Invisible String - A Sebastian Sallow Story

Chapter XXVI

Poppy and her were making their second lap over the region when Poppy finally spotted something.

"Look down there I see movement near those tents. We should land and track up on foot to get a closer look"

The pair set down in the trees about 100 yards away before casting disillusionment and slowly traversing the rocky landscape to the edge of the poachers camp. There were about 20 people milling about in the camp, along with the normal traps, cages, firs, and other items associated with poaching. They crept closer and waited behind the small Stonewall at the edge of the camp while listening for anything that might indicate the centaurs location.

Time passed, and no word on the missing centaur's location was mentioned, so they went to leave when she overheard something troubling from two of the poachers at the edge of the camp. Her and Poppy moved closer to hear what the two poachers were saying...

"Why's the boss got us out all this way?"

"He's got us keeping an eye on some former auror he's been extorting. Trying to make sure he doesn't go to the ministry. And keeping an eye on a curse he's been developing... he usually checks in every now and again himself but he's been preoccupied by that student"

Immediately she had a sinking feeling in her chest over what she hoped wasn't true about the words the poachers spoke. Surely they couldn't be talking about the sallows...

She abandoned Poppy, attempting to follow them as they walked towards a tent at the edge of the camp. She stalked behind them quietly trying not to lose track of what they were saying but when they slipped inside the tent she no longer could hear them.

"Blast." She whispered under her breath as Poppy, still under disillusionment like herself, caught up.

"What were they talking about? An ex auror? A curse? That doesn't sound like centaurs..." poppy asked looking confused

She couldn't help but grimace. Reaching over she clutched Poppy's hand, pulling her backwards a tad before casting silencio over the two of them.

"No it doesn't... but I wonder..." she trailed off once again. She didn't want to believe that Solomon might've known the whole time what truly happened to Anne. Or that her love's dear twin was suffering as the result of Victor rookwood trying to develop nasty incurable curses.

"Poppy, I need you to listen to me right now. I am worried that the curse they are discussing is related to Anne Sallow... and the former auror is their uncle and guardian Solomon... I don't have much time to explain but I need to get in there and figure out what they know. I don't expect you to come with me given the risk. But I can't let this opportunity slip through my fingers if there's a chance it could help save her." She explained to Poppy, feeling the girl's fingers shake around her own.

"You think they may have more information on what curse is killing Sebastian's sister?" Poppy asked for clarification and she nodded.

"They may or may not but I am surely not going to neglect to find out. I can hope to slip in undetected, maybe find some more information. You should wait here" she didn't want her friend putting herself in harm's way over something that was growing to be a more personal matter.

"Are you sure? You don't know how many of them there are inside that tent." Poppy asked uncertainty laced in her voice.

"If something goes wrong I am going to need to rely on you to get help." She explained knowing Poppy could get back to the castle and get the professors.

"Alright. I will wait here but please... be careful. You know the poachers are incredibly upset with you specifically." Poppy sounded more concerned than she'd heard the hufflepuff in the past.