Upon entering the classroom I could see Professor Weasley speaking with what I'd learned to be a House Elf - a short, scraggly thing with long, floppy ears and big eyes that made you feel guilty looking into them. Being on the opposite side of the room as the entrance, I couldn't hear whatever it was they were talking about... just as well, as the house elf quickly dismissed himself and Apparated away.
"Ah! There you are," Professor Weasley stood up and walked towards me to meet me halfway. "I trust your first classes went well?"
"Sure did," I nodded.
"I heard as much from Professors Hecat and Ronen. Seems Professor Fig was right about your excellence in spellcasting, he said there was very little he needed to teach you before you arrived here, in that regard... I'd wager there's a good deal more to your travels here than what you've told me... isn't there?"
Oh no, are you gonna try this again...? "Have you and Professor Fig not discussed my training prior to my arrival?" I tried to subtly change the subject.
"He continues to be reticent about the details, mentioning only a few spells... Revelio, was it? And Lumos?" she asked pointedly.
"Um... yes. That's right."
"I see... like trying to get a sonnet from a Streeler," Professor Weasley muttered to herself. "Regardless... you must continue to build upon what you have learned. Now, regarding the trip to Hogsmeade I mentioned earlier... we've arranged to replace the supplies lost on the way here, including seeds, potion recipes and books."
"Wonderful, thank you Professor," I bowed my head slightly. "I'm definitely ready to get going."
"Very well. I'd like you to make your first visit to the village with a classmate, help you get your bearings," she smiled knowingly. "Perhaps Sebastian Sallow, or Natsai Onai? I've noticed you spending time with them."
Only because I have classes with them... I took a moment to consider the options... I wasn't particularly interested in hanging out with Natty more than I had to. Sebastian, on the other hand, was at least a little more interesting.
"...I suppose I'll go with Sebastian, then."
"Glad to hear it. Mr. Sallow is a capable young wizard, and he knows the area. He'll keep you well clear of any of Victor Rookwood's undesirables enroute."
"Who's Victor Rookwood?" She'd mentioned the name as though I should've been familiar with him.
"A rather unsavory local. Best to avoid him and his associates... including his 'right hand' of sorts, Theophilus Harlow, if you can. Now, I do believe I last saw Mr. Sallow right by the castle entrance," she said as she handed me a list of everything I would need to pick up. "The sooner you get your shopping done, the sooner you can share some Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks. Now, off you go."
"Thanks, Professor," I nodded as I took the list from her... it sounded somewhat like she knew who I would rather hang out with. Perhaps Fig was right about her being quite astute.
~
True to her word, I found Sebastian loitering by the main entrance. "Well... fancy meeting you here," he smirked.
"Hello again, Sebastian," I greeted with a matching smirk. "I just can't seem to get rid of you today."
"Neither can I, especially since you've been made my new 'charge'," he snarked right back. "I'm told you're in dire need of supplies, and I'm to accompany you into Hogsmeade for them."
Yep, she totally planned this out.
"Is this your first foray into the village?"
"Haven't left the castle since I got here," I nodded.
"Well, I shall endeavor to be the very best of guides, then!" he replied. "Hogsmeade's a charming little place... self-contained, too. We should be able to find you everything that you need. Shall we?"
"Let's go," I agreed. He did the gentlemanly thing and opened the doors for me, and I saw for the first time the true beauty of the castle's main entrance. Rings of hedges and flowers surrounded a large, sparkling fountain, with benches scattered around for the many students to sit and socialize on. A cobblestone path led around the fountain and out past the castle's walls, and the multicolored Quidditch pitch peeked out from behind them over to the left.
"I was glad Professor Weasley asked me to join you today," Sebastian said as we began down the path, the short journey towards Hogsmeade.
You were? "Yea? Well, thanks for coming, I guess," I replied.
"Of course! You're the only one who's ever bested me in a duel... The way I see it, I'd be wise to keep an eye on you."
"Think you might pick something up if you tag along with me long enough, do you?" I snarked. Sebastian let out a chuckle... and that damned twinge returned. This was getting ridiculous.
"Speaking of Weasley, she seems to have taken quite a shine to you."
"Is that so? I guess that's a good thing."
"I'm still surprised that a professor would entrust me with anything, given my detention record..."
"Spend a lot of time in detention, huh?"
"Just enough to keep me well-rounded." I took in my surroundings as we walked through the North Gate, seeing rolling hills and tiny hamlets in the distance. The road was lined with short stone walls and decorated with lanterns, trees, leaping toadstools, honking daffodils and other, quieter flowers. "...Speaking of detention, this trip to Hogsmeade might've saved me from one."
"Ah, so there is an ulterior motive to being my chaperone," I grinned. "And it's only the first day of school... what on earth did you do?"
"Madam Scribner, the librarian, was on the hunt for me... which is often the case. Professor Weasley came to retrieve me and was able to convince ol' Scribner that I had somewhere to be."
"The librarian doesn't like you? What'd you do to get on her bad side?"
"Well, I suspect it's a matter of differing opinions... She thinks I shouldn't be allowed in the Restricted Section, and I, on the other hand, am inclined to disagree- Oh, just one moment," Sebastian interrupted himself as we came to a break in the wall. There was a small patch of bushes absolutely covered in glowing bugs. "This is an excellent spot to gather lacewing flies. They're pretty to look at, but if you stew them long enough they make a powerful potion ingredient."
"I see... thanks for that," I said as I took out my wand. With a quick flick I collected a number of the flies and placed them into a conjured bottle, then spirited them away into my pocket dimension. Sebastian did the same, and we were off again a few moments later. The patch of bushes were on the border of the Forbidden Forest, a thick expanse of trees that contained many dangerous beasts within. As we passed by Sebastian glanced over, just as a strange noise rumbled from within.
"Merlin's beard! From the Forbidden Forest! Look!"
"What was that noise?"
"See for yourself... quite a sight, isn't it?" We stopped for a moment just in time to see a couple of hippogriffs burst from the canopy and fly into the sky. I remembered that back home, hippogriffs were a race equivalent to ponies, but had vanished from the world about a decade ago. Here, they were wild creatures - strong, proud, and dangerous if offended. "You certainly don't see that everyday."
"No... you sure don't," I breathed. After they had flown out of sight we resumed our journey.
"Anyway, that's the Forbidden Forest to the left. Out of bounds to all students."
"Pfft... but forbidden places are the most fun places to go, don't they know that?"
"Precisely! They think it's too dangerous... I think they need to have more confidence in our defensive abilities."
"Have you ever been in there?"
"...Once or twice," he admitted. Strangely, the more he talked, the more I found myself finding him pretty alright. Here was someone just as willing as myself to bend the rules if it meant learning something new and useful, and could trade barbs with me without getting offended to boot. Perhaps it'd be worthwhile to get on his good side after all. "Ah, you can see Hogsmeade just past those ruins up ahead." Indeed, I could see the roofs of the buildings beginning to peek out from behind another hill or two, framed between the two remaining sides of what was once a red brick building. There was still a ways to go, though. "Have you had much of a chance to explore the castle?"
"Not really... it's bigger than I thought it'd be."
"It is that. I've been there five years and barely scratched the surface... Loads to see. Places to discover."
"Yea? Like what, exactly?"
"Perhaps one day... I can't go around telling you all my secrets now, can I?" Sebastian grinned back at me. Now that feeling of an ember just below my heart returned, and I stopped in my tracks.
Why am I getting these weird feelings suddenly? Is it because of that ancient magic exposure? Have I been cursed? Although... it wasn't like it hurt or anything. It mostly just made the top half of my body feel warm and fuzzy, like it had somehow fallen asleep.
"You still haven't told me how you became so good at dueling," he pressed, his voice jolting me back into walking.
"All in good time, Sebby," I teased. "Can't exactly tell you all my secrets now, either." He laughed, and we settled into a pleasant lassitude... at least until a carriage being pulled by thestrals passed us by. The memory of why I could see them now forced its way into my mind, and I bristled.
"I've always thought thestrals pulling a carriage a bit grim," he murmured, turning his head to look at them again for a moment. "Though I suppose most people don't actually see them at all."
"You can see them, too?" I asked, a bit taken aback. If he could see them, that also meant that he had witnessed death at some point in his life.
"Unfortunately. But you've seen quite a bit yourself firsthand, too... most notably, that dragon attack."
"Oh... yea..." I tried my best to banish the thought... it wasn't exactly something I wanted to remember.
"Hopefully, the rest of your year isn't as eventful." Another lassitude, this one not as comfortable as the last. We were headed up the final hill before Hogsmeade, now. In the distance Sebastian saw someone he recognized, and broke into a jog. "Mr. Moon! He's the Hogwarts Caretaker... looks a bit worse for wear."
"Does he?" I wondered as I followed after him. Mr. Moon was leaning against a segment of stone fence, looking like he was going to keel over any second. His face was covered in sweat and he swayed back and forth in place.
"Hello, Mr. Moon. Have you met Sunset, our new fifth-year?" asked Sebastian. Mr. Moon opened one eye, then the other as he opened his mouth.
"Pleasure... ehh... you might wanna turn back, Mr. Sallow... turn and run," he slurred, punctuated with a hiccup. His breath stank of alcohol.
"...Is everything alright, sir?" Sebastian raised an eyebrow.
"It looked right at me! Eyes big as saucers!" Mr. Moon shouted suddenly. Sebastian's expression turned sour.
"What did, Mr. Moon?"
"Demihicguise... Ugly and hairy and terrifying... I shall be at the castle where it's safe... Good luck to both of you." And with that nonsense, Mr. Moon slipped a little as he set off down the hill. Sebastian and I stared at him for a moment before continuing.
"A Demiguise? ...I don't know what he's putting in his pumpkin juice, but he's obviously had too much of it," he shook his head. "I've never seen him in such a state..."
"No?"
"No. But Mr. Moon is quite the character... My sister Anne thinks he's lovely, but I'd say he could improve a bit as caretaker."
"Anne...?" I blinked, just barely remembering what I'd heard the other Slytherin girls talking about the night before, right before I passed out. One of them... Imelda, I think? ...had mentioned an Anne. "She in Slytherin, too?"
"She is! Or, rather, she was..." Sebastian sighed. "She's not well at the moment, but she'll be better soon and back at Hogwarts... Ah, we're here," his voice picked back up as we finally reached the covered bridge that led into Hogsmeade. The village was full of personality - a variety of stone buildings lined the streets, interconnected by festive pennants and streamers in all colors, the few parts that were made of wood painted similarly. Townspeople in a rainbow of robes and suits hustled and bustled past, or gathered into groups on little patios or street corners to have a chat. Music was playing from somewhere within the village center, adding to the atmosphere.
I couldn't help but stop in my tracks for a moment. It was nothing like the white marble and gold-trimmed city of Canterlot, nor was it grey, crowded and congested like London had been. It was cozy, warm, inviting... charming all on its own.
"Honestly, if one could bottle the magic of this place..." Sebastian smiled as he looked around for a moment. I caught up to him as he slowed his pace. "I don't know if it's the shops or the people, but there's just something about Hogsmeade. We all flock to it, like moths to a flame."
"Yea... this is really nice," I nodded in agreement. We walked together until reaching a fork in the road, at which point Sebastian turned towards me.
"So, how would you like to do this? Weasley told me you had a list of things to get."
"Right here," I pulled out the list of supplies. "Books, a potion kit, recipes and ingredients, Herbology seeds and supplies, and some more stationery."
"What didn't you lose in that dragon attack?" he chuckled once. "Well, the shopkeepers here are pretty quick when it comes to helping students... I don't believe it will take you too long. I just have to pop into a shop to find something for my sister... let's meet up in the town square when you're finished."
"Sounds good to me. See you in a bit, then," I waved as he turned and headed further down the road, up to the center of town.
"Remember, have fun! It's Hogsmeade!" he shouted back towards me before I lost sight of him. I spent the better part of the next hour visiting the various shops for my supplies - J. Pippin's Potions for potion stuff, Tomes and Scrolls for my textbooks and stationery, and The Magic Neep for the Herbology things. Professor Weasley had sent owls ahead so all of the shopkeepers had my supplies all ready for me to pick up. In addition to my supplies, I took the opportunity to check for books that might be interesting to me... the only ones that really qualified were textbooks meant for wizards wanting to continue their education after Hogwarts. I bought them anyway... I figured I might as well.
Then I took my time wandering up towards the town square, window-shopping and soaking in the ambience. I ducked inside Zonko's for a moment, finding it full of magical practical jokes... things I could do myself if I really wanted to. There was also a heavenly scent wafting from Honeydukes, a shop full of sweets... I figured that after meeting back up with Sebastian, we could stop by. Who didn't like candy, after all?
Finally, I reached the town square. Sebastian was standing beside a tall, spiral-shaped tree. "Alright, I've got all my supplies," I grinned as I walked up to him.
"Excellent," he replied.
"Did you get what you wanted for your sister?"
"I did. So, I suppose the world is our oyster now... let's see what else we can get up to-"
A loud crash cut Sebastian's sentence short. Confused, I looked over to where the sound had come from... and from behind a house, a massive troll came stomping out, leaping into the air and slamming its metal-reinforced club into the ground, barely missing two witches as they fell over in shock. The creature was wearing thick plates of armor on its torso, shoulders and wrists... they were glowing that same violent red I had seen yesterday, on the dragon, on that security guard... on Ranrok.
Again? Why again?!
Many people started pointing, running and screaming in fear, but a couple of them began casting magic at the creature, myself and Sebastian included. Enraged, the troll turned and started stomping towards us, only stopping when a nearby policewoman's Bombarda connected with the back of its head.
"Draw it away from the buildings! Away from the village!" she yelled as she continued to pepper the troll with magic. It seemed to work, the troll chasing after her and the others as they ran. But then another loud crash shook the ground, coming from behind us. I whipped around to see a second troll burst through a house as though it was made of gingerbread. As soon as it had me in its sights it charged, forcing me to leap and roll out of the way. It halted itself and turned back around to face us.
Alright... a proper challenge this time!
"Confringo!" Sebastian yelled, a searing bolt of flame shooting from his wand and striking the troll in the face. It seemed barely affected, however, and charged right at him instead.
"Diffindo!" I shouted, swinging my wand to create a couple of tears in the very fabric of space itself. The tears flew at the troll and struck, staggering it but not having the intended effect of ripping it into two. Instead, the troll got even madder. "Damn, this guy's beefy!" I growled.
"Keep at it! We'll wear him down eventually!" Sebastian encouraged as he unleashed a barrage of spells at the troll. It roared and charged again, and this time Sebastian wasn't quick enough - its club sent him flying.
"Ooh...!" I hissed in sympathy. That had to have hurt, the poor sap. But to his credit, Sebastian got right back up and started fighting again like nothing happened. I could see that spells weren't quite cutting it, however... just like Ranrok, the troll appeared to be shrugging them off with ease. I looked around for anything I could grab with magic and throw, having a hunch that perhaps being struck with something not necessarily magical might do more damage...
...Yes, there was a stack of barrels nearby! I pointed my wand at one of them, smirking as it lifted in sync with my movements, then flung it as hard as I could at the troll, hitting it right in the face.
"What was that?!" Sebastian yelled in shock.
"A barrel in the face, that's what that was!" I retorted. And I was right, the impact had staggered the troll far more than magic had, sharp edges and splinters tearing into its skin. The creature howled in pain and redoubled its efforts, only stopped by more barrels being flung into it. Sebastian taunted the lumbering lout and kept its attention as he fired spells at its wounds, blood and bits of singed flesh spattering the ground with each hit.
A few moments later I'd run out of improvised weapons, but I could tell the troll was on its last legs. As I raised my wand to deal the final blow, I felt a surge of power blossom from deep within me, warm and familiar. Glancing at my wand in my peripheral vision, I found it to be glowing white and blue... just like those bits of ancient magic I'd encountered in Gringotts.
What... is this power...?
In the moment, I figured it best not to ask questions. I allowed the warm sensation to overtake my body, feeling it electrify every nerve, and I heaved my wand directly at the troll. The light surged forth from my wand and into the creature, and it howled once more as its body ripped itself apart from the inside, exploding with purple light and such incredible force that the bits of the troll immediately burned to ash.
I stared frozen in shock at my horn, my wand... at no point in time before had I ever been blessed with that kind of power. I barely noticed Sebastian running towards me, nor the policewoman returning to the scene.
Is this... Is this the power of ancient magic...?
"Goodness! A second troll?!" the policewoman gasped. "Did you two take on a fully-grown troll by yourselves?!"
"Yea... I guess we did," I breathed, letting out a hollow chuckle.
"Merlin's beard... are you alright?"
"I am." I glanced over to Sebastian. Although he was holding his side, he nodded. "Uh... happy to help?"
"I'd say help is a bit of an understatement," said the policewoman. "Nerve like that? The makings of an Auror, if you ask me. If you are unharmed, perhaps the two of you wouldn't mind helping me put a few things back to where they were."
Isn't this your job...? "I... suppose I could, Officer."
"Singer. Officer Singer," she replied. "And thank you, again." With that she Apparated away, leaving Sebastian and I alone. I glanced around the town square, seeing nothing but rubble and carnage everywhere... even with Reparo, this would take a hot minute to fix.
"Ah, hello there! A moment if you would!" a man poked his head out of the Gladrags Wizardwear shop a few yards away. Sebastian let out a grunt, although whether it was from pain or annoyance, I couldn't tell.
"Are you alright? That looked like it hurt," I winced, seeing a small patch of wet red on his uniform beneath his robes.
"I'll be fine. Nothing an Episkey won't mend," Sebastian muttered, hissing after turning his body towards the man who had called out earlier. "I'll go and see what he wants." I watched him walk over to the man's shop and disappear inside, sighing once I was alone.
Those trolls... why had they appeared here? Why were they wearing armor similar to Ranrok? He didn't send them here, did he? For what reason? I sighed again.
"Well... might as well get this over with. Reparo!" I yelled as I closed my eyes to concentrate. I could feel hundreds of invisible tendrils sprout forth from my wand and grasp every little bit of ruined wood, metal, glass and stone, pulling them back into their rightful places and fusing them all together. Little bits that had been destroyed entirely were regenerated from between the cracks, rendering buildings stable and containers leakproof. Even the house that had been obliterated soon looked like nothing had ever happened to it. A minute or so later, the square was entirely repaired and back to normal, albeit deserted. No one was going to wander back outside for some time.
"Now to find wherever the hell Sebastian went," I muttered to myself. I turned around and walked into Gladrags, finding him in the midst of being fitted for a new blazer by the man from earlier.
"Ah, good. Mr. Hill was just singing your praises," Sebastian smirked as he lowered his arms. Mr. Hill nearly dropped his tape measure in his haste to dash behind the counter as I approached. He was an eccentric-looking older man with a coiffed hairstyle, wearing a bright red suit.
"Singing my praises, were you?" I grinned as I leaned on the counter. "Mr. Hill, right?"
"Allow me to introduce myself! Augustus Hill, clothier extraordinaire!" he beamed as he picked up a teacup from the counter and sipped from it. "I should like to thank you for your remarkable bravery in fighting those trolls, not to mention your help restoring Hogsmeade to its rightful state!"
"Oh, that? It was no problem, sir," I replied smugly, rubbing my nails on my lapels and extending them outward.
"Frankly, you deserve an Order of Merlin! But I can offer you something... much more useful."
"I see... like clothing, perhaps?"
"Why, yes! Among my inventory are some unique items, and I'd like to give you one such set of robes in thanks for what you did today."
"Oh. Thank you, Mr. Hill," I blinked, smiling genuinely. Nothing like being appreciated for my talents! "That's quite generous of you."
"It's the least I can do!" he squeaked. "Now... let's try this on for size, shall we?" He bent down and pulled out a paper box from under the counter and opened it with a flourish. I gasped once my eyes laid upon the cloak inside... it was made from golden yellow silk, with tasteful embroidery in pale yellow of various flowers. The interior and the trim was crushed velvet in a deep crimson. I took my school robes off and put them away in my pocket dimension, reverently took the garment from the box and threw it on... it fit perfectly, and was light, but cozy. I couldn't help but examine myself in a nearby mirror, the light subtly glimmering off the cloak with a magic all its own.
In a way... I looked much like myself again. "...Thank you, Augustus," I spoke softly, amazed.
"Not at all! And, Mr. Sallow, I'll be sure to have your new blazer crafted and delivered to you by the end of the week! Please do come again!" he waved as we left the shop.
"I'd say we've earned a Butterbeer or two, wouldn't you?" Sebastian nudged my arm once we were outside. "Might help me forget that I was almost pulverized by a troll."
"Sounds good to me," I nodded.
"Perfect. The Three Broomsticks is just this way." He started down the hill, towards the largest building in town. "Assuming it isn't utter bedlam in there, you might even meet Sirona, the owner. She's a good one to know." We walked together in silence for a minute or so, until we passed by an alley. There, something caught my eye.
A man, his back turned to us, casually slipped just out of view. He was wearing a rather fancy dark blue suit with a top hat. Considering that there was absolutely nobody else out in public at the moment, his very presence reeked of suspicion.
Something inside me told me to follow him. I darted past Sebastian, who looked at me puzzlingly for a moment before joining me in hiding behind a building's corner. The man reappeared, now joined by another man in a green vest and bowler hat, wearing suspenders to keep his trousers up... and Ranrok himself.
Ranrok... Here...?!
"You said you could get to the child when they came to Hogsmeade," Ranrok snarled at the man in the top hat. "That all you needed was a distraction... I gave you a distraction!"
"I just watched a student take down your 'distraction'!" the man growled back. Ranrok didn't reply at first, glowering at the man as he argued, his voice laced with suspicion of his own. "Who is this child? What are you not telling me?"
"All you need to know is that if you cannot get to the child, you have no value to me," Ranrok shook his head. Suddenly he shifted his body and peered past the man in the top hat, almost looking me dead in the eyes.
I shivered. "Let's go," I hissed to Sebastian, and we quickly moved on, back towards our intended destination.
"Did they see us?" Sebastian let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding in.
"I sure hope not," I swallowed. Child... me... why does Ranrok want me...?!
"What was that goblin doing with Victor Rookwood?!" he wondered aloud. I blinked at the name, remembering Professor Weasley's words.
"That was Rookwood? With Ranrok?" I turned towards Sebastian, who gasped slightly as he heard the name.
"...The goblin from the Daily Prophet! I knew I'd seen him somewhere!" He turned to look at me, his head shifting slightly and his expression turning worried. "Quickly! Let's get inside the Three Broomsticks!"
I didn't need to ask to know what he saw. We jogged towards the towering pub and ducked inside, closing the doors as quietly as possible. The building was full of patrons whispering excitedly amongst themselves about the troll attack. Strangely, an elderly goblin walked past me, our eyes meeting for a moment before he left. He didn't seem like a current threat, so I thought nothing more of it as Sebastian and I sat down at the bar. A brunette woman approached the two of us on the other side.
"Now, what can I- ...Oh. There's a face I haven't seen before," she grinned slightly, tilting her head in amusement.
"Me?" I pointed to myself. "It's my first time here."
"Welcome! Butterbeers on me," she replied, waving her wand. A couple of metal tankards floated over towards a keg and filled themselves as she turned towards Sebastian. "Heard about the attack... I shall be looking in on the other shopkeepers and residents shortly. Glad to see you two escaped injury." Now filled, the tankards floated themselves in front of Sebastian and I, and I gratefully took a long sip of the perfectly hot, butterscotch-flavored drink.
"Thanks to this one," Sebastian grinned at me as he lifted his tankard high. "Singlehandedly took down a troll!" I wasn't sure if it was from the compliment or the heat and slight alcohol content of the drink, but I could feel a blush spread across my cheeks.
"Is that right? Well done," the woman smiled as she fussed with something under the bar counter.
"Thank you... nice of you to realize who did most of the heavy lifting," I gave Sebastian a glance. He shrugged as he drank.
"My pleasure," replied the woman, whose face fell into contemplation. "I will say... trolls, in Hogsmeade? That's never happened before... Something's not right. The only brutes we usually have to deal with are-"
The doors swung open hard. A man grunted with exertion as he and another slowly walked inside, the sound of his voice all I needed to tell just who had entered. Sharing a quick look with Sebastian, who seemed just as nervous as I was, we opted to nurse our drinks in silence as they came closer.
"How timely..." the woman harrumphed, casually but firmly walking around the bar and meeting the two men face to face.
"Was that Lodgok I saw leaving just now?" Rookwood groused, chuckling derisively. "Your clientele's not what it used to be, Sirona."
"Not to worry, Victor... Once the two of you leave, the caliber of my clientele will greatly improve," Sirona replied coolly without missing a beat. She paused for a moment before continuing, the words coming from her mouth making my hackles rise. "Wouldn't do that if I were you, Theophilus."
"Come, now..." Rookwood purred, taking a few steps closer. "No need for theatrics... I'm only here for this one, anyway."
Damn.
I had been caught... but that didn't mean I was intimidated. I finally looked over towards the two men with a scowl, rising slowly out of my seat as I made for my wand. Sebastian did the same, staying close by.
"My friend is enjoying a well-earned Butterbeer," said Sirona, her voice low and dangerous, watching Rookwood and Harlow's every move like an eagle.
"I only want a quick word-"
Stay away from her.
I gasped lightly, blinking. Not only had Sebastian suddenly moved directly in front of me with his wand drawn, the other patrons of the pub, Sirona included, had their wands trained on Rookwood as well. Harlow had his wand drawn, but he was very clearly outnumbered. "Perhaps you didn't hear me... I said my friend is busy," Sirona warned again. Rookwood's eyes shifted from left to right, and backed away when he saw he was outmatched.
"One would think you'd all had enough bloodshed for one day!" he groused. When nobody moved he huffed arrogantly, glaring at me through narrowed eyes. "...Come, Theophilus. The Three Broomsticks isn't what it used to be. Let's take our Galleons elsewhere... Can't drink Butterbeer forever," he taunted, spreading his arms menacingly at me before finally turning his back and leaving the pub, not seeing me mocking him. Sirona stood guard for a few moments to ensure they didn't come back.
"Seems you've made an unfortunate enemy," she sighed as she walked back towards myself and Sebastian. "Watch your back... Rookwood and Harlow are worse than any troll you might encounter." With that bit of advice, she then walked past us to tend to the other patrons, leaving me frozen in my thoughts.
It wasn't that I was scared of them... I was more than confident I could beat the two of them in a fight. But they seemed to be in league with Ranrok, which was the bigger problem. Whatever that glowing armor was that Ranrok and those trolls had been wearing, it made them extremely resistant, if not immune to magic. I hadn't sensed any violent, red glow on either of them, so at least that was comforting to know.
Also... it had happened again. I had felt someone speaking, even though I was sure they hadn't actually spoken. It sounded like Sebastian...
"Trolls, Ranrok and Rookwood? What are you not telling me?" Sebastian turned to me and spoke, causing me to jump in surprise. I swallowed as my mind raced... I had promised Fig I would keep this whole thing quiet, but...
...Well, Sebastian had unintentionally bore witness to another facet of our situation. And I already knew he was quite perceptive, perhaps almost as much as myself. He would never stop asking questions about this...
...Maybe I could use his help. Intelligent, willing to break the rules, and good with a wand... a perfect lackey, at best. And a perfect meat shield, at the very least.
"...Alright. I promise I'll tell you what's going on... but not here, okay?" I glanced around the room. Sebastian nodded, sensing the need for privacy. With a heavy sigh I sat back down and drained what was left of my Butterbeer... we remained for another hour or so, hoping that the two villains would be long gone by the time we left. Finishing off my third Butterbeer of the evening, I plunked a couple Galleons down on the bar and stood up, feeling somewhat less on edge.
"And on that note, I think we should head back to the castle," Sebastian suggested, holding open the door. Night had fallen, and the streets were still mostly deserted. I pulled my cloak around me as we began the journey back to Hogwarts. "I'm certainly glad Sirona was there... told you she was one of the good ones," he broke the silence as we passed back over the bridge to town. The lights beside the pathway glowed brilliantly among the stars and Black Lake in the distance.
"I'll say. Impressive how she wasn't intimidated by either of them," I replied.
"I think you'll need to tell me why Victor Rookwood has you in his sights," he said, his lips thin. "But we can talk later... for the moment, we should return to the castle. Professor Weasley's certain to hear about the troll attack soon if she hasn't already... don't want to risk another detention for getting back after hours."
"Something tells me she'd be willing to overlook that with a good enough excuse," I hummed. "...What time is it, even?"
"Looks to be... 8:32pm," he said as he pulled out a pocketwatch, checked it and clapped it shut. "We'll be cutting it close."
~
Truthfully, I was surprised Sebastian made no effort to ask any further questions on our way back to the common room. A bell chimed 9pm just as we made it down the final staircase, and we breathed a sigh of relief.
"Well... I'd say we had a rather eventful day," he said, turning towards me. "I'll bet everyone already knows of our exploits... prepare to never hear the end of it tomorrow."
"Oh, won't be the first time I've heard rumors about me," I waved a hand dismissively. "I just wonder how exaggerated they'll become."
"It was definitely impressive, seeing you fight... perhaps it's for the best you went easy on me this morning," he chuckled. "...Well, I suppose I'll see you tomorrow. Herbology and Potions, am I right?"
"I have Divination, too."
"Ah... I dropped that class as soon as I was able. I'm no Seer," he shook his head. "It's a dreadfully boring class if you don't have the gift for it."
"I see... well, that's not exactly a glowing review."
"You can always make up your own fortunes... makes the class far more interesting," he smirked. The warm, fuzzy feeling returned, far too late to be from the effects of Butterbeer.
"I'll keep that in mind... well, goodnight, Sebastian. Thank you for accompanying me today," I bowed my head.
"Of course. Sleep well," he waved as he turned towards the tunnel that led to his bedroom. I turned away and began walking towards my own, the fuzzy feeling refusing to abate-
...I stopped in my tracks. I wanted to smack myself in the forehead.
I knew damn well what that warm, fuzzy feeling was all along.
He had been flirting with me. Sweet Celestia, I think he likes me.
...
...
...
...Oh, this would be even easier than I thought, wheedling the good stuff out of him. He'd be a proper lackey in no time.
The other girls in my bedroom chattered amongst themselves as I gathered my things for a shower Why they put the bathrooms outside of the common room is beyond me... at least we wouldn't be penalized for going there and straight back after curfew and returned, ready for bed. Ignoring their questions about how I had defeated the troll and just why exactly I had spent the afternoon with Sebastian, I shut my bed's curtains and fell asleep.