The Hope beneath the Dark - Sebastian Sallow

21. Sallow's mood

The following weeks went by rather fast. No signs from the Forsythe siblings, neither from my father. I was getting worried, as he told Ominis he would reach out soon. I've come to know what kind of people the rest of that family is, so my fear was that something happened between him and his siblings, or his father Barbarus.

We were halfway into the first week of December, a quiet Wednesday as they all were. Sebastian was sitting across the room in professor Ronen's class. We weren't learning any new charms today, professor Ronen had us study all our lessons since this year started, after he announced we would have an important test before the Holidays.

My eyes were fixed on the table where Sebastian was sitting with Ominis. My charms book was opened in front of me, but I had no motivation at all to reading it.

Hopefully, Natty who was sitting next to me seemed to noticed and snapped her fingers, bringing me back from my thoughts.

"Maude?"

"Yes, sorry. What is it?" I blurted out.

"Is everything alright? You seem preoccupied lately?" She asked.

Even though Poppy is now part of the secret, Natty didn't know about what was going on. She was smart, I knew she had hypotheses for the real reasons I went missing last June, or why I really ended up in the hospital wing. She asks a few questions every now and then, but she respects it every time I change the subject or simply decide not to answer.

"I'm alright, thanks for asking." I turned to her and smiled.

"Headmaster Black is apparently going to make an announcement at dinner tonight. What do you think it could be?" Natty asked intrigued.

"I have absolutely no idea! Maybe a new professor of Magical Theory, starting after the Holidays?" I suggested. "As long as he doesn't intend to cancel the quidditch season, or else professor Kogawa might just Bombarda his behind right here and there."

"But I thought professor Horton was teaching for the whole year at least?" Natty replied.

"Well, I don't know because I don't have that class, but I've heard it was a last minute agreement but she was originally supposed to teach the Study of ancient Runes class at Illvermory." I informed her.

"She seems really nice, I wish she would teach our Study of ancient Runes class. Mr. Farley makes me regret taking that class!" Natty stated.

"I know, he always sounds rude!" I claimed.

"Except when someone mentions professor Garlick!" Natty chuckled.

Professor Ronen looked in our direction and cleared his throat loudly as we were both not-so-subtly laughing.

At the end of the lesson, I hurried to catch Poppy before she left.

"Hey Poppy! Are you free tonight?" I asked, genuinely smiling.

"Well, I was supposed to study with Ominis in the library. What for?" She questioned me.

"Maybe you could study with me instead? There is something I want to show you!" I told her.

She looked around and got closer.

"Is it about your father, or the crystal?" She shushed.

"No, nothing of the sort. It, something I've been wanting to show you for a while, it's a good surprise!" I reassured her.

"Oh, in that case, I guess our boys can keep each others company for the evening!" She glanced in their direction, where they were waiting for us by the door.

"Good! After dinner, meet me in the long corridor before taking the last stairs on the way up to the Astronomy class." I instructed her.

"Okay..!" She agreed hesitantly but smiling.