The Serpents Hold | Ominis Gaunt

Chapter Four

You didn't need to take the blame for him.

Sebastian slipped the note across the desk towards Nova.

Considering their last encounter had left her in possession of a manuscript on dark magic, she thought it a peculiar sentiment to lead with.

I'd rather not be indebted to him.

She scribbled back.

Claiming responsibility for Alice's fractured wrist and Anna's broken ankle was a small price to avoid owing Ominis any pleasantries.

Nova turned her attention back to the collection of transfiguration worksheets laid out before her, struggling to ignore the sound of Sebastian penning a reply. She prayed he had the mental restraint to avoid mentioning anything inappropriate.

As the suspense began to teeter on the edge of intolerable, the scrap of parchment burst into flames, the swirling ash coating their desk in a gritty layer of charred scraps.

With a wave of her hand, Professor Weasley dispersed wisps of smoke curling up into the air from the tip of her wand.

"Master Sallow. If you were to devote your energy to your assignments instead of passing notes to young ladies, perhaps you wouldn't find yourself in detention for stealing test papers."

Sebastian's chair emitted a creak as he reclined in it. "I've already completed all my assignments, Professor. Surely, this wasn't meant to occupy my entire day?"

Nova nudged him under the table. If he was going to use the excuse of cheating on tests to justify trespassing in the restricted section, he could at least pretend it was warranted.

Unfortunately, not much escaped Weasley's scrutinising gaze, "Don't encourage him, Miss Fenwick. It's evident Sebastian didn't act alone last night. One might begin to speculate."

Nova scoffed as if the insinuation were ludicrous. Still, she took the cue and kept her head down for the remainder of detention.

~

It was barely time for dinner, but the dark Autumn skies were already shrouding Hogwarts as they trudged toward their common room on stiff legs.

"Only two more days," Sebastian tried to muster some semblance of comfort.

After eight hours of gruelling assignments in isolation, a reminder that they weren't even halfway through their punishment was anything but comforting.

Sebastian was wise enough to wait until the cluster of students who attended detention with them dispersed before cutting to the chase, "Do you have the book?"

"Yeah, I've got it right here."

"Seriously?"

"No! Of course not, you cretin." She hissed at him, balling up her fist and landing a feeble thump on his bicep, "Why the hell did you saddle me with that wretched thing?"

"There was no time to think!" He laughed in the face of her murderous glare. "I had to make a judgment call."

"You have terrible judgement."

He wore an expression that implied this wasn't news to him, "Look, I'm sorry. I genuinely believe the things in that book could help Anne. I couldn't risk leaving without it."

"Don't bring up your sick twin to get yourself out of trouble." She mumbled, although her irritation was beginning to tip into guilt, "I tried to stash it in your dorm, but Ominis accused me of trying to frame you and took it. I'm sorry. Maybe he'll tell you where it is."