Ancient: The Legacy of Slytherin

Trial/Error Part I

Between my secret missions and the extra assignments from my professors, things were starting to become unmanageable. Fig was still at the Ministry testifying, so I couldn't even share the update I had following my rendezvous into the Restricted section.

However, he did leave a note for me with next steps that his owl dropped on me at lunch.

Arabella,

I'm sorry I can't be there in person to deliver this update, but this blasted trial is dragging on. I found this map while I was going through Miriam's things here at the Ministry. Admittedly, I hadn't returned to her office here since her untimely passing.

I'm hoping the map ties in to whatever you found in the Restricted section. I'll find you once I return.

Please be careful.

Sincerely,
Professor Fig

The missing pages. It must be a map that leads to the missing pages from the book I found in the Restricted section. But Merlin, Professor Fig's note couldn't be more vague if it tried.

"What's that?" His voice was loud in my ear as I nearly choked on the carrot I was chewing.

"Please don't startle me like that, you neanderthal." I punched Seb on the arm, but I think I hurt my own knuckles more than I affected him.

"Easy, no need for violence. Although you're adorable when you're attempting to inflict it." He sat down at the table next to me and bit into an apple.

I sneered at him and he stuck his tongue out at me like a child. He was maddening, but I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped me.

"Fig had his owl deliver it to me...it's Miriam's, from her desk at the Ministry. I think it will lead to the missing pages from the book I found in the Restricted section."

"Ah, yes, that odd book that had a blue glow around it."

I almost choked for a second time.

"What did you just say?!"

"The book from the Restricted section. When you showed it to me in the common room that night, I saw it had a blue glow around it. I thought it was odd but honestly I just wanted to go to sleep, so I didn't say anything." He took another bite of the apple nonchalantly.

"Oh, also, your eyes glowed the same bright blue color when you...well when you pushed me up against the wall outside the common room after we returned that night."

My mouth hung open as he spoke. He had no idea the implications of what he just revealed to me. He was just happy to eat his apple.

"Sebastian Sallow. I cannot believe what I'm hearing." I turned my voice into a barely audible whisper. "That blue glow...it's...well I don't quite know how to say this, but it's ancient magic. You can see traces of ancient magic."

He stopped chewing and put the apple down as a confused expression crossed his face.

"I...no, that's impossible. How would I be able to see that? I don't have ancient magic like you do."

"I'm not sure, I barely know anything about it myself. But I don't think you need to posses it to see it. I- I can't believe this! I can't believe you can see it too! I could kiss you!" I was giddy with excitement that someone may finally be able to truly understand the journey I was on. "I mean I won't, that's just an expression. Sorry I uh...wasn't thinking."

"No need to apologize, I wouldn't say no. But you already knew that." He winked at me as he picked his apple back up and resumed eating. I could feel my cheeks turning warm and knew they must also be turning pink. I hated that he did this to me. I was all about Garreth and still he had this odd control over my emotions.