The Legacy of Our Love

Chapter 8

ASRA

After a week of concentrating on my studies and catching up to my fellow fifth years, Professor Fig still had yet to return to the school with the book. I was more than anxious at this point, and growing more frustrated with his absence by the day. The two letters I had sent inquiring about his progress had gone unanswered. How long was a trip to The Ministry supposed to take? I was so close to getting more answers, but without that bloody book, I was left powerless to take any further action. I despised stagnation. It leaves one too much time to think, and I couldn't be trusted with too much time to think.

I was regretting spending so much time with Imelda yesterday on her flying course, as the entirety of my body ached from spending so much time on a broom. It didn't help that I had immediately taken myself to Spindwitches to purchase a broom of my own, and Sebastian had convinced me to practice with him for the remainder of the afternoon. It had been worth it to see the look on Imelda's face when I beat her time on the first run of her trial around the grounds, but I worried that I had sparked a challenge between the two of us, and unfortunately neither one of us had the will to back down from such a challenge.

I was looking forward to the day off from classes as the weekend began. This was one of the first weekends I hadn't had any additional assignments to work on, and was looking forward to using the time to do some research of my own. I had come to enjoy spending quite a bit of time in the library lately, it felt like there were endless topics to educate myself on. I was enjoying a particularly detailed book on the effects of offensive magic on the body, when a paper plane fluttered atop the passage I was reading. Unfolding the parchment, I recognized Sebastian's hasty scrawl in an instant.

Devorak,

I can't help but get the feeling you've been avoiding me since your adventure into the enchanted cave. You're not in the hospital wing, so I have to assume I pushed you too far the other night, and I apologize for that. I'm sure you've been distracted by your studies, as Ominis informs me you've been spending a majority of your free time with your nose buried in a book. However, I think I have something that might lift your spirits. If you're keen for some more illicit spell practice, meet me outside the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. I know a discreet place near there which might prove more to your liking.

–Sebastian

I had never packed my things so quickly in my life. I was out of the library in under a minute, and rushing towards the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. I hadn't been making a point to ignore Sebastian, I simply didn't want to cause anymore discourse with Ominis. I was trying so desperately to get along with him, but everything I did seemed to be incorrect. If I was kind to him; glare. If I was rude to him; glare. If I was around Sebastian; glare. If I avoided him and Sebastian; glare.

I massaged the bridge of my nose with frustration as I wove through the sea of students enjoying a leisurely day about the castle. These two are going to be the death of me.

I found Sebastian waiting at the bottom of the stairwell leading to the classroom. I struggled not to be pleased with the way his eyes lit up and the smirk that played across his perfect lips as I approached.

"There you are Devorak, it's been a while." He greeted me warmly, pushing off from the pillar he had been leaning against.

"It has, I'm sorry about that." I apologized, not wanting him to think that I hadn't wanted to see him.

"I'm glad you received my owl. I have something to show you." His grin turned positively mischievous as he grabbed my arm and led me around and under the massive stairwell. "Not even the professors know about this place. I call it The Undercroft. It's a secret passage just here." He led me over to a large cabinet, decorated with intricate clockwork facings. It was a beautiful piece.