The Hope beneath the Dark - Sebastian Sallow

45. Like the good old days

The rest of the week went rather smoothly, despite Sebastian and I trying our best not to think about potentially having to say goodbye at the end of the school year.

On Saturday morning, Sebastian and I were waiting for Ominis and Anne for breakfast, who had left the common room just a moment after us.

We sat in silence, his hand on my thigh but both of us unsure what to say anymore. Or maybe we just both needed to enjoy each other's presence, nothing more.

"Ah! There your are, unfashionably late." Sebastian teased Ominis, who just appeared accompanied by the second Sallow twin.

"I can't tell for sure, but I'm certain you look like your natural self, Sebastian. A bloody idiot." Ominis spoke back with a calm and neutral tone.

Anne and I looked at each other and both showed and amused face.

"You two are the best exemple of brotherly love!" Anne pointed out.

"Come on Ominis! We both know the reason my sister is the best match for you!" Sebastian added. "A female version of me? What you've always dreamed of!"

"Alright, alright boys." I chuckled. "I am sure you all have better ideas on how to spend our weekend than you two fools bickering all day long."

The four of us started filling up our plates when Sebastian cleared his throat and turned to me.

"Actually, I was thinking you and I could spend the day together." He said.

"What did you have in mind?" I asked.

"It's been a while since we've been out of the walls of this castle, don't you think?"

As I opened my mouth to answer, owls flew into the Great Hall for the morning deliveries. I heard a familiar hoot and noticed Rhea flying over to our table. She dropped a sealed letter in front of my plate and went back out of the Great Hall.

The seal on the letter wasn't red, as the majority of seals are. This one was black, with a curved feather from which the calamus was extended to form a circle, back to the top of the feather.

It was the first time I received a letter with that seal, no idea who it came from but it was rather pretty.

Sebastian, Anne and Ominis were now all silent and looking at me. With everything that has been going on this year, whenever I would receive an owl, the four of us would be feeling the suspense and wanting to know what was awaiting us next.

I opened the seal and unfolded the letter.

Maude,

I have heard back from them. It will be time for our next step.

Meet me in my office after tonight's dinner.

- E

Eileen. This must be coming from her.

I folded the letter back and put it in the pocket of my robe.

"What was it, this time?" Ominis broke the silence and questioned me.

"A letter from my father." I lied. "No news about anything, he just wanted to see me when I have some time."

"I thought by now we would have heard back about the Gaunts. Or that he would've find out what is your wicked aut doing here." He scoffed.

"I thought so too, but it's been pretty calm. She is not causing me too much trouble for now." I answered.

"Almost too calm..." Ominis sighed.