A Tale of Shadows | Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 03

The last time I had seen Sebastian, he had been completely devastated. It was at Anne's funeral, shortly after we had finished our final year at Hogwarts. Sebastian and I had not been on speaking terms since the end of our fifth year. When I had decided not to absorb the power from the repository of Ancient Magic. In his eyes, I had betrayed Anne in doing so. Giving up on her life.

He did not realise that even if I had absorbed the magic in the repository and took away Anne's pain like Isidora did to her father, he would not get Anne back. She would be freed from her curse yes, but what would remain would be a shell of the person she had been. I did not want to be responsible for that. Anne had deserved better than that.

He had not said a word to me during the funeral. He had not even wanted to invite me, but Ominis reminded him that I had been Anne's friend for years and that she would have wanted me present during her funeral. Ominis had told me it had been a long discussion that had turned into a shouting match, but eventually Sebastian had given in. He really had not wanted me to be there. I am positive he hates me. So why am I here now? Why had he asked for me?

"Are you going to stand there admiring me, or are you going to follow me inside?"

I had not realised I was staring at him. His comment snapped me back to reality. His smirk grew even wider when my cheeks started to heat from his comment. Oh he used to love it when he was able to fluster me. It seems some things never change indeed. I had always been terrible at hiding my feelings. Especially from him.

"I see you are still too full of yourself."

A snort left his lips and his brow rose. Even after all these years, I could read his expressions so well. At least, that is when he had allowed me to be able to read them. He was also very good at making sure I had not been able to read him when it suited him. He was challenging me to deny he was someone to admire. He knew I could not. For one, I was a terrible liar. Secondly, I had told him plenty of times that he was attractive. Denying it now would be such an obvious lie.

"Follow me, darling."

Darling. After all this time. I was not ready to hear him call me that. Not after everything that happened and how we separated at the end of our fifth year. It was a nickname he used with me from the moment we met.

I almost overslept on my first day because I was so nervous about arriving too late at my classes that I could not fall asleep last night. I made a mental note to thank Professor Weasley for giving me the field guide. I would have definitely gotten lost without it. I reached the Defence Against the Dark Arts class, hoping I was not too late.

The first thing I noticed when I entered the classroom was a duel between a red headed Gryffindor boy and a brown haired Slytherin boy. There was no Professor present in the classroom, which means the class had not started yet. I was still on time.

"Stupefy!"

A red light shot from the Slytherin's wand towards the Gryffindor, who blocked the spell. The Gryffindor immediately fired his own stupefy, which was easily blocked by the Slytherin. They continued firing spells to each other and it seemed the Gryffindor was starting to struggle. I had moved to stand with the other students. From this point I could see the Slytherin's face and I could not help but think he was the most beautiful boy I had ever seen.

"Is that all you've got?"

The Slytherin said with a smirk on his face. He looked a lot more confident than the Gryffindor boy he was duelling. Rightfully so. From what I had seen, the Slytherin was much more skilled in duelling than his Gryffindor opponent.

"Bombarda!"

The Gryffindor blocked the spell, but it bounced off and shot upwards to the skeleton of some kind of beast. Due to the force of the spell, its head came loose and fell down. But right before it hit the Gryffindor, the Professor entered the classroom.

"Levioso!"

She immediately began to lecture the class, while floating the Hebridean Black skull and placing it back on the skeleton. I loved her immediately. She sounded so wise and experienced. She would definitely be a great Professor. The Slytherin boy seemed to be just as interested in what she was telling the class as I. He also seemed to be very smug about the fact he had beaten the Gryffindor. Prewett, was what Professor Hecat called him. After she taught us a new spell, Levioso, and we all had some practice with it, she told us the best way to practise was by duelling. And continued to point towards me and the Slytherin boy to start the first practice duel.

"Time for a propper Hogwarts welcome, darling."

The Slytherin told me with a wink. I felt my face heating. Great Alexandra. Just what you need. No need to look like a tomato because this boy called you darling and winked at you. He took his place and a smirk appeared on his face. Oh, he was definitely confident about his ability to beat me in this duel. Let's hope I can wipe that smirk off his face.

I was not ready for the memory to pop in my head. I had done well to keep Sebastian out of my head since the end of our seventh year. He had made it clear that he was not interested in being anywhere near me. I had tried for two years to gain back his friendship, but he did not allow me back into his life.

I shook my head to clear it of the memory and the lingering hollow feeling it left behind. Now was not the time to dwell on the past. I was debating to turn back to the elevator and leave, but my curiosity got the better of me. Why had he asked for my help after all these years? I decided to follow him.

It did not take long for us to reach what I assumed was his office. The walk there had been quiet and maybe a little awkward. We had known each other so well during our fifth year and now I did not know how to talk to him. Do I pretend like nothing happens? Does he even want me to make small talk?

Once we entered his office, Sebastian leaned against his desk and folded his arms in front of his chest. He reminded me so much of the cheeky boy I had known in my fifth year like that, it made my heart skip a beat. He was just looking at me while I stood in front of him, my eyes darting around his office.

"Why am I here Sebastian?"

I did not want to be the first to break the silence, but it had lasted long enough. It was starting to make me feel nervous and I talk when I get nervous. I saw him hesitate for a second, but then he started talking.