Sebastian Sallow Fucking Sucks

Chapter Twelve

[Author's Note]

HELLO THERE! A little shorter of a chapter from some of the previous, but hopefully just as exciting. I always get this wave of nervousness whenever I post lol - today more than usual so I have nothing clever to say.
I hope you enjoy❤️

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My boot splashed in a puddle, and I shook it out as I treaded deeper into the belly of Hogwarts. I couldn't remember the last time I'd been to the map chamber, only that when I left, my pulse thudded in my ears like a drum that'd forgotten its beat.

Since then, the moss had spread along the damp stone walls, and the lights felt bluer, making me squint at the sharpness. When I made it to the monstrous gilded doors, the pillars lit on their own accord. Flames licked hot in the narrow space.

"You can do this," I murmured to myself, but my chest felt more and more like someone wedged the heel of their boot into it.

I didn't trust the Keepers, but I needed the guidance. I'd unfortunately learned the hard way that prolonging the inevitable didn't make it go away. It only made it hurt worse when it finally caught up, knocked you over, and kicked you in the ribs.

And I'd had enough rib-kicking for the year.

When I entered the map chamber, my skin prickled, an unnerving hush easing over me. I scanned the massive portraits. No one came to greet me. I inched further inside, my footsteps illuminating across the mapped floor.

Maybe they'd given up on me. That wouldn't be the worst consequence in the world.

"Hello?" I mumbled.

I gazed around the space when my attention fell to the second set of doors from the previous trials. My fidgeting fingers stilled. I'd almost forgotten. It'd felt like years had passed since Sebastian and I had gotten trapped in that storage room and fell into an abandoned trial space.

There'd been some thing inside, and it was strong. So strong it'd ripped the doors off their hinges just as we'd escaped. Because we really needed more layers to my nightmares.

"Ah, this is a surprise." Niamh Fitzgerald's voice rumbled from behind me. "Welcome back, young one."

I whirled around, and all four portraits stepped into their frames. Their gazes nearly choked me. I felt like a slab of meat on a butcher's block.

"With such a prolonged absence, I assume you've made progress with your magical abilities?" Percival Rackham leaned forward, his paint-streaked eyes appraising me.

"I assumed you'd given up." Bakar glared.

The other Keepers tensed.

They're just a bit of enchanted paint.

But the reminder didn't help as my shoulders tightened.

"We've discussed your approach with the students, San." Niamh tapped impatient fingers on her desk.

He huffed. "They need to be pressured in order to succeed."

Would they ban me from the map chamber if I set his frame aflame?

"How has your progress been?" Rookwood interrupted, clearing his throat.

All eyes flicked back to me.

"I've been distracted," I murmured. "I have a life beyond this." I motioned around us.

Bakar sneered. "This girl isn't ready."