Consuming Darkness: Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 15

-Sebastian-

Ronnie insisted on checking the poacher's camp for animals that could have been captured by them. She found a Niffler and a Puffskin and captured them in a giant travel bag. It was very bizarre, but it felt very ill timed to ask her about it so I just stood guard, trying to gather my thoughts.

When we left the poacher camp I finally spoke. "Why are you out here? I know you didn't sneak out in the middle of the night to free animals."

She hesitated for a moment, but I let the silence drag on as long as she needed. Finally she answered, "To clear my head..." she was looking down at the ground as we walked.

I knew she didn't want to look at me. I know that there were still a million things we needed to talk about but I had just watched her kill over a dozen poachers using primarily dark magic. I had so many questions, partially because I was curious but mostly because I was worried about her. She had so much hate in her eye as she killed those poachers, so much rage, and then she had started to cry during the battle. Was I insane for still wanting to be around her after witnessing that? Maybe? But I had killed my own uncle with the killing curse. I had also killed quite a few poachers, goblins, Ashwinders, and so many spiders with other spells. I honestly didn't fault her for it. Maybe that made me a horrible person but I already knew I was a horrible person.

"That was quite a way to clear your head..." I teased. Why did I always have to make it a joke?

She chuckled lightly. That's why. To see her smile like that even when things were very bleak.

"Why were you out here?" She asked.

"You woke me up," I pulled out my trinket, showing it to her. "So I followed you to make sure you were okay." I put it back in my pocket.

"I was just messing with it, I didn't mean to wake you..." she stopped and looked at me. "I thought you wouldn't be carrying it anymore."

I shrugged and kept walking. "Of course I have it on me. I told you that you could always wake me, even if you hate me."

She didn't say anything for a while. "I don't hate you Sebastian."

"Oh?" I joked. "Well that's good to hear!"

She laughed and I reached out and grabbed her hand. We walked out of the Forbidden Forest together, holding hands. My emotions were so confusing right now I didn't know what to do.

I stopped at the edge of the Forbidden Forest and sat down on a rock and Ronnie stood in front of me. I knew we needed to talk, but how did I start? It went so wrong last time. I had just watched her slaughter some poachers so I feel like she could at least be patient while I sort out my thoughts.

"I don't know if we should hang out anymore Sebastian..." Ronnie spoke first. She sounded so defeated and her words stung.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because... I'm not... ugh... it's stupid..." she moved away and I got off the rock and grabbed her arm.

"Talk to me... please," I begged her.

"You just watched me using the killing curse on at least half a dozen people. And you ask me why you shouldn't hang out with me?"

I searched her face, and found nothing but heartbreaking saddens and pain. I pulled her so her body was against mine and my hands were on her hips. "You must know how much I care about you?" I said almost pleading with her to really hear what I was saying.

She looked away and shook her head. "You can't...-"

"Can't what?" I asked. "Care about you?"

"I've killed so many people..."

"Bad people," I pointed out.

"Do not try and justify my actions. You saw what I did!" She exclaimed, tears coming to her eyes.

"I would kill anyone, do anything. I would burn the world to ash if it meant that I could hold you in my arms, for just a second longer," I admitted.

Her eyes widened as my words reached her. "Sebastian..." she said quietly as her hand moved to my cheek.

"And maybe that makes me a terrible person. But I don't care, all I care about is you and I will stand by you as long as you want me," I said. She was so beautiful. In the light of the moon and stars she took my breath away. "I'm sorry that I've said so many stupid things to you, and I understand if you need time to forgive me but-"

She cut me off by pressing her lips to mine. Her kiss was desperate. I had missed her lips on mine, and the feeling of her full, warm lips on mine made me groan. She wrapped her arms around my neck in response, deepening the kiss.

I regrettably pulled away from the kiss. It had been a long night and she needed to sleep. We exited the Forbidden Forest near the Hogsmeade. I grabbed her hand and pulled her along towards the town.

"Where are we going?" she inquired.

"You need to sleep, I don't want to leave you alone," I answered matter-of-factly.

"That still doesn't answer my question..." she laughed

"There's an Inn in Hogsmeade that we can get a room for tonight." We walked into Hogsmeade and the streets were silent.

"Sebastian," she whispered, and held onto my arm. "People know who I am. They know I am a student. We cannot sleep here over night, together!"

"Put your hood up," I commanded as I put mine up. "I'm not a celebrity like you. We're both not in uniform. I'll use a fake name and get the room."

She pulled up her hood on her cloak, holding it on the side to shield her face and hair as much as possible. "We can just go back to the castle?"

I didn't respond, just pulled her along as she kept hold of my arm.

We reached the Inn and I asked for a room. Thankfully they had one room left. The holiday season brought lots of people to Hogsmeade.

"Name?" the Innkeeper asked impatiently.

"McAlester, William McAlester. And my wife, Fanny McAlester," I responded with a quick smile and handed over the payment. The Innkeeper handed us a key and directed us to our room. Once inside the room the Innkeeper started the fire for us with a flick of his wand and then left.

The room was quaint. There was a queen size bed in the middle and the thought of sleeping next to her made me almost giddy.

I turned towards her to see that she had begun taking off her cloak, gloves and vest. "It's freezing!" she exclaimed and she tossed off her boots.

I picked her up and cradled her in my arms. I kissed her forehead. "Ready for bed Mrs. McAlester?" I smirked.

"I can't believe you named me Fanny..." she rolled her eyes with a smile.

"Yes you can," I laughed. "You have a great fanny so naturally that is what your fake name is." I set her down and lightly spanked her backside.

"You are incorrigible!" she exclaimed.

I took off my cloak, gloves, sweater, shirt, boots socks. "Aren't you going to be freezing?" she asked noticing me wearing only pants.

I shrugged. "You'll be cuddling with me, and its worth it to have you gawk at me."

"I may find you slightly attractive," she admitted with a teasing tone.

"Slightly?" I asked. "You're practically drooling Veronica."

Her cheeks flushed, and she turned away laughing.

I climbed into bed next to her and pulled the covers up on top of us. She cuddled up next to me, laying her head on my chest. I wrapped my arm around her, holding her close. I kissed her forehead. "Goodnight Ronnie," I whispered. As much as I wanted to rip all of her clothes from her and kiss every inch of her body, I knew she needed sleep. She also was in a fragile state, and I don't know if I was in the right space to be doing anything other than sleeping right now.