Invisible String - A Sebastian Sallow Story

Chapter XXXIX

With the lead of Imelda, the group of students finally set down at the base of the goblin-created cave. Inside Sebastian could hear shouting and spells being cast.

Sebastian had asked to set down the brooms in order to pass out the gear he and Poppy retrieved from the Room of Requirement as he eagerly removed himself from behind Leander.

Taking the leather bag from Poppy, he used magic to remove both Highwing and Calico, the two hippogriffs the girls had rescued from its contents. He would be damned if he let Pruitt fly him into battle. The boy was utterly dreadful on a broom.

"Woah, easy now highwing" he found himself attempting to settle the hippogriff before turning to Poppy. From what he knew of the girl he knew she likely would be more comfortable with a beast.

"Poppy, would you like to take-" he started to say as the hufflepuff girl quickly cut in, rushing towards the darker creature to gently stroke it's feathers.

"Oh yes!" she spoke as she turned towards Calico and continued praising him saying, "Oh what a handsome hippogriff you are indeed!" Despite the mortal danger looming, Sebastian still found it within him to chuckle at her childlike wonder regarding the creature.

"Any last minute advice?" Natty asked as they readied themselves.

"These are ridiculous" Leander mentioned holding up a pair of glasses that had a single eye of newt.

"Then don't take them. I figured you prefer as much protection on that ugly mug of a fac-" he started as Poppy shoved past him, reaching for Calico.

"Sebastian, focus" Natty told him and he grunted.

"I haven't exactly thought this far ahead. I usually just march in-" he started as the ginger grumbled, having pushed a pair of quidditch goggles onto his face reluctantly while wrapping the most hideous patchwork cloak known to man over his shoulders.

"I don't love the thought of going in unprepared Sallow. That'll get us killed. So unless you have a plan, perhaps this wasn't a great idea" Leander said.

"Actually.... I have a plan..." Amit spoke out, disrupting the argument as everyone turned to him.

"Go ahead Amit" Sebastian said, ready to simply get in there and help.

"Well since you and Poppy have those... beasts... why don't you both focus on finding y/n... as for the rest of us, we will make sure we are paired up. One person focuses on flying and keeping a safe distance while the other casts spells, uses potions or the plants we collected. The goblins, from what I've seen, have such a short range on the magic they can conjure, so if we fly above them we should be safe..." he explained as Sebastian nodded.

"Sounds good enough to me. Poppy and I can take up the rear-"

"I want to stay near the front with Imelda," she said quickly.

"Fine. But once I leave to find her, you will need to pull up the rear Poppy" he explained, hoping up on the back of Highwing. Luckily he'd spent enough time around the creature that it allowed him with ease.

Poppy only nodded, looking at Imelda nervously, as the Slytherin gave the hufflepuff girl a nod of encouragement while she climbed on the back of Calico.

"Last chance to turn back" he warned the others and when no one left he simply encouraged the creature she loved to lift off, flying into the cavern and hoping by some miracle he got down there before too much death and destruction was dished out.

Pushing the beast to hasten Sebastian tried his best to focus so he could get to her safely.

"Come on Highwing... let's go get our girl" he whispered into her feathers as the animal seemingly responded accordingly to his words.