Summary : In a haunting farewell under the cold night sky of Feldcroft, you leave Sebastian behind, grappling with the pain of loss and the desperate need to find yourself amidst the shadows of a once-bright future together.
Word count : 1.6k
Notes : Since y'all like the gut-wrenchingly sad ones ๐ผ here's one loosely inspired by the song "Fresh out the slammer" by Taylor Swift! In this story, you're living at the cottage in Feldcroft a few years after the original timeline, and Sebastian turned to the dark arts for good.
Read my disclaimer and fair use notice here
The night air in Feldcroft is cold, biting through your cloak as you stand on the hill overlooking the village. The memories here are thickโwoven into the stones, the trees, the very ground beneath your feet. Itโs where you and Sebastian once dreamed of a future, where he clung to the hope of saving his sister, where you both began to spiral into a darkness neither of you could have foreseen.
You trace the lines of your wand, the familiar grooves offering little comfort. This place, this moment, is suffocating in its finality. You know what you have to do, even if it tears you apart.
The door to the small cottage creaks open, and there he is, standing in the threshold. The sight of him hits you like a curse to the chestโhis face drawn and worn, eyes searching yours for an answer you canโt give. You can see the remnants of the boy you fell in love with, the fierce determination that always made him seem invincible. But the years have chipped away at him, and the man standing before you now is a shadow of that boy, marred by loss and the pursuit of power.
โYouโre leaving, arenโt you?โ His voice is rough, barely more than a whisper, but it cuts through the silence like a dagger.
You nod, swallowing the lump in your throat. The words you practiced, the explanations you rehearsed, all crumble into dust in the face of his pain. โI have to, Sebastian. I canโt stay here anymore. Itโsโฆitโs killing me.โ
His hand tightens on the doorframe, knuckles white. โWe can fix this. Whatever it is, we can fix it. You donโt have to go.โ
You want to believe him, you want to fall into his arms and let him convince you that everything will be okay. But youโve tried that before. Youโve tried to heal the wounds with whispered promises and desperate kisses. And each time, the darkness only crept in deeper.
โItโs not something that can be fixed, Sebastian. Not with spells, not with time. Weโreโฆweโre broken. And I think weโve been broken for a long time.โ
He steps closer, his eyes pleading. โI can change. Whatever you need me to do, Iโll do it. Justโฆdonโt leave me. Not now.โ
The ache in your chest intensifies, and you take a step back, needing the distance as much as you hate it. โItโs not about you changing, Sebastian. Itโs about me. Iโve lost myself in all of thisโin you, in trying to save you, in trying to save us. I donโt even know who I am anymore.โ
โThen let me help you find yourself,โ he begs, voice cracking with desperation. โDonโt go through this alone. Donโt leave me alone.โ
Tears well up in your eyes, and you blink them away, refusing to let them fall. โI canโt stay, Sebastian. Every time I look at you, I see everything weโve lost. Everything Iโve lost. And I canโt keep doing this to myself.โ
The silence between you is heavy, laden with everything unsaid. You can see the walls heโs tried to build around himself crumbling, the vulnerability heโs kept hidden for so long laid bare. โPlease,โ he whispers, his voice breaking. โI need you.โ
You close your eyes, fighting the urge to run to him, to hold him and let him hold you back. But you know that if you do, youโll never leave, and youโll both be trapped in this endless cycle of hurt and hope.
โIโm sorry,โ you say, the words nearly choking you as they leave your lips. โBut I canโt do this anymore. I have to go.โ
He doesnโt move, doesnโt try to stop you as you turn away, but you can feel his eyes on you, burning with everything he wishes he could say, everything you wish you could hear. The pain is a physical thing, tearing through you with each step you take away from him.
As you reach the edge of the village, you pause, looking back one last time. Heโs still there, a solitary figure in the doorway, the light from the cottage casting long shadows around him. For a moment, you think he might come after you, that he might say something that will make you turn back. But he doesnโt. And you donโt.
The path ahead is dark, uncertain, but you force yourself to take that first step, then another, until the village is behind you, until the memories begin to fade with the distance. You know that this isnโt the end of your storyโonly the end of this chapter. But that doesnโt make it any less painful.
As the tears finally fall, you let yourself mourn what youโve lost, what youโve had to leave behind. Because in the end, you realize, it was never about leaving Sebastian. It was about finding yourself. And that, you hope, will be worth the pain.
โขโขโขโขโขโขโข
The fire in the hearth is dying, the last embers casting a dim, flickering light around the room. Sebastian sits in the armchair by the window, staring out at the darkness beyond. The night outside is still, suffocating in its quiet, as if the world itself is holding its breath. But inside, the storm rages, tearing through him with a ferocity that leaves him trembling.
He hears the door close again in his mind, the finality of that sound echoing like a death knell. Youโre gone. You walked away, and he did nothing to stop you. The memory of your retreating figure is burned into his mind, every detail sharp and clear. The way your shoulders had slumped as if the weight of everything was too much to bear. The look in your eyes when you told him you couldnโt stayโthe heartbreak, the resignation, the sorrow. He felt it all then, and he feels it now, a gaping wound that refuses to heal.
He had tried to sleep, tried to close his eyes and block out the reality of what had happened, but sleep eluded him. The bed, once a place of comfort, now felt like a tomb, cold and empty without you beside him. Each creak of the floorboards, each whisper of the wind against the window, was a reminder of your absence. The silence was unbearable, a suffocating weight that pressed down on him, squeezing the air from his lungs.
Finally, exhaustion overtakes him, and he drifts into a restless sleep, only to be torn from it hours later, his heart racing, drenched in sweat. For a moment, heโs disoriented, the remnants of his dream clinging to him like a fog. In the dream, you were still there, standing in the doorway, smiling at him, everything the way it used to be. But as the haze lifts, reality crashes down, brutal and unrelenting.
Youโre gone. The bed is empty.
Panic grips him, and before he can stop himself, heโs out of bed, feet hitting the cold floor, heart pounding in his chest. He stumbles through the darkness, eyes wide, searchingโdesperate to find you, to prove to himself that it was just a nightmare, that you didnโt really leave. His breath comes in ragged gasps as he flings open doors, calling your name, his voice echoing through the empty cottage.
But youโre not there.
โWhere are you?โ he mutters, half-delusional, running a hand through his disheveled hair. โYou wouldnโt leave meโฆyou wouldnโtโฆyou promisedโฆโ
He moves through the rooms, frantic now, convinced that if he just looks hard enough, heโll find you, hiding somewhere, waiting for him. He calls your name again, louder this time, the sound hoarse, desperate. But the only response is the wind outside, howling like a ghost through the cracks in the walls.
He stumbles into the living room, collapsing to his knees in front of the cold fireplace. His hands tremble as he reaches out, as if trying to grasp something that isnโt there. The realization finally hits him, like a physical blowโthis is real. Youโre not coming back.
The sob that escapes him is raw, tearing through him as he doubles over, clutching at his chest as if he can physically hold himself together. โIโm sorry,โ he whispers, the words choked out through the tears that he can no longer hold back. โIโm so sorryโฆ Please come backโฆโ
But the night offers no solace, no comfort. The darkness is relentless, pressing in on him from all sides, suffocating in its intensity. He feels like heโs drowning, pulled under by a tidal wave of grief and regret. His mind races, replaying every moment, every mistake, every word he wishes he could take back. But itโs too late. Youโre gone.
In his delusion, he starts to believe that if he can just make it to the door, if he can just reach out, youโll be there, waiting for him like you always were. He stumbles to his feet, lurching toward the door, his vision blurred by tears. His hand grips the handle, pulling it open with a force that nearly wrenches it off its hinges.
But the night outside is empty.
โPlease,โ he whispers into the void, his voice breaking, the last remnants of hope shattering as he stares into the darkness. โPleaseโฆ I canโt do this without youโฆโ
He collapses against the doorframe, sliding down to the ground, his body wracked with sobs. The cold night air rushes in, chilling him to the bone, but he doesnโt care. He doesnโt care about anything anymore. The only thing that mattered was you, and now youโre gone, leaving him hollow, a shell of the person he once was.
As the hours drag on, heโs left alone in the cold, clutching at the empty space where you once stood, haunted by the echo of your departure. And in the silence, the only sound is his broken whisper, repeating your name like a prayer, begging for a miracle that will never come.
***
Hehe. Requests are open :P thank you for reading, and we shall meet again my next endeavour!
Summary : You and Sebastian resolve the skirmish in Feldcroft, where Sebastian gets to witness your magical abilities firsthand. Family drama ensues. Back at Hogwarts, will things have changed for good between you and Sebastian? Or will the friendship last the lessons in tension?
Word count : 6.3k
Notes : Whew! Glad to get this one out there. This was an idea i've been sitting on for a while. Enjoy!
CW : Writing in details about a part of the In The Shadow Of Time quest... 1-2 lines that are gorier if you're not too fond of it lol.
Read my disclaimer and fair use notice here
The distant rumble of battle reverberated through the air as you and Sebastian hurried along the path to Feldcroft, the familiar cobblestone crunching under your feet. In the distance, you could see the dark plumes of smoke rising from the small village, curling like tendrils of a nightmare. The sky above had dulled, casting the entire landscape in an eerie, muted glow. There was a chill in the wind, one that cut through your robes and sent a ripple of unease through you.
Sebastianโs expression was grim, his jaw clenched so tightly that the muscles in his face stood out sharply. He hadnโt said much since the first signs of attack reached Hogwarts, but you could feel the worry radiating off him in waves. The desperation to protect what was left of his familyโof his sisterโwas palpable, and you felt it too.
As the village came into view, chaos unfolded before you. Goblins swarmed the streets, their voices harsh and guttural as they gave orders to one another. Solomonโs home stood at the far end, fortifications shimmering as he worked tirelessly to hold off the onslaught, protecting Anne, who you knew was tucked safely inside.
Sebastian slowed, scanning the scene. โTheyโve breached the perimeter,โ he muttered, more to himself than to you. His hand hovered near his wand, every muscle in his body tensed, ready to spring into action. โAnneโs inside. Sheโs safe. Solomonโs strong enough to hold for a while, but...โ
His words trailed off as his eyes flicked to you. There was a silent understanding between you. There wasnโt time for hesitation. Without a word, Sebastian drew his wand, and you both plunged into the fray.
You couldnโt help but admire the way he moved, his wand a seamless extension of himself. The spells that shot from his fingertips were precise, sharp, and relentless. He dodged a goblinโs swing with effortless grace, retaliating with a barrage of quick-fire hexes that sent his opponent sprawling. His movements were so fluid, so practiced, that for a brief moment, you allowed yourself to simply watch.
He was relentlessโdriven by something deeper than the need to fight. His need to protect Anne, his need to redeem himself for past choices, all of it was in the way he fought, his expression a storm of determination and pain.
You followed his lead at first, relying on your own wandwork, though the familiar hum of ancient magic buzzed faintly under your skin. Youโd told him once, about the magic you could wield. The kind that didnโt rely on incantations or hand movements. The kind that answered to something far more primal. But Sebastian had brushed it off, teasing you at first, then simply chalking it up to exaggeration, to the overblown tales that often circulated among students. He had never believed it fully.
Not until now.
A goblin lunged at you from your left, its weapon raised high, and instinct took over. You sidestepped, your wand flicking as you sent a blast of Depulso into its chest. The goblin staggered back but didnโt fall. There were too many. They kept multiplying, flooding the village like a relentless tide.
Your magic stirred againโstronger this time. And you knew it was only a matter of time before youโd have to stop holding it back.
Sebastian glanced at you between spells, the same flicker of concern shadowing his features. He didnโt say it, but you could tell he was worried. Feldcroft was slipping, and you both knew that simple spells wouldnโt be enough. Not for long.
Another group of goblins surged from the far end of the village, overwhelming the villagers and the few Aurors who had managed to arrive. You cast another spell, but the creatures barely slowed. And then, just as one raised its axe toward Sebastian, you acted on instinct.
You didnโt shout an incantation. You didnโt need to.
The ancient magic surged forward as if it had been waiting, thrumming through your veins, your fingertips tingling with raw power. You raised your hand, and the air around you seemed to ripple, distorting for a brief moment. The goblin was lifted off its feet, caught in the invisible force, and before anyone could react, you slammed it into the ground with a deafening crack. The earth trembled beneath your feet, and dust rose from the crater left in the goblinโs wake.
For a second, everything stopped.
Sebastian turned toward you, his face drained of color, eyes wide. There was no teasing in his expression this timeโonly disbelief, awe, and something darker, something closer to fear. He had seen you cast powerful spells before, but this was different. This was raw, unfiltered, ancient power, and you could see the realization dawning in his eyes.
But there wasnโt time for him to fully process it. The battle raged on.
You could feel it now, the pull of the magic inside you, urging you to let it loose. And with each passing moment, the goblins kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless. Your wand movements grew faster, more frantic, as the realization struck you that even with this magic, you might not be able to stop them all.
โSebastian!โ you called over the noise, as another group of goblins appeared on the horizon. โWe canโt hold them like this. Thereโs too many!โ
He nodded, his eyes still darting between you and the goblins. โI know.โ His voice was rough, strained. โBut we donโt have a choice.โ
That was when you felt it againโthe overwhelming surge of power, more potent than before, more insistent. Your ancient magic flared, burning brighter, and you knew what had to be done. Without a word, you stepped forward, letting the magic take control.
The sky above you darkened further, clouds swirling as a tempest gathered overhead. You raised your wand, the air around you crackling with energy. Blue light arced from the tip of your wand, a wild, electric storm forming in the sky. You could hear the low rumble of thunder, the buildup of something immense, something destructive.
And then, with a single motion, you brought your wand down.
Light blue thunder, brilliant and blinding, streaked down from the heavens, striking the goblins in front of you with terrifying precision. Four of them collapsed instantly, their bodies convulsing in the electric storm before they lay still, smoke curling from their forms.
The village fell silent. Even the remaining goblins hesitated, staring at the destruction you had wrought. The storm above you dissipated slowly, the last remnants of the blue light fading into the clouds. You stood there, breathless, your hand still tingling from the raw energy that had coursed through it.
Sebastian was staring at you again, but this time, he wasnโt moving. His wand was still at his side, forgotten. His face was unreadable, a storm of emotions fighting for dominance. He swallowed hard, taking a hesitant step toward you.
โYouโฆ you werenโt exaggerating,โ he said, his voice hoarse. His eyes were wide, still locked onto you as if he couldnโt quite believe what he had seen. โI thought you were justโโ He shook his head, unable to finish the sentence. โThat was...โ
You waited for him to continue, unsure of what he might say. The battlefield was littered with the bodies of goblins, and yet, all you could focus on was the way he looked at you nowโboth terrified and captivated, both in awe and at a loss for words.
Sebastian finally stopped in front of you, close enough that you could see the rapid rise and fall of his chest. His eyes were darker now, filled with something deeper. โYou couldโve told me,โ he murmured, a hint of something accusatory in his tone. But then his lips twitched, a ghost of a smile, and he added, โNot that I wouldโve believed you.โ
You gave a small, breathless laugh, feeling the tension slowly ease out of your body. โI did tell you,โ you reminded him. โYou just didnโt want to listen.โ
His expression softened, and for a moment, the two of you stood there in the quiet aftermath of the battle, the sounds of distant conflict fading into the background. The magic had left its mark on both of you, but there was a new understanding between you now. A shift that neither of you could ignore.
โI didnโt know,โ he admitted, his voice quieter now, almost reverent. โBut I do now.โ
And in the lingering silence, you knew that things had changed. This was no longer just a fight for Feldcroft. Something far deeper had been unleashedโsomething that neither of you could walk away from.
The goblins' numbers had dwindled, their forces scattering like shadows as the last of their kind fell beneath the weight of your combined spells. The crackling tension in the air began to settle, but the smell of smoke and blood still clung to the village. Your chest heaved with the effort, each breath pulling in the heavy scent of battle as you and Sebastian dispatched the final goblin together.
But before the adrenaline could fully subside, a new danger emerged. In the corner of your eye, you saw herโAnne. She had stepped outside the house, no longer under Solomon's watchful guard. Her knees buckled, and she sank to the ground, weakened and unaware of the goblin charging toward her, its jagged blade raised high.
Sebastianโs body moved before yours could react, his expression darkening with the speed of his choice. His wand snapped out in a motion that was almost instinctive, and with a sharp flick, he cast the spell you never expected him to use.
โImperio!โ
The curse shot from his wand, striking the goblin mere feet from Anne. Time seemed to slow, and in an instant, the goblinโs wild charge halted. Its eyes glazed over, the frenzy of battle drained from its features as Sebastianโs control took hold. The goblinโs hand, still gripping its weapon, trembled slightly as it turned, locking eyes with Sebastian. There was no sound, no words spoken aloud, but you could feel the silent command pass between them like a whisper in the air.
The goblin raised the blade to its own throat.
And with a sickening, fluid motion, it dragged the weapon across its neck. Blood sprayed the ground as the goblin collapsed, lifeless, at Anneโs feet.
For a long moment, the village fell into an eerie silence. The only sound was the soft gasp of breath escaping Anneโs lips as she stared at the scene before her, wide-eyed, her face ashen with shock.
Sebastian was panting beside you, his wand still raised, his chest rising and falling with each labored breath. His eyes were wild, filled with equal parts relief and fury. He had saved his sister. But in doing so, he had crossed a line.
You could see it in the way his shoulders hunched slightly, as if the weight of the curse itself had pressed into him. He turned toward Anne, taking a step forward, but before he could reach her, a cold, familiar voice sliced through the tension like a blade.
โBoy, what have you done?โ
Solomonโs voice was thick with disbelief, his expression one of horror and anger as he stood in the doorway, his wand clutched tightly in his hand. He had witnessed everythingโthe curse, the bloodshed, the moment Sebastian had made his choice. His eyes locked onto Sebastian, and there was something bitter in them, something that stung deeper than mere anger.
Sebastian flinched at the sound, spinning to face his uncle, but the defiance was still there in his eyes. His hand tightened around his wand as he faced Solomon, unrepentant.
Sebastian shouted, his voice raw with emotion. โSaved my sister, Iโโ
โWith an Unforgivable Curse!โ Solomon's voice boomed, drowning out Sebastianโs protest. His face twisted with a mix of fury and betrayal, his eyes flickering to the blood-soaked goblin on the ground. โFrom that damned book, no doubt!โ
You watched as Solomonโs words hit Sebastian like a physical blow. The mention of the bookโSalazar Slytherin's personal book of spells and magic โseemed to pull the air from his lungs. For a brief moment, you saw the boy you had known for so long, the one who was always so sure of himself, crumble under the weight of Solomonโs accusation.
Solomon shook his head, disgust etched into every line of his face. He turned toward Anne, who still sat on the ground, her hands trembling as she stared blankly ahead, clearly in shock from the ordeal. With a gentleness that seemed at odds with the fury radiating from him, Solomon bent down and scooped her into his arms.
Anne didnโt resist. She didnโt say a word. She only looked at Sebastian as if seeing him for the first time, her eyes filled with something you couldnโt quite place. Fear? Sadness? Disappointment? Whatever it was, it cut through the air between them like a knife.
โYour father would be ashamed,โ Solomon said bitterly as he straightened, cradling Anne against him. His voice was quiet now, but no less harsh. โYouโve gone too far, Sebastian.โ
Sebastian took a step forward, his face pale, his hands trembling. โSolomon, Iโโ
โStay away from her.โ Solomonโs voice was ice, his eyes burning with an unyielding anger. He looked at Sebastian with such disdain that it made your stomach turn. โFrom all of us.โ
And with that, Solomon turned his back on him, leading Anne back inside the house without another word. The door shut with a dull thud, leaving the two of you standing alone in the fading light of Feldcroft.
Sebastian didnโt move. He stood frozen, staring at the closed door, his face a mask of shock and disbelief. His wand hung limply at his side, and for the first time since the battle had started, you saw the weight of his actions crash down on him all at once.
The silence between you was deafening.
You didnโt know what to say. There was nothing that could fix thisโnothing that could take back what had just happened. You watched him, waiting for something, anything. But he just stood there, his chest heaving, his eyes fixed on the house where his sister and uncle had disappeared.
When he finally spoke, his voice was barely a whisper. โI had to.โ
There was no conviction in his words. No fire. Just the raw, unfiltered pain of someone who had believed, truly believed, that they were doing the right thingโonly to be cast out for it.
You stepped closer, placing a hand on his arm, hoping to ground him in the present. โSebastianโฆโ
But he pulled away, his face twisting into something desperate and broken. โI had to,โ he repeated, as if trying to convince himself more than you. His voice cracked, and for the first time, he looked at youโnot with the stubborn defiance you had come to expect, but with the hollow, haunted look of someone who had lost everything.
You stood there, watching Sebastian as the last light of day slipped beneath the horizon, leaving the two of you in a twilight that felt colder than it should have. You opened your mouth to speak, to say something that might reach him, but the words felt clumsy, inadequate. What could you say to someone who had just been cast out by his own family?
โSebastianโฆโ you began softly, trying to keep your voice calm, steady. You reached out again, tentatively placing your hand on his arm. โYou did what you thought was right.โ
For a brief moment, you thought you saw a flicker of something in his eyesโregret, pain, maybe even relief. But it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by that same indignant fire that had been burning in him since the moment Solomon had spoken.
โDonโt,โ he snapped, shrugging your hand off his arm as if it burned him. โDonโt try to make this better. You saw what happened.โ
โI know,โ you replied, trying to keep your voice level. โI was there. But that doesnโt meanโโ
โI saved her!โ Sebastian interrupted, his voice rising. โI did what I had to. You heard himโhe wouldโve let that goblin kill her if it meant sticking to his precious rules.โ
You could feel the tension building between you, thickening with every word. He was spiraling, his emotions crashing together in a storm that he couldnโt contain. Youโd seen this beforeโthe way he lashed out when he felt cornered, when he didnโt know how to deal with the mess of feelings inside him. But this time, it was different. This time, the stakes were higher, and the damage was already done.
โI know you did,โ you said, keeping your voice low, trying to pull him back from the edge. โBut Imperio, Sebastian? Youโโ
โWhat?โ he barked, rounding on you, eyes blazing. โYouโre going to lecture me now, too? I did what I had to. What was I supposed to do, let her die?โ
โNo, butโโ
โThen donโt,โ he snarled, his chest heaving with anger. โDonโt stand there and act like Iโm the one whoโs done something wrong. I saved her. I saved my sister, and Iโd do it again. I donโt care what Solomon thinks.โ
His words stung, more than you wanted to admit. You werenโt trying to make him feel worse, but it was like he couldnโt see past the hurt and rage burning inside him. Every attempt you made to comfort him seemed to ricochet back, twisted into something bitter.
โIโm not saying you did the wrong thing,โ you said carefully, taking a step toward him. โBut you have toโโ
โI have to what?โ His voice cracked, the emotion pouring out in sharp bursts. โI have to follow their rules? Their pathetic rules that donโt protect anyone? Look where that got us!โ
โSebastian, Iโm trying to help youโโ
โWell, donโt!โ he shouted, cutting you off again. His face was flushed now, the anger radiating from him in waves. โI donโt need your help. I donโt need anyoneโs help.โ
The words hit harder than you expected, and you felt a sharp pang in your chest. It wasnโt true. You knew it wasnโt true. But right now, Sebastian was too blinded by his own pain to see anything else.
โYouโre not thinking straight,โ you said, your own frustration starting to seep into your voice. โYouโre upset, and I get that, butโโ
โOf course Iโm upset!โ he shouted, throwing his hands up in exasperation. โMy uncle just threw me out of my own family, in front of my sister, for saving her life!โ
You stepped closer, trying to close the gap between you. โBut Iโm here, Sebastian. Iโm with you. You donโt have to deal with this alone.โ
His face twisted, a mix of frustration and something raw, something vulnerable that he was trying to hide. He turned away from you, his hand running through his hair, gripping at the strands as if he could pull himself back together.
โI need space,โ he muttered, his voice low and strained. โI canโtโฆ I canโt do this right now.โ
The words caught you off guard. Youโd been so focused on getting through to him, on making him see reason, that you hadnโt expected him to pull away like this.
โSebastianโโ
โI need space,โ he repeated, more forcefully this time. He finally turned to face you again, his eyes dark, filled with the same turmoil youโd seen in him since the skirmish started. โI canโtโฆ I just canโt deal with this. Not with you, not with anyone.โ
The finality in his voice struck deep, and before you could respond, before you could even process what he was saying, he had already pulled away from you entirely.
He took a step back, his wand raised slightly. โI need time to think.โ
And then, with a sharp twist, he Disapparated, the familiar crack echoing through the village, leaving you alone in the quiet devastation of Feldcroft.
The moment Sebastian vanished, the quiet in Feldcroft became unbearable. The weight of his words, the tension that had crackled between youโit all lingered in the air, settling into your bones like the cold creeping through the evening mist. The village around you felt distant now, the battle's aftermath fading into the background as your mind raced.
You glanced toward the sky, feeling the familiar tug of your broom at your side, and without hesitation, you mounted it, kicking off the ground and soaring into the air. The wind whipped through your hair, the cold bite of the evening air sharp against your skin, but it did little to clear your thoughts. Each beat of your broomโs ascent felt heavy, your heart still pounding from the argument that had just unfolded.
He needs space. That was the last thing heโd said, his voice raw and defensive. He couldnโt even look at you when he said it. But the way heโd stormed off, the fire in his eyesโit wasnโt just anger at Solomon, or the situation. It was directed at you too. Thatโs what hurt the most.
You flew faster, the familiar outline of Hogwarts in the distance growing closer, but the rush of wind and speed wasnโt enough to quiet the storm in your mind.
Why didnโt he listen? you thought, replaying the conversation in your head, again and again. Every word felt like a puzzle piece that didnโt quite fit. You had been trying to help himโtrying to make him see that he wasnโt alone in this. But he couldnโt hear you. Or maybe he didnโt want to.
Your hands tightened on the broom handle as the memory of his voice, sharp and bitter, echoed in your mind. โI donโt need your help. I donโt need anyoneโs help.โ The way he said itโit felt like he was pushing you away on purpose. But why? Was it just the heat of the moment, or was there something deeper?
The wind howled in your ears as you banked sharply to the left, circling over the Forbidden Forest. The trees blurred beneath you, but your mind stayed locked on him. Sebastian had always been stubborn. Heโd always acted out when things didnโt go his way. But thisโฆ this was different. There had been a darkness in his eyes back there, something you hadnโt seen before. Something that unsettled you.
Heโs not thinking clearly, you told yourself, trying to make sense of it all. Heโs hurt. Heโs scared for Anne. Thatโs why he lashed out. But even as you thought it, doubt crept in. The look on his face, the way he had recoiled from you when you tried to comfort himโit was more than just fear or anger. It was something deeper, something that felt like betrayal.
You flew faster, pushing your broom harder, the wind stinging your eyes as Hogwarts loomed closer on the horizon. The castle, usually a comforting sight, felt distant now, its towering spires indifferent to the turmoil brewing inside you.
You couldnโt stop the questions from flooding your mind. What if I pushed him too far? What if trying to help only made things worse? You replayed the moment he pulled away, the way his voice cracked when he said he needed space. What if that space turned into something more? What if he didnโt come back? What if, in trying to help him, youโd only driven him further away?
The thought chilled you more than the wind cutting through the air.
You were nearing the castle grounds now, the familiar stone walls and sprawling courtyards coming into view. The students milling about below were oblivious to the chaos youโd just left behind, to the storm raging inside your mind. The last of the daylight faded, and the lanterns along the grounds flickered to life, casting a warm glow over the cobblestone paths.
But you didnโt land.
Instead, you hovered above the grounds, circling aimlessly, unable to bring yourself back down to reality. You needed to calm down, to think clearly. But the more you tried, the harder it became to silence the thoughts spiraling through your head.
Was this all your fault? You had tried to make him see reason, to stop him from slipping further down the path heโd been walking ever since he found that cursed book. But had you pushed too hard? Was there something else you should have said? Something else you could have done?
You shook your head, frustrated with yourself. Heโs the one who cast Imperio, you reminded yourself. Heโs the one who made the choice. But the justification felt hollow. You had known Sebastian for years. You knew the weight of his choices, how he carried every decision like a burden. And now, after what happened with Solomon, that burden had only grown heavier.
The cold wind brushed against your face, bringing a shiver as your broom slowed, drifting above the castleโs silhouette. You sighed, the weight of it all pressing down on you as your mind raced with possibilities.
Maybe he needed space. Maybe he just needed time to come to terms with everything that had happened. But there was a part of youโan ever-growing partโthat feared he wouldnโt come back. That the darkness youโd seen in his eyes tonight had taken root, and no amount of space or time would pull him back from it.
You lingered in the air for a long moment, staring down at the familiar grounds of Hogwarts below, where everything seemed so normal, so untouched by the chaos that had unfolded in Feldcroft.
The weekend had stretched out in front of you like an endless expanse of silence. You hadnโt seen Sebastian since he Disapparated from Feldcroft, and though youโd spent those two days trying to focus on anything else, your thoughts kept returning to him. Each moment alone was a reminder of the unresolved tension hanging between you, like a string pulled too taut, threatening to snap.
Monday morning came, and with it, the cold clarity of routine. You entered the Potions classroom with a knot of nerves coiled tight in your stomach, trying to steel yourself for what was bound to be an awkward day. The moment you crossed the threshold, your eyes instinctively sought him out, and there he wasโSebastian, sitting beside Ominis near the back of the room.
They were quiet, both of them. Ominis had that usual calm presence about him, but there was something different in the air today. The easy banter between them was missing, replaced by a muted stillness. Sebastian hadnโt said a word since you walked in, though you could feel the weight of his presence like a shadow in the room.
You chose a seat farther from them than usual, trying to give him the space heโd asked for. It felt unnatural, the distance between you, but you respected his need for it. Every part of you wanted to bridge that gap, to reach out and talk to himโto fix thingsโbut the memory of his voice, sharp and defensive, echoed in your mind.
I need space.
So, you gave it to him. You sat through the first half of the class in silence, your attention only half on Professor Sharpโs lecture. Occasionally, your gaze would flick toward him, but he never once looked your way. He and Ominis exchanged a few quiet words, but otherwise, the two of them seemed almost as isolated as you felt.
Your mind wandered to Feldcroft, to the skirmish, to the way Sebastian had looked at you after Solomonโs outburst. His face had been so full of conflicting emotionsโanger, fear, hurt. You wondered if any of those feelings still lingered. Or if he had simply shut them all away, the way he sometimes did when the weight of everything became too much.
Professor Sharpโs voice droned on in the background as you absently twirled your quill between your fingers, your thoughts far from the classroom. It wasnโt until a sudden jolt of motion beside you that your focus snapped back to the present.
A cauldron at the front of the class had begun to bubble over, its contents spilling out in a cascade of thick, green smoke. Professor Sharp muttered something under his breath, trying to contain the mess, but the fumes had already started to spread through the room, filling the air with a strange, acrid scent. Students began to shift uneasily in their seats, some coughing, others pulling their robes tighter around themselves to shield from the stench.
You grabbed your wand, instinctively readying yourself to cast a charm to clear the smoke, when a sharp tug of laughter reached your ears.
It was Sebastian.
He was laughing, quietly at first, but the sound grew louder as the chaos in the classroom unfolded. You looked over at him, and for the first time all day, you saw a flicker of something familiar in his eyesโamusement. Ominis had a bemused smile on his face too, though he remained much more composed.
Professor Sharp was too preoccupied with the cauldron to notice, but you couldnโt help it. You chuckled, the tension in your chest easing just slightly. It was ridiculous, really, the scene in front of you. A class full of advanced students, and here you all were, helpless against a puff of noxious fumes.
Sebastian must have caught the sound of your laughter, because his gaze flickered toward you, just for a moment. Your eyes met across the room, and there was something in his expressionโsomething softer, less guarded than it had been all morning.
He gave a small, almost imperceptible shake of his head, as if to say, Can you believe this?
The gesture was simple, but it was enough to crack the ice that had settled between you. The knot in your stomach loosened, and for the first time since the fight, you felt like you could breathe again.
Professor Sharp finally managed to clear the smoke, waving his wand with a flourish that was a bit too dramatic for the situation. The class settled down, students murmuring amongst themselves as they tried to recover from the brief interruption.
You caught Sebastianโs eye again, and this time, there was no tension in his gazeโjust the slightest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. It wasnโt much, but it was something. It was a start.
Ominis, ever perceptive, leaned toward Sebastian and muttered something under his breath, and though you couldnโt hear what he said, you saw the way Sebastianโs lips twitched in response, the way his shoulders relaxed ever so slightly.
You didnโt speak for the rest of the class, but the silence between you felt different now. Less heavy, less strained. There was still so much unresolved, so much left unsaid, but that momentโthe shared laughter, the glance across the roomโit was enough to remind you that not everything between you was broken.
When the class finally ended, students began filing out, chattering amongst themselves as they headed to their next lessons. You lingered for a moment, gathering your things slowly, not wanting to rush off just yet.
Sebastian and Ominis stood by the door, talking quietly. Ominis gave Sebastian a gentle nudge, and though you couldnโt be sure, it looked like he was encouraging him. And then, before you could fully register what was happening, Sebastianโs gaze found yours again.
This time, he didnโt look away.
He nodded, a small, almost tentative gesture, but it was enough to make your heart skip a beat. You nodded back, the corners of your mouth lifting in a tentative smile.
It wasnโt much. But it was enough to give you hope.
The evening was quiet, the soft hum of the common room fading as students retreated to their dormitories for the night. The day had been long, and though your body ached for rest, your mind was still too restless to surrender to sleep. You lay in bed, the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the window, casting silver streaks across the room. The events of the day played in your head on a loop, but none of it felt settled. The space between you and Sebastian, though cracked, still felt like it hung in a delicate balance.
Just as your thoughts began to spiral again, a gentle tap at the window broke through the stillness. You sat up, recognizing the familiar silhouette of Sebastianโs owl, Brescia. Her dark feathers gleamed in the moonlight as she pressed her beak to the glass, an unmistakable glint of impatience in her eyes.
You hurried over to let her in, heart already quickening. With a soft flutter, she landed on your desk, a letter tied to her leg. Her gaze followed your movements with a knowing look, as if she was privy to all the unsaid words between you and Sebastian.
With a slight smirk, you untied the letter, your fingers brushing against the parchment as you unfolded it. His handwriting, sharp and deliberate, sprawled across the page:
---
I suppose youโre still fuming at me for Disapparating like that? Or maybe youโre grateful I saved you the trouble of lecturing me any further?
Anyway, Iโll spare you a thousand apologies, as Iโm sure youโve already rehearsed a list of reasons Iโm an idiot. Youโre not wrong, of course. But if youโre keeping count, I did technically save the dayโฆ in my own way.
Donโt give me that lookโI know youโre reading this with a sigh.
I wonโt pretend to have everything figured out, and yes, Iโve made a mess of things. But you already knew that about me, didnโt you?
Rest easy, yeah? Youโll need your energy if you plan on scolding me more tomorrow.
โ S.S.
---
You couldn't help but roll your eyes at his cheeky tone, though the corners of your mouth lifted in a smile. There was a warmth in his words, a familiar playfulness that felt like the Sebastian you knewโsharp but softened, still the same boy beneath the layers of pride and defensiveness.
Grabbing a quill and parchment, you leaned over your desk, quickly scribbling a response:
---
Fuming? Perhaps just a little. Iโd say you have a flair for dramatic exits.
But youโre rightโyou are an idiot. Iโve known that for a while. And just so weโre clear, you saving the day doesnโt absolve you from everything else. So, no, donโt think youโre getting away that easily.
But I suppose youโre lucky I find your cheekiness tolerable. Maybe even charmingโฆ
Sleep well, Sallow. Try not to get into any more trouble before the morning.
---
You attached the note to Brescia, who gave you a brief but knowing look before taking off through the window again. You didnโt have to wait long. Within minutes, you heard the familiar flutter of wings outside, and sure enough, Brescia returned, another letter in tow.
Unfolding the parchment, you immediately recognized the shift in his tone:
---
Charming, am I? Iโll take that as a victory.
Though, if you ask me, youโre the one who's dangerously charming. Do you have any idea how distracting it is trying to concentrate with you around?
I suppose Iโll have to find a way to get through the day despite it.
But since weโre being honestโฆ
Wouldnโt mind a distraction right now.
Yours,
โ S.S.
---
You felt a warmth rise in your chest, the playfulness of his words blending with something more. The tension that had weighed heavily between you seemed to shift, lightening with each exchange. It felt like a dance, a back-and-forth that was so familiar yet laced with new, unspoken feelings.
You grinned, grabbing your quill again:
---
Distracting? Iโd say thatโs mutual. Itโs almost unfair, really.
And Iโm certain youโve mastered the art of being a distraction yourself.
But donโt worry, Iโm sure Iโll find ways to make it through the day.
As for right nowโฆ well, I could say the same about distractions. But itโs late, and youโll have to survive without me for one night.
Try not to get too restless, Sallow.
---
You sent Brescia off again, your heart racing slightly as you settled back against your pillows. The dormitory was quiet now, the soft sounds of your fellow students sleeping filling the air, but your mind was far from calm.
Another few minutes passed before Brescia returned, her claws tapping lightly on the desk. The final letter was slightly longer, the ink on the parchment bolder, as if heโd written it with more intent:
---
Youโre making this difficult, you know. But I suppose thatโs only fair.
Anyway, Iโve been thinkingโฆ
How about we put these distractions to good use? Meet me in the library tomorrow night for some studying. I promise to behave. Mostly.
And who knows, maybe youโll find it more productive than you expect.
See you there?
โ S. S.ย
---
Your heart skipped a beat as you read the last line. It wasnโt just the idea of studyingโit was the way he asked, the unspoken invitation to put aside the tension and be together again. A subtle olive branch, wrapped in flirtation but carrying something deeper. Something that felt like a step forward.
You quickly penned your response, a smile tugging at your lips as you wrote:
---
Studying? Are you sure you can handle that kind of focus around me?
But fine. Iโll meet you in the library.
Just donโt expect me to go easy on you, Sallow.
Yours,
---
Brescia took off for the final time that night, disappearing into the dark sky, and you finally allowed yourself to relax. You lay back in bed, the warmth of his words still lingering in your mind, a mix of excitement and anticipation blooming in your chest.
Tomorrow would bring its own challenges, but for now, there was hope. And perhaps something more waiting for you in the library tomorrow night.
***
Another long one! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. As usual, requests are open. Happy month of October!!
Summary : Haunted by a dream, Sebastian reaches out in the dead of night, hoping that your presence can quiet his restless mind.
Word count : 1 455
Notes : I know most of my fics are drabble length... I just want to get these ideas out of my head so I can go to sleep better at night ๐ also, glad you've been enjoying what I've been putting out!
Read my disclaimer and fair use notice here
The night was still, the cool breeze slipping through your partially open window, carrying with it the whispers of the ancient walls of Hogwarts. You were cocooned in your bed, the blankets pulled up to your chin, the world outside nothing more than a distant murmur as you drifted through dreams.
But even in the most peaceful of nights, darkness has a way of finding cracks in the armor of sleep.
A gentle tapping echoed in the quiet of your room, persistent yet soft, pulling you from the comforting depths of slumber. It was a sound that belonged not to your dreams, but to the waking world. Slowly, you blinked your eyes open, the familiar shadows of your room coming into focus, illuminated only by the pale moonlight streaming through the window.
The tapping continued, more insistent now, drawing your gaze to the foot of your bed. There, perched elegantly on the bedpost, was BresciaโSebastianโs dark brown barred owl. Her amber eyes gleamed in the low light, watching you with a quiet urgency that made your heart skip a beat.
Without hesitation, you sat up, your movements careful as you reached for the parchment tied to Bresciaโs leg. Your fingers trembled slightly as you untied it, the rough texture of the parchment familiar yet charged with something newโsomething urgent.
As you unrolled the note, Sebastianโs handwriting jumped out at you, hurried and slightly smudged:
Meet me at the boathouse. Please. I need you.
The simple words sent a shiver down your spine, an unspoken desperation clinging to each letter. Without wasting another second, you threw on your cloak, the urgency of his message propelling you out of bed. You gave Brescia a gentle stroke, murmuring a quick thanks before slipping silently out of your room.
The castle was a labyrinth of shadows and moonlight, the corridors empty and still as you moved through them with a practiced grace. The air was thick with the weight of secrets, every creak of the ancient floorboards echoing louder than it should have in the silence. You knew the risksโbeing caught out of bed at this hour was no small matter, especially with Headmaster Black prowling the halls like a hawk. But your concern for Sebastian outweighed the danger.
You reached for your wand, whispering the incantation for the Disillusionment Charm. The magic rippled over your skin, cloaking you in near-invisibility, just as Sebastian had taught you. It was a spell heโd insisted you master, and now, as you moved through the castle undetected, you silently thanked him for his insistence.
The grand staircase loomed ahead, and you paused, listening carefully for any signs of movement. The silence was thick, almost oppressive, but you caught the faint sound of footstepsโheavy, deliberate. Your heart raced as you recognized the gait of Headmaster Black, his silhouette barely visible as he patrolled the corridors. You pressed yourself against the wall, holding your breath as he passed, oblivious to your presence.
Once the headmaster was out of sight, you released a breath you hadnโt realized you were holding and continued on your way, slipping past sleeping portraits and silent suits of armor. The journey was tense, your heart pounding in your chest, but the thought of Sebastian waiting for you kept you moving.
Finally, you reached the boathouse, the wooden structure standing solitary and quiet by the edge of the Black Lake. The door creaked softly as you pushed it open, the sound almost too loud in the stillness of the night. The moonlight streamed in, casting long, silvery shadows across the wooden floor.
Sebastian was there, standing at the edge of the dock, his back to you. He stood close to the water, his gaze fixed on the lake's surface, his posture tense. His hands hung loosely at his sides, his fingers flexing as if battling the weight of whatever haunted him. He didnโt turn as you approached, the night air heavy with the unspoken tension between you.
โSebastian,โ you called softly, your voice barely more than a whisper, but it carried across the stillness of the boathouse.
He didnโt turn immediately, but you saw the way his shoulders tensed further, as if bracing himself. When he finally looked over his shoulder, the expression on his face made your heart clench. There was something raw and unguarded in his eyes, something he was struggling to contain.
โYou came,โ he said, his voice low, the usual playful lilt missing from his tone. He tried to smile, but it was a pale imitation of his usual smirk.
โOf course I did,โ you replied, stepping closer to him. โWhat happened? Why did you ask me to come here?โ
He turned back to the lake, his grip on the railing tightening until his knuckles turned white. โItโs nothing,โ he said, his tone too casual, too forced. โJustโฆ couldnโt sleep. Thought some fresh air might help clear my head. Figured I might as well have some company.โ
โSebastian,โ you said, your voice gentle but firm, โthis isnโt like you. Whatโs really going on?โ
He was silent for a long moment, the only sound the gentle lapping of the lake against the dock. Then, with a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the world, he turned to face you fully, his eyes locking onto yours.
โI had a nightmare,โ he admitted, his voice rough with emotion. โA nightmare about losing you. You were gone, and I couldnโt do anything to bring you back. Itโit felt so real.โ
Your heart ached at the pain in his voice, the vulnerability he was trying so hard to hide. You reached out, placing a hand on his arm, your touch gentle but grounding. โIt was just a dream, Sebastian,โ you said softly. โIโm right here. Iโm not going anywhere.โ
He looked down at where your hand rested on his arm, his gaze softening as he finally allowed himself to lean into your touch. โI didnโt want to be alone,โ he confessed, his voice barely more than a whisper. โNot after that.โ
โYou donโt have to be,โ you assured him, your thumb brushing lightly against his skin. โCome with me.โ
He hesitated, his eyes searching yours for somethingโreassurance, perhaps, or maybe just a reason to believe that you meant what you said. Whatever it was, he found it, because he nodded, a small, almost relieved smile tugging at the corners of his lips. โAlright,โ he said quietly. โLead the way.โ
You took his hand, your fingers intertwining with his as you led him back through the castle. The journey was silent, your movements cautious as you navigated the dark corridors, the disillusionment charm still clinging to you both like a protective cloak. But the silence wasnโt uncomfortableโif anything, it was comforting, a shared secret between the two of you.
When you reached the Room of Requirement, the door appeared as if it had been waiting for you, warm and inviting. You pushed it open, leading Sebastian inside without a word, letting the room shape itself to your needs.
The room was cozy, a safe haven bathed in soft, golden light. A large, plush bed was positioned by a bay window that overlooked the viaduct and the Black Lake, the moonlight spilling in to dance across the floor. The air was warm, the faint scent of cedar and vanilla filling the space, wrapping around you like a comforting embrace.
Sebastian hesitated at the threshold, his eyes taking in the room with a quiet awe. He turned to you, his expression softer now, the tension in his shoulders slowly melting away. โThis is perfect,โ he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
You smiled, leading him to the bed and pulling back the covers. โCome on,โ you said softly. โLetโs get some rest.โ
He didnโt need any more prompting. Together, you slipped into the bed, the warmth of the blankets enveloping you both. The room was quiet, the only sound the gentle crackling of the fire in the hearth, the soft glow of the moonlight spilling across the floor.
Sebastian curled up beside you, his head resting on your shoulder, his arm draped across your waist as if anchoring himself to you. He was being especially touchy tonight, his fingers lightly tracing patterns on your skin, as if afraid you might slip away if he let go. He pressed a soft, lingering kiss to your temple, the gesture so tender it made your heart swell.
โThank you,โ he whispered, his voice a mere breath against your skin. โFor being here. Forโฆ everything.โ
You turned your head slightly, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead in return. โAlways,โ you murmured, your voice filled with the promise he needed to hear. โIโm always here for you.โ
***
Cue "aaawww". Anyways, requests are open :P Idk if you've noticed my posting schedule, but I have one new fic coming out every Monday at 4pm Eastern time!
Thank you for reading, we shall meet again in my next endeavour.
Summary : You start doubting Sebastian's intentions in your friendship.
Word count : 1 124
Notes : Requests are open! I just write these to get the ideas out of my head :)
Read my disclaimer and fair use notice here
The thought crept up on you like a shadow, subtle at first, but growing in size and weight until it consumed nearly every quiet moment you had to yourself. It was one of those thoughts that made your stomach churn, your heart clench, and every instinct scream to push it away. But no matter how hard you tried to ignore it, it lingered, gnawing at you, relentless.
It started with a simple, innocent observationโhow often Sebastian would bring up Anne in your conversations. It was natural, you told yourself. Anne was his sister, his world, the person he loved most. Of course, he would talk about her, especially when you had been so deeply involved in their quest to cure her.
But then the doubts began to creep in. What if that was all you were to him? A means to an end? Someone who could help him save Anne, but nothing more?
You began to replay every interaction in your mind, searching for signs, for clues. Every time Sebastian had pulled you into his schemes, every time he had sought you out for help, every time he had looked at you with those intense, desperate eyesโit all seemed to revolve around one thing: Anne. And the more you thought about it, the more it started to hurt.
Were you just a tool to him? A convenient ally who could be discarded once Anne was cured? The idea sent a wave of nausea crashing over you. You cared about Sebastianโmore than you had ever cared about anyone. But what if that care, that love, wasnโt mutual? What if you were just another piece in his puzzle, and nothing more?
After one particularly grueling day in the library, these thoughts became unbearable. You had spent hours researching yet another obscure text, and Sebastian had been restless, his frustration bubbling over.
โWeโre missing something,โ he muttered, his voice strained. โThere has to be something moreโฆ something you can do.โ
You paused, trying to calm the rising tide of doubt, but it felt too familiar, too raw. "Sebastian," you started, your voice shaking, "do you only want me around because I can help you save Anne?"
The question cut through the air, sharp and immediate. He stopped, narrowing his eyes at you, his posture stiffening.
"Are you serious right now?" His tone was incredulous, defensive. โAfter everything weโve done, after everything Iโve asked of you, youโre really going to throw that at me? You think you're just some tool?"
Your breath caught in your throat, but you stood your ground. โIt feels like that sometimes.โ
He scoffed, pacing now, clearly agitated. โYou know what, maybe you're just too afraid to see things through. Maybe itโs easier to think Iโm using you than to admit youโre scared of what comes next. Coward.โ
The word hit you like a blow, your heart hammering in your chest. โHow can you say that? After everything we've been through?โ
"Because itโs true!โ he shot back, his eyes burning with frustration. "Youโre brilliant, more capable than anyone I know. Hell, half of the things weโve accomplished wouldnโt have happened without you. But here you are, too afraid to push yourself further, hiding behind thisโthis doubt. You think I havenโt noticed?"
The weight of his words settled on you, heavy and stifling. โIโm not hiding. I just need to knowโฆ What happens when Anne is cured? Where does that leave us?โ
His expression softened, but only for a moment. โWhy does it matter?โ he asked bitterly. โThis isnโt about us, this is about saving her.โ
You felt the sting of his words but pressed on. โNo, Sebastian. It is about us. I need to know if Iโm just a means to an end.โ
He stopped, his face hardening as he looked away, the tension thick between you. Then, almost too quietly, he said, โMaybe you want to be a means to an end. Maybe youโre the one who doesnโt want this responsibility.โ
His accusation stung, but you didnโt back down. โThatโs not fair. Iโve done everything I could.โ
โI know!โ He finally turned back to you, his voice breaking slightly. โI know you have. And thatโs exactly why it frustrates me that you donโt see it. Youโre extraordinary. Your talent could change everything, do things I canโt even begin to comprehend. But every time it mattersโevery time it could really make a differenceโyou hesitate. And I donโt get it.โ
You felt the lump in your throat grow tighter, his words cutting deeper than you had expected. โIโm not like you, Sebastian,โ you said quietly. โI canโt just throw myself into it without thinking about what itโll cost.โ
Sebastian was silent for a long moment, his face a mixture of anger and something elseโsomething more complicated. "I donโt want to admit it, but youโre right. You donโt have to be like me, and you donโt owe me this.โ His voice softened, but there was still a raw edge to it. โI canโt deny your talent is incredible. Itโsโitโs the kind of magic that changes everything, that changes people. And maybe Iโve pushed you because I thought... because I needed you to see it, too. But I get it. Iโm not asking you to follow me down the same path.โ
You blinked, surprised by his shift in tone, by the way his defenses crumbled just enough for you to see the vulnerability underneath.
โI canโt ask that of you,โ he continued, more measured now. โAnd I respect that. I justโฆ I just wish things were different. That I didnโt need you so badly, and you didnโt feel like I was taking advantage of you.โ
There was a painful silence as his words settled in. For the first time, it felt like he was admitting that heโd put too much on you, expected too much without understanding the weight of what he was asking.
โI donโt want to be a coward,โ you whispered, your voice barely audible.
โI donโt think you are,โ he said, his gaze finally softening as he looked at you. โI think youโre braver than you give yourself credit for. But Iโll respect your choice. Whatever you decide, I wonโt push you.โ
For the first time in a long while, you felt something loosen in your chest. His words werenโt perfectโthere was still hurt, still unresolved tensionโbut it was enough. Enough for now.
โThank you,โ you murmured, the air between you still heavy but no longer unbearable.
Sebastian nodded, stepping back slightly but keeping his gaze on you. โI donโt want to lose you,โ he admitted quietly. โNot because of this. Not because of anything.โ
***
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it. Requests are open. I've been trying to get a fic out every monday at 4pm ET. So far, so good! I do need to branch out from one character fics lol.
Summary : Sebastian visits you and your family home the summer after your sixth year. You sort through childhood trinkets, share a moment you thought you weren't prepared for, and more ensues.
Word count : 7.6k
Notes : Dual POV! Chose West Sussex for this one lol. Also your muggle parents' names are Thea and Gerald.
No warnings! Just some good fluff lol.
Read my disclaimer and fair use notice here
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the rolling hills of West Sussex. The air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass, a stark contrast to the harsh, windswept moors of Feldcroft. Sebastian Sallow stood on the edge of your family garden, gazing out at the landscape with a mix of wonder and curiosity. It was his first time visiting your home, and he found himself captivated by the serene beauty of the countryside.
"It's so different from Feldcroft," he murmured, more to himself than to you.
You stood a few paces away, turning to look at him, a hint of amusement flickering in your dark eyes. "Not used to all this greenery, Sallow?"
He grinned, his eyes meeting yours with a playful glint. "It's not that. Feldcroft has its own kind of beauty, but it'sโฆ harsher, I suppose. This place feels moreโฆ peaceful."
You nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of your lips. "West Sussex is like that. It's always been a place where I could escape, especially when things get overwhelming."
He watched you for a moment, noticing the way the evening light softened your features, making you seem almost ethereal. "I can see why you'd want to escape here," he said softly.
You looked away, trying to maintain your usual cool exterior, but there was a slight flush to your cheeks that you hoped he wouldnโt notice. "Come on," you said briskly, turning on your heel and heading toward the house. "I want to show you something."
Sebastian followed you inside, his curiosity piqued. Your home was a charming, old-fashioned house, filled with the kind of warmth and character that only years of happy memories could create. The walls were lined with framed photographs, many of them showing a younger version of yourself with your family, your smile more open and carefree than he had ever seen at Hogwarts.
"Your house is lovely," he remarked as you both climbed the stairs to the second floor. "It's got a lot of personality."
"Thanks," you replied casually. "It's been in the family for generations. My grandparents used to live here, and my parents inherited it when they passed away."
You led him down a narrow hallway to a small, cozy room at the end. The walls were painted a soft lavender, and the shelves were lined with books, trinkets, and other mementos from your childhood. A large, antique trunk sat at the foot of the bed, its surface worn with age.
"This is my room," you said, your voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia. "I've had it since I was a kid."
Sebastian glanced around, taking in the details that gave him a glimpse into your past. "It suits you," he said, his voice soft.
You rolled your eyes, though there was no real annoyance in the gesture. "Don't get all sentimental on me, Sallow."
He chuckled, crossing the room to stand beside you. "Wouldn't dream of it."
You knelt beside the trunk, your fingers brushing over the worn wood as you opened it. "I thought you might like to see some of the things Iโve kept from when I was younger," you said, your tone casual, though there was a hint of vulnerability in your words.
Sebastian crouched down next to you, his interest piqued. "I'd love to."
You began pulling out various items, laying them on the floor between you. There were old, dog-eared books, a few stuffed animals, and a collection of pressed flowers, each one carefully preserved between the pages of a faded journal. As you worked, you explained the significance of each item, your voice growing softer and more thoughtful as you reminisced about your childhood.
"These were some of my favorite books," you said, handing him a well-worn copy of The Secret Garden. "I used to read them over and over again. They were my escape, I suppose, before I knew there was a real world of magic out there."
Sebastian took the book from you, his fingers brushing against yours for just a moment before you pulled away. "I can imagine you with your nose buried in a book," he said with a grin. "Even before Hogwarts, you were always the serious type, huh?"
You huffed, though there was a faint smile on your lips. "I wasnโt always so serious. But I guess Hogwarts brought out a different side of me."
He studied you for a moment, noting the way you seemed more relaxed here, in the safety of your childhood home. "I like seeing this side of you," he said quietly. "It's different, butโฆ it suits you."
You felt your cheeks warm at his words, and you quickly busied yourself with the trunk, pulling out the next item to avoid meeting his gaze. "Here," you said, holding up a small, wooden box. "This is something I havenโt looked at in years."
You opened the box, revealing a collection of small trinketsโshells, stones, and other bits and pieces that you had gathered over the years. Sebastian reached in and picked up a smooth, blue stone, turning it over in his hand.
"This is pretty," he remarked, his voice thoughtful. "Where did you find it?"
You smiled, your expression softening as you remembered. "I found it on a family holiday to Cornwall when I was seven. I was convinced it was a magical stone, like something out of one of my books. I carried it with me everywhere."
He chuckled, holding the stone up to the light. "Itโs not magical, but itโs got its own charm."
You watched him for a moment, feeling a strange mixture of affection and nervousness. There was something about the way he handled your old belongings, with such care and interest, that made your heart ache in a way you werenโt used to.
"You know," he said, his tone turning more serious, "it's moments like these that make me realize how different our lives were before Hogwarts. You had all thisโฆ this warmth, this history. Feldcroft wasโฆ well, you know what itโs like. Itโs hard, isolated. Anne and I didnโt have much besides each other."
Your gaze softened, and you placed a hand on his arm. "You had each other, and thatโs something. I didnโt have a sibling, but I always wanted one. Iโm glad you had Anne."
He looked down at your hand, his expression unreadable for a moment before he smiled, a bit of the old mischievous glint returning to his eyes. "Youโre different," he said, his voice low and teasing. "Iโm not sure Iโve ever met anyone quite like you."
You quickly pulled your hand back, trying to maintain your composed exterior, though your heart was racing. "Donโt start, Sallow," you warned, though your tone was more playful than serious.
But he was undeterred, leaning in slightly, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Start what? Telling you that youโre intriguing? That I enjoy spending time with you?"
You rolled your eyes, though you couldnโt stop the small smile that tugged at your lips. "Youโre impossible."
He grinned, clearly pleased with himself. "Maybe. But you like me anyway."
You tried to give him a stern look, but it was difficult to keep your composure when he was so close, his familiar scent filling your senses. "Youโre awfully sure of yourself, arenโt you?"
He shrugged, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I just call it like I see it."
For a moment, the room was filled with a charged silence, the air thick with unspoken words and feelings. It was a moment of vulnerability, of closeness, that neither of you had quite expected. Your heart raced as you struggled to keep your cool, while Sebastianโs gaze softened, as though he were seeing you in a new light.
Finally, it was you who broke the tension, reaching for another item in the trunk. "Here," you said, your voice a bit too bright. "I want to show you this."
Sebastian watched you for a moment longer, as though considering whether to push the matter, but then he relented, leaning back to give you space.
You pulled out an old, leather-bound journal, its pages yellowed with age. "This was my first journal," you explained, your tone more subdued now. "I started it when I was eight. I used to write about everythingโmy dreams, my fears, the things I wanted to do when I grew up."
He took the journal from you, flipping through the pages with a gentle touch. "Did you ever write about magic?" he asked, his voice soft.
You nodded, a wistful smile on your lips. "All the time. I didnโt know it was real, of course, but I was fascinated by the idea of it. I used to imagine that I was a witch, living in a world full of magical creatures and hidden powers."
Sebastianโs gaze flicked up to meet yours, his expression thoughtful. "And now youโre living that dream."
"Yes," you agreed, though your tone was tinged with a hint of melancholy. "But itโs different from what I imagined. The reality isโฆ more complicated."
He nodded, understanding the weight behind your words. "It always is. But that doesnโt mean itโs not worth it."
You looked at him, your heart aching with a mixture of emotions you couldnโt quite name. There was something about Sebastianโsomething in the way he looked at you, in the way he spoke to youโthat made you feel seen in a way you hadnโt been before. It was both exhilarating and terrifying.
"Thank you," you said quietly, your voice barely above a whisper.
"For what?" he asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"For being here," you replied, your gaze dropping to the floor. "For understanding."
He reached out, gently lifting your chin so that you were looking at him again. "Iโm glad Iโm here," he said. "And Iโm glad you let me in."
For a moment, you simply stared at each other, the air between you charged with an unspoken tension. Then, slowly, almost hesitantly, Sebastian leaned in, his gaze dropping to your lips.
Your breath caught in your throat, and for a split second, you considered closing the distance between you. But then, at the last moment, you pulled back, your heart pounding in your chest.
"We shouldโฆ we should get some rest," you said quickly, your voice trembling slightly. "Itโs getting late."
Sebastian blinked, surprised by your sudden change in demeanor, but he didnโt push it. Instead, he nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Yeah, youโre right. Tomorrowโs another day."
He stood up, stretching his arms over his head as he prepared to leave. "Thanks for showing me all this," he said, his tone genuine. "It means a lot that youโd share it with me."
You managed a small smile, though your heart was still racing. "Iโm glad youโre here, Sebastian. I really am."
He nodded, his gaze lingering on you for a moment longer before he turned to leave. "Goodnight," he said softly, his voice carrying a warmth that sent a shiver down your spine.
"Goodnight," you replied, watching as he left the room, the door closing softly behind him.
As soon as he was gone, you let out a shaky breath, your hand coming up to rest against your chest as you tried to steady your racing heart. You had managed to keep your cool, but just barely. There was no denying the pull you felt toward Sebastian, but you knew you had to be careful. You couldnโt afford to let your emotions get the better of you, not when there was so much at stake.
But as you sat there, surrounded by the remnants of your childhood, you couldnโt help but wonder if maybeโjust maybeโthere was a future for you two beyond friendship. It was a dangerous thought, one that you werenโt quite ready to entertain. But it was there, lingering in the back of your mind, a quiet whisper of what could be.
And as you finally settled into bed, your thoughts drifting to the boy who had become so much more than just a friend, you couldnโt help but smile, knowing that whatever the future held, it was bound to be anything but ordinary.
ยทยทยทยทยท
Sebastianโs POV
Sebastian closed the door to the guest room quietly, letting out a long, slow breath as he leaned back against the wood. His heart was still pounding in his chest, a mixture of adrenaline and something elseโsomething that had been building for years, ever since you had walked into his life.
West Sussex was nothing like Feldcroft. It was peaceful here, almost idyllic, with its rolling hills and lush gardens. The kind of place he might have daydreamed about as a kid, before the world had gotten so complicated. But it wasnโt the beauty of the countryside that had him restless tonight. It was you.
You were unlike anyone heโd ever metโmysterious, guarded, and yet so incredibly captivating. From the moment you arrived at Hogwarts in your fifth year, you intrigued him. But it wasnโt just curiosity anymore. The feelings he had for you had deepened, grown into something he wasnโt quite sure how to handle.
As he moved to the small window in the guest room, looking out at the moonlit garden below, his thoughts were consumed by the events of the evening. He could still see you there, sitting on the floor of your childhood room, surrounded by memories youโd chosen to share with him. It had been a rare glimpse into the side of you that you didnโt often revealโa side that was vulnerable, human, and so beautifully real.
And then there had been that momentโthat momentโwhen heโd almost kissed you.
He could still feel the warmth of your breath, the soft brush of your fingers as theyโd touched while going through your childhood things. It had taken every ounce of restraint not to close the distance between you, to lean in and finally see what it would be like to kiss you, to taste the lips that had haunted his dreams for so long.
But you had pulled away. And that, more than anything, had left him reeling.
Sebastian wasnโt used to feeling uncertain. He was usually confident, even cocky, but you had a way of knocking him off balance. You had a coolness about you, a way of keeping your emotions in check that made him feel like he was always chasing, always trying to catch up.
But tonight, in that room, heโd seen something else. A flicker of something in your eyes, a moment of hesitation that told him you werenโt as unaffected as you pretended to be. It gave him hopeโa dangerous, exhilarating hopeโthat maybe, just maybe, you felt the same way he did.
He ran a hand through his hair, feeling a surge of frustration. He was good at reading people, but you were a puzzle he hadnโt yet solved. Every time he thought he was getting close, you pulled back, retreating behind that carefully constructed facade of yours. It was maddening, but it was also what drew him to you even more.
Sighing, Sebastian moved away from the window and sat down on the edge of the bed. He knew he should get some sleep, but his mind was too wired, too full of thoughts of you. The way youโd looked at him, the softness in your voice when youโd thanked him for understandingโฆ It was a side of you he wanted to see more of, a side he wanted to bring out of you, even if it meant pushing a little harder, taking a few risks.
But then there was the other side of itโthe fear that if he pushed too hard, he might scare you away. The last thing he wanted was to lose whatever it was you had, this delicate balance of friendship, flirtation, and something deeper that neither of you had quite dared to name.
Sebastian leaned back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. The room was quiet, the only sound the faint rustle of leaves outside the window. In the stillness, his thoughts drifted back to Feldcroft, to the harsh, windswept landscape that had been his home for so long. It was a place that had shaped him, hardened him, but it was also a place full of memories heโd rather forget.
Coming to your hometown was like stepping into another world, one that was softer, warmer, and so full of life. It was a world he wanted to be a part of, a world that you had invited him into, even if you hadnโt fully realized it yet.
He closed his eyes, the image of your smiling face lingering in his mind. There was a part of him that wanted to rush things, to make you see what was right in front of you. But there was another partโperhaps the wiser partโthat knew he had to be patient. You were worth the wait, worth the effort, and if he wanted to win you over, heโd have to do it on your terms.
But damn if it wasnโt difficult.
He felt the weight of your journal in his hand, the one he hadnโt quite been able to let go of after you handed it to him. It was a piece of you, something deeply personal, and he found himself opening it, flipping through the pages with care.
The entries were written in a neat, precise hand, filled with the thoughts and dreams of a younger you, a girl who hadnโt yet been touched by the complexities of the magical world. He smiled as he read about your childhood fantasies, your belief in magic long before you knew it was real. It was like seeing a part of you that had been hidden away, a part that was still innocent and hopeful.
He paused on one entry, written in faded ink, the words barely legible. It was a dream youโd had, about a world where everything was possible, where you could be anything you wanted to be. Youโd written about wanting to be strong, to make a difference, to find your place in a world that often felt too big, too overwhelming.
Sebastian felt a pang in his chest as he read those words, understanding all too well the feeling of being lost, of trying to find your way in a world that didnโt always make sense. But you had found your way, and you were stronger than you realized. It was one of the things he admired most about you, one of the things that made him want to be by your side, no matter what.
He closed the journal, setting it gently on the bedside table before lying back down. Sleep still felt distant, but he knew he needed to try. Tomorrow was another day, another chance to figure out where you both stood, to see if there was something more between you waiting to be discovered.
But as he tried to fall asleep, one thought remained clear in his mind: he was falling for you, and there was no turning back. Whatever happened next, he was in thisโcompletely, utterly, and without reservation.
And he could only hope that, in time, you might feel the same way too.
ยทยทยทยทยท
Your POV
The water cascaded down in a steady stream, warm against your skin as you stood under the showerhead, letting the heat soak into your muscles. But no matter how soothing the water was, it couldnโt wash away the frustration that churned inside you.
Why had you pulled away from him? The question kept circling in your mind, relentless and unforgiving. Youโd felt itโthe moment, the one where the air between you had practically crackled with tension, where the closeness, the intimacy, had felt like a fragile thread just waiting to be tugged. And yet, at the last second, you had stepped back, put distance between you and Sebastian, the boy who had somehow, over the past year, managed to get under your skin in a way no one else ever had.
You turned off the water with a sharp twist of the knob, the sound of the showerhead sputtering to a stop the only noise in the bathroom. The silence that followed was deafening, filled with the echoes of your own thoughts. You were angryโangry at yourself for being so guarded, for letting fear and caution dictate your actions.
You stepped out of the shower, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around yourself as you stared at your reflection in the mirror. The person staring back at you was composed, calm, the same mask you wore every day. But beneath that exterior was a storm of emotions you didnโt know how to control, a whirlwind of longing, confusion, and something elseโsomething that scared you.
You wanted him. There was no denying it anymore, no point in pretending that you didnโt feel the same pull, the same desire that he so clearly felt. But you had always been so careful, so determined to keep yourself in check, to avoid the pitfalls of vulnerability that could lead to heartache.
But now, standing there in the dim light of the bathroom, you realized that maybeโjust maybeโbeing careful wasnโt enough anymore. Maybe it was time to take a risk, to stop holding back and let yourself feel, let yourself be open to whatever it was that Sebastian had been offering, had been waiting for.
Your heart pounded as you dried off, slipping into a soft, comfortable set of pajamas, your mind racing as you made up your mind. You had pulled away from him once, but you didnโt have to keep running. Not from him. Not from what you wanted.
Wrapping your towel around your damp hair, you took a deep breath and made your way to the guest room where Sebastian was staying. The house was quiet, the only sound the creaking of the floorboards beneath your feet as you padded down the hallway. With each step, your resolve strengthened, and by the time you reached his door, you were determined to finish what he had started.
You hesitated for only a moment before raising your hand and knocking softly. The sound seemed to echo in the silence of the night, and you held your breath, waiting.
There was a pause, and then you heard his voice, soft and questioning. โYeah?"
"Sebastian," you replied, your voice steady even though your heart was racing. "Itโs me."
A few seconds later, the door creaked open, and there he was, standing in the dim light of the guest room, his expression a mixture of surprise and curiosity. He was still dressed in his clothes from earlier, though his shirt was rumpled, and his hair was slightly tousled, as though he had been lying down.
"Is everything alright?" he asked, his brow furrowing slightly in concern.
You took a deep breath, your eyes meeting his as you stepped closer. "Iโm sorry," you said quietly, the words coming out more easily than youโd expected. "For earlier. For pulling away."
His expression softened, and he stepped back to let you into the room, closing the door gently behind you. "You donโt have to apologize," he said, his voice low and soothing. "I didnโt mean to make you uncomfortable."
"You didnโt," you assured him quickly, shaking your head. "Thatโs not it. I justโฆ Iโm not used to this. To feeling like this."
He studied you for a moment, his eyes searching yours for any hint of hesitation. When he didnโt find any, he nodded slowly, his voice tender as he spoke. "Neither am I, if Iโm being honest. But I donโt want to rush you into anything youโre not ready for."
You felt a pang of guilt at the thought that he might be holding back for your sake, that he was willing to put his own feelings aside just to make sure you were comfortable. But more than that, you felt a surge of affection for him, for the way he had always been patient with you, even when you had given him every reason not to be.
"Sebastian," you said softly, taking a step closer until you were standing just inches away from him, "Iโm ready. Iโm here because I want to be. With you."
His breath hitched slightly at your words, and for a moment, neither of you moved, the tension between you palpable, charged with the weight of everything unspoken. Then, slowly, as if afraid you might change your mind, he reached out, his fingers brushing against your cheek, the touch so gentle it sent a shiver down your spine.
"Youโre sure?" he whispered, his voice thick with emotion, with a tenderness that made your heart ache.
You nodded, your own voice trembling slightly as you replied, "Iโm sure."
That was all the encouragement he needed. In the next moment, he closed the distance between you, his arms wrapping around you and pulling you close, his warmth seeping into you as you melted against him. It was the first time you had ever allowed yourself to be this close to him, to let your guard down completely, and it was intoxicating.
He pressed his forehead against yours, his breath warm against your skin as he whispered, "Iโve wanted this for so long."
You closed your eyes, leaning into his touch, feeling the steady beat of his heart against your own. "Me too," you admitted to both him and yourself, the words soft, almost fragile.
He pulled back just enough to look into your eyes, his expression tender, almost reverent, as if he couldnโt quite believe this was real. His hand slid down to cup your cheek, his thumb tracing the line of your jaw with a gentleness that made your chest tighten.
"Tell me to stop, and I will," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, as if he were afraid to break the spell that had settled over you.
But you didnโt want him to stop. You didnโt want to go back to the way things had been, always holding back, always pretending that you didnโt feel the way you did. So instead of pulling away, you leaned in, your lips brushing against his in the faintest of kisses.
It was soft, tentative, as if you were both testing the waters, but it sent a jolt of electricity through you, a spark that ignited something deep inside. Sebastian let out a shaky breath, his hand tightening slightly on your waist as he deepened the kiss, his lips warm and insistent against yours.
You responded in kind, your hands finding their way to his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath beneath your fingertips. It was all so new, so overwhelming, but at the same time, it felt rightโlike this was where you were meant to be, in his arms, with his lips on yours.
When you finally pulled away, both of you were breathing heavily, your foreheads resting against each other as you tried to catch your breath. The room was filled with a heavy silence, but it was a silence that spoke volumes, that said all the things you hadnโt yet found the words to say.
"I donโt want to hold back anymore," you whispered, your voice trembling with the weight of the admission. "I want to be with you, Sebastian."
He let out a shaky laugh, his breath warm against your skin as he pressed a soft kiss to your forehead. "You have no idea how much Iโve wanted to hear you say that," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
You smiled, your heart swelling with a warmth that you hadnโt realized youโd been missing. "Well, now youโve heard it," you replied, your tone light, but your words filled with sincerity. "And I mean it."
He pulled back just enough to look into your eyes, his gaze soft and filled with a tenderness that made your breath catch in your throat. "I want this too," he said quietly, his thumb brushing against your cheek in a gentle caress. "I want you."
There was something in the way he said it, in the way he looked at you, that made your heart skip a beat. It wasnโt just about the attraction, the physical pull you felt toward him. It was deeper than that, something that had been building between you for months, something that neither of you had been willing to acknowledge until now.
It was a connection, a bond that went beyond friendship, beyond the flirtation that had danced between you. It was something real, something that had the potential to be so much more if you were both brave enough to let it.
And in that moment, as you stood there in the quiet of the guest room, you realized that you were ready. You were ready to take that step, to let yourself feel, to let yourself be open to whatever it was that you had with Sebastian.
Sebastianโs POV
Sebastian had barely settled into the guest room, his thoughts still a tangled mess from earlier, when there was a soft knock on his door. His heart leapt into his throat, recognizing the sound immediatelyโyour knock.
"Yeah?" he called softly, not entirely trusting his voice to stay steady.
"Sebastian" came your reply, a quiet affirmation that sent his pulse racing even faster. "Itโs me."
For a moment, he hesitated, a whirlwind of emotions storming inside him. He had convinced himself that tonight was over, that whatever had been brewing between you two would have to wait, maybe forever. But here you were, standing outside his door in the dead of night, and he could hardly believe it.
He crossed the room in a few quick strides and opened the door, finding you standing there in your pajamas, your hair still damp from the shower, your eyes searching his face with an intensity that made his breath catch.
"Is everything alright?" he asked, the words coming out before he could think them through. The last thing he wanted was for you to think he was anything less than thrilled to see you there.
You took a step closer, your eyes never leaving his, and in that moment, Sebastian felt the air between you crackle with that same electric tension you had shared earlier. "Iโm sorry," you said, your voice so soft and vulnerable that it cut right through him. "For earlier. For pulling away."
Sebastianโs heart twisted at the sight of you like thisโunsure, almost apologetic, when you had no reason to be. He stepped back to let you in, closing the door behind you as a wave of protectiveness washed over him. "You donโt have to apologize," he said gently, trying to reassure you. "I didnโt mean to make you uncomfortable."
"You didnโt," you insisted, shaking your head. "Thatโs not it. I justโฆ Iโm not used to this. To feeling like this."
Your words hung in the air between you, and for a moment, Sebastian was struck silent by the raw honesty in them. He had always known that you were different, that you kept your emotions close to your chest, guarded by that cool facade you wore so well. But hearing you admit that you were struggling with these feelings, that you were feeling just as conflicted and overwhelmed as he wasโฆ it made him want to reach out, to close the gap between you and tell you that you didnโt have to go through this alone.
"Neither am I, if Iโm being honest," he confessed, his voice tender. "But I donโt want to rush you into anything youโre not ready for."
It was the truth. Sebastian had always been drawn to you, fascinated by your quiet strength, your intelligence, the way you carried yourself with a calm confidence that made others take notice. But he also knew how easily you could retreat behind that wall of yours, and the last thing he wanted was to push you too far, too fast.
"Sebastian," you said softly, taking another step closer, until you were just inches apart. He could feel the warmth of your body, the faint scent of your soap still clinging to your skin, and it made his heart race all over again. "Iโm ready. Iโm here because I want to be. With you."
The words hit him like a bolt of lightning, electrifying every nerve in his body. For a moment, he simply stared at you, hardly daring to believe that this was real. But the sincerity in your eyes, the way you were looking at him, was all the confirmation he needed.
His breath hitched as he reached out, his hand trembling slightly as he brushed his fingers against your cheek. "Youโre sure?" he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. He needed to hear you say it again, needed to know that this wasnโt just a fleeting moment.
You nodded, your eyes never leaving his. "Iโm sure."
And that was it. The last thread of restraint inside him snapped, and he pulled you close, his arms wrapping around you as if he could somehow shield you from everything else in the world. The feel of you against him, soft and warm, sent a shiver down his spine, and he pressed his forehead against yours, closing his eyes as he let the moment wash over him.
"Iโve wanted this for so long," he whispered, his voice shaking with the intensity of his feelings.
You leaned into him, your hands resting against his chest, and he could feel the steady rhythm of your breathing, the rise and fall of your chest against his. "Me too," you murmured, the words so soft that they barely reached his ears, but they were enough to make his heart swell with emotion.
Sebastian pulled back just enough to look at you, his eyes tracing every feature of your face, memorizing the way you looked at him, the way you seemed to glow in the soft light of the room. His hand slid down to cup your cheek, his thumb brushing along your jawline with a tenderness that he didnโt think he was capable of.
"Tell me to stop, and I will," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. He needed you to know that you were in control, that he would never push you further than you wanted to go.
But instead of pulling away, you leaned in, your lips brushing against his in the faintest of kisses. It was tentative, hesitant, but it sent a bolt of electricity straight through him, igniting a fire that had been smoldering for months.
Sebastian let out a shaky breath, his hand tightening on your waist as he deepened the kiss, his lips moving against yours with a hunger that he could no longer deny. The world outside the room seemed to disappear, leaving only the two of you, caught in the whirlwind of your emotions, your desires.
Your hands slid up his chest, fingers tangling in his shirt as you responded to his kiss, your movements just as desperate, just as full of need. It was everything he had imagined, everything he had dreamed about, but it was also so much more, so much deeper, because it was real.
When you finally pulled away, both of you were breathing heavily, your foreheads resting against each other as you tried to catch your breath. The room was silent, the only sound the rapid beating of your hearts, but it was a silence that spoke of all the things you hadnโt said, all the things you had been too afraid to admit.
"I donโt want to hold back anymore," you whispered, your voice trembling with the weight of the admission. "I want to be with you, Sebastian."
Sebastian felt his heart swell at your words, felt the last of his doubts melt away in the warmth of your confession. He let out a shaky laugh, his breath warm against your skin as he pressed a soft kiss to your forehead. "You have no idea how much Iโve wanted to hear you say that," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
You smiled, and it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. "Well, now youโve heard it," you replied, your tone light, but your words filled with sincerity. "And I mean it."
He pulled back just enough to look into your eyes, his gaze soft and filled with a tenderness that he had never felt for anyone else. "I want this too," he said quietly, his thumb brushing against your cheek in a gentle caress. "I want you."
And it was the truth. He wanted you, more than he had ever wanted anything in his life. But it wasnโt just about the attraction, the physical pull he felt toward you. It was deeper than that, something that had been building between you for months, something that neither of you had been willing to acknowledge until now.
It was a connection, a bond that went beyond friendship, beyond the flirtation that had danced between you. It was something real, something that had the potential to be so much more if you were both brave enough to let it.
And as he stood there, holding you close, feeling the warmth of your body against his, Sebastian knew that he was ready. He was ready to take that step, to let himself feel, to let himself be open to whatever it was that you had together.
So, when you leaned in again, your lips finding his in a kiss that was deeper, more certain, he didnโt hesitate. He kissed you back with everything he had, pouring all of his emotions into that one moment, letting you know without words that he was all in, that he wasnโt going to hold back anymore.
And as your arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer, he knew that this was only the beginning.
Whatever the future held, he didnโt care. All that mattered was that you were in this together, and that was more than enough for him.
Because in this moment, with you in his arms, he knew that he had found something real, something worth holding on to.
And he wasnโt going to let it slip away.
****
Your POV โ The morning after
The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm, golden light across the room. You blinked slowly, the events of the previous night coming back to you in a rush of emotion. The memories were vividโSebastianโs touch, the tenderness in his gaze, the way he had held you close as if you were the most precious thing in the world. You turned your head on the pillow, your heart swelling at the sight of him beside you, still sound asleep, his breathing soft and even.
For a moment, you simply watched him, feeling an overwhelming sense of contentment. Last night had been more than you could have ever hoped forโfilled with intimacy, trust, and the quiet understanding that whatever had been brewing between you had finally found its place.
You shifted slightly, careful not to wake him as you slipped out of bed, your feet touching the cool wooden floor. As you stood, wrapping yourself in a robe, you couldnโt help but smile at the thought of what your parents would say when they saw the two of you together this morning.
You were certain they had been waiting for this moment almost as long as you had.
The house was quiet as you made your way downstairs, the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air. You found your parents in the kitchen, your mother, Thea, standing by the stove while your father, Gerald, sat at the table, reading the morning paper.
โGood morning,โ you greeted, your voice a bit softer than usual, as though you were afraid to break the gentle peace that had settled over the house.
โGood morning, darling,โ your mother replied, turning to you with a warm smile. โDid you sleep well?โ
You felt a blush creep up your cheeks, and you quickly busied yourself with pouring a cup of coffee. โYes, I did. Thank you.โ
Your father glanced up from his paper, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his lips. โSo, whereโs young Mr. Sallow this morning?โ
You nearly choked on your coffee, the blush deepening as you shot your father a look. โHeโsโฆ Heโll be down in a bit.โ
Your mother exchanged a glance with your father, her smile widening as she turned back to the stove. โI had a feeling it wouldnโt be long before you two finally sorted things out,โ she said, her tone light but full of warmth.
You stared at her, a mix of embarrassment and surprise flooding through you. โYou knew?โ
Gerald chuckled, setting his paper down. โIt was fairly obvious, love. The way you two have been dancing around each other for the past yearโฆ It was only a matter of time.โ
You felt your heart skip a beat, a mixture of relief and amusement filling you. โI didnโt realize we were so transparent.โ
Thea turned to face you, her eyes soft and full of understanding. โItโs alright. Weโre just happy that youโve found someone who makes you so happy. Thatโs all weโve ever wanted for you.โ
You felt a lump form in your throat, the emotions of the past day catching up with you. โThank you,โ you said softly, your voice thick with emotion. โThat means a lot.โ
Before your mother could respond, you heard footsteps on the stairs, and a moment later, Sebastian appeared in the doorway, his hair still slightly tousled from sleep. He hesitated for a moment when he saw you standing with your parents, but then he offered a sheepish smile. โGood morning.โ
โGood morning, Sebastian,โ your father greeted, his voice full of warmth. โI trust you slept well?โ
Sebastianโs eyes flicked to you, and you could see the faint flush on his cheeks as he replied, โYes, very well. Thank you.โ
โGood, good,โ Gerald said with a nod, clearly enjoying the moment. โBreakfast is almost ready. Why donโt you sit down and join us?โ
Sebastian glanced at you, a small, tentative smile playing on his lips, before he nodded and moved to sit at the table. You followed suit, taking the seat beside him, your heart fluttering at the thought of how natural it all feltโsitting there with him, with your parents, as though this was how it was always meant to be.
Your mother set a plate of eggs and toast in front of you both, her eyes twinkling with barely concealed amusement. โSo,โ she began, her tone casual, โhow long have you and Sebastian beenโฆ you know?โ
You nearly dropped your fork, your eyes widening in shock. โMum!โ
Thea laughed, a light, musical sound that only added to your embarrassment. โWhat? Iโm just curious. Itโs not every day my daughter brings home such a charming young man.โ
Sebastian chuckled beside you, his usual confidence returning as he glanced at your mother. โI think we only just figured that out ourselves, Mrs. Williams.โ
Your mother beamed, clearly pleased with his response. โWell, itโs about time, if you ask me. We were starting to wonder if we needed to give you two a little nudge.โ
Gerald nodded in agreement, a mischievous smile on his face. โWeโve been watching you two for a while now, and I have to say, itโs nice to see you finally getting on with it.โ
You felt the heat rise in your cheeks, but there was no denying the warmth that spread through your chest at their words. They had always been supportive, always encouraged you to follow your heart, but hearing them speak so openly about their approval of Sebastianโit meant more than you could put into words.
Sebastian reached under the table, his hand finding yours and giving it a reassuring squeeze. You glanced at him, finding his eyes filled with that same tenderness that had been there last night, the one that made your heart swell with affection.
โWeโll try not to disappoint,โ he said with a grin, his voice teasing, but there was an underlying sincerity that made your heart skip a beat.
The rest of breakfast passed in a blur of light conversation and easy laughter, the kind that came naturally when you were surrounded by people who cared for you, who wanted nothing more than to see you happy. And as you sat there, hand in hand with Sebastian, you realized just how lucky you wereโto have him, to have your parents, to have this moment.
When breakfast was finished, your parents rose from the table, your mother patting you gently on the shoulder as she passed by. โWeโll leave you two alone for a bit,โ she said with a knowing smile. โTake your time.โ
As they left the kitchen, you turned to Sebastian, your heart full to bursting with everything you felt for him, everything you hadnโt yet had the chance to say.
โThey knew,โ you said, shaking your head in disbelief.
He chuckled, pulling you closer, his arm slipping around your waist. โThey did. Theyโre smarter than we gave them credit for.โ
You smiled, leaning into him, feeling the warmth of his body against yours. โI guess we werenโt as subtle as we thought.โ
โApparently not,โ he agreed, his voice soft, a hint of amusement lacing his words. โBut Iโm glad. It feelsโฆ good, doesnโt it? To finally be here, with you.โ
You looked up at him, your heart swelling with love for this boy who had somehow become so much more than just a friend. โYeah,โ you whispered, your voice trembling with the weight of everything you felt. โIt feels perfect.โ
And as he leaned down to kiss you, slow and tender, you knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, whatever uncertainties the future held, you would face them togetherโwith the love of your parents behind you, and with Sebastian by your side.
***
This one was funnn!! Thank you for reading, requests are open. Hope you're having a good september!
Summary : After Ranrok was ended, a Goblin rebellion happened. This is 5 months after the rebellion, and everyone thought you were gone for good. Sebastian revisits Feldcroft in an attempt to find traces of you again, not knowing what's to come.
Word count : 1.5k
Notes : This one was a little heavier to write! Just had to get this one out of my mind.
TW : Mentions of su!c!dal ideation... read at your own discretion.
Read my disclaimer and fair use notice here
The ruins of Feldcroft lay still, a silent testament to the war that had ravaged the land. The village, once vibrant with life, was now a graveyard of memories, its cottages reduced to charred skeletons, its streets choked with debris. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and ashes, a grim reminder of all that had been lost. Snow had begun to fall again, soft and steady, as if the sky itself was mourning.
Sebastian Sallow stood in the center of what had once been his home, his heart as cold and lifeless as the stones scattered around him. It had been five months since the final battle of the Goblin Rebellion, five months since he had lost almost everything that mattered. Ominis and Anne were safe, and for that, he was grateful, but the knowledge did nothing to fill the void inside him.
Because you were gone.
The thought was a knife in his chest, a pain that had become as familiar as his own heartbeat. You had been his anchor, his hope, his everything. And now you were nothing more than a memoryโa ghost that haunted his every waking moment. They had told him you were dead, that you had been lost in the chaos of the battle, your body never found. He had refused to believe it at first, had scoured the wreckage for any sign of you, but as the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, the terrible truth had settled in.
You were gone. And there was nothing he could do to change that.
The guilt was a constant companion, a weight he could never shake. You had been the best of them, the light that had kept him going through the darkest times. And now that light was extinguished, leaving him to stumble through the shadows alone.
He had come back to Feldcroft because there was nowhere else to go. The world outside was trying to rebuild, to move on, but Sebastian was stuck in the past, trapped in a moment that he couldnโt escape. The ruins of Feldcroft were all that was left of his old life, a desolate reflection of the emptiness he carried inside him.ย
He wandered through the village, his steps slow and heavy, his mind lost in the memories of what had once been. He could still see it, as if the echoes of the past were imprinted on the airโthe laughter of children playing in the streets, the warm glow of lanterns in the windows, the scent of freshly baked bread wafting from the cottages. But those memories were like ghosts, insubstantial and fleeting, impossible to hold on to.
Just like you.
Sebastianโs breath hitched as he reached the edge of the village, where the land sloped down toward the river. This had been your favorite spot, the place where you had always come to find peace, to escape from the burdens of the world. He could almost see you there, standing by the water, your hair catching the light as you turned to smile at him.
But it was just a memory. Just another ghost.
He closed his eyes, the ache in his chest unbearable. He didnโt know how to keep going without you, didnโt want to keep going. The world was a darker place without you in it, and he was so tired of stumbling through the shadows, of trying to find his way in a world that no longer made sense.
But then, through the silence, he heard itโa sound so soft, so faint, that at first, he thought it was just the wind. But it came again, more distinct this time, a footstep crunching in the snow behind him.
His heart stopped, his breath catching in his throat. He turned slowly, afraid to look, afraid to hope. And then he saw you.
You were standing just a few feet away, your figure half-hidden by the falling snow, your eyes wide with shock and something elseโsomething that mirrored the grief and yearning that had been eating away at him for so long.
For a moment, he couldnโt move, couldnโt breathe. His mind struggled to process what he was seeing, to reconcile the image of you standing before him with the brutal reality he had been living in. It couldnโt be real. You were gone. You were a ghost.
โSebastian,โ you whispered, your voice trembling as if you, too, were afraid that this was just a dream, that you might wake up at any moment and find yourself alone again.
He shook his head, his eyes wide with disbelief. โYouโre not real,โ he said, his voice breaking as he took a step back, his hands trembling at his sides. โYou canโt be real.โ
โSebastian, itโs me,โ you insisted, your voice thick with emotion as you took a step toward him, your hand reaching out as if to reassure him, to prove that you were real, that you were here.
He flinched, his heart pounding in his chest as he stared at you, his mind screaming that this couldnโt be happening, that you were just a figment of his imagination, conjured by his grief and longing. โYouโre dead,โ he whispered, his voice raw with the pain that had been festering inside him for months. โThey told me you were dead.โ
โI almost was,โ you admitted, your voice barely more than a breath. โI was hurt, Sebastianโbadly. But I survived. I made it to one of the camps, and they healed me. After that, I helped wherever I couldโhealing, rebuilding, trying to make sense of everything that had happened. But my work there was done, I had nothing keeping me there. I had to find you.โ
He stared at you, his heart breaking all over again at the sight of the tears in your eyes, the grief and love that shone in them. โI thought Iโd lost you,โ he whispered, his voice trembling with the weight of his emotions. โI thought you were gone, and I didnโt know how to keep going without you.โ
You took another step closer, your hand brushing against his arm, warm and solid and so achingly real. โIโm here now,โ you whispered, your voice filled with a quiet, unshakable determination. โWeโre both here, Sebastian. We survived.โ
He swallowed hard, his throat tight with the tears he had been holding back for so long. โIt shouldโve been me,โ he choked out, the words slipping out before he could stop them. โYou didnโt deserve this. You didnโt deserve to suffer like that. I shouldโve been the one to die, not you.โ
โNo,โ you said firmly, your voice laced with a fierce, desperate kind of love. โDonโt you ever say that, Sebastian. We both fought, we both survived. And now weโre here. Alive.โ
He hesitated, his heart warring with his mind, his grief and guilt battling against the overwhelming relief of having you in his arms again. โI thought Iโd lost you,โ he repeated, his voice breaking as he finally let himself believe what he was seeing, let himself believe that you were really here, that this wasnโt just a cruel trick of his imagination.
You reached up, your hand cupping his cheek, your touch grounding him, anchoring him in the reality of the moment. โIโm right here,โ you whispered, your voice trembling with the depth of your emotions. โAnd Iโm not going anywhere. Iโm not leaving you, Sebastian. Not now. Not ever.โ
He couldnโt hold back any longer. With a broken sob, he pulled you into his arms, holding you as tightly as he could, as if he could somehow make up for all the lost time, for all the moments he had thought he would never have with you again. You clung to him just as fiercely, your tears soaking into his shirt as you buried your face in his chest, your breath coming in ragged gasps as you tried to steady yourself.
โI love you,โ he whispered, the words spilling out of him in a rush, as if he had been holding them back for too long. โI love you. I should have told you before, but I was too scared, too afraid of what might happen. But Iโm not going to make that mistake again.โ
โI love you too,โ you whispered, your voice trembling with the weight of the words. โI always have, Sebastian. And Iโm not going to let you go. Not now. Not ever.โ
He kissed you then, slow and deep, pouring all of his love, all of his grief, all of his yearning into that one kiss. It was a kiss filled with the promise of tomorrow, with the hope of a future that he had thought was lost. And as he held you in his arms, surrounded by the ruins of Feldcroft, the wind swirling around you like a shroud, he knew that he had found you again.
And that was enough.
***
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed. Requests are open.
Summary : Sebastian meets you for the first time, and invites you on a clandestine quest
Word count : โ 2 685
Notes : A differently developed version of Secrets of the Restricted Section. Flirty and SFW!
Read my disclaimer and fair use notice here
You were a mystery wrapped in layers of secrecy and quiet intensity.
You didnโt say much in class, always kept your head down, eyes fixed on your parchment, as if the very ink from your quill was more interesting than the people around you. But sometimes, a flicker of curiosity would break through that cool exterior, especially during Professor Garlickโs herbology lessonsโsomething about the way you handled the venomous tentacula with such care made Sebastianโs mind wander.
He noticed you, of course. Who wouldnโt? There was something about the way you moved through Hogwarts, not fully a part of its chaos, yet not entirely separate from it. You seemed to glide through the castleโs halls like a ghost, seen but not often heard.
Sebastian didnโt intend to get close to you. He wasnโt the type to be drawn to quiet enigmas. No, he preferred the thrill of a good duel, the crack of spells meeting shields, the satisfaction of outsmarting his opponents. But you were different.
The first time your paths crossed properly was in Defense Against the Dark Arts, when Professor Hecat paired you for a duel. Sebastian had smirked, sizing you up. โTime for a proper Hogwarts welcome,โ heโd said, a mix of challenge and anticipation in his voice.
Youโd met his gaze with a steady calm, no trace of intimidation. The duel was fierce, the classroom alive with sparks of magic and the cheers of your classmates. But it was your skill, your precision, that caught him off guard. You werenโt just holding your ownโyou were matching him, step for step, spell for spell. By the end of it, he wasnโt sure if heโd won or simply survived.
From that moment on, something shifted. Sebastian found himself looking for you in the corridors, curious about the person who had met his challenge without flinching. He started noticing you in the library, tucked away in a corner, surrounded by books and parchment, your focus unbreakable. He wasnโt sure what it was that drew him inโmaybe it was the way you seemed at home in the solitude that others might have found lonely, or maybe it was the memory of that duel, the way youโd met him head-on.
It wasnโt until one night, when the castle was bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, that he finally approached you outside of class. You were by the Black Lake, your silhouette framed by the waterโs shimmering reflection.
โCouldnโt sleep either?โ he asked, his voice breaking the quiet of the night. You turned to him, surprised but not startled. There was a brief pause before you spoke.
โSometimes the night is more comforting than the day,โ you replied, your voice as soft as the breeze.
He moved to stand beside you, the two of you staring out at the lake in a silence that felt comfortable, unforced. There was no need for words; the connection between you was enough.
โIโve noticed you,โ he admitted after a while, his voice quiet, as if speaking too loudly might break the spell of the moment. โIn class, in the library... youโre always so focused, so determined. Itโs... intriguing.โ
You didnโt respond right away, and he wondered if heโd said too much, revealing more of himself than he intended. But then you looked at him, really looked at him, and there was something in your gaze that made him feel seen in a way he hadnโt before.
โYouโre not what I expected, Sebastian Sallow,โ you said, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of your lips. โBut then, nothing at Hogwarts ever is.โ
You can feel the weight of Sebastianโs gaze as you turn away, letting the stillness of the night settle between you. The moonlight reflects off the water, casting everything in a silvery glow, making the moment feel almost surreal.
โIโm not what you expected?โ Sebastianโs voice breaks the quiet, a hint of curiosity laced with something elseโsomething almost playful.
You glance at him, a small smile playing on your lips. โNo, youโre not. But thatโs not a bad thing.โ
He chuckles softly, the sound low and warm. โHogwarts has a way of surprising you, doesnโt it?โ
You nod, the words resonating with you more than you care to admit. Thereโs something about this place, about the people you meet here, that feels like a constant shift between the known and the unknown. And Sebastian, with his sharp wit and even sharper dueling skills, is a part of that.
The conversation drifts, easy and light. Itโs not until Sebastianโs expression turns thoughtful, almost serious, that you realize heโs been working up to something.
โThereโs something Iโve been meaning to do,โ he says, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. โBut itโs not exactlyโฆ well, letโs just say itโs not something weโre supposed to be doing.โ
You raise an eyebrow, intrigued. โAnd what might that be?โ
He grins, a mischievous glint in his eyes. โThe Restricted Section of the library. Iโve got my reasons, but I could use some company.โ
A thrill runs through you at the idea. The Restricted Section, filled with books and knowledge that most students can only dream about accessing. Itโs dangerous, risky even, but you canโt deny the allure of it.
You remember a certain book professor Fig mentioned- could it be found in the Restricted section?
โHow concerned should I be about the librarian?โ you ask, trying to recall what she is like.
โMadam Scribner doesnโt take kindly to clandestine activities among her precious books,โ Sebastian admits, the playful edge to his voice fading. โShe and I have had ourโฆ entanglements, but I can hold my own against her. You, on the other hand, you may not be so lucky.โ
You weigh the risks in your mind, but the curiosity, the need to obtain a certain book beyond those doors, is too strong to ignore. โAll right,โ you say, meeting his gaze with a determined nod. โIโll help you.โ
โGood,โ he says, his grin returning. โThen meet me by the library tomorrow night. Weโll go after curfew when the castle is quiet.โ
ยทยทยทยทยท
When you arrive at the library, Sebastian is already there, his eyes flicking toward the door to the Restricted Section. โSee that?โ he says, pointing. โThatโs the door we need to reach, and those annoying prefects would love nothing more than to rat us out to Scribner. So donโt let them see us.โ
โUnderstood,โ you start, your voice hushed but steady. โI can be sneaky. Letโs go.โ
Sebastian chuckles softly, grabbing a hold of your arm with equal gentleness, pulling you back from the prefectโs sight. โHold on now, thereโs a spell you should know. The Disillusionment Charmโitโs good for getting into places youโre not supposed to be. Cast it, and youโll appear as little more than a trick of the light, just as long as you keep your distance and stay quiet.โ
Your eyes widen slightly. โYou mean Iโll actually be able to turn invisible?โ
โSomething like that,โ he says with a smirk. โItโs not as foolproof as a cloak, but those are expensiveโฆ and spells? Spells are free. Give it a try.โ
You nod, concentrating as you cast the Disillusionment Charm. The sensation is strange, like a ripple spreading across your skin, but when you look down, you see nothing but the faint shimmer of the air around you.
โNot bad,โ Sebastian whispers approvingly. โLetโs move.โ
โWait, one last thing,โ you say, your voice barely above a whisper as you point your wand toward the prefects patrolling ahead. With a quick flick, you mutter, โConfundus.โ
The spell hits its mark, and you watch as the prefects glance around, confusion clouding their faces.ย
Sebastian, standing close beside you, whispers, โWhereโd you learn that one? Students donโt usually pick up Confundus until a month before the O.W.L.s.โ
You smirk, knowing he canโt see it. โOh, and you would know?โ
โOf course,โ he replies, you could hear his smirk as he spoke. โBut my question was about you.โย
You turn towards him. โLetโs just say I have a talent for picking up things early.โ
โClearly,โ he murmurs, lingering beside you just a moment longer than necessary. โYouโre full of surprises, arenโt you?โ
You shrug. โI guess youโll have to stick around to find out.โ
He chuckles softly, the sound low and warm. โOh, I fully intend to.โ
The two of you sneak into the library, the darkness enveloping you like a protective cloak. But then, as you approach the Restricted Section, Sebastian curses under his breath. โBlast, the librarianโs still here. Quick, behind the bookcase.โ
You dart behind the nearest shelf, your heart pounding. You both drop the charm. His cheeks are flushed. โYou told me the librarian would be gone by now!โ you whisper pointedly.
โI said usually,โ he retorts, a hint of tension creeping into his voice. โBut itโll still be all right. Do you see her desk behind me? The key is in the drawer of that desk. Now, hereโs what weโre going to do: Iโll create a distraction to draw her away, and you focus on getting the key. Iโll meet you outside the Restricted Section.โ
โYou distract, I get the key. Understood.โ
Sebastian gives you a confident nod. โI said Iโd get you in, and I always keep my word. Trust me.โ
With a quick glance to make sure the coast is clear, you slip around the bookcase, keeping low as you inch toward the librarianโs desk. Youโre hyper-aware of every sound, every creak of the old wooden floors, but you manage to reach the desk without drawing attention. As you carefully open the drawer, your fingers close around the cold metal of the key.
You donโt have time to feel triumphant; you quickly retreat to the safety of the shadows, the key clutched tightly in your hand. Sebastian is already waiting for you, a satisfied smirk on his face.
โNicely done,โ he murmurs as you hand him the key. โLetโs get inside before she comes back.โ
You slip into the Restricted Section, the air thick with the scent of old parchment and forgotten secrets. Shelves loom around you, filled with ancient tomes that seem to whisper as you pass. You canโt help but feel a shiver of excitement at the forbidden knowledge within your reach.
But as you approach one particularly enticing book, its cover adorned with an emerald jewel, Sebastianโs voice stops you. โOh, that oneโs charmed to look more useful than it is. Fooled me twice. Never judge a tome by its cover, I say.โ
You nod, moving past the book as the two of you continue deeper into the section. The eerie glow of ghostly figures catches your eyeโVictorian-era spirits gliding silently through the aisles.
โGhosts,โ Sebastian warns, his voice low. โDonโt let them see you.โ
You manage to avoid their gaze, slipping further into the shadows until you reach the lower levels of the Restricted section.
As you turn to head back, Sebastian drops his Disillusionment Charm, gesturing for you to do the same. โWe should be in the clear now,โ he says, his voice returning to its usual casual tone. โNo need for us to be skulking about.โ
You dispel the charm once more, the cool air of the library brushing against your skin as you reappear beside him. โSo, what is it youโve been looking for?โ you ask, curiosity getting the better of you.
Sebastian hesitates for a moment, his expression darkening. โIโm looking for a cure,โ he finally admits, his voice softer. โFor my sister, Anne. Sheโs beenโฆ well, Merlin knows everyone else has given up.โ
A pang of sympathy shoots through you. โWhy do you think weโll find a cure in the Restricted Section? Hasnโt the Hogwarts matron helped?โ
โWeโve tried everyoneโfrom Nurse Blaine to St. Mungoโs,โ he says, a touch of bitterness creeping into his voice. โBut I can research on my own. No need to concern yourself with that right now. Letโs focus on what youโre afterโฆ which is what, precisely?โ
You hesitate, not quite ready to reveal your own secrets. โIโll know it when I see it.โ
Sebastian raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. โYouโre being awfully cryptic.โ
Before you can respond, a familiar, mischievous voice echoes through the Restricted Section. โSebastian Sallow and his new little friend! Out exploring where they shouldnโt be! Naughty, naughty, youโll get caughty!โ
Peeves.
The poltergeist swoops down, cackling with glee as he threatens to expose you both.
โDonโt you dare,โ Sebastian hisses, but Peeves only grins wider.
โIโm going to tell, Iโm going to tell!โ Peeves sings, darting off toward the librarian.
You grab Sebastianโs arm, panic rising. โWait! I donโt want you getting into trouble for me.โ
Sebastian shakes his head, determination hardening his features. โI have a way with the faculty when it comes to disciplinary matters,โ he says with a small smirk. โBesides, I like having friends who are in my debt. Now go! Good luck in your search.โ
With a final nod, you slip back into the shadows, making your way out of the Restricted Section as Sebastian confronts Peeves. You can hear his voice in the distance, cool and confident, as he weaves a tale to Madam Scribner.
When you finally make your way back to the main portion of the library, the book safely hidden in your bag, you find Madam Scribner and Sebastian locked in a tense conversation.
โSebastian! Sneaking into the Restricted Section again?โ Madam Scribnerโs voice is stern, her expression disapproving. โI had thought we were through with this mischief. Clearly, detentions are insufficient. Iโm afraid I must take this to the Headmaster.โ
โButโโ Sebastian starts, but she cuts him off.
โThat being said, Peeves informs me that you didnโt come alone tonight. If someone has coerced you, I would have you tell me. Youโre a bright boy, donโt waste this.โ
Sebastian glances your way for the briefest moment, but when he speaks, his voice is resolute. โThere was nobody else. I came alone.โ
Madam Scribner sighs, her disappointment palpable. โOh, Sebastian, what will your uncle say?โ
You slip away before she can spot you, your heart pounding with the narrowness of your escape. But as you head back to your dormitory, you canโt help but feel a strange mix of emotions. Gratitude, certainly, but something deeper tooโa sense that whatever connection you and Sebastian share has only grown stronger in the shadows of that forbidden library.
Later that night, back in the quiet of your dormitory, you can't shake the thought of what happened in the library. The way Sebastian covered for you, taking the blame without hesitationโit gnaws at you. The least you can do is check on him.
You sit at your desk, the moonlight casting a soft glow over the parchment as you dip your quill in ink. The words come easily, your concern for him spilling onto the page.
Sebastian,
I wanted to make sure everythingโs all right. You didnโt have to take the blame back thereโI hope you didnโt get into too much trouble. Let me know if youโre okay.
You tie the note to your owlโs leg and send it off, watching as it disappears into the night.
Itโs not long before thereโs a soft hoot at your window. Your owl returns, a letter clutched in its beak. You untie it, your heart quickening slightly as you recognize Sebastianโs handwriting.
---
Well, well,
Got your letterโnice to know youโre worried about me. Iโm fine, really. Scribner gave me a good scolding, but nothing I canโt handle. I did tell you I have a way with the faculty, didnโt I?
But if youโre feeling guilty, I wouldnโt mind if you made it up to me. Maybe a walk by the lake again? This time, I promise not to drag you into any restricted areasโฆ unless, of course, you ask nicely.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Sebastian
***
Thank you for reading! I felt like the whole quest needed a better ending to it hehe
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Summary : Sebastian doesn't exactly see eye to eye with you on goblins... can he be reasoned with?
WC : 779 (short drabble)
Notes : No warnings! This closely ressembles the quest line with Sebastian. Enjoy :)
Read my disclaimer and fair use notice here
The tension in the Undercroft is thick, nearly suffocating as the argument between you and Sebastian unfolds, echoing off the cold, unforgiving stone. The shadows stretch long under the dim, flickering light of the enchanted lamps, but nothing can diminish the storm crackling between the two of you.
Sebastian paces with a sharp, restless energy, his jaw set, eyes dark with a frustration that radiates off him in fierce waves. The composed, controlled demeanor youโve always known has cracked open, letting the raw, volatile force of his emotions spill out.
โTheyโre goblins!โ His voice is a razorโs edge, slicing through the heavy air. โTheyโve been attacking villages, murdering innocent peopleโmy people! Theyโre the aggressors, not the victims.โ
You stand your ground, arms crossed tightly, your own emotions a turbulent mix of determination and the sting of hurt. You understand his pain, the searing anger that drives him, but the narrow, unforgiving view heโs clinging to fills you with unease. The world is rarely so black and white, and you canโt remain silent, not when you know thereโs more at stake.
โIโm not saying what theyโve done is right,โ you reply, your voice steady, a calm contrast to his fury. โBut not every goblin is like Ranrok or the ones who follow him. Some are trapped, forced into a war they didnโt choose. We canโt just condemn them all, canโt assume every goblin is our enemy.โ
Sebastian halts, whirling to face you, incredulity blazing in his eyes. โAre you defending them? After everything theyโve done? After what they did to Anne?โ
The mention of Anne is like a dagger, twisting deep, and you know just how much it fuels his hatred. You feel it tooโthe sorrow, the angerโbut you canโt let it consume you. โIโm not defending them,โ you insist, stepping closer, your tone firm yet imploring. โIโm asking you to see beyond the rage. We canโt lose our humanity in this fight. If we do, weโre no better than those who see us as nothing more than obstacles to be crushed.โ
His eyes blaze with fury, but beneath the fire, you catch a glimmer of doubt, a flicker of something less certain. Heโs not used to you standing against him like this, not on something that cuts so close to the bone. โSo what, then? You want me to just forgive them? Pretend like they havenโt torn everything apart?โ
โNo,โ you whisper, the word soft but unyielding. You reach out, placing a hand on his arm, anchoring him as much as yourself. โBut we canโt let our anger devour us. If we do, weโre playing their game, becoming exactly what they want us to be. We have to be better, not driven by revenge but by the hope of something better.โ
Sebastianโs gaze falls to where your hand rests on his arm, the touch pulling him back from the edge, from the abyss heโs been staring into for far too long. His anger falters, giving way to the exhaustion beneath. His shoulders slump forward slightly. โItโs not easy,โ he admits, his voice raw, stripped of its earlier venom. โEvery time I think about Anne, about what theyโve done to her, all I want is to make them pay.โ
โI know,โ you murmur, your grip tightening just slightly, grounding him, anchoring him. โBut we canโt let that pain control us. We have to find a way to channel it, to fight for something more than just revenge. We canโt let this war turn us into monsters.โ
He looks up at you, the fire in his eyes dimming as he finally lets your words in. The tension in his shoulders eases, his breath shaky as he slowly nods. โYouโre right,โ he says, the anger melting into something more fragile, more human. โIโve been so caught up in my rage, in making them pay, that I lost sight of what really matters. Iโm sorry. I shouldnโt have let it get this far.โ
You offer a small, reassuring smile, your hand giving his arm a gentle squeeze. โWeโll figure it out,โ you promise, your voice carrying a quiet strength. โBut we have to do it the right way.โ
He nods again, the storm within him finally beginning to calm. He looks at you, really looks, and sees not just an ally, but a lifeline, a guiding light through the darkness thatโs threatened to swallow him whole.
โThank you,โ he whispers, his voice sincere, filled with a gratitude that goes deeper than words. โFor keeping me from losing myself.โ
Your smile turns into a smirk, relief washing over you. โThatโs what friends are for,โ you say softly, โkeeping each other on the right path.โ
***
Thank you for reading!! Requests are open :) see y'all soon!
Summary : You are now in your seventh year, and itโs been just over a year since you turned Sebastian in to the authorities. What happens when he corners you upon sneaking into Hogwarts?
WC : 1772
Notes : [HC] Sebastian wasnโt sent to Azkaban yet due to his age, but rather sent to a lower security prison for underage wizards and lower stake crimes.
In this story, youโll also have done the Prizoner of love side quest. Nothing warranting PG!
Read by disclaimer and fair use notice here
The castle was unnervingly silent as you made your way through the dimly lit corridors, your heart pounding in your chest. Youโd always found comfort in the stillness of Hogwarts at night, but tonight, the darkness felt oppressive, as if it were pressing in on you from all sides. You couldnโt shake the unease that had settled over you since that fateful decision, the one that had changed everything.
Turning Sebastian in had been the hardest choice youโd ever made. But it was also the only choice that made sense, at least at the time. Youโd watched him descend further into his own darkness, his obsession with finding a cure for Anne consuming him until he was a shadow of the person you once knew. The final straw had come when he put an end to Solomon, sealing his fate. You had done what you thought was right, what you thought was necessary to save him from himself. But now, alone in the quiet of the night, doubt gnawed at you, making you question everything.
The memory of his face, twisted in shock and betrayal as he was led away by the Aurors, haunted you. The look in his eyes, a mix of disbelief and hurt, was seared into your mind, and no matter how much you tried to convince yourself that youโd done the right thing, seeing his deflated expression upon leaving Hogwarts still felt like a knife to the heart.
You reached the corridor to the Room of requirement, the air stilled around you as you quietly closed the door behind you. Deek was nowhere to be found. All the better, I donโt really feel like chatting with anyone about this, you thought.
You made your way up the stairs and were just about collapse into the spare bed in the room behind your vivariums when you felt itโa presence in the room. Your heart skipped a beat, and you turned, eyes wide with fear and confusion. Standing in the shadows by a bookcase was a figure, tall and dark, the dim light from the corridor casting eerie shadows across their face. You had left your wand on your desk of description, there wasnโt a single person in this school who knew about this place, even less in this form.
โWhoโs there?โ you demanded, your voice trembling despite your attempt to sound authoritative.
The figure stepped forward and your breath caught in your throat. It was Sebastian.
He was dressed in dark robes, his expression twisted with fury and pain, his eyes burning with an intensity that made your blood run cold. His wand was clutched tightly in his hand, and you knew, without a doubt, that he wasnโt here for a friendly chat.
โSebastianโฆโ you began, your voice faltering as you took a step back, your back hitting the wall.
โYou betrayed me,โ he hissed, his voice low and dangerous. โAfter everything we went through, after everything I did for her, you turned me in.โ
You swallowed hard, your pulse quickening as he advanced on you. โSebastian, Iโโ
โShut up,โ he snapped, cutting you off. His wand was suddenly at your throat, the tip pressing against your pulse point, sending a shiver of fear down your spine. โYou donโt get to speak. You donโt get to justify what you did. You betrayed me, and now youโre going to pay.โ
Your breath hitched, panic rising in your chest as you stared into his eyes, seeing the raw, unfiltered rage that had taken hold of him. This wasnโt the Sebastian you knew, the one who had been your friend, who had fought by your side. This was someone else, someone consumed by darkness and vengeance.
โSebastian,โ you whispered, your voice shaking as you tried to reach the part of him that was still your friend. โI didnโt want to do it. But you were losing yourself to the Dark Arts. You were going too far.โ
He let out a bitter scoff, the sound cold and devoid of humor. โGoing too far? I was doing what I had to do to save Anne! And youโwhat did you do? You handed me over to them. You destroyed any chance I had of helping her.โ
Tears welled up in your eyes, but you blinked them away, trying to stay focused. โI thought I was helping you, Sebastian. You were hurting yourself, hurting others. I couldnโt just stand by and watch.โ
His grip on his wand tightened, and you could feel the magic thrumming in the air around you, a dangerous, unstable energy that made your skin prickle with fear.
โDo you have any idea what they did to me?โ he asked, his voice low and dangerous. โDo you have any idea what itโs like to be locked up, powerless, while your sister is out there, suffering? Do you?โ
You shook your head, your voice barely above a whisper. โNo, I donโt. But I couldnโt let you destroy yourself. I couldnโt let you go down that path.โ
He stared at you for a long moment, his eyes burning with anger and something elseโsomething like desperation, like the last thread of hope he had was about to snap.
โYou were supposed to be my friend,โ he said, his voice cracking. โYou were supposed to be there for me, not turn me over to them like some criminal.โ
Your heart broke at the pain in his voice, and you reached out, slowly, cautiously, your hand trembling as you touched his arm. โI am your friend, Sebastian. I always have been. I never wanted to hurt you. I justโฆ I just wanted to save you.โ
For a moment, it seemed like he might listen, like the part of him that still cared might come through. But then his expression hardened, and he yanked his arm away from your touch, his eyes narrowing with renewed fury.
โSave me?โ he spat, his voice dripping with venom. โYou think you can save me now? After what you did?โ
His wand pressed harder against your throat, and you winced, your heart pounding in your chest as you realized just how precarious your situation was. โSebastian, please,โ you begged, your voice shaking. โYou donโt have to do this. What good would you be to Anne if you were locked up in Azkaban for good?โ Too far, this went too far.
His eyes flashed with anger, and for a moment, you thought he might strike you down right then and there. But then, slowly, his expression shifted, the fury giving way to something elseโsomething like sorrow, or regret.
โI canโt believe youโre using Anne to get to me,โ he lowered his wand. โAnd I despise that youโre right.โ
He lowered his wand, and you let out a shaky breath, relief flooding through you as the immediate danger passed. But you knew this wasnโt overโnot by a long shot.
โSebastian,โ you said softly, taking a tentative step forward. โYouโre not lost. You can still come back from this. We can figure it out. We can help Anne, without having to sacrifice ourselves.โ
He looked at you, his eyes filled with a deep, aching sadness. โYou really think itโs that simple, donโt you? That we can justโฆ go back to how things were.โ
You shook your head, tears welling up in your eyes. โNo, I donโt. I know things will never be the same. But I still believe in you, Sebastian. I believe you can find your way back.โ
He let out a bitter laugh, turning away from you as he ran a hand through his hair, the tension in his body palpable. โYouโre a fool,โ he muttered. โA damn fool.โ
โMaybe,โ you admitted, your voice trembling with emotion. โBut Iโm willing to be a fool if it means you donโt lose yourself to this darkness again. Iโm willing to fight for you, Sebastian. I always will be.โ
For a long moment, he was silent, his back turned to you as he stared out the window into the night. The seconds stretched on, each one heavier than the last, until finally, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.
โYou gave up on me. Ominis gave up on me. Anne gave up on me. I donโt know if I can come back from this,โ he said, his voice filled with a deep, haunting despair. โI donโt know if I want to.โ
Your heart ached at the pain in his words, and you took a step closer, reaching out to touch his arm again, this time with more certainty.
โYou can,โ you insisted, your voice firm despite the tears that threatened to spill over. โI know you can. And Iโll be there with you, consequences be damned. Itโs the least I owe you.โ
He turned to look at you, his eyes filled with a mixture of emotionsโanger, pain, regret, and something else, something that looked almost like hope.
โWhy?โ he asked, his voice cracking with emotion. โWhy do you care so much? After everything Iโve done, everything Iโve becomeโฆ why would you still want to help me?โ
You swallowed hard, your heart pounding in your chest as you searched for the right words. โBecause youโre my friend, Sebastian. And I still believe in the person you are, deep down. I still believe youโre worth more than wasting away in a cell.โ Youโd seen what had happened to Anne Thisbe. Could Sebastian really deserve all of that?
He stared at you for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he nodded, the tension in his body finally beginning to ease.
โMaybe youโre right,โ he murmured, his voice heavy with exhaustion. โMaybeโฆ maybe thereโs still a chance.โ
You felt a surge of relief at his words, and you smiled, though it was tinged with sadness. โThere is,โ you said softly. โThereโs always a chance, as long as youโre willing to take it.โ
He let out a shaky breath, his shoulders slumping as he finally let go of the anger that had consumed him for so long, shame consuming his posture. โI donโt know if I can do this,โ he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. โButโฆ Iโll try. For you, Iโll try.โ
Your heart swelled with emotion, and you nodded, tears spilling down your cheeks as you reached out to take his hand in yours.
For the first time in a long time, you felt a glimmer of hopeโa hope that maybe, just maybe, the person you once knew could find his way back from the darkness that had threatened to consume him.
In the end, you thought, no one is beyond redemption. Not even Sebastian Sallow.
*****
Thank you for reading! Requests are open, next fic coming monday at 4pm EDT.
To the ones trapped under too-dark ceilings and thundering heartbeats, hearing the raucous sounds of their family downstairs as they cry themselves to sleep after excusing themselves under the pretexts of being tired. Tired of being made fun of. Tired of not feeling seen.
To the ones holding no one but themselves, believing that this is the most warmth theyโll ever get to experience around them.
To the ones staying away out of spite.
To the ones that are piecing their shattered hopes back together with their chosen family. I know this isnโt what you wouldโve chosen for yourself, but you deserve to feel loved.
To the ones busying themselves to exhaustion to ignore that sinking feeling they get watching everyone else get what they deserve, but never got.
Merry Christmas to the ones that make up scenarios about people they pass on the street, hoping theyโll be taken in for a warm meal and acceptance.
Merry Christmas to the ones with wishlists that havenโt been touched in years.
To the ones who donโt feel heard. I know you have so much to say.
To the ones who refused to put out holiday decorations, thinking that if they banish the joy altogether, they wonโt feel the pain of their loneliness.
Merry Christmas to the ones who are celebrating it despite thinking it was going to end years ago. You are still here. I love you.
Please post your spotify wrapped. Please post it on every single platform and be as obnoxious as you think you can be. I want to see it. I wanna see what got you through your year. I want to know how youโd summarize your year based on what youโve been listening to. I love that youโre sharing this little piece of you with the world.
I donโt care that your taste in music is โbasicโ. Popular is basic because basic is good. You have a mix of underground artists, classical composers or asmrtists? I wanna know! Itโs your little quirks that make you, you.
At first glance, he wasnโt anything spectacular. He was ordinary looking, would probably pass in a crowd with no one taking a double look at him. Her friends told her he really just looked like any other dude there was out there, but there were some things about him that held her eye indefinitely.
She wasnโt the type to gravitate towards a man by the size of his muscles, or altitude-suffocating height, or even by any particular sense of style.
What stood out to her about him were his eyes.
Eyes that held intimate truths. Eyes that, when they looked her way, could slow down the earthโs rotation without even trying. Those deep steel blue eyes had a sadness to them that one couldnโt quite understand. They were tainted with an anomalous melancholy that one could feel just from looking at them briefly. Eyes that spoke so much, whispered, screamed without him even opening his mouth. Eyes she could get lost in for eternities, had she had the time.
And then there was his smile. That sort of lopsided, awkward show of perfectly lined teeth tethering between a grin and a smirk that was more taunting than inviting. A smile that could hold her on the edge of her seat, or put her to her knees if he so chose. To most, he didnโt appear to be the authoritative type ; he normally refused to be placed above his peers. But to her, he was the moon to her vacillating tides. He seemed to know precisely the effects his gravity had on her, and he used it to his full advantage. She knew resisting the temptation would prove itself futile, as she tried to have done so many times, without avail. His presence was a test ; a challenge, beckoning her closer, demanding she opens herself to him.
He wasnโt just her safe space ; he was her undoing. He was the one who saw her when she felt invisible to the people she loved most. His arms cradled her tired, sobbing body as she lost herself to her tempestuous sea of thoughts time and time again. He called her beautiful, and meant it, when she felt her most repulsive. He was an unwavering, supportive presence when she couldnโt be there for herself. He showed up. He showed up in ways her kin failed to do consistently. He quieted her nights, and inhibited her dreams. He never made her feel like her presence, being or spirit were ever too much, as she so deserved.
All of that in it of itself, has its merit. Heโs proved countlessly how able he was not only to handle her, but to take in her entire being effortlessly. To see her soul completely bared and stepping back only to admire its wholeness. To sit with her in her darkness and offering to be the stars to her endless skies. To offer not only shelter from her own storms, but solace and reprieve as his love was a hearth to her empty lighthouse. He didnโt save her, and he certainly did not fix her, but he saw her for what she was, and he loved every part of her for it.
