He's Back || Sebastian Sallow

CHAPTER 28 - THE RESCUE MISSION

SEBASTIAN'S POV

I waited anxiously outside the Care of Magical Creatures classroom for the class to end, my mouth was dry and my heart was racing. Every second y/n was missing would count, her life was in danger and it was all my fault... if I didn't have so much adrenaline pumping throughout my body, the guilt would certainly consume me.

As the students finally began to filter out, I spotted exactly who I was looking for.

"Sweeting! Onai! Over here!" I yelled desperately out to the girls.

Poppy and Natty raced over to me.

"Sebastian! What's the matter? You look distressed..." Poppy looked concerned.

"It's y/n... she's been poached," I panted, making the girls gasp. "Someone overheard Anne and I at the Hog's Head Inn discussing her ancient magic a few weeks ago, and how her tears wield magical healing abilities..."

I continued to tell the girls the full story about how it all went down. Natty looked like she'd seen a ghost, and Poppy looked furious.

"How could the boys be so STUPID?" Poppy seethed, referring to Hunter and Austin.

I shook my head incredulously.

"I know you have both fought alongside y/n before, and you're both powerful and strong witches. And I know you both love her... as do I..." I gulped, as a lump had formed in my throat. "I've packed some essentials for the mission," I continued, "If you girls are willing to join me, I'd suggest you do the same. I hope we can find her today, but..." I shuddered, "If we don't, we might need to camp out somewhere until we do..."

"Of COURSE we will join you, Seb!" Poppy said, her voice full of emotion.

"Give us five minutes, we'll meet you back here," Natty said with determination.

When the girls returned with their gear, Poppy asked, "Where should we start our quest?"

"Well...," I began, "I was thinking we should start up at the hamlet Pitt-upon-Ford, then work our way back down to Hogsmeade, where the others are currently searching."

"Alright. Let's do this!" Natty jumped on her broom.

Poppy reached out and squeezed my arm gently, "Don't worry, Seb. We'll find her..."

I hope she's right...

***

The three of us spent the rest of the day and night scouring the hamlet and surrounding areas, quizzing everyone in site.

The following day, we raided each poacher camp we came across, interrogating the poachers before clearing them out, and meticulously searching for clues, but we couldn't find any trace of y/n.

Exhaustion began to set in, and by nightfall, Natty insisted we stop to rest and refuel, and to check in with the others.

We found a clearing among the trees, by a small lake, where I set up the tent as Natty got to work conjuring a fire and Poppy began preparing a meal for us.

Settling down by the crackling fire, we shared a meal and tried our best to keep our spirits up. Poppy produced a note for Ominis, and Natty scrawled one to Austin, which they sent off with their owls, who Poppy had brought with her in her nab-sack.

I hung my head in my hands, feeling completely overwhelmed and emotional, trying not to think about the worst-case-scenario.

"Ugh, my head is an utter mess," I said, as tears began to well in my eyes. "This is all my fault."