Invisible String - Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Thirty: Aurora

"We will figure it out, Abbi. We just need more time," he whispered.

I nodded, but before I could pull away, I heard the unmistakable sound of the door to the room reappearing. We released each other and sprang apart, Sebastian drawing his wand, raising it quickly. His eyes flashed warning me to stay behind him.

Ominis's laugh graced our ears first, before their footsteps. I walked over and placed a hand on Sebastian's shoulder, feeling him relax before going to greet the other two of our group.

Poppy smiled at me warmly, "Looks like we got in just fine! Sorry we are a bit late."

"It's not a problem," I smiled at her, glancing between the two. Ominis smiled softly in greeting. "Let's get up to her Vivarium."

I led them inside, grabbing Sebastian's hand and guiding them up the steps to the second floor of my room. The smallest but brightest of the Vivarium's glowed warm golden yellow sunlight out of the glass panes, a delightful warmth spilling just out of the entrance. I gestured for my friends to take the lead this time, wanting them to see her beauty for themselves.

Ominis and Poppy traveled in together, his hand over the small of her back, allowing her to travel in first. He seemed to know how much she would appreciate the creature. Sebastian pulled me in behind him, and instantly the soft warmth we'd felt just outside the Vivarium was spilling over us, bathing us in the feeling of eternal summer.

"Merlin, I can't see anything thanks to that sun," Sebastian said as he moved to shield his eyes.

"What a pity," Ominis shot back at him. Poppy and I both laughed as the Slytherin boys grinned.

Conjuring my food tin, I shook the container once and a loud screech came from behind us. Poppy turned fastest, as my beautiful Phoenix soared overhead, her great wings shielding us from the blinding sunlight and she circled lower coming to a gentle landing in front of us.

Sebastian and Poppy's eyes were transfixed on the creature. Her feathers, vibrant red and gold, were radiating warmth, casting out her aura to us. Her great black eyes took in the group around me and I smiled to her gently, moving to sit in front of her.

"I brought you some friends," I whispered to her, holding out a small treat from the tin. She blinked once and took the treat, swallowing it whole. I stroked her feathers gingerly, smiling as I did so. "They are going to help me keep you safe."

I stood again, walked over to Ominis, grabbed his arm and gently guided him over to the glowing bird. He had taken a small collection of treats in his hand, which I helped guide forward for him.

"This is Ominis Gaunt," I said gently. "He's rather shy, like you."

"I suppose I am," he said softly, and then quietly so only I could hear, he added, "Thank you for this."

I gave his elbow a soft squeeze as the creature took his offering of treats and let out a soft sound of approval. A note of Phoenix song.

He stepped away, smiling, and I turned my attention from him. I handed the tin to Poppy, watching as she gingerly stepped forward, hands shaking. I resumed my seated position, waiting for her to join me.

"This," I said to the bird, "is Poppy Sweeting."

Poppy held out a small handful of treats as she sat next to me, waiting and holding her breath. "What have you named her?" Poppy breathed as she watched with excitement in her eyes.

"Aurora," I smiled, stroking her feathers again. "For the dawn."

"Beautiful," she whispered as the last of the treats left her hand.

I motioned to Sebastian to trade places with Poppy, and they swapped quickly, Poppy still unable to remove her eyes from the Phoenix. Sebastian sat next to me, his expression apprehensive as he gingerly took a handful of treats for her.

She eyed him with great interest, taking a moment before she seemed to decide she could trust the boy before her, and took the treats from him as well. He sat up straighter, a genuine smile across his lips, and I laughed softly when he turned to face me. He was like a little kid at Christmas.

"This is Sebastian Sallow," I said to her, guiding his hand forward to stroke her feathers. His hand was lost amongst the red and gold, his eyes lighting up as she allowed him to be pulled into her protection and warmth. "He's special, don't you think?" I whispered to her.

In response, the Phoenix blinked at me, shaking her feathers so Sebastian had to remove his hand, and took flight, Phoenix song filling the Vivarium. I smiled, watching her go. As she soared through the space, I looked back down at Sebastian, who's mouth had fallen open, his face covered in shock as he looked at the place she had been sitting with us. Following his gaze, the reason for his shock was evident.

She'd left him a single feather.

"Special," I said, plucking it from the ground and handing it to him. "Aurora agrees."