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

What was it Damien had muttered under his breath as he struck down a goblin in front of Sebastian's eyes?

"Your blood is on Ranrok's hands."

That. That was all it was.

Just because Sebastian had used an Unforgivable Curse to kill a goblin didn't change the facts.

The facts?

He'd found the relic. He'd saved his sister.

So why was he being punished?

That goblin's blood wasn't on his hands. It was on Ranrok's.

On Ranrok's hands.

Yes.

Yes!

... Yes.

*** 

Mere hours earlier...

Sebastian heard a faint cough from the tree line to his right. Instantly alert, he rose up from his reclined position on the frozen ground. He had been waiting at the catacomb for over an hour, having left Hogwarts earlier than planned. Sleep had been impossible with the anticipation of meeting Damien this morning to search for the relic.

The walk here - started just past two in the morning - had been long and bitterly cold, but he had come prepared. His long coat, scarf, and boots shielded him from the worst of the chill, and his cap fit snugly over his ears to ward off frostbite. At least the snowfall had been light when he set out, leaving only a thin dusting on the ground. Now, as he doffed his cap and stuffed it into his pocket, he raked a hand through his hair, dislodging the freshly fallen flakes.

The snow continued to fall gently on his head as he watched Damien emerge from the trees.

The world was still cloaked in darkness; the sun wouldn't rise for at least another half hour. Yet Damien was already here. Early, for once. Interesting.

Sebastian's gaze swept over Damien, taking stock. Yes, that was all. His eyes didn't linger on Damien's lithe but muscular body, nor on his one dimple, which he could just barely see in the dark. No, of course not! Not at all. He did notice that Damien looked tired, which was understandable, but his mood seemed stable. He even seemed as if he may be in good spirits. So, that was... promising.

"You're here. Good," Sebastian greeted, ensuring his tone was neutral - neither too eager nor too surprised that Damien had come.

"Sebastian, that relic you mentioned---" Damien began. 

Sebastian cut him off before he could finish. "Don't think I've forgotten about your goblin friend. I haven't," he said firmly. There! He'd gotten that out of the way. Damien grimaced but remained silent.

Pressing on, Sebastian continued, "But I needed to tell you what I've learned. I believe one of Slytherin's students stumbled upon the relic during an assignment to study sarcophagi in this catacomb. From what I read in a report by the student, they weren't permitted to take it with them. So, I must assume it's still here. As I mentioned earlier, this relic grants its holder the power to reverse Dark Magic curses. If it's in this catacomb, I have to find it. For Anne. I need to see her."

"I'd be interested to know what else the student discovered."

Good. Sebastian hadn't been sure how things would go if Damien balked at him bringing up the goblin again, but fortunately, it had gone better than expected.

Sebastian rummaged through his satchel, pulling out the report and offering it to Damien. "Have a look. Unfortunately, there's no name on it. But, I suspect if it was important enough for Slytherin to stash in his spellbook, it's worthy of further study."