Aftermath | Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 1

I stare out into the dark night sky, my breath puffing in clouds and vanishing around me- evidence of how cold it is from where I'm sitting. It was only mid-October, but from up here the air was biting. I had flown my broom up to the highest peak of Hogwarts Castle. I needed to get away.

The Slytherin common room would most definitely be quiet at this hour, but my head wouldn't be. Not there.

Several events took place immediately after defeating Ranrok. News spread fast that I had been the one to wield ancient magic and use it to save Hogwarts, to save the Wizarding World itself from it's impending doom. I didn't speak to anyone about what happened underneath Hogwarts. Eventually the commotion regarding what happened, along with the constant questions about myself and my power, turned into hushed whispers whenever I walked by.

Of course, I had to face the ministry after what had taken place. After a series of interrogations and even more trials (as if I hadn't been through enough of those) I was deemed fit to return to my studies and complete my education at Hogwarts. I agreed to work alongside the ministry to help keep peace among the lands of the Wizarding World once I completed my education. A fate that was basically decided for me, I thought for the most part that it was out of fear. They know the older I get the more powerful I will become. And they fear if they don't keep a close eye on me, I could lose control and bring destruction upon them all.

I do feel my power restless and humming inside of me. Especially when I feel intense emotions. Which, lately, was nearly every single day. I feel grief and guilt for a multitude of reasons. However, the one that sits heaviest on my heart is the death of Professor Fig.

Oh, Fig.

I bury my face into my arms, which are resting on my knees. My eyes begin to sting and I feel like giving in to the pain, letting it all come out. But I hold it in, breathing deeply as I reach up to wipe one single tear that escapes down my cheek.

If only I hadn't been sought after to attend Hogwarts, if only Fig hadn't been the one to escort me the day I embarked on my journey. None of the events afterward would have taken place. He would still be alive and well, teaching here. Surrounded by friends, colleagues, children that loved him and now miss him dearly.

I push the thought somewhere deep, deep down inside me. It's safe there.

I stand up, shivering as I leave the warmth of the spot in which I was sitting with my robe wrapped tightly around me. Careful not to slip, as I was on such a slanted roof, I reach down to grab my broom and mount it. Where I'm headed, who is there probably fast asleep, is the other reason for my turmoil.

Sebastian.

Ominis and I had agreed not to turn Sebastian in after killing Solomon. With the guilt he felt after, along with being hated and abandoned by his twin sister, Anne, I worried that he would continue to spiral and let his emotions get the best of him. However, the opposite took place. Sebastian still held his thirst for knowledge and of course hoping one day to help free his sister from her pain, but he completely gave up the thirst for power he felt after learning and executing the unforgivable curses. He focused on his academics and repairing his friendship with Ominis. I noticed his energy lightening, he would laugh and socialize with the others around him. His friends. Our friends.

Whenever he saw me though, his energy shifted. He became nervous and always had a pained expression on his face when looking at me.

Which only made me feel worse.

When I was on my own quest to defeat Ranrok and his army, I was chasing answers and looking for anything that would help aid me in fighting off our enemies. In doing so, I fear that I encouraged Sebastian entirely too much to pursue the dark arts for more power. I felt just as guilty for not only Solomon's death, but for the destruction and agony Sebastian had to bear as well from all of it.

He is still recovering from it and could be for years. I never want him to have to go through it again, I never want to be the reason for his pain. So I have decided to distance myself from him as much as possible.

Of course, this proves pretty much impossible when we live every day and night in the same common room, go to the same school, know and talk to the same people every day. And see each other every day. Every time we make eye contact I quickly make my escape or find something, someone, to preoccupy me. It's better off this way.

Unfortunately, that doesn't mean that he has stopped trying with me. He's made it increasingly difficult every day to keep saying no or escape when he catches me off guard to speak to me or block the path in which I'm walking.

I am finally descending the stairs to the dungeons, relieved to know that at this hour everyone should be in their rooms asleep. I speak the password and enter, taking my time down the stairs as I'm breathing in the quiet common room. The Slytherin common room really is quite breathtaking, especially when you have it all to yourself void of chitter chatter and busy students walking about. Not to mention the stares and whispers I would get from various students, especially the younger ones. In awe of the ancient magic wielder.

The one that got Fig killed.
The one that made Sebastian's life worse.

I again smother those thoughts and walk towards the room with grand windows where I could watch the fish swimming by. My exhaustion is finally hitting me when I startle to hear a voice behind me, "There you are."

I turn to find Sebastian sitting in a velvet chair by the fireplace. I must have missed him when I walked on the opposite side of the large, open room deep in my thoughts. Otherwise, I would've avoided the room entirely.

But now I see him, and he is staring directly at me. The light from the fire dances across his body and casts the perfect warm hue on his freckled face and brown hair, making the hints of red shine even more.

I sigh, knowing that with how much harder it is to keep avoiding him, I will have to face this eventually. I say quietly, "Hello, Sebastian".