A Change of Heart // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 5

They decided to catch the last train out of Hogsmeade for the night as they had done on the way in the night before. They stopped in at Hogsmeade and picked up some snacks from Honeydukes for the trip and ate supper at The Three Broomsticks before heading to the station.

Sirona Ryan was still manning the bar. Florence hadn't returned to Hogsmeade too often since she left Scotland for London shortly after her 7th year finished. Sirona looked at her with wide eyes as she entered cautiously behind Sebastian.

"Florence McCallister. Long time, no see. I hope you've been well." She said, walking out from behind the bar to greet them.

"Well, good to see you too, Sirona..." Sebastian rolled his eyes, disgusted that Sirona had seemingly forgotten about him considering he was a regular.

"You know it's always a pleasure to see you, Sebastian." Sirona's comment making Sebastian grin smugly. "I think I know why you're here, Florence. A prophecy, correct?"

Florence looked at Sirona, bewildered. "Yes, I am." She replied, cocking her head slightly with confusion.

"I hear a lot of talk here. Heard some 6th years talking about a prophecy they were asked to deliver here by Professor Black, they were supposed to meet a Minister from London. I guess he never showed, because they bragged about throwing it into the lake. They said it had something to do with a strange ex-student who had 'extra magical powers'. I immediately knew who that was about." She glanced quickly at Florence making emphasis on that last comment.

"Is it still there?" Sebastian exclaimed at the revelation.

"As far as I know. If it is about Florence, it may be worth your while to go have a look around the base of the castle. It's been good seeing you both." Sirona bid them farewell as she glided effortlessly back behind the bar.

"I guess we are going swimming." Sebastian said, holding the door open for Florence as they exited the inn.

"I guess you are going swimming." Florence said, eluding to the fact she was not getting into the lake in sub-zero temperatures.

When they arrived to the spot at the lake Sirona tipped them off about, it was almost midnight. Florence suggested they may try and make a camp somewhere but Sebastian refused, he knew prophecy records emitted a small glow so he'd have a better chance of finding it at night. He left Florence by the edge of the lake and removed his boots, socks, jumper, shirt and trousers, leaving him in his boxer briefs, his wand tucked under the waist band. He shivered under the moonlight.

"Are you sure about this?" Florence confirmed, looking at his arms folded across his naked chest, shivering and trying to keep warm.

"As I'll ever be." He replied with chattering teeth, shuddering even harder when his toes hit the water. Slowly, he submerged himself into the water, making small gasps and exclamations as each new part of his body went deeper and began to swim laps along the edge, occasionally diving under. Florence watched from the comfort and warmth of the sand, watching his bobbing head disappear and reappear, taking breaths intermittently.

She noticed he hadn't emerged in a while and stood up to try and get a better look. Suddenly, she saw a red flash from the water and Sebastian appeared for a brief second, taking a quick breath before being taken back under by something. Florence began to panic, quickly removing her own clothes and discarding them amongst Sebastian's clothes, leaving her in her corset bra and briefs. She quickly began to run through the water, submerging herself as Sebastian did. She found him, leg's being held down by two merpeople, dragging him deeper. She quickly fired off two shots with her wand, getting them off his legs when she saw a glimpse of what they were looking for. The prophecy. It glowed with a silver flicker at the bottom of the lake. The problem she found, the merpeople were almost guarding it. It was swarmed. She came up to the surface, hearing Sebastian coughing and spluttering, trying to catch his breath.

"Th... thanks." He managed to say, sucking in air deeply.

"Don't mention it. Listen, I need you to come back down with me. I'll distract them, you grab the prophecy." Florence demanded. Sebastian nodded in agreeance.

They both took a deep breath each and ducked under the water. Florence shone a bright light towards them, drawing the merpeople towards her. Sebastian saw his opportunity and swam down as fast as he could. He grabbed the prophecy and tucked it under one arm, resurfacing again. He fired off two more quick spells, drawing the merpeople away from Florence, she quickly surfaced and the pair hastily made their way to land, merpeople quickly gaining on them before they ran out of the water.

Inhaling deeply, Florence collapsed on the pebbles, Sebastian doing the same as their chests rose and fell in sync, taking in the air they so desperately needed.

"Did you get it?" Florence questioned, still breathing hard as she looked up at the stars.

Sebastian didn't say a word but held the prophecy straight up above himself to show her. Florence felt a wave of relief come over her and she found herself rolling over to hug Sebastian's bare chest. She swore she felt him almost flinch at the touch, but he responded by placing a hand delicately on her arm.

Florence removed herself from his touch and stood up quickly. She dug into her backpack and found two towels for them both, draping one around Sebastian's shoulders who was now sitting upright and shivering before doing the same to herself. She quickly set up a small fire, igniting it with a whip of her wand and the two of them sat as close as they could to the flames, drying off while their clothes sat in a heap beside them. She caught herself staring at his bare chest. It was more toned than she remembered, specks of light freckles littered across it. He had more across his shoulders than when they eighteen, a sign of his time in the sun.

The towel belonged to her so it only covered so much of his larger frame. She remembered all the nights she'd fallen asleep against it, his strong arms holding her close, her fingers tracing down his sternum to his stomach, giving him goosebumps.

"See something you like?" Sebastian said, snapping her out of her trance, a grin on his face.

"Not really." She replied, looking back at the fire. She'd hoped she had gotten better at lying. He got up from his spot and moved to be next to her. She obviously hadn't improved.

"Thank you. For saving me in the lake." He said. She so desperately wanted him to kiss her, but she knew they were only in this to protect herself and the ancient magic. She also didn't want to assume he also had similar feelings towards her even though she wanted to deny hers.

"Not a problem, Sallow." She smirked as she called him by his surname as he had done to her before.

"You know it drives me wild when you call me that." A grin crept across Sebastian's face as he inched slightly closer to Florence, testing the vibe around them. Florence also leaned just a touch closer, Sebastian taking that as an invitation. He softly pressed his lips against Florence's, their bodies instantly feeling warmer by the contact. They lingered for a moment, Florence slightly opening her mouth, the tips of their tongues dancing together. Florence quickly pulled away, realising what she had allowed herself to do after only just convincing herself a few minutes ago it was a bad idea.

"Sorry, was that wrong of me to do?" Sebastian asked, scooting away from her a little.

"No. It wasn't." Florence smiled as she looked at the rocks beneath her. "But, I should uh, probably get dressed."

Sebastian agreed and they both redressed themselves before retreating to a cave for the night, setting up some stretcher beds Florence had conjured up.