Invisible String - Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Thirty-Three: Gladrags Wizards Wear

I smiled, looking over my shoulder at Poppy who nodded enthusiastically, her hands clasped together over her face. "You look beautiful, Abbi. Sebastian is going to love you in this dress."

I blushed scarlet, "He hasn't even asked me yet, Poppy."

"And he'd be a damn fool not to," Augustus winked at me, making me stare at him in surprise. "Please, the way the two of you ran around this village together? The boys been head over heels for you. Never seen anything quite like it."

Fifteen minutes later, we exited the shop, once again bundled up against the late October chill, our dresses neatly tucked into boxes and bags swinging happily at our sides. Poppy was chatting happily at my side about the perfect shoes she had been gifted by her Gran last Christmas, but while I was nodding along excitedly with her words, I barely heard them.

No, instead I was listening to our surroundings. Voices whispered, eyes followed, villagers scuttling past nervously. It was too odd, too abnormal, too jarring to be anything but a warning sign. My eyes darted around looking for the danger, unsure where it would be.

I was on edge; all too aware that there was something off. We were being watched, like I had felt that night in the Hogs Head. The villagers eyes didn't linger, but other eyes, hooded eyes, did. Eyes were on us everywhere, danger was everywhere. My magic screamed in my veins as heavy boots hit the ground twenty feet behind us.

I went rigid.

Poppy halted abruptly next to me, looking around curiously, her own brown eyes nervous.

"Abbi, what-"

"Shush," I waved my hand at her, listening hard.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

The boots were moving.

I grabbed Poppy by her arm, her garment bag swinging wildly as I pulled her roughly from the main street and down a crooked alleyway that lead to J.J. Pippins and the closest Floo Flame.

Boots smashed the ground behind us. Ten feet away, running quickly after us as I pulled Poppy roughly, my heart rate spiking. Of fucking course something would happen right now. The one damn time I don't listen to Sebastian's request, and now someone was rushing after us up they alley.

I could see the flame.

Five feet.

It really was the least secure form of travel but it was the only option if we wanted to avoid whoever was chasing us.

My hand reached out.

"Someone grab them!" A deep voice echoed through the air, making my heart lurch.

Two more sets of boots, flanking us.

Poppy shouted. My fingers touched the flame.

"Hogwarts!" I shouted, clutching Poppy's arm in mine, and closing my eyes as we were sucked in, spinning through emerald flames rapidly until I felt my feet connect with the ground. I heard Poppy's feet do the same and without pausing to think ushered her forward.

We'd landed in the courtyard, next to the Quidditch Pitch, where I could see the Ravenclaw team practicing for their first match of the season. Excited laughter filled the air as I pulled Poppy with me, heading towards the next Floo Flame, our shopping still swinging at our sides. We needed to get to the Room of Requirement and fast.

"Poachers," Poppy growled as we walked across the lawn, her face twisted in anger. "I will never understand them!"

"They won't be pleased," I said, looking around for two familiar Slytherin boys.

"They'll be fine," Poppy sighed, but I could tell she wasn't as sure anymore. "We got away, didn't we?"

"Barely, Poppy," I hissed as we closed the final few feet. "Are you coming?"

Poppy had stopped walking, glancing around her. She looked angry, her face determined. I sighed. "I'm going to check on Aurora, alright? Where are you going?"

She handed her shopping bag to me, my hand already outstretched. "Dorran," she said, looking me dead in the eyes. "He meets me just behind the Gamekeeper's hut. I won't leave the grounds."

"Are you sure-"

"I've got to get my family out, if they really are there. I need to talk to him."

It was the first time I had seen this wild look in her eyes. Her parents and her had a horrible relationship, but I couldn't help but understand. She wanted them safe, wanted them to stop the horrible things they did. And if her Gran was right; they were here.

It was her opportunity.

"We'll get them out," I said quickly. "I just don't- You can't get hurt in the process, Poppy."

"We've been through worse," she said harshly. "You said that to Sebastian yourself."

Gritting my teeth, I nodded once, letting out a frustrated breath.  She was right, of course. I had said that to Sebastian. But I hadn't intended Poppy to use that against me, and go off alone. We weren't supposed to be going anywhere without them, and
I certainly didn't love the idea of Poppy going off on her own.

I had ancient magic to protect me.

She didn't.

The magic was spinning up inside me, my anxiety hiking as I watched her turn on her heel and walk away, her brown hair blowing out around her as she clambered up the sloping lawn and disappeared out of sight. I stood there for a moment longer, hoping she'd turn back.

Turning away once I realized she wouldn't turn around, stomach clenched tightly in my throat, I placed my hand to the emerald green flame.

"Room of Requirement," I whispered to the flame, once again spinning off towards my destination.