I'm not wearing cologne | S.S

Part 3

You've always been in love with the seasonal decorations at Hogwarts. The snow falling from the cloudy fake sky as you ate a warm dinner, Christmas trees out and about, and the festive themes in the common room. Usually, you'd spend the holiday at the school because your parents were busy with their Auror business, but now that they've chosen to retire from the danger, they wanted to host a grand celebration with the family. The letter from your owl lay beside your plate as you mulled over your thoughts.
Sebastian had been keeping you awake at night. Ever since the potion lesson, you've been so hyper-aware of him that it was driving you crazy. Sometimes when passing him in the halls you'd get a hint of that pine cologne that he put on just to mess with you. He knew of the sudden effect he had on you and used it to his advantage. You didn't mean to eavesdrop on Ominis and Sebastian's conversation, but they were talking rather loudly on the other side of the table.
"Unbelievable! How dare he keep me from my own twin sister?"
"It's only for the break, Sebastian," Ominis says.
Apparently, Sebastian's uncle had denied his usual holiday visitations to Feldcroft due to Anne's worsening conditions. She and Solomon were going to try one last treatment over the week at St. Mungos, but if it didn't work...You didn't want to think about how Sebastian would feel. He thinks they've given up on her.
"He just doesn't want me to see her and give her false hope," You can hear the irritation in his voice, "I truly think there's something out there that can help her,"
"Perhaps there is, but you did promise to not go meddling in things that should be left alone,"
"Yeah, I know,"
You almost make eye contact with the brunette, but you manage to quickly focus your attention back on your breakfast. The random thought of inviting Sebastian to your family's Christmas celebration came into mind. Maybe you would, part of you felt bad he wouldn't get to celebrate with his sister like they did every year, so maybe your invitation would make up for it. It would be rather embarrassing for him to reject the offer. No doubt he wouldn't tease you about it relentlessly. Though, ever since the situation with Professor Kratt, he's been nice to you. Suspiciously so.
You catch Sebastian in the halls, the impulsive energy burning through your veins.
"Come home with me for Christmas,"
"I knew you were eavesdropping," His lips lift up mischievously, "you're not very good at it,"
"I can't help it when you're so loud,"
You regretted this already. Once again, you choose to run away from your problems, and you spin around to leave to go to the common room.
"Alright. When do we leave?"
Now you weren't expecting him to say that.
"You'll really come with?"
"It could be fun," He shrugs, "and considering your parent's pasts, maybe they'll know something that can help Anne,"
Ah, of course. He was doing this for his benefit.
"In two days, their place isn't far from the platform,"
The truth was, Sebastian didn't want to spend Christmas alone. While he may not be able to spend it with his twin sister, spending it with you didn't seem as appalling as it would've once been.

The door opens rather quickly after you knock, and your aunt's large smile greets you. She exclaimed your name and some greetings before hugging you tightly.
"Now, who is this? We didn't know you'd bring a boy home,"
"Sebastian Sallow," He introduces himself politely and extends his hand.
"I've heard of the Sallows. My condolences," she says solemnly and steps aside to let you both in.
Your parents react the same when they see Sebastian and you realize that you never mentioned you'd bring a friend.
"The issue is we don't have any more rooms to spare, so he'll have to stay in yours. I'm sure that isn't an issue though," Your mom says with a devious tone.
Sebastian and you look at each other and the world seems to stop. Your room was fairly small, and your bed would hardly fit two people.
"Quite alright, Mrs. L/N," Sebastian says.
"Please, just call me Lilia,"
The introductions went well. Now it was time to settle in as Christmas celebrations would be early tomorrow. Classes had you feeling exhausted, and you needed all the sleep you could get. The only issue? You felt hyper-aware of Sebastian just an inch away from you. Normally you sleep on your side, but that wasn't an option right now. It was silent. Awkward.
"I'm sorry about second year,"
"I don't care about that anymore," He sighs.
"What's happening to us?"
"What do you mean?" He turns to face you and you choose to remain staring at the ceiling.
"I just feel like...I don't know...Something changed. Ever since that day,"
"Well, you're correct about that," He chuckles, "I think it's safe to say our petty rivalry is over,"
"Never thought you'd say those words," It was your turn to laugh, "but what did you smell from the potion?"
"Can't go spilling all my secrets in one night, now, can I?"

The next morning you decide to sleep in. Your family opened presents without you and Sebastian (with your permission of course) and the ones labeled with your name were now in your room. Sebastian didn't mind sleeping in either, clearly, as he was still passed out. You admired how calm, the freckles on his face mesmerizing. You snapped out of it to hit him with a pillow.
"Get up, idiot! Presents,"
He groans and rolls over, "I don't have any,"
"Yes, you do. Ominis, Anne, and I have stuff for you. Their owls arrived an hour ago. Even my parents decided to include something small last minute,"
"Really?" His face lights up hearing his sister's name.
You get out of bed and grab Sebastian's presents to give to him. You both had the same amount, so you quietly opened your share together. Your family got you some useful things for school, you'd have to thank them later,
"I almost forgot," he says and pulls something out of his bag he brought.
The wrapping is poorly done, but the fact it's from him made it the best thing you've ever seen. He hands the rectangular object to you and urges you to open it.
"I felt bad, you seemed pretty distraught you couldn't read the sequel because of me,"
He even got you the exclusive edition, which was rather expensive. The cover's moving photo was enticing you to start reading at that very moment, but of course, you'd have to wait.
"Oh my god, thank you, Sebastian. When did you get this?"
"A week after the library incident. I was in Hogsmeade shopping for Anne when I saw it and decided to get it,"
If his presence wasn't killing your senses, you think you would've hugged him.
"My gift doesn't really compare but..." You hand him a small box, "I thought you might need it for next semester,"
The box contained an invisibility potion that you brewed yourself. On the label you wrote, "for your restricted section visits,".
"It lasts about thirty minutes, so use it wisely,"
"This is going to be so much better than that simple old spell, no way I'll get caught now," He smirks.

Dinner went by fairly smoothly. At one point your dad had used the term 'boyfriend' and you couldn't even correct him as the conversation shifted. Sebastian didn't seem to mind, though. While everyone chooses to sit by the fireplace and talk, you bring him outside to show him the lights decorating the neighborhood. You stand under a large oak tree and watch the snow start to fall. A quiet jingling sound is heard from above you, and when you look up your heart stops. Sebastian follows your gaze and a slight smirk falls on his lips.
"How unfortunate," He says, "now who would we be to break tradition?"
"Huh?"
He steps closer.
"I'll show you something tomorrow, but first..."
He's only inches away, you could feel his breath. It felt like it was just you and him in the world, nothing else matters. His hand experimentally goes to your waist, his thumb tracing sloppy circles as he suddenly pulls you into him.
"Seb-"
You don't get to finish talking because he roughly kisses you. His scent and taste infiltrated your senses and it was simply just him. He slowly backs you against the tree and when you start to kiss back, he pulls away. You gaze at him expectantly.
"Let's go back,"
You don't regret inviting him at all anymore.

Saying goodbye to your family was a blur. Last night had dulled your ability to think straight and you could hardly even look at Sebastian without the thought of him kissing you taking over. You wanted more. On the train back to Hogwarts you had a compartment to yourself. Sebastian chose to write a letter to his sister and you pulled out the book he got you. The moment you open it a small slip of parchment falls out.
'Books and strawberry'
What did this mean? It was Sebastian's handwriting, you recognized that, but the content of the note made no sense. His eyes watch you as you try to determine the meaning.
And then it hits you. The results he wrote down and didn't share that day in potions class. The shampoo you use did have a slight strawberry scent to it, but perhaps it was a coincidence and you were being hopeful.
He finally speaks.
"It seems we both had quite the discovery that day, didn't we?"
"You let me embarrass myself and didn't tell me?"
He shrugs, "It's more fun this way,"
"So...you meant it. Last night,"
"Of course I did. I wouldn't kiss just anyone,"
"It feels odd. Getting along so well with you now," you laugh.
"Well get used to it, because you'll be around me a lot more now,"
You didn't have a problem with that.