Sinner // Sebastian Sallow

THIRTEEN

"When you think of the Dark Arts, what do you think of?"

"Balance," You reply, absentmindedly tracing words on the textbook page with your finger. "And comfort."

Sebastian Sallow hums beside you, head propped up on one hand. His cloak robe pools to his elbow, which remains sitting on his knee. Once again, he's too close for your liking, but you doubt arguing will get you anywhere.

He's in all his uniform, whereas you've opted for just a pair of grey trousers and a white button-down. Sunday is too relaxed to warrant full uniform, in your opinion, and the idea of wearing your Hufflepuff robes reminds you of a stuffy cupboard and overheating.

"When was the last time you used Ancient Magic?" is the next question that falls from Sebastian's tongue, pulling you back into reality, and you resist the urge to curl away from him. The last time Sebastian showed interest in that particular power, things went wrong extremely fast.

"I don't remember," you answer truthfully. "I'm not interested in using it."

"Why not?"

"Because everyone just wants to use me for it."

If a pin drops, you're sure you'll be able to hear it from a mile away. Sebastian falls painfully silent, body frozen in place like a statue. You don't regret it one bit.

His next suggestion he treads very carefully with, "Do you think it might be causing the problem?"

"What do you mean?"

He shuffles a little, moving his arm from his knee to place his hand flat on the ground, "You possess two powerful abilities. I'm just wondering if Ancient power is causing these surges in magic."

It's a possibility; one which you have thought about before, but the inability of people to not try and utilise you for Ancient power makes you think otherwise.

"Maybe," you say hesitantly. "I'll think about it."

You're not sure if that response is good enough, but he stays silent so you'll take it. It's entirely unsurprising that it's not taken Sebastian all that long to start investigating your powers and asking questions, but your guard is still up high in the sky and your responses are ready to fire away.

"We should do something different," Sebastian's voice echoes, switching the subject just like that.

You raise your eyebrows, sparing a glance in his direction, "Like what?"

"Would you follow me?"

It's unlike Sebastian to ask such a question, and you stare dumbfoundedly for a moment or two. He eyes you with intent the whole time, patiently waiting for your response, which does nothing but make you squirm uncomfortably.

You're not sure following a boy like Sebastian Sallow is really the smartest idea you've ever had, but now you think about it, what do you really have to lose?

"Sure."

And when he offers his hand to pull you up to your feet, you accept it.

He whisks you away from the Undercroft faster than you can think, weaving through the endless halls and out into the castle grounds. You don't ask where you're going, choosing to allow yourself just this one surprise. Why you decide this, you don't actually know; but Sebastian is here and you're stupid enough to follow him.

The sun beats down from a clear sky and you squint as soon as the light hits your face, used to the darkness of the Undercroft. Sebastian chooses that exact moment to look your way, and he chuckles at the expression on your face.