In the Shadow of Regret (Sebastian Sallow Story)

Chapter Fourteen | Slowly And Then All At Once

"This place is incredible," Poppy says as she takes in the room of requirements. "I can see why spend so much time in here. If I had a room like this I wouldn't want to leave either."

"Professor Weasley lent me this room in order for me catch up on my studies last year." I say as I allow her to explore. "Everything in here is are artifacts and decorations I found during my ventures. Call it my personal collection of treasures if you will."

"Is this a vivarium?" She asks as she points to the vivarium at the center of the room.

"Yes, and so are two other ones above it" I say as I point to vivariums on the second floor.

"Brilliant!" she says in excitement. I have never seen Poppy as excited as she is now, her eyes are filled with curiosity and wonder. It was a nice change of pace, especially since most of the beasts we encountered were either locked up in cages or in great imminent danger. I guess she was just happy to see them under better circumstances. They were safe and that was all she could really ask for.

"Deek has set up a security measure and implemented it to the Basilisk's enclosure. Deek guarantees that there won't be anymore surprises." Deek says as he makes his way over to Poppy and I. "Oh, and who might this be?"

"Deek this is my dear friend Poppy. Poppy this is Deek. He has been helping me care for my beasts while I focus on my studies. However, we both recently realized it was time for a bit of extra help around here."

"Hello Deek, It is a pleasure to meet you." Poppy says giving Deek a warm smile.

"The pleasure is all Deek's." Deek responds.

"I am going to show Poppy around, you can have the rest of the afternoon if you would like Deek." I say

"Thank you. I shall take this time a pick up a couple of things for the Beasts." Deek says as he brings his hand up. He suddenly snaps his fingers and disappears leaving Poppy and I alone.

"Shall we?" as I say as I turn to Poppy.

"we shall" she responds

"This vivarium here is the one I like to call the sunny Vivarium. This is where I like to keep my Hippogriffs and winged beasts such as the JabberKnolls and Phoenix." I say walking over to the Vivarium underneath the clock located at the center of the main room.

"You have a Phoenix?!" exclaims Poppy.

"Yes," I laugh, "I rescued him from poachers last year, and he's been here ever since."

We enter the Vivarium and we are immediately blinded by sun. Our eyes take a minute to adjust, and Poppy is instantly taken aback by the view.

The vivarium is of a green grassy meadow with a lake located directly across. There are rocks and trees surrounding the perimeter of the vivarium. To our left there is a large tree with several Jobberknoll nests within it. As we walk a bit further into the vivarium, four of my hippogriffs make their way towards us. Poppy slowly and carefully walks up to them and bows. They all take a second before following Poppy's lead and bowing in return. As Poppy stands back up a baby hippogriff walks up to her and brushes up against her.

"she likes you," I smile.

"I didn't know you had Babies in here." she says and kneels down to lightly stroke the small hippogriff.

"Yes, I have a couple of little ones roaming around the vivariums. All of the vivariums contain automatic feeders, but there are a couple who require their own personalized meals."

"Oh, I see. Are the hippogriffs one of the creatures that require these special diets?"

I nod.

"Noted. One more question, Where is the Phoenix?" she asks with anticipation.