A Change of Heart // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 4

Sebastian and Florence stood in the crisp autumn air waiting the last train into Hogsmeade for the night, Florence was shivering and was feeling agitated Sebastian hadn't noticed before remembering he had no obligation to look after her anymore. With a train this late, they wouldn't arrive until morning. Florence had wondered why Sebastian hadn't suggested apparition, but she quickly remembered he hadn't passed his test at school and therefore wasn't registered with the Ministry, assuming he never bothered when he lived in Marunweem. She was sure he wouldn't try and put something like apparating without a license past a Ministry employee, but then again, he never was one to play by Florence's rules.

The train pulled into the station and Florence put those thoughts into the back of her mind while they alighted the train, choosing a carriage at the back, placing their bags on the seat next to them and sitting on opposite sides of the carriage from each other.

"So," Sebastian began, breaking the silence. "Have you seen been seeing anyone since we left Hogwarts?"

Florence rose an eyebrow, showing Sebastian that she really didn't believe this was an appropriate time to ask such questions, but he never really was one to care about timing or making things uncomfortable.

"Since you must know, I did see Garreth for a short while." Florence replied, sounding quite chuffed with herself, rattling off names of past flames.

"Weasley!?" Sebastian announced, sounding shocked. "Gryffindors, huh? An interesting choice for you. For how long?"

Again, Florence was getting a little frustrated with his insistence on knowing all the intricate details, but she decided to fight fire with fire.

"Oh, on and off. Nothing too serious. He was mostly just a quick fuck for a few months to be honest." a smirk formed on her face

Sebastian sensed what Florence was doing. He'd be lying if he said he didn't feel a small twinge of jealousy, he always was slightly jealous of Garreth at school and his cool composure and tendency to flirt with Florence.

"As good as me?" he jested.

Florence held her hand out flat and moved it in a waving motion as if to say "meh."

She missed this. She relished in it. The flirtatious back and forth that was borderline offensive to each other.

"What about you?" she asked.

She really didn't want to know the answer, but she felt like she needed to prove she cared just as little as he seemed to about any sexual romps they'd had since each other.

"Yeah, a few. Imelda probably the most notable one for you, caught up with her on the South Coast when she was down there for some Quidditch competition thing. Between you and me, a broom is the only wood she's good at handling and the only thing she's skilled at is flying. But nothing serious. As you would say, 'just a quick fuck'.'' He grinned slightly as he told her, Florence screwed her nose up at the thought of Imelda laying flat like a starfish underneath Sebastian.

Florence knew she shouldn't have asked as she found herself laughing, a little disgusted. It made her feel comfortable being together again, it was beginning to feel like nothing had changed. This is probably what Poppy was warning her about, old feelings resurfacing. She snapped herself out of it by announcing she was going to try and sleep.

As the train pulled to a stop into Hogsmeade, Florence woke up to the sunrise grazing over her face and peered over to the other seat and saw Sebastian slumped over, head on the train window. She had laid down across the seats, using her backpack as a pillow. She swiftly kicked Sebastian in the shin to wake him up.