#depressive sebastian sallow

[featciren]

Seasonal Companion

Ever since the death of Solomon Sallow and the departure of his sister, Sebastian has been spending most of the time alone wherever he goes. Not even the sight of his old friend Ominis is seen by his side anymore.

That is until Professor Weasley caught him on one of the corridors before the winter break.

*Female MC appears for a brief moment and then leaves

As if a protective shield is casted to separate the premise from the rest of the world, the rush hubbub alongside the wave of people right after crossing the bridge are so subtle and overwhelming. Every store is playing their own music outside the doors, contributing to the chaotic sound experience. Such an environment is undoubtedly the biggest nightmare for some.

Nonetheless, the smell of butter and cinnamon still lures more and more people to go deeper into the village like a vortex. Everyone is flooding into the streets for their seasonal shopping needs. Some villagers mutter under their breath about having trouble stepping out of their own doors while some other villagers are more than happy to enchant decorations and signs in the mid air to attract any potential customer to their stores.

Garreth tiptoes in the middle of the crowd and yells to the back. No signs. The sea of people is blocking his view and his voice is not loud enough. He decides to raise and wave one arm in the air for his companion to see. This time a brunette jumps up from the crowd for a mere second and gets flooded by the many other heads again.

Hurried to the spot, Garreth finally manages to retrieve the brunette by grabbing his hand.

“This is nuts!” Sebastian shouts, holding onto the hand tightly while pushing their way forward together with Garreth leading at the front. “Didn’t you hear me, Weasley?”

“Hear what? I can barely hear myself.” He turns his face slightly towards Sebastian in case his voice fails to reach his ears. “Let’s go this way!”

To be honest, Sebastian doesn’t even bother to ask where they’re heading now. He just hopes Garreth is not leading them to an even more crowded spot to suffocate themselves to death. If their hands disconnect and lose each other again, he might just apparate back to Hogwarts and call it a day.

The two finally squeeze out of the crowd and stop at the end of an alley. Some people are also navigating the village through these passages, but feelings are relative. Compared to the chaos at High Street they’ve just escaped from, this stinky filthy alley is literally a diving bell in the deep sea. Both boys sigh in relief.

“Phew! That was quite an experience.” The ginger head puts his hands on his waist. Big smile on his face showing how proud he feels to have made their way out alive.

Sebastian is not that amused on the contrary with his knotted eyebrows and balled fists. “Whose idea is it to go shopping in the week before Christmas? Am I the only one who thinks it’s common sense to not visit Hogsmeade right before the holiday?”

Garreth is a bit uneasy to see an upset Sebastian, but he’s also aware that his friend’s accusation isn’t pointing at him. “Well, you already knew so I don’t feel the need to explain further…”

The brunette sighs. Of course he knows. That’s why he didn’t turn down the request when the Professor approached him.

He’d always known the Weasley family is big, but he didn’t know they also have relatives living in Manchester. Unfortunately, Garreth’s father - the organiser of the party only came up with the idea of also inviting their relatives to join two days ago, making the quest outrageously urgent. With their house-elves being all busy running around to decorate the venue, Garreth is the one being assigned to shop for extra beverages and presents, and Sebastian is the outsourced helper and advisor considering the amount of supplies on the list.

As a reward, one day of pending detention will be wiped off on Sebastian’s side in return. It’s definitely a tempting offer, as he doesn’t want to be cleaning the boys’ lavatory or serving as a temporary night-shift nurse in St. Mungo’s anymore.

“…Let’s get this over with as soon as possible. I’m tired already.”

“That’s the spirit! I’d say we should start with what’s clearly specified on the list first.” He fishes out a folded parchment from his pocket at the back of his pants and opens it.

Two bottles of Firewhisky, three Mulled Meade and a carton of punch…

The Three Broomsticks is just sitting adjacent to the spot where they’re standing at the moment, parted by the High Street, but it’s unwise to be carrying that much liquor all the way through their whole trip. They’re going to be heavy and it would be tragic to try to squeeze them through the crowd of people.

Sebastian suggests making a reservation at the pub first and doing the same to the rest of the groceries before Sirona finishes packing them. This way they can retrieve them on their way back in a beeline without waiting. Garreth disagrees, expressing his concern that it is only going to be even more crowded when evening comes, and they may not be able to return to the same stores even with empty hands.

“Trust me. Things are gonna be resolved by then. I have an idea and it’s much more efficient this way.” The Slytherin said dismissively but also convincingly while looking right into the Gryffindor's eyes.

For a moment, Garreth almost believes these words mean sincerity. Now is one of the occasions when his usually trusting nature is questioned by the small voice of his instinct.

Sebastian had always looked friendly and open. The soft fluffy hair and the innocent face had helped him befriend almost everyone he met. That is until troubles were caused which reveals his mischievous nature. The Sorting Hat didn’t just throw everyone in the houses randomly.

However, speaking of troubles, Garreth didn’t cause less in the past years so he can’t really judge the Slytherin by the number of detentions, and the hidden goal of this trip as specified by his aunt cannot be threatened by differing opinions on such small things. Garreth stops himself from being sceptical and calls it a misperception quietly.

He agrees to the proposal. The shopping trip goes smoothly. Store after store they have been crossing out the items on the list gradually. They carry the smaller ones in their arms before moving to the next stop as long as they don’t occupy much space.

When the sun starts to set and they’ve finally finished shopping for the specified items, Hogsmeade is still flooded with people. Fortunately, tea time has certainly kept some of them seated in cafés and bars, allowing some fresh air on the streets.

The two use this opportunity to catch a breath outside a café with a cranachan in Garreth’s hand. Securing the paper bags between their legs, they start digging inside the small cup simultaneously. It would have been much better if they didn't have to share. Garreth is only given the necessary amount of money for the shopping list and Sebastian claims to be uninterested in sweets especially when the prices have skyrocketed during the season to a robbery level. Garreth took two teaspoons anyway.

The brunette’s gaze follows a couple of gentlemen who are passing by with some big wooden boxes and props in their hands, “Hmph. Looks like there’s going to be an event tonight.”

“That’s not good. Wonder if we can make it out of the village before it starts?”

“I heard someone mentioning six o’clock in the café. Not sure if it’s what they’re talking about though.” Another scoop of cream from the bottom of the cup. Sebastian’s eyes are fixed on the dessert all the way when he talks.

Looking at the top of the brunette’s head and his hand holding onto the cup, Garreth can’t hold back a big grin on his face in silence. Someone has a sweet tooth. “Maybe we should ask the locals. Wait for me with the groceries. Here. Take the cup and finish it.”

“Gladly.” Sebastian pretends to be nonchalant but he couldn’t hide the faint smile and the delightfulness in his tone. He sweeps the bags to the roadside with his legs.

Once the door closes behind the ginger head, he finally reveals his true cravings towards the cup, savouring the sweetness and fluffy texture of the cream fully with pure enjoyment. Merlin - he almost drooled all over the floor when they arrived at the front of the display cases earlier. He’d always loved the desserts from Hogsmeade, but the budget is simply too tight for him to buy confectioneries considering there are still school lunches to pay for next month.

When Anne was still around, he used to buy some from time to time to share with her and Ominis in the Undercroft. His uncle didn’t give them much pocket money back then. He was raising two kids with only two hands after all. And with the new patrons - he’s been receiving even less now.

He’d always been aware of how important money is so he doesn’t feel right every time someone shares something with him. It’s like owing someone a favour and he’s expected to pay them back soon or later. The world has been working around him like that since he was small and works well if he follows the rules.

With Weasley though, well - his family is big with Matilda being the headmistress of the school. Surely they have some fortune, right? In this case, he feels more rightful and comfortable to accept anything Garreth gives.

“Bad news. A parade is going to start at six and crowd control will be at four.” Garreth pushes the door open with another hand pointing towards the way he comes from.

The brunette lets out a surprised “Oh”, “Not entirely. At least we can get out of this chaos sooner.”

“And with literally only half an hour left to shop for the rest!” He frowns with worries written all over his face. He doesn’t like to be rushed as he tends to make wrong decisions under such circumstances. He already starts to panic imagining his cousins’ disappointed faces when they open the presents.

“You haven’t come up with one single idea of what to buy yet, have you?” Sebastian narrows his eyes with a smirk. It’s fun to see the Gryffindor freaks out at such small problems. Just like a big puppy, mature on the outside but simple on the inside.

“I was in detention yesterday. You knew that. Didn’t even have the time to do my Herbology homework.” He sighs, sounds defeated, but his mood is suddenly lit up with an idea sparkling in his head. “Wait. Isn’t that a good opportunity to test and promote my new concoctions? There are dozens of them still waiting for more data from different subjects…”

Sebastian blinks, watching the ginger head stroking his own chin with one hand, legs pacing back and forth while enthusiastically considering the viability of this idea.

Finally comprehending what he’d just heard, a chilling streak of fear suddenly spikes up along his spine. The massive tragedy of the Gryffindor common room being flooded with rainbow vomit on the floor caused by his newly “improved” version of Wiggenweld Potion last week is still on the top surface of his memories. He could imagine the nauseating smell even though he was not physically there, and watching Natsai retching for the whole week with tears in her eyes whenever she tried to eat had definitely made him feel sorry for her.

He bears no grudge towards the Weasley family - even though he doesn’t know every single one of them in person, but no one deserves such cruelty on Christmas. This shit is no joke.

His gaze follows the pacing Weasley who is about to commit an act of unintentional domestic violence towards his own family. “- Are you sure, Garreth? You don’t get to meet your relatives a lot during the year. I reckon they will be more happy to receive something that lasts longer and not consumable - at least not with only one sip.”

“Ohhh they’re certainly not getting only one sip. I’m going to use a bigger cauldron and brew at least one carton for each of them.” The young Weasley beams with stars in his eyes, so excited that he stretches out his arms lively to illustrate the size of the cauldron.“This is even better. The error value can be minimised with the repetitive sampling of results.”

Sebastian is about to open his mouth to interrupt his thoughts, but the ginger head is quicker by sprinting to his footside and picks up the paper bags.

“Weasley - “

“We need to hurry. J. Pippin’s is on the other side of the village. I must go grab the ingredients before he runs out of supplies!” The determined Gryffindor is like an unstoppable hound now. Energy surges through his whole body, making him restless and excited. He shoves one of the paper bags in the Slytherin’s chest and yanks him to the crowd by the wrist.

“Blast - Wait!“ The deafening noise of the crowd surrounds them so he has to literally shout. The sudden raise of volume gets the ginger head’s attention who stops on his track and turns his head around, dumbfounded as he has no clue why the usually untroubled Slytherin suddenly looks genuinely concerned. “Uhm - As you said, J. Pippin’s is too far away. That’s a huge detour. Let’s stick to our original route for now.” He tries to shift his focus from his precious inventions bit by bit. This potion maniac’s mind cannot be changed swiftly with just a few words.

“But what if - “

“Pippin had restocked more this year. Very reliable source. It’s gonna be fine.” Lie. “No need to rush. Don’t you think it will be best to escape the busy area by making J. Pippin’s the final stop? The parade is going to start around that time anyway.” He purposely adds a luring tone in his words with a confident smile to fake his intention. 

Garreth thinks for a while when the crowd keeps pushing the boys to different directions. Sebastian lets him think, but he decides to act earlier. He spots a shop and improvises by snaking his arm around the Gryffindor's so that he can avoid being pulled away by the boy. He hates himself for being a juvenile when the sea of well-built adults keep towering over them and pushing them to all directions.

“Oh look! Flutes and Lutes!” Sebastian fixes his eyes on the target and points at it with another hand, successfully guiding Garreth’s attention to look at the same thing. “Let’s get inside. I got something I have wanted to buy for a while now.”

“Uhm, okay?” Although confused, the ginger head agrees after being yanked to the music store.

Sorry, Garreth. I’m not going to help you, but I’m saving your arse.

After buying an enchanted music box (with Garreth’s money) and walking out of the store, they see a thin layer of smoke separating the street into two lanes. Crowd control had slowly started.

The ginger head panics but is soon being pulled to the next store. This time to the Gladrags.

Before he even realises, a bucket is shoved into his hands and the brunette had already started throwing things inside joyfully, suggesting them to be wonderful gifts for his relatives. It almost looks like the brunette is randomly picking up things, but he claims it’s the store that’s packed with people and they need to hurry.

Looking at the Dancing socks that Sebastian is inspecting, Garreth frowns in concern, “Are you sure these are proper for Christmas presents? I mean…I saw people wearing these before and I reckon they are only for pranks…”

Absolutely angelic, compared to your products of creativity.

“Well, that explains why Slytherins are always more fun to hang out with.” The brunette huffs with a smirk, stuffing the socks in the corner of the basket. “Trust me. It’s gonna be the BEST gift they’ve received in their life”

The ginger head chuckles, fires back in an inviting tone. “Are you saying we Gryffindors are boring? I gotta sneak you in our common room next time. Bet you wouldn’t want to go back to Slytherin anymore.”

Sebastian cocks an eyebrow at him, interested. “Is that a challenge? Well I’d be the judge of that.” Speaking of the Gryffindor’s common room, he suddenly feels like it’s the right timing to school this potion maniac a bit. “...but if it’s going to be flooded with vomit then I’d rather stay away. Still want to eat what I paid the school for, you know?”

The mention of last week’s incident catches him a bit off guard. He raises both hands in the air. Surprisingly, not in defence but in excitement. “Oh! About that, I’ve already figured out what went wrong. I just have to change the recipe a little bit and stir it in a slightly different manner…”

The Slytherin is awestruck. How in Merlin’s name can his classmate be so enthusiastic and pure-minded? He expected the sarcasm could at least make him think twice before doing his human experiments. Now the statement only helped fuel his motivation to continue.

“...I really want to see how your family has been raising you, to be honest.” Sebastian feels defeated. He lowers his head to compare the garments in front of him.

“Don’t be like that. I see a lot of things in common between the two of us, you know?” The Gryffindor nudges him, speaking softly by his ear so that no one else can hear.

“Oh? How so?” He looks up at Garreth with narrowed eyes, wondering if it’s an admiration or an insult.

“Well, we both get a lot of detentions and always for only one reason. For you it’s always the library. For me it’s always the potions. And you were daring and brave enough to have borne the blame for Sorcha last year. That’s something most of my Slytherin friends wouldn’t do.”

“Okay…?” Sebastian cringes a little bit, not expecting to hear “compliments” in such a manner, especially for that little event with the new fifth-year. Most of his house members deemed his action stupid (especially for someone who’s from another house) and even started shipping the two teasingly. Thanks to Sorcha’s aggressive attitude towards the rumours, they were stopped rather quickly.

“Not just Sorcha, a bunch of Ravenclaws would DIE to sneak into the restricted section, you know?”

“Speaking of Ravenclaw, don’t you think you can learn something from them when you design the next potion recipe? I’m sure they’d love to recommend some research for you.”

The Gryffindor snorts, “I’d rather not. Too much planning and reading. By the time they finished researching, I'd already created something for trials. If I have the mood, I’d even proofread every single potion book in the library. There is simply too much false information written inside.”

Always act before planning. Typical Gryffindor. Sebastian sighs. He rarely judges his schoolmates’ shortcomings by the stereotypes of the four houses, but as far as he sees, those with such recklessness are usually from the house of lion. “Surely you can try balancing things out a little bit…”

“Talking shites about Ravenclaw, aye?”

Surprised by the female voice, both boys spin around to see the devil they’ve been talking about.

The cornflower-haired girl walks in a lazy posture towards them, one hand holding a paper cup and another throwing a roasted chestnut towards her mouth. Sebastian fishes one for himself from the paper cup when she passes it to his direction.

“Fancy seeing you here. I thought you’re not staying around during the holidays.” The brunette greets her cheerfully.

“That was the plan but I changed my mind.” Speaking in a languid tone, her eyes swim around the store slowly, taking in the fabulous decorations that can’t be usually seen and smiles sheepishly. “This is the first proper Christmas I can enjoy in the wizarding world and just look at that, I don’t miss London anymore.”

Is she high on Euphoria again or simply suffering from insomnia?

“Are you alone? You can join us.” The friendly Gryffindor invites when he doesn’t see anyone around the girl.

She eyes him and considers the offer for a mere moment. “Nah, thanks. I enjoy loneliness - I mean freedom, more precisely.” And then she smiles mysteriously to both of them from left to right. “‘ight. Enjoy your date, pups. Seeing you two may have significantly changed my mind from casting Infringo on this facking crowd here...”

She grits her teeth when she mentions the crowd before floating away. The murderous glare towards the people around her is hidden behind the fancy pink lenses but not entirely invisible.

Unlike Sebastian, she never likes to be in crowded places or interacting with strangers. That reminds him why even after considering her as a close friend, they rarely hang out together. Ominis was similar given his eye condition and his sensitive hearing. Anne had always been the only one who was more than happy to go to fairs with him.

He wonders what they are going to do on Christmas? Does Ominis have to go back to the Gaunt house? And Anne, he doesn’t even know her whereabouts…

“Interesting lady, isn’t she?” The ginger head smiles, eyes following the back of the Raveclaw’s head. “I heard a lot about her dealing with the Ranrok royalists and trolls last school year, and she’s always ready to help me to do the ‘difficult’ parts for my inventions. Her bravery would fit into Gryffindor as well.”

Surprised that his companion is still on this topic, the Slytherin laughs, “I doubt if you’d still think the same once you found out the true intention behind those actions.” 

“Are you bragging about the intimacy between you two? Okay. I’m curious now.”

“Nothing to tell. If you want to earn the privilege, consider treating me better from now on.” The snake replies in a cheeky tone, lowering his head to continue comparing the garments in front of him half-mindedly.

“I believe I’ve been doing a good job on this matter?” Garreth scratches his head, puzzled, replaying the interactions between the two in his head.

The questions keep him occupied all the way to the cashier, so when the brunette turns to him with a bright smile after Mr. Hills tells them the sum of money, he fishes out his wallet naturally.

Too easy. Weasley is too easy to manipulate.

The Slytherin smirks, proud of himself when he walks towards the exit. With so little galleons left in Garreth’s pocket, he won’t be able to buy much for his lovely potions at the end of the day.

Just when they set their foot outside the attire shop, a big firework explodes right in front of the door step, shining blue and orange light on their faces. They are caught in surprise and fringe at the sudden blow of light. An arm catches Sebastian’s shoulders.

“Sorry about that. Are you alright, young men?” A man comes close to check on the two with a big smile on his face, asking both of them but eyes fixed on the brunette at the end. They swiftly turn to look at him, and then they see a woman smiling apologetically at them behind the man in a distance while bending down to grab the little tube in a child’s hand. That’s where the fireworks came from.

Sebastian blinks. “- Yeah, I’m good. No worries. You good, Weasley?” He throws the same question to the boy who is still holding his shoulders, for some reason looking quite serious on the face.

“Are you sure? You don’t look like it.” There is concern written on the man’s face.

Before understanding where the doubt comes from, Sebastian gets pulled away from the doorstep to the closest alley. Garreth’s grip is tight but gentle. It’s the strange gesture that makes him a bit uneasy.

“What? What is it?” The brunette pushes his arm away when they slow down on their path.

“You should see your face. You look terrified!” The Gryffindor looks a bit anxious but keeps his voice low, as if a normal voice would startle his friend to jump. “It’s okay to be scared. You don’t have to pretend to be tough.”

“I’m not pretending to be tough, and I’m not scared of a blasted firework. At least not now.” Now he feels a bit offended. Why are they even talking about this right now?

Out of all the possible futures, he can never foresee his face being cupped by the ginger boy. The initial thought is that Weasley’s got really warm hands, but the sudden physical contact still makes him stunned and cringed.

Weasley takes a deep breath before looking at him firmly in the eyes. Voice lower than usual. “If you say so. Just remember we can leave the place anytime if you don’t feel right. Okay?”

“Without a doubt.” He hesitantly removes the boy’s hands from his face slowly. Garreth’s gaze is so intense that it forces him to break eye contact. He knows this annoying conversation will only continue to no end if he keeps denying so he stops. Garreth retreats his hands then. 

Still no idea what the fuss is about.

“But damn, your face is freezing. Shall we get inside?”

Sebastian shrugs. Well, that’s what he was going to suggest anyway.

Zonko’s would be the perfect destination for exploiting the very last bit of what’s left in Garreth’s pocket.

He had memorised the prices for each item faintly as it’s one of his favourite stores in the village. He seldom buys from the store though. Usually just browsing. There are times when the shopkeeper suspects him to be stealing as he always leaves empty-handed. Sebastian feels lucky to not be spotted by the shopkeeper when they open the door as he’s busy running around between customers.

The new products showcasing in the mid-air are stunning. No wonder why so many people keep flushing into the store. The owner is well-prepared for the season.

Sebastian squeezes through the crowd, searching for one specific item according to his memory. On his path, a giant mirror is placed behind a little orb that emits light beams to form a pattern of a milky way, making the light show seem boundless. He looks into the mirror and is shocked by what he sees - his face is paler than usual. Red rims under the eyes like they’re about to cry. And the eyebrows - angling down that makes his face look scared. He frowns at the scene and tries to readjust the muscles on his face to no avail.

“Hey, look what I’ve found!” The cheerful Weasley comes back with a box of something that breaks the thought of the young Slytherin. His excitement is soon replaced by a look of concern when he sees the boy’s face. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

Finally understanding the cause of the sudden change of attitude on the Gryffindor’s side, the snake feels kind of irritated and embarrassed. His face is nowhere reflecting his current state of mind - at least not the kind of emotion he wants to show. He doesn’t like to be seen as fragile because it means weakness.

“I assure you I’m -“

He cuts himself off when he spots something in the distance and hurries himself to pick it up. Unfortunately, someone picks it up slightly quicker than he does.

He looks up to see a young adult who's probably in his twenties, not much older than him. A child is sticking close to his robe who’s probably his son. They’re now looking at each other in the eyes awkwardly and the gentleman looks like he’d fallen into a dilemma for an instant when he sees those puppy eyes.

Garreth follows him to the spot and inspects what’s in their hands, “Is this what you want? A mini mannequin?”

“- Yeah. It does some tricks but also works like a normal mannequin…”

“Be careful. That is the last one.” The shopkeeper happens to be passing by with a tower of boxes and hears what they said.

Damn it. Gotta change my target then.

Just when Sebastian thinks of giving up, the gentleman says with an empathetic smile, “It’s alright. Please, take it.”

Seeing the mannequin being pushed into the brunette’s chest, the little child urges his father to take it back in a crying tone. The man just crouches down and picks the child up in his arms and soothes him by telling him to pick something else instead. He bids his goodbye to the two boys with an apologetic smile.

What the…fuck?

He thinks of one possibility and starts checking the mannequin. Garreth sighs with a gentle smile, “I don’t think it’s about the mannequin. It’s about you.”

“What does that even mean?” Sebastian frowns, frustrated that there are now even more questions to be answered. Garreth just takes the mannequin from his hands and heads directly to the cashier and pays. “Wait, what are you -“

Sebastian doesn’t get to receive the answer and they are already out of the store.

“This is for you, Sebastian.” The young Weasley turns around and smiles at him. “Merry Christmas.”

Sebastian widens his eyes and feels his face heated in embarrassment right away. Why in Merlin’s name would he be buying him a Christmas present? Could it be that he’s teasing him with his secret plan?

“I was to suggest you buy this for the party.” Sebastian confesses, secretly panicking and embraces himself for Garreth’s revelation.

“That’s right. So by that logic, you’d better show up at the party.”

Sebastian is totally in shock now, never had he expected himself to be invited to a classmate’s family party - not to mention a Weasley family party.

“I don’t know about your plans for Christmas, but my family would be very excited to see you there.” Garreth continues. The eyes are so caring like he’s not looking at his classmate of the same age, but more like looking at a small stray animal, especially after seeing him being all alone since the new school year and that he’s zoning out more than ever.

He’d heard Ominis and him are not friends anymore and they are not seen talking to each other when they return to the school. The way the usually cheerful and outgoing Slytherin still tries to act like nothing happened just looks…sad (and it’s indeed showing on his face).

Hence when his aunt proposed this shopping trip and the party to him, he almost hugged her for this genius idea.

“What? No! It’s gonna be a family party. I don’t want to be an intruder.” Sebastian rejects without hesitation. Even though he considers it as a thrilling idea especially when it’s gonna be his first lonely Christmas, he just doesn’t think it’s a proper thing to do.

Seeing the brunette deep in his thoughts again, Garreth pushes,“I got to get you to the party. I’m not allowing you to skip our parties after all the help I received from you.”

“Well, you can pay me in other w-“

“Sebastian - please.” Enough of his stubbornness, the ginger head cuts him off and smiles warmly, stretching out one hand to hold onto his shoulder.

Those emerald eyes are full of determination and an equally unwavering stubbornness. Sebastian had suddenly realised they’re always clear like crystals. Never had he once seen them in a muddy colour. Now with the warm street lights casting a hint of orange on them, they simply look magical and yet match Garreth so much. Like fire under the cauldron.

For half a second, he feels sorry to have used lies to manipulate this pure human.

But then, he really feels repulsed by those eyes looking so firmly into his, like penetrating deep into his soul.

“Guess that I have not a choice then.” Speaking in a weak voice, he tries to keep a straight face but breaks eye contact shyly for the second time today. “But I don’t go to parties without blowing things up.”

Garreth is stunned for a moment. Is that a joke? But he realises either answer is not important. If it’s not a joke, then the invitation has become even more important. He laughs, “I’m sure my dad and Aunt Matilda will bring their wands along.”

Sebastian smiles hesitatingly at the answer. They look at each other in awkward silence with Garreth’s face beaming bright, looking like he had achieved something unimaginable. “That’s it, then! You’re coming to the party!”

“Look at you. If I haven’t been in this conversation, I’d think you’ve won a lottery.” The brunette huffs out a laugh, but can’t stop smiling even if he wants to. This little lion’s smile is infectious.

He looks back to the crowd and notices the sun had fully set. Darkness had enveloped the sky but the candles and glowing decorations in the village had lit it up further. The parade should start soon. They must leave.

Luckily enough for them, the paths separating by crowd control happen to be moving towards the same direction to their final stops. The last part of their journey is finished rather smoothly.

Now, to think about how they’re gonna bring all the bags back to the castle.

“You said you have an idea. I’d like to hear that now.” Carrying the packages on his shoulders and arms in Three Broomsticks, the ginger head asked, smirking.

“Don’t you worry. Our solution is on the other side of the bridge.”

Leading the both of them to their starting point of this journey, Sebastian walks straight to a carriage and starts loading the bags on it by the bridge.

Garreth is amused, “You’ve reserved a carriage? That’s incredible!”

“Do you really think I got galleons to book such a luxurious service?” The Slytherin spares him a glance without stopping his hands. He gestures to Garreth to tell him to load the carriage as well.

The Gryffindor blinks, tries to think what it means before asking, but then is shocked by his guess. “YOU’RE STEALING IT!?”

“BORROWING. I’m gonna return it once we’re done. Whoever owns this carriage wouldn’t be getting out of the village soon anyway. They must have come for the parade if they still haven’t returned now.” The Slytherin shrugs, smiling confidently. “Besides, they won’t be able to get out of the village soon. You saw how chaotic it is inside.”

It sounds kind of…reasonable? But something doesn’t feel right. Garreth had stolen things before, yes, but only from Honeydukes and it was something insignificant to the owner. This carriage though. Look at the soft and silky cushions and luxurious carpets inside…Out of all the carriages parked at the same spot, this Slytherin actually walked straight to the most fancy one. (We're so going to be arrested once the owner finds out without a doubt) His original idea is to use the one eye statue secret passage and transport the bags by hand. Might not be very practical thinking about the broken bridges, but they can take the things out one by one anyway (Wingardium Leviosa?). However, the carriage is indeed the most efficient and handy tool to help achieve the same goal.

“Wait wait wait. Give me some time to think. Surely we don’t have to…” Garreth turns away from the carriage and starts massaging his aching glabella. The idea of using such an expensive carriage sounds intriguing, but the possible punishment he’s going to receive from his aunt is also terrifying…

With one leg already stepping on the carriage, Sebastian yells, “There is no better way. Trust me.”

No response. He doesn’t really understand why it takes the ginger head so long to agree with the idea.

Finally, after some anxious pacing, he turns around and sprints towards the carriage with a kind of anxious determination on his face. “Okay, okay. Just make sure we’re going to get things done quickly.”

Sebastian watches him load the carriage at light speed and a strange kind of satisfaction fills his chest. He grins smugly, excited to have coerced the Gryffindor to jump over a hurdle.

Taking the leash in his hands, he leans into the nervous ginger who’s sitting stiffly by his side. “It’s gonna be fine. If anyone asks, just say Sallow forced you on the carriage and you have tried your best to stop him.”

“What? No! I’m not gonna do that.” The young lion frowns in shock. What sort of man does his friend think he is!?

Sebastian just turns back to the front and smiles. This one is helpless, but who is he to say that when his chest got warmer with those silly words?

“Hold tight, Weasley.”

He flaps the leash to send the thestrals dashing in the night sky with the carriage behind them. Being pelted by the December night breeze in the face on a speedy carriage is no fun, but the excitement of flying in the sky with everything they have on their back is worth everything.

When the people on the ground are turned as small as dots of ladybugs and the stars start to glow above their heads, Garreth takes in the fantastic night view in his eyes, appalling at what a wonderful idea it is, but why does he feel something is missing?

“My potions!” He exclaimed, suddenly sitting straight again from the relaxed position. “We forgot to go to J. Pippin’s!”

“Next year, Garreth. You got no more galleons left anyway.” His companion replies calmly.

“Right…” He sighs and falls back to the back of the seat. But how come… Oh.

Feeling someone’s eyes on him, the Slytherin looks back. One trying hard not to break out a laugh while the other one is grinning with a knowing smile.

“Am I still granted the privilege of entering the Gryffindor common room after tricking you and lowering your moral standard?” The snake asks jokingly, showing no signs of regret.

“Well,” The young lion drawls with a mischievous smile. “Not when there is only one subject left for my mere amount of concoctions.”

-end-

[bookie-bookdust]

Happy One Year Anniversary to Sebastian Sallow Fucking Sucks!!!

What was intended to be a short story exploded out of my control and is now 120k+ deep and still going. I've been writing for a very very long time, but I've never posted my work online except to writing partners or events back when book twitter was a thing so this has truly been a fascinating experience. I want to thank anyone reading for their support and for sticking with me. I had a few things planned, but here's the finished one for now: The famous DADA scene, but with the SSFS chaotic twist😈 Also a rare lil' Sebastian POV which I've never done for this fic.

A FUCKING PROPER HOGWARTS WELCOME

Summary: First class: Defense Against the Dark Arts. First problem: Sebastian Sallow. (You do not need to have read SSFS to read this.) Word Count: ~1800 words CWs: a few suggestive jokes but that's it lolol. Read it here or at ao3 (MASTERLIST)

Defense Against the Dark Arts.

This better not be some physical education class.

I stepped through the doorway, ducking as a stray spell whirled past my ear with a hot hiss.

“Is that all you’ve got?”

Voices rose as two idiots dueled in the middle of the classroom, tables shoved aside, robes abandoned. My new classmates egged them on like a damn chicken fight.

Merlin, it was a physical education class. I was doomed.

A gangly redhead barely blocked an attacking spell, tripping into the crowd of girls.

“Come on, Leander,” one of the girls leered, and she shoved him back toward his opponent. “You were bragging all morning about taking down Sebastian in Crossed Wands.”

Leander paled. “Keep your mouth shut.”

“Me? You sure about that? Looks like you’re losing to me.” Sebastian laughed, running a hand through messy brown hair. He threw his whole torso into his spell, and the redhead’s tie set aflame.

“Sallow!” Leander patted it out. “This is fucking new. You’re buying me another one.”

“Merlin, pick out something better then this time.” Sebastian snorted. “Stupefy.”

Leander blocked it at the last second. The red streak spiraled into the ceiling. Sparks exploded as the massive dragon skull groaned.

“Not again,” someone gasped.

 It rocked, cords snapping, spiraling down.

“Duck,” a voice screamed.

Students dove out of the way.

Its jaw dropped open, swinging out like it’d swallow me in a single gulp.

Swallow me. It was coming at me.

Oh fuck.

Sebastian tackled me. We skidded, chest to chest, the wind knocking out of me.

“Protego,” he shouted in my ear just as the teeth latched open over us, the floorboards splintering.

“Merlin’s leaky bowels,” I wheezed.

He blinked down at me with a curious face. “Sorry about that.”

Freckles. Lots of stupid freckles. Stupid expressive eyes. Stupid hair. Stupid face.

I shook my head. “You almost killed us.”

He grinned. “But I didn’t.”

And a stupid smile.

I huffed. “Are you seri—”

“Class hasn’t even begun yet, and you’ve already destroyed my classroom, Mr. Sallow,” an old voice boomed.

The skull ripped up, flying high above our heads and lodging back into the ceiling.

“Sorry, Professor,” he called over his shoulder. His shield dropped, a gust of air cooling my cheeks as a sea of eyes stared down at us.

“Alright. Up we go.” He tapped my hip and hopped to his feet, hauling me up by the forearms.

Did he just tap me like a fucking dog?

“And already attempting to kill our new student, I see. Lovely work. Truly,” Professor Hecat said.

“Why thank you, Professor. You know I always put in my best effort.” He glanced at me and winked.

I flushed from head to toe, and that stupid smirk widened.

Oh, I hated him. Absolutely and utterly hated him. He was a cocky reckless prick, and he knew it.

I inched away, bumping someone’s shoulder to find everyone had drawn in close, nosy eager eyes glued to me. What was wrong with this place?

“This is an excellent opportunity to make use of the situation.” Professor Hecat rubbed her hands together. “A well casted levitating charm would have prevented that skull from its collapse.”

“Levioso?” Leander rolled his eyes.

“Mr. Prewett, it’s too early in the school year for your whining.” Professor Hecat smirked. “But yes. Levioso. Why don’t we practice, hm?” Her eyes swept across the classroom, catching on me with a glint. “You two can go first.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Me?”

“Yes, and Mr. Sallow. Hurry up.” She waved a hand, shooing our classmates back as she summoned two tables to the center of the room.

“I, um, no?” I muttered, but if the professor heard me, she didn’t respond.

“Time for a proper Hogwarts welcome,” an amused voice murmured against my ear, and Sebastian brushed past me. He shucked off his sweater, his button down getting stuck underneath, exposing his midriff.

I gaped at the smooth soft plains of his stomach, a trail of hair leading down and down to his very low riding trousers.

Is this some sort of ploy? I glanced around, but no one even batted an eye.

“Sebastian Sallow. Slytherin,” a voice whispered beside me.

I jumped, glancing at Samantha Dale, my new roommate. She wasn’t standing there a second ago.

“And Hogwarts’ top duelist,” she added.

“Thanks, I guess.”

Sebastian hopped up on the table, tossing his sweater aside. It smacked Prewett in the face. “You’re not going to duel me from down there, are you?”

I blinked, stiffening at the snickers coming from behind me.

What a fucking twat.

I made my way up. This stupid borrowed wand hummed drunkenly in my grip, and when I met his smug gaze, it sparked.

Fuck.

I needed to kick his ass.

“Only basic spells,” Hecat warned.

Excellent. That was all I knew.

“On my count,” she said, and the class hushed.

“One…”

Sebastian tilted his head to the side, taking in my stance, but I had no idea what he was reading off me.

“Two…”

I straightened, and he rolled his tongue over his top teeth.

“Three.”

“Stupefy.” I casted.

It pinged off his shield. He barely flicked his wrist when a ball of fire flared at me. I dodged it, heat grazing my face.

What kind of hazing was this—making the new kid duel their most demented student?

I threw a blast, a levitating charm, and he sidestepped both easily.

“Diffindo.” Something sliced past me, catching on my tie. The tip fluttered to the table.

What the fuck spell was that?

He grinned.

I wasn’t going to beat him this way. Time to get creative. I eyed the shelves behind him. “Accio skull.”

It flew straight for him, decking him in the back of the head.

Leander hooted from the sidelines.

“Oh, shush.” Sebastian rolled his eyes before meeting my gaze. “Cheap shots, huh?”

I blasted him in the legs, and he went sprawling. “It worked, didn’t it?”

He peered up at me, an absolutely wicked glint lighting his face as his lips tugged in a smile. “It did.”

I halted, and my stomach did an embarrassing flip. That wasn't what I expected.

“Accio.”

My shoes swept up from beneath me, and I shrieked. I flew down the table, crashing into him. He fell over me, catching himself on his elbows.

“Hello again.” He smiled wider, nose brushing mine. “I’m starting to wonder if you like being under me.”

A slew of giggles rose across the room, someone whistling.

Oh fuck him. He was not winning this.

“Levioso.”

He whipped into the air. I jumped to my feet, throwing a blast. He landed with an oof, and I threw a second blast. A third.

He staggered back falling straight off the table.

“It would seem our new student is the winner.” Hecat laughed, and the class roared.

“A fucking proper Hogwarts welcome, my ass.” I wiped the sweat from my brow.

***

She…won.

How in Salazar’s name did a new student win a duel against him?

Sebastian pushed to his feet, wiping himself off when an aching pinch bit his side.

“Nice one, Sallow,” Leander snorted, tossing Sebastian’s sweater back at him.

Seb rolled his eyes. “Sod off.”

“He has a point, you know.” Ominis joined his side, a rare smirk on that usual uppity face.

“Not you too.” Sebastian sighed, gaze already sweeping the room for this monstrous little Ravenclaw. She barely hit his chin. How had she hurled spells with such force?

He finally spotted her, buried in a sea of their classmates. Her face was screwed in a frown as she tried shimmying away.

“She supposedly was caught in crossfire with a dragon on her trip here,” Ominis murmured.

“A dragon?” he hissed.

“Do you pay attention at all?” Ominis tutted.

When Seb wanted to. Which was now. Now he very much wanted to pay attention.

“I’d say we’ve had enough excitement for today,” Hecat’s voice roared over the room. “Be off to your next classes please. Except for you.” She nodded toward the Ravenclaw.

She didn’t even bother hiding her grimace, and he pressed his lips together to stop his laugh. “I’ll, uh, catch up to you in Charms.” He patted Ominis on the shoulder, eyes still steady on the new girl trudging over to Hecat.

“I’m begging you for all our sakes, please don’t get carried away,” Ominis grumbled before grabbing his textbooks.

“Right.” Seb nodded absently. He’d deal with the lecture later.

He slipped toward the back, close enough to eavesdrop.

“Professor Weasley mentioned the additional assignments, yes.” The new girl tapped her wand against her thigh. “It’s all a bit...overwhelming. Is there any way to space this out?”

“Of course it’s overwhelming, my dear. But I’m afraid if you want to perform at the level of your peers, you’ll need to complete these assignments.” Professor Hecat’s gaze snagged on Sebastian. He recognized the curious look on her face almost instantly.

By Salazar, she was either about to become his favorite or most hated professor.

“Perhaps—”

And there it was.

“Mr. Sallow can assist you with your wand work.”

She could assist him with his wand. He suppressed a snort.

“You mean the wizard who dropped a dragon skull on my head?”

Ouch.

As if he’d done it on purpose. He crossed his arms. She looked absolutely horrified at the prospect, cheeks tinging pink, chewing that rosy bottom lip.

“You’d be surprised at what he has to offer. Now off you go. Don’t be late to your next class.”

Here goes nothing.

He combed his fingers through his hair, smoothing down his shirt. He’d give her a job well done. It was the gentlemanly thing to do. Not that he’d ever been a gentleman.

“Thanks.” She frowned at Hecat, digging out a book from her bag.

She came toward him, and he drew up his shoulders, opening his mouth and—

“Damn assignments,” she grumbled under her breath, breezing past him without even looking up.

“I—”

She walked right out the door.

“Well, go after her.” Hecat shot him an exasperated look.

He chased her down the hall, drawing to her side. “That was some wand work.”

She smacked her book shut, peering up at him. “What do you want?”

An odd feeling sank into his stomach, his palms dampening. She was…nice-looking…very nice-looking—even when she eyed him with disdain. He almost liked how much she already hated him.

“Where’d you learn to duel like that? Most people don’t win against me.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Have you considered maybe you’re not as good as you thought?”

He raised his brow, his mouth tugging at the corner. Feisty, this one. “No, I haven’t.”

“Well, you should.” She walked off.

He stood there for a moment, gaping after her as she abandoned him to the endless squeaks of violin for the stairs. 

It was official. He was smitten. There was no way in hell she was getting away from him now.  

He trailed after her. “I’m Sebastian Sallow, by the way.”

“Yes, I know.” She paused on the stairs, glancing back at him. A mischievous smirk lit her face.

There was that feeling again. He couldn’t help grinning back.

“And Sebastian Sallow, you fucking suck at dueling.”

[4ever2000lover]

Sebastian's development in my lore.

Poor man, but at least he got hotter...

Sebastian after committing a murder, being homeless, without family, without friends, without a girlfriend, practically a fucked up beggar and developing all kinds of mental disorders:

[oldhotcinnam0n]

I did it. I finished the Sebastian quest line on my Slytherin character after I completed everything else in the game... Now it's... Time to make my fourth character and do it all over again 😭

[myokk]

[theealbatross]

Sebastian x Reader: i love you, it's ruining my life (One Shot)

Plot | Sebastian has the worst insomnia known to man and you are not dating him. Tags | none, fluff, slytherin!reader, bad english accent attempt by me, repressed feelings, unhealthy attachment, codependency, teenagers trying to process trauma together, mentions of nightmares, they are both 17 years old [A/N : FUCK JK ROWLING!!!!!!! Also I just needed to write something and somehow a depressed Slytherin boy was just the one to cure my insane writer's block. Enjoy!]

I am not dating Sebastian Sallow, is what you kept saying yet no one seems to ever believe you. Even Natty, bless her kind soul, gave you a look so incredulous as the words went out of your mouth that you couldn’t help but be confused yourself -- were you dating Sebastian?

“I’m not trying to be nosy, my friend. I’m just concerned.”

“About what?” This has been the third person this month with that same irritating expression on their face. Pity.

“I thought … you were always together that I just assumed there was … something.”

You blinked, trying not to let your face slip, afraid that your ever observant friend would read too much into each emotion.

“Well, there’s nothing. So you and the others can –”

“There are others?!”

You widened her eyes, telling Natty to drop it and she wisely did. “The rest of you can stop reporting his rendezvous to me. Understood?”

“There you are!”

Merlin, will the cruel gods of fate ever give you a break?

The deep voice from the door cut through half of the conversations in your table as Sebastian jogged towards you. “Morning, pet.”

He casually grabbed your head gently, pressing a kiss on top of it, before settling down by straddling the chair so he was facing you. “Hey Natty, got lost?”

It wasn’t unheard of for students to not stick to the assigned tables on their houses but it was still odd, especially for someone like Natty who much preferred the company of like-minded people. Always said that the quiet and whispers in the Slytherin table made her uneasy.

Natty looked from you, to him, to the arms that was hidden under the table but was no doubt placed on your waist, subtly but insistently pulling you closer. You silently pleaded for her to ignore it which she thankfully did with a sigh.

“Not at all, Sebastian. Just trying to keep our friend company before you undoubtedly steal her away for the day.”

He didn’t even pretend to be offended by the accusation, only chuckling good-heartedly. “You can be welcome to tag along just for today.”

“Wouldn’t want to intrude. And with the trouble the two of you get into I’d be grounded by my mother for the rest of my life.”

The three of them laughed at that. The conversation thankfully flowing easier and away from the initial topic. Once Ominis arrived and Poppy was called over it was like fifth-year again. The initial circle you had formed has always been a source of comfort, no longer having to have your guard up all the time especially as easy conversation flowed between each other.

“I got some new books for you, just got delivered an hour ago. We should read it tonight.”

You fed him a piece of bread in your hands, knowing that his growing appetite has not been satiated by the plate he made for himself but he would be too lazy to make a new one and would just rather take bits and pieces from your own. “Just for me, huh?”

He grabbed a tuft of grapes before feeding you one as well before he demolished the entire thing. You couldn’t help but giggle when he spat out a small branch that managed to sneak into his mouth.

“It’s that new muggle series you love, paid off one of Ominis’ servant to line for it so you wouldn’t have to sneak out of Hogwarts like I know you had planned to tonight.”

You could feel your face heating up at the fact that he knew you too damn well. “You know I don’t like you spending money on me, Sebastian.”

“Well, you’re gonna be reading it to me so technically I’m spending money for me.”

You gave him a look but he quickly evaded it by feeding you another pair of grapes.

Sebastian had been haunted by nightmares after last year’s events. Ones so bad that the nurse feared he would be a bit too dependent on sleeping potions at such a young age. Thankfully, the two of you had found a solution together, after a late night studying in the Undercroft reading your notes aloud hoping it would stick into your head a bit better – you had turned to find your companion snoring away beside you.

At first, the two of you thought it was the history lesson that put him right to slumber so you borrowed tons of history books in the library for him to read before he slept but an enchanted note later and you were dragging your sleepy self and a blanket out of your chambers as you read about the History of Magic in his bed.

It was that night that you had been eternally grateful that he had no other roommate but Ominis. Especially when you found out that Sebastian was apparently a horrible koala when asleep.

“That’s just –”

“What are you two whispering about?”

You actually jumped, pushing Sebastian away as if the soft voice behind them reminded you of how they had actually drifted closer than what was appropriate.

“Arieta,” Sebastian greeted her with a raised brow, seemingly confused why the Ravenclaw was this far off the room not even all that affected that his new girlfriend just caught him being a bit too comfortable with another girl.

“Sebby!” she shrieked prettily, quickly recovering and pulling on his arm. “We have History of Magic together, remember? You know I can’t survive that class without your shoulder to sleep on.”

She can hear Ominis choke on a laugh yet Arieta shot you a look like it was your fault.

“I, uh,” Sebastian turned to your table, now fully aware that everyone was staring at him with various expression on their faces. “Right, let’s go.”

Ever the gentleman, Sebastian was quick to grab the books in Arieta’s arm as she held on to his hand and dragged him towards the doors.

“Arieta, huh, wouldn’t have pegged her as territorial one,” Natty chuckled, you chucked a grape at her. “What? I am only speaking my mind. Might have to watch out for that one or she might just drag poor Sebastian away from –”

Just before she finished her sentence Sebastian came bounding down the path once again stopping just beside you, catching his breath. “Hey, you’re mine tonight, okay? No adventures.”

His wording left so much to be misinterpreted that even Poppy’s eyes nearly popped out of her head, damn near resembling those mooncalfs she loves so much.

"I stand corrected," Natty muttered.

“Sebby!” Arieta screamed at the end of the hallway.

Merlin’s beard.

“I’m coming!” He threw her an impatient look before holding on to your chin so you were looking at him and forcing you to nod. “No adventures.”

This time the embarrassment of the absolute mess that was unfolding before your unfinished breakfast have overwhelmed your brain that you could only nod with him.

“No adventures.”

Sebastian smiled, one of those real, bright ones that makes your body malfunction and your heart to stop beating. Pressing one last kiss on the top of your head and managing to wave to your shared friends he was off and gone through the double doors.

The entire table was left in silence and you had hoped they would let this go but Natty couldn’t give you that mercy as she cleared her throat.

“Well, now I got even more questions.”

You’re not dating Sebastian Sallow you just think about him a lot.

You weren’t as daft as the rest of them have probably assumed. You did think there was a lot more than friendship between Sebastian and you. But with all the things that the two of you had been through it was difficult to pinpoint what it exactly was aside from their unusually intense loyalty to each other.

Was it a trauma bond? Was it just their kindred spirits refusing to let the one soul who understood them go? Did everything that they went through, the secrets they keep, the curses they threw to protect each other become the bloody ribbon that held the unhealthy attachment they had to each other? It could be love. But it could be a whole lot more complicated than that.

That’s what they were. They were complicated.

After the nightmare that was your fifth year the two of you had kept to yourselves with Ominis in tow, trying to keep as low as profile as possible and give your poor professors a break. With your newfound infamy as the ‘Hero of Hogwarts’ (blergh) and the dark secret you three were desperately keeping for Sebastian, the best you could hope for was to blend in with the rest of the nameless students in Hogwarts.

That agreement got shot into hell when your dear friend Sebastian Sallow proved to be one of the best beaters in Hogwarts’ long, long history. It was a dare that exploded in your own face to try out and irritate Imelda but when he had accidentally proven to be a bit too good at it their mutual friend clutched at him with her demanding claws and put him through the ringer until he got spat out decent enough to be one of the soldiers to secure the honor of their noble house and win the Quidditch cup this year.

Piled on top of that development was his connection to the Gaunt family, the Hero of Hogwarts, and the rumor of his hefty trust fund waiting for him the moment he turns 18 – Sebastian Sallow, just as the gods intended, became the most eligible bachelor of his age.

And thus your hell begun.

The silent charm he always had with him grew with his stature. He clearly enjoyed the attention after having hid his pretty bloody face behind dangerous books all year last year that it was almost like he was compensating for the hearts he could’ve broken. Every moon it was a different girl looped around his arms and every month it was a different friend reporting to you that your presumed ‘boyfriend’ was found snogging a goddamn Gryffindor in the Three Broomsticks.

It was annoying, confusing, and you were getting sick of it.

“Over here.”

Before you could find the source of the voice you knew all too well, a door had already opened and you were quickly pulled into an empty room – well, room was being generous as it was more of a storage space than anything.

“Sebastian!”

“Shh,” you gawked when his opened palm muffled your voice as he firmly presses it on your mouth. The unmistakable sounds of footsteps and a softer call of his name echoed the hallway outside the door. When the footsteps faded and disappeared, he had the nerve to give you a lopsided grin that turned your face red in irritation. Definitely in irritation.

Nothing quite like being forced to face the boy who had been running around your head all day.

“Sorry bout that, pet,” he chuckled, leaning on the wall an arms-length way from you. “I’m not too good with break-ups, especially when they say no.”

“Must be horrifying,” you sniped shortly, also pressing your back on the nearest wall to give you as much space as possible – it would just be absolutely mortifying to faint because your heart was beating too fast it was like it was trying to escape. “Are you gonna explain why you’ve kidnapped me in this dingy room?”

“Come on now, don’t be short with me. I just wanted to hang out with you ‘s all.”

“You want to hang out with me …. Inside a closet?”

He shrugged, “I never see you anymore these days.”

Ah, the nightmares must be back. She tries to swallow down the bitter taste in her mouth.

“That’s not my fault, Sebastian.”

At least he looked guilty. And absolutely miserable.

In the few weeks you had taken your eyes off him it would seem he had another growth spurt. Do boys just not stop growing ever? Looking up at him was starting to get painful. Plus, all those drills they run to prepare for every game had done nothing but well for his physique. You couldn’t help but run your eyes to his broad chest and shoulders before you caught yourself and nearly screamed in horror.

“Hey, I’m sorry,” Rough hands grabbed one of yours. He bent his knees so he could look in your eyes as you now outright refuse to meet his, in anger for the absolute shit friend he had been the past months or in embarrassment that you so casually checked him out you’re not quite sure. “I … I got distracted but I missed you. You know I prefer your company over any other.”

Those damned brown eyes, not even the poor light in the windowless room could dull its effect on you. “Flattery will get you nowhere.”

Your harsh words did not match with the growing smile on your face you failed to suppress. He mirrored your grin, “Do you still have classes?”

You shook your head.

He damn near vibrated in glee. Merlin, you did miss him.

“Let me steal you away.”

In a flash, Sebastian grabbed a hold of your hand to survey the hall one last time before dragging you out of the room and into the nearest Floo. You barely caught the surprise and anger in his ex-girlfriend’s eyes as she gawked by the stairs before you got swallowed up by a green flash of powder.

“Boathouse.”

You’re not dating Sebastian Sallow because this is definitely not a date.

You wouldn’t think the Boathouse would be a romantic place but with the lack of students, the dimming sun and a gorgeous boy leading you in the inside of it for privacy – you couldn’t help but think that anyone who would pass by would be well within their right to think you had become another notch in Sebastian Sallow’s belt.

You’re not sure how you feel about that. A greater witch would’ve been offended but maybe you’re no better than the knots in his belt.

“Sit here.”

Sebastian spread out a worn-out black robe on the ground, patting on it expectantly. Before you could do it yourself, he was already kneeling beside you and removing your shoes and socks. The intimate act forced you to hold your breath, making sure you controlled your face so your jaw doesn’t fall to the floor as he slowly pulled on your socks, gently plopping them on the edge and letting the Black Lake’s water tickle your feet as they dangled.

When you were settled, he nonchalantly laid his head down on your lap. Gods, help you.

“Comfortable, aren’t you?”

He made a dramatic noise of satisfaction, even wiggling in your lap to show his assent. A giggle slipped out of your mouth at the absolute gall of him, your hands naturally falling in his soft, thick, brown hair to play with it.

“What had you been up to, pet?” he mumbles, eyes never leaving your face although you find yourself unable to do the same as you opted to look around the architecture of the Boathouse you rarely visit.

“Nothing much,” you shrugged. “Although I did find that swimming in the Forbidden Forest’s Lake was surprisingly relaxing.”

He hummed, not even surprised at your little antics when you leave his line of sight. The boy had definitely pulled you out of worse situations than roaming around the Forbidden Forest. “You should take me some time. Merlin knows relaxing is what I need.”

A scoff escaped your mouth as you rolled your eyes.

“Yeah, right after I duel your newest girlfriend for the honor of getting to take you out.”

He poked your side at that, “As entertaining that would be you know all you have to do is send me an owl and I’d trek up to Maurenweem for you.”

Your face clearly showed you didn't believe him and he frowned. Carefully, you ran a finger in-between his brows where a frown formed to relax it.

At this angle you could see the toll the sleepless nights he must’ve been having had on him. If the bags on his eyes was any indication it must’ve been a few nights now. You ran your hands on his hair earning you a satisfied hum as he dangled his hand on the edge of the ledge to play with the water below.

“When was the last time you slept?”

He popped one eye open but your gentle touch proved too much as he closed it again with an even longer hum. “A few hours last night.”

“You should’ve woken me up.”

He gently shook his head, grabbing your free hand so he can hold it by his stomach.

“I didn’t wanna bother you.”

“Oh please, Sebastian.”

He chuckled at that, gripping on your hand tightly as he let out a heavy breath. “The nightmares … I thought it’s been better. Barely had any a few months ago. But now it’s just gotten worse.”

The confession broke your heart. Sebastian was not a vulnerable person; despite his usually easy and cheerful demeanor he was quick to wall himself in at the first sign of trouble. You would bet galleons of gold he still feels horrible of all the things he put you through and it was truly in desperation when he had called you over to help him through his insomnia. Which was also why you had welcomed the responsibility with open arms.

“Care to tell? Is it still about Anne?”

His estranged twin has been forefront of most of his darkest nightmares but he shook his head again and for that you were thankful he was spared that at least. “Solomon? Ominis?”

He opened his eyes; it was full of overflowing guilt and fear. And when it seemed he could no longer keep it to himself he sighed, “It’s about you. That’s the reason why I couldn’t …”

The revelation had your blood freezing. “What?”

He sat up, now facing you and taking both of your hands. “I’m only telling you this because you are my best friend and to remind you that none of this is ever your fault. You haven’t done a thing wrong, in fact, I can’t think how I would’ve gotten past any of this if it wasn’t for you.”

You held on to his hands tighter. “Sebastian, you’re scaring me.”

He shook his head, pulling you closer as if to comfort. Why was he comforting you when it was him who had been terrorized by this dream version of you. It was irrational to be mad but how could you not be when apparently you had become one of his problems while you were simultaneously desperately trying to fix it.

A palm on your cheeks pulled you out of your self-loathing.

“All of my dreams … it was of the people I love leaving me. Anne never forgiving me for the rest of my life, Ominis turning me in …”

“Oh, Sebastian,” you buried a sob on the crook of his neck, your hand roping around his back so you can rub on his back comfortingly while he lets everything out.

“And … and every time it happens my brain drives itself insane thinking of plans of what I would do if those nightmares came true. That’s the reason why I couldn’t sleep.” You looked up at him through your lashes but never leaving your spot even as he brings your legs out of the water and over his until you were in his lap.

“But then … they turned to you.” His voice dropped so low you almost shivered. “And for the life of me I just couldn’t … see an out of that. If I lost you – If you gave up on me I … I think I’d turn myself in Azkaban myself.”

“Sebastian I would never –”

“I know that,” he whispered. “But I still can’t – I can’t let it go. I can’t let go of these doubts and fear.”

This time he rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. “That’s why I keep hanging out with all those girls.”

You raised your head in confusion, taking a better look at him.

“I thought if I loved you less, my nightmares would be kinder.”

The breath got caught in your throat. What is he – does he mean –

“But I couldn’t do that either,” He sighed, rubbing a hand on his face, clearly frustrated. “So I’ve decided. I’d rather go insane, let the nightmares do their worst because I am done pretending I don’t love you. I’m done avoiding you, I’m done pretending you aren’t the only light in my life. I’m done. And I love you.”

A fully grown crying Mandrake could drop from the sky and you don’t think you would’ve heard it over your own heart. You could barely comprehend anything but that his grip on your waist was so tight it was almost painful and that his pleading, terrified eyes was in the perfect angle that the late dying sun made it look like it was in a golden fire.

And that Sebastian Sallow … is in love with you. Just as madly as you were with him.

“I’m not forcing you into anything. I needed to let it out. If you want, I fully intend to formally court you until –”

“I love you.” You could no longer bear to put him in such misery. As long as you were alive, he would not question the adoration you’ve felt for him that just kept growing since the first day he had taken you to Hogsmeade. “I love you, Sebastian.”

Just for a moment there was quiet then he burst out laughing. “Thank you, darling." His body visibly shuddered as he sighed in relief, burying his face in your chest. "I’ve already planned to throw myself off the highest cliff in Hogwarts if this had gone south.”

You wrapped your hands around his neck, accepting the gentlest kisses on your neck. “Don’t say that. I plan to be your girlfriend for a very long time.”

His body shook from laughing, this time a kiss under your jaw, “Not that long I hope?”

You frowned, pulling away from him, though his unrelenting hold prevented much space to be in between the two of you. “What do you mean?”

“Well,” his thumbs rubbed circles on your thigh, now seemingly shy. “If all goes well, I had hoped to be engaged by the time we graduate. You won’t be just my girlfriend then.”

"You bastard," You gawked, laughing at his proclamation. The happiness was overflowing in your chest that you couldn’t help but just squeeze him into you hoping maybe that your souls would fuse with each other.  “You haven’t even kissed me yet and you’re already pre-proposing?”

He licked his lips, his sleepless eyes now full of vigor. “Ah, we gotta fix that, don’t we, pet?”

“We’re dating.”

Natty sighed in relief.

Poppy clapped.

Garreth passed Imelda a silver coin.

"Excuse me," Ominis muttered, standing up. “I'm gonna request a room change to the Headmaster.”

[bookie-bookdust]

What actually happened here was he ate the last pumpkin pasty and didn't tell her.

[blueraineshadows]

One Year Later

To celebrate the first anniversary of the release of Hogwarts Legacy on the 10th February, a group of us on Discord decided to create fan work with the theme of One Year Later.

Sebastian Sallow x F!MC

Tags: NSFW, angst, depression, fluff, smut

7.5k words.

Just before returning to Hogwarts for 6th year, MC decides to pay a visit to the boy who opened her eyes to the darkness and fire of magic.

Darkness had fallen over the Highlands, the faintest strip of colour still clinging to the horizon as MC glided across the countryside on her broom. The late August air still held a lingering warmth, the breeze pleasant against her cheeks as she dipped lower, aiming for the cosy lights of the little hamlet spread out below.

There was a charm to Feldrcroft. Quaint cottages and beautiful scenery combined with the small community of magical folk made for a warm and pleasant feel. However, MC had memories of this place that still made her spine tingle with apprehension. She felt the tightness of anxiety claiming her chest as her booted feet touched down to the ground, the trees and grass that still had their lush, green foliage looked dark and hulking in the swallowing night. 

With her gaze fixed on one cottage in particular, she wondered if the occupant would be pleased to see her. She had not forewarned him, no letter or laid plans to come and see him. She had not thought to arrange it, thinking he wouldn't want her nearby to remind him of events that took place last spring. The time apart over summer break had been the space needed to try and come to terms with it all, but she had come to realise that she had missed him. 

She missed the boy who had urged her feet onto a path that had been dubiously dark but utterly thrilling. She had not looked for such things, and yet they had to come to her. Pain and suffering had come with it, secrets and darkness that still plagued her. But at the end of it all, she had found people who shared magical abilities. Her people. This was where she belonged. 

The pull of Sebastian Sallow had not weakened since parting ways with him at the end of fifth year. Despite everything, she was unable to forget him. His smile, his eyes, the way he would tease her, his intelligence, and yes, his darkness. If anything, it was the troubled streak that split through him that lured her in the most. There was a thrill about it, a curiosity. It kept her on the edge, but it had kept her alive, too. If she was truly honest about it, she had a dark and troubled streak of her own, and it recognised his, called to it even. A kindred spirit as he had once put it.

So, here she was, standing outside of his small, country home with her palm pressed against the aged wood of his door with her heart in her mouth. Thoughts raced through her head, tumbling together to heighten the tension in her chest. Would he shut the door in her face? Would he push her away, hating the reminder that her face would bring to him? Maybe he wasn't alone inside there, and she would be intruding. The thought made her stomach twist with something cold and slippery. 

She didn't turn away, though. It's better now than on September 1st when school was back in. She wanted to see his face. She needed to know how it would be when face to face with him, without the distraction of everyone else. 

Foolish or brave, she lifted her hand from the door, made a fist, and rapped firmly. The knock sounded loud and final in the quiet dark. Her feet twitched in her boots, tingling with the sudden urge to flee. He won't want her here. This was a mistake. 

The seconds stretched as she stared at the door, fixated on the grain in the wood as her ears strained for the sound of movement behind it. She swallowed, clenching and unclenching her hands until the sound of the latch came. The door opened a crack, and the shadow of a figure appeared against a warm, low light. 

Brown eyes peered curiously through the gap, a tumble of wild brunette locks framing a freckled face that had lost its roundness in their two months apart. His cheekbones were more prominent, shadows had darkened under his eyes, and there was a grim set to his jaw that made him look harder, older. 

His hand gripped his wand, aiming it subtly through the gap as his gaze took her in, his mouth parting softly in surprise as his eyebrows lifted. “MC.”

“Hello, Sebastian,” she said, managing a nervous smile. 

His gaze darted behind her, scanning the hamlet quickly before he returned his eyes to her, adjusting his wand slightly. He was on edge, and she was quick to reassure him.

“It's just me,” she said, holding up a hand. “I… I thought I would surprise you. A little visit before school begins again, but I can leave if you would prefer that. I don't want to intrude.” 

He lowered his wand, eyes still a little wary as he opened the door a bit wider. His dark blue shirt was open at the throat, and the sleeves rolled back. He wore no waistcoat, but braces held up his dark trousers, his shoulders broad, and his hips slim. Her eyes devoured the sight of him, catching up on missed time as he pushed a hand through his messy locks and stepped back, pushing the door fully open before gesturing for her to step inside. 

“Not at all, please, come on in,” he said. His gaze also took her in from head to toe, his eyes almost disbelieving as he moved to close the door behind her. “You will have to excuse the mess, I'm afraid. I was not expecting company.” 

She smiled, her eyes taking in the untidy cottage quickly, noting the cosy fire and huge pile of books stacked haphazardly by the chair. 

“I probably should have sent an owl first,” she said, fiddling with the cuffs of her jacket. “I'm sorry. It was an impulsive idea to come.”

“But a welcome one,” he said softly.

Their eyes met, his lips curving softly as warmth slowly entered his eyes. He looked tired, the boyish look of him long gone, torn away by hardships that nobody should have to endure. But, he looked like he had been eating, his clothes were clean. He had not fallen into a pit of darkness as Ominis had feared. 

Sebastian's eyes, now filled with warmth as he looked upon her, were no longer wary, sparkling with that special something that kept her at his side. It was him, still in there, no sign of any eerie glow of forbidden magic, none of the madness or fury that haunted her secret memories. Just Sebastian. 

“It's good to see you,” she whispered. 

His gaze dipped, shadows flitting across his face as pink coloured his cheeks. He fussed with his hair again and cleared his throat. 

“Let me get you something to drink. I have tea if you would like?” He moved towards the kitchen area, looking for clean cups. 

“Tea sounds perfect,” she said. 

….*....

The sound of his own laughter filled his ears, a sound that had become unfamiliar lately, and yet he welcomed it as he gazed across at the girl sitting cross-legged on the rug before his fire. Strands of her hair had slipped from her braid, framing a face that had haunted his thoughts all summer long. 

Fear as chilling as mountain ice had lingered as he imagined her not being able to bear the sight of him. Despite her hug at the end of last term, her goodbye that had stayed with him for days afterwards, he had been convinced that time apart would lead her to abandon him. As the weeks of summer break had passed, he had convinced himself that he had chased her away, that she would glare coldly at him across the classroom when they returned, or worse, she would ignore him completely.

After all, he was a murderer. He had tempted her into darker and more dangerous acts, led her astray, and shamefully coveted her power for his own selfish wants. Who would want to stay near someone like that? 

Even now, sitting here with her in his own home, her laughter warming that ice from the back of his neck, her eyes pulling at him like gravity that kept him grounded on the wooden floorboards. Even now, he could scarcely believe that she had turned up here. Uninvited, but so very welcome. 

They had not mentioned any of the terrible darkness that had torn through them in the spring. She was chatting about lighter things, funny stories, and urging him to smile and laugh with an ease that was stealing his breath. 

He had not realised just how lonely this summer had been until now. How he craved this interaction and connection. He could not stop staring at her, and his cheeks flamed whenever she caught his gaze lingering too long. He could not be inappropriate and chase her away. Not now that she was here and smiling at him. 

A glance at the clock revealed the hours slipping towards lateness. Soon, she would be gone. He counted himself lucky she was still here at all, flicking through the pages of a book as they discussed what might be in store this school year. He didn't want her to go. He had a feeling this new and welcome warmth would leave with her. 

Going back to Hogwarts tugged at the anxiety in his chest. Another year started with no Anne by his side, his friendship with Ominis strained and distant, his heart almost hollow and shadowed at the thought of being always alone. Dare he hope that MC would remain at his side. Was he asking too much of her again? 

Lost in his thoughts, he jumped when he felt her hand on the exposed skin of his forearm, her fingertips grazing softly over the hairs there. He almost shivered under the touch. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt the touch of another person, and he stared at the delicate shape of her hand. 

“Hey, it will be alright, you know,” she said softly. “We will be alright.” 

Slowly, he lifted his eyes to hers, fearing what he would find in their depths as the shadow of memories began to cluster at the edges of his mind. She was trying to hide her own pain, but he could see it. How could he not when he had shared so much of it? Been the cause of some of it?

“I am so sorry,” he said, shaking his head. His throat tightened, and the backs of his eyes burned. “How do you not hate me?” 

Her eyes widened, and she shifted closer towards him on the rug, her hand lifting to grasp his shoulder. “I don't hate you, Sebastian. Not at all.” 

It was hard to hold her gaze. Such beauty and warmth radiated from her face it made him dip his head, his own eyelids closing as staggering memory began to invade. Those lovely eyes had shone with horror, lit with the flash of spells cast to inflict pain and injury. She had watched him bring down his own uncle, murder a member of his own family in a whirlwind of rage and frustration that replayed over and over in his dreams, taunting him. His evil tendencies could have gotten her killed, too. The very thought made him shudder right there beside the fire. 

Shame coloured his cheeks, his flesh burning with it as guilt clawed at his insides. 

She should go. She deserved better. What kind of friend was he to her? The worst kind, that's what. 

“I wouldn't blame you if you did,” he rasped, pushing his hand through his hair, his fingers gripping at the tumbled strands. “I've done some terrible things.”

“As have I,” she said firmly. Her hand cupped his jaw, and he met her gaze, her fingers cool against his flushed skin. He swallowed hard. Her face was so close, so close it made his heart thunder. “We both did awful things, and it's impossible to change that now. But, we also did good things. We helped people, too. And we kept each other alive when it came down to it. You kept me alive with your tutoring and help. I could never regret that, Sebastian. I wouldn't be here if I did.” 

He stared at her, licking his lips and blinking as a tear slipped free from the corner of his eye. “Why did you come?” 

Her eyes, glittering with unshed tears of her own, were deep pools of warmth. He thought he could lose himself and drown in her eyes. He had found them fascinating from day one, felt such a thrill when they would seek him out across the classroom. He couldn't help but stare into them now, wanting to believe with his whole soul that she wasn't going to leave him.

“I missed you,” she whispered, her thumb sliding against the skin of his cheek. She blushed, blinking back her tears. “I wanted to see you before returning to school. Before everything, and everyone became a distraction. Nobody else will ever understand what happened, only you. I just… I needed to see you, I needed to know that you were alright, that we were alright. Does that make sense?” 

He nodded. “I missed you, too.” 

Her arms encased him, and he found himself held against her, his face pressed against her chest as her chin came to rest on the top of his head. Her scent filled his nose, soft floral elements and apples, and he inhaled deeply, his mind spinning as her hands slid through his hair and down his back. He shivered, closing his eyes against the ache of tears. 

“It will be alright,” she whispered again. 

He couldn't stop it. It was like a dam being released. Scalding tears leaked from his eyes and slid wildly down his cheeks, soaking into the softness of her blouse and darkening the fabric. He sucked in a stuttering breath, his fingers clutching at her blouse against her back and wincing as a hoarse sob escaped his mouth. 

“Fuck,” he said, his voice thick and strangled as he thought to pull away, but her arms only held him tighter. 

She was so temptingly soft, so warm, and yet the solidity of her body held against his felt like a life raft in a tossing sea. The fight seeped from him as her warmth began to spread through him. He shamelessly clung to her as sob after sob tore from his throat, and his tears soaked her blouse. She soothed him, held him, her hands gently roaming over him in a touch that he could feel deep in his bones. 

How was he ever going to be able to release his grip on her? To let go would be like being cast adrift. It was terrifying, and he thought he might never be able to breathe properly ever again. He wanted her to stay right here and never leave. No, he needed her to stay. 

“I will, don't worry. I can stay as long as you need,” she said, stroking his hair with gentle fingers. 

Had he said that out loud?

He stilled, fighting to get control of his emotions as her words slowly began to sink through his mind. He swiped a hand over his face and lifted his head to look at her. He saw the flicker of pain, her sadness, and a flash of pity as she stared at him. He must look like an awful sight, red eyed and pathetic, a sad little boy. 

Her fingers ghosted over his face, gently wiping away his tears. His skin craved her touch, and he yearned for it, already missing the warmth of her chest against his face where her heart had thudded so reassuringly near his ear. 

“You'll really stay?” His voice was raw and utterly vulnerable, and he felt so very exposed.

There was no judgement in her eyes as she nodded. “Of course.” 

….*....

It was quiet. So very quiet. The soft sounds of Sebastian's sleeping breaths on the other side of the curtain should have soothed her, but she lay on her back and stared up through the darkness waiting for sleep to come and claim her.

He had made up the bed with clean sheets, his eyes drawn to her constantly as he gave her a shirt to sleep in and tidied up before bed, almost as though he feared she would disappear. Her blouse hung on the dressing screen, the fabric soaked from his tears. Oh, how her heart had broken to hear him like that, the sharp pull of his grip on her clothes revealing the pain he held tight within himself. 

Her own torment had risen up and stuck in her throat as she had comforted him. 

She should have come sooner. She shouldn't have left him alone so long. 

The strange creaks and groans of an unfamiliar house had her wide awake, her thoughts spinning over the last year. She turned her head towards the faded curtain that separated her from Sebastian and realised that in a few days, she would have known him a full year. 

Her life had changed since last September. 

From a well-behaved, decent girl to an ancient magic wielding witch who could deliver death with a flick of her wrist. Here she was, laying in a bed wearing nothing but a man's shirt and her underwear, that same man sleeping in the next bed over with nothing but a flimsy curtain to separate them. Unchaperoned and barely dressed, she thought of the expanse of Sebastian's naked back she had glimpsed when he had readied for bed. He had freckles everywhere, the sight of his shifting muscles bringing a rising heat to her skin as she had skipped her eyes guiltily away. 

The matron of the children's home would have taken the belt to her legs for daring to be so brazen, and yet she stared at the curtain beside her and wished that she could see through it. 

Blushing furiously at the thought of Sebastian's bare skin, she turned in the bed to face the stone wall, her breaths quick and uneven as a fierce ache gathered between her thighs. She squirmed and closed her eyes, trying to think of anything else but him, but his scent was everywhere, and she could still remember the hard heat of his body as she had held him earlier on.

Fighting the fire in her blood and the dark memories in her head, she fell into a fitful sleep, tossing and turning until she was twisted in the sheets. 

Movement woke her, and she blinked against morning sunlight streaming around the thin curtain, taking a moment to remember where she was. Her hair was tumbled about her face, and she reached to brush strands aside, her heart leaping behind her ribs as Sebastian peered around the curtain with a cheeky smile. 

“Good morning, sleepy head,” he said, his eyes drawn to her bare legs that hung out from the twisted sheets. 

Blushing, she tugged the blanket over them, drawing them up closer towards her as that glowing heat in her abdomen nudged awake. 

“Morning,” she mumbled. 

Sebastian held out a steaming cup. “I thought you might like a cup of tea. I'm going to make you breakfast as well. It's the least I can do after you put up with me blubbering all over you last night.”

MC sat up, noting the flush of embarrassment on his cheeks as she arranged the blankets respectfully over her waist. She smiled and held her hand out for the tea. 

“That is very sweet of you, Seb,” she said, taking the cup from him. He was dressed in clean clothes, the fresh scent of soap wafting from his skin. Her gaze lingered over him, and she found herself patting the side of the bed. Fuck propriety. “Sit with me for a moment.” 

His eyes widened slightly, but he sat, turning to face her as she wrapped her hands around her cup. “Everything alright?” 

She smiled. “Let's do something today, something fun. Maybe you could take me exploring around your old childhood haunts. What do you think?” 

A smile twitched his lips, and he fluffed his hair. “There are chores to be done,” he said ruefully. “The wood doesn't chop itself, you know.”

She laughed and gave him a look that suggested she wasn't buying it. They both knew that a simple charm would have the axe swinging all by itself. He grinned at her as she sipped her tea. 

“It doesn't hurt to do things by hand sometimes. It's grounding. It reminds us that we are human after all,” he said. He huffed a laugh and shook his head. “Merlin, I sound like my parents. How very boring.” 

“Then I will help you around the house, we can pack a lunch, and then we can go exploring. Is that grounding enough for you, Mr Sallow?” 

He bit his lower lip, the old sparkle she loved appearing in his eyes. “You've got yourself a deal.” 

….*....

With the fresh sea breeze tugging at his hair and filling his lungs, Sebastian felt the foggy, dull ache around his eyes begin to recede. His eyes still felt scratchy and his throat raw after his emotional outburst yesterday, and he couldn't help but feel rather foolish for doing it in front of MC like that, but looking at her now as she searched for sea shells in the sand, he couldn't help but feel some of the heaviness lift from his shoulders and chest. 

The breeze played with her hair, her blouse rippling with it as she picked up a shell with a smile on her lips. She looked like one of those angels painted in muggle murals, the sun glinting off her hair, her cheeks delicately pink from the late summer warmth of it. 

It was so very hard not to stare at her. His gaze was drawn to her, and his whole body pulled towards her gravity, completely caught in her orbit. It stole his breath a little and made his head spin in a dizzying but delightful way. It was one thing to appreciate a pretty girl, but it was quite another to be utterly smitten with one. And he was becoming surer by the moment that he was smitten with her. 

Like the sun peeking through the darkest storm clouds, she had appeared on his doorstep and thrown back the shadows. She had danced in the same darkness as him, held his painful secrets alongside her own, and yet she had come back to him. It was more than he deserved. 

Spotting the delicate curve of a shell in the sand, he took out his wand and summoned it, letting it hover slowly over towards MC. The shell was perfectly intact, soft pink, and white curling into a graceful shape. MC’s eyes brightened as it appeared before her, those heavenly eyes swinging his way with a smile as she held out her palm. With careful precision, he let the shell sit in the cup of her hand, his gaze soft as her fingers turned it over to examine it. 

“It's beautiful!” She exclaimed as she held it up. 

He smiled, slipping his wand into his pocket as he began to walk closer towards her, his boots sinking into the soft sand. “Very beautiful,” he agreed, but he wasn't looking at the shell.  

Her eyes lifted to meet him as he approached, daring to stand rather close so he could get a closer look at her eyes. The breeze blew strands of hair across her face, and they both lifted their hands to tuck them back, their fingers grazing against each other. 

His heart thundered under his ribs at his boldness, his cheeks warming as she stared up at him, and he made to pull his hand away from her hair, but she caught his wrist to stop him. The rapid fire of his pulse made it hard to breathe as her hand slid up to link her fingers with his, their gazes locked on each other as though there was nothing else in the world to look upon. He realised that, even though he was partly terrified of what this might mean, he could quite happily stand and stare at her all day. Forever, in fact. 

She stood on tiptoes, leaning forward as she held his hand tightly, the soft sigh of her breath ghosting across his cheek before her lips pressed against the skin there in a quick kiss. 

He thought his lungs might burst and burn if he held his breath any longer, her eyes now so close he could definitely drown in them. 

“You should smile like that more often, Sebastian,” she said softly. “You have the most lovely smile, quite handsome, in fact.” 

Before she could even think about pulling away, removing herself from this perfect moment, his other hand caught her face in a gentle grip, his thumb sliding along the divine softness of her skin as he lowered his mouth to hers. It was the merest brush of lips, a soft taste in return for the one she had placed on his cheek, the tingle of it still there, along with the desire to feel more. 

“I shall save those smiles just for you,” he promised. 

He kept hold of her hand. Even when they left the beach and headed along the road back towards Feldcroft, their fingers remained laced together. She was a perfect fit, as though her hand had been made to be held by him, and it kept the shadows at bay. His own little ray of sunlight. 

….*....

After a long day of chores and wandering around in the sun, MC had been tired, her muscles aching pleasantly as she sat and ate a simple dinner with Sebastian. It hadn't taken much persuading for her to stay at the cottage another night. With only one day left until the start of term, she would have to fetch her things for returning to school, and yet here she lingered.

A second night of laying in the bed, staring up at the wooden rafters of Sebastian's house as he lay sleeping on the other side of the curtain. This time, her thoughts were on the way he had kissed her on the beach, his lips soft and warm, the touch of them delicate and tempting. There had been a fire in his gaze that called to her. Unspoken glimmers of something that felt like she was balancing on the edge of a discovery. 

He had not tried to kiss her again, but he had held her hand, his fingers grazing against her waist or her shoulder as they had prepared dinner. How many lingering looks would it take before he kissed her again? Did she dare steal a real kiss for herself? 

The very thought made her heart flutter, and her insides flare with aching flame. 

Burying her face into the soft feather pillow, she inhaled deeply and was reminded that Sebastian's scent was everywhere. He was everywhere, burying deeply into her soul until she wasn't sure where she ended and he began. She had not thought her heart could have been stolen so soon. At sixteen, she was fairly innocent in such matters, but there was something very powerful and almost frightening about the intensity with which she felt attached to Sebastian. 

Perhaps it was the trauma, the darkness of their secrets, and the power of being held in the grip of the fallout of them. Like her, he was alone in the world, and they had gravitated towards each other. His eyes had the power to weave threads around her that drew her in tighter and tighter with each lingering glance, the dark glimmer of such gazes a lure more powerful than magic. 

It's why she was here in the first place, was it not? Despite the real concern of how he had been faring, she had longed to be close to him again. 

Drifting on the tide these thoughts were carrying her on, she didn't hear the whimpers at first, the jerking shuffles of Sebastian shifting around on his bed. The sounds of distress began to filter through to her, and she sat up, tilting her head as she gazed at the thin curtain between them. 

Frowning slightly as a distressed groan sounded through the dark of the cottage, MC slipped from the bed sheets and stepped barefoot across the boards to peer around the curtain. 

Sebastian was indeed shuddering beneath his bed covers, pale moonlight filtering through a high window, illuminating him in a ghostly glow. 

“Sebastian?” She whispered, watching him twitch and whimper. 

He didn't answer. His eyes were closed, but moving rapidly beneath his lids, and as she stepped even closer towards him, she could see beads of sweat gathering on his forehead. He was dreaming, and it wasn't a good dream either by the looks of it. 

She bit her lip, sadness clouding her face as she stared down at him, knowing too well the kind of horrors that pulled you down in your sleep from her own night terrors. Worried about startling him, she hesitated before touching him, her hand trembling a little as it hovered above his shoulder. 

Then, he yelled, a shocking, harsh scream that ripped out of his mouth. MC gasped but didn't move her hand quickly enough. When he sat bolt upright in the bed, her hand hit his face, and he was lightning fast as he grabbed her. One hand clamping about her wrist, the other reaching up to fist into the front of the shirt she wore. 

He was like a cornered cat, hissing and frighteningly strong as he shook her, dragging her bodily forward before flipping her onto her back against the mattress. She yelped, her hair fanning out across the twisted sheets as he loomed above her, pinning her to the bed with an iron grip.

She stared up at his flushed face, his eyes wild and unseeing in the pale moonlight. 

“It's me!” She cried, her hands grasping at his bare arms, his muscles rigid under her touch. “Seb, it's me, please.” 

Breathing hard, he stared, his mouth a harsh grimace, his teeth bared as he gripped her. A sharp flash of fear shot through her, realising that he could hurt her if he wanted to, and her wand was beside her bed behind the curtain. She kept still, her own chest heaving with panicked breaths. 

“Sebastian,” she whispered. 

He became eerily still, his eyes subtly widening as he stared at her, really looking at her pinned beneath him. Her pulse was racing, throbbing in her ears, as he slowly came around to the reality of the situation. 

His gaze travelled over her face, moving down to where his hand had fisted the fabric of her shirt, gathering it tightly just below her collar bone. Her arm was pinned up behind her head, his fingers gripping so tightly at her wrist that she could feel her hand tingling from lack of blood flow. 

As a result of the struggle, her shirt was twisted up around her ribcage, exposing her waist and hips, his lower body pinning her to the bed in a rather compromising position. He wore nothing but a pair of undershorts, their bare legs exposed, his knees anchored against the bed. 

“What… how did you… MC,” he stuttered, confusion creasing his brow. He let go of her immediately, straightening up onto his knees as he pushed both hands through his hair with a groan of distress. “Did I hurt you?” 

His voice was strained, a pained wince on his face as he risked another look at her. He pressed his hands to his cheeks as his gaze roamed over her exposed flesh. “Oh fuck,” he whispered. 

MC hadn't moved, her arm still angled up above her head, her other hand hanging limp off the side of the bed as she fought to calm her breathing. “I'm alright,” she murmured. 

Sebastian shook his head, closing his eyes tightly as he moaned. “Oh gods, I'm so sorry.” 

He shifted his weight off her, sitting on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands. MC sat up slowly, rubbing her wrist as her gaze lingered over the moonlight reflecting off the skin of his naked back. Her fear faded, her lungs relaxing as she watched him. He wouldn't hurt her, not on purpose. She held onto that thought.  

“It's alright,” she said quietly, slowly reaching for him. Her fingers trembled as she touched them against his shoulder blade, his muscles tensing slightly as she smoothed her hand along towards the back of his neck. “I'm okay. You're okay. You didn't hurt me.”

“But I could have,” he said, his voice cracking. He turned his head to look at her, his expression so raw and open it stole her breath. “I could have hurt you. I'd never forgive myself if…” He gulped, raking his fingers through his hair again as he shook his head. “What were you doing out of bed?” 

“I came to check on you,” she said, stroking her hand over the flesh of his back in soothing movements. “You were dreaming. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” 

“I'm not sure I will ever be okay,” he said, his voice so lost and empty as he stared at the floor. “These thoughts in my head, I know I'm not supposed to feel them, but they always find me in the quiet of night. I try to fight them away, but I’m scared that one night they might get the better of me, that I will get what I deserve.” 

Her eyes burned, and she bit her lip, her chest tightening at the sheer depth of sadness in his tone. He looked defeated, shrunken, and nothing like the boy who had faced her in their first ever duel in Defence Against the Dark Arts on her first day at Hogwarts. 

“No,” she said firmly, shuffling closer to wrap her arms around him from behind. “That is not going to be your fate.” 

She pressed her face against the flushed skin of his back, smooth and warm against her nose. Her hands snaked around to press against his chest, a slight smattering of hair there tickling her fingertips. She held him tight, imagining all of her body heat and strength of affection for him flowing into him as she did so. She hoped that he could feel it. 

“You are going to be just fine, Sebastian. I will make sure of it.” 

“I'm not sure I deserve it,” he whispered. 

Her heart clenched, and she shook her head. No. He couldn't give up. If he gave up, then she would struggle to keep her own head above the drowning waters of everything that had happened. Together. Together, they could fight it and win, just like they always did.

Her lips pressed against his heated skin, and once she started, she couldn't stop. She needed to show him. He was wanted. He was loved. He did deserve it.  

She kissed up his spine towards his neck, moving to spread more affection with her mouth along his freckled shoulder. She felt the shift in his breathing, the subtle flex of his muscles as she moved back towards his neck and pressed kisses under his ear. 

Her name whispered through his lips, and his hands slid over hers at his chest, their fingers interlocking as he held them tight and close near his thudding heart. 

“Don't give up on me,” she pleaded. “You've got this. Sebastian Sallow never backs down from a fight, remember? And this is a fight. You have to win. Do it for me, do it for Anne, but most of all, do it for yourself.” 

This time, when he pinned her to the bed, she welcomed it, his mouth claiming hers in a kiss so demanding that it stole her breath in the best possible way. Arching her back in a delicate curve, his hands roamed over her waist, sliding up underneath her back to grasp the back of her neck as his hips rocked achingly against hers. 

It was exhilarating to feel his hands against her bare flesh, the shirt riding up to expose the tender peaks of her breasts. He moaned, his mouth moving from her neck to draw one hardening nipple between his lips, his tongue sliding hotly over it in a teasing swipe. 

She had never been kissed or touched like this before, but she wasn't scared at all, not even a flutter of nerves as his hand skimmed her hip, reaching under to squeeze longingly at the curve of her behind. 

“Stop me,” he panted, his tongue swirling against her breastbone. His hand moulded her backside, his fingers brushing underneath in a devastating caress that made her mouth open in a gasp. Heat flared dangerously. 

“No,” she whined, her hand fisting into the softness of his hair. 

His groan was feral, his mouth starved as he drew her flesh into a sharp suck that left her marked, his fingers swiping deeper under the curve of her backside against damp heat. She moaned in response, her legs widening shamelessly to welcome him. 

“Fuck, you shouldn’t make noises like that. I'm not going to be able to stop,” he said, his hips rocking against her, the nudge of his arousal widening her eyes as a shock of excitement blistered through her blood. 

Heart hammering and her breathing ragged, she tilted her pelvis, her body curious and on fire as she rubbed herself against him. He sucked air through his gritted teeth and released it as a groan, his forehead pressed between her breasts. 

“MC…” He warned, lifting his head to look at her. The blazing heat in his eyes sent another thrill through her. 

Heart in her mouth, but her head determined. She wrapped her legs around him, urging him closer, and he closed his eyes with a soft moan. He caught his lower lip with his teeth, his hips rolling against her in a slow, seductive movement that had her utterly lost. 

“Are you sure about this?” He asked breathlessly. “There's no going back from it. I don't want to take advantage of you.” 

“You're not,” she said, shaking her head. “I choose you.” 

The look in his eyes almost had her in tears, the stunned softness that made him go still, his hand caressing her face before he kissed her, slowly and thoroughly. 

It was more than just answering the burn of lust that fired their blood. Each caress, each press of lips, was an affirmation of their need to feel connected. The heat of skin against skin was soothing and arousing at once, what little clothing that formed barriers was discarded swiftly and without care, their sole focus to answer the plea in each other’s eyes. 

It was new and thrilling, each fumbled touch as they explored and discovered opened up new possibilities. The erotic and intimate nature of Sebastian's fingers delving deep into her core drew low moans from her mouth. Her body opened to receive him, her heart racing and her thoughts eager to learn the feel of being joined completely with him. 

The solemn lectures delivered by her matron at the children's home drifted through her mind, snippets about carnal sin and the proper way to behave. As her hands explored the lines of Sebastian's body, she couldn't fathom why anyone should deny themselves this intimacy. 

How could this be so terrible and wrong? The way Sebastian was looking at her, the worship he gave with hands and mouth, it made her feel alive. The bonds that had formed between them strengthened, sharpening to a burning point in her chest as he finally claimed her for his own. The stinging stretch as he filled her made her bite her lip, her fingers digging into his flesh as he began to move, his own moans of pleasure filling her ears. 

This was where she was meant to be. This was no sin. This was home.

Pressing his forehead to hers, their combined breaths mere heated gasps as their bodies found a rhythm together, MC stared into the deep, dark pools of his eyes. Lost in his shadows, utterly claimed by them as the tendrils of black curled around her essence and sealed their fate. 

“You're mine,” he breathed into her mouth, pushing even deeper into her, his grip tightening. “I'm never going to let you go.” 

“And you're mine,” she said firmly. 

His thrusts stuttered, soft sounds falling from his lips as he suddenly withdrew, the slick heat of his arousal rubbing lazily against the inside of her thigh before he came, spilling thick pools of release against her trembling flesh. She glanced down, curious and flushed as it dripped slowly to the bed sheets, his cock still firm and slick from their lust. 

Their bodies couldn't be any closer, arms and legs entwined as their flesh cooled and their breathing began to regulate. With her face pressed close to his skin, she could breathe him in, every lung full was a soothing comfort enhanced by the soft caresses of his hands. 

He was hers, and she was his. Together, they would dance with their shadows, and together they would defeat them. 

….*....

The soft glow of lamps lit up Central Hall in Hogwarts, a few Prefects were chatting in the corner and not really paying attention to the girl leaning on the balcony above them, her eyes lingering over the fountain before fixing on her destination. The library door. 

MC felt her lips curve upwards in a fond smile as she remembered arriving on this very balcony exactly a year ago, her stomach a bundle of nerves as she met the curious Slytherin boy who had no concerns about breaking school rules. She had been the new girl, desperate to impress, and yet, even then, so soon after meeting Sebastian, he had easily led her astray. 

Footsteps sounded behind her on the stairs and she turned to look over her shoulder, her smile widening at the sight of said Slytherin approaching. His gaze was curious, eyes twinkling with familiar mischief as he came right up close to her and pressed a soft kiss to her mouth. 

“There you are,” he said quietly. “And what brings us here at this time of night, sweetheart?” 

MC smoothed her hands down the front of his waistcoat, her eyes playful as she looked up at him. “Do you know it's exactly one year, to the day, that you smuggled me into the library so I could snoop in the Restricted Section? I think it was the first bit of rule breaking you taught me.” 

“Is that so?” He arched an eyebrow and glanced over the balcony rail. “A whole year of teaching you how to break rules. How naughty of me. So, are you up for a little more rule breaking, then? Is that why we are here?” 

She nodded, eyes gleaming. “I thought we could sneak back down there, for old times sake, have a nose around. I have it on good authority that there are even some rather naughty books to be found if we look in the right place.” 

“Naughty books?” His smirk was positively devilish. “Do you even have to ask? Count me in.” 

Tugging her closer and kissing her again, his hand clasped hers. His handsome smile combined with the wicked gleam in his gaze was enough to send her tummy into a riot of butterflies as they pulled out their wands. With a cheeky wink, Sebastian cast his Disillusionment charm and he vanished, his faintly flickering outline tugging her towards the stairs as she cast her own charm. 

This time last year she had been shaking with nerves, her palms sweating as they outwitted old Scribner. This year, her pulse flew with anticipation as they made it through the iron gates and hurried down into the Restricted Section. The element of risk added to the excitement of being alone with Sebastian, and it wasn't long before she found herself pressed into a dark corner, his mouth on her skin and his hand under her blouse. 

Their shadows hung in the background, the darkness always there waiting for them, memories coming out to play when they least expected it. But, they had each other. They chased down the shadows with the warmth of their smiles and the heat of their embraces. 

With Sebastian at her side, she felt unstoppable, truly alive, and ready to face whatever came next. She doubted that life would ever become boring. Not with him. 

After all, they did love dark, restricted places, and they both couldn't back down from a challenge. Even when that challenge was each other. 

[apathywriting]

Hogwarts Legacy Boys

~ how they learned about the Room of Requirement ~ Part One of Five Ominis Gaunt - warnings: fluff :) 2.2k Sebastian Sallow Leander Prewett Amit Thakkar Garreth Weasley

A/N: this is written from a third person point of view as I find it less jarring than first or second. However, writing for an unnamed character and remaining gender neutral outside of a second person POV is giving me whiplash and doesn’t make for a comfortable reading. For this series, I’m using feminine pronouns (She/Her/Hers) for best readability. If anyone has any suggestions or tips on using gender neutral terms outside of first/second person perspective without naming the character or would like me to post another version with masculine pronouns (He/Him/His), please let me know.

-- Currently, requests/asks are open :) --

“That will be another five points from Slytherin, Mr. Gaunt— and might you try to pay more attention to the order of steps listed on the blackboard in the future.” Professor Sharp's dreary voice droned across the potions classroom. Ominis was looking put out once again as his attempt at Draught of Living Death was still falling short of Sharp’s expectations.

From the other side of the room, she glared at Sharp. While Ominis was horribly depressing at potions, she couldn’t help but think it was due in large part to Sharp’s teaching methods— or lack thereof. Sure, writing the steps out on the blackboard was nice compared to focusing on the tiny font size of their textbook, but he hadn’t done anything more or offered any additional knowledge than what was written. She had long believed Sharp saw his post as a tide over until Professor Hecat retired from Defense Against the Dark Arts (with him being an auror and whatnot). She was disappointed that he could not be bothered to give his potions students a half-hearted education in the meantime. And now poor Ominis, who she knew wanted to study to become a healer, was suffering the consequences. The NEWT in Potions was required for entrance into the Healers Institute for Magical Maladies that fed into St. Mungo’s. As the class shuffled out a quarter of an hour later, she had made up her mind to help Ominis, should he accept it, and fell in step with him leaving the potions corridor, following the trail of students heading to lunch. 

“Ominis.” She greeted him, linking her arm with his free one— the other holding his wand loftily, guiding the way forward through throngs of students stopping to chit chat. 

He raised an eyebrow at her, but did not slow his brisk pace. “If you’re here to pile on, I think I’ve gotten enough flak from Sharp today. I can kiss my dreams of being a healer goodbye.” Ominis sounded positively forlorn, morose at his dwindling prospects due to an abysmal potions grade. 

“Oh don’t be such a blunderbuss Ominis, I was going to offer my help. I adore potions and I can’t stand that Sharp is making you detest such a wonderful part of Magic.” She playfully smacked his shoulder. His face was red as he took her arm and dragged her into an alcove, away from the students meandering the great hall. 

“Are you taking the piss?” He asked her seriously, holding his wand between them, and speaking in a low, husky voice. 

“Ominis— you know I’m not. Listen if you’d rather it be someone else, I’m sure you could ask Hobhouse, he’s decent at portions-“

“I wouldn’t trust Hobhouse to pour water out of a boot with the instructions written on the heel.” 

“Well then, looks like you’re stuck with me- and no I’m not taking the piss. Like I said before-“ she wretched her arm from his grip and readjusted her book bag on her shoulder, “I wish potions could be something you come to enjoy rather than suffer through. Would you please let me help?” She waited as he digested her words. After a minute, he sighed dejectedly and then nodded. 

“Thank you. Meet me on the seventh floor of the Astronomy Tower at seven o’clock- the empty corridor before the classroom.” He gave her a strange look but nodded again. She smiled at him one last time before turning on her heel and rejoining her classmates heading toward the great hall. 

—

Seven o’clock came and she found Ominis waiting for her in the seventh floor corridor, leaning wearily up against the wall, his wand in hand, loose at his side. He was looking a little worn, he had ditched his school robes, his sleeves were rolled up, and his tie was a bit loose. She almost tripped, staring at him. 

“Should I be concerned with this rather inauspicious meeting place?” He asked, noticing her presence. 

“It’s only fair I think— you allowed me into your hideout in fifth year. I may finally be ready to share my hideout this year.” She walked past him, straight down the corridor. He moved to follow, but she waved him back. 

“And where, pray tell, in this empty corridor shall I find your hideout?” He had stopped as instructed, still holding his wand loose, but sounding more intrigued than bored now. 

“Patience, Gaunt.” She drawled, turning on her heel and marching back across the corridor. On her third past, a whirring sound could be heard coming from the walls and a door materialised right in front of Ominis. 

“Woah!” He said, dragging his wand across the air in front of him, taking in the full marvel of the wrought iron doors that hadn’t been there a moment ago. “Has this always been here?”

“Yes and no. It’s a bit complicated.” She grinned at him mischievously and held the door open for him to enter. Landing on a cosy alcove, the room beyond them was full of streaming sunlight- the shadows giving Ominis stunning contrast with his wand. A glass pavilion stood across the great room, a conservatory perhaps, or a greenhouse. It was flanked on either side by curling staircases leading up to a second floor and two more glass enclosures. 

“What is this place?” Ominis asked breathlessly, stumbling into the center of the room. 

“This is the room of requirement - well, rather my room of requirement.” She followed a few steps behind him, wringing her hands together nervously. He was the first person she’d ever invited here, into her sanctuary. Art she had collected from all over the countryside hung on the walls, a Persian carpet from a traveling vendor in Keenbridge covered the floor, and a matching set of floral high back chairs with matching poofs she had just acquired from Craigcroft were nestled in the back corner. It felt— well it felt intimate bringing someone else here. 

Seeing the look of confusion on Ominis’ face, she hurried to explain, “The room of requirement presents itself as needed, as required you could say, depending on the seeker's needs. When I first started in fifth year, I needed a place to practice my magic— a place to grow potion ingredients and practice my brews, and when I started rescuing beasts from poachers,” she gestured to the glass enclosures, pointing out a fourth on the opposite wall that Ominis hadn’t noticed before, “the room created safe spaces for them as well.” 

Ominis turned to look at her in awe, “You mean to say these enclosures” he gestured “are vivariums?” 

She grinned at him, “I do have some Valerian growing in the grassland vivarium, which we’ll need to brew the Draught of living death. If you’re okay with a few beasties saying hello, I thought you could join me?” 

Ominis gaped at her. It took him several moments to compose himself back to the usual stoic, Gaunt demeanor before replying “I would quite enjoy that, yes. Lead the way.” She laughed at him, but took his outstretched hand, hiding a creeping blush at his soft touch, and led him up the staircase and into the grasslands. 

Ominis couldn’t quite grasp how the threshold worked between the room and the vivarium with his wand, but he did note the sudden change in temperature– from cosy and warm to a cool autumn breeze brushing against his skin. He could feel the floor change under his shoes. The warm solid wood floors were gone, replaced with worn cobblestones leading down into a plateau. On one side, a ruined castle sat atop a cliff edge, to the other, a babbling brook ran noisily alongside them. His senses were overwhelmed as his wand expanded his view - beyond the immediate clearing to a small cottage raised on a cliffside across the plateau and a pavilion, benches, and a small burning fire pit next to it. Ominis couldn’t help it, he let out a laugh. He couldn’t begin to fathom how big this vivarium must have been, he was picking up an entire mountain range beyond the cottage and castle ruins.

“Oh look! Jupiter would like to say hello.” Her hand squeezed his. His heart did a backflip– he had never let go of her hand. 

“Who’s Jupit– Ah!” From above them, a bright red, towering bird swooped, landing directly in front of Ominis. “Oh my.” he swallowed the lump in his throat. Jupiter was a Phoenix. “Wherever did you find him?” Ominis asked, breathless. She giggled.

“He found me actually. He had been running from a group of poachers for quite some time I think. When I came along he was more than happy to follow me home. I think he was tired of running and knew he would be safe here.” At her words, Jupiter bowed. “Here,” she pulled out her wand and produced a small, coarse hair brush with it, handing it over to Ominis. Jupiter ruffled his feathers and took a small step closer to Ominis who was now having difficulty breathing, “he likes when you brush right under his beak.” Ominis looked from her to Jupiter and then to the brush in his hand. Jupiter shuffled closer to him again, raising his head expectantly. Ominis gave him a tentative brush which Jupiter immediately leaned into, closing his eyes. “I think he likes you.” 

If Jupiter had his way, Ominis would have stood brushing him all evening, but as it was they were here to work on potions. She was able to lure him away after a bit, levitating pieces of food across the sky; they watched him swooping through the air to pick them up, one by one, before landing on the banks of the creek for a drink. Ominis watched for a moment and the peacefulness of it all. This is how she spent her fifth year? He fought back a wave of jealousy. If he played his cards right, she might share it with him– at the very least he could bargain for more potions tutoring. She couldn’t argue he wasn’t in desperate need of any help he could get. The sound of her laughter pulled him from his thoughts and drew his attention back to the Phoenix. A cat that was much too large to be a cat had come up behind him and was batting at his flight feathers while he drank. He turned, looking  incredulously to her, “That’s Athena, she’s a kneazle. They’re best friends, really- she just likes to play. She was just skin and bones when I found her caged up at an abandoned campsite. Poor thing didn’t have an inch of fur or whisker left then, but look at her now!” Ominis watched as Jupiter beat his wings a few times, making the kneazle’s ears go back but did little to discourage the tail batting. 

“She’s beautiful.” Ominis was once again fighting a lump in his throat, suddenly realising for a second time that her hand was still in his. 

“Come on-” She was smiling again, he could hear it in her voice. She dragged him down the path, towards the cottage. Ominis could feel the warm sunset on his face as she brought him to a small garden patch between the cottage and the pavilion. Valerian flowers bloomed alongside muggle plants he didn’t recognise. 

Ominis could hear his mother’s shrill voice in his head as they dug up the plant’s roots for harvesting. She would have been displeased  if she saw him digging into the dirt with his bare hands wearing a white dress shirt and she would have been murderous if she saw him harvesting potion ingredients like a muggle, his wand forgotten in his pocket, relying on his sense of touch and her guidance in pruning. She talked while they worked, explaining the different muggle plants dotted throughout her little garden. There was St. John’s Wort, a collective of small yellow flowers the muggles used to treat hysteria, Lavender, which was said to have a calming scent and, Echinacea from the Americas, which was believed to help settle the stomach. He noticed a white flower off to the side she hadn’t addressed and asked about it, “What about these over here? Are these used in muggle healing?” He asked seriously, eyeing the slight drooping of petals. 

“Not exactly– these are tulips. They don’t really do anything healing wise, but they’re my favourite flower, so I like to have a few in my garden.” She was blushing again, caressing the petal of one of her tulips.

”What colour are they?” He asked and she was relieved to hear a tone of curiosity rather than ridicule.

”They're white. They grow in Holland, but they usually plant bright colors, yellows, pinks and reds, oranges— I don’t know why, but I’ve always preferred the white.” She hesitated watching him, waving his wand over them in interest. “In any matter, they will not benefit your potions skills. We best head back.” 

They walked arm in arm leaving the vivarium, holding a decent collection of valerian roots between the two of them. Ominis was sad to leave— the vivarium was warm and welcoming. Her cottage with her little garden surrounded by mountains and beasts felt like something out of a fairy tale.

“Don’t look so sad Ominis, you’re welcome to come back and visit Jupiter to your heart’s content.” He could hear the smile in her voice as she guided him over the threshold, back to the warm, quiet room of requirement.

[ps-cactus]

No Voices But Ours | HL oneshot

5,400 words | also posted on AO3 and Wattpad Ominis x f!MC, & Sebastian (unnamed MC, no appearance descriptions)

Thank you, the ever-amazing beta @accio-bagel

Tags and TWs: Major Character Death, Post-Canon (10 years later), Haunted House Vibes, Thriller, Mystery, Unreliable Narrator, POV Multiple, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Survivor’s Guilt, Redemption, Tragic Love, Tragic Friendship, Hallucinations, Implied Suicidal Thoughts, Found Family But Also Lost Family, Depressive Themes, Nightmares.

Summary / Preview:

If the past calls, can you ever ignore it? Should you run—or listen closer?

Ominis is right, of course. Sebastian Sallow died months ago, and she saw it happen. He’s gone. Completely gone, because this is certainly not a ghost. She recalls clearly from Hogwarts: ghosts are visible, faintly tangible, capable of conversation, and some even of heated discussions. Whatever voices reach her, whether in dreams or waking hours, they don’t truly exist. It’s nothing more than something perfectly normal that comes with grief—the wish that he were still alive. ... Tonight, he receives another reminder that it's not even a ghost. He knows what ghosts look like and how they behave... Sebastian crouches down but makes no effort to pick up the book. Resting his palm against the polished wooden floorboards, he feels this again. The faint, rhythmic pulses, like the ghost of a heartbeat. After all this time, he knows the pattern—once the rhythm fades, all the odd sounds fall silent too. Not forever, no, but for a while at least. Usually, it fades fast. And it's fading already. Good.

“Are you hearing him again?”

Familiar hands grip her shoulders firmly, bringing her back from the depths of sleep. They also force away a lingering echo of her own scream that still rings in her head. She lets go of the wall where she had probably instinctively clung to escape the familiar rhythmic pulses coursing through every surface in moments like this.

“Yeah,” she answers, feeling the scratch in her throat, and hastily adds, “I know. Just a dream.”

Ominis brushes a strand of hair from her forehead, and she knows he’s using the gesture to feel for fever. She watches his face, bathed in pale moonlight, and his eyes, where this light glimmers in fleeting reflections. It keeps her from acknowledging the never-ending shadowy hallway looming behind him. At night, this house always seems oppressively enormous.

“Just a dream,” Ominis reassures her, placing a light kiss on her forehead. The suffocating dread slowly fades, and sleep starts pulling at her again.

Ominis is right, of course. Sebastian Sallow died months ago, and she saw it happen. He’s gone. Completely gone, because this is certainly not a ghost. She recalls clearly from Hogwarts: ghosts are visible, faintly tangible, capable of conversation, and some even of heated discussions.

Whatever voices reach her, whether in dreams or waking hours, they don’t truly exist. It’s nothing more than something perfectly normal that comes with grief—the wish that he were still alive.

x

Sebastian doesn’t move, hardly even breathes, standing barefoot in the dark corridor. The moonlight carves a pale path beneath him. The screams have faded. Except for the ones that will never leave his head, of course. But in his mind, that same voice isn’t screaming. It’s casting spells. Calling his name sometimes. Spitting out curses occasionally.

But here, it’s always the same—a scream of fear, a scream of pain. He holds back from speaking to that voice again. Maybe there’s no voice at all. Maybe it’s just this old house driving him mad. Tonight, he receives another reminder that it's not even a ghost. He knows what ghosts look like and how they behave. This is a haunting punishment.

He checks a few unused rooms, just in case—filled with nothing but silence, as expected. 

Of course. He’s just going mad, plain and simple. Serves him right.

He leaves without another glance back, retracing his steps toward the bathroom.

x

The trees stand bare, having surrendered into an early slumber even before winter’s touch, yet she always finds comfort in strolling through the garden. Especially as soft strains of a piano drift through the air from a slightly open window. 

She is careful enough not to glance toward the far end of the grounds, taking an early turn to avoid the white tombstone among the old oak’s fallen leaves. Clutching the book she failed to concentrate on to her chest, she lifts her head, absentmindedly looking for the seagulls in the silent sky, but the island’s autumn fog is thick as wool, even at noon.

Lunch passes soon, as unremarkable as so many that came before. The house-elf follows every request, preparing the meals exactly to their liking, but they all taste like nothing to her. Just like the familiar groans of the floorboards, the whispers of the drafts in the old house are simply background details she doesn't even notice anymore.

But her cup slips from her fingers, rolling on the table and sloshing its remaining tea the moment she hears a sharp, furious thud from the room above.

x

Sebastian brushes the book off the table. Useless. Worse still, he can’t even leave to search for something more useful on his own, depending instead on booksellers he barely trusts.

But there is always this fear whispering to him: what if, by leaving, he risks the protective spells faltering or vanishing altogether? He doesn't trust his own magic anymore. Whatever that risk is, it isn’t one he can take. He has to finish what he started. No one must find him before that. He won’t be able to explain. No one could ever understand.

He barely understands himself these days. Least of all can he grasp what truly happened after she used the spell meant to rid them of the relic for good. But he just blacked out—no other term fits better. When he regained consciousness again, it was long past the moment it mattered.

Maybe the confusion goes back even further, because he still has no explanation how the relic found its way back to him after almost a decade.

He hadn’t looked for it, of course. That much was certain. The moment he saw it again, he knew only that it had to be destroyed. He had the audacity to ask his friends for help without having any semblance of  a plan. What a fool. How dare he even call them friends now?

x

She quickly says, "There's something upstairs," even though Ominis hasn't yet asked. He’s just frozen, worried, across from her at the table. “Something fell. Dusky, see what’s going on up there.”

The house-elf, having already cleaned up the tea from the table with practiced efficiency, nods and disappears with a sharp pop. 

x

A muffled pop, both remote and unnervingly near, makes Sebastian turn to the middle of the room. Nothing. 

A second noise, like the lingering reverberation of the first, makes him blink and peer at the empty space. Still nothing. Not a shadow, not a whisper. Not a ghost.

He almost wishes it were just a ghost. He wonders if just a ghost would even bother speaking to him. Or would it simply linger, observing in silence, with no words to give? Would it despise him? Or pity him?

He’d take hatred over pity any day.

x

“Nothing?” she asks sceptically, irritation rising as the elf shrugs and shakes his head. She knows he returned too fast. She sees he’s scared. “Are you lying?”

His frantic head-shaking intensifies, eyes flickering in panic for a moment before he dashes from the room.

“House-elves can’t lie,” Ominis notes calmly.

“Wait!”

The elf doesn’t stop, his retreating steps disappearing down the hall toward the kitchen. She turns sharply toward Ominis.

“House-elves can’t disobey, either.”

x

Sebastian crouches down but makes no effort to pick up the book. Resting his palm against the polished wooden floorboards, he feels this again. The faint, rhythmic pulses, like the ghost of a heartbeat. After all this time, he knows the pattern—once the rhythm fades, all the odd sounds fall silent too. Not forever, no, but for a while at least. Usually, it fades fast. And it's fading already. Good.

He frowns at the book on the floor before eventually placing it back on the table, where there’s still a little space left among all the glasses and plates.

Beneath the papers, Sebastian notices an envelope resting at the very edge of the table. This one holds nothing but more grief and pain. So be it.

He tugs at the corner of a letter a little. The recipient’s name stings his mind. His own handwriting looks foreign. It’s the last letter he ever sent here. He never should have written it. Even if it had been the last thing he ever did, he should have handled it alone. 

Well, it doesn’t matter anymore, does it? That’s exactly how it will be now. Alone as he is, and with this probably being the last thing he ever does, he will see the relic destroyed. There are already a few ideas he’s considered. For instance…

A gust of wind scatters some papers from the table along with that letter, making Sebastian glance up, noticing the seagulls flying by again, their cries unusually loud today. With an annoyed flick of his wand, the window snaps shut, and the glass rattles in protest.

x

“...Or suddenly go mute! But all of this—” Her voice rises, frustration mounting with every syllable of a conversation they’ve already had too many times—until she stops. “Did you hear that?” 

Ominis doesn’t answer, focusing instead on making a genuine effort to understand, just as he does every single time she hears something he does not. As usual, for him, there’s only silence. Her chair screeches against the floor right before she darts past him out of the room. Soon, her hurried footsteps reach the top of the stairs.

Ominis hesitates before going after her. Whatever these ‘sounds’ are, they terribly exhaust her. She doesn’t know how to stop them or make some sense of them, and he has no idea how to help. All ever since that day.

He still remembers the rage that consumed him—his entire being, the whole world at once—when Sebastian, after ten years of a perfectly decent life, claimed that the relic had simply turned up in his house. How convenient, Ominis said then, because it was agonising to realise that every bit of faith he had in his friend’s redemption had been misplaced. 

However, she had always been the one willing to trust people, to believe in them. It’s because of her he agreed to listen to Sebastian at all. Now her faith is likely the reason she still can’t accept how truly catastrophic his mistake had been and why she can’t let it go. 

When Ominis finally follows her into the room, she comes to him at once. He searches for any disturbance, any inconsistency in the signals from his wand—but there’s nothing. Nothing but silence and stillness.

“There’s nothing.” Her voice comes out quiet, almost shaking, just like her hands. “I don’t know… Must have imagined it. Sorry.”

“No, don’t be,” he squeezes her hand slightly, repeating the simple words that still seem to help them both. “It’s alright. It’s an old house; I used to hear things here all the time. It’ll pass.”

Later that night, Ominis leans over a sink in a bathroom far from their bedroom, gripping the porcelain with both hands. The rush of water fills the silence around him.

Yes, he still remembers that all-consuming rage. But the rage and anger are long gone. Ominis has had no will for anger in a long time. The little strength he does still have, he hoards for forgiveness but never quite reaches it. If there’s one thing he has in excess, it’s pain—so much that, deep down, he knows exactly what she feels, far better than he cares to admit.

Each time he jolts awake from that nightmare, detailed as ever, Ominis edges closer to acknowledging what she had always seemed to know. That the person coming to their house that day wasn’t a reckless teenager, but a man genuinely terrified of something he wanted to but couldn’t explain. Terrified of what came true after all.

Odd enough, Sebastian’s death had never once appeared in his nightmare. The final moment is never about him at all. And her dream is the exact same. There are moments when Ominis almost speaks aloud the theory forming in his mind. He may not hear voices or strange sounds, but he feels the way the silence here lingers unnaturally. It makes every room feel emptier than it should, stretching the time even. Or the way the fire in the hearth loses its warmth the more attention he gives it. The simple yet so complicated theory. Almost impossible. Rather insane.

“No. This is ridiculous,” Ominis murmurs, shutting the tap off. He presses his hands, insufficiently cooled by the water, against his face. Wrapped up in his own mind on this troubled midnight, he fails to notice that the tap seals itself shut, ceasing its quiet dripping.

x

Sebastian twists the tap tighter and hurriedly returns to his usual spot—the blanket spread out on the bathroom floor. Thick enough that he can’t feel the subtle impulses beneath him, though he knows, without a doubt, that they’ve started the moment the tap started dripping by itself. 

He sleeps right here often because the space is just small enough not to smother him with its hollowness and because, until now, this was the only place where they had never reached him. He always hears them from afar, from other rooms, but never here. 

Although now he would swear on anything, he just heard Ominis’ voice right beside him.

He isn’t afraid of such things anymore. He doesn’t even indulge in these imagined voices, either, weaving the illusion that he was never at fault at all. But lately a mere voice seems a rarity, because what he hears more often is the scream. And it gets closer. Just like the voice was right here in this room. As though any semblance of peace is vanishing from his reach completely.

x

“You’re gone… you’re not real… you’re gone…”

She rushes through the garden, her tears sliding off her cheeks just as fast. This time, she doesn’t turn away from that path. She is barely awake from yet another dream that returned the terrible, aching thoughts. 

She doesn’t even wait for Ominis to come back, so desperate is the need to see the tombstone again, to remind herself of reality, of acceptance, and—please—just calm down.

It’s too late to change anything. She must live on. Must focus on the future, or at least the present. Anything but the past. 

She steps closer to the white stone standing out in the darkness and wipes off the soggy leaves clinging to it. Her fingers trace the rough-cut letters briefly before they freeze.  

x

Sebastian hugs his knees closer, still sitting on the bathroom floor. Her voice. The deafening ‘No!’, as distant as it seems resounding straight from within his own head. He senses the faint, rhythmic pulses coming off the floorboards and walls. Stronger than he’s ever felt them. The pain is no longer confined to his chest; his whole body hurts.

He knows what’s doing this to him. Knows it’s punishing him and knows why. But he can’t take it anymore. No matter how—it just needs to be over. He has to act. He has to try. 

As he stands, he keeps his gaze on the door, refusing to acknowledge the mirror. One of the reasons is the grey in his hair. As if he has any right to still be here, growing older, when they will never get the chance.

Determined, he steps into the hallway. 

Each step down the creaky staircase is deliberate, and the grip on his wand is firm. 

All the resolve drains from him as he reaches the entrance to the vast, empty basement. Almost empty. He leans into the cold stone as his breath catches.

Is he really allowed to take another step? Will it let him even try? What if it already knows what he wants?

The house drafts feel much colder than before. He’s barefoot again, clad in only pyjama trousers and a thin shirt, but sweat drenches his skin.

x

As she drops to the ground, the wet leaves beneath her knees smear into mud. Ominis calls her name again and again, but her voice is just as lost as her mind might be. It’s only when he touches her shoulder that she jolts and tries to speak again, unsure, however, she will make any sense at all.

“Th—there…” She chokes out, unable to finish, her eyes locked on the letters on the white stone. “And you… your…” 

Ominis kneels beside her, dropping his wand on the leaves. One arm wraps around her, steadying her trembling body, while the other gently finds her face. 

“Shhh… I’ve got you, shhh… It’s alright.”

That’s when she notices that unlike her, he hasn’t even thrown on a coat. She doesn’t think when she starts to rise, oddly happy there is a reason to leave. She keeps swallowing her tears, trying to say, “It—it’s freezing. Why are you—”

“No, it’s not,” Ominis stops her. There’s tension in his voice, but it carries a quiet steadiness hers lacks. “Feel it. The wind, the ground—they're not cold. Please, just stop and feel.”

The request stuns her for a moment, but she lowers her hand to the damp leaves. Her fingers dig into them, seeking for the earth beneath, searching for a chill that should be there, that must be there—but isn’t.

“How? Why?” Her voice falters as her eyes snap back to the white stone. It doesn’t make any sense. She begs it to be some nonsense. Another nightmare. She finally speaks the words she had meant to, even as each one feels unbearable. “Ominis, the tombstone… It has our initials. Both of ours. Ominis, please… Why?”

“That dream we both have sometimes,” he says, drawing closer, his fingers skimming her cheek again. It hurts him too, to speak, but he can’t keep holding this in. “You had a feeling it was the truth, didn’t you? But something stopped you from saying. Like a word on the tip of your tongue, just out of reach, no matter how hard you try to grasp it, so you let it slip away.”

The truth. 

The truth is somewhere so painfully close.

It is in so many things she keeps both accepting and hopelessly missing. All this time, she had never questioned when their break from work, taken months ago, would end. There were no letters sent or received. No owls for so long. No seagulls in the ever-quiet sky, not once in months. 

And yet, she never questioned it. 

She had turned away from these questions, just as she had turned away from the tombstone, because deep down, she knew too well. Because even though Sebastian’s body and the relic had vanished without a trace, she knows that the stone was more than a memorial and that beneath it, the ground was not empty.

She knows why the nightmare always ends there. 

She understands why it always ends the same way.

x

Another drop of sweat trails along his temple, blending into the single tear streaking down his cheek as Sebastian steps into the basement. He lights a few torches along the walls.

The relic waits, undisturbed, right where he left it. 

A monument to his foolishness. 

Spells are echoing in his head again, desperate, never-ending. 

Slowly, he advances toward the small pyramid on the stone floor, more surprised at each step. It didn't even let him this near that day. 

Blink. A glance to the side—that’s where Ominis was. He was closer, so Sebastian reached for him first, fingers searching for a pulse. He hoped. Listened for breath. Heard nothing. Blink. His eyes dart to the farthest, darkest part of the basement—where she fell. Walking toward her, he knew already. Blink. He turns, just for a moment, toward the door. That’s where a curious house-elf was peeking inside, terrified. 

Sigh.

He raises his wand, aiming directly at the relic. He doesn't know if he could cast the spell or if he could even force out a single word and what might follow. 

He simply wants this all to be over.

x

She once believed that facing some kinds of truth can be painful enough to unravel someone completely. And still, even through the ache, her mind is sharp; it feels clearer than it has in such a long time. To understand, to recognise the truth, is now as effortless to her as drawing breath had once been. A pang of guilt and disappointment in herself stirs inside her—is she really so selfishly determined to deny her own destiny that she chose to believe it had belonged to someone else?

For so long, she had been spiralling, lost between reality and endless illusions, unable to comprehend whatever this is that’s happening to them. But now all her thoughts, both clear and still taking shape, flow down her cheeks in the form of tears… 

No, not quite. They flow onto the fingers that slowly trace her skin.

Ominis is here. Beside her, just as he always has been. Even as she pulled away, as she lost herself, when he had been struggling just as much.

“Ominis, I’m so sorry…” She whispers, leaning on his knee, clutching at the thin fabric of his pyjama trousers. “I’m so sorry…”

“No—Why?” His hand moves carefully as he brushes against a stray strand of her hair near her face before returning to settle beneath her chin. 

“I think… the last thing I remember before everything changed… Is using Ancient Magic. Something went wrong. That must be why we’re both… I’m sorry. I don’t know… Merlin, I just…”

"No, don’t say that," he says firmly, holding her tighter against him. "We made that list of ideas together, didn’t we? We all chose to take the risk. That relic was far more complicated." He breathes in deeply before continuing. "You remember when I said that if it found him, rather than the other way around, it could be worse than anything else?"

She watches as his hand trails down her arm, finding her hand clenched into a fist on his knee. Carefully, he unfurls it, weaving his fingers through hers. 

“I do. It would have meant this relic is so powerful and complex, it may have something like a consciousness of its own…” She looks up at him. “So… you believe him? That he didn’t try to find it again?”

“I truly don’t know. But if both he and the relic are gone, and that means he’s facing it alone somewhere... then I genuinely hope he can overcome it.”

“He loathes himself so much. There’s so much pain inside him. But whatever happened then, I know the relic has no hold over him anymore.” 

Her eyes drift back to the gravestone with six letters on it. It hurts more the more she understands; her mind is flooding with all the realisations she used to suppress. And yet, she still doesn’t fully get it. “You truly haven’t heard anything? Nothing at all? No thuds, no footsteps, no voice?”

“I swear, I didn’t hear anything,” Ominis says, as if regretting that it’s true. “No voices but ours, no footsteps, nothing unusual at all.”

“But you had the same dream as I did?”

“Yes.”

She grips his fingers tighter, and his thumb strokes hers in slow, steady movements. Her mind swirls with thoughts, and though some facts settle easier than others, they wound her just as deeply. 

Sebastian has some bond with the relic because he once wielded it, and she has one because she attempted to destroy it with magic she believed she understood. Could that be the reason she had heard his voice? 

But why—why is Ominis here? And the elf...? What if she is the reason they are all somehow trapped? That would be too cruel. Is there any part of this she can still change? Is there anything left for her to undo at all, or did all the possible moments pass beyond reach?

“What if… maybe this is all just another dream?” She breathes out, pressing her eyes shut, unable to handle the number of questions—some unanswerable, some too painful to even voice.

Ominis says nothing. He simply leans forward, pressing his forehead lightly against hers.

x

Sebastian clenches his teeth so hard it hurts—from sheer anger. Mostly, he is furious at himself. At the foolish fifteen-year-old boy who once decided this damned thing was the answer he needed. 

The relic had changed—there are no Inferi on its edges, it seems smaller, and utterly silent. And he didn’t black out after unleashing magic on it, spell after spell. 

Still, none of it worked.

The only thing left to try is the spell he had used the first thing back then. The relic had changed so much in the months. Maybe this time, it will work. 

Anyway—

He is so done he’s ready to tear the whole world down and himself afterwards just to make it all end. He takes a deep breath, his wand already starting the precise movement.

A flash. 

A thunderous crash.

He freezes, eyes narrowing as he notices something new. The smallest, almost invisible crack on the relic’s surface. He feels something he hadn’t felt in eternity—a sharp, unexpected jolt of joy that almost makes him laugh. 

x

Ominis lowers his hand from her face, his head tilting toward the house.

“There’s someone there,” he whispers, his words almost lost in the wind. “It’s not the elf.”

“True… Not an elf,” she whispers back, placing her palm to the ground again out of habit, expecting the usual pulses, but there is nothing. The shock of it—both the missing sensations and the man standing before her, whom she hadn’t seen for so long—is so great that it takes her a moment to realise she wasn’t the first to notice.

“Hold on, you actually heard it?”

The silhouette doesn’t move closer, stopping just a few steps away.

“Is that… Is that you?” The distant voice wavers, hesitant, uncertain.

“I hear,” Ominis nods. “It’s Sebastian.”

“Forgive me,” he still hesitates, as if afraid to take another step. “I fixed it. I think I did. Just… please…”

For the first time in forever, the voice doesn’t come from within her own head—it’s real, right beside her. His real voice. But the weight of the new suspicion is so heavy, so full of sorrow, that if they had been near the island’s shore, she is certain the grief alone would have pulled her under the waves straight to the ocean floor. From the way Ominis remains perfectly still and silent and only furrows his brow, she knows he feels the same. 

The brief hope they had is mercilessly gone.

x

The pyramid’s peaks emit a soft silver glow, their rhythmic pulses no more spreading through the ground and the walls. A faint light seeps from the crack, sluggish and indifferent, as though the relic knows it has no audience. And even if Sebastian Sallow weren’t lying motionless on the stone floor and was still able to be interested in anything, he wouldn’t have seen this glow no matter how hard he tried.

The glow pulses at the four peaks, climbing the ridges toward the highest, the only still unlit point. When it reaches the top, it gives a last, weak flicker. And fades.

A last, feeble shudder runs through the relic. Then, there is only stillness. Probably the kind that exists in the last fragile second before an unstoppable storm.

The relic cracks. 

One thin line becomes many, crawling over the relic’s surface like vines overtaking a house, claiming it entirely.

x

“He just vanished,” she murmurs in disbelief. She barely has time to process it before noticing something worse. “Ominis, the house—it’s fading. Something’s changed.”

The world transforms quickly. She doesn’t even have time to describe what she sees, but soon there is nothing left to describe at all. The wand on the ground is gone. Ominis’ arm remains wrapped around her waist, and she suddenly understands that she must not let him go, so she clasps his hand and presses it tighter against herself.

The house is gone. The elf is nowhere around. There’s even no earth beneath them anymore. No leaves. Nothing but the blackness where the world used to be. 

Beside them, on what looks like a floor made of black glass, lies Sebastian. In the vast, consuming darkness, the only glow emanates from beside him. Covered in an endless network of fine lines, the relic appears to still be whole only because of this soft, familiar glow.

“He destroyed it,” she realises, looking closely. “The relic. It looks slightly different now, and it carries a little trace of Ancient Magic.” 

“So using your magic wasn’t the wrong choice. Maybe that’s what altered the relic and allowed it to be destroyed. But why did he appear so briefly?”

“He’s… he’s here as well.”

She guides Ominis’ other hand to Sebastian’s shoulder, and he tightens his fingers uncertainly around the damp fabric of the shirt. 

“Tell me, is it just me, or…”

She knows. She doesn’t understand why, but she’s glad to know. “This is strange, but… yes. Maybe…” 

She glances around quickly, but there is nothing. Nothing at all. The void stretches on, endless, empty. The last traces of the faint glow continue to fade. 

“Nothing?” Ominis asks, but she can hear it in his voice—he knows the answer.

“Nothing,” she says, because she has to say it out loud. “If all this was tied to the relic, that means we… we’ll be…”

She knows, with unbearable certainty, what’s happening. There’s nothing they can do to change it. And the only thing that truly matters now remains unknown—what comes next.

“Hey. It’s alright. This is just a dream. Any moment now, we’ll wake up,” Ominis murmurs, lightly lifting her chin. “You hear me? There will be no more nightmares. All of them are over now.”

She watches the tiny reflections of light flicker in his eyes as she trembles in his arms again. She doubts it will happen the way he describes, but the way he says it soothes her.

So she accepts it.

And from acceptance comes peace.

From peace comes… hope. The last one. 

She reaches for the silver glow of the relic, if anything of the original relic remains at all. For the last time, she calls upon this magic, and it obeys, eagerly, almost as if it’s glad to. The glow drifts with her hand as she lowers it onto Ominis’ fingers, which have just returned to Sebastian’s shoulder, as if he had known exactly what she was about to do.

“It’s alright,” Ominis says, leaning slightly toward Sebastian. “It’s not your fault. None of us is to blame.”

“No more nightmares,” she adds firmly, watching as the edges of their fingers blur, dissolving within the dwindling glow. She looks away, squeezing her eyes shut, curling forward, her forehead pressing against Ominis’ chest.

The sharpest pain now comes from knowing that their final days, their last months together, had been filled with confusion and suffering. And that those months were truly their last.

“I… I wish we had more time,” she says.

“Let’s find each other again when we wake up, alright?”

She barely nods. “Alright.”

“Just please, don’t be too hard to spot. I’m not exactly great at hide-and-seek.”

A weak laugh escapes her as she sinks further into his embrace. His hand settles over her head. His other hand moves slowly, smoothing down her back in a measured rhythm—steady, unchanging, like the tide rolling in and out. Her trembling lessens with each pass of his touch, and at last, she feels safe, fully sheltered—not just from the endless emptiness that’s already around, but from whatever comes next.

x

The last traces of the silver glow fade away. The relic lingers only for a heartbeat more, as if offering a final farewell, before it shatters into countless fragments, each no larger than a speck of dust.

xxx

Sebastian Sallow’s pulse hammers against his ribs, wild and unsteady. Each breath he exhales pushes the tiny piles of dust away from his face. He doesn’t dare to move yet. 

He listens. 

The voices reach him, but for the first time, they bring no fear. There is no anger in them for some reason. No hatred. He doesn’t like that. He thinks back to his own thoughts, but the weight of self-loathing is no longer there somehow. It isn’t his choice—he doesn’t want any relief—but he lacks the strength to fight. His gaze catches on the scattered dust, and suddenly, he knows what it is.

He actually did it. It worked. The relic is gone.

As he steps outside on unsteady legs, he shields his eyes from the light that burns his eyes. It’s too bright and feels almost too warm for autumn. He looks toward the white tombstone. There’s no one there, of course.

He trembles, feeling his body surrendering to exhaustion. He stumbles back inside and sinks onto the first sofa he finds. 

He sleeps for hours, peaceful, dreamless, and unmoving. This sleep will definitely settle something inside him. When he wakes up, he will know what to say to people who keep asking. He will know how to return to work he once loved, and he will love it again. He will live.

And no one in this house will ever suffer another nightmare.

P.s. I couldn't have said in the beginning but it was partially inspired by 'The Others'. Thank you for reading, your feedback is very much appreciated ❤️🥹

[sparkling-ariaria]

Hogwarts Legacy fics I read and want to keep...

*Complete fem or non-specific reader insert fics* Upd: 13.02.2025

"You are everything. Everything. It’s true." by sebswebs - Sebastian x gf!Reader

Mon Amour by sebswebs - Sebastian x gf!Reader As their 7th year begins, Hogwarts has been chosen to host the Triwizard Tournament. Upon the arrival of the beautiful girls of Beauxbatons Academy, MC is feeling overly insecure before she has even had a chance to reunite with her boyfriend after the summer.

He's so in love by hufflepuffwitchhh - Ominis Gaunt x Reader Ominis is in love with you. Now, who's gonna tell him? Alternatively known as: ten times Sebastian knew Ominis was in love with you vs the first time Ominis knew he was in love with you.

Her touch by thenerdykneazle - Ominis Gaunt x fem!Reader Ominis had never been fond of being touched. Or, at least, he had few positive experiences with it. That changed with the arrival of the new fifth-year.

Catnap by pluvpluvpluv - Ominis Gaunt x gf!MC x Sebastian Sallow

Strained by ravenelyx - Ominis Gaunt x gf!Reader Exams have taken a toll on you and your health - especially your eyes. Thankfully, Ominis is there to take care of you.

I like you(r) by ravenelyx - Sebastian Sallow x Reader Sebastian likes a lot of things about you, like your sweet perfume... or your lips.

Cute little boyfriend moments headcanons by ashisgreedy - Garreth Weasley

Flowery Language by galaxiasgreen - Garreth Weasley x gf!Reader Garreth gets you flowers, and things go terribly wrong.

Scriptorium to Sepulcher (AO3 link) by RGKO Side story to "The Raven and the Snake" by choccymilky. Takes place after the scriptorium scene. Ominis is depressed about finding his aunt's remains and his two friends want to help him.

A Jeweled Promise by forbidden-armotentia - Ominis x gf!Reader Ominis gifts his girlfriend a necklace, which can only be unlocked with parseltongue.

Judge of character by sebastians-niffler - Sebastian x hufflepuff!Reader When professor Howin assigns a task on caring of a niffler, Sebastian has a bit of a hard time. That is, until you give him the confidence he had hidden all along.

Never have I ever by emptycauldron - Ominis x fem!Reader Ominis is dragged to a Gryffindor party, where MC teaches them all a Muggle drinking game.

HL Charas react to MC as a cat animagus by hogwartslegacyreactions2

Golden by btsbabe7 - Sebastian x Reader Watching the sunset within the grassland vivarium.

You Were The First by spaceyaceface - Ominis x f!Reader Ominis Gaunt has never known affection. He has never known how it felt to love---to be loved. She came and changed all of it.

Comfort drabble by bluerainshadows - Garreth x fem!Reader

You look better in green by fierymiasma - Sebastian x fem!Hufflepuff!Reader In which Sebastian sees the new transfer student wearing someone else’s scarf and proceeds to absolutely lose it.

Moonlight drabble by galaxiasgreen - Ominis x Reader In search of distraction from Ranrok's rebellion, you dance with Ominis in the Undercroft.

Now that I "see" you by huffleflufflefly - Ominis x Reader You came up with an idea to enchant a pair of glasses to help him see. You’ve tried quite a few times, but you felt this pair was the one!

Sleep by islayhawkin - Ominis x Reader At home Ominis had to sleep on the floor as a punishment so he still feels safest sleeping on the floor.

A moment of your time by applinsandoranges - Andrew Larson x fem!Reader Andrew has a certain way of grabbing MC's attention - and her affection. Old habits die hard, not that she'd ever want him to stop asking for her time.

Liquid Courage by forbidden-amortentia - Ominis x fem!Reader Ominis gets startled in potions class and accidentally grabs onto MC's thigh.

To Hogsmeade by hollowwrites - Garreth x fem!Reader Experiencing the Hogsmeade guest with Garreth.

The Gardener and the Alchemist by hollowwrites - Garreth x fem!Reader Garreth asks you to break into Honeydukes…again.

What do you propose by hollowwrites - Garreth x gf!Reader

The weight of anger by thatsoanjie Sebastian doesn't exactly see eye to eye with you on goblins... can he be reasoned with?

Mon amour, mon ami by milunalupin - Ominis x FMC Where you're a major fan of History of Magic.

[yoshitsuno]

Hogtober Day 20 : MC x Canon

Ariane de Tandail & Sebastian Sallow

- Ariane..? -What I did was unforgivable, Sebastian… By trying so hard to prove to everyone who I was, I ended up losing myself. And Tristan paid the price for my insolence and selfishness… I never wanted to hurt him…

______________________________________________

For the context of this scene, we're a few days after Tristan was rushed to the Mungo's hospital. Ariane, feeling rejected by everyone and depressed after putting her brother in danger, is becoming increasingly isolated. And Sebastian is trying to get back to her, and to make amends for calling her ignorant. That's when he realises that Ariane is in the same situation as he is now: having a brother or sister cursed by Rookwood.

[sunnyrealist]

Chapter 01: A Prologue Chapter 02: Yellow Personified

The Sun, the Moon, and All Our Stars (rewritten!)

Hi! After working on this story for about a year and a half, I've decided to take a break from creating new chapters for now to focus on rewriting from the beginning. I hope you'll give the new and improved version a chance. Constructive feedback is always welcome and much appreciated!

Nine years after the events of Hogwarts Legacy, Sebastian Sallow has little hope for a positive future. While serving a life sentence in Azkaban, he managed to escape with the assistance of a terroristic organization of Dark wizards. When the Ministry of Magic eventually caught up with Sebastian, he struck a deal to serve as a double-agent and bring the gang to justice as a means to his freedom. Lonely, traumatized, and depressed, he never imagines his luck will change. But one moonlit night, it does. Fate intervenes in the form of Kate Mayflower, the Hogwarts assistant librarian. Infinitely optimistic and kind, she helps Sebastian find joy and peace again as he regains his humanity and rebuilds his life. While their journey towards happily ever after is a turbulent one, they slowly learn to trust in each other, believe in the power of true love, and heed the lessons from the past in order to grow. Tags: Romance, Fluff, Fast Relationship, Strangers to Lovers, Smut, Adult Relationship, Settling Down, Happily Ever After, True Love, Domestic Bliss, Soulmates, Fate, Reincarnation/Past Lives, Mutual Pining, Humor and Banter, Redemption, Drama, Angst, Secrets, Trauma and Healing, Coping Mechanisms, Grief, Hurt/Comfort, Dark Magic, Wizarding World Gangs, Undercover Work, Violence and Danger, Death, Revenge, Familial Relationships, Parental Disapproval, Pureblood Society, Expectations, Friendship, Kindness and Compassion, Goals, Hopes and Dreams, Illustrations Pairing: 25-year-old, post-Azkaban Sebastian Sallow x 24-year-old Kate Mayflower, my original character and the Hogwarts assistant librarian Word Count for First Two Chapters: ~4970 Art Credit: @giselsann Link to Wattpad Link to AO3

Chapter 01: A Prologue

Albert Sallow glanced at his watch. 9:15. Scribbling his name and the time into the log, he yawned fiercely, recalling the early morning wake-up caused by his screaming infant daughter. He shook his head at the memory. The moment he heard the baby’s wails, Albert had darted out of bed so that Sage, his exhausted wife, could take in a few more hours of much-needed sleep. Never mind that he had been assigned a nearly impossible task at work; she deserved the rest. 

As an Unspeakable in the Department of Mysteries, Albert could not disclose, even to Sage, what his work entailed. Her curiosity was endless, yet he could not even breathe a word to her. Little did she know that Albert’s own family heirlooms - rather famous ones - had suddenly disappeared. 

The door to the Love Room unlatched as soon as Albert’s name was written in the log. He opened the huge door only just enough to sidle inside, then closed it immediately. Hit with the enchanting scent of honey, lavender, and jasmine, he knew that the Amortentia fountain was in full working order. It was difficult to focus at times when he needed to work here; sometimes, he even needed a charm to dull the scent before his mind was flooded with thoughts and images of his wife. 

Strolling towards the shelves, Albert's eyes searched for the box he needed. “S. and K. Sallow, 1874-1979.” He lifted it up, taking it to the large community desk across the expansive space. Inside were various items and a large black binder. Easing himself into the leather chair, he flipped the binder open. Paintings and photographs of a happy, handsome couple through the years, letters, copies of an ancient spell, and more filled the file. 

The end of the binder contained two empty pockets in which very small artifacts could be stored. There were two images of the items inside the pockets - precisely what Albert needed. He plucked the photographs from the binder, using a charm to copy them. 

The artifacts in question were two ancient moonstone rings. 

Somehow, the rings had vanished from their place within the case file. Albert’s boss had pulled him aside to explain the situation regarding the bands; since they were Sallow family heirlooms, it was in Albert’s best interest to investigate and locate them.

The case file of Sebastian and Kate Sallow was well-known to the Unspeakables who worked full-time in the Love Room. Reincarnation was not a topic widely understood, despite centuries of research and experimentation. Albert, though not an employee in this particular department, was fascinated with their story. He was too young to have known his ancestors personally, yet he felt a deep connection to them and their lives. Perhaps because his great-great-great grandmother had been a librarian and avid bookworm, their story had been well-documented and preserved through the years. He was eager to locate the rings that had caused the couple’s reincarnation and reunion and supposedly would allow them to be born again in another lifetime. The Love Room Unspeakables did not believe that the reincarnation process had continued as of yet; they were waiting and watching for certain conditions to take root. It could potentially take centuries, they explained, but Sebastian and Kate would live on, thanks to an ancient spell and the rings.

Albert hoped that whenever it were to happen, that their souls would have a much easier time of it than in their past iterations.  

Examining the time yet again, Albert found it was 9:32 now. He spent a moment considering his schedule today and realized he was not officially needed anywhere until his meeting in the late afternoon. Knowing he may have some hours to himself in this room, he decided to read through the case file again.

Chapter 02: Yellow Personified

Diagon Alley, May 1899

Loud hollering and laughter carry across the tavern. 

The Leaky Cauldron is more alive tonight than Sebastian Sallow was hoping. Drowning in Firewhisky is not quite as easy when one’s attention is constantly drawn elsewhere. His jealousy, masked as annoyance, is clear as he scowls at the table across the pub that seems to be causing at least half of the noise. There, a group of about ten young adults grin, cackle, and shout in merriment. Sebastian wonders how long they’ve been here, hoping they’ll all be on their way soon so he can properly wallow in his darkness and misery. It’s impossible to achieve when the sounds of content companionship fill the air. Their table is littered with empty mugs and cocktail glasses - perhaps they’ve had enough. Narrowing his gaze, he throws suggestive thoughts their way, trying to anchor them to their minds. Float on home now. Time to leave.  

No such luck. 

Instead, there are encouraging shouts as a young woman stands and glides to the front of the large table with the grace of a selkie goddess. As if a life preserver was thrown his way, his interest suddenly awakens and bobs to the surface. His eyes grow wide.

She tucks a strand of her long, blonde hair behind her ear and then throws the rest of it behind her, letting it settle midway down her back. The ocean of her hair is calm, with waves only at the bottom, carrying daisy passengers up above. Her dress, yellow and long, only adds to the effect of the sea at sunset. It rides her body tightly, accentuating the feminine curves of her body; her breasts swell and fall, only for her hips to ripple out again, and then subside. Her short sleeves are puffed, keeping her fashionably afloat. 

Brown packages and bags decorated with colorful ribbons are tossed to the head of their table as offerings to the golden angel. She smiles, her rosy pink lips widening before her perfect teeth. Her eyes sparkle as she listens and nods, agreeing to something. Then, her dainty hands begin to untie a bow and rip open the paper of one of the presents. She shrieks with laughter upon opening the box. Sebastian strains his eyes, trying to determine what was inside, but he’s just too far away to be able to tell. All of her companions erupt into giggles, men and women alike.

As the young lady speaks and picks up the next gift, her head suddenly turns Sebastian’s way, her eyes focusing directly on him. He realizes he has been watching her for far too long. Immediately, his eyes flick down to his Firewhisky, feigning fascination in its composition. She narrows her view, looking for just a moment longer before returning to the attention of her friends. 

Sebastian knows he shouldn’t keep staring. He knows. He just can’t seem to help it, continuing to observe her for hours like a creep while he nurses drink after drink. It takes a great deal to get him buzzed these days; alcohol is just about one of his only escapes from the daily torture of his pathetic, meaningless existence. What’s the harm in looking at a beautiful girl for a while, anyway? It’s not like she’d ever want to talk with him. She has her people; he has his bottle. He takes a large swig of his Firewhisky, enjoying the burn as it distracts him momentarily.

When Sebastian orders another round, the barkeep gives him a pitiful look. He scowls at this; he doesn’t deserve anyone’s sympathy. He fixes his gaze on the countertop in front of him. Then a familiar feeling settles; someone is watching. Sebastian’s senses pick up on this immediately, his eyes opening wide to scan his surroundings. It’s her. Yellow personified. She’s studying him. When her eyes meet his, she turns pink for a moment, then looks away. 

A wordless game of spying continues. As the night goes on, Sebastian observes as the girl’s companions start to disperse, one by one. By 12:30, only two of her friends remain, holding hands and whispering in each other’s ears. The golden girl smiles and speaks to them from time to time. She glances at Sebastian frequently with curiosity.

His brows lift when she stands up, an empty drink in her hand. He follows her with his eyes as she makes her way over to the bar, slinging a purse over her shoulder. As she strolls towards two empty stools, her eyes flick up to Sebastian’s, but when she notices his own gaze mirroring hers, her head whips away from him, embarrassed to be caught. 

Should I approach her? Is it worth it? He weighs his options as she comes closer.

Two teenage girls sitting nearby decide to vacate their seats. One of them clearly drank far more than she could handle; she appears dazed and stumbles off of her stool. She attempts to correct her footing but fails, bumping hard into Yellow Personified. The empty tumbler she was kindly bringing back to the barkeep slips from her grasp and shatters on the wooden floor; her bag also tumbles to the ground, its contents spilling everywhere. The teenager slurs a pathetic apology, rushing out of the pub with her friend’s arm around her. 

Sebastian immediately rushes to her aid. She already has drawn her wand, casting a charm to repair the broken cup. 

He smiles as he crouches down beside her. “Please, allow me to help.”

He quickly gathers some of the items that fell, placing them back into her purse - a quill, a silver comb, a barrette decorated with pearls, and a tiny tin filled with peppermints. Finally, he notices a piece of parchment that had fluttered out, and he grabs it. Before he can stop himself, his curiosity gets the better of him; he discovers that it is a to-do list on the official stationery of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A student? She doesn’t seem young enough… When his eyes quickly read through some of the items on the list, it quickly becomes clear to him that she must be a staff member. 

“Oh, thank you,” she murmurs to Sebastian as the glass rematerializes in her left hand. 

“Of course,” he replies, his voice low. He holds out the parchment. As she takes it from his hand, her fingers brush his, causing her breath to hitch. “Wouldn’t want you to forget to… write letters of recommendation for the seventh-year helpers, now, would we?” He chuckles. 

She gently takes the to-do list from him, an expression of mirth on her face. “We certainly wouldn’t.” Her grin and giggle are infectious and impossible to resist. 

Finally getting to see her closely, he is taken aback by her eyes - sparkling, bright, and as blue as the summer sky. He gazes into them for a moment longer than he should, already feeling as though he has lost all ability to think or reason. Everything and everyone else has disappeared, and all that exists is her sweet laughter, her joy, her… sunshine.

When the two of them stand, Sebastian discovers that she is far more petite than he realized when he had studied her from afar. He easily has twenty centimeters on her, if not more. Her physique is feminine, and he imagines that underneath her clothing, her form might be quite similar to sculptures of ancient Greek goddesses. Everything about her seems soft and curvy and heavenly to touch. 

She’s beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

Sebastian knows that his chance of anything serious with her is slim to none. He has nothing to offer. Who in their right mind would have any interest in someone like him? He is a criminal - not just that but a murderer. He barely managed to escape a life sentence in Azkaban prison and only did so with the help of the most notorious terrorist group in the British Wizarding World. He is a man whose freedom relies entirely on the whims of the Ministry of Magic’s Department of Magical Law Enforcement and whether they continue to deem him competent enough to continue serving as a double-agent to bring down that very same gang. He has no money, nor a permanent place to call home. The unfortunate truth is that he is a bloke with no connections - he has no one he truly considers real friends, and, well, his entire family is dead. The list of qualities deeming him unsuitable as a long-term partner is endless. 

But yet, something within him urges him to try. It isn’t likely to pan out, but she seems so sweet and friendly - what if it could?

And if it couldn’t, he still might play his cards well enough to have her in bed tonight.

“Sebastian Sallow,” he introduces himself, holding out his hand. “May I have the pleasure of making your acquaintance?”

She accepts it, studying him excitedly. “I’m Kate Mayflower.”

Like a proper gentleman, Sebastian leans down, briefly pressing his lips to her dainty hand. “It’s lovely to meet you, Kate.” He allows his hand to linger on hers for a moment longer than necessary. “You seem familiar to me somehow, but I don’t believe we have met before.”

“I thought the same,” she acknowledges, flushing pink.

“May I buy you a drink?” he asks, hopeful.

Kate smiles. “Thank you. That’s very kind.”

As he ushers her towards two empty seats at the bar, he adds, “I… take it that you are celebrating tonight. Is it your birthday?”

“Yes, it is,” she replies as she settles on the stool. “My 24th.”

“Well, happy birthday, and many happy returns.” He gets the attention of the barkeep. “A butterbeer for me, and for the lady…”

“A Fizzy Lemon, please,” Kate orders. “Thank you.” She pauses, then turns towards Sebastian. “So… What brings you to the Leaky Cauldron tonight?”

“It’s been a long week at work. I came to relax, have a drink, and just do some people-watching,” he answers. “I’m an Auror.”

Impressed, Kate’s eyebrows rise. “Really? That has to be an interesting profession. I know how difficult it is to get into that line of work. A couple of acquaintances of mine tried, but they didn’t make it past the application process. So many requirements…” 

“That’s true. Luckily, I had the right connections and skills,” he tells her with a smirk. “What about you? You work at Hogwarts, right? I saw the insignia on your parchment.”

Kate eyes him in wonder. “You’re quick to catch on. Yes, I work at Hogwarts. I’m the assistant librarian.” 

He inhales sharply in surprise and delight. “Really? You’re a librarian at Hogwarts?”

“Yeah. I love it there, but… I am definitely looking forward to the summer holiday. I can’t wait to catch up on some novels I’ve saved. Working with the students is great, but it is so tedious to clean up after them all the time. That, well, and working with Madam Scribner… definitely takes a toll.” She gauges his reaction, knowing full well that almost everyone who ever went to Hogwarts hates Madam Scribner.

A goofy smile creeps across Sebastian’s cheeks as Kate mentions his least favorite staff member in a negative light. “You must be a saint for working with Madam Scribner. She used to hate me when I was a student. I was always sneaking into the restricted section.” He laughs, and his expression turns a bit sheepish.

Kate begins chattering away now that she knows they have a common enemy. “Well, Madam Scribner has been talking about retiring for years now. I am hoping this is her final year so I can finally have the- oh, I shouldn’t even breathe it! I’m getting ahead of myself.” Kate pauses, stopping herself from saying too much. “Anyway, she and I have very different perspectives on the library in general. Personally, if a younger student has a good enough reason, I’ll let them right into the restricted section.” Kate tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, then grins mischievously. “So, you were a bit naughty at Hogwarts, Sebastian? What were your reasons for needing the restricted section?”

“My parents were professors long ago, and they instilled in me a thirst for knowledge. There are so many things Hogwarts doesn’t teach, and I took it upon myself to learn all I could, even if some of the information might have been considered… controversial.” A nostalgic look comes over his face. “To be completely fair, I was quite the troublemaker back then, and I very much enjoyed annoying Madam Scribner.”

Kate bursts out laughing just as their drinks are delivered. Sebastian pays and thanks the bartender.

She takes a sip of her bubbly cocktail. “So, erm, anyways… Why don’t you tell me a bit more about yourself, Sebastian?” 

“Did you want to know anything specific?” 

“The basics…? Like, how old are you? Where do you live?” Kate asks with great interest.

Keep it simple - keep it safe. “I’m 25 years old - almost 26. I’m from Feldcroft.”

“I’ve never heard of Feldcroft. Where is it?” Kate smiles.

“It’s a wizarding village located in the Highlands. Where do you live, Kate?”

“Hogsmeade. I moved there a couple of years ago when I got my job at Hogwarts. I’m originally from Epping Forest, though, where my parents still live. It’s somewhat close to London,” she explains.

“The name sounds familiar,” he responds, then pauses, considering where to take it from here. He decides to turn on the charm. “You know, I… was not expecting to meet someone so pretty tonight. When I arrived here earlier, I noticed you right away. I wanted to talk with you, but I wasn’t sure I could get you alone. I’m glad I did.”

Kate blushes at his bold statement but smiles and decides to take a chance. He is rather handsome. “I… noticed you, too.” She meets his eyes. “I was hoping there would be a reason for our paths to cross. Good thing someone bumped into me and caused a mess.”

They both chuckle.

“I hope you don’t consider this too forward,” Sebastian begins, his heart pounding in anticipation, “but I would love to take you out on a date and get to know you better, Kate.”

“I would like that,” she replies with a grin.

“When… would be a good time for you?” he inquires.

“How about…?” She thinks for a moment until her face lights up. “You know what? How about now?”

“Now?” he asks, surprised at her boldness. 

“Yeah. Now,” she replies, nodding. “I’m not tired, and… honestly, it’s a perfect night for a stroll. What do you say?”

He laughs. “I’m not tired anymore, either. In fact, I haven’t felt this awake in a long time, if I’m completely honest.” A lopsided smile tugs at his lips. “A stroll sounds amazing. We could enjoy this drink together and then head out.” 

“My only concern,” Kate begins, taking a quick sip, “is that I am here with my friends, Pearl and Felix, and they’ll be expecting me to return. Maybe you could join us for a few drinks…” She gestures towards their table across the pub, only to discover that the two are making out, not caring at all about the setting. She practically chokes on her cocktail.

Sebastian can barely contain his laughter when he sees that they are passionately kissing. “Your friends seem to be… enjoying themselves.” 

“Merlin, how indecent!” Kate giggles, red in the face. “Well, I suppose we don’t need to worry much about them, then! They’re plenty busy now.” 

His laughter grows as they observe the scene. “I think you’re right. As fun as it might be to meet your friends, Kate…” He leans in, gently taking her hand. “...I would rather give you all of my attention tonight.” 

Kate inhales sharply at the contact. His hand is hot to the touch, rough and calloused; it easily devours hers. Her heartbeat quickens. Something about him - she can’t place it and doesn't know what it is… is right. His hand over hers just feels… right. Her chest rises and falls as she contemplates what this is between them, why he seems so familiar, and how she is able to be so daring with him so quickly. She’s always been a confident young woman, but… normally, her instinct is to be meek in romantic relationships, as she was taught was proper for a lady. But something inside of her has been urging her all night to seize this opportunity, to not let it pass by as a fleeting encounter.

She doesn’t know if this will truly go anywhere, but what harm is done in getting to know someone better? And if it goes nowhere, at least it could make for a memorable birthday story… 

“So, Sebastian, what are some of your interests? What do you enjoy?” Kate asks, stirring her cocktail.

After a brief moment of consideration, he answers, “Reading. I love reading. I always have. I fly through books - any kind.” He chuckles softly. “I suppose we’re a good match, considering you’re a librarian.” 

She offers an amused grin in response. “Maybe we are. So, what else?”

“Hmm… learning and research. I like magical history, theory, mythology - honestly, most subjects, really. I’m an excellent duelist. I try to keep up with new techniques, spells, all that.” He drinks some of his butterbeer. “I enjoy the outdoors. Walking, hiking, exploring, camping, flying… I love getting fresh air.”

“I like being outside, too, but I’ve never gone camping before. I’m not sure it’s for me. I’m not used to… roughing it,” she admits. “I mean, I don’t know, maybe I do to a point. I’m an avid gardener, so I’m not exactly afraid to get my hands dirty. I grow a lot of items I use in cooking and baking. I’m told I’m rather good at it.”

“You’re a chef, and I love to eat. You’re a librarian, and I love to read. How… perfect,” Sebastian notes. 

Kate enjoys more of her beverage, her glass more than half empty now. “So… since we’re on an ‘official’ date now, I guess I’d like to know… “How long has it been since you were in a relationship?” 

Sebastian pauses in thought for a few moments before he speaks. “If I really think about it, I haven’t been in a proper relationship since I was in school at Hogwarts. I’ve been out with women here and there, but…” he trails off. 

“Oh, I see. Too busy at work?” Kate suggests, quickly filling in the blank. “I’m sure the work of an Auror is grueling… but then again, here you are, carving out some time for yourself here in the Leaky Cauldron…” She gives him a lopsided smile.

Sebastian’s expression turns warm, appreciating the excuse she has provided him. “Yes, I guess it’s good to take a step back and relax a bit sometimes. After all, if I hadn’t come here tonight, I wouldn’t have been able to meet you. So, what about yourself? Do you date much?”

She shrugs. “My mother keeps setting me up on dates. They never amount to anything. I rarely feel a connection with any of the men. I’ve had a couple of serious relationships in the past, though, but they were not my family’s doing. My last relationship ended about two years ago, and it was brutal in every way. It was a terrible, terrible relationship - and a terrible breakup. That’s when I decided to make a completely fresh start.” Kate pauses to make sure Sebastian is listening; he clearly is interested, leaning in. “I left my parents’ home, got the job at Hogwarts, bought my own little cottage outside of Hogsmeade, and, well… here I am,” she explains, shrugging again with a grin. “I like being independent and living on my own terms, but I would like some romance.”

Sebastian listens intently. “I can understand wanting independence and living on your own terms.” He pauses, his eyes locking onto hers. “If you don’t mind me asking, what exactly happened in your last relationship?”

“Ugh…” Kate mumbles, looking down at her beverage. “I don’t want to talk about it too much. It was… incredibly toxic, but for some reason, I stayed with him much longer than I should have.” She pauses. “I did, however, learn a lot about what I want in a future love match. I want someone who…” She considers her words for a moment. “...actually listens to me, who allows me to have friends, cares about me and my dreams. Someone I’m not afraid of.” Kate frowns, bad memories flooding her mind.

Sebastian reaches out and squeezes her hand in support. “Your last relationship sounds horrible. I’m sorry that happened to you.”

Kate smiles softly, meeting his eyes. “There’s no need for you to pity me. I made those choices myself, and I have to live with them. I’m just glad I didn’t make a commitment. Now I have the chance to find real love.” There is a pause. “I’m certain the hard lessons I’ve learned are nothing in comparison to what others have lived through. I've honestly had things very easy in life.” 

“I have been through a lot of tough lessons as well. Some are… way too personal for me to talk about right now,” Sebastian admits. “Some days, I think I’m in the midst of one of those rough patches. I’ve just been living in the here and now for too long. Always just… getting by in the moment.”

“Well, there’s something to be said for living in the present, but no, you can’t do that forever. Eventually we all need to start looking forward. Making plans, growing roots…” she trails off, wondering if his roots might intertwine with hers someday. She shakes the thought away, trying not to get too caught up in the moment, too enchanted by his looks and charming nature. Take it easy, Kate. 

“You’re right,” he replies. “It’s time for me to start making plans and goals. I want to make something of myself. Become a better man than I was yesterday.”

“And… What do you want for your future, Sebastian?” she asks quietly.

Sebastian takes a breath, looking into Kate’s eyes. “Well, a lot of things. I want stability. I need to stay out of trouble.” He chuckles, playing it off, but it’s quite true. “And honestly, I would really like to be in a healthy relationship. It would be nice to have a partner.”

“I can completely relate to that. I think I’m… I’m ready to settle down,” Kate replies, smiling as she realizes they have some similar goals. “For me, I… don’t want to rely on my family, even though they are more than happy to help me. I just… I want my own life.” She pauses, thinking of how to best explain. “My family is quite well-off. I grew up spoiled. I had a perfect childhood. But when I graduated from Hogwarts, I moved home, and I never felt like an adult while I was there. My mother wanted me to stay at home until I married. She wanted me to just be pampered, to have very few responsibilities. I just felt like a child there. That’s another reason why I left home and bought my cottage.”

“Your family sounds like they care about you - but perhaps almost too much. You’re not a child, Kate. You’re... well, you're a beautiful lady. You deserve to be treated as such.” His hand goes to Kate’s arm, his fingers lightly caressing up and down over her bare skin below her short sleeve. Her eyes widen at the bold physical touch, but she doesn't recoil or ask him to stop. She really likes him, so she finds it comforting and sweet.

When she finishes her cocktail, Kate tries to gauge how close he is to finishing his drink. “Well, perhaps I should say farewell to my friends, if we are going on a walk soon.” Kate pauses, then gives him an out, just in case, even though his body language is practically screaming about how interested he is. “Do you… still want to go? It is late. I would understand if you’d rather not.”

Sebastian downs the remaining butterbeer, setting the mug on the bar and wiping the foam from his mouth. He gives her a warm smile, leaning in to whisper, “Kate, I want nothing more than to continue our date.”

Her skin erupts in gooseflesh, and she tries not to sound flustered, even though her pink cheeks likely give her away. “Well, since - since it’s getting late and all… perhaps we should go on a walk closer to home. Instead of Diagon Alley, we could apparate to Feldcroft or Hogsmeade… What do you think?”

His eyes widen in panic when Kate mentions Feldcroft, but he covers it up with a quick reply. “Hogsmeade sounds great to me. Shall we spend the rest of the night there?”

“Yes. But let me say goodnight to Pearl and Felix. I’ll… meet you outside,” Kate tells him. 

Before getting down from the stool, Kate leans over and presses a little kiss to his cheek. She smiles and gazes into his eyes for a moment afterwards, noticing how his cheeks bloom scarlet. A huge grin grows on his face. Then, Kate drops down off of the stool to walk across the tavern to her friends. 

After a few minutes, Sebastian watches her hug her friends. Kate gives him a “come-hither” look, tilting her head and stepping out of the pub and into the moonlight. 

She can’t help but grin like a fool. Kate certainly hadn’t come to the Leaky Cauldron expecting to leave with someone new and exciting. A birthday, after all, is the perfect time to start a new chapter. 

[dreamy-gal-30]

Hey there! Welcome to my hub of stories ❤️

Some of you know me already, but I thought it would be nice to make one of these 🙂

I’ve been reading fanfic for almost over 20 years, and when I got into this fandom, something changed. I’ve been inspired by so many of you in this fandom with all your amazing stories, and started telling my own. It’s been so much fun for me and it’s been a great outlet for me to help my anxiety and depression. But I wanna emphasise that I am no pro!

I realised that I read and tell stories filled with love, longing, desire, and all the beautiful, messy, and heartbreaking complications that can come with it. I love exploring relationships, tension, and that push-and-pull. And if you’ve read any of my works before or seen my comments on some of your amazing fics, then you know I have a soft spot for smut 👀

Right now, I’m deep in my Sebastian Sallow era—because this loveable menace has me in a chokehold—but who knows? Maybe I’ll branch out someday. 😂 For now, I’m having far too much fun with the complicated, bookish bastard to let go.

✨ My Stories ✨

Below you’ll find my completed works and WIPs, so you can easily find what I’ve worked on (and what stuff is still in progress). I’ll update this as I go on!

📖 Completed Stories:

Everything you deserve (& chicken fights)

A Little Valentine’s Day Special - MDNI

Hidden Pleasures - MDNI

Simmering Comfort

📝 Works in Progress/Ongoing:

What Remains And here's a lil glimpse of what Bee looks like in this reblog 🫶

I don’t write on a strict schedule, but I’m always thinking about my stories (prob more than I should be lol). I love brainstorming and developing ideas—shoutout to @writingsoftarnishedsilver , @whizzing-fizzbee, and many other amazing human beings, where I’ve had so much fun tossing ideas around. 😍

If you ever want to chat, share ideas, or scream about Sebastian, my chat is always open. And if you have requests, please send them my way! I can’t promise I’ll get to everything, but I love hearing what you all want to see.

Thanks for being here, and I hope you enjoy the stories as much as I enjoy writing them! 💜

[rosewoodcafe]

Chapter Five || Where the Road of Friendship and Romantic Feelings Collide

The Voice of the Lost

A threat is posed to the British Wizarding World, one that could end the reign of wizard kind as we know it. Evie has figured out three things: she possesses magic, she can see an ancient magic that hasn’t been seen in centuries, and being a hero isn’t all it's made out to be. When she discovers a secret that has been hidden for hundreds of years, she must decide if she's willing to be the one to uncover it.  [This is a loose retelling of the game Hogwarts Legacy, with added story as well.]

Chapter Four | Chapter Six

A03 | Wattpad

~6700 words

[Evie’s POV]

Since the troll attack, I have been busier than ever. A rumor had spread that I single-handedly took down two trolls, and was the hero of Hogsmeade, but I tried quickly to extinguish the lie. I felt as if the idea of attempting to blend in with my peers was not working, as at every corner I took I was getting asked a million questions. 

As Natty likes to put it, nobody could keep me off of their tongues.

I miraculously made it through my first three weeks at Hogwarts without completely embarrassing myself. Classes had gotten to become more normal, with fewer people staring at me, waiting for me to mess up or something. I also ended up having a spot next to one of my friends in each of my classes, which made learning everything slightly easier.

Poppy and I have quickly become close, hanging out nearly every day, much to the annoyance of Lenora and Adelaide. She understands me, in a way I didn’t think anyone could. I told her how alone I had always felt like a piece of me was stuck in places that don’t open their doors for me anymore, how no matter what I do I can’t plant roots in places in fear that I will be torn up. Poppy hugged me, telling me that she understood that very same feeling, that her family moved often when she was a child and that's why beasts are so dear to her, they are easier to befriend than people. 

Study sessions with Natty kicked off at the start of the second week, the library being our sanctuary for an hour after the school day ended each day. She was the smartest in our class, which didn’t shock me at all, but she took immense pride in it.

“I knocked Sallow down a peg when I started here, he was speechless the first few months,” Natty laughed. “You would have thought that I murdered Ominis the way he was depressed, and when you knocked him down from being the best dueler, priceless.”

“So he was really the top student before you got here?”

“He was, and I believe he didn’t like me very much when I started here.” Natty shook her head as I lowered my book. “Sebastian barely talked to me, at first it seemed like he was avoiding me at every turn. It was only when he barely beat me in Crossed Wands that he spoke to me, since then I assume we have become friends.”

“He’s odd, at least in the nicest way possible.” I laughed softly, so as not to alert the librarian. “Very jittery when it comes to talking to me, and I haven’t quite figured out why.”

“Boys are just strange.”

“Agreed.”

There was a mutual agreement between the two of us, that during these study sessions, secrets were to be shared between two girls. 

Lunches and dinners on most days were spent with Natty and Poppy at the Hufflepuff table, but on Wednesdays and Thursdays when Poppy was helping with the beasts and Natty would eat with her mother, I would sit with Ominis and Sebastian at the Slytherin table. The other Slytherins would give me stares, looking disgusted as I sat down next to them. 

“Don’t worry about them, they are just stuck-up pricks,” Sebastian said with an eye roll. It didn’t make me feel any better the first time I sat with them. Ominis came over soon after, sitting on my left. “Tell her it’ll be alright Ominis, poor Evie is over here panicking.”

“Evie, if even one of them decided to say something about you sitting here, they'd have to deal with Sebastian first.” Ominis chuckled. “Then when they inevitably get past Sebastian, they'll just run from me because they’ll think I’m going to use the killing curse on them.”

“What? That sounds horrible!” I didn’t want anyone to die. “You’re joking right?!”

“Yes… I figured that was obvious.” I stayed silent as Sebastian stared me down from the other side of the table, holding his laughter.

“Um, yeah…” I whispered, wishing I knew a spell to make me disappear. Sebastian let his laugh out and I could only feel my face heat with embarrassment.

“Merlin Evie, did you live under a rock your whole life?” Sebastian managed to ask between laughs. 

“I- no!” I stuttered out. “I did not live under a rock!”

This caused both boys to laugh harder, and I gave up trying to explain myself. That became our whole dynamic, and I honestly did not mind it. Both boys were very kind but always liked to pick at the smallest things. I couldn’t tell if that was a normal boy thing or if this was a normal Ominis and Sebastian thing. Either way, it kept me on my toes, the witty responses becoming easier to whip up when they would be snippy. 

I had started to make a way for myself here, something that I was so worried about two weeks ago seems so silly now.

My first weekend at Hogwarts I figured out how to write to my father, with Poppy letting me use her owl until I bought my own. I let him know that I was enjoying school, that I had made some friends, and that things were working out for me better than I had hoped. I let him know that I would write as often as I could and that I would keep him updated with everything that would go on during the year. He replied faster than I would have expected, expressing that mail by owl seemed entirely unreliable. It warmed my heart to know that even when I wasn’t there, he was okay.

I was worried that when I left he would feel alone without my mother or me with him, but he seemed okay through his letter. He even told me about the newest job he had taken on, investigating a series of murders that have been occurring in London and the countryside. When I wrote back I told him to be careful, to just make sure he makes it home alive so I can see him again. 

The professors have had me doing so many extra assignments that I’ve felt like drowning. On top of that Professor Fig has asked that I take an hour out of my Saturdays to try and learn more about my ability, which would seem fun in theory until I realize I know nothing about the power I possess. 

“I can’t do this.” I threw my hands up in frustration. Professor Fig had been trying to get me to release just enough Ancient Magic to make an apple fall off the table.

“You can,” Professor Fig spoke softly, “Evie, you are a lot smarter and stronger than you give yourself credit for, find the source of your Ancient Magic. Find the pull that lets you release that power, and use it.”

I couldn’t tell where I felt the “pull” from. Fear was my best guess, as when we were in the bank I was scared for my life, but another part of me wondered…

A simple wisp of magic left the tip of my wand, small enough that it was gone within a moment, but it was just enough force to push the apple off the table. I stared at the apple as it rolled away, Professor Fig smiled and clapped.

“There you go!” He paused for a moment. “You seem a bit shocked, are you alright?”

“I- yeah, I think,” I said, “I didn’t think that would work.”

“What did you do?”

“Well, I tried to remember what that ‘pull’ was that you were talking about, and I figured fear was, like a fight response.” I sat down in a chair across from my professor, taking in a puff of air before letting it out. “But then, I wondered if maybe it was any emotion, so I tried to think of something that made me happy. Which made that, and it wasn’t as strong as my magic before, but it was lighter, in a way.”

“Hm… interesting.”

We sat in silence for a moment. I looked at him for some sort of answer.

“My only guess as to what exactly your power is as of now, is your emotions, good and bad.” Professor Fig explained. “Right now it is almost a response, like you said, to keep you alive, whether that be any physical or mental harm. Perhaps we can get it to a point where you have control over how much power you wish to put in your punches so to say, but right now we will have to get your emotions under control so you don’t harm anyone.”

“But sir- I haven’t harmed anyone?”

“I assume then the book flying faster than everyone else's in your first Charms class was just a coincidence?” Professor Fig chuckled. “How about when a plate of food nearly exploded at Ravenclaw table when Mr. Hobhouse made fun of Mr.Gaunt in your earshot?”

“I- well, maybe, but those didn’t hurt anyone-”

“The turkey that landed on Mr.Hobhouse’s head would beg to differ,” Fig said with a smile. “Regardless, those instances will not serve you well, so we must get your emotions under control. Your power is rare, and mustn't be found out.”

That night marked the start of my true training, to figure out how to use my power for the betterment of the wizarding world. That night marked the first day that my life had truly left my own hands.

Class was dismissed Friday afternoon and my third week at Hogwarts had concluded, which was both sad and a breath of fresh air. I walked out of History of Magic, where I normally would walk with Ominis, but he practically sprinted out of the room. I carried my books and walked through the school aimlessly, other students passing me with speed, going wherever they needed to. I wasn’t sure why I felt no sense of urgency, but my wandering led me to the Defense Against the Dark Arts tower.

I stopped to see the other girls walk by, chatting with each other. Poppy had helped me create my own sense of style within the uniform, helping me fit in just a little more. A white button-up, a skirt, a golden tie, and my boots tied up were my favorite to wear. It reminded me strangely of my home, but also freshly new. In my own daydreams, I felt a set of hands tap my shoulders.

“Well hello! Fancy seeing you here.” Sebastian smiled.

“Oh, hi Sebastian,” I said, “how are you?”

“Good good, you know.” He paused and looked at me. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I guess I’m just a little tired is all.” I smiled at him, which made him wrap an arm up over my shoulders as we walked down the steps.

“Well I say we talk, possibly get some studying done, in the transfiguration courtyard,” he said, “knock out the studying and fresh air in one go.”

“That sounds like a plan to me!” I said. “How was class though?”

“Pretty good.” He grinned. “Not as fun as the ones I have with you though.”

I laughed at Sebastian's stupid comment. He had become such a flirt since the troll attack, not hiding the compliments that he threw at me. I thought they were very sweet, but I truly only liked him as a friend.

“Oh ha,” I replied, “and studying on the weekends?”

“I know, some say I should have been in Ravenclaw,” he said smugly, “you’re studying with me so maybe you should have been in Ravenclaw too, I know Everett would have loved that.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh,” he snickered, “I have said too much already.”

“Oh shut up and tell me you troll,” I said, hitting his arm with a punch. He acted as if I had actually hurt him, dramatic face and everything, then laughed over it.

“Well, if you don’t hit me, maybe I’ll tell you.”

“Go on.”

“Since you’ve been so enveloped with your studies, I assume you haven’t noticed the trail of boys who would cast the killing curse just to get a chance to take you out on a date,” Sebastian said, opening the door for me. “Ominis and I have had to basically fight off their grubby fingers from you.”

“Yeah right, you liar, I haven’t even been around for a month, there's no way that many boys are trying to get me. Plus I look like an idiot in all of my classes, who on earth would think that's attractive?” I laughed. “I also don’t need you or Ominis to ‘protect’ me, I am more than capable of telling them off myself if these boys even exist.”

“That’s entirely off point,” Sebastian replied, “besides, boys think with their other heads more often than not.”

“What?”

“Never mind,” he said, waving his hand. I shot him a glare.

One horrible thing about this place is that I knew so little compared to everyone else, at least compared to Sebastian. I felt behind socially and in my education, which was horrible most of the time. It made life incredibly difficult at times. Sebastian found a bench on the far side of the yard and sat down. I sat and pulled my legs and crossed them, setting my Charms textbook in between my legs, then faced Sebastian.

“So, what are you doing this weekend?” I asked him.

“I’m not sure honestly, usually me and Ominis hangout in Hogsmeade, but that is off the table for the next while.” He paused. “I’ll talk to Ominis and see what he wants to do though.”

I didn’t say anything in response. Sebastian looked up at me with a slightly confused look. 

“Wo-”

“I suppose Hogsmeade isn’t a place to go right now,” I replied quickly. I wanted to ask if he wouldn’t mind me joining him and Ominis, as Poppy was leaving for the weekend to see her grandmother, and Natty was leaving the valley with her mother. The worst part is I didn’t want to intrude on their time together.

“Yeah… you look a bit- I don’t know, concerned maybe?” Sebastian said, cocking his head to the left, looking just like a confused puppy. “What’s going through that thick skull of yours?” He asked with a grin.

“Hey!” I said much too loud, drawing a few stares from other students. “I am not thick-skulled,” I whispered. “I- well I just wasn’t sure what I was doing this weekend, and in all honesty, I haven’t thought about much outside of school these past few weeks.”

“Then I’d say, if you want to of course, you can join me and Ominis in whatever we decide to do.”

“Really!”

“I don’t see why not, and I’m sure Ominis won’t mind.” He smiled. “Ominis has actually taken to you quicker than I thought, it took me so long to even crack his shell.”

“Maybe I have the magical Ominis touch.”

“What does that even mean??” 

I tried to not laugh, but the absolute confusion he had on his face did me in, causing a fit of giggles to escape my mouth. Sebastian started to laugh, and I noticed a blue haze growing around the palms of my hands. Quickly I crossed my arms and shoved my hands in my sides, stopping all laughter.

Calm down Evie, control, that's all it takes.

The two of us pulled out our Charms textbook, looking through the chapters that were going to be on the test this upcoming Monday. When it came to studying, Natty and Sebastian were completely different. He could talk and talk while he read and remembered exactly what he had read. Sebastian also explained things differently from Natty, giving more of a combat view for the magic we learned, instead of practical uses that we are told about in class. Time passed slowly, but in a way, I did not mind. 

“You can use Accio on humans if you’re so inclined,” Sebastian said with a smirk, “it’s quite effective actually.”

“You’d be using it on clothing to be precise, Sebastian,” Ominis said as he got closer to the two of us. “You know it won’t work on humans. Don’t get her confused with magic already.”

Sebastian rolled his eyes and smiled at his friend.

“Where have you been?” Sebastian asked.

“Where have you been? I thought we were meeting up after class?” Ominis replied dryly. “I was waiting for you and then I found you trying to kiss up on Evie.”

“I-” 

“Ominis! It’s good to see you!” I said quickly, trying to change the subject. “Would you like to join us in studying for our Charms quiz next week?”

He froze. It almost looked like my question shocked him, was I being too forward in asking him to study? Is that not a normal friendly thing to say?

“I would love to Evie,” he said finally, “but I have forgotten my own textbook, so I will have to decline.”

His voice was soft, but so sad. It was almost as if he was defeated in that simple answer.

“That’s not a problem Ominis, we can share mine.” I smiled. 

“I appreciate the thought, but I cannot read your textbook.”

Oh god damn-

“I can read aloud,” I said before my brain could think. Why did I want him to join Sebastian and me so badly? “Hopefully you don’t mind the sound of my voice.”

I laughed awkwardly, and the corners of his lips turned into a sweet smile. The way he looked in the setting sun was absolutely stunning, and I’m sure if I knew how to pause time, I would for this moment. 

“Hardly,” he answered. 

“Then come sit next to me.” I looked at Sebastian, then back at Ominis. “We can study together.”

“I suppose,” Sebastian replied. His demeanor flipped from his normal flirty banter into something more annoyed.

I moved over to the edge of the bench, patting the middle so Ominis would sit between me and Sebastian. He sat very rigid between the two of us, not quite relaxing despite nothing being inherently uncomfortable. At least it didn’t seem uncomfortable to me. I leaned in a bit closer to Ominis, opening my book to the page Sebastian and I were on, and reading the page. As I read, Sebastian leaned in as well, and the scent of vanilla teakwood was being burned into my head, something I didn’t mind at all. Soon enough we all became distracted again, the conversation shifting from school.

“Alright Evie,” Sebastian said, “we hardly know anything about you… tell us something.”

“Well, what would you like to know?” I laughed. “I’m really not that interesting.”

“Okay but that is up to interpretation,” Sebastian replied, “where are you from?”

“From what my father has told me, I was born in France, just outside of Paris, but I’ve moved so much I really don’t remember it. It isn’t my home.” I said, looking to see the eagerness in both Sebastian and Ominis, though Ominis was much more subtle. “After that, we lived in London for a while, that's where my father was able to get a lot of work. After some time we moved to America, and then moved back this past year. What about you two?”

“I was born and raised in the Scottish highlands, they raised me and my sister in a hamlet until they passed,” Sebastian said quickly, “now I live with my uncle.”

“The house I was raised in is on the Gaunt Estate, which my aunt told me was in a wizarding town outside of London,” Ominis spoke. “My mother is Irish, and my father is an Englishman.” His face dropped slightly, finishing his sentence quickly.

“Manor?” I laughed lightly. “Ominis Gaunt, are you a rich boy in the wizarding world?”

Sebastian erupted in laughter, while Ominis looked more annoyed than anything. I felt tears breach my eyes and a warmth grow in my palms. I wiped the tears, calming myself down quickly, just to see Sebastian staring at me with a grin spread across his face. Ominis was even chuckling slightly.

“If you’d like to put it that way, then yes, my family is the head of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. Along with that, my father is one step below the Minister of Magic, so my family has an influence on the British wizarding world.” Ominis’s smile faded as he talked, a solemn mood overtaking the joyful one. “Forget about me though,” he turned his head in my direction, “what do your parents do Evie?”

“My father travels for work as a private investigator. He took my mother and me with him, which is why I never really had a set home, but I always knew that wherever my parents were, was the place I called home.” I paused and smiled. “After my mother passed, my father stopped taking dangerous cases, which is partially why we had to move back to London.”

“If you don’t mind me asking,” Sebastian said softly, “what happened to your mother Evie?”

I felt a familiar sting in my chest, one that never got easier with time.

I cleared my throat.

“I haven't really talked to anyone about it besides my father.” The ache felt heavy. “She passed while we lived in America when I was eleven.” I took a breath, trying to calm my nerves. These were- are my friends, I can let them in. “I was still little, but I remember everything very vividly. She fell ill suddenly and without any warning. My father was taking her to every doctor he could, anyone who would see her, each of them saying the same thing. They told us to keep her comfortable, and that whatever she had, they had no cure for her. She died hours before my eleventh birthday.” I paused, holding my breath. My chest hurts. “I still remember my father's cries, and the weeks after. He’s gotten better, but I know it still hurts every year my birthday comes.”

I looked up, trying to ignore the tears trying to break out. Sebastian’s face was contorted into anger, and hatred as he looked down at the grass below his feet. Ominis looked upset, placing his hand on mine, which was more comforting than I thought it would be. Sebastian stood up, shoving his book into his bag.

“Where are you going?” I asked softly. He looked up and looked a little broken, but hardened immediately.

“I have to go,” he responded quickly.

“Where are you going, Sebastian?” Ominis said more harshly than I did. 

“None of your business Ominis,” Sebastian replied coldly before rushing off.

Ominis’s hand stayed planted on mine, and I noticed just how soft his hand was. The thinness of his fingers, how pale his knuckles were, he looked as if he was sculpted by the Romans themselves. I looked up as the sun cast a magnificent glow across his features, making him look like a god of sorts. The pain in my chest had twisted into something different, and something I couldn’t entirely place. Ominis sighed, moving his hand from mine. His warmth lingering on mine.

“I’m sorry,” he paused, “about him I mean.” He said with a huff of annoyance. “I’m not sure what came over him, usually I can guess, but I have no idea.”

“It’s okay Ominis.” I smiled. “It isn’t your fault, maybe he just has something on his mind.”

“I know, but he-” he took a breath, letting out a sigh. “He left his company without even saying goodbye, which was not very friendly of him to do.” I let a small laugh leave my lips, causing Ominis to smile slightly. “If you’d like, we can eat dinner together, since my normal dinner partner is sulking merlin knows where.”

“Are you asking me out on a date Mr. Ominis Gaunt?” I teased, pushing his arm slightly. 

His face flushed quickly as he stumbled to find his words. “I- Evie hardly- I mean that in a not-”

“I’m only teasing you, Omi.” I broke into laughter, my hand grazing over his arm, his body stiffening immediately. I moved my hand away from him.

“Omi?” He said, just barely above a whisper.

“Is that okay? If not I can just call you Omin-”

“I don’t mind it… as long as you’re the only one saying it.” He smiled.

“Deal.” I stuck my arm out, forgetting that he necessarily couldn’t see my hand, I placed it back down.

He stood up, offering his arm to me, which I took. The two of us walked to the Great Hall, passing other students who gave sideway glances at Omi and me, which I found slightly annoying. They treated him so rudely over nothing, I mean sure, even being blind he had the most judgemental stare I had ever seen, but he is incredibly kind. Ominis was the epitome of a gentleman, opening doors for me, and making sure nobody bumped into the two of us while we walked. I felt almost jealous of the future girl who would be able to love him, knowing they would be treated like a queen at all points in time.

Ominis walked us over to the Slytherin table, and instead of sitting opposite of him next to Sebastian, I sat next to him. A few Slytherins shot annoyed glares at me, but Ominis almost seemed to deflect them with his own gaze, which made me even more questioning if he was truly blind or not. The two of us ate with small conversation, which was a nice change of pace from Sebastian's rambunctious eating conversations. 

“I have yet to ask you, but which are your favorite classes so far?” Omi asked before sipping some pumpkin juice.

“I really enjoy Charms, and even Potions honestly, “I replied, “though I’m not sure Professor Sharp likes me very much.”

Ominis laughed and put down his drink, “don’t take it too personally,”  he said, “it isn’t you in particular, he's that way with everyone.” I watched him closely as he turned his head. “Someone would be a fool to hate you.”

I smiled slightly, looking down at my plate. “Thank you, Omi.” I looked back up at him as he took another sip of his drink. “It genuinely means a lot to hear that.”

“Of-”

“What are you doing brother?”

I looked up to see a taller boy looming over Ominis’s shoulder. He shared many similarities to Ominis, their facial features were cut the same, but the biggest difference was unlike Ominis’s sun-drenched locks, this boy had pitch-black hair. The boy turned his gaze to me, staring me down with an intense gaze that partially scared me.

“I am simply eating, Marvolo,” Ominis replied coldly. “What do you want?”

“Clearly you are not simply eating, as you are eating with this,” he looked at me disgusted, “thing. What is your blood status? Because a Gaunt like my brother, should not be associated with a muggleborn.”

Ominis went to start talking before I cut him off. “I am a muggle-born, so what of it, it doesn’t matter who your brother talks to.”

The boy, Marvolo, broke into laughter. It wasn’t the amusement kind either, a sinister undertone made my skin crawl. He was the villain in every story I read.

“Oh dear,” he looked at Ominis. “Wait until Father hears about this brother, he’ll have an amazing time knowing that you’re around this dirty mudblood and not a crowd that shares our—”

“Your values, Marvolo, and she isn’t that word.” Ominis snapped. He stood from his seat standing nearly as tall as his brother. “Leave us alone.”

Marvolo looked disgusted down at Ominis, then shoved him back down onto the bench. “We’ll see what father thinks.”

He walked away as Ominis took a breath, looking as if all his confidence was sucked out of his body. I placed a hand on his shoulder which caused him to tense up again.

“Ominis.” I looked down at the table to see Marvolo sitting down. “What was that about?”

“That…” He didn’t really say anything at first, only progressively began to look more ill. “Let’s not worry about it-”

“But what-”

“Evie, drop it.” He snapped. I looked at him, then looked down at my food, trying to not show my face, regardless of his lack of sight. “I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have snapped at you, it isn’t your fault that my family is insufferable.” He took a breath, putting his legs back over the bench. “You want to know what- that word, means, don’t you?”

“Why won’t you say it?”

“Evie, that word, to put it lightly, is horrible.” He hushed his voice low amongst the loud room. “Whatever you may think Evie, just know that you will never be what that word means. Marvolo is just a horrible copy of my father.”

I didn’t ask further. I don’t know why. He just felt a bit different, more protective but standoffish at the same time. 

Dinner passed by, with Sebastian still not making any appearance. I began to get slightly worried, had I upset him? I didn’t really mean to, and I wasn’t really sure what had set him off anyway. He said his parents passed, had I made him feel worse because I brought up my mother? Ominis hadn’t said a word with my mind racing to every conclusion possible—

“Relax Evelyn,” Ominis said, breaking his silence

“Huh?”

“Your finger is tapping on the table.” 

“Oh, sorry I wasn’t meaning to be so loud.” I moved my hand to my lap and shot my gaze back to Ominis. “How on earth did you know my full name?”

“A solid guess.” He smiled. “I figured Evie was a nickname your parents gave you, or perhaps one you came up with yourself.”

“That’s a good guess,” I said as I elbowed his side lightly, “and I suppose you could say the nickname was given to me by a friend.”

“Oh do tell.”

“I will,” I replied, picking up a plate and placing food on it, “we will just walk and find Sebastian so he can eat something while I tell you.”

Ominis smiled, placing a few more pieces of food on the plate before standing up. “You are too nice to him you know,” he said, helping me stand with the plate of food. “If he wants to pout then he can be fine without eating. But if you insist on helping him, then I’ll help you find him. I expect to hear the most interesting story on the way though.” He held his arm out, and I took it once again. My arm fit weirdly perfectly in his, or maybe I was just thinking too much about it. He started to lead the way out of the Great Hall, and I assumed he knew where Sebastian was. 

He walked us toward the Grand Staircase, passing the entrance to the Hufflepuff common room and kitchens. The hall was less crowded than before, with most people eating in the Great Hall.

“Tell me more about your nickname.” We started to walk downward, passing a painting of a lady with a crystal ball. “Who is this friend who gave it to you?”

“It was from a boy I met while I was living in London,” I replied. “I think I was five, maybe six, but it was before we moved. My mother would take us to this park on the outskirts of the city, where the trees were huge, and a pond was in the middle. I remember us sitting and pointing out the fish who swam in the pond during the summers.” I smiled at the memory, something I cherished and one of the last few good memories I had of my mother. “One fall morning we headed to the park, and there my mother ran into a woman, that I assume she knew due to their friendliness with each other. That woman had a little boy with her, and while they talked he came up to me.” I looked over at Ominis, who nodded his head. “Most of the leaves had fallen, and the park caretakers raked the leaves together into piles, which was always fun to play in. The boy and I played in the falling leaves, and he was kind.” I laughed as we kept walking. “I landed in a pile of leaves and he helped me up, but my hair- it was full of twigs and such. He sat next to me and picked out every twig and leaf from my hair.” Ominis laughed softly, and I began to laugh with him. A warmth bubbled in my chest as if I was boiling from the inside out. I took a breath and continued. “He said that a gentleman must always make sure their lady is taken care of’ which is a bit funny now to imagine a five-year-old saying that. But before he left, he asked for my name. I could barely say my own name due to how shy I was as a child, so I said Evie, something easy for me. He smiled as he bid me farewell, calling my name goodbye when he walked away with the women he came with.” I paused, holding my breath for a response from Ominis. He simply nodded again. “I never saw him again, but I would consider that little boy to be the first friend I ever had.”

“That's painstakingly sweet Evie,” Ominis said finally. “I can only say that that little boy should not have to worry about his friend.” He smiled. “She’s in good hands now.”

A warmth filled my face as we entered the Slytherin dungeon, the air immediately becoming more damp. It was a serpent's den as many different Slytherins stood about, giving Ominis strange looks. I was so thankful he couldn’t see, considering some even looked to be giving threatening glares with me being down here. We walked into an open corridor and got closer to the far wall. I noticed that etched into the stone on the floor and walls was a snakeskin pattern, which seemed weird enough but when I looked up a giant snake slid up the wall revealing a door on the once-empty wall.

“Woah-”

“Come Evie.” Ominis led the way walking us to the door.

“Wait!” he stopped and turned his head in my direction, giving a confused look. “I thought I wasn’t allowed in other common rooms?” I said quietly. 

“If someone gives you grief they will have to deal with me,” he said calmly, “nobody would willingly want to deal with me, so you’re safe.”

“Oh… okay,” I responded, a small laugh coming from Omi as we descended deeper into the common room. It was grand, much different from the Hufflepuff common room, with deep emeralds and marble weaved into the stone that held the ceiling. It wasn’t cozy like my own common room but felt lived it, like it was comforting to those who called this section of the castle home. Ominis led the way down a corridor with doors, a number branded onto each one. I took a guess and assumed it was the boys' dorms, especially when we stopped at a door with the number five. He cracked the door open and held it for me to enter.

The lights were dimmed but I could tell his room was similar to my own, circular with four poster beds, but instead of the four beds like my room, there were only two. It was dawned in green and silver, far more elegant than my own room, with a small fireplace on the far side of the room and a desk to the left. A chair was to the right, with a suspiciously human-shaped figure on it. I walked a bit closer and I noticed the soft snores coming from what I assumed to be Sebastian, a book laid across his chest. I laughed softly while Ominis turned the lights a little brighter.

“He’s here, Omi.” I dragged the poor boy closer to the snoring beast. “In the chair, with a book laid across him,” I whispered in Ominis’s ear. He tensed up for a moment, before relaxing again, taking a deep breath.

“Of course he is.” He shook his head. “I would wake him, he’ll be more than happy to be awoken for food.” He whispered. 

I let go of Omi’s arm, still holding the plate of food and walked to the side of Sebastian's chair. Crouching down, I set down the plate on the floor and lightly shook his arm. “Hey Sebastian,” I spoke softly. His eyelids fluttered and he opened them slightly, finding my gaze.

“Evie?” He asked sleepily.

“It’s me,” I replied, petting his arm. “We brought you food, so you didn’t go hungry for the night.”

He rubbed his eyes and sat up. “Wait- how did you even get in here?”

“Omi opened the door, he wanted to make sure you had something to eat,” I replied. I picked up the plate of food and gave it to Sebastian whose emotions weren’t easy to read. Confusion? Sadness? I wasn’t sure. “I’m sorry if I upset you earlier today when I talked about my mother. I won’t say anything else about her from here on.”

“No- I’m- it wasn’t you Evie,” he paused, looking as if he was trying to put a sentence together in his head. “I will explain at a better time, but thank you for bringing me something to eat.”

“I… of course Sebastian.” I stood up and walked a bit past Ominis, who perked up.

“Are you staying?” He asked, walking a little closer to me. 

“Aren’t I barging in?” I responded. “This is your guy's bedroom after all.”

“Not at all,” Sebastian said, shoving a forkful of food in his mouth. “Please stay.”

“Alright, I will head back before curfew though, I don’t think detention this early in the year will be a good look for me.” I laughed, sitting down on the rug in the middle of the floor.

“You’ll be doing better than Sebastian, he got detention within the first week.” Ominis grinned.

“Hey!” A loud laugh erupted from Ominis as Sebastian glared at him, and I couldn’t help but join Ominis. 

Time passed as we all sat on the floor of the Slytherin room, talking about everything and anything that came to mind. Sebastian's unprompted anger had practically faded from existence, revealing the same happy boy I knew. I learned more about Omi and Sebastian’s friendship, everything they had been through together, and how Sebastian’s family had taken Ominis in over the summer and winter holidays through the years.

“Oh, you should have seen my sister's face when I invited him for the first winter.” Sebastian laughed. “She was a tomato the whole time, completely embarrassed over everything.”

“Be nice to her,” Omi said, shaking his head, “I was a complete stranger at that point invading her home, I felt horrible that first break for doing that to her.”

There was one clock in the room that ticked by completely unwatched. I leaned against Ominis, who was leaning against the footboard of his bed, balancing his own head on mine. My eyes felt heavy as they fought to stay awake, hearing about the new curse Sebastian had found in a book he’d been reading. My body was relaxed against Ominis, our breathing in pace with each other.

You have to make it back to the common room. Poppy will be worried sick if you don’t.

I fought every part of me to not fall asleep, but the musk of vanilla was a lullaby to my senses, lulling me to sleep. I felt my head drop onto something soft, a hand running through my hair as I went out like a light.

You are pregnant?! Who is the father?

Now you care? After all this time you finally care about your daughter?! Or is it that you care about my unborn child?

Who is it? Tell me now or you will pay the price!

It's Everest…

The farmer's boy! The Mudblood! Hera, you cannot be telling the truth!

It’s him! I love him Father, and despite what you say this baby girl will be mine.

She won’t have magic! She’ll be a dirty half-blood that holds no importance in this house. I will make her a maid to avoid such a disgrace. She has no magic, the bloodline is over, and it is all your fault.

She may very well go into a powerful witch.

The bloodline is finished, tainted with his dirty blood.

She wouldn’t have wanted this, she never did care about blood status, and she accepted everyone. She was against everything you stand for father, you’ve betrayed your own blood.

I WILL NOT HAVE YOU TALK BACK TO ME YOU WHORE, YOU ARE WORTHLESS TO ME AND THIS FAMILY.

If I am worthless, why are you so reliant on my children? To profit from them? To show the Sacred Twenty-eight that the House Hornette still stands pure? Well, I’m finished with your game, you will never meet my child, and your lineage will die with me.

You stupid child.

Goodbye, Father.

Dividers ~ @amethystandemma and @accio-bagel

[radical-ghostface]

Missing Time Chapter.4

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Summary: It had been 10 years since Sebastian Sallow was sent to Azkaban for the murder of his uncle, Solomon Sallow. He was finally released and was intent on getting revenge against MC and Ominis for turning him in, but upon arrival at their tiny house, he made a shocking discovery. MC had a daughter, and the child was his.

Warnings: Mentions of Dark!MC, Depression, PTSD, and a whole boatload of angst.

Pairings: Dad!Sebastian Sallow X F!MC, Ominis Gaunt X Anne Sallow

(Alright ya'll this one is definitely lengthier than the last 3 chapters. I wanted to go more into MC and her life and how everything has affected her, and may have gotten carried away. Sorry I keep leaving you all in suspense 😬 lol anyways! I hope you all enjoy 🙂)

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MC sighed absent-mindedly as she took pieces of her daughter's hair in her hands, swirling them around each other until they formed braids. Ominis sat across from them, smiling happily.

From the outside looking in, she probably seemed so content with her little life, happy even. 'What a beautiful family', people would think. What those people would never see was that her heart was heavy—filled with a deep despair and longing for what could have been and never would be. She had never quite been the same since the.. incident.

Most days, when she knew no one was watching, she would just lay there, not eating or speaking to anyone—lost in her own mind, in the painful memories of the past.

On these days, she would reach into her bedside table and pull out the only picture of him she had left, the one thing she had kept hidden, just for herself. She would cry for hours upon hours as she allowed herself to drown in the sea of emotions and pain. Her heart longed for him in ways that nothing else could possibly ever remedy.

MC never forgave herself for being absent the day Sebastian was harshly ripped from her life and thrown into Azkaban. See, what most people didn't realize was that she had no part in his imprisonment.

After everything had happened with Solomon, she was almost immediately thrust into her confrontation with Rookwood, preventing her from fully processing what had just happened.

"Children should be seen and not heard."

Hearing Rockwood utter the words she'd heard from Sebastian countless times set a fire inside her, and she was out for blood. This man was responsible for everything that had happened to the Sallow twins, and she would have vengeance for that.

MC was more vicious than she had ever been. The loving and childish spark was gone from her eyes, a cold murderous look replacing them. She was almost unrecognizable.

"Crucio!"

He crumpled over in pain, screaming at the top of his lungs.

She found she took great joy in his pain, watching him writhe around like a helpless little muggle.

She knelt next to his screaming form, taking it all in.

"You don't think I'm finished with you yet, do you?" she laughed coldly. "You have a great deal to pay for, and I'm going to make sure you pay for it with your blood."

Perhaps she had taken it too far because, by the time she was finally finished, he was a bloody babbling mess. Begging for it to end, for her to award him a small amount of kindness and just put him out of his misery. These pleas were ignored.

With every curse she cast on Rookwood, a flash of Solomon's last moments in the catacomb flooded her mind. Rookwoods curse on Anne had destroyed who Sebastian was as a person—taken away his innocence, pushed him to become a murderer. She was never going to let that go.

"Oh, I would love nothing more than to use the killing curse on you right now," she snarled, "but think I'll just settle for taking your wand and leaving you here to die. Slowly. Suffering"

She picked up his blood-soaked wand, taking one final look at his gasping form before apparating out of there.

When she had finally returned to Hogwarts to tell Sebastian the news, he was gone.

She refused to speak about it with anyone, resulting in several people assuming she had been the cause of his imprisonment or, at the very least, involved.

Shortly after this, she was forced to confront Ranrok in an attempt to save the school. She succeeded but also lost Fig in the ensuing chaos.

Her efforts earned her the title,

"HERO OF HOGWARTS."

She loathed the name. Hero? She couldn't even save the love of her life from a fate worse than death. She was no hero.

She had found out she was pregnant shortly after that; Ominis and Anne gave her their full support and vowed to keep her and the baby safe.

Regardless of everything that had happened, this was a piece of Sebastian. A piece of the boy that they had tried so desperately to save from himself.

They had failed him, but they wouldn't make the same mistake with his child.

MC had to live with the knowledge that if she hadn't tortured Rookwood nearly to death that night, she might have made it back in time. She could have saved him. Instead, she let her bloodlust take over. She had allowed the darkness to win, and it cost her the most important thing in her life.

Not a day goes by that she doesn't think about him sitting in that cold cell, alone in the dark, dementors sucking out his very essence.

Then suddenly, she can't breathe, and Ominis is kneeling next to her on the floor, trying to help her regulate her breathing and rubbing small circles on her back.

This was almost a daily occurrence.

Ever since Sebastian had been sentenced, she would get regular flashes of their last time together in the catacomb. She would see his face clear as day, the pain and utter defeat etched into his features as if she were standing next to him. She would see Solomon's dead body and Anne's flames destroying the Inferi.

She could feel the flames on her face, and she swore if she stretched her hand out far enough, she could reach him. Pull him out of this painful memory and into her life, but every time she tried, the air was sucked from her body all at once, and she was on the floor, gasping for breath.

This was the main reason Ominis and Anne had invited MC to live with them after they had gotten married. The other reason was that Anne wanted to be there for the birth of her niece. It was no surprise how attached she felt to this baby; it was essentially the only family she had left.

Anne's deep devotion to the baby led to MC picking the perfect name.

Anne Sallow.

She absolutely cried over that for a few hours.

They all knew Anne's time was short, having never found a cure, but that didn't stop Ominis from insisting on making her his wife. He was determined to give the woman he loved a happy life while he had the chance.

If anyone deserved happiness, it was Anne, and when MC gave birth, they made the perfect little family.

Little Anne was about five years old by the time her aunt finally succumbed to Rookwoods curse. It took a significant toll on the family, with MC falling into an even deeper depression than before. She could barely get up or do any basic housework. She couldn't even get her daughter dressed in the morning or feed her breakfast. She felt like a failure, like she was the worst mother in the world.

That's when Ominis stepped up to take on most of the responsibilities, all the while assuring her this wasn't something she could control, and both he and little Anne knew she was doing her best.

By the ten year mark, she had finally felt more stable, like they had figured out their little routine.

Despite that, the images of Sebastian never ceased to plague her mind. She didn't think she would ever truly be happy.

The sound of a question directed her way pulled MC out of her thoughts.

"Hm?"

"I said, now that you've finished braiding my hair, is it okay if I go outside and play for a little while?"

She looked up and saw Anne's braids freshly done. She hadn't even realized she'd finished. She must have been caught up thinking for a while because Ominis was now asleep on the couch opposite her.

"Yes, of course, sweetheart. Just be safe."

Anne jumped up excitedly and threw on her coat.

"Of course, Mommy! I always am," She said, giving her that little sideways smirk she inherited from her father.

MC rolled her eyes and smiled.

"Yeah, yeah"

Anne rushed out the door with a little giggle.

MC smiled fondly and glanced out the window after her, and that's when she noticed something.

It was Sebastian.

Sebastian Sallow was at her front door talking to her daughter. His daughter. Was she dreaming? Was this a cruel trick? Had she finally lost it? It couldn't be him. Sebastian was in Azkaban. He was gone. But- but he wasn't gone. He was here. He was here after all these years.

Taking a good look at his face, she finally felt she could breathe for the first time in ten years. Her mind was clear. She closed her eyes and felt herself race towards the door, ready to wrap herself in his arms and kiss him breathless.

But when she opened her eyes, she found herself in the same spot, terrified to move. It was as if someone had cast petrificus totalus on her, as her body refused to obey her brain.

Soon after, she saw him turn to leave, bidding goodbye to Anne.

She mentally screamed at herself to move, to run after him, and never let him go. Instead, she just watched him walk away, her heart breaking all over again.

Tears freely flowed down her face as she sobbed into her hand, trying her best to be quiet so Ominis didn't hear her. She didn't want to explain what she had just seen, and she had no idea how Ominis would react. She herself wasn't even sure what to think or how to react.

All she knew was that for the few minutes she had just observed him, she felt things she didn't know she could feel anymore. Seeing him felt like home.

When Anne came home telling her about a strange but friendly 'family friend' she had met, she urged her daughter to keep it a secret from Ominis.

"At least for now. You trust me, right?"

It didn't take much convincing; little Anne was more clever than most people realized, just like her father.

This continued on for the next two weeks. Sebastian would show up, hang around, talk to Anne, and leave. Never once attempting to knock on the door and talk to her.

This made her heart break a little more every time, but when he would return the next day, her heart would be healed again. It was like a vicious cycle of hope and despair.

She had figured by the first week that he would never actually walk up those steps and back into her life.

If Sebastian were as clever as she thought he was, he'd have figured out Anne was his by now and supposed that's why he kept coming back. She felt comfort in her heart at the thought of him wanting to be there for his daughter, even if he didn't want her anymore.

So she just observed them together, day after day, while keeping Ominis in the dark about it. She knew it was wrong; Ominis had been there for her throughout everything. He was her best friend. He was Sebastian's best friend, and he deserved to know, but she had no idea how to tell him.

She was also enjoying being able to observe these little father-daughter moments and just take them all in; seeing Sebastian get to be the father he always should have been made her happier than she had ever felt in her entire life.

She had just arrived home from one of her usual trips to the market. Unfortunately, they were all out of Dirigible Plums, Ominis' favourite, so she'd had to settle for real plums. She knew he would be whining about that for a few hours, but unless he wanted her to grow them herself, he was out of luck.

Ominis didn't complain much, but he was a little particular about the food he chose to consume.

"Okay, so I'm back! Ominis, they didn't have the fruit you like, so I just got-"

She stopped dead in her tracks, her heart beating out of her chest at the sight before her.

Sebastian Sallow was inside her house. He was crying while Ominis looked on regretfully, and Anne held his hand, gently comforting him.

She felt the tears spill over at the sight, and her throat tightened, squeezing so hard she wanted to gasp for air.

They all looked in her direction when they heard her words, and she felt Sebastian's eyes lock onto hers.

She felt so overtaken with emotions that all she managed to gasp out was a meek, breathless "Sebastian..."

Finally, he was home; he had come home to her.

They had a lot of lost time to make up for, and she was going to make sure to savor every moment.

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Alrighty, you already know the drill. Tagging some lovelies 💕 thank you so much for continuing to support this series. If it weren't for you guys, I never would've made a part 2.

@bunnybabyfanpage

@irishgal2022

@krystal-kokoro

@hufflepuff-16

@snickette

@fullmoonwolfer1

@sonicranger1

@lilac-crown

@findingtruenorth23

@froggyinaspen

@friendly-neighborhood-boricua