The Call of the Void (Sebastian Sallow x F!MC)

XIV: F e l d c r o f t

Note: This might be the most "canon" chapter yet, as a lot of the Feldcroft visit is the same as it is in-game. I've made some adjustments so it isn't just a transcript of the game dialogue, and so it better fits the narrative I'm writing. If any of it seems familiar, I lifted one of the scenes from a very old HL fic I wrote (and since deleted).

Content warnings: Discussions about parental death, and such associated trauma. Verbal abuse from a caregiver and implied child abuse. Proceed with caution!  

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After spending the evening stranded in a damp and drafty cave in the middle of the Forbidden Forest, Siobhan and Sebastian return to Hogwarts as the sun rises over the Highlands. The new day brings with it clear skies, the only evidence of the previous night's storm the rain puddles that splash beneath their boots. They stumble out of the Floo nearest the main gates and are making their way across the courtyard when they are spotted.

"Miss Sloane? Mr. Sallow?"

Professor Fig frantically dashes over, his wide-eyed gaze darting across their disheveled states. "Merlin's beard, whatever happened to you?"

Sebastian chuckles. "Mornin', professor."

"Are you alright, my dear?" he questions Siobhan, ignoring Sebastian's flippant response.

Something in his concerned tone reminds Siobhan of her father, just enough for tears to prickle her vision. She sucks in a breath, biting down on her lip so she won't start crying again. When she woke up, not even the comfort of being huddled against Sebastian's warm body could stop the flood of memories from the night before, the fear returning and lingering even when back in the safety of the school grounds.

"No," she answers, voice a broken whisper that causes both men to frown. It isn't until Sebastian reaches out to comfort her that Professor Fig notices the burns on his hands. He grabs Sebastian's wrist, turning over his palm to better see the injury. While not as raw as the evening before, his skin is still red and blistered.

"How did this happen?" Fig asks.

"Funny story—"

"Mr. Sallow," the Professor implores with a sigh. "You need to see Nurse Blainey immediately."

"I'll be fine, sir," Sebastian tries to argue.

"Don't make me threaten you with detention, Mr. Sallow," he says, continuing when Sebastian opens his mouth to speak again. "Headmaster Black has made the staff aware of your antics, and I'd rather not have to explain to him...whatever this is."

Siobhan suspects he is bluffing, at least a little, to get Sebastian to comply. In the short time she's known the professor, he's never shown an affinity for the Headmaster or the rules.

"But—" Sebastian stops himself short when she tugs at his sleeve. He looks at her, all the stubbornness leaving him in one sigh. "...okay."

Professor Fig escorts them through the castle, occasionally looking back at Siobhan. She can't tell if he's disappointed, confused, or intrigued. The way his eyebrows keep shifting, it's probably a combination of all three. She owes him an explanation, even if she's still forming one for her own peace of mind.

In the Hospital Wing, Nurse Blainey isn't surprised to see the group, especially Sebastian. "Trouble again, Mr. Sallow?"

"Something like that," he responds, raising his hands for her to see.

The Matron approaches, her dismissive attitude vanishing as she silently directs him to sit down on the nearest cot. She gives Professor Fig and Siobhan a quick glance over before focusing on Sebastian's injuries, carefully poking at the burnt flesh and watching his face for a reaction.