Light in the Dark // Sebastian Sallow

The Thing About Forgiveness

(Athena)

It's been a week since we left Anne with my mother. We did receive and Owl from Anne and my mother both being so happy to have company. It's getting close to November and it's starting to get cold outside. Oh how I love my winter attire! I'm always cold so I love staying extra warm with my gloves and scarf. Today is Saturday, thinking of asking Nat, Poppy, and Imelda to go to the three broomsticks with me when I receive a letter from my brother. Oh now he wants to talk to me...

'Athena,

I need a friend right now. Can we hang out?
Meet me by the Gryffindor Common room this afternoon 3 o'clock?

Your Brother
Andrew'

I roll my eyes and take out a piece of paper

'Drew

I would love to. See you at 3.

Your Sister
Athena'

I run into Imelda and she has plans to hang out with her boyfriend. Okay no worries!

I go to the great hall and find Poppy and Natty. I ask them if they want to hang out before my meeting with my brother. They of course agree, so we decide to go to the Three Broomsticks.

We are walking into Hogsmeade and Poppy stops in her tracks and says "guys, I just remembered I have to go. I'll see you guys later..." and she runs off.

Nat and I are so confused and looked over to who she was looking at, and it was a 7th year guy. He has beautiful crystal blue eyes  and dark black hair. Well I guess Poppy has a little crush? I roll my eyes as Nat and I come to the realization together at the same time. We smile and head inside the Three Broom Sticks.

Sirona immediately greets us as we walk in and head to the bar "well hello ladies! Good to see your faces again. 1 butter beer for each on the house." We both smile at her "Sirona you always make us feel so welcome! Thank you so much!" Nat says as we find a seat on the upper level.

We are two butter beers in when she finished up telling me everything about her date with Amit. "You really like him Nat, don't you?"

She smiles and blushes "you know, I finally found someone who can outwit me sometimes. Not all the time, but some times. It's nice being able to talk smarts with him."

I look at my watch and it's 2:45. "Oh my gosh Nat I'm so sorry I told my brother I'd meet him by the Gryffindor tower at 3! Actually your a Gryffindor, could you come with me just so I don't get lost."

She looks at me with big eyes "Athena what the hell, come on let's go we have like 5 minutes!" We take the floopower and rush up the moving staircase! It's 3:05 by the time we get there.

My brother is standing outside talking with Garreth when I arrive. I immediately stop in my tracks staring at Garreth, and Garreth stands there staring right back at me.

Nat Grabs my shoulder and says "let's go back I don't think this is a good idea..."

Garreth says "no Natty, come on I just want a word."

Natty stares daggers at him, "you want a Word with Athena? After everything you said to her. Your a git."

I move uncomfortably "Natty, I'll see what he has to say. Just stay close. Okay? Also I love you and thank you for defending me. Your amazing." I give her a reassuring nod and she walks off with my brother to the other side of the room.

"What do you want Garreth..." I say with confidence even though my heart is pounding. I'm so mad at my brother right now.

He gives me a warm smile "I need you to know, I'm really sorry for what happened at the beginning of the year. I was out of line, and jealous. I was jealous. Sebastian has had his grip on you since you got here. He's also very toxic. I didn't want you to go through heart break again. It seemed like he really hurt you last year and I didn't want to see you hurt, okay?"

I look down "Garreth you really hurt me. Sebastian would never do what you did to me. You disrespect me In front of everyone. I appreciate you apologizing. Thank you it's what I needed to hear. But I need to take this all in. You have always been funny, and I'm surprised you haven't blown yourself up yet. However, let's take things one step at a time. Also my boyfriend really hates you right now so it's not just me you'll have to win respect back..."

He rolls his eyes "I will never get Sebastian's trust back. However I just needed you to know." He puts out his hand and I shake his hand.

"thank you Garreth."

He looks up and smiles "one step at a time, right?"

I smile back "one step at a time."

I look over at Nat and my Brother Drew, they are both smiling and walking over. Drew gives me a big hug, as does Nat. "Thank you Drew." He looks up at me "we have so much to chat about, also missed you so much." we say our goodbyes to Nat and Garreth.

"Come on Drew, let me take you somewhere that not many people know about." He gives me a huge smile and we walk all the way down to the Portrait with the pear near the Hufflepuff common room. On the way Drew tell me about his new friends Felix, Reuben, and Titus. They all met on the Hogwarts express and Titus is also a Gryffindor too! Felix and Reuben are Ravenclaws. He has learned so much already and is having a Blast. He tells me about a Slytherin first year named Tabitha Umbridge who keeps bullying  him  and his friends. We are almost to the Portrait when I stop and say "Tabitha Umbridge. Let me talk to Sebastian and see what we can do. Don't let anyone bully you. Stand your grand, you are a powerful Wizard Andrew Johnson. Show them your Courage. That's why you were sorted in Gryffindor." He smiles and looks up to me as we pull up to the portrait.

"Okay Andrew, this place is very top secrete, no one else can know about it." We tap three times on the pear and give it a little tickle, the secrete door opens up to house elves who welcome us in happily giving us loads of food. We sit at one of the tables and watch them scatter as they are getting ready for the Fall feast tonight.

"Athena I'm really sorry I've been avoiding you. You just haven't been popular around the Gryffindors since what Happened at that party. I'm just trying to have a good time my first year here. You and Sebastian made it sound so remarkable this summer. I wanted to have fun too."

I put my hand on him "you NEVER have to apologize to me.  I love you unconditionally. But I do appreciate you telling me why. Can we be friends again. Or at least send me an owl if you don't want to be seen with me. I really don't mind."

He gets up and hugs me "I miss you so much. I promise I'll hang out with you. I love you."

We head back up to the great hall where there's a huge feast, we hug and I say "I'll see you later?"
He smiles "later sis!" And runs to his friend and the Gryffindor table who I can only assume is Titus.

I make my way towards the Slytherin Table and sit next to Imelda and across the table is Sebastian and Ominis.

"Hey you, where have you been all day?" Sebastian says smiling.

"Oh we have loads to talk about. A lot of forgiveness today..." all three of them look at me but I get interrupted by Professor Black.

"Before we begin,  I want to congratulate all the students who made it onto the quidditch team this year. This season will be starting next week and I know we're all very ex-" he's interrupted by applause and cheers throughout the hall. Things settle down after a minute and professor black continues "okay that is it..." and he walks back to his seat unenthused.

I look at Sebastian "I made it on the team again Athena! I'm going to be the seeker!"

I look at Sebastian shocked "and I am the the team captain, he was the best fit for the job! I'll be playing keeper" Imelda spits out finally.

"Oh my gosh you guys!!! I'm so incredibly proud and happy for you! Thank means that Ominis and I will have to be at EVERY game. Right Ominis? Will you be my seat partner?"

Ominis rolls his eyes "I suppose I will I'm always at every game. I'll need someone to tell me about the game after all."

I smile and even though I don't eat much because I just ate with my brother I'm enjoying the company.