The Hope beneath the Dark - Sebastian Sallow

4. One too many butterbeer

The next morning, as expected due to my trip last evening to Hogsmeade, my head was killing me. I looked like a complete mess, and I was still trying to comprehend Sebastian's reaction last night. Why would it bother him what I did in my personal life... It's not like he was part of it lately. He chose to leave, to toss me aside like a toy he was done playing with.

The days went by rapidly and without any drama. I didn't know if the girls were meeting again in Hogsmeade today, as it was Friday, but I would certain not find out. My head hadn't recovered from last night yet, and I had a lot of studying to do.

At dinner, I sat in front of Ominis, and Freddie sat besides me, as opposed to his habits.

"Switching side tonight, Freddie?" Ominis asked, sounding suspicious of having let the two of us alone last night.

"Oh, you know, it's just that Maude smells so much better than you!" Freddie shouted, laughing at Ominis.

"Yeah, funny!" Ominis sighed. "You can't joke your way out of everything you know. I'm not going to tease you two... Let's say I had a certain Sebastian coming back furious in our bedroom last night, talking angrily to himself."

"What did he tell you?" I asked, quite curious to know.

"He did not tell me anything, or at least, not directly, but I guess he was well aware I would hear." Ominis specified before going on. "So, the kiss was good mate?" He questioned Freddie, teasing him.

"He kissed me, of course it was good." I joked, trying to hide my mixed feelings about that kiss and the fact that Sebastian caught us in the act. "Anyway, I got to run, I will spend the evening at the library to catch up on all the studying! Have fun you two!"

I got up and ready to leave, they waved and smiled at me but quickly resumed to chatting between the two of them. As I passed by the spot where Sebastian usually sat, I noticed he was no where to be found. But again, he might just be coming later, as he was now used to do.

At the library, I found a quiet table upstairs with no one around. There was usually not much studying being done on Fridays, which I'd gladly enjoy tonight. Studying with a headache won't be an easy task, it was going to be easier without being distracted by people around.

A few hours have passed, and I decided it was time to get back and finally get some good sleep.

On my way to the dungeons, Rhea, my owl, flew pass me and dropped a letter at my feet. She looked like she was in a hurry, but truth be told, that was quite an odd time to receive a letter, especially coming from my own owl.

I grabbed the letter and took it back to my room to read it there. I was in no rush to read it, and my arms were currently quite busy holding my books.

After putting my books away, changing into my night gown, unbraiding my hear and getting ready for bed, I put my mom's pin on my nightstand for the night and grabbed the letter I had previously placed there.

I couldn't recognize the wax seal, and nothing was written on the envelope. I opened it and started to read.

Dear Maude,

You do not know who I am, but I know you who are. I knew your mother, Corrine, long before she passed away about 10 years ago.

I apologise about using your owl to deliver the message, mine was unfortunately not available. I know it may sound sudden and scary to some extent, as I am only a stranger to you, but I was hoping we could meet. If you agree to, which would greatly please me, simply give your response back to your owl, along with the picture of your mother I also put in my envelope. Your owl will know how to find her way back to me, even if you don't know who I am.