A Change of Heart // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 13

"How did you know that was what I was going to say?" he asked her.

"I just knew. It's not often you're lost for words." She laughed.

Florence had quickly set up her extension charm tent again, the two retreating for the night. Despite the looming danger they faced, Florence had finally been sleeping peacefully after years of restless nights. There was something about being back in Sebastian's arms at night that quietened the noise in her brain. Sebastian had mentioned the same thing to Florence, he'd had nightmares about the catacombs for years and he suffered greatly being on his own for so long but her presence gave him peace.

She cuddled his bare chest, the rise and fall of his chest a soothing wave, rocking her to sleep. His restful heartbeat matching hers. He stroked her hair gently as he drifted off to sleep. Florence was happy. She was at peace. She'd just wished they were finally able to enjoy each others company without the worry of imminent death hanging over their heads.

Their time together in their seventh year had never been peaceful. Despite what Sebastian had done, he had never given up on Anne. He'd lost the relic and the spell book, but he was convinced that Florence was the answer for a cure. Even though Ominis had written him off after Solomon's death, Florence stayed by Sebastian until she began to side with Ominis too. She had visited Anne after the incident briefly. Anne never wanted to be healed in such a way. She refused. She would rather suffer than become a shell of what she once was, succumbing to the Dark Arts. Florence confided in her and told her the truth about her magic, about how she and Sebastian had seen Isadora Morganach's memory and that she could remove pain but it came at a cost. That Sebastian was determined that it was the answer. Anne begged Florence to never let him use her for his own gain. Anne told her that he was using her for her power and their relationship was always going to come with an ultimatum. Florence left Anne feeling devastated. She always had a feeling that was what it was becoming. He would shower her in love, kisses and whatever else she wanted so that he could use that to convince her to help Anne.

She returned to Hogwarts in tears. When confronted with Sebastian, she explained to him that she cannot help him in the way he wants. That she would always support him in researching and trying to find a cure. She would help him in the restricted section. She would search through caves, catacombs and bandit camps with him. But her magic wasn't the answer and she wouldn't go against Anne's wishes. He was furious. He ended the relationship there and then. "What's the point of being with you if you refuse to help me and my sister?" he said. For the final few weeks of their schooling, he ignored her. When they took the boats back across the lake for the last time to return home, he stayed at the back and went last. That was the last time Florence had ever seen Sebastian until that day in London.

This time, it felt oddly different. She knew years had passed and perhaps time on his own forced him to grow up and mature, forget about fever dreams. He'd finally given up on Anne, he didn't even know where she was. It had been 7 years since he'd seen her and even if he had found a cure, he had no way to locate her. Laying in his arms now felt genuine. She knew Sebastian's heart and mind was finally in the right place to be in a real relationship.

Florence woke up first, slowly raising Sebastian's arm from her waist and placing it gently across his own abdomen. She removed her nightgown and turned around to find some clothes for the day, digging into her bag, she found tight brown pants, one of her regular white blouses, a deep blue vest and a coat.

"Well, that's a nice way to wake up." Sebastian said from behind her. He was referring to her now-naked body preparing to dress herself.

"If you don't mind..." Florence jested, crossing her legs and covering her bare breasts with her arms.