Of Cunning Minds: Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 1 - An Old Friend

A clock chimed indicating that midnight had fallen on the manor. The sound echoed through the study, causing the man to stir in his armchair. He had dosed off in front of the crackling warmth of the fireplace. Several documents lay forgotten in his lap while he reached to the nearby end table to pour another cup of tea.

"Master?" a squeaky voice came from the entryway. "Will you be needing anything else before Wibney turns in for the night."

"No, that's alright Wibney." The man sipped his tea. "Goodnight." The house elf bowed and disappeared with a crack.

Another hour passed as the man reread the papers, running his fingers over the raised dots. As a Ministry of Magic employee, Ominis Guant has learned to recognize when things were more troubling than they appeared. This was one of those times. Raids and kidnappings were on the rise, and the ministry was just as clueless as the rest of the wizarding world in understanding who or what was behind them.

Ominis sighed and rubbed his temples. He has worked in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement for several years now, and the late nights had become somewhat routine. Tonight's work was particularly unsettling, however. He had received word that a small muggle village out in the country had been invaded. When Aurors arrived, they were greeted with the aftermath of an especially unpleasant form of dark magic. Mangled, possessed bodies scattered the once peaceful town square. There was nothing the Aurors could do but erase the village's presence completely.

He threw the documents aside, unable to read anymore about the number of children who became victims of the attack. This was dark magic beyond anything Ominis ever heard of, and that was saying something. He racked his brain for previous conversations of his family members that would provide any insight into what was at play here. These were memories Ominis had long sought to erase from his mind, but these were desperate times.

With no luck, the man stood from his chair and began pacing the study. He hadn't thought about evil wizards and dark magic this much since his fifth year at Hogwarts, nearly eight years ago. Ominis suddenly paused. "Wibney," the man called out. With a crack, the house elf appeared again.

"Yes, master?" the squeaky voice was slightly groggier than before.

"I'm sorry for waking you." Ominis mentally kicked himself for forgetting he had already dismissed the elf. "This can wait until the morning, but it is fairly urgent."

"What it is sir?"

"I need help tracking down an old friend."

~~~

"How many autobiographies does one wizard need?" Thea exclaimed from atop the precarious ladder. A heavy stack of books rested in one of her arms, while her other skimmed across crowded shelves to find space for the newest Tobias Wetstone collection. As it was early in the morning, the bookstore was empty apart from herself and Percival who was busy arranging a display in the front window.

"Well, if there's one thing cocky, attractive wizards know how to do, it's sell books on their fascinating personal lives," Percival replied sarcastically. "How does this look?" The old man faced Thea as she hopped off the ladder. "I know we want to save some room for the new standard spell book editions."

Thea wiped her brow and smiled. "It looks great. I can start setting those out once I finish reshelving the children's section." She turned and navigated her way to the back of the shop but not before hearing Percival's parting words.

"You make me nervous balancing on that ladder!" He called out. "You're a witch for Merlin's sake. Use your wand!" Thea rolled her eyes and began sorting through boxes of colorful picture books. She quickly got lost in the images of singing centaurs and dancing house elves that she didn't hear the bell ring at the front of the shop, signaling the entrance of a customer. The quiet, polite conversation between her boss and the book browser also went unnoticed. It wasn't until footsteps approached her, and the shadow of a man extended over the box at her feet did Thea turn to face the stranger.

"Ominis?" she breathed out.

"Long time, no see—well..." he chuckled at his own joke. Thea simply stared at the man before her. The posh, high-strung boy she had been friends with at Hogwarts had grown into a sophisticated man. He wore a pinstripe suit and vest with an emerald tie. His coat was black dragon hide; it matched his dress shoes. Ominis was taller than Thea remembered, and his figure had filled out. She honestly might have had a hard time recognizing him if it weren't for his pale milky blue eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Thea spoke quickly, setting down the books she had been holding on a nearby shelf. The shock of seeing her old friend for the first time in years hadn't dissipated and she tried to slow her breathing.

"I never took you as much of a reader." Ominis ignored her question while running his fingers along a dusty set of volumes. He brushed his hand on his suit and crossed his arms. "The strongest witch I've ever known is working at a bookshop." He said it matter-of-factly. "I would have bet galleons you'd be out there fighting evil goblins and dark wizards."

Thea straightened up, crossing her arms as well. Her voice was steadier when she spoke this time. "Well, I already tried that," she began dryly. "So, I figured I'd do something relaxing for a change."

"I always assumed you liked the danger." Ominis smirked. "I nearly went mad fifth year trying to keep you and S—"

"Why are you here, Ominis?" Thea interrupted.

"Do I need to provide a reason for catching up with an old friend?" he asked innocently.

"You do when you haven't talked to said friend in six years." Thea's voice was level, but her body shook ever so slightly. "I'm glad to see life at the Ministry has treated you well." Her eyes raked his expensive attire once again.

"Thea," Ominis spoke softly this time. "I don't know—"

"Listen," she cut him off again. Picking up the box at her feet, she resumed the chore of reshelving books. "I've done everything the Ministry asked of me." Her voice rose as she rambled on. "The wand checks, the interrogations, the searches. I don't know how many times I must repeat myself—I have nothing to do with what's going on!" She practically yelled as Ominis stood there quietly. "I don't think the attacks are even related to ancient magic." The last part was added in a more hushed tone, although the desperation in her voice was still present.

"You haven't used magic in quite some time," Ominis said calmly, suddenly changing the topic.

"No, I haven't." Thea set down the now empty box. "And your Auror friends can confirm that—"

"Why not?" His eyebrows scrunched together in concentration.

"Unknown magic has been ravaging villages and people are dying from spells no one has ever seen before." She sighed deeply. "I'm sure you can understand why I'm opting to keep a low profile." She gestured to the stacks of books and rows of shelves surrounding her, quickly realizing this act went unnoticed. Ominis, however, appeared to understand.

"Hence the bookshop," he said simply. "Well, it may bemuse you to know that I didn't come here to accuse you of endangering the wizarding world."

"Then why—"

"I need your help saving it." Ominis folded his hands behind his back and rocked back on his heels. "If you would so, please," he added.

Thea blinked at the man in front of her. She had been keeping up with the Daily Prophet. She knew Ominis was quite respected in the Ministry. He had a whole pool of powerful witches and wizards at his fingertips yet here he was, in a tiny, secondhand bookshop asking her for help. "You want me to fight these dark wizards?" she asked, confusion clear in her voice.

"Ah," Ominis straightened up. "Not necessarily, I believe you could help me in gaining a better understanding of what sort of dark magic is being used in these attacks."

"Well, I'm not too knowledgeable when it comes to the dark arts," Thea said honestly. "That was always more of Sebastian's forte." She paused, surprised by how easily the name rolled off her tongue. It was a name she hadn't uttered since her time at Hogwarts.

"Yes, I'm aware." Ominis nodded. "I think Sebastian would be quite beneficial in my endeavor to end this spree of chaos."

"So, what exactly do you want from me then?"

"I need you to help me break Sebastian out of Azkaban."