𓆙 Chapter 2 - Encounter

You'd think that being in the same House as Sebastian meant getting to see him every day. I haven't spoken nor really seen him for a couple of days, and somehow it was beginning to get to me. I felt foolish feeling the way I did, because clearly, Sebastian felt otherwise. There was no mention about the owls over the summer, or really any attempt to have a conversation. Yes, he was charming, funny and stubborn, the same boy I met at the beginning of last year. Only difference is, he was more of a man now, an attractive man, and somehow, I found myself distracted just by thinking about him.

I just miss our adventures together. Nothing else to it.

I was leaving the dungeons, making my way up the staircase that led to a bridge connecting to the Great Hall when I bumped into Sebastian. He wore a Quidditch uniform, had a broom in his right hand, gloves and goggles in other.

"Lils? I didn't expect to run into you this evening."

It felt bitter sweet to hear him call me 'Lils,' considering that we haven't really spoken for a a few months.

"Sebastian!" I gasped, excited yet nervous to see him. "I was just heading to the library to study for a bit."

I didn't spend my time studying in the library. Instead, I was after the comfort of the dim candlelight and books that made me feel safe. The library atmosphere really helped me dal with trauma, especially in the evenings.

Sebastian raised a brow, "To study? What for? We just got done with our first week here."

I felt my heart beating faster, my hands fumbling with the edges of the books I was carrying.

"YesI know that! But... I figured I could get ahead."

The Slytherin man chuckled, shaking his head, "Always trying to stay ahead of everything. You haven't changed one bit."

I wasn't sure whether to take that as a compliment or not. It seemed like everyone around me, including Sebastian, changed over the summer, and I stayed the same. Haunted by the events that happened.

I took note of the Quidditch uniform and the broom, eager to switch topics. "You're also trying out?"

"Also? Who else is trying out?"

I hesitated for a moment, "Uh - Imelda, Leander - "

Sebastian scoffed, looking away now. I felt my heart sink watching his gaze leave mine.

"Of course Leander is trying out, and he'd tell you about it."

I frowned, "What's wrong with that?"

Sebastian looked back at me, hesitating to answer, "Never mind. There's nothing wrong with that."

This encounter felt strange. It felt off. It had only been one summer, yet it felt like we haven't talked or seen each other in years. We were now two strangers, no longer best friends, who used to share everything from spells, books, taking turns staying up while the other took a nap to rest and gather strength.

"I should go..." I mumbled, looking down as a clenched my books closer to my chest.

"Why don't I walk you to the library?"

Sebastian's sudden idea made me jolt my head up, as if I had just discovered a new spell.

He scratched the back of his neck, briefly looking away, "It's getting late, and I know Peeves usually likes to bother students at this house."

I smiled, feeling slight warmth coming up on my face, but ignoring it completely. I knew what this meant.

"Sure, Sebastian."

Flashback

"What exactly are we looking for?"

Sebastian's whisper came from behind, and while I could barely make him out due to the disillusionment charm he taught me to cast before we snuck into the Restricted Section of the library, I knew he kept close to avoid the ghost.

"I'll know it when I'll see it," I whispered, crouching my way behind a book shelf as soon as the ghost left, hoping Sebastian was still near by.

"You're being awfully cryptic, you know?"

Sebastian took the charm off, revealing himself standing at the bottom of a small stair case that led further into the dark. I took that as a sign that we were away from prying eyes now, taking the charm off and revealing myself standing in front of him.

"It's complicated, Sebastian," I hissed, giving him a side glance as I walked past, descending further into the Restricted Section.

"Lumos."

We both casted the spell at the same time, eyeing each other briefly before investigating every corner of the Section.

"This looks promising..."

Sebastian picked up a big, dusty book from the shelf, opening it and flipping through the pages, scanning every little detail while holding his wand close to the book.

Back then I wasn't aware that he was very knowledgeable about the dark arts, so I joined him, looking over his shoulder, curious.

"Is this book about the dark arts?" I pointed at one of the pages, particularly towards the words the forbidden curse.

"Something of that sort" he shut the book, placing it back on the shelf. "Perhaps I'll tell you more when the time comes."

I wasn't sure what it meant, but I gave him a nod and returned to the mission at hand: finding the book for Professor Fig. As we walked further and further into the Restricted Section, we came to what appeared to be a small dungeon, full of stacks of forgotten books, a few telescopes, and tons of worn down shelves that held flasks of unknown potions, lost to time.

"Sebastian, over here!"

I approached a broken set of armor that looked to be reparable, knowing exactly what spell I was going to use. But my wand movement was interrupted by a loud voice that seemed to be coming somewhere above us.

A very colorful ghost flew over our heads, before floating right in front of us, wiggling its finger left to right.

"Peeves..." Sebastian stood beside me now, clenching his fists.

"Who have we here? Sebastian Sallow and his new little friend... out exploring, where they shouldn't be..."

I eyed the ghost before turning my head over to Sebastian, "Do you know him - it?"

"Naughty, naughty! You'll get caughty!"

"Peeves... Don't you tell-..." Sebastian warned, but Peeves began to float away, back to where we came from.

"I'm going to tell! I'm going to tell!"

"Ugh! Blasted Peeves!" Sebastian groaned before turning to me, "I need to stop him before he tells the librarian on us, can I count on you to handle your own down here without me?"

It wasn't even a question he should have to ask. I nodded, but stopped Sebastian before he could head off, "I don't want to get you in trouble, though!"

Sebastian smirked, "I have a way with the faculty and disciplinary matters. Besides," he took a step closer to me, as if challenging me, " I like having friends who are in my debt."

I bit the inside of my cheek, giving him a soft glare, " You got a ghost to stop, don't you?"

"That damned poltergeist!"

* * *

Sebastian dropped off his Quidditch gear, while I waited at the entrance of the common room, rocking back and forth on my feet. This gave me some kind of a dejavu, bringing me back to when I'd wait for Sebastian come out of the common room before we set our on our adventures.

I'd give anything to relive those memories.

"Ready?"

Sebastian appeared out of the door way, going for more of a casual look with grey dress pants and a while long sleeve shirt. He still carried his wand too, for good measures.

We walked in silence to the library, but inside my head, a storm was beginning to form. I had many burning questions to ask, but no courage to summon myself to seek all the answers. I couldn't help but feel as if Sebastian was a stranger onto me now, and it hurt me. He barely looked at me, hands in his pocket as we entered the library. A few students were around, but since it was only the first week back, there wasn't much to do here.

"Second floor, behind the last book shelf to our left?"

I was caught off guard, surprised that Sebastian remembered where our study spot was. He and Ominis would always find me there, if I wasn't in the common room, and would often stay to study or catch up on their work. Most of the time we wasted laughing until our ribs hurt, though.

"You remembered?" I looked up at him, still a bit surprised. Perhaps I was underestimating Sebastian and how much he cared about everything that happened to us during our fifth-year.

"Of course," Sebastian gave me a small smile, nodding.

We walked over to the spot, and I settled down my books, summoning my quill with an exhausted sigh. Being back at Hogwarts made the nightmares stronger, and because of that, I experienced a lot more frequent sleepless nights. I knew the librarian's routine was light this first week, but I also knew when to cast the disillusionment charm to keep myself out of sight, should the need arise. I found comfort within all the books here. They reminded me of Professor Fig.

"Are you alright?"

I had almost forgotten that Sebastian was still here, sitting on a chair opposite side of me. He pulled it in with his wand, before manspreading himself and resting his arms on the back of the chair, chin resting on top.

"Y-yeah, I'm okay," I nodded, "I thought you were just going to walk me here so Peeves doesn't shoo me away?"

"I figured I could spare some time here, to make sure Peeves doesn't come and bother you while you study."

That's... sweet of him?

Peeves usually comes around much later at night, and even then, on rare occasions. So far, he hasn't been a problem for me.

"Okay," I looked down at my books, trying my best to concentrate on the lessons for next week. But my mind wandered elsewhere. I couldn't shake the feeling of Sebastian's eyes on me, and what made it worse was the weird feeling I kept getting every time we locked eyes on each other, or were anywhere near one another. It all felt odd.

I put my quill down, feeling myself grow slightly frustrated.

"You haven't sent any owl posts back to me since July."

What is actually wrong with me?

"Pardon?"

I looked up at Sebastian, feeling myself get flustered, but also growing annoyed now. Not a good mix.

"Last time I sent you an owl post was at the beginning of July, and you never sent one back."

His brown eyes avoided eye contact now. Here he was, the cunning Slytherin man, unable to look me in the eye.

"I apologize."

I scoffed, sitting back in my chair with my arms crossed. I was definitely annoyed now.

"You apologized for many things, Sebastian, like ghosting Ominis and I for the last two weeks of school, before completely going off the grid three days before summer break. But did you actually mean your apologies?"

I couldn't stop myself now. The more I thought about it, the more hurt I felt. Somewhere in the haze, I got a sense I've been betrayed by Sebastian. And I knew I wasn't the only one who felt that way.

"What kind of a question is that?" Sebastian frowned, looking back at me now, "Of course I meant it! You knew what I was dealing with!"

"And you knew what I went through!" I found myself slightly raising my voice. "You knew I almost died, yet you didn't bother to send me a single get well card. All I got was 'I'm sorry I wasn't there, I had to leave Hogwart's earlier,' which, pardon me but, sounds like a pitiful excuse."

There it is. My wrath. Formed back in the summer, when Sebastian left me wondering if I had said 5e wrong things. If I shouldn't have spoken the way I did back then. If I was out of line.

I found myself shifting uncomfortably in my chair, while Sebastian stared at me, his eyes wide open, his lips trying to move to speak, but no word comes from them. Silence took over, but the storm inside my head was now raging, making me feel exhausted. I haven't slept, I haven't had a moment of peace ever since the battle with Ranrok, and truth be told, I forgot how it felt to be safe and comfortable in my own skin. Especially with being a Keeper now.

Sebastian's chair moved, and I looked up to see him stand and fix his shirt a bit, as if hesitating on what he should do next.

"I'll take that as my cue to leave."

I didn't stop him, I just watched him turn his back to me, and walk away. I knew if I told him to stay, he would, but I also knew that I needed a moment to myself, away from Sebastian.

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