Out of the Shadows // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Five

My first week at the Bickles' was uneventful. Once Onyx returned from her journey from my friends, I sent her straight away again in search of Sebastian with my letter dangling hopefully from her leg. She hadn't returned all week. Every day that passed without word was like a knife in my heart...

I also had a letter I had penned to Natty. I knew that trip would be a long one and Onyx would need to rest beforehand, so I kept telling myself my anxiety was about the health of my bird, not because I was missing... him.

The three of us in the little cottage began to get a routine going though. Which was comforting. Every morning, Mrs. Bickle was up first and bustling in the kitchen for breakfast. The mornings I usually spent with my face in books or out back practicing on a dummy the castle let me borrow. I usually made us all a snack lunch before heading to the garden each day to cultivate my plants and help Mrs. Bickle with her many flowers, veggies and plants. After dinner, I usually settled down to play with Archie. Many hours of wizard's chess or gobstones (which I hated because I always lost) and I took the time to teach him some muggle games like jacks. Mrs. Bickle insisted that the hour before bed was for reading so I would always excuse myself to bathe and prepare for the next day.

I found that I could simply get lost in the routine of a "normal" family. Something I never had and envied in others. I knew that my precious bubble of stability could be popped at any moment so I relished the time I had with Mrs. Bickle and Archie, sure in the knowledge I would remember this summer for the rest of my life.

One bright summer morning while I was trying to teach myself a new jinx against the dummy, I heard a flapping of wings overheard which immediately froze me. I looked up feeling my heart swell, awaiting to see the sun gleaming off the dark glorious wings of my beautiful Onyx. Almost lost in a trance when a letter fell from the sky and slapped me right in the face. I blinked as I watched a grey owl fly off in the opposite direction. The Ministry coat of arms just barely visible on its chest. I sighed feeling embarrassed but also nervous. I grabbed the letter and sat on the ground.

Dear Ms. Bennett

I have informed your possible mentor that you are trepidatious about spending your summer with the ministry and she has agreed to make a stop in Lower Hogsfield to quell your fears and have a little "meet and greet."

Her name is Eloise Mintumble from the Department of Mysteries, and she has worked with us for only two short years. As she was just a Hogwarts student herself not long ago, I hand selected her to help ease your entry into the fold.

She should arrive tomorrow late morning at the Bickles' home and has leave to spend the entire day with you if it is required. I will await your official acceptance of my offer by owl no later than the beginning of next week.

Sincerely,

Faris Spavin

Minister of Magic

I huffed audibly exhaling. Arrogant jerk. I still had my suspicions about what he really wanted from me. But EVERYONE at the ministry cannot be in on some conspiracy and surely this person I was about to meet, just having exited Hogwarts herself couldn't be that bad, right? I also had Professor Weasley's go ahead to do it and she's never put me in harm's way... Maybe I was just being paranoid... I wish I could talk to Sebas... NO! Stop. I closed my eyes and swallowed deeply. The lump in my throat was getting harder to get rid of every time I thought of him. A quick flash of smiling chocolate eyes swam behind my closed lids... I snapped my eyes open quickly and shook my head.

Getting up from the ground, I returned to my practice with more vigor than before. Repeatedly jinxing the dummy until it flew fifty yards in the air and slammed down to the ground smashing into pieces. I sighed. "Reparo." I said, feeling accomplished as the dummy put itself back together and I gave up for the day, going inside.