Consuming Darkness: Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 72

-Ronnie-

I always find it crazy how time can sometimes seem to drag slowly by like molasses but then other times it flies by faster than I feel like I have time to process. The moments of my life that have been happy, peaceful, and full are the moments that are always the most fleeting.

Getting caught up in studying, relocating the magical beasts, classes, and Quidditch was easy. I didn't want to look back on my time at Hogwarts and wish I had done more. Maybe someday I would come back as a Professor to teach and be able to have more time to explore and relish in the magic of the school.

The final match was tomorrow. Imelda had me running so many drills that I found myself chasing all sorts of small objects in my dreams. My body ached, and I was grateful she had decided it was best for us to take a break from practice today so we could rest up for the big game tomorrow.

The school was buzzing with excitement in anticipation, students wore pins, hung signs, and the Great Hall had been decorated in red and green. Hufflepuff's and Ravenclaw's supporting whoever they thought would win or whichever house they had the most friends in. The support seemed to be pretty equally divided. If my own house wasn't their rival I would have been rooting for Gryffindor. With Nelli Ogspire as their captain and Garreth as their Keeper, they were quite the team. Their seeker was Hector Jenkins, a slender boy who could fly like a whip. I'd bested him in dueling club last year but it was obvious his skills were more honed on a broom.

"Ellie Peck found a place for the last Unicorn," Poppy leaned over and whispered to me as Professor Hecat was distracted answering an idiotic question Leander had asked.

"That's so good to hear!" I whispered back. "You're Gran is alright with Highwing tagging along with you?"

She snickered. "She doesn't really have a choice in the matter, I doubt Highwing would really let me leave without her!"

Professor Hecat sighed loudly, ending the conversation with Prewett and readying herself to address the class.

"Alright, students- Mr. Weasley. I do not want your dirty boots soiling my desks." She said, her attention being pulled to Garreth who had his feet propped up on the desk right in front of mine and Poppy's.

"Sorry Professor Hecat," Garreth muttered as he dropped his feet to the floor.

"Did you do that on purpose?" Ominis wondered. "We all know that you like getting scolded by Hecat."

I choked on a loud laugh as Poppy giggled next to me. Sebastian was struggling to contain himself while Garreth's whole face began to turn red. Finn sat beside him and his shoulders bounced in silent laughter.

"Enough students!" Hecat dismissed. "I know you are all nearing the end of the school year but that does not mean it is time to slack off. Quite the opposite actually. Keep practicing right until the end and I know that all of you will see success at the end of this chapter in your lives."

Poppy beamed at me. She was going to work for the Ministry in the Beast Division. She hoped to also be able to help with Centaur relations. Her grades were phenomenal, and she had shown me many times that she was probably overqualified for the position, even as an eighteen-year-old.

"There have been reports of dementors in the Forbidden Forest and surrounding areas," Professor Hecat informed us. Chatter immediately started up.

"Is that true?" I whispered to Poppy, keeping my eyes on Hecat.

"Yeah... I've overheard quite a bit of chatter at Three Broomsticks as well as at poacher camps. Most of the reports have been from Ashwinders and poachers who frequent the forest but the reports have been coming in for a few months now," she confirmed.