After The Shadows // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 12

"Mister Sallow, it is a pleasure to have you stay with us. I am sorry to hear of your uncle. He was a good man." Sebastian kept his face pleasant, nearly expressionless as he shook Magnus Gaunt's hand.

Upon arriving at the manor, Sebastian had been immediately ushered upstairs and changed into one of Ominis's formal attires. It had fit for the most part, but they had staff on hand to be able to do a quick alteration spell and adjust the shoulders so they fit more comfortably.

They also did some quick grooming to his hair which had entailed clipping away some of the length. Although he had been afraid they were styling him to look like Ominis, he found he liked the way it looked when they were done and greatly appreciated the trim. It was still the same style, but far more manageable and composed. Anne had been cutting his hair, which was fine, but it had been the entire school year since he received his last one.

Once Ominis received confirmation from the staff that he looked presentable, he had led Sebastian downstairs to where his father had been waiting for them.

    "Thank you very much Mister Gaunt. I appreciate you allowing me to stay here." Magnus Gaunt smiled at him. The way he looked at him, the way a brow raised as if he knew something he shouldn't, caused a shiver to travel down Sebastian's spine.

Without another word, Magnus walked out the door, Ominis and Sebastian following after him. Sebastian looked at the manor once again as they walked outside. The mere size of the estate was overwhelming. The foyer alone was the same size as the little cottage in Feldcroft. It caused him to feel a wave of embarrassment at the small space Ominis had been confined to when he stayed with them.

They made their way to the thestrals pawing at the ground and quickly entered the carriage they were hooked up to. As Sebastian had expected, the journey was made in silence. Ominis's father was certainly not one for small talk, and the silence was near torture for him.

Sebastian had only been here once before. His sister had been by his side, and his uncle had been waiting for them. As though sensing his hesitancy, Ominis pressed a hand at his back, urging him forward.

They made their way quickly through the crowded halls, Sebastian's eyes taking in all the familiar faces as they entered the courtroom. Professor Weasley, Sharp, and Hecat were huddled, talking as they looked around the room. He could see something was bothering them, concern etched across their features. When their eyes landed on him, their brows raised in surprise.

As they took a seat, Sebastian leaned over to Ominis.

"Something's wrong." Ominis nodded.

"I can feel it too, something isn't right." Sebastian kept scanning the room, flicking across many faces he didn't recognise, until his eyes landed on an older woman standing at a doorway. Her eyes were intently focused on Ominis's father, hatred burning within them. They moved from him to Ominis, then over to Sebastian. Her eyes locked with his, brows furrowing slightly and eyes narrowing as she took in how close he was sitting to his friend. Her eyes moved back to Ominis's father, then back to him. He wasn't certain why, but he shook his head as though he was answering a question.

A gavel sounded, pulling both of their attentions to the front of the room.

"Alright, it is time to begin." Minister Spavin called as he quieted the room. "Bring Miss Song in." Sebastian watched as the woman made her way to the center of the room.

"I apologise, Minister. Unfortunately she will not be joining us today. There had been an attack earlier this morning." Sebastian's heart stopped as her words echoed in his head. No, she can't... I didn't get to apologise, I didn't get to tell her how sorry I am, I didn't even get to say goodbye- "She is currently at St Mungo's." The judge looked up, fists slamming in front of him.