Like Moths to a Flame // Sebastian Sallow [Book One]

As Sebastian expected, Astronomy class had not gone particularly well, exacerbated by Professor Shah's displeasure upon his late arrival.

It was only half past nine, but he was exhausted. It had been quite the eventful day.

Of course, everyone at school already knew about the troll attack. He overheard Constance, the Ravenclaw sitting across from him in class, whispering to her friend Athena about it. He didn't quite catch everything they said, but he definitely heard Constance utter his name, which was very uncommon; they weren't exactly friendly. They'd dueled each other many a time last year in Crossed Wands, so, naturally, there was more than enough bad blood between them. Not that he cared much, if at all.

Arriving at the entrance to his common room, Sebastian mumbled the password and shuffled through the passageway. No one followed him, as he'd been forced to stay behind, the delay courtesy of a taciturn Professor Shah, who had assigned him detention. While he was usually fairly good at wriggling his way out of such punishments, he had no luck this time. He blamed Damien and the trouble he'd dragged Sebastian into. 

Merlin, Damien. How did one boy get up to so much shenanigans in a mere handful of hours? It defied all logic. Now, if Damien had been more forthcoming with his abilities and whatever madness was going on with Ranrok and Rookwood, perhaps Sebastian could have mustered up some amusement at the day's chaos. But, alas, secrecy reigned, so Sebastian was merely exasperated. 

Sebastian found Ominis at his desk in their room, quill in hand. Excellent, Rupert and Henry, their two other roommates, were absent. Sebastian shut the door behind him.

"Ominis," he greeted, as he always did. By now, after over four years of friendship, Sebastian was certain Ominis could recognize his presence without the need for an introduction, but old habits died hard. 

"Sebastian!" Ominis set down his quill. Scraping his chair around to face the sound of Sebastian's voice, his next words rushed out. "You must fill me in on what happened today. The rumors have been utterly absurd."

Sebastian settled onto his bed, hardly surprised that Ominis had already caught wind of the whole ordeal. If anything, he'd expected it. And Merlin, it felt good to be right. 

"What have you heard?" he asked, feigning nonchalance. 

"Apparently," Ominis said, "you and the new fifth-year defeated a troll with your - wait for it - bare hands." He arched a skeptical brow, clearly waiting for Sebastian to deny it.

"Oh, please, don't be ridiculous. That was all me," Sebastian quipped. He smirked for good measure, not that Ominis could appreciate it. The satisfaction was Sebastian's alone to enjoy. 

Ominis chuckled, leaning forward slightly. "Right. Care to enlighten me on what actually happened, or must I resort to my vial of Veritaserum?"

Sebastian laughed, adjusting himself on his pillow, and began to recount the day's events, starting with the troll attack.

Ominis, always a great listener, only occasionally interjected, most notably when Sebastian mentioned Rookwood and Ranrok. Sebastian decided not to divulge information about the strange magic Damien used on the troll. He'd keep that to himself. For now.

"Ranrok!" Ominis exclaimed. "That's a name I wasn't expecting to hear." 

"He was also in The Daily Prophet recently. Ranrok's been making trouble for the Ministry, as a goblin would." 

"Sebastian," Ominis said, his voice low and controlled. 

Was Ominis chiding him? It figured.