The Hope beneath the Dark - Sebastian Sallow

47. Welcome to the Gaunt Manor

"You're the one who insisted we tell Ominis!" Sebastian pointed out.

"I know, I know..." I sighed. "But I had time to think about it and I changed my mind."

"He'll find out eventually... Wouldn't it be better if we were upfront about it?" He questioned me.

"Why would he find out?" There will be you, me and Eileen." I replied.

"Great... The third one being the most reliable one of us, huh." He rolled his eyes up to the ceiling. "So you trust Eileen not to tell him?"

"I don't think she cares if or what our friend knows or doesn't know. What she cares about is that Marvolo dies." I exclaimed.

"Fine... We won't tell him anything." Sebastian eventually gave in, even though he clearly didn't feel comfortable with the idea. "Yet."

I rolled my eyes upwards, but decided to leave it at it as it was the best compromise we could achieve at that moment.

Sebastian was tapping his fingers rapidly on the kitchen table, making it obvious he also wasn't content with our disagreement.

I sat there in front of him, my arms crossed, not sure if I should break the silence or not. After taking a deep breath, I moved closer to the edge of my seat and reached for Sebastian's hand. As soon as my hand touched his, he stopped tapping his fingers.

"Whatever happens tonight, I love you." Sebastian spoke softly as he lifted his head up and looked into my eyes.

"I love you too." I replied with a smile lighting up my face.

Sebastian gave my hand a quick but tight squeeze before getting up from the chair he was sitting in.

"What do you say we treat ourselves with a little dinner at the Three Broomsticks before meeting Eileen back at the castle?" He suggested.

"I say it's the best idea you've had in a while!" I teased him.

"Now, now woman. Your sense of humor is starting to resemble mine. Careful!" Sebastian joked back.

When it was late enough for us to head to Hogsmeade, we traveled using the floo flame at the edge of Feldcroft. Upon our arrival in the village, we walked towards The Three Broomsticks and ordered a meal and a butterbeer. Unlike our last time here, this dinner was not as cheerful. The atmosphere was more tense, and I was anxious of what was coming. I only took one butterbeer, took over an hour to not even finish it.

It was about 9 pm when a strange looking man entered the tavern and casually walked to our table. He casually tapped my shoulder and gasped.

"Miss Ainsley! What a legend you are, I heard of your exploits, at such a young age. Let me tell you, if you keep going, you will become famous amongst the wizarding world!" The man cheered as he accidentally knocked my mug off the table.

Sebastian and I stared at each other in confusion, and I was about to reach for my mug on the floor when the stranger kneeled to get it.

"My apologies miss. Here you go." The man placed my mug back on the table, accompanied with a small, rolled paper. "I will let you two enjoy your evening."

The man walked away and joined two other men that were having drinks at the bar.

"What an odd encounter!" Sebastian pointed out suspiciously.

"Yeah, but I think this might have been our cue." I spoke as I opened the scroll left by the man.

I proceeded to read what was written on the paper:

We have a location. Meet me away from prying eyes. Let me make you disappear again, same as the first time.

"It's time for us to meet our friend." I notified Sebastian. "Let's go."