2 Bookmarks
List of Bookmarks
-
Tags
Summary
At nine, Defense Against the Dark Arts would start. Then Charms. Homework would pile up like a wall I couldn't climb.
My curse research, the only fight that mattered, would have to be squeezed into stolen moments: free periods, late nights, the breaks between rounds at Crossed Wands. I needed every second I could steal before the juggling act began.
From the corner of my eye, someone's feet. Black shoes, scuffed at the edges. I figured Imelda, always hunting for another pawn, was about to shanghai me into her next chess match. But my name never came. Impatient, I tossed the book into a nearby armchair.
"Can I help you?"
It wasn't Imelda. Not even close. This could be none other than the nameless fifth year.
She carried that rare voltage I'd only felt once before. When I met Ominis. A stranger's face, taut with significance. Destined to be important.
I didn't want to look like a fool. Not now, not with her.
Don't screw this up, Sallow.
My voice came out with a lilt I didn't recognize, too bright for the shadows in my head:
"Ah. You're the new fifth year. I'm Sebastian Sallow. Welcome to Hogwarts."