DELGADO || Sebastian Sallow (Hogwarts Legacy)

Part 35 - Corridors and Hot Chocolate

ꕀꕥ〡~𐀔~〡ꕥꕀ

❝ Among the scattered images, I spotted a photograph that sent a chill down my spine.❞

______________________________

I stayed close behind Sebastian as he led us through the dimly lit hallways, guiding us toward the secret office. His grip tightened around my hand, pulling me along as I remained caught between shock and wariness. My free hand brushed over my lips—the same lips he had just claimed with a kiss, as if I belonged to him. Was I truly falling for him? Or was it just the rush of adrenaline, the surge of hormones clouding my judgment? And what if Marvolo discovered that kiss, especially with the mark he had placed on me?

Sebastian navigated the corridors with ease, twisting and turning through the maze-like passages as lights flickered and paintings blurred past us. I had always wondered how he instinctively knew where to go on our quests, as if a map floated in his mind, guiding him with silent precision. He was like a personal compass, always leading the way, and I had to admit—I admired that about him.

We came to an abrupt stop in front of a large black door, and I collided with his shoulder.

"Here it is," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

I wrinkled my nose, trying to suppress the sting from the impact.

Sebastian handed me his wand. "You're better at this spell than I am."

Taking it from him, I positioned myself in front of the door, casting a quick glance around to make sure no one was watching.

"Hurry up," he hissed through clenched teeth.

I shot him an annoyed look. "I was making sure, alright?"

Then, with a flick of the wand, I murmured, "Alohomora."

The door clicked open. We slipped inside and shut it behind us, sealing ourselves in darkness. Light was too risky—it could easily betray our presence if it leaked through the windows or the doorframe.

Sebastian retrieved his wand from me and lit a single candle, its flickering glow barely illuminating the tiny office. The space was cramped, lined with a few bookshelves, a desk, two chairs, and, in the corner, a whiskey bottle. A massive painting of Gaunt Manor loomed on the wall, and beneath it, something resembling a certificate.

"What exactly are we looking for?" I asked, my curiosity sharpening as I turned to Sebastian.

"The entrance to his secret hideout." He was already rifling through the bookshelves, pulling out volumes as if searching for something specific.

"And how do you even know there's one?" I asked, mimicking his movements and shifting books to another shelf.

"Ominis told me," he replied, frustration creeping into his tone. "Now, where is that damn book?"

"Why don't you just cast Revelio?" I suggested, lifting a black book with the initials M.G. embossed on the cover.

Sebastian shook his head. "Too obvious. Mr. Gaunt would know if I used magic on it—he's too smart for that." He moved to another bookcase, continuing his search.

M.G... Marvolo Gaunt?

I hesitated before flipping the book open. The first page revealed an index, and in the corner, a stamped emblem—the same icon Marvolo had used when he marked me. Heart pounding, I flipped through the pages. Lists of names were scrawled in ink, each accompanied by a small checkbox, all stamped with the same symbol. It looked like... a record. A ledger. Maybe even a kill list. Had Marvolo been tasked with eliminating these people? Was his father keeping this as leverage, a way to blackmail him if necessary?