A Cruel Fate of Endless Devotion

Chapter eighteen: Salazar's Scriptorium

As if worrying about the trials and Ranrok inching his way closer to the repository wasn't worrisome enough, Melody spent every spare moment she had making sure she wasn't falling behind in her school work. She knew that every Professor was watching her closely, reporting her every move to Professor Weasley. She couldn't miss even one assignment. And between working with Natty to take down Rookwood and sneaking out to the forest to rescue beasts with Poppy, she was surprised she hadn't.

"Ah, there's my favorite Hufflepuff!" the familiar cheeky voice of Sebastian Sallow greeted as she walked out of her dorm room.

Upon hearing Sebastian's voice, Melody's heart raced with anticipation as she eagerly scanned her surroundings for him. Her eyes widened with a mix of excitement and disappointment, realizing he was nowhere to be found, leaving her confused. Wondering if she was simply imagining things from lack of sleep.

"I'm up here, Sterling," he chuckled.

"Sebastian!? Wha- How are you-!?"

Sebastian exuded an air of nonchalance as he perched on the beam, his posture relaxed and at ease. His legs swung freely, and he seemed completely at home in the lofty heights, his wand twirling effortlessly between his fingers. 

"I am full of surprises" he smirked as he jumped down, landing directly in front of her with a loud thud.

"Is that a Slytherin!?"

"Did someone give him the password?"

"No way! No one would ever do that!"

"Then how did he get in here?"

"What are you doing in my common room?" she asked, unable to stop the giggle escaping her lips.

"Ominis let it slip that there's a secret scriptorium that Salazar Slytherin built in the castle. I think it might hold answers to how to cure Anne!" he giddily said. "But Ominis won't tell me where it is. I need your help to convince him"

She pursed her lips in hesitation. She knew that delving into the dark arts could have severe consequences. Ominis had warned her of such when she brought it up. After hearing his harsh voice cursed the dark magic, she never mentioned it again. Melody didn't want to push Ominis over something he felt so strongly against, but as she looked into Sebastian's pleading hazel eyes, she immediately caved.

"When and where?"

"Outside the Slytherin common room at nine o'clock tonight"

"Oi, Sterling!" a voice shouted from the main level of the common room.

"Yes?" she squeaked out as she and Sebastian glanced over the railing to see the Head Hufflepuff Boy glaring at them with his hands on his hips.

"You have ten seconds to get that Slytherin out of here before I write both of you up and you receive a week of detention!" He said. "One..."

Melody's eyes went wide as she slapped Sebastian's arms, pushing him towards the stairs.

"Alright! Alright! I'm going!" Sebastian laughed as he sauntered through the common room with all eyes on him.

Her cheeks blushed a furiously bright red as her housemates began to whisper and gossip as soon as Sebastian left.

**********

"How can anyone survive down here? It is absolutely freezing! I hate the dungeons!" Melody thought as she wrapped her tighter around her body. 

The cold temperature in the dungeons made her feel uncomfortable and shivery, causing her muscles to tense up and her concentration to wane. It also made it difficult for her to relax and enjoy her time with her friends, as she constantly found herself yearning for the warmth and coziness of a more inviting environment.