A Tale of Shadows | Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 04

Sebastian P.O.V.

She was looking everywhere but at me, while I could not keep my eyes off her. She had been beautiful when we met back in fifth year, but I was not prepared to see her now. While I had grown taller since the last time we saw each other, she had remained that same small Hufflepuff I had gotten to know in fifth year.

Her face still held a little baby fat, making her look slightly younger than she actually was. Her curly hair was now cut above her neck. She no longer had her long curly locks that I used to play with to annoy her. This suited her better though. I definitely was not prepared to see the woman I have had a crush on since the day we met after all these years to find out she had grown to become even more beautiful.

"Why am I here Sebastian?"

Why was she here? I didn't even know where to begin. For the last two years, I have tried to find excuses to invite her over. I want her back in my life, but I am positive she hates me after how harsh I had been to her. She thinks I had not wanted her at Anne's funeral because she had not absorbed that magic from the repository, but that had been a lie.

"A few months ago one of the other Unspeakables found a book containing the mark of Merlin."

It was when I had completely given up on finding an excuse to reach out to her, when the universe seemed to hand me a solution. Like it wanted me to reach out to her. From the moment the book was handed to me, I just knew I would need her help with this. I can't even begin to explain that feeling to her or anyone else.

I had definitely piqued her interest with that. Not a lot is known about Merlin. If this book belonged to him there could be information inside that we cannot even begin to fathom.

"I have tried everything to open it, but nothing works."

I have to admit I was a little disappointed that I was not able to open the book by myself. Even when I already had a feeling that I would not be able to from the moment I had received it. My ego definitely took a hit from it. That feeling of not being able to do it had nothing to do with my own capabilities. I was confident that nobody else is as skilled as I am at this. No, somehow I subconsciously knew that something else would be required to open this.

"So why would I be able to open it?"

It was clear to me that she had not yet come to the conclusion I have come to weeks ago. Maybe she doesn't even consider it a possibility. It's not like I could have known for sure that it would require what she has. I couldn't see it like she does.

"What do you have that I don't?"

Her eyes grew wider. It would make sense for Merlin to have the same ability as she does. He is known as one of the strongest wizard of all time. Stronger even than Salazar Slytherin himself, who was his mentor. What if that had something to do with the type of magic he has? The type of magic Salazar Slytherin did not possess.

"Ancient magic."

It came out as a whisper. Like she was scared someone besides us would hear. I knew she swore to keep the existence of ancient magic a secret to those Keepers. She had told me as much when she defied their wishes and told me. I had felt so honoured that she would entrust me with such an important secret and I had vowed that I would never tell another soul about it. Eventually she had told Ominis about it as well after he witnessed her power. She had not planned to tell anyone else besides me, but the situation was so dire that she had not seen a positive outcome if she did not use her powers.

"Don't worry, nobody knows why I have specifically requested your assistance on this."

She had started to look worried. I saw that she was trying to hide it, but she could not fool me. I felt like I had to tell her. That despite everything that happened between us, her secrets will always be safe with me. I never even truly hated her. Not even when I was so angry that I had not wanted her to attend Anne's funeral. I had let my emotions get the better of me after she had announced that she would not absorb the ancient magic from the repository. I was blinded by my desperation to save Anne. I had not considered the consequences of taking away her pain like that.

"I was not worrying about that."

Her eyes immediately found mine and for the first time in years, our gazes met. I was overcome by so many feelings at the same time. Some, I could not even understand myself, let alone describe. I felt a pang of guilt. Guilt for the way I had treated her, but also guilt towards myself. For having denied her presence in my life. The person that had been able to make me laugh when I was at my lowest, my darkest. The person who, no matter how far I went towards that darkness, was always able to pull me back.

"Do... Do you... Do you want to see the book?"

I had been so overwhelmed by everything, so overwhelmed by the ability her eyes had to pull me in and make me forget about everything else but her, that I stuttered out that sentence. I actually stuttered. Never in my life have I been unable to properly articulate what I wanted to say. And here I was, a stuttering mess, because I was not prepared for the effect she apparently still had on me. Merlin, how had I been so stupid to push her away? I am just hoping that it is not too late to get her back in my life.