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 was, so I feared 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 seated besides Ominis. My charms book was opened in front of me, but I was not motivated at all to do any reading.

Hopefully, Natty who was right next to me seemed to notice 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 was 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 how I really ended up in the hospital wing. She would ask a few questions every now and then but was always respectful about it every time I'd change the subject or simply declined to answer.

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

"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?" Natty replied.

"Well, I don't know because I don't have that class, but I've heard it was a last-minute agreement and that 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 so rude!" I added.

"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.

"I am 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 is something I have been wanting to show you for a while. You will adore it, I promise!" I reassured her.

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