The Hope beneath the Dark - Sebastian Sallow

34. Back to the start

Sebastian's POV

"Sebastian... if what's written in this book is true, then it is crucial that Tom is the one to implant the memories back." Ominis warned as he, Poppy and I were running over to Hogsmeade.

"So Alfred or Eileen might attempt to do it? That's why they are trying to lure her with the memories?" Poppy asked.

"I am not sure if they are aware of the parameters of this process, but in any case, they can't wield ancient magic, so they were probably expecting that Maude would retrieve the memories herself." Ominis explained as we finally get just a few meters from the Three Broomsticks.

"Knowing her, she'd try and get them back the minute she finds them. Let's hope she is just here with Tom, harassing him for answers..." I let out, breathing heavily as we barged in the pub.

I led the way upstairs, without even such as a glance in Sirona's direction. I knocked on the door and was ready to open it after two knocks, but Tom let us in, a concerned look on his face.

"Maude isn't here?" I remarked after walking into the room and scanning around.

"No... Why would she be here now?" Tom asked confused. "She was here a few hours ago, but she left."

"Mr. Forsythe... We haven't seen Maude since she came to see you..." Poppy informed Tom.

"She wasn't feeling too well, she looked tired. She may be just in her room in need of some rest. She hasn't been sleeping well lately, as she mentioned." Tom suggested, while closing the door behind Ominis and Poppy.

"No, she's not there either. We... Ominis asked my sister Anne to check her room, and she wasn't there." Sebastian said.

The four of us kept thinking of where to look next. We thought that she might've been taken away again, but that is highly unlikely. Maude wouldn't be caught in the same situation twice, or so that's what I like to think.

Tom sent an owl to her friend at the ministry. He told us she was supposed to get here in a few days so the two of them would follow a few leads on his siblings, but now we need her to get here tomorrow so they can revise their plan and start right away.

Meanwhile, we left Tom and headed back to the castle. Anne was waiting for us in the undercroft, but she confirmed that Maude was nowhere to be found in the castle or the school grounds.

"Hey Sallow, do you have a moment?" Imelda called for my name as Ominis, and I entered the Slytherin common room.

I let Ominis head to our room, then I walked towards the fireplace, where Imelda was sitting alone.

"Something you need?" I asked coldly.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I wanted to tell your girlfriend to forward the message, but neither of you were around today." Imelda scoffed.

"What is it?" I rolled my eyes.

"First practice since the Holidays is tomorrow, and..." She started.

"The first match is not for another 3 weeks... why so soon? Plus, the weather is terrible." I argued.

"Look, we need to win this, it's our last season and I won't tolerate any slacking." She answered. "But the thing is I have a last-minute emergency, my aunt just owled me and I need to get to her in Marunweem tomorrow morning. I'll be back only in the evening."

"How convenient..." I commented, my arms crossed.

"Can you handle the practice tomorrow? As co-captain, you need to fill in for me." Imelda finally asked.