In the Shadow of Healing Heartbreak (Sebastian Sallow x Slytherin Fem Reader)

Chapter 1 - Summer Holiday

1891 - June

You wake from your slumber and open your eyes to the emerald drapes hanging across the bedposts of your bed in the dormitory. Everyone else has packed their things and left for the summer holidays meaning there is a quiet lull in the air that definitely was not there the day prior.

It was certainly odd for students to stay behind for the summer holidays, but your circumstances were quite different to most. Orphaned at 5 years of age, then taken in by Professor Fig last year when your magical abilities awakened, to unfortunately being orphaned again with his death in the recent months. You hadn't much time to grieve in between your studies for your OWL exams but also still trying to adapt to the weird world you had been placed in.

There was one other student staying back. A good friend of yours, Sebastian Sallow, also in Slytherin. His predicament unfortunately at his own hand - a secret held by only a few who were in the Feldcroft Catacomb that day. You just couldn't turn him in - not for him or his sister. They only had each other left in this world - you couldn't split that up drawing from your own feelings of despair and loneliness of no known family. You also felt partially responsible. You kept on helping Sebastian in his quest to find a cure for Anne despite the pleas from Ominis and Sebastian's uncle.

The Faculty were not really sure what to do with the both of you. Both now orphaned twice in the sense of it. You had been given a small cottage in a Hamlet not far from Hogwarts as well as a London Apartment from Professor Fig's estate. The teachers were not so sure whether it would be wise to leave someone so young - in the sense of age and knowledge of the Wizarding World - by herself. Perhaps next Summer will be different.

Collecting your thoughts, you sit up and stand to leave the dormitory, transfiguring yourself into some casual clothes before you exit. Not sure what to do with all the spare time up your sleeve, you sit at one of the grand windows looking out into the Great Lake. For a few minutes you look out and just ponder about what should be done over these holidays, until you are distracted by Sebastian leaving the male dormitories. He hasn't been much the same since everything happened, it was then you realised what your summer will be.

"Time to fix the heartbreak that I helped cause."

You called out: "Sebastian"; he turns around to see you. He has abandoned his robes but is still intent on wearing a three piece suit despite the warmer temperatures.

"Hey, are you going to go up for breakfast?" He asked.

"I wasn't sure if breakfast service was still going to be a thing in the Great Hall considering we are the only ones other than some Professors still here?" You replied. It was certainly an odd situation.

"Well, if you would like to join me I am going to find some breakfast - I'm hungry." At his invitation, you remove yourself from the windows and go with him.

"Sure - I don't have any plans so I don't see why not." Your response brings a small smile to his face. 'A good start' you think to yourself.

Both of you make your way up the winding staircase to the entry of the Common Room. The silence between you two was thick. Sensing that maybe some small talk is required, you piped up and said "So, what do you think we should do for all these months before everyone comes back?"

"Hmm" he pauses a moment and then says "I'm unsure. Perhaps more exploration of the castle?" He says. The both of you continuing to make your way to the Great Hall.

An idea comes into your head. "Ah!" You say quickly. "I think I know a few places where you haven't been!" He looks at you, puzzled.

"You're telling me that you discovered secret places in the Castle and haven't told me about them yet?!" He said, raising his voice slightly but not getting angry.

"Well, yes. Let's start with the first one after we find food." He couldn't argue with that as his stomach grumbled in hunger.