The Hope beneath the Dark - Sebastian Sallow

3. Amortentia

Sebastian was rather good in potions; we should at least give him that. Not as good as he was duelling, but as the second best one it was hard to do better. Except for me. I was better, of course. Proved it the first day in, and I would beat him again anytime.

We prepared our potion in silence for most part of the class, apart from when I made a wrong move and Sebastian would correct me. Prior to when things went wrong, it would make him smile and flatter his ego to correct me about something. Now, he just seemed genuine when explaining to me what was wrong and what would be the good thing to do, potion-wise I mean. I appreciated that despite the last few weeks, it still felt natural to be around him and to do something with him. Maybe our friendship could be fixed after all, maybe even between him and Ominis.

"Now that most of you are done brewing your potion, please proceed to take a good sniff and pay attention to what you smell. Note that down if you may, it might be... interesting to do the same test next year." Professor Sharp instructed us, with a little side smile.

I glanced at Sebastian getting closer, smelling the potion. He showed a soft smile for a while, then caught me looking at him. He quickly sat straight again, and noted down what he just smelled, in his little black notebook. I saw him bring that thing everywhere most of the time, when he thought I was not looking. He used to write in it when we were out exploring, stopped for a little break. I always wondered what he wrote in that book, I found it curious as I noticed he was often smiling when writing in it.

"Your turn, Ainsley!" Sebastian glanced at me, and quickly pointed the cauldron with his chin. "Want a piece of parchment to note it down?" He handed me what he just offered.

"Thanks, Sallow." I answered rudely, using his last name the same way he just did with mine. I hated it and he knew it. What was he playing at?

I leaned over the cauldron and inhaled slowly. I closed my eyes and focused on the scent for a few seconds. I smelled... Ink. And... the ocean? Like salty water maybe? Finally, I also smelled some sort of woodsy perfume, pine tree, I think. I wasn't sure, I couldn't put a name to that scent, but it did faintly seem familiar.

I noted it down and put the piece of parchment between two random pages of my potions book. As professor Sharp announced that we were dismissed, I grabbed all my stuff and quickly left the classroom, without taking notice of Sebastian. I was supposed to meet the girls at the Three Broomsticks, and I didn't want to be late this time. At that point, it wasn't just being late, I missed the whole thing. I wasn't making any stop by the common room today, I took all my stuff in my shoulder bag, which I didn't usually take to classes with me unless I knew I would need it and headed straight to Hogsmeade.

My black robe, and equally dark braided hair, got hit by the sun and I could feel myself warming up even more. I regret not leaving at least my robe behind, as the weather was starting to be a bit too summer-y for that attire.

Once I made it to Hogsmeade, I slowed my pace and looked around the village while I made my way up until I reached the entrance of the Three Broomsticks. I glanced at Sirona who noticed me and waved her hand in my direction. I copied her, with a greeting smile. She was quick to pour me a butterbeer. She knew that would be my drink of choice. I stopped by the bar and grabbed my mug.

"Hello you little one! Enjoying a nice drink on a sunny day, are you?" Sirona attempted small talk whilst cleaning some glasses behind the counter. "The girls are over there by the fireplace, if that's who you're looking for." She informed me, making a head movement in that direction.

"Thanks, Sirona!" I uttered, with a shy smile.

I walked towards the table where Natty, Poppy, Nellie and Samantha Dale, were all sitting. I grabbed a chair on my way there, and placed it to sit between Poppy and Nellie, where the two of them left room for me.