I tucked my tintype gently between the pages of the ancient text book in my bag and offered to put Ominis' in with his books but he politely refused and tucked it into the breast pocket of his uniform- keeping it close.
Sebastian kept his in his palm as we continued on through town towards the Three Broomsticks.
It was busier than normal inside, the gentle sound of clinking glasses and murmuring voices breezed between my fingers and kissed my ears. There was something so calming about a tavern - everyone sharing a moment to themselves or with their friends.
As we stepped up to the counter to order our drinks, I was saddened to find that the sweet lady I had met my first time here was nowhere in sight. Instead, a tall bald man with a perfectly brushed mustache that curled up at the edges stood behind it, polishing a few glasses. His white button up was rolled up at the sleeves, a little band around the right one and a tattered brown apron tied around his front.
"Where's Sirona?" Sebastian spoke for my thoughts.
The man continued polishing the glasses but glanced up at the three of us.
"She took a little 'oliday. Will be back later this week though don't 'cha worry." His Scottish accent was incredibly thick and I had to pause a moment and run through the sounds that came out of his mouth before understanding.
He placed the glass down with a satisfying clunk and reached his hand out to each of us. "Malcolm Stewart."
"Atley Barlowe"
"Pleasure"
"Ominis Gaunt."
"Nice to meet 'cha."
"Sebastian Sallow."
"Welcome in. Now, I assume you want some butterbeers?
"Yes please."
Malcom poured with a heavy hand into three large handled mugs and placed them in front of us individually.
"Miss Atley."
"Thank you sir."
"Ominis."
He nodded graciously and reached his fingers out to the cool glass.
"And Samuel."
"Sebastian."
"Right, sorry."
We took our mugs and guided Ominis over to a little round table in the far corner of the room, hanging our bags over the backs of the chairs and settling in.
Sebastian pulled out the little black notebook I had shoved back into his bag this morning and and unwrapped the leather cord around it. I barely got a glimpse of the pages as he tucked the tin photo inside and I couldn't contain a little gasp.
"Are those drawings Sallow?"
He closed the notebook and ran a hand down the back of his neck. "Uhmmmm... nope. Just notes."
I took a long sip of my drink and eyed him suspiciously.
"Sebastian..." Ominis' tone scolding and I watched as Sebastian tilted his head down in shame and stuck out his bottom lip to pout.
"Sorry mother."
I snorted. Butterbeer nearly spewing from my lips.
Head still tilted downward, his eyes bounced up to mine and his lips twitched, trying to contain a laugh. I covered my mouth to suppress my own as the undeniable urge flamed up inside me, steam coming from of my ears at the effort.
An infectious giggle affliction passed between us.
"Sebastian is a rather talented artist." Ominis continued, oblivious to the two children giggling beside him.
"Definitely not an artist." Sebastian lifted his head and made sure to keep his eyes away from mine. "Just some sketches."
"Hardly. I've heard Anne talk about them. Show her."
Sebastian turned to hand over his notebook to me and had to tuck his lips into his mouth, failing to hold in a snort as his eyes met mine.
My face was turning red for lack of air as I grabbed the little black book from his hands.
Nothing was particularly funny anymore but once the giggles had started, there was just no stopping them.
Sebastian attempted to sip from his butterbeer but ended up laughing into it instead, bubbles flying from his mug. He sputtered and looked up in pain, butterbeer foam covering his nose.
This time I couldn't hold it in and cackled out loud.
Ominis leaned back and crossed his arms. "Are you two quite done yet?"
To which we only laughed harder.
Once the giggles has died down and the table was safe from assaulting bubbles, I opened Sebastian's notebook.
There were pages and pages of little ink sketches. Beautiful sketches. Talented sketches.
A barn owl flying directly over the viewer, parcel in claw. A shaded drawing of a corner of the castle. A large window with bubbles and fish swimming just outside. There were a few drawings of cats, one of Ominis at a piano, a couple sketches of pears and on the most recent pages where he had tucked the little tin photo was a sketch of a girl sleeping soundly. Her hands were pressed up against her face, cheeks pinched but eyelids shut peacefully. Her braid hung loosely down her back and he had even taken to drawing her freckles.
My freckles.
I smiled down at the drawing and debated on whether or not I should tease him for drawing me rather than waking me up.
I had just opened my mouth when my eyes met his. He was studying me worriedly. Hands wringing the strap of his book bag and forehead creased in the center.
Sebastian Sallow was nervous.
I slowly closed my mouth and darted my eyes over his lips before looking back into his eyes and smiling kindly.
His soul lit up and he let out a breath. He grinned stupidly.
"Can you two quit ogling each other, I think I may be sick."
I blushed and Sebastian scowled.
"For being blind, you are awfully officious."
"I was only smiling at his drawings Ominis, they are beautiful."
"My sight has nothing to do with my observation skills. You two had better remember that." He took a deep sip from his glass and gently set it down, completely empty.
As if summoned, Malcom appeared behind me, towel tossed over his right shoulder.
"Can I get you folks 'nother round?"
Sebastian downed the last of his butterbeer and held the glass out cheerfully. "If you would be so kind?"
"I'd be happy to Sean."
"Sebastian."
"Right, sorry." He collected our mugs and returned only a moment later with them freshly filled.
"How long have you been sketching?" I questioned, taking another sip of the bitter and sweet liquid.
He shrugged. "I don't know when I started really. Maybe around the time Anne picked up poetry when we were kids. Suppose I just wanted to be included in that artistic side of things. I've always wanted to paint though. Don't think I'd be too good at it, but I'd like to try."
"You should." I smiled.
"Yes." Ominis agreed, interrupting the charged silence but we continued to smile at each other across the table.
Our quiet conversations continued on for another two rounds before I hiccuped and we collectively decided it was time to go.
Packing our things, I pulled a few galleons from my bag and placed them on the counter as we left. Sebastian nodded his thanks along with Ominis but I pretended not to notice as he added a few more to the pile as we passed.
"Have a wonderful day! It was a pleasure to meet you Ominis, Sawyer, Atley."
"Sebastian!" The brown headed Slytherin grumbled to himself as we stepped outside. "Honestly, it's not even that hard of a name to remember."