Aftermath ✧ Sebastian Sallow

chapter two

Sour Grapes by John the Ghost

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Amelia's Perceptive

There were butterflies in my heart finally seeing Sebastian Sallow. I sat by carriage for some time knowing that he would wait to be the last carriage, my patience was being tested. But it was worth the wait finally being able to see him. 

Actually, see him. 

I hopped off my bag that I had been sitting on and rushed to him. I wrapped my arms around his neck to pull him into a hug. Frankly, I was a bit embarrassed the moment I realized that I had just kind of thrown myself at him. Even though he didn't write back, I missed him a lot over the summer. 

"I'm so sorry, Amelia," Sebastian mumbled into my hair. 

Despite looking a bit foolish at throwing myself at Sebastian, he hadn't hesitated away from being pulled into my embrace. His hands wrapped around my waist tightly as he hugged me back. 

There was a lot of sadness in his voice when he added, "I should have written you."

Of course, I was upset that he hadn't written me for the entire summer. Fourteen unanswered owls were far too many. Although I should have realized sooner that he simply wasn't ready to talk. I just wanted to start the new year off without dreading the events of last year.

"Don't be silly, you can still write me!" I blew off the confession.

He smiled back, "I suppose you have a point."

The three of us piled our belongings into the carriage as it brought us the short trip down the trail to the castle. I sat on the bench facing both Sebastian and Ominis. It was the first time that I truly felt whole again. These two were the last pieces of the puzzle that made Hogwarts feel like home again for me. 

Ominis was the first to break the silence, "I've decided that I will join you for butterbeer tonight. But I'm not sure if pets are allowed in the tavern, so this one might have to stay back."

Sebastian smirked at the comment but chose not to answer. It was unlike him to not make a quick-witted response. He really must not be feeling himself still. 

"I'm sure I can talk them into allowing pets just for a night," I added attempting to play along, "That is if you'd care to join us, Sebastian?" 

"Truthfully, I'm really tired," Sebastian admitted while taking a deep breath. 

His deep hazel eyes looked down at the floor, the bags under his eyes were darker than normal. Clearly, he hasn't spent his summer sleeping.

"Fine. I won't force you. But you owe me a butterbeer then," I joked.

He finally looked up at me and gave me a small smile, "Fine, I'll owe you one then." 

"So who is going tonight?" Ominis asked. 

I told him the plan and everyone that was coming. I agreed with Ominis that we could leave together whenever one of us was done at the Three Broomsticks. I was dying to see my friends after a long summer, but I do have my limits socially. 

Despite my behavior that day, I'm not normally a people person. I enjoy my alone time. The summer was just extremely lonely and I really did want to catch up with anyone that I had gone months without.