatting on the floor to get a better look at the Astronomy Tower on the glowing map.

"Yes, I-he had a question-" I started before Professor Rackham cut me off.

"Do you trust this...friend?" He asked as if Sebastian wasn't even there. This garnered his attention, causing him to stand up and face the portrait.

"With my life," I wasn't exactly sure why I felt it so deep in my bones having only met Sebastian within the last few months, but I had to trust my gut.

"Very well," Professor Rackham shrugged his shoulders, "what is it boy?" While his voice was typically warm and kind, it had a bit of an edge to it, like he had no patience for such minuscule things.

Sebastian stiffened his back, trying desperately to appear taller and more confident. He cleared his throat, "Professor, I was hoping you could help me find a cure for my twin sister, Anne. She was cursed by a goblin and has been very ill ever since."

"I am not a doctor," Professor Rackham stated plainly.

Sebastian shifted his weight on the balls of his feet anxiously. I instinctively stepped closer, putting my hand on his shoulder as support. "No, I know, sir. But you are a Keeper of ancient magic and...I saw what this type of magic is capable of, what Isadora-"

"No," the man in the portrait said sternly, his brows furrowing in disgust. It was the same look he had given Isadora each time she mentioned the idea during the pensive memories. I had watched him shut her down so many times, much to her dismay.